Supply Response of Indian Farmers - Pre and Post Reforms

Supply response to price changes is likely to increase with the increasing liberalization of the agricultural sector. Past studies revealed weak supply response for Indian agriculture. There are no recent reliable estimates to see if the response has improved after the economic reforms introduced in early 90s in India. This study estimates supply response for major crops during pre and post reform periods using Nerlovian adjustment cum adaptive expectation model. Estimation is based on dynamic panel data approach with pooled cross section - time series data across states for India. The standard procedure is to use area as an indicator of supply due to the reason that area decision is totally under the control of farmers. Moreover using supply conceals some variations in area and yield if they move in the opposite directions. In this paper, it is hypothesized that acreage response underestimates supply response and farmers respond to price incentives partly through intensive application of other inputs given the same area, which is reflected in yield. Acreage and yield response functions were estimated and the supply response estimates were derived from these two responses. The significant feature of the specification used in the study is both main and substitutable crops are jointly estimated by a single equation by introducing varying slope coefficients to capture different responses. As expected, foodgrains reveal less response than non-foodgrains. The study found no significant difference in supply elasticities between pre and post reform periods for majority of crops. It raises questions such as whether the constraints are properly identified by the policies or if the impact of reform is yet to be felt in order to make a prominent impact on response parameters. In this study, infrastructural variables other than irrigation could not be introduced due to lack of information for a long time series. Results confirmed that farmers respond to price incentives equally by more intensive application of non-land inputs. Further analysis of the reasons for little impact of reforms on the responses is awaited.dynamic panel model, supply elasticity, acreage and yield response.

Community Dependence on Non-timber Forest Products - A Household Analysis and its Implication for Forest Conservation

This study explores the factors determining the dependence of local people on protected area of forest based on household analysis of a Protected Area from Kerala. The findings confirm the hypothesis that alternative income source would greatly reduce the dependence and hence ease the conflict between local people interests and forest management in conservation activities. This study raised certain issues in the institutional mechanism of marketing and management of non-wood forest products. The price spread highlighted the large difference between sellers (gatherers) price and final retail price. Ensuring a fair share to the local people in the final value added and bringing together traditional knowledge of the villager and the commercial ventures making the final product for efficient sharing of benefits would act as incentives for the gatherers to extract the product in a sustainable way and also to cooperate willingly in the conservation activities.forest products, sustainable management, community livelihood

Community dependence on non-timber forest products: A Household analysis and its implication for forest conservation

This study explores the factors determining the dependence of local people on protected area of forest based on household analysis of a Protected Area from Kerala. The findings confirm the hypothesis that alternative income source would greatly reduce the dependence and hence ease the conflict between local people interests and forest management in conservation activities. This study raised certain issues in the institutional mechanism of marketing and management of non-wood forest products. The price spread highlighted the large difference between sellers (gatherer's) price and final retail price. Ensuring a fair share to the local people in the final value added and bringing together traditional knowledge of the villager and the commercial ventures making the final product for efficient sharing of benefits would act as incentives for the gatherers to extract the product in a sustainable way and also to cooperate willingly in the conservation activities.forest products, sustainable management, community livelihood

HPLC Profiling of B Asarone Content and Cytogenetic Studies of Medicinally Important Indian Acorus Calamus l., Accessions

Acorus calamus L. is a well- known herb for its traditional medicinal and pharmaceutical potentials. The rhizome of the plant is mainly used for medicinal purposes because it yields an essential oil known as “Calamus Oil”. The main component of the essential oil is â-asarone. In our present study, 20 different species of Acorus calamus were collected from different parts of South India and North East India. An attempt has been made to characterize all the accessions on the basis of their ploidy level by cytogenetic studies, and determining â- asarone content by HPLC analysis. All the accessions were screened for their ploidy level by staining the root chromosomes at metaphase stage. The plants observed were either diploid or triploid ruling out any tetraploids. HPLC analysis of powdered rhizome extracts for the â- asarone, indicated that it ranged from 2.2% to 7.2%. Our results also have revealed that there is no correlation between the ploidy status and the content of â-asarone. Indian accessions were found to have low to moderate levels of â- asarone content

Cross-layer wireless bit rate adaptation

This paper presents SoftRate, a wireless bit rate adaptation protocol that is responsive to rapidly varying channel conditions. Unlike previous work that uses either frame receptions or signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) estimates to select bit rates, SoftRate uses confidence information calculated by the physical layer and exported to higher layers via the SoftPHY interface to estimate the prevailing channel bit error rate (BER). Senders use this BER estimate, calculated over each received packet (even when the packet has no bit errors), to pick good bit rates. SoftRate's novel BER computation works across different wireless environments and hardware without requiring any retraining. SoftRate also uses abrupt changes in the BER estimate to identify interference, enabling it to reduce the bit rate only in response to channel errors caused by attenuation or fading. Our experiments conducted using a software radio prototype show that SoftRate achieves 2X higher throughput than popular frame-level protocols such as SampleRate and RRAA. It also achieves 20% more throughput than an SNR-based protocol trained on the operating environment, and up to 4X higher throughput than an untrained SNR-based protocol. The throughput gains using SoftRate stem from its ability to react to channel variations within a single packet-time and its robustness to collision losses.National Science Foundation (U.S.) (Grant CNS-0721702)National Science Foundation (U.S.) (Grant CNS-0520032)Foxconn International Holdings Ltd

Single-cell analysis of [Ca²⁺]i signalling in sub-fertile men:characteristics and relation to fertilization outcome

STUDY QUESTIONWhat are the characteristics of progesterone-induced (CatSper-mediated) single cell [Ca2+]i signals in spermatozoa from sub-fertile men and how do they relate to fertilizing ability?SUMMARY ANSWERSingle cell analysis of progesterone-induced (CatSper-mediated) [Ca2+]i showed that reduced progesterone-sensitivity is a common feature of sperm from sub-fertile patients and is correlated with fertilization rate.WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADYStimulation with progesterone is a widely used method for assessing [Ca2+]i mobilization by activation of CatSper in human spermatozoa. Although data are limited, sperm population studies have indicated an association of poor [Ca2+]i response to progesterone with reduced fertilization ability.STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATIONThis was a cohort study using semen samples from 21 donors and 101 patients attending the assisted conception unit at Ninewells Hospital Dundee who were undergoing ART treatment. Patients were recruited from January 2016 to June 2017.PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODSSemen donors and patients were recruited in accordance with local ethics approval (13/ES/0091) from the East of Scotland Research Ethics Service (EoSRES) REC1. [Ca2+]i responses were examined by single cell imaging and motility parameters assessed by computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA).MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCEFor analysis, patient samples were divided into three groups IVF(+ve) (successful fertilization; 62 samples), IVF-FF (failed fertilization; eight samples) and ICSI (21 samples). A further 10 IVF samples showed large, spontaneous [Ca2+]i oscillations and responses to progesterone could not be analysed. All patient samples loaded with the [Ca2+]i-indicator fluo4 responded to progesterone stimulation with a biphasic increase in fluorescence (transient followed by plateau) which resembled that seen in progesterone-stimulated donor samples. The mean normalized response (progesterone-induced increase in fluorescence normalized to resting level) was significantly smaller in IVF-FF and ICSI patient groups than in donors. All samples were further analysed by plotting, for each cell, the relationship between resting fluorescence intensity and the progesterone-induced fluorescence increment. In donor samples these plots overlaid closely and had a gradient of ≈ 2 and plots for most IVF(+ve) samples closely resembled the donor distribution. However, in a subset (≈ 10%) of IVF(+ve) samples, 3/8 IVF-FF samples and one-third of ICSI samples the gradient of the plot was significantly lower, indicating that the response to progesterone of the cells in these samples was abnormally small. Examination of the relationship between gradient (regression coefficient of the plot) in IVF samples and fertilization rate showed a positive correlation. In IVF-FF and ICSI groups, the proportion of cells in which a response to progesterone could be detected was significantly lower than in donors and IVF (+ve) patients. Approximately 20% of cells in donor, IVF(+ve) and ICSI samples generated [Ca2+]i oscillations when challenged with progesterone but in IVF-FF samples only ≈ 10% of cells generated oscillations and there was a significantly greater proportion of samples where no oscillations were observed. Levels of hyperactivated motility were lower in IVF(+ve) and IVF-FF groups compared to controls, IVF-FF also having lower levels than IVF(+ve).LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTIONThis is an in vitro study and caution must be taken when extrapolating these results in vivo.WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGSThis study reveals important details of impaired [Ca2+]i signalling in sperm from sub-fertile men that cannot be detected in population studies

Revisiting Internet Adressing: Back to the Future!

IP prefixes undermine three goals of Internet routing: accurate reflection of network-layer reachability, secure routing messages, and effective traffic control. This paper presents Atomic IP (AIP), a simple change to Internet addressing (which in fact reverts to how addressing once worked), that allows Internet routing to achieve these goals

Depolarization of sperm membrane potential is a common feature of men with subfertility and is associated with low fertilization rate at IVF

STUDY QUESTION. Are significant abnormalities in outward (K+) conductance and resting membrane potential (Vm) present in the spermatozoa of patients undertaking IVF and ICSI and if so, what is their functional effect on fertilization success? SUMMARY ANSWER. Negligible outward conductance (≈5% of patients) or an enhanced inward conductance (≈4% of patients), both of which caused depolarization of Vm, were associated with a low rate of fertilization following IVF. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY. Sperm-specific potassium channel knockout mice are infertile with defects in sperm function, suggesting that these channels are essential for fertility. These observations suggest that malfunction of K+ channels in human spermatozoa might contribute significantly to the occurrence of subfertility in men. However, remarkably little is known of the nature of K+ channels in human spermatozoa or the incidence and functional consequences of K+ channel defects. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE AND DURATION. Spermatozoa were obtained from healthy volunteer research donors and subfertile IVF and ICSI patients attending a hospital assisted reproductive techniques clinic between May 2013 and December 2015. In total, 40 IVF patients, 41 ICSI patients and 26 normozoospermic donors took part in the study. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS. Samples were examined using electrophysiology (whole-cell patch clamping). Where abnormal electrophysiological characteristics were identified, spermatozoa were further examined for Ca2+ influx induced by progesterone and penetration into viscous media if sufficient sample was available. Full exome sequencing was performed to specifically evaluate potassium calcium-activated channel subfamily M α 1 (KCNMA1), potassium calcium-activated channel subfamily U member 1 (KCNU1) and leucine-rich repeat containing 52 (LRRC52) genes and others associated with K+ signalling. In IVF patients, comparison with fertilization rates was done to assess the functional significance of the electrophysiological abnormalities. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE. Patch clamp electrophysiology was used to assess outward (K+) conductance and resting membrane potential (Vm) and signalling/motility assays were used to assess functional characteristics of sperm from IVF and ICSI patient samples. The mean Vm and outward membrane conductance in sperm from IVF and ICSI patients were not significantly different from those of control (donor) sperm prepared under the same conditions, but variation between individuals was significantly greater (P< 0.02) with a large number of outliers (>25%). In particular, in ≈10% of patients (7/81), we observed either a negligible outward conductance (4 patients) or an enhanced inward current (3 patients), both of which caused depolarization of Vm. Analysis of clinical data from the IVF patients showed significant association of depolarized Vm (≥0 mV) with low fertilization rate (P= 0.012). Spermatozoa with electrophysiological abnormities (conductance and Vm) responded normally to progesterone with elevation of [Ca2+]i and penetration of viscous medium, indicating retention of cation channel of sperm (CatSper) channel function. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION. For practical, technical, ethical and logistical reasons, we could not obtain sufficient additional semen samples from men with conductance abnormalities to establish the cause of the conductance defects. Full exome sequencing was only available in two men with conductance defects. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS. These data add significantly to the understanding of the role of ion channels in human sperm function and its impact on male fertility. Impaired potassium channel conductance (Gm) and/or Vm regulation is both common and complex in human spermatozoa and importantly is associated with impaired fertilization capacity when the Vm of cells is completely depolarized

Complex CatSper-dependent and independent [Ca2⁺]i signalling in human spermatozoa induced by follicular fluid

STUDY QUESTION: Does progesterone in human follicular fluid (hFF) activate CatSper and do other components of hFF modulate this effect and/or contribute separately to hFF-induced Ca2+ signaling?SUMMARY ANSWER: hFF potently stimulates CatSper and increases [Ca2+]i, primarily due to high concentrations of progesterone, however,other components of hFF also contribute to [Ca2+]i signaling, including modulation of CatSper channel activity and inhibition of [Ca2+]i oscillations.WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: CatSper, the principal Ca2+ channel in spermatozoa, is progesterone-sensitive and essential for fertility. Both hFF and progesterone, which is present in hFF, influence sperm function and increase their [Ca2+]i.STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: This basic medical research study used semen samples from >40 donors and hFF from >50 patients who were undergoing surgical oocyte retrieval for IVF/ICSI.PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: Semen donors and patients were recruited in accordance with local ethics approval (13/ES/0091) from the East of Scotland Research Ethics Service REC1. Activities of CatSper and KSper were assessed by patch clamp electrophysiology. Sperm [Ca2+]i responses were examined in sperm populations and single cells. Computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) parameters and penetration into viscous media were used to assess functional effects.MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: hFF and progesterone significantly potentiated CatSper currents. Under quasiphysiologicalconditions, hFF (up to 50%) failed to alter membrane K+ conductance or current reversal potential. hFF and progesterone (at an equivalent concentration) stimulated similar biphasic [Ca2+]i signals both in sperm populations and single cells. At a high hFF concentration (10%), the sustained (plateau) component of the [Ca2+]i signal was consistently greater than that induced by progesterone alone. In single cell recordings, 1% hFF-induced [Ca2+]i oscillations similarly to progesterone but with 10% hFF generation of [Ca2+]i oscillations was suppressed. After treatment to ‘strip’ lipid-derived mediators, hFF failed to significantly stimulate CatSper currents but induced small [Ca2+]i responsesthat were greater than those induced by the equivalent concentration of progesterone after stripping. Similar [Ca2+]i responses were observed when sperm pretreated with 3 μM progesterone (to desensitize progesterone responses) were stimulated with hFF or stripped hFF. hFF stimulated viscous media penetration and was more effective than the equivalent does of progesterone.LARGE SCALE DATA: N/A.LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: This was an in vitro study. Caution must be taken when extrapolating these results in vivo.WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: This study directly demonstrates that hFF activates CatSper and establishes that the biologically important effects of hFF reflect, at least in part, action on this channel, primarily via progesterone. However, these experiments also demonstrate that other components of hFF both contribute to the [Ca2+]i signal and modulate the activation of CatSper. Simple in vitro experiments performed out of the context of the complex in vivo environment need to be interpreted with caution

Isolation and characterization of a biosurfactant-producing heavy metal resistant Rahnella sp. RM isolated from chromium-contaminated soil

Objective of the study was to isolate heavy metal resistant bacteria from chromium-contaminated subsurface soil and investigate biosurfactant production and heavy metal bioremediation. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence and phylogenetic analysis, the isolate was identified as Rahnella sp. RM. The biosurfactant production by heavy metal resistant Rahnella sp. RM was optimized using Box- Behnken design (BBD). The maximum emulsification activity was obtained 66% at 6% soybean meal in pH 7.0 and 33.5°C. The biosurfactant was characterized using Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF). The highest metal removal rates using the biosurfactant were found 74.3, 72.5, and 70.1%, respectively, at the 100 mg/L amended flasks at 48 h. This study indicated the biosurfactant from heavy metal resistant Rahnella sp. RM could be used as a potential tool to remediate the metals in contaminated environments