Large survey dataset of rice production practices applied by farmers on their largest farm plot during 2018 in India.

This dataset provides detailed information on rice production practices being applied by farmers during 2018 rainy season in India. Data was collected through computer-assisted personal interview of farmers using the digital platform Open Data Kit (ODK). The dataset, n = 8355, covers eight Indian states, viz., Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Odisha, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. Sampling frames were constructed separately for each district within states and farmers were selected randomly. The survey was deployed in 49 districts with a maximum of 210 interviews per district. The digital survey form was available on mobile phones of trained enumerators and was designed to minimize data entry errors. Each survey captured approximately 225 variables around rice production practices of farmers' largest plot starting with land preparation, establishment method, crop variety and planting time through to crop yield. Detailed modules captured fertilizer application, irrigation, weed management, biotic and abiotic stresses. Additional information was gathered on household demographics and marketing. Geo-points were recorded for each surveyed plot with an accuracy of <10 m. This dataset is generated to bridge a data-gap in the national system and generates information about the adoption of technologies, as well as enabling prediction and other analytics. It can potentially be the basis for evidence-based agriculture programming by policy makers.

Genetic diversity studies in pea (Pisum sativum L.) using simple sequence repeat markers.

The genetic diversity among 28 pea (Pisum sativum L.) genotypes was analyzed using 32 simple sequence repeat markers. A total of 44 polymorphic bands, with an average of 2.1 bands per primer, were obtained. The polymorphism information content ranged from 0.657 to 0.309 with an average of 0.493. The variation in genetic diversity among these cultivars ranged from 0.11 to 0.73. Cluster analysis based on Jaccard's similarity coefficient using the unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) revealed 2 distinct clusters, I and II, comprising 6 and 22 genotypes, respectively. Cluster II was further differentiated into 2 subclusters, IIA and IIB, with 12 and 10 genotypes, respectively. Principal component (PC) analysis revealed results similar to those of UPGMA. The first, second, and third PCs contributed 21.6, 16.1, and 14.0% of the variation, respectively; cumulative variation of the first 3 PCs was 51.7%.

Validation of a HPLC method for simultaneous determination of five sunscreens in lotion preparation.

The aim of this research was to develop and validate a high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method for simultaneous determination of five sunscreens, namely benzophenone-3 (B-3), butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane (BM), octyl methoxycinnamate (OM), octyl salicylate (OS) and homosalate (HS). The separation and quantitative determination was made by HPLC at 40 +/-1 degrees C with a gradient elution from 10% to 100% mobile phase B in mobile phase A. The gradient liquid chromatographic system constituted of mobile phase A [acetonitrile : water (10 : 90 v/v)] and mobile phase B [acetonitrile : water (90 : 10 v/v)], at a flow rate of 1.0 mL min(-1) and ultraviolet detection at 310 nm. The separation was obtained with two Waters reversed phase columns: Novapack C-18 and Symmetry((R)) C-18 connected in series. All sunscreens were efficiently separated within 17 min. The coefficient of correlation and average recovery for B-3, BM, OM, OS and HS were 0.9798 and 98.5%, 0.9672 and 98.8%, 0.9922 and 99.1%, 0.9961 and 98.9% and 0.9909 and 99.4% respectively. The relative standard deviations obtained were between 1.07% and 2.44%. The excipients did not interfere in the analysis. The results showed that the proposed method could be used for rapid and simultaneous determination of B-3, BM, OM, OS and HS in sunscreen lotions with precision, accuracy and specificity.

Development and validation of a chiral liquid chromatographic method for the determination of atenolol and metoprolol enantiomers in tablet preparations.

Atenolol (AT) and metoprolol (MT) are predominantly used in the treatment of angina pectoris, certain arrhythmias, systemic hypertension, and several other cardiovascular disorders. Both compounds are produced commercially in the racemic form, although the S-form is responsible for the desired biological effect. This paper describes a simple, rapid, precise, and accurate method for separating the enantiomers of AT and MT. AT isomers are separated by using a Chiralcel OD column (250 x 4.6 mm, 10 microm), hexane-ethanoldiethylamine-acetic acid (60 + 40 + 0.2 + 0.2, v/v/v/v) as the mobile phase, and a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. MT isomers are separated by using a mobile phase with the same components in the following proportions (40 + 60 + 0.2 + 0.2, v/v/v/v) and a flow rate of 0.8 mL/min. Ultraviolet detection was at 276 nm for both analytes. The coefficients of variation (CVs) and average recoveries (ARs) for the R-enantiomers in samples A, B, C, D, and E were 1.15 and 101.06%, 0.74 and 99.25%, 1.05 and 102.57%, 0.84 and 101.57%, and 0.86 and 98.62%, respectively. The CVs and ARs for the S-enantiomers in samples A, B, C, D, and E were 1.33 and 98.87%, 0.99 and 100.76%, 1.17 and 101.69%, 1.26 and 100.39%, and 1.40 and 99.39%, respectively. The standard curves of R-AT, S-AT, R-MT, and S-MT showed good linearity over the concentration range studied with correlation coefficients of 0.9991, 0.998, 0.9988, and 0.999, respectively.

Status of respiration and ATP content in arsenite resistant Leishmania mexicana amazonensis.

Cellular ATP and rate of respiration are important for the cell survival. We have analyzed both the parameters in wild type and arsenite resistant Leishmania mexicana amazonensis. There was no significant change observed in the rate of respiration and cellular ATP content between drug resistant cells (resistance to 30 microM of sodium arsenite) and wild type cells. Further, we have tested the effect of higher concentrations (i.e. 100 microM and 500 microM) of sodium arsenite on the ATP content of the cells. An elevated level of ATP was observed only in wild type cells after short term exposure (2 h) to 100 microM of the drug, whereas, drug resistant cells initially resist with higher toxic dosage of drug (i.e. 500 microM) but failed to maintain the normal ATP level. In conclusion, respiration and ATP is not a prime event associated with drug resistance in Leishmania. Resistance to metals like arsenic and antimony in Leishmania is multifactorial events.

Conditions for the production of jadomycin B by Streptomyces venezuelae ISP5230: effects of heat shock, ethanol treatment and phage infection.

The novel benzoxazolophenanthridine antibiotic, jadomycin B, is produced by Streptomyces venezuelae ISP5230 following a 42 degrees C heat shock or exposure to ethanol. To further characterize these unusual culture conditions, studies were carried out using different media, varying nutrient content and concentrations, initial pH, and time of application of heat or ethanol stress. Highest titers of jadomycin B accumulated 48 h after S. venezuelae ISP5230 was inoculated into a D-galactose-L-isoleucine production medium (pH 7.5) which was supplemented with ethanol (6%, v/v) between 6 and 13 h. Cultures supplemented with ethanol later than 17 h post inoculation into the production medium produced little or no jadomycin B. Among other heat-shock inducing treatments examined, infection with phage SV1 was associated with increased jadomycin B production. Although jadomycin B titers showed little change with variations in the concentration of phosphate in the production medium, the nature of the nitrogen source was found to be important. Different colored pigments, presumed to be jadomycin B analogs, were formed when other amino acids replaced L-isoleucine in the medium as the sole nitrogen source. Increased jadomycin B titers accompanied increased L-isoleucine and D-galactose concentrations in the production medium.