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World Health Organization and Bureau of Indian Standards recommend zero tolerance for coliforms in drinking water. A total of 592 drinking sources from 11 districts of Himachal Pradesh, India, were screened for coliform contamination and the presence of fecal origin Escherichia coli. The study revealed contamination levels of 55.6% and 9.6% for coliforms and fecal E. coli, respectively. The coliform contamination levels were significantly higher for natural water sources (67.1%) and public water supplies (59.7%) compared to groundwater sources (31.5%). The presence of fecal-origin E. coli was highest (11.6%) in public supplies, followed by natural (9.9%) and groundwater (4.7%) sources.

Abstract Purpose To assess the potential benefit of impregnating Merocel (a non‐absorbable nasal dressing) with a topical steroid solution, for use as a direct and slow local delivery system of steroids after sinus surgery to improve postoperative wound healing. Methods In this randomized controlled trial, 40 patients with bilateral chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis were subjected to functional endoscopic sinus surgery. Following the completion of the surgery, Merocel packs were inserted in the bilateral nasal cavities and infiltrated with 4 mL triamcinolone (40 mg/mL) in one nasal cavity (treatment group) and 4 mL normal saline in the other (control group). Nasal packs were removed on the third postoperative day and postoperative healing assessment was done on postoperative Weeks 1, 2, 4, and 12. The findings were noted as per Lund Kennedy (LKES) and perioperative sinus endoscopy (POSE) scores and compared on both sides. Results Significant (P

The present study investigated total phenolic contents (TPC), antioxidant activity, and antibacterial activities of aqueous extracts of leaf, bark, flower, and fruit pulp of C. fistula. The TPC of the extracts was determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu method. The 2, 2'-azino-bis 3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6sulfonic acid (ABTS), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and superoxide radical scavenging assays were used to evaluate antioxidant activity. Antibacterial activities were assessed using the well diffusion assay, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). The bacteria tested were Staphylococcus aureus (MTCC 7443) and Escherichia coli (MTCC 2991). It was found that bark extract contained the highest TPC (22.56 ± 0.91 mg of gallic acid equivalent /g of extract). The bark extract also showed the strongest ABTS scavenging activity (IC50=180.13µg/ml), DPPH scavenging activity (IC50=318.77µg /ml), and Superoxide radical scavenging activity (IC50=478.31µg/ml). Zones of Inhibition were observed in all the aqueous extracts against Staphylococcus aureus (MTCC 7443) and Escherichia coli (MTCC 2991). The antibacterial potential of the extracts was found to be dosedependent. At 100 mg/ml, the highest average Zone of Inhibition of 14.33±0.33 mm and 16.0±0.58 mm was recorded in aqueous bark extract against S. aureus (MTCC 7443), and E. coli (MTCC 2991) respectively. The bark extract of C. fistula was most potent against E. coli (MTCC 2991) and S. aureus (MTCC 7443), with MIC values of 3.125 mg/mL and 6.25 mg/mL, respectively.

The increasing emphasis on fostering agri-entrepreneurship in emerging economies is based on the understanding that it holds the potential to drive economic growth and sustainable development. Its impact transcends mere financial indicators, influencing facets such as innovation, job creation, and societal empowerment. This perspective is also relevant in the Indian context, where organizations promoting agri-entrepreneurship often encounter challenges. This study was carried out to identify the constraints faced by various stakeholders involved in providing and accessing entrepreneurial support, also strategizing solutions for the identified bottlenecks. Data was gathered through structured interviews involving about 200 agri-entrepreneurs and 43 extension professionals in selected states. Constraints as well as strategies in the promotion of agri-entrepreneurship were systematically categorized into four dimensions viz. administrative, financial, technical, and socio-cultural which were further ranked through Garett’s ranking method and Analytical Hierarchy Process. Financial and administrative constraints, including lack of priority lending, favoritism, and delays in fund release, emerged as significant hurdles for sustainable entrepreneurship development, other constraints among technical and socio-cultural domains include lack of prototype testing facility and orientation toward conventional ventures, respectively. Experts suggested strategies like post program funding support, timely disbursement of seed funding and transparency in pitch evaluation for mitigating the challenges. The overall consistency ratio of AHP matrix indicates a high level of agreement in suggestions among experts. Incorporating the suggestions through policy changes is expected to promote a sustainable food value chain thereby promoting sustainable agri-entrepreneurship.

Maize-based crop systems are promoted in large scale in South Asia because they are more sustainable and efficient than rice-based systems. In the present study, using two combinations of crop residue management practices (CRM) with four precision nitrogen (N) management (PNM) systems, we assessed the impacts on soil physicochemical characteristics [soil organic carbon (SOC), bulk density (BD), soil penetration resistance (PR)] and crop yields in 6 years old continuous zero tillage (ZT) practices under maize-wheat-mungbean cropping system in a sandy loam soil of northwestern India. The highest SOC (5.73 g/kg) was observed in Zero Tillage with Residue Retention (ZT + R) plots. Zero-tillage with residue retention (ZT + R) significantly reduced the bulk density over the zero-tillage with no residue retention (ZT-R) across the soil depth. The bulk density in ZT + R was 6.5 and 10.7% lower at 0–15 cm and 15–30 cm soil depth, respectively, than under ZT-R. The penetration resistance (PR) was significantly lower in ZT + R than in ZT-R across the soil depth. Soil organic carbon (SOC) in ZT + R was 7.4% higher at 0–15 cm depth and 11.9% higher at 15–30 cm depth than under ZT-R treatment. Among PNM treatments, the sequence of treatments in SOC content was 50%N + Green Seeker (GS) >33%N + GS > RDN > 70%N + GS. The system productivity (maize equivalent yield) under ZT + R in combination with 50%BN + GS was 15.0% higher than crops grown under ZT-R with RDN. The wheat equivalent yield under the ZT + R treatment is found to be higher (5.97) in the 50%BN + GS, which was 18% higher than the recommended dose of nitrogen treatment (5.04) and 28% higher than the 70%BN + GS treatment (4.68). Results demonstrated that plots with residue retention performed better, showing a 10% increase in system productivity. The study concludes that a ZT-based system with maize-based crop rotations (MWMb) with crop residue retention and precision nitrogen management can improve soil properties and system productivity in northwestern India.

Micronutrient deficiencies like iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) are widespread in humans. Unfortunately, these micronutrients are also deficient in major parts of Indian soil. As wheat is a staple food for more than 50% of India's population, enriching wheat grain with these micronutrients can help alleviate these deficiencies in humans. Therefore, two-year field experiments were conducted at the ICAR–Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, to evaluate the impact of 4R stewardship-based potassium (K) fertilization on wheat uptake and translocation of Zn, Fe, and Cu. The results revealed that the K application rate, method, and timing significantly influenced Zn, Fe, and Cu uptake and translocation. In contrast, the source of K fertilizer had a nonsignificant effect. The concentrations of Fe, Cu, and Zn in the grain improved with increasing K application rates up to 48 kg K/ha, after which a nonsignificant effect was detected. Two split applications of 48 kg K/ha resulted in higher grain nutrient concentrations (Zn: 38.2 mg/kg, Fe: 110 mg/kg, Cu: 9.0 mg/kg) than did basal application (Zn: 37.6 mg/kg, Fe: 105 mg/kg, Cu: 8.8 mg/kg). The Zn (52.3%−57.4%), Fe (21%−26.5%), and Cu (27.5%−31.3%) harvest indices under two split applications of 48 kg K/ha revealed that more than 50%, 25%, and 33%, respectively, of the absorbed Zn, Fe, and Cu was remobilized to the grain. However, the basal application of 48 kg K/ha and no K application significantly reduced the translocation of Zn, Fe, and Cu to the grain.

Abstract Background In the Indo-Gangetic Plain, rice–wheat is the most extensively practiced crop rotation. The escalating issue of crop residue burning, particularly rice straw, and the necessity to lower the exorbitant expenses associated with fertilizer inputs stand out as significant challenges for farmers in the region. A well-suited integrated nutrient management (INM) strategy that focuses on recycling crop residues can serve as a solution to address these issues. Such a strategy not only mitigates air pollution resulting from residue burning but also helps combat water pollution due to nitrate losses from agroecosystems. Field experiments were used to evaluate the suitability of eight INM-modules that included various combinations of inorganic fertilizer rates (50%, 100%, 150% of recommended dose), crop residues (wheat and rice stubble retention at 30 cm standing stubble equivalent to 1/3 the straw yield), rice straw compost (RSC), farmyard manure (FYM), and green manuring (GM), compared to 100% recommended dose of fertilizers (F) and no fertilizer application. Results There was a considerable improvement in nitrogen mineralization, grain yields, and nitrogen use efficiency under GM + RSC-F50 and GM + FYM-F50. These INM modules would permit a 50% reduction in the use of chemical fertilizers. There was a little yield penalty with in situ rice residue incorporation at 100% F; however, this could be overcome with 150% F fertilizer application. In situ retention of wheat straw with a full application of fertilizer resulted in steadily rising crop yields over time. Changes in the redox potential, soil pH, and soil organic carbon best accounted for the observed trajectories in nitrogen use efficiency. Conclusion The most promising INM modules for adoption by farmers in the Indo-Gangetic Plain to judiciously use crop residues and curtail chemical fertilizer inputs are green manuring with Sesbania aculeata + rice straw compost at 5 t ha−1 + only 50% of recommended dose of fertilizers (GM + RSC-F50), and green manuring with Sesbania aculeata + farmyard manure at 5 t ha−1 + only 50% of recommended dose of fertilizers (GM + FYM-F50). Sole incorporation of crop residues without nitrogen augmentation from other sources might not help curtail chemical fertilizer use. Composting rice straw, which otherwise is widely burnt, proved a useful nitrogen source and a vital component of INM. Waste rice straw composting at the community scale and its application as a nutrient source can help achieve sustainable nitrogen management in the agroecosystems of Indo-Gangetic Plain.

Abstract Background Orthopedic surgeries lead to moderate to severe postoperative pain, treating which is a challenge to the anesthesiologist. The present prospective, randomized study was carried out to compare the efficacy of postoperative pain relief between patient controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) and conventional intermittent bolus epidural analgesia (IBEA) \with very low concentration of bupivacaine plus fentanyl in 60 ASA I and ASA II patients for orthopedic lower limb surgeries. Following variables like heart rate, mean arterial pressure, oxygen saturation, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, total analgesic consumption, patient satisfaction (Likert scale) and side effects were assessed for 24 h postoperatively. Results The hemodynamic parameters were comparable in both the groups at various time intervals. There was a significant decrease in VAS score, less analgesic consumption, less rescue analgesia requirement and more patient satisfaction in PCEA group as compared to IBEA group. Conclusions Patient controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) with a combination of bupivacaine and fentanyl has more efficacy and safety than intermittent bolus epidural analgesia (IBEA) so it should be used more often.

Adzuki bean, an underutilized grain legume, has a significant potential for enhancing food and nutritional security. The main obstacles to developing new cultivars and promoting the adzuki bean as a mainstream pulse crop are a lack of awareness about its potential and insufficient information on crop its genetic diversity. Here, we aimed to explore the untapped potential of adzuki bean germplasm by evaluating its agro-morphological traits and diversity at the molecular level and also to identify trait-specific germplasm by utilizing 100 adzuki bean accessions conserved in the Indian National Genebank. Significant variations was recorded for the morphological traits and identified promising accessions exhibiting desirable traits, such as early flowering (IC341945, EC340257 and EC340283), number of primary branches (IC341945 and IC469175), number of clusters per plant (EC000264, IC167611 and IC341939), number of pods per plant (IC469175, EC34264, EC000264), early maturity (EC340283; EC120460; IC341941) and number of seeds per pod (EC340240, IC455396 and IC341955). Molecular characterization of diverse accessions using 22 polymorphic SSR markers identified a total of 50 alleles, with a mean of 2.27 alleles per loci. The polymorphic information content (PIC) ranged from 0.03 to 0.46, indicating informativeness of markers in distinguishing diverse accessions. Further, the gene diversity among the accessions ranged from 0.03 to 0.57 with a mean of 0.19. Population structure analysis grouped the accessions into three genetic groups, supported by Principal Coordinate Analysis (PCoA) and a phylogenetic tree. Additionally, Analysis of Molecular Variance (AMOVA) confirmed a substantial genetic diversity among the adzuki bean accessions. Thus, the combined assessment of agro-morphological traits and molecular markers effectively distinguished adzuki bean accessions and provided valuable insights in understanding untapped variation at both morphological and molecular levels. The promising accessions identified in the study hold potential for integration into legume improvement programs through introgression breeding, contributing to the development of adzuki bean varieties with target trait.

Air pollution which negatively impacts both human health and the environment is a mountainous challenge before policymakers and city planners in urban areas. Urban landscaping with effective pollution-combating tree species is one of the soundest strategies to mitigate pollution adversaries. However, not all tree species are equally suitable for urban environments due to varying levels of tolerance to air pollution. This study has been designed to evaluate the physiological and biochemical responses of seven commonly occurring tree species in the Talkatora garden (TG) and Income Tax Office (ITO) representing non-polluted and polluted locations in Delhi, respectively applying Air Pollution Tolerance Index (APTI). The current research study was carried out during 2021–22 at the Division of Floriculture and Landscaping, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. In tree species understudy, it was recorded that the pH of leaf extract, total chlorophyll, and relative water content was lower in the winter season than summer season except for the ascorbic acid. Ficus religiosa with the highest APTI value (23.23) followed by Pongamia pinnata (20.85) were found most tolerant tree species to air pollution in Delhi during the winter season at the polluted (ITO) and non-polluted (TG) location respectively with a reverse trend for the summer season. Polyalthia longifolia was found most sensitive (bioindicator plant) to air pollution among the seven trees under study owing to the lowest APTI values (11.14 and 12.58) across the seasons at non-polluted (TG) and polluted (ITO) locations respectively. Furthermore, Ficus religiosa with the highest APTI across the locations and seasons was assessed as the best performer, hence, could be the most efficient option for landscaping in polluted and non-polluted areas.

The exposure from natural sources of radiation imparts a major contribution to doses, both due to external and internal exposures that would be received by members of public, and its levels rely upon the lithology, altitude, and building construction materials. The measurement results of ambient indoor and outdoor radiation levels at 28 locations (villages) of Reasi district, Jammu and Kashmir, India, are presented. The ambient radiation levels were measured utilizing a portable gamma survey meter. For the outdoor environment, the minimum and maximum gamma dose rates were 0.09 and 0.29 μSv/h, whereas, at indoors, the minimum and maximum gamma dose rates were 0.08 and 0.22 μSv/h, respectively. Impact of elevation (height above sea level) on radiation levels has been investigated, and it revealed a weak positive relationship with altitude. Effects of lithology on indoor and outdoor gamma dose rates have likewise been investigated. The average annual effective dose value due to ambient radiation levels was well within the world average values.

Higher demand for refrigeration systems adversely affects power grids, causing blackouts, increased electricity expenses, and carbon emissions. However, using renewable energy thermally driven refrigeration absorption systems is a promising alternative. The higher initial cost and dependency on local weather, large space area for installation, and complex design are hurdles for the widespread of these systems compared to the conventional vapor compression refrigeration systems. This study uses response surface methodology to model a real vapor absorption machine (VAM) incorporated with the measured data. This VAM is the refrigeration machine of a solar-powered absorption cooling system (SPACS) integrated with thermal energy storage for milk chilling installed and operated in Jaipur (India). The weather data for 2022 is used in performance and productivity analysis in this study. The results show that most of the summer months, the system can produce desired cooling to take down the 1000 l of milk within 3 h as per standards ISO 5708 – 2 II. Moreover, the solar loop still has sufficient driving heat to charge the 1000 l cold storage tank/another milk tank. During winter days, it takes a significant system response time (SRT) to reach the thermal energy storage (TES) up to 95 °C; after that, VAM operates significantly underperforming due to weak solar insolation; even the system cannot provide cooling to the first milking. The system produces monthly cooling energy of up to 2356 kWh in summer and is reduced to 620 kWh during monsoon and winter. The maximum value of the coefficient of performance (COPVAM) is achieved as 0.55 with an average of 0.41–0.46 during summer months whereas 0.34–0.39 during monsoon and winter days. The system's energy efficiency ratio (EER) ranges from 2.5 to 6.5, with an overall average of 4.55, which is far better than the conventional vapor compression refrigeration systems. The LCOE for the SPACS has been estimated to be 0.177 $/kWh, whereas the simple payback period is 12.4 years, and the discounted payback period is 19.7 years.

India has been stated to have 10% of the world's total bat's diversity. The present survey was aimed to study the bat species diversity, distribution and activity patterns in north-western Himalayan region of India. Field surveys were conducted and echolocation calls were recorded using bat detector, Echometer touch 2 in Shiwalik ranges of Himalaya. The Greater False Vampire Bat (Megaderma lyra) has a broad distribution range that stretches from south to south east Asia. In India the distribution of the species was mostly recorded from southern subtropical coastal regions and north-eastern subtropical moist evergreen forests. In the present study The Greater False Vampire Bat (Megaderma lyra) has been recorded for the first time from Garhwal region of north-western Himalayas. Greater False Vampire Bat (Megaderma lyra) having long forearm (>6.63 ± 0.03cm) and lengthy ear (>3.66 ± 0.08cm), which is a distinguishable feature of the family Megadermatidae. The peak frequency (FMaxE) of echolocation was recorded as 50.295 ± 9.18 kHz. This frequency was initiated at 108.20 ± 2.51 kHz and terminated at 30.76 ± 1.37 kHz. The call structure recorded was very distinguishable and specific to this family.

Pioglitazone is a type 2 diabetes drug encapsulated in polymeric nanoparticles using solvent evaporation techniques. In this study, the drug-polymer ratio (A), stirring speed (B), and stirring time (C) were three process parameters that were optimized using a three-factor, three-level Central Composite design. Entrapment efficiency, Pioglitazone content, and particle size were assessed as responses to the three dependent variables. The independent and dependent variables were associated using mathematical equations and response surface graphs. The optimization model of entrapment efficiency of about 61.7 %, Pioglitazone content of 12.33 %, and particle size of 323 nm with A, B, and C levels of 1:2, 3000 rpm, and 20 min respectively. The expected values of the optimized technique and the observed responses exhibited good agreement. Morphological examinations, Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy, and in-vitro drug release tests were used to characterize the produced nanoparticle. The synthesized nanoparticles demonstrated effective sustained drug release. In an in vivo system, the synthesized nanoparticles demonstrated enhanced drug bioavailability. Pioglitazone-loaded nanoparticle treatment of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats significantly decreased blood glucose levels (up to 7 days) to normal levels (up to 6 hours) when compared to the native drug-treated group. The in vivo toxicity study of the nanoparticles in albino rats failed to detect any appreciable alterations in hematological, biochemical, or behavioral tests. Since Pioglitazone is used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus, the created system may help achieve a regulated release of the medication, which could assist in lowering dosage frequency and improve patient compliance.

The present study investigates the efficiency of the Bitcoin futures in the price discovery process by assessing the lead-lag relationship between the futures and spot prices of Bitcoin. The study tests whether the Bitcoin futures market is leading the price discovery mechanism for the Bitcoin spot market. The study considers daily closing prices of both Bitcoin spot and future indices from December 12, 2017 to December 31, 2020. The stationarity of the two time-series variables is tested using Augmented Dickey-Fuller test while the long-run co-integrating relationship is tested using Johansen Co-integration test. To test the long-run causality, the Error Correction Mechanism framework (ECM) is used while the Wald test is applied to assess the short-run causality between the Bitcoin future and spot prices. The results of trace and max-eigen statistics indicate that there is long term co-integrating relationship between Bitcoin futures and Bitcoin spot markets. The negative significant coefficient of error correction term indicates that there is long-run causality from the Bitcoin futures towards the Bitcoin spot market. The significant Chi-square test statistics of the Wald test suggest that there is short-run causality from the Bitcoin futures towards the Bitcoin spot market. This shows that the Bitcoin futures market is acting as a leading indicator and the Bitcoin spot market as a lagging indicator. Thus, it is concluded that the price discovery is taking place between Bitcoin futures and the Bitcoin spot market. With the entrance of the new information in the cryptocurrency market, it is first observed in the Bitcoin futures followed by the Bitcoin spot prices.

Objective: This study envisages dynamics and factors affecting fecal oocyst counts (FOC) in natural infection in goats in semi-arid India. Materials and methods: A total of 1152 fecal samples from Jamunapari goats in semi-arid India were collected, processed and examined for fecal oocysts over a period of 3 years for prevalence and severity of the disease through FOC using modified Mc Master Technique. The log transformed FOC data on 912 animals from 59 sires were used for subsequent analyses for genetic and non-genetic factors affecting FOC. Fixed effects included were years of collection (1-3), seasons of collection (summer, rainy, winter), sex (male, female), age group (0-3, >3-6, >6-12, adults). Least squares analysis of variance for fitting constant was applied to data set. Results: The overall prevalence of coccidian infection in goats was 86.71%(n=999/1162). Highest incident was found in winter season (91.74%) and >6-12 M age (97.95%). Eimeria arloingi and E. ninakohlyakimovae were the most frequently occurring species. The heritability of FOC was found to be 0.06±0.06. The effect of sire on FOC was not significant; however, effects of animal age, year, season of collection and sex on FOC were found to be significant. Conclusion: Coccidiosis in goats is seasonally occurring disease, most commonly affecting animals of less than one year age. FOC in coccidiosis affected animals is lowly inherited trait for selection of goat against this disease. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2017; 4(1.000): 52-57]

Aim: Dynamics of faecal egg count (FEC) in Haemonchus spp. infected goats of two Indian goat breeds, Jamunapari and Sirohi, in natural conditions was studied and effects of genetic and non-genetic factors were determined. Materials and Methods: A total of 1399 faecal samples of goats of Jamunapari and Sirohi breeds, maintained at CIRG, Makhdoom, Mathura, India and naturally infected with Haemonchus spp., were processed and FEC was performed. Raw data generated on FEC were transformed by loge (FEC+100) and transformed data (least squares mean of FEC [LFEC]) were analyzed using a mixed model least squares analysis for fitting constant. Fixed effects such as breed, physiological status, season and year of sampling and breed × physiological states interaction were used. Result: The incidence of Haemomchus spp. infection in Jamunapari and Sirohi does was 63.01 and 47.06%, respectively. The mean LFEC of both Jamunapari and Sirohi (does) at different physiological stages, namely dry, early pregnant, late pregnant early lactating and late lactating stages were compared. Breed, season and year of sampling had a significant effect on FEC in Haemomchus spp. infection. Effect of breed × physiological interaction was also significant. The late pregnant does of both breeds had higher FEC when compared to does in other stages. Conclusion: Breed difference in FEC was more pronounced at the time of post kidding (early lactation) when sharp change in FEC was observed.

Introduction: A consensus is emerging amongst otologists that obliteration of the mastoid cavity that results after modified radical mastoidectomy is a sound option to prevent cavity related problems such as otorrhoea, infection, granulation tissue and hearing loss. A variety of techniques have been proposed to perform the obliteration. Aim: The present study aimed to compare the conventional method of mastoid cavity obliteration by vascularised temporalis myofascial flap with deep temporal fascial-periosteal flap in canal wall down mastoidectomy. Materials and Methods: The prospective study (conducted between July 2012 and August 2013) randomly assigned patients with evidence of attico-antral disease to two groups (20 in each group). After canal wall down mastoidectomy, a superior based vascularised temporalis myofascial flap was used to obliterate the resultant mastoid cavity in group 1 patients and an inferior based deep temporal fascial-periosteal flap was used in group 2 patients for the cavity obliteration. They were then followed up till day 90. Results: Cavity obliteration was better in group 2 (90%) as compared to group 1 (80%). Similarly, the final status of epithelisation of cavity at 90th day was clinically superior in patients of group 2 (85%) as compared to group 1 (75%). However, these difference were not statistically significant. Conclusion: The clinical superiority of the results with temporal fascial-periosteal flap can be attributed to less frequent complications (partial obliteration and epithelisation of resultant mastoid cavities, residual perforation and persistent ear discharge) as compared to myofascial flap.

Executive Summary India occupies the fifth position in the vegetable oil economy of the world. The demand for oilseeds and vegetable oil has far exceeded the domestic output necessitating huge imports. Futures market helps to bring price stability for the development of the underlying physical market. The present study investigates the volatility dynamics in spot and futures markets of select oil and oilseeds commodities. The objectives of this article are to study (a) the information transmission process between spot and futures markets, also called volatility spillover and (b) the impact of futures trading activity on the volatility of physical market prices. The commodities selected from oil and oilseeds segment are refined soya oil, mustard seed, crude palm oil, and mentha oil. The study uses basic Generalized Autoregressive Conditional Heteroscedasticity (GARCH) model to capture volatility in prices of the selected commodities. Bivariate GARCH model makes use of information in the history of two different markets for testing volatility spillover between two markets of the same underlying commodity. The relationship between futures trading activity and spot price volatility is investigated for examining the impact of futures trading activity on the volatility of underlying spot market. Two variables, viz., futures trading volume and open interest are decomposed into expected and unexpected components and are taken as a proxy for the level of trading activity. The contemporaneous and dynamic relationships are studied with the help of augmented GARCH model and Granger causality, respectively. It is observed that there is an efficient transmission of information between spot and futures markets but it is the spot market which leads to the flow of information to futures and hence causes greater spillover of volatility. The spot market has a greater impact on the volatility of futures market, indicating that informational efficiency of oilseeds spot market is stronger than that of the futures market. The contemporaneous and dynamic relationship between spot price volatility and futures trading activity tested with econometric models provide evidence of the destabilizing impact of an unexpected increase in futures trading activity (volume or open interest) on the spot price volatility in three out of four commodities studied. This indicates that badly informed traders present in futures market are destabilizing the underlying spot market by inducing noise and lowering the information content of prices.

The coccidia and gastrointestinal nematode infections were monitored in 273 Jakhrana goats maintained at the Central Institute for Research on Goats, Makhdoom, Mathura, India to study the prevalence rate and to determine the effects of various environmental factors on intensity of infection. The animals were reared under semi intensive feeding system. The fecal samples were collected and examined for a period of 2 years. The data on faecal egg/oocystes count (FEC/FOC) were analyzed by least-squares analysis after suitable log transformation (Loge FEC/FOC + 100). The prevalence and intensity of infection were determined in animals according to their ages (0-3 month, >3-6 month, >6-12 month and >1 year), sex, year and season of sample collection. The pre-dominant coccidia oocysts were Eimeria ninakohlyakimovae, and the major gastrointestinal nematode species identified as Haemonchus contortus The overall prevalence rates for coccidial and gastrointestinal nematode infections manifested as singles or concurrent states were 42.86 and 39.19%, respectively. The coccidial oocysts was highest (92.31%) in >3-6 month aged kids followed by >6-12 month (75.51%) and >1 year of age (40.86%). Females had higher occurrence (49.86%) than males (45.20%) for coccidial infection. The prevalence rate of oocysts was highest in rainy season (54.55%) followed by summer (46.0%) and winter (37.0%) season. The gastrointestinal nematode prevalence was 33.33, 0.0, 57.14 and 41.00 percent in 0-3 month, >3-6 month, >6-12month and >1 year aged animals, respectively. Seasonal prevalence of gastrointestinal nematode infection was 28.74, 67.27 and 13.98 percent during summer, rainy and winter season, respectively. Concurrent infection with Eimeria and gastrointestinal nematodes were found in 17.22% of animals and restricted to animals of >6-12 month of age and above. The overall least-squares means for GOPG (oocysts/g of faeces) and GFEC (eggs/g of faeces) were 268.71 and 74.16, respectively. The effect of age, year and season of sampling had significant (P