eChapters

It is a small mass of tissue present on either side of the trachea or windpipe. It is a very important structure that helps in the metabolism of the body.

When the basal metabolism is below normal, a person tends to be slow in his movements. He feels cold more and may have marked dryness of the skin, along with constipation and a tendency to put on weight. His hair is dry, thin, and coarse and the skin appears dry, scaly and thickened. There may be puffiness in the face, especially around the eyes. The tongue is usually large, the pulse is slow and regular, and the patient often complains of vague pains in the back and stiffness in the joints.

Hypothyroidism: It is a condition that results from the insufficient amount of thyroid hormone in the body. The trouble may also develop from pituitary deficiency, but is more likely due to some inborn error of the thyroid gland. The change usually comes gradually and involves the patients personality and also his ability to think.

Hypothyroidism is seen in both sexes, but is more common in women. Most of these are overweight and may complain of heavy flow during menstruation. The heart is often enlarged, and there is high level of cholesterol in the blood stream.

Construction details

They had a total of 36 tanks, and most of them were made of tin. Each tank had a diameter of 6 meters, was 1.2 meters deep, and could hold up to 30 tons of water. Inside these tanks, there was a plastic lining. Additionally, there were 4 to 5 tanks made from bamboo. Bamboo tanks have a shorter lifespan, lasting 1 to 2 years, while tin tanks can last for 8 to 10 years.

Culture details

The species that was cultured over there was Red tilapia. Culture practice was intensive. The nursery-rearing period was 70 days. In the first step, fish were raised from 0.5 grams to 10 grams in a separate tank for 35 days. The second step involved the growth of fish from 10 grams to 30 grams for the next 35 days in another separate tank. The fishes were bought from outer sources and they were all male fishes.

The ITAF participants visited the Anuban Tilapia Floating Cage Culture on the Canoy River situated in the central part of Thailand on 11/10/2023 at 1:30 p.m. The purpose of the visit was to learn about the floating cage culture on a large scale.

Construction Details

The farmer had a total 500 number of cages divided into 5 units i.e. 1 unit contains 100 cages. The dimensions of the floating cage are 7m in length, 5m in width and 2m in depth having an area of 70 m3. The fabrication of the cage was done by using the GI pipes attached to the barrels for buoyancy. The double HDPE netting was done from five sides and on the upper side bird net was fixed as a biosecurity measure. The construction cost of the cage was 140000 baht /cage.

Tillage is the physical manipulation of the soil with tools and implements which, results in good tilth for better germination and subsequent growth of crops.

Tilth is the physical condition of the soil resulting from tillage. Soil is said to be in good tilth when it is mellow, friable and adequately aerated. Tilth is dynamic. Mechanical forces may change the roughness of the soil surface, the total porosity and bulk density of the tilled layer and the aggregate or clod size. Heavy rainfall and high velocity wind or water destroys the tilth. The action of wetting and drying, freezing and thawing regenerates desirable tilth. The roughness of the soil surface is an index of the amount of water that can be stored in soil depressions and may also be related to the resistance of the soil surface to sealing. Roughness may be related to rate of evaporation, transfer of heat and air between the soil and atmosphere.

Cultivation involves management of physical environment to produce a favourable habitat for successful crop production. Primitive man used tools to disturb the soil for placing the seeds. The word tillage is derived from the Anglo-Saxon words tilian and teolian means to plough and prepare soil for seed sowing, to cultivate and to raise crops. Jethrotull who is considered as father of tillage suggested that ploughing is necessary so as to make the soil into fine particles.

Tillage is the mechanical manipulation of the soil either with tools and implements for obtaining conditions ideal for seed germination, seedling establishment and growth of crops.

Tillage includes all operations and practices that are used for the purpose of modifying soil physical characters. Tillage is the most difficult and time consuming operation in crop production. About 30 per cent of the total cost of cultivation goes for tillage operations.

Tillage operations in various forms have been practiced from the very inception of growing plants. Primitive man used tools to disturb the soils for placing seeds. The word tillage is derived from the Anglo-Saxon words tilian and teolian, meaning to plough and prepare soil for seed to sow, to cultivate and to raise crops. Jethro Tull, who is considered as father of tillage suggested that thorough ploughing is necessary so as to make the soil into fine particles.

Tillage operations are the basic operation, which need to be performed at proper moisture and temperature condition (climatic factor) to attain high degree of germination and better plant growth. Tillage may be defined as mechanical manipulation of soil for the purpose of germination and plant growth but it also does the followings:

Tillage is a mechanical manipulation of soil to provide favourable condition for crop production. Soil tillage consists of breaking the compact surface of earth to a certain depth and to loosen the soil mass, so as to enable the roots of the crops to penetrate and spread into the soil. A good seedbed is generally considered to imply finer particles and greater firmness in the vicinity of seeds. The depth up to which tillage operations disturb the soil can classify the operation as shallow, medium or deep. The depth of tillage depends on the crop and soil characteristics and also on the source of power or energy available. The optimum seedbed preparation for raising upland crops, involves the many unit operations. Strength of soil is affected by soil moisture content and can be represented in terms of cone index. Compacted soil has more cone index than the loose soils. Movement of machine in the field causes soil compaction. Sometimes it forms hard pan which is to be broken by the tillage operations to enhance root growth and penetration and infiltration of excess water.

Tillage management and seedbed preparation is crucial for crop establishment, growth and ultimately, yield. Typically, the aims of cultivation are to incorporate crop residue, bury weeds and loosen soil to allow appropriate soil–seed contact, easy flow of nutrients, air and water and unimpeded root penetration and crop growth (Hermawan and Bomke, 1997; Bengough et al., 2006). The use of tillage to prepare seedbeds and the subsequent benefits are well documented. However, the amount of tillage and best practice in terms of optimumsoil physical properties specifically for the establishment period has received less attention in comparison. The influence of a seedbed can vary greatly in terms of soil aggregation and subsequent porosity. This soil arrangement, therefore, has direct impacts on soil temperature, water content, oxygen availability and strength, all of which have the potential to affect the performance of the seedbed and its ability to provide an adequate environment for crop establishment. In a review, Braunack and Dexter (1989) stated as summary of previous works conducted on soil aggregation that aggregates will exhibit differing physical and chemical properties depending on the size of the aggregates, thus influencing the suitability of a seedbed for germination, emergence and root development, by influencing factors such as intra- and inter-aggregate aeration. Schjønning and Rasmussen (2000) found that cultivation methods can have large impacts on surface soil layers, altering both strength and pore dynamics (air and water filled), which can restrict plant growth. The relationship between soil physical properties and the plant root systems are vitally important in this process since they directly affect seedbed quality (Awadhwal and Thierstein, 1985; Aubertot et al., 1999; Dexter, 2004).

It is a mechanical manipulation of soil to provide favourable condition for crop production. Soil tillage consists of breaking the compact surface of earth to a certain depth and to loosen the soil mass, so as to enable the roots of the crops to penetrate and spread into the soil.

Tillage operations following primary tillage which are performed to create proper soil tilth for seeding and planting are secondary tillage. These are lighter and finer operations, performed on the soil after primary tillage operations. Secondary tillage consists of conditioning the soil to meet the different tillage objectives of the farm. These operations consume less power per unit area compared to primary tillage operations. Secondary tillage implements may be tractor drawn or bullock drawn implements.

Tillage

The mechanical manipulation of soil with tools and implements for obtaining conditions ideal for seed germination, seedling establishment and growth of crops is known as tillage. Tillage may be described as the practice of modifying the state of the soil in order to provide conditions favourable to crop growth.

Tillage is a common agricultural practice that involves preparing the soil for planting crops. It is the manipulation of soil to create a suitable seedbed, manage weeds, and improve soil structure for optimal crop growth. Tillage methods can vary widely and are often classified into different types based on their intensity and purpose. Here are some common types of tillage:

1. Conventional Tillage: This is the most intensive form of tillage and involves turning over the soil completely, often using a plow. It disrupts the natural soil structure and exposes the soil to erosion but can effectively control weeds and prepare a clean seedbed.

2. Reduced Tillage: Also known as conservation tillage, this method aims to disturb the soil as little as possible. It typically involves minimal or no plowing and relies on techniques like no-till, strip-till, or zone-till. Reduced tillage helps to maintain soil structure and reduce erosion while conserving moisture.

3. No-Till: In this approach, the soil is left undisturbed, with crop residues from previous harvests left on the field surface. A planter creates small openings in the soil for seeds. No-till farming helps retain moisture, reduce erosion, and maintain soil health. It is widely adopted for its conservation benefits.

1. Introduction

With the fairly recent advent of inexpensive, rapid sequencing technologies that continue to improve sequencing efficiency and accuracy, many species of animals, plants, and microbes have annotated genomic information publicly available. It is important to use this genomic information for the identification and isolation of novel and superior alleles of important genes from gene pools of the organisms

Introduction

It is a very important chapter as many questions are asked in competitive examination based on time and work relationship. This topic deals with the simultaneous performance involving the efficiency of an individual or a group and the time taken by them to complete a piece of work. Work is the effort applied to produce a deliverable or accomplish a task. A certain amount of time (T) is taken to complete a certain work (w). The number of units of work done per unit time is called the rate of work (R).

Hence, Work (W) = R x T

Whenever some work is done, the total work itself can be taken as one unit. Hence, we assume the total work done as one unit in the problems we encounter in order to simplify the computations. In these cases, R = 1 / T or T = 1 / R. In other words, R and T are inversely proportional as R T = W, which is a fixed quantity.

Duration: 60-75 minutes
Objective: Master techniques to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and reduce stress for improved productivity and work-life balance.
Why It Matters
Effective time management ensures focus on high-impact tasks, reduces procrastination, and prevents burnout. Poor time management leads to missed deadlines, stress, and lower quality work. For example, spending hours on emails instead of strategic planning can derail priorities. This module provides tools to optimize time usage.
Learning Outcomes: By the end of this module, participants will:
1. Understand prioritization and planning techniques (e.g., Eisenhower Matrix, Pomodoro).
2. Practice strategies to minimize distractions and delegate effectively.
3. Create a personalized time management plan.

Abstract

No one is born with the gift of good time management skills and it is rarely taught at schools or universities. The ways to manage time and get the things done is something which has to be developed and implemented by an individual himself. We need to find out the perfect method that will suit us. We may often wish to get more time but we only get 24 hours, 1,440 minutes or 86,400 seconds each day. The perfect ways to utilize time depends upon skills learned through self analysis, planning, evaluation and self control. Establishing a time management depends on individual’s personality, ability to self motivate and level of self discipline. The objective of this chapter is to focus on benefits of time management, tips for time management, steps for time management and various techniques of time management. The study is supported by case studies which will help in understanding the chapter thoroughly.

Time Series

A series of observations recorded over time is known as a time series. In other words, a time series is a set of observations taken at specified times, usually at equal intervals. For example: Annual retail sales, rainfall measurements, heartbeats per minute, etc. Such studies are to be based on the analysis of time series data collected over time. Thus, the analysis of time series plays an important role in an investigation of economic, social, commercial and even biological phenomenon.

Components of time series

In a long time series, generally, there are following four components:

• Secular trend or long term movements

• Seasonal variations

• Cyclic variations • Random or irregular movements

• Secular trend or long term movements: It is that characteristic of a time series which extends consistently throughout the entire period of time under consideration. It shows a long term tendency of an activity to grow or to decline. The term long period of time in a relative phenomenon and cannot be defined exactly. For some cases a period as small as a weak may be fairly long while in other cases, a period as long as two years may not be assumed long.

Abstract

Being the junction between the continental and the oceanic plates, the coastal zones are always tectonically alert and hence vested with number of aults. The study of LANDSAT ETM FCC imagery revealed one such a major fault along NNE-SSW aligned Tamil Nadu coast from Chennai in the North northeast to Cape Comorin in the South southwest. This Precambrian boundary fault shows signs of repetitive reactivation during Gondwana, Tertiary and Late Holocene periods. While in former two periods it shows indications of faulting, in the latter period, it is manifested in the form of drainage deflections indicating sinistral movements of beds. While such sinistral morphology of the fault seems to be related to the Post collision compression, the seismicities in and in its close proximities indicate the seismic significance of this fault. In the context of natural resources and disasters viz: geothermal springs, flooding and seismicities, this fault demands deeper studies.

Introduction

The coastal regions in general form the junction between the continental and oceanic plates. Hence, the coastal regions are always tectonically active and thus vested with coast parallel, tangential and conjugate faults depending upon the tectonic history of the area. In the Indian subcontinent too, all along the 9000 km long east and west coast margins, number of major faults were mapped by the earlier workers. Significantly, Vardarajan and Ganju (1989) have brought out a comprehensive picture on the lineaments of the entire coastal zone of India using Landsat images. Vemban et al. (1977) earlier inferred faults along certain segments of east coast of Tamil Nadu and observed them to be lithological contacts and also seismogenic in nature. Raiverman et al. (1966) have again inferred earlier a N-S curvilinear fault in Thanjavur deltaic region and attributed it to post drift kinematics of the Indian plate. Ramasamy (1989) has brought out the morphotectonic and morphodynamic model of the east and west coasts of India on the basis of tectonic and geomorphic signatures using Landsat satellite images. Ramasamy (2006) developed a first time comprehensive model on the active tectonics of the Indian Peninsular and in which he brought out detailed information on the varied geomorphic, tectonic and hydrological anomalies and inferred them to be related to the whirling and fracturing of the Indian plate due to the still prevailing N–S to NNE – SSw compressive force which originally drifted the Indian plate to the present position after the breakup of the Gondwana land.

15.1 Introduction

Plant breeding aims at developing genetically improved crop cultivars with economic benefits for small-scale and commercial farmers. Population growth, dwindling agricultural land and global climate change present increasing risk to crop production. Consequently, plant breeding aims to constantly develop crop cultivars with improved yield and quality and tolerant to drought, diseases and pests. Use of genetically improved crop cultivars and better management practices are among the best strategies to increase food production and meet a projected doubling of food demand in the next 40 years. Both the public and private plant breeding sectors face several constraints, including a shortage of professional plant breeders and breeding technicians, limited budget, inadequate facilities and lack of access to information. Successful plant breeding requires adequate infrastructural investment, in addition to the actual breeding activities. The benefits of plant breeding research and development can only be realized on a long-term basis because of the inherent nature of the crops and the eminent breeding procedures involved. Plant breeding involves two main activities, i.e., pre-breeding/ germplasm enhancement and cultivar development per se. These interdependent activities are the controlling factors that determine the pace at which cultivars are released timeously and consistently to farmers. The two phases, in turn, depend upon various factors, e.g., breeding goals, genetics and agronomy of the crop, breeder’s long-term objectives, availability of testing facilities and national cultivar-registration requirements. Despite these factors, there are certain clear steps and breeding procedures found in any conventional breeding programme. These include choice of parents, making crosses among chosen parents, and selection from recombined parents followed by extensive field testing of the candidate cultivars. Maintenance, multiplication and distribution of the seed are the ultimate stages of a breeding programme. Systematically outlined conventional breeding procedures, timeframes and estimated breeding generations are essential to objectively consider the ultimate timescales required to release new and improved cultivars of all crops. The information may assist plant breeding- students, educators, researchers, project advisors, administrators and funding agencies. Dear students, in this chapter we outline the timeframes of conventional breeding procedures of clonally (also called vegetatively) propagated, self-fertilizing (also called self-pollinated) and cross-fertilizing (also called cross-pollinated) crops.

ABSTRACT

Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers ex Hook.f. & Thoms. is a versatile liana rich in various active compounds having diverse chemical structures. Limited research has been done on the biological properties and the probable medicinal applications of the individual isolated molecules actually responsible for the medicinal nature of the plant. Recent advances in the discovery of active constituents from T. cordifolia and their biological impact in disease cure has led to an increase interest on this plant across the globe. The therapeutic virtue of giloy used in traditional and Indian System of Medicine (ISM) has been well established through advance testing and evaluation, both pre-clinical and clinical trials in different diseased conditions. These studies make this indigenous drug plant a novel candidate for bio-prospection and drug development for the treatment of diseases such as cancer, ulcers, liver disorders, heart diseases, diabetes and post-menopausal syndrome where sufficient treatments are still not available. Over the past few decades, a noteworthy progress has been achieved in cancer prevention and treatment, and still there remains a need for effective treatment program. One of the best possible approaches with immense potential is chemoprevention, which involves the use of natural, synthetic or biological molecules to suppress, reverse or prevent cancer or the progression of cancerous cells. It is most likely that many agents present in specific herbs, herbal products and natural dietary factors will have an effect throughout the process of carcinogenesis. Thus, a detailed chemical investigation with the aim of isolating novel molecules, their structure elucidation, quantification, validation and pharmacological evaluation in terms of its anticancer potential was carried out on T. cordifolia. The present study was designed to isolate and identify new promising anti-cancer candidates from the aqueous alcoholic extract of T. cordifolia using bioassay-guided fractionation.