ABSTRACT The first ever long-term measurement of black carbon (BC) aerosols over an urban location at the central Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP) is presented. Both short- and long-term variations in BC during the period 2009-2013 are discussed with specific emphasis on variation in BC sources, meteorology, trend and possible transport pathways across the IGP. High BC mass loading was noted with a 5-yr composite mean (± SD) of 11.8 (± 8.6) µg m-3, having strong and consistent seasonal variations (median: 8.8; range: 1.4-48.0 µg m-3). Winter (21.5 ± 9.9µ gm-3) and post-monsoon (17.4 ± 10.2 µg m-3) specific rises in BC mass were consistent with the increase in household emissions, and from agricultural residue burning. The BC mass concentration was mostly influenced by local sources, while sudden change in BC was consistent with the change in Delta-C, indicating emissions primarily from biomass burning. Beside sources, atmospheric boundary layer height was noted to considerably influence short-term variations in BC concentration. A statistically significant monotonic increasing trend in BC concentration (0.9 µg m-3 yr-1) was computed along with its 95% uncertainty bounds (0.38-1.52 µ gm-3 yr-1). Increase in BC concentration was consistent with a rise in BC sources across the IGP and over India. Furthermore, clear evidence of local and regional scale transport of BC aerosols was found using the particle Lagrangian model.

RESUMEN Se presentan las primeras mediciones a largo plazo de aerosoles de carbono negro (CN) en una ubicación urbana de la llanura indogangética media (IGP, por sus siglas en inglés). Tanto las variaciones a corto como a largo plazo en CN de 2009 a 2013 se analizan con énfasis específico en la variación de las fuentes de CN, la meteorología, la tendencia y el posible mecanismo de transporte a través de la IGP. Se observó una carga de CN excepcionalmente alta con una media (± DE) de 11.8 (± 8.6), con un patrón estacional fuerte y constante (mediana: 8.8; rango: 1.4-48.0 μg m-3). El aumento específico en el invierno (21.5 ± 9.9 μg m-3) y la temporada post monzón (17.4 ± 10.2 μg m-3) fue consistente con el aumento de las emisiones domésticas y la quema de residuos agrícolas. La masa de CN fue influenciada principalmente por fuentes locales, mientras que el cambio repentino en la concentración de CN fue consistente con el cambio en Delta-C, lo cual indica que las emisiones provienen principalmente de fuentes biogénicas de CN. Además de las fuentes, la altura de la capa límite atmosférica influyó considerablemente en la carga de CN. También se calculó una tendencia creciente monotónica estadísticamente significativa en la concentración de CN (0.9 μg m-3 yr-1) junto con sus correspondientes límites de incertidumbre de 95% (0.38-1.52 μg m-3 yr-1). Tal aumento gradual en CN fue consistente con el aumento potencial en sus fuentes. Además, se encontró evidencia clara del transporte local y regional de aerosoles de utilizando el modelo lagrangiano de partículas.

Forty-four soybean genotypes with different photoperiod response were selected after screening of 1000 soybean accessions under artificial condition and were profiled using 40 SSR and 5 AFLP primer pairs. The average polymorphism information content (PIC) for SSR and AFLP marker systems was 0.507 and 0.120, respectively. Clustering of genotypes was done using UPGMA method for SSR and AFLP and correlation was 0.337 and 0.504, respectively. Mantel's correlation coefficients between Jaccard's similarity coefficient and the cophenetic values were fairly high in both the marker systems (SSR = 0.924; AFLP = 0.958) indicating very good fit for the clustering pattern. UPGMA based cluster analysis classified soybean genotypes into four major groups with fairly moderate bootstrap support. These major clusters corresponded with the photoperiod response and place of origin. The results indicate that the photoperiod insensitive genotypes, 11/2/1939 (EC 325097) and MACS 330 would be better choice for broadening the genetic base of soybean for this trait.

The synthesis of a series of novel 3-pyridyl-6-aryl-s-triazolo[3,4-b]-[1,3,4]-thiadiazoles is described. Fourteen new compounds were synthesized and characterized by spectral and elemental analyses. Some compounds were screened for antibacterial activity against S. aureus, E. coli, B. subtilis and P. aeruginosa. Compounds containing aryl substituents at position 6 and the 1,2,4-triazole moiety at position 1 or 2 showed reasonable antibacterial activity.