Indian Agriculture: Managing Growth with Equity

International Development, Q13, Q17, Q18,

Mono- and bi-cyanoacrylic acid substituted phenothiazine based sensitizers for dye sensitized solar cells

Phenothiazine and cyanoacrylic acid moiety based sensitizers were synthesized for dye sensitized solar cell application. Absorption and electrochemical properties of the sensitizers having mono- and bi-substituted cyanoacrylic acids were studied. The mono-cyanoacrylic acid substituted phenothiazine sensitizer has more light harvesting ability due to its high molar extinction coefficient. The photovoltaic performance of mono-cyanoacrylic acid substituted phenothiazine sensitizer was slightly greater compared to the bi-cyanoacrylic acid substituted phenothiazine sensitizer which was attributed to the effect of anchoring groups in the sensitizer

Microplastic content of over-the-counter toothpastes - a systematic review [version 1; peer review: 2 approved]

Background: Microplastic particles are used as ingredients in personal care products such as face washes, shower gels and toothpastes and form one of the main sources of microplastic pollution, especially in the marine environment. In addition to being a potential pollutant to the environment, the transfer of microplastics to humans can become a severe threat to public health. This systematic review was conceptualized to identify evidence for the presence of and characteristics of microplastics in toothpaste formulations. Methods: The PICOS Criteria was used for including studies for the review. Electronic databases of Scopus, Embase, Springer Link, PubMed, Web of Science and Google Scholar were searched, as well as hand and reference searching of the articles was carried out. The articles were screened using the software application, Covidence® and data was extracted. Results: This systematic review showed that toothpastes from China, Vietnam, Myanmar and the UAE, reported no evidence of microplastics and those from Malaysia, Turkey and India reported the presence of microplastics. The shape of the microplastics present in these toothpastes were found to be granular, irregular with opaque appearance and also in the form of fragments and fibers and the percentage weight in grams ranged from 0.2 to 7.24%. Malaysia releases 0.199 trillion microbeads annually from personal care products into the environment and toothpastes in Turkey release an average of 871 million grams of microplastics annually. Similarly, in India, it has been reported that 1.4 billion grams of microplastic particles are emitted annually from toothpaste. Conclusions: The findings of this systematic review provide evidence that toothpastes, at least in some parts of the world, do contain microplastics and that there is a great risk of increase in the addition of microplastics to the environment by the use of toothpaste

Outline of microbial fuel cells technology and their significant developments, challenges, and prospects of oxygen reduction electrocatalysts

The microbial fuel cells (MFCs) which demonstrates simultaneous production of electricity and wastewater treatment have been considered as one of the potential and greener energy production technology among the available bioelectrochemical systems. The air-cathode MFCs have gained additional benefits due to using air and avoiding any chemical substances as catholyte in the cathode chamber. The sluggish oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) kinetics at the cathode is one of the main obstacles to achieve high microbial fuel cell (MFC) performances. Platinum (Pt) is one of the most widely used efficient ORR electrocatalysts due to its high efficient and more stable in acidic media. Because of the high cost and easily poisoned nature of Pt, several attempts, such as a combination of Pt with other materials, and using non-precious metals and non-metals based electrocatalysts has been demonstrated. However, the efficient practical application of the MFC technology is not yet achieved mainly due to the slow ORR. Therefore, the review which draws attention to develop and choosing the suitable cathode materials should be urgent for the practical applications of the MFCs. In this review article, we present an overview of the present MFC technology, then some significant advancements of ORR electrocatalysts such as precious metals-based catalysts (very briefly), non-precious metals-based, non-metals and carbon-based, and biocatalysts with some significant remarks on the corresponding results for the MFC applications. Lastly, we also discussed the challenges and prospects of ORR electrocatalysts for the practical application of MFCs

A Prospective Open Labelled Non-Randomized Phase II Clinical Trial on Neerchurukku Chooranam in the Management of Neerchurukku

NCC contains Tannins, Terpenoids, Phenols, Quinones, Glycosides and Alkaloids. In HPTLC fingerprinting pattern of alcohol extract of NCC showed peak of Rf value 0.20 at 254nm, Rf value 0.62 at 366nm and Rf value 0.89 at 575nmafter derivatization. In UV study revealed, that the 2 peaks in 2Abs and 1.95Abs on 300nm and 400nm for this study. • In Bio Chemical analysis, NCC has Calcium, Sulphate, Tannic acid, Unsaturated compound, Reducing sugar and Amino acid. • The NCC has no acute and sub-acute toxicity as there was no mortality seen in toxicological study. • NCC possess anti-bacterial effect against highly sensitivity to Staphylococcus aureus in 100μg, sensitivity to E.coli in 100μg, sensitivity to Klebsiella pneumonia in 100μg and sensitivity to Pseudomonas aeruginosa in 100μg. • The NCC showed dose dependant anti-inflammatory activity in carragenan induced method. • NCC has significant diuretic activity along with an increase in concentration of Sodium, Potassium and Chloride ions in urine • NCC possess anti-oxidant property. • Among 30 patients (IP) 23 (76.67%) patients were female and 7 patients (23.33%) were male and among 30 outpatients (OP) 17 (56.67%) patients were male and 13 (43.33%) patients were female. • The hightest incidents of Neerchurukku in relation to the age group observed in 56-65 age group of 19 (63.33%) IP patients and 14 (46.66%) OP patients were affected in 46-55 age group. • The hightest incident of Neerchurukku was observed in 10 (33.33%) house wife IP patients and 6 (20%) IP cleaning staff and labour were affected. • The hightest incidence of Neerchurukku was observed in 28 (93%) Hindu IP patients and 17 (56.67%) OP patients were Hindu. • The hightest incidence of Neerchurukku was observed in 30 (100%) married OP patients and 29 (97%) married IP patients. • The hightest incidence of Neerchurukku was observed in 23 (76.67%) IP patients in Low socioeconomic status . 22 (73.33%) OP patients were lower class. • The hightest incidence of Neerchurukku was observed in 30 (100%) mixed diet consuming IP patients and 21 (70%) OP patients were mixed diet consuming. • The hightest incidence of Neerchurukku was observed in 30 (100%) tea/coffee consuming IP patients and 28 (93%) OP patients were tea/coffee consuming. • The hightest incidence of Neerchurukku was observed in 29 (96.67%) IP patients had no positive family history and 28 (93%) Op patients had no positive family history. • In this study, 30 (100%) OP patients and 30 (100%) IP patients had dysuria and all 30 (100%) OP patients had frequency of micturation. Among the 60 patients, 21 (70%) OP patients had oliguria, 7 (23.33%) OP patients had lower abdominal pain and 27 (90%) IP patients had frequency of micturation, 17 (56.66%) IP patients had oliguria, and 11 (36.66%) IP patients had lower abdominal pain. • The hightest incidence of Neerchurukku was observed in 22 (73%) OP patients had vatha pitha pirakrithy and 18 (60%) IP patients had vathapitha pirakrity. • The hightest incidence of Neerchurukku was observed in 22 (73%) IP patients from Marutham land and 19 (63.33%) OP patients from marutham land. • The hightest incidence of Neerchurukku was observed in 24 (80%) IP patients admitted in Pinpani kaala and 19 (63.33%) OP patients admitted in munpani kaalam. • The hightest incidence of Neerchurukku was observed in 30 (100%) OP and 30 (100%) IP sathuvam gunam patients • In this study, no one had any significant abnormalities in Gnainthiriyam before and after treatment in both OP and IP patients. • In this study, abanan, viyanan and samanan affected in 30 (100%) OP and 30 IP (100%) patients, 3 (10%) OP patients affected kirugaran, 2 (6.66%) IP patients affected kirugaran. • In this study, Sathaga pitham was affected in (27) 90%, Ranjaga pitham affected in 4 (13.33%) and Anala pitham affected in 10 (3.3%) in OP patients and out of 30 IP patients, Sathaga pitham was affected in (22) 73.3%, Ranjaga pitham affected in 15 (50%) in IP patients. • In this study, Kilethagam affected in 5 (16.66%) OP patients and 11 (36.66%) in IP patients, Pothagam affected in 8 (26.60%) OP patients and 3 (10%) IP patients, and Santhigam affected in 15 (50%) OP patients, 22 (73.30%) IP patients. • In this study, Moothiram affected in 30 (100%) OP patients and 30 (100%) IP patients. Malam affected in 3 (10%) OP patients and 9 (30%) IP patients, and Vizhi affected in 3 (10%) OP patients and 2 (7%) IP patients. • In this study, The hightest incidence of Neerchurukku was observed in 22 (73%) OP patients and 18 (60%) IP patients had vathapitha nadi, and 8 (27%) OP patients and 12 (40%) IP patients had pithavatha naadi. • The hightest incidence of Neerchurukku was observed in 23 (76.67%) IP patients had yellow colour urine and 22 (73.33%) OP patients had yellow urine. • In this study, 30 (100%) OP patients and 30 (100%) IP patients had normal edai of urine. • The hightest incidence of Neerchurukku was observed in 20 (67%) IP patients had vatha pattern and and 10 (3.33%) IP patients had pitha pattern of urine. And 18 (60%) OP patients had vatha pattern and 18 (60%) IP patients had pitha pattern of urine. • The hightest incidence of Neerchurukku was observed in 30 (100%) OP patients and 30 (100%) IP patients affected Saaram. • The hightest incidence of Neerchurukku was observed in 30 (100%) OP patients and 30 (100%) IP patients had affected Siruneer in Vegangal. Among 60 patients 12 (40%) OP and 30 (100%) IP patients had affected Nithirai. • According to the Statistical analysis, there was reduction in the mean value of Pus cell count, epithelial cell count, PH value, WBC count and specific gravity value after treatment. There was a reduction in the proportion of presence of E. coli bacteria, Klebsiella and staphylococcus after treatment. • In this study, among 60 patients 17 (56.67%) OP and 22 (73.33%) IP patients had shown good response, 11 (36.67%) OP and 7 (23.33%) IP patients had shown moderate response and 2 (6.67%) OP and 1 (3.33%) IP patients had shown poor response after the treatment. CONCLUSION: The end of clinical study, patients free from Neerchurukku symptoms and showed significant improvement. NCC possess anti-bacterial effect against Staphylococcus aureus, E.coli, Klebsiella pneumonia and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, anti-inflammatory effect, diuretic and anti-oxidant. According to the Statistical analysis, there was reduction in the mean value of Pus cell count, epithelial cell count, pH value, WBC count and specific gravity value after treatment. There was a reduction in the proportion of presence of E. coli bacteria, Klebsiella and staphylococcus after treatment. In this study showed, 56.67% OP and 73.33% IP patients had shown good response, 36.67% OP and 23.33% IP patients had shown moderate response and 6.67% OP and 3.33% IP patients had shown poor response after the treatment. From this study, it has been proved that the trail medicine of Neerchurukku Chooranam is an effective for Neerchurukku

WIDER Working Paper No. 2013/034 The political economy of food price policy The case study of India

India did not experience any food price spikes during 2007–08 when global food prices erupted. It was partly due to India’s ban on exports of wheat and common rice India resorted to. But the fiscal stimulus that the government of India provided in 2009 in the wake of G8 countries ’ and other major economies ’ call to avert economic recession, coupled with one of the worst droughts India experienced in that year, led to rising food prices in India since mid-2009. Food price inflation has hovered between 8–12 per cent per annum since then. The nature of food inflation, however, changed from being cereals-led to high value products (fruits and vegetables, and protein foods) during 2010–11 and 2011–12. While food inflation invited severe political protests, the situation did not escalate to any riots or violence. The government has been trying hard to cool down food prices by reining-in …