eChapters

Key Points

• Fluid therapy is crucial for saving dehydrated animals.

• Fluid therapy should be administered within the first 4-6 hours of treatment.

• Ringer lactate is the recommended fluid for diarrhea and enteritis.

• Fluid loss of 4–6 % does not require therapy and does not show any clinical indications.

Introduction

Dehydration is defined as an excessive loss of water and electrolytes from the body (usually due to vomiting and/or diarrhea) or an insufficient intake of water. The body loses water through respiration; however, the skin, face, and/or urine can also cause dehydration. Diarrhea (the loss of fluid and electrolytes from the gastrointestinal tract) is invariably accompanied by dehydration. Chapter 13 provides a brief overview of diarrhea and how it is managed. Dehydration causes lethargy in the patient and, if handled, can have catastrophic consequences for the kidneys and/or other internal organs. Death may occur if the body loses 40% of its water.

Dehydration is a critical condition in animals characterized by an imbalance between fluid intake and loss, leading to a deficit in total body water. It is a common problem across all species and can result from a variety of causes, including disease, environmental factors, and inadequate water intake. Understanding the causes, clinical signs, diagnosis, and treatment of dehydration is vital for ensuring the health and well-being of animals.
Physiology of fluid balance
Water is essential for physiological processes, including nutrient transport, waste elimination, temperature regulation, and cellular metabolism. Animals maintain fluid balance through mechanisms that regulate intake (via drinking and food consumption) and output (via urine, feces, respiration, and sweat in some species). Dehydration occurs when water loss exceeds water intake. Body’s water compartments are divided into Intracellular fluid (ICF): About two-thirds of total body water: One-third of total body water, including plasma and interstitial fluid. Dehydration affects these compartments differently based on severity and cause, potentially leading to hypovolemia (decreased blood volume) and compromised organ function.
Causes of dehydration
Insufficient water intake
Neglect or inaccessibility: Lack of access to clean, fresh water. Behavioural issues: Reluctance to drink due to stress or environmental changes. Illness: Conditions like oral pain or esophageal obstruction can reduce water consumption.

Biological activity or index of a soil is the function of number of organisms present in soil and their physiological efficiency. The rate of respiration can be used as an index of the biological activity of soil as it reflects the physiological efficiency of the organisms. Monitoring of dehydrogenase, which are respiratory enzymes and integral part of all soil organisms, will give a measure of biological activity of soil at a given time.

During respiration biological oxidation of reduced compounds occur which is catalyzed by dehydrogenase. In the process TTC gets reduced to a pink coloured compound Triphenyl formazan (TPF) which can be quantitatively extracted by methanol and measured colorimeterically. The soil dehydrogenase activity in the current experiment was measured as per the methods of Cassida, (1977).

As discussed in the previous chapters, the global perspective of frost is a latitudinal phenomenon; it is more common in subtropical latitudes (23.50 to 350 N&S). The proneness of vegetation to frost usually increases as we move toward the poles. But, at the micro-level, there are several factors like proximity to a water body, type of soil, type of vegetation, prevalence of winds etc., which govern the temperature inversion and frost-proneness of a situation or site. 

Introduction The fish is an important source of protein as it constitute about 17 of the total animal protein (SOFIA, 2018) and the rising demand for fish has led to unsustainable exploitation of marine and inland water resources and fishstocks are getting overexploited, due to which the output from capture fisheries is uncertain. This has put difficulty for the management of our open water resources. It is now urgent to develop a management strategy for conservation of natural resources for future generation as our responsibility. Hilborn and Walters (1992) define stocks are arbitrary groups of fish large enough to be essentially self-reproducing, with members of each group having similar life history characteristics. Stock is defined as "a part of a fish population usually with a particular migration pattern, specific spawning grounds, and subject to a distinct fishery" by the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas. Understanding the importance of delineating the stocks and their boundaries which have become an essential part of fishery management and conservation.

Abstract

Apple orchardist’s are adopting micro irrigation system for irrigation and application of  fertilizers. The feasibility of delivery of pesticides through micro irrigation for the management of diseases and insect pests was evaluated. The minimum root rot incidence (30.55%) was recorded at low fertigation dose + aureofungin (100ppm)+ copper sulphate (100ppm) at two-week intervals as compared to control (61.10%) and it also delayed the symptom appearance by one month. At higher fertigation dose + aureofungin (100ppm) + copper sulphate (100ppm) there was increase in disease incidence as compared to the control (without fertigation). Continuous maintenance of soil moisture at field capacity (FC) enhanced the disease incidence where the overall disease incidence was 63.88 per cent as compared to 27.77 per cent in irrigation at 40 per cent FC. Fungicides applied at bi-weekly interval recorded less disease incidence. The fertigation levels did not affect powdery mildew severity; however, irrigation levels influenced it.  Plants maintained at 40 per cent FC showed less disease severity as compared to those maintained at 100 and 60 per cent FC.  Plants receiving hexaconazole dose at weekly interval depicted less disease than 2 or 4-week interval. The number of colonies and population of woolly aphid were  less on the plants treated with chlorpyriphos.

Introduction

Climate change is the long-term alteration of temperature and meteorological conditions in the Earth’s atmosphere. It is caused by unsustainable human activities such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and rampant industrialization which released massive quantities of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. These gases trap heat from the sun and cause the planet to warm, resulting in various impacts on the environment and human society. Climate change is likely to disrupt the monsoon patterns and lead to more extreme weather events such as droughts and floods. This will have a significant impact on crop yields and food security in India, which is already facing a growing population and increasing demand for food. Additionally, rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns may also lead to the spread of new pests and diseases, further exacerbating the challenges faced by Indian farmers.

Additionally, climate change impacts are disproportionately affecting the livelihoods of smallholder and resource-poor farmers, who are more vulnerable to weather-related risks and have fewer resources to adapt. The Indian government and private sector are implementing various measures to help farmers adapt to changing conditions, but more needs to be done to ensure the long-term sustainability of the sector. The agricultural sector in India is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, as it employs a large portion of the population and is a major contributor to the country’s economy. The Indian government and various organizations are working to develop strategies and technologies to adapt to the changing climate and mitigate the effects on the agricultural sector. Time to time the Indian government have implemented various policies and programs to improve the productivity and profitability of the agricultural sector, including the transfer of technology and extension services.

13.1. Introduction

The Delphi technique is a systematic, interactive forecasting method that involves gathering expert opinions to make informed decisions, predict future trends, or address complex problems. The core idea behind this technique is to use the knowledge and insights of experts in a structured manner to produce well-informed and reliable outcomes. By combining expert judgment with iterative feedback, the Delphi method allows for deeper analysis, greater accuracy, and a better understanding of complex issues that cannot be easily solved through traditional data analysis or quantitative methods (Ismail and Taliep, 2023).

Originally designed for defence-related forecasting, the Delphi technique has since evolved into a versatile tool used across a wide range of fields, such as business, healthcare, education, public policy, environmental science, and social research. Its versatility stems from its ability to gather expert opinions in a manner that allows for rigorous analysis of complex issues, without the constraints of traditional group meetings or face-to-face discussions.

Demand & Sales Forecasting

Demand: Demand usually means effective desire/ willingness for a product. It normally refers to the quantity of a product or services which the buyers are likely to purchase at different prices in a given market at a given time.

The laws of demand states that the price and quantity demanded are inversely related, other things remaining the same (income, tastes, habits, weather, season, region, price of related commodity etc.).

Demand forecasting is essential for India’s agricultural sector, which plays a vital role in the economy and employs a significant portion of the population. Accurate demand forecasts enable effective decision-making regarding production, storage, marketing, and pricing, ensuring food security and economic stability. The dynamic nature of agricultural markets in India, influenced by factors like seasonal variations, climatic conditions, and socio-economic changes, underscores the need for robust forecasting models. As India’s agricultural market is projected to grow significantly by 2029, demand forecasting models must adapt to evolving consumption patterns driven by factors such as population growth, rising incomes, and urbanization. Technological advancements, including machine learning and hybrid models, are enhancing forecasting accuracy, but challenges persist due to data limitations, unpredictable weather, price volatility, and complex consumer behavior. Despite these hurdles, demand forecasting offers critical insights for policymakers, farmers, and agri-businesses. This paper explores the importance of demand forecasting in agriculture, outlines various forecasting methods, and discusses challenges faced in India’s agricultural market. Case studies on staple crops, edible oils, and livestock products highlight the impact of accurate forecasting on market stability and policy development. The paper concludes by emphasizing the need for technology adoption and collaboration to improve forecasting precision for sustainable agricultural development.

Abstract
Demand forecasting is essential for India’s agricultural sector, which plays a vital role in the economy and employs a significant portion of the population. Accurate demand forecasts enable effective decision-making regarding production, storage, marketing, and pricing, ensuring food security and economic stability. The dynamic nature of agricultural markets in India, influenced by factors like seasonal variations, climatic conditions, and socio-economic changes, underscores the need for robust forecasting models. As India’s agricultural market is projected to grow significantly by 2029, demand forecasting models must adapt to evolving consumption patterns driven by factors such as population growth, rising incomes, and urbanization. Technological advancements, including machine learning and hybrid models, are enhancing forecasting accuracy, but challenges persist due to data limitations, unpredictable weather, price volatility, and complex consumer behavior. Despite these hurdles, demand forecasting offers critical
insights for policymakers, farmers, and agri-businesses. This paper explores the importance of demand forecasting in agriculture, outlines various forecasting methods, and discusses challenges faced in India’s agricultural market. Case studies on staple crops, edible oils, and livestock products highlight the impact of accurate forecasting on market stability and policy development. The paper concludes by emphasizing the need for technology adoption and collaboration to improve forecasting precision for sustainable agricultural development.
Keywords: Demand forecasting, Price volatility, Food security, Policy formulation, Agricultural Commodities.

Demand: Wants that are supported by a price at which they can be purchased are called demand. It is a relationship that, ceteris paribus, depicts the various quantities of a good that buyers would be able and willing to buy at various prices at a particular point in time.

Demand Schedule: It is a table that displays different quantities of a good that consumers would be willing and able to buy at different prices at a specific moment, ceterius paribus.

Demand curve: A demand schedule is a graph that displays the various quantities of a good that buyers would be able and willing to buy at various prices at a specific point in time, according to Ceterius peribus. It in turn fuels growth by increasing demand for industrial goods..

The arc slopes left to right in a descending direction.

Demand-driven vegetable breeding emphasizes the development of new cultivars based on specific consumer preferences, market demands, and environmental conditions. This approach contrasts with traditional breeding methods that primarily focus on agronomic traits like yield or disease resistance. The importance of demand-driven breeding lies in its ability to align agricultural production with consumer needs and market trends. By directly responding to consumer preferences such as taste, appearance, nutritional content, and culinary characteristics, breeders can create vegetables that are not only commercially viable but also meet consumer expectations. This approach enhances market acceptance and profitability for growers, distributors, and retailers alike. Breeders prioritize demand-driven breeding to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving market where consumer preferences can shift quickly. By understanding and responding to these preferences, breeders can develop cultivars that offer distinct advantages over existing varieties, leading to increased market share and improved economic outcomes for stakeholders throughout the supply chain. This chapter provides an understanding on demand-driven vegetable breeding, particularly opportunities, and challenges.

Introduction

Food security problem has multiple dimensions that range from ensuring the food supply at global, country and local levels to create its effective demand round the year. The ultimate goal of an effective food security policy is to provide individuals with adequate dietary requirements through availability and accessibility of food, which are necessary conditions for nutritional well being. The level of food security existing in a country, however is a complex interactions, operating at different levels from the macro to the micro level. The components of the system would include international trade and macro policies, the agricultural sector, the market economy, consumption pattern, the micro economy or household income, urban-rural differentiation and gender issues, etc.

Food insecurity is a complex issue having several dimensions such as, poverty, unemployment, famine, gender discrimination, inequity, starvation, food and nutritional practices, for human growth, natural calamities and so on. Poverty has been recognized globally both as a cause and consequence of food insecurity. In the mid 1980s, 72 per cent of the world’s poor and 66 per cent of the world’s extremely poor lived in the Asia-Pacific region. In this region, 272 million people would suffer from chronic malnutrition during the next decade i.e. in the year 2010. In Asia-Pacific region, India alone has 204 million undernourished people, which is quite alarming when compared with neighbouring countries like China, which has only 164 million undernourished people despite being much populous than India. World Health Organization (WHO) report (1998) points out that health expectancy is more important than life expectancy. The impact of poverty and malnutrition on health has widened the gap between the rich and the poor.

5.1. Meaning
Demand in economics means a desire to possess a good supported by willingness and ability to pay for it. If you have a desire to buy a tractor, but do not have the adequate means to pay for it, it will simply be a wish, a desire or a want and not demand. Demand is an effective desire, i.e., a desire which is backed by willingness and ability to pay for a commodity in order to obtain it. In the words, “Demand means the various quantities of a good that consumer willing and able to purchase at various price during a particular period of time in a given place/market”. Thus, demand in economics implies both the desire to purchase and the ability to pay for a good.
5.2. Definitions
1. According to Prof. J M Keynes, “emphasized the importance of effective demand, which is the total amount of goods and services that consumers are willing and able to purchase at various price levels, taking into account their income and other factors”.
2. According to Alfred Marshall, “the amount demanded of a commodity is the amount that buyers are able and willing to purchase at a given price in a given time period.”
3. According to John Maynard Keynes: “demand as the total amount of goods and services that individuals, businesses and the government are willing and able to purchase at various price levels”.
4. According to Milton Friedman “demand as the quantity of a good or service that people are willing to buy at a specific price, influenced by their utility and income”.
5. According to Paul Samuelson “demand as the quantity of a product that consumers are willing to buy at different prices, holding other factors constant”.

ABSTRACT

Kadayampatty Panchayat Union is situated in the northern part of Salem district, adjoining the Dharmapuri district of Tamil nadu. It lies between the latitudes 11°45’ -12°N and longitudes 78° -78°15’E in the Toposheet No.58I/1. The study area mainly consists of the rocks of late Precambrian age that are characterised by migmatitic gneisses, Ultramafic rocks and Pyroxenite. In this study an attempt has been made for demarcating groundwater techniques. Resistivity of rock formation varies over a wide range, depending on the material density, porosity, pore size and shape, water content, quality and temperature. In relatively porous, highly jointed and fractured formation the resistivity is controlled more by water content and quality with in the formation then by the rock resistivity. For demarcating groundwater potential zones in the Kadayampatty Panchayat Union water table analysis and ten Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) followed by Schlumberger electrode configuration were carried out. The maximum depth of investigation was 150mts. The electrode spreads were generally in steps of five meters interval up to 50 mts and 10 mts interval up to 150 mts. VES location were selected with in the study area with respect to their topographic features. Inverslope method proposed by Sankaranarayan (1974) et.al has been used to evaluate the geoelectrical parameters in order to demarcate to potential groundwater zones for new dug well and bore well locations. The lithological interpretation reveals that the presence of a maximum of five geoelectrical formations in the study area viz. Topsoil, weathered zone, fissure and fractured zone, fracture basement and fresh basement. Howevers all five formations do not occur throughout the study area, as the maximum and minimum of geoelectric layers are four and three respectively. Similarly a thin geoelectric layer was observed in some places also. The comparatively high resistivity values with corresponding high values of thickness are indicative of a wide stretch of unweathered and unfractured fresh rock layers. A highly weathered (saturated) basement is indicated by the extremely low resistivity value. The depth to the fresh basement varies.

Features of Democracy

Democracy is a form of government in which the people have the power to participate in the decision-making process. There are several features of democracy which can helps in the determination of working of Government. The features of democracy ensure that the government is accountable to the people, and that individual rights are protected. These are explained below:

• Free and fair elections: Elections are the cornerstone of democracy, and free and fair elections are crucial to ensuring that the people have a say in the government.
• Rule of law: The rule of law means that everyone, including the government, is subject to the law. This principle ensures that no one is above the law, and that everyone is held accountable for their actions.
• Protection of individual rights: Democracies protect the individual rights of their citizens, including freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, freedom of religion, and freedom of the press.
• Separation of powers: Democracies typically have a system of checks and balances that prevents any one branch of government from becoming too powerful. This separation of powers ensures that no one person or group has too much control.

The word ‘Democracy’ is derived from the Greek roots ‘demos’ meaning the people and ‘kratos’ meaning authority i.e. in democracy, all authority originates from the people. Decentralisation means distribution of functions and powers from a central authority to regional and local authorities. Democratic Decentralisation in the present context means that the Government which has derived its authority from the people, redistributes it to some extent to the people, for decision and action at the local level. This is popularly known as PANCHAYATI RAJ in India. It was thought that Panchayati Raj would emerge as a system of democratic local self- Government, discharging developmental municipal and ultimately, regulatory functions.

Etiology

Demodecosis is caused by Demodex species follicular mite with increased numbers. But, it is generally caused by Demodex canis. It is divided into two forms – juvenile and adult forms. The juvenile form is more common. This condition may be localized or generalized in nature.

True/False

Q.1.    Demographic data and vital statistics are important tools for researchers, epidemiologists, health planners and health professionals.
Q.2.    The distribution of people across different geographic regions is known as population density.

Introduction

Agriculture is the back bone of Indian economy. About 18.8 percent (2021-22) of the national income originates from the agriculture sector. Approximately 60 percent of India’s population is directly or indirectly dependent on agriculture for livelihood. A large number of important industries like jute, textiles, edible oils, tobacco, sugar etc. receive the raw materials produced by agriculture sector. India occupies second position in the production of fruits and vegetables in the world after China (National Horticulture Database 2019 2020) It is grown almost in all the states of the country.

Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis) like all other Brassicaceae family crops has descended through introgression, mutation, human selection and adaptation from a single wild predecessor Brassica oleracea L. var. sylvestris which is still found growing in western and southern Europe and North Africa. The name cauliflower consists of two Latin words namely ‘caulis’ means cabbage and ‘floris’ means flower. It is grown throughout the country for its highly suppressed ‘prefloral fleshy apical meristem’ called “Curd” which is used as vegetable, soup and for pickling (Choudhury, 2006). Cauliflower is the pride of cole crops because of its good taste, flavour and nutritional value. It contains good amount of vitamins like vitamin A, vitamin C and fair amount of proteins and fibers. The cauliflower is also a good source of minerals like Ca, Mg, P, Fe, Na, and S.

The demographic transition theory is one of the most important population theories which is the best documented by the data and statistics of recent demographic history. In its original form, the demographic transition theory was put forward by W. S. Thompson (1929) and Frank W. Notestein (1945). These scholars based their statements and arguments on the trends in fertility and mortality, being experienced in Europe, North America and Australia.

The theory postulates a particular pattern of demographic change from a high fertility and high mortality to a low fertility and low mortality when a society progresses from a largely rural agrarian and illiterate society to a dominantly urban, industrial, literate and modern society. The three very clearly stated hypotheses involved in the process are:

1. The decline in mortality comes before the decline in fertility.
2. The fertility eventually declines to match mortality and
3. Socio - economic transformation of society takes place simultaneously with its demographic transformation.

In the present – day world, as would true of any point in time, different countries of the world are at different stages of the demographic transition. In the opinion of Trewartha, this is largely due to the dual nature of man. According to him, biologically, man is same everywhere and is engaged in the process of reproduction but culturally man differs from one part of the world to another. It is the cultural diversity of man that gives rise to varying fertility patterns in different areas resulting in different stages of demographic transition.

The demographic transition theory is characterized by conspicuous transition stages. The transition from high birth and death rates to low rates can be divided into stages. In the words of E.G. Dolan, “Demographic transition refers to a population cycle that begins with a fall in the death rate continues with a phase of rapid population growth and concludes with a decline in birth rate”.

Abstract

Population of Rajasthan as per Census 2011 is 68,621,012 persons which is much higher than census 2001 that records 56,507,188. It includes 12 districts of Rajasthan. Western Rajasthan covers about 61% area of the total geographical area and 39.51% population of the total population of the Rajasthan. The growth rate of population is much higher than that of the Rajasthan State. In the census 1981 Western Rajasthan had registered a phenomenal increase of 35.48 per cent over 1971 population. Regional pattern of growth rate in western Rajasthan shows that extreme hot arid region district (Barmer) is on top having 32.55 per cent growth rate whereas Indira Gandhi Canal Region (Ganganagar) district has least population growth of 10.06 per cent only. In 1981, the average urban growth rate had been 54.52 per cent. In 2001, the rural density of population was 83 persons per sq. km.

Experiment - 1
 
Aim: Molecular analysis of putative transformed plants by Polymerase Chain Reaction

The expression of transgenes are not identified at that time but it can be achieved through DNA analysis of that plant. The presence of transgene are generally identified of PCR-based detection followed by gel electrophoresis and comparison with standard samples. The main achievement of PCR-based detection is that it is very sensitive. The Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) provides a rapid and sensitive method to amplify a specific gene sequence. 

Electrophoresis is a method used to separate charged particles from one another based on differences in their migration speed. In the course of electrophoresis, two electrodes (typically made of an inert metal, e.g. platinum) are immersed in two separate buffer chambers. Gel electrophoresis is a technique used to separate molecules based on physical characteristics such as size, shape, or isoelectric point. A gel is composed of agarose or polyacrylamide. Agarose is used for separating DNA fragments in size range of 100bp to 20kb. Polyacrylamide is preferred for smaller DNA fragments. Separation is achieved by moving the negatively charged nucleic acid molecules through agarose matrix with an electric field. Rate of migration of DNA molecules is inversely proportional to their molecular weight. Smaller molecules move faster than larger ones. But conformation of the DNA molecule is also an important factor. Conformations of a DNA plasmid that has not been cut with a restriction enzyme will move with different speeds such as: supercoiled plasmid DNA will move fastest followed by linearised DNA, while open circular DNA will move at the slowest pace. To visualise DNA, gels are stained with ethidium bromide which intercalates in DNA and fluorescse under UV.

Experiment- 1

Aim: Direct DNA delivery to Plant by Particle Bombardment
 
In direct gene transfer method, the foreign gene of interest is delivered into the host plant cell without the help of vector. Klein and Coworkers (1987) evolved a procedure through which the delivery of DNA into cells of intact plant organs or cultured cells is done by a process called Projectile Bombardment. The microprojection (Small and high density particles) are accelerated to high velocity by particle gun apperatus. These particles with very high kinetic energy penetrate the cells and membranes and transmit foreign desired DNA inside of the bombardment cells.

Experiment - 1 
Aim: Mobilization of recombinant Ti plasmid (with gene of interest) from  
(E. coli) to an Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain. 

Principle: Due to ease of cloning and harvesting plasmids, E. coli is most popular for maintenance of plant transformation vectors. Consequently, the plant transformation vector with cloned gene of interest is mobilized to recipient Agrobacterium strain harbouring vir plasmid. Plasmid are closed, circular DNA molecules that are able for autonomous replication with a host cell. 

Experiment - 1

Aim: Isolation of plant genomic DNA through modified CTAB method

Principle: Genomic DNA is extracted from plant material requires cell lysis, inactivation of cellular nucleases and separation of the desired genomic DNA from cellular debris. Ideal lysis method is rigorous enough to disrupt the complex starting material (plant tissue), yet gentle enough to preserve the target nucleic acid. The cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) procedure is sufficient for the extraction and purification of DNA from plants and plant derived food stuff.  This is particularly suitable for the elimination of polysaccharides and polyphenolic compounds otherwise affecting the DNA purity and hence quality.

Koch‘s Postulates (Pathogenicity test)

Robert Koch developed the following postulates in 1883 on the basis of which an organism could be attributed to be the cause of a specific disease.

i)Recognition: The suspected organism must be found in every case of disease (Presence of organism in the diseased tissues).

ii)Isolation: The organism must be isolated in pure culture from every case of disease (Isolation in pure form).

iii)Inoculation: The isolated pure culture when introduced into the same species or variety of susceptible host must be capable of reproducing the original disease with its typical symptoms (Pathogenicity).

iv)Re-isolation: The organism must be re-isolated from the artificially infected host and its characteristics must be exactly like those observed in step 2 (This step was added by E.F. Smith).

If all the postulates are proved true, then the isolated pathogen is identified as the actual causal organism responsible for the disease.

Object: Demonstration of leaf anatomy or structure of C₃ and C₄ Plants (demonstration by already prepared slides).

Material required: Already prepared slides of corn and wheat leaves and microscope.

A large population of endocrine cells secrete the same chemical messengers (bio-active animals and regulatory peptides) as do the neurons and therefore these endocrine dells are referred as “Paraneurons”.
However these messengers are not used as neurotransmitters, rather they are released into blood circulation and interstitial fluid as hormones/chemical mediators to act on the target cells in endocrine or paracrine manner. This subset of endocrine cells forms the “Neuroendocrine system” and its synonyms are the “diffuse neuroendocrine system (DNES)”, “APUD (amine precursor uptake and decarboxylation) cell system” and the “regulatory peptide secreting cell system”. The DNES consists of cell populations scattered throughout the body either to form a coherent tissue in some organs (e.g. anterior pituitary, pancreatic islets, adrenal medulla) or to form a diffuse scatter of single cells or group of 2-3 cells within the stroma of the other organs (e.g. C cells of thyroid, intra-epithelial endocrine cells of the gut, airway and urinogenital system, chief cells of parathyroid, glomus cells of carotid body, melanocytes of skin, some cells of pineal gland and placenta, modified cardiac myocytes, hypothalamic neurons synthesizing oxytocin and vasopressin as well as neurons synthesizing releasing factors controlling the secretion of hormones by the adenohyposis etc.). These cells synthesize and store the hormones in their secretion granules as neurosecretory granules which have characteristic ultrastructural morphology.
The cells of the DNES can be identified by: (i) the ultrastructural morphology of the cells and their secretion granules, (ii) the empirical histochemical staining techniques which stain the neurosecretory granules, (iii) the novel current day, immunohistochemical techniques, or more aptly (iv) a combination of

Dendrobium is a huge genus of orchids. It was established by Olof Swartz in 1799. The name is from the Greek word “Dendron” means “tree” and “bios” means “life”; it means “one who lives on trees”, or essentially, “epiphyte”. The truly spectacular genus Dendrobium contains the largest diversity of horticulturally interesting specimens. More than 1,000 natural species make dendrobium the second-largest orchid genus. Dendrobiums are among the most commonly encountered orchids in the retail trade. Flowers are very long-lasting both on the plant and once cut, looking fresh for up to three weeks or more. Faded flowers on the bottom of the stem can be removed to encourage upper buds to open. Dendrobiums are sturdy orchids that can add a focal point to any room.

Dendrobium is a huge genus of orchids. It was established by Olof Swartz in 1799. The name is from the Greek word “Dendron” means “tree” and “bios” means “life”; it means “one who lives on trees”, or essentially, “epiphyte”. The truly spectacular genus Dendrobium contains the largest diversity of horticulturally interesting specimens. More than 1,000 natural species make dendrobium the second-largest orchid genus. Dendrobiums are among the most commonly encountered orchids in the retail trade. Flowers are very long-lasting both on the plant and once cut, looking fresh for up to three weeks or more. Faded flowers on the bottom of the stem can be removed to encourage upper buds to open. Dendrobiums are sturdy orchids that can add a focal point to any room.

ORIGIN AND DISTRIBUTION

Dendrobiums are originally from Southeast Asia. The geographic distribution is from India through China, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines and the islands of the South Pacific with the largest diversity in New Guinea. Dendrobium species are either epiphytic or occasionally lithophytic. They have adapted to a wide variety of habitats from the high altitudes in the Himalayan mountains to lowland tropical forests and even to the dry climate of the Australian desert.

Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral disease and considered to be a major health problem globally. It is also called break-bone fever, dandy fever, denguero bouquet fever, giraffe fever, Polka fever and 5 days or 7 days fever. There are two important manifestations, namely dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) and dengue shock syndrome (DSS) which are responsible for heavy morbidity and mortality every year causing serious concern to health. It is an important disease caused by an arbovirus worldwide especially in the tropical and subtropical regions. The severity of the disease can be judged from simple statistics that over 40 per cent (2.5 billion) of the world's population in 100 countries continue to live under threat of contracting dengue infection. Annually, dengue virus infections are responsible for up to 100 million cases of dengue fever and more than 500,000 cases of haemorrhagic fever. Besides, every year the disease forces nearly 500,000 people to hospitalization of which 90% are children and causing 24,000 deaths. Mostly these deaths are due to lack of early diagnosis of dengue virus infection. In DHF case fatality rate generally exceeds 20 per cent in a non-endemic population and it can be reduced to less than 1 per cent with the aid of modern supportive therapy based on early diagnosis of the type of viral infection.

Dengue fever (DF) is an acute febrile viral disease characterized by headaches, bone or joint and muscular pains, rash and leucopenia as symptoms. Dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) is characterized by four major clinical manifestations: high fever, haemorrhagic phenomena, 73 often with hepatomegaly and in severe cases, signs of circulatory failure. Such patients may develop hypovolaemic shock resulting from plasma leakage. This is called dengue shock syndrome (DSS) and can be fatal.

The year 2001 witnessed unprecedented global dengue epidemic activity in the American hemisphere, the Pacific Islands and continental Asia. During 2002, more than 30 Latin American countries reported over 1 million DF cases with large number of DHF cases. This has been followed by extensive epidemics of DHF in several parts of India during 2003.

Dengue fever (DF) is caused by ingestion of viraemic blood containing dengue virus by mosquitoes of Aedes sp. followed by passage to a second human host. An extrinsic incubation period is required before the virus appears in the saliva of the transmitting female Aedes mosquitoes. After the bite, there is an incubation period of 3 to 14 days (average 4 to 7 days) followed by the onset of fever and nonspecific signs and symptoms (frontal headache, retro-orbital pain, body aches, nausea and vomiting, joint pains, weakness and rash). The febrile phase is self limiting and may last for 2 to 10 days followed by remission of fever in most cases. Laboratory abnormalities include neutropenia followed by a lymphocytosis and thrombocytopenia.

Introduction

The various reactions of nitrogen (N₂) cycle, transform one form of the element to another. Mineralization liberates nitrogen in inorganic form, immobilization converts its back to an unavailable state, while nitrification changes the nitrogen from a reduced to oxidized state. Certain transformations of nitrogen lead to a net loss of element from the soil through volatilization. For the purpose of crop production, nitrogen volatilization has a deleterious influence because it depletes part of soils reserve of an essential nutrient. The sequence of steps that results in gaseous loss is called denitrification. So denitrification refers to the reduction of nitrates and nitrites to gaseous nitrogen products, principally di-nitrogen and nitrous oxide, coupled to energy production through oxidative phosphorylation.

10.1 Introduction

Biomass fuels are a potential source of renewable energy. One of the major barriers to their widespread use is that biomass has a lower energy content than traditional fossils fuels, which means that more fuel is required to get the same amount of energy. When combined — low energy content with low density -the volume of biomass handled increases enormously. Compaction or densification is one way to increase the energy density and overcome handling difficulties.

Densification means compaction of loose material or to increase density of loose biomass so that its volumetric efficiency can be increased. Densification essentially involves two parts; the compaction under pressure of loose material to reduce its volume and to agglomerate the material so that the product remains in the compressed state. The resulting solid may be a briquette, a pellet and a cube. It will be briquettes if roughly, it has a diameter greater than 30 mm. Smaller sizes are normally termed pellets though the distinction is arbitrary. The process of producing pellets is also different from the typical briquetting processes. The densified product can be developed in the cubical shapes as well.

If the material is compacted with low to moderate pressure (0.2-5 MPa), then the space between particles is reduced. Further, increasing the pressure will, at a certain stage particular to each material, collapse the cell walls of the cellulose constituent, thus approaching the physical, or dry mass and more, density of the material. The pressure required to achieve such high densities are typically 100 MPa plus. This process of compaction is entirely depending on to the pressure exerted on the material and its physical characteristics including its moisture content.

3.1 Determination of Bulk Density of Soil

3.1.1 Determination of Bulk Density of an undisturbed Soil

Bulk density of soil is expressed as the ratio of the mass (weight) of soil particle to their total volume including the pore space between the soil particles. Alternately, it is the weight of unit volume of dry soil. It is usually expressed in the unit of gram per cubic centimeter (g/cc) or mega gram per cubic meter (Mg/m³). In fine textured soil bulk density varies from 1.00 to 1.60 g/cc, whereas in coarse textured soil from 1.20 to 1.80 g/cc.

3.1. Determination of Bulk Density of Soil

3.1.1. Determination of Bulk Density of an Undisturbed Soil

Bulk density of soil is expressed as the ratio of the mass (weight) of soil particle to their total volume including the pore space between the soil particles. Alternately, it is the weight of unit volume of dry soil. It is usually expressed in the unit of gram per cubic centimeter (g/cc) or mega gram per cubic meter (Mg/m³). In fine textured soil bulk density varies from 1.00 to 1.60 g/cc, whereas in coarse textured soil from 1.20 to 1.80 g/cc.

Overview of Inland Fisheries Status

In Thailand, inland capture fisheries are carried out mainly in rivers, lakes, swamps and reservoirs. These fisheries are an important source of animal protein for the rural people. Since 2005, production from inland capture fisheries has increased by almost 13 percent. Gillnets, longlines, hook-and-line, scoop nets, cast nets, and lift nets are some of the fishing gears being used. Among these fishing gears, gillnets are the most popular and efficient, particularly in swamps and reservoirs. Thai silver barb, snakehead, walking catfish, local carps, and Nile tilapia are caught. Nile tilapia, hybrid catfish, silver barb, snakeskin gourami, giant river prawn, striped catfish and striped snake-head contributed 95 percent in quantity and 92 percent in value in fresh water aquaculture.

Sustainable development and efficient management of water is an increasingly complex challenge in India. Increasing population, growing urbanization and rapid industrialization combined with the need for raising agricultural production generates competing claims for water. Ground water has an important role in meeting the water requirements of agriculture, industrial and domestic sectors in India. About 85 percent of India’s rural domestic water requirements, 50 percent of its urban water requirements and more than 50 percent of its irrigation requirements are being met from ground water resources. Ground water is annually replenishable resource but its availability is non-uniform in space and time. Technically, the dynamic ground water refers to the quantity of ground water available in the zone of water level fluctuation, which is replenished annually. Hence, the sustainable development of ground water resources warrants precise quantitative assessment based on reasonably valid scientific principles. National Water Policy, 2012 has laid emphasis on periodic assessment of ground water resources on scientific basis. The trends in water availability due to various factors including climate change must also be assessed and accounted for during water resources planning. To meet the increasing demands of water, it advocates direct use of rainfall, desalination and avoidance of inadvertent evapo-transpiration for augmenting utilizable water resources. The National Water Policy, 2012 also states that safe water for drinking and sanitation should be considered as pre-emptive needs followed by high priority allocation for other domestic needs (including needs of animals), achieving food security, supporting sustenance agriculture and minimum eco-system needs. Available water, after meeting the above needs should be allocated in a manner to promote its conservation and efficient use.

1. Introduction

The Indian economy is heavily dependent on agriculture (employing 53 % population). Around 84 % of the holdings are less than 2 ha while approximately 67% of the farms have less than 1 ha of operational farmland (Government of India, 2013; Pandey and Suganthi, 2015). A large fraction of the farming population is mostly reliant on monsoon rains for irrigation. The condition of the farmers is found to be deteriorating year after year with the revelation that 27% of farmers did not consider farming as a profitable enterprise and 40% were ready to migrate to other avenues for employment (NSSO, 2005; Pandey and Suganthi, 2015). 

Individuals suffering from the more pronounced types of mental disorder are sometimes said to be insane, but the term insanity is a legal one, not a medical term. An insane person is one who cannot distinguish right from wrong or assume responsibilities for his own actions. In the case of a psychotic patient the whole personality is involved. And he is completely out of touch with real world around. Not so the neurotic patient. Only a small part of his personality is involved. Psychotic patients often require hospitalization; neurotic patients rarely do, unless they have some additional physical problem.

Another distinction between these two major groups is that his friends usually bring the psychotic patient to the doctor, while the neurotic comes of his own accord. He knows he is sick, and he usually wants help. Most often he is suffering from a nervous depression.

Dermatophilus congolensis was first described from clinical case of exudative dermatitis in cattle in Congo by Van Saceghem (Van Saceghem, 1915). It is primarily known as an animal pathogen causing acute, sub acute or chronic skin disease. The first cases of human infection with D. congolensis were reported in 1961 in four people who developed skin infection after handling an infected deer in a wildlife reserve in USA (Dean et al., 1961).

Properties of genus

1.   Morphology

Dermatophilus is a gram positive, non-acid fast, unusual bacterium having branched filaments. It follows a life cycle with different morphological features. It can be found in smears prepared from clinical samples in any form of its life cycle. Young filaments are 0.5 to 1.5 μm in diameter.  They enlarge within epidermis as they produce layers of transverse and longitudinal septations and reach 5 to 8 μm in diameter, surrounded by a mucoid capsule. The septations result in the formation of a sporangia (a kind of fungal fruiting body, sac like structure with spores) containing up to eight cocci cells. In the presence of liquid, the cocci are released and converted into flagellated motile zoospores, the infective form of the organism. It can infect the new site in the same animal or new host. These zoospores become visible in smear as parallel lines forming a ‘railway-track’ or ‘trum-track’ appearance (Fig.1). Under favourable conditions, the zoospores form germ tubes that develop into branching filaments. These filaments are the invasive form of the organism and the cycle is repeated.

Dermatophylaceae is a group of bacteria with mycelial filaments which divide transversely and in at least two longitudinal planes to form masses of coccoid or cuboidal cells, which characteristically become motile. They are gram positive, non acid fast, aerobic and produce aerial mycelium when their growths are stimulated by 10% CO2. Dermatophilus congolensis, Dermatophilus  dermatonomus and Dermatophilus pedis are the pathogens causing variety of skin lesions in mammals, including man. Dermatophilus congolensis causes very severe clinical disease and its infection is most common in tropical and subtropical regions.
Diseases caused by Dermatophilus species
Dermatophilus congolensis mainly affects Cattle, horses, sheep and goats, but many animal species and man can be infected.The disease has many names;
Cattle : Streptothricosis or Dermatophilosis
Horse : Skin Funk (Rain Rot, Rain Scald, Dew Poisoning), Grease heal
Sheep: Mycotic dermatitis (general infection), lumpy wool (wool- covered skin) and strawberry foot rot (skin of lower leg and coronet
Natural Habitat
Dermatophilus congolensis is the only species in the genus is thought to maintain itself in small foci of infection on a carrier animal or within scab particles in dust. It can survive in scab material for period’s upto 3 years.
History
Bovine disease was first described by Van Saceghem in 1915 in the Congo now known as Zaire in Africa.

It is a fungal infection of skin and the term favus is used for the disease in poultry. The disease is world wide in distribution.

Etiology

Microsporum gallinae, a fungus. The fungus is zoonotic. Lesions of ring worm are produced in humans in contact with infected birds.

Etiology

Canine dermatophytosis (canine ring worm) is a relatively common dermatological condition caused by Microsporum canis, Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Microsporum gypseum. These fungi are keratinophilic in nature. It can occur mostly in the face and forelegs.

In the classification given below only those groups have been given emphasis which contain plant pathogenic fungi or which are important from taxonomic point of view. The description includes only critical features.

Vero (monkey, African green, kidney) 
Morphology: Fibroblast
Species:, African green monkey 
Tissue: Kidney

Properties: Virology, virus titration, virus replication, plaque assays, bacterial cytotoxicity

Introduction

Flowering plants (Angiosperms) are identified by their morphological characteristics like flower, fruit and seeds that help their taxonomic characterization into different species, genera, families and orders. The floral characters which are used for taxonomic characterization of plants include the type of inflorescences, perianth structure, floral symmetry, arrangement of floral leaves, type of androecium, stamens, gynoecium, carpel, ovule, etc. The type of fruit and seed also play important roles in taxonomic classification. In this chapter we will briefly discuss about various morphological features of flowering plants (in botanical terms) that are useful in taxonomy.

Nomenclature of Plant

Nomenclature of plant is the formal and scientific naming of plants. It is related to but distinct from taxonomy for grouping and classifying plants and provide botanical name.

The scientific/botanical nomenclature started with Species Plantarum by Carolus Linnaeus in 1753. Botanical nomenclature is governed by the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (ICN), which replaces the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature (ICBN).

ICBN and ICN

International Code of Botanical Nomenclature, (ICBN) was adopted by the VIIth International Botanical Congress held in Stockholm, July1950. While the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (ICN) was adopted by the XVIIIth International Botanical Congress held in Melbourne, Australia in July 2011.