This study investigated the thin‐layer drying characteristics of bamboo slices in a convective tray dryer with three different temperatures viz., 55, 65 and 75C and fit the experimental data to four drying models to identify the best fit model and drying temperature. The drying rate curves of slices typically demonstrate a smooth diffusion controlled drying behavior. The drying rate at the beginning of the process was generally lower at 55C, with a marked difference between it and the other temperatures. The difference between MRs increased gradually at the commencement of drying and the time required for reaching equilibrium moisture content decreases with increasing temperature. The average value of coefficient of determination (r2) and RMSE revealed values varied between 0.94–0.99 and 0.014–0.073, respectively. Page and logarithmic models obtained the highest r2 and least RMSE at all temperatures and better reflected the drying mechanism of bamboo slices than exponential model. Rehydration ratio elevated when salt solution used for rehydration and the weight gain was more irrespective of temperature. Superior rehydration was noticed when the slices were dried at 65C, and it was relatively poor at 75C and 55C. Products dried at 65C recorded highest scores for visual appearance and colour at the end of drying. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Consumers are inclining towards taking health‐promoting products from nontraditional sources. Bamboo shoots are now an important food crop in the international food market. Bamboo shoot being low in fat, high in dietary fiber and rich in mineral content, like an ideal vegetable, has been used traditionally the world over. The market for bamboo shoots is growing steadily, and more and more people are developing a taste for them. Processing while keeping nutrients intact and enhancement of shelf life of the value‐added products assume great significance for business potential due to seasonal availability of bamboo shoots. It would demand process standardization for small‐scale processing units. Therefore, the use of hot air in controlled cabinet drying through convective air is far more rapid and provides uniformity and hygiene for industrial food drying processes. Therefore, this study deals in detail about dynamics of thin‐layer drying kinetics of bamboo slices and its quality evaluation by rehydration and sensory process.

Reproductive problems among dairy animals are one of the major causes of loss in dairy sector. These problems can be tackled by imparting appropriate knowledge to the livestock owners. An attempt was made to measure the knowledge of livestock owners by developing a knowledge test on reproductive problems of dairy animals. The study was undertaken in Karnal district of Haryana state, India. Data were solicited from 300 livestock farmers who had at least one milch animal at the time of investigation. In addition to developing schedules for socio-economic variables, a knowledge test was also developed for measuring knowledge construct. Data were solicited on scientific treatment of affected dairy animals and 59.54% knowledge was observed on reproductive traits. Study indicates that majority of livestock farmers adopted scientific methods for treating their animals. Respondents' age, extension contact and milk production were positively and significantly correlated with knowledge. Therefore, imparting quality practical training and periodical assessment of performance of lay inseminators for improving their skills and knowledge regarding estrus detection and insemination needs to be emphasized. Extension machinery has to be an ideal bridge between research/development institutions and dairy farmers for their catalytic effect (Meena & Malik, 2009). Extensive awareness programs are needed for inculcating scientific outlook among livestock farmers on these complex problems. Easy accessibility of veterinary hospital at village level can reduce the adoption of indigenous technical knowledge in treatment of these complex problems.

A forty year old female presented with swelling on medial aspect of left thigh since four years. Radiographs showed a large mass at the inferior surface of the left femoral neck. CT scan revealed a well defined lobulated mass lesion involving muscles of adductor compartment of thigh. MRI showed lobulated periarticular, intramuscular, non enhancing lesion isointense to the bone, but without any continuity to the adjacent femur. Histopathology of the excised lesion turned out to be osteochondroma with origin from soft tissue. This case highlights an important differential diagnosis to be considered whenever an ossified mass is located in soft tissue.

Slash and burn cultivation (jhum) is the most disadvantageous method of cultivation in the Eastern Himalayan Region. This practice causes soil, nutrient, water erosion and biodiversity loss. Therefore, alternate conservation practice is required urgently. Field experiment was conducted at two villages viz., Digbak and Belo with two sites at each village on Dumporijo circle district Daporijo, Arunachal Pradesh during 2008 to 2010. The experiment was laid out in such a way that farmers practice was considered as control (T 1 ); T 2 : T 1 + Mulching with crop residues; T 3 : Improved crop management (includes plant population, application of manure and fertilizer, pesticides, weed management, hedge row incorporation); T 4 : T 3 + mulching with crop residues. T 4 gave higher yield of rice, maize, chilli, tomato, french bean, okra (69, 107, 163, 211, 98.6 and 126% respectively) over T 1 . Whereas, pea and soybean were additional crop harvested from T 2 , T 3 and T 4 . Similarly the biomass (crop, hedge row plants and weeds) was recorded 225.8, 208.5 and 19.9% higher on T 4 , T 3 and T 2 , respectively over T 1 . The final status of porosity was recorded 7.6, 6.7 and 2.4% respectively higher for T 4 , T 3 and T 2 over traditional jhum cultivation. Similarly the chemical parameters like soil organic carbon (SOC; 43.3, 39.2 and 21.6% respectively), N (25.4, 19.6 and 6.7% respectively), P (45.2, 39.8 and 12.9% respectively) and K (31.3, 25.9, and 5.0% respectively) were recorded higher on T 4 , T 3 and T 2 over traditional jhum cultivation. The rice equivalent yield, production efficiency, land use efficiency and income were recorded higher on T 4 followed by T 3 . However the employment generation was higher for T 3 followed by T 4 . All the economic parameters were recorded higher when crops were grown under the T 4 followed by T 3 except B: C and MC: MR.

The study envisaged to evaluate the attitude of agricultural graduates towards Videoconferencing (VC) technology. Study focused at persuasion stage of adoption process of innovations. A Likert-type-scale was developed, which consisted of 23-items. The scale instrument had four sections, viz., training, distance learning, agricultural communication and extension management. Cronbach's alpha coefficient (α=0.85) of reliability test was measured. Instrument was administered to randomly selected, seventy agricultural graduates of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, India during 2006-07 academic years. Attitude survey proved insightful with agricultural students. They had positive attitude in applied areas of VC technology, viz. training, distance learning, agricultural communication and extension management. Significant difference between users and non-users of VC technology was observed. Users had significant positive attitude towards VC technology. An enhanced understanding of attitudes is imperative before effective intervention strategies to moderate attitudes for enhancing acceptance and implementation of VC technology. Including transfer of agricultural innovations, VC can be encouraged in services like training, distance education, extension management, communication, administration, health, education and knowledge sharing. For these, infrastructure available within National Agricultural Research System (NARS), India can be effectively utilized for learning and technical counseling. This study adds value to the body of knowledge in evaluation and theory building from attitude perspective. As standard methodology is lacking to comprehend mindset of agricultural students, it will serve foundation for other future investigations.