IRA-International Journal of Applied Sciences 

About: IRA-International Journal of Applied Sciences is an academic journal published by Institute of Research Advances. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Materials science & Soil water. It has an ISSN identifier of 2455-4499. It is also open access. Over the lifetime, 195 publications have been published receiving 355 citations.

ABCD analysis of Dye-doped Polymers for Photonic Applications

Abstract: Photonics is a subject of scientific study on generating, controlling, harvesting and detecting the beam of photons or light with a purpose of creating, manipulating, storing, transmitting and detecting information using nonlinear optical properties of materials. This paper is a new attempt to integrate scientific research and social research by analysing the characteristics of dye-doped polymer films for photonics applications. The analysing framework called ABCD framework to analyse any business concepts, business systems, technology, strategy, engineering material, technology or even an idea systematically by identifying the advantages, benefits, constraints, and disadvantages under various determinant issues and listing the constituent critical elements under each construct. In this paper, as per the ABCD framework, the various determinant issues related to the use of dye-doped polymer films for photonic applications through focus group method are determined as affecting factors under : (1) Material Issues, (2) Application Issues, (3) Commercialization Issues, (4) Production/Service providers Issues, (5) Customer Issues, and (6) Environmental/Social Issues. The constituent critical elements of these factors are listed under the four constructs - advantages, benefits, constraints and disadvantages of the ABCD technique and tabulated. The analysis has brought about 204 critical constituent elements which satisfy the success of this analysis methodology.

Biomass- An Overview on Composition Characteristics and Properties

Abstract: A general overview has been proposed for biomass composition, characteristics and property. Biomass is the combination of all organic materials that simplify referring to amount of animal and plant. Biomass materials are diverse, ranging from wood, bark, straw and other agricultural residues, grasses and off-spec grains. Despite of diversity the composition of most biomass materials is relatively uniform, when moisture has been excluded. Biomass burning emission is an important part of carbon and nitrogen cycle. The pollutants released by biomass burning varies depends upon the constituents of nitrogen sulphur and carbon. In this paper basic knowledge of biomass and comparative data regarding composition and characterization has been studied.

An Overview of Hyperspectral Remote Sensing and its applications in various Disciplines

Abstract: Recent advances in remote sensing and geographic information has opened new directions for the development of hyperspectral sensors. Hyperspectral remote sensing, also known as imaging spectroscopy is a new technology. Hyperspectral imaging is currently being investigated by researchers and scientists for the detection and identification of vegetation, minerals, different objects and background. Hyperspectral remote sensing combines imaging and spectroscopy in a single system which often includes large data sets and requires new processing methods. Hyperspectral data sets are generally made of about 100 to 200 spectral bands of relatively narrow bandwidths (5-10 nm), whereas, multispectral data sets are usually composed of about 5 to 10 bands of relatively large bandwidths (70-400 nm). Hyperspectral imagery is collected as a data cube with spatial information collected in the X-Y plane, and spectral information represented in the Z-direction. Hyperspectral remote sensing is applicable in many different disciplines. It was originally developed for mining and geology; it has now spread into fields such as agriculture and forestry, ecology, coastal zone management, geology and mineral exploration. This paper presents an overview of hyperspectral imaging, data exploration and analysis, applications in various disciplines, advantages and disadvantages and future aspects of the technique.

Use of Models as Non-destructive Method for Leaf Area Estimation in Horticultural Crops

Abstract: Leaf area estimation is an important biometrical trait for evaluating leaf development and plant growth analysis in field study of horticultural as well as other species of crop plants. These measurements can be made either destructively and/or non-destructively by using a variety of sensitive instruments as well as models of leaf area estimation. Easy, accurate, cost-effective, and nondestructive methods of leaf area estimation are useful tool in physiological studies related to plant growth and development. The use of regression equations is a nondestructive, simple, quick, accurate, reliable and not expensive method of leaf area estimation. The usual procedure of this method involves measuring length (L), breadth (W) and/or dry mass (M) of a sample of leaves and then calculating the several possible regression coefficients or leaf factors to estimate the area of subsequent leaf samples. Computer programs such as Excel, SAS and SPSS may be used in this process. The paper thrashed out several leaf area estimation models of horticultural crops from the available literature and synthesized in tabular form for the use of researchers. Article also offered some advantages and disadvantages of leaf area estimation models used for analyzing the plant growth and development.

Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activity of Methanol Extract of Momordica Balsamina

Abstract: Momordica balsamina is considered as a miracle herb used in African traditional medicine due to its tremendous medicinal and nutritional properties. In this present study we evaluated the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the methanol extract of Momordica balsamina (MEMB). Phytochemical screening followed by thin layer chromatography and spectrophotometrydone to measure the radical scavenging activity of 2,2-diphenyl-l-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). Total phenolic content and total antioxidant activity of MEMB was determined. Zones of inhibition, minimum inhibitory (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC) were measured by agar diffusion and liquid broth dilution assays to assess the antimicrobial activities of MEMB. Phytochemicals isolated were flavonoids, tannins, coumarins, terpenoids and phenols. The antioxidant potential and antimicrobial activity of MEMB can be attributed to the total phenolic content and other bioactive phytochemicals.MEMB showed antimicrobicidal activity more against Gram positive than Gram negative organisms. S.agalactiae,S.aureus (ATCC 25923) and L.monocytogenes were more susceptible than Proteus mirabilis , E.coli, K.pneumoniae, P.aeruginosa or S. typhimurium. MEMB also showed antifungal activity against C.albicans species though at a higher concentration[MIC - 0.938mg/ml and MBC-1.875mg/ml]. MEMB can therefore be considered as a potential medication in the management of infectious diseases.