Oilseed brassica in India: Demand, supply, policy perspective and future potential☆

India is the largest agrarian subcontinent supporting 26% world’s agricultural population on 12% arable land. India is also the fifth largest vegetable oil economy accounting 7.4% oilseeds, 5.8% oils and 6.1% oil meal production, and 9.3% of edible oil consumption in the world. Oilseeds are the second most important agricultural economy in India next to cereals growing at a pace of 4.1% per annum in the last three decades. Oilseed brassica shares 23.5% area and 24.2% production of total oilseeds in the country. Despite being the third largest producer (11.3%) of oilseed brassica after Canada and China in the world, India meets 57% of the domestic edible oil requirements through imports and ranked 7th largest importer of edible oils in the world. Oilseed brassica achieved significant growth in India in the past, however, the productivity levels are still low owing to large cultivation under rainfed situation, biotic and abiotic stresses, and resources crunch. It is also facing the challenges of low genotypic potential, climate change and price fluctuation. Though, it embraces the immense scope to increase the production in traditional and non-traditional areas in India with proper inputs, technological interventions, and suitable policy framework. This needs to develop strategies in a well-planned, targeted manner with multi-scientific inputs, policy interface and stable price systems to bring the desired growth in oilseeds brassica production, and to reduce the import of edible oils in the country

Multiwavelength Study on Solar and Interplanetary Origins of the Strongest Geomagnetic Storm of Solar Cycle 23

We study the solar sources of an intense geomagnetic storm of solar cycle 23 that occurred on 20 November 2003, based on ground- and space-based multiwavelength observations. The coronal mass ejections (CMEs) responsible for the above geomagnetic storm originated from the super-active region NOAA 10501. We investigate the H-alpha observations of the flare events made with a 15 cm solar tower telescope at ARIES, Nainital, India. The propagation characteristics of the CMEs have been derived from the three-dimensional images of the solar wind (i.e., density and speed) obtained from the interplanetary scintillation data, supplemented with other ground- and space-based measurements. The TRACE, SXI and H-alpha observations revealed two successive ejections (of speeds ~350 and ~100 km/s), originating from the same filament channel, which were associated with two high speed CMEs (~1223 and ~1660 km/s, respectively). These two ejections generated propagating fast shock waves (i.e., fast drifting type II radio bursts) in the corona. The interaction of these CMEs along the Sun-Earth line has led to the severity of the storm. According to our investigation, the interplanetary medium consisted of two merging magnetic clouds (MCs) that preserved their identity during their propagation. These magnetic clouds made the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) southward for a long time, which reconnected with the geomagnetic field, resulting the super-storm (Dst_peak=-472 nT) on the Earth.Comment: 24 pages, 16 figures, Accepted for publication in Solar Physic

Controlling laser spectra in a phaseonium photonic crystal using maser

We study the control of quantum resonances in photonic crystals with electromagnetically induced transparency driven by microwave field. In addition to the control laser, the intensity and phase of the maser can alter the transmission and reflection spectra in interesting ways, producing hyperfine resonances through the combined effects of multiple scattering in the superstructure.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figure

Disposition kinetics and urinary excretion of ciprofloxacin in goats following single intravenous administration

We evaluated the pharmacokinetics of ciprofloxacin in serum (n = 6) and urine (n = 4) in goats following a single intravenous administration of 4 mg/kg body weight. The serum concentration-time curves of ciprofloxacin were best fitted by a two-compartment open model. The drug was detected in goat serum up to 12 h. The elimination rate constant (β) and elimination half-life (t1/2β) were 0.446 ± 0.04 h-1 and 1.630 ± 0.17 h, respectively. The apparent volume of distribution at steady state (Vdss) was 2.012 ± 0.37 l/kg and the total body clearance (ClB) was 16.27 ± 1.87 ml/min/kg. Urinary recovery of ciprofloxacin was 29.70% ± 10.34% of the administered dose within 36 h post administration. In vitro serum protein binding was 41% ± 13.10%. Thus, a single daily intravenous dose of 4 mg/kg is sufficient to maintain effective levels in serum and for 36 h in urine, allowing treatment of systemic, Gram-negative bacterial infections and urinary tract infections by most pathogens

Multiwavelength Observations of Supersonic Plasma Blob Triggered by Reconnection Generated Velocity Pulse in AR10808

Using multi-wavelength observations of Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SoHO)/Michelson Doppler Imager (MDI), Transition Region and Coronal Explorer (TRACE) 171 \AA, and H$\alpha$ from Culgoora Solar Observatory at Narrabri, Australia, we present a unique observational signature of a propagating supersonic plasma blob before an M6.2 class solar flare in AR10808 on 9th September 2005. The blob was observed between 05:27 UT to 05:32 UT with almost a constant shape for the first 2-3 minutes, and thereafter it quickly vanished in the corona. The observed lower bound speed of the blob is estimated as $\sim$215 km s$^{-1}$ in its dynamical phase. The evidence of the blob with almost similar shape and velocity concurrent in H$\alpha$ and TRACE 171 \AA\ supports its formation by multi-temperature plasma. The energy release by a recurrent 3-D reconnection process via the separator dome below the magnetic null point, between the emerging flux and pre-existing field lines in the lower solar atmosphere, is found to be the driver of a radial velocity pulse outwards that accelerates this plasma blob in the solar atmosphere. In support of identification of the possible driver of the observed eruption, we solve the two-dimensional ideal magnetohydrodynamic equations numerically to simulate the observed supersonic plasma blob. The numerical modelling closely match the observed velocity, evolution of multi-temperature plasma, and quick vanishing of the blob found in the observations. Under typical coronal conditions, such blobs may also carry an energy flux of 7.0$\times10^{6}$ ergs cm$^{-2}$ s$^{-1}$ to re-balance the coronal losses above active regions.Comment: Solar Physics; 22 Pages; 8 Figure

The burden of unintentional drowning: Global, regional and national estimates of mortality from the Global Burden of Disease 2017 Study

__Background:__ Drowning is a leading cause of injury-related mortality globally. Unintentional drowning (International Classification of Diseases (ICD) 10 codes W65-74 and ICD9 E910) is one of the 30 mutually exclusive and collectively exhaustive causes of injury-related mortality in the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study. This study's objective is to describe unintentional drowning using GBD estimates from 1990 to 2017. __Methods:__ Unintentional drowning from GBD 2017 was estimated for cause-specific mortality and years of life lost (YLLs), age, sex, country, region, Socio-demographic Index (SDI) quintile, and trends from 1990 to 2017. GBD 2017 used standard GBD methods for estimating mortality from drowning. __Results:__ Globally, unintentional drowning mortality decreased by 44.5% between 1990 and 2017, from 531 956 (uncertainty interval (UI): 484 107 to 572 854) to 295 210 (284 493 to 306 187) deaths. Global age-standardised mortality rates decreased 57.4%, from 9.3 (8.5 to 10.0) in 1990 to 4.0 (3.8 to 4.1) per 100 000 per annum in 2017. Unintentional drowning-associated mortality was generally higher in children, males and in low-SDI to middle-SDI countries. China, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh accounted for 51.2% of all drowning deaths in 2017. Oceania was the region with the highest rate of age-standardised YLLs in 2017, with 45 434 (40 850 to 50 539) YLLs per 100 000 across both sexes. __Conclusions:__ There has been a decline in global drowning rates. This study shows that the decline was not consistent across countries. The results reinforce the need for continued and improved policy, prevention and research efforts, with a focus on low-and middle-income countries

Oilseed brassica in India: Demand, supply, policy perspective and future potential

India is the largest agrarian subcontinent supporting 26% world’s agricultural population on 12% arable land. India is also the fifth largest vegetable oil economy accounting 7.4% oilseeds, 5.8% oils and 6.1% oil meal production, and 9.3% of edible oil consumption in the world. Oilseeds are the second most important agricultural economy in India next to cereals growing at a pace of 4.1% per annum in the last three decades. Oilseed brassica shares 23.5% area and 24.2% production of total oilseeds in the country. Despite being the third largest producer (11.3%) of oilseed brassica after Canada and China in the world, India meets 57% of the domestic edible oil requirements through imports and ranked 7th largest importer of edible oils in the world. Oilseed brassica achieved significant growth in India in the past, however, the productivity levels are still low owing to large cultivation under rainfed situation, biotic and abiotic stresses, and resources crunch. It is also facing the challenges of low genotypic potential, climate change and price fluctuation. Though, it embraces the immense scope to increase the production in traditional and non-traditional areas in India with proper inputs, technological interventions, and suitable policy framework. This needs to develop strategies in a well-planned, targeted manner with multi-scientific inputs, policy interface and stable price systems to bring the desired growth in oilseeds brassica production, and to reduce the import of edible oils in the country

Livestock Management under Changing Climate Scenario in India

Animal agriculture is a major contributor to climate change through various elements like air temperature, humidity, wind velocity, solar radiation and other factors. Heat is the major constraint in tropical and sub tropical climatic conditions which negatively affects production and reproduction of livestock species. Alterations of temperature and humidity profile may alter the productivity, reproductive efficiency and may aggravate the spread of disease and parasites into new regions. The current review have been framed to provide more insight into the effect of climate change on livestock production in India and how to alleviate the expected thorny picture of livestock production system. Climate can affect livestock both directly and indirectly. Livestock production is not only affected by climate change but also contributes to the cause. Greenhouse gas emissions by the livestock sector could be cut by as much as 30 percent through the wider use of existing best practices and technologies. Livestock production system is expected to be exposed to many challenges due to climate change in India. Climate change through raised temperature, humidity and solar radiation may alter the physiology of livestock, reducing production and reproductive efficiency of both male and female and altered morbidity and mortality rates. Options for alleviating heat stress include adjusting animals’ diets to minimize diet-induced thermogenesis (low fibre and low protein) or by increasing nutrient concentration in the feed to compensate for lower intake; taking measures to protect the animals from excessive heat load (shading/improving ventilation by using fans) or enhance heat loss from their bodies (Sprinklers/misters); or genetic selection for heat tolerance or bringing in types of animals that already have good heat tolerance. Livestock production and its economic efficiency depend on quantity and quality of feed and water that animals need to survive, produce and reproduce. In production systems where animals are fed on concentrates, rising grain prices (may be driven by climate change) increase the pressure to use animals that efficiently convert grains into meat, eggs or milk. The geographical and seasonal distributions of many infectious diseases, particularly vector borne, as well as those of many parasites and pests of various kinds are affected by climate. Different managemental options for reducing the effect of thermal stress are genetic approach, nutritional adjustments, managemental interventions, adequate water supply, providing feed to the animals during cool period, stocking density, provision of vegetative cover over the surrounding area, adequate ventilation, revival of common property resources (CPRs), intensive fodder production systems, use of unconventional resources as feed, etc

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Not AvailableEffect of high pressure treatment on physico-chemical and microbiological quality of protein isolates from shrimp head waste was evaluated. Protein isolates were prepared using alkali solubilisation and isoelectric point precipitation. Protein isolates were subjected to high pressure treatment at 200 and 400 M Pa with a holding time of 10 min at 30 plus or minus 3 degree celsius and the samples were designated as S-200 and S-400. Untreated samples were designated as control. The three groups were stored at 2 plus or minus 1 degree celsius for shelf life evaluation. Biochemical analysis such as TVB-N, TBARS and TMA showed increasing trend during storage. The values obtained for biochemical quality indicators were higher than the acceptable limit for control on 21st day of storage, whereas S-200 was unacceptable by 35th day. The S-400 was within the acceptable range even after 35 days of storage as revealed by biochemical analysis. The observed changes in biochemical quality parameters were well related with the APC. The coliforms were detected in control and S-200 samples on 28th day, whereas, the coliforms were not detected in S-400 throughout the storage study period. Enterobacteriaceae count of Control and S-200 increased, whereas, S- 400 sample was free from enterobacteriaceae during the storage. Whiteness (L) values of protein isolates increased with increase in pressure level. However, L values was decreased as storage period increased in all the samples. The results revealed that the high pressure treatment at 400 MPa with a holding time of 10 min extended the shelf life of protein isolates by 14 days under refrigerated storage over the untreated sample.Not Availabl