ABSTRACT
The growth, yield, and carbon content of eight-month old seedlings of Pongamia pinnata were compared under water and urea supplementation. One set of plants were subjected to water stress condition (WS), whereas the other supplied with 2 g of urea (WS+U) under WS. Both the experimental set ups were exposed to varying treatment levels which include full irrigation (100%, control) followed by 75 % (T1), 50 % (T2), 25 % (T3) and 12.5 % (T4). The growth, leaf area and relative water content were maximum under WS when compared to WS+U (p<0.001). The maximum biomass was produced in the seedlings under WS in control (1.68 g) followed by T1 (1.38 g), T2 (1.53 g), T3 (0.93 g) and T4 (0.73 g). A significant (p<0.001) reduction in biomass production was observed in WS+U in control (1.28 g), T1 (0.66 g), T2 (1.13 g) and T3 (0.44 g). T4 of WS+U showed similar biomass (0.73 g) as that of T4 of WS. Under WS, the highest biomass allocation was recorded in shoots followed by leaves and roots. Similar trend was observed in WS+U. However, the percentage of allocation was more in the roots of WS+U (27.2 %) when compared to WS (22.24 %). The highest amount of carbon content was observed in control plants treated under WS (9.59 g) followed by control plants of WS+U (7.31 g) (p<0.001). The results of the preliminary study clearly indicated that P. pinnata seedlings were able to cope-up with water stress conditions without urea application and can perform well in 50 % water availability and is best suited for the plantation programs in the semi-arid ecosystems.
ABSTRACT
Seasonal changes in soil respiration (SR), soil temperature (ST) and soil moisture (SM) were compared between a barren land with no vegetation (control) and grassland dominated by Heteropogon contortus (L.) of a semi-arid eco-system during 2005-2006. A statistically significant (p<0.001) seasonal change in SR was observed between the two sites. The variation characteristics of soil CO2 efflux rates were observed during wet periods along precipitation gradients and it was consistently higher in grasslands than in control. A maximum soil CO2 efflux of 13.35 ± 0.33 Amol m-2 s-1 in grassland and 7.33 ± 0.8 Amol m-2 s-1 in control was observed during rainy season-II, i.e., from October to December, a minimum of 1.27 ± 0.2 Amol m-2 s-1 in grassland and 0.67 ± 0.5 Amol m-2 s-1 in control during summer season, i.e., from March to June. A positive significant relation observed between soil respiration and soil moisture (r2 above 0.8) and no significant relation was observed between soil CO2 efflux and soil temperature (r2 below 0.3). In water-limited semi-arid ecosystem, rewetting of the soil due to precipitation events triggered the increased pulses of soil respiration especially in grassland when compared to the barren land. The observed soil respiration rates during summer and after the subsequent precipitation events strongly indicated that the soil water-deficit conditions reduce the efflux both in barren land (control) and in grassland of semi-arid eco-system.
ABSTRACT
Diurnal trends in net photosynthesis rate (PN ), stomatal conductance (gs ), water use efficiency (WUE) and biomass were compared in six-month-old seedlings of Albizia lebbeck and Cassia siamea, under different levels of drought stress. The potted plants were subjected to four varying drought treatment by withholding watering for 7 (D1), 14 (D2) and 25 (D3) days. The fourth group (C) was watered daily and treated as unstressed (control). Species differed significantly (p<0.001) in their physiological performance under varying stress conditions. Higher PN of 11.6 ± 0.05 in control followed by 4.35 ± 0.4 in D1 and 2.83 ± 0.18 @mol m-2 s-1 in D2 was observed in A. lebbeck. A significant (p<0.001) reduction in PN was observed in C. siamea ( C 7.65 ± 0.5 @mol m-2 s-1, D1, 2.56 ± 0.33 @mol m-2 s-1 and D2, 1.4 ± 0.01 @mol m-2 s-1 ) at 9 hr. A positive correlation was seen between PN and gs (A. lebbeck, r2= 0.84; C. siamea, r2= 0.82). Higher WUE was observed in C. siamea (D2, 7.1± 0.18 @mol m-2 s-1; D3, 8.39 ± 0.11 @mol m-2 s-1) than A. lebbeck, (control, 7.58 ± 0.3 @mol m-2 s-1 and D3, 8.12 ± 0.15 @mol m-2 s-1). The chlorophyll and relative water content (RWC) was more in A. lebbeck than C. siamea. Maximum biomass was produced by A. lebbeck than C. siamea. From the study, one could conclude that A. lebbeck is better than C. siamea in adopting suitable resource management strategy and be best suited for the plantation programs in the semi-arid dry lands.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Workplace bullying is an important and serious issue in a healthcare setting because of its potential impact on the welfare of care-providers as well as the consumers. AIMS: To gauge the extent of bullying among the medical community in India; as a subsidiary objective, to assess the personality trait of the bullying victims. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A cross-sectional, anonymous, self-reported questionnaire survey was undertaken among a convenient sample of all the trainee doctors at a Government Medical College in Tamil Nadu, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A questionnaire, in English with standard written explanation of bullying was used. Basic information like age, sex, job grade and the specialty in case of Postgraduates (PGs) were also collected. Statistical Analysis: The results were subjected to descriptive statistical analysis and Chi-square test for comparison of frequencies. RESULTS: A total of 174 doctors (115 PGs and 59 junior doctors), took part in the study with a cent percent response. Nearly half of the surveyed population reported being subjected to bullying. Nearly 54 (53%) of the men and 35 (48%) of women were subjected to bullying. Significant proportions (P < 0.0001) of medical personnel and paramedical staff bullied the PGs and junior doctors, respectively. More than 85 (90%) of bullying incidents went unreported. A significant (P < 0.0001) percentage of PGs and junior doctors revealed a personality trait towards bully. CONCLUSIONS: Workplace bullying is common among trainee doctors and usually goes unreported.
Subject(s)
Adult , Aggression , Data Collection , Female , Humans , India , Interprofessional Relations , Male , Medical Staff, Hospital/psychology , Middle Aged , Stress, PsychologicalABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to investigate the distribution of proteinpolysaccharides in the glomerular and non-glomerular regions of the nephron. The techniques used include the digestion of kidney slices with specific polysaccharidases: neuraminidase, hyaluronidase, chondroitinase ABC, and collagenase followed by several cytochemical techniques to identify the glycosaminoglycans and glycoproteins at the light and electron microscope levels. Differential staining of hyaluronic acid and sulphated glycosaminoglycans was accomplished with Alcian Blue at pH 2·5 and pH 0·5, respectively. Sialoproteins were stained with Alcian Blue at pH 2·5. The periodic acid Schiff's reaction technique was employed for the visualization of collagen. At the electron microscope level the polysaccharides were identified with the periodic acid-chromic acid-silver methenamine reaction. Our results indicated that the major polysaccharide components of the glomerular basement membrane were sialoproteins and collagen, with smaller amounts of hyaluronic acid and various sulphated glycosaminoglycans. Hyaluronidase digestion resulted in partial detachment of epithelial processes from the glomerular basement membrane indicating the hyaluronic acid may have a role in the stability of the attachment of these processes. Tubular basement membranes also contain sialoproteins and sulphated glycosaminoglycans but in considerably lower concentrations than the glomerular basement membrane. Bowman's capsule appears to contain mostly sulphated glycosaminoglycans and has a lower concentration of sialoproteins and hyaluronic acid.