Effect of source and method of application of zinc on yield and quality of black pepper (Piper nigrum L.)

Experiments were conducted in the green house at Peruvannamuzhi (Kerala) and also in the field at Madikeri (Karnataka) to compare the effect of zinc sources, zinc sulphate (ZnSO4) and zinc ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid chelate (Zn-EDTA) and methods of application (soil and foliar) to black pepper (Piper nigrum) in a zinc deficient soil. The results showed that with regard to soil availability of zinc, application of zinc as Zn-EDTA chelate @ 2.5 mg kg-1 soil in green house and 2.5 kg ha-1 in field conditions recorded maximum values. Leaf and berry zinc and pepper yield were maximum due to 0.5% ZnSo4 foliar spray. Irrespective of sources and methods, Zinc application significantly increased oleoresin and piperine contents. With regard to benefit : cost ratio, 0.5% foliar spray of ZnSo4 resulted in maximum value in green house, whereas soil application of 2.5 kg Zn ha-1 as ZnSo4 resulted in maximum value in field condition. &nbsp

Reaching the unreached: Highlights of Institution Village Linkage Programme of CMFRI

Reaching the unreached: Highlights of Institution Village Linkage Programme of CMFR

Influence of soil physico-chemical properties on productivity of black pepper (Piper nigrum L.)

Soil surveys were conducted to study the physico-chemical characteristics of major black pepper (Piper nigrum) growing soils in Kerala and their relationship with black pepper productivity. Soil samples were collected from four major black pepper growing districts, namely, ldukki, Wayanad (high elevation), Kozhikode and Kannur (low elevation) and were classified based on yield as high, moderate and low yieJdinggardens. The relationships between elevations, physico-chemical properties and black pepper productivity were studied. The investigation revealed that soils of high yielding gardens were high in sand and low in clay fractions. These soils had high pH, base saturation, canon exchange capacity, organic carbon, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium and zinc status compared to low yielding gardens. These factors favoured good growth of black pepper vines with higher productivity. &nbsp

Evaluation of composted coir p ith with chemical and biofertilizers on nutrient availability, yield and quality of b lack pepper (Piper nigrum L.)

Composted coir pith was evaluated at Madikeri (Karnataka) under integrated plant nutrient management system to substitute chemical input of fertilizers for improving the yield and quality of black pepper (Piper nigrum). Application of composted coir pith (CC) @ 2.5 t ha" with full recommended dose of NPK (100:40:140 kg ha" of N, P,O, and K, O) yielded the highest (4.18 kg vine" ) which was on par with 1.25 t ha·1 CC + full NPK, 2.5 t ha·1 CC + y, NPK + Azospirillum sp., 1.25 t ha" CC + y, NPK + Azospirillum sp. and 2.5 t ha" CC alone. The levels of composted coir pith application were on par with regard to quality (piperine and oleoresin contents). of black pepper. The highest benefit-cost ratio of 1.94 was recorded in the ,treatment with composted coir pith @ 1.25 t ha" + Azospirillum sp. &nbsp

Knowledge and Attitude of Dental Students and Staffs towards Basic life Support(BLS)

Introduction:The present study was aimed to assess the awareness, knowledge, and attitude towards basic life support (BLS) among the dental students and faculty of Al Azhar dental college. Materials and Methods:A descriptive study was conducted by using a Questionnaire comprising of 20 questions to collect the data pertaining to awareness and knowledge of BLS, attitude towards BLS among the 3rd, final year dental students and the faculty members. After excluding the incomplete response sheets which were none in the present study, the data from 212 members were subjected to the analysis. The Main outcome measure was the over all score in the BLS knowledge. Knowledge of BLS was assessed as per the data contained in the Basic life support manual from American Heart Association. Results: Out of 212 members 109 were 3rd year students and 85 were final year students and 18 faculty members. The overall knowledge score was 33.7%. Overall results were poor with less than minimum knowledge on the topic BLS. A score of less than 50% was evident in the study indicating a poor knowledge of BLS among both the students and the faculty.The range of correct answers were 3-11 among students and 4-6 among the staffs. A significant difference (

Graphene coated fabrics by ultrasonic spray coating for wearable electronics and smart textiles

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available on open access from IOP Publishing via the DOI in this recordThe seamless incorporation of electronics in textiles have the potential to enable various applications ranging from sensors for the internet of things to personalised medicine and human-machine interfacing. Graphene electronic textiles are a current focus for the research community due to the exceptional electrical and optical properties combined with the high flexibility of this material, which makes it the most effective strategy to achieve ultimate mechanical robustness of electronic devices for textile integrated electronics. An efficient way to create electronic textiles is to fabricate devices directly on the fabric. This can be done by coating the textile fabric with graphene to make it conductive. Here we discuss successful and efficient methods for coating graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) on textile substrates of nylon, polyester and meta-aramid using ultrasonic spray coating technique. These coatings are characterised by scanning electron microscopy, contact angle and electrical conductivity measurements in order to identify the optimal textile electrode. Our study provides the foundation for the large-area fabrication of graphene electronic textiles.Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC

AI-powered transmitted light microscopy for functional analysis of live cells

Transmitted light microscopy can readily visualize the morphology of living cells. Here, we introduce artificial-intelligence-powered transmitted light microscopy (AIM) for subcellular structure identification and labeling-free functional analysis of live cells. AIM provides accurate images of subcellular organelles; allows identification of cellular and functional characteristics (cell type, viability, and maturation stage); and facilitates live cell tracking and multimodality analysis of immune cells in their native form without labeling

Association of NT-proBNP and Multiple Biomarkers with Severity of Angiographic Coronary Artery Disease in Diabetic and Pre-Diabetic Chinese Patients

Background: Little is known about the plasma levels of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), and the relationship between the severity of coronary heart disease (CHD) with NT-proBNP and multiple biomarkers in diabetic and pre-diabetic patients, compared to individuals with normal glucose levels. Methods: Four hundred and fifteen consecutive Chinese patients of both sexes were assigned to three groups on the basis of the new hemoglobin (Hb) A1c (HbA1c) cut-off points for diagnosis of diabetes and pre-diabetes. The three groups were divided into tertiles according to NT-proBNP, hs-CRP, cystatin C, and troponin T levels. Gensini scores were compared among the three groups and biomarker tertiles. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to obtain the angiographic CHD cut-off points for each biomarker. Stepwise multivariate linear correlation analysis was applied to examine the association between the severity of CHD and biomarker levels. Results: Gensini scores increased with increasing biomarker tertile levels and HbA1c. Gensini scores were significantly different in the middle and upper NT-proBNP tertiles of the diabetic, pre-diabetic and control groups. NT-proBNP had the highest positive and negative predictive values and area under the curve for CHD. Only NT-proBNP was identified as an independent variable for Gensini score. Conclusions: Plasma NT-proBNP may be an important biomarker to evaluate the severity of CHD and screen for CHD i

Maternal death inquiry and response in India - the impact of contextual factors on defining an optimal model to help meet critical maternal health policy objectives

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Maternal death reviews have been utilized in several countries as a means of identifying social and health care quality issues affecting maternal survival. From 2005 to 2009, a standardized community-based maternal death inquiry and response initiative was implemented in eight Indian states with the aim of addressing critical maternal health policy objectives. However, state-specific contextual factors strongly influenced the effort's success. This paper examines the impact and implications of the contextual factors.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We identified community, public health systems and governance related contextual factors thought to affect the implementation, utilization and up-scaling of the death inquiry process. Then, according to selected indicators, we documented the contextual factors' presence and their impact on the process' success in helping meet critical maternal health policy objectives in four districts of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal. Based on this assessment, we propose an optimal model for conducting community-based maternal death inquiries in India and similar settings.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The death inquiry process led to increases in maternal death notification and investigation whether civil society or government took charge of these tasks, stimulated sharing of the findings in multiple settings and contributed to the development of numerous evidence-based local, district and statewide maternal health interventions. NGO inputs were essential where communities, public health systems and governance were weak and boosted effectiveness in stronger settings. Public health systems participation was enabled by responsive and accountable governance. Communities participated most successfully through India's established local governance Panchayat Raj Institutions. In one instance this led to the development of a multi-faceted intervention well-integrated at multiple levels.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The impact of several contextual factors on the death inquiry process could be discerned, and suggested an optimal implementation model. District and state government must mandate and support the process, while the district health office should provide overall coordination, manage the death inquiry data as part of its routine surveillance programme, and organize a highly participatory means, preferably within an existing structure, of sharing the findings with the community and developing evidence-based maternal health interventions. NGO assistance and the support of a development partner may be needed, particularly in locales with weaker communities, public health systems or governance.</p