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With the increasing water scarcity and the demand for sustainable agriculture, precise estimation of crop evapotranspiration (ET) is crucial for effective irrigation management, crop yield assessment, and equitable water distribution, particularly in semi-arid regions. In this study, a large aperture scintillometer (LAS) was used to validate the remote sensing-based ET model SETMI (Spatial Evapotranspiration Modeling Interface) in an irrigated maize-wheat cropping system in a semi-arid region at the ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. Results obtained by the SETMI model depicted modeled surface energy fluxes compared well with LAS field data, showing a very high R2 (0.83–0.95) and NRMSE (8–29%). The SETMI model performed better in the case of the maize crop than the wheat crop in field experiments. Further, the SETMI model was employed at the regional level using high-resolution Sentinel-2 to estimate the regional water productivity of wheat crops over a semi-arid region in India. The estimated regional, seasonal wheat actual ET mainly ranged between 101 mm and 325 mm. The regional wheat water productivity varied from 0.9 kg m−3 to 2.20 kg m−3. Our research reveals that the SETMI model can give reliable estimates of regional wheat water productivity by examining its spatial and temporal fluctuations and facilitating the creation of regional benchmark values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During seed health testing of 160 accessions of safflower, we observed some fungal growth on seed surface of four accessions i.e., IC337954, IC338197, EC182199 and EC181301 which were received from Hyderabad, Telangana, India for long‐term conservation in the National Genebank, ICAR‐National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi, India. The associated fungus was morphologically identified as Diaporthe helianthi. Later on, the identity was confirmed as Diaporthe helianthi (Desm.) Grove by the sequencing of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region (GenBank Id: KM979906.1). During seed health testing, seed infection of 30.0 to 70.0 per cent was recorded with no seed germination in infected seeds. Previous findings revealed that D. helianthi is host‐specific pathogen causing stem canker to sunflower only and the fungus is seed‐borne. As a destructive pathogen causing substantial yield losses, especially to sunflower, it may be a serious threat to safflower cultivation in the country and anywhere else. Therefore, the detection and identification of D. helianthi can be helpful in alarming the threat at an early stage thereby minimizing the probable damage to safflower cultivation in near future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mosaic disease of sponge gourd caused by begomovirus becomes a major constraint for its cultivation by farmers with limited resources in India. From field collected symptomatic leaf sample of sponge gourd, full-length DNA-A and DNA-B components were characterized by sequencing of products obtained by RCA. Sequence analysis revealed the presence of a bipartite begomovirus, tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (ToLCNDV), with two distinct DNA-A molecules having 89.1% identity among themselves, and one DNA-B molecule sharing identity of 96% with earlier reported ToLCNDV isolates from India. Besides, the association of tomato leaf curl New Delhi alphasatellite and tobacco leaf curl Patna betasatellite were also detected. Additionally, presence of ToLCNDV was ascertained through PCR assay in different parts of the fruit viz., pericarp, mesocarp and immature seed. Further, presence of virus in matured seed and seedlings shown through serological assay confirmed its seed borne nature. To our knowledge, this is the first report of seed transmissible nature of ToLCNDV causing mosaic disease on sponge gourd. Moreover, we identified two moderately resistant entries of advanced breeding lines against the mosaic disease through field screening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to its lower water requirement, methane emission and soil degradation, a maize–wheat rotation (MWR) may be a more attractive alternative to rice–wheat rotation (RWR), in the upper Indo-Gangetic plains (IGP) of India. However, N2O emission from MWR needs to be quantified to propose management practices for N2O mitigation. A field experiment was conducted at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR-IARI), New Delhi, to assess the impacts of various N sources on N2O emission and its mitigation from the MWR. Six treatments –N0 (control), urea, urea + farmyard manure (FYM), FYM, urea + nitrification inhibitor (NI) and neem oil coated urea (NOCU) were investigated during 2012–2014. Results show ranges of N2O-N emissions from MWR of 0.59–0.69, 1.82–1.86, 1.81–1.85, 1.71–1.77, 1.38–1.52, 1.57–1.61 during 2012–2013, and of 0.62–0.68, 1.86–1.90, 1.78–1.84, 1.72–1.76, 1.40–1.46, 1.52–1.60 during 2013–2014, for N0, urea, urea + FYM, FYM, urea + NI and NOCU treatments, respectively. The 2-year pooled N2O-N emission of MWR decreased by 23% in urea + NI and by 16% in NOCU with higher grain yield as compared to conventional urea application. Application of FYM with urea and FYM alone also reduced N2O-N emission; however, the grain yields of these treatments were decreased. Thus, the study suggests that the application of NOCU and NI with urea can mitigate N2O-N emissions from the maize and wheat crops. Hence, the use of NOCU and application of NI with urea could be a better option to mitigate N2O-N emissions from MWR of the upper IGP of India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Media forms an important part of the lives of adolescents in as much as the shows they watch on television, playing video games, as well as visiting the various websites. There is a growing concern of the influence of media on every aspect of health of children and adolescents. About 95% of the population in India has availability of television. India has limited studies which have explored the use of screen‑based media (SBM) and its effect on child health. This study was conducted to assess the pattern of SBM use. Methods: A community‑based cross‑sectional study was conducted in an Urban Resettlement Colony, New Delhi. The study included 550 adolescents of age group from 10 to 19 years of age selected through simple random sampling from a list of adolescents residing in the area. A semi‑structured interview schedule was used. Results: About 98% of the adolescents used SBM. Television formed the maximum used media (96.5%). The mean (standard deviation) of the screen time was found to be 3.8 (2.77) h/day. Out of the total screen time, time contributed by television is 2.8 h/day followed by other SBM. About 68% of adolescents reported having screen time more than the recommended (>2 h). Significant association was observed between screen time and watching television while eating [odds ratio (95% confidence interval) = 0.35 (0.22, 0.55)]. Conclusion: High proportion of adolescents use SBM for more than the recommended screen time. We should have a recommendation for maximum screen time separately for developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arsenic, one of the most poisonous chemical elements, was analyzed in the waters of the host of the 2010 Commonwealth Games, i.e., New Delhi. The study revealed shocking outcomes with arsenic concentrations well beyond the safe limits set by WHO, and a maximum concentration up to 180 ppb was found in the groundwater. Analysis of around 120 water samples collected extensively along the Yamuna Flood Plain showed that more than 55% had arsenic contamination beyond the WHO limit of 10 ppb. The maximum value of arsenic in coal and fly ash from Rajghat coal-based thermal power plant contained 200 and 3,200 ppb, respectively. Moreover, the ore petrography of coal samples shows the presence of arsenopyrite mineral. Maximum concentration of arsenic contamination is found within a 5-km radius from power plants. In the perspective of Delhi, arsenic contamination is purely anthropogenic due to coal-based thermal power plants, which had already shown toxic arsenic, fluorine and China-type coal effects. The presence of such power plants in coal field locations, e.g., West Bengal and Bangladesh, could release the arsenic due to combustion in superthermal power plants, thus accentuating the arsenic concentration besides the natural arsenic coming from the foreland basins of the Himalaya in Indian sub-continent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: With the introduction of antiretroviral therapy (ART), the mortality and morbidity of HIV/AIDS have decreased markedly. However, high adherence to ART (>95%) is necessary for a good therapeutic outcome. There is a paucity of data on paediatric adherence to ART and its correlates from developing countries, particularly India. Aim: To determine the rate of adherence to ART in HIV-infected Indian children and the factors associated with adherence. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at an ART clinic in New Delhi, north India. Caregivers of 90 children were interviewed using a pre-designed, structured questionnaire and checklist. The primary measure of adherence was 4-day caregiver's recall. Adherence rates were correlated with 3-monthly CD4 counts. Results: Mean (SD, range) adherence was 91·4% (12·3, 75-100%). Adherence was low (<95%) in 31 (34·4%) patients. On multivariate logistic regression analysis, increasing time since ART initiation (OR 1·08, 95% CI 1·02-1·13), low caregiver educational status (OR 4·19, 95% CI 1·37-10·88), orphanhood (OR 3·57, 95% CI 1·13-9·25), efavirenz-based ART regimens (OR 3·65, 95% CI 1·05-10·69) and female gender (OR 3·15, 95% CI 1·03-7·68) were associated with lower adherence. The rise in CD4 count after ART initiation was more marked in the high adherence group, with the difference in the two groups becoming statistically significant after 6 months of ART (median CD4 count 698 vs 355, p=0·016). Conclusions: It is possible to achieve high adherence to ART in a resource-limited setting. Caregiver recall is a reliable and inexpensive tool for measuring adherence. Paediatric adherence to ART is influenced by numerous factors and larger studies are needed to address the issue in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Field experiments were conducted during the rainy seasons of 2006 and 2007 at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi for the management of yellow mosaic (Mungbean Yellow Mosaic Virus) and cercospora leaf spots (Cercospora canescens and Pseudocercospora cruenta) of mungbean. Insecticides and fungicides as seed dressings, with or without foliar sprays, were evaluated. Amongst the treatments, a combination of seed treatment with thiamethoxam (Cruiser™) at 4 g kg-1 and carbendazim (Bavistin™) + TMTD (Thiram™) at 2.5 g kg-1 (1:1 ratio) followed by foliar applications of thiamethoxam (Actara™) 0.02% and carbendazim 0.05% at 21 and 35 d, respectively after sowing produced the highest seedling establishment, shoot and root lengths, number of pods, plant biomass, 1000-seed weight, and grain yield in mungbean with the lowest intensity of cercospora leaf spots and mungbean yellow mosaic. Vector (whitefly) populations were also the lowest in this treatment during all stages of the crop. This treatment was cost-effective, as it provided the highest return per Rupee of input. It was second best for the number of Rhizobium root nodules per plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Swine-origin influenza A H1N1 (S-OIV) has not been systematically studied in Indian children. Objectives: To study the clinical characteristics, morbidity and mortality pattern in children with S-OIV infection. Methods: This prospective study was conducted during the 'containment phase' of the pandemic in New Delhi from 10 June to 5 August 2009. All children suspected of being infected by S-OIV were admitted to the isolation wards and clinically evaluated according to WHO guidelines. Nasal and throat swabs were collected immediately for real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Haemoglobin, total leucocyte and platelet counts and chest radiography were undertaken in all patients. Those who tested positive for S-OIV infection were treated with oseltamivir for 5 days in isolation wards. Results: Thirty-seven children fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Twenty-one tested positive for S-OIV by RT-PCR and 16 tested negative. Comparison of the clinical characteristics of the two groups showed that duration of cough was longer in children with S-OIV (p<0.03). Total leucocyte and lymphocyte counts were significantly less in the S-OIV group (p<0.001 and , 0.02, respectively). Oseltamivir-related gastritis was seen in 38% of children. All improved and were discharged. Conclusion: S-OIV infection in Indian children had features similar to those of seasonal influenza. Lymphopenia is an important feature of S-OIV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To assess the efficacy of modified World Health Organization (WHO) feeding protocol for severe malnutrition. Setting: Prospective observational study conducted in the nutritional rehabilitation center of a tertiary care teaching hospital of New Delhi, India over four months period from August to November 2007. Methods: 25 children with severe malnutrition (age 6 months to 5 years) were recruited. All children were treated according to Indian Academy of Pediatrics modified WHO guidelines. Daily weight gain and improvement in the clinical status was assessed. Children were followed up at day 15, day 30 and day 45 after discharge or when a new problem emerged. Results: Weight-for-age z score (WAZ) at admission was -4.82±0.96, weight-for-height z score (WHZ) was -5.0 ±0.7, height-for-age z-score (HAZ) was -2.55±1.65. All children had diarrhea on admission, two had pneumonia in addition, and one each had otitis, sepsis and hepatitis in addition to diarrhea. The mean duration of admission was 8.32±2.87 days. At discharge the mean WAZ was -4.15±0.92 and mean WHZ, -3.91±0.61 (p value highly significant). Follow up at day 15, 30 and 45 showed significant improvement in WAZ and WHZ. Conclusions: Following modified WHO guidelines is feasible, efficacious and cost effective in resource-limited settings. Early discharge of patients is possible with no complications or mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the coronary heart disease (CHD) risk among elderly with metabolic syndrome-X in New Delhi, India. Cardiovascular risk factors similar to hypertension, obesity and dyslipidemia are often associated with metabolic syndrome-x. It says that elderly subjects with metabolic syndrome-X are in high risk of CHD and proposed that Ayurvedic formulation may be an option of therapy for anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity and helps reduce the glycemic index among metabolic syndrome-x cases.

We present two cases of extreme neglect with injuries. These are perfect examples of gender bias. Our first case is a 20-dayold female neonate was brought to the pediatric emergency department with multiple rat bites to the face. A 9-month-old female infant was brought to the emergency care division with multiple rat bites on the eyes and upper extremities. These cases point towards the existing gender bias and extreme social neglect of females in the Indian society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]