Optimal Use Research Articles

Optimum Use of Recycled Waste Materials as Partial Replacement of Fine Aggregate in Portland Cement Concrete Mixes

This study explored the independent utilization of five common waste materials - rubber, plastic, glass, slag, and sewage sludge ash (SSA) - as partial replacement of fine aggregate in Portland cement concrete (PCC) mixes. The main objective was to determine an optimum substitution range for each waste material that would offer well performing concrete in terms of workability, compressive strength, and durability. To this end, multiple concrete batches were prepared, incorporating each waste material at four different levels: 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% by weight of fine aggregate. Then, concrete samples (100-mm diameter × 200-mm tall cylinders) were cast from each batch and were moisture-cured for 7, 14, and 28 days prior to testing. Also, the chemical composition of each waste material was identified using FTIR spectroscopy to understand its impact on the development of concrete strength. While most waste led to the diminished strength gains at all substitution rates, the addition of glass, slag, and SSA contributed positively to the strength development at specific replacement levels: 5% for glass, 10 - 15% for slag, and 5 – 15% for SSA. Furthermore, these additions of glass and slag exhibited comparable workability and durability although SSA did not exhibit comparable workability and durability. The findings of this study can hold significant implications for environmental sustainability and cost effectiveness in construction projects.

BIMSTEC: BAY OF BENGAL INITIATIVE FOR MULTI-SECTORAL TECHNICAL AND ECONOMIC COOPERATION: SWOT ANALYSIS FROM INDIAN PERSPECTIVES

The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) is a regional organization comprising seven member states: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. Multi-sectoral cooperation can be seen in the case of BIMSTEC, which is the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation. Thus, this paper aims to analyze a comprehensive SWOT analysis of BIMSTEC based on the Indian perspective. They cover India's strategic considerations related to geopolitics, economic cooperation, energy security, and soft power. Finally, the literature review reveals that the tag is inclined towards the advancement of technology, the need for strong institutional frameworks, and competent ways of eradicating economic imbalance among the member nations. Based on the study, it can be concluded that there are inherent opportunities for cooperation within BIMSTEC, but the issues of geopolitical competition, problems with the organization's management, and political unpredictability should be solved. Finally, the paper provides suggestions to make BIMSTEC a more effective organization with a better institutional basis to support members, inclusive growth for the region's people, better connectivity, optimum use of energy resources, and target environmental conservation. Therefore, India has a significant opportunity to ensure turning BIMSTEC into an active and efficient organization, which will help to provide stability, security, and further developments in the South Asian region in the Bay of Bengal.

Effects of NPS Fertilizer Rate on Yield and Yield Components of Bread Wheat Production in Degem District, North Shewa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia

Productivity of wheat was low due to depleted soil fertility and the blanket use of fertilizers. Fertilizer is the most vital input, contributing significantly to final wheat yields although wheat yields have long been low due to a lack of soil test-based site-specific fertilizer recommendations. This study aimed to determine an economically appropriate rate of NPS fertilizer based on calibrated Phosphorus for bread wheat production in the Degem district. The experiments laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The treatments were based on already determined Phosphorous critical and requirement factors and consisted of 100% Pc from TSP fertilizer, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% Pc from NPS fertilizer and control (without fertilizer). The phosphorus requirement factor (Pf) (5.85), phosphorus critical (Pc) (22 ppm), and optimum nitrogen optimum nitrogen (92 kg ha<sup>-1</sup>) were used from previous studies. Improved bread wheat variety senete was used at 150 kg/ ha seeds rate. The results of a statistical analysis of variance demonstrated that NPS fertilizer rates based on calibrated phosphorus had significant effects on bread wheat production. Partial budget analysis shows the maximum net benefit (101,570.65 Birr ha<sup>-1</sup>) with an acceptable marginal rate of return (MRR) (932’52 %) through the application of 75% of Pc from NPS with optimum nitrogen fertilizer use. Consequently, 75% Pc from NPS should be used in the Degem district for bread wheat production, with the optimum nitrogen. Thus, further scaled-up and demonstration of the technologies for bread wheat production in the Degem district.

Feasibility of optimum energy use and cost analyses by applying artificial intelligence and genetic optimization methods in geothermal and solar energy-assisted multigeneration systems

This study evaluates the potential for optimizing energy utilization and cost analysis in geothermal and solar energy-supported multigeneration systems using artificial intelligence (AI) and genetic algorithm (GA) optimization methods. Integrating renewable energy sources aims to promote sustainable energy solutions focusing on efficiency and cost-effectiveness. A cogeneration system that leverages geothermal and solar energy for electricity generation and space cooling is analyzed. The model incorporates an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) for power generation and a geothermal-solar absorption cooling cycle for space cooling, developed using Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) and optimized through thermoeconomic methods. Thermodynamic and thermoeconomic analyses guide the optimization process using an ANN-based GA method. The system, with parameters such as a 130 °C geothermal source temperature, an 85 kg/s mass flow rate, and a 600 W/m2 monthly average solar radiation intensity in Afyonkarahisar, achieves overall energy and exergy efficiencies of 19.5 % and 43.5 %, respectively. Optimization via the GA method significantly improves performance, increasing net power output from 2240 kW to 2760 kW and cooling capacity from 2720 kW to 3061 kW. Additionally, the cost of electricity decreases by 12.1 %, from 0.0165 $/kWh to 0.0145 $/kWh, while the cooling cost is reduced by 41.9 %, from 0.0745 $/kWh to 0.0525 $/kWh.

Stool Xpert® MTB/RIF Ultra for TB diagnosis in children: experience from a national scale-up programme.

We describe the programmatic scale-up of stool testing using Xpert® MTB/RIF Ultra (Ultra), as recommended by the WHO to improve childhood pulmonary TB (PTB) diagnosis. USAID's Alliance for Combating TB in Bangladesh Activity, in collaboration with the National TB Control Programme, is implementing a stool-based diagnostic approach at 51 healthcare facilities in Bangladesh to improve PTB detection. Specimens from children (<15 years) with presumptive TB were tested using 'stool Ultra' with routine TB diagnostics. Physicians confirmed TB diagnosis and provided treatment as per national guidelines. Between March 2022 and December 2023, 16,429 specimens were tested, 871 (5.3%) were positive, and 642 (73.7%) showed 'trace detected' results. Positivity was significantly higher among females, and children presented with 'only cough ≥2 weeks', 'cough ≥2 weeks + weight loss', or 'fever ≥2 weeks, weight loss, fatigue + contact history'. Positivity was higher among '10-14 years old' children; however, 'trace detected' was highest among '5-9 years', followed by children aged '>2-<5 years' and '0-2 years'. Testing stools using Ultra provides a more effective way of diagnosing bacteriologically positive PTB in children. However, positivity varies with presenting symptoms/criteria, highlighting the need for careful diagnostic evaluation to ensure optimum use of limited diagnostic resources.

Empowering Communities through Akhuwat Foundation's Microfinance Initiative in Bhakkar, Punjab

Poverty is a global problem with several facets that affect millions of people worldwide. This study investigates the role of microfinance, mostly through the Akhuwat Foundation, in reducing poverty in the undeveloped district of Bhakkar, South Punjab, Pakistan. Akhuwat Foundation provides small loans to the needy to raise them out of poverty. This qualitative study takes an interpretive social science method, combining a meta-analysis of relevant literature with in-depth interviews of stakeholders using open-ended questions. According to the data, recipients primarily use these loans to start businesses, which leads to increased income and, as a result, poverty alleviation. However, limited resources limit the extent of lending, demanding increased loan-giving capacity to reach more people in need. Moreover, respondents require further training in business management or entrepreneurial capacities, which is not addressed by microfinance institutions such as Akhuwat Foundation before loan acceptance. Pre-loan training is required for optimum use of funds for business purposes, which limits microfinance's potential influence on poverty alleviation.

AN ANALYSIS ON THE USE OF MODIFIED EXPANDED PERLITE AND PUMICE IN INORGANIC BONDED FIBROUS COMPOSITE BOARDS

It is often stated that there is an energy efficiency difference between optimum energy use and actual energy use in the world. In the construction industry, various building materials are produced and used to optimize energy efficiency in buildings. Among these building materials, inorganic bonded fibrous composite boards, whose energy efficiency criteria have begun to be improved, are widely used both in Türkiye and in the world. This article presents an experimental analysis of the utilization of modified expanded perlite and pumice as key constituents in the development of inorganic bonded fibrous composite boards. The study investigates the influence of these modified porous materials on the physical, mechanical, and thermal properties of the composite boards. For this purpose; composite mortars were produced using micronized quartz sand, a hybrid fiber consisting of cellulose and glass fiber, modified expanded perlite (MEP) with stearic acid (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 wt.%) and modified pumice (MPU) with stearic acid (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 wt.%). In order to make a comparison, a control mortar that did not contain modified expanded perlite and modified pumice was produced. Through a series of experiments, it is concluded that the density values of all other mixture designs with MEP and MPU aggregate additives under equivalent conditions are lower than the control sample. The water absorption values of the samples always remained below the control sample, and with the increase in the MPU ratio and decrease in the MEP ratio, the water absorption values of the samples also decreased. The average modulus of rupture (MOR) value of control sample in the analysis made after 14 days of curing under ambient conditions is 3.73 MPa. The highest MOR value of the test samples is 3.51 MPa, which is the mixture using the highest MPU. The thermal conductivity value of the control mixture is 0.352 W/mK. The thermal conductivity value of test mixtures with MEP and MPU aggregates varies between 0.175 W/mK and 0.287 W/mK.

Hybrid offshore wind–solar energy farms: A novel approach through retrofitting

Due to the inherent variability of the power output of offshore wind farms, their integration into electrical grids poses a challenge to their stability and leads to significant balancing costs. Combining wind and solar power may be expected to mitigate the power output variability. In addition, a number of synergies can be realised—shared infrastructure, shared crews and vessels for operations and maintenance, and last but not least, optimum use of scarce marine space. The objective of this work is to investigate this hybrid approach and, in particular, to determine the optimum capacity of the solar energy subsystem given a certain installed capacity of the wind energy subsystem. Three case studies are considered in Europe and China. Each of them is an existing wind farm that could be retrofitted with floating solar PV. After assessing the local wind and solar energy resources, the optimal size of the floating solar array is calculated with a view to smooth the aggregated power output of each farm. Subsequently, the benefits of this hybrid approach are demonstrated from various perspectives. It is found that a much larger solar array is required for a wind farm with a large installed capacity, but the specific optimal size depends more on the local wind and solar resources. The novelty of this paper lies in its exploration of retrofitting existing offshore wind turbines with floating solar PV systems from the perspective of addressing the variability challenge for the currently operating wind farms. This study could serve as a guideline for project designs aiming to retrofit existing offshore wind farms with solar PV technology, thus reducing balancing costs and facilitating the penetration of offshore renewable energy into national power grids.

Optimisation of Water-Use in Pulp and Paper Mills: A Streamlined Review of Scientific Journal Publications

The water-, and energy footprints of the processes in the pulp and paper industry are sizable enough to warrant investment of money and commitment of time truncate the same. Besides, there is also a nexus between water and energy here, with optimisation of the use of one of these resoruces enabling that of the other too. This streamlined review focuses on journal publications (originating from different parts of the world, and targeted at researchers and decision-makers in the industry) which train the lens on the optimisation of water use in this particular sector of the (forestry) bioeconomy. The synergies and complementarities which exist among different sustainable development goals (SDGs) , promise positive ripple effects, caused by attending to the truncation of the water footprint. The articles, in general, recommend effective in-plant wastewater treatment in combinaton with recirculating the treated effluent, and looking upon the water streams as carriers or bearers of valorisable substances – organics which can yield a host of bio-products in bio-refineries, including bio-energy. Availing of water-pinch analysis as a tool to uncover possibilities of water use in a cascade (depending upon the requirements imposed on the water, by processes downstream in the cascade), has been shown to aid in the optimisation of both water use and energy demand within the plant. One case study, for example, showed that the demand for steam can be decreased by about 4 GJ per ton of output, by recovering the waste heat in the water streams.

A new parameterization of the DFT/CIS method with applications to core-level spectroscopy.

Time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) within a restricted excitation space is an efficient means to compute core-level excitation energies using only a small subset of the occupied orbitals. However, core-to-valence excitation energies are significantly underestimated when standard exchange-correlation functionals are used, which is partly traceable to systemic issues with TD-DFT's description of Rydberg and charge-transfer excited states. To mitigate this, we have implemented an empirically modified combination of configuration interaction with single substitutions (CIS) based on Kohn-Sham orbitals, which is known as "DFT/CIS." This semi-empirical approach is well-suited for simulating x-ray near-edge spectra, as it contains sufficient exact exchange to model charge-transfer excitations yet retains DFT's low-cost description of dynamical electron correlation. Empirical corrections to the matrix elements enable semi-quantitative simulation of near-edge x-ray spectra without the need for significant a posteriori shifts; this should be useful in complex molecules and materials with multiple overlapping x-ray edges. Parameter optimization for use with a specific range-separated hybrid functional makes this a black-box method intended for both core and valence spectroscopy. Results herein demonstrate that realistic K-edge absorption and emission spectra can be obtained for second- and third-row elements and 3d transition metals, with promising results for L-edge spectra as well. DFT/CIS calculations require absolute shifts that are considerably smaller than what is typical in TD-DFT.

Održivost u gradnji cesta – Dvije studije slučaja

Sustainability in the field of traffic route construction should be considered against the background of intelligent resource conservation. A holistic assessment of sustainability, including life cycle considerations and assessments, is essential. In the first case study, the pavement structure at the heavily loaded Daimler intersection was constructed using concrete in the direct intersection area and using both concrete and asphalt in the connecting areas of all four axes. A 31 cm thick unbound frost protection layer with a grain size of 0/45 mm was placed over the existing road surface. This was followed by an 8 cm thick asphalt base course (AC 32), applied using an asphalt paver. Finally, a 26 cm thick concrete layer was placed over the asphalt base course. In the second case study, a horizontal hybrid construction method is presented using the German motorway BAB A61 in the Koblenz area as an example. Horizontal hybrid construction combines the advantages of asphalt and concrete to create a durable and resistant pavement surface capable of withstanding high traffic loads. This innovative construction method enables the optimum use of different materials and ensures efficient rehabilitation and improvement of motorway infrastructure.

Tomato yield, and water use efficiency as affected by nitrogen rate and irrigation regime in the central low lands of Ethiopia

Tomato yield can be increased by the application of optimum water and fertilizer. A field experiment was conducted in Efratana Gidim district, North Shewa, Amhara, Ethiopia, during 2019 and 2020. The objective was to determine the nitrogen (N) rate and irrigation regime for optimum tomato yield and water use efficiency (WUE). The experiment consisted of three-irrigation regimes (75% ETc (Evapotranspiration from the crop), 100% ETc, and 125% ETc) and four nitrogen (N) rates (control; i.e. without N application1, 46 kg N ha−1, 92 kg N ha−1, and 138 kg N ha−1). The treatments were laid out in a split-plot design with four replications. The Irrigation regime were assigned to the main plot, while the N rate were assigned to the subplot. Data on growth, yield, and yield-related traits of tomatoes, include; plant height, number of fruit clusters per plant, fruit length, fruit diameter, number of marketable fruits, number of un-marketable fruits, the total number of fruits, marketable fruit yield, un-marketable fruit yield, total yield were collected. The data were subjected to analysis of variance using R studio. The results indicated that the experimental site had low total N content, and the application of N fertilizer significantly improved tomato yield. Increasing irrigation depth also significantly increased tomato yield. The result indicated that the highest mean marketable fruit yield (35,903 kg ha−1) was obtained from the combined application of 125% ETc with 92 kg N ha−1, while the lowest (13,655 kg ha−1) marketable fruit yield was obtained from 75% ETc with 92 kg N ha−1. The analysis of variance showed that the highest (5.4 kg m−3) WUE recorded from 75% ETc with 46 kg N ha−1 increased WUE by 77% (2.4 kg m−3) compared with the lowest (2.3 kg m−3) WUE recorded from 125% ETc with 0 kg N ha−1. The partial budget analysis also indicated that the highest net benefit (266,272 ETB (Ethiopian Birr) ha−1) and an acceptable marginal rate of return (1240%) for the invested capital was recorded from the combined application of 125% ETc with 92 kg N ha−1. Therefore, the application of 125% ETc with 92 kg N ha−1 resulted in the highest net benefit.

Aflatoxins in Peanut (Arachis hypogaea): Prevalence, Global Health Concern, and Management from an Innovative Nanotechnology Approach: A Mechanistic Repertoire and Future Direction.

Arachis hypogaea is the most significant oilseed nutritious legume crop in agricultural trade across the world. It is recognized as a valued crop for its contributions to nourishing food, as a cooking oil, and for meeting the protein needs of people who are unable to afford animal protein. Currently, its production, marketability, and consumption are hindered because of Aspergillus species infection that consequently contaminates the kernels with aflatoxins. Regarding health concerns, humans and animals are affected by acute and chronic aflatoxin toxicity and millions of people are at high risk of chronic levels. Most methods used to store peanuts are traditional and serve effectively for short-term storage. Now the question for long-term storage has been raised, and this promptly finds potential approaches to the issue. It is imperative to reduce the aflatoxin levels in peanuts to a permissible level by introducing detoxifying innovations. Most of the detoxification reports mention physical, chemical, and biological techniques. However, many current approaches are impractical because of time consumption, loss of nutritional quality, or weak detoxifying efficiency. Therefore, it is crucial to investigate practical, economical, and green methods to control Aspergillus flavus that address current global food security problems. Herein, a green and economically revolutionary way is a nanotechnology that has demonstrated its potential to connect farmers to markets, elevate international marketability, improve human and animal health conditions, and enhance food quality and safety by the management of fungal diseases. Due to the antimicrobial potential of nanoparticles, they act as nanofungicides and have an incredible role in the control of aflatoxins. Nanoparticles have ultrasmall sizes and therefore penetrate the fungal body and invade the pathogen machinery, leading to fungal cell death by ROS production, mutation in DNA, disruption of organelles, and membrane leakage. This is the first mechanistic overview that unveils a comprehensive insight into aflatoxin contamination in peanuts, its prevalence, health effects, and management in addition to nanotechnological interventions that serve as a triple defense approach to detoxify aflatoxins. The optimum use of nanofungicides ensures food safety and the development of goals, especially "zero hunger".

A Review—Durability, Mechanical and Hygrothermal Behavior of Building Materials Incorporating Biomass

The growing importance of environmental efficiency in reducing carbon emissions has prompted scientists around the world to intensify their efforts to prevent the destructive effects of a changing climate and a warming planet. Global carbon emissions rose by more than 40% in 2021, leading to significant variations in the planet’s weather patterns. Nevertheless, a significant proportion of natural resources continue to be exploited. To prepare for this challenge, it is essential to implement a sustainable approach in the construction industry. Biobased materials are made primarily from renewable raw materials like hemp, straw, miscanthus, and jute. These new materials provide excellent thermal and acoustic performance and make optimum use of local natural resources such as agricultural waste. Nowadays, cement is one of the most important construction materials. In an attempt to meet this exciting challenge, biobased materials with low-carbon binders are one of the proposed solutions to create a more insulating and less polluting material. The aim of this review is to investigate and to analyze the impact of the incorporation of different types of biobased materials on the mechanical, thermal, and hygric performance of a mix using different types of binder.

Techno-economic study of a hybrid photovoltaic-diesel system for a remote area in southwest Algeria

Exploiting natural sun and wind resources in remote and isolated areas is undoubtedly an excellent decision to generate electrical energy due to their availability and cleanliness. Various systems were used to generate this energy, such as photovoltaics (PV), wind turbine sand other energy systems. Moreover, for optimum energy use, some of these systems are combined either with each other or with other conventional systems, such as diesel generators with PV systems (i.e., hybrid systems). This work aims to present a technical-economic study of PV/diesel autonomous hybrid systems to supply electrical power for an isolated house located in a hot desert climate, Adrar. For optimizing the hybrid systems, hourly input data of solar radiation and load were used according to two configurations, where the annual load is 11.2 kWh/day. The findings showed that the diesel system had a high cost, with a cost for energy of $0.407/kWh and a fuel price of $0.140/l. Among the hybrid power systems but with significant pollution, the proposed hybrid system 2 kw photovoltaic and diesel generator with 2.3 kW has important economic feasibility, where the energy cost amounted to $0.172/kWh. In addition, CO2 emissions are reduced by approximately 5 tons every year compared to an independent diesel generator system.

THE ROLE OF STARTUPS IN PROMOTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF SMART CITIES – DUBAI AS A MODEL

Objective: The objective of this study is to learn about the role of start-ups in promoting the development of the smart city of Dubai, since these companies are always seeking innovative solutions to the challenges facing cities and rely on the latest methods and software used, thus helping cities to achieve the indicators that guarantee them important rank among other smart cities. Theoretical Framework: In this study, the basic concepts of the variables of the study were addressed by identifying the concept of start-ups, their characteristics and their importance in general, as well as by highlighting the subject of smart cities by listing some definitions and mentioning their advantages and dimensions. To then link the two variables by clarifying the relationship between startups and smart cities. Method: The methodology adopted for this research includes a sample of the most important start-up companies in Dubai selected from STARTUPRANKING, and the services provided by each company and its area of operation have been identified. To then determine the impact of the services provided on any indicators on which cities rely to become smarter (smart governance, smart transport, smart energy, smart technology, smart infrastructure, smart health, smart buildings and intelligent populations). Through which the role of these companies in the development of smart cities is determined. Results and Discussion: The results obtained revealed that Start-ups promote the development of cities by contributing to the challenges facing cities, communities and individuals by: - Ensuring a clean environment and smart transport systems that help to facilitate the movement of citizens and tourists through the use of telephones and at the lowest cost; - Strengthening cyber security to protect digital systems from threats; - Developing programs and techniques used in the educational sector, and focusing on developing the capabilities of individuals to ensure optimal use of technology; - Finding energy and environmental solutions to ensure optimum use of available resources. Originality/Value: This study sheds light on the importance of modern technology-based start-ups in promoting the development of smart cities. Dubai has been chosen as a model for a leading and developing Arab city that ranks first globally compared to other smart cities, and can be used as a successful experiment. In addition, the importance of both start-ups and smart cities, which are the pillars for the economic development of countries, they rely on advanced technology and the swift provision of services, ultimately facilitating life and enhancing the standard of living for their citizens.

Load management design and techno-economic analysis for an islanded hybrid Pv-Teg microgrid

Integration of various renewable energy sources (RES) is one of the critical factors behind microgrid (MG) capacity development and MG expansion. Distributed energy resources with and without RES, electrical loads, controllers, and storage units constitute the essential components of MGs. On the other hand, with the addition of different power generation sources, load prediction on the user side of the MG becomes an important issue. Demand response solutions and changing end-user behavior are the other sources of uncertainty in the performance of MGs. Therefore, matching supply and demand is a very important issue that must be done immediately at every moment of the operation. A load management system (LMS) in a community MG is essential to ensure the system’s adaptability. Fuzzy logic (FL) controllers and energy management systems will ensure optimum use of energy resources and efficient operation of MG and reduce energy waste. In this study, an 85 kW photovoltaic (PV) and thermoelectric generator (TEG) hybrid MG system (PVTEG-MG), which can operate as an island grid in all regions of the World with hot water resources, has been designed for the first time and its techno-economic analysis has been made. The state of charge (SOC) for the proposed PVTEG-MG remained stable at 40% charge state by adding charge management. The average value of the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) is $0.456/kWh for PV, $0.456/kWh for TEG, and 0.399/kWh over the total energy produced, 219,000 kWh for the PV and 493,650 kWh for the TEG. Overall, this PVTEG-MG system is a promising solution for hot water regions that can be used as an island grid to reduce electricity costs, increase efficiency and reliability, and provide a more sustainable energy source.

Assessing the Effect of Potassium nutrition on the Chilies (Capsicum annuum L.) Nursery Growth and Production

Healthy seedlings production plays pivotal role for better growth and quality production of chili. Optimum use of nutrients especially potassium (K) plays a key role for strong and vigorous seedlings, hence assessed in chili. The present study explored the response of chili seedlings to K nutrition. The trial was run by employing randomized complete block design with three replications and four K rates. The K nutrition doses included 0, 30, 60 and 90 Kg ha-1 with 0 Kg was used as control. The two widely grown varieties of area (Ghotki and Longi) were used in the study. There was a substantial variation to most of the parameters with regards to K application. The chili varieties also responded differently to K nutrition for most of the studied traits. Relatively, the maximum (18.65 cm) and minimum seedling height (14.25 cm) was noted by nourishing seeds with increasing K rates (90 Kg ha-1) and control (0 Kg ha-1). Positive effect of K application was also observed on leaf growth and development and more leaves (12.91) were observed at higher K rates. Shoot and root growth traits also responded significantly, and highest fresh seedling shoot weight (5.28 g), and root weight (0.92 g) were recorded when plants were nursed under the influence of highest K nutrition. In case of varieties, Ghotki showed superior performance over Longi for all the traits studied. It is concluded that nursery of chili crop may be raised by applying K @90 kg ha-1 for healthy and vigorous seedling production.

The hidden burden of melioidosis in Nepal: a paradigm for the urgent need to implement a simple laboratory algorithm to detect Burkholderia pseudomallei in low-resource endemic areas

Melioidosis, an emerging infectious disease caused by the Gram-negative bacillus Burkholderia pseudomallei, is massively underdiagnosed in many low- and middle-income countries. The disease is clinically extremely variable, has a high case fatality rate, and is assumed to be highly endemic in South Asian countries, including Nepal. The reasons for underdiagnosis include the lack of awareness among clinicians and laboratory staff and limited microbiological capacities. Because costly laboratory equipment and consumables are likely to remain a significant challenge in many melioidosis-endemic countries in the near future, it will be necessary to make optimum use of available tools and promote their stringent implementation. Therefore, we suggest that health facilities in resource-poor countries, such as Nepal, introduce a simple and low-cost diagnostic laboratory algorithm for the identification of B. pseudomallei cultures. This screening algorithm should be applied specifically to samples from patients with fever of unknown origin and risk factors for melioidosis, such as diabetes. In addition, there could also be a role of low-cost, novel, promising serological point-of-care tests, which are currently under research and development.

The CIPM list ‘Recommended values of standard frequencies’: 2021 update

This paper gives a detailed account of the analysis underpinning the 2021 update to the list of standard reference frequency values recommended by the International Committee for Weights and Measures. This update focused on a subset of atomic transitions that are secondary representations of the second (SRS) or considered as potential SRS. As in previous updates in 2015 and 2017, methods for analysing over-determined data sets were applied to make optimum use of the worldwide body of published clock comparison data. To ensure that these methods were robust, three independent calculations were performed using two different algorithms. The 2021 update differed from previous updates in taking detailed account of correlations among the input data, a step shown to be important in deriving unbiased frequency values and avoiding underestimation of their uncertainties. It also differed in the procedures used to assess input data and to assign uncertainties to the recommended frequency values, with previous practice being adapted to produce a fully consistent output data set consisting of frequency ratio values as well as absolute frequencies. These changes are significant in the context of an anticipated redefinition of the second in terms of an optical transition or transitions, since optical frequency ratio measurements will be critical for verifying the international consistency of optical clocks prior to the redefinition. In the meantime, the reduced uncertainties for optical SRS resulting from this analysis significantly increases the weight that secondary frequency standards based on these transitions can have in the steering of International Atomic Time.