Improvement of Grazing Lands for Better Livestock Production--A Case Study from Chitradurga District in India

Chitradurga is a highly drought prone district in the central dry zone of Karnataka, India, with a normal rainfall of 530 mm per annum. Over 85 per cent of cultivable area is rainfed and the livestock plays a vital role in rural income generation in this district. Improper management and overgrazing have resulted in most of the grazing resources declining to a poor, degraded condition. Regeneration of pasture land was vital in the villages due to three reasons - a) people\u27s livelihood dependency on livestock was considerable b) small ruminants played a vital role for landless farmers and c) lack of adequate fodder was a prime factor for low livestock productivity. To improve the livelihood of livestock farmers, a few interventions were made under World Bank funded National Agricultural Innovation Project through consortium approach in 10 project villages. Frequent interactions were held with the local livestock farmers to discuss about the importance of increasing the fodder resources in the villages to improve the income and to sustain their livelihood. They realized the importance of fodder and came forward to take up cultivation of perennial fodders and also, for the revitalization of grazing lands, locally known as kavals. The primary survey in the villages indicated that about 90 to 96 per cent of the small ruminant holders are dependent on these common property grazing resources for the fodder needs. The High Level Panel of Experts on food security and nutrition, constituted by FAO, has emphasized the importance of extending appropriate technologies and inputs, providing the needed credit and ensuring assured and remunerative marketing opportunities to the smallholders (HLPE, 2013). Such measures are also essential for revitalizing the degraded grasslands in this region

Analysing an Imbalanced Stroke Prediction Dataset Using Machine Learning Techniques

A stroke is a medical condition characterized by the rupture of blood vessels within the brain which can lead to brain damage. Various symptoms may be exhibited when the brain's supply of blood and essential nutrients is disrupted. To forecast the possibility of brain stroke occurring at an early stage using Machine Learning (ML) and Deep Learning (DL) is the main objective of this study. Timely detection of the various warning signs of a stroke can significantly reduce its severity. This paper performed a comprehensive analysis of features to enhance stroke prediction effectiveness. A reliable dataset for stroke prediction is taken from the Kaggle website to gauge the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm. The dataset has a class imbalance problem which means the total number of negative samples is higher than the total number of positive samples. The results are reported based on a balanced dataset created using oversampling techniques. The proposed work used Smote and Adasyn to handle imbalanced problem for better evaluation metrics. Additionally, the hybrid Neural Network and Random Forest (NN-RF) utilizing the balanced dataset by Adasyn oversampling achieves the highest F1-score of 75% compared to the original unbalanced dataset and other benchmarking algorithms. The proposed algorithm with balanced data utilizing hybrid NN-RF achieves an accuracy of 84%. Advanced ML techniques coupled with thorough data analysis enhance stroke prediction. This study underscores the significance of data-driven methodologies, resulting in improved accuracy and comprehension of stroke risk factors. Applying these methodologies to medical fields can enhance patient care and public health outcomes. By integrating our discoveries, we can enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the public health system

Analysis of SPWM Technique for Solar Inverter

Reactive power control is necessary to maintain power system stable. In a three phase grid connected PV system, the inverter should regulate the reactive power. Low Voltage Ride Through has to be done to ensure the system stability in fault conditions. Fault current has to be limited. In this paper, we propose a control strategy for grid connected solar PV inverter. The system study is done under LVRT condition. The strategy is based on current loop under single axis dq rotating coordinate system. Grid connected PV systems has a three phase inverter fed by DC-DC converter which will take care of maximum power point. In this project, a 100kW PV system is studied. The entire system is simulated and analysed using MATLAB Simulink software

Are taxane based regimens better than non-taxane fluoropyrimidine based regimens in advanced gastric cancer? Findings from an observational multicentre study, South India

Background: Capecitabine, 5 Fluorouracil, platinum agents and taxanes are either used alone or in combination in advanced gastric cancers (AGC). Data on tolerability and efficacy of these regimens are minimal. We aimed to report proportion of AGC patients opting for best supportive care upfront and tolerability and efficacy of taxane and non-taxane fluoropyrimidine based regimens from three oncology centers, South India.Methods: Case records of AGC patients initiated on either taxane or non-taxane fluoropyrimidine based chemotherapy during May 2016 to Dec 2017 in three private tertiary cancer care centers across two states in south India were reviewed. Information on clinical characteristics, regimen used, radiological and clinical response, toxicity and its related hospital admissions were extracted. Statistical analysis was done by categorical variables that were summarized using proportions. Median survival was calculated using Kaplan Meier curves and comparison between the groups were done using log-rank test.Results: Of 88 AGC patients, 27 patients (30.7%) opted for best supportive care; 19 and 41 patients received paclitaxel based and non-taxane fluoropyrimidine based regimens respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in pain symptoms, vomiting, hospital admissions and intensive care admissions between the two regimens. Median (inter quartile range) survival of patients receiving best supportive care, taxane based regimen and non-taxane fluoropyrimidine regimen were 3.1 (1.5-16.1), 7.4 (1.6-15.0) and 11.6 (3.2-29.3) months respectively. Median (range) survival on any chemotherapy was 10.3 (1.6-29.3) months and it was significantly higher compared to best supportive care (p<0.001)Conclusions: AGC patients on chemotherapy had improved overall survival compared to stand alone best supportive care. Fluoropyrimidine based regimens offered better survival than taxane based regimen

Sorghum germplasm: diversity and utilization

Plant genetic resources can be defi ned as the “Genetic material of plants that is of value as a resource for the present and future generations of people” (IPGRI 1993). The importance of genetic resources was recognized at the inter-governmental platform under the umbrella of Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the United Nations as “common heritage of mankind” that should be made available without restriction (FAO 1983). The genetic resources have evolved as a product of domestication, intensifi cation, diversifi cation and improvement through conscious and unconscious selection by countless generations of farmers, man-guided diversity in the form of landraces and improved cultivars that provide basic and strategic raw materials for crop improvement the world over in present and future generations

Sub-clinical diabetic cardiomyopathy - assessment by systolic time intervals

Left ventricular performance in diabetics wit he at hypertension, ischemic Tie art disease, or clinical evidence of other heart diseases was assessed by systolic time intervals and echo-cardiography. The PEP/ LVET ratio was 3.48% higher in diabetics than in controls. There was good correlation of abnormality of PEP/LVET ratio with duration of diabetes. There was no correlation with age of patient or severity of diabetes. There was good correlation between abnormal PEP/LVET and incidence of retinopathy and nephropathy. This suggests the possibility of the presence of subclinical diabetic cardiomyopathy in these individuals

Development of a Multiphoton Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy (FLIM) system using a Streak Camera

We report the development and detailed calibration of a multiphoton fluorescence lifetime imaging system (FLIM) using a streak camera. The present system is versatile with high spatial (0.2 micron) and temporal (50 psec) resolution and allows rapid data acquisition and reliable and reproducible lifetime determinations. The system was calibrated with standard fluorescent dyes and the lifetime values obtained were in very good agreement with values reported in literature for these dyes. We also demonstrate the applicability of the system to FLIM studies in cellular specimens including stained pollen grains and fibroblast cells expressing green fluorescent protein. The lifetime values obtained matched well with those reported earlier by other groups for these same specimens. Potential applications of the present system include the measurement of intracellular physiology and Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) imaging which are discussed in the context of live cell imaging

The degradation of p53 and its major E3 ligase Mdm2 is differentially dependent on the proteasomal ubiquitin receptor S5a.

p53 and its major E3 ligase Mdm2 are both ubiquitinated and targeted to the proteasome for degradation. Despite the importance of this in regulating the p53 pathway, little is known about the mechanisms of proteasomal recognition of ubiquitinated p53 and Mdm2. In this study, we show that knockdown of the proteasomal ubiquitin receptor S5a/PSMD4/Rpn10 inhibits p53 protein degradation and results in the accumulation of ubiquitinated p53. Overexpression of a dominant-negative deletion of S5a lacking its ubiquitin-interacting motifs (UIM)s, but which can be incorporated into the proteasome, also causes the stabilization of p53. Furthermore, small-interferring RNA (siRNA) rescue experiments confirm that the UIMs of S5a are required for the maintenance of low p53 levels. These observations indicate that S5a participates in the recognition of ubiquitinated p53 by the proteasome. In contrast, targeting S5a has no effect on the rate of degradation of Mdm2, indicating that proteasomal recognition of Mdm2 can be mediated by an S5a-independent pathway. S5a knockdown results in an increase in the transcriptional activity of p53. The selective stabilization of p53 and not Mdm2 provides a mechanism for p53 activation. Depletion of S5a causes a p53-dependent decrease in cell proliferation, demonstrating that p53 can have a dominant role in the response to targeting S5a. This study provides evidence for alternative pathways of proteasomal recognition of p53 and Mdm2. Differences in recognition by the proteasome could provide a means to modulate the relative stability of p53 and Mdm2 in response to cellular signals. In addition, they could be exploited for p53-activating therapies. This work shows that the degradation of proteins by the proteasome can be selectively dependent on S5a in human cells, and that this selectivity can extend to an E3 ubiquitin ligase and its substrate

Critical Causes of Degradation in Integrated Laboratory Scale Cells during High Temperature Electrolysis

An ongoing project at Idaho National Laboratory involves generating hydrogen from steam using solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOEC). This report describes background information about SOECs, the Integrated Laboratory Scale (ILS) testing of solid-oxide electrolysis stacks, ILS performance degradation, and post-test examination of SOECs by various researchers. The ILS test was a 720- cell, three-module test comprised of 12 stacks of 60 cells each. A peak H2 production rate of 5.7 Nm3/hr was achieved. Initially, the module area-specific resistance ranged from 1.25 Ocm2 to just over 2 Ocm2. Total H2 production rate decreased from 5.7 Nm3/hr to a steady state value of 0.7 Nm3/hr. The decrease was primarily due to cell degradation. Post test examination by Ceramatec showed that the hydrogen electrode appeared to be in good condition. The oxygen evolution electrode does show delamination in operation and an apparent foreign layer deposited at the electrolyte interface. Post test examination by Argonne National Laboratory showed that the O2-electrode delaminated from the electrolyte near the edge. One possible reason for this delamination is excessive pressure buildup with high O2 flow in the over-sintered region. According to post test examination at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the electrochemical reactions have been recognized as one of the prevalent causes of their degradation. Specifically, two important degradation mechanisms were examined: (1) transport of Crcontaining species from steel interconnects into the oxygen electrode and LSC bond layers in SOECs, and (2) cation segregation and phase separation in the bond layer. INL conducted a workshop October 27, 2008 to discuss possible causes of degradation in a SOEC stack. Generally, it was agreed that the following are major degradation issues relating to SOECs: • Delamination of the O2-electrode and bond layer on the steam/O2-electrode side • Contaminants (Ni, Cr, Si, etc.) on reaction sites (triple phase boundary) • Loss of electrical/ionic conductivity of electrolyte

N-Terminal Prolactin-Derived Fragments, Vasoinhibins, Are Proapoptoptic and Antiproliferative in the Anterior Pituitary

The anterior pituitary is under a constant cell turnover modulated by gonadal steroids. In the rat, an increase in the rate of apoptosis occurs at proestrus whereas a peak of proliferation takes place at estrus. At proestrus, concomitant with the maximum rate of apoptosis, a peak in circulating levels of prolactin is observed. Prolactin can be cleaved to different N-terminal fragments, vasoinhibins, which are proapoptotic and antiproliferative factors for endothelial cells. It was reported that a 16 kDa vasoinhibin is produced in the rat anterior pituitary by cathepsin D. In the present study we investigated the anterior pituitary production of N-terminal prolactin-derived fragments along the estrous cycle and the involvement of estrogens in this process. In addition, we studied the effects of a recombinant vasoinhibin, 16 kDa prolactin, on anterior pituitary apoptosis and proliferation. We observed by Western Blot that N-terminal prolactin-derived fragments production in the anterior pituitary was higher at proestrus with respect to diestrus and that the content and release of these prolactin forms from anterior pituitary cells in culture were increased by estradiol. A recombinant preparation of 16 kDa prolactin induced apoptosis (determined by TUNEL assay and flow cytometry) of cultured anterior pituitary cells and lactotropes from ovariectomized rats only in the presence of estradiol, as previously reported for other proapoptotic factors in the anterior pituitary. In addition, 16 kDa prolactin decreased forskolin-induced proliferation (evaluated by BrdU incorporation) of rat total anterior pituitary cells and lactotropes in culture and decreased the proportion of cells in S-phase of the cell cycle (determined by flow cytometry). In conclusion, our study indicates that the anterior pituitary production of 16 kDa prolactin is variable along the estrous cycle and increased by estrogens. The antiproliferative and estradiol-dependent proapoptotic actions of this vasoinhibin may be involved in the control of anterior pituitary cell renewal