A variable-based approach to the design, development, implementation and institutionalization of information systems in the forest sector

Global concern for improving governance in the forest sectorhas encouraged funding agencies and governments to spend millionsof dollars to harness the potential of computer-based informationsystems (IS) in improving the delivery of goods and servicesto stakeholders. Though design methodologies being used fordeveloping IS are technically sound and well established, stillthese systems are not being accepted by all the user groups.This has necessitated research on improvement of design methodologiesand related aspects. The present paper examines the successof an IS introduced in the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department in2002 in relation to 13 factors such as training, resource allocationand support of top management. The most important factors responsiblefor the success of an IS were found to be perceived usefulnessof the IS and resource allocation. A variable-based approachsuperimposed on existing design methodologies is expected toimprove the design, development, implementation and institutionalizationof IS in the forest sector.     

New gingerdione from the rhizomes of Zingiber officinale

A new gingerdione has been isolated from the rhizomes of Zingiber officinale and identified as 1-dehydrogingerdione (1).     

Development of a technique for in vitro unpollinated ovary culture in rice, Oryza sativa L.

A simple and efficient technique for in vitro unpollinated ovary culture in rice which is also applicable for indica genotypes was developed for breeding and genetic studies. Sampling explants at the auricle distance of 7–12 cm between the two uppermost leaves of a tiller, providing a chilling pretreatment and ovaries with 1/3 of the hulls intact gave optimum response to culture. For callus induction with the spontaneous breaking of ovaries, N₆ media supplemented with NAA (2 mg/l) and DMSO (0.6–0.8%) gave a mean PCI value of 3.8% and range of 0.8–12.5% among genotypes. Media combining 2,4,5-T or 2,4-D with NAA in N₆ medium also has reasonably good callus induction. For calli induced inside, 2,4-D (0.2–0.5 mg/l), NAA (2 mg/l) and KT (1 mg/l) contained media were superior. The maximum green plant regeneration (PPR) of 77.3% was found with the medium containing NAA 0.25 mg/l, IAA 0.5 mg/l and KT 2.0 mg/l. Significant genotype, medium and their interaction effects for per cent ovary survival and callus induction were observed. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effect of dietary Houttuynia cordata leaf meal and leaf extract on the growth performance,nutrient utilization and expression of IGF‐I gene in Labeo rohita

A 60‐day feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of feeding Houttuynia cordata leaf meal and extract on the growth performance, nutrient utilization and expression of insulin‐like growth factor‐I (IGF‐I) in Labeo rohita fingerlings. Two hundred seventy fingerlings were randomly distributed in six experimental groups in triplicates. Six isonitrogenous (350 g/kg CP) and isocaloric (17 MJ/kg DE) diets were prepared with graded levels of leaf meal (LM) and leaf extract (LE), namely C (control, without LE and LM), LE‐0.25 (2.5 g/kg LE), LE‐0.5 (5 g/kg LE), LE‐1.0 (10 g/kg LE), LM‐1.0 (10 g/kg LM) and LM‐2.0 (20 g/kg LM). Significantly (p < 0.05) higher IGF‐I expression, weight gain %, specific growth rate and lower feed conversion ratio were observed in LM‐1.0 followed by LE‐1.0 group compared to control group. Higher protease activity was observed in LE‐1.0 compared to other experimental groups, while no significant changes were found for amylase and lipase activities. Compared to control, muscle alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase activities were significantly higher in treatment groups except for LM‐2.0. These results suggest that either LE‐1.0 or LM‐1.0 can be supplemented in the diet to improve the growth of L. rohita. However, the supplementation of 10 g H. cordata leaf meal/kg feed can be the better option considering the cost of extraction.     

Production of Drought and Salt Tolerant Transgenic Cereal Plants

Genetic transformation of cereal plants is a powerful method for producing agronomically useful transgenic plants. Salt and drought stress result in substantial yield losses, which amounts to many billions of dollars each     

Development of an Aegilops longissima substitution line with improved bread-making quality

This study focuses on the effect of Aegilops longissima on wheat bread making quality. Chromosome 1S^l disomic addition line of Ae. longissima (DAL1S^l) had significantly higher dough strength, grain hardness, mixographic peak height, band width, and unextractable polymeric protein content compared with wheat. DAL1S^l also had additional glutenin and gliadin proteins contributed by Ae. longissima. The larger size of 1S^l coded HMW-GSs sequenced from DAL1S^l and their phylogenetic similarity to the D-genome-coded subunits were suspected to be one of the major reasons for the increased dough strength of DAL1S^l. To transfer the chromosome 1S^l genes responsible for the good bread-making quality to wheat, we generated a chromosome-specific disomic substitution line [DSL1S^l(1A)] by crossing DAL1S^l with nulli 1A tetra 1B genetic stock and further selection. Grain quality analysis revealed significantly lower grain hardness and significantly higher dough strength, farinograph development time, stability time, gluten index, bread loaf volume, and bread quality score in DSL1S^l(1A), compared with wheat. However, the increased bread loaf volume and quality were not proportional to the relatively higher increases in dough strength and gluten index, indicating importance of other traits influencing bread making quality. The presence of a minor hardness locus on chromosome 1A is speculated.     

Thermal burns of the spectacle associated with supplementary heating in native New Zealand geckos

ABSTRACT

Case history: Gradual onset of ocular opacity was observed in three gold-striped geckos (Woodworthia chrysosiretica), and five Pacific geckos (Dactylocnemis pacificus) held in two adjacent terrariums in a zoological institution located in the North Island of New Zealand. Ultraviolet light and heat had been provided for the previous 3–4 years by a fluorescent bulb, but in the last 4 weeks of winter a ceramic heat bulb had been added, situated 10?cm above the upper mesh of the cage

Clinical findings: All eight geckos presented with mostly bilateral lesions of varying severity confined to the central or upper quadrant of the spectacles. These lesions ranged from variable areas of opacity within the stroma of the spectacle to similarly distributed ulcers of the surface epithelium of both spectacles. The spectacle lesions in the Pacific geckos responded well to treatment with topical combined antimicrobial therapy, within 18–29 days. The gold-striped geckos suffered complications including dysecdysis, severe spectacle ulceration and perforation, mycotic spectaculitis, and widespread mycotic dermatitis resulting in death or leading to euthanasia.

Pathological findings: In the three gold-striped geckos, there were extensive areas of deep ulceration and replacement of the spectacle with a thick serocellular crust containing large numbers of fungal elements. The affected areas of the stroma were expanded by large deposits of proteinaceous and mucinous material, pyknotic cellular debris and moderate numbers of heterophils and macrophages as well as infiltrating fungal hyphae.

Diagnosis: Mycotic spectaculitis with ulceration and perforation, and disseminated mycotic dermatitis likely secondary to thermal burns.

Clinical relevance: This is the first report of thermal burns of the spectacle in any reptile. There was species variation in the burn severity with gold-striped geckos showing more severe lesions, possibly due to a mix of behavioural and anatomical factors. The thermal burns to the spectacles in three cases were complicated by delayed healing, perforation, dysecdysis and severe mycotic infection.     

Fatal levamisole toxicosis of captive kiwi (Apteryx mantelli)

CASE HISTORY: Nine of 24 captive kiwi treated with oral levamisole at a dose between 25–43 mg/kg showed signs of respiratory distress. Six died within 4 h of treatment and the remaining three made a full recovery within 24 h.

CLINICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS: Within 3–4 h of treatment, the affected birds had an elevated respiratory rate, mucoid nasal discharge and rapidly became comatose. Post mortem examination revealed accumulation of thick mucus in the oral cavity and trachea. There was severe pulmonary congestion and oedema and early bronchopneumonia in the lungs of five of the birds. In two birds, there was acute hepatic degeneration and necrosis and one bird had acute pancreatic degeneration and necrosis.

DIAGNOSIS: Acute levamisole toxicity.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Kiwi were acutely sensitive to levamisole toxicity at doses that are well within the safe range for domestic poultry. Levamisole should not be used as an anthelmintic in kiwi.