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Over the past few decades, rapid industrialization and urbanization have severely deteriorated urban air quality. Forecasting the value of air pollutants and predicting the Air Quality Index (AQI) are crucial in improving the control measures for tackling air pollution. The current research proposes meteorological AQI and pollutants concentration-based AQI predictor. It consists of the pollutant predictor module and Air Quality Index predictor module. In this work, (a) ARIMA, ANN, RFR, XGBoost, LSTM, VAR, and ARMA are used to forecast the concentration of pollutants, (b) support vector regressor (SVR) is then used to build an AQI prediction model using forecasted air pollution concentration (in part 'a') and meteorological factors such as wind speed, temperature, and humidity, and (c) the performance of SVR with different kernel functions has been investigated. Also, the impact of considering past AQI values for predicting future AQI values has been analyzed. The dataset used in this work has been acquired from the official website of the Central Pollution Control Board, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India. The pollutant prediction models were evaluated using MAE and RMSE as the performance parameters. It has been observed that ARIMA and ANN can be used for efficient and accurate forecasting of the concentration of air pollutants. Further, it has been found that the proposed SVR model works effectively using linear kernel function (with one lookback value), with MAE being 29 and RMSE being 44.5. This proposed predictor may help people to plan their daily activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The investigations on varietal (30) reaction and impact of inflorescence midge Procontarinia mangiferae (Felt) control practices on fruit retention and yield of mango variety Amrapali were carried out in the east coast region of India. Results revealed that the incidence of midge among the genotypes varied significantly (P<0.00). The lowest incidence was recorded on Neelgoa (16.15%), followed by Neeleshan (26.1%) and the highest in Alphanso (86.27%), Totapuri (86.42%), H-39(87.39%), Amrapali (88.69%), and Lalsundari (89.48%). Using the varying susceptibility of the genotypes to blossom damage as a basis, the genotypes were classified into distinct categories. Regardless of the extent of plant damage to floral buds, each variety exhibited fruit retention. With their wideranging genetic potential, there was no discernible correlation between fruit weight and fruit count. The impact studies of midge control measure in variety Amrapali revealed that the floral damage in untreated plants ranged between 73.69-91.37 percent and 61.47-75.47 percent in treated trees. The fruit number at the harvesting stage ranged between 2.80-4.00/ panicle and 3.1-4.20/ panicle, with a fruit weight ranging from 1.10-1.43kg and 1.23-1.50 kg/panicle, respectively. It was concluded that though the percent flower damage, fruit number, and yield per panicle differed significantly in treated and untreated trees, this statistical significance may not be of great economic importance at the maturity stage as 3-4 fruits per bunch in Amrapali gives standard yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main factor having severe impact on lives of millions of people under the poverty line is energy deficiency. For the improvement of living and standard of education, there is a need to electrify the rural areas. India has an aim of achieving 175 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2022. The use of Renewable Energy Technologies propounds huge benefits to rural areas. Over the past two decades, rural electrification has been a continuous process, accelerated through various programs and schemes. Uttar Pradesh state of India, located in the north central region of the country is the most populous state. Energy demand is increasing steadily with the development of the state. With respect to limited conventional energy sources and increasing environmental pollution, production of energy based on renewable energy sources is given high priority. This paper presents the current status of renewable energy in the state, renewable energy-based options for rural electrification including the single technology-based systems, integrated and the hybrid energy systems depending on availability of resources. The current scenario of power generation and requirement is also discussed. A complete analysis of the current CO2 emission and the mitigation potential of different RESs are presented. Based on this the cost saving potential is performed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper deals with the infection of Masenai dayali and Masenia jaunpurensis in Channas species from Jaunpur district U.P., India during 2017-2018. The percent occurance of infection was greatest in females during the long stretch of July (90.32) and during the period of September (90.9%) in males. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study of natural radionuclides of different types of houses was conducted at 493 houses in the southern valley region of Manipur, India. The average annual effective doses of gamma radiation level in indoor and outdoor were estimated from the measurements using Micro R-survey meter and found as 1.25 ± 0.10 (range: 1.02–1.38) mSv/y and 0.76 ± 0.08 (range: 0.58–0.99) mSv/y for reinforced cement concrete (RCC) houses, followed by 1.07 ± 0.09 (range: 0.95–1.19) mSv/y and 0.76 ± 0.08 (range: 0.67–0.95) mSv/y for Adobe laid earthen houses, 1.05 ± 0.09 (range: 0.78–1.24) mSv/y and 0.74 ± 0.08 (range: 0.58–0.91) mSv/y for Assam-type (AT) brick houses, 0.83 ± 0.09 (range: 0.40–1.07) mSv/y and 0.72 ± 0.08 (range: 0.23–0.97) mSv/y for AT mud houses and 0.73 ± 0.08 (range: 0.66–0.82) mSv/y and 0.74 ± 0.07 (range: 0.64–0.82) mSv/y for AT katcha houses. The activity concentration226Ra,232Th, and40K of building materials was evaluated using the gamma ray spectrometry and found average value as 42.4 (range: 23.0–69.9) Bq/kg, 111.3 (range: 23.8–214.5) Bq/kg, and 1369.0 (range: 995.7–2284.6) Bq/kg. Moreover, the annual effective dose conceived from the building material was found as 1.1 mSv/y from Portland cement, 1.4 mSv/y from sand, and 1.5 mSv/y from brick. Seasonal variations of indoor effective dose rates were observed in RCC houses; the highest dose rate was observed during the premonsoon season followed by postmonsoon and least with monsoon season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two species of digenetic trematodes of the genus Pleurogenoides viz., P. cyanophlyctiShinad & Prasadan (2018a) and P. euphlyctiShinad & Prasadan (2018b) have been described from India. Information regarding the molecular data of various species of the genus Pleurogenoides Travassos, 1921 is virtually lacking. This study addresses the application of molecular markers to validate the phylogenetic position of P. cyanophlycti and P. euphlycti. In the present study, two species P. cyanophlycti and P. euphlycti were collected between January 2016 to October 2017, infecting the freshwater frogs inhabiting the Western Ghats, India. In the present study, the two species were identifi ed morphologically and by PCR amplification of the 28S ribosomal RNA gene. Phylogenetic tree results clearly demonstrate that both P. cyanophlycti and P. euphlycti belongs to the family Pleurogenidae Looss, 1899. Based on these results, we presented and discussed the phylogenetic relationships of P. cyanophlycti and P. euphlycti within family Pleurogenidae from India. Phylogenetic analyses showed that P. cyanophlycti and P. euphlycti cluster according to their vertebrate host and revealed an important congruence between the phylogenetic trees of Pleurogenoides and of their vertebrate hosts. P. cyanophlycti and P. euphlycti clearly constitute a separate, sister branch with other species of the genera, Pleurogenoides, Pleurogenes (=Candidotrema), Prosotocus and Brandesia. The present study firstly provides important information about the molecular study and phylogenetic analysis of P. cyanophlycti and P. euphlycti. This study will also serve as a baseline for Pleurogenoides species identifi cation for further studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to determine copro-prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites and their associated potential risk factors in pigs of Punjab (India). A total of 839 faecal samples were collected from pigs of all age group and sex from different agro-climatic zones of Punjab covering all seasons and subjected to qualitative and quantitative examination. Among the samples examined, 28.4 % were positive for gastrointestinal parasites and their respective prevalences were Ascaris suum (11.1 %), coccidia (9.41 %), Trichuris suis (6.43 %), Balantidium coli (4.5 %), amphistome (3.33 %), strongyle (2.14 %) and Ascarops strongylina (1.78 %). Upon sporulation of coccidian positive samples, 8 species of Eimeria were recorded (Eimeria polita, E. spinosa, E. scabra, E. perminuta, E. suis, E. debliecki, E. neodebliecki and E. porci). Among the various risk factors analysed, season, agro-climatic zones and managemental practices had a signifi cant (p<0.05) effect on gastrointestinal parasitism of pigs. Quantification of the infection levels in various seasons and age groups revealed the highest mean egg per gram in rainy season (1966. 6± 1146.5) and grower pigs (1457.1 ± 500.4). Coproculture analysis revealed the presence of larvae of Hyostrongylus rubidus and Oesophagostomum species. The results of the current study would be of immense help in formulation and implementation of control strategies for effective control of gastrointestinal parasitism in pigs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The worldwide population of diabetic patients is increasing alarmingly with India claiming number one position. It causes irreversible damage to cochlear hair cells, vestibular apparatus, visual pathway, nephrons, nerves, if not checked in time. A total of 188 patients of diabetes mellitus were included in this prospective study. The patients underwent routine anamnesis, hearing handicap inventory and dizziness handicap inventory assessment along with clinical examination for audiological, vestibular, neurological and ophthalmological (fundoscopy) status. In our study a sensorineural hearing loss, retinopathy, neuropathy, vestibulopathy was seen in diabetic patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of ridge split technique and expansion technique to analyse peri‐implant hard tissue changes following implant placement. Materials and methods: A prospective study was conducted at Swami Devi Dyal Hospital &Dental College, Panchkula, India, from 2015‐2017 on 10 patients, having at least 1–3 teeth missing, with a crestal width of at least 3 mm and an 8 mm apico‐coronal height (3 × 8 mm) from major anatomical structures. Results: Out of the 10 patients in whom the inclusion criteria met, six were male and four were female. Out of a total of 20 implants inserted, (13 implants in mandible and 7 in maxilla), healing was uneventful in all cases with no major complication. The mean bone width bucco‐lingually preoperatively was found to be 3.79 ± 0.36 mm and bucco‐lingual width recorded immediately after RST was found to be and 6.38 ± 0.51 mm. This difference in bone width was found to be significant (P = 0.000). Also, a significant correlation was seen (P = 0.003), further strengthening the results obtained. Conclusions: Within the limits of our study, placing implants with simultaneous ridge splitting can reduce the period of edentulism and reduces the duration of treatment with excellent results. Though it is an operator‐dependant technique and it cannot increase the vertical height of the ridge, still ridge split and expansion technique is the best method for augmentation and simultaneous implant insertion in case of narrow ridges with minimum morbidity and less treatment duration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new nematode species, Heliconema monopteri n. sp. (Physalopteridae), is described from the stomach and intestine of the freshwater fish Monopterus cuchia (Hamilton) (Synbranchidae) in Bijnor district, Uttar Pradesh, India. It is mainly characterized by the lengths of spicules (468 – 510 µm and 186 – 225 µm), the postequatorial vulva without elevated lips, the presence of pseudolabial lateroterminal depressions and by the number and arrangement of caudal papillae. This is the first representative of the genus reported from a synbranchiform fish. Another new congeneric species, Heliconema pisodonophidis n. sp. is established based on a re-examination of nematodes previously reported as H. longissimum (Ortlepp, 1922) from Pisodonophis boro (Hamilton) (Ophichthidae) in Thailand; ovoviviparity in this species is a unique feature among all physalopterids. Heliconema hamiltonii Bilqees et Khanum, 1970 is designated as a species dubia and the nematodes previously reported as H. longissimum from Mastacembelus armatus (Lacépède) in India are considered to belong to H. kherai Gupta et Duggal, 1989. A key to species of Heliconema Travassos, 1919 is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines economic sustainability of agri-horticultural systems on reclaimed ravine lands in western India. Ravine lands are marked by their susceptibility to soil erosion along the course of river systems. Introduction of tree component with traditional crops on such marginal lands is beneficial not only in terms of short-term profitability but also resource conservation. Moringa oleifera (drumstick)- and Emblica officinalis (aonla)-based agri-horticulture trees with Phaseolus radiatus and Foeniculum vulgare crops have been examined as case studies based on data from a research farm adjacent to a major ravine system in western India. Drumstick, as green pod and also in dried powder form, is traditionally used as vegetable in Indian diet. Aonla is used in various forms as food as well as for medicinal purpose. This is marketed in different forms such as pickle, candy and dried powder. Enterprise budgeting analysis revealed that the net present values from M. oleifera + P. radiatus followed by F. vulgare and E. officinalis + P. radiatus followed by F. vulgare were 386 and 1190 USD ha, respectively, at 2012-13 local prices over a production cycle of 15 years. Saving in soil nutrients and soil carbon build-up worth 12-240 and 665 USD ha was observed. Further, the land expectation value of E. officinalis-based agri-horticulture production system (1564 USD ha) revealed higher land value as compared to tobacco monocropping system (1039 USD ha). While the financial viability of these cropping systems proved their worth on the marginal lands of ravines in Gujarat, market and yield risks in crop component, examined through sensitivity analysis, need to be taken into consideration before recommending the agri-horticultural system to farmers. Nevertheless, in view of the declining profitability of the tobacco crop, largely grown on reclaimed ravine lands, an alternative production system, particularly aonla-based agri-horticulture system would help farmers explore alternative production system suiting to their resource endowments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Expansion and consolidation of Gir Protected Area, Gujarat, India – habitat of the Asiatic lion, and response of prey and predator to the management and dispersion trend of lions outside the Gir forests are interesting and noteworthy. During the last five decades (1965–2015), an approach for the Asiatic lion conservation is one of the best efforts in the world. Unlike other super predators, the number of lions has increased by 4-folds and wild ungulates by over 13-folds in the Gir forest during this period. The distribution range of lions has also expanded to a large landscape in four districts in the state. The consistent shift in feeding patterns of lions is mainly due to the improved availability of wild prey. Lions were restricted in the Gir forest till 1990, and the dispersion started when their population increased. In two decades, more than 40% of the total number of lions was spotted outside the Gir landscape. It is interesting to know that lions and leopards live in human-dominated landscape outside the Gir forest. Blue bull, wild boar and feral cattle, and carcasses of livestock in the villages are major food for the lions. The prey population, predation behaviour of the lion and acceptance of the lion as honourable animal by the villagers indicate that the present trend may continue in the near future as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nematode, Procamallanus spiculogubernaculus Agarwal, 1958 was found from the Stinging catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch, 1794) from Ghazipur, Delhi, India. Morphological characterization, including scanning electron microscope observation supplemented with DNA sequences is provided. Specimens recently found are characterized by the presence of an unlined buccal capsule having a small basal ring, esophagus muscular and glandular, vulva position is slightly post-equatorial, tail conical, long, and ending in three digit-like processes, phasmids present at about mid-length and cloaca located at the posterior end. In this study the species P. spiculogubernaculus is validated on the basis of molecular data after 47 years from its original description. In the scanning electron microscope examination, the topology of mouth and sensory pits in anterior portion, while the phasmids and digit like processes in posterior portion is clearly observed. Molecular data of the 18S ribosomal RNA and mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene were analyzed. Molecular phylogenetic analyses supported the validity of Procamallanus spiculogubernaculus and confirmed the paraphyletic status of the members of Procamallanus, Spirocamallanus, Camallanus and Paracamallanus. Taxonomic status of members of the family Camallanidae are briefly discussed along with the results of the systematic evaluation of P. spiculogubernaculus based on molecular data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Financial inclusion as defined is the access to and use of formal banking and financial services by the households. A lot of data is available on supply side that measures the reach of the financial inclusion. But very few studies are exploring the demand side factors of financial inclusion that try to find out the barriers from the point of view of individual household demands. The present study identifies the factors that affect financial inclusion of the SHG members in term of their use of financial services and also the impact of those factors on the financial inclusion of the members. Research in understanding financial inclusion using primary data is limited, this paper is unique in the sense as it uses primary data from selected SHGs across the state. Data were collected from 384 SHG members spread across 78 SHGs in the state. Fitting ordinal logistic regression model, it is found that, the important five factors that has an impact on financial inclusion are ease of doing banking, financial awareness, economic status of the members, suitability of financial products and physical infrastructure. The study offers key policy relevant findings that augment the use of financial services for improved financial inclusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective:A possible role of the APC/beta-catenin pathway in the pathogenesis of sporadic juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma has been suggested. This paper presents its current status and clinical association in our patients.Method:A prospective observational study was conducted at King George Medical University and Central Drug Research Institute, in Lucknow, India. Western blot analysis was undertaken in 16 cases to examine beta-catenin expression. The clinical details were recorded along with follow up observations, to determine associations.Results:Up-regulation of beta-catenin expression was seen in 69 per cent of cases. The clinical variables did not reveal significant differences between patients with extremes of expression (extreme under- vs over-expression). However, absent expression was shown exclusively in young adults aged over 18 years, while enhanced expression was associated with an altered facial profile.Conclusion:Although a beta-catenin association was seen in a subset of our sporadic juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma cases, its expression was not homogeneous. This is in contrast to the Western literature that suggests a universal (homogenous) enhanced expression in the majority. Hence, further research is required to better define its molecular cascade. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This study examines the factors affecting hospital choice decisions by patients for tertiary level healthcare services and the relationships of these factors with respondent demographics. It also categorises the decision makers involved in the selection of hospitals. Data were collected from in-patients of multispecialty hospitals located in northern India with the help of a structured questionnaire. Factor analysis, ANOVA and t-test techniques have been employed to analyse the data. The study has revealed that the factors that affect hospital choice decisions of patients are basic amenities, reputation and quality, building and infrastructure, ease and affordability, personal substances (experiences), responsiveness of services, recommendations and suggestions, clinical support, privacy and information sharing, and range of services. The study has also revealed that various categories of respondent demographics, namely, age, gender, residence, education and monthly family income are significantly different statistically (P<.05) with respect to the identified factors. It has been found that most of the time family members, doctors or a combination of family members and doctors make the decisions to choose the hospital. It has also been found that friends/ relatives and patients themselves choose the hospital in some cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to the World health organization, pharmacovigilance helps to strengthen or implement patient care and public safety regarding the use of medicines. To support public health programs through solid provisions of reliable, cost-effective, encouragement of drug safety system. The objective of the study is to determine the availability of pharmacovigilance systems employed strategically in the regulation and monitoring of medicines, minimizing adverse drug reactions, and assessing the under events. Pharmacovigilance is a field of pharmaceutical science that includes various activities like data collection, detection, research, development and prevention. It also aspires to highlight the importance of pharmacovigilance or post-effect surveillance of drugs to emphasize the requirement of a dynamic approach toward drug safety. India had its drug safety program since 14th July 2010 but there is certain insufficiency in the framework of the drug safety system with respect to reporting adverse drug reactions (ADRs).Toa greater extent, it not only affects Pharma industry, and Health care professionals but also the general public. This entails the demand for effective regulations of drug approval, assessing the results, and vigilance of post effects mainly reporting undesired results. Analyzing ADR with the framed regulatory easily accessible system helps in diagnosis and disease management. Pharmacovigilance helps the public and patients with critical illness effectively to get the optimal or ideal results. Minimizing undesired events, avoiding illness, and providing a healthy life is the main goal of pharmaceutical industries, clinicians, and healthcare workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sugarcane juice is traditionally sold in India by roadside vendors, often in unhygienic conditions. That's why a few entrepreneurs have taken the initiative venturing into the marketing of branded sugarcane juice through a chain of franchised outlets. Initial indications are that this model is headed for success. Pune, Kolhapur, more known for its leather chappals, has also been blessed with an abundance of milk, water and sugar, which has made the region the nation's kitchen for many years. The Warana milk producers' cooperative located here has lived up to this reputation. It has been a contract manufacturer for products such as Cadbury's Bournvita, butter for Britannia Industries and Soya milk for Ruchi Soya. Now, the cooperative is preparing to assert its own identity through the launch of Warana Joy, its national brand. Among its new products is sugarcane juice in aseptic packs (Tetra Pak). This article outlines the development of this business; the opportunities and threats faced and also offer suggestions for the growth in this market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Total tree enumeration, a first initiative of its kind in India, was done in 2011 in all urban areas in Gujarat. The enumeration data were analysed to find out tree cover and density, tree cover per inhabitant and carbon store in the urban areas. About 6.55 million trees grow in 167 urban areas (municipal corporations and municipalities) with average tree density of 18.9 trees/ha. Thirty-four cities and towns have adequate tree cover with tree density above 30 trees/ha and the rest have low tree cover. The canopy cover (53.9%) and tree density (152 trees/ha) in Gandhinagar, the capital city of Gujarat, are the highest in India; thus Gandhinagar may be listed amongst the greenest cities in the world. The status of tree cover in small and medium cities in the background of growing urbanization has also been discussed. Need for adequate number of trees as environment infrastructure in the urban areas to address growing environmental issues, has been highlighted. The tree canopy cover in some of the urban areas in India and other countries has been discussed to develop a norm of minimum tree cover in the urban areas in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long-term tillage and fertilizer experiments were conducted in rice in kharif followed by lentil in dry subhumid Inceptisols at Varanasi and Faizabad; horse gram at Phulbani and linseed at Ranchi in moist subhumid Alfisols in rabi during 2001 to 2010. The study was conducted to assess the effect of conventional tillage (CT), low tillage + interculture (LT1) and low tillage + herbicide (LT2) together with 100% N (organic) (F1), 50% N (organic) + 50% N (inorganic) (F2) and 100% N (inorganic) (F3) on productivity, profitability, rainwater and energy use efficiencies. The results at Varanasi revealed that CT was superior with mean yield of 2389 kg ha−1, while F1 was superior with 2378 kg ha−1 in rice. At Faizabad, CT was superior with mean rice yield of 1851 kg ha−1 and lentil yield of 977 kg ha−1, while F1 was superior with 1704 and 993 kg ha−1 of rice and lentil, respectively. At Phulbani, F2 was superior with rice yield of 1170 kg ha−1. At Ranchi, F2 with rice yield of 986 kg ha−1 and F3 with linseed yield of 224 kg ha−1 were superior. The regression model of crop seasonal rainfall and yield deviations indicated an increasing trend in rice yield over mean (positive deviation) with increase in rainfall at all locations; while a decreasing trend (negative deviation) was found for lentil at Faizabad, horse gram at Phulbani and linseed at Ranchi. Based on economic analysis, CTF1 at Varanasi and Faizabad, CTF2 at Phulbani and LT2F2 at Ranchi were superior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare the efficacy of locally-prepared ready-to-use therapeutic food (LRUTF) and locally-prepared F100 diet in promoting weight-gain in children with severe acute malnutrition during rehabilitation phase in hospital. Study design: Non-randomized Controlled trial. Setting: Pediatric ward of tertiary care public hospital in Central India. Study period: 1 October, 2009 to 30th May, 2010. Subjects: Children aged 6 to 60 months, diagnosed as severe acute malnutrition and hospitalized during study period. Intervention: Random group allocation followed for selection of intervention and control cohorts. The control cohort enrolled during October 1, 2009 to January 31, 2010 received F100 while the intervention cohort enrolled during 1 February to 15 May 2010 received LRUTF. Subjects receiving either of the two therapeutic foods were temporally separated to minimize the spillover effect. The study subjects and the technician delegated for measuring weight was blinded for type of intervention. Primary outcome variable: Rate of weight-gain/kg/day. Results: There were 49 subjects in each group. Both groups were comparable. Rate of weight-gain was found to be (9.59±3.39 g/kg/d) in LRUTF group and (5.41 ± 1.05 g/kg/d) in locally prepared F100 group. Significant difference in rate of weight gain was observed in LRUTF group (PO.0001; 95% CI 3.17-5.19). No serious adverse effect was observed with use of LRUTF. Conclusion: LRUTF promotes more rapid weight-gain when compared with F100 in patients with severe acute malnutrition during rehabilitation phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Serial objective assessment of disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is imperative to achieve remission. Routine Assessment of Patient Index Data 3 (RAPID3), an index without formal joint counts, appears attractive for evaluation of disease activity in RA patients in a busy clinical setting. This study aims to evaluate correlation and agreement of RAPID3 with Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS28) and Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) in RA patients. All patients completed a Multidimensional Health Assessment Questionnaire (MDHAQ) at each visit. A physician/assessor 28-joint count and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were completed in 200 literate patients with RA to score DAS28, CDAI, and RAPID3. RAPID3 includes the three MDHAQ patient self-report RA core dataset measures for physical function, pain, and patient global estimate. Proposed RAPID3 (range, 0-30) severity categories of high (>12), moderate (6.1-12.0), low (3.1-6.0), and near remission (≤3) were compared to DAS28 (0-10) activity categories of high (> 5.1), moderate (3.21-5.1), low (2.61-3.2), and remission (≤ 2.6), and CDAI (0-76) categories of >22, 10.1-22.0, 2.9-10.0, and ≤2.8. Statistical significance was analyzed using Spearman correlations, cross-tabulations, and kappa statistics. Comparison of RAPID3 with DAS28 and CDAI indicated Spearman rank-order correlation coefficients for DAS28 with RAPID3 of 0.910, and for CDAI with RAPID3 of 0.907, all highly significant ( P < 0.001). There was substantial agreement between RAPID3 and DAS28 (kappa value = 0.634, P < 0.001) and also between RAPID3 and CDAI (kappa value = 0.690, P < 0.001). Overall, 89-94 % of patients who met DAS28 or CDAI moderate/high activity criteria met similar RAPID severity criteria and 84-88 % who met DAS28 or CDAI remission/low activity criteria also met similar RAPID criteria. RAPID3 scores provide similar quantitative information to DAS28 and CDAI, and hence, is an informative index for evaluation of disease activity in RA in busy clinical settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mössbauer studies of the Mahadevpur meteorite fell on February 21, 2007 in Arunachal Pradesh and Tinsukia District of Assam, show that the main iron minerals in it are Fe-Ni (Kamacite/taenite), troilite, olivine and pyroxene. These provide characteristic signatures of ordinary chondrites. Mössbauer absorption areas corresponding to different phases favour its classification as H ordinary chondrites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A small collection of fossil fruits of dicotyledonous plants, having close affinity with modern taxa, Ziziphus xylopyros Willd. (Rhamnaceae), Combretum decandrum Roxb. and Terminalia chebula Retz. (Combretaceae) and Lagerstroemia flos-reginae and Lagerstroemia parviflora (Lythraceae) is reported from the subsurface beds of the Cambay Shale Formation exposed in an open-cast lignite mine at Vastan village near Surat, western India. Well preserved fossilized fruits have limited transport to burial histories from their plant producers and therefore have great potential to provide excellent data about the character of forests such as the one that may have contributed to the formation of the extensive Lower Eocene lignite deposits of western India. The fossilized fruits from Vastan are referred here to four new form species, viz. Ziziphus eocenicus, Combretum vastanensis, Terminalia cambaya and Lagerstroemia sahnii. The habitat and present day distribution of extant comparable taxa suggest the prevalence of tropical deciduous forest with moisture-loving plants in the Vastan mine area during the Early Eocene period. Such deciduous forests presently occur in south Coimbatore, Palghat and moister parts of Mysore region of southern India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to observe adverse drug reactions (ADRs) with respect to polypharmacy at tertiary care centre at Bastar, Jagdalpur (Government Medical College, Jagdalpur). A prospective, observational evaluation of the ADRs conducted over a period of 6 months in Department of Medicine in Government Medical College, Jagdalpur. During the study period, a total of about 4850 patients visited the OPD and inpatient ward of medicine department, and 154 ADRs events were reported. Out of 154 reports that were identified, a higher percentage of ADRs in females (51.29%) was observed as compared to males (48.7%). Of the 154 ADRs, 76 (49.35%) were found to be mild, 55 moderate (35.71%), and 23 severe (14.93%). A total of 99 (64.28%) ADRs were observed in patients receiving four or more medications concurrently. Conversely 55 (35.71%) ADRs were detected in patients using three or less medicines. The largest number of reports was associated with antimicrobial therapy (28.57%), followed by antihypertensive (24.02%) and antidiabetics (14.28%). Among the affected organ systems, gastrointestinal ADRs constituted a major component (39.61%) followed by skin reactions (28.57%). On causality assessment, nearly 36.36% ADRs were considered as probable, 31.16% possible, and 9.74% could not be categorized and were placed under unassessable. Expected, limited ADR are permissible in normal clinical setting, but the present study focuses on the result showing increased and amplified ADR associated with the polypharmacy practices, which may be curtailed with rational drug prescribing habit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a long-term maize-wheat rotation at the Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, India (subtropical climate), the effects of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) addition on soil fertility and forms of inorganic P and K in the plow layer of an alkaline sandy loam soil were measured after 11 and 22 years of cropping. The treatments comprised four rates of N (0, 60, 120, and 180 kg N ha-1) as urea, three rates of P (0, 17.5, and 35 kg P ha-1) as single superphosphate, and two rates of K (0 and 33 kg K ha-1) as muriate of potash. The treatments selected for the present study were N0P0K0, N120P0K0, N120P17.5K0, N120P35K0, N120P17.5K33, and N120P35K33. A significant year × treatment interaction in decreasing available N [alkaline potassium permanganate (KMnO4)-oxidizable N) status of soils was found in all the treatments. Available P (Olsen P) in the control plot decreased over time whereas in plots with added P, available P increased significantly after years 11 and 22, with the greatest increase in the N120P17.5Ko treatment. Compared to the initial values, continuous P fertilization resulted in greater total P and chloride P concentrations after 11 and 22 years. Although sodium hydroxide (NaOH) P and sulfuric acid (H2SO4) P increased in P-treated plots from the start of the trial to year 11, they decreased from year 11 to year 22. Among these inorganic P forms, chloride P was significantly positively correlated with P uptake (r = 0.811*). When only N and P were applied, available K [ammonium acetate (NH4OAc)-extractable K] significantly decreased over time. In plots without K addition, water-soluble and exchangeable K decreased from their initial status. Compared to year 11, water-soluble K increased, whereas exchangeable K decreased after year 22 in plots receiving no K fertilizer. Compared with NPK treatments, a significant decrease of total K in NP treatment plots suggests the release and uptake of nonexchangeable K. Water-soluble K and exchangeable K were not correlated with K uptake. These results suggest that long-term application of P fertilizers resulted in the accumulation of P in the soil, which could have resulted in saturation of P binding sites. Of the soil inorganic P fractions, only chloride P appears to be a good indicator of plant-available P. The gradual loss in native soil K and release of nonexchangeable K indicates the need for adding K fertilizer to maintain soil fertility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The weather systems that predominantly affect the eastern and northeastern parts of India during the pre-monsoon summer months (March, April and May) are severe thunderstorms, known as Nor'westers. The storms derive their names from the fact that they frequently strike cities and towns in the southern part of West Bengal in the afternoon from the north-west direction while traveling far from its place of genesis over the Bihar plateau. The storms are devastating in nature particularly due to strong (gusty) winds, heavy rains and hails associated with it. Although these storms are well known for its power of causing damages, studies on them are relatively few due to their small size and sparse network of observations. To address this important issue, the evolution of two Nor'westers of 12 March and 22 May 2003 over Kolkata is studied in detail in this paper using hourly Doppler weather radar (DWR) observations and high resolution Meteosat-5 imageries. In addition, supporting meteorological reports are used to find the large scale conditions that influence the moisture convergence and vertical wind shear. The genesis of both the storms is found to be over Bihar-Jharkhand region and beyond the range of the DWR. The satellite observations are found to be useful in identifying the location and initiation of the storms. The movements of the storms are captured by the DWR estimated vertical cross-section of reflectivities. The Doppler estimate shows that the 12 March storm had a vertical extent of about 10-12 km at the time of maturity and that of 22 May reaching up to 18 km signifying deep convection associated with these events. The genesis, maturity and dissipation are well brought out by the hourly DWR and satellite imageries. The DWR observations suggest that the systems move at a speed of 20-25m/s. The DWR estimated precipitation shows a detailed spatial distribution around Kolkata with several localized zones of heavy rain and this is found to be well supported by the nearby station observations. This study establishes that DWR observations along with hourly satellite imageries are able to capture the evolution of Nor'westers. The study also shows that the composite DWR-satellite information is a reliable tool for nowcasting the location, time and path of movement of Nor'westers. Based on these observations, a conceptual model of the Nor'wester is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sontakke and Singh (The Holocene 6, 315-31, 1996) developed instrumental period summer monsoon(June-September total) rainfall series (1813-1995) for six homogeneous zones and all of India using 306 raingauge stations. This reconstruction has been revised and updated. Besides reconstructing backward and updating to 2005 the longest possible summer monsoon rainfall series (1813-2005), post-monsoon (October-December total) and annual rainfall series have also been developed for seven homogeneous zones: North Mountainous India (NMI), Northwest India (NWI), North Central India (NCI), Northeast India (NEI), West Peninsular India (WPI), East Peninsular India (EPI), South Peninsular India (SPI), and the whole country using data from 316 well-spread stations. The different series are reported here. The underlying mechanism of the possible cause of the recent decreasing trend in monsoon rainfall and increasing trend in post-monsoon rainfall is described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article analyzes the problems of Assamese speakers learning Manipuri language at the North Eastern Regional Language Centre located in Guwahati, Assam in India. It specifically highlights the problems created by the differences between the segmental phonemes like vowels, diphthongs and consonants, and supra-segmental phonemes, particularly the tone. It explores the orthographic systems of both Manipuri and Assamese languages to analyze the pronunciation systems of Manipuri and Assamese.

Several clusters of unusual natural incidents have been observed throughout the Kerala State, Southwestern parts of India during the periods: February to March, 2001 (phase I), and June to November, 2001 (phase II). The incidences like fluctuations and rise in water levels, wavy formations and spouting of water in the open wells, cracks in the buildings, perceptible fissures in the ground, shaking of trees/bushes and enhanced minor earthquakes activity have been observed during Phase I; whereas the collapse of shallow open wells, draining of water, lowering of water level, land subsidence, ground fissures and further increased minor earthquake activities, etc., were the dominating incidents during Phase II. The frequency of occurrences of these incidents was drastically reduced after November 2001 though. There are events of a few minor earthquakes which occurred during 2002-2006. The temporal patterns of occurrences of such incidences during Phase I and Phase II might have been the outcome of periodic stress release in the region. In the present paper, the study on the occurrence of the chain of events coupled with the existence of anomalous seismic activity has been done in the light of the dilatancy diffusion model and the results signify that the region is preparing for a major earthquake in future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Wheat covers approximately 25% of the total global area devoted to by cereal crops. Wheat production needs to be augmented to meet the growing demand. The amount of wheat produced is a direct function of energy inputs. Wheat is produced using energy sources ranging from human and animal power to power of heavy machinery. The basic purpose of the present study is to optimize energy use patterns of different wheat growing regions (Western Rajasthan, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh (UP) and Madhya Pradesh (MP)) of the Country in order to maximize yield. Villages and farmers were randomly selected for collecting data on energy requirement of wheat in Western Rajasthan and data for other regions were taken from reports. Wheat consumed maximum energy input in Western Rajasthan because light textured soil required frequent irrigation. Punjab and UP recorded maximum output–input energy ratio, 5.2 and 4.2, respectively. Punjab recorded minimum specific energy of 4.6MJ/kg followed by UP (6.0MJ/kg). Further, Punjab occupied the first place among all the States with 3334.8kg/ha average yield, which is about 31% higher than the average productivity (2550.5kg/ha) of the regions considered under the study. However, use of commercial energy was found maximum in Punjab (91.7%). Therefore, by ensuring optimal energy inputs in different regions wheat production in the Country could be increased. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The scope of this study was to determine the concentration and composition of atmospheric particulate matter of aerodynamic diameter < 10 μm (PM10) in the vicinity of coal-fired Ropar thermal power plant near Chandigarh, India. Two sampling sites, one inside the thermal plant and the other, outside the thermal plant were chosen. The elemental analysis was done using Proton Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) technique. The elements detected at both the sites were common i.e. Si, S, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu and Zn however, their concentration vary at both the sampling sites. Also, Principal Component (PC) and Enrichment Factor (EF) analysis were done in order to identify the contributing elemental sources towards the particulate matter. Contributing sources to the elements were found not only the emission from the coal-fired thermal power plant but also from other activities like vehicular emissions, household cooking and natural soil dust etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Clinical, endoscopic, radiological and histological parameters of intestinal tuberculosis (IT) and Crohn.s disease (CD) are so similar that differentiation between these two diseases, which require different treatment, is difficult. Anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibody (ASCA), which is often present in the sera of patients with CD, may be potentially useful to differentiate CD from IT. Aim: To evaluate the role of enzymel inked immunosorbent assay test for ASCA in serum in differentiating CD from intestinal tuberculosis. Settings and Design: Prospective case-control study. Materials and Methods: Sixteen patients with IT, 16 CD, 36 UC diagnosed using standard parameters and 12 controls (11 healthy subjects and one with colonic carcinoma) were tested for IgG ASCA in serum. Statistical Analysis Used: Categorical variables were analyzed using Chi-square test with Yates. correction, as applicable. Continuous variables were analyzed using Mann-Whitney U test. Results: Eight of 16 (50%) patients with IT, 10 of 16 with CD (62%), nine of 35 with UC (26%) and one of 12 controls tested positive for ASCA in serum. Though the frequency of ASCA in serum was comparable among patients with IT and CD (8/16 vs. 10/16, P = ns), IT and UC (8/16 vs. 9/35, P =ns), CD and UC (10/16 vs. 9/35, P=ns), its frequency in CD or IT but not in UC was higher than healthy controls (P < 0.01). Conclusions: Serum ASCA is unlikely to be useful to differentiate between CD and IT in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve in the Sikkim State, India, with an area of 2620 km², forms an important reserve to protect biodiversity, habitats, and landscapes of the eastern Himalayan region. More than 18% of the area supports alpine vegetation, which is extensively used as summer grazing grounds by transhumance and nomadic graziers. Despite the global recognition of the region, unfortunately no report has so far been made available on the vegetation composition of the reserve. The present paper reports on floral diversity, economic use, and nutrient contents of selected alpine pastures at elevations between 3800 and 4800 m above sea level in the Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve. The growing season lasts from April to October, and during the rest of the months, the area remains under snow. The pastureland showed high species richness: as many as 202 plant species were present. These belong to 38 families, of which 90% of the species are dicotyledons and 9% are monocotyledons. Plant diversity and density increased from April until August and decreased thereafter. Monocotyledon species, such as Poa angustifolia, show high dominance during the early and late parts of the growing season, whereas dicot species proliferate mainly during the middle part of the growing season. Asteraceae, Ranunculaceae, Ericaceae, Primulaceae, and Rosaceae are dominant plant families in the area. Life-form distribution patterns showed that >50% of the species were chamaephytes, showing high adaptation by the plants. Besides using the area for grazing, the local people also collect various species for medicine, incense, tea-substitute, and aesthetic purposes. The belowground plant parts contributed nearly 90% of total plant biomass, whereas the aboveground biomass contributed just 10%. Such partitioning of biomass is considered beneficial in pastureland, as the belowground biomass helps the immediate recovery of vegetation after grazing as well as at the start of the growing season. Most of the species are highly nutritive and have high mineral contents, and animals showed a preference for species with low lignin content. In order for the area to continue to provide an important pasturage for animals in the future, the grazing pressure must not exceed an optimum level so that the high species diversity can be conserved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the metal accumulation and ecophysiological effects of effluents from distilleries on Potamogeton pectinatus in India. The metal contaminated distillery effluent had differential effect on biomass of P. pectinatus. The effluents also caused the oxidative breakdown of chlorophyll and carotenoid. Oxidative damage of proteins and membrane structures was also found. The experiment showed that the metals in the effluents are potent inhibitors of the biosynthesis of chlorophyll.

Mints (Mentha species) are very familiar aromatic herbs, grown in India and several other countries of the world for essential oils that are widely used in the food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and perfumery industries. This review describes various diseases in mint under the four sub-topics: fungal, nematode, viral and phytoplasmal, and bacterial. A review of the literature reveals that the most economically serious diseases are caused by the fungi Puccinia menthae (rust), Alternaria alternata (leaf spot); Verticillium dahliae (wilt), Phoma stasserti (stem rot), Rhizoctonia solani/bataticola (root and stolon rot) and Erysiphe cichoracearum (powdery mildew). With mints, as with other crop plants, fungicides are used to control disease. Several studies suggest that the control of disease through chemicals appears more attractive if the pathogen is present in the planting material (stolon, sucker or runner) and a small area is treated for producing a healthy disease-free nursery. For effective chemical control against multiple diseases, application of propioconazole is frequently used. This review on mint diseases indicates that considerable progress has been achieved with respect to the identity of the causal organisms, and chemical control measures, but not much work has been dedicated for developing resistant crop varieties against the diseases. Because persistence of diseases in mints is very common due to vegetative propagation of the hosts, developing alternative means of propagation that would break the continuum in disease transmission becomes imperative. Analysis of the current research indicates that the development of seed-producing genotypes through breeding would be an attractive. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Manipur, one of the eight states of north eastern India, including Sikkim state, harbours a high diversity of bamboo. More than 54 species of bamboo under 9 genera have been reported from Manipur against 136 species under 23 genera from India as a whole. Pure bamboo brakes constitute 18.6% of the total forest area of the state and the bamboo play a vital role in the life of Manipuries in their day-to-day requirements. Bamboo has multiple uses and is used in almost all the households needs, for construction, craft, fencing, rituals, firewood, rope, food, utensils and paper manufacturing. Bamboo shoots, both in raw and fermented forms, are largely consumed by the people and can earn a large share of household economy to an amount of Rupees 2130 million (USD 45 million) annually for the nation as a whole. Bamboo is needed from childbirth to death and every household maintains a bamboo colony of certain species in their private land. Revenue of 0.43 million rupees (9000 USD) is generated from bamboo and its products annually by the State Forest Department of Manipur. As bamboo can grow easily with least labour and time, cultivation aspects are least considered. The high potential can be improved by suitable scientific intervention and local capacity building, which will have great implications in improving the socio-economic status of the community. This paper reports species diversity, characteristics, utilization pattern and conservation status of bamboo resources in Manipur state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A set of 130 wheat recombinant inbred lines (RILs) developed from a cross between parents susceptible (WL711) and resistant (HD29) to Karnal bunt (caused by Tilletia indica), were screened for 3 years with the pathogen populations prevalent in northern India. When 90 simple sequence repeats (SSRs) and 81 amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) loci were mapped on the RILs, markers on chromosomes 2A, 4B and 7B accounted collectively for about one-third of the variation in the disease reaction. The genomic region of largest effect, identified on the long arm of chromosome 4B, reduced Karnal bunt disease by half in three different experiments and accounted for up to 25% of the phenotypic variation for KB reaction. A closely linked SSR marker, GWM538, may be useful in marker-assisted selection for Karnal bunt resistance in wheat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of host resistance and fungicide (chlorothalonil) applications on leaf blight (Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Keissler) disease on the transplanted crops of menthol mint (Mentha arvensis L.) were evaluated under natural epidemics in Tarai region of Uttar Pradesh, India. Essential oil yields were reduced 36 percent in susceptible plants (cv. Shivalik) not treated with fungicide as compared with control plants protected by fungicide. The corresponding yield loss in leaf blight resistant plants (cv. Kosi) was only 13 percent as compared with plants not treated with fungicide. The combined effects of the host resistance and the fungicide application resulted in 91 percent increase in essential oil yields compared with unsprayed susceptible plants. The results suggest that planting disease resistant cultivars could prevent most crop losses and minimize the amount of fungicide needed to adequately protect M. arvensis crops even in high blight years. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The data on energy use patterns and resources present in village ecosystems of the arid region are seldom available. India possesses about 31.71 Mha of hot arid areas of which 61.8% is in Rajasthan State, commonly known as the “Thar Desert”, and is characterised by harsh climatic conditions with active dunal activities. Precipitations are far lower (100–420 mm/yr) than evapotranspiration potentials (1500–2000 mm/yr). Soils are sandy, having an undulating topography with poor organic carbon content (0.04–0.3%) against the average value, (0.8%), on an all India basis. Ground water is limited and often brackish. To further add to this grim situation, there is a continuous occurrence of severe drought in the region since the last three years (1997–1998 to 1999–2000). As a result, about 50–60% of the kharif crops (rainfed crops) failed and numbers of animals perished, resulting in shattering of the economy of the region. The data on energy input for cultivating different crops for the 1998–1999 (drought year) were collected, analysed and presented for the representative village “Choukha” district, Jodhpur. Owing to the drought, the farmers of the village have grown kharif crops (rainfed crops) by providing life saving irrigation. Although 50–60% of the crops failed, due to the irrigation, the yield levels were the same or even more during the period compared to the normal rainfall year yield.Operationwise, the total energy use values (weighted mean) for cultivating the pearl millet crop were found to be 3807.4 MJ/ha compared to 2697.9 for green gram and 8726.3 for wheat. The average value of the energy input–output ratio was found to be 4.8, 6.8 and 3.2, respectively, for pearl millet, green gram and wheat, suggesting that cultivation of green gram is most remunerative to the farmers compared to the pearl millet and wheat crops. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This report deals with 64 species of plants belonging to 42 families and 57 genera. The plants discussed are all used as medicine among ethnic groups in Sikkim. Important ailments purportedly cured by these plants are epilepsy, leprosy, paralysis, asthma, typhoid, diabetes, hemorrhages during childbirth, cholera, as well as others. Some of these plants arc also used as food items and play a significant role in the rural economy. A few of these medicinal plants are believed among ethnic people to prolong life and are part of local tradition. Though allopathic medicines are in vogue, herbal medicinal practitioners do a brisk business. The herbals in the region are in danger of economic exploitation by the rural folk as well as commercial collectors. In order to conserve these important resources, management options, including the cultivating of medicinal plants, should be explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ocimum basilicum, Ocimum canum, Ocimum gratissimum, Ocimum sanctum, and Ocimum kilmandscharicum are important essential oil bearing plants of India, important in the perfumery, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. In screening trials at the Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow, India, for symbiotic association of the Ocimum spp. with vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi, Glomus aggregatum, Glomus fasciculatum, Glomus geosporum, Gomus mosseae, Gigaspora spp., Sclerocystis sinuosa, and Acaulospora spp. were identified and quantified. Glomus aggregatum and Glomus fasciculatum were predominantly present and associated with all the Ocimum species. Root colonization studies revealed a maximum colonization (62.8%) in Ocimum basilicum (Indian basil) and a minimum colonization (35.2%) in Ocimum gratissimum. The application of VAM fungi may improve the growth and productivity of Ocimum species. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Gallbladder diseases, including carcinoma, are common in the northern part of India and so are Salmonella typhi infection and typhoid carrier state. This study was aimed to find out the association of typhoid carrier state in patients with cholelithiasis, carcinoma of the gallbladder, and controls. The three groups are comparable in age and sex composition. This is the first study of its kind from an area of high endemicity for both typhoid infection and carcinoma of the gallbladder. A case-control study was carried out to detect typhoid carrier state among the patients with biliary diseases and healthy controls, using indirect haemagglutination assay measuring antibodies against highly purified S. typhi Vi polysaccharide antigen. A significantly high Vi positivity was observed in patients with gallbladder carcinoma (29.4%) compared to controls (5%) (chi2 = 6.325, P < 0.004, OR = 7.19) and patients with cholelithiasis (10.7%) (chi2 = 5.066, P < 0.01, OR = 3.86). There is 8.47 times more risk of developing carcinoma of the gallbladder in culture-positive typhoid carriers than the noncarriers. The present study suggests the typhoid carrier state to be one of the possible mechanisms of gallbladder carcinogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Powdery mildew of pea (Pisum sativum L.) caused by Erysiphe polygoni DC. has become the most important limiting factor in the cultivation of peas in India. All the commercially grown cultivars are susceptible to the disease. Heavy losses in pea yield due to powdery mildew have been reported by many workers (Uppal et al. 1935, Munjal et al. 1963, Mathur et al. 1971). The disease is presently being controlled by chemical fungicides in the absence of suitable resistant cultivars. Sulphur compounds have long been used as a major control measure. Recently a few commercial fungicides, e.g., Sulfex, Calixin, Karathane, Cosan, Elosal and Bavistin, used for the control of powdery mildew of pea, have shown promising results (Mathur et al. 1971, Srivastava et al. 1973, Singh and Mishra 1975, Rathi 1977). In the present study, the control of powdery mildew of pea by two new sulphur fungicides, viz., Suchlore-4 (N¹-p-chlorophenyl-N³-allyl-a,´-thiobisformamidine dihydrochloride) and Suchlore-6 (N¹-m-chlorophenyl-N³-allyl-a,´-thiobisformamidine dihydrochloride) in glasshouse and field trials has been reported. Both the compounds are 100% water soluble. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seedlings of Indian wheat cultivars (Kalyansona, Sonalika, WL711 and eight others released commercially) were tested with 13 British and four alien races of Puccinia striiformis. The data indicated the probable presence of the resistance gene Yr2 in the three cultivars named above and in six of the others. Reactions of the remaining two cultivars, PWB12 and WL2265, were consistent with the presence of the gene Yr7. The presence of Yr2 in Kalyansona, Sonalika and WL711 was supported by evidence from crosses between them and with Heines VII, which is known to carry Yr2. In crosses of Sonalika with a susceptible cultivar, Kharchia Local and also with WL711, tests of F1, F2 and F3 generations indicated that, in addition to Yr2, Sonalika possesses at least two other genes. Both these genes were difficult to detect but the F3 data supported the hypothesis that there is a single partially recessive gene giving resistance to alien race 6El6 and a different, possibly complementary, gene system effective against another alien race, 39El34. The presence of resistance in addition to Yr2 was also detected in WL711 and HD2329. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents information on the XI World Congress of Sociology held at New Delhi, India on August 18-22, 1986. The Congress of Sociology held in New, Delhi, India is significantly as being the first congress ever held in an Asian country. The Indian Sociological Society deserves a special mention for organizing the massive task of the Congress through the collective endeavours of the Indian National Organizing Committee with its seven sub-committees. The theme "Social Change: Problems and Perspectives" constituted the core of the Congress. Chairing the opening session, the President of the International Sociological Association, Fernando H. Cardosa observed that the theme of the congress "Social Change: Problems and Perspectives," "involves more than just familiarizing ourselves with the general process, of social change, it involves, equipping sociology, just as its founding fathers aspired to do with an analytical and theoretical instrument which would provide a better understanding of this process in the circumstances of today's world society."