G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology

About: G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology is a education organization based out in Haldwani, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Agriculture. The organization has 3154 authors who have published 3244 publications receiving 43741 citations. The organization is also known as: Govind Ballabh Pant Krishi Evam Praudyogik Vishwavidyalaya & Pantnagar University.

Mechanical, Microstructural and Thermal Characterization of Epoxy-Based Human Hair–Reinforced Composites

Abstract: Owing to their biodegradable nature and cost-effectiveness, natural fibers have attracted the attention of various material scientists. One such fiber is human hair (HH), which is viscoelastic-plastic in nature and encloses well-characterized microstructures within it. An important aspect is that a strand of HH having a diameter of 60 μm is capable of withstanding a force of 100–150 grams/fiber. However, wastage of HH on an enormous scale poses an environmental challenge. Therefore, the authors have utilized this novel fiber in the field of composites and revealed the systematic methodology of fabricating HH with polymers using the wet hand lay-up technique. The diverse compositions of polymer-HH composite, with varying HH weight percentages (wt.%) of 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 %, were put to investigation. In the present work, treatment of HH with potassium hydroxide and curing of polymer further enhanced the bonding properties of composites. The specimens were examined micro-structurally through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) tests, followed by the mechanical tests: tensile, compression, flexural, hardness, and impact. Both the microstructural and mechanical tests complemented each other and confirmed that the cured polymer composite speckled with 7 wt.% of HH fiber content was the best of all formulations, as it provided the highest magnification in mechanical properties relative to neat polymer. Finally, the thermal analysis was done via thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) techniques.

Evaluation of Oxidative Stress and its Amelioration through Certain Antioxidants in Broilers during Summer

Abstract: A comparative study on antioxidative effects of vitamin E, amla-electrolyte (Electrolyte mix of Emblica officinalis) and mint (Mentha longifolia) supplementation in broilers was conducted during the summer months of May-July with temperature-humidity index ranging from 73 to 80. Day old broiler chicks (n=75) were randomly divided into five groups. Control group was given basal diet and treatment groups were supplemented with either Vitamin E (200mg/kg feed), dried mint leaves (10g/kg and 30g/kg feed) or amla-electrolyte mix (1g/kg feed) from day 1 to seven weeks of age. Control group at 3rd and 5th week showed high concentration of lipid peroxidation and low activity of glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in erythrocytes, heart, liver and brain cortex. Antioxidants supplemented groups showed significantly reduced level of lipid peroxidation in erythrocytes both at 3rd and 5th week and in tissues. The GSH, catalase, SOD and glutathione reductase activities were elevated in erythrocytes whereas GSH and SOD activities were depressed in treated birds. It can be concluded from the results that oxidative stress in broilers during summer could be ameliorated using herbal antioxidants.

Influence of nitrogen on the expression of TaDof1 transcription factor in wheat and its relationship with photo synthetic and ammonium assimilating efficiency

Abstract: Nitrogen is a crucial macronutrient needed in the greatest amount of all mineral elements required by plants. Development of crop varieties with high nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) is imperative for sustainable agriculture. Understanding how plant genes respond to different nitrogen conditions is essential for formulating approaches, for manipulating genes, for improving NUE. In the present study we analyzed the activity of three different enzymes involved in nitrogen assimilation viz., GS, GOGAT and GDH along with physiological parameters like chlorophyll variable yield (Fv/Fmax), photosynthesis rate and total chlorophyll content at four different growth stages of wheat plant development under different nitrogen treatments. For this study two different wheat varieties UP-2644 and Raj-4097 having high and low protein content, respectively in the grains were chosen. Gene expression profile of a Dof transcription factor (TaDof1 of wheat) was also included in the study to assess its role in nitrogen metabolism. Densitometry analysis at S(2) and S(3) stage of wheat spikes of both the wheat varieties grown at different nitrogen treatments showed that TaDof1 expression was up-regulated in low nitrogen treatment. In S(3) stage, in high protein content wheat variety UP-2644, TaDof1 expression was elevated in low and normal nitrogen treatment as compared to high nitrogen treatment. The gene expression profile of Dof 1 was found to coincide with the enzyme activities of GS, GOGAT at the S(3) stage. The activities of these enzymes were prolonged in the high protein content variety. Since, Dof transcription factor(s) have been previously reported to control the expression of genes involved nitrogen assimilation i.e., GS and GOGAT and may be the elevated expression of Dof 1 at the grain filling stage over expresses the GS and GOGAT genes thereby prolonging their activities.