Efficient Hybrid Load Balancing Algorithm Abstract The scarcity of the servers to cater to the demands of the traffic is one of the most important tasks of load balancing (LB). The increasing number of users at the same point of time does not provide enough room for all users. To provide a solution to this problem, the servers formulate a queue where the users are buffered for a period of time before they get connected to the further servers. If the requests are extremely high, then the load balancer completely aborts the process for every user. The problems discussed above mainly cater to the Client/Server model. This model as well as the difficulties changes for the proposed hybrid Grid model. The network is monitored by the load balancer for discontinued users as these may be cleared by the respective hosts. The balancing of the load should be as usual to the respective hosts for a single network and may later on be applied for the rest of the machines as per requirements. The server hardware requirements have been affected by the increase in decentralization. The cost of the companies and the services that they render has enormously increased and here comes the need for LB. The proposed work on hybrid load balancing solution for Grid is to design and integrate such systems and compare it with the existing ones. The system script has been developed in Java using a modular construction which makes it generic for various other network models. For the efficiency check for selecting servers from a pool, four different algorithms have been analyzed and modified.

Application of Taguchi Method for Optimization of Various Factors in Improving the Shear Modulus of Enzyme Treated Soil Abstract In this study, the effect of dosage of enzyme (50 to 400 ml/m3), curing period (7 to 28 days) and cyclic triaxial loading test parameters such as confining pressure (50 to 200 kPa), loading frequency (0.25 to 1 Hz) and loading rate (0.3 to 0.9%) on the shear modulus of enzyme stabilized soil is investigated. Taguchi method has been applied to the cyclic triaxial tests, and L16 orthogonal array with five factors and four levels was selected. Analysis of variance was carried out to study the significant factors affecting the response. Among the selected factors considered for the study, curing period is found to be the most effective parameter on the shear modulus of the enzyme treated soil. With the increase in dosage of the stabilizer, there is a significant improvement in the shear modulus of the treated soil. The increase in shear strain amplitude and loading frequency decreases the shear modulus. The higher value of shear modulus was obtained for the specimen with dosage of enzyme 400 ml/m3 after a curing period of 28 days under a confining pressure of 200 kPa, loading frequency of 0.25 Hz and cyclic shear strain amplitude of 0.3%.

Fourth-Order Sub-Poissonian Light Generation by the Beam Splitter with Second-Order Nonlinearity Abstract Prakash and Mishra (J Opt Soc Am B 33(7):1552, 2016) proposed the quantum model of a ‘beam splitter with second-order nonlinearity (BSSN)’ and showed that non-classical features such as squeezing and ‘sub-Poissonian photon statistics’ of optical fields can be generated by injecting coherent light beams at their inputs. We will explore the possibilities of generation of higher-order sub-Poissonian light by using BSSN in the present paper.

Biocontrol Prospects of Pseudomonas fluorescens AS15 Against Banded Leaf and Sheath Blight Disease of Maize Under Field Condition in Conducive Soil Abstract Banded leaf and sheath blight (BL&SB) disease of maize caused by Rhizoctonia solani is widespread in humid Terai region of Western Himalayas and leads to 11–40% yield loss in maize. Pseudomonas fluorescens AS15 is an ideal antagonist against BL&SB pathogen. Disease severity is reduced when population of AS15 reaches threshold level 5.3 × 105 CFU g−1 in soil at 45 days after inoculation. It is metabolically versatile and utilizes various carbohydrates and nitrogen sources of plants root exudates. Application of P. fluorescens AS15 in conducive soil reduced disease incidence and disease severity and increased grain yield to 33.4%, 46.8% and 8.4%, respectively, during June 2014 field trial. The reduction in disease incidence (18.1%) and disease severity (35.6%) along with the increase in yield (8.1%) was also observed in June 2015 trial carried out in the same fields without further application of antagonistic bacteria. The results clearly demonstrate biocontrol efficacy and successful rhizospheric colonization of P. fluorescens AS15 in natural conditions.

A New Record of Canomaculina (Parmeliaceae, Ascomycota) from Western Himalaya, India Abstract The study hereby describes the occurrence of a new record of Parmelioid-lichenized fungi Canomaculina haitiensis (Hale) Elix from India. The species is described on nylon net house from western Himalaya. A revised key to the genus Canomaculina in India is provided incorporating the new record.

New Report of Oxycetonia versicolor Fabricius, as a Pest on Cotton from Central India Abstract Oxycetonia versicolor Fabricius (flower chafer beetle) was documented as a pest on cotton from central India for the first time. The survey was undertaken to understand the infestation levels on cotton. Results revealed that low-to-moderate level infestation was observed in the surveyed districts. Damage of 12.92% was noticed in Rajkot, Gujarat, while negligible damage recorded in Wardha, Maharashtra (0.40%), India.

Protichneumon pisorius (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae)—The First Record From India Abstract Protichneumon pisorius Linnaeus (Systema naturae per regna tria naturae, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis locis. Tomus I. Editio decima, reformata., Laurnetii Salvii, Holmiae, 824 pp 1758) is reported for the first time from India. A brief diagnosis and images of the species are provided to validate this new faunal record from India. Ichneumonidae is one of the largest families of the Hymenoptera with over 39 subfamilies. The number of valid species of Ichneumonidae is about 25,292 however, the number of described species is 35,660 which includes over 10,000 junior synonyms [2, Yu, personal communication]. The genus Protichneumon belongs to the subtribe Protichneumonina (Ichneumonidae: Ichneumoninae: Protichneumonini) and include 23 valid species, mostly of Holarctic origin found in the Oriental Zone in the highlands [boreal-mountain species; 2, 3]. Recently some authors have moved the genus Heresiarches to Protichneumonini tribe and, under the Code (priority), renamed tribe Protichneumonini into Heresiarchini. However, this opinion is mostly disagreed and still debatable with Heresiarchini been considered as an independent tribe [Tereshkin, personal communication]. The members of the genus Protichneumon are recognized by their prominent size (15–20 mm), drab coloration and shares most similarities with species of genus Coelichneumon. These insects specialize in parasitizing the Sphingidae, Arctiidae, Lymantriidae, Notodontidae, Noctuidae, Geometridae, Pyralidae and Tortricidae moths Tereshkin (Linzer biologische Beiträge 41(2):1317–1608, 2009), Heinrich (Arthropods of Florida and neigboring areas. Vol 9—Ichneumoninae of Florida and neighboring states. Florida Departament of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Contribution 400:1–350, 1977).

Effect of Growth Regulators on Germination of Dipcadi erythraeum , an Endemic and Threatened Bulbous Medicinal Plant Abstract Dipcadi erythraeum is an important medicinal bulbous plant of the Indian arid zone under endemic and threatened category. So, it is necessary to cultivate it at large scale for its conservation. As plant growth regulators are known to improve germination percentage, the present research has been conducted to investigate the effect of different concentrations of plant growth regulators such as gibberellic acid, indole-3-acetic acid and indole butyric acid on various parameters of seed germination and seedling growth of D. erythraeum. The different parameters such as viability, reproductive capacity, seed output, germination percentage, vigour index and germination value were taken. The results revealed that seeds pre-treated with growth regulators improved germination and other parameters as compared to control.

The Detection Limit of PCR Amplification for Cryptosporidium spp. Oocysts in Fecal Samples Abstract Detection limits of PCR to detect Cryptosporidium spp. were determined in ninety-six preserved fecal samples (obtained for a different project). Small subunit ribosomal RNA gene was amplified from each sample. The best detection limit of the PCR method was > 150 oocysts.

Growing Watermelon in High-Altitude Trans-Himalayan Ladakh Abstract The feasibility of growing watermelon, a warm season crop, was studied under a low-input cultivation system in open field condition in the high-altitude (elevation 3344 m) trans-Himalayan Ladakh region. The mean marketable yield of five cultivars in different treatments varied from 13.0 ± 2.7 to 30.4 ± 5.3 and 11.8 ± 2.9 to 27.4 ± 4.0 t ha−1 in 2014 and 2015, respectively. Treatment of black polyethylene mulch (BPM) increased marketable yield by 23.3% to 59.2% depending on year and cultivar. The best-performing cultivar (Bejo-2000) under BPM yielded 28.9 t ha−1 marketable fruit, which suggested that watermelon can successfully be grown in open field condition in the trans-Himalaya. Harvest began on 18 August 2014 and 26 August 2015. Average marketable fruit weight ranged from 2.9 to 5.3 kg, and TSS ranged from 9.3 to 11.3°Brix depending on cultivar. Temperature 10 cm beneath the BPM was 2.8 ± 0.3 °C higher than in nonmulched soil. BPM reduced 73% weed and saved 77% time in manual weeding.