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Plant pathogens and pests pose an increasing threat to worldwide food security. To improve and strengthen food security under increasingly difficult environmental, economic, and geopolitical conditions, the prospect of using microbial biocontrol agents becomes increasingly desirable. One of the most studied, and commercially used, biopesticide microorganisms is the entomopathogenic, gram-positive, soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis(Bt). While Bt has been known for many years as an insecticidal microorganism and used extensively in agriculture, its possible anti-phytopathogen and plant growth-promoting activities have received comparatively limited attention thus far. Here, we examine the ability of Bt to promote systemic immunity in tomato plants. We investigate how Bt influences plant immunity and disease resistance against several fungal and bacterial plant pathogens, as well as several arthropod pests. In order to determine which component of Bt (i.e., Bt spores or pure crystals) is responsible for the observed effects on pathogens or pests, we dissected the different fractions present in a commercial preparation and assessed their effects on pest and pathogen control. As previously reported in the Bt literature, our results indicate that proteins produced by Bt are likely the primary acting components against pests. In the case of pathogens, however, it appears that both the Bt spores and proteins directly act against pathogens such as the fungus Botrytis cinerea. Bt Spores and produced proteins also both induce plant immunity. Understanding the different Bt mode of action mechanisms will help in developing cost-effective and safe plant protection strategies for enhancing food security. Taken together, our findings suggest that Bt could be used in broad-spectrum pest and disease management strategies. Pending validation in agricultural settings, Bt products on the market could have additional uses in sustainable pest management and plant growth promotion.

In this paper, we study the space-time variable-order fractional diffusion equation with a variable diffusion coefficient. The fractional derivatives of variable orders are considered in the Caputo sense. We propose a numerically efficient pseudospectral method with the Chebyshev polynomials as orthogonal basis functions. Also, we examine the error bound and convergence analysis of the approximate solution. A variation in the maximum absolute error with the different variable orders in space and time is studied. Some illustrative examples are presented with different boundary conditions, e.g., Dirichlet, mixed, and non-local. The method’s applicability is also tested with the problem of owning fractional power in the solution. The results obtained from the proposed approach demonstrate the efficacy and reliability of the method.

Here, we provide an overview of olfactory dysfunction associated with COVID-19. We provide background regarding the organization and function of the peripheral olfactory system. A review of the relevant literature on anosmia and parosmia due to infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing COVID-19, is provided. Specific attention is focused on possible mechanisms by which the virus may interact with and damage the cell populations of peripheral olfactory system. Evidence from human studies as well as animal models is considered. Finally, we discuss current recommendations for evaluation and management of patients with persistent post-COVID olfactory dysfunction, as well as possible future research directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The plant hormone cytokinin (CK) is an important developmental regulator, promoting morphogenesis and delaying differentiation and senescence. From developmental processes, to growth, to stress tolerance, CKs are central in plant life. CKs are also known to mediate plant immunity and disease resistance, and several classes of microbes can also produce CKs, affecting the interaction with their plant hosts. While host species and genotype can be a driving force in shaping the plant microbiome, how plant developmental hormones such as CK can shape the microbiome is largely uninvestigated. Here, we examined the relationship between CK and the phyllosphere microbiome, finding that CK acts as a selective force in microbiome assembly, increasing richness, and promoting the presence of Firmicutes. CK-mediated immunity was found to partially depend on the microbial community, and bacilli isolated from previously described CK-rich plant genotypes, which overexpress a CK biosynthesis gene or have increased CK sensitivity, induced plant immunity, and promoted disease resistance. Using a biomimetic system, we investigated the relationship between the leaf microstructure, which is differentially patterned upon changes in CK content or signaling, and the growth of different phyllosphere microbes. We found that leaf structures derived from CK-rich plant genotypes support bacilli in the biomimetic system. CK was able to promote the growth, swarming, and biofilm formation of immunity inducing bacillus isolates in vitro. Overall, our results indicate that host genotype and hormonal profiles can act as a strong selective force in microbiome assembly, underlying differential immunity profiles, and pathogen resistance as a result.

The plant hormone cytokinin (CK) is an important developmental regulator, promoting morphogenesis and delaying differentiation and senescence. From developmental processes, to growth, to stress tolerance, CKs are central in plant life. CKs are also known to mediate plant immunity and disease resistance, and several classes of microbes can also produce CKs, affecting the interaction with their plant hosts. While host species and genotype can be a driving force in shaping the plant microbiome, how plant developmental hormones such as CK can shape the microbiome is largely uninvestigated. Here, we examined the relationship between CK and the phyllosphere microbiome, finding that CK acts as a selective force in microbiome assembly, increasing richness, and promoting the presence of Firmicutes. CK-mediated immunity was found to partially depend on the microbial community, and bacilli isolated from previously described CK-rich plant genotypes, which overexpress a CK biosynthesis gene or have increased CK sensitivity, induced plant immunity, and promoted disease resistance. Using a biomimetic system, we investigated the relationship between the leaf microstructure, which is differentially patterned upon changes in CK content or signaling, and the growth of different phyllosphere microbes. We found that leaf structures derived from CK-rich plant genotypes support bacilli in the biomimetic system. CK was able to promote the growth, swarming, and biofilm formation of immunity inducing bacillus isolates in vitro. Overall, our results indicate that host genotype and hormonal profiles can act as a strong selective force in microbiome assembly, underlying differential immunity profiles, and pathogen resistance as a result.

The smallest of all the pathogens, viruses, have continuously been the foremost strange microorganisms. Viral infections can cause extreme sicknesses as evidenced by the HIV/AIDS widespread or the later Ebola or Zika episodes. Apprehensive framework distortions are also regularly observed as consequences of numerous viral infections. Besides, numerous viral infections are of oncoviruses, which can trigger different types of cancer. Nearly every year, a modern infectious species emerges, debilitating the world population with an annihilating episode. Subsequently, there is a need to create antivirals to combat such rising infections. From the discovery of the antiviral drug Idoxuridine in 1962 to the revelation of Baloxavir marboxil (Xofluza) that was approved by the FDA in 2018, the whole process and criteria of creating antivirals have changed significantly. In this article, different auxiliary science strategies are described that can serve as a referral for therapeutic innovation.

This paper suggests the Chebyshev pseudo-spectral approach to solve the variable-order fractional Lane–Emden differential equations (VOFLEDE). The variable-order fractional derivative (VOFD) is defined in the Caputo sense. The proposed method transforms the problem into a set of algebraic equations that can be solved for unknowns. Few examples are discussed to exhibit the viability and effectiveness of the approach. The present study indicates the accuracy, efficiency, and powerfulness of the Chebyshev collocation method in solving the VOFD Lane–Emden equation. Error bound and convergence analysis of the method is also discussed. It is worth noticing that using lesser collocation nodes in computation is another advantage of the technique, which eventually reduces the computational cost.

Mesoporous carbon nitride (MCN) is synthesized using a mesoporous silica material (MCM-41) as a sacrificial template. 5,10,15,20-Tetrakis(4-methoxyphenyl)-21H,23H-porphine cobalt(ii) (cobalt tetramethoxyphenylporphyrin, CoTMPP), which consists of methoxy groups as the electron-rich center is integrated with MCN and the resulting composite material (CoTMPP@MCN) without any further heat treatment is used for the electrocatalytic reduction of oxygen. CoTMPP@MCN shows a higher onset potential (0.65 and 0.84 V, respectively, in 0.1 M HClO4and 0.1 M KOH) for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) than the bare MCN (0.34 and 0.60 V, respectively, in 0.1 M HClO4and 0.1 M KOH). The ORR onset potential exhibited by CoTMPP@MCN is comparable to several non-pyrolyzed mono-nuclear metal porphyrin integrated on carbon-based supports in both acidic and basic media. Kinetic measurements of CoTMPP@MCN show high selectivity for two-electron oxygen reduction to H2O2in both media. The H2O2yield in terms of faradaic efficiency is measured to be 87.6 and 89.0%, respectively, in 0.1 M HClO4and 0.1 M KOH. CoTMPP@MCN exhibits amazingly high durability (minute changes in the onset potential and current density at high reduction potentials after 3000 CV cycles) facilitated by the surface coordination of CoTMPP through the nitrogen present on the MCN surface. Being highly selective and outstandingly durable, CoTMPP@MCN fulfills all necessary requirements for an economically efficient electrocatalyst for industrial hydrogen peroxide synthesis and related commercial applications.

Paper aims at formulating measure of service quality for banking sector. Study was conducted in three most populated districts of Punjab, India. From each district three public and three private banks having maximum branches were chosen. From each bank, one branch operating in rural and one in urban areas was selected randomly. Hence, total of 36 branches were contacted. In all 720 customers, 20 from each branch (36 * 20 = 720) were surveyed through non disguised structured questionnaire. Findings highlighted that developed model (BANK SERVQUAL) to study service quality is valid and reliable for banking sector. In all 40 variables were considered to find their relative importance to service quality and customer satisfaction. Factor analysis was used to reduce redundant variables and finally six dimensions were identified. The formulated model for measuring service quality of banking sector implies that attitude of customers towards banking services is determined by service quality and customer satisfaction.

Ocimum, an important commercial aromatic crop, is well known for the industrially acclaimed essential oil. In the present study, a comparative analysis was performed between Trichodermaharzianum(ThU) and its secondary metabolites on plant growth, essential oil and phytochemical parameters in O. basilicumand O. sanctum. A significant enhancement in biomass and essential oil content (2.37 and 2.16 fold, respectively) was observed in the live culture of ThU (TH_CC) treatment of O. basilicum, whereas its metabolites (TH_CF) enhanced biomass (1.25 folds) and essential oil (2.17 folds) in O. sanctumas compared to their respective controls. The present study first time highlights species dependent response in plants by the application of TH_CC and TH_CF to enhance plant growth, antioxidants and oil content of Ocimum.The present results thus provide a better understanding of the host specific response to ThU and its metabolites which can be used to develop effective biofertilizers for crop improvement.

Actinomycetes are a major group of beneficial microbes, which can be explored as spanking alternative to chemical fungicides for providing defense against phytopathogens. Rhizoctonia solaniis a major havoc causing severe loss to many crops. Biological measures for fungal disease management are desired over the available chemical/synthetic fungicides owing to their safety towards non-target organisms. In the present study, 34 actinomycetes were isolated from vermicompost. Out of them, twelve revealed antifungal activity related to Indole acetic acid (IAA) production, siderophores and plant growth promotion. Under greenhouse and field conditions, these potent strains remarkably enhanced yield attributes and disease diminution as compared to untreated control. A significant disease reduction of 47–63 % against R. solaniwas observed in tomato plants pretreated with actinomycetes. Furthermore, induction in defense related enzymes such as peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, phenylalanine ammonia lyase, accumulation of phenolics and flavonoids were also observed in actinomycetes treated plants. Morphological and molecular characterization analysis identified these potent isolates as Streptomycessp. NBM3, Streptomycessp. NBM2, Streptomycessp. NBM1, Streptomycessp. NBM12 and Streptomycessp. NBM8. The present findings suggest that these microbes can be utilized for significant enhancement of plant growth and augmentation of defense related enzymes in order to cope up with R. solaniinduced stress, thereby contributing to crop health.

Plant-associated rhizospheric microflora has been vastly explored for its vital function in maintaining plant health. A better understanding however, for its impact on the root-knot disease management and enhancement of antioxidant potentials, especially in medicinal plants viz. Matricaria recutitaL. (Chamomile) is yet seldom investigated. The present investigation evaluates selected potential of rhizospheric microbes viz. Bacillus megaterium,Trichoderma harzianumThU and Glomus intraradices, singly as well as in consortia for the management of Meloidogyne incognita(Kofoid and White) Chitwood and augmentation of phytochemical contents in Chamomile. A significant reduction (2.50 fold) in root-knot indices was observed in the triple microbe treatment of B. megaterium, T. harzianumand G. intraradicesas compared to control plants. Antioxidant potential at various levels viz. total phenolics and flavonoids, free radical scavenging activity, ferric reducing antioxidant power, total antioxidant capacity and reducing power was significantly higher in consortia treated M. recutitaplants as compared to their single application. The results from the present experimentation indicate a possible new function of compatible interaction among microbe’s that can effectively cope with the root-knot nematode menace and is capable of enhancing antioxidant values of M. recutita.

SARS-CoV-2 causes profound changes in the sense of smell, including total smell loss. Although these alterations are often transient, many patients with COVID-19 exhibit olfactory dysfunction that lasts months to years. Although animal and human autopsy studies have suggested mechanisms driving acute anosmia, it remains unclear how SARS-CoV-2 causes persistent smell loss in a subset of patients. To address this question, we analyzed olfactory epithelial samples collected from 24 biopsies, including from nine patients with objectively quantified long-term smell loss after COVID-19. This biopsy-based approach revealed a diffuse infiltrate of T cells expressing interferon-γ and a shift in myeloid cell population composition, including enrichment of CD207+dendritic cells and depletion of anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages. Despite the absence of detectable SARS-CoV-2 RNA or protein, gene expression in the barrier supporting cells of the olfactory epithelium, termed sustentacular cells, appeared to reflect a response to ongoing inflammatory signaling, which was accompanied by a reduction in the number of olfactory sensory neurons relative to olfactory epithelial sustentacular cells. These findings indicate that T cell–mediated inflammation persists in the olfactory epithelium long after SARS-CoV-2 has been eliminated from the tissue, suggesting a mechanism for long-term post–COVID-19 smell loss.

AbstractHere we demonstrate a new strategy for electrochemical determination of uric acid (UA) using a cationic polymer as an electrochemical sensing platform (ESP). The cationic polymer is based on branched polyethylenimine (BPEI) cross-linked with ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether (EGDE). Ion exchange property of this cross linked cationic polymer (BPEI-EGDE) with negatively charged electroactive species is studied by cyclic voltammetry. Furthermore, this cationic cross-linked BPEI-EGDE polymer is coated on a glassy carbon electrode (GC) to construct the ESP for the quantitative analysis of biologically important molecule, UA at pH 7.0. It shows efficient oxidation of UA with respect to bare GC due to favorable electrostatic interaction of anionic UA with the positively charged BPEI-EGDE film. Finally it is demonstrated that the BPEI- EGDE films can be used as efficient ESP for non-enzymatic UA determination in the concentration range of 5 to 1500 µM with a sensitivity of 153 µA μM-1cm-2.