27 research outputs found
Exploring unsafe sexual practices among truck drivers at Meerut District, India: a cross-sectional study
Background: Despite implementation of HIV prevention programmes for
truck drivers in India, unsafe sex behavior among truck drivers has
been documented. Objective: The objective of this study was to assess
knowledge about HIV Transmission and modes of prevention, pattern of
condom use with high risk partners and explore the practice of unsafe
sex and its risk factors among truck drivers. Methods: This exploratory
cross-sectional study design was conducted on a recruited convenient
sample of 100 truck drivers above 18 years from March to May 2015.
Binary logistic regression was used to compute unadjusted odds ratio
[95% Confidence Interval] for establishing association of risk factors
with unsafe sex. Results: Overall, only 7% had complete knowledge about
HIV/AIDS transmission and prevention. 54% of truck drivers have sex
with a high risk partner (commercial sexual worker or men having sex
with men) and thirty-eight percent reported unsafe sexual practices due
to inconsistent condom use with them. The various risk factors found
significantly associated with unsafe sex were mean age of first
intercourse (OR= 0.92, 95% CI: 0.75 \u2013 0.97), access to
pornography (OR = 4.4, 95% CI: 1.8 \u2013 10.7) and conuming
psychoactive substance before sex (OR = 4.06, 95% CI: 1.09 \u2013
15.02). Conclusion: Socio-demographic, occupational factors,
pornography access and consuming psychoactive substances seems to
influence the sexual behaviour of truckers
Development and Application of High-Density Axiom Cajanus SNP Array with 56K SNPs to Understand the Genome Architecture of Released Cultivars and Founder Genotypes
As one of the major outputs of next-generation sequencing (NGS), a large number of genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been developed in pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Huth.]. However, SNPs require a genotyping platform or assay to be used in different evolutionary studies or in crop improvement programs. Therefore, we developed an Axiom Cajanus SNP array with 56K SNPs uniformly distributed across the genome and assessed its utility in a genetic diversity study. From the whole-genome resequencing (WGRS) data on 104 pigeonpea lines, âŒ2 million sequence variations (SNPs and insertionâdeletions [InDels]) were identified, from which a subset of 56,512 unique and informative sequence variations were selected to develop the array. The Axiom Cajanus SNP array developed was used for genotyping 103 pigeonpea lines encompassing 63 cultivars released between 1960 and 2014 and 40 breeding, germplasm, and founder lines. Genotyping data thus generated on 103 pigeonpea lines provided 51,201 polymorphic SNPs and InDels. Genetic diversity analysis provided in-depth insights into the genetic architecture and trends in temporal diversity in pigeonpea cultivars. Therefore, the continuous use of the high-density Axiom Cajanus SNP array developed will accelerate high-resolution trait mapping, marker-assisted breeding, and genomic selection efforts in pigeonpea
Patterns of Tree Nut Sensitization and Allergy in the First 6 Years of Life in a PopulationâBased Cohort
SchoolâSupervised Use of a Once-Daily Inhaled Corticosteroid Regimen: A Cluster Randomized Trial
Assessment of Bio-Based Polyurethanes: Perspective on Applications and Bio-Degradation
Among numerous synthetic macromolecules, polyurethane in its different forms has proven its sheer dominance and established a reputation as a reliable and trusted material due to its proficiency in terms of superior properties, which include: high mechanical strength and abrasion resistance, good durability, good adhesion, good thermal stability, excellent chemical and weathering resistance. Synthetic polyurethane materials are non-biodegradable, poisonous, and use petrochemical-based raw materials, which are now depleting, leading to a surge in polyurethane production costs. Bio-based polyurethanes (PU) have been synthesized by researchers in recent decades and have mostly overtaken petrochemical-based PU in terms of challenges such as solid pollution, economic effectiveness, and availability of raw materials. Enormous kinds of available bio-renewable sources as predecessors for the production of polyols and isocyanates have been explored for the development of “greener” PU materials; these bio-based polyurethanes have significant potential to be used as future PU products, with a partial or total replacement of petroleum-based polyurethanes, due to increasing concern about the environment, their relatively low cost and biodegradability. This critical review concentrates on the possibilities of renewable sources to be used for polyurethane production and gives a clear perspective on the journey, utilization, and recent advancements in the field of different bio-based polyurethane polymers that have arisen over the last decade
Assessment of Bio-Based Polyurethanes: Perspective on Applications and Bio-Degradation
Among numerous synthetic macromolecules, polyurethane in its different forms has proven its sheer dominance and established a reputation as a reliable and trusted material due to its proficiency in terms of superior properties, which include: high mechanical strength and abrasion resistance, good durability, good adhesion, good thermal stability, excellent chemical and weathering resistance. Synthetic polyurethane materials are non-biodegradable, poisonous, and use petrochemical-based raw materials, which are now depleting, leading to a surge in polyurethane production costs. Bio-based polyurethanes (PU) have been synthesized by researchers in recent decades and have mostly overtaken petrochemical-based PU in terms of challenges such as solid pollution, economic effectiveness, and availability of raw materials. Enormous kinds of available bio-renewable sources as predecessors for the production of polyols and isocyanates have been explored for the development of âgreenerâ PU materials; these bio-based polyurethanes have significant potential to be used as future PU products, with a partial or total replacement of petroleum-based polyurethanes, due to increasing concern about the environment, their relatively low cost and biodegradability. This critical review concentrates on the possibilities of renewable sources to be used for polyurethane production and gives a clear perspective on the journey, utilization, and recent advancements in the field of different bio-based polyurethane polymers that have arisen over the last decade
Chemical Screening and Identification of High Cordycepin Containing Cultured Isolate(s) of Medicinal Chinese Caterpillar Mushroom, Ophiocordyceps sinensis (Berk.) G.H. Sung et al.
Genome-Wide Mapping of Quantitative Trait Loci for Yield-Attributing Traits of Peanut
Peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.) are important high-protein and oil-containing legume crops adapted to arid to semi-arid regions. The yield and quality of peanuts are complex quantitative traits that show high environmental influence. In this study, a recombinant inbred line population (RIL) (Valencia-C Ă JUG-03) was developed and phenotyped for nine traits under two environments. A genetic map was constructed using 1323 SNP markers spanning a map distance of 2003.13 cM. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis using this genetic map and phenotyping data identified seventeen QTLs for nine traits. Intriguingly, a total of four QTLs, two each for 100-seed weight (HSW) and shelling percentage (SP), showed major and consistent effects, explaining 10.98% to 14.65% phenotypic variation. The major QTLs for HSW and SP harbored genes associated with seed and pod development such as the seed maturation protein-encoding gene, serine-threonine phosphatase gene, TIR-NBS-LRR gene, protein kinase superfamily gene, bHLH transcription factor-encoding gene, isopentyl transferase gene, ethylene-responsive transcription factor-encoding gene and cytochrome P450 superfamily gene. Additionally, the identification of 76 major epistatic QTLs, with PVE ranging from 11.63% to 72.61%, highlighted their significant role in determining the yield- and quality-related traits. The significant G Ă E interaction revealed the existence of the major role of the environment in determining the phenotype of yield-attributing traits. Notably, the seed maturation protein-coding gene in the vicinity of major QTLs for HSW can be further investigated to develop a diagnostic marker for HSW in peanut breeding. This study provides understanding of the genetic factor governing peanut traits and valuable insights for future breeding efforts aimed at improving yield and quality