Zooplankton community of two typical wetlands of Kashmir Himalaya.

The distribution pattern of organisms in an aquatic ecosystems varies from minute plankton to the huge predators which is governed by the behavior and adaptability with regard to particular system in which they survive (McManus and Woodson, 2012). Generally the term plankton comprises of phytoplankton and zooplankton. Zooplankton has been derived from two Greek words “zoon” means animal and “planktos” meaning wandering. These are group of animals remaining suspended, wandering with water currents and possessing little degree of locomotion. They are microscopic animals, ranging from unicelled to multicelled; size varies from a few microns to a millimeter or even more. Besides size variations, there are differences regarding their morphological characteristic and taxonomic status as well. In aquatic ecosystems zooplankton plays a vital role in studying the faunal biodiversity. They feed on micro-algae, thereby converting the autotrophic material into animal tissue which in turn comprises the fundamental food for higher trophic levels including fishes, particularly their larvae (Pandit, 1999). Zooplankton is an important component of freshwater ecosystems (Gannon and Stemberger, 1978; Sladecek, 1983; Huys and Boxshall, 1991; Devi and Ramanibai, 2012). They regulate algal and microbial production by grazing and help in transport of energy to higher trophic levels (Pandit, 1980, 99; Dejen et al., 2004). Zooplankton are extremely receptive to changing environmental conditions, as most species have short generation time, resulting in changing their abundance, species diversity or community composition (Sharma et al., 2008).Therefore, zooplankton are considered as indicators of water quality (Pinto-Coelho et al., 2005; Rajashekhar et al., 2009; Joshi, 2011). Further, these plankters improve water quality by grazing on micro-algae and even some bacteria (Kumar et al., 2009). Freshwater zooplankton is comprised of two major groups of invertebrate animals: Rotifera and Crustacea.Digital copy of Thesis.University of Kashmri

In Silico identification of candidate genes involved for grain Fe and Zn concentration in sorghum using reported cereals gene homologs

Sorghum is one of the top 10 crops that feed the world. It is a good source of energy, protein, carbohydrate, vitamins and minerals including the trace elements. It is one of the cheapest and sustainable options to combat the micronutrient malnutrition, particularly Fe and Zn in predominantly sorghum eating populations. Identification of genes governing grain Fe and Zn concentration in sorghum is of interest. Earlier studies on other cereals showed role of number of genes for grain Fe and Zn homeostasis and uptake, transport and loading, but so far no reports available on genomic regions/ QTLs and candidate genes governing sorghum grain Fe and Zn content in sorghum

Učinak faktora rasta i antioksidanta na in vitro dozrijevanje i diobu oocita in vitro proizvedenih embrija indijskog bivola (Bubalus bubalis).

The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of growth factor in combination with antioxidant on the in vitro maturation (IVM) rate of oocytes and cleavage rates of in vitro fertilized (IVF) Indian Bubalus bubalis embryos. The cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) were collected from slaughterhouse ovaries by aspirating follicles, and kept in maturation media (MM) for 24 h. The MM consisted of Group-1 (Control MM) - TCM 199 + 10% FBS + PMSG (20 IU/mL) + hCG (10 IU/mL) + Sodium pyruvate (0.80 mM) + L-glutamine (2 mM) + Gentamicin (50 μg/mL), Group-2 - Control MM + Epidermal growth factor (EGF) (10 ng/mL) + β-mercaptoethanol (β-ME) (25 μM), Group -3 - Control MM + EGF (20 ng/mL) + β-ME (100 μM), Group-4 - Control MM + EGF (100 ng/mL) + β-ME (500 μM). After maturation in diverse maturation media, the media used for IVF and the subsequent development of embryos was the same in all groups. The present results revealed that 20 ng/mL EGF + 100 μM β-ME concentrations were optimum and showed a significant effect on oocyte maturation and further development. Also high concentrations of EGF + β-ME (100 ng/mL + 500 μM), showed a decrease in the cumulus expansion rate, polar body formation rate and cleavage rates. A significant improvement in cleavage rate was observed when oocytes were matured in maturation medium with 20 ng/mL EGF + 100 μM β-ME and capacitation and fertilization was carried out in BO medium compared with TALP medium (64.8 ± 3.8 vs 44.1 ± 2.9). No significant difference in cleavage rate was observed for oocytes matured in the control group, control group + 10 ng/mL EGF + 25 μM β-ME and control group + 100 ng/mL EGF + 500 μM β-ME, between BO and TALP medium, indicating the beneficial effect of the addition of 20 ng/mL EGF + 100 μM β-ME to the maturation media for improved Bubalus bubalis embryo production under in vitro culture.Istraživanje je poduzeto s ciljem da se procijeni učinak kombinacije čimbenika rasta i antioksidanta na in vitro dozrijevanje oocita i diobu in vitro proizvedenih zametaka indijskog bivola (Bubalus bubalis). Kompleksi kumulus oocita bili su prikupljeni s jajnika na klaonici aspiracijom folikula i držani u mediju za dozrijevanje tijekom 24 sata. Medij za dozrijevanje 1. skupine (kontrolne) sadržavao je TCM 199, 10% FBS, PMSG (20 IJ/mL), hCG (10 IJ/mL), natrijev piruvat (0,80 mM), L-glutamin (2 mM) i gentamicin (50 μg/mL). Mediji za dozrijevanje pokusnih skupina bili su sljedećeg sastava: 2. skupina, isto kao kontrolna uz dodatak epidermalnog faktora rasta EGF (10 ng/mL) i β-merkaptoetanola (β-ME) (25 μM); 3. skupina, kao i medij u kontrolnoj skupini s dodatkom EGF (20 ng/mL) i β-ME (100 μM) i 4. skupina, kao i kontrolna uz dodatak EGF (100 ng/mL) i β-ME (500 μM). Nakon dozrijevanja u različitim medijima, za in vitro oplodnju i razvoj embrija u svim skupinama korišten je isti medij. Rezultati pokazuju da su koncntracije od 20 ng/mL EGF i 100 μM β-ME bile optimalne i pokazivale značajan učinak na dozrijevanje oocita i budući razvoj. Također, visoke koncentracije EGF i β-ME (100 ng/mL + 500 μM) pokazale su smanjenje stupnja ekspanzije kumulusa, stupnja formiranja polarnog tijela i stupnja diobe. Signifikantno poboljšanje stupnja diobe opaženo je kod dozrijevanja oocita u mediju kojem je dodano 20 ng/mL EGF i 100 μM β-ME, a kapacitacija i oplodnja provedena je u BO mediju u usporedbi s TALP medijem (64,8 ± 3,8 prema 44,1 ± 2,9). Signifikantna razlika nije utvrđena za stupanj diobe kod oocita koje su dozrijevale u kontrolnoj skupini, u skupini s dodatkom 10 ng/mL EGF i 25 μM β-ME, skupini s dodatkom 100 ng/mL EGF i 500 μM β-ME, kao i između BO and TALP medija. Navedeno ukazuje na povoljan učinak dodavanja 20 ng/mL EGF i 100 μM β-ME u medij za dozrijevanje embrija indijskog bivola (Bubalus bubalis) koji su proizvedeni uz pomoć in vitro kulture

Решение обратной задачи кинематики шестизвенного робота

Материалы XX Междунар. науч.-техн. конф. студентов, аспирантов и молодых ученых, Гомель, 23–24 апр. 2020 г

Improving polio vaccination during supplementary campaigns at areas of mass transit in India

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In India, children who are traveling during mass immunization campaigns for polio represent a substantial component of the total target population. These children are not easily accessible to health workers and may thus not receive vaccine. Vaccination activities at mass transit sites (such as major intersections, bus depots and train stations), can increase the proportion of children vaccinated but the effectiveness of these activities, and factors associated with their success, have not been rigorously evaluated.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We assessed data from polio vaccination activities in Jyotiba Phule Nagar district, Uttar Pradesh, India, conducted in June 2006. We used trends in the vaccination results from the June activities to plan the timing, locations, and human resource requirements for transit vaccination activities in two out of the seven blocks in the district for the July 2006 supplementary immunization activity (SIA). In July, similar data was collected and for the first time vaccination teams also recorded the proportion of children encountered each day who were vaccinated (a new monitoring system).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In June, out of the 360,937 total children vaccinated, 34,643 (9.6%) received vaccinations at mass transit sites. In the July SIA, after implementation of a number of changes based on the June monitoring data, 36,475 children were vaccinated at transit sites (a 5.3% increase). Transit site vaccinations in July increased in the two intervention blocks from 18,194 to 21,588 (18.7%) and decreased from 16,449 to 14,887 (9.5%) in the five other blocks. The new monitoring system showed the proportion of unvaccinated children at street intersection transit sites in the July campaign decreased from 24% (1,784/7,405) at the start of the campaign to 3% (143/5,057) by the end of the SIA, consistent with findings from the more labor-intensive post-vaccination coverage surveys routinely performed by the program.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Analysis of vaccination data from transit sites can inform program management changes leading to improved outcomes in polio immunization campaigns. The number of vaccinated children encountered should be routinely recorded by transit teams and may provide a useful, inexpensive alternative mechanism to assess program coverage.</p

Relational approaches to poverty in rural India: social, ecological and technical dynamics

Poverty is now widely recognised as multidimensional, with indicators including healthcare, housing and sanitation. Yet, relational approaches that foreground political-cultural processes remain marginalised in policy discourses. Focusing on India, we review a wide range of relational approaches to rural poverty. Beginning with early approaches that focus on structural reproduction of class, caste and to a lesser extent gender inequality, we examine new relational approaches developed in the last two decades. The new approaches examine diverse ways in which poverty is experienced and shapes mobilisations against deprivation. They draw attention to poor people’s own articulations of deprivation and alternate conceptions of well-being. They also show how intersecting inequalities of class, caste and gender shape governance practices and political movements. Despite these important contributions, the new relational approaches pay limited attention to technologies and ecologies in shaping the experience of poverty. Reviewing studies on the Green Revolution and wider agrarian transformations in India, we then sketch the outlines of a hybrid relational approach to poverty that combines socio-technical and -ecological dynamics. We argue that such an approach is crucial to challenge narrow economising discourses on poverty and to bridge the policy silos of poverty alleviation and (environmentally) sustainable development

Understanding improved capacity retention at 4.3 V in modified single crystal Ni-rich NMC//graphite pouch cells at elevated temperature

The capacity retention of commercially-sourced pouch cells with single crystal Al surface-doped Ni-rich cathodes (LiNi0.834Mn0.095Co0.071O2) is examined. The degradation-induced capacity fade becomes more pronounced as the upper-cut-off voltage (UCV) increases from 4.2 V to 4.3 V (vs. graphite) at a fixed cycling temperature (either 25 or 40 °C). However, cycles with 4.3 V UCV (slightly below the oxygen loss onset) show better capacity retention upon increasing the cycling temperature from 25 °C to 40 °C. Namely, after 500 cycles at 4.3 V UCV, cycling temperature at 40 °C retains 85.5% of the initial capacity while cycling at 25 °C shows 75.0% capacity retention. By employing a suite of electrochemical, X-ray spectroscopy and secondary ion mass spectrometry techniques, we attribute the temperature-induced improvement of the capacity retention at high UCV to the combined effects of Al surface-dopants, electrochemically resilient single crystal Ni-rich particles, and thermally-improved Li kinetics translating into better electrochemical performance. If cycling remains below the lattice oxygen loss onset, improved capacity retention in industrial cells should be achieved in single crystal Ni-rich cathodes with the appropriate choice of cycling parameter, particle quality, and particle surface dopants

Epidemiology and risk factors of chronic kidney disease in India – results from the SEEK (Screening and Early Evaluation of Kidney Disease) study

Background: There is a rising incidence of chronic kidney disease that is likely to pose major problems for both healthcare and the economy in future years. In India, it has been recently estimated that the age-adjusted incidence rate of ESRD to be 229 per million population (pmp), and >100,000 new patients enter renal replacement programs annually. Methods: We cross-sectionally screened 6120 Indian subjects from 13 academic and private medical centers all over India. We obtained personal and medical history data through a specifically designed questionnaire. Blood and urine samples were collected. Results: The total cohort included in this analysis is 5588 subjects. The mean ± SD age of all participants was 45.22 ± 15.2 years (range 18–98 years) and 55.1% of them were males and 44.9% were females. The overall prevalence of CKD in the SEEK-India cohort was 17.2% with a mean eGFR of 84.27 ± 76.46 versus 116.94 ± 44.65 mL/min/1.73 m2 in non-CKD group while 79.5% in the CKD group had proteinuria. Prevalence of CKD stages 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 was 7%, 4.3%, 4.3%, 0.8% and 0.8%, respectively. Conclusion: The prevalence of CKD was observed to be 17.2% with ~6% have CKD stage 3 or worse. CKD risk factors were similar to those reported in earlier studies. It should be stressed to all primary care physicians taking care of hypertensive and diabetic patients to screen for early kidney damage. Early intervention may retard the progression of kidney disease. Planning for the preventive health policies and allocation of more resources for the treatment of CKD/ESRD patients are imperative in India