Assessment of Adoption Gaps in Management of Aflatoxin Contamination of Groundnut (Arachis Hypogaea L.)

Abstract

One of the major impediments for diversification of groundnut (Arachis Hypogaea L.) as food crop is aflatoxin contamination. The study was conducted with an objective to assess the adoption gaps in aflatoxin management practices of groundnut (AMPG) and the farmer's characteristics influencing these gaps. The study used an expost-facto research design and multi-stage random sampling. The data were collected from 180 respondents through interview schedule. For measuring adoption gap, knowledge of AMPG and perception of groundnut quality suitable scales were developed. The data were subjected to multiple regression analysis to know the characteristics, which influenced the adoption gaps in AMPG. The majority of farmers were in high adoption gap category, as most of the farmers had not adopted the harvest and post-harvest management practices. Farmers' characteristics such as knowledge, market orientation and innovativeness influenced the adoption gap significantly. These three variables put together explained 58% of variation in adoption gap. Based on the results, it is suggested to formulate strategies to increase the knowledge of farmers through various extension approaches. If the knowledge on AMPG is improved the adoption gaps can be reduced. The maiden research effort, shed light on the socio-economic dimensions of aflatoxin contamination and constraints for aflatoxin management at farmers' level. The study has significance for the policy makers, extension departments and groundnut farmers for production of quality groundnut.     

Application of Sigma Metrics for the Assessment of Quality Assurance in Clinical Biochemistry Laboratory in India: A Pilot Study

Ensuring quality of laboratory services is the need of the hour in the field of health care. Keeping in mind the revolution ushered by six sigma concept in corporate world, health care sector may reap the benefits of the same. Six sigma provides a general methodology to describe performance on sigma scale. We aimed to gauge our laboratory performance by sigma metrics. Internal quality control (QC) data was analyzed retrospectively over a period of 6 months from July 2009 to December 2009. Laboratory mean, standard deviation and coefficient of variation were calculated for all the parameters. Sigma was calculated for both the levels of internal QC. Satisfactory sigma values (>6) were elicited for creatinine, triglycerides, SGOT, CPK-Total and Amylase. Blood urea performed poorly on the sigma scale with sigma <3. The findings of our exercise emphasize the need for detailed evaluation and adoption of ameliorative measures in order to effectuate six sigma standards for all the analytical processes.     

Computer Technology,Science Education,and Students with Learning Disabilities

The ways computer technology could be used to teach science to students with learning disabilities (LD) are explored. Science is for all students and that includes students with LD. Learning science has both cognitive and affective implications for students with LD. In this context, computer technology provides cognitively engaging and motivating instructional tools for individualizing the mode of delivery; developing expert tutors; anchoring instruction; integrating science with other subjects; reducing cognitive load on working memory; and motivating students to stay on task. These applications are discussed with implications for teaching science to students with LD.     

Distribution of Methionine Synthase Reductase (MTRR) Gene A66G Polymorphism in Indian Population

Methionine synthase reductase (MTRR) is an important enzyme of the folate/homocysteine pathway. It is responsible for regulation of methionine enzyme by reductive methylation. A common variant A66G is reported in the FMN-binding domain of the MTRR gene, which leads to substitution of isoleucine by methionine (I22M) in MTRR enzyme with reduced activity. Reduced catalytic activity of enzyme leads to high homocysteine concentration in blood and increases risk for numerous diseases. The frequency of A66G polymorphism varies in different ethnic groups. The present study has been designed to evaluate the frequency of MTRR A66G gene polymorphism in the Eastern UP population by PCR–RFLP method. Along with this we also performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the global prevalence of this polymorphism. Databases were screened to identified the eligible studies. The prevalence of the G allele and GG genotype was determined by the use of prevalence proportion with 95% CI. Open meta-analyst software was used for the meta-analysis. Total 1000 blood samples were analyzed, the frequencies of A and G alleles were 0.35 and 0.65 respectively. Meta-analysis results revealed that the prevalence of G allele and GG genotype were 49.4% (95% CI 40.6–58.1, p ≤ 0.001) and 24.3% (95% CI 17.8–30.9, p ≤ 0.001) respectively. In sub-group meta-analysis, the lowest frequency of G allele was found in South America (32.7%; 95% CI 14.1–51.3, p ≤ 0.001), and highest in Asia (56.4%; 95% CI 39.5–73.3, p ≤ 0.001). The results of the meta-analysis showed that the Asian population has the highest frequency of G allele and highest frequency of the GG genotype was found in the European population.     

Robust sensor fault estimation scheme for satellite attitude control systems

The present paper proposes two new schemes of sensor fault estimation for a class of nonlinear systems and investigates their performances by applying these to satellite control systems. Both of the schemes essentially transform the original system into two subsystems (subsystems 1 and 2), where subsystem-1 includes the effects of system uncertainties, but is free from sensor faults and subsystem-2 has sensor faults but without any uncertainties. Sensor faults in subsystem-2 are treated as actuator faults by using integral observer based approach. The effects of system uncertainties in subsystem-1 can be completely eliminated by a sliding mode observer (SMO). In the first scheme, the sensor faults present in subsystem-2 are estimated with arbitrary accuracy using a SMO. In the second scheme, the sensor faults are estimated by designing an adaptive observer (AO). The sufficient condition of stability of the proposed schemes has been derived and expressed as a linear matrix inequality (LMI) optimization problem and the design parameters of the observers are determined by using LMI techniques. The effectiveness of the schemes in estimating sensor faults is illustrated by considering an example of a satellite control system. The results of the simulation demonstrate that the proposed schemes can successfully estimate sensor faults even in the presence of system uncertainties.     

Neurochemical and Behavioral Dysfunctions in Pesticide Exposed Farm Workers: A Clinical Outcome

The problem of pesticides is not new and its exposure to human due to indiscriminate use is largely associated with the health related problems including neurotoxicological alterations. High levels of pesticide residues and their metabolites in the dietary constituents, food materials, maternal blood, cord blood, placenta breast milk have been reported and linked to alterations in birth weight, crown heel length, head circumference, mid-arm circumference and ponderal index of the neonates. Epidemiological studies have suggested that exposure of pesticide to human could be a significant risk factor for neurological disorders, including Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and multiple sclerosis. Cholinergic and non-cholinergic dysfunctions in pesticide exposed population, especially in children have also been frequently reported in recent years. Developmental neurotoxicity is another concern in the area where pregnant are more prone towards its exposure and which results in the abnormalities in the fetus. In view of the increasing risk of human health through pesticide exposure, the present review has been focused on the studies pertaining to pesticide induced neurochemical alterations and associated behavioral abnormalities in farm workers which could establish a possible link between the its exposure and associated health hazards.     

Evaluation of Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Status in Pregnant Anemic Women

The present study was conducted to investigate the oxidant–antioxidant status in iron deficient pregnant anemic women. One hundred thirty pregnant women with iron deficiency anemia (IDA) were divided into three groups, namely mild (50), moderate (50) and severe (30) anemic along with pregnant healthy women as controls (50). The complete blood count, plasma lipid peroxidation products, enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants were measured according to respective protocols. The levels of complete blood count, iron, ferritin along with antioxidant enzymes namely catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and reduced glutathione were significantly reduced in all IDA groups. However, the level of oxidized glutathione, lipid peroxides, protein carbonyls, conjugated dienes were found significantly increased in all anemic patients. Antioxidant vitamins, namely C, E and A were also found significantly decreased in IDA patients. On the basis of our results, it may be concluded that IDA tends to increase the pro-oxidant components, which may result in various complications including peroxidation of vital body molecules resulting in increased risk for pregnant women as well as fetus.     

Theorema Aureum — 1

Are there perfect squares which on division by 7 leave remainder 3? Are there perfect squares which on division by 3 leave remainder 7? (A “remainder of 7” on division by 3 is the same as a remainder of 1.) The answers: ‘NO’ and ‘YES’, respectively. These facts are stated by number theorists as follows: 3 is a quadratic non-residue modulo 7; 7 is a quadratic residue modulo 3. The notion of quadratic residue is far reaching, and the key theorem here is the Law of Quadratic Reciprocity, first stated by Euler in 1783, but without proof, and first proved by Gauss, in 1796. The theorem is easy to state but is mysterious, as it reveals a connection between two questions that appear unconnected. Let p, q be distinct odd primes; then the questions are: “Is p a quadratic residue modulo q?” and “Is q a quadratic residue modulo p?” Gauss had a high regard for this result and called it Theorema Aureum, the Golden Theorem. Though it has been proved in many different ways, it retains its mystery. In this two part article we give three proofs of the theorem. The first one, described in this part, is based on group theory.     

Assessment of glycemic potential of<Emphasis Type="Italic">Musa paradisiaca</Emphasis> stem juice

The present study reveals the effect of Musa paradisiaca stem juice on blood glucose level (BGL) of normal & diabetic rats. The dose of 500 mg/kg bodyweight produces a significant rise of 28.3% in blood glucose level after 6h of oral administration in normal rats. Whereas, in sub diabetic rats the same dose produces a rise of 16.4% in blood glucose levels within 1h during glucose tolerance test (GTT) and a rise of 16% after 4 h in fasting blood glucose levels of severe diabetic cases. These results were unexpected and important to report as other species of Musa like Musa sapientum has been reported for its hypoglycemic effect.