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Kiwifruit is New Zealand's major contributor to fresh produce export, selling into nearly 60 countries globally. In developed countries dominated by modern retail, consistent cool chain practices throughout the supply chain enable high quality product delivery to end consumers. However, in other regions, traditional retail conditions (e.g. wet markets) contribute to significant fruit sales. The limited adoption or availability of refrigeration and the relatively high ambient temperature and humidity conditions pose a considerable challenge in maintaining product quality. To understand potential kiwifruit sales conditions in regions dominated by traditional retail pathways, a case study survey was conducted in India and Singapore. Environmental conditions (temperature, relative humidity and ethylene concentrations) and kiwifruit quality (firmness) were monitored at street vendor locations in India and at wet markets in Singapore. It was found that at the point of sale, temperatures frequently exceeded 30°C and ethylene concentrations were as high as 150 nL L−1. The major proportion of the fruit were at an edible firmness while a significant proportion of overripe fruit also existed. The observations from this case study indicate the necessity to understand kiwifruit physiological responses to these high shelf-life temperatures and ethylene concentrations that may occur under traditional market conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) are the service providers who offer mibole services without an alloted spectrum by hoting services through commercial agreements with licensed mobile network operators (MNOs). They may have little or no network infrastructure of their own. Usually theirs services are focused customer segments. This study analyses the need, timing, implementation and possible impact of MVNOs in the Indian mobile communications market through a strategic approach. The Indian cellular market is unique because there are new MNOs still entering the market, mobile services offered are amogn the lowest-priced in the world, there are many untapped niche segments due to immense cultural diversites, urban areas and rural areas with contrasting teledensity of 95.05 per cent and 16.61 pwer cent (as at June 2009). and an increasing subscriber base every month ( nearly 15 million subscribers are added per month) etc. MVNO policy is under consideration in India. Therefore, an attempt has been made to assay the debate among all stakeholsers with regard to MVNO entry in India and present it in sysnthesis with a comprehensive study of the global MVNO phenomenon. The analysis indicates that, although regulators and customers amy benefit, certain barriers (creating a wholesome environment and competition, limited numbering resources etc) have to be worked upon before easing MVNOs. A different approach is proposed for the regulation of MVNOs and MNOs in metros and rural areas. MVNO strategy will play a key role in bringing about the agreements with MNOs. It also determines the sustainability of MVNOs in the market and the impact on the stakeholders. By careful consideration and adjustment of these parameters, a possible business case can exist for MVNOs in India in a way that benefits all the stakeholders despite the unique situation of the current Indian cellular market. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

PurposeThe aim of this study was to identify risk factors for the development of cataract in young patients.SettingsThe study was undertaken at Iladevi Cataract and IOL Research Centre, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.MethodsIn a clinic-based observational study, 340 consecutive patients in the age group of 30–45 years presenting with nuclear, cortical, posterior subcapsular (PSC), mixed, and posterior polar cataract were prospectively studied. A detailed history regarding sunlight exposure, atopy, diabetes, steroid intake, myopia, glaucoma, and uveitis was elicited.ResultsThe mean age of the patients was 40.2±4.6 years; there were 202 men. The major risk factors were atopy (25.6%), idiopathic (19.1%), high myopia (12.4%), atopy with steroid intake (10.9%), steroid usage (7.4%), sunlight exposure (3.8%), and diabetes mellitus (3.2%). PSC was observed in 53.5% eyes. Multinomial logistic regression revealed that atopy (P=0.016), steroid usage (P=0.100), and diabetes mellitus (P=0.076) documented higher odds for PSC. High myopia (P<0.001) and sunlight exposure (P=0.003) documented higher odds for nuclear cataract.ConclusionAtopy was found to be the most common risk factor associated with the development of cataract in young individuals. PSC was the predominant type of cataract prevalent in young patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Felsic volcaniclastic rock forms part of host rock sequences in many of the base metal prospects in the Betul belt. However, the volcanic facies, fragmentation processes and depositional environments in mineralized areas are poorly understood because of the effects of synvolcanic hydrothermal alteration and subsequent regional metamorphism. A section in the Kanhan river valley, which exposes volcanics with relatively well preserved primary textures was mapped in detail to understand the disposition of the felsic volcanics namely rhyolite and to identify the various volcanic facies present within them (viz. massive, flow-banded, autobreccia and hyaloclastite). Four different facies types were distinguished based on phenocryst type, size and abundance. Presence of hyaloclastite autoclastic rocks and pillow lava and absence of pyroclastic deposits suggest a deep, submarine, passive, effusive-type volcanic setting. Autobreccia and hyaloclastite in the felsic volcanic sequence of the present study area lying within Betul Belt has similarities with well-known volcanic-hosted massive sulphide (VHMS) bearing areas in other parts of the world. Proper identification of the volcanic facies within highly altered host rocks near the deposits can help in building up facies models that would establish the genetic relationship between sulphide mineralization and the host-rock facies which in turn will have important implications for base metal exploration in the area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PurposeTo report relationship of age group and axial length (AL) category to lens thickness values in eyes with a clear lens or different types of isolated cataract (nuclear, cortical, and posterior subcapsular (PSC)). Further, we evaluated lens thickness values on anterior chamber depth (ACD) in these eyes.DesignObservational clinic-based study.MethodsAn observational study of 1442 eyes of 1442 individuals (816 eyes with isolated cataract and 626 eyes with clear lens) of those above 25 years of age was evaluated. AL and lens thickness were performed with an A-scan ultrasound after dilatation of the pupil, and manual optical pachymetry was used to measure ACD after dilatation of the pupil.Main outcome measures: Lens thickness.ResultsMultiple regression analysis revealed that with each decade of advancement in age, the lens thickness increased by 0.155 mm (P<0.001). The difference in lens thickness after adjusting for age group and AL category was less in cortical cataract by −0.25 mm (P<0.001) and PSC by −0.29 mm (P<0.001); With advancement in AL category, lens thickness decreased by 0.004 mm (P<0.001). After adjusting for all the parameters/variables, regression analysis revealed that as lens thickness increased, there was a significant decrease in ACD (mean −0.44 mm; P<0.001).ConclusionsLens thickness was significantly greater in clear lenses when compared with isolated cataracts—greatest with nuclear cataract and least with PSC. Age group and AL category had a significant impact on the lens thickness of both cataract and clear lens. A significant decrease in ACD was found with the increase in lens thickness.Eye (2009) 23, 1542–1548; doi:10.1038/eye.2008.315; published online 24 October 2008 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zn-bearing minerals that act as indicator minerals for base metal sulphide mineralization from the Proterozoic Betul Belt, central India with special emphasis on their genetic significance have been discussed. Sulphide mineralisation is hosted by the felsic volcanic rocks and has similarities with volcanic-hosted massive sulphide deposits in other parts of the world. Synvolcanic hydrothermal alteration is crudely zoned with an inner high Mg-Ca core and an outer wider envelop of Al-Fe rich mineral assemblage. Most of the prospects have strata bound, moderately to steeply dipping, multiple, sub-parallel sheet like ore bodies composed of disseminated and semi-massive to massive ores. Zn-bearing spinel, staurolite, biotite and ilmenite typically occur within the foot-wall alteration zones in close proximity to the sulphide mineralization. Zincian spinel is ubiquitous irrespective of the nature of alteration zone. Zincian staurolite is nearly absent in Mg-Ca alteration zones but commonly present in Al-Fe alteration zone along with zincian ilmenite. Zn-bearing biotite in intimate association with zincian spinel is generally found in Mg-Ca alteration zone and in the transition to Al-Fe alteration zone. Most of these indicator minerals can be considered as products of desulphidation of sphalerite during metamorphism. Mechanisms other than desulphidation like formation of gahnite by overstepping of the zinc saturation limit of biotite during retrogression to chlorite and formation of zincian staurolite at the expense of gahnite is also recorded. Field presence of these minerals has immense significance in exploration in Betul Belt as they occur in close spatial relationship with the sulphide rich zones and therefore act as direct vectors to ore. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tourmaline bearing leucogranite occurs as a pluton with pegmatitic veins intruding the Archaean granodiorite in the Bastipadu area, Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh. We present field and petrographic relations, mineral chemistry and geochemical data for the leucogranite. It is essentially a two-mica granite, composed of quartz, perthite, microcline, albite, tourmaline and muscovite along with minor biotite and titanite. The euhedral tourmalines are regularly distributed in the rock. The geochemical studies show that the leucogranite is calc-alkaline, peraluminous to metaluminous which formed in a syn-collisional to volcanic arc-related setting. It displays strong ‘S’ type signatures with high K/Na ratios, moderately fractionated light rare earth elements, relatively flat heavy rare earth elements with [Ce/Yb]N≤27.8 and a strong negative Eu anomaly. The geochemical characteristics indicate that the leucogranite melt might have been generated from partial melting of metasediments. Electron probe microanalyser data show the presence of alkali group tourmaline in leucogranite represented by schorl and dravite. Tourmaline compositions plot in the Li-poor granitoids and associated pegmatites and aplites and metapelites/metasammites fields. Partial melting of boron-enriched source rocks is linked with the development of tourmalines in the leucogranite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Iron deficiency anaemia, although well reported in diabetic nephropathy, has not been well studied in type 2 diabetes patients in the absence of nephropathy. We studied the prevalence of anaemia and iron deficiency in type 2 diabetes patients without nephropathy., Material and Methods: A total of 89 patients were selected for this study. 24 h urine protein less than 500 mg was used as the criteria to rule out diabetic nephropathy. Complete hemogram, iron profile and high sensitivity C reactive protein (hs CRP) levels were performed in each patient.Functional iron deficiency (FID) was defined as serum ferritin more than 100 μg/l with serum transferrin less than 20% and total iron deficiency state was defined as serum ferritin less than 100 μg/l., Results: Fifteen patients (16.8%)had anaemia out of which 13 had total iron deficiency and one each had functional iron deficiency and normal iron status respectively. Assessment of the iron status overall showed that 49 patients had TID (55.05%), 16 had FID (17.9%)and 24 (27.05%) had normal iron status. The hs-CRP was significantly higher in those with iron deficiency., Conclusions: The present study found a high prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia in type 2 diabetic patients even in the absence of nephropathy. Most of the diabetic subjects also displayed an iron deficiency state the cause of which needs further investigation., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest None., (Copyright © 2020. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Purpose: To evaluate long-term visual outcomes and complications after toric intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in children with preexisting corneal astigmatism undergoing cataract surgery., Setting: Iladevi Cataract & IOL Research Center, Ahmedabad, India., Design: Prospective, interventional case series., Methods: Children with regular corneal astigmatism of at least 1.5 diopters (D) were included. A standardized surgical technique with in-the-bag implantation of a toric IOL was performed. All children were followed up on postoperative day 1 and periodically thereafter, until 36 months postoperatively. The uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), and residual refractive astigmatism were documented 36 months postoperatively. Rotational stability of toric IOL was also evaluated through the follow-up duration. Complications, particularly visual axis obscuration (VAO) and glaucoma, were documented., Results: In total, 76 eyes (51 children) were included in the study. Mean age at surgery was 7.41 ± 2.82 years (SD) and mean preoperative keratometric astigmatism was 1.56 ± 2.13 D. The CDVA (logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution [logMAR]) improved significantly from 0.59 ± 0.43 preoperatively to 0.23 ± 0.27 36 months postoperatively (P = .03). Mean postoperative UDVA was 0.32 ± 0.26 logMAR. Mean refractive astigmatism at final follow-up was -0.55 ± 0.40 D, with 74% patients having a UDVA of at least 20/40; 5% of eyes needed VAO treatment and none developed glaucoma. No eye required repositioning of toric IOL until final follow-up., Conclusions: Toric IOL implantation reduced postoperative refractive astigmatism and gave excellent UDVA at 36 months follow-up in pediatric eyes undergoing nontraumatic cataract surgery.