Sk Verma

RBF Neural Network Modeling of Rectangular Microstrip Patch Antenna

In this paper, a design procedure has been proposed for rectangular micro strip patch antenna using artificial neural network, which has been demonstrated using radial basis function neural network. The Neural model was analyzed for 20 sets of input output parameters. The radial basis function outputs are optimized by variation of spread constant and number of neurons. By applying this model we can reduce output error as well as time delay of system. The testing of output of neural model is found in good agreement with theoretical values.

Role of miRNAs in root development of model plant Arabidopsis thaliana

The molecular regulation of root development is relatively well studied in model plant Arabidopsis as compared to other plants. Besides phytohormones, transcription factors and environmental factors, other important regulators which have recently been shown to play crucial roles in controlling root development are the non-coding RNAs. Small non-coding RNAs of 21–24 nt length (miRNAs and ta-siRNAs) regulate various aspects of plant development by negatively regulating their target genes through transcript cleavage or translational inhibition. In recent past the microRNA-mediated regulation of root development has drawn significant interest in the area of plant research. Several reports have highlighted the role of many miRNAs and ta-siRNAs in root growth, vascular patterning, lateral root (LR) formation and elongation, and adventitious root development, Phytohormones like auxin, cytokinin and environmental factors like light, abiotic and biotic stresses, and nutrient availability influence many miRNA-mediated regulation of root growth and branching. In current review, we summarize the recent advances made in understanding the miRNA-mediated regulation of root development in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. The molecular crosstalk between different miRNAs, ta-siRNAs, and concerned target genes that regulate root growth and branching have been addressed.

Soil ecophysiological and microbiological indices of soil health: a study of coal mining site in Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh

The present study involves the discovery of quality of soils associated with dump mines and native forest encompassing the Kakari mine, a coal mining site in Sonbhadra, to distinguish the effect of coal mining on associated soil ecosystem. Soil ecophysiological indicator of the site was analyzed in terms of floral diversity by method of quadrat analysis, which revealed that dumps were devoid of any floral community whereas the natural forest around the mines was enriched with a number of plant species. Importance value index (IVI) was calculated and with respect to their IVI index the tree species viz., Acacia mangium (23.17, 24.48 & 26.81) and Acacia catechu (20.34, 22.10 & 25.36) were found to be the most dominant species. Soil enzymatic and physico-chemical analysis were analyzed by standard method and the result emphasized that dump soils possess poor enzymatic activity and acidic pH due to the decomposition of waste material in dumps which eventually affects the microbial diversity of soil and its fertility. The plant growth promotion (PGP) and stress tolerance characteristics of bacterial isolates were further examined so that the potential isolates will be utilized further to reclaim and remediate soil property of degraded soils. The promising isolates were characterized by BIOLOG identification system and isolate NU36 and NU25 showed greatest similarity with Pseudomonas sp. and Acinetobacter sp. respectively. Based on the potential to produce plant growth promoting substances and withstand in stressed environment the most promising isolates will be used to remediate soil and reclaim soil characteristics.

Plant small RNAs: advancement in the understanding of biogenesis and role in plant development

Main conclusionPresent review addresses the advances made in the understanding of biogenesis of plant small RNAs and their role in plant development. We discuss the elaborate role of microRNAs (miRNAs) and trans-acting small interfering RNAs (ta-siRNAs) in various aspects of plant growth and development and highlight relevance of small RNA mobility.Small non-coding RNAs regulate various aspects of plant development. Small RNAs (sRNAs) of 21–24 nucleotide length are derived from double-stranded RNAs through the combined activity of several biogenesis and processing components. These sRNAs function by negatively regulating the expression of target genes. miRNAs and ta-siRNAs constitute two important classes of endogenous small RNAs in plants, which play important roles in plant growth and developmental processes like embryogenesis, organ formation and patterning, shoot and root growth, and reproductive development. Biogenesis of miRNAs is a multistep process which includes transcription, processing and modification, and their loading onto RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC). RISC-loaded miRNAs carry out post-transcriptional silencing of their target(s). Recent studies identified orthologues of different biogenesis components of novel and conserved small RNAs from different model plants. Although many small RNAs have been identified from diverse plant species, only a handful of them have been functionally characterized. In this review, we discuss the advances made in understanding the biogenesis, functional conservation/divergence in miRNA-mediated gene regulation, and the developmental role of small RNAs in different plant species.

Management of Ravines Through Anicuts and Afforestation

Ravines, the product of natural erosion, indicate the worst form of land degradation. The principal types of water erosion are sheet and gully erosion. Sheet erosion causes the removal of surface soil in thin uniform layers, year after year, and, therefore, usually goes unnoticed. Erosion damages rangelands, croplands and infrastructures. The locked-up production potential of ravines in only three states of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Gujarat alone is estimated to 3 million tons of food grain annually. Efficient reclamation schemes can be had through sustainable agricultural practices, controlled grazing, construction of peripheral bunds, contour bunding, contour trenches, gully plugging, spillways, diversion channel, breaking the length of slopes into smaller units and by plantation. This will prevent further damage to the valuable land as well as increase the production from reclaimed lands.