Multi-criteria decision making and Dempster-Shafer model-based delineation of groundwater prospect zones from a semi-arid environment.

The present study illustrates the delineation of the groundwater potential zones in one of the most critical and drought-affected areas under Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh (India). Hydrological evaluations were carried out using GIS tools and remote sensing data which ultimately yielded several thematic maps, such as lineament density, land use/land cover, drainage density, lithology, slope, geomorphology, topographic wetness index (TWI), DEM, and soil. Thematic layers were assigned relative weightages as per their groundwater potential prospects under multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) method through analytical hierarchy process (AHP). To recognize the groundwater potential zone, weighted overlay analysis was also performed. Additionally, for testing of the Dempster-Shafer model, 16 wells in the study area have been selected. Based on the probability of the groundwater occurrence, the belief factor was equated to delineate groundwater potential zones which illustrate five different potential zones. According to the AHP model, the northwest side of the study area is characterized with very high potential zones whereas the northeast and southeast regions constitute medium and low groundwater potential zones respectively. According to the DS model, very high groundwater potential zones constitute 17% and the remaining area falls under low potential. Overall accuracy of the DS model is higher than AHP model.

Evaluation of antioxidant activity of two important memory enhancing medicinal plants Baccopa monnieri and Centella asiatica.

BACKGROUND: Free radicals or highly reactive oxygen species are capable of inducing oxidative damage to human body. Antioxidants are the compounds which terminate the attack of reactive species and reduce the risk of diseases. Both Baccopa monnieri and Centella asiatica are used in treatment of brain disorders in humans and have almost similar effects. OBJECTIVE: The study was conducted to determine the antioxidant properties of two well-known memory enhancer medicinal plants Baccopa monnieri and Centella asiatica. RESULTS: The antioxidant activity of these two medicinal plants was evaluated by measuring reducing ability, free radical scavenging activity by DPPH and hydrogen peroxide methods. The antioxidants compounds like ascorbic acid, total phenols and tannins were also evaluated in these plants. Baccopa monnieri and Centella asiatica exhibited significant differences (P<0.05) in their antioxidant values. The methanolic extract of whole leaf powder of Baccopa monnieri exhibited significantly higher antioxidant activity than the Centella asiatica. The antioxidant components viz. ascorbic acid, total phenols and tannins were also found in a higher concentration in Baccopa monnieri as compared to Centella asiatica. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded from the study that regular use of Baccopa monnieri as a supplement could be more helpful compared to Centella asiatica in treatment of neurological disorders caused by free radical damage.