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Not AvailableGillnets are commonly used in inland lakes due to their simplicity in construction and operation, efficiency, and low energy usage. The Vembanad lake is one of the most prominent lakes in Kerala, contributing significantly to the small-scale and artisanal fisheries, in which gillnets are the predominant gear. There have been studies on the effect of gillnet panel colour on the selective capture of fish species, primarily in the open ocean and rivers. Although a considerable number of studies exist on the species profile and fish catching methods in the lake, the efficiency of coloured webbing for gillnets is not available. The efficiency of coloured webbing for gillnets is not documented, which, if available, would be a crucial input for implementing gearbased technical measures for conservation in gillnets in the lake. In this regard, a study was conducted along Vembanad lake and the lower reaches of the Muvattupuzha river to compare the catch efficiency and species profile of transparent gillnets typically employed in the region with gillnets fabricated using blue and green coloured webbing. The results demonstrated a considerable increase in CPUE for green-coloured gillnets (708.9±12.8 grams per operation) compared to blue and transparent gillnets, which had CPUE values of 397.9±80.2 and 293.7±70.6 grams per operation, respectively. Significantly higher catches of Horabagrus brachysoma and Etroplus suratensis were obtained with the green-coloured gillnets than with the control (Transparent). Lengthwise data showed that green-coloured nets captured larger individuals of E. suratensis, but significant difference was not observed in other species. The number of E. suratensis captured in each gillnet contributed to the most dissimilarity in all comparisons, followed by Gerres sp. and H. brachysoma, according to similarities percentage analysis conducted to comprehend the species assemblage structure. This is the first report on the effect of gillnet colour on the catch efficiency of gillnets in Vembanad lake, and the results, which indicate species-specific differences in capture, will be one of the many inputs necessary for implementing gear-based technical measures in the gillnet fishery in the lake.Not Availabl

Online) An Open Access

ABSTRACT Pot culture experiments were conducted to study the effect of most commonly used selected agrochemicals viz., carbendazim (0.2%), chlorpyriphos (0.25%), pendimethalin (0.66%) and zinc sulphate (0.2%) alone and in combination with amendment gypsum (2%) on the biocontrol efficacy of Trichoderma harzianum (Th 4 ) as seed treatment/ soil application against collar rot of chickpea caused by Sclerotium rolfsii. Among all seed treatments, seed treatment with Th 4 -chlorpyriphos-S. rolfsii had shown the highest per cent germination (96.75), high plant stand per cent (55.93) and high colony forming units (cfu) recovery (20.67× 10 6 cfu/g soil) and from among all soil application treatments, soil application with Th 4 -chlorpyriphos-S. rolfsii recorded the high per cent germination (83.07) and soil application with Th 4 -chlorpyriphos-gypsum-S. rolfsii had shown high plant stand per cent (25.42) and high cfu recovery of 20.67 × 10 6 cfu/g soil

Screening of recombinant inbred lines for resistance to bacterial leaf blight pathotypes in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

In the present investigation 16 recombinant inbred lines (RIL’s) developed from the intra-specific cross between YH3 and AKDRMS 21-54 through Marker Assisted Pedigree Breeding Method were screened along with their parents and the checks, namely, BPT 5204, TN1 and Improved Samba Mahsuri (ISM) against IxoPt-20 pathotype at the ICAR-Indian Institute of Rice Research, Hyderabad during Rabi 2021-22 and a new pathotype of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae causing Bacterial Leaf Blight disease in rice at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Maruteru during Kharif 2022 to identify pathotype specific resistant sources.  Morpho-Molecular screening was adopted to evaluate the recombinant inbred lines over two locations in the consecutive seasons of Rabi 2021-22 and Kharif 2022. Based on per cent diseased leaf area, the genotypes were scored and categorised as per the Standard Evaluation System (SES) scale provided by International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). The results revealed all 16 RIL’s to be either resistant (10) or moderately resistant (6) to IxoPt-20 pathotype. However, only five RIL’s were found to be resistant, while four RIL’s were moderately resistant for the new virulent pathotype. Seven RIL’s with resistant to moderately resistant reaction for IxoPt-20 pathotype, showed moderately susceptible reaction for the new virulent pathotype.  Among the resistant RIL’s identified for each pathotype, BPT-1901-72-10-6, BPT-1901-108-4-1 and BPT-1901-111-3-2 were found to be uniformly resistant, while, BPT-1901-45-8-6 and BPT-1901-163-1-18 were uniformly moderately resistant to both IXoPt-20 and the new virulent pathotype at Hyderabad and Maruteru, respectively, indicating their potential as genetic stocks for development of new cultivars resistant to bacterial leaf blight disease

Prediction of outcomes in acute exacerbation of COPD with DECAF score and BAP 65 score in a rural population

Background: Prognostic research in exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) requiring hospitalization has been limited and there appears to be little common ground between predictors of mortality in stable disease and during AECOPD. Furthermore, none of the prognostic tools developed in stable disease have been tested on hospitalised patients, and most require clinical measurements not routinely available at hospital admission. This study intends to test dyspnoea, eosinopenia, consolidation, acidemia, and atrial fibrillation (DECAF) and biological assessment profile (BAP) 65 Scores on Indian patients in a tertiary care set up and validate the same to be used as a routine and effective score in predicting the outcome in AECOPD.  Methods: Hospital based prospective observational study was carried out in 100 patients with AECOPD who was present to general medicine. DECAF and BAP-65 Scores were calculated. Data was analyzed using SPSS 22 version software.Results: In our study both DECAF score and BAP‑65 score performed equally well for prediction of need for Mechanical Ventilation. The AUROC for need for Mechanical Ventilation was 0.77 (95% CI=0.67–0.84) for DECAF score and 0.77 (95% CI=0.67–0.85) for BAP‑65 score. The AUROC for prediction of mortality for DECAF score was 0.83 (95% confidence interval [CI]=0.74–0.89) and for BAP‑65 score was 0.79 (95% CI=0.69–0.86).Conclusions: DECAF and BAP-65 are good and also equal in predicting mortality as well as need for mechanical ventilation. Both scores can be easily applicable in AECOPD patients, so that death during hospitalization for AECOPD and need for mechanical ventilation can be minimized.

An appraisal of rainfall estimation over India using remote sensing and in situ measurements

167-177The most important meteorological parameter Rainfall, shows high variability in space and time, particularly over Tropics / Monsoon region. Many new observational and analysis methods to observe / analyse them by remote sensing techniques (Satellites, Doppler Weather Radars) have emerged over the decades, besides the dense network of in situ rain gauges, Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) etc on ground. The scales of observations being vastly different for in situ and remote sensing methods, large discrepancies between different techniques are inherent. These problems have been brought out through various validation studies by many groups in the country. Even on the daily all India spatial scale, basically only the peaks and troughs from satellite estimates match reasonably well with in situ data. Results of a case study during an intense and long-lasting rain event over Chennai, from DWR, with different satellite products and ground truth are presented. The importance of DWR rainfall data in significantly improving the integrated products is emphasised. A simple two-way approach to establish Z – R relationship for the DWRs in the country is also suggested. A well-coordinated integrated programme to study the inter comparability of precipitation at various spatio- temporal scales in the context of our water resources, model validation, extreme rainfall events, Climate change, etc., is called for. The desired accuracies from satellite data vis a vis IMD gridded data for different applications have been summarised

Properties and physiological effects of dietary fiber-enriched meat products: a review

Meat is a rich source of high biological proteins, vitamins, and minerals, but it is devoid of dietary fiber, an essential non-digestible carbohydrate component such as cellulose, hemicellulose, pectin, lignin, polysaccharides, and oligosaccharides. Dietary fibers are basically obtained from various cereals, legumes, fruits, vegetables, and their by-products and have numerous nutritional, functional, and health-benefiting properties. So, these fibers can be added to meat products to enhance their physicochemical properties, chemical composition, textural properties, and organoleptic qualities, as well as biological activities in controlling various lifestyle ailments such as obesity, certain cancers, type-II diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and bowel disorders. These dietary fibers can also be used in meat products as an efficient extender/binder/filler to reduce the cost of production by increasing the cooking yield as well as by reducing the lean meat content and also as a fat replacer to minimize unhealthy fat content in the developed meat products. So, growing interest has been observed among meat processors, researchers, and scientists in exploring various new sources of dietary fibers for developing dietary fiber-enriched meat products in recent years. In the present review, various novel sources of dietary fibers, their physiological effects, their use in meat products, and their impact on various physicochemical, functional, and sensory attributes have been focused

Breeding tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) for resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is an important vegetable crop cultivated in the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. Low productivity in India is due to occurrence of both biotic and abiotic stresses. Among the biotic stresses, tomato leaf curl disease, bacterial wilt, early blight and Groundnut Bud Necrosis Virus disease have become serious production constraints causing considerable yield loss in the major tomato growing areas of the country. Adoption of multiple disease resistant varieties or F1 hybrids would be the most appropriate way to address these diseases. At ICAR-IIHR, Bengaluru systematic breeding strategies were employed to pyramid genes for resistance to early blight, bacterial wilt and tomato leaf curl diseases and to develop advanced breeding lines& F1 hybrids with triple disease resistance. Stable source of resistance to early blight and bi-partite begomo-virus (Tomato Leaf Curl New Delhi Virus) has been identified in Solanum habrochaites LA-1777. Validation with molecular markers linked to tomato leaf curl virus resistance revealed that LA-1777 carryTy2 and other putative resistant genes. Several high yielding dual purpose hybrids were also developed for fresh market and processing with high level of resistance to multiple diseases. Cherry tomato lines have also been bred for high TSS, total carotenoids, total phenols, flavonoids, vitamin C, acidity and lycopene content. IIHR-249-1, IIHR-2101 (Solanum habrochaites LA-1777), IIHR- 2866 and IIHR-2864 recorded high values for quality parameters like total carotenoids, lycopene, vitamin C, total phenols, flavonoids and TSS. Drought tolerant root stock has been developed by an interspecific cross between S. habrochaites LA-1777 and S. lycopersicum (15 SB SB). Resistant sources have also been identified against Tuta absoluta, a serious insect pest reported from major tomato growing areas in the country in recent time. High temperature tolerant breeding lines are in pipe line

Policy of foreign direct investment liberalisation in India: implications for retail sector

This study has analysed the impact of liberalisation of Indian economy and FDI policy on the retail sector since its implementation in the 1990s. It also further analyses sub-categories by investigating its impact on the unorganised retail sector and the flow of FDI in single-brand retail and multi-brand retail sectors. A comprehensive and critical review of the existing evidence on the subject was carried out, and descriptive statistical analysis of data from 1991 to 2013 was performed which leads to conclude that the policy of FDI liberalisation has proved to provide diversification and sustainable development to the Indian economy and specifically retail sector which is considered to be one of the significant pillars of economy. Furthermore, for continuous growth of the economy, it seems vital to encourage more investment in other sectors by liberalising the restrictive policies

Observed Reductions in Schistosoma mansoni Transmission from Large-Scale Administration of Praziquantel in Uganda: A Mathematical Modelling Study

To date schistosomiasis control programmes based on chemotherapy have largely aimed at controlling morbidity in treated individuals rather than at suppressing transmission. In this study, a mathematical modelling approach was used to estimate reductions in the rate of Schistosoma mansoni reinfection following annual mass drug administration (MDA) with praziquantel in Uganda over four years (2003-2006). In doing this we aim to elucidate the benefits of MDA in reducing community transmission.Age-structured models were fitted to a longitudinal cohort followed up across successive rounds of annual treatment for four years (Baseline: 2003, TREATMENT: 2004-2006; n = 1,764). Instead of modelling contamination, infection and immunity processes separately, these functions were combined in order to estimate a composite force of infection (FOI), i.e., the rate of parasite acquisition by hosts.MDA achieved substantial and statistically significant reductions in the FOI following one round of treatment in areas of low baseline infection intensity, and following two rounds in areas with high and medium intensities. In all areas, the FOI remained suppressed following a third round of treatment.This study represents one of the first attempts to monitor reductions in the FOI within a large-scale MDA schistosomiasis morbidity control programme in sub-Saharan Africa. The results indicate that the Schistosomiasis Control Initiative, as a model for other MDA programmes, is likely exerting a significant ancillary impact on reducing transmission within the community, and may provide health benefits to those who do not receive treatment. The results obtained will have implications for evaluating the cost-effectiveness of schistosomiasis control programmes and the design of monitoring and evaluation approaches in general

Integrating transcriptomic and proteomic data for accurate assembly and annotation of genomes

© 2017 Wong et al.; Published by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press. Complementing genome sequence with deep transcriptome and proteome data could enable more accurate assembly and annotation of newly sequenced genomes. Here, we provide a proof-of-concept of an integrated approach for analysis of the genome and proteome of Anopheles stephensi, which is one of the most important vectors of the malaria parasite. To achieve broad coverage of genes, we carried out transcriptome sequencing and deep proteome profiling of multiple anatomically distinct sites. Based on transcriptomic data alone, we identified and corrected 535 events of incomplete genome assembly involving 1196 scaffolds and 868 protein-coding gene models. This proteogenomic approach enabled us to add 365 genes that were missed during genome annotation and identify 917 gene correction events through discovery of 151 novel exons, 297 protein extensions, 231 exon extensions, 192 novel protein start sites, 19 novel translational frames, 28 events of joining of exons, and 76 events of joining of adjacent genes as a single gene. Incorporation of proteomic evidence allowed us to change the designation of more than 87 predicted noncoding RNAs to conventional mRNAs coded by protein-coding genes. Importantly, extension of the newly corrected genome assemblies and gene models to 15 other newly assembled Anopheline genomes led to the discovery of a large number of apparent discrepancies in assembly and annotation of these genomes. Our data provide a framework for how future genome sequencing efforts should incorporate transcriptomic and proteomic analysis in combination with simultaneous manual curation to achieve near complete assembly and accurate annotation of genomes