Central India Research Articles

THE EFFECT OF A MODIFIED TENODESIS WRIST-HAND ORTHOSIS ON HAND FUNCTION IN PATIENTS WITH TETRAPLEGIA

BACKGROUND: An individual experiencing tetraplegia faces functional limitations due to impaired hand function. The use of an affordable tenodesis wrist-hand orthosis (WHO) can enable finger flexion with active wrist extension, thereby enhancing the three-jaw chuck grasp and overall hand functionality. OBJECTIVES: To assess hand function and satisfaction in patients with tetraplegia using a modified tenodesis wrist-hand orthosis (WHO), utilizing the Duruöz Hand Index (DHI) and the Orthotics and Prosthetics User Survey (OPUS) satisfaction with device and services subscales. METHODOLOGY: The study was conducted at a tertiary care center in central India, enrolling patients with tetraplegia admitted to the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. A modified tenodesis wrist-hand orthosis (WHO) was designed using low-temperature thermoplastic components. Twenty-two individuals with a minimum wrist extensor power of grade 3/5 were included in the study. These patients were provided with the modified tenodesis WHO and underwent daily training sessions for a period of 2 weeks. Duruöz Hand Index (DHI) scores were assessed at baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks post-enrolment. Patient satisfaction was evaluated using the Orthotics and Prosthetics User’s Survey (OPUS) satisfaction with device and services subscales. FINDINGS: The analysis of the DHI scores indicated a significant enhancement in functional abilities at both 6-week and 12-week follow-ups compared to the baseline assessment. Notably, the most substantial progress at 6 weeks follow-up was observed in tasks such as buttoning a shirt, while significant improvement at the 12-week mark was noted in activities like turning a key in a lock. The median OPUS device satisfaction score was 50, corresponding to a Rasch score of 68.8. Additionally, the median OPUS satisfaction score for services stood at 46, with a Rasch score of 72.7. Patients expressed the highest satisfaction levels with the courteous demeanor of the staff, prompt scheduling of appointments, and accurate fitting of the orthosis. CONCLUSION: The study findings indicate that the modified tenodesis WHO is an effective and satisfactory therapeutic device for improving hand function in patients with tetraplegia. The findings encourage further investigation and application of the modified tenodesis WHO in clinical practice. Layman's Abstract Individuals who are affected due to spinal cord injury (SCI) are often unable to perform the basic daily activities of life due to weakness. The hands are one of the most specialized parts of the human body and loss of its function can be incapacitating. Certain wrist hand orthoses (WHO) can aid such individuals by assisting the weak hand muscles. One such WHO is a tenodesis wrist hand orthosis. Modifications to the previously available tenodesis wrist hand orthosis were made to make it cheaper, lighter, and easier to manufacture. The effectiveness of this modified tenodesis WHO on improving hand activity and satisfaction in the individuals using it was assessed in this study which was conducted in a tertiary care center in central India. Twenty-two individuals with cervical SCI, who had some ability to extend their wrists against gravity, were admitted to the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation department and enrolled in this study. Notable improvements were observed in functional tasks such as buttoning a shirt, opening a lock, eating with a fork, brushing teeth, and writing, with considerable satisfaction in those trained with the modified tenodesis WHO. Article PDF Link: https://jps.library.utoronto.ca/index.php/cpoj/article/view/42879/33253 How To Cite: Sonune S.P, Saha A, Joshi N.G, Pathak S, Bhadra P, Goel G. The effect of a modified tenodesis wrist-hand orthosis on hand function in patients with tetraplegia. Canadian Prosthetics & Orthotics Journal. 2024; Volume 7, Issue 1, No.8. https://doi.org/10.33137/cpoj.v7i1.42879 Corresponding Author: Dr. Anyesha Saha,Affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Saket Nagar, Bhopal (M.P.), India.E-Mails: saha.anyesha@gmail.com; anyesha.sr2023@aiimsbhopal.edu.inORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0009-0004-1574-0519

Implications of CMIP6 Models‐Based Climate Biases and Runoff Sensitivity on Runoff Projection Uncertainties Over Central India

ABSTRACTAccurate runoff projections are vital for developing climate adaptation strategies, yet significant uncertainties persist. The commonly employed approaches to constrain these uncertainties rely on the stationarity of climate biases and runoff sensitivity, which may not hold for climate‐sensitive regions (e.g., semi‐arid regions). This study investigates the validity of the stationarity assumption across 29 CMIP6 models, encompassing diverse climate biases (Dry Warm, Wet Warm, Dry Cold, and Wet Cold), utilising a semi‐arid region in central India as a testbed. The implications of this assumption on runoff projection uncertainties were comprehensively assessed across the runoff modelling chain for three time periods (the 2030s, 2060s and 2090s) based on the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) simulations. The results highlight the non‐stationary nature of climate biases and runoff sensitivity under future scenarios, challenging the widespread applicability of common uncertainty‐constraining approaches. Moreover, the impact of non‐stationarity on runoff projection uncertainty was found to be strongly influenced by the choice of GCMs, preprocessing methods and climate change scenarios. In the 2030s, GCMs dominate runoff uncertainty, with dry models exhibiting ~10%–15% higher uncertainty compared to warm models, which is further amplified when interacting with warm biases. However, from the mid‐century onwards, the bias‐adjustment approaches and climate change scenarios significantly shape runoff projection uncertainties under non‐stationary conditions. These findings emphasise the potential of climate bias and runoff sensitivity‐based GCM selection for reducing runoff uncertainty in near‐future assessment (2030s). For mid‐term and long‐term runoff projections, addressing diverse climate biases through bias‐adjustment approaches is more viable. This study offers critical insights to prioritise the development of a non‐stationarity‐based approach for reliable runoff projections in climate‐sensitive regions.

Groundwater potential zone mapping using AHP and geospatial techniques in the upper Narmada basin, central India

Water scarcity occurs in the agriculturally dominated Upper catchment area of Narmada River, Central India because of the overexploitation of underground water for residential, industrial, and other uses. Delineating the Ground Water Potential Zone (GWPZ) is critical to meeting the area’s water demand. Finding the Upper catchment Narmada River groundwater potential zone is the primary goal of this study. The study uses geographical methodologies based on the Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP). To create a GWPZ map, ArcGIS 10.4 software compiles eight thematic layers, including elevation, slope, drainage density, geology, rainfall, soil texture, modified normalized difference water index, topographic wetness index, and land use/cover. There are five classifications for land use land cover map: Very low, low, moderate, high, and Very high. Each theme map in this study was given a weight based on its unique attributes and contribution to the GWP capacity. The AHP method, which takes into account each layer’s relative relevance regarding the others, was used to establish the weights. Four groups were created from the resulting groundwater potential map: excellent, good, moderate, and poor. According to the study, 26.05% of the basin was categorized as excellent, 34.59% as good, 23.97% as moderate, and 15.4% as poor groundwater potential.The results of this study further indicate that a sizable section of the Narmada River Basin has well to moderate groundwater potential, pointing to encouraging prospects for the area’s sustainable groundwater use. The study offers crucial insights for planners and policymakers to conscientiously harness groundwater resources, fostering sustainable development across diverse land uses in the fragile zone of the upper catchment of the Narmada, and it serves as a model for simulation in other sensitive river basins. The implications of the study are geared towards enhancing groundwater prospects, revitalizing fragile riverine ecosystems, and achieving the target outlined in Goal 6 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of 2030.

Epidemiological profile and clinical characteristics of ocular and periocular tumors in North and Central India.

To describe the epidemiological profile and clinical characteristics of ocular and periocular tumors in patients presenting to three tertiary care referral centers in North and Central India. Hospital-based consortium study. Retrospective, descriptive, observational study. A total of 3184 patients were diagnosed with 3557 ocular and periocular tumors over 11 years from 2010 to 2021. Of these, 2395 (67.33%) were benign, 84 (2.36%) were premalignant, and 1078 (30.30%) were malignant. The most common location was the ocular surface (n = 1294, 37.09%), followed by the eyelid (n = 1185, 33.97%), intraocular (n = 624, 17.88%), and orbit (n = 454, 13.01%). The most common tumors were retinoblastoma (n = 483, 13.57%), ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN) (n = 301, 8.46%), and dermoid cyst (n = 167, 4.69%). In the pediatric age group, retinoblastoma was the most common tumor (n = 483, 13.57%), while in adults, it was OSSN (n = 301, 8.46%). The stage at presentation for malignant tumors was divided into in-situ (57.14%), local spread (8.16%), and metastasis (32.83%). For specific tumor locations, the stages were 78.83%, 17.51%, and 2.18%, respectively, for eyelid tumors; 51.76%, 27.05%, and 17.64%, respectively, for orbital tumors; 88.37%, 5.81%, and 5.19%, respectively for ocular surface tumors; and 35.71%, 14.15%, and 50.28%, respectively, for intraocular tumors. Identifying the epidemiological characteristics of ocular and periocular tumors will aid in early diagnosis and timely intervention. Intraocular tumors showed delayed diagnosis, advanced stages at presentation, and required patients to travel longer distances for treatment, indicating the need for strengthened diagnostic and treatment facilities to improve access to care.

Histopathological Features of Chronic Gastritis and its Association with Helicobacter pylori Infection.

A Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is the most common cause of chronic gastritis (CG), with approximately 50% of the world's population infected. Long-term infection increases the risk of progression to gastric cancer. This study evaluated the histopathological changes in CG using the Updated Sydney System (USS) to estimate the prevalence and correlation of H. pylori gastritis with other histological variables. This research was a prospective observational study conducted in the Department of Pathology of a tertiary care teaching hospital in Central India. The study was conducted between Feb 2017 to April 2018. Two antral biopsies were taken per patient, one for a Rapid Urease Test and the second for routine histopathology. All samples were analyzed according to the USS. CG was found in 83.84% of total dyspeptic patients. The most common age group was 31-40 years, with a male preponderance. Of 109 gastric antral biopsies with histopathological evidence of chronic gastritis, neutrophilic activity, intestinal metaplasia, atrophy, and lymphoid aggregates were present in 50 (45.87%), 10 (9.2%), 23 (21.10%), and 11(10.09%) cases, respectively. The prevalence of H. pylori was 46.78%, and its association with the degree of chronic inflammation and intestinal metaplasia was statistically significant. H. pylori was significantly associated with the degree of chronic inflammation and intestinal metaplasia. Hence, this study suggests a vigorous search for H. pylori should be initiated if chronic inflammation and intestinal metaplasia are seen in antral gastric biopsies.

Spatio-temporal dynamics of wildfires in Hoshangabad Forest Division of Central India: a geospatial and statistical investigation

Spatio-temporal dynamics of wildfires in Hoshangabad Forest Division of Central India: a geospatial and statistical investigation

Maternal Mortality Indices in Tertiary Care Center of Central India

Maternal Mortality Indices in Tertiary Care Center of Central India

Toxic Effect of Heavy Metal Poisoning on Living Organisms in Water and Health Risk: A Central India Study

The main causes of this environmental catastrophe are pollutants such as iron, zinc, lead, nickel, and chromium that have entered the water system as a result of uncontrolled industrial effluent discharge in the area. This study finds resistant bacteria and shows the toxicity of heavy metals in industrial effluent near the steel industry. Five separate locations were used for water sampling, and 16s RNA sequencing of the microorganisms that were found was done along with physicochemical parameter analysis and atomic absorption spectrophotometer use. Different water samples’ conductivity, TDS, salinity, DO, turbidity, and pH levels indicate changes in the quality of the water. In addition to having higher values for each of these characteristics, Sample D3’s water samples had greater concentrations of heavy metals, suggesting contamination. Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus terreus were identified in all samples. Both Gram-negative and Gram-positive Bacilli’s resistance to heavy metals has been found to be a sign of microbial adaptation to exposure to heavy metals. 16s rRNA sequencing of microorganisms revealed their roles in heavy metal bioremediation processes. The delicate balance between the flora and fauna in the affected water bodies has been upset by the devastating losses in aquatic life. In this study, we presented the biological methods for eliminating heavy metals, which comprised both metabolically dependent and independent techniques.

M-SAKHI - Mobile health solutions to help community providers promote maternal and infant nutrition and health: a description of development of the Program Impact Pathway using Theory of Change.

Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) intervention programmes often lack documentation of successful processes. This manuscript aims to describe the development of Program Impact Pathway (PIP) using Theory of Change (ToC) approach for a mHealth BCC intervention titled 'Mobile Solutions Aiding Knowledge for Health Improvement (M-SAKHI)' aimed at reducing stunting in infants at 18 months of age. The PIP was developed using ToC to design the intervention and plan its implementation. Literature review and data from previous pilots helped to identify health service gaps that needed to be addressed by the PIP of this intervention. M-SAKHI was implemented in 244 villages under governance of forty primary health centres of Nagpur and Bhandara districts of eastern Maharashtra in central India. The study investigators and the public health stakeholders participated in developing the PIP. M-SAKHI evaluation study recruited 2501 pregnant women who were followed up through delivery until their infants were 18 months old. The PIP was developed, and it identified the following pathways for the final impact: (1) improving maternal and infant nutrition, (2) early recognition of maternal and infant danger signs, (3) improving access and utilisation to healthcare services, (4) improving hygiene, sanitation and immunisation practices, and (5) improving implementation and service delivery of community health workers through their training, monitoring and supervision in real time. This paper will illustrate the significance of development of PIP for M-SAKHI. It can aid other community-based programmes to design their PIP for nutrition-based BCC interventions.

Estimation of prevalence of CIAF‐based undernutrition among under‐six children of India: A systematic and meta analytical review

AbstractUndernutrition is a silent emergency resulting from a combination of various social, economic, educational, demographic, and morbidity factors. This systematic and meta‐analytical review assessed the pooled prevalence of Composite Index of Anthropometric Failure (CIAF)–based undernutrition among under‐six years children in India. Articles were searched using Publish and Perish software and through reference exploration. The random effect model with the inverse method estimated the pooled prevalence (at 95% confidence interval, CI). Heterogeneity was tested through the I2 value and Q chi‐square. Subgroup analysis considered the National Food Security Act (NFSA), zonal distribution of studies, study location, and sample size. The pooled prevalence of CIAF‐based undernutrition among Indian under‐six children was 58% (95% CI: 0.54–0.62). After the implementation of the NFSA, the prevalence significantly dropped from 63% (95% CI: 0.58–0.67) to 56% (95% CI: 0.51–0.61). Undernutrition was higher in central and southern India (64%) but showed no significant difference between urban (58%) and rural (57%) areas (χ2 = 0.10; p = .76). The high I2 value (75%) indicated significant variation. Undernutrition remains a critical public health issue in India, particularly in central and southern regions. Enhanced screening, implementation, and monitoring of interventions are recommended.

The Imagination of the Forest and the Fear of the Land: The Idea of Nature in Recent Hindi Fiction

This article examines the idea of nature in two Hindi novels set in central India: Dīvār Meṃ Ek Khiṛkī Rahtī Thī (A Window Lived in a Wall) by Vinod Kumar Shukla and Kāle Adhyāya (Black Chapters) by Manoj Rupara. Both novels feature an elephant as a symbol of the forest and its otherness from the human world. The article argues that the elephant reveals a complex and contradictory imagination of the forest in Central India, which troubles both the idyllic pastoral of Shukla’s small town and the story of the violent dispossession of the Gondi Adivasi community in Kāle Adhyāya. The article situates these novels in the context of Hindi literature’s engagement with nature, regionalism and the lower middle class. In so doing, the article contributes to the scholarship on regional literature in Hindi and the study of Hindi literature’s depiction of nature.

Intimate Partner Violence and Mental Health Problems in Married Women in Rural Central India: A Community-based Cross-sectional Study

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a significant social issue affecting women in rural India, with deleterious consequences for their physical and mental health. The “mental health problems and psychosocial factors associated with IPV” is an under-researched topic in Central India. The cross-sectional observational descriptive study was part of a project aimed at strengthening the health sector response to gender-based violence. Eighty consenting women from 19 villages in a district in Central India, who acknowledged experiencing IPV, participated in the study. A predesigned and pretested sociodemographic questionnaire, the WHO multicountry women’s questionnaire, and self-report scales for depression, anxiety, stress, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were used to interview the women. The mean age of the respondents was 31.13 ± 6.96 years. The majority of the women (95%) experienced severe physical violence. In addition, a majority of these women simultaneously faced emotional abuse, whereas more than one-third suffered from sexual abuse from their partners. Self-reporting measures showed that nearly two-thirds of the participants had PTSD and moderate-to-severe depression and anxiety. A substantial number of study participants believed that IPV is a private matter for a couple and justified violence if the wife was unfaithful, disobedient, or neglectful of children and household duties. The under-reporting of IPV, presence of misconceptions, and high prevalence of associated mental health problems among IPV-affected women highlight the need for interventions tailored to the needs of battered women.

Seropositivity of hepatitis A and E viruses in patients attending a tertiary care center in central India

Objectives: Hepatitis A virus (HAV) and hepatitis E virus (HEV) infections are significant global health concerns that contribute to acute viral hepatitis. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of HAV, HEV, and co-infections in a tertiary care hospital setting in central India. Materials and Methods: This retrospective observational study analyzed 987 clinical specimens collected from suspected acute viral hepatitis cases over 5 years (2019–2023). Commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits were used to detect HAV and HEV immunoglobulin M antibodies. Statistical analysis: Demographic data and clinical information were collected and analyzed using Chi-square tests. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant, indicating a significant association between the variables under investigation. Results: Overall, 32.72% of patients were seropositive for either HAV, HEV, or both. The prevalence of HAV was 22.9%, HEV was 9.83%, and co-infection was 3.24%. HAV infection was more prevalent in children (0–14 years), whereas HEV was more prevalent in adults. Both HAV and HEV infections were associated with elevated liver function markers, with the highest levels observed in co-infected cases. The monsoon season had the highest number of cases. Conclusions: This study revealed a substantial burden of HAV, HEV, and co-infections in central India. The observed sex—and age-specific prevalence patterns warrant further investigation. Effective public health strategies addressing sanitation, hygiene practices, and HAV vaccination programs are crucial to reducing the disease burden.

Satellite derived air pollution climatology over India and its neighboring regions: Spatio-temporal trends and insights

This study examines the spatial and temporal variations of key air pollutants, including Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Tropospheric Ozone (O₃), Sulfur Dioxide (SO₂), Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD), and Formaldehyde (HCHO) over India and neighboring regions, using satellite data from 2005 to 2022. Peak NO₂ (∼11–13 × 101⁵molecules/cm2) occurs in pre-monsoon and winter, mainly over urban centers, thermal plants, and crop-burning areas, emphasizing anthropogenic emissions. High CO levels (2.0–2.3 × 101⁸molecules/cm2) during summer dominate in Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP), Eastern India, and Northeastern region, linked to the incomplete combustion of organic matter (e.g., natural forest fires and biofuel-based household cooking). Stable CO trends reflect effective government policies promoting cleaner fuels. Tropospheric O₃ shows a spatial gradient, with higher values in northern and coastal regions influenced by sunlight, humidity, and precursor emissions. Seasonal peaks in summer are governed by solar intensity, while the December peak over the northern region is likely due to dynamical transport from O₃-rich areas. SO₂ hotspots in IGP, central and eastern India, especially during winter (∼1.3–1.9 × 101⁵molecules/cm2), are attributed to local anthropogenic emissions and fossil fuel combustion such as coal. Long-term trends reveal rising SO₂ levels. AOD hotspots occur over IGP, Central and Southern India, with particularly high values during the pre-monsoon (0.5–0.6) and winter seasons. HCHO shows hotspots in the IGP, west coast, eastern, and northeastern regions, peaking in summer (7.5–8.5 × 101⁵molecules/cm2) due to biogenic VOC emissions. This study underscores the need for integrated policies to mitigate emissions, improve air quality, and protect public health.

Climate Change Effects on Spatiotemporal Distribution of Precipitation over West Central India: A Statistical Downscaling Approach

The long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns are referred to as climate change. Climate change not only leads to long-term shifts in average temperatures but also changes in the spatial and temporal distribution of rainfall over continents. This study aims to predict likely changes in the rainfall pattern induced by climate change over the West Central (WC) region of India. The approach uses a statistical downscaling technique that converts coarse-scale outputs of the global climate model (GCM) to high-resolution future precipitation projections giving refined distribution. The decision support tool that uses a robust statistical downscaling technique viz. statistical downscaling model (SDSM) is used for assessing local climate change impacts. The research includes the study of likely regional climate variability, by integrating historical observational data and empirical relationships between large-scale climate variables and local weather patterns. Historical data and the SDSM, version 4.2, are employed to forecast future rainfall trends. Rainfall data from the India Meteorological Department and the National Centre for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) from 1961 to 2001 are used along with outputs from general circulation models (GCMs), viz. Hadley Centre coupled model, version 3 (HadCM3), and coupled global climate model, version 3 (CGCM3), for the period 1961–2099. Rainfall scenarios are presented for three future time periods (2011–2040, 2041–2070, and 2071–2099). The study indicates a significant increase in the mean annual precipitation across the West Central India region, particularly in the 2050s and 2080s. Mean annual rainfall is projected to rise by 10–19.4% under HadCM3 A2 and B2 scenarios. The HadCM3 indicates the month of September as the month of the highest precipitation in later time periods, whereas it is the month of August, according to CGCM3 simulations. When comparing the results of the two models, HadCM3 gives better results, as indicated by better R2 value in validation. Thus, the analysis gives climate change-induced likely changes in the spatiotemporal distribution of precipitation over the West Central India region. The insight given by the work will be useful for decision making in many sectors like agriculture, water management, disaster risk reduction, and infrastructure planning.

Molecular Characterization and Genomic Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 Lineages in Central India.

Since the first reported case of COVID-19 in December 2019, several SARS-CoV-2 variants have evolved, and some of them have shown higher transmissibility, becoming the prevalent strains. Genomic epidemiological investigations into strains from different time points, including the early stages of the pandemic, are very crucial for understanding the evolution and transmission patterns. Using whole-genome sequences, our study describes the early landscape of SARS-CoV-2 variants in central India retrospectively (including the first known occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 in Madhya Pradesh). We performed amplicon-based whole-genome sequencing of randomly selected SARS-CoV-2 isolates (n = 38) collected between 2020 and 2022 at state level VRDL, ICMR-NIRTH, Jabalpur, from 11899 RT-qPCR-positive samples. We observed the presence of five lineages, namely B.1, B.1.1, B.1.36.8, B.1.195, and B.6, in 19 genomes from the first wave cases and variants of concern (VOCs) lineages, i.e., B.1.617.2 (Delta) and BA.2.10 (Omicron) in the second wave cases. There was a shift in mutational pattern in the spike protein coding region of SRAS-CoV-2 strains from the second wave in contrast to the first wave. In the first wave of infections, we observed variations in the ORF1Ab region, and with the emergence of Delta lineages, the D614G mutation associated with an increase in infectivity became a prominent change. We have identified five immune escape variants in the S gene, P681R, P681H, L452R, Q57H, and N501Y, in the isolates collected during the second wave. Furthermore, these genomes were compared with 2160 complete genome sequences reported from central India that encompass 109 different SARS-CoV-2 lineages. Among them, VOC lineages Delta (28.93%) and Omicron (56.11%) were circulating predominantly in this region. This study provides useful insights into the genetic diversity of SARS-CoV-2 strains over the initial course of the COVID-19 pandemic in central India.

Phytoplasma etiology and epidemiology of wheat streak and stunting disease in Central India.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-024-04114-3.

Comparative Evaluation of GeneXpert With Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) Stain in Samples of Suspected Tuberculosis Cases at a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital in Central India

Comparative Evaluation of GeneXpert With Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) Stain in Samples of Suspected Tuberculosis Cases at a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital in Central India

Assessing Carbon Stocks and Ecosystem Functioning in Char (Buchanania lanzan) Forests of Central India

The present study assessment of plant community structure, carbon stock and CO2 sequestration of char (Buchanania lanzan) dominant forest sites in Central India during 2020-22. The forest vegetation was analysed using 20 quadrats (each 10 x 10 m in size for tree layers, 5 x 5 m in size for sapling layers and 1 x 1 m size for seedling layers) within the representative one-hectare plot on each site. The biomass, carbon stock, and carbon dioxide sequestration from three district (Mahasamund, Gariaband, and Kabirdham) char dominated forest sites of dry deciduous forests in Central India were estimated using the non-destructive allometric equation approach. The results revealed that the density of tree, sapling and seedling were ranged from 430-605 stems ha-1, 120-600 stems ha-1 and 28000-34500 stems ha-1, respectively. The basal area of tree and sapling layers were varied from 18.15-29.68 m2 ha-1 and 0.33-1.04 m2 ha-1, respectively. The diversity indices of tree layer viz; Shannon index, Simpson index, Evenness, species richness and beta diversity were ranged from 2.40-2.72, 0.17-0.22, 1.08-1.18, 2.26-3.11 and 5.0-6.0, respectively on different forest site in Central India. The total biomass, carbon stock and CO2 sequestration potential of tree layers were varied from 105.72-216.96 Mg ha-1, 50.22-103.06 Mg ha-1 and 184.29-378.22 Mg ha-1, respectively on char dominant various forest sites in Central India. The correlation coefficients were statistically significant performed between basal area and biomass, carbon stock and CO2 sequestration potential with R2 values of 0.988 at p<0.01 levels. After doing this study, it can be concluded that estimating the biomass and carbon stock in Central India will be useful for managing forests sustainably.

Characterization of Organic Aerosols in the Ambient Air of Raipur, Central India: Distribution, Seasonal Variations, and Source Apportionment

Characterization of Organic Aerosols in the Ambient Air of Raipur, Central India: Distribution, Seasonal Variations, and Source Apportionment