ID: 55672
Title: Predicting forest structural parameters using the image texture derived fro WorldView -2 multispectral imagery in a dryland forest, Israel
Author: Ibrahim Ozdemir, Arnon Karnieli
Editor: Alfred Stein
Year: 2011
Publisher: Elsevier, Vol 13, issue 5, October 2011
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation
Keywords: Forest diversity, Tree allometry, VHR imagery
Abstract: Estimatio of forest structural parameters by field-based data collection methods is both expensive and time consuming. Satellite remote sensing is a low-cost alternative in modeling and mapping structural parameters in large forest areas. The current study investigates the potential of using WorldView -2 multispectral satellite imagery for predicting forest structural parameters in a dryland plantation forest in Israel. The relationships between image texture features and the several structural parameters such as Number of Trees (NT), Basal Area (BA), Stem Volume (SV), Clark-Evans Index (CEI), Diameter Differentiation Index (DDI), Contagion Index (CI), Gini Coefficient (GC), and Standard Deviation of Diameters at Breast Heights (SDDBH) were examined using correlation analyses. These variables were obtained from 30 m x 30 m square-shaped plots The Standard Deviation of Gray Levels (SDGL) as a first order texture feature and the second order texture variables based on Gray Level Co-occurrence Matrix (GLCM) were calculated for the pixels that corresponds to field plots. The results of the correlation analysis indicate that the forest structural parameters significantly correlated with the image texture features. The highest correlation coefficients were calculated for the relationships between the SDDBH and the contrast of red band (r= 0.75, p < 0.01), the BA and the entropy of blue band (r = 0.73, p < 0.01), and the GC and the contrast of blast band (r = 0.71, p < 0.01). Each forest structural parameter was modeled as a function of texture measures derived from the satellite image using stepwise multi linear regression analyses. The determination coefficient (R2) and root mean square error (RMSE) values of the best fitting models, respectively, are 0.38 and 109.56 ha-1 for the NT; 0.54 and 1.79 m2ha-1 for the BA; 0.42 and 27.18 m3ha-1 for the SV; 0.23 and 0.16 for the CEI; 0.32 and 0.05 for the DDI; 0.25 and 0.06 for the CI; 0.50 and 0.05 for the GC; and 0.67 and 0.70 for the SDDBH. The leave-one-out cross-validation technique was applied for validation of the best-fitted models (R2 > 0.50). In conclusion, cross-validated statistics confirmed that the structural parameters including the BA, SDDBH, and GC can be predicted and mapped with a reasonable accuracy using the texture features extracted from the spectral bands of WorldView - 2image.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 55671
Title: Evaluation of different topographic correction methods for Landsat imagery
Author: Stijn Hantson, Emilio Chuvieco
Editor: Alfred Stein
Year: 2011
Publisher: Elsevier, Vol 13, issue 5, October 2011
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation
Keywords: Landsat, TM, ETM+, topographic correction
Abstract: The recent free availability of Landsat historical data provides new potentials for land-cover change studies. Multi-temporal studies require a previous radiometric and geometric homogenization of input images, to better identify true changes. Topographic normalization is one of the key steps to create consistent and radiometricly stable multi-temporal time series, since terrain shadows change throughout time. This paper aims to evaluate differetn methods for topographic correction of Landsat TM-ETM+ data. They were assessd for 15 ETM+ images taken under different illumination conditions, using two criteria: (a) reduction of the standard deviation (SD) for different land-covers and (b) increase in temporal stability of a time series for individual pixels. We observed that results improve when land-cover classes where processed independently when applying the more advanced correctin algorithms such as the C-correction and the Minnaert correction. Best results were obtaining for the C-correction and the empiric - statistic correction. Decreases of the SD for bare soil pixels were larger than 100% for the C- correction and the empiric - statistic correction method compared to the other correction methods in the visible spectrum and larger than 50% in the IR region. In almost all tests the empiric-statistic method provided better results than the C-correction. When analyzing the multi-temporal stability, pixels under bad illumination conditions (northern orientation) improved after correction. While a deterioration was observed for pixels under good illumination conditions (southern orientation). Taken this observation into account, a simple but robust method for topographic correction of Landsat imagery is proposed.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 55670
Title: Production and isolation of biosurfactant-sophorolipid and its application in body wash formulation
Author: S Kulkarni and P Choudhary
Editor: Dr P.K Wong, Dr Sadhana Sharma
Year: 2011
Publisher: Global Science Publications, Vol 13, No 1, 2011
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Asian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology & Environmental Science
Keywords: Biosurfactant, sophorolipid (SL), starmerella bombicola, body wash
Abstract: The yeast Starmerella bombicola was used to produce Sophorolipid which is a biosurfactant through aerobic fermentation. Isolation of Sophorolipid was carried out by solvent extraction method. Characterization was done by determining surface tension and Critical micelle concentration. Results were found to be satisfactory. Body washes were formulated using different concentrations of Sophorolipid. Formulation containing Cocoamidopropylbetaine and Sophorolipids in the ratio of 3:2 was found to be most satisfactory.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 55669
Title: Evaluation of some marketed facepacks and cakes for microbial load
Author: S B Kulkarni, N D Bajpai and B S Meghre
Editor: Dr P.K Wong, Dr Sadhana Sharma
Year: 2011
Publisher: Global Science Publications, Vol 13, No 1, 2011
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Asian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology & Environmental Science
Keywords: Face pack, clostridium, raw materials of natural origin, microbial load
Abstract: Face packs are one of the very popular skin care products which are used by majority of consumers to maintain beauty and improve the skin condition. Various raw materials of natural origin are used to prepare face packs therefore, consumers consider them as safe and do not even suspect of any hidden danger lurkign in such products. In order to verify the safety, microbiological analysis of one of the main ingredient used in the face pack i.e., fuller ' s earth "clay" (soil origin) and marketed samples of face packs containing fuller ' s earth was carried in the laboratory. It was revealed that these products are heavily contaminated with microorganisms calling for stringent microbiological standards from consumer ' s safety point.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 55668
Title: Cow urine is an elixir of life
Author: Parikshit A Bhamburkar and Mangala B Karlekar
Editor: Dr P.K Wong, Dr Sadhana Sharma
Year: 2011
Publisher: Global Science Publications, Vol 13, No 1, 2011
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Asian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology & Environmental Science
Keywords: Vermiwash, cow urine, panch gavya
Abstract: Using chemicals and pesticides have become a necessity in order to increase the yield of a crop. Excessive use of chemical fertilizers have not only led to deterioration of soil condition but also aggrvate the problem of farmers suicide, so there need to use eco-friendly ways of cultivation. Spraying crop with Vermiwash diluted with cows urine in 1:1 ratio is an eco-friendly way of increasing crop production. Cow urine works as an purifier while fresh cow dung is a insect repellent and acts as a germicidal. Cow urine has therapeutic aspects, medicinal value as mentioned in panch gavya (ancient Indian Medical monograph). Traditionally it is believed that cow dung has anti-microbial effect.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 55667
Title: Beneficial effects of blue green Algae spirulina and yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae on cocoon quantitative parameters of silkworm Bombyx mori L
Author: K Masthan, T Raj Kumar and C V Narasimha Murthy
Editor: Dr P.K Wong, Dr Sadhana Sharma
Year: 2011
Publisher: Global Science Publications, Vol 13, No 1, 2011
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Asian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology & Environmental Science
Keywords: Sericulture, Probiotics, spirulina, yeast, silk yield
Abstract: The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of application of probiotics on mulberry leaf and using it for silkworm rearing. Nutritional study on silkworm is an essential prerequisite for its proper commercial exploitations Nutrition of silkworm is sole factor which almost individually augment quality and quantity of silk (Laskar and Datta, 2000). The dietary supplements like protein, vitamins, lipids etc evincing their effect on various metabolic activities of silkworm (Horie, 1980) and their deficiency will lead to silkworm disease. Hence in the present investigation an attempt is made to study the impact fortification of mulberry leaf with certain food probiotic microorganisms like Spirulina and Saccharomyces cerevisiae on cocoon quantitative parameters like Cocoon weight, shell weight, pupal weight, shell percentage and silk filament length of silk worm Bombyx mori. Data is collected and subjected to the statistical analysis. The results indicate that there is a better growth rate and silk production when probiotics were used. Between two probiotics used in the present investigation blue green algae Spirulina is considered to be better than the Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 55666
Title: Glucoamylase production potentiality of yeast isolated from natural samples
Author: A Manohara, K L Somashekar and A K Vinu
Editor: Dr P.K Wong, Dr Sadhana Sharma
Year: 2011
Publisher: Global Science Publications, Vol 13, No 1, 2011
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Asian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology & Environmental Science
Keywords: yeast, glucoamylase, amylotic activity, hydrolysis, endoamylase
Abstract: Glucoamylases are one of the amylolytic enzymes used in starch hydrolysis in food industry. Major enzymes of industrial importance are of microbial origin. Glucoamylases are of a family of Endoamylase that catalysis both 1, 4 and 1, 6 - glycosidic linkage in polymers of a D-glucose. So it increases the yield but is used after initial treatment with ? - amylase. The amylolytic yeasts that are potential candidates that can reduce the cost of production. IN the present work, several strians of yeasts were screened from rotten potato and rotten sweet potato and tested for efficiency of starch hydrolysis. Quantitative determinations of amylolytic potentially of the yeasts were determined by assay method. Different parameters like pH, starch concentration and temperature required for maximum glucoamylase production were tested. These screened yeast strains were identified by microscopic and biochemical parameters. Totally four different strains of yeasts were isolated from rotten potato and rotten sweet potato are identified as Cystofilabasidium sp, Filobasidium sp, Saccharomycopsis sp and Cryptococcus sp.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 55665
Title: Intraspecific variation in Jatropha curcas L found in Maharashtra State
Author: Aniruddha Pawar, Swapnil Shevate, K D Gopale, R S Zunjarrao and R K Pathak
Editor: Dr P.K Wong, Dr Sadhana Sharma
Year: 2011
Publisher: Global Science Publications, Vol 13, No 1, 2011
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Asian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology & Environmental Science
Keywords: Intraspecific variation, Jatropha curcas, oil, protein, phorbol esters
Abstract: Jatropha curcas is recognized as most potential species for biodiesel production, because the seeds contain high oil content (30-38%) and can be grown under different land - use situations. Jatropha curcas seeds from different agro-climatic areas of Maharashtra were analyzed for intraspecific variations. Seeds collected from 20 districts of Maharashtra were clubbed into 4 regions: Western Maharashtra region, Konkan region, Central Maharashtra region and Vidarbha region on the basis of different climatic conditions. Jatropha curcas seeds were analyzed for their variation in Oil percentage by using Soxhlet apparatus, crude Protein concentration by Folin-Lowry method and Phorbol esters concentration by HPLC in the laboratory. The lowest percentage of Oil was found in Konkan region - 27.243% while, the rest of three regions had nearly the same readings, Vidarbha region - 33.830% Westerm Maharashtra region - 34.368% and the region of Central Maharashtra recorded the highest percentage of Oil - 34. 372%. There was substantial variation in protein concentration. The Konkan region recorded the lowest protein concentration - 47.65 mg/g. However, the Central Maharashtra recorded- 61.79 mg/g, followed by Western Maharashtra region - 66.34 mg/g and the region of Vidarbha recorded highest protein conc. - 82.41 mg/g. The Phorbol estersn concentration showed subtle variation. The Central Maharashtra region recorded the lowest concentration - 2.056 mg/g, Konkan region - 2.120 mg/g, followed by Western Maharashtra region - 2.162 mg/g and the Vidarbha region recorded the highest concentration - 2.312 mg/g.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 55664
Title: Chemical speciation of heavy metals in the dust samples collected from residential area of peninsular Malaysia
Author: C K Yap and I Muhammad Taufik
Editor: Dr P.K Wong, Dr Sadhana Sharma
Year: 2011
Publisher: Global Science Publications, Vol 13, No 1, 2011
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Asian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology & Environmental Science
Keywords: Dust, heavy metal contamination, Malaysia
Abstract: This study determined the concentrations of Cd, Cu, Pb, Ni, Fe and Zn in the four geochemical fractions on the dusts collected from 6 residential sites in Malaysia. The results indicated that a clear elevation of Ni and Cd concentration in which > 87% for Cd and > 96% for Ni were contributed by non-resistant fraction of the dusts, indicating high extractability and mobilization of these metals that could potentially cause toxicology risks to the inhabitants of the residential area.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 55663
Title: Study on antibacterial activity of turmeric
Author: Nayana Nikumbh, Swapnil Shevate and R K Pathak
Editor: Dr P.K Wong, Dr Sadhana Sharma
Year: 2011
Publisher: Global Science Publications, Vol 13, No 1, 2011
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Asian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology & Environmental Science
Keywords: Antibacterial activity, turmeric, curcumin
Abstract: In order to determine the antibacterial activity of turmeric, gram positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtillis and gram negative bacteria E. coli, Pseudomonas fluorescence were collected. Water and solvent extract of turmeric were prepared by using hydro distillation method and solvent extraction method respectively. To detect potential antibacterial activity of turmeric, disc diffusion method was used. Molten Muller Hinton agar along with 0.2 ml of inoculum was poured into petri plates. The test compound was placed on the upper layer of the seeded agar plates. The plates were incubated at 370C for 24 hrs. The inhibition activity of turmeric determined by measuring zone of absence of microbial growth. By using TR spectroscopy the functional compound Curcumin was detected. After quantitative analysis of curcumin it was found taht 0.6506 g of curcumin is present per 100 gram of sample.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 55662
Title: Comparative study of heavy metals in major parts of Callinectes amnicola (De rocheburne) (Crustacea: Portunidae) from Warri river, Nigeria
Author: C U Edema and A B M Egborge
Editor: Dr P.K Wong, Dr Sadhana Sharma
Year: 2011
Publisher: Global Science Publications, Vol 13, No 1, 2011
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Asian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology & Environmental Science
Keywords: Callinectes amnicola, Heavy metals, distribution, body parts
Abstract: The levels of heavy metals in major parts of Callinectes amnicola from the Warri River were determined. The variation of the metals were in order of Mn>Fe>Pb>Cu>Cd in edible portion and gills. A slight variation was observed in carapace viz Mn>Fe>Cu>Pb>Cd. The concentrations of Fe, Pb and Mn were highest in the edible portion superlative to carapace and gills. Copper was highest in carapace while cadmium was highest in gills. As a result of this study, it is advisable that carapace and gills of c. amnicola should be disposed off at the pre-cooking stage of processing to reduce human uptake of toxic metals.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 55661
Title: Effects of aspirin on development of chick embryo
Author: Swapnil Shevate, Nayana Nikumbh, Akshay Desai, Aniruddha Pawar and R K Pathak
Editor: Dr P.K Wong, Dr Sadhana Sharma
Year: 2011
Publisher: Global Science Publications, Vol 13, No 1, 2011
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Asian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology & Environmental Science
Keywords: Aspirin, window, cells, non-steroidal, drugs
Abstract: Aspirin is one of the most frequently used drugs in the treatment of mild to moderate pain, including that of migraines and the fever. It is often combined with other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and opiod analgesics in the treatment of moderate to severe pain. In high doses, aspirin and other salicylates are used in the treatment of rheumatic fever, rheumatic arthritis, and other inflammatory joint conditions. In lower doses, aspirin also inhibits platelet aggregation, and has been shown to reduce the incidence of transient ischemic attacks and unstable angina in men, and can be used prophylactically. It is also used in the treatment of pericarditis, coronary artery disease, and acute infarction. Low doses of aspirin are also recommended for the prevention of stroke, and myocardial infarction in patients with diagnosed cardiovascular disease. It is of no value in people without proven heart diseased. A window technique has been developed for culturing the cells of fertilized egg. Cultured cells of fertilized egg were taken. The chemical (aspirin) to be tested was added 12-18 hrs after the fertilization, to the culture prepared by the above mentioned method. At this stage the cells present, are not directed to form any specified organ This helps in obtaining better teratogenic results since then the affected cells form abnormal structures. Aspirin was added at stage 4 of the chick embryo culture. Various concentrations of aspirin from 200 - 1000? L were used. The abnormal structures were observed and results recorded.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 55660
Title: Effect of different immobilization techniques on enzyme activity
Author: R K Pathak, G Glen and Nitin Pereira
Editor: Dr P.K Wong, Dr Sadhana Sharma
Year: 2011
Publisher: Global Science Publications, Vol 13, No 1, 2011
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Asian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology & Environmental Science
Keywords: Protease, immobilization, matrices, polyacrylamide
Abstract: Immobilization, has emerged since last decade as a very powerful tool to improve almost all enzyme properties like stability, activity, specificity and selectivity, and reduction of inhibition. The immobilization may help to solve some of the problems of enzymes as industrial biocatalysts like enzyme recovery for reuse. In the present study 5 bacterial striains were isolated from alkaline soil collected from a beach. These cells were screened for protease activity. The initial activity of the cell was measured. The strain having high activity was selected for immobilization. The microorganisms were immobilized in various matrices, such as ca-alginate, polyacrylamide, agar-agar, and gelatin. The batch of 36 hrs was performed and the activity of the enzyme was measured for different matrices. The polyacrylamide showed the maximum enzyme activity. The batches were performed for 9 days to check the potential application and it was observed that the enzyme activity was high for first 6 days and later it started reducing.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 55659
Title: A novel approach to pack a fermentor with defoamer coated open celled polyurethane foam and to test for feasibility of sterilization
Author: M Gangadhara Naidu and K M Subbu Rathinam
Editor: Dr P.K Wong, Dr Sadhana Sharma
Year: 2011
Publisher: Global Science Publications, Vol 13, No 1, 2011
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Asian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology & Environmental Science
Keywords: Open celled polyurethane foam, Sterilization of defoamer in fermentor, Moisture trapping.
Abstract: A piece of open celled polyurethane foam (PUF) coated with undiluted defoaming agent was fixed at a particular position within a standard glass laboratory fermentor and subjected for steam sterilization at 1210C. Post sterilization observations showed that there was no appearance of any defoamer droplets on the contents of fermentor vessel and no presence of moisture within the sterilized defoamer coated open celled PUF. From this study, it can be concluded that a fermentor can be packed with a defoamer coated open celled PUF at a particular position and can be steam sterilized.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 55658
Title: Production of poly beta hydroxybutyrate by Alcaligenes eutrophus and Bacillus megaterium using mollases
Author: S Asokani and C Susithra
Editor: Dr P.K Wong, Dr Sadhana Sharma
Year: 2011
Publisher: Global Science Publications, Vol 13, No 1, 2011
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Asian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology & Environmental Science
Keywords: Polyhydroxybutyrate, Alcaligenes eutrophus, Bacillus megaterium, Molasses
Abstract: In this present study, two bacterial species were isolated from the municipal waste disposable site located at, Peravurani, Thanjavur District of Tamil Nadu. By using these isolates an attempt was made to produce PHB by using molasses as a substrate. Culture conditions like pH have been optimized with different carbon and nitrogen sources in different concentrations. Alcaligenes eutrophus showed a higher percentage of PHB production (40%) and Bacillus megaterium was yielded a moderate results. Synthetic fermentative medium was used as a control. Optimized pH was observed as 7. Other parameters like carbon (maltose) and nitrogen (ammonium chloride) supplementation were also evaluated and the highest (0.524 g/L) productivity was observed in maltose supplemented medium when comparing the slightly lower level in case of sucrose supplemented medium (0.493 g/L).
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None