Management of Resources for Sustainable Agriculture

Green Revolution triggered in India with the introduction of high yielding varieties of crops particularly wheat and rice in seventies. The cultivators rapidly adopted these varieties in North India, which produced high yields by greatly responding to modern inputs, generation of suitable crop production and protection technologies and favourable public policies. But continuation of same cropping patterns over the last three decades with inefficient and indiscriminate use of agro-chemicals inputs as well as natural resources have resulted into mounting environmental problems. The shrinking of natural resources coupled with technology and public policy related problems have caused increase in cost of production over the years. Considering various factors like optimization of agricultural productivity and profitability, employment generation, natural resource conservation and reduction in agro-chemical use, the objectives framed were i) to study utilization pattern of land, water and agro-chemicals in perspective ii) to formulate suitable farm plans for sustainable production.Environmental Economics and Policy, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

On modelling and analysis of voxel-based force prediction for a 3-axis CNC machining

Determination of cutting forces is the main requirement for understanding the machining process and optimising its parameters for achieving higher productivity and surface finish. This paper presents an exploratory study and the development of a model to estimate cutting forces for a 3-axis CNC milling process using a voxel-based CAD model. The developed algorithm takes the NC code, workpiece/tool material properties, and the tool geometry data as inputs. The cutting tool engagement with the workpiece is computed using a discretized (voxelized) model. The calculated voxel engagement was finally used to calculate the cutting forces using the analytical method. The algorithm was implemented and tested for various case studies and the in-house experimental data for different types of end mill tools. Finally, the effect of variation in the size of the voxel and the number of flutes was studied. The model showed a good correlation and was found to be accurate (~80%) and robust.</p

Calcaneal fractures: a management dilemma-minimally invasive approach for intra and extra articular calcaneal fractures

Background: Calcaneal fractures which constitutes 2% of total fractures are frequent and very debilitating if not treated properly. Calcaneal fractures generally affect younger population leading to significant man-days loss(around 2-5 years3) and in-turn leading significant economic burden on the society. The goal of treatment for calcaneal fractures is elimination of pain and restoration of normal foot shape, biomechanics, and walking ability. Wound related complications are common with open surgeries. After open reduction internal fixation with perimeter plates for displaced calcaneal fractures, wound edge necrosis is commonly observed with the extended lateral approach. Because of such high incidence of wound complications in open reduction of calcaneum fractures, minimally invasive approach takes priority over open reduction of these fractures.Methods: The study aimed to evaluate the results of minimally invasive approach for calcaneal fractures. To reduce the operative complications, 30 patients were treated with minimally invasive methods in both extra articular and intra-articular calcaneal fractures and the results were evaluated. All patients were evaluated clinically , functionally and radiologically 3D- CT reconstruction images.Results: All cases were followed up for 2 years at specified intervals. The outcome measures were evaluated by AOFAS scores10 with excellent result in 13 cases and good to fair results in the rest. Operated patients had no wound infection, no skin necrosis, 5 patients had mild subtalar arthrosis and 3 patients complained slight difficulty in wearing shoes. None of them have any gait abnormalities.Conclusions: Our study suggests that the minimally invasive methods will reduce the operative complication rates. The minimally invasive surgical intervention in an expert hand can yield better results with less complication rates

Cell membrane stability- an important criterion for selection of heat tolerant genotypes in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Cell membrane stability, grain filling rate, grain filling duration, canopy temperature and grain yield were used to evaluate performance of 100 diverse bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes under timely sown and late sown heat stress conditions for two cropping season. The genotypes differed significantly for all the traits show-ing considerable variation for improvement of characters. The genotypes WH1165 had significant high grain yield (14.6* g and 11.4g) and (11.3* g and 11.4* g) followed by cell membrane stability under timely sown and heat stress conditions, respectively indicating potential tolerance against heat stress. Correlation coefficients revealed that cell membrane stability (0.451**) and (0.639**) in timely sown and in late sown conditions, respectively were the most important trait followed by grain filling rate (0.882** and 0.744**) under timely sown and late sown conditions respec-tively. Results revealed that bread wheat genotypes which had high value of cell membrane stability had high grain yield showed potential photorespiration and high grain filling rate under heat stress condition. Twenty two genotypes WH1021, WH1155, VL803, WH787, NW1014, Raj3765, HD1869, 2042, WH1124, HD2285, WH1133, HUW234, 4066, Sonak, UP2425, UP2473, PBW503, PBW373, PBW533, SGP13, HD2643 and WH789 were identified as heat tolerant genotypes based on their relative performance in yield components, grain yield and heat susceptibility indi-ces. These genotypes were found to be ideal candidates to be used in developing heat tolerant wheat varieties. Canopy temperature, membrane thermostability and grain filling rate have also shown strong correlation with grain yield. Because of this association, these traits constitute the best available ‘tool’ for genetic improvement of wheat suitable for cultivation under heat stressed environments. Thus, these could be used as indirect selection criteria for developing heat tolerant wheat genotypes that would provide sufficient yields to meet the ever increasing wheat demand

Functional and radiological outcome of surgical treatment of distal tibial fracture by minimally invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis technique

Background: Minimally invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis (MIPPO) is an established technique for fixation of fractures of the distal third tibia. Aim of our study was to manage extraarticular fractures of the distal third tibia by the minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis technique and follow them prospectively. Clinical and radiological outcomes were studied and clinical indications &amp; efficacy of the procedure reviewed.Methods: From June 2018 to June 2019,25 patients of closed distal tibial fractures were operated by MIPPO technique with a distal tibial anatomical locking plate having 4.5 out of 5 proximal and 3.5 out of 4 distal screw holes. The follow up duration was for 1 year.Results: The mean fracture healing time was 17 weeks (range 16 to 32 weeks) and average The American orthopedic foot and ankle score was 88.2 out of a total possible 100 points. At last follow up, superficial infection occurred in 3 patients, deep infection in 1 patient, ankle stiffness in 1 patient, limb length discrepancy &lt;1 cm in 1 patient and malunion in 2 patients.Conclusions: MIPPO technique provides good bone healing and decreases incidence of non-union and need for bone grafting. This technique should be used in distal tibia fractures where locked nailing cannot be done like fractures with small distal metaphyseal fragments, vertical splits, markedly comminute fractures