Real-Time Sprinkler Irrigation (RTSI) Scheduling for Improving Wheat Crop Water Productivity in Vertisols

An experiment was conducted at ICAR- Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering (CIAE) Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India, during the rabi seasons of 2017-18 and 2018-19 with the objectives of to study improved irrigation scheduling for enhancing water productivity of wheat crops in Vertisols. The experiment involved permanent raised bed cultivation in Vertisols and was laid out in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with two planting systems (elevated bed and flatbed) replicated three times. The elevated bed levels were set as 5, 10, 15 and 20 cm. Soil moisture was continuously monitored using a real-time sensor network sprinkler irrigation, during crop growth period. Field data on soil moisture, crop performance, and yield were regularly recorded at different crop growth stages. The results indicated that both conventional sprinkler irrigation and real-time moisture sensor-based sprinkler irrigation led to substantial water savings of 27 and 35%, respectively with corresponding yield increase of 9 and 15% when compared to gravity (flood) irrigation, showing their effectiveness. Soil moisture variability study revealed that average soil moisture levels significantly varied when bed elevation was 10 cm or more, as compared to control (bed with normal field level) in different crop physiological stages. This variation occurred under sprinkler irrigation in Vertisols for recommended irrigation water depth. Under recommended irrigation water application through sprinkler, the wheat crop yield increased for elevation variations up to 10 cm bed elevation and the yield reduced significantly for more than 15 cm bed elevation. For sprinkler irrigation, the developed irrigation water application prescriptions (water depth/irrigation) include 400 mm irrigation depth (ID) for bed of 0 cm elevation, 476 mm ID for bed of 20 cm elevation and 552 mm ID for 30 cm bed elevation to sustain the wheat crop yield under soil moisture variability in Vertisols.

Descriptive study of physical activity and sitting time among medical students from North India

Background: A physically active lifestyle is the cornerstone of good health. A sedentary lifestyle is emerging as a global threat to public health and physical activity is being recommended as an important intervention for the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases. Aim and Objectives: The present study aims to assess the level of physical activity and duration of sitting time among medical undergraduates to guide the formulation of strategies for healthy lifestyles. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among medical undergraduate students of a teaching hospital in North India. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire regarding the demographic profile, anthropometric parameters, physical activity, and sitting time. The level of physical activity and time spent sitting was assessed using International Physical Activity Questionnaire. R software was used for data analysis. Results: A total of 250 medical students were included with a response rate of 83.3%. Overall, 67.6% of students engaged in moderate levels of physical activity, 21.2% engaged in high levels, and 11.2% engaged in low levels of physical activity. The mean time spent sitting was 8.8 hours/day (males: 8.5 and females: 9.1). It showed a significant association between physical activity and body mass index, with the low prevalence of obesity among students engaged in moderate and high levels of physical activity. Conclusion: The study highlights prolonged sitting as an emerging public health problem where three-fourths of students were spending more than 7 hours/day sitting. However, the majority of students were engaged in moderate to high levels of physical activity.

Test-retest reliability of air displacement plethysmography (BOD POD) in the adult healthy Indian male population

Objectives: Several studies have shown that air displacement plethysmography (ADP) has excellent reliability, accuracy and precision in body fat percentage (BF%) measurement, but its reliability has not been assessed in the Indian population. Thus, this study aimed to determine the test-retest reliability of BF% by ADP in healthy Indian men. Materials and Methods: A total of 74 healthy Indian men (>18 years old) belonging to different parts of India voluntarily participated in the study and completed multiple trials to determine BF% immediately after the initial measurements. All tests were performed according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Results: A paired t-test showed no significant differences in body volume (BV) (P = 0.53), body density (BD) (P = 0.39) and BF% (P = 0.27) between trials 1 and 2. However, there was a significant decrease in body mass (BM) observed between trials 1 and 2 (P = 0.0001) which did not influence reliability. A significant intraclass correlation was observed for BM (intraclass correlation 1 [ICC1] = 1, P <0.001), BV (ICC1 = 1, P < 0.001), BD (ICC1 = 0.996, P < 0.001) and BF% (ICC1 = 0.995, P < 0.001) between the initial test and retest trial. The third assessment of BF% was performed when the initial trial difference was greater than 1% point. Significant intraclass correlations were also observed for pairs with maximum and minimum differences. Conclusion: ADP appears to be a reliable measure for determining the BF% of the Indian adult male population, and conducting multiple trials are necessary to detect small differences.

Is Disease a Threat to Identity? A Systematic Review of Parkinson’s Disease and Personal Identity

Introduction: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurological condition that impacts the physical and psychological functioning of the patients. The physical and cognitive changes come with social stigma and threats to roles previously associated with their identities. Objectives: The current paper attempts to study the influence of the disease on the personal identity of the patients. Methods: A systematic review was done on PD and personal identity following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‑Analyses 2020 guidelines. The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research checklist was used to assess the quality of the papers. The selected papers were synthesized to understand the relationship between PD and personal identity. Results: The emerging themes were: (1) dissociation of old personal identity: (1.1) Influence of physical symptoms, (1.2) influence of society and stigma, and (1.3) threats to roles associated with identity and (2) changing family dynamics. AModel of Personal, Family, and Disease Dynamics was also developed based on clinical first‑hand experience with the patients and the review. Conclusion: The personal identity of the PD patients shifts drastically as a result of their physical and psychosocial experiences. This also results in changed family dynamics, with the patient feeling sidelined due to loss of control and responsibilities in the family.

A case series of unusual presentations of Burkitt's lymphoma

Context: Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) is one of the fastest growing malignancies. It is the most common subtype of Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in childhood. It has three major subtypes – endemic, sporadic, and immunodeficiency-associated types. Aims: This study aims to study the clinicomorphologic features of this disease entity and to find optimal imaging technique for such cases. Setting and Design: A retrospective observational study in a tertiary care center of academic and research potential. Subjects and Methods: We are presenting three unusual cases of sporadic type of BL who presented initially as localized right iliac fossa mass mimicking as acute appendicitis. Initially, localized presentation progressed to diffuse abdominal mass lesions causing intestinal obstruction. Results: These cases had emphasized the importance of accurate diagnosis by the ultrasonography (USG) or computed tomography (CT) scan for early diagnosis so as to manage such cases simply by early appropriate medical treatment. Conclusion: In this article, we will discuss the clinical and imaging features of BL with the role of USG, CT scan and positron emission tomography/CT in the abdominopelvic imaging of pediatric patients

Hydrogel applications for yield improvement of capsicum with deficit irrigation at cold desert Ladakh region

Aim: The study aimed to evaluate the effects of hydrogel application on growth, physiological responses and yield of capsicum under high altitude cold desert conditions with deficit irrigation of Ladakh region. Methodology: Field experiment was conducted with five levels of hydrogel treatment (viz. 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 kg ha-1) at cold desert Ladakh region with two irrigation intervals (7 and 11 days) during 2014-15 cropping season. Plant growth characters, root morphology, physiological parameters and capsicum yield were analyzed according to standard methods during the experiments. Results: Hydrogel application in deficit irrigation improved physiological parameters viz. leaf chlorophyll content, relative water content, membrane stability index and significant reduction in electrolyte leakage in capsicum plant. Significant improvement in root morphology was also recorded when hydrogel was applied @ 15 and 20 kg ha-1. Improvement of yield attributing characters as influenced by hydrogel application @ 15 and 20 kg ha-1 resulted in significant increase in capsicum yield with reduced water requirement. Interpretation: Hydrogel has potential for growth of capsicum crop through improved root morphology and physiology of plant in deficit irrigation under arid and semi-arid regions where availability of water for irrigation is scarce or average rainfall is quite low.

Study of risk factors causing coronary heart disease among army personnel of the rank non-commissioned officers and below in the age group of 20–50 years and its association with prehypertension

Background: Coronary heart disease (CHD) is an acute public health problem both in developed and in developing countries, like India. Assessing the prevalence of CHD in the community is equivalent to assessing the tip of the iceberg. Hypertension is a major risk factor for CHD and hypertension disease prevalence tip of the iceberg in the community is much more obscure. Objective: The objective of the study was to carry out a cross-sectional study among serving Army personnel, comprising healthy non-commissioned officers and other rank personnel to successfully assess the risk factors for CHD and their association with prehypertension. Materials and Methods: Screening of risk factors for CHD among 200 randomly selected participants was carried out. Blood pressure, height, weight, serum total cholesterol, serum triglycerides, serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL), random blood sugar levels, and smoking status were the major risk factors screened. Results: Nearly 63% of Army personnel were found to be having blood pressure commensurate to the range of prehypertension. About 15% were detected to be overweight, 22% had hypercholesterolemia, 5.4% had impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), and 19.2% were current smokers. Higher age, body mass index, high serum triglycerides, low serum HDL, and IGT were found to be independently associated with increased prevalence of prehypertension in multiple logistic regression analysis. Conclusion: Our findings recommend the constant monitoring of CHD risk factors and the formulation of effective preventive strategies for adequate control of alarming incidence.

Effect of Body Mass Index (BMI) on Peak Expiratory Flow Rate in young adults

Background: Obesity has become one of the major health issues in India. WHO defines obesity as “A condition with excessive fat accumulation in the body to the extent that the health and wellbeing are adversely affected”. Obesity results from a complex interaction of genetic, behavioral, environmental and socioeconomic factors causing an imbalance in energy production and expenditure. Peak expiratory flow rate is the maximum rate of airflow that can be generated during forced expiratory manoeuvre starting from total lung capacity. The simplicity of the method is its main advantage. It is measured by using a standard Wright Peak Flow Meter or mini Wright Meter. Aim: The aim of the study is to see the effect of body mass index on Peak Expiratory Flow Rate values in young adults. Materials and methods: A correlational study was done 40 healthy individuals with age of 18-35 year old. Subjects having cardio or pulmonary condition were excluded. Then according to body mass index (BMI) normal (group A) and obese (group B) individuals were included. Where, BMI - normal: 18.5-22.9 kg/m2 and obese: 25 kg/m2 onwards. Then in sitting position all the individuals were given three trials for PEFR and best of all was taken. Results: Group A: BMI mean -18.74±1.11and PEFR mean - 395±116.8, Group B: BMI mean - 28.7±1.12 and PEFR mean - 309±46.4. According to spearman’s correlation Group A, r= 0.456 and p=0.022 also in Group B r=0.097 and p=0.342. Conclusion: There was weak correlation in between BMI and PEFR.

Prevalence of rheumatic heart disease in school-going children of Eastern Uttar Pradesh.

BACKGROUND: Rheumatic heart disease is a major health problem in our country. There is evidence from South India that its prevalence is declining. This study attempts to confirm whether this is so in North India as well. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 118,212 (68,357 males, 49,855 females) schoolchildren in the age group of 4-18 years were examined for the presence of heart disease. Evaluation, including echocardiography, confirmed that of a total of 389 suspected to have heart disease, 61 had rheumatic heart disease. Thus, the prevalence of rheumatic heart disease was found to be approximately 0.5 per 1000 children. CONCLUSION: In a fairly large school survey conducted by us, the prevalence of rheumatic heart disease turned out to be approximately 0.5 per 1000 children. This is the lowest figure reported from our country so far and confirms the decline of this disease in our country.