Adoption and Impacts of Zero-Tillage in the Rice-Wheat Zone of Irrigated Haryana, India

This study documents the adoption and impacts of zero-tillage (ZT) wheat in the rice-wheat systems of India’s Haryana State primarily drawing on a detailed empirical survey of 400 rice-wheat farmers. Our random stratified sample revealed 34.5% to be ZT wheat adopters and a quarter of the wheat area in the surveyed communities to be under ZT. The study suggests the potential for further diffusion but also flags the issue of disadoption (10%). ZT adopters, non-adopters, and disadopters differ significantly in terms of their resource bases, with adopters typically showing the most favorable values. ZT drastically reduces tractor operations in farmers’ ZT wheat fields from an average of 8 passes to a single pass, implying a saving of 6 tractor hours and 36 liters of diesel per hectare. At 4.4 tons per hectare, ZT achieved the highest wheat yields in the survey year, a significant 4.0% yield increase over conventional tillage. The higher yield and lower water use resulted in significantly higher water productivity indicators for ZT wheat. ZT did not have any significant spillover effect on the subsequent rice crop. The combination of a significant “yield effect” and “cost-saving effect” makes ZT adoption worthwhile and is the driving force behind its rapid spread and widespread acceptance, providing a much needed boost to economic returns to wheat cultivation. Based on these findings, the study provides a number of recommendations for research and development in Haryana’s rice-wheat systems.Wheat, Rice, Agricultural development, Innovation adoption, Drilling equipment, Farming systems, Zero tillage, Production costs, Credit, Income, India, Crop Production/Industries, E16, F08,

Controlling metamaterial resonances via dielectric and aspect ratio effects

We study ways to enhance the sensitivity and dynamic tuning range of the fundamental inductor-capacitor (LC) resonance in split ring resonators (SRRs) by controlling the aspect ratio of the SRRs and their substrate thickness. We conclude that both factors can significantly affect the LC resonance. We show that metafilms consisting of low height SRRs on a thin substrate are most sensitive to changes in their dielectric environment and thus show excellent potential for sensing applications.Comment: 4 pages with 4 figure

Development of New Standardized Package System Interfacing with GMA Pallet for Imported Mangos to the United States

This study was conducted in response to the National Mango Board (NMB) and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in development of a container for the “Common Packaging Footprint for Mangos.” This paper presents the development process for a new corrugated paperboard tray that allows the shipment of an approximate minimum weight of 4 kg of fresh mangos from various countries in Central and South America imported to the U.S. The mango trays currently being used by packing houses in Central and South America were evaluated. This study identified critical design elements which were used to develop a standardized corrugated tray for mangos. In addition, a survey of the retailers and buyers associated with purchasing mango trays in palletized loads in United States was conducted to assess the impact of the proposed tray design on the mango industry. The results indicated that a 14 down common footprint tray did not “best” meet the 40 × 48 Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) pallet size. It was capable of holding slightly less than the required 4 kg of mangos and the cooling efficiency was compromised. The two new proposed designs of 12 down and 15 down trays were capable of holding 5 and 3.75 kg of mangos, without affecting current pre-cooling efficiencies during post-harvest processing of the fruit. The survey results further indicated that the retailers are willing to consider a tray design which can hold more than 4 kg/tray, and among the two designs, prefer the proposed 12 down mango tray design

Measurement and Analysis of ‘Small’ Packages in Next-day Air Shipments

Packaged goods are shipped globally using various means of transportation. Over the past two decades, there has been a continuous increase in studies that measure and analyze dynamic events that occur to packages during transportation and handling. These data offer useful information to design and test packages, and provide protection from potential hazards like drops and impacts. However, none of the past studies are directed towards single packages regarded as \u27smalls\u27. \u27Smalls\u27 or small-package product systems are defined as those with volume of less than 0.013 m3, a longest dimension of 0.356 m and a weight of 4.54 kg or less. Packages that qualify for these specifications are often mixed together in a large carrying bag and handled with other single parcel shipments. This study measured and analyzed the effect of moving this category of single packages through expedited shipments in the USA. The results showed that these packages experienced as many as 27 events comprising of drops or tosses in a one-way shipment, and a maximum of 5.01 m of near-zero G travel distance representing long tosses

Microarray Analysis of PBMC after Plasmodium falciparum Infection: Molecular Insights into Disease Pathogenesis

Our laboratory’s previous microarray analysis of subjects with Plasmodium falciparum revealed up-regulation of Toll-like receptor, NF-kB, TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-1β, p38 MAPK, and MHC molecules. We performed further time-course microarray analysis focusing on malaria pathogenesis by using peripheral leukocytes as a cellular model. We found up-regulation of coagulation-related genes (SERPINB2, thrombomodulin, thrombospondin), heat shock proteins, glycolytic enzymes, glucose transporters, and vacuolar H+-ATPases in acute febrile malaria. In early malaria, prior to detectable parasitemia, CD36 and ICAM1 were up-regulated. During acute malaria, a correlation was observed between IL-1ß and heat shock proteins, suggesting heat shock protein response may be in the febrile response induced by IL-1ß. CD163, a hemoglobin scavenger receptor, was up-regulated in acute malaria to potentially facilitate free hemoglobin up-take by peripheral leukocytes. In acute malaria, high MafB gene expression was negatively correlated with down-regulation of hemoglobin and platelet counts. Consistent with a down-regulation of hemoglobin expression, peripheral RBC counts tended to increase during the acute malaria. In our model, up-regulations of RBC and/or leucocyte binding mediators like CD36, ICAM1, thrombospondin, and thrombomodulin may contribute to the pathogenesis of cerebral malaria. Similarly, up-regulation of genes coding for glycolytic enzymes, glucose transporter and H+-ATPases may contribute to the hypoglycemia and metabolic acidosis frequently observed in seriously ill malaria patients. Overall gender effects on gene expression profiles between male and female subjects were not apparent, except that some hemoglobins were significantly down-regulated in male versus female; suggesting males may be more prone to the development of malaria associate anemia

SARS-CoV Regulates Immune Function-Related Gene Expressions in Human Monocytic Cells

Background: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) is characterized by acute respiratory distress (ARDS) and pulmonary fibrosis, and the monocyte/macrophage is the key player in the pathogenesis of SARS.
 
Methods: In this study, we compared the transcriptional profiles of SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV) infected monocytic cells against that infected by coronavirus 229E (CoV-229E). Total RNA was extracted from infected DC-SIGN transfected monocytes (THP-1-DC-SIGN) at 6 and 24 h after infection and the gene expression was profiled by oligonucleotide-based microarray. 

Results: Analysis of immune-related gene expression profiles showed that 24 h after SARS-CoV infection, (i) IFN-alpha/beta-inducible and cathepsin/proteosome genes were down-regulated; (ii) the hypoxia/hyperoxia-related genes were up-regulated; and (iii) the TLR/TLR-signaling, cytokine/cytokine receptor-related, chemokine/chemokine receptor-related, the lysosome-related, MHC/chaperon-related, and fibrosis-related genes were differentially regulated. 

Conclusion: These results elucidate that monocyte/macrophage dysfunction and dysregulation of fibrosis-related genes are two important pathogenic events of SARS. 
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Measurement and Analysis of Truck Transport Environment in Brazil

Increasing trade in today’s global economy requires packaging to be designed to contain, protect and deliver products without damage during transportation and handling. Vibration forces that occur during transportation are one of the most significant causes of damage during shipping. The objective of this study was to quantify and analyse the vibration that occurs during truck transport in Brazil. The study was done using two types of trucks: small local trucks for local metropolitan distribution areas and larger tractor-trailers for cross-country transportation. Ten metropolitan areas in different regions of Brazil were selected for 1-day trips representing normal delivery. These trips encountered varying road surfaces (asphalt, concrete, stone and dirt). The long distance trips were done on highways that were more than 1200 km long. The vertical vibration levels were higher than the lateral and longitudinal levels as expected. A composite power density spectrum of all trips is provided in this paper to simulate truck transport in Brazil using random vibration test methods

Investigating Broader Terms for Depression and Conducting Academic Inventory Surveys to Determine the Severity of Depression

Depression considered as an affective disorder prevails among a majority of audiences we encounter around us. Despite the fact that it’s atypical and significant issue, numerous individuals don't have much of a clue regarding depression. It is important to classify the disorder at an early state so that proper treatment and medication can be availed to the patient. The purpose of the study is to investigate the thoughts of suicide among adolescents affected by depression. This paper intends in investigating the exceptionally broad terms of depression, particularly initiation of depression in teenagers, suicidal risks, and eventually in providing us a survey result of depression within the academics. The severity or extent of depression was quantified analyzing data from certain standard questionnaires as Beck Depression Inventory (BDI- II), Major Depression Inventory (MDI), and The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD-29). Briefly, a sample of 100 students (43 B-tech Final Year students, 40 M-tech Final Year students and 17 Ph.D. students) were chosen from NIT, Rourkela for the inventory and were asked to attempt all the three sets. The subject extracted was assigned certain scores and these eventually were used to complete the survey with solidity. It was thus concluded tha

Phylogenetic Study of Indian Collembolan: an Evaluation in Uttar Pradesh

Springtails (Collembola) from the largest of the three lineages of modern hexapods that are no longer considered insects (the other two are the Protura and Diplura). Although the three orders are sometimes grouped together in a class called Entognatha because they have internal mouthparts, they do not appear to be any more closely related to one another than they all are to insects, which have external mouthparts. Collembolans are omnivorous, free-living organisms that prefer moist conditions. They do not directly engage in the decomposition of organic matter but contribute to it indirectly through the fragmentation of organic matter and the control of soil microbial communities. The word "Collembola" is from the ancient Greek "Glue" and "Peg"; this name was given due to the existence of the collophore, which was previously thought to stick to surfaces in order to stabilize the insect. It is necessary to study the phylogeny of collembolans to explore evolutionary status