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ABSTRACT Split-virion-inactivated influenza vaccines are formulated based on viral hemagglutinin content. These vaccines also contain the viral neuraminidase (NA) protein, but NA content is not standardized and varies between manufacturers. In clinical studies and animal models, antibodies directed toward NA reduced disease severity and viral load; however, the impact of vaccine-induced NA immunity on airborne transmission of influenza A viruses is not well characterized. Therefore, we evaluated if vaccination against NA could disrupt chains of airborne transmission for the 2009 pandemic H1N1 virus in ferrets. Immunologically naïve donor ferrets were infected with the 2009 pandemic H1N1 virus and then paired in transmission cages with mock- or NA-vaccinated respiratory contacts. The mock- and NA-vaccinated animals were then monitored daily for infection, and once infected, these animals were paired with a naive secondary respiratory contact. In these studies, all mock- and NA-vaccinated animals became infected; however, NA-vaccinated animals shed significantly less virus for fewer days relative to mock-vaccinated animals. For the secondary contacts, 6/6 and 5/6 animals became infected after exposure to mock- and NA-vaccinated animals, respectively. To determine if vaccine-induced immune pressure selected for escape variants, we sequenced viruses recovered from ferrets. No mutations in NA became enriched during transmission. These findings indicate that despite reducing viral load, vaccine-induced NA immunity does not prevent infection during continuous airborne exposure and subsequent onward airborne transmission of the 2009 pandemic H1N1 virus.IMPORTANCEIn humans and animal models, immunity against neuraminidase (NA) reduces disease severity and viral replication during influenza infection. However, we have a limited understanding of the impact of NA immunity on viral transmission. Using chains of airborne transmission in ferrets as a strategy to simulate a more natural route of infection, we assessed if vaccine-induced NA immunity could disrupt transmission of the 2009 pandemic H1N1 virus. The 2009 pandemic H1N1 virus transmitted efficiently through chains of transmission in the presence of NA immunity, but NA-vaccinated animals shed significantly less virus and had accelerated viral clearance. To determine if immune pressure led to the generation of escape variants, viruses in ferret nasal wash samples were sequenced, and no mutations in NA were identified. These findings demonstrate that vaccine-induced NA immunity is not sufficient to prevent infection via airborne exposure and onward airborne transmission of the 2009 pandemic H1N1 virus.

Construction sites are well known for the inherent risks that negatively impact the safety and well-being of workers. Identifying and minimising these hazards is critical for preventing accidents and creating a safe working environment. Traditional techniques of hazards identification in construction rely on visual assessments and professional expertise, which can be time-consuming and subjective. The goal of this research is to identify traits that indicate potential dangers in the construction industry by extracting meaningful information from accident narratives. This will be achieved through the application of a rule-based iteration approach, using the Natural Language Toolkit (NLTK) for keyword extraction and text tokenization. It is a branch of artificial intelligence and computational linguistics concerned with the interaction of computers and human language. The research methodology involves the utilization of NLTK and the application of a rule-based iteration approach to extract hazards from construction-related accident narratives. The proposed approach includes gathering accident narratives, pre-processing data, and textual analysis with NLP tool for information extraction and training the algorithm with identified attributes. The textual analysis eventually leads to the extraction of significant sources of dangers that cause accidents. The study contributes to the developing subject of construction safety management by utilizing the capabilities of NLP to enhance hazard detection, resulting in safer construction practices and lower occupational hazards. The findings emphasise the accuracy with which NLP approaches detect dangers, allowing construction professionals to proactively decrease risks and enhance overall safety on construction sites.

The Savonius hydrokinetic turbine (SHT) is widely used for generating electricity from running water. However, most optimization work has been carried out on conventional blades with similar concave and convex profiles. This study aims to enhance SHT performance by modifying the rotor blades' outer surface radius (0.079, 0.087 and 0.095 m) to create a semi-elliptical shape, thus reducing opposing forces. The tip speed ratio (TSR) varies from 0.5 to 1.3 with an interval of 0.1. A constant channel velocity of 0.8 m/s at Re = 2.25 × 105 is considered for the analysis. The flow field has been numerically investigated using the SST k - ω model. This study comprises the angular variation in the coefficients of power (Cp) and torque (Cm), performance curves of the rotor, and pressure distribution on the blade surface at different angular positions. It is observed that the rotor with a radius of 0.095 m has a maximum Cp value of 0.142, which is 7.57% and 18.33% higher than the Cp values of rotors with radii of 0.079 m and 0.087 m, respectively. The maximum power output of the rotor with a radius of 0.095 m is 2.32 W, whereas the power outputs of the rotors with radii of 0.087 m and 0.079 m are 2.16 W and 1.96 W, respectively. An increase in the instantaneous values of Cm between rotation angles 0◦ to 115◦ is observed, during which the returning blades mainly interact with the incoming stream. The pressure decreases as the radius of the semi-elliptical outer surface increases at rotor positions ranging from 0◦ to 225◦, but it increases at rotor positions ranging from 270◦ to 315◦.

Biofortification is a global-scale agricultural approach that can improve human nutrition. Agronomic biofortification is viewed as a quick-fix and supplemental approach. Agronomic biofortification, especially foliar application, is highly effective for zinc and iron. A field experiment on agronomic biofortification of zinc and iron micronutrients in mango cv. Kesar was carried out in 2016-2017 at the Regional Horticultural Research Station, ASPEE College of Horticulture and Forestry, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari (Gujarat). The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications containing 9 treatments. The results show that foliar application of ZnSO4 and FeSO4 (0.5% each) resulted in higher N (48.73 mg/100 g) and K (94.17 mg/100 g) in the pulp and P (0.056%) in the peel of mango. The iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) contents in pulp and peel were highest in treatment T9 (0.50% FeSO4 + 0.50% ZnSO4), which was on par with those in treatment T8 (0.50% FeSO4 + 0.25% ZnSO4).

The resilience of a bridge is computed using different quantitative and qualitative assessment methodologies. However, the resilience score obtained by these assessment approaches is insufficient for the decision-makers for setting a priority level for bridges in need of resilience improvement. To address this issue, the present study develops a methodology using the data envelopment analysis (DEA) approach. A total of 12 bridges are selected as the decision-making units in the DEA model. This study considers the variables such as age, area, design high flood level, and finish road level of the bridge as inputs, and bridge resilience index as the output variable. Based on these variables, three frameworks are developed to compute the efficiency of bridge resilience. A variable return to scale with the output-oriented formulation of DEA is selected to compute the efficiency of bridge resilience in all three frameworks. Thus, the proposed methodology enables bridge owners to set a priority level for bridges in need of resilience improvement based on the scores of the assessment methodology.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused a pandemic. As immunity to endemic human coronaviruses (i.e. NL63 or OC43) wanes leading to re-infection, it was unknown if SARS-CoV-2 immunity would also decline permitting repeat infections. Recent case reports confirm previously infected individuals can become re-infected; however, re-infection may be due to heterogeneity in the initial infection or the host immune response, or may be the result of infection with a variant strain that escapes pre-existing immunity. To control these variables, we utilized the Syrian hamster model to evaluate the duration of immunity and susceptibility to re-infection with SARS-CoV-2. Hamsters were given a primary mock or SARS-CoV-2 infection (culture media or 105 TCID50 USA/WA1/2020 isolate, respectively). Mock and SARS-CoV-2 infected hamsters were then given a secondary SARS-CoV-2 infection at 1, 2, 4, or 6 months post-primary infection (n = 14/time point/group). After the primary SARS-CoV-2 infection, hamsters developed anti-spike protein IgG, IgA, and neutralizing antibodies, and these antibodies were maintained for at least 6 months. Upon secondary SARS-CoV-2 challenge, previously SARS-CoV-2 infected animals were protected from weight loss, while all previously mock-infected animals became infected and lost weight. Importantly, despite having high titres of antibodies, one SARS-CoV-2 infected animal re-challenged at 4 months had a breakthrough infection with replicating virus in the upper and lower respiratory tract. These studies demonstrate immunity to SARS-CoV-2 is maintained for 6 months; however, protection may be incomplete and, even in the presence of high antibody titres, previously infected hosts may become re-infected.

Gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) is an important in manufacturing industries where it is significant to control the mechanical and metallurgical characteristics and its weld bead geometry. This research work has been committed to study the influence of oxide fluxes on welding of 4 mm thick 304 austenitic stainless steel plates. The Al2O3 and TiO2 were used as an oxide flux in powder form and are mixed with the acetone. The prepared mixture is then applied on bead plate without any joint preparation and without filler wire addition. The Taguchi method with L9 orthogonal array has been used to determine the optimal weld process parameters. The current work aims to explore the influence of weld parameters on weld bead geometry (i.e. weld bead width, penetration and angular distortion), and mechanical and metallurgical characteristics for 304 stainless steel welds. The oxide flux seems to narrow the arc and thereby the current density increases at the anode spot, that results in high weld depth

We have demonstrated the fabrication of both armchair and zigzag epitaxial graphene nanoribbon (GNR) devices on 4H–SiC using a polymer-assisted sublimation growth method. The phenomenon of terrace step formation has traditionally introduced the risk of GNR deformation along sidewalls, but a polymer-assisted sublimation method helps mitigate this risk. Each type of 50 nm wide GNR is examined electrically and optically (armchair and zigzag), with the latter method being a check on the quality of the GNR devices and the former using alternating current to investigate resistance attenuation from frequencies above 100 Hz. Rates of attenuation are determined for each type of GNR device, revealing subtle suggested differences between armchair and zigzag GNRs.

Aim: To study the safety profile and effectiveness of Anti Snake venom (ASV) in western India Methods: This retrospective study gathered safety, and clinicoepidemiologicaldata on 157 patients admitted at Shri Sainath Hospital, Dharampur, Gujarat, from July 2022 to February 2023. Results: Majority were bitten between August and November. There were 88 males, 5 to70 yrs. (mean 39.14), 69 females, 2 to 70 years (mean 40.32). 6 of these were children ranging from 2 to 12 years.134 were agricultural labourers. 120 cases were analysable. 17 had neurotoxicity and 103 had haemotoxicity. Mean (SD) number of vials used was 10.1(6.2), time to discontinue ASV was 3.0(5.2) hours, and duration of hospital stay was 4.5(2.6) days. Patients bitten by saw scaled vipers were discharged early. In Russel’s Viper bites, number of vials used, was higher if the bite to needle time was less than 6 hours 9 patients suffered 24 adverse events, with two possible cases of anaphylaxis. One case had urticaria, itching and tachycardia as a triad. The remaining were isolated events of mild urticaria, itching, tachycardia, hypotension, cough, rigor. Conclusion: 10.1 vials were needed on average for control of envenomation with no fatalities or severe comorbidities. Adverse events were reported in 5.7% cases. The ASV brand used was well tolerated. Patients who were brought late suffered more renal complications [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract People with type 1 and type 2 diabetes are at risk of developing progressive chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage kidney failure. Hypertension is a major, reversible risk factor in people with diabetes for development of albuminuria, impaired kidney function, end-stage kidney disease and cardiovascular disease. Blood pressure control has been shown to be beneficial in people with diabetes in slowing progression of kidney disease and reducing cardiovascular events. However, randomised controlled trial evidence differs in type 1 and type 2 diabetes and different stages of CKD in terms of target blood pressure. Activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) is an important mechanism for the development and progression of CKD and cardiovascular disease. Randomised trials demonstrate that RAAS blockade is effective in preventing/ slowing progression of CKD and reducing cardiovascular events in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, albeit differently according to the stage of CKD. Emerging therapy with sodium glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors, non-steroidal selective mineralocorticoid antagonists and endothelin-A receptor antagonists have been shown in randomised trials to lower blood pressure and further reduce the risk of progression of CKD and cardiovascular disease in people with type 2 diabetes. This guideline reviews the current evidence and makes recommendations about blood pressure control and the use of RAAS-blocking agents in different stages of CKD in people with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is inherently low in protein content, Zn and Fe. Boost yield gains have unwittingly reduced grain Zn and Fe, which has had negative impacts on human health. The aim of this study was to understand the inheritance of grain yield per plant and grain Fe, Zn, and protein concentrations in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under normal and late sown conditions. Half diallel crosses were performed using 10 parents. The crosses and parents were evaluated in replicated trials for the two conditions, to assess the possibility of exploiting heterosis to improve micronutrient contents. The per se performance, heterosis, combining ability, and genetic components were estimated for different characters in both environments. The results revealed that hybrid GW 451 × GW 173 exhibited better parent heterosis (BPH) and standard heterotic effects (SH) in all environments. In both sowing conditions, the general combining ability (GCA) effects of poor × poor parents also showed high specific combining ability (SCA) effects of hybrids for both the micronutrients and protein contents. However, σ2A/σ2D greater than unity confirmed the preponderance of additive gene action for protein content, and GW 173 was identified as a good general combiner for these characteristics under both environments. SCA had positive significant (P < 0.001) correlations with BPH, SH1, SH2, and the phenotype for yield component traits and grain protein, Fe, and Zn concentrations in both conditions. A supplementary approach for biofortifying wheat grainis required to prevent malnutrition.

The experiment was conducted in the Department of Seed Science and Technology, B A College of Agriculture, Anand Agricultural University, Anand to know the influence on seed quality parameters under different temperature and artificial ageing treatment in cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.). Two varieties were tested for seed quality, viz. Gujarat Cumin 1 (GC 1) and Gujarat Cumin 4 (GC 4). The laboratory experiment was laid out in completely randomized design (factorial concept) with four temperature treatments (10oC, 15oC, 20oC and 25oC) and three repetitions. The artificial ageing experiment consisted of three ageing treatments (0 day, 3 days and 5 days) with four repetitions. The experiment results revealed that, the different temperature regimes showed significant effect on seed germination and other quality parameters in cumin genotypes. The GC-1 interacting with 20oC was higher for different quality parameters like first count (45.66%), final count (94%), seedling length (9.33 cm), seedling fresh weight (219.66 mg), seedling dry weight (10.76 mg), seedling vigour index I (877) and seedling vigour index II (93). In seed ageing experiment, the different days of artificial ageing also showed significant effect on the seed viability and longevity. GC-1 recorded higher germination (55.50%), seedling length (3.45 cm), seedling dry weight (27.57 mg), vigour index –I (192) and vigour index –II (1539) as compared to GC-4 at the end of five days ageing period.

The experiment was conducted during 2020−21 and 2021−22 at Green house complex, AICRP on Plastic Engineering in Agriculture Structure and Environment Management, Departmental of Renewable Energy Engineering, College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Junagadh, Gujarat, India to study the economics of vegetable seedling nursery for high valued broccoli crop for profitable entrepreneurship. Timely sowing and optimizing plant population significantly increase vegetable production. The availability and required seedling in time play a major role in vegetable cultivation. The seedlings of broccoli are transplanted in the rabi season, therefore, farmers have to prepare seedlings in the late monsoon. The germination percentage and survival of seedlings are reduced due to extreme weather condition like frosting, freezing, heat wave, high temperature and excess soil moisture in the open field. Therefore, present work was carried out on the economic feasibility of seedling raising of broccoli in a natural ventilated net-cum-poly house. The seeds of broccoli of Namdhari seeds of F1 were sown in a plug tray in the month of September of the year 2020 and 2021. Plug trays were filled with the mixture of cocopeat and vermicompost in an equal proportion of 1:1 (V/V). The germination was recorded at 94% and each seedling of broccoli was sold for ` 1.60. The Gross Return (GR), Net Return (NR), and benefit-cost ratio of the seedling raising of broccoli were recorded as Rs. 556.80 m-2, Rs. 262.69 m-2 and 1.89, respectively.

Surface texturing plays an increasingly important role as it can directly influence the tribological behaviors of contact surfaces in many ways. In texturing, tribological performance depends upon the types of design texture used and methods of fabricating texture on the surface. In this research work, friction and wear behaviors of surface textured EN-31 alloy steel have been investigated under wet condition by using DUCOM linear reciprocating tribometer. The textured dimples are fabricated by micro-EDM and micro-drilling CNC machining processes. Initially un-textured surfaces of EN-31 alloy steel with EN-8 steel pin are experimented for friction and wear under ISO-68 and ISO-220 lubricant oil. Under the different normal load conditions, it has been observed that the ISO 68 oil gives better friction-wear characteristics with respect to ISO-220 oil. Then after textured surfaces were investigated by using optimized ISO-68 lubricant. Experimental results on micro-EDM provide better friction and wear properties with respect to micro-drilling CNC. Surface texturing may act as wear debris trapper, lubricant reservoirs, hydrodynamic lift, and retarding the lubricant molecules flow in a particular path where potential exists. In this work, it has observed that texturing by micro-EDM enhanced mixed lubrication and minimum friction in mixed lubrication leads to decrement of wear loss

Magnesium alloys have generated renewed interest as a light alloys; replacing some conventional structural materials for weight reduction in applications like aerospace, automotive and electronics industries. In interior components and powertrains, cast alloys are widely used and represent more than 99% of magnesium alloys used today, whereas only a few wrought products are used. Mostly in automotive applications, Mg-engine block can noticeably reduce the weight and consequently its fuel consumption and environmental impact. Due to solid-state precipitates, these alloys are strong in nature and are produced by an age-hardening heat treatment process. In the present work the age-hardening behavior of the as cast Mg�Zn�Al alloys (ZA85 alloy) in the composition of 8 wt. %Zn, 5 wt. %Al has been investigated. Through the differential thermal analysis (DTA) studies, it has been found out that dissolution temperature of ternary eutectic precipitates is present in the alloy. Based on the DTA results, the as cast samples have been solutionised at 360 �C temperature for different intervals of time. Solutionising time has been optimized from the enthalpy values of un-dissolved precipitates. The solution treated samples have been then aged at temperature of 180� C for different time intervals. From the peak hardness values, the ageing conditions have been optimized.

The present investigation was conducted to assess the effect of different seed soaking treatments and media on growth and alkaloid content of Indian cheese maker–Withania coagulans (Stocks) Dunal. to develop effective nursery production technology. The experiment was conducted in completely randomized design with factorial concept, including twenty treatment combinations comprising of four levels of seed treatments with GA3 (0, 50, 100, 150 ppm) and five levels of different growing media. Among various concentrations of GA3 as pre-soaking treatment, 100 ppm GA3 (S3) showed significantly better results for germination, growth, biomass and alkaloid content in W. coagulans. Similarly, among growing media, red soil (M1) recorded maximum germination percentage, collar diameter, number of branches per plant, number of leaves per plant, total leaf area, length of the main root, thickness of main root, root dry biomass, shoot dry biomass, fresh weight of plant, dry weight of plant, survival percentage of the plant and total alkaloid content of plant. Overall, the result indicated that that pre-sowing W. coagulans seeds with GA3 -150 ppm for 24 hrs and subsequently sowing treated seeds in M1 media comprising of red soil (control) can enhance growth and alkaloid content.

Improving yield is the main aim of plant breeders. In the case of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum), a major challenge in this regard is genotype–environment interactions, and a knowledge of these is required to successfully select high-yielding genotypes. In this study, graphical and numerical approaches of diallel analysis have been used to reveal such interactions. Ten different wheat genotypes were crossed using a half-diallel approach. The parents, hybrids, and standard checks were evaluated at the Regional Research Station, Anand Agricultural University, Gujarat, Anand, India under both standard and late-sown conditions in two separate years (E1 and E2 (normal-18 November 2018 and late sown-10 December 2018, respectively, Rabi 2018–2019), E3 and E4 (normal-18 November 2019 and late sown-10 December 2019, respectively, Rabi 2019–2020)). For each sowing, ‘t2’ values were calculated for eleven phenotypic characteristics: days to 50% heading, days to maturity, plant height, number of effective tillers per plant, length of main stem, number of spikelets per main spike, number of grains per main spike, grain yield per main spike, grain yield per plant, 1000-grain weight, and harvest index. Components of the gene effect revealed that the number of spikelets per main spike in E2 and E4, and the number of grains per main spike in E2 were governed by both additive and dominance gene action across the environments. Other characteristics were the greater influence of the dominance gene effect, except for days to 50% heading in E1, E2, E3, and E4; days to maturity in E2, E3, and E4; grain yield per main spike in E4. Many characteristics exhibited overdominance, an asymmetrical distribution of positive–negative, dominance–recessive genes, and narrow-sense heritability in all environments. In graphical analysis, regression value ‘b’ was unity for days to 50% heading (E1 and E4) and 1000-grain weight (E3 and E4), which revealed an absence of digenic interactions for these characteristics in the respective environments. Therefore, a given population may be improved to isolate superior recombinants for the development of desired parents in future breeding programs.

Wheat is one of the main cereals. At this time, the crucial difficulty in improving nutritional traits is the influence on genotypes of different environments. Selecting superior genotypes on the basis of a gene effects analysis for varying environments is demanded. In this study, 10 different genotypes of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) were used. Parents, hybrids, and two standard checks were evaluated in a complete randomized block design with three replicates in four environments: E1 and E2 (normal and late sown, Rabi 2018-19) & E3 and E4 (normal and late sown, Rabi 2019-20). The analysis of the components of the gene effect revealed that most of the characters were governed by additive and dominant gene actions in the environments; for gluten, the wet gluten (E2) and starch (E3) content were the only dominant components (H1 and H2) with a significant gene effect. Overdominance, asymmetrical distribution of positive–negative and dominant–recessive genes, and narrow-sense heritability were observed in most of the characters in all environments. In a graphical analysis, the regression value b was observed to be in unity among protein content (E1 and E3), sedimentation value (E1, E2, and E3), and starch content (E1), indicating the absence of digenic interactions. Based on the intercept of the regression line on the Wr axis, the degree of dominance for protein content (E1 and E3), sedimentation value (E1, E2, and E3), and starch content (E1) was depicted as overdominance. Therefore, a given population may be improved to isolate superior recombinants for the development of desired parents in future breeding programs.

A gas jet produced by adiabatic expansion of gas through a slit nozzle into a vacuum has been served as a target in the study of high harmonic generation or laser wakefield electron acceleration. In this work, Mach–Zehnder interferometry was utilized to obtain the gas density distribution in an argon cluster gas jet produced from a supersonic slit nozzle. The interference fringe distortion caused by the gas jet along the slit width under high backing pressure was recorded and inverted to a gas density profile. The gas backing pressure was up to 80 bars to obtain a gas jet with a higher density. It is found that the gas density in the jet is not uniform along the width direction of the slit nozzle and is the highest at the center of the jet. Along the gas jet, the highest gas density roughly decreases linearly. However, a steep density gradient is observed at P0 = 60–80 bars. Meanwhile, the highest gas density depends linearly on the gas backing pressure and the degree of dependence gradually decreases along the gas jet.

Titanium and titanium alloys can be welded by gas tungsten arc, gas metal arc, plasma arc and electron beam welding processes. Titanium material is a reactive metal and is sensitive to embrittlement by oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen gas at elevated temperatures. Consequently, the metal must be protected from atmospheric contamination. This can be provided by shielding the metal with welding grade inert gas. The present work describes the application of TIG arc welding to titanium and investigated the effect of welding parameters like weld current, weld gap and gas flow rate on mechanical properties of welded joints of unalloyed commercially pure titanium Gr-2 materials. Taguchi optimization method has been used to find out optimal setting of parameters for weld joints characterization. The welded joints showed maximum ultimate tensile strength of about 429MPa with percentage elongation of 23.33%. A significant grain coarsening has noticed in the fusion zone consisting of a-phase in different direction bounded by -phase. The hardness value at fusion zone and base metal are typically observed to be 235HV and 145HV respectively.

Abstract Farming in India is experiencing a structural change leading to a crisis. The growth rate of agricultural output is steadily declining in recent years. The relative contribution of the farming sector to the total GDP has been decreasing over time increasingly. The present study was conducted in Ahmedabad district of Gujarat, India. Total 100 agricultural landholders from 20 villages were selected to identify factors experienced by them for avoiding farming as a livelihood by employing Ex-Post-Facto research design. It is observed that ‘r’ computed between factors to avoid agriculture as a livelihood and age (0.589), education (0.330), farming experience (0.250), occupation (0.446), livestock possession (0.207), annual income (− 0.236) was found to be significant at 0.01 level of significance. It could be observed from regression analysis that the personal factors had a powerful effect (0.730) on avoiding agriculture as a profession, influencing in a positive direction. Followed by this, economic factor (0.291) and social factor (0.229) also influenced positively and significantly. The information on the personal, social, economic, psychological, market, situational, labor and next-generation factors experienced by agricultural landholders is analyzed to have in-depth knowledge of each factor. The analyzed suggestions will help to make agriculture a profitable enterprise and attract the farmers and youths to continue the farming activities. The solution to the problem is not in a few packages and programs but in drastic changes in the present policies related to agriculture need to be focused. Other sector’s growth and development must not be at the cost of agriculture.

Surface texturing plays a significant role on the tribological performance of contact surfaces. The tribological characteristics are mostly dependent upon the different pattern and methods of surface texturing. This research works investigates lubricated wear behaviour on circular dimples textured EN-31 alloy steel materials using DUCOM linear reciprocating tribometer. The surface dimples are fabricated by micro-EDM and micro-drilling CNC methods. Initially plane surfaces are tested under different lubricants ISO-68 and ISO-220 oil on a couple of EN31 plates with EN8 steel pin. At loading conditions the results clearly shows that the ISO 68 oil gives better performance than ISO-220 oil in terms of frictional force and COF. The operation during test under ISO-220 oil observed is very noisy and wear rate is also more. Then after experiments under different load conditions on textured surfaces were investigated using optimized ISO-68 oil. An experimental results on m-EDM provides superior frictional characteristics with respect to m-CNC. Surface texturing may act as wear debris trapper, lubricant reservoirs, hydrodynamic lift, and retarding the lubricant molecules flow in a particular path where potential exists. Here micro-dimples EDM surface textures can enhance mixed lubrication and in mixed lubrication the friction is least and this may leads to decrement of wear loss.

Magnesium alloys have generated renewed interest as a light alloys; replacing some conventional structural materials for weight reduction in applications like aerospace, automotive and electronics industries. In interior components and powertrains, cast alloys are widely used and represent more than 99% of magnesium alloys used today, whereas only a few wrought products are used. Mostly in automotive applications, Mg-engine block can noticeably reduce the weight and consequently its fuel consumption and environmental impact. Due to solid-state precipitates, these alloys are strong in nature and are produced by an age-hardening heat treatment process. In the present work the age hardening behavior of the as cast Mg–Zn–Al alloys (ZA85 alloy) in the composition of 8 wt. %Zn, 5 wt. %Al has been investigated. Through the differential thermal analysis (DTA) studies, it has been found out that dissolution temperature of ternary eutectic precipitates is present in the alloy. Based on the DTA results, the as cast samples have been solutionised at 360 °C temperature for different intervals of time. Solutionising time has been optimized from the enthalpy values of un-dissolved precipitates. The solution treated samples have been then aged at temperature of 180° C for different time intervals. From the peak hardness values, the ageing conditions have been optimized.

The breeding efforts were made at Sardarkrushinagar (Gujarat) during 2006-07 to 2015-16 for development of castor (Ricinus communis) hybrid suitable for irrigated and rainfed condition. The castor hybrid GCH 8 (SHB 896) was evaluated in IVHT, AVHT-I and AVHT-II (irrigated and rainfed) along with checks, viz. DCH 177, DCH 519 and GCH 7 at different AICRP (castor) locations during 2013-14 to 2015-16. The hybrid GCH 8 (SHB 896) exhibited wider adaptability and consistent superiority in seed yield and oil yield under irrigated as well as rainfed conditions over checks during the years of evaluation. On the basis of weighted mean, GCH 8 yielded 18.95 q/ha and 35.88 q/ ha over checks, viz. DCH 177, DCH 519, and GCH 7 to the tune of 16.03, 14.02, and 13.01 % & 16.19, 17.64 and 16.57 % higher under rainfed and irrigated condition, respectively. This hybrid also recorded 48.30 % and 48.60 % oil content in seed with extract on an average 9.15 q/ha and 16.37 q/ha oil yield under rainfed and irrigated condition, respectively. This hybrid has profuse branching, tolerance to lodging and resistant to shattering. It was resistant against major diseases like wilt and root rot and showed at par as well as somewhat less attack of major insect pests of castor like semilooper, Spodoptera, leaf hopper, white fly, capsule borer and thrips.

The use of multiple current terminals on millimeter-scale graphene p-n junction devices fabricated with Corbino geometries, or quantum Hall resistance dartboards, has enabled the measurement of several fractional multiples of the quantized Hall resistance at the ν = 2 plateau (RH ≈ 12 906 Ω). Experimentally obtained values agreed with the corresponding numerical simulations performed with the LTspice circuit simulator. More complicated designs of the quantum Hall resistance dartboard were simulated to establish the potential parameter space within which these Corbino-type devices could output resistance. Most importantly, these measurements support simpler processes of ultraviolet lithography as a more efficient means of scaling up graphene-based device sizes while maintaining sufficiently narrow junctions.

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Doublesynch and Estradoublesynch protocols on estrus induction, conception rates, plasma progesterone, protein, and cholesterol profile in anestrus Gir heifers. Materials and Methods: In this study, 50 pubertal anestrus Gir heifers were selected from the field and farm conditions. The heifers were dewormed (injection ivermectin, 100 mg, s/c) and supplemented with minerals and vitamins (injection organic phosphorus 800 mg and injection Vitamin AD3E and Biotin 10 ml i/m) and multi-mineral bolus at 1 bolus daily for 7 days. The heifers were randomly divided into three groups: Doublesynch (n=20), Estradoublesynch (n=20), and control (n=10). The animals were monitored for estrus response, estrus interval, behavioral signs, and conception rates after induced/first, second, and third cycle post-treatment. Blood samples were obtained on day 0, day 9, day 12, and on day 12 post-artificial insemination (AI) for determination of plasma progesterone, protein, and cholesterol profile. Results: The estrus response rate between Doublesynch and Estradoublesynch protocols was similar between treated heifers (85% and 95%). The interval from the second prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) injection to estrus induction did not differ between the groups (63.87±4.19 vs. 58.27±3.83 h). The conception rates following induced estrus (20% vs. 30%), at the second cycle (23.07% vs. 16.66%), at the third cycle (22.22% vs. 30.00%), and the overall conception rate (45% and 55%) within 27.89±5.75 and 26.45±5.48 days were the same across the treatment groups. The mean plasma progesterone concentrations were significantly (p

Context: Elder abuse has devastating consequences such as poor quality of life, psychological distress and loss of property and security. Abuse of elderly patients with depression has not been adequately researched in India. Aims: To explore the prevalence and predictors of abuse and its relation to various sociodemographic variables in elderly patients with depression. Settings and Design: A cross-sectional, observational study carried out at a tertiary care centre in Jamnagar. Methods and Materials: In all, 100 elderly patients with depression, attending Out Patient Department of Psychiatry at Shree M. P. Shah Government Medical College and Guru Gobind Singh Hospital, Jamnagar, were selected using simple random sampling by lottery method. Actual Abuse Tool and Elder Abuse Suspicion Index were used to detect abuse. Geriatric Depression Scale was used to assess depression, and Mini Mental State Examination was used to rule out dementia. Statistical Analysis: Descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, and binary logistic regression were used. Results: The prevalence of abuse was 24%. Among those who had experienced abuse, 50% had experienced psychological abuse, 17% had experienced neglect, 8% had experienced exploitation and 4% had experienced physical abuse. About 54% of patients with severe depression had experienced abuse. Daughters-in-law (54%) and sons (42%) were the most common perpetrators. Illiteracy and severe depression were found to be the predictors of abuse. Conclusion: Prevalence of abuse in elderly patients with depression is high. Severe depression and illiteracy are important predictors of experiencing abuse.

The effect of different priming treatments were evaluated during 2015–16 and 2016–17 with two wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) varieties V1: GW 496 and V2: Lok 1. The seeds of both the varieties were primed with different priming treatments, viz. P1, GA3 (50 ppm); P2, IAA (100 ppm); P3, KNO3 (3%); P4, KCl (2%); P5, Tricoderma harzianum @10 g/kg and P6, Tricoderma viride @10 g/kg along with unprimed seeds as a control (P7). The variety Lok 1 (V2) showed positive response to different priming treatments and seeds of Lok 1 primed with KNO3 (3%) recorded significantly higher pooled average field emergence (96.42%), number of effective tillers (7.75), spike length (12.99 cm), seed yield per plant (13.55 g), seed yield per plot (2.45 kg) during both the years followed by GA3 (50 ppm) primed seeds which recorded at par values for almost all the seed yield attributes. The unprimed seeds of wheat variety GW 496 recoded significantly lower values for all the observed characters for both the experimental years.

The accelerated ageing test (AAT) has been successfully used to rank and determine germinability of seed lots in various kind and varieties. An experiment was conducted to determine the influence of artificial ageing on seed viability and longevity of wheat seed of 2 varieties, viz. GW 496 and Lok 1. Progressive ageing period resulted in lowered seed quality in both wheat varieties. Combined effect of varieties and ageing duration showed the significant effect on all the observed seed quality parameters and recorded significant variation in these characters during (2015-16 and 2016-17) and in pooled analysis. The fresh seeds (without ageing) of wheat variety Lok 1 recorded highest average pooled germination (97. 50%), seedling vigour index I (2166), seedling vigour index II (20. 32) as well as observed biochemical parameters at the end of 5 days of accelerated ageing. Progressive ageing duration showed negative effect on biochemical parameters of the 5 days aged seeds of wheat variety GW 496 recorded lowest average pooled protein content (9.78%), carbohydrate content (60.36%), α amylase assay (6.19 micromoles/mg/min) and higher electrical conductivity (28.60 μS/cm/g) due to fast deterioration at the end of artificial ageing.

Titanium and Titanium Alloys can be welded by gas tungsten arc, gas metal arc, plasma arc and electron beam welding processes. Titanium material is a reactive metal and is sensitive to embrittlement by oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen gas, at elevated temperatures. Consequently, the metal must be protected from atmospheric contamination. This can be provided by shielding the metal with welding grade inert gas. The present work describes the application of TIG arc welding to titanium and investigated the effect of welding parameters like weld current, weld gap and gas flow rate on mechanical properties of welded joints of unalloyed commercially pure titanium Gr-2 materials. Taguchi optimization method has been used to find out optimal setting of parameters for weld joints characterization. The welded joints showed an ultimate tensile strength of about 429 MPa with 23.33% elongation. A significant grain coarsening is noticed in the fusion zone consisting of α-phase in different direction bounded by β-phase. The hardness value at fusion zone and base metal are typically observed to be 235 and 145HV.

The present investigation was carried out with a view to study the heterosis, combining ability and gene action for seed cotton yield, yield attributing traits, ginning outturn and important fibre quality parameters in tetraploid cotton (G. hirsutum L. and G.barbadense L.). A set of 38 genotypes, including six parents of which three each belonged to G .hirsutum and G. barbadense, 30 crosses and two check hybrids were grown at three Cotton Research Stations viz., Surat, Hansot and Achhalia during kharif 2011-12. The hybrids were developed adopting complete diallel mating design. Analysis of variance showed significant differences amongst parents and hybrids for all the characters indicating presence of genetic variability. The cross G.Cot.20 x G.Cot.16 recorded the highest heterobeltiosis and standard heterosis for seed cotton yield. Combining ability analysis indicated that both additive and non additive gene effects were important in the inheritance of all the traits. The ratio of variance due to GCA to that of SCA was greater than one for plant height, boll weight, seed cotton yield per plant and fibre strength indicating preponderance of additive effects in the inheritance of these characters. On the other hand, σ2GCA:σ2SCA was less than unity for number of sympodia per plant, number of bolls per plant, ginning outturn and 2.5% span length indicating importance of dominance gene effects in the inheritance of these characters. Mean squares due to reciprocal effects were significant for number of sympodia per plant, plant height, bolls per plant, boll weight, seed cotton yield per plant, ginning outturn and 2.5% span length. In general, parents belonging to G.hirsutum species showed good general combining ability for yield and yield components while G.barbadense parents found to be good general combiners for fibre quality traits. Two crosses BC-68-2 x G.Cot.20 and G.Cot.20 x GSB-39 registered significant and positive SCA effects along with significant and positive standard heterosis for seed cotton yield and majority of yield components and fibre quality traits.