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An experiment was conducted at Department of Seed Science and Technology, UAS, GKVK, Bengaluru during kharif-2017 to study the influence of seed treatment and antioxidant spray on crop growth and seed yield in white cowpea. The seed treatment with micronutrient like FeSO4 1 per cent, CaCl2 1 per cent, Sulphur 1 per cent and antioxidant spray viz., salicylic acid, ascorbic acid, @ 100 ppm and @ 150 ppm with their combinations with a control includes 15 treatments replicated three times under RCBD. The results revealed that seed treatment with (FeSO4 1 % + CaCl2 1 % + Sulphur 1 %) and foliar spray of (salicylic acid @ 100 ppm + ascorbic acid @ 100 ppm) has registered higher crop growth and seed yield viz., plant height at 30 DAS (15.41 cm), 60 DAS (27.76 cm) and at harvest (35.06 cm), number of leaves plant-1 at 60 DAS (19.20), number of branches plant-1 at 60 DAS (11.07) and at harvest (12.15), numbers of effective nodules at 60 DAS (16.68), seed size (5.86 cm3), number of pods plant-1 (10.47), no of pods cluster-1 (3.27), pod length (14.86 cm), number of seeds pod-1 (10.00), seed yield plot-1 (0.83 kg), seed germination (92.50 %), test weight (151.90 g), mean seedling length (38.42 cm), mean seedling dry weight (52.83 mg), SVI-I (3553), SVI-II (4252), TDH (4.00 A480 nm) and lower electrical conductivity (515.70 µS cm-1) compared to control and other treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The improvement of yeast strains (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) is getting more attention due to its high fermentation capacity that can be used as a renewable energy product. Uncovering genetic control of variation in ethanol tolerance in natural populations of yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is essential for understanding the evolution of fermentation. In order to obtain mutant strains showing higher bioethanol production than wild-type strains, a commercial Saccharomyces cerevisiae type was subjected to mutagenesis using ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS). Hence Ethanol tolerance investigation was carried out to isolate yeast strains from their natural habitats and to screen them for ethanol tolerance and ethanol production. Saccharomyces spp. was subjected to EMS (Ethylmethanesulphate) mutation of different concentration i.e., 0.1M, 0.2M, 0.3M, 0.4M in which 0.1M and 0.2M EMS (Ethyl methane sulphate) showed good growth of ethanol tolerance. Saccharomyces spp. were screened for their ethanol tolerance and showed good growth in medium containing 6-14 per cent ethanol. YPA and YSP isolates showed higher tolerance to ethanol stress and YOR with low tolerance while other isolates showed decreased growth under high ethanol concentration compared to original isolates. SSR profiling reflected polymorphism among Saccharomyces spp. However there was correlation between their genetic makeup and ethanol tolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On February 1, 2014, an end came to what had been termed the “Mississippi Experiment”—Conjugal visitation in the state’s prisons. What had begun as a practice to control inmates and provide them an incentive to work in the early 1900s had fallen victim to changing times and a declining state budget. The authors discuss the history of conjugal visitation in Mississippi as well as possible consequences associated with discontinuing the program. These include increased levels of violence within the prison system, recidivism once prisoners are released, and the breakup of families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Oriental fruit bat genus Cynopterus, with several geographically overlapping species, presents an interesting case study to evaluate the evolutionary significance of coexistence versus isolation. We examined the morphological and genetic variability of congeneric fruit bats Cynopterus sphinx and C. brachyotis using 405 samples from two natural contact zones and 17 allopatric locations in the Indian subcontinent; and investigated the population differentiation patterns, evolutionary history, and the possibility of cryptic diversity in this species pair. Results: Analysis of microsatellites, cytochrome b gene sequences, and restriction digestion based genome-wide data revealed that C. sphinx and C. brachyotis do not hybridize in contact zones. However, cytochrome b gene sequences and genome-wide SNP data helped uncover a cryptic, hitherto unrecognized cynopterine lineage in northeastern India coexisting with C. sphinx. Further analyses of shared variation of SNPs using Patterson's D statistics suggest introgression between this lineage and C. sphinx. Multivariate analyses of morphology using genetically classified grouping confirmed substantial morphological overlap between C. sphinx and C. brachyotis, specifically in the high elevation contact zones in southern India. Conclusion: Our results uncover novel diversity and detect a pattern of genetic introgression in a cryptic radiation of bats, demonstrating the complicated nature of lineage diversification in this poorly understood taxonomic group. Our results highlight the importance of genome-wide data to study evolutionary processes of morphologically similar species pairs. Our approach represents a significant step forward in evolutionary research on young radiations of non-model species that may retain the ability of interspecific gene flow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sociality emerges when the benefits of group living outweigh its costs. While both males and females are capable of strong social ties, the evolutionary drivers for sociality and the benefits accrued maybe different for each sex. In this study, we investigate the differential reproductive success benefits of group membership that males and females might obtain in the promiscuous fruit bat Cynopterus sphinx. Individuals of this species live in flexible social groups called colonies. These colonies are labile and there is high turnover of individuals. However, colony males sire more offspring within the colony suggesting that being part of a colony may result in reproductive benefits for males. This also raises the possibility that long-term loyalty towards the colony may confer additional advantage in terms of higher reproductive success. We used ten seasons of genetic parentage data to estimate reproductive success and relatedness of individuals in the colony. We used recapture data to identify long and short-term residents in the colony as well as to obtain rates of recapture for males and females. Our results reveal that males have a significantly higher chance of becoming long-term residents (than females), and these long-term resident males gain twice the reproductive success compared to short-term resident males. We also observed that long-term resident females are related to each other and also achieve higher reproductive success than short-term resident females. In contrast, long-term resident males do not differ from short-term resident males in their levels of relatedness. Our results re-iterate the benefits of sociality even in species that are promiscuous and socially labile and possible benefits of maintaining a colony. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cryptic species are difficult to identify using morphological identification tools. They represent hitherto unknown biodiversity and their discovery helps formulate more efficient conservation management policies. In this study we assess intraspecific diversity of Rhinolophus rouxii and investigate the presence of cryptic lineages. We characterize acoustic, morphological and genetic differences between allopatric populations of this species in Southern India. Our results reveal the presence of two distinct acoustic lineages (80 and 90 kHz phonic types). Forearm length also differs significantly between the two phonic types. They share a sister taxa relationship and the average genetic distance between them is over 8 %. Phylogenetic reconstruction and the associated divergence time suggest an evolutionary history that correlates with a middle Miocene separation. We propose that these two phonic types be called sibling species and evolutionarily significant units (ESU) within the subgenus Indorhinolophus. We recommend a new name, R. indorouxii for the species representing the 90 kHz phonic type. This study reiterates our lack of accurate taxonomic knowledge of bats, and highlights the value in combining genetics with behavioral (phonic characterization) and morphological measurements in the discovery of cryptic species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Observations on mating behaviours and strategies guide our understanding of mating systems and variance in reproductive success. However, the presence of cryptic strategies often results in situations where social mating system is not reflective of genetic mating system. We present such a study of the genetic mating system of a harem-forming bat Cynopterus sphinx where harems may not be true indicators of male reproductive success. This temporal study using data from six seasons on paternity reveals that social harem assemblages do not play a role in the mating system, and variance in male reproductive success is lower than expected assuming polygynous mating. Further, simulations reveal that the genetic mating system is statistically indistinguishable from promiscuity. Our results are in contrast to an earlier study that demonstrated high variance in male reproductive success. Although an outcome of behavioural mating patterns, standardized variance in male reproductive success ( I m) affects the opportunity for sexual selection. To gain a better understanding of the evolutionary implications of promiscuity for mammals in general, we compared our estimates of I m and total opportunity for sexual selection ( I m/ I f, where I f is standardized variance in female reproductive success) with those of other known promiscuous species. We observed a broad range of I m/ I f values across known promiscuous species, indicating our poor understanding of the evolutionary implications of promiscuous mating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Wide ranges i n cell recovery and purity may be observed following CD34 + cell selection of mobilized HPC componetns. Characteristics of the mobilized HPC, associated with isolation of a high CD34 + cell yield and purity following cell selection, have yet to be defined. Methods Cell number and purities were determined before and after 56 CD34 + cell-selection procedures, performed using the CellPro Ceprate SC system from April 1997 to February 1998. HPC were collected from 28 patients with multiple myeloma, following cyclophosphamide (60mg/kg) and G-CSF (10μg/kg) mobilization. Results A medium of 47.9% (range 1.5-109.6%) CD34 + cells were recovered in the enriched (ENR) fraction. A linear correlation existed between total CD34 + cells in the ENR fraction and total CD34 + cells in the START fraction (R2=0.93); there was a logarithmic correlation between CD34 ENR fraction purity and START fraction purity (R2=0.73). A START CD34 + cell purity > 0.42% improved purity in the ENR fraction. A median of one (range one to nine) procedure was required to isolate 2x10 6 CD34 + cells/kg. Three patients pretreated with alkylating agents failed to mobilized adequate numbers of HPC. Discussion Isolation of highly purified CD34 + cell-selected components using the Ceprate SC system in dependent on the CD34 + purity of the lekapheresis component collected. Mobilization regimens should be used to maximize CD34 + cell purity in stem cell authografts if CD34 + cell selection is to be performed. Similar strategies should be used to evaluate other cell-selection devices as they become available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Using a histochemical procedure for the demonstration of glycogen phosphorylase, smooth muscle cells have been demonstrated in the rat ovary around follicles, corpora lutea, atretic follicles and between groups of interstitial cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]