Evaluation of chemical compounds for induction of male sterility in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

The short-list of eleven chemical hybridizing agents (CHAs) showing 98% or more induction of male sterility were identified following application at the pre-meiotic stage of wheat. Among ethyl oxanilates, 4-fluoro (CHA A1), 4-bromo (CHA A2), 4-trifluoromethyl (CHA A5), and 4-cyano (CHA A3) derivatives; and among pyridones, 4-chloro (CHA B3), 4-fluoro (CHA B1), 4-bromo (CHA B2), and 4-trifluoromethyl (CHA B6) derivatives were the most promising. These agents showed no adverse effects on plant growth and yield. Ethyl 4-fluoro oxanilate (CHA A1) was tested on 29 wheat genotypes at 1500 ppm and induced 99.76±0.37% male sterility. Ethyl 4-fluoro oxanilate residues were non-detectable in grain and husk and thus appeared to have no lasting residue effects

Adaptive undivided wheel opener

Adaptive undivided wheel opener is a special purpose tool used to tighten and loosen all the nuts of wheel at the same time with less effort. It uses bevel gear assembly for transmitting torque to the nuts and lock – nut arrangement have been used to make the system adjustable to the required pitch length. The most desired advantage is that the total time consumed in the process is very less. It can open and refit the wheel with same tool. Tool is simple in design and easily portable along with vehicle

The role of advocacy in promoting better child health

Child health professionals play a crucial role in advocating for children and it is incumbent on all who work with them to observe and enforce the maintenance of children's rights. In this article we summarise what advocacy is, its importance for child health and briefly how to go about it. Finally, we provide three differing examples of how advocacy has been used to improve the health of children

Body composition in Nepalese children using isotope dilution: the production of ethnic-specific calibration equations and an exploration of methodological issues.

Background. Body composition is important as a marker of both current and future health. Bioelectrical impedance (BIA) is a simple and accurate method for estimating body composition, but requires population-specific calibration equations. Objectives. (1) To generate population specific calibration equations to predict lean mass (LM) from BIA in Nepalese children aged 7-9 years. (2) To explore methodological changes that may extend the range and improve accuracy. Methods. BIA measurements were obtained from 102 Nepalese children (52 girls) using the Tanita BC-418. Isotope dilution with deuterium oxide was used to measure total body water and to estimate LM. Prediction equations for estimating LM from BIA data were developed using linear regression, and estimates were compared with those obtained from the Tanita system. We assessed the effects of flexing the arms of children to extend the range of coverage towards lower weights. We also estimated potential error if the number of children included in the study was reduced. Findings. Prediction equations were generated, incorporating height, impedance index, weight and sex as predictors (R (2) 93%). The Tanita system tended to under-estimate LM, with a mean error of 2.2%, but extending up to 25.8%. Flexing the arms to 90° increased the lower weight range, but produced a small error that was not significant when applied to children <16 kg (p 0.42). Reducing the number of children increased the error at the tails of the weight distribution. Conclusions. Population-specific isotope calibration of BIA for Nepalese children has high accuracy. Arm position is important and can be used to extend the range of low weight covered. Smaller samples reduce resource requirements, but leads to large errors at the tails of the weight distribution

Microbial analytical studies of traditional organic preparations beejamrutha and jeevamrutha

Organic liquid preparations contain higher of bacteria, fungi, actenomycets, N-fixers and P-solubilizers. Form the studies it is evident that beejamrutha is used on the day of preparation and jeevamrutha to be used between 9 to 12 days after preparation. The application of these liquid formulations would supplement the application of biofertilizers and they can be prepared easily by locally available materials by the farmers, in rural area

Studies on Soil fertility, Cow urine and Panchagavya levels on Growth and Yield of Maize

The present study revealed that higher grain and stover yield, plant height and number of leaves in maize with panchagavya, cow urine but it was comparable to recommended fertilizer treatments at higher level (200% and 300%). It can be concluded that presence of rich plant growth substances, both major and micro nutrients, beneficial microbial population in organic liquid manures help to bring rapid changes in phenotypic characteristics of plants and also improves the growth and ultimately improve the productivity of the crops. Liquid organic manure like panchagavya could be prepared locally by farming community and obtain increased yield levels. Such practices would pave way to reduce use of external inputs and increase sustainability among organic farmers in the developing countries

Taking ethical photos of children for medical and research purposes in low-resource settings: an exploratory qualitative study.

Photographs are commonly taken of children in medical and research contexts. With the increased availability of photographs through the internet, it is increasingly important to consider their potential for negative consequences and the nature of any consent obtained. In this research we explore the issues around photography in low-resource settings, in particular concentrating on the challenges in gaining informed consent