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Higher risks involved in excess fertilizer application require precise placement of fertilizer in adequate amount in the root zone of the crop. The drawbacks of current fertilizer application techniques (band placement, pellet application, and ring basin method) include over-fertilization, soil acidity, nutritional imbalances, soil structure damage and an increase in bulk density. Development of a spot fertilizer applicator with precise fertilizer metering was planned to address the problem. The physical and mechanical properties of di-ammonium phosphate were determined. A new grooved belt type fertilizer metering mechanism was developed for orchard application using the fertilizer properties determined. The metering mechanism was equipped with a fertilizer box of 100 kg capacity. The torque requirement of metering mechanism was determined using torque transducer to select a DC motor. The maximum torque required was 4.5 N.m at 8 m.min-1 of metering belt speed. An automatic plant detection-based spot fertilizer applicator with developed fertilizer metering mechanism has potential to save about 20% fertilizer compared to band placement along with reduced labour requirement.

To gain better insight into the extent of secondary bacterial and fungal infections in hospitalized patients in India, and to assess how these alter the course of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) so that control measures can be suggested.In this retrospective, multicentre study, the data of all patients who tested positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) on reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), admitted to hospital between March 2020 and July 2021, were accessed from the electronic health records of a network of 10 hospitals across five states in North India.Of 19,852 patients testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 on RT-PCR and admitted to the study hospitals during the study period, 1940 (9.8%) patients developed secondary infections (SIs). Patients with SIs were, on average, 8 years older than patients without SIs (median age 62.6 vs 54.3 years;SIs complicate the course of patients hospitalized with COVID-19. These patients tend to have a much longer hospital stay, a higher requirement for oxygen and ICU care, and a significantly higher mortality rate compared with those without SIs. The groups most vulnerable to SIs are patients with more severe COVID-19, elderly patients and patients with diabetes. Judicious empirical use of combination antimicrobials in these groups of vulnerable patients can save lives. It is desirable to have region- or country-specific guidelines for appropriate use of antibiotics and antifungals to prevent their overuse.

India is the world's largest operator and manufacturer of agricultural tractors. The ergonomic concerns and incorporating the physical and strength capabilities of the Indian operators were neglected while designing and developing the tractors in India. As a result, there was a substantial mismatch between the operators' capabilities and the forces required to operate the tractors' controls. Therefore, this study was planned to determine the actuation forces of frequently operated controls on popular Indian tractors. Ten agricultural tractors of different makes and models in the power range of 23 to 50 kW were selected for the study. The Sushma steering torque measurement system, Novatech pedal force loadcell, and Gear effort transducer were used to measure the actuation force of the controls, steering wheel, clutch and brake pedal, and gear shifter lever, respectively. The actuation forces required to operate the clutch pedal on selected tractors ranged from 130 to 250 N, well below the IS 10703 (1992) limit of 350 N. Except for one tractor, the brake pedal actuation forces observed for the selected tractors varied from 390 to 670 N, well below the recommended limit of 600 N given by IS 10703 (1992). In static conditions, most tractors' steering wheel actuation forces ranged from 210 to 340 N, exceeding or approaching the 250 N limit set by AIS-042 (2004). In dynamic conditions, when tractors were operated at 3 km/h, the actuating forces for the selected tractors ranged from 90-220 N and were well within the AIS-042 limit.

The present investigation evaluated the effect of continuous application (>43 years) of organic and inorganic fertilisers on soil aggregate stability, aggregate size distribution, aggregate-associated carbon and its fractions, and total macro-nutrient content under the soybean–wheat cropping system in vertisols of the semi-arid region. Seven contrasting treatments consisted of T1 (50% NPK), T2 (100% NPK), T3 (150% NPK), T4 (100% NP), T5 (100% N), T6 (100% NPK + FYM) and T7 Control (crop raised without addition of any nutrient). The highest and lowest percentage of large macroaggregates (11.3%) was found in T6 and T7 treatments. The NPK + FYM (T6) treatments substantially increased the proportion of the macroaggregate fractions (>2 mm and 2–0.25 mm) than other treatments. However, different manure and fertilisation treatments did not affect the proportion of silt + clay aggregates. Long-term application of 100% NPK + FYM increased mean weight diameter (MWD) and stable water aggregates (WSA) by 35.7 and 6.01% over control. The aggregate-associated SOC followed the trend of large macroaggregates > microaggregates > small macroaggregates > silt + clay fractions. Application of long-term manure plus inorganic fertiliser (T6) has also increased Walkley Black soil organic carbon (WBSC), permanganate oxidisable carbon (KMnO4-C), soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC), carbon mineralisation (CM), total soil carbon (TSC), total soil N (TSN), total soil phosphorus (TSP) and total soil potassium (STK) by 82.1, 71.6, 182, 42.4, 23.9, 41.6, 117 and 18.4%, respectively, over control (T7). The lowest metabolic quotient (MetQ) value of 5.13 mg CO2–C mg−1 MBC h−1 was obtained in the control treatment (T7). The lowest MetQ was recorded in the integrated application of manure + inorganic fertiliser, i.e., 100% NPK + FYM (T6). Similarly, microbial quotient (MiQ) was also higher in treatment T6 (100% NPK + FYM) and lower in T7 (control). It is concluded that the application of inorganic fertiliser alone is insufficient to maintain soil health and sustainability so, combined application of manure plus inorganic fertilisation is the most important nutrient management practice for long-term soil sustainability because it maintains SOC levels in soils for long periods and ultimately ensures the soil health of soybean–wheat cropping systems in the vertisols of semi-arid regions.

IntroductionSARS-CoV-2 infection increases the risk of secondary bacterial and fungal infections and contributes to adverse outcomes. The present study was undertaken to get better insights into the extent of secondary bacterial and fungal infections in Indian hospitalized patients and to assess how these alter the course of COVID-19 so that the control measures can be suggested.MethodsThis is a retrospective, multicentre study where data of all RT-PCR positive COVID-19 patients was accessed from Electronic Health Records (EHR) of a network of 10 hospitals across 5 North Indian states, admitted during the period from March 2020 to July 2021.The data included demographic profile of patients, clinical characteristics, laboratory parameters, treatment modalities, and outcome in those with secondary infections (SIs) and those without SIs. Spectrum of SIS was also studied in detail.ResultsOf 19852 RT-PCR positive SARS-CO2 patients admitted during the study period, 1940 (9.8%) patients developed SIs. Patients with SIs were 8 years older on average (median age 62.6 years versus 54.3 years; PThe most common site of infection was urinary tract infection (UTI) (41.7%), followed by blood stream infection (BSI) (30.8%), sputum/BAL/ET fluid (24.8%), and the least was pus/wound discharge (2.6%). As many as 13.4% had infections with more than organism and 34.1% patients had positive cultures from more than one site. Gram negative bacilli (GNB) were the commonest organisms (63.2%), followed by Gram positive cocci (GPC) (19.6%) and fungus (17.3%). Most of the patients with SIs were on multiple antimicrobials – the most commonly used were the BL-BLI for GNBs (76.9%) followed by carbapenems (57.7%), cephalosporins (53.9%) and antibiotics carbapenem resistant entreobacteriace (47.1%). The usage of emperical antibiotics for GPCs was in 58.9% and of antifungals in 56.9% of cases, and substantially more than the results obtained by culture.The average stay in hospital for patients with SIs was twice than those without SIs (median 13 days versus 7 days). The overall mortality in the group with SIs (40.3%) was more than 8 times of that in those without SIs (4.6%). Only 1.2% of SI patients with mild COVID-19 at presentation died, while 17.5% of those with moderate disease and 58.5% of those with severe COVID-19 died (P< 0.001). The mortality was highest in those with BSI (49.8%), closely followed by those with HAP (47.9%), and then UTI and SSTI (29.4% each). The mortality rate where only one microorganism was identified was 37.8% and rose to 56.3% in those with more than one microorganism. The mortality in cases with only one site of infection was 28.8%, which steeply rose to 62.5% in cases with multiple sites of infection. The mortality in diabetic patients with SIs was 45.2% while in non-diabetics it was 34.3% (p < 0.001).ConclusionsSecondary bacterial and fungal infections can complicate the course of almost 10% of COVID-19 hospitalised patients. These patients tend to not only have a much longer stay in hospital, but also a higher requirement for oxygen and ICU care. The mortality in this group rises steeply by as much as 8 times. The group most vulnerable to this complication are those with more severe COVID-19 illness, elderly, and diabetic patients. Varying results in different studies suggest that a region or country specific guideline be developed for appropriate use of antibiotics and antifungals to prevent their overuse in such cases. Judicious empiric use of combination antimicrobials in this set of vulnerable COVID-19 patients can save lives.

A 6-row pre-emergence herbicide strip-application system was designed and developed at ICAR-CIAE, Bhopal as an attachment to inclined-plate planter to apply herbicide at the time of sowing in widely spaced crops to control weeds along the crop rows, often not possible in mechanical weeding. It consisted of a frame on which 6 flat fan spray nozzles were mounted by means of clamps, a single action piston pump with 9 l/min capacity, pressure regulator valve and pressure gauge and pressure pipes. The spacing between the spray nozzles, angle and height of spray nozzles can be varied by adjusting the clamps. The developed system has ability of strip as well as blanket application of herbicide. The same machine can be used as post-emergence herbicide/pesticide applicator after the removal of furrow openers and increasing the height of nozzles from the ground. The machine was tested and evaluated during Kharif season for soybean and pigeon pea crops. The field capacity of the developed system was found to be 0.4 ha/h. The operating cost of the pre-emergence herbicide applicator with inclined plate planter was worked out as Rs 1350/- per ha. It can save about 40-50% herbicide.

Most of the agricultural operations in India are performed manually with hand tools and equipment by female agricultural workers. This prompted designers to use female anthropometric data in designing of farm equipment and workplaces in order to reduce drudgery, to enhance safety, to improve performance, productivity and efficiency. A study was conducted to collect the anthropometric data of selected 30 female agricultural workers in the age group of 22-54 years from Madhya Pradesh state. For design of agricultural tools, equipment and workplaces the important, thirty eight body dimensions including weight were identified and measured. The values of mean, standard deviation (SD), minimum, maximum, coefficient of variation (CV) and 1st, 5th, 50th, 95th and 99th percentile values were calculated of selected body dimensions. The mean weight and stature of female agricultural workers were found to be 53 kg and 1536 mm, respectively. A large variation in anthropometric dimensions in the anthropometric data of female farm workers of different states of India and other countries was observed. Pearson correlation coefficients (PCC) were calculated among selected anthropometric dimensions of subjects. The correlation coefficients of measured data varied from 0.65-0.98.

A pedal-operated cleaner-cum-grader having common bicycle chain-sprocket mechanism to get the speeds of 240 and 720 rpm of eccentric shaft and blower shaft, respectively for the desired cleaning/grading of grains was developed earlier by CIAE, Bhopal. Also, in order to utilize the human energy in more efficient way through pedalling mode, CIAE has recently developed a dynapod. The dynapod is a pedal operated rotary device, which can be used as an interface between human worker and any rotary-type machine. The developed dynapod was used to operate the cleaner-cum-grader to assess the drudgery reduction in its operation in comparison to original pedalling mechanism. The dynapod was interfaced with the cleaner-cum-grader by carrying out minor modifications in the original unit. Eight male agricultural workers with mean stature and weight as 168.4 cm and 54.4 kg, respectively participated in the study. The cleaner-cum-grader was used for cleaning and grading of soybean grains. Heart rate of the workers was measured during operation of cleaner-cum-grader using the dynapod as well as the original pedalling mechanism. Mean working heart rate during operation of machine with original pedalling mechanism was 114 beats min-1 as against 108 beats min-1 in case of pedalling with dynapod. The work pulse (ÄHR) with the original pedalling mechanism was 35 beats min-1 as against 29 beats min-1 during pedalling with dynapod. The output capacity of the machine increased from 303 kg h-1 in case of original pedalling mechanism to 345 kg h-1 with dynapod. Considering the cardiac cost as well as output of the machine, the drudgery reduction by using dynapod with cleaner-cum-grader was about 25.4% as compared to the original pedalling mechanism.

An ergonomic evaluation cleaner-cum-grader with original cycle mechanism and ICAR-CIAE developed dynapod was conducted. The study was conducted with 15 male subjects aged between 20-40 years, mean stature of 1640 ±40 mm and mean weight of 54 ±5 kg. The maximum aerobic capacities of the subjects were determined using sub-maximal exercise protocol. The mean working heart rate of the subjects in operation of machine with original cycle mechanism was 157 beats min-1 as against 125 beats min-1 with dynapod. The work pulse (ΔHR) of 57 beats min-1 and 31 beats min-1 was observed for pedaling with cycle mechanism and dynapod, respectively. The output capacity of machine increased by 41 kg h-1 with use of dynapod compared to pedaling with cycle mechanism. Using dynapod in operation of cleaner-cum-grader resulted in drudgery reduction by 51.6 % as compared to the original cycle mechanism.

Cr3C2-25NiCr coating was deposited by high velocity oxy-fuel spray (HVOF) process. The microstructural and mechanical characterization of coating was carried out. The wear rate increased with applied load and maximum wear rate and lower coefficient of friction (COF) was observed at higher loads. The friction and wear response of the coating was rationalized with respect to mechanism of wear and composition of tribo oxides. The lower COF observed at higher loads was due to formation of tribooxide film, which acted as lubricant. The carbide fracture, carbide pull out, delamination cracking and splat fracture were important mechanisms of materials removal

Cassava harvesting is highly labour intensive and a partially mechanized operation. Development of a separate cassava stem harvester and incorporation with available cassava digger enhance then harvesting efficiency. To optimize the stem harvester design, this study investigated the effect of blade thickness, approach angle and shear angle on specific cutting energy and cutting index. The treatment with 20oshear angle, 30o approach angle and 6mm thickness yielded the minimum specific cutting energy and best quality of cut cassava stem respectively.

Background Robot-assisted thoracoscopic thymectomy has brought new challenges to the anaesthesiologists. Here we present a study of 17 patients undergoing robotic thymectomy. Patients and methods The present study was a prospective study, which included 17 patients with myasthenia gravis scheduled for robot-assisted thoracoscopic thymectomy. Preoperatively, all scheduled medications were continued along with incentive spirometry.In the operating room, routine monitors were attached. Radial artery cannula and central venous catheter were inserted. Anaesthesia was induced with fentanyl, propofol and sevoflurane in oxygen and nitrous oxide. The neuromuscular blockade was achieved with atracurium. Airway was secured with double lumen tube. The capnography, entropy, neuromuscular junction and temperature monitoring were initiated. After patient positioning, one-lung ventilation was initiated prior to insertion of trocar. Thereafter, the robot was docked and surgery was started. During the surgical dissection, capnomediastinum was created. At the end of the surgery, double lumen tube was changed to single lumen endotracheal tube size. After extubation in ICU, continuous positive airway pressure of 5 mmHg was administered. Results Intraoperatively, all patients had transient episodes of arrhythmias and hypotension. The airway pressure increased from 23.7 +/- 2 to 28 +/- 2.7 cmH2O and central venous pressure increased from 12.9 +/- 1 to 19.2 +/- 1.6 mmHg after creation of capnomediastinum. The accidental rent in the right-sided pleura occurred in two patients. Intraoperatively, ventilatory difficulty was encountered in another two patients. One patient had brachial plexus injury. Two patients had hoarseness of voice. Summary Refinement of the surgical technique is required to avoid compression by robotic arms on any portion of the patient, particularly the upper extremities. The use of beanbag for positioning of the ipsilateral arm needs to be evaluated further. The double lumen tube is to be positioned in such a way as to avoid any obstacle in the movement of robotic arm. We suggest pulse oximeter and arterial blood pressure monitoring in the abducted arm ipsilateral to the surgical approach. The airway pressure and capnography are to be monitored continuously for detection of capnothorax. Patient of robot-assisted thoracoscopic thymectomy should be observed for any nerve injury.

Summary Background: Opioids continue to remain the primary analgesics in children undergoing ophthalmic surgery, and their use may be associated with adverse effects like vomiting and respiratory depression. Topical anesthesia avoids these adverse effects and also complications of regional blocks. We designed this study to verify whether topical anesthesia with lignocaine gel is a feasible alternative to intravenous (IV) fentanyl for pediatric cataract surgery. Methods: One hundred ASA I and II children aged 3–12 years, scheduled for cataract surgery were included in this study. After induction of anesthesia, children were randomized to Group F (fentanyl), who received 2 mcg·kg−1 IV fentanyl for analgesia and Group G (lignocaine gel), who received 2% lignocaine gel applied over the cornea of the operative eye. Anesthesia was maintained with isoflurane and oxygen in nitrous oxide. All children received intramuscular ketorolac. Intraoperative supplementary analgesia was provided with 0.5 mcg·kg−1 IV fentanyl to manage increases in heart rate or blood pressure of 20% above baseline. In the postoperative period, Aldrete score and objective pain score were assessed. Rescue analgesia was provided with fentanyl in the postanesthesia care unit and syrup ibuprofen in the ward. Results: Significantly more children in group F (8/48) required intraoperative supplementary fentanyl as compared with group G (1/48) (P = 0.0291). In the PACU, 7/48 children of group G needed fentanyl as compared with 5/48 children in group F. Time to reach Aldrete 10 was significantly longer in group F (P = 0.01). Conclusions: Topical lignocaine gel is an effective analgesic and may be used as an adjunct to fentanyl during cataract surgery in children.