Voluntary teacher forum(s): an experience of a journey (Rajasthan)

Background and History Evolution of Voluntary Teacher Forum is rooted in some organizational priorities, concerns of teacher community and joint initiative. It was in 2009 that as an organization we were in Tonk and Sirohi District and were exploring alternate methods of teacher professional development under the circumstances when in Rajasthan entire academic support system for teachers consisting Block Resource Center and Cluster Resource Centers were abolished. We were thinking about an idea that is ideologically different, which is primarily driven by teachers, assumes that teacher is a thinking individual, and which does not have problems of formal in-service teacher training programs. In our effort to address this we decided to provide a platform to self-introspecting teachers where they can share with, question and learn from each other. The central idea was/is to provide teachers the needed space to talk openly about all issues concerning the teaching-learning processes in schools. Hence we decided to create voluntary spaces for teachers

A Holistic Methodology for Improved RFID Network Lifetime by Advanced Cluster Head Selection using Dragonfly Algorithm

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) networks usually require many tags along with readers and computation facilities. Those networks have limitations with respect to computing power and energy consumption. Thus, for saving energy and to make the best use of the resources, networks should operate and be able to recover in an efficient way. This will also reduce the energy expenditure of RFID readers. In this work, the RFID network life span will be enlarged through an energy-efficient cluster-based protocol used together with the Dragonfly algorithm. There are two stages in the processing of the clustering system: the cluster formation from the whole structure and the election of a cluster leader. After completing those procedures, the cluster leader controls the other nodes that are not leaders. The system works with a large energy node that provides an amount of energy while transmitting aggregated data near a base station

Response analysis: understanding children from their frame of reference

It is necessary to explore the reasons for a particular response so as to establish “what the child has learnt” for making any further plan of action. Remember, an educated guess is better than just a guess, and similarly, a calculated risk is better

Congenital epidermoid cyst of penis with hypospadias: A case report

The epidermoid cysts are the most common cutaneous cysts and may develop from any parts of the human body. Primary epidermoid cyst with hypospadias in the penis is very rare. Here, we present the case of a slow growing, mobilized; non-tender frenulum of the penis mass in a 44-year-old male patient. Complete excision of the cyst was performed under spinal anesthesia. Histopathological examination confirmed the mass to be an epidermoid cyst. Care must be given during examination to rule out another entity. If thereis any indication, complete excision and hypospadias repair is the best treatment

Application GGE biplot and AMMI model to evaluate sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) hybrids for genotype x environment interaction and seasonal adaptation,”

ABSTRACT The genotype × environment interaction influences greatly the success of breeding strategy in a multipurpose crop like sweet sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]. Eleven improved sweet sorghum hybrids were evaluated in both seasons for three years and genotype main effects and genotype × environment interaction (GGE) biplot analysis revealed that the hybrids that performed well in rainy season are: 'ICSSH 24' and 'ICSSH 39' and post rainy season are: 'ICSSH 57' and 'ICSSH 28'. The stable hybrid, based on additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) and GGE biplot analysis that performed well across seasons and over the years for grain yield and stalk sugar yield is: 'ICSSH 28'

Mapping Quantitative Trait Loci Controlling High Iron and Zinc Content in Self and Open Pollinated Grains of Pearl Millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.]

Pearl millet is a multipurpose grain/fodder crop of the semi-arid tropics, feeding many of the world’s poorest and most undernourished people. Genetic variation among adapted pearl millet inbreds and hybrids suggests it will be possible to improve grain micronutrient concentrations by selective breeding. Using 305 loci, a linkage map was constructed to map QTLs for grain [Fe] and [Zn] using replicated samples of 106 pearl millet RILs (F6) derived from ICMB 841-P3 × 863B-P2. The grains of the RIL population were evaluated for Fe and Zn concentration using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Grain mineral concentrations ranged from 28.4-124.0 ppm for Fe and 28.7-119.8 ppm for Zn. Similarly,grain Fe and Zn in open pollinated seeds ranged between 22.4-77.4 and 21.9-73.7 ppm, respectively. Mapping with 305 (96 SSRs; 208 DArT) markers detected seven linkage groups covering 1749 cM (Haldane) with an average intermarker distance of 5.73 cM. On the basis of two environment phenotypic data, two co-localized QTLs for Fe and Zn density on LG 3 were identified by composite interval mapping (CIM). Fe QTL explained 19% phenotypic variation, whereas the Zn QTL explained 36% phenotypic variation. Likewise for open pollinated seeds, the QTL analysis led to identification of two QTLs for grain Fe density on LG 3 and 5, and two QTLs for grain Zn density on LG 3 and 7. The total phenotypic variance for Fe and Zn QTLs in open pollinated seeds was 16% and 42%, respectively. Analysis of QTL × QTL and QTL × QTL× environment interactions indicated no major epistasis

Mapping grain iron and zinc content QTLs in an Iniadi-derived immortal population of pearl millet

Pearl millet is a climate-resilient nutritious crop requiring low inputs, and is capable of giving economic returns in marginal agro-ecologies. In this study, we report large effect iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) content QTLs using DArT arrays and SSRs to generate a genetic linkage map using 317 RIL population derived from (ICMS 8511-S1-17-2-1-1-B-P03 ? AIMP 92901-S1-183-2-2-B-08) cross. The base map (7 LGs) of 196 loci was 964.2 cM (Haldane). AIMP 92901-S1-183-2-2-B-08 is a high grain Fe and Zn line, an Iniadi parent tracing its origin to the Togolese Republic, West Africa. QTL analysis revealed a large number of QTLs for grain iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) content. The concentration of grain Fe in the RIL population ranged between 20 and 131 ppm, and Zn from 18-110 ppm. A total of 19 QTLs for Fe and Zn were detected, of which 11 were for Fe and 8 were for Zn. The portion of observed phenotypic variance explained by different QTLs for grain Fe and Zn concentrations varied between 9.0-31.9% (cumulative 74%) and 9.4-30.4% (cumulative 65%), respectively. Three large effect QTLs for both minerals were co-mapped in this population - one on Linkage group (LG) 1 and the remaining two on LG7. The favourable alleles for QTLs of both the mineral micronutrients were contributed by the male parent (AIMP 92901-deriv-08). Three putative epistasis interactions were observed for Fe while single digenic interaction was for Zn. The reported QTLs may be useful in marker-assisted selection programs for seed and restorer parent breeding and population improvement programs in pearl millet.authorsversionPeer reviewe

Genetic diversity and population structure of African sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. moench) accessions assessed through single nucleotide polymorphisms markers

Assessing the genetic diversity and population structure of cultivated sorghum is important for heterotic grouping, breeding population development, marker-assisted cultivar development, and release. The objectives of the present study were to assess the genetic diversity and deduce the population structure of 200 sorghum accessions using diversity arrays technology (DArT)-derived single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers. The expected heterozygosity values ranged from 0.10 to 0.50 with an average of 0.32, while the average observed heterozygosity (0.15) was relatively low, which is a typical value for autogamous crops species like sorghum. Moderate polymorphic information content (PIC) values were identified with a mean of 0.26, which indicates the informativeness of the chosen SNP markers. The population structure and cluster analyses revealed four main clusters with a high level of genetic diversity among the accessions studied. The variation within populations (41.5%) was significantly higher than that among populations (30.8%) and between samples within the structure (27.7%). The study identified distantly related sorghum accessions such as SAMSORG 48, KAURA RED GLUME; Gadam, AS 152; CSRO1, ICNSL2014-062; and YALAI, KAFI MORI. The accessions exhibited wide genetic diversity that will be useful in developing new gene pools and novel genotypes for West Africa sorghum breeding programs