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Vegetables are one of the best sources of minerals, particularly for vegetarians and low-resource people. With an increasing level of malnutrition in the human population, it is necessary t...

Underutilized, or lesser-known legumes, adapted to local conditions, could be a good source of nutrients, but have not received sufficient examination. Of particular interest is amounts of ...

Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis L.) is continually being improved to increase sustainability of production, enhance nutritional quality, and reduce waste. Development of resistances against abiotic (high temperature and rainfall) and biotic stresses (diseases and insects) is necessary for this purpose. Breeding plays a vital role in addressing these issues through development of superior varieties/hybrids. Globally, more than 20,000 accessions of C-genome taxa of B. oleracea are maintained in over 100 gene banks; European countries host the world’s largest and most diverse collections. The favorable genes and quantitative trait loci (QTL) for various traits of economic importance are scattered across cultivated types, breeding lines, and wild populations (i.e., primary, secondary, tertiary, and other gene pools) of B. oleracea, with efforts being made to integrate two- or multitiered breeding approaches for broadening the genetic base and introgressing genes and QTL of resistance, ...

The concentration fluctuations in long wavelength limit and thermodynamic properties, i.e. free energy of mixing, heat of mixing, entropy of mixing and activity of the components involved in the Zn-Sn binary liquid alloy at a specified temperature, have been investigated using a familiar formalism in which the combined effect of size ratio, entropic and enthalpic effect is considered. These properties of Zn-Sn liquid alloys at 750 K have been computed by estimating the best fit value of order energy parameter (W) and size ratio () in the entire range of concentration in order to match their experimental and theoretical values. This value of W has been used to determine the values of W at different temperatures with the help of temperature derivative of W which are then used for the optimization procedure in order to calculate the corresponding values of excess free energy of mixing, partial excess free energy of mixing and activity of the components involved in the alloy at different temperatures....

The legume pigeon pea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] is an important rainfed crop in many areas of the world. Production can be reduced when high nitrogen is present and symbiotic activity is low. A field experiment was conducted to determine the effects of nitrogen rate on nodulation, nodule carbon, and nitrogen fixation in 40 pigeon pea genotypes. Nitrogen was applied as urea at 40 (N40) and 120 kg·ha−1 of N (N120). Shoot biomass, root nodulation, amounts of nitrogen and carbon fixed, nitrate reductase activity in roots and nodules, and nitrite content in roots and nodules were determined. Genotype, N rate, and the interaction affected results. The genotypes Pusa-2001 and Sel-90306-11-4 had the most nodule mass at N40. Nitrogen rate did not affect nodule nitrogen-fixing effectiveness. Genotype Pusa-2001 had higher biomass at N120. Genotype Sel-90306-11-4 had high phosphoenol pyruvate carboxylase activity even at N120; which likely reduces host carbon dependence for nodule nitrogen function and improves ca...

SummaryStrawberry (Fragaria ananassa Duch.) is a rich source of minerals, vitamins, and anti-oxidants, and has a unique flavour and aroma. However, there is little information on the genetic variability and inheritance of mineral elements in strawberry. This is important as it can influence the selection of better genotypes and suitable breeding approaches for improvements in the nutritional quality of fruit. The objectives of the present study were, therefore, to estimate the variability, inheritance, and inter-relationships of mineral elements, to identify mineral-rich and productive genotypes, and to suggest suitable breeding approaches. A significant genotypic mean square for all the minerals studied indicated sufficient variation among genotypes. Our results also indicated that the effect of genotype on the mineral content of fruit was stronger than that of environment. Six genotypes, namely ‘Ofra’, ‘Sweet Charlie’, ‘Elista’, ‘Festival’, ‘Camarosa’, and ‘Douglas’ were found to have higher mineral con...

Brassica vegetables are important source of dietary mineral elements. However, information on the genetic variability of mineral elements and its transmissibility is scanty but essential if the nutritional quality of cabbage is to be improved through breeding. Highly significant differences among cultivars and germplasms indicate the existence of adequate amount of variability. Mineral concentrations differed 6 fold for iron, 2.4 fold for zinc, 2.1 fold for copper, 2.3 fold for manganese, 1.7 fold for potassium, and 4 fold for calcium content. The higher magnitude of genotypic to phenotypic variance ratio for iron, zinc, manganese, potassium, and calcium indicates high transmissibility of minerals into next generation, while the meager differences between phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variation indicate lesser influence of the environment on elemental accumulation.

In India the use of appropriate imported coals to supplement the inherent deficiencies of indigenous coals for cokemaking is in vogue. Stamp charging is very efficacious for inferior coking coals and has enabled Tata Steel to produce coke of international quality. It has been found to offer scope for the utilisation of less expensive imported semi-soft coals to replace expensive imported hard coals. Extensive tests were carried out to assess the blending potential of semi-soft coals for cokemaking by stamp charging in a 7 kg mini-oven, and a 600 kg pilot oven in the laboratory. This was followed by commercial scale trials. The test results clearly indicated that hard coals can be replaced with 30–35% of semi-soft coals in the stamp charging blend at Tata Steel without any compromise of coke strength. Semi-soft coals are now in regular use in all Tata's stamp charged batteries.

An investigation has been made on the influence of reactor neutron irradiation on tensile properties of mild steel at ambient temperature. Flat tensile specimens with gauge section 15.5 mm x 2.9 mm x 2.5 mm were exposed to neutron irradiation (E > 0.1 MeV) to three different fluences of 0.6 x 10 18 , 1.2 x 10 18 and 4.8 x 10 18 n/cm 2 . The irradiated specimens were tested in tension at room temperature. It was observed that while there was marked increase in the yield strength, there was relatively less increase in the ultimate tensile strength and the work hardening of the material was considerably reduced to due to neutron irradiation. Further, the ductility was also reduced progressively with the increasing fluence of neutron.

Tripathi, B. N. Singh, B. K. and Yadav, M. P. 1994. Parasitic gastritis in Indian equidae with Gasterophilus intestinalis larvae and Draschia megastoma infestation. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 5: 73–76 Gasterophilus intestinalis larvae were found in the stomachs of 10 (28.6%) out of 35 donkeys and 5 (50%) out of l0 horses. Draschia megastoma nodules were also observed in 2 (5.7%) donkeys and 1 (10%) horse. Grossly bot-infested stomachs revealed thickened walls with numerous pits and a few erosions and ulcers. Eosinophils constituted, besides other leucocytes, the predominant cells of reaction, Draschia megastoma caused formation of fibrocellular nodules.

This study examines the effects of selected community factors on aggregated during-treatment outcomes of methadone maintenance programs in 27 cities. The basic premise of the study is that methadone maintenance (MM) program outcomes on such measures as drug use, criminality, and productive activities are significantly affected by factors in the community environment. The results indicate that community measures are associated with outcomes on drug use (opiate and nonopiate), productive activities, and criminality but not with alcohol use. Another finding is that global measures such as overall quality of life of a community are not clearly related to outcomes of MM programs. It is also found that property crime rates, which are frequently used as indicators of prevalence of drug use, are not related to during-treatment program outcomes of drug use and criminality.

Taxonomic account of seven species of Drosophilidae is given. Three of them are described as new, while the remaining four species are recorded for the first time from India. Indian species of Drosophilidae excluding the genus Drosophila are listed and keys to genera and species are provided.

The experimental studies of dielectric rod radiators, having bends/forks excited in HEn (dipole) mode, show that the main lobe is tilted in the direction of the bend or along the arms of the fork, if there is no portion of the rod exposed along the zero direction. The tilt of the main lobe is affected by the portion of the rod along zero direction. For the length of the rod equal to or greater than 2 wavelengths in the zero direction, the main lobe is not tilted but has broadening effect on the main lobe. The greater the angle of the bend the greater is the tilt of the main lobe. For the angle of the bend above about 40°, the main lobe is not distinct but is split up into a number of peaks. The gain falls in the direction of the bend with increasing angle. Along the axial direction of the guide, the signal decreases at first and then increases as the angle of the bend is increased.

Data from a national survey conducted in 1977 were examined to identify correlates of attitudes toward euthanasia and suicide for terminally ill persons. The results indicated that race, religious participation, and attitudes toward freedom of expression were directly associated with such attitudes. It was also found that regional variations in such attitudes could be explained by the degree of urbanization of geographic regions.

An account is given of nine species of Drosophila (Scaptodrosophila), of which D.(S.) riverata is new. A list of species so far recorded from India and a key to them is provided.

Ternary Ni-Co-W alloy semiconductor diodes were fabricated by the method of electrodeposition and their properties were studied. Determination of barrier height of ternary alloy semiconductor diode from T-V and C-V measurements showed that it was alloy composition dependent and lay between alloy component semiconductor barrier height values.