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Vibration fatigue characteristics are critical for rotating machinery components such as turbine rotor blades. Lattice structures are gaining popularity in engineering applications due to their unique ability to reduce weight and improve the mechanical properties. This study is an experimental investigation of octet-truss lattice structure utilization in turbine rotor blades for weight reduction and to improve vibration fatigue characteristics. One completely solid and three lattice infilled blades with variable strut thickness were manufactured via additive manufacturing. Both free and forced experimental vibration analyses were performed on the blades to investigate their modal and vibration fatigue characteristics. The blades were subjected to random vibration using a vibration shaker. The response was measured using a triaxial accelerometer in terms of vibration acceleration time histories in the X, Y, and Z directions. Results indicate a weight reduction of up to 24.91% and enhancement in the first natural frequency of up to 5.29% were achieved using lattice infilled blades. The fatigue life of the blades was investigated using three frequency domain approaches, namely, Lalanne, Dirlik and narrow band. The fatigue life results indicate that the 0.25 mm lattice blade exhibits the highest fatigue life, while the solid blade exhibits the lowest fatigue life of all four blades. The fatigue life of the 0.25 mm lattice blade was 1822-, 1802-, and 1819- fold higher compared to that of the solid blade, using the Lalanne, Dirlik, and narrow-band approaches, respectively. These results can serve as the first step towards the utilization of lattice structures in turbine blades, with thermal analysis as the next step. Therefore, apart from being light weight, the octet-truss lattice infilled blades exhibited superior vibration fatigue characteristics to vibration loads, thereby making them a potential replacement for solid blades in turbine rotors.

Fractional quantum Hall states (FQHSs) exemplify exotic phases of low-disorder two-dimensional (2D) electron systems when electron-electron interaction dominates over the thermal and kinetic energies. Particularly intriguing among the FQHSs are those observed at even-denominator Landau level filling factors, as their quasi-particles are generally believed to obey non-Abelian statistics and be of potential use in topological quantum computing. Such states, however, are very rare and fragile, and are typically observed in the excited Landau level of 2D electron systems with the lowest amount of disorder. Here we report the observation of a new and unexpected even-denominator FQHS at filling factor {\nu} = 3/4 in a GaAs 2D hole system with an exceptionally high quality (mobility). Our magneto-transport measurements reveal a strong minimum in the longitudinal resistance at {\nu} = 3/4, accompanied by a developing Hall plateau centered at (h/e2)/(3/4). This even-denominator FQHS is very unusual as it is observed in the lowest Landau level and in a 2D hole system. While its origin is unclear, it is likely a non-Abelian state, emerging from the residual interaction between composite fermions., Comment: 6+6 pages, 3+3 figures; featured in Physics; featured as Editor's suggestion

The nuclear medium effects in the nuclear structure functions and differential cross sections in the deep inelastic scattering (DIS) of charged lepton and neutrino from nuclear targets are studied in the region of large $x$ including $x\ge 1$. The nuclear medium effects due to the Fermi motion and the binding energy of nucleons and the nucleon correlations are included using nucleon spectral function calculated in a microscopic field theoretical model. The numerical results for the nuclear structure functions and the cross sections are obtained using the nucleon structure function evaluated at the next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) with the Martin-Motylinski-Harland Lang-Thorne (MMHT) parameterization of the nucleonic parton distribution functions (PDFs) and are compared with the available experimental data on electron scattering from the Jefferson Lab (JLab) and SLAC Nuclear Physics Facility (NPAS). In the case of neutrino scattering the results are relevant for understanding the DIS contributions to the recent inclusive cross sections measured by the Main Injector Neutrino ExpeRiment to study v-A interactions (MINERvA) as well as theoretical predictions are made for Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE). The importance of isoscalarity corrections in heavier nuclear targets as well as the effect of the kinematic cut on the CM energy $W$ in defining the DIS region have also been discussed., 14 pages, 7 figures and 1 table

Concrete is a building material widely used in construction due to its excellent mechanical properties such as compressive strength and bond strength with steel reinforcement. Strength and durabili...

Owing to the rapid construction and rebuilding activities occurring in the country, huge amount of construction and demolition waste is generated. To cater the needs for disposal of this waste, recycling them for use in road construction has great potential and is important for sustainability. In order to address the same, a study has been carried out to explore the use of waste materials such as recycled concrete aggregates (RCA) in pavements. In this paper, few treatment methods of RCA such as acid treatment, thermal treatment and bituminous emulsion have been compared to adjudge the best treatment of RCA. For purpose of comparison, mixes were made using different treatment techniques with RCA. It was observed that the mixes comply with the standards specified in MoRTH, India in terms of Marshall Characteristics and moisture susceptibility. Bituminous emulsion treated RCA was found to be the most appropriate treatment method.

The paper focuses on the review of different techniques for minimization of energy consumption by increasing the heat transfer enhancement in the heat exchangers, which are being used in several fields like solar air heaters, automobile radiators, condenser, and evaporators of power plant units, refrigeration unit, steam turbines, etc. There are several techniques to enhance the heat transfer, and all are classified under Active and passive methods. In Active methods, there is the use of an external power source, while in passive methods the modification of the inner surface of the heat exchanger is made by using inserts, etc. In both, the processes increase in heat transfer also cause the subsequent increases in friction factor causing more pumping power requirement. The present review work presents the various active methods and materials that are used to enhance the heat transfer while keeping the friction factor as low as possible. The new techniques like electroactive and magnetic material are also discussed in the article which enhances the rate of heat transfer in combination with passive methods. The Electrohydrodynamic method shows an increase in heat transfer by 20 times as compared to only 3 times increase in friction factor while using vibration the increases in heat transfer is by 97%. The magnetic material has increased the Nusselt number in combination with the passive technique by 10%.

Soil fertility assessment and mapping for hot arid regions of Thar Desert in the Indian state of Rajasthan was carried out and on the basis of fertility ratings the soils were classified as low, medium and high. In the present assessment a systematic set of 5655 soil samples across the land use systems viz., rainfed croplands, irrigated croplands and rangelands covering 12 districts of hot arid Rajasthan were collected using global positioning system (GPS). The soil samples were analyzed for pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic carbon (OC), available phosphorus (P), potassium (K), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and manganese (Mn). Results of the soil analysis revealed that OC is low throughout the region, while available P was low to medium, but generally medium to high in available K. Among the micronutrients, Cu and Mn were adequately supplied in most areas, but Zn and Fe were inadequate in large parts. The spatial variability of OC and available plant nutrients viz., P, K, Fe, Zn, Cu and Mn in hot arid regions of Rajasthan across the land uses in region, has been mapped in a geographic information system (GIS), and their adequacy determined as per the criteria followed in the soil testing laboratories. Spatial distribution maps indicated that about 99.4, 48.7, 11.0, 56.1 and 41.0% of the area are under low availability class for OC, P, K, Zn and Fe, respectively. Present study also showed that the hot arid regions of India not only deficient in individual nutrients but they also suffer from multi-nutrients deficiencies which warrants attention for soil test based integrated plant nutrition system. The wide spread deficiencies of P, Fe and Zn were most revealing; their deficiencies varies with topography, soil type and land management practices. Irrigated croplands were better endowed than other land uses in respect of OC, P, Zn and Cu; rangelands in respect of K and Fe, and rainfed croplands in respect of Mn. With use of information technology tools like GIS and GPS helps in generation of spatial data/maps on distribution of available plant nutrients with which we can precisely use the required input at right place (location specific application of inputs). Information on spatial distribution of available micronutrients enables grouping of the soils into homogenous units for better nutrient management.

The present investigation was undertaken to assess the genetic diversity in gamma rays irradiated mutants of four grape genotypes based on RAPD and SSR markers. There were 36 mutants selected from in vitro mutated four grape genotypes, namely Pusa Navrang, H-76-1, Pearl of Csaba and Julesky Muscat on the basis of morpho-physiological and biochemical traits. These mutants and non-irradiated individuals were subjected to RAPD and SSR marker analysis to detect the genetic variation amongst them. Six RAPD and eleven SSR primers were employed for PCR amplification and total 63 distinct and easily scoreable bands were generated which ranged between 110 (SSR) and 2500 (RAPD) bp. All the bands were found to be polymorphic in nature and identified 13 solid mutants, among the initially selected 36 putative mutants. The distribution of mutants by cluster analysis suggested existence of high degree of difference at the genetic level in the mutants and non-irradiated control individuals. The mutants were largely grouped into the four major clusters based on the doses of gamma irradiation except some mutants from Julesky Muscat and Pearl of Csaba genotypes. Minimum similarity coefficient (0.37) was noted in mutants of Pusa Navrang and maximum (0.70) in Hybrid-76-1. Unique banding patterns were amplified by both the types of markers (RAPD and SSR). It was suggested that Julesky Muscat was amplified uniquely by RAPD-OPA01, OPP02, SSR-VVMD14, VMCIB11, VMC8G9 primers, H-76-1 by RAPD- OPA01 and SSR- VVMD 14 primers, Pusa Navrang by RAPD-OPP02 and SSR-VVMD-21 primers and Pearl of Csaba by RAPD-OPA01, OPP04, SSR-VMC8G9 primers. The result from this study suggests that OPA01 (RAPD) and VVMD14 (SSR) were the most informative primers and generated maximum numbers of reproducible bands. The combination of these primers will be very useful for the identification of solid mutants which could be evaluated in the field.

Infuence of benzothiadiazole (BTH) and pro-hexadione calcium (Pro-Ca), abscisic acid (ABA) and ethephon on leaf gas exchange parameters such as net photosynthesis rate (A), stomatal conductivity (gs), intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci) and leaf transpiration rate (E), leaf stomatal density, leaf relative water content (RWC) and leaf biochemical parameters along with berry surface colour characteristics such as L*(lightness), a*(greenness to redness), b*(blueness to yellowness), chroma (C*), hue angle (ho) and CIRD (Colour Index for Red Grapes) were examined on grapevine cv. ‘Beauty Seedless' especially under hot subtropical conditions. The highest leaf A(12.20 µmol CO2 m−2 s−1) and gs(0.15 mmol m−2 s−1) were recorded with Pro-Ca 400 ppm treatment, while the lowest A(7.97 µmol CO2 m−2 s−1) and gs(0.05 mmol m−2 s−1) were recorded with ABA 400 ppm and ethephon 400 ppm, respectively. Among other physiological parameters, the highest value of Ci was measured with ABA 400 ppm (265.29 mol m−2 s−1) treated vines followed by ethephon 400 ppm (261.78 mol m−2 s−1). The vines sprayed with ethephon 400 ppm (3.18 mmol m−2 s−1) were recorded had the lowest value of leaf E. Similar trends were also recorded for leaf RWC. Treatments ABA (400 ppm) and ethephon (400 ppm) decreased the stomatal density signifcantly. The highest chlorophyll ‘a' content was observed in case of ethephon 400 ppm (2.39 mg g−1) treated leaves having similarity statistically with all the treatments except control, while the highest chlorophyll ‘b' and total chlorophyll contents were noted with ABA 400 ppm. Treatment ethephon 400 ppm (0.89 mg g−1) improved the total carotenoids content, which proved similar statistically with ABA 400 ppm (0.88 mg g−1). The least values of L*, C* and the highest CIRG index were recorded for ABA 400 ppm (19.63, 2.36 and 7.61, respectively) followed by ethephon 400 ppm (20.14, 2.67 and 7.43, respectively).

In the present scenario steel is the frequently used material for industrial applications. Steel is available in different grades in the market also the mechanical properties of AISI 1045 steel can be changed by proper heat treatment processes. A controlled sequence of heating and cooling arrangement is often used to change the physical and mechanical properties of AISI 1045 steel according to the application where it must be used. In the present study, AISI 1045 steel has been selected to analyze the effect of the heat treatment process on its hardness, strength, and toughness as this grade is used in numerous engineering applications nowadays. The AISI 1045 steel is treated by Annealing (Furnace cooling), Normalizing (room temperature), and Quenching (water). Then the samples were tested for hardness, tensile strength, and toughness (Charpy test). The results show that the tensile strength decreases by 12.4%, 6.33%, and 2.29% in annealing, normalizing, and quenching, respectively. The hardness decreases by 20.2 and 9.6% for annealing and normalizing respectively whereas it increases by 19.15% in quenching. It is also found that the toughness increases by 26.67% in normalizing whereas a reduction of 4.0% and 6.67% is noticed for quenching and annealing, respectively.

India is an immense nation with a normal of 700 mash and paper plants. It is one of the most elevated contaminating enterprises in India and is exceptionally water concentrated. Moderately enormous wastewater releases and went with arrival of high contamination load into the earth is the spin-off of high water utilization and contamination age during the time spent mash and paper make. Steps are been taken to save the assets, particularly water which is a vital piece of the mash and paper mechanical working. The need of cleaner creation programs has been felt as of late by the paper business by method of an asset and waste minimization idea. In India endeavors have been continuing for quite a long time to improve housekeeping, streamline process parameters, increment reuses and receive improved innovation. This paper targets featuring the procedure utilized during production, sources and kinds of waste created and treatment choices accessible for improving the nature of waste to be released.

Character association and path coefficients for sixteen different yield and yield-contributing traits were evaluated for 112 rice genotypes at Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi during Kharif-2019. The experiment was conducted in alpha lattice design and observations were recorded in five randomly selected plants for sixteen traits. The data were analyzed in WINDOSTAT 9.3 ver. for correlation and path analysis. The correlation analysis showed very strong correlation of grain yield per plot with biomass yield per plot. Days to first flowering showed very strong correlation with days to 50% flowering and days to maturity. Days to 50% flowering showed very strong correlation with days to maturity. Spikelets per panicle showed very strong correlation with grains per panicle and grain weight per panicle. Number of grains per panicle showed very strong correlation with grain weight per panicle. Path-coefficient analysis showed that biomass yield per plot, grain yield per plant, grain weight per panicle, grains per panicle, spikelets per panicle, harvest index, days to first flowering, days to 50% flowering, days to maturity and panicle length had a high and positive direct effect on grain yield per plot. Correlation and path coefficient analysis envisaged characteristics such as biomass yield per plot, grain weight per panicle, grains per panicle, spikelets per panicle, first flowering, 50 percent flowering and days to maturity showed positive direct effect and very strong correlation with grain yield per plot, indicating the effectiveness of these traits in selection. Path analysis revealed that traits like biomass yield per plot, harvest index, grain yield per panicle exerted highest positive direct effect on grain yield per plot. Thus, these characters which contribute to the grain yield could be exploited for future breeding programmes.

A study was conducted along the coconut-growing soils of Karnataka to assess the potential of soils and consequences towards tender coconut production and marketing system. Major coconut-growing soils across the different agro-climatic zones of Karnataka were investigated for their development by studying the soil profiles. It was observed that the soils are moderately well to well-drained, moderately deep to deep black, gravelly or non-gravelly red loamy and clayey in central, eastern and southern dry, southern transitional and coastal zones, with good water holding capacity and medium to high fertility. Soils in Maddur were characterized and classified in this study. It was found that the soils in Maddur are deep, well-drained, gravelly clayey with low available water capacity on undulating inter-fluves, with moderate erosion, classified to clayey-skeletal, mixed, semi-active, isohyperthermic Typic Rhodustalfs at the family level and found to be ideal for tender coconut cultivation due to better rainfall distribution, suitable temperature, the elevation of the area, rooting conditions, moisture availability to roots, favourable soil reaction, higher base saturation, N, K and B levels along with gravelly clayey sub-soil and gravelly sandy loam surface texture.

Purpose This study is an effort to explore a relationship between benefits of schemes (BoS) on the job satisfaction among handloom weavers. The weavers who are engaged in this work however face lot of challenges in terms of remuneration and working conditions. The government has been immense with various schemes that cater to the work-related problems. This paper aims to understand whether work-related support can be a predictor for job satisfaction in this context. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional survey design was used where 335 handloom weavers randomly participated in the study. Questionnaire was administered and scale was developed and validated for the measurement of BoS by using exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis. The effect of the benefits on the job satisfaction was investigated by using structural equation modelling on AMOS 21 platform. Findings The outcome suggested that the BoS significantly affects the job satisfaction and a possible predictor. This which was indicated by the value of r^2, i.e.0.38 at significance level p < 0.001. Research limitations/implications The study suggests a method for analyzing the schemes/policies in the light of the benefits that schemes intend to deliver. This would help in making suitable modifications in the schemes order to have wider outreach and large-scale inclusion of the beneficiaries. Practical implications The study can be useful for the policymakers to further strengthen the features of the schemes. They might work in direction of inclusion of more handloom weavers in the framework of the schemes. Originality/value The effects of the work-related policies on job satisfaction is still in nascent stage, so this work is all about exploration in that area.

A study was conducted at Organic Farming Research Centre of SKUAST -Jammu during 2016 to 2017 to find out the impact of organic manures on soil organic carbon, physical and crop growth parameters Okra-Dhaincha-Broccoli cropping sequence. The Soil Organic Carbon was analyzed by Chromic acid wet digestion method. However, in soil physical properties Bulk density was analyzed by Core method, water holding capacity by Keen Rackzowski Method and Infiltration rate by Double Ring Method. In the experiment, soil organic carbon was found non-significant in experiment. Bulk density was found to be significant in year 2016 and 2017 as very captivating change was observed as compared to control; T8 as the lowest value treatment with value 1.26 g cm-3 was recorded. Water holding capacity was found to be significant in year 2016 and 2017 as very positive change was observed as compared to control as WHC with highest value 43.68% was noted in T8 in 2017. Infiltration rate was also found to be significant in year 2016-17 as very positive change was observed as compared to control. Significant improvement in root volume, root length was observed in Okra and same was noted in size of curd in broccoli as compared to control. The significant impact of organic manures on soil quality parameters will provide a new way to improve the soil health and productivity in a sustainable way.

Rice is a major energy source food crop and a staple food for more than half of the world’s population. The knowledge of mean performance and stability of high grain Zinc rice genotypes from a multi-location trial is a way to assess the genotypes so as to achieve food and nutritional security. The present research was conducted to study the stability of 21 high grain Zinc rice genotypes for thirteen yield and yield attributing traits in RCBD with 3 replications in five different locations of Eastern Uttar Pradesh using the Eberhart and Russell stability model. Based on the environmental index, Bhikaripur village is identified as the most favourable environment. The inspection of stability and ANOVA revealed that there were significant linear G x E interactions for most of the characters studied expect plant height, spikelet fertility % and total effective tiller number which implied that there were significant variations among the genotypes. The environment + (genotype x environment) was significant for most of the traits except grain L/B ratio representing specific nature of environments and G x E interaction in morphological expression. Based on the stability parameters none of the genotypes could be identified as stable for any traits over the five environments but, IR 97443-11-2-1-1-1-1 –B and Local check (HUR3022) showed stability for high yield in all the environments. The genotype, IR 97443-11-2-1-1-1-1 –B having stability for grain yield per ha with higher mean and short duration, is also stable for grain yield per plant, grain weight per panicle and spikelet fertility % and could be used as high yielding cultivar and can be used as a parent in future breeding programs. The genotype, IR 95044:8-B-5-22-19-GBS is having the highest grain Zinc content. High grain zinc with higher yield was reported in BRRIdhan 64 and it is stable for grain zinc content and can be used for Zinc bio-fortification breeding programs to minimize malnutrition to ensure food and nutritional security.

Klotho gene is an important gene involved in calcium homeostasis, and polymorphisms of this gene may render the individual prone to renal stone formation. We evaluated G395A single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of Klotho gene at rs1207568 in renal stone patients of North India. This was a prospective study involving 150 patients of renal stone disease (aged 15–60 years) and 100 age- and sex-matched controls. The DNA was isolated and subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for identifying the G395A Klotho SNPs at rs1207568. Confronting two pair primers were used, and gel electrophoresis showing two bands at 175,252 bp was considered as GG genotype, three bands at 121,175 and 252 bp as GA and two bands at 121 and 252 bp as AA genotype. The association between genotype and cases was evaluated by using Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis. Cases and controls were well matched for age (40.65 vs 42.06, p = 0.063) and sex (p = 0.420). Significantly high proportion of patients with renal stones had GG genotype as compared to controls (odds ratio (OR) 2.37(1.39,4.03), p = 0.001). None of the participants (cases and controls) had homozygous recessive AA genotype. The risk of stone formation was significantly higher in the population carrying G allele {OR 1.94 (1.225–3.073), p 0.004}. Mean serum calcium was higher in stone formers with GG genotype as compared to those with GA genotype (9.16 mg/dl vs 8.91 mg/dl; p = 0.06). GG genotype of G396A Klotho gene SNPs is associated with renal stone formation. The G allele carrier is twice at risk of renal stone formation. The absence of AA genotype in north-western Indian population remains a curiosity.

A pest scout data in pigeonpea (leaf webber, plume moth, pod borer) and chickpea (pod borer) crops including daily insect pest counts for three successive seasons (2015/16—2017/18) at western and eastern plateau hills (agro-climatic zones) of India was analysed for spatio-temporal dynamics. Longer infestation (different crop phenological growth stages) behaviour of leaf webber and pod borer in pigeonpea and chickpea, respectively influenced their increased mean counts (incidence). Weekly mean counts of leaf webber, plume moth and pod borer in both the crops varied significantly between the seasons. Linear incremental change in mean counts of leaf webber and pod borer on pigeonpea and chickpea, respectively was observed across the seasons (inter-seasonal). Intra-seasonal built-up of plume moth (pigeonpea) and pod borer (pigeonpea and chickpea) mean counts was also noticed. On pigeonpea, leaf webber and plume moth mean counts never reached an economic threshold level (3 larvae/plant), but crossed the advisory level (1.5 larvae/plant). It was observed that there was incremental rise in pod borer mean counts and crossing economic threshold level over seasons in chickpea (1 larvae/m row length), while it was not the case in pigeonpea (1 larvae/ plant). Furthermore, survival and management strategies of leaf webber, plume moth and pod borer in pigeonpea and pod borer in chickpea were discussed.

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is the source of energy and nutrition for more than half of the world’s population hence it is a crop of global significance. Breeding of mineral dense rice varieties is the main target of biofortification strategy to address micronutrient malnutrition globally. Landraces and local genotypes are proven sources of novel alleles and are a promising donor for high grain mineral. A parental polymorphism survey is a prerequisite of any QTL mapping experiment. Present study consisting of SSR markers based parental polymorphism survey at IRRI South Asia Hub ICRISAT, Hyderabad. Parents of mapping population viz Rajendrakasturi (short grain aromatic rice variety with low grain zinc content) and URG-30 (a local genotype from Eastern Uttar Pradesh with high grain zinc content) were screened with 1013 microsatellite markers covering the entire length of all 12 chromosomes to study allelic variation at genome-wide SSR loci. The geographical diverse origin of parents is reflected in genotypic variations in terms of polymorphism. Out of 1013 whole genome wide SSR markers screened, 294 were found to be polymorphic which resulted in 29.02% polymorphism between the two parents. The highest polymorphism was observed with chromosome 4 (40.96%) whereas the lowest polymorphism was observed in chromosome 9 (16%). Based on the outcomes of the present study, a set of genome-wide polymorphic SSRs will be selected for genotyping of mapping population, preparation of linkage map and QTL analysis for high grain zinc content, iron content, grain quality and yield traits.

Changing family structure from joint to nuclear posits a challenge among older people. Increasing prevalence of nuclear family promotes household headship among older adults but leaves them vulnerable as they have to live alone at older ages. Therefore, the study aims to estimate the trends and determine the factors associated with household headship among older adults from 1992-93 to 2015–16. The analysis of this paper is based on four rounds of the National Family Health Survey, which were conducted during the periods between 1992-93, 1998–99, 2005–06, and 2015–16, respectively. The study carried out bivariate and multivariate analysis to observe the association between outcome and independent variables. Results found that household headship among older adults had increased from 59.5% in 1992–93 to 67.8% in 2015–16. Further, the study found a rise in the proportion of nuclear families and household headship among older adults from 1992-93 to 2015–16. In older ages, household headship was more among older women than older men. The likelihood of household headship among older adults in a joint family is low as compared to household headship in a nuclear family. While the rise in household headship among older adults may be attributable to a variety of socio-economic influences, it has been noted that household headship among older adults has varied between men and women and by type of family structure. Moreover, there was a clear relationship between headship and wealth status of a household.

All the three agro-ecological zones (sub-tropical, intermediate and temperate) of the Jammu province were surveyed for potential pesticidal plants. Methanol extracts of all the thirteen plants / plant parts and fractions were assessed for insecticidal activity. Eight treatments (T3 –Boerhavia diffusa stem methanolic extract, T6 –Boerhavia diffusa roots methanolic extract, T7 –Boerhavia diffusa roots hexane fraction, T12 –Arisaema flavum stem + leaves methanol extract, T13 –Arisaema flavum stem + leaves hexane fraction, T14 –Arisaema flavum stem + leaves acetone fraction, T15 –Arisaema flavum roots / tubers methanol extract and T17 –Arisaema flavum roots / tubers acetone fraction) recorded cent percent mortality of first instar larvae, within four hours. All the extracts / fractions evaluated against Earias vitella exhibited contact toxicity, and ovicidal action. The growth indices were also affected. Few extracts / fractions were so toxic that they exhibited 100% control. When larvae were fed on extract / fraction treated food for growth indices studies, in many cases larvae died. These extracts/ fractions have great potential to be developed as botanical pesticide. Active pesticidal compounds from few promising plants may be extracted and further studied for their pesticidal activity. The present studies suggest that the plant extract may be fractionated for better results.

Loneliness is defined as practical and cognitive discomfort or uneasiness from being or perceiving oneself to be alone. This study attempts to understand the effect of household and individual characteristics on gender differentials in loneliness among older adults in India. The data used was carved out from WHO Study on global AGEing and adult health (Wave-1), India conducted in 2007-08. To fulfil the objective, we used data on 6,532 adults aged 50 years and above and applied bivariate analysis along with logistic regression and showed interaction between potential determinants which can explain gender differentials in loneliness. Nearly 18% of older adults in India (16% of men and 20% of women) reported suffering from loneliness in 2007–08. Women who were household-head had 60% higher likelihood of reporting loneliness than men who were household head. Women who were either separated/divorced/widowed/never married had higher (AOR: 1.26; p

Soil resource characterization of Kumaon hills of Himalayas was carried out through soil survey and established soil–physiography relationship after identification and delineation of six physiographic units in Khulgad watershed of Almora district, Uttarakhand. The satellite image characteristics identified through the visual/digital interpretation of IRS-1D LISS-III fused with PAN data on 1:12,500 scale were utilized in the present study. Based on the characteristics of soils developed on different physiographic units, the soils were evaluated for land capability classification and suitability for major crops in the region for sustainable development of the study area. GIS technique was used to develop decision trees employing various soil–site parameters for assessing crop suitability. The results revealed that deep to moderately deep soils with high clay content on the stable terraces and valley lands mostly appearing as dark blue to blackish blue in satellite imagery grouped under land capability classes II and III were interpreted as suitable for wheat, rice, finger millet and mustard crops. Moderately deep to deep soils occurring on moderately steep hill slopes and upper terraces were suitable for potato, mustard and finger millets. Soils on degraded hills with terraced tops having forest in patches (showed mix tone of grey and pink in imagery) categorized into class IV were found to be marginally suitable for wheat, mustard and potato with constraints of soil and topography, while soils on upper hill slopes, degraded hill tops/slopes with thin forest/grazing land and rocky ridges with dark to light blue, white and greyish mixed tone and dark blue with pale pink mixed tone in the imagery placed under land capability classes VI to VII were presently not suitable for crops cultivation and moderately suitable for grassland pasture or silvipasture purposes. The extent of suitability of soils for various crops has also been highlighted using GIS software and the maps were prepared. GIS is found to be helpful in processing spatial and non-spatial remote sensing data and conventional data of highly folded and faulted chain of Kumaon Himalayas to evaluate soil–site parameters for assessing crop suitability for optimum utilization of land.

Idiopathic hypoparathyroidism leads to hypocalcemia and hyperphosphatasemia and usually has a genetic aetiology. The variable but often subtle signs and symptoms usually lead to a misdiagnosis of hypoparathyroidism. Case records of 32 patients of idiopathic hypoparathyroidism admitted over a period of five years were analysed. There was a lag period of 5.94 years from the onset of symptoms to the diagnosis. Carpopedal spasm was the most common indication for admission to the hospital. Trivial symptoms such as fatigue (84%) and paresthesia (62.5%) were the most common reported symptoms. A sum of 46.5% of the patients were on antiepileptic drugs before the correct diagnosis of hypoparathyroidism was made. This observation emphasized that Calcium profile should be obtained in patients with history of paresthesia and seizure to avoid the long delay in diagnosis of hypoparathyroidism.

Rice is a major cereal crop from the consumption point of view, dietary energy and nutrition source for more than half of the world’s population. Rice is rich in starch but deficient in major micronutrients. Present experiment consists of F2 mapping population for high grain zinc content, with 312 entries studied for 15 different traits. Correlation study indicated that, grain zinc and iron content were significant and positive. So there is a scope for simultaneous improvement of both traits. Grain yield per plant showed a non-significant and negative association with zinc and iron content. Plant height, total tillers per plant, the number of effective tillers per plant, panicle length, 1000 grain weight, fertile grains per panicle, kernel breadth, L/B ratio has significant and positive correlation and positive direct effects with grain yield per plant.

Rice is the staple food across Asia, where around half of the world’s poorest people live and hence that necessitates breeding for high yielding genotypes. Genetic diversity present in the germplasm is pre-requisite for crop improvement as it helps in the development of superior recombinants. Knowledge about genetic diversity between the genotype can be utilized for the selection of diverse parents in hybridization programmes. In this study, using Mahalanobis D² statistics twenty four advanced genotypes were grouped into five different clusters based on their level of divergence. The Cluster III displayed the maximum intra-cluster distance with six genotypes followed by cluster II with ten genotypes. The cluster II and IV exhibited the maximum inter-cluster distance. Among the traits, days to 50% flowering contributed the highest towards total divergence.

To evaluate the feasibility and outcomes of performing robot-assisted pelvic surgery at a reduced angle of Trendelenburg position. This was a prospective case–control study of 67 patients in 2:1 ratio. Controls were operated with steep Trendelenburg position of 30°, whereas cases were operated using a graduated method to achieve minimal optimal angle of operating table. Various body habitus parameters, console time, blood loss, rise in mean arterial pressure (MAP) and end-tidal carbon-dioxide (ET-CO2), duration of ileus, postoperative stay and complications were recorded. All demographic profile and body habitus parameters were comparable among two groups except age which was lower in Reduced-Tilt group. Cases were operated at a mean angle of 20.5 ± 3.1° compared to 30° in control group. Rise in MAP, ET-CO2 and facial swelling were significantly low in Reduced-Tilt group compared to control. Notably blood loss, duration of ileus, postoperative stay and complications were also low in patients with Reduced Tilt. Various body habitus parameters were analysed with multiple regression analysis to predict minimal angle required for performing surgery with Reduced Tilt. BMI, xiphisterno–umbilical distance, umbilical–pubic-symphyseal distance and subcostal angle were found to predict the same. Robot-assisted pelvic surgeries can be performed in reduced Trendelenburg tilt which is associated with less hemodynamic and respiratory stress, complication rates and early postoperative recovery. BMI, subcostal angle, xiphisterno–umbilical distance and umbilical–pubic-symphyseal distance can predict the feasible angle of tilt.

Aim: The knowledge of genetic diversity and relationship among the genotypes play a significant role for genetic enhancement in breeding programmes to increase production, improve quality, biotic and abiotic stresses, and also for the selection of superior parental lines in rice. The present field experiment was conducted to study the diversity present in 29 local genotypes of rice using both morphological and molecular ways. Methodology: The experiment was conducted at Agricultural Research Farm, Banaras Hindu University, during Kharif-2017 in an augmented block design with 29 rice genotypes including 3 checks. Mahalanobis’ D2 analysis was carried out to assess the morphological diversity present among the genotypes and molecular analysis was done with 21 polymorphic SSR markers using the NTSYSpc software. Results: Mahalanobis’ D2 grouped the 29 genotypes into 6 clusters based on the inter-se genetic distance. The highest intra-cluster distance was recorded in the Cluster I (32.73), which comprised of 7 genotypes. The highest inter-cluster distance (65.86) was observed between Clusters IV and V. Molecular diversity analysis grouped the 29 rice genotypes into 2 main clusters i.e. cluster I and cluster II with dissimilarity coefficient of 0.34, which were further divided into sub-clusters. Polymorphic Information Content (PIC) value is an evidence of diversity and frequency among the varieties. The level of polymorphism varied from 0.164 to 0.694, with an average 0.521. The highest PIC value was observed for locus RM 5 (0.694) followed by RM 510 (0.692). All the 21 primers showed polymorphism and the number of alleles ranged from 2 to 4 with an average of 3.04. Conclusion: This study established the presence of considerable amount of genetic diversity among the genotypes studied, the most diverse genotypes being Anupam gold and HUR-1309 followed by Kalanamak-2 and HUR-1304. Breeders may attempt hybridization among the above genotypes which showed maximum diversity, for creating more variability in rice and can be used for planning further breeding programmes.

Biofortification of food crops using conventional breeding or biotechnological approach is gaining momentum to alleviate micronutrient malnutrition. Rice is a nice choice for biofortification of grain iron and zinc content as this is a cheap and chief staple food for millions of peoples world-wide particularly the poor. In present study, generation mean analysis was done to estimate the nature and magnitude of gene effects for grain iron and zinc content in rice cross Khusisoi-RI-Sareku × IR 91175-27-1-3-1-3. Scaling test and Joint scaling test indicated the influence of epistasis on the expression of yield, its component traits and grain Fe and Zn content and inadequacy of additive-dominance model to explain the variation in different generations. Dominance [h] gene effect was of higher magnitude as compared to additive [d] gene effect for both grain iron and grain zinc content. Additive × additive, additive × dominance and dominance × dominance component was significant for both grain Fe and Zn content, whereas dominance × dominance component was predominant for both grain Fe and Zn content. Dominance [h] gene effect and dominance × dominance interaction acted in opposite directions, indicating duplicate type of gene action controlling the expression of both grain Fe and grain Zn content which could be a bottleneck to exploit heterosis. Heterosis breeding and recombination breeding with postponement of selection till later generations, could be effective in improving both grain Fe and grain Zn content in rice.

Nagpur mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco), considered as one of the major commercial fruit crops, is grown in hot, dry and sub-humid bioclimatic region of Central India. Area under this cash crop is highest in the state Maharashtra, but low productivity as compared to other citrus-growing states of India is of a major concern. Information regarding the productive suitable areas for this crop cultivation in the state is lacking in order to address the problem. Hence, a study was conducted in Wardha district of Maharashtra to find out the most suitable soil-site characteristics for citrus orchards to enhance the productivity. In the present investigation, inductive modeling approach is used to derive the required properties. The objective was to compare the soil properties with the established suitability criteria for citrus to minimize soil-related constraints and thus to enhance the quantity as well as quality of the produce. The citrus-grown areas were visually interpreted from merged product of IRS LISS-IV and Cartosat-1 image of the study area. The healthy citrus orchard areas were identified based on normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) values derived from LISS-IV image. The layer which contained the information of higher NDVI values with citrus orchards was overlaid on the soil and slope map of the study area to obtain desired soil and slope information. Results revealed that heavy textured clay soils dominated the healthy citrus orchards. Soil reaction was alkaline (11.49 thousand ha) in majority of the areas followed by neutral (1.75 thousand ha) pH. Orchards were mostly located at very gently sloping condition, and in most of the cases, soils were very deep in nature. The study thus revealed the most suitable physical, fertility and chemical properties of soil and other properties like slope for better management of citrus-growing orchards in Maharashtra.

In view to overcome the major problem of ‘hidden hunger’ mainly caused by micronutrient deficiency, breeding for micronutrient enriched staple food crops is important. In developing countries, iron and zinc deficiencies are reported to be major health risk factor causing a high mortality rate. So, for overcoming these nutritional deficiencies through genetic improvement, F2 population of two rice crosses obtained by crossing diverse parents for micronutrients (mainly, Fe and Zn) were evaluated using randomised complete block design during Kharif, 2019 to study the relationship between different traits and to study the estimates of direct and indirect effect. Among the F2 population of cross-I, grain yield per plant exhibited significant and positive association with seeds per panicle, tillers per plant, flag leaf area, harvest index, test weight, days to 50% flowering and days to maturity while negative and significant correlation with canopy temperature. For cross-II, grain yield per plant exhibited significant and positive association with seeds per panicle, tillers per plant, plant height, flag leaf area, SPAD value, harvest index, test weight and days to maturity while significant and negative correlation with grain Zn content, grain Fe content and canopy temperature. Hence, selection for the traits showing positive and significant association with grain yield in both the crosses will be rewarding. Highest positive direct effect on yield was shown by harvest index in cross-I. So, selection based on harvest index for grain yield per plant would be the most effective strategy for improvement of grain yield. No direct positive or negative effect of grain Fe and Zn content on yield was found.