Nanotechnology, according to the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI), is defined as utilization of structure with at least one dimension of nanometer size for the construction of materials, devices or systems with novel or significantly improved properties due to their nano-size. The nanostructures are capable of enhancing the physical properties of conventional textiles, in areas such as anti-microbial properties, water repellence, soil-resistance, anti-static, anti-infrared and flame-retardant properties, dyeability, colour fastness and strength of textile materials. In the present work, zinc oxide nanoparticles were prepared by wet chemical method using zinc nitrate and sodium hydroxide as precursors and soluble starch as stabilizing agent. These nanoparticles, which have an average size of 40 nm, were coated on the bleached cotton fabrics (plain weave, 30 s count) using acrylic binder and functional properties of coated fabrics were studied. On an average of 75%, UV blocking was recorded for the cotton fabrics treated with 2% ZnO nanoparticles. Air permeability of the nano-ZnO coated fabrics was significantly higher than the control, hence the increased breathability. In case of nano-ZnO coated fabric, due to its nano-size and uniform distribution, friction was significantly lower than the bulk-ZnO coated fabric as studied by Instron® Automated Materials Testing System. Further studies are under way to evaluate wash fastness, antimicrobial properties, abrasion properties and fabric handle properties.

Spiraling prices of onions in India undermine the sustainability of current economic growth process and raised the question of price integration among the spatially separated markets. Co-integration test has been used to identify whether onion markets in India share a common linear deterministic trend and the law of one price holds true in view of rising prices in the recent past. The study sourced the wholesale daily prices of major onion markets across the country from January 2010 to March 2011. Augmented Dickey Fuller test statistic has been used to check the presence of a unit root in the time series data. Empirical results indicated the presence of unit root and a strong spatial integration between major markets. The study also confirms the law of one price in Indian onions.

Background: Tobacco use contributes to almost 40% of the cancers in India. Considering the potential threat, many preventive measures have been instigated in the country. However, tobacco cessation for hospitalized cancer patients is an unexplored territory in India. This study aims to understand the quit status and to explore the reasons to quit or continue the use of tobacco after the diagnosis of head and neck cancer (HNC). Methods: HNC patients admitted between February and April 2016 were assessed for their tobacco use status. A DT was used to assess the psychological distress. Users were assessed for their readiness to quit and dependence on tobacco. An in-depth interview was conducted among 25 patients (seven current users and 18 recent quitters), and themes that emerged were discussed. Results: Of the 119 HNC patients, 71 were tobacco users and 48 had quit tobacco after the diagnosis. The reasons to quit were the perceived benefits of quitting, advice from the physicians, and awareness about cancer and its association with tobacco. In contrast, the reasons to continue the use of tobacco were attributed to coping mechanisms, nihilistic perception about the outcome of the cancer, and a lack of understanding about cancer and its association with tobacco. Conclusion: The recent quitters comprehended the benefits of quitting and were able to prioritize their needs after the diagnosis. However, one-third of the HNC patients continued to use tobacco even after the diagnosis of cancer. Hence, tobacco cessation services need to be integrated into oncology services for achieving better treatment outcomes.

The study has examined integration and price transmission in the cotton-based textile value chain, using Johansen multivariate co-integration and error correction model. Although price adjustment mechanism is slow, the findings have provided a clear indication of the price transmission along the chain, and also the existence of a long-run equilibrium. The raw cotton price has been found exogenous, but has significant influence on the prices of cotton yarn and cloth. The textile value chain has been found effectively integrated; hence the policies should take into account the effect of impact on the entire value chain as to enable the cotton producers capture benefits of value addition.

This paper is an attempt to understand the impact of two sided information on stakeholders related to common use resources. Data were collected from key stakeholder groups on influence of information on attitude towards restoration of indigenous fishery of Schizothorax in Dal Lake. The main objectives of this research were to evaluate what impact a two-sided information on the potential advantages and disadvantages of Schizothorax restoration has, on attitudes towards its restoration and how prior familiarity with the issue abates the effect of information. The results from the study revealed that two-sided information had a positive effect on attitudes towards restoration of Schizothorax fishery at all levels of stakeholders except consumers whose awareness were already high. Further, the positive effect of information seemed much greater for fishers who were unsure and unfamiliar with the issue than those who were familiar. Results also revealed that fishers who are the primary stakeholders of the lake held a very positive attitude towards restoration of Schizothorax fishery in the lake than consumers since they were only concerned with fisheries. Effective communication is very important between the institutions concerned with restoration of Schizothorax fishery and specific stakeholder groups.