RP-HPLC analysis of phenolic antioxidant compound 6-gingerol from in vitro cultures of Zingiber officinale Roscoe

Relation between 6-gingerol content and antioxidant activity in in vitro grown cultures of ginger was studied. Reverse phase HPLC analysis revealed that rhizome derived callus culture and micropropagated plants produced lowest amount of 6-gingerol compare to conventionally grown plants. The antioxidant activity of extracts was determined using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay and Ferric Reducing power assay (FRAP) and correlated with the content of total phenolics and total flavonoids in the extracts. Strong correlation was found between antioxidant activity, total phenolics and 6- gingerol content

Revival of Rampani fishing for mackerel in Maharashtra

For the past few years, purse seiners from Goa were reported to be operating in coastal waters of southern Maharashtra and therefore Rampani fishery was defunct. From 2010 onwards, strict implementation of Monsoon Fishing Ban from June to August was observed in Maharashtra. The revival of the Rampani fishery was attributed by the fishermen to this ban. However, the extension of mackerel even to the northern districts of Maharashtra and further towards Gujarat coast could also be due to the high cyclic abundance of the species, as observed in the past

Light fishing - conflicts and concerns in Maharashtra

Technological intervention in the Indian fishing industry are intended to increase marine fish production of the country. Crude light fishing methods practiced in Mandapam was reported for catching silverbellies (Sekharan 1955, Indian J. Fish., 1955; Anon., 1957, Indian J. Fish). Fishing experiments with light attraction for pelagic fishes using purseseines was conducted by Fishery Survey of India (Ninan and Sudarsan, 1988, Occasional papers of Fishery Survey of India No. 5) who reported that no aggregation was noticed in the areas where water turbidity was high and strong current (above 2 Knots) was present. Mohamed (2016) reviewed light fishing practices in India and suggested restrictions in power of lights used, area of operation, mesh size for exploitation etc (Marine Fisheries Policy Brief No. 4, 2016, ICAR- CMFRI)

Impact of targeted interventions on heterosexual transmission of HIV in India

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Targeted interventions (TIs) have been a major strategy for HIV prevention in India. We evaluated the impact of TIs on HIV prevalence in high HIV prevalence southern states (Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A quasi-experimental approach was used to retrospectively compare changes in HIV prevalence according to the intensity of targeted intervention implementation. Condom gap (number of condoms required minus condoms supplied by TIs) was used as an indicator of TI intensity. Annual average number of commercial sex acts per female sex worker (FSW) reported in Behavioral Surveillance Survey was multiplied by the estimated number of FSWs in each district to calculate annual requirement of condoms in the district. Data of condoms supplied by TIs from 1995 to 2008 was obtained from program records. Districts in each state were ranked into quartiles based on the TI intensity. Primary data of HIV Sentinel Surveillance was analyzed to calculate HIV prevalence reductions in each successive year taking 2001 as reference year according to the quartiles of TI intensity districts using generalized linear model with logit link and binomial distribution after adjusting for age, education, and place of residence (urban or rural).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In the high HIV prevalence southern states, the number of TI projects for FSWs increased from 5 to 310 between 1995 and 2008. In high TI intensity quartile districts (n = 30), 186 condoms per FSW/year were distributed through TIs as compared to 45 condoms/FSW/year in the low TI intensity districts (n = 29). Behavioral surveillance indicated significant rise in condom use from 2001 to 2009. Among FSWs consistent condom use with last paying clients increased from 58.6% to 83.7% (p < 0.001), and among men of reproductive age, the condom use during sex with non-regular partner increased from 51.7% to 68.6% (p < 0.001). A significant decline in HIV and syphilis prevalence has occurred in high prevalence southern states among FSWs and young antenatal women. Among young (15-24 years) antenatal clinic attendees significant decline was observed in HIV prevalence from 2001 to 2008 (OR = 0.42, 95% CI 0.28-0.62) in high TI intensity districts whereas in low TI intensity districts the change was not significant (OR = 1.01, 95% CI 0.67-1.5).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Targeted interventions are associated with HIV prevalence decline.</p

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Not AvailableFor the past few years, purse seiners from Goa were reported to be operating in coastal waters of southern Maharashtra and therefore Rampani fishery was defunct. From 2010 onwards, strict implementation of Monsoon Fishing Ban from June to August was observed in Maharashtra. The revival of the Rampani fishery was attributed by the fishermen to this ban. However, the extension of mackerel even to the northern districts of Maharashtra and further towards Gujarat coast could also be due to the high cyclic abundance of the species, as observed in the past.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableDemand for marine fish is a function of availability and practically enjoys inelastic demand in Mumbai. This paper examines the catch sustainability-income paradox that negates real income improvements of fishers in Maharashtra in the long run. The income scenario of the marine fishers in Maharashtra has not been too encouraging. Rise in prices have been inversely related to decline in landings in Maharashtra. The prices of premium species have surged manifold over the last 15 years. The threshold limits of select species or specie groups that have touched sustainability bounds and limits to which income of fishers can be increased, if at all, from this perspective has been examined. An analysis of income dynamics based on the Schaefer model or the "surplus production models" was estimated with data on aggregate fishing effort and the total production obtained from the stock. The overall growth of fish landings in Maharashtra has been declining by as much as (-) 15.48 per cent during 2000-2016, indicating a declining fishery in coastal Maharashtra. Given the scenario of overfishing, the increased income of the fishers may be attributed to the demand for fish. Ways to improve the income of the Maharashtra marine fishers is to regulate and implement the code of conduct for responsible fisheries strictly, enforce ban on purse seiners, strictly ban mechanised vessels in near shore waters, delicense vessels to achieve ideal fleet strength etc. Proactive forward looking policies that decry the demand for marine fishes below table size and a tax on landing of juvenile fishes would perhaps help contain the unsustainable fishing operations, ensuring sustained modal income for fishersNot Availabl

Numerical simulations of growth dynamics of breath figures on phase change materials: The effect of accelerated coalescence due to droplet motion

We present the growth dynamics of breath figures on phase change materials using numerical simulations. We propose a numerical model which accounts for both growth due to condensation and random motion of droplets on the substrate. We call this model as growth and random motion (GRM) model. Our analysis shows that for dynamics of droplet growth without droplet motion, simulation results are in good agreement with well-established theories of growth laws and self-similarity in surface coverage. We report the emergence of a growth law in the coalescence-dominated regime for the droplets growing simultaneously by condensation and droplet motion. The overall growth of breath figures (BF) exhibits four growth regions, namely, initial $\langle R \rangle \sim t^{\alpha_1 }$ , intermediate or crossover $\langle R \rangle \sim t^{\alpha_2 }$ , coalescence-dominated regime $\langle R \rangle \sim t^{\alpha_3 }$ , and no coalescence regime in late time $\langle R \rangle \sim t^{\alpha_4 }$ , where $\langle R \rangle$ and t are the average droplet radius and time, respectively. The power law exponents are $\alpha_1 \approx 1/2$ , $\alpha_2 \approx 1.0$ , $\alpha_3 \approx 3.0$ , and $\alpha_4 \approx 1/3$ . Moreover, the surface coverage reaches a maximum value $\varepsilon^2 \approx 0.35$ where the third growth regime $t^{\alpha_3 }$ starts. We also demonstrate that during the growth dynamics of BF, the random motion amplitude δ and its probability p(R) linked to the power exponent γ of droplet radius R have a specific limiting range within which its effect is more predominant

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Not AvailableTechnological intervention in the Indian fishing industry are intended to increase marine fish production of the country. Crude light fishing methods practiced in Mandapam was reported for catching silverbellies (Sekharan 1955, Indian J. Fish., 1955; Anon., 1957, Indian J. Fish). Fishing experiments with light attraction for pelagic fishes using purseseines was conducted by Fishery Survey of India (Ninan and Sudarsan, 1988, Occasional papers of Fishery Survey of India No. 5) who reported that no aggregation was noticed in the areas where water turbidity was high and strong current (above 2 Knots) was present. Mohamed (2016) reviewed light fishing practices in India and suggested restrictions in power of lights used, area of operation, mesh size for exploitation etc (Marine Fisheries Policy Brief No. 4, 2016, ICAR- CMFRI).Not Availabl