Variability Studies in Palayankodan Ecotypes (AAB Genomic Group) of Banana (Musa Spp.)

Six Palayankodan ecotypes of banana belonging to AAB genomic group were evaluated for genetic variability among quantitative traits. Genetic and phenotypic coefficient of variation, heritability and genetic advance were estimated for eighteen traits that included plant height, pseudostem girth, number of leaves per plant, leaf width, number of suckers per plant, days taken from planting to shooting, total crop duration; length, girth, weight and volume of finger; hand weight, bunch weight, number of fingers per bunch, number of fingers per hand, ripe-fruit weight, sugar/acid ratio and pulp weight. Remarkable variability was observed among the collections for these characters. Bunch weight, number of fingers per bunch and number of suckers per plant with very high value of PCV, GCV, heritability and genetic advance makes it prime traits for direct selection. Plant height, pseudostem girth, total crop duration, sugar:acid ratio, finger length and days taken from planting to shooting with high value of heritability and moderate value of genetic advance. PCV are other important traits which need to be considered for selection. The volume of finger with low values for GCV, PCV, heritability and genetic advance as per cent of mean implies that it is highly influenced by environment and should not be taken as a criterion for selection. Plant height, total crop duration, sugar:acid ratio, finger length, pseudostem girth, number of fingers per bunch and days taken from planting to shooting showed high genetic advance and heritability and important characters to be considered for selection of ecotypes

Evaluation of Traditional Mango (Mangifera indica L.) Varieties of Southern Kerala

Investigations were carried out at the Department of Pomology and Floriculture, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, to characterize traditional mango varieties of southern Kerala, based on utility of fruits. Wide publicity was made about the proposed study and an extensive survey was conducted. Fifty traditional mango types could be located from Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha districts. On evaluation three utility groups were identified, viz., pickling, table and dual purpose types, based on the survey. Variability could be observed for floral, fruit and quality attributes. Flowering round the year was observed in Vellari Type-1, Thali, Kizhakkan Thali and Ambalathara Local. Karpoora Varikka with carotenoid content higher than most leading, superior varieties was identified. Varieties with high content of total sugars were Nedungolan, Vellari Type-2, Perakka manga, Inamanga, Neenda Karpooram, Velutha Muvandan, Karpoora Varikka and Ambalathara Local. Pickling type mangoes gave highest average ascorbic acid content (46.02mg/ 100g). Average titrable acidity (%) and crude fibre content were also the highest in pickling types (1.22% and 1.18%, respectively). In organoleptic evaluation, Perakka manga, Nedungolan, Karpooram manga, Vellari Type-2, Neenda Karpooram, Muthalamookan, Inamanga, Ambalathara Local, Kotookonam Varikka and Velutha Muvandan ranked on top in overall acceptability. These traditional varieties with desirable traits can be used for developing molecular markers to identify particular genes of interest and transfer them to desirable cultivars through genetic engineering

Diversity Studies in Ecotypes of Banana (Musa Spp.) Using Molecular Markers and D2 Analysis

The present study was aimed at analyzing the genetic diversity of promising banana ecotypes grown in Kerala. Twenty eight ecotypes of banana were collected from different parts of Kerala. DNA isolated from these was used for RAPD analysis. Six most-promising primers viz., OPA-01, OPA-03, OPA-13, OPB-04, OPB-10 and OPB-12 were used. These yielded 46 scorable bands with an average of 7.66 bands per primer. RAPD data were analyzed statistically and a dendrogram was constructed. Twenty three characters were observed in the twenty eight banana ecotypes and were statistically analyzed as per the method proposed by Mahalanobis (D2). From RAPD dendrogram, it was found that the banana clones clustered into fourteen groups at a distance of 0.200. At a distance of 0.250, 8 out of 12 Nendran (AAB group) ecotypes formed a single cluster at the same distance. Among Palayankodan (AAB group) ecotypes PKNNR, Pisang Ceylon, Motta Poovan, Chandra Bale and Palode Palayankodan grouped together and formed a single cluster. Attu Nendran, Monthan, Robusta, Koonoor Ethan, Ilavazha and Vellapalayankodan formed individual clusters and had maximum genetic divergence. Among diploid clones, Ilavazha (BB group) had maximum genetic divergence. Among triploid clones, Attu Nendran, Robusta, Koonoor Ethan and Vellapalayankodan showed maximum genetic divergence. Among Nendran (AAB group) ecotypes, Attu Nendran and Koonoor Ethan revealed maximum genetic divergence. Among Palayankodan (AAB group) ecotypes, Vellapalayankodan recorded the highest genetic divergence. In D2 analysis too, a similar trend was observed

How to approach supervisors for research opportunities

In this article, we use our experiences to provide tips for contacting potential supervisors, what to expect from them and how to approach them for research opportunities. With appropriate planning, you will be surprised by the number of prestigious academics who would be willing for you to join their research group, and to get you involved in a research project

A retrospective study of the clinical features of 50 consecutive cases diagnosed to have adenomyosis by histopathology in hysterectomy specimens in a tertiary centre

Background: Adenomyosis is characterised by the presence of ectopic endometrium, both glands and stroma deep in myometrium. Myometrial weakness caused by previous surgery or pregnancies, genetic factors, and tamoxifen use has been proposed as some aetiological factors.Methods: Present study aims to study the clinical profile of patients who have histological evidence of adenomyosis in hysterectomy specimens. The records of consecutive patients who had undergone hysterectomy were analysed.Results: The commonest age group affected is 41-50 years and menorrhagia is the predominant symptom.  The preoperative diagnosis of adenomyosis remains poor at around 8%.Conclusions: The age of onset and clinical features of patients should serve as an index for suspecting adenomyosis

An Approach to Improve Multi objective Path Planning for Mobile Robot Navigation using the Novel Quadrant Selection Method

Currently, automated and semi-automated industries need multiple objective path planning algorithms for mobile robot applications. The multi-objective optimisation algorithm takes more computational effort to provide optimal solutions. The proposed grid-based multi-objective global path planning algorithm [Quadrant selection algorithm (QSA)] plans the path by considering the direction of movements from starting position to the target position with minimum computational effort. Primarily, in this algorithm, the direction of movements is classified into quadrants. Based on the selection of the quadrant, the optimal paths are identified. In obstacle avoidance, the generated feasible paths are evaluated by the cumulative path distance travelled, and the cumulative angle turned to attain an optimal path. Finally, to ease the robot’s navigation, the obtained optimal path is further smoothed to avoid sharp turns and reduce the distance. The proposed QSA in total reduces the unnecessary search for paths in other quadrants. The developed algorithm is tested in different environments and compared with the existing algorithms based on the number of cells examined to obtain the optimal path. Unlike other algorithms, the proposed QSA provides an optimal path by dramatically reducing the number of cells examined. The experimental verification of the proposed QSA shows that the solution is practically implementable

Experimental Studies on Abrasive Water Jet Cutting of Nano SiC Particles Filled Hybrid Basalt-Glass Fibre-Reinforced Epoxy Composites

Abrasive water jet machining (AWJM) is extensively beneficial in machining materials that are hard to cut. This investigation deals with AWJM of Nano SiC filled Epoxy reinforced with basalt-glass fiber hybrid composite. The composite is prepared by compression moulding technique. Experimental trails are performed to evaluate the impact of every process parameter on the responses i.e., surface roughness (Ra) and Material Removal Rate (MRR). The experiments are conducted by changing the standoff distance (SD), traverse speed (TS) and water pressure. The performance of the conducted experiment is analysed using a Swarm intelligence algorithm. Surface roughness and MRR are maximized by using the combination of optimum process parameter levels of 9.72 mm/min speed, 5.78 mm stand-off distance and 553 MPa jet pressure. Scanning Electron Microscopic (SEM) images are employed in detecting the morphology of machined surface and confirmed the presence of voids and fibre pull-out

Multi-objective Optimisation of Multi-robot Task Allocation with Precedence Constraints

Efficacy of the multi-robot systems depends on proper sequencing and optimal allocation of robots to the tasks. Focuses on deciding the optimal allocation of set-of-robots to a set-of-tasks with precedence constraints considering multiple objectives. Taguchi’s design of experiments based parameter tuned genetic algorithm (GA) is developed for generalised task allocation of single-task robots to multi-robot tasks. The developed methodology is tested for 16 scenarios by varying the number of robots and number of tasks. The scenarios were tested in a simulated environment with a maximum of 20 robots and 40 multi-robot foraging tasks. The tradeoff between performance measures for the allocations obtained through GA for different task levels was used to decide the optimal number of robots. It is evident that the tradeoffs occur at 20 per cent of performance measures and the optimal number of robot varies between 10 and 15 for almost all the task levels. This method shows good convergence and found that the precedence constraints affect the optimal number of robots required for a particular task level

Hemangiomatous Ameloblastoma: A Rare Variant

Ameloblastoma is a true neoplasm of enamel organ type tissue. It is the most common odontogenic neoplasm with more frequency in the mandible. A 20 years old male patient presented with a swelling in the right side of the mandible of 10 months duration. Orthopantomograph revealed multilocular radiolucency extending from the region of 46 to the condyle. Incision biopsy revealed features of plexiform ameloblastoma. Numerous vascular spaces of varying size were seen throughout the stroma. Excision biopsy also revealed similar findings. Based on these findings, a diagnosis of hemangiomatous plexiform ameloblastoma was made. Hemangiomatous ameloblastoma (HA) is still a controversial entity, with some pathologists ruling it out as a  separate lesion. This paper discusses the possibility that HA might be an aggressive variant of ameloblastoma and reviews relevant literature.&nbsp