26th December Research Articles

Analysis of Income and Value-Added of Spinach Processed Product in Payakumbuh City (Case Study in Alfin Spinach Chips Home Industry)

Spinach is one of the most popular types of vegetables in Indonesia. The increasing public demand for spinach has increased the creation of processed products made from spinach, one of which is spinach chips. Keripik Bayam Alfin is one of the home industries that process spinach into spinach chips but has never analyzed the value-added of its industry. This research aims to determine the production process of spinach chips, find out the value-added to making spinach chips, and know the income of the spinach chips home industry. And to find out whether spinach chips can be a promising alternative source of the economy in Payakumbuh or not. This research was implemented on Friday, December 26th, 2021, at the Alfin Spinach Chips Home Industry in Payolansek Village, RT 001 RW 003, West Payakumbuh District Payakumbuh City, West Sumatra Province. The method used is the value-added analysis method by Hayami. Respondents in this study were the owner and workers in the production sector. Based on the research, the amount of money received per production is IDR910.000, and the income earned per production is IDR249.791. The value-added was IDR9.725/kg. So this home industry has an excellent prospect to be used as a promising alternative source of the economy.

Solar Eclipse Induced Retinopathy: A Case Report

Purpose: To report a case of solar eclipse induced retinopathy. Case Report: A 19 years old male presented to Chittagong Eye Infirmary and Training Complex with a 4-day history of bilateral central scotoma following 10-15 minutes of direct sun-gazing during the solar eclipse on 26th December 2019. On general examination, he was of normal built and height for his age. Upon ocular examination, his BCVA was 6/9 in both eyes. Slit-lamp microscopic examination showed clear cornea in both eyes. Pupils of both eyes were round, regular and reacting. Lens was clear in both eyes. Fundus examination revealed discrete yellow lesions at the fovea of both eyes. Optical coherence tomography scanning showed corresponding retinal pigment epithelial defects in both eyes. The patient was managed conservatively with regular follow-up and counseling was done regarding guarded visual prognosis. Conclusion: Observing a solar eclipse directly can cause permanent eye damage hence public awareness of the dangers should be encouraged.

Evidence of amorphous Ca-phosphate precipitate caused by bio mineralisation in 4-5th CE lime plasters of the previously submerged east coastal monument of Salvankuppam

Abstract The lime plasters of the excavated monument of Salvankuppam, previously submerged and exposed by the Tsunami occurred in the Indian Ocean on 26th December 2004 was studied with different analytical techniques. The temple is dated 4-5th century CE. The XRF, XRD, FTIR, NMR, SEM-EDX analysis of the lime plasters evidenced particular occurrence of phosphatised bacterial remains in saline conditions. The formation of amorphous Ca-phosphate by bio mineralization was identified in the plasters by the analyses. The plasters are made of air-lime with coarse aggregates and seashells inclusion as confirmed by the thermal and chemical analysis. The microstructure and morphological investigations of mineralized microbial structures by SEM-EDX indicated the formation of amorphous Ca-phosphate. The unordered and fibrous spherulites have hardened and reduced porosity of the plaster by bio mineralization as observed through MIP analysis. The 16S rRNA sequencing has identified the Pseudomonas strains mainly responsible for the clustering of amorphous Ca-phosphate particles around the bacterial colony.

Assessment the Indication for Caesarean Section among Women's attending AL -Dewaniya Maternity and Pediatric Hospital

Background: Knowing the indications for a cesarean section will help to have a better understanding of this common obstetrical procedure and prepare for the high level of care management that it entails. Aims of the study: The goal of this study was to determine the factors that influence caesarean section indications among women who visited AL-Dewaniya Maternity and Pediatric Hospital, as well as the relationship between caesarean section women's indications and socio-demographic data. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study design is conducted for the period of December 26th 2020 to June 1st 2021 at Al Dewaniya Maternity and Pediatric Hospital. The validity of the questionnaire is determined through a panel of experts and reliability is achieved through a pilot study. By a purposive sample is selected among those who are undergo caesarean section, data was collected through the use questionnaire and interview techniques; and analyzed through the descriptive and inferential statistic. Results: the mean age was 29±7.723, most of the patient were in the age 20-29 years old (n=217; 43.4%), about (n=149; 29.8%) not read and write, more than half of study participants are housewife (n=339; 67.8%), most of study participants are overweight (n=248; 49.6%). Failure of labor progress were predominated were most common indications for cesarean section, the Oligohydramnios were the most factors indicated for cesarean section, as well as, there were no-significant relationship between women demographic data and their indications for caesarean section at p-value >0.05. Conclusion: failure of progress of labor was the most indication for cesarean section. Oligohydramnios was the most fetal factors indicated for cesarean section. Recommendations: Avoiding unjustified cesarean section delivery should be encouraged and detailed medical justification for performing caesareans by doctors should be provided

“COVID 19- Two Waves & More” What Have We Learnt?

The first case of SARS-CoV2 admitted on 26th December 2019 in Central Hospital, Wuhan, China. Broncho-alveolar lavage and Polymerase chain reaction of the aspirate showed high abundance of a viral RNA which has 89.1 % nucleotide identity with bat coronavirus previously isolated in China. Soon human to human transmission was observed and the outbreak started spreading. World Health Organisation on 11th March 2020 declared it as pandemic. COVID 19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, a disease we are still struggling to contain. With vaccination drive throughout the world, though the severity in re-infection has come down, but there is still threat by the various variants which are arising from time to time in various countries. The most effective way of preventing the spread of the virus is to keep physical distance from others of at least 1 meter, wearing a well fitted mask, keep hands clean and use hand sanitizer frequently, stay in well ventilated place, avoid crowded place and cough into bent elbow or tissue paper and get vaccinated when once’s turn comes. Therefore, we urge people to follow COVID appropriate behaviour properly.
 Keywords: COVID 19, SARS-CoV2, COVID appropriate behaviour, Social Distancing

Effects of Sowing Dates on Yield and Yield Components of Different Varieties of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in Western Uttar Pradesh

An experiment was conducted during Rabi season (November-December) of 2018–19 to study the effect of three dates of sowing (26th November, 11th December and 25th December) on growth, yield attributes and yield of fivewheat varieties (HD-2967, HD-3086, WH-1105, PBW-343 and PBW-226) at Agricultural Research Farm of IFTM University, Moradabad (UP) India. The experiment was laid out in Factorial Randomized Design with two replications. Sowing was done at spacing of 22.5 cm in sandy loam soil. The observations were recorded on growth, flowering, maturity, yield and yield components. Analysis of variance showed the significant variations were observed for the characters viz. plant height, days to flowering, spikes per plant, days to maturity, grain yield, test weight, straw yield, biological yield and harvest index due to changing dates of sowing. However, varietal variations were recorded for plant height, days to flowering, spikes per plant, days to maturity and test weight. Wheat sown on 26th November recorded significant increase in plant height, tillers plant-1, spikes-1 plant, grain yield and straw yield over late sowing on 11th December and 25th December. There was no significant variation among varieties for yield and yield contributing traits such as grains spike-1, grain and straw yield. Significant interaction effects between dates of sowing and varieties were found for days to flowering which showed that the variety HD-2967 is as best wheat variety for early sown and PBW-226 for late sown conditions in order to obtain better returns.

Exogenous application of moringa leaf extract improves growth, biochemical attributes, and productivity of late-sown quinoa.

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) has gained significant popularity among agricultural scientists and farmers throughout the world due to its high nutritive value. It is cultivated under a range of soil and climatic conditions; however, late sowing adversely affects its productivity and yield due to shorter growth period. Inorganic and organic phyto-stimulants are promising for improving growth, development, and yield of field crops under stressful environments. Field experiments were conducted during crop cultivation seasons of 2016–17 and 2017–18, to explore the role of inorganic (hydrogen peroxide and ascorbic acid) and organic [moringa leaf extract (MLE) and sorghum water extract (sorgaab)] phyto-stimulants in improving growth and productivity of quinoa (cultivar UAF-Q7). Hydrogen peroxide at 100 μM, ascorbic acid at 500 μM, MLE at 3% and sorgaab at 3% were exogenously applied at anthesis stage of quinoa cultivated under normal (November 21st and 19th during 2016 and 2017) and late-sown (December 26th and 25th during 2016 and 2017) conditions. Application of inorganic and organic phyto-stimulants significantly improved biochemical, physiological, growth and yield attributes of quinoa under late sown conditions. The highest improvement in these traits was recorded for MLE. Application of MLE resulted in higher chlorophyll a and b contents, stomatal conductance, and sub-stomatal concentration of CO2 under normal and late-sowing. The highest improvement in soluble phenolics, anthocyanins, free amino acids and proline, and mineral elements in roots, shoot and grains were observed for MLE application. Growth attributes, including plant height, plant fresh weight and panicle length were significantly improved with MLE application as compared to the rest of the treatments. The highest 1000-grain weight and grain yield per plant were noted for MLE application under normal and late-sowing. These findings depict that MLE has extensive crop growth promoting potential through improving physiological and biochemical activities. Hence, MLE can be applied to improve growth and productivity of quinoa under normal and late-sown conditions.

26th December: 1st Sunday after Christmas

26^th December: 1^st Sunday after Christmas

Atmospheric response to the annular solar eclipse of 26 December 2019 over Cochin, India

• Atmospheric response to annular solar eclipse of December 2019. • Drastic reduction in incoming solar radiation and variations in meteorological variables. • Mean PBL and Tropopause Heights were reduced by 50% and 5.5%. • Detected the presence of internal gravity waves with periodicities of 40–60 min. • Study useful for radiative transfer calculation and also for testing numerical models. The rapid response of the atmosphere to the reduction in solar radiation during the annular solar eclipse on 26th December 2019 with maximum obscurity of 91.16% over Cochin, located in the southwest peninsular India, has been investigated. A suite of instruments encompassing an advanced VHF wind profiling Radar operating at 205 MHz, GPS radiosonde, and automatic weather station was employed to record the temporal and vertical variations in various meteorological parameters. Compared to the corresponding values averaged for two control days neighboring the eclipse day, the temperature, relative humidity, net radiation, pressure and wind speed at the surface were altered by −4.0 °C, +39.6%, −383.0 Wm −2 , +0.62 mb, and −2.6 ms −1 , respectively. The corresponding percentage variations are −13.6%, +71.0%, −67.0%, +0.06%, and −99.0% during the maximum phase of the eclipse, and approached close to the control-day values within about 2 h. Multiple temperature inversions as large as 1 °C were observed up to a height of about 7.3 km. The heights of mean planetary boundary layer (PBL) and tropopause were decreased by about 355 m (−50%) and 900 m (−5.5%), respectively during the peak of obscuration. Meanwhile, the vertical profiles of both the horizontal and vertical wind velocities demonstrate substantial reduction. The vertical wind dispersion, which characterizes the fluctuations in vertical air motion, was reduced by 34% in the PBL compared to its corresponding values on the control days. Subsequently, wavelet spectral analysis of the vertical wind yields a quasi-periodic oscillation indicating the presence of internal gravity waves with periodicities of 40–60 min in the lower altitudes up to 3 km during the eclipse day. Besides reporting the characteristic variations in various atmospheric parameters, the present study reveals the height-time variations in the vertical winds, a vital parameter of significance in the studies of convection, turbulence, and atmospheric waves.

Seismotectonic evaluation of off Nicobar earthquake swarms, Andaman Sea

The Andaman Sea has experienced a number of earthquake swarms as a result of complex tectonics arising from oblique subduction, active volcanic arc, the backarc spreading center, and sliver fault systems. One of the most energetic offshore earthquake swarms occurred in the off Nicobar region of the Andaman Sea in January 2005, following the 26th December 2004 (9.1 Mw) Sumatra megathrust event. After a brief quiescence, this region got reactivated again after the 21st March 2014 (6.5 Mw) event, followed by the occurrence of earthquake swarms in March 2014, October 2014, November 2015, and April 2019. In the present study, we analysed the temporal variation of the b-value of these swarms using the global network data and the Ocean Bottom Seismometer data to understand their genesis. Temporal variation of b-value suggests that b-values are larger than unity for earthquake swarms, indicating volcanic origin. Bimodal distribution of frequency magnitude relation suggests that the earthquake swarms have occurred due to complex seismic processes controlled by both tectonic and volcanic activities. We propose that a combination of magmatic pulsation in the arc volcanism in response to 2004 and 2005 megathrust events and the 6.5 Mw magnitude 21st March 2014 event in off Nicobar region, and reactivation of sliver fault systems, are the dominant mechanisms for the observed frequent earthquake swarms.

Frequency of Asymptomatic Bacteriuria in Pregnant Women

Objectives: To determine the frequency of asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnantwomen. Study design: Descriptive, Cross sectional study Place and Duration: Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Benazir Bhutto Hospital, Rawalpindi. 26th December 2017 to 25th June 2018 Materials & Methods: A total of 151 pregnant women of gestational age ≥28 weeks, 18 to 40 years of age were included. Patients with genital tract trauma, history of UTI in the past one year and urinary tract stones were excluded. Then clean-catch midstream urine was collected from each woman into a sterile universal container and sample was sent to the institutional laboratory for presenceor absence of asymptomatic bacteriuria. Results: Age range in this study was from 18 to 40 years with mean age of 28.78 ± 3.90 years. Majority of the patients 84 (55.63%) were between 18 to 30 years of age. Mean gestational age was 31.06 ± 1.67 weeks. Mean parity was 3.17 ± 0.99. Mean BMI was 27.44 ± 3.02 kg/m2. In our study, frequency of asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnant women was found in 25 (16.56%) patients. Conclusion: This study concluded that frequency of asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnant women is quite high. Keywords: Asymptomatic Bacteriuria, Pregnancy, Urinary Tract Infection.

Mapping of Two Models Peak Ground Acceleration (PGA) of Indonesia

This research was conducted to determine and mapping the value of the PGA in Indonesian territory using two empirical models of attenuation equations from the transition of the second generation to the third generation. The research was conducted by applying the Frisenda’s and Luzi’s. The calculation is based on a catalog of earthquakes that occurred from 1 January 1970 - 31 December 2020 with a variable earthquake magnitude ≥ 5 SR and hypocentre depth ≤ 60 km (destructive earthquake). The calculation results in the maximum value of PGA respectively 0.6613 g for Frisenda, and 12.257 g in the Luzi. The maximum PGA value in Luzi model is the effects of the Andaman Islands earthquake on December 26th, 2004, with a magnitude of 9,1 SR, and the maximum PGA value in the Frisenda model is the effects of the Flying Fish Cove, Christmas Island earthquake on June 13th, 2013, with the magnitude 6.7 SR. In general, these two maps show different or even opposite patterns.

Dyslipidemia in Chronic Kidney Disease

Objective: To determine the frequency for pattern of dyslipidemia in patients with chronic kidney disease. Study Design: Descriptive, cross-sectional Place and Duration of Study: Department of Nephrology, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) from 26th December 2018to 28thJune 2019. Methodology: One hundred and thirty-two patients were enrolled. Blood sample of 5 ml of each patient was taken and sent to the institutional pathology laboratory for measurement of lipid profile and pattern of dyslipidemia i.e. high cholesterol, low HDL, high LDL, hypertriglyceridemia was noted. Results: The mean age was 44.68±9.39 years and mean of duration of chronic kidney disease was 5.13±2.19 months. Seventy eight (59%) were males and 54 (41%) were females. Pattern of dyslipidemia i.e. high cholesterol, low HDL, high LDL and hypertriglyceridemia were documented in 89 (67.4%), 61 (46.2%), 65 (49.2%) and 37 (28.0%) patients respectively. Conclusion: Dyslipidemia is common among patients with chronic kidney disease is considerable. Regular evaluation of all chronic kidney disease patients for dyslipidemia and treatment need to be instituted. Key words: Dyslipidemia, Chronic kidney disease (CKD), Cholesterol, Low density lipoprotein (LDL), High density lipoprotein (HDL), Hypertriglyceridemia

Impacts of climate change on agriculture in Senegal: A systematic review

Climate change is a global environmental threat, affecting every sector of the economy with agriculture being the most affected as a result of its dependence on climate especially rainfall and temperature. The objective of this study is to examine the impacts of climate change on agriculture (crop production) and identify the farmers’ adaptation strategies to the impacts of climate change in Senegal. This study employed systematic literature review. Searching of relevant documents were conducted between 26th December 2020 and 10th February, 2021. A comprehensive search of six databases were conducted. The databases searched were Scopus, African Journal Online (AJOL), ProQuest, Elsevier, Research gate, and Google scholar. The findings revealed that temperature is expected to increase by median value of 0.90C (0.70C-1.50C) by 2035, by 2.10 (1.60C-3.30C) by 2065, and 4.00C (2.6-5.90C) by 2100 and rainfall could increase by 1% (uncertainty range of −4% to +8%) by 2035, 2% (−8% to +8%) by 2065, and 5% (−10% to +16%) by 2100. As a result of rising temperatures, local agricultural production will be less than 50kg per capita by 2050. This is expected to have an effect on crop imports as well as regional migration. The decrease in rainfall under RCP2.6, (Representative Concentration Pathway) combined with the effect of temperature, has a significant impact on the yield of sorghum, maize, and millet, with production decreasing by up to 20-50%. Farmers employed several adaptation strategies to adapt to the impacts of climate change; sowing improved variety, mixed cropping, income diversification, ownership of multiple farms, religious practices in form of prayer. The review recommends strengthening of climate related institutions, adoption of new innovations, implementation of new climate related policies, climate monitoring and forecasting, enhancing and strengthening community-based adaptation through sensitization and incentives.

Assessing the cultural state after the disaster as a driver for sustainable development

In disaster situations, physical buildings and infrastructures can be damaged or destroyed, including the community’s livelihood, yet generally, the cultural structures that shaped the settlements persist. However, local cultural values have been commonly ignored in a postdisaster intervention. It creates conflict, which results in improper development practice that contributes to the weak sustainability outcomes. Using the Aceh tsunami disaster as a case study, this study examines how far the community recognises their cultural values after the disaster. It argues that culture is a potential resource that is significant for community building. Thus, assessing the cultural state of the affected community is vital to be carried out for the longer term of sustainability of the new development. The study relied on a qualitative approach as the primary methodology. The data was collected through a series of fieldwork, which involved indepth interviews and site observations. It was supported by desk research to gather related statistical information and literature. The study targeted all levels of the community ranging from young people, elderly, key persons (such as the head of the village and religious leaders), male and female, educated, and uneducated people. The desk research was conducted to get the overview and background information regarding the history of the places, significant values, profile of the areas, and the statistical data. Both tangible (such as substantial buildings, monuments, and sites) and intangible aspects, including everyday life, cultural interaction, and traditional practices were assessed. The study covered the area of Banda Aceh city and part of Aceh Besar district. Both were the devastated areas hit by the tsunami disaster of 26th December 2004. Studies on the importance of culture for sustainable development have been carried out; however, this study will be different since it focuses on sustainable development in the context of post-disaster, which was not commonly studied. The results of this study offer a lesson learned and provide a recommendation for the planning of sustainable development after a disaster. It may also contribute to the development studies and practices in general.

The use of virtual reality in children undergoing vascular access procedures: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Venous access procedures are painful and feared by children and their parents. Virtual reality has become increasingly prominent and has been shown to be effective in various procedures. The aim of this meta-analysis was to examine virtual reality's effect on pain and fear in children from 4 to 12 in the context of vascular access. From the 20th to the 26th December 2020, we searched Sciencedirect, Springerlink, CENTRAL, Pubmed and PMC. Studies using virtual reality versus a control in vascular access for children were included in a meta-analysis to evaluate the effect of virtual reality regarding pain as a primary and fear/anxiety as a secondary endpoint during the procedures. The Jadad scale and Delphi List were used to assess study quality. 20,894 citations were identified, 9 met our inclusion criteria. One publication was conducted in two different situations and was thus considered as 2 studies. Compared to standard of care, virtual reality significantly reduced pain (10 studies, 930 participants: standardized mean difference [SMD] 2.54, 95%CI 0.14-4.93, p = 0.038), and fear/anxiety (6 studies, 648 participants: SMD 0.89, 95%Cl 0.16-1.63, p = 0.017). For both parameters, we found significant heterogeneity between studies. This is the first meta-analysis to look at the use virtual reality in young children undergoing vascular access procedures, providing weak to moderate evidence for its use. Although large effect sizes provide evidence for a positive effect of virtual reality in reducing pain and fear, there is significant heterogeneity between studies. More research with larger groups and age stratification is required.

Investigation of Changes in Beach Morphology due to Coastal Armoring

The Tsunami, which struck the east coast of India on 26th December 2004, caused huge damage to life, property and environment. Beyond the heavy toll on human lives, it had caused an enormous environmental impact. Kalpakkam located in the south east coast of India is one of the areas affected by the tsunami. At some locations along the coast around Kalpakkam, morphological changes, vegetation loss and fatality were reported. Later, a slew of remedial measures were initiated at Kalpakkam in 2006 and construction of coastal armoring in the form of Tsunami Protection Wall (TPW) of 3.2 km length was one of them. A study was undertaken to assess the impact of this TPW on the surroundings based on periodic measurements of High Water Line (HWL) before and after construction of the wall. Also beach profiles were made at selected locations to observe seasonal changes in sedimentation pattern (i.e. accretion and erosion). As the residential area at Kalpakkam is located between fishing hamlets at northern and southern side, it is necessary to understand the impact of TPW, if any, in the surrounding area and on the fishing hamlets. Towards this assessment, high resolution satellite data such as Quickbird and IKONOS were employed (for the years 2002, 2003, 2009 and 2011) to measure the HWL. In addition, monthly beach profiles were carried out to measure the sedimentation pattern at selected transects with the help of N3 Precision Level survey instrument for the year 2009. The detailed investigations and analysis revealed no significant impact on the beach morphology and sedimentation patterns due to the construction of TPW, within the residential areas as well as at fishing hamlets. The average variations in the position of HWL along the coast was 4.6m and sedimentation changes were in the range of ≈ 0.5m in the berm of backshore region and ≈ 1.7m in the swash zone of the foreshore region all along the study area. No adverse effect is observed and the variations observed are similar to that in an unarmored control beach. The study provides the confidence that multi-dated satellite monitoring together with the profiling of beach would suffice the need for understanding the changes in the beach morphology due to the construction of beach armoring.

Ionospheric Response over Nepal during the 26 December 2019 Solar Eclipse

On 26th December 2019, during morning hours, an annular solar eclipse having a magnitude of 0.96 with a 118 km wide antumbra occurred and lasted for 3 minutes and 40 seconds at the point of maximum eclipse. The partial eclipse was visible in most of Asia, parts of North/East Africa, and North/West Australia. In the context of Nepal, only the partial eclipse was visible from ~ 8:34 LT (02:51 UT) and ended at ~ 11:40 LT (05:55 UT). It was 2 hours 47 mins and 54 secs long with the maximum visible eclipse time at ~ 10:01 LT (04:16 UT). Our study is based on Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) measurements from a widely distributed Global Positioning System (GPS) network over different places of Nepal on the day of the eclipse, a day before, and a day after the eclipse. We investigated the ionospheric behavior through the changes in Total Electron Content (TEC) during the partial eclipse by using the data archived at the five different GPS stations of Nepal. The result reveals that there is significant depletion of TEC, in some cases greater than 20% compared to other normal days. Observing the values of TEC before, during, and after the event, our study showed an apparent variation during the time of the eclipse, which agrees with previous studies on ionospheric responses to the eclipse as well as theoretical assumptions.

Sustainable landscape for high urban temperature mitigation in the disaster-prone coastal city of Banda Aceh, Indonesia

Coastal City of Banda Aceh has experienced considerable changes related to urban morphology, and also the environmental and climatic aspects, particularly after a massive earthquake hit the City on 26th December 2004. The city’s climate is basically characterized by high air temperature and relative humidity. However, climatic data of 1995-2015 shows that its temperature has actually increased. The issue worsens the thermal comfort, lead to more energy used for cooling, and can even induce heat-stress-related health problems. Urban heat island effect is one potential cause, triggered by significant progress of infrastructure development, increased number of vehicles, and land-use changes. It argues that sustainable urban landscaping is a prerequisite to environmental sustainability, especially in coastal city that prone of disasters. This study composes and analyzes the potential of vegetative measures for mitigating the issue. To provide reflective solutions, both substantial vegetative cooling mechanisms are studied. Hence, the paper asserted that unsustainable use of urban landscape structures leads to environmental problems, such as biodiversity loss, climate change, and soil erosion. The outputs become the foundation for the strategic framework of the proposed vegetative measures, i.e. tree planting, development of greenspaces with optimum size, cover composition and distribution, and green façade application to support sustainable landscapes. The impact of each vegetative intervention is investigated through microclimate simulations run using ENVI-met. Air temperature and other climatic factors related to outdoor thermal comfort and urban heat island are used as the indicators. The results reveal that landscaping such: tree planting with proper distance, adjusted based on tree canopy’s width to optimize shading, improves outdoor thermal comfort considerably, while the impact on urban heat island is rather small. On the other hand, green facade application only impacts insignificantly on both aspects.

Sub-surface magma movement inferred from low-frequency seismic events in the off-Nicobar region, Andaman Sea

Monitoring volcanic activity along the submarine volcanoes that are usually induced by subsurface magmatism is a challenge. We present fresh set of Ocean Bottom Seismometer (OBS) data that shows geophysical evidence indicative of subsurface magmatism along the submarine volcanoes in the off Nicobar region, Andaman Sea. In this region, we observed for the first time, hybrid very long-period earthquakes documented by passive OBS experiment. These events were initiated by high-frequency (5–10 Hz) with a clear onset of P-phase followed by low-frequency (0.01–0.5 Hz) oscillations in the range of 300–600 s with a prominent high-frequency (10–40 Hz) hydro-acoustic phase. A total of 141 high-frequency events were detected on 21st and 22nd March 2014 out of which 71 were of low-frequency oscillations. These events are distributed in the northwest–southeast direction along the submarine volcanic arc and Seulimeum strand of Great Sumatra fault. Off Nicobar region has been witnessing frequent earthquake swarms since 26th December 2004 tsunamigenic Sumatra earthquake. These swarms occurred in January 2005, March and October 2014, November 2015 and March 2019. The occurrence of low-frequency earthquakes and prominent hydro-acoustic phase are suggestive of sub-surface tectonic and magmatic influence. We propose that upward movement of magma pulses from deeper magma reservoir to the shallow magma chamber activated the strike-slip movement of sliver faults and induced earthquake swarms in the off Nicobar region.