Growing Muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) under Low-input System in Arid trans-Himalayan Ladakh, India

Feasibility of growing muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.), a warm season crop, was studied under a low-input cultivation system in open field condition in high altitude (elevation 3344 m) trans-Himalayan Ladakh region. The marketable yield of five cultivars in different treatments varied from 5.4±0.4 t.ha-1 to 18.8±1.7 t.ha-1 and 4.0±0.2 t.ha-1 to 15.8±1.0 t.ha-1 in 2014 and 2015, respectively. Treatment of black polyethylene mulch (BPM) increased marketable yield by 25 per cent to 155 per cent depending on year and cultivar. The marketable yield of the best performing cultivar (Pusa Madhuras) under BPM was 17.3 t.ha-1, which suggested that muskmelon can successfully be grown in open field condition in trans-Himalaya. The fruit become ready for harvest in mid-August. Number of fruit per plant ranged from 2.3 to 6.3, and TSS ranged from 8.9 to 14.1 °Brix depending on cultivar. Temperature 10 cm beneath the BPM was 2.9±0.4 ºC higher than in bare soil. BPM reduced 74 per cent weed and save 77 per cent time in manual weeding

Growing Cauliflower in Winter under Passive Solar Greenhouse in Trans Himalayan Ladakh, India

Traditionally cauliflower is not grown during winter months in the trans-Himalayan Ladakh region due to sub-zero degree celsius at night. Accordingly, the feasibility of growing cauliflower, a temperature-sensitive crop, was studied during winter months in a passive solar greenhouse in the high altitude (elevation 3340 m) trans-Himalayan Ladakh region. Studies were conducted during 2017-2020 with three commercial varieties. Curd was formed in all the varieties despite the temperature extremes (0.0±1.6 to 39.5±0.9 ºC) in the greenhouse. Harvesting was done in the month of February. The mean marketable curd weight ranged from 258±113 to 743±62 g depending on variety and year, which suggested that cauliflower can be successfully grown during winter months in the trans-Himalaya. However, the marketable curd weight was significantly lower as compared to the yield potential of the varieties. High temperature inside the greenhouse resulted in the occurrence of fuzziness, and it ranged from 0-35% of the harvested curd depending on the year and variety. Fuzziness was not observed in cv Shentha while 10.4-35% of cv Amazing exhibited fuzziness

Feasibility and Complications between Phacoemulsification and Manual Small Incision Surgery in Subluxated Cataract

Purpose. To compare the feasibility of cataract surgery with implantation of endocapsular supporting devices and intraocular lens (IOL) in subluxated cataract in phacoemulsification and manual small incision cataract surgery (MSICS). Design. Prospective randomized intervention case series consisting of 60 eyes with visually significant subluxated cataract. Method. The patients were randomly distributed between the two groups equally. The main outcome measure was implantation of in-the-bag IOL, requirement of additional procedure and complications, if any. Results. Capsular bag retention in subluxated lenses is possible in 90% cases in phacoemulsification versus 76.67% cases in MSICS (=0.16). Both groups, achieved similar best corrected visual acuity (=0.73), although additional procedures, intraoperative, and postoperative complications were more common in MSICS. Conclusions. Achieving intact capsulorhexis and nuclear rotation in MSICS may be difficult in cases with large nucleus size and severe subluxation, but subluxated cataracts can be effectively managed by both phacoemuslification and MSICS

Traditional knowledge and heirloom root vegetables: Food security in trans-Himalayan Ladakh, India

191-197This study elaborates the role of heirloom vegetables coming down from generations to generations into the life support system of native Ladakhi highlanders (in the trans-Himalaya region of India). The study was conducted with 165 Ladakhi men and women using a combination of personal interviews and participatory methods indicated that heirloom vegetables are known for their taste, colour, shape and adaptability among Ladakhi people, and form an integral part of their food system during the period of scarcity, especially during the winter months when the region remains landlocked. Due to unfavourable conditions caused by severe cold, high altitude and a short growing season the production of many vegetable varieties are hampered. During such periods, the heirloom root vegetables available in the region with higher shelf life are of immense utility in securing the food security of the local community. However, the introduction of new varieties is posing a threat to the traditional heirloom root vegetables, and many are in verge of extinction accompanied by decreasing trend in their growing percentage. These vegetables are stored for consumption during winter, although the trend is currently declining. If the same trend continues, appropriate in situ conservations interventions are needed

Toward a Sociology of Emotion

Seven conjugated copolymers, based on dithienylbenzothiadiazole and benzene, have been synthesized with side chains placed in different position along the conjugated backbone. An additional polymer with a small modification of the investigated backbone was also included in the study. Alkoxy and alkyl side chains were considered, depending on the aromatic ring they were anchored to. Our goal was to perform an extensive study, by evaluating the possible anchoring positions of the same backbone, in order to demonstrate the huge influence of the position of side chains on a well performing polymer backbone for polymer solar cells. All the polymers were roll slot die coated under ambient conditions on flexible ITO-free plastic substrates to give inverted polymer solar cell devices with an upscaled active area of 1 cm². The best characteristics were found for the polymer carrying alkoxy side chains on the benzene ring where power conversion efficiencies of up to 3.6% were achieved. All studied materials were prepared with an objective of low-cost starting materials, simple synthesis, and simple processing conditions which was most successful for the polymer <b>P5</b>. The polymer <b>P7</b> containing fluorine atoms showed excellent performance under constant illumination and high temperature (exhibiting stable photovoltaic properties even after 670 h under conditions similar to ISOS-L-2 lifetime protocol). This makes <b>P7</b> a good candidate for further upscaling and device optimization. The photovoltaic performance results were corroborated with full optical and morphological characterization of the conjugated polymers. We conclude that the determination of the best anchoring position for the side chains is the most rational starting point for the optimization of a polymer with a potential for large-scale fabrication of polymer solar cells