Effect of seed coating, storage periods and storage containers on soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) seed quality under ambient conditions

Soybean seed is classified as “poor storer” as it loses viability under warm and humid conditions and is invaded by storage fungi. The seed of soybean variety PS 1347, obtained from Breeder Seed Production Centre, G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar was used for storage study. Root length (cm), shoot length (cm), seedling fresh weight (g) and seedling dry weight (g) decreases with the increase in seed storage periods. Out of all chemical treatments, Flowable thiram @ 2.4 ml/kg (T2) and Polymer + vitavax 200 @ 2g/kg seed (T5) were found effective to maintain Seedling root length, shoot length, seedling fresh weight and seedling dry weight by producing vigorous seedlings. Seeds stored in cloth bags exhibited higher seed infection than in seed stored in polythene bags, irrespective of seed treatment and period of storage. Treatment T4 (Vitavax 200 @ 2 g/kg seed)and T5(Polymer + vitavax 200 @ 2 g/kg seed) exhibited minimum percent seed infection of Aspergillus flavus. Cloth bag was not found safe for longer storage of soybean seeds under ambient storage at Pantnagar

Double burden of malnutrition among elderly population of Delhi

Background: Nutritional status is an important determinant for elderly, directly influencing their susceptibility to diseases, adversely affecting their quality of life.  Aim & Objective: To assess the nutritional status of elderly persons aged ?60 years residing in an urban resettlement colony of Delhi. Materials and Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in a resettlement colony in Delhi. Cluster random sampling was used. Three out of ten blocks were selected randomly. All elderly persons present in the selected blocks were included.  Information on socio-demographic variables was collected. Arm span and weight were measured by trained investigators. Data was entered in MS Excel 2007 and analyzed in Stata 11.0. Multiple logistic regression was done to determine the association between nutritional status and socio-demographic variables Results: A total of 711 elderly persons were recruited. About half (53.2%) had normal nutritional status, 20.8% were underweight and 19.4% were overweight and 6.6% were obese. Under-nutrition was significantly associated with gender, while overweight/obesity was found to be significantly associated with age (p<0.001), gender (p<0.001), occupation (p<0.001) and economic dependency (p< 0.001). Conclusion: Dual burden of malnutrition was seen, so there is a need to promote healthy eating and lifestyle to address both spectrum of malnutrition

Studies on Neutron, Photon (Bremsstrahlung) and Proton Induced Fission of Actinides and Pre-Actinides

We present the yields of various fission products determined in the reactor neutron, 3.7-18.1 MeV quasi-mono energetic neutron, 8-80 MeV bremsstrahlung and 20-45 MeV proton induced fission of 232Th and 238u using radiochemical and off-line beta or gamma ray counting. The yields of the fission products in the bremsstrahlung induced fission natPb and 209Bi with 50-70 MeV and 2.5 GeV based on off-line gamma ray spectrometric technique were also presented. From the yields of fission products, the mass chains yields were obtained using charge distribution correction. From the mass yield distribution, the peak-to-valley (P/V) ratio was obtained. The role of excitation energy on the peak-to-valley ratio and fine structure such as effect of shell closure proximity and even-odd effect of mass yield distribution were examined. The higher yields of the fission products around A=133-134, 138-140 and 143-144 and their complementary products explained from the nuclear structure effect and role of standard I and II mode of asymmetric fission. In the neutron, photon (bremsstrahlung) and proton induced fission, the asymmetric mass distribution for actinides (Th, u) and symmetric distribution for pre-actinides (Pb, Bi) were explained from different type of potential fission barrier

Spontaneous haemorrhage of an adrenal angiomyolipoma: case report

Background Angiomyolipomas are rare mesenchymal tumours arising from the perivascular epithelioid cells consisting of variable amounts of adipose, thick-walled blood vessels and smooth muscle cells. These benign tumours commonly occur in the kidney with only a few case reports of adrenal angiomyolipomas which have the potential to reach a large size and haemorrhage. Case presentation A 45-year-old lady presented with a 3-week history of right loin pain, nausea and vomiting. A CT scan revealed a right adrenal angiomyolipoma measuring 6.3 × 6.8 cm with associated haemorrhage. The lesion was successfully treated with right open adrenalectomy, and histology confirmed the diagnosis of adrenal angiomyolipoma. The patient remained well with no evidence of recurrence at the 36-month follow-up. Conclusion Adrenal angiomyolipomas are rare benign tumours that have the ability to reach a large size and potential to bleed. Here, we report the second case of spontaneous haemorrhage in an adrenal angiomyolipoma, which was successfully treated with open adrenalectomy

Physics Potential of the ICAL detector at the India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO)

The upcoming 50 kt magnetized iron calorimeter (ICAL) detector at the India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO) is designed to study the atmospheric neutrinos and antineutrinos separately over a wide range of energies and path lengths. The primary focus of this experiment is to explore the Earth matter effects by observing the energy and zenith angle dependence of the atmospheric neutrinos in the multi-GeV range. This study will be crucial to address some of the outstanding issues in neutrino oscillation physics, including the fundamental issue of neutrino mass hierarchy. In this document, we present the physics potential of the detector as obtained from realistic detector simulations. We describe the simulation framework, the neutrino interactions in the detector, and the expected response of the detector to particles traversing it. The ICAL detector can determine the energy and direction of the muons to a high precision, and in addition, its sensitivity to multi-GeV hadrons increases its physics reach substantially. Its charge identification capability, and hence its ability to distinguish neutrinos from antineutrinos, makes it an efficient detector for determining the neutrino mass hierarchy. In this report, we outline the analyses carried out for the determination of neutrino mass hierarchy and precision measurements of atmospheric neutrino mixing parameters at ICAL, and give the expected physics reach of the detector with 10 years of runtime. We also explore the potential of ICAL for probing new physics scenarios like CPT violation and the presence of magnetic monopoles.Comment: 139 pages, Physics White Paper of the ICAL (INO) Collaboration, Contents identical with the version published in Pramana - J. Physic

Deep Learning Algorithm for Satellite Imaging Based Cyclone Detection

Satellite images are primary data in weather prediction modeling. Deep learning-based approach, a viable candidate for automatic image processing, requires large sets of annotated data with diverse characteristics for training purposes. Accuracy of weather prediction improves with data having a relatively dense temporal resolution. We have employed interpolation and data augmentation techniques for enhancement of the temporal resolution and diversifications of characters in a given dataset. Algorithm requires classical approaches during preprocessing steps. Three optical flow methods using 14 different constraint optimization techniques and five error estimates are tested here. The artificially enriched data (optimal combination from the previous exercise) are used as a training set for a convolutional neural network to classify images in terms of storm or nonstorm. Several cyclone data (eight cyclone datasets of a different class) were used for training. A deep learning model is trained and tested with artificially densified and classified storm data for cyclone classification and locating the cyclone vortex giving minimum 90% and 84% accuracy, respectively. In the final step, we show that the linear regression method can be used for predicting the path

MD/MS thesis as a training tool

As part of the MD/MS thesis, a postgraduate resident plans, conducts, analyses, and reports a research study under the guidance of the faculty members of the department. At the end of this process, the resident is expected to know the principles of conducting scientific research. Such an integral component of the resident's training program bears close examination. The thesis does help a resident plan a research study, collect and analyze data, and compile the results. However, lack of dedicated time for thesis-work (especially in patient-care disciplines), the absence of intermediate timelines, and variation in the research ability and interest of faculty guides limit its usefulness. Addressing these issues, ensuring availability and the optimal use of resources, as well as regular monitoring and evaluation at the departmental level, shall go a long way in meeting the goals of a thesis

Could mid-upper arm circumference be a valid proxy to the body mass index for elderly persons?

Introduction: In elderly persons, due to physiological, anatomical, and functional changes, body mass index (BMI) may not be suitable for the assessment of nutritional status. Mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) can be a proxy indicator to identify underweight and overweight/obesity among elderly persons. This study aimed to estimate the correlation between MUAC and BMI, and the cutoffs for MUAC using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Material and Methods: This survey was carried out in a resettlement colony of Delhi. The participants were residents of the area who were aged 60 years or older, and selected by a simple random sampling technique. The arm span, weight, and MUAC of the participants were measured. The correlation between MUAC and BMI for gender and age group was calculated. The ROC curve was also constructed. Results: A total of 946 eligible participants were enrolled. The correlation between MUAC and BMI was 0.67 (P < 0.001) and 0.76 (P < 0.001) among men and women, respectively. The MUAC cutoff for underweight was <25 cm with a sensitivity of 68.8% and specificity of 84.9%. The area under the curve (AUC) was 0.84 (0.80–0.88). The MUAC cutoff for overweight/obesity was ≥27 cm with a sensitivity of 83.9% and specificity of 64.9%, and AUC was 0.78 (0.75–0.82). Conclusion: The MUAC of the participants increased as the BMI of the participants increased. MUAC cutoff was determined using the ROC curve for underweight and overweight/obesity among elderly persons