•Develops a conceptual model explaining of government action or inaction on planned relocation of vulnerable populations.•Reports on new data on perceptions of policy-makers and planners on decisions ...to invest in planned relocation.•West Bengal cases demonstrate both action and inaction for relocation of vulnerable communities.•Planned relocation decisions will become more salient with projected climate changes in coastal and lowland regions.
Planned relocation has been shown to have significant impacts on the livelihoods and wellbeing of people and communities, whether the resettlement process is inclusive or coercive. For states, planned relocation represents risks to those communities but also to government investments and political legitimacy. Evaluations of relocations commonly focus on the risks and benefits of government interventions while overlooking the consequences of not intervening. Here we develop a conceptual framework to examine the factors that influence government decision-making about whether or not to undertake planned relocation of populations in the context of environmental change. The study examines planned relocation decisions and non-decisions by government agencies in West Bengal in India for communities seeking relocation due to coastal flooding. It focuses on three localities facing river erosion losing significant land areas in small islands and communities where populations recognize the need for public intervention, but where there has been a diversity of responses from the state authorities. Data are derived from interviews with key respondents involved in planning and implementing relocation and with residents affected by those government decisions (n = 26). These data show that government action is explained by a combination of risk aversion within political systems to avoid perceived negative consequences, and a lack of government accountability. The empirical cases demonstrate the uneven application of action and inaction and the consequent uneven distribution of potential outcomes on populations. The study suggests that while there may be a growing demand for planned relocation in places affected by environmental change, its implementation is likely to be uneven, with profound socioeconomic implications for those living in such localities.
Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, medical students and health-care professionals faced significant challenges, which had a negative impact on their mental health. Aims: This study aimed to ...assess the mental health of male and female undergraduate medical students and the psychological effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants and the Methodologies: After receiving institutional ethical clearance and the informed consent of the participants, this study was carried out on 591 medical students from a peripheral medical college in West Bengal during the first and second waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. At intervals of 6 months, two surveys were conducted. The Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 and Impact of Event Scale-Revised scale scores were evaluated in the Google Forms surveys. Using the t-test and the Chi-square test, the parameters of the two groups of students were compared. Results: On the initial assessment, neither group received a score that was significantly different from the other. Female students had significantly higher anxiety scores than male students on the second assessment. During the second pandemic wave, there was a significant gender difference in anxiety and stress levels (P = 0.001), with females experiencing higher levels of anxiety and stress. Conclusions: During the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, female undergraduate medical students had higher stress and anxiety levels than their male counterparts, according to the current study. Therefore, it is possible to draw the conclusion that the spread of the pandemic had a greater negative impact on the mental health of female undergraduate students.
The SNP-based high-resolution QTL mapping mapped eight major genomic regions harbouring robust QTLs governing seed-Fe and Zn concentrations (39.4% combined phenotypic variation explained/PVE) on six ...chromosomes of an intra-specific high-density genetic linkage map (1.56 cM map-density). 24620 SNPs discovered from genome-wide GBS (genotyping-by-sequencing) and 13 known cloned Fe and Zn contents-related chickpea gene-orthologs were genotyped in a structured population of 92 sequenced desi and kabuli accessions. The large-scale 16591 SNP genotyping- and phenotyping-based GWAS (genome-wide association study) identified 16 genomic loci/genes associated (29% combined PVE) with seed-Fe and Zn concentrations. Of these, 11 trait-associated SNPs in the genes linked tightly with eight QTLs were validated by QTL mapping. The seed-specific expression, including pronounced differential-regulation of 16 trait-associated genes particularly in accessions/mapping individuals with contrasting level of seed-Fe and Zn contents was apparent. Collectively, the aforementioned rapid integrated genomic strategy led to delineate novel functional non-synonymous and regulatory SNP allelic-variants from 16 known/candidate genes, including three strong trait-associated genes (encoding late embryogenesis abundant and yellow stripe-like 1 protein, and vacuolar protein sorting-associated protein) and eight major QTLs regulating seed-Fe and Zn concentrations in chickpea. These essential inputs thus have potential to be deployed in marker-assisted genetic enhancement for developing nutritionally-rich iron/zinc-biofortified chickpea cultivars.
Microgreens have been used for raw consumption and are generally viewed as healthy food. This study aimed to optimize the yield parameters, shelf life, sensory evaluation and characterization of ...total aerobic bacteria (TAB), yeast and mold (Y&M), Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., and Listeria spp. incidence in mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek), lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus subsp. culinaris), and Indian mustard (Brassica juncea (L.) Czern & Coss.) microgreens. In mungbean and lentil, seeding-density of three seed/cm2, while in Indian mustard, eight seed/cm2 were recorded as optimum. The optimal time to harvest mungbean, Indian mustard, and lentil microgreens were found as 7th, 8th, and 9th day after sowing, respectively. Interestingly, seed size was found highly correlated with the overall yield in both mungbeans (r2 = .73) and lentils (r2 = .78), whereas no such relationship has been recorded for Indian mustard microgreens. The target pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella spp. and Listeria spp. were not detected; while TAB, Y&M, Shigella spp., and E. coli were recorded well within the limit to cause any human illness in the studied microgreens. Washing with double distilled water for two minutes has shown some reduction in the overall microbial load of these microgreens. The results provided evidence that microgreens if grown and stored properly, are generally safe for human consumption. This is the first study from India on the safety of mungbean, lentils, and Indian mustard microgreens.
We identified 82489 high-quality genome-wide SNPs from 93 wild and cultivated Cicer accessions through integrated reference genome- and de novo-based GBS assays. High intra- and inter-specific ...polymorphic potential (66-85%) and broader natural allelic diversity (6-64%) detected by genome-wide SNPs among accessions signify their efficacy for monitoring introgression and transferring target trait-regulating genomic (gene) regions/allelic variants from wild to cultivated Cicer gene pools for genetic improvement. The population-specific assignment of wild Cicer accessions pertaining to the primary gene pool are more influenced by geographical origin/phenotypic characteristics than species/gene-pools of origination. The functional significance of allelic variants (non-synonymous and regulatory SNPs) scanned from transcription factors and stress-responsive genes in differentiating wild accessions (with potential known sources of yield-contributing and stress tolerance traits) from cultivated desi and kabuli accessions, fine-mapping/map-based cloning of QTLs and determination of LD patterns across wild and cultivated gene-pools are suitably elucidated. The correlation between phenotypic (agromorphological traits) and molecular diversity-based admixed domestication patterns within six structured populations of wild and cultivated accessions via genome-wide SNPs was apparent. This suggests utility of whole genome SNPs as a potential resource for identifying naturally selected trait-regulating genomic targets/functional allelic variants adaptive to diverse agroclimatic regions for genetic enhancement of cultivated gene-pools.
The term ‘vulnerability’ is used to examine the interlinkages between humans and their social and physical surroundings. This approach is similar to the IPCC AR4's (2007) conceptual framework of ...vulnerability to climate change. The IPCC AR5 (2014) introduces a new approach and terminology that is in line with the concept of risk, thus differing from the previous understanding of vulnerability as mentioned in the IPCC AR4. This study attempts to link the new concept of risk (AR5) with the previous concept of vulnerability (AR4). Based on IPCC AR4 and AR5 frameworks, different bio-physical and socio-economic variables have been used for vulnerability (AR4) and risk (AR5) assessments in the 51 sub-districts (community development blocks) of the Indian part of Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna Delta (Indian Bengal Delta or IBD) applying principal component analysis (PCA). The results show that Basanti is the most vulnerable sub-district using the AR4 approach, whereas Gosaba is found to be the highly exposed to risk using the AR5 approach. Both sub-districts are spatially contiguous and with similar geographic characteristics which reflects the validity of the IPCC frameworks of assessment.
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic had posed huge challenges to junior doctors as they had to work as frontline health workers during this emergency. Objectives: To evaluate the mental health status ...of junior doctors during the present pandemic using Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) and impact of even scale-revised (IES-R) scale scores. Methods and Participants: This longitudinal study was conducted over a time period of 8 months after taking Institutional Ethical Clearance and informed consent of 220 participants. This online survey was conducted using Google Forms and DASS-21 and IES-R scores were evaluated twice in an interval of 6 months. Results: Depression scores, anxiety scores, and stress scores were significantly increased on the second assessment. Gradation of depression, anxiety, and stress in month 1 among participants were as follows: Depression scores (normal; mild; moderate; severe; extremely severe): 82; 40; 52; 33; 13. Anxiety scores (normal; mild; moderate; severe; extremely severe): 113; 21; 55; 16; 15. Stress scores (normal; mild; moderate; severe; extremely severe): 137; 33; 41; 8; 1. ISE-R scores: <24 = 98; 24–32 = 39; 33–36 = 15; ≥37 = 68. Gradation of depression, anxiety, and stress in month 6 were the following: Depression scores (normal; mild; moderate; severe; extremely severe): 50; 19; 63; 26; 62. Anxiety scores (normal; mild; moderate; severe; extremely severe): 34; 5; 67; 25; 89. Stress scores (normal; mild; moderate; severe; extremely severe): 61; 12; 42; 38; 67. ISE-R Scores: <24 = 73; 24–32 = 34; 33–36 = 11; ≥37 = 102. Conclusions: Junior doctors working during the COVID-19 pandemic developed increased levels of stress, anxiety, and depression with the progression of the pandemic. They were the major frontline health workers to combat COVID-19 which may be the cause of their decreased psychological resilience resulting in mental health issues. Psychological counseling sessions can be used among these young doctors to build up their mental resilience.
Mungbean (
Vigna radiata
L. Wilczek) is an annual grain legume crop affected by low availability of phosphorus. Phosphorus deficiency mainly affects the growth and development of plants along with ...changes in root morphology and increase in root-to-shoot ratio. Deciphering the genetic basis of phosphorus use efficiency (PUE) traits can benefit our understanding of mungbean tolerance to low-phosphorus condition. To address this issue, 144 diverse mungbean genotypes were evaluated for 12 PUE traits under hydroponics with optimum- and low-phosphorus levels. The broad sense heritability of traits ranged from 0.63 to 0.92 and 0.58 to 0.92 under optimum- and low-phosphorus conditions, respectively. This study, reports for the first time such a large number of genome wide Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (76,160) in mungbean. Further, genome wide association study was conducted using 55,634 SNPs obtained by genotyping-by-sequencing method. The results indicated that total 136 SNPs shared by both GLM and MLM models were associated with tested PUE traits under different phosphorus regimes. We have identified SNPs with highest
p
value (–log
10
(
p
)) for some traits like, TLA and RDW with
p
value (–log
10
(
p
)) of more than 6.0 at LP/OP and OP condition. We have identified nine SNPs (three for TLA and six for RDW trait) which was found to be present in chromosomes 8, 4, and 7. One SNP present in
Vradi07g06230
gene contains zinc finger CCCH domain. In total, 71 protein coding genes were identified, of which 13 genes were found to be putative candidate genes controlling PUE by regulating nutrient uptake and root architectural development pathways in mungbean. Moreover, we identified three potential candidate genes
VRADI11G08340
,
VRADI01G05520
, and
VRADI04G10750
with missense SNPs in coding sequence region, which results in significant variation in protein structure at tertiary level. The identified SNPs and candidate genes provide the essential information for genetic studies and marker-assisted breeding program for improving low-phosphorus tolerance in mungbean.
Purpose of Review
South Asia is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, owing to the high dependency on climate-sensitive livelihoods and recurrent extreme events. Consequently, an ...increasing number of households are adopting labour migration as a livelihood strategy to diversify incomes, spread risks, and meet aspirations. Under the Collaborative Adaptation Research Initiative in Africa and Asia (CARIAA) initiative, four research consortia have investigated migration patterns and their inherent linkages to adaptation to climate change in climate hotspots. This article synthesizes key findings in regional context of South Asia.
Recent Findings
The synthesis suggests that in climate-sensitive hotspots, migration is an important livelihood diversification strategy and a response to various risks, including climate change. Typically, one or more household members, often young men, migrated internally or internationally to work in predominantly informal sectors. Remittances helped spatially diversify household income, spread risks, and insure against external stressors. The outcomes of migration are often influenced by who moves, where to, and what capacities they possess.
Summary
Migration was found to help improve household adaptive capacity, albeit in a limited capacity. Migration was mainly used as a
response
to risk and uncertainty, but with potential to have positive adaptation co-benefits.
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