DIVERSITY ANALYSIS OF DIFFERENT ACCESSIONS OF ALOE BARBADENSIS MILL. (SYN. ALOE VERA .L) COLLECTED FROM RAJASTHAN USING RAPD MARKER SYSTEM

Under a survey and collection programme of National Agricultural Technology Project (NATP), various accessions of Aloe vera were collected from Rajasthan and Gujarat. In this study 10 Accessions from Rajasthan were characterized through RAPD. RAPD revealed 32.08 per cent polymorphic bands detecting 11.9% average diversity among the accessions studied. The diversity ranged from 4.3% to 20.4%. The primers like OPG-15 having high PIC value (0.346) are considered important for diversity studies, whereas, OPG-14 have highest Discrimination index (0.911) and may be used for identification of different accessions. The clustering analysis resulted in the formation of one group, only consisting of eight accessions while Nagour collections remained out of cluster. The diversity pattern did not show any correlation with the site of collection indicating that original introduction consisted of small sample size its spread was random

Structured Collaboration Across a Transformative Knowledge Network-Learning Across Disciplines, Cultures and Contexts?

Realising the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will require transformative changes at micro, meso and macro levels and across diverse geographies. Collaborative, transdisciplinary research has a role to play in documenting, understanding and contributing to such transformations. Previous work has investigated the role of this research in Europe and North America, however the dynamics of transdisciplinary research on ‘transformations to sustainability’ in other parts of the world are less well-understood. This paper reports on an international project that involved transdisciplinary research in six different hubs across the globe and was strategically designed to enable mutual learning and exchange. It draws on surveys, reports and research outputs to analyse the processes of transdisciplinary collaboration for sustainability that took place between 2015-2019. The paper illustrates how the project was structured in order to enable learning across disciplines, cultures and contexts, and describes how it also provided for the negotiation of epistemological frameworks and different normative commitments between members across the network. To this end, it discusses lessons regarding the use of theoretical and methodological anchors, multi-loop learning and evaluating emergent change (including the difficulties encountered). It offers insights for the design and implementation of future international transdisciplinary collaborations that address locally-specific sustainability challenges within the universal framework of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

DESMIDS BIODIVERSITY IN FRESHWATER PONDS OF DISTRICT NAGAUR, WESTERN RAJASTHAN INDIA: A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION

The present study was carried out to investigate the desmids biodiversity in traditional freshwater reservoirs of Nagaur district, Western Rajasthan, India. The samples were collected in January 2021 from the freshwater small ponds which harvests rainwater located in and around Nagaur city. These samples were analyzed by following the standard method prescribed by A.P.H.A for assessing the various physicochemical parameters such as pH, TDS, Fluoride, Nitrate, Chloride, total alkalinity, and total hardness to check drinking water quality and for ecological assessment. Furthermore desmids species-level identification and description have been done with the help of standard literatures and monographs. Results of physicochemical parameters indicate the deteriorating drinking water quality of all four sampling sites. In the present study total of 16 species belong to 5 genera i.e. Netrium, Closterium, Cosmerium, Staurastrum, and Eustrum of desmids have been recorded for the first time from the freshwater ponds located in or around the Nagaur city. The higher biodiversity of Closterium and Cosmarium species at Jhada talab confirm its significant relationship with high calcium and nutrient-rich water quality. While low biodiversity of desmids at remaining all village ponds indicates that high pH and oligotrophic quality decreases the desmids biodiversity. Results of this study might be helpful to assess the geographic distribution of desmids flora of Nagaur district and establish water quality of protected freshwater habitats as well as in updating the list of current species of desmids in this sub-region

A term live advanced abdominal pregnancy: a rare case report

Advanced abdominal pregnancy is a rarely encountered entity. Extra uterine ectopic pregnancy is frequently missed in antenatal period. Here, we report a case of live secondary abdominal pregnancy in a primigravida with period of 37 weeks of gestation. The diagnosis was missed in antenatal period despite regular antenatal check-ups and ultrasound. Patient was managed by exploratory laparotomy, the foetus was extracted out and the placenta was left in situ. Rest of the post-operative period was uneventful. The new born expired in neonatal ward after 24 hours due to hypoplastic lungs. Patient was followed up by serial serum β HCG values and serial ultrasonography of maternal abdomen. β HCG was negative in three months. Patient is still in follow up period

Why Students Opt for Agriculture as a Discipline: Insights from Rajasthan, India

Agriculture plays a vital role in food security, rural livelihoods, and economic development. Understanding why students choose agricultural education is crucial for shaping academic policies and workforce strategies. This study examines the key factors influencing undergraduate students in Rajasthan to pursue agriculture, focusing on career opportunities, financial expectations, self-interest, social influences, and external guidance. Despite the increasing demand for skilled agricultural professionals, research on students' motivations for enrolling in agricultural programs remains limited. Existing studies often overlook specific reasons that attract students to this field. This study addresses this gap by providing empirical insights into students' aspirations and expectations regarding agricultural education. A structured questionnaire survey was conducted in 2025 among 200 final year undergraduate agricultural students across various districts of Rajasthan. A random sampling technique ensured diverse representation. Data were collected on students' backgrounds, motivations, and perceptions of agricultural education. A three-point Likert scale (Agree, Neutral, Disagree) was used to assess responses, and descriptive statistical methods, including percentages, mean scores, and ranking, were applied to analyse the data. Results indicate that better career scope (83.50 per cent), self-interest (79.00 per cent), and the desire to improve farmers' livelihoods (79.00 per cent) are the primary motivators for choosing agriculture. Parental advice (63.50 per cent) and high earnings expectations (59.50 per cent) also play a significant role, while teacher’s guidance (54.00 per cent) and social status (52.00 per cent) have a moderate impact. Coaching’s influence (29.00 per cent) is the least significant factor. To support students, policymakers and educational institutions should enhance career counselling, expand skill development programs, and promote entrepreneurship in agriculture. Strengthening job opportunities, financial support mechanisms, and exposure to modern agricultural practices can encourage more students to pursue agriculture, ensuring a skilled workforce for the sector’s sustainable growth

INORA- A Unified Signaling cum Routing Mechanism for QoS Support in Mobile Adhoc Networks

Mobile Adhoc Networks are characterized by bandwidth constrained wireless links, multiple hops and highly dynamic topologies. Thus, providing QoS support in MANETs is a challenging task. This paper presents the design, implementation and evaluation of a network layer QoS support mechanism which makes use of the INSIGNIA inband signaling mechanism and TORA routing protocol for MANETs. TORA provides multiple routes between a given source and destination. We present an effective coupling between TORA and INSIGNIA to get routes that are "best-able" to provide QoS requirements for a flow. INORA also combines congestion control with routing

Engineering room-temperature multiferroicity in Bi and Fe codoped BaTiO3

Fe doping into BaTiO3, stabilizes the paraelectric hexagonal phase in place of the ferroelectric tetragonal one [P. Pal et al. Phys. Rev. B, 101, 064409 (2020)]. We show that simultaneous doping of Bi along with Fe into BaTiO3 effectively enhances the magnetoelectric (ME) multiferroic response (both ferromagnetism and ferroelectricity) at room-temperature, through careful tuning of Fe valency along with the controlled-recovery of ferroelectric-tetragonal phase. We also report systematic increase in large dielectric constant values as well as reduction in loss tangent values with relatively moderate temperature variation of dielectric constant around room-temperature with increasing Bi doping content in Ba1-xBixTi0.9Fe0.1O3 (0<x<0.1), which makes the higher Bi-Fe codoped sample (x=0.08) promising for the use as room-temperature high-k dielectric material. Interestingly, x=0.08 (Bi-Fe codoped) sample is not only found to be ferroelectrically (~20 times) and ferromagnetically (~6 times) stronger than x=0 (only Fe-doped) at room temperature, but also observed to be better insulating (larger bandgap) with indirect signatures of larger ME coupling as indicated from anomalous reduction of magnetic coercive field with decreasing temperature. Thus, room-temperature ME multiferroicity has been engineered in Bi and Fe codoped BTO (BaTiO3) compounds.Comment: 16 pages, 17 figure

Endothelial Cell-Derived TGF-β Promotes Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition via CD133 in HBx-Infected Hepatoma Cells

Background: Hepatitis B-X Protein (HBx) encoded in Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is known to play a critical role in development and progression of HBV induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HBx interacts with and activates various cells in HCC microenvironment to promote tumor initiation, progression and invasion. In this study, we investigated how surrounding stromal cells interact with HBx-infected hepatoma cells by a series of in vitro co-culture studies.Methods: Huh7 hepatoma cells were cultured and transfected with the mammalian expression vector pGFP-HBx. Co-culture assays were performed between HBx-transfected Huh7 cells and conditioned media (CM) from stromal cells [endothelial cell lines (HUVECs) and hepatic stellate cell lines (LX2 cells)]. The effect of these interactions was studied by a series of functional assays like chemotaxis, invasion, and wound healing scratch assays. Also, quantitative real time (RT)-PCRs of the mesenchymal genes was performed in the hepatoma cells with and without the co-cultures. Hep3B cells with an integrated HBV genome were taken as positive controls.Results: HBx-transfected Huh7 cells cultured in presence of CM from HUVECs illustrated enhanced migration and tube formation as compared to HBx-transfected cells cultured alone or co-cultured with LX2 cells. HBx-transfected hepatoma cells incubated with CM from HUVECs also expressed mesenchymal genes including Thy1, CDH2, TGFβR1, VIM, and CD133. ELISAs revealed increased levels of TGF-β in CM from HUVECs. In comparison to unstimulated HBx-transfected Huh7 cells, TGF-β stimulated cells displayed increased invasive properties and mesenchymal gene expression. RT-PCR and flow cytometry analysis further demonstrated that incubation with either CM from HUVECs or TGF-β significantly increased the expression of a stemness marker, CD133 in HBx-infected hepatoma cells. Gene inhibition experiments with CD133 siRNA showed a downregulation of mesenchymal gene expression and properties in TGF-β induced HBx-infected hepatoma cells as compared to that observed in control siRNA treated cells, indicating CD133 as one of the key molecules affecting epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) in HBx-infected cells.Conclusion: The study indicates that secretory factors like TGF-β from neighboring endothelial cells may enhance expression of CD133 and impart an aggressive EMT phenotype to HBx-infected hepatoma cells in HBV induced HCC