ALBERT

Notes: The present study utilizes an operational model as well as simple empirical relationships for estimating hazard zones due to fire, explosion, and toxic vapor cloud dispersion. The empirical relationships are based on giving appropriate weightage to each of the parameters on which the hazard in question (viz. fire, explosion, toxic vapour dispersion) is dependent. Results from these two approaches [i.e., an operational model FLAMCALC of U.K. Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and an empirical model named FIREX] have been compared with the data obtained from the Mexico City disaster in 1984. In general, results from the empirical approach and FLAMCALC are comparable to the observed effects.

Notes: Heavy gas dispersion models have been developed at IIT (hereinafter referred as IIT heavy gas models I and II) with a view to estimate vulnerable zones due to accidental (both instantaneous and continuous, respectively) release of dense toxic material in the atmosphere. The results obtained from IIT heavy gas models have been compared with those obtained from the DEGADIS model [Dense Gas Dispersion Model, developed by Havens and Spicer (1985) for the U.S. Coast Guard] as well as with the observed data collected during the Burro Series, Maplin Sands, and Thorney Island field trials. Both of these models include relevant features of dense gas dispersion, viz., gravity slumping, air entrainment, cloud heating, and transition to the passive phase, etc. The DEGADIS model has been considered for comparing the performance of IIT heavy gas models in this study because it incorporates most of the physical processes of dense gas dispersion in an elaborate manner, and has also been satisfactorily tested against field observations. The predictions from IIT heavy gas models indicate a fairly similar trend to the observed values from Thorney Island, Burro Series, and Maplin experiments with a tendency toward overprediction. There is a good agreement between the prediction of IIT heavy Gas models I and II with those from DEGADIS, except for the simulations of IIT heavy gas model-I pertaining to very large release quantities under highly stable atmospheric conditions. In summary, the performance of IIT heavy gas models have been found to be reasonably good both with respect to the limited field data available and various simulations (selected on the basis of relevant storages in the industries and prevalent meteorological conditions performed with DEGADIS). However, there is a scope of improvement in the IIT heavy gas models (viz., better formulation for entrainment, modification of coefficients, transition criteria, etc.).Further, isotons (nomograms) have been prepared by using IIT heavy gas models for chlorine, which provide safe distance for various storage amounts for 24 meteorological scenarios prevalent in the entire year. These nomograms are prepared such that a nonspecialist can use them easily for control and management in case of an emergency requiring the evacuation of people in the affected region. These results can also be useful for siting and limiting the storage quantities.

Notes: Abstract. Carbon dioxide is known to overcome sporophytic self-incompatibility in Brassica. Elevated CO2 (30 mmol CO2 mol-1 air), supplied via a flowthrough gas system, was shown to block the formation of rejection callose in the surface stigmatic papillae of Brassica campestris var. T15 following self-pollination. Possible mechanisms by which CO2 may affect callose formation are discussed.

Notes: Pollen and pollen tubes of Sesbania aegyptica Pers. contain α-ketoglutaric acid, oxaloacetic acid and pyruvic acid. Changes in the keto acids have been correlated with their corresponding amino acids during different phases of germination. It is suggested that keto acids were readily turned over during the elongation of pollen tubes.

Notes: The investigation dealt with starch accumulation in four species of Cuscuta (Cuscuta campestris, C. indecora, C. planiflora and C. reflexa), a leafy mistletoe (Dendrophthoe falcata) and a chlorophyll-lacking root parasite (Orobanche aegyptiaca). The highest content of starch occurred In O. aegyptiaca, with a maximum of 45 per cent of dry weight Starch in Cuscuta filaments and mistletoe leaves showed a maximum of about 10 per cent of dry weight. The starch content varied along the length of the Cuscuta vine, with a maximum in the apical region. Orobanche had a higher starch content when it was still submerged than it was fully developed. Cuscuta vines did not show any marked diurnal alteration in the starch content. The content of ethanol-soluble carbohydrate was only a tenth of the starch in Orobanche, but was relatively higher in the other parasites. the neutral sugars in Cuscuta filaments were sucrose and glucose, whereas fructose was also present in mistletoe and Orobanche. Raffinose and stachyose were absent or present only ill traces in parasite tissue. Starch granules from Cuscuta and Orobanche bad ADPG/UDPG-starch synthetase activity and homogenates starch phosphorylase activity. The former enzyme appeared to be responsible for synthesis of starch and the latter for utilization. The four different species of Cuscnta, growing on alfalfa, had more or less the same activity of starch synthetase and also of phosphorylase activity. Hosts infected by Cuscuta had significantly less starch per plant than the controls. A characteristic feature of invasion by Cuscuta and Orobanche was increased phosphorylase activity in the host tissues. The protein content of the tissues of Cuscuta and Orobanche was of a lower level than that of the host shoot system or foliage, indicating that the parasite differed from the host in having a higher carbon (of starch) to nitrogen (of protein) ratio.