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The ERA5-L reanalysis dataset, produced by ECMWF is the latest and most advanced global climate reanalysis datasets available with high spatial and temporal resolution. To assess the applicability of ERA5-L reanalysis data, a field experiment was conducted to predict the onset of maturity period of wheat crop based on heat units derived by ERA5-L data at the University research farm in Ludhiana. The wheat variety Unnat PBW-550 was sown under two dates of sowing (D1: 27th October and D2: 17th November) during three consecutive seasons (2020-21, 2021-22, and 2022-23). The phenological observations revealed that the October sown wheat took a greater number of days (153-154 days) to attain maturity as compared to November sown (139-142 days) crop. When heat units were derived from ERA5-L dataset, accumulated GDD (R2:0.95) and accumulated PTU (R2:0.95) displayed higher maturity prediction accuracy compared to HTU (R2:0.32) in all three rabi seasons. Ground observed and ERA5-L information were employed to estimate the beginning of maturity for wheat. For this, the accumulated heat units were calculated from sowing to booting stage of wheat crop. Our findings provided intriguing prospects for using ERA5-L reanalysis data as a different data source to predict crop phenology far in advance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The experiments were conducted to develop indices to provide critical insights into crop phenology and yield responses of wheat to thermal and moisture conditions during rabi 2021-22 and 2022-23 at PAU, Ludhiana, Punjab. The wheat variety Unnat PBW - 550 was sown on three dates (D1: 27th October, D2: 17th November, D3: 8th December) under three irrigation regimes (I1: irrigations at CRI, Jointing, 50% Flowering, Soft dough stages, I2: irrigations at CRI, Flag leaf emergence, soft dough stage, I3: irrigations at Jointing, Soft dough stage). Results revealed that the crop sown on 27th October acquired maximum number of calendar days and various heat indices viz. growing degree days (GDD), solar thermal degree days (STDD) and hygrothermal units (HGTU) for attaining physiological maturity while 8th December sown crop resulted in lowest accumulation. However, late sown crop was observed to accumulate more STDD. Wheat sowing before 17th November resulted in higher grain yield and energy use efficiencies. Four irrigations at critical stages took highest GDD, STDD and HGTU for attaining maturity which was at par with two irrigations. Application of four irrigations resulted in significantly higher yield and energy use efficiencies. Similar performance of three irrigations was observed when irrigation was not skipped at anthesis stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) production is adversely affected by many pathogens and insect-pests worldwide. In the present investigation, effect of different bio-fortified composts, organic amendments, botanicals and pesticides were evaluated against diseases and insect- pests of french bean. The results showed that seed treatment and drenching with Trichoderma harzianum strain 11, followed by soil application of fortified farmyard manure resulted in the lowest root rot incidence, highest germination, vigour and yield in french bean. In another set of experiment, soil incorporation of Parthenium hysterophorus, Urtica dioicaandLantana camarawere found to reduce root rot incidence with high germination and pod yield. Among the bioproducts and botanicals tested, foliar spray of cow dung extract (50%) reduced angular leaf spot, rust and bacterial blight severity by 51, 69 and 25 per cent, respectively. Among the fungicides, foliar application of azoxystrobin 23 SC (0.1%) and difenoconazole 25EC (0.025%), also reduced angular leaf spot and rust severity by 93 and 90 per cent, respectively. Among different insect pest management strategies under field conditions, cartap hydrochloride and batain seed extract registered low sucking bug (Chauliops choprai) population. Integrated approaches including bio-agents, botanicals along with chemicals for managing these diseases and insect-pests were found appropriate options. Out of six different IPM modules evaluated, seed treatment with carbendazim along with foliar spray of 0.1% azoxystrobin and cartap hydrochloride resulted in lowest root rot, rust, angular leaf spot, bacterial blight and Chaulopsis choprai bug population in French bean.

The indispensability of lip reading has garnered paramount significance, propelled by the strides achieved in the realm of deep learning. This transformative paradigm shift not only heralds a commitment to enhanced communication access, especially catering to the auditory challenges faced by individuals with hearing impairments, but also unfolds a plethora of multifaceted applications. Our sophisticated model, characterized by scrupulous pre-processing techniques and state-of-the-art feature extraction methodologies, attains a commendable echelon of accuracy that transcends the limitations inherent in traditional approaches. The amalgamation of lip reading, an intricate cognitive artistry centred around the comprehension of spoken language through discerning visual cues extracted from lip and facial movements, has undergone a profound evolution, reaching new heights with the integration of Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Krishnendu Manna,1,* Snehasis Mishra,1,* Moumita Saha,1 Supratim Mahapatra,1 Chirag Saha,1 Govind Yenge,2 Nilesh Gaikwad,2 Ramkrishna Pal,2 Dasharath Oulkar,3 Kaushik Banerjee,3 Krishna Das Saha1 1Cancer Biology and Inflammatory Disorder Division, Council of Scientific & Industrial Research–Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata 700032, West Bengal, India; 2Postharvest Technology Laboratory, Indian Council of Agricultural Research-National Research Centre on Pomegranate, Solapur 413255, Maharashtra, India; 3National Referral Laboratory, Indian Council of Agricultural Research-National Research Centre for Grapes, Pune 412307, Maharashtra, India *These authors contributed equally to this work Background: Diabetic nephropathy (DN), an end-stage renal disorder, has posed a menace to humankind globally, because of its complex nature and poorly understandable intricate mechanism. In recent times, functional foods as potential health benefits have been gaining attention of consumers and researchers alike. Rich in antioxidants, the peel and seed of pomegranate have previously demonstrated protection against oxidative-stress-related diseases, including cardiovascular disorders, diabetes, and cancer.Purpose: This study was designed to investigate the ameliorative role of pomegranate peel extract–stabilized gold nanoparticle (PPE-AuNP) on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced DN in an experimental murine model.Methods: Following the reduction methods, AuNP was prepared using the pomegranate peel ellagitannins and characterized by particle size, physical appearance, and morphological architecture. Modulatory potential of PPE-AuNP was examined through the plethora of biochemical and high throughput techniques, flow cytometry, immunoblotting, and immunofluorescence.Results: The animals treated with PPE-AuNP markedly reduced the fasting blood glucose, renal toxicity indices, and serum TC and TG in a hyperglycemic condition. As evident from an increased level of plasma insulin level, PPE-AuNP normalized the STZ-induced pancreatic β-cell dysfunction. The STZ-mediated suppression of endogenous antioxidant response was restored by the PPE-AuNP treatment, which reduced the generation of LPO as well as iROS. Furthermore, the hyperglycemia-mediated augmentation of protein glycation, followed by the NOX4/p-47phox activation, diminished with the application of PPE-AuNP. The histological and immunohistochemical findings showed the protective efficacy of PPE-AuNP in reducing STZ-induced glomerular sclerosis and renal fibrosis. In addition, it reduced proinflammatory burden through the modulation of the MAPK/NF-κB/STAT3/cytokine axis. Simultaneously, PI3K/AKT-guided Nrf2 activation was evident upon the PPE-AuNP application, which enhanced the antioxidant response and maintained hyperglycemic homeostasis.Conclusion: The findings indicate that the use of PPE-AuNPs might act as an economic therapeutic remedy for alleviating DN. Keywords: pomegranate polyphenol, gold nanoparticle, diabetic kidney disease, advanced glycation end-product, NF-κB, STAT3, Nrf2

In order to assess the potential of the medium-range weather forecast in predicting the cotton productivity using crop simulation model, the CROPGRO-cotton model was calibrated and validated with the experimental data which was collected during kharif 2021 in an experiment that was carried out with two Bt cotton hybrid (RCH 776 and RCH 773) and one non-Bt (F2228), and sown at five dates i.e., April 25th, May 05th, May 15th, May 25th and June 04th in split-plot design with three replications at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) Regional Research Station, Bathinda. The validated model was further used to assess the cotton productivity under different sowing dates using medium range weather forecast data on rainfall, maximum temperature and minimum temperature obtained for the period 2013-2021. The results showed that simulated values with medium range weather forecast were in close agreement with the simulated values for phenology and yield of cotton. The simulated cotton yield using daily medium range weather forecast data showed more or less significant efficiency to capture year-to-year as well as datewise variability in simulated cotton yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Topological physics is emerging as an active area of research, addressing fundamental questions on how geometry, symmetry, and topology affect physical properties, paving the way toward novel technological applications. Originally investigated in quantum systems, these concepts have been thereafter translated across diverse domains including, electromagnetic, plasmonic, elastic, and acoustic waves. Specifically, in elasticity, due to the strong tendency to hybridize of wave modes with different polarization, topological protection is viewed as a revolutionizing approach to design waveguides supporting unique features such as (i) being immune to defects and (ii) suppressing backscattering during the wave propagation phenomenon. These novel features arise as a consequence of their dispersion surface topology. This Tutorial aims to introduce the theoretical, numerical, and experimental frameworks to investigate topological elastic waveguides, discussing the key ideas, first, in the context of discrete systems, and then, in continuous elastic solids. After a comprehensive description of the currently used state of the art scientific techniques, various classes of topological wave phenomena leading to localized waves in elastic architected plates and beams are presented. Implications of the presence of both longitudinal and shear waves in elastic solids are discussed, and the associated challenges, opportunities, and strategies to exploit their interplay highlighted. The symmetry conditions required to induce them are discussed using a number of representative examples. Finally, future research directions of this fledgling field are outlined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]