Biodiversity, Distribution and Host Range of the Genus Ephedrus Haliday (Hymenoptera: Aphidiidae) in Manipur, N.E. India

The aphidiid wasps are small ichneumonoid hymenopterous insects which are strictly specific solitary endophagous parasitoids of the aphids. They are amongst the most important group of parasitic insects that can be utilized as bio-control agent of aphids. So far 60 genera of aphidiid parasitoids have been described from all over the world. Out of these the genus Ephedrus Haliday is a common one. An extensive study of this genus along with their aphid hosts in different localities of Manipur during 2007- 2008 revealed the occurrence of 13 species belonging to the genus viz. Ephedrus brevis, E. cerasicola, E. dioscorae, E. lacertosus, E. minor, E. nacheri, E. niger, E. orientalis, E. persicae, E. plagiator, E. srinagarensis, Ephedrus sp.a and Ephedrus sp.b. The parasitoids revealed variations in terms of their altitudinal distribution (from 785m.to 1920 m. MSL).  Most of the parasitoid species exhibited host specificity however E. plagiator showed extreme polyphagy parasitizing 4 aphid host species infesting different host plants

GIS and Security System: A Case Study of Bank Robbery

Security has been major concern of mankind for decades. Various techniques have introduced to provide possible solutions and this list is growing everyday. Most of these techniques are preventive and are mainly used to raise alarms. With growing knowledge and advancement in GIS and GPS technologies there is a possibility of new set of techniques that along with preventive services can provide tracking and control services

Biophysical Properties of the Watermelon Mosaic Virus-1 Causing Mosaic in Watermelon

Watermelon mosaic viruse-1 (WMV) is synonymous of papaya ring spot virus strain W. It is considered to be economically important filamentous virus of Indian sub-continent among the top ten viruses of watermelon .It causes severe mosaic mottling, blistering and malformation of leaves of watermelon. Watermelon mosaic virus-1 is a member of potyviridae. The virus contains ribonucleic acid (RNA) with filamentous particles measuring 760-800 x 12 nm size. The Thermal Inactivation Point of WMV-1 is 50-550C, Dilution End Point between 10-3 to 10-4 and longevity 24 hrs at room temperature only and remove the at 8 days  at 10-12°C.Watermelon mosaic viruse-1 was transmitted through sap and insect vectors in a non persistent manner. Three species of aphids (Aphis craccivora, Myzus persicae  and Aphis gossypii ) have been found to transmit this virus. Aphis gossypii and Myzus persicae could transmit all the isolates of WMV-1 and A. gassypii was the most efficient vector. It was not transmitted through seeds and soil. Key words: Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus L.), Watermelon mosaic virus-1 TIP, DEP and LIV N.K. Sharma. Biophysical Properties of the Watermelon Mosaic Virus-1 Causing Mosaic in Watermelon. J Phytol 2/9 (2010) 21-24

Search for lepton flavor violating decays of a heavy neutral particle in p-pbar collisions at root(s)=1.8 TeV

We report on a search for a high mass, narrow width particle that decays directly to e+mu, e+tau, or mu+tau. We use approximately 110 pb^-1 of data collected with the Collider Detector at Fermilab from 1992 to 1995. No evidence of lepton flavor violating decays is found. Limits are set on the production and decay of sneutrinos with R-parity violating interactions.Comment: Figure 2 fixed. Reference 4 fixed. Minor changes to tex

Technical Bulletin No. 6

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Effective Contribution of Air Pollutants to Physiological and Psychological Human Diseases: A Systematic Review

Increasing globalization, industrialization, population, and burning of fossil fuels have been adversely affecting the environment for a long time. The consequences of the effects can be seen even within a short period of time in the current scenario. The air pollutants such as SO2, NO2, CO, and PM are the main contributors to the adverse health effects. Long-term and short-term exposure to pollutants may cause acute and chronic effects on the human body as they can enter deep into the organ and circulate in the bloodstream. The ultimate purpose of this review is to develop a quantitative perceptive of the existing state of facts about potential health effects concerning the dose-response relationship between exposure level of air pollutants and induced diseases. We have drawn around 376 scientific research papers on high-impact factors related to air pollution and health. These publications were analyzed with consideration of experimental methods, design, observations, and reports on the exposure through inhalation which may emulate the normal direction of exposure inside the human organs. The present study suggests the effects of epidemiological studies on associations between pollutant concentrations and human health. Most of the inferences evidenced the severe adverse effects of particulate matter (PM2.5 & PM10) on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Our present investigation reveals the health risk due to pollutants’ exposure to the vulnerable population anguishing with asthma, COPD, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer (physiological diseases); dementia, depression, and stress (psychological diseases)

POTASSIUM FERTILIZATION FOR DIRECT SEEDED BASMATI RICE

Not AvailableThe effect of potassium (K) application based on 4R stewardship (right rate, time, method, and source) on growth, yield attributes and yields of dry direct seeded basmati rice (Oryza sativa L.) was evaluated during rainy (kharif) season of 2015 and 2016 at IARI, New Delhi. Application of recommended dose of K (60 kg/ha), half as basal and remaining half at panicle initiation (PI) stage increased the grain (5.4 t/ha) and straw yields (7.65 t/ha) by 10 and 4% respectively, over applying the full dose as basal. A strong, positive and significant correlation was observed between yield attributes [panicle weight (r2=0.79), panicle length (r2=0.83), fertility % (r2=0.84)] and yield of dry direct seeded basmati rice. Similarly, positive and significant correlation was observed between leaf area index at 60 DAS (r2=0.73) & 90 DAS (r2=0.91) and dry matter production. The two foliar sprays of 2.5% potassium nitrate (1st at active tillering, and 2nd at panicle initiation) increased fertility (83.5%) and grain yield (4.3 t/ha) by 6% and 8% respectively, over control. However, the combined application of foliar sprays and two split application of recommended dose of K showed non-significant effect on growth, yield and yield attributes. Thus, to obtain higher yield in dry direct seeded basmati rice, application of 60 kg/ha, half as basal and remaining half at panicle initiation (PI) is recommended.Not Availabl

A qualitative study of the experiences and expectations of women receiving in-patient postnatal care in one English maternity unit

Background Studies consistently highlight in-patient postnatal care as the area of maternity care women are least satisfied with. As part of a quality improvement study to promote a continuum of care from the birthing room to discharge home from hospital, we explored women’s expectations and experiences of current inpatient care. Methods For this part of the study, qualitative data from semi-structured interviews were transcribed and analysed using content analyses to identify issues and concepts. Women were recruited from two postnatal wards in one large maternity unit in the South of England, with around 6,000 births a year. Results Twenty women, who had a vaginal or caesarean birth, were interviewed on the postnatal ward. Identified themes included; the impact of the ward environment; the impact of the attitude of staff; quality and level of support for breastfeeding; unmet information needs; and women’s low expectations of hospital based postnatal care. Findings informed revision to the content and planning of in-patient postnatal care, results of which will be reported elsewhere. Conclusions Women’s responses highlighted several areas where changes could be implemented. Staff should be aware that how they inter-act with women could make a difference to care as a positive or negative experience. The lack of support and inconsistent advice on breastfeeding highlights that units need to consider how individual staff communicate information to women. Units need to address how and when information on practical aspects of infant care is provided if women and their partners are to feel confident on the woman’s transfer home from hospital

Revising acute care systems and processes to improve breastfeeding and maternal postnatal health: a pre and post intervention study in one English maternity unit

Background Most women in the UK give birth in a hospital labour ward, following which they are transferred to a postnatal ward and discharged home within 24 to 48 hours of the birth. Despite policy and guideline recommendations to support planned, effective postnatal care, national surveys of women’s views of maternity care have consistently found in-patient postnatal care, including support for breastfeeding, is poorly rated. Methods Using a Continuous Quality Improvement approach, routine antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal care systems and processes were revised to support implementation of evidence based postnatal practice. To identify if implementation of a multi-faceted QI intervention impacted on outcomes, data on breastfeeding initiation and duration, maternal health and women’s views of care, were collected in a pre and post intervention longitudinal survey. Primary outcomes included initiation, overall duration and duration of exclusive breastfeeding. Secondary outcomes included maternal morbidity, experiences and satisfaction with care. As most outcomes of interest were measured on a nominal scale, these were compared pre and post intervention using logistic regression. Results Data were obtained on 741/1160 (64%) women at 10 days post-birth and 616 (54%) at 3 months post-birth pre-intervention, and 725/1153 (63%) and 575 (50%) respectively postintervention. Post intervention there were statistically significant differences in the initiation (p = 0.050), duration of any breastfeeding (p = 0.020) and duration of exclusive breastfeeding to 10 days (p = 0.038) and duration of any breastfeeding to three months (p = 0.016). Post intervention, women were less likely to report physical morbidity within the first 10 days of birth, and were more positive about their in-patient care. Conclusions It is possible to improve outcomes of routine in-patient care within current resources through continuous quality improvement

Racism, anti-racist practice and social work: articulating the teaching and learning experiences of Black social workers

In the mid 1990s a Black practice teacher programme was established in Manchester and Merseyside with the primary aim to increase the number of Black practice teachers in social work organisations, and in turn provide a supportive and encouraging learning environment for Black student social workers whilst on placement. In the north‐west of England research has been undertaken, to establish the quality of the practice teaching and student learning taking place with Black practice teachers and students. This paper is an exploration of the ideas generated within the placement process that particularly focused on the discourse of racism and ant‐racist practice. Black students and practice teachers explain their understanding of racism and anti‐racist practice within social work. From the research, the paper will critique some of the ideas concerning anti‐racism. In particular, it will question whether anti‐racist social work practice needs to be re‐evaluated in the light of a context with new migrants, asylum seekers and refugees. It will concluded, by arguing that whilst the terms anti‐racism, Black and Minority Ethnic have resonance as a form of political strategic essentialism, it is important to develop more positive representations in the future