Sustainable Operations in Reverse Supply Chain of Shipbuilding Business - Benefits of Green Practices

Sustainable operations have become extremely important for survival of present day shipbuilding business wherein triple bottom-line criteria – profit, planet and people, needs to be satisfied. This paper discusses about recapturing value at the end-of-life of a ship and reintroducing it to the value chain through reverse supply chain channel, thereby reducing environmental impact and also benefitting humans and ecology.  It also describes about the advantages of recycling ship vis-à-vis scrapping it in terms of environmental and human impact

Mapping QTLs Controlling Flowering Time, Plant Height, Panicle length and Grain Mass in Pearl Millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.]

Pearl millet is an important cereal of arid- and semi-arid regions, and can endure dry conditions but experiences drought stress during post-flowering growth. Exploiting the bold seeded semi-dwarf early flowering genotypes in pearl millet is a key breeding strategy to enhance yield and for adequate food in resource-poor zones. Genetic variation for agronomic traits of pearl millet inbreds can be used to dissect complex traits through QTL mapping. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping for 50% flowering time, plant height, panicle length, and grain mass (self and open pollinated seeds) was performed in recombinant inbred line (RIL) population, ICMB 841-P3 ? 863B-P2. Correlations between traits were also performed and significantly negative association between plant height and TGM was observed. High heritabilities (>0.6) were recorded for all traits. A total of 50 QTLs that affected above traits were detected. Six putative QTLs for 50% flowering time were identified on five chromosomes. One QTL on LG3 were common between flowering time and plant height. Three major QTLs for panicle length, one each on LG1, LG2 and LG6B were detected.The major QTL for TGM_self on LG 6B had a partial R2 of 23.8% and 0.8 additive effects.The total phenotypic variance for 50% FT, TGM_self, and panicle length was 23.2% (LOD- 56.28), 22.3% (LOD- 5.96) and 59.4% (LOD- 52), respectively.A total of 21 digenic interactions were demonstrated for 50%FT (R2=18%-40%) and PL (R2publishersversionPeer reviewe

Mechanical and Water Absorption Properties of Hybrid Sisal/Glass Fibre Reinforced Epoxy Composite

Our environment is being pullulated due to the great use of synthetic fibre as reinforcement for polymer composites. Natural fibres may be better choice for replacement of synthetic fibre for polymer composite to reduced environment burden. Hybrid sisal/glass fibre reinforced epoxy composites are prepared by hand lay-up technique using different weight fractions (10, 20, 30 and 40 %) with 10 mm length of fibres. Mechanical and water absorption properties of prepared composites are investigated. This study shows that the addition of glass fibre into sisal fibre reinforced composite has increased its mechanical properties. Statistical analysis is also carried out using T-test and ANOVA and found significant variation among composites

Prevalence of complications of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and its association with different risk factors in Urban Etawah, Uttar Pradesh

Background- India is experiencing a rapid health transition, with large and rising burdens of chronic diseases, which were estimated to account for 53% of all deaths in 2005. Earlier estimates projected that the number of deaths attributable to chronic diseases would rise from 3·78 million in 1990 (40·4% of all deaths) to 7·63 million in 2020 (66·7% of all deaths). Aims and Objectives- To find out the prevalence of Complications of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and its association with different risk factors in Urban Etawah (U.P.) including tobacco, alcohol, fatty meals and physical activity. Material and Methods- The present study is a community-based study performed among 400 participants using cluster sampling technique in the field practice area of Urban health training centre, Department of Community Medicine, UPUMS, Saifai, Etawah. The participants were interviewed using a pre-tested questionnaire using Diabetes Complication Index.  Results- Among the diabetics, the prevalence of coronary heart disease (CHD), peripheral vascular disease (PVD), cerebrovascular accidents (CVA), cataract, neuropathy and foot problems were 24%, 24%, 7%, 15.4%, 38%, 26% and 2% respectively. A statistically significant association was seen with fatty meals and complications. Conclusion - All the diabetic complications observed need to be addressed in prevention and control strategies in the study area. Heath screening camps will be organized for the people for awareness

Construction of genetic linkage map of the medicinal and ornamental plant Catharanthus roseus

An integrated genetic linkage map of the medicinal and ornamental plant Catharanthus roseus, based on different types of molecular and morphological markers was constructed, using a F2 population of 144 plants. The map defines 14 linkage groups (LGs) and consists of 131 marker loci, including 125 molecular DNA markers (76 RAPD, 3 RAPD combinations; 7 ISSR; 2 EST-SSR from Medicago truncatula and 37 other PCR based DNA markers), selected from a total of 472 primers or primer pairs, and six morphological markers (stem pigmentation, leaf lamina pigmentation and shape, leaf petiole and pod size, and petal colour). The total map length is 1131.9 cM (centiMorgans), giving an average map length and distance between two markers equal to 80.9 cM and 8.6 cM, respectively. The morphological markers/genes were found linked with nearest molecular or morphological markers at distances varying from 0.7 to 11.4 cM. Linkage was observed between the morphological markers concerned with lamina shape and petiole size of leaf on LG1 and leaf, stem and petiole pigmentation and pod size on LG8. This is the first genetic linkage map of C. roseus

Prevalence of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy among Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus patients and its associated risk factors

Background: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is a common and one of the severe complications of diabetes mellitus. It affects almost half the diabetic population and worsens quality of life of the patient. The present study was aimed to determine the prevalence of peripheral neuropathy and associated risk factors. Aims and Objectives: To assess the Prevalence of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN) among Type 2 DM patients and its associated risk factors. Material and Methods: A community based survey was conducted over a period of one and a half year. Cluster sampling technique was used to collect the study sample in urban Etawah. Study participants aged ? 30 years residing in urban Etawah with known history of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus of ? 5 years were included in the study. Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN) was diagnosed using 10 g monofilament test. Results: A total of 400 DM patients were enrolled in the study. Out of which 28% (n = 112) patients were diagnosed with DPN using Semmes-Weinstein (SW) 10-g monofilament test. Statistically significant association was also noted with Family history of DM, BMI, Systolic and Diastolic blood pressure, Family history of HTN and History of Smoking. Conclusion: The current study found a high prevalence of DPN (28%) and it was found to be significantly associated with advancing age, duration of diabetes and history of smoking

Higher yields and profits from new crop rotations permitting integration of mediculture with agriculture in the Indo-Gangetic plains

The results of a survey conducted in 100 villages of 7 districts located in Uttar Pradesh in the central Indo-Gangetic plains on the land cropping pattern and profits to the farmers per unit land and area are presented. It is shown that sugarcane is cultivated in about 19.5% of the land. Rice remains the principal kharif crop in the area, occupying about 76% of land. Conventional rice-wheat/Brassica/legume, rice-potato and rice-mint rotations benefitted farmers to the extent of roughly Rs 30,000 ha−1 year−1. Introduction of new rotations based upon newly available short duration Kosi variety of mint is permitting practice of rice-wheat/Brassica/legume-mint and rice-potato-mint rotations, bringing a profit of approximately Rs 61,000 ha−1 year−1 to the farmers of the area. Future prospects of integration of short duration medicinal and aromatic crops (mediculture) between food grain crops (agriculture) like the above, for the development of agriculture, industry and employment are discussed

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

Productivity, profitability and resource use efficiency of potato (Solanum tuberosum) based cropping systems in eastern Himalayan region

A field experiment was conducted during three consecutive years of 2011 to 2013 at Central Potato Research Station, Shillong to evaluate the economic feasibility of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) based cropping system under rainfed condition of eastern Himalayan region. There were seven cropping systems replicated thrice under randomized block design. The potato was the main crop during summer season while succeeding seven crops (potato, maize, cabbage, cauliflower, carrot, rajmash and radish) were taken during autumn season. Results revealed that potato based various cropping sequence differ significantly for most of the desirable parameters which decided the economic viability to adopt the system approach for efficient utilization of natural resources. Among the cropping systems, potato-cabbage recorded significantly the highest potato tuber equivalent yield (51.6 tonnes/ha), production efficiency (210.5 kg/ha/day), economic efficiency (Rupees 1414.6 /ha/day), maximum net monetary return (Rupees 366.8 x 103/ha), benefit cost ratio (3.5) and energy productivity (1.35 kg/MJ). Hence, potato-cabbage was concluded as the most stable and profitable cropping system for the ecosystem of eastern Himalayan region

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