Assessment of soil physical health and productivity of Kharkhoda and Gohana blocks of Sonipat district (Haryana), India

In order to assess soil health of Kharkhoda and Gohana blocks of Sonipat district (a part of western Yamuna canal irrigated region), important parameters namely pH, electrical conductivity (EC), texture, bulk density (BD), saturated hydraulic conductivity (HC), soil organic carbon (OC), available water retension capacity (AWRC) and non capillary pores (NCP) were measured by collecting undisturbed soil samples in nearly 66 villages. Soil physical rating index (PI) method was used to compute PI which was an indicator of soil physical health of thatregion. Results revealed that in Gohana and Kharkhoda blocks, nearly 90% area had pH <8.0 and EC>4 dS m-1, which indicated that soils were saline. Prediction maps of soil BD showed that 75% of the total area in 15-30 cm soil layer had BD above >1.6 mg m-3, which indicated the presence of hard pan in subsurface. HC data of subsurface layer also showed that 60% of the area had values<0.5 cm hr-1 which reconfirmed the presence of hard pan. For both surface as well as subsurface soil layers, mostly AWC was >10% which indicated adequate water retention capacity of these soils. However 85% of subsurface had poor soil aeration capacity as indicated NCP range < 10 %. Prediction map of PI for subsurface layer showed that majority of area had PI<0.4 which indicated that expected yield of the crop cannot be more than 70% of the potential yield even under normal or higher levels of fertilizer and water inputs

Inversion dynamics in some population of an emerging vector of malaria Anopheles (Celia) subpictus Grassi (Diptera: Culicidae)

The present paper deals with the polytene chromosome inversion polymorphism based genomic characterization of Anopheles subpictus Grassi (Culicidae: Diptera) which has attained the status of an emerging vector of malaria in Srilanka, West Bengal and some coastal parts of India. The inversion data of the present population from Hoshairpur, Punjab (pop.A), India has also been compared with five other populations of this species worked out earlier in this laboratory so as to have a comprehensive assessment of inversion dynamics in this taxon. From the percentage frequency of inversions it was also evident that both rural and urban populations of An. subpictus had nearly similar inversion frequencies. In addition to these observations, it was interesting to note that irrespective of the number of individuals sacrificed, cells studied and the number of aberrations encountered from each population, inversions always constituted 50% of the total mutational index. On the basis of the present comparative data of inversion polymorphism, it is logical to suggest that, similar to “meiotic drive” and “molecular drive” there is also a type of “inversion drive” which constantly changes population genomics to augment competitive fitness of the species. Our recent studies on the r DNA ITS2 sequence variations also suggest this contension

Economic evaluation of conservation tillage options for deciding the feasibility of their adoption

The present experiment was conducted to evaluate two important conservation tillage practices namely zero tillage in wheat and bed planting for growing vegetables for deciding the economic feasibility of their adoption in Gohana and Kharkhoda block of Sonipat district in Haryana. In first scenario, comparison were made between Puddled transplanted rice followed by conventional tilled wheat (PTR – CTW), and puddled transplanted rice followed by zero till wheat (PTR – ZTW). In second scenario, conventionally tilled Jowar in kharif followed by conventionally tilled wheat system (CTJ – CTW) was compared with vegetables on beds in both seasons (BV-BV). Sowing of wheat by zero till drill in PTR – ZTW system, decreased cost of cultivation by 21% over its value of Rs 20688 in PTR – CTW treatment; increased grain yield by 5% over the grain yield of 5.99 t ha-1 in PTR – CTW treatment. The B: C ratio of PTR – ZTW was 4.65 while that of PTR – CTW treatment was 3.24, which indicated economic viability of zero tillage practice. While in case of cauliflower in BV-BV system, the total cost of cultivation was estimated at Rs 51500/ha and net returns of Rs 38072/ha i.e an increased net return of 5.8 times over the net return of Rs 46223.5 in CTJ – CTW treatment. The B: C ratio of BV-BV was 5.21, while that of CTJ – CTW treatment was 2.35. Thus, it was concluded that in rabi season, cauliflower on beds and zero till wheat are most economically viable options in this temporary waterlogged regions of Yamuna basin

Gender-biased sex selection in South Asia: The situation and promising approaches to restore balance

This project summary indicates that sex ratios at birth in South Asia vary considerably. While the sex ratios at birth in Bangladesh and Pakistan have been normal at the country level (103 and 102.5 males per 100 females, respectively), Nepal is showing signs of disturbed sex ratios at birth, with a sex ratio of 106 males per 100 females, and the situation in India is particularly adverse, with a sex ratio at birth of 110 males per 100 females. In all of these countries, preconditions for a deterioration of the sex ratio at birth are evident. Preferences are expressed for small families, patriarchal social norms persist and societies tend to be gender-stratified with strong preferences for at least one son, and prenatal diagnostic techniques are widely available and used to monitor fetal development. Different research questions were raised for each setting, to shed light on the issue of gender-biased sex selection and make evidence-based recommendations for actions that hold promise for responding to adverse sex ratios at birth

WCN24-2067 Regional differences in acute kidney injury in Ugandan children hospitalized for Hypoxemia

Introduction: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with increased mortality in hospitalized patients and incidence is highest in resource limited settings. The objective of this study was to assess sub-National regional differences in the incidence of AKI in children \u3c5 years of age hospitalized with an acute febrile illness and hypoxemia. Methods: This was a secondary analysis of a stepped wedge cluster randomized controlled trial, which enrolled children \u3c5 years of age hospitalized with hypoxemia between 2019 and 2021. At least one measure of kidney function was available in 1452 children. A single creatinine was measured at enrolment in a sub-set of 495 children with serum stored and AKI defined using KDIGO criteria where baseline creatinine was estimated using the age-based Pottel equation assuming a normal glomerular filtration rate of 120mL/min per 1.73m2. Markers were divided into structural (uNGAL positive, proteinuria, hematuria) or functional (AKI, saliva urea nitrogen (SUN)) measures of kidney injury. Results: 1452 children were included in this AKI sub-study (Figure 1). The mean age of participants was 1.49 years (standard deviation (SD), 1.21) and 55.7% were male (809/1452). Overall 2.6% of children died (38/1452). The majority of participants enrolled were from the West (31.3%) followed by the East (25.3%), North (24.1%), and Central (19.4%) regions. In general, 48.5% of children had AKI (240/495), the prevalence was highest in Eastern Uganda with 62.4% of children having AKI compared to 25.0% of children in Western Uganda, 44% in Central region and 53% in Northern region (p\u3c0.001). Over a third of children had urine NGAL levels ≥150ng/mL, a marker of structural damage, irrespective of site and rates comparable across sites (p=0.095). Other measures of functional and structural kidney injury varied across sites, proteinuria ranged from 6.3% to 14.0% with rates lower in Central and Eastern Uganda compared to Northern and Western Uganda. Hematuria was over two times more common in Eastern and Northern Uganda compared to Central and Western Uganda. Of all the children 49.0 % were positive for malaria based on rapid diagnostic test (RDT) either as positive pLDH or both pLDH and HRP-2. The presence of a single band positive RDT for HRP-2 alone was associated with increased risk of AKI, severe AKI, elevated BUN, a positive SUN test and urinalysis positive for hematuria or urobilinogen (unadjusted p\u3c0.05). Children with a 3-band positive RDT were more likely to have proteinuria, hematuria, bilirubinuria and urobilinogen by dipstick (unadjusted p\u3c0.05). Regional differences in AKI persisted after adjusting for malaria, age, and sex. Conclusions: As we move towards the ISN 0by25 initiative which aims to eliminate preventable deaths from AKI worldwide by 2025. This study provides key in-country data from a resource limited setting, demonstrating marked regional differences in the incidence of AKI in children hospitalized with hypoxaemia and malaria remains an important predictor of AKI. The substantial within-country heterogeneity of AKI highlights the need for further studies to evaluate regional contributors to local patterns of AKI

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,

A COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS OF DRUG PRESCRIBING PRACTICES OF DOCTORS AND COMPLETENESS OF PRESCRIPTION IN A GOVERNMENT MEDICAL COLLEGE IN NORTHERN INDIA

Objective: This study was designed to analyze the drug prescribing practices of doctors and completeness of prescriptions in a government medical college in Northern India. Methods: A total of 2155 prescriptions were evaluated for adequacy of information related to prescribed drugs and completeness of information related to patients and doctors. Results: The weight of the patient was written only in 1.90% prescriptions. The diagnosis was not written on 43.85% prescriptions. A total number of drugs prescribed in all the prescriptions was 6998. The average number of drugs per prescription was found to be 3.25±0.24. Out of these, 64.10% were prescribed by brand names. About 69.14% of drugs were prescribed in the form of tablets. Route of administration was not found to be mentioned for 86.08% drugs. For 53.90% drugs, dose was not mentioned. The name of the prescribing doctor was mentioned in 1.95% prescriptions only. Conclusion: The study revealed that many prescriptions lacked crucial components of information pertaining to the drugs prescribed and the prescribing doctor. There is a vast scope for improvement by the prescribers

Design, development and statistical optimization of ginger peeling machine

The present research aims at developing a ginger peeling machine which can peel the outer skin of ginger with less mass loss. Machine and product parameters for the developed ginger peeler were optimized. Fresh gingers with moisture content 87.47% and pre-treated with 1%NaOH solution exhibited highest peeling efficiency (70.20%), followed by hot-water soaking and overnight soaking. At constant moisture content, reverse trend was observed for mass loss. Highest mass loss of about 4.13% was seen with hot water soaked samples, followed by overnight soaking and NaOH treatment. Gingers with 87.47% moisture content and with pre-treatment at 1% NaOH solution exhibited maximum peeling efficiency.Keywords: Ginger, Peeling machine, Peeling efficiency, Pre-treatment

Monitoring of air pollution and assessment of its risk on traffic policemen

The ambient air quality was monitored at five selected sites in proper Rohtak City. The parameters i.e. sulphur dioxide (SO2 ), nitrogen dioxide (NO2 ) and suspended particulate matter (SPM) were monitored for eight hours from 9 am to 5 pm once in a week at each of the five sites. Two sites out of five were found to have low pollution, while the other three sites had high level of pollutants, which exceeded the safety limits as per National Ambient Air Quality Standards. The levels of SO2 , NO2 and SPM were lowest at polluted site 2 (University Gate NO. 2) in the City, which ranged between 4.12 µg/m 3 and 40.37 µg/m 3 , 25.37 µg/m 3 and 73.80 µg/m 3 , 138.0 µg/m 3 and 530.7 µg/m 3 of the air respectively. Highest levels of SO2, NO2 and SPM were observed at site 5 ( Hisar Road ) which ranged between 5.30 µg/m 3 and 120.0 µg/m 3 , 68.01 µg/m 3 and 197.84 µg/m3, 730.5 µg/m 3 and 3319.0 µg/m 3 respectively. The concentrations of lead and cadmium were very much below the safety limits at all the sampling sites Health surveillance studies of the traffic policemen revealed that there is a significant excess risk of respiratory problems for traffic policemen as they are exposed to heavy loads of vehicular pollution