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An experiment was conducted to examine the nature of genetic variability, correlation, association of various traits with pod yield and their direct and indirect effects for effective selection in garden pea. The experimental material comprising of 41 genotypes including four checks namely, ‘Lincoln’, ‘Azad P-1’, ‘Palam Priya’ and ‘Punjab-89’ was evaluated in randomized complete block design with three replications during 2009-10 and 2010-11. Significant genetic variations was observed for pod yield and related traits. PCV and GCV were high for pods per plant and pod yield per plant. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance was observed for pods per plant and pod yield per plant. Correlation and path coefficient analysis revealed that pods per plant, pod length, seeds per pod and nodes per plant for fresh pod yield per plant could be considered as the best selection parameters for evolving high yielding genotypes.

Self-directed learning (SDL) is one of the teaching-learning methods that can be used in medical education at all levels. The use of SDL in undergraduate (UG) teaching is becoming common due to the implementation of competency-based education in many countries. The new competency-based UG medical curriculum in India includes lifelong learning skills as one of the major components. The SDL method is reported to increase the lifelong learning skills of students. The concept of SDL is based on experiential learning and its conduct needs proper understanding of the concept. The conduct can include two contact sessions and an intersession or gap period of few days. The contact sessions focus on introduction, facilitation, and debriefing. The intersession period is the real learning period for the students. SDL also includes the use of various assessment methods. All SDL sessions are followed by an evaluation of various stakeholders. Advancements in information technology (IT) and the advent of many innovations in teaching can be aptly used in SDL conduct and evaluation. The present coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has further provided opportunity to use IT in the new normal post-COVID-19 times. Curriculum placement must be done in alignment with other teaching-learning methods. Training of facilitators, availability of resources, and preplanning help in successful SDL conduct. If implemented appropriately, SDL can be a great method to help students in their postinstitute lives.

The rise of new aircraft propulsion methods, the increased use of automated and integrated flight control systems, and the envisioned use of personal Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) vehicles in urban environments leads to novel technical and regulatory challenges for aircraft manufacturers, certification authorities and operators. Of primary concern is operational safety, and closely connected pilot situation awareness and workload. A particular safety factor for operating VTOL vehicles that depend on propulsive lift for the majority of their operations and that are operated over urban terrain, is the management of energy and power needs along with power and energy reserves. These reserves are highly sensitive to the environment (mostly temperatures), and with VTOL, where the aircraft cannot simply glide to an emergency landing, management of energy reserves is not sufficient. This generates the need for thorough Trajectory Energy Management. This paper provides flight test results of the Trinity F9 drone developed by Quantum-Systems. Prescribed trajectories were flown based on operationally-relevant scenarios. Battery usage for the various flight segments was quantified. Results were compared to analytic models. A preliminary list of safety-of-flight parameters was developed to aid aircraft certification authorities. This research is intended to define some requirements for energy management such that the pilot can safely accomplish an intended profile and land with enough energy reserves to satisfy the intent of operation rules 91.151 (VFR reserves) and 91.167 (IFR reserves). In the context of trajectory energy management, there is a spectrum of automation tools that may assist the pilot. For example, common avionics systems with moving maps display range rings that help the pilot manage fuel state. These systems make assumptions based on current ground speed, fuel flow and fuel reserve requirements. Requirements for similar tools for VTOL aircraft that employ electric propulsion do not yet exist and must be defined based on prototype algorithm development, simulation results, and flight test data. For higher levels of automation, the Trajectory Energy Management System must be able to define an optimum trajectory for a VTOL aircraft and then couple to an automatic control system to execute that nominal trajectory. This system would need to account for disturbances and off nominal conditions. This project provides solutions and data to help the FAA develop performance estimation tools, flight safety assessment tools and the associated means of compliance for Trajectory Energy Management Systems. For the flight test program an operationally relevant reference mission profile was developed and flown using a tilt rotor aircraft in 14 flights and total flight time of 2.5 hours. Vertical flight was found to use about 5 to 7 times more power than in horizontal flight. Vertical takeoff and landing used about 60% of the total flight energy in a fraction of time spent in cruise. Therefore vertical flight is most concerning for operational safety. Finally, lessons learned through the execution of the Trinity F9 flight test program are documented in this paper.

The organic bio-fertilizers produced by using earthworms may replace inorganic fertilizers and their use can increase yield and quality of agriculture products, which is required nowadays. Eisenia fetida (red worm) is the most prominent species of earthworms used for the production of vermicompost so this species can be used for organic waste management. During the present investigation, vermicompost samples prepared from different organic wastes are cow dung, cow dung + congress grass, (Parthenium hysterophorus), cow dung + kitchen waste and cow dung + mixture of different weeds (Parthenium hysterophorus, Lantana camara and chenopodium album). The changes in the micronutrients like C:N ratio, potassium, phosphorus, nitrogen and carbon were observed with a time interval of 0, 30, 60, and 90 days and it was observed that nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorous contents in each samples of vermicompost under investigation increased but found maximum in the kitchen waste.

The sphenoid sinus among the paranasal sinuses, with its deep location and obstruction at the level of its ostium, is the commonest cause of occipital or vertex headache. Limited intervention reverts the intricate mucociliary physiology of the sinus. The surgery, a sphenoidotomy, is aptly captioned, the “functional endoscopic sinus surgery”, for the Sphenoid. The unique physio-pathology of the Sphenoid sinus shall be elaborated.

In this era of minimally invasive surgical intervention s, the knowledge of the physiology and pathophysiology of the larynx is vital to the laryngologist. The conventional procedure of laryngeal surgery has been superseded by functional micro-laryngeal surgery whereby now the emphasis is not on removing the pathology but reverting the function of the larynx. The surgical intervention is at the superficial mucosal level only. The physiology and patho-physiology of the larynx needs introspection.

Background: Head injury with temporal bone trauma manifests with facial nerve palsy. The site of lesion can be assessed by various tests.Methods: A retrospective study of 500 cases of head injury was undertaken to study the role of topodiagnostic tests in localising the site of lesion in 48 patients of facial palsy. The study was undertaken by the otology services of Dayanand medical college and hospital, Ludhiana during a period of one year.Cases: 500 cases admitted with head injury were screened. The cases with facial nerve paralysis were then enrolled in the study.Results: In 48 patients of facial palsy, taste sensation was diminished in 67% (21 cases); acoustic reflex absent in 86.8% (33 cases) and Schirmer’s test showed reduced lacrimation in 29.1% (14 cases).Conclusions: The topodiagnostic tests do not always localise the site of lesion in head injury.

Context: Menstruation is physiological phenomenon for women demonstrating her ability for reproduction. In developing country, such as India, menstrual hygiene management (MHM) is a significant issue for women because of poor water supply and sanitation, privacy and security, and inappropriate puberty education. Lack of hygienic MHM items (absorbents) also cause women to perceive menstruation as a burden. Aims: This study aimed to assess the practices of women regarding menstrual hygiene. Setting and Design: The present, descriptive analytical study was conducted in three rural provinces of Ambala district in Haryana, India (from October 2017 to October 2018). Materials and Methods: The quantitative research approach with descriptive survey design was used to assess the practices of 800 women residing in the rural areas of Ambala District, Haryana by using the convenience sampling technique. Women under the reproductive age group of 14–49 years who attained the menarche were included in the study. Statistical Analysis Used: The data were collected by using the structured practices questionnaire. Descriptive analysis was done using percentage and frequency. Results: Majority (56%) of women was in the age group of 14–25 years and most (92%) of them were eager to know more about menstrual hygiene. Majority (79.87%) of women assumed menstruation as a biological process, whereas only 11.09% assumed the menstruation blood as a normal blood. Nearly two-third (70.50%) preferred to use cloth as absorbent and most (88.37%) of women dispose used absorbent in dustbin. About 34.72% were facing religious limitations as a problem during menstruation. Conclusion: Practices regarding menstrual hygiene is still not adequate, whereas many of the socio-cultural restriction persist among women. There is a need of appropriate education to abolishing the myths related to menstruation.

In the present study, nickel removal efficiency of sulphuric acid-treated Parthenium carbon (SWC) from simulated wastewater has been investigated. Batch mode adsorption experiments have been conducted by varying pH, nickel concentration, adsorbent dose and contact time. Ni(II) removal was pH-dependent and found to be maximum at pH 5.0. The maximum removal of Ni(II) was achieved within 4h after the start of every experiment. The equilibrium adsorption data were fitted to Freundlich and Langmuir adsorption isotherm models to evaluate the model parameters. Both models represented the experimental data satisfactorily. The monolayer adsorption capacities of SWC as obtained from Langmuir isotherm was found to be 17.24 mg/g. The Lagergren first-order model was less applicable than pseudo-second-order reaction model. The adsorbent was also characterized including infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The FT-IR study indicated the presence of OH, CH, CO and CO groups in the adsorbent.

Removal of malachite green on phosphoric acid treated (PWC) and sulfuric acid treated (SWC) parthenium plant biomass was studied. Batch experiments were conducted to study the effect of different process parameters, i.e., pH, contact time, adsorbent dose, and initial dye concentration for the removal of malachite green dye. Similar experiments were carried out with commercially available activated carbon (AC) to compare the adsorption capacities. Maximum dye was removed from the liquid phase within 90 min after the beginning of every experiment. Higher percentage of dye was removed at lower concentration of dye and higher adsorbent dose. At 250 mg L−1 malachite green concentration, AC had 2.01 and 2.63 times more adsorption capacity than PWC and SWC, respectively. Adsorption kinetic data determined at 22° ± 1°C were modeled using the pseudo-first- and pseudo-second-order kinetic equations and intra-particle diffusion models. The pseudo-second-order model best describes adsorption kinetic data. Adsorption ...

In the present study adsorption of rhodamine-B from aqueous solution on formaldehyde treated parthenium biomass (WC) and phosphoric acid treated parthenium carbon (PWC) was studied. Aqueous solutions of various concentrations (50–500 mg/l) were shaken with certain amount of adsorbent to determine the adsorption capacity of rhodamine-B on WC and PWC. The effectiveness of formaldehyde treated parthenium biomass (WC) and phosphoric acid treated parthenium carbon (PWC) in adsorbing rhodamine-B from aqueous solution has been studied as a function of agitation time, adsorbent dose, initial dye concentration and pH. The adsorption capacities of the studied adsorbents were in the order PWC > WC. Initial pH had negligible effect on the adsorption capacity. Maximum dye was sequestered from the solution within 60 min after the start of every experiment. After that, the concentration of rhodamine-B in the liquid-phase remained constant. The adsorption of rhodamine-B onto PWC and WC followed second-order kinetic model. Adsorption data were modeled using both Langmuir and Freundlich classical adsorption isotherms. The adsorption capacity Q 0 was 59.17 mg/g at initial pH 7.0 for the particle size 0.3–1.0 mm for phosphoric acid treated parthenium carbon (PWC). The FT-IR spectra of the adsorbents were recorded to explore number and position of functional groups available for the binding of dye cation onto studied adsorbents. SEMs of the adsorbents were recorded to explore the morphology of the studied adsorbents.

This paper reports the removal of a basic dye (rhodamine-B) by the activated carbon prepared from Parthenium biomass by sulphuric acid treatment method (SWC). The effectiveness of the prepared adsorbent has been studied as a function of agitation time, adsorbent dosage, initial dye concentration and pH. The removal of rhodamine-B by SWC followed second order kinetic model. The second order model best describes adsorption kinetic data. Adsorption data were modeled using both Langmuir and Freundlich classical adsorption isotherms. The adsorption capacity Q0 was 18.52 mg/g at initial pH 7 for the particle size 0.3–1 mm. The equilibrium time is about 60 min for the studied initial dye concentrations. Maximum dye removal (99.2%) was obtained at pH 7 using an adsorbent dose of 16.0 g/L for 50 mg/L dye concentration in the aqueous solution. FT-IR spectra of the adsorbents were recorded to explore the number and position of functional groups available for the binding of dye onto studied adsorbents. The presence of O-H, C=O and C-O groups was identified in the adsorbent. SEMs of the native and exhausted (SWC) were recorded to explore the morphology of the adsorbent.

Adsorbents prepared from Parthenium hysterophorus e unwanted weed e were successfully used to remove methylene blue from an aqueous solution in a batch reactor. The adsorbents included sulphuric acid treated Parthenium (SWC) and phosphoric acid treated Parthenium (PWC). Aqueous solutions of various concentrations (50e250 mg/L) were shaken with certain amount of adsorbent to determine the adsorption capacity on SWC and PWC for methylene blue. The effects of adsorbent surface change, initial pH, initial dye concentration, adsorbent dose and contact time on dye removal have been determined. Similar experiments were carried out with commercially available activated carbon (AC) for comparison. Initial pH of aqueous solution had negligible effect on the adsorption capacity of all the studied adsorbents. Maximum dye was sequestered from the solution within 60e90 min after the beginning of every experiment. At 500 mg/L methylene blue concentration, AC had 1.93 and 3.4 times more adsorption capacity than PWC and SWC, respectively. The adsorption capacity of the studied adsorbents was in the order AC >PWC >SWC. Adsorption follows both Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. The results showed that SWC and PWC can be considered as potential adsorbents for methylene blue removal from dilute aqueous solutions. 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) causes pneumonia, meningitis and sepsis in neonates. The current distribution pattern of GBS serotypes in developing countries such as India, China and Brazil is not clear. In order to appropriately plan for vaccination programs to address the burden of this disease in these countries, prospective population based studies are urgently needed. In our discussions, we focused on India, China and Brazil because of the membership of our workgroup, but data on other countries are also presented here. Further studies in developing countries are needed so as to better formulate appropriate public health interventions.

Stress is one of the basic factors in the aetiology of a number of diseases such as atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, aging, liver disease etc. Hence this work was designed to study the effect of stress in the form of forced immobilisation stress on lipid peroxidation and lipid profile in rabbits. The study was conducted in 25 healthy rabbits of either sex. Rabbits were subjected to forced immobilisation for two hours everyday for consecutive seven days. Blood samples were collected on day 1, 3 and 7 after immobilisation period. Malondialdehyde (MDA), a marker of lipid peroxidation was estimated by TBA assay method. Lipid profile was analysed by multichannel autoanalyser. There was statistically significant increase in MDA, total cholesterol, LDL, VLDL and triglycerides with immobilisation. These findings indicate that stress in the form of forced immobilisation increases lipid peroxidation and alter lipid profile, which may be responsible for pathophysiology of various diseases.

There is an increase in proportion of workers suffering from occupational diseases. In occupational respiratory diseases, pulmonary function tests are the most important and widely used diagnostic tool. Limited studies have been conducted to evaluate the effect of wool dust on pulmonary function parameters. Hence, the present study was undertaken to evaluate the pulmonary function parameters in workers of woolen industry. This study was done on 150 subjects of either gender who were divided into two groups of 75 each. Group I comprised of healthy subjects who served as controls and group II included workers of woolen industry. The values of lung function parameters i.e. volumes and flow rates in these workers were found to be lower than the healthy controls. The significant reduction in percentage predicted values of FEV1 (82 vs 59), FVC (79 vs 63) and MVV (77 vs 64) in workers as compared to healthy controls indicates obstructive pattern of respiratory abnormality. In male workers, percentage predicted FEV1% was significantly lower. The values of all other parameters were lower in female workers. There was a significant decrease in FEV and FVC with increase in age in group I and this negative correlation was statistically significant. The decrease in respiratory volumes and flow rates was more with increase in duration of exposure to wool dust. It can be concluded that wool dust present in environment of woolen industry affected the pulmonary function parameters of the workers leading to obstructive pattern of respiratory changes.

Physical exercise provides multiple benefits to an individual. However, the beneficial effect of exercise on psychomotor performance remains controversial. The present study was undertaken to determine the effect of aerobic exercise on auditory reaction time (ART) and visual reaction time (VRT). Fifty subjects were enrolled consisting of healthy subjects who were not exercising (n = 25; group I) and subjects doing regular aerobic exercisers (n = 25; group II). ART and VRT were recorded using digital display response time apparatus equipped with three lights (red, green and yellow) and three auditory stimuli (low, medium and high pitched sounds). The mean VRT of group II subjects (318.24 +/- 6.709) was significantly lower than that of group I (505.73 +/- 16.961) (P0.001). The mean ART of group II subjects (313.33 +/- 8.160) was significantly lower than that of group I (573.09 +/- 17.950) (P0.001). Auditory and visual reaction times are better in aerobic exercisers as compared to non-exercisers irrespective of age and gender.

Diabetic patients are often at a higher risk for developing several types of infections and infection does alter the handling of glucose by tissues. Pulmonary infections in diabetics are characterised by alteration in host defence, in entire body and in the lung locally as well as in the function of respiratory epithelium and ciliary motility. Association between diabetes mellitus and pulmonary tuberculosis is well established, while the prevalence of tuberculosis is increased 4-5 times more among diabetics. Impairment of host defence plays an important role for changing the clinical, radiological and bacteriological presentation in diabetic patients. It is also reported by the various studies that hyperglycaemia favours the growth of tuberculosis bacilli. So the severity of tuberculosis appears more cirtical with the degree of hyperglycaemia and host defence activity. This overlap between the diabetic and tuberculosis epidemics could adversely affect global tuberculosis control efforts.

Streptococcus agalactiae, or group B Streptococcus (GBS), is an important opportunistic pathogen that causes pneumonia, sepsis, and meningitis in neonates and severe diseases in immunocompromised adults. We have performed comparative genomics of prevalent GBS serotypes of Indian origin (i.e. Ia, III, V, and VII). Pilus-proteins were commonly found up-regulated, and their expression was studied by using antiserum for GBS80 (backbone protein of pilus island-I), GBS67 (ancillary protein of PI-2a), and SAN1518 (backbone protein of PI-2b) by whole cell and Western blot analysis. To check the role of pilus proteins in adherence and invasion, an inhibition assay was performed. Comparative immunoblotting experiments revealed that expression of pili proteins does not differ in geographically different selected serotypes, Ia and V, of India and the United States. In the case of A549 cells, we found that GBS VII invasion and adherence was inhibited by pilus protein-specific antiserum SAN1518 significantly (p < 0.001) by 88.5 and 91%, respectively. We found that mutant strains, deficient in the pilus proteins (Δgbs80 and Δsan1518) exhibit a significant decrease in adherence in the case of type Ia, III, and VII. In the case of type VII, we have found a 95% reduction in invasion when Δsan1518 was used with A549 cells. Because the pilus proteins were identified previously as vaccine candidates against GBS serotypes of developed countries, we also found their role in the attachment and invasion of GBS of Indian origin. Thus, the present work supports the idea of making a more effective pilus protein-based vaccine that can be used universally.

Incidence of coronary artery disease (CAD) increases sharply after menopause in women. Rate pressure product (RPP) is a major determinant of cardiac oxygen consumption. It is an important indicator of ventricular function. RPP varies with exercise. The peak rate pressure product (PRPP) which gives an accurate reflection of the myocardial oxygen demand and myocardial workload is the RPP at peak of exercise. The higher the PRPP, the more will be myocardial oxygen consumption (MVO2). The ability to reach higher PRPP is associated with more adequate coronary perfusion. Thus the low value of PRPP suggests significant compromise of coronary perfusion and decreased left ventricular function. In the present study effect of exercise on RPP of pre and postmenopausal women with CAD was compared. The percentage increase in RPP was significantly more in postmenopausal women with CAD (62%) as compared to premenopausal women with CAD (54%) indicating more compromised coronary perfusion in postmenopausal women.

Context: The modern living life-style is known to produce various physical and psychological stresses resulting in increased blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR). This can lead to increased myocardial oxygen demand (MVO 2 ). MVO 2 correlated best with rate pressure product (RPP). RPP is a product of HR and systolic BP. Objective: The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of relaxation in the form of pranayama on RPP in mild hypertensives. Materials and Methods: Mild hypertensive patients were divided into two groups. Group A received antihypertensive drugs for 6 weeks and Group B received antihypertensive drugs along with pranayama training for 6 weeks. Results: BP decreased significantly in Group B (148 ± 8.09-127 ± 12.10 mm of Hg) where pranayama was added. The decrease was significant as compared to Group A. HR decreased significantly in both the groups as compared to baseline, however the decrease was similar in both groups. RPP decreased significantly in both groups as compared to baseline, however the decrease was significantly more (P < 0.01) when pranayama was added to antihypertensive drugs (96.73 ± 20.53) when compared to antihypertensive drugs alone (114.66 ± 26.30). Conclusion: The pranayama produces relaxed state and in this state parasympathetic activity overrides sympathetic activity. Hence, addition of pranayama can be a useful addition to antihypertensive drugs for better control of hypertension in mild hypertensives.