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Context: Agronomical traits like loss of seed dispersal targeted by ancient human selection are an important milestone of crop domestication. Evolution in plant species is a result of natural and human selection at the time of domestication. Evolution leads to continued improvement of adaptive traits in almost all plant species. Aims: Pod shattering, one of the examples of convergent evolution, is defined as breaking up of the pod shell enabling the successful dispersal of seeds mainly in wild species. Since the available climate change models predict an increase in aridity, it is expected that the losses on account of shattering will be aggravated, especially in dry areas. Methods: Histological studies and biochemical parameters are increasingly used as surrogates for pod shattering response as they provide key inputs for selecting contrasting genotypes based on differential lignification, role of pectin, fibre, cellulose and total carbohydrate content as well as enzymes such as endopolygalacturonase and β-glucanase and hormones. Key results: There is diversity for level of shattering, with race Nueva Granada showing higher rates of pod shattering as compared to the Durango and Jalisco races. Genomics has helped identify several genes or quantitative trait loci (QTL) such as PDH-1, St-1, SHAT-1, WRKY1 and MYB26 that are implicated in various traits related to pod shattering. Conclusions: Plant breeders need to introgress shattering resistance into commercial varieties to mitigate the imminent yield losses. Implications: This requires an in-depth knowledge of mechanistic, physiological, biochemical and the underlying genetic basis of pod shattering resistance. Common bean is an important legume crop that has long been used as a staple food. Pod shattering is an important early trait to be selected against in crop domestication. Introgression of shattering resistance into commercial varieties could mitigate the imminent yield losses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Armed conflicts create significant risks on almost every section of the society, as new forms of violence arise and the existing ones get exaggerated. In Kashmir, the long-standing conflict has resulted in the number of widows, orphans and enforced disappearance; however, little in-depth attention has been given in the literature on widows to the impact of this conflict. This present study examined the lived experiences of Kashmiri widows who had lost their husbands to the on-going conflict. Using the snowball sampling approach, 12 women were recruited for the face-to-face in-depth interviews. The findings of the study gained an in-depth understanding of the experiences of violence, deprivation, social stigma and psychological trauma, followed by their strategies for coping and struggle for justice. Widows are the worst hit victims of armed conflict and, therefore, inclusive interventions are needed to enhance the status of widows in a long run. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tephritis cometa Loew, 1840, known to infest field thistle or Canada thistle or creeping thistle Cirsium arvense, a medicinal plant used as a tonic and to treat disease such as diarrhea and tuberculosis; it is diuretic. Cirsium arvense is a perennial flowering plant belonging to the family Asteraceae and is native to Europe, northern Africa, and western Asia. We report the first record of Tephritis cometa Loew, 1840 in southern Asia from Kashmir, India. The identified specimen of Tephritis cometa, commonly known as Rayed Thistle Fly was found on Cirsium arvense, a grass (Asteraceae) at the site, SKU2 in district Kulgam. However, the actual host plant is unknown. This paper includes morphological studies, key identification, diagnosis, and its distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Western Himalayan region is a rich repository of common bean genetic resources evolved over generations of farmer selection. The bean variability encompasses various use categories such as dry, snap and shelled beans. The present study aimed to characterize 40 small-seeded red common bean genotypes collected from different districts of Kashmir valley as well as Poonch, Rajouri and Bhaderwah areas of Jammu which are world famous for their beans. Based on 5-year evaluation, there was substantial variability for various qualitative traits as well as quantitative traits. Among variability parameters, higher PCV and GCV values were recorded for plant height, seed yield per plant and number of pods per plant and low for days to maturity, seed length and pod length. High heritability was recorded for all the traits ranging from 78.72 to 94.87%. There was substantial variability in root traits scored in laboratory and greenhouse as well as canopy temperature depression and relative water content. Various genotypes were found resistant to bean common mosaic virus (WB-N-1, WB-N-11, WB-1318, WB-401, WB-451, WB-1634); anthracnose (WB-1634 WB-83, WB-258, WB-1282, WB-1304); angular leaf spot (WB-6, WB-1634, WB-258, WB-451, N-1 and N-10); Fusarium wilt (WB-341, WB-451, WB-N-1 and WB-1587) and Ascochyta blight (WB-6). Similarly WB-92 was highly resistant to shattering. The genotypes WB-341, WB-1634, WB-N-1 performed better under water stress, WB-N-1 and WB-1634 were resistant to multiple diseases and WB-1634 had better cooking quality. The genotypes identified can be used in bean improvement programmes and have also been submitted to NBPGR for long-term storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diseases which are associated with the human heart can be detected through a procedure known as the electrocardiogram that is an electrical activity of the human heart. The clinical analysis of ECG faces problems in its interpretation due to the poor recording environment where unwanted noise is getting contaminated into it in the form of different artifacts viz motion artifacts, loose lead artifact, baseline wandering, muscle tumour artifacts etc. To get noise-free electrocardiogram wavelet theory plays an important role. This paper talks about the framework of approximation of an electrocardiogram signal by wavelet theory. On obtaining the denoised electrocardiogram, prominent peaks and R peaks -part of QRS complex are detected. The proposed algorithm is applied to the ECG recording No. 100m.mat obtained from MIT-BIH database. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was conducted on 6 healthy bucks of non descript breed weighing between 10-12 kg. Each experimental animal was subjected to 3 treatments . The haematological parameters like Hb and PCV showed significant decrease in treatment III, but there was no alteration of Hb and PCV along with other parameters such as TEC and DLC in other treatment groups. Glucose significantly increased in all the three treatment groups. ALT and BUN increased significantly only in treatment I and III. Total protein, creatinine and ALP showed significant increase in treatment III only.Bilirubin remained unchanged in all the three treatment groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The report describes successful surgical treatment of polymelia in a Sahiwal calf. Such congenital limb deformities should be surgically resected in an early age before the proper bone development starts. Surgical correction improves quality and cosmetic life of the animal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A case of intestinal intussusception with its successful clinical management is reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case study of a ten-month-old Labrador Retriever male dog with history of ingesting Hero Honda keys with key ring. X-ray examination was performed and revealed clearcut image of the key with ring inside the stomach. The article also discusses the surgical management before and after the removal of motor-cycle keys after gastrotomy.

A Case of fracture of mandible in a dog was brought to clinic and managed successfully. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To study the clinicopathologic characteristics of chordomas from a single institution., Material and Methods: This study is a retrospective analysis of 18 cases of chordomas diagnosed over a period of 5-years at Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Srinagar, from 2006 to 2010., Results: The overall mean age of the patients was 46.72 years. Males outnumbered females. Sacrum was the commonest site involved. Histopathologically, the majority of cases were conventional chordoma with four cases of chondroid variety. There was a single case of dedifferentiated chordoma that presented with bone metastasis. Most patients did well after surgery and radiotherapy. One patient had a local recurrence and one patient with dedifferentiated variant died on follow-up., Conclusion: Though locally aggressive, chordomas are effectively treated with resection and postoperative radiotherapy.