Report of the Task Force on Enhancing technology use in agriculture insurance

Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) is a flagship scheme of the Government of India to provide insurance coverage and financial support to farmers in the event of failure of any of the notified crops, unsown area and damage to harvest produce as a result of natural calamities, pests and diseases to stabilise the income of farmers, and to encourage them to adopt modern agricultural practices. The scheme is a considerable improvement over all previous insurance schemes in India and is heavily subsidised by the state and central governments. The scheme aims to cover 50 percent of the farming households within next 3 years. During its implementation in the last one season, several challenges relating to enrolment, yield estimation, loss assessment, and claim settlement were reported by farmers, insurance companies as well as the state governments. It was also noted that several technological opportunities existed for possibly leveraging support to the Indian crop insurance program for enhanced efficiency and effectiveness. NITI Aayog of the Government of India, therefore, constituted a Task Force to deliberate on this subject and identify such potential opportunities. This report summarises the recommendations of the Task Force. The Task Force constituted to address the issue of technology support to crop insurance comprised the following 5 sub-groups: (1) Remote Sensing & Drones; (2) Decision Support Systems, Crop Modelling & Integrated Approaches; (3) IT/ICT in Insurance; (4) Crop Cutting Experiments (CCEs); and (5) Technologies for Livestock and Aquaculture Insurance. Each sub-group had several discussions with experts in the respective areas, and submitted draft reports. More than 100 experts related to professional research agencies, insurance industry, banks, and the government contributed to these discussions. Technological options available in the country and abroad were considered by all groups. The Task Force together with the sub-groups then deliberated on key issues and formulated its recommendations as presented in this report. During the discussions it was realised that there were many administrative and institutional issues that needed to be addressed in PMFBY. However, the focus of the Task Force was on its main mandate, technology use in crop insurance. We hope these recommendations would help the Indian crop insurance sector take full advantage of the technological options suggested so as to increase its efficacy and effectiveness leading to reduced agrarian distress in the country

Effect of Ultrasonic-Assisted Blanching on Size Variation, Heat Transfer, and Quality Parameters of Mushrooms

The main aim of this work was to assess the influence of the application of power ultrasound during blanching of mushrooms (60 90 °C) on the shrinkage, heat transfer, and quality parameters. Kinetics of mushroom shrinkage was modeled and coupled to a heat transfer model for conventional (CB) and ultrasonic-assisted blanching (UB). Cooking value and the integrated residual enzymatic activity were obtained through predicted temperatures and related to the hardness and color variations of mushrooms, respectively. The application of ultrasound led to an increase of shrinkage and heat transfer rates, being this increase more intense at low process temperatures. Consequently, processing time was decreased (30.7 46.0 %) and a reduction in hardness (25.2 40.8 %) and lightness (13.8 16.8 %) losses were obtained. The best retention of hardness was obtained by the UB at 60 °C, while to maintain the lightness it was the CB and UB at 90 °C. For enhancing both quality parameters simultaneously, a combined treatment (CT), which consisted of a CB 0.5 min at 90 °C and then an UB 19.9min at 60 °C, was designed. In this manner, compared with the conventional treatment at 60 °C, reductions of 39.1, 27.2, and 65.5 % for the process time, hardness and lightness losses were achieved, respectively. These results suggest that the CT could be considered as an interesting alternative to CB in order to reduce the processing time and improve the overall quality of blanched mushrooms.The authors acknowledge the financial support of Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas and Universidad Nacional de La Plata from Argentina, Erasmus Mundus Action 2-Strand 1 and EuroTango II Researcher Training Program and Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad (SPAIN) and the FEDER (project DPI2012-37466-CO3-03).Lespinard, A.; Bon Corbín, J.; Cárcel Carrión, JA.; Benedito Fort, JJ.; Mascheroni, RH. (2015). Effect of Ultrasonic-Assisted Blanching on Size Variation, Heat Transfer, and Quality Parameters of Mushrooms. Food and Bioprocess Technology. 8(1):41-53. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11947-014-1373-zS415381Aguirre, L., Frias, J. M., Barry-Ryan, C., & Grogan, H. (2009). Modelling browning and brown spotting of mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus) stored in controlled environmental conditions using image analysis. Journal of Food Engineering, 91, 280–286.Anantheswaran, R. C., Sastry, S. K., Beelman, R. B., Okereke, A., & Konanayakam, M. (1986). Effect of processing on yield, color, and texture of canned mushrooms. Journal of Food Science, 51(5), 1197–1200.Biekman, E. S. A., Kroese-Hoedeman, H. I., & Schijvens, E. P. H. M. (1996). Loss of solutes during blanching of mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus) as a result of shrinkage and extraction. Journal of Food Engineering, 28(2), 139–152.Biekman, E. S. A., van Remmen, H. H. J., Kroese-Hoedeman, H. I., Ogink, J. J. M., & Schijvens, E. P. H. M. (1997). 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A., Quintero-Ramos, A., Barnard, J., Balandrán-Quintana, R. R., Talamás-Abbud, R., & Jiménez-Castro, J. (2007). Effect of ultrasound on the mass transfer and physical changes in brine bell pepper at different temperatures. Journal of Food Engineering, 81, 374–379.Gallego-Juárez, J. A., Riera, E., De la Fuente, S., Rodríguez-Corral, G., Acosta-Aparicio, V. M., & Blanco, A. (2007). Application of high-power ultrasound for dehydration of vegetables: processes and devices. Drying Technology, 25, 1893–1901.Gamboa-Santos, J., Montilla, A., Soria, A. C., & Villamiel, M. (2012). Effects of conventional and ultrasound blanching on enzyme inactivation and carbohydrate content of carrots. European Food Research and Technology, 234, 1071–1079.García-Pérez, J. V., Cárcel, J. A., De la Fuente, S., & Riera, E. (2006). Ultrasonic drying of foodstuff in a fluidized bed. Parametric study. Ultrasonics, 44, 539–543.García-Pérez, J. V., Cárcel, J. A., Riera, E., Rosselló, C., & Mulet, A. (2012). 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Comparison of conventional and ultrasound assisted extraction techniques of yellow tea and bioactive composition of obtained extracts. Food and Bioprocess Technology, 5, 2858–2870.Jambrak, A. R., Mason, T. J., Paniwnyk, L., & Lelas, V. (2007a). Ultrasonic effect on pH, electric conductivity, and tissue surface of button mushrooms, brussels sprouts and cauliflower. Czech Journal of Food Science, 25, 90–99.Jambrak, A. R., Mason, T. J., Paniwnyk, L., & Lelas, V. (2007b). Accelerated drying of button mushrooms, Brussels sprouts and cauliflower by applying power ultrasound and its rehydration properties. Journal of Food Engineering, 81, 88–97.Jasinski, E. M., Stemberger, B., Walsh, R., & Kilara, A. (1984). Ultra structural studies of raw and processed tissue of the major cultivated mushroom, Agaricus bisporus. Food Microstructure, 3, 191–196.Jolivet, S., Arpin, N., Wicher, H. J., & Pellon, G. (1998). Agaricus bisporus browning: a review. Mycological Research, 102, 1459–1483.Konanayakam, M., & Sastry, S. K. (1988). Kinetics of shrinkage of mushroom during blanching. Journal of Food Science, 53(5), 1406–1411.Kotwaliwale, N., Bakane, P., & Verma, A. (2007). Changes in textural and optical properties of oyster mushroom during hot air drying. Journal of Food Engineering, 78(4), 1207–1211.Leadley C. & Williams A. (2002). Power ultrasound—current and potential applications for food processing, Review No 32, Campden and Chorleywood Food Research Association.Lespinard, A. R., Goñi, S. M., Salgado, P. R., & Mascheroni, R. H. (2009). Experimental determination and modeling of size variation, heat transfer and quality indexes during mushroom blanching. Journal of Food Engineering, 92, 8–17.Lima, M., & Sastry, S. K. (1990). Influence of fluid rheological properties and particle location on ultrasound-assisted heat transfer between liquid and particles. Journal of Food Science, 55(4), 1112–1115.López, P., & Burgos, J. (1995). Peroxidase stability and reactivation after heat treatment and manothermosonication. Journal of Food Science, 60(3), 551–553.López, P., Sala, F. J., Fuente, J. L., Cardon, S., Raso, J., & Burgos, J. (1994). Inactivation of peroxidase lipoxigenase and phenol oxidase by manothermosonication. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 42(2), 253–256.Mansfield, T. (1962). High temperature-short time sterilization. Proceedings First International Congress on Food Science and Technology, 4, 311–316.Mason T. J. (1998). Power ultrasound in food processing—the way forward. In M. J. W. Povey & T. J. Mason (Eds.), Ultrasound in Food Processing (pp 103–126). Blackie Academic & Professional, London.McArdle F. J. & Curwen D. (1962). Some factors influencing shrinkage of canned mushrooms. Mushroom Science, 5, 547–557.McArdle, F. J., Kuhn, G. D., & Beelman, R. B. (1974). Influence of vacuum soaking on yield and quality of canned mushrooms. Journal of Food Science, 39, 1026–1028.Mohapatra, D., Bira, Z. M., Kerry, J. P., Frías, J. M., & Rodrigues, F. A. (2010). Postharvest hardness and color evolution of White button mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus). Journal of Food Science, 75(3), 146–152.Ohlsson, T. (1980). Temperature dependence of sensory quality changes during thermal processing. Journal of Food Science, 45(4), 836–847.Ortuño, C., Martínez-Pastor, M., Mulet, A., & Benedito, J. (2013). Application of high power ultrasound in the supercritical carbon dioxide inactivation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Food Research International, 51, 474–481.Peralta-Jimenez, L., & Cañizares-Macías, M. P. (2012). Ultrasound-assisted method for extraction of theobromine and caffeine from cacao seeds and chocolate products. Food and Bioprocess Technology, 6, 3522–3529.Rodríguez-López, J. N., Fenoll, N. G., Tudela, J., Devece, C., Sánchez-Hernández, D., De los Reyes, D., et al. (1999). 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Loss of Function of the Cik1/Kar3 Motor Complex Results in Chromosomes with Syntelic Attachment That Are Sensed by the Tension Checkpoint

The attachment of sister kinetochores by microtubules emanating from opposite spindle poles establishes chromosome bipolar attachment, which generates tension on chromosomes and is essential for sister-chromatid segregation. Syntelic attachment occurs when both sister kinetochores are attached by microtubules from the same spindle pole and this attachment is unable to generate tension on chromosomes, but a reliable method to induce syntelic attachments is not available in budding yeast. The spindle checkpoint can sense the lack of tension on chromosomes as well as detached kinetochores to prevent anaphase onset. In budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, tension checkpoint proteins Aurora/Ipl1 kinase and centromere-localized Sgo1 are required to sense the absence of tension but are dispensable for the checkpoint response to detached kinetochores. We have found that the loss of function of a motor protein complex Cik1/Kar3 in budding yeast leads to syntelic attachments. Inactivation of either the spindle or tension checkpoint enables premature anaphase entry in cells with dysfunctional Cik1/Kar3, resulting in co-segregation of sister chromatids. Moreover, the abolished Kar3-kinetochore interaction in cik1 mutants suggests that the Cik1/Kar3 complex mediates chromosome movement along microtubules, which could facilitate bipolar attachment. Therefore, we can induce syntelic attachments in budding yeast by inactivating the Cik1/Kar3 complex, and this approach will be very useful to study the checkpoint response to syntelic attachments

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Not AvailableEggless cakes were developed using composite flour (CF) of wheat, malted fingermillet, sprouted soy and amaranth and egg-replacers (banana (T1), chia (T2) and soy milk powder (T3)) and were analyzed for physical, textural, rheological, nutritional and organoleptic properties and compared with egg cakes with refined wheat flour (C1) and CF (C2). T1 cake showed no significant difference for batter physical and textural properties with C1. In rheological studies, no significant difference was found for Casson-plastic viscosity, flow-behavior index and consistency-index among T1 and C1 batter. T1 cake had higher volume (437.1 cm3) as compared to T3 (404.4 cm3) and T2 (359.4 cm3). C2 showed highest protein (g/100 g) (14.3) and fat (27), while T3 and T1 cakes contained significantly higher iron contents. On 9-point hedonic scale, T1 cake scored significantly higher values among T cakes. Therefore, CF was a good replacement for refined flour and banana was the best egg-replacer for cake developed.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableComposite flours (CF) using cereals, legumes, millets, soy-protein isolate, dairy ingredient and fruit without refined flour were used for preparing multi-nutrient biscuits. Dough and biscuits were evaluated for physical, nutritional and textural properties, particle size, colour and sensory evaluation and compared against refined-flour biscuits (C). Effect of malting and sprouting on biscuit quality were also analyzed. The highest volume of particles for CF was 140 μm higher than C flour. CF biscuits had significantly (p≤0.05) lower spread ratio and % weight loss compared to C. The hardness, stickiness and cohesiveness values of CF doughs were significantly (p≤0.05) lower than C resulting in lower cutting strength and increased hardness of CF biscuits. Sprouting further decreased hardness of CF dough. Nutrient content of CF biscuits (sprouted and unsprouted) were significantly (p≤0.05) higher than C biscuits. Sensory evaluation showed CF biscuits especially with sprouted flour had higher acceptability and were superior to C.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableNutrient dense instant porridge was prepared with flours from corn, whole wheat, malted finger millet, sprouted whole green gram, soy protein isolates, unsalted roasted peanuts, dairy whitener and dried papaya in different ratios to make the multi-nutrient mix. Processing parameters viz. Flour Concentration (FC):10-20%, Sugar Concentration (SC): 50-75% and Cooking Time (CT): 1-5 min were optimized for development of porridge from multi-nutrient mix. Significant (p<0.05) second order model predicted the optimized condition for the porridge as FC: 17.9%, SC: 69% and CT: 1.8min. The water absorption index (2.5 g/unit g sample) and water solubility index (20.8%) was higher for multi-nutrient flour mix as compared to wheat flour (2.3 g/unit g sample and 8.3%) indicating better porridge forming ability.Response surface methodology showed that FC, SC and CT significantly affected the organoleptic quality, textural and rheological propertiesof porridge. Among the three process parameters, FC and CT had the most significant effect on evaluated porridge quality parameters. Fat and protein content of optimized porridge (OP) was significantly higher and particle size significantly lower than the control wheat porridge (CWP) indicating an improved capacity of the nutrients to be absorbed by the body. Porridges showed shear-thinning behavior and apparent viscosity values at all shear rates were higher for OP than CWP. From rheological studies it was observed that mean apparent viscosity and yield stress was lower for OP due to significant difference in the particle size and particle size distribution of the two samples. Both the porridge samples were comparable on account of storage modulus, loss modulus and complex viscosity.Not Availabl

Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) Testing in Newly Diagnosed Multiple myeloma (MM) Patients: A Prospective Head-to-Head Assessment of Cell-Based, Molecular, and Molecular-Imaging Modalities

Abstract *Equally Contributed Introduction: Recent studies show better progression-free (PFS) and overall survival (OS) for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) pts achieving MRD negativity by multicolor flow cytometry (MFC) or next-generation sequencing (NGS). Here, we report on the comprehensive assessment of MRD in a uniformly treated cohort of 45 MM patients (Korde et al. ASH 2013). Methods: 45 NDMM pts were treated with 8 cycles of combination therapy (carfilzomib, lenalidomide and dexamethasone) followed by 2 years of maintenance lenalidomide. Median potential follow-up was 17.3 mos. All patients were evaluated by NGS by LymphoSIGHT™ method. Briefly, using universal primer sets, we amplified immunoglobulin heavy and kappa chain (IGH and IGK) variable, diversity, and joining (VDJ) gene segments from genomic DNA obtained from CD138+ BM cell lysate or cell free bone marrow (BM) aspirate at baseline. A MM clonotype was defined as an immunoglobulin rearrangement identified by NGS at a frequency >=5%. MRD assessment by NGS, MFC and PET was repeated when patients achieved a complete response (CR) or completed 8 cycles of therapy. In a subset of patients, we performed NGS in peripheral blood (plasma) at baseline and after 2 cycles of treatment. Results: 40/45 (89%) of pts achieved VGPR or better after combination therapy. At least one clonal rearrangement was identified in 31/34 (91%) of BM CD138+ cell samples and in 34/45 (76%) of cell free BM aspirates; overall clonal rearrangement was detected in 37/45 (82%) bone marrow aspirates at baseline. Repeat MRD assessment at CR or the completion of 8 cycles in 32 pts show residual disease in cell free BM aspirates by NGS in 18 (56% of pts tested and 40% of the total study population). Estimated 12-mo and 18-mo PFS for MRD neg vs. pos by NGS was 100% vs 94% and 100% vs 84%, respectively (p=0.025). MFC testing for MRD was feasible in 43/44 pts (98%). PFS probabilities at 12-mo and 18-mo for flow neg vs pos was 100% vs 79% and 100% vs 63%, respectively (p=0.0022). Among pts assessed by both MRD methods (n=31), 23 samples were concordant (9 pos and 14 neg); among 8 discordant cases, all were positive by sequencing and negative by flow (p=0.0078). Abnormal PET scans were noted in 38/45 (84%) of pts at baseline. 24/43 (56%) pts at CR or after 8 cycles of CRd had a neg/dec PET response and 19/43 (44%) pts had a pos/partial PET response. At 12-mo and 18-mo, PFS by a neg/dec PET response vs pos/partial PET response was 100% vs 89% and 92% vs 89%, respectively (p=0.54). Furthermore, in 14 pts, we performed NGS in peripheral blood samples collected at baseline. At least one MM clonotype identified in baseline BM was detectable in corresponding plasma sample in 13/14 pts. Number of myeloma-specific molecules per million diploid genomes in the plasma was 3-log fold lower than in the BM (median 252 vs 730,950 MM specific clonal molecules per million diploid genomes). After 2 cycles of CRd treatment, 12/13 pts were still pos by serum electrophoresis and/or immunofixation while only 1 had detectable myeloma clonotypes in the plasma. Conclusions: This prospective evaluation of MRD testing in MM has several key findings: 1. Detection of myeloma-specific clonotypes by NGS of the Immunoglobulin VDJ segments in the BM is feasible in majority of pts with NDMM. 2. MRD detection by NGS compares favorably to MFC since all pts with residual disease by MFC are also MRD positive by sequencing; an additional 8 pts who were MRD negative by flow MFC were MRD positive by sequencing. 3. MRD negativity by MFC and NGS are both associated with significantly better PFS. 4. Detection of myeloma-specific clonotypes by NGS of the immunoglobulin VDJ segments (i.e. cell free DNA) in the peripheral blood plasma is feasible in NDMM pts at diagnosis; however, since tumor load in the plasma is >2000-fold lower than in the BM; using standard volumes of peripheral blood (plasma), the levels of myeloma-specific clonotypes were too low to be quantified already after 2 cycles of combination therapy. This was true despite presence of positive serum electrophoresis and/or immunofixation. Additional studies to understand the dynamics of the myeloma clonotype level in peripheral blood plasma are necessary to determine optimal MRD testing regimen. Disclosures Faham: Sequenta, Inc.: Employment, Equity Ownership, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Moorhead:Sequenta, Inc.: Employment