Screening of maize germplasm for Turcicum leaf blight resistance

: A study was conducted during Kharif 2012 and 2013 at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar Campus Srinagar with the objective of screening sixty maize genotypes against Turcicum leaf blight caused by Exserohilum turcicum (Pass.) Leonard and Suggs. Field experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with three replications. In order to ensure establishment of infection, artificial inoculation of E. turcicum on test genotypes was made twice at 30 and 40 days after sowing with two different methods of inoculation (spraying on foliage of maize with spore suspension of pathogen @ 5x104 spores/ml at 30 DAS and by whorl drop inoculation of pathogen multiplies on sorghum grains at 40 DAS). Disease severity on test entries was scored at silk drying stage and studies revealed that two inbred lines, viz., NAI-112 and NAI-147, and one hybrid, viz., HQPM-1 were found resistant with pooled disease intensity of 4.12 per cent, 4.04 per cent and 4.38 per cent, respectively. Four inbred lines, viz., KDM 381 A, KDM 918 A, NAI-152 and NAI-167 were found susceptible with pooled disease intensity of 52.82 per cent, 51.02 per cent, 58.58 per cent and 61.33 per cent, respectively. The remaining genotypes were moderately resistant to moderately susceptible

Three dimensional Finite Element Modeling of a Brushless Doubly-fed Induction Machine

As we move deeper into offshore waters to harness more of wind energy there is a need to keep the total operational and maintenance costs to a minimum, of which expenditures related to the generators form a major share. Brushless Doubly-fed Induction machine used as a generator, due to the requirement of a lower rating converter, and the absence of brush-gear and slip-ring arrangement can help in mitigating those costs. 2D models of the BDFIM have been developed to arrive at a better design so that the machine is able to compete with and possibly, outperform other solutions in the market. However, much like 2D models of the other machines, these models usually neglect or at best approximate certain practical aspects. These aspects mostly include effects arising due to physical features such as end windings, laminated structure of the iron, skew in the conductors, etc. 3D modeling can allow us to more accurately model these effects and perhaps, result in an even more efficient design. However, there are some caveats in this approach. 3D models, as expected, are mathematically more complex to formulate and solve. Besides, there is a multifold increase in the number of unknowns to be solved for which poses a significant challenge in terms of the memory requirement and the time cost of the model. The methods adopted to solve 2D problems hitherto, magnetostatic as well as transient, are not suitable to solve large scale 3D models. The objective of this thesis is primarily to present a strategy to efficiently solve such 3D problems. In this regard, different magnetic potential formulations were considered, and the mathematical properties of the matrix system resulting from each formulation were outlined. Special emphasis is placed on the implementation of iterative solvers and multigrid preconditioning. Also, it will be demonstrated that a formulation resulting in fewer degrees of freedom does not necessarily translate into a memory and/or time efficient model. This approach is then extended to estimate the axial flux in the BDFIM arising from the skewed rotor. In the 3D model, we consider the axial flux component and anisotropy of the iron which are neglected by the 2D multi-slice model. Upon analysis, it was observed that incorporating these effects leads to minimal improvement over the 2D multi-slice model which, however, more than outweighs this improvement by being computationally less expensive

Comparison of thoracic vs lumbar spinal anaesthesia fo orthopaedic surgeries

Background: Thoracic spinal anaesthesia has emerged as one of the most promising anaesthetic techniques in the recent times. On the other hand, lumbar approach has been the conventional choice  for orthopaedic surgeries since the advent of spinal anaesthesia. This study aimed at determining which approach is better suited for orthopaedic surgeries.Methods: Total 60 patients scheduled for orthopaedic surgeries were divided into two groups : group T and group L. Group T patients were given thoracic  spinal anaesthesia at the T9-T10 / T10-T11 interspace using  1.5 ml of hyperbaric bupivacaine 0.5% (5 mg/ml) + 25µg (0.5 ml) of fentanyl.  Group L patients received  2.5 ml of  hyperbaric bupivacaine 0.5% (5 mg/ml) + 25 µg (0.5 ml) of fentanyl at LI-L2/L2-L3 interspace. Authors evaluated the degree of analgesia  and  motor block,  haemodynamics  and neurological complications.Results: Onset of analgesia was faster in thoracic group - 2min. The duration of sensory  and motor block was shorter in thoracic group. There were no significant differences in haemodynamic variables and respiratory parameters between the two groups  and no neurological complication in any patient.Conclusions: Thoracic spinal anaesthesia is preferable to lumbar spinal anaesthesia for orthopaedic surgeries.

Comparison of Insertion Characteristics of Prewarmed Igel and I-gel at Room Temperature in Adult Patients Undergoing Elective Surgeries- A Randomized Control Trial

Background: I-gel is usually inserted at room temperature, but in certain studies it was found that I-gel may mould to the laryngeal structures faster if pre-warmed. Aim: The present study was conducted to investigate this hypothesis by comparing the airway sealing pressure and leak volume amount between prewarmed Igel devices and those kept at room temperature in paralysed adult patients on Volume Controlled Ventilation mode of ventilator posted for elective surgeries. Material and Methods: 70 patients were randomly allocated into 2 groups using computer generated randomisation. In Group C, airway was secured with Igel at room temperature. In Group W, patients airway was secured with I-gel which was prewarmed at 42˚Celsius. Results: The mean insertion time of prewarmed I-gel was 11.94 ± 1.59 seconds whereas that of I-gel at room temperature was 14.20 ± 1.80 seconds which was statistically significant. Mean leak volume after one minute and 30 minutes of insertion in W group was lesser than C group and the difference was statistically significant (p=0.048). Conclusion: Prewarmed I-gel does not provide a higher sealing pressure or better insertion success rate even in the presence of muscle relaxants. However, prewarmed I-gel had smaller insertion time and leak volume than control group

Genetic diversity and relationship assessment among mulberry (Morus spp) genotypes by simple sequence repeat (SSR) marker profile

Mulberry (Morus L.) is essential for sericulture industry as the primary source of food for silkworm Bombyx mori L. In India, long tradition of practising sericulture includes the use of a large number of indigenous cultivars. Since knowledge on genetic divergence of these cultivars/varieties is imperative for conservation and gainful utilization, simple sequence repeat (SSR) profiling was employed to assess genetic relatedness among 17 mulberry genotypes maintained in the Germplasm Bank of Temperate Sericulture Institute, SKUAST Kashmir, Mirgund. Six SSR primers were utilised which generates 17 alleles among the genotypes. The polymorphism information content (PIC) value varied from 0.260 (MulSTR3) to 0.623 (MulSTR4), with an average of 0.438 per locus. The highest similarity value of 0.92 was observed between Lemoncina and Kanva-2, as compared to the lowest similarity coefficient of 0.15 was between SKM-48 and Chinese white. Clustering of the genotypes was done with unweight pair group method using arithmetic average (UPGMA) which generates five clusters. Cluster-2 contained maximum (six) genotypes.Keywords: Clustering, genetic relatedness, mulberry, SSRAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(21), pp. 3181-318

Support and Assessment for Fall Emergency Referrals (SAFER 1) trial protocol. Computerised on-scene decision support for emergency ambulance staff to assess and plan care for older people who have fallen: evaluation of costs and benefits using a pragmatic cluster randomised trial

Background: Many emergency ambulance calls are for older people who have fallen. As half of them are left at home, a community-based response may often be more appropriate than hospital attendance. The SAFER 1 trial will assess the costs and benefits of a new healthcare technology - hand-held computers with computerised clinical decision support (CCDS) software - to help paramedics decide who needs hospital attendance, and who can be safely left at home with referral to community falls services. Methods/Design: Pragmatic cluster randomised trial with a qualitative component. We shall allocate 72 paramedics ('clusters') at random between receiving the intervention and a control group delivering care as usual, of whom we expect 60 to complete the trial. Patients are eligible if they are aged 65 or older, live in the study area but not in residential care, and are attended by a study paramedic following an emergency call for a fall. Seven to 10 days after the index fall we shall offer patients the opportunity to opt out of further follow up. Continuing participants will receive questionnaires after one and 6 months, and we shall monitor their routine clinical data for 6 months. We shall interview 20 of these patients in depth. We shall conduct focus groups or semi-structured interviews with paramedics and other stakeholders. The primary outcome is the interval to the first subsequent reported fall (or death). We shall analyse this and other measures of outcome, process and cost by 'intention to treat'. We shall analyse qualitative data thematically. Discussion: Since the SAFER 1 trial received funding in August 2006, implementation has come to terms with ambulance service reorganisation and a new national electronic patient record in England. In response to these hurdles the research team has adapted the research design, including aspects of the intervention, to meet the needs of the ambulance services. In conclusion this complex emergency care trial will provide rigorous evidence on the clinical and cost effectiveness of CCDS for paramedics in the care of older people who have fallen

Grade Classification for Water Chestnuts, their Dimensional Properties and Correlation Analysis

66-70The aim of the present study was to devise the grade classification for whole water chestnuts and kernels and to determine their dimensional properties. The data generated during the study will help in designing post-harvest handling equipments for water chestnuts in future. The mean values of length, width and thickness for whole water chestnuts ranged between ≤ 30 - > 45mm; ≤ 23- > 35mm and ≤ 9 - >18mm from grade I (very small) to grade V (very large) respectively, whereas, the corresponding values for whole water chestnut kernels ranged between ≤ 18 - > 36 mm; ≤ 13- > 22mm and ≤ 7 - > 16 mm from grade I to grade V respectively.  For all the five devised grades, the mean values of derived dimensional properties were significantly (p<0.05) different in both whole water chestnuts as well as in kernels. Correlation analysis revealed significant (p<0.05) positive correlation among all the dimensional properties of whole water chestnuts. In case of whole water chestnut kernels, all the dimensional properties showed significant positive correlation with each other, except sphericity and aspect ratio, which showed non-significant positive and negative correlations with all the dimensional properties respectively

Customized vacuum assisted closure therapy of wounds as a simple and cost-effective technique of wound closure-a prospective observational study from underdeveloped world

Background: Aim of the study was to study the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of indigenously designed customized vacuum assisted closure (VAC) of wounds in our patients. The management of difficult to heal wounds has been the main force that led to the development of advanced gadgets for their management. The technique of vacuum assisted closure has revolutionized the management of difficult to heal wounds and delivers better results as compared to conventional technique. Our aim was to assess the efficacy and cost effectiveness of customized VAC therapy.Methods: This prospective study was conducted in the department of surgery and allied specialties, GMC Srinagar, from June 2018 and September 2020. During this period, 80 patients were subjected to VAC therapy and were included in this study.Results: VAC dressing was used in 80 patients. 55 were males and 25 were females. Most of the wounds in our study were located over lower limbs (70%). RTA was the most common mode of injury followed by fall from height. After the VAC therapy, 78.8% patients were managed by STSG, 11.3% by flap cover, 6.3% by secondary suturing and 3.8% healed by secondary intention. Pain was experienced by 30% of the patients, 7.5% had hypoalbuminemia, 3.8% had surrounding skin maceration. The average total cost of the VAC therapy was 863.13 (±399.82) Indian rupees (11.76 USD). The mean duration of hospital stay for our patients was 22 days.Conclusions: Customized VAC Therapy has revolutionary potential in the management of the difficult to treat wounds as far as its safety, speed and cost effectiveness is considered especially in a setup of poor income nations like ours

Raw Drug Trade Record of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in Foothills of North-Western Himalayas

Trade of medicinal and aromatic plant species (MAPs) is age old practice throughout the world to increase household income. Over harvesting decreased their populations and a number of species became threatened in natural habitat. Survey was conducted on trade of important MAPs from wild in Jammu and Srinagar districts of J&K State, India. Information was collected on MAPs, by directly interviewing the people involved in the trade of medicinal and aromatic plants in mandis of two districts. Trade record was also collected from LOC at two locations I,e. Poonch and Uri. Even after ban on commercial exploitation of some MAPs, trade continued through illegal ways. The highest trade was recorded for Curcuma longa, Punica granatum, followed by Phyllanthus emblica in Jammu district. But in Srinagar it was found that Phoenix dactylifera, Lawsonia inermis and Rauwolfia serpentina recorded maximum trade. In this paper we have given the present status of herbal medicines, their quantity, per kg cost & part traded