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Mung bean (Vigna radiataL.) holds significant importance as a pulse crop contributing to food and nutritional security. It is mainly cultivated in South Asia. Mung bean productivity is hampered by different abiotic stresses, particularly salinity. Salinity is a serious constraint that restricts the growth and development of mung bean. Identification and utilization of novel sources of variation for key stress tolerance traits is required in mung bean improvement breeding. A diverse set of thirty mung bean accessions were evaluated at the seedling stage for their response towards salinity stress using hydroponic culture with two treatments: control (0 mM NaCl), and salt stress (200 mM NaCl). The genotypes revealed significant variations for the fresh weight, dry weight, shoot length, surface area, and root volume. Also the root traits; root volume, root length, root surface area, and tip number were correlated to biomass under salinity stress. The salt tolerance index varied from 0.38 to 0.91, considering the seedling vigour. Four (PUSA0971, EC937886, IC282531, IC623909) genotypes were found promising for salinity tolerance based on seedling vigour and root traits. Identified genotypes may be validated in field conditions for their further use as trait donors to develop mung bean varieties with enhanced salt tolerance.

Wheat is a major staple food of world. Heat stress has emerged as a major problem in wheat with detrimental effects on overall growth (vegetative and reproductive phases), yield and quality of grains. There exists wide variability for various physiological traits across the wheat genotypes that can contribute or confer tolerance to heat stress. In this context, so far little attention has been paid on ear and ear-related traits for their role in imparting yield stability and heat tolerance in wheat. Present study was therefore done to assess the contribution of ear and awns to the yield in wheat under heat stress condition. Twenty-nine wheat genotypes with variability in ear characteristics were selected and subjected to heat stress by late sowing (15 December). Results revealed huge variability across the wheat genotypes for the contribution made to the main ear grain yield by the main ear itself (1.9% in MP 4010 to 45.7% in HD 3059) and by the awns (− 12.2% in SOKOLU to 30.1% in CUS/79/PRULA). Negative values as recorded for contribution made by awns [SOKOLU (− 12.2%), MP 4010 (− 8.56%) and HUW (− 8.48%)] indicated that in these genotypes, awns served as sink rather than source. Derived parameter i.e., contribution made by main ear without awns ranged from − 18.0 (Kundan) to 37.5% (NP 4). Overall, the study revealed a huge genotypic variability for the contribution (viaphotosynthesis) made by main ear and its components (awns and spikelets). Genotypes were ranked and contrasting ones were identified. Presence of awns and their length emerged as beneficial trait under terminal heat stress. Intra-ear competition was noticed and thereby this study proposed the concept of “awns with optimum length and physiological performance”. In future, ear-related traits and the genotypes identified can be utilized in breeding of wheat for thermo-tolerance under diverse environments. Work in the direction to decipher physiological and biochemical bases of ear-related traits, including the awns, will not only provide better understanding but also decipher the possible mechanism/s that impart thermo-tolerance in wheat.

Rice is an essential food grain for more than half of the global population. To ensure food security, improvement in the genetic gain in yield is necessary. This necessitates identification and utilization of genotypic variation among rice germplasm for biomass and yield component traits. In this regard, 188 rice genotypes were evaluated under field conditions during the kharifseason in 2016 (experiment 1) and 2017 (experiment 2). The genotypes were categorized based on biomass, grain yield, and harvest index in experiment 1, and significant variability was observed in these traits. During experiment 2, these genotypes were characterized based on growth rates and yield component traits. Physiological growth rates (RGR and NAR) showed significant variation among the rice genotypes. Component traits of yield viz.,biomass and Harvest Index (HI), showed high heritability (H2), and genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) was higher for biomass as compared with HI. HI showed positive and significant correlation with yield across the phenological group of genotypes, while biomass showed a significant and positive correlation with yield only in short duration genotypes (90–125 days). Multi-trait genotype-ideotype distance index (MGIDI) analysis led to the identification of 8 superior genotypes i.e., Sahbhagi Dhan, Maudamani, Seratoes, BAM4510, GP-145-37, Bamoia, Dular and MTU1010 for their use as donors for different component traits in improvement of yield in rice. The genetic variation found among rice germplasm in physiological growth rates and component traits can be further used for gene pyramiding in future breeding programs for breaking the yield barrier in rice to provide higher yield productivity.

The present study was conducted to evaluate the role of traits associated with photosynthesis, Radiation interception (RI) and Radiation Use Efficiency (RUE) in relation to biomass and yield in Basmati rice genotypes. It was hypothesized that, whether yield improvement of Basmati rice will depend on enhancing the biomass through better RI and RUE or harvest index or both. A field experiment was conducted with nineteen aromatic rice genotypes, which included eighteen Basmati and one aromatic hybrid (PRH-10). Among the nineteen genotypes there was variability in biomass production and leaf area and the biomass production was linearly correlated with total intercepted PAR (TIPAR) between 55 and 95 DAS. Higher radiation interception was associated with the variability in crop growth rate among the genotypes. There was a high variability in the RUE ranging from (1.46–2.89 g MJ−1), and those genotypes maintained higher crop growth rate (CGR). Genotypes with higher LAI were associated with a lower extinction coefficient (k) and improved RUE. However, the leaf photosynthetic parameters viz. photosynthesis rate, transpiration rate and stomatal conductance were negatively associated with the aboveground biomass at anthesis. The net assimilation rate (NAR) was positively correlated with the photosynthetic parameters. Comparison of the mean of five highest biomass Basmati genotypes (HBBG), namely PB 1121, Sarbati, Pant Basmati-1, PB 1728 and PB1718 was done with the aromatic rice hybrid PRH-10. At anthesis stage, there was not much difference in dry weight, CGR and in RUE in HBBG compared to PRH-10. At harvest, the HBBG showed higher biomass (+ 15%) compared to PRH-10. However, the grain yield was higher in PRH-10 (+ 8%) due to its higher harvest index (+ 25%) over HBBGs. It was associated with higher number of spikelets per panicle (+ 19.5%) and % filled spikelets (+ 7.5%). Moreover, less height in PRH-10 compared to HBBG also favoured higher harvest index. The better yield performance of PRH-10 could be associated with photosynthetic parameters—higher flag leaf area (+ 40%) and higher flag leaf photosynthesis (+ 48%). It may have contributed in supporting the higher sink demand leading to high yield in PRH-10. Therefore, it can be concluded from the present study that high biomass Basmati genotypes which have high RUE in combination with higher sink capacity (i.e., number of spikelets/panicles) and better partitioning due to reduced height can lead to yield enhancement in Basmati rice.

Research shows a reduced responsivity to implicit as well as explicit facial emotion recognition (emotional dampening) in prehypertensives and hypertensives. This study explored auditory and audiovisual emotion recognition in prehypertensives and hypertensives. Participants (N= 175) who were normotensives, prehypertensives, and hypertensives (n =57, 58, and 60, respectively) completed an auditory implicit task(matching auditory target with auditory distractors) and two cross‐modal implicit tasks (matching visual target with auditory distractors, and vice‐versa), and an auditory explicit task(labelling emotions in audio‐clips). Findings showed an aberrant speed–accuracy trade‐off, where prehypertensives focused more on accuracy at the cost of speed while hypertensives showed the opposite. Discriminant function analysis revealed that blood pressure (BP)‐associated emotional dampening is a highly specific but moderately sensitive correlate of hypertension. Our study highlights that prehypertensives and hypertensives demonstrate emotional dampening in implicit (but not explicit) auditory emotion recognition and a greater deficit for auditory than visual recognition of implicit emotions. Findings show emotional dampening as an observable correlate of elevated BP and hypertension.

Energy storage and water remediation are two quite important issues of the current world. Developing novel multi-component composites with active carbon materials opens up new avenues for research. In present work, SnS2-MoS2and their rGO-gC3N4nanocomposites (rGO-SnS2-MoS2, gC3N4-SnS2-MoS2, rGO-gC3N4-SnS2-MoS2) were synthesized via hydrothermal and ultrasonication methods, respectively. The crystal structure, morphological analysis and optical properties were confirmed by means of X- ray diffraction (XRD), Raman, Field – Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) and Ultra Violet (UV)- Visible spectroscopic techniques. Photocatalytic activity of SnS2-MoS2and their nanocomposites were tested by photodegradation of Methylene blue (MB) and Rhodamine B (RhB) in the presence of visible light. Photocatalytic degradation efficiency of SnS2-MoS2is 97% in 40 min for MB dye and for rGO- SnS2-MoS2is 96% in 35 min for RhB dye. rGO-SnS2-MoS2has shown higher specific capacitance of 215 F/g at current density of 30 mA/cm2as compared to other electrodes. Maximum power density of 900 W/kg for rGO- gC3N4-SnS2-MoS2and maximum energy density of 7.5 Wh / kg for rGO-SnS2-MoS2are observed at different combinations of current / area. An acceptable and better performance is observed for rGO - SnS2- MoS2with energy density of 5.6 Wh/kg at 455 W / kg power density. Notably, the rGO-SnS2-MoS2can be employed as efficient photocatalyst and active electrode for supercapacitor applications.

Withania somniferaL. is an important medicinal plant, well renowned for its immense therapeutic potential. The increasing concern and awareness for natural products has enforced the growers to maintain a proper balance between demand and supply without compromising with the quality and quantity. The major constrain faced by W. somniferacultivation is through southern root knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita,which inhabits the plant roots causing heavy crop loss, both in terms of quality and quantity. Keeping in concern the management problems, the present experiment was designed to evaluate the influence of native rhizospheric microbes for the efficient management of M. incognitain W. somniferacv. Poshita under greenhouse conditions. The rhizospheric microbes viz. RPN2, MTN RK-1, identified as Bacillus tequilensis(KF157960) and Trichoderma harzianum(KF157964) along with Glomus aggregatum(arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi) were evaluated in single and combined treatments. All treatments significantly (P≤ 0.05) improved plant growth yield and reduced nematode populations, thus maintaining the quality and quantity of Indian ginseng without adversely affecting the environment.

The study elucidated the effect of hot water treatment (HWT) on fungicide residue degradation in apple. Residues were measured by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) during cold storage after HWT (48, 50, 52 and 54?°C for 2, 3, 4 and 5?min) of fruits. The developed method for the mixture of six fungicides (azoxystrobin, carbendizim, dithianon, difenconazole, hexaconazole, tebuconazole) was validated for linearity, specificity, selectivity, accuracy and precision using SANTE (SANTE/2020/12682) guidelines. The results of recovery ranged from 75.18 to 119.17% with 4.19–12.72% relative standard deviation. Increasing HWT temperature and duration yielded a significant reduction in residues (90–98%) in terms of processing factor. HWT of apple at 48?°C/5?min and 50?°C/2?min yielded acceptable quality fruits along with maximum reduction in fungicide residues. Fungicide reduction followed linear relationship and first-order rates. Azoxystrobin and hexaconazole dissipated at a lower rate than dithianon, difenoconazole, carbendazim and tebuconazole.

Effective wound management imposes several challenges in clinical outcomes due to the complexity of the wound microenvironment, bacterial infections, impaired angiogenesis, aggravated inflammation, and enduring pain. In addition, adhesion on wet biological tissue is another extremely challenging task. Addressing all the issues is necessary for an effective wound healing process. Herein, we developed a unique multifunctional, adhesive composite hydrogel composed of gelatin, chitosan, polydopamine-coated bioactive glass (BG), and curcumin-capped silver nanoparticles (Cur-AgNPs) to target the multifaceted complexity of the wound. The PDA-coated BG serves multiple purposes: (1) adhesivity: catechol groups of PDA and Ca ion released from BG chelate the group present in the hydrogel network and surrounding tissues, (2) angiogenesis: promotes vascularization due to the release of Si from BG, and (3) BG also serves as the “reservoir” for the pain-relieving diclofenac sodium drug with a sustained-release behavior. Cur-AgNPs provide excellent bactericidal and anti-inflammatory properties to the composite hydrogel. In situapplication of the composite hydrogel could serve the purpose of a “skin biomimetic” and work as a barrier along with bactericidal properties to inhibit the microbial growth. The multifunctional composite hydrogel (MCH) targeted multiple aspects of wound repair including pain alleviation, elimination of microbes (up to 99%), reduced inflammation, high adhesivity, and increased angiogenesis for effective skin regeneration. The MCH showed excellent wound healing potential as significant wound closure was observed at day 7 and also significantly upregulated the expression of crucial genes involved in the skin regeneration process along with increasing vascularization in the wound area.

Carotenoids in tomato fruit are major antioxidants and they serve as an important nutritional constituent for human diet. Non-destructive method for assessment of total carotenoids in tomato fruits will thereby be highly useful. This study identified reflectance-based indices for non-destructive assessment of total carotenoids in tomato fruits. Tomato fruits of five different varieties (at different ripening stages) were taken directly from the plants and also during the period of postharvest storage. Reflectance measurement of tomato fruits was done by spectroradiometer for wavelengths ranging from 350 to 2500 nm. Afterwards, each fruit was subjected for actual estimation of total carotenoids (ranged from 2.2 to 112.3 µg g−1FW). This was followed by chemometric analysis for identification of indices towards the development of models. Out of five different models, the model based on reflectance at 582 nm was found to be the best. The second-best model was based on the reflectance at 546 nm. Models developed were found to be valid across varieties, ripening stages and ripening conditions (ripening on and off the plants). In future, identified indices could be utilized for development of cost-effective tools/techniques for automated sorting based on the content of total carotenoids as desired by tomato-based processing, value-addition and pharmaceutical industries.

The university course timetabling problem (UCTP) is one of the important scheduling problems, which is a NP-hard category problem. The teacher-course allotment is a sub-problem in this category. It is a time-consuming and complicated exercise in academic institutions and influences the quality of teaching due to subjectivity in allocation decision. This problem is solved manually by holding a number of meetings at institute level and even after such involved interactions, there is no guarantee that courses are allocated in a correct fashion in order to meet program and course objectives as well as for the satisfaction of all stakeholders. To overcome this subjective practice, it is proposed to develop and validate an algorithm to automate this tedious job. The proposed algorithm consists of two phases. In Phase-I, a bipartite graph is used to obtain the teacher-course preferences-based initial solution of the problem, and then conflict free final solution of teacher-course allocation is achieved in Phase-II. To validate, a software application with rich graphic user interface (GUI) is also developed and tested on an Indian university dataset. The results have been implemented with a good degree of stakeholder's satisfaction.

Six wheat genotypes with contrasting rooting depth and root system size at anthesis stage as initially identified from PVC pipe method were further evaluated for root system architecture (RSA) by agar gel plate and trench profile wall methods. Wheat genotypes C-306, HI-1500 and RAJ-3765 showed deeper rooting in pipe, narrower seminal root angle by agar gel plate method and higher root number density in the trench profile wall. Genotype HI1500 showed maximum total root length in pipe and highest root length density (RLD) in trench profile. Whereas, the genotypes EC-573549 and HD-2824 showed relatively shallow rooting depth in pipe, wider seminal root angle and a relatively lower root number density in the trench profile wall. Correlations were observed among the diverse RSA parameters measured from different methods. Finally, the response of photosynthesis and yield parameters in these genotypes were evaluated under terminal drought stress in field. It was tested whether deeper RSA (as in HI1500, C-306 and HI-1500) performed better under terminal drought stress than the shallower RSA genotypes (EC-573549 and HD-2824). Higher root number density in soil profile was associated with a lesser decline in leaf photosynthesis rate under drought. Deeper rooting genotypes showed lower Stress Susceptibility Index (SSI) for photosynthesis parameters compared to the shallow rooting types. Highest photosynthesis rate, stomatal conductance and transpiration rate maintained in HI1500 in drought stress was associated with its deeper and largest root system (RLD), however its 1000 grain weight was susceptible (SSI > 1). The genotype Drysdale with a higher intrinsic water use efficiency showed more tolerance for 1000 grain weight. In general, higher terminal stress tolerance for yield (SSI < 1) in C-306, RAJ-3765 and HI1500 was associated with deeper rooting.

Child labourers are at risk of poorer mental health and once rescued require urgent mental health interventions to ameliorate the long-term impact. In our review, only two published scientific studies evaluated custom-made interventions; other programmes were obtained from non-governmental organisations (NGOs), which need rigorous trial evaluation. We also sought the viewpoints of stakeholders working directly with rescued young people, as well as consulting young people with lived experiences of child labour. We propose that psychoeducational interventions aimed at employees working directly with young people could represent a fruitful approach for low- and middle-income countries in the Asia-Pacific region but also more generally.

Wheat is the most extensively cultivated food crop worldwide contributing approximately 27% in grain production. Improvement of the nutrient content of wheat varieties along with high productivity is important for global food and nutritional security. Scientists, breeders and food industries adopt numerous strategies to combat the problem of malnutrition. In this context, bio-fortification has become a successful method to enhance nutritional value of wheat. HD3298 is a bio-fortified wheat variety with high yield (55–60 quintals) and high nutrient (Fe, Protein) content. Nitrogen (N) and iron (Fe) are two important mineral nutrients required for plant growth and development. Information on crosstalk between different nutrients and their effects in the changing nutrient environment are very scarce. In the present study, we tried to understand the impact of single nutrient deficiency (–Fe, –N) and their combined (–N–Fe) starvation in bread wheat. Both single and dual deficiency of N and Fe resulted in significant yield loss. Apart from the impact on global nutritional security, deficit of Fe, N and the combined deficit of Fe impacts crop growth and yield potential by the suggested decrease in photosynthetic pigment content, leaf area and rate of photosynthesis. The impact of dual deficiency of N and Fe was more prominent than individual deficiencies. In the field condition, plants often face multiple stresses and deficiency of many nutrients at the same time. Understanding the nutrient interactions in controlled environment will enhance the understanding and also create avenues to manage the stress effectively.

The oil and gas industry faces several challenges associated with managing massive datasets and extracting relevant information. The machine learning tools have proven to be significantly valuable for analysing complex, heterogeneous data and produce quicker and more reliable outcomes even on large-scales. Machine learning and data mining tools have been applied in several aspects of the upstream oil and gas industry, such as exploration, drilling, reservoir engineering, and production forecasting. This review has been explicitly focused on machine learning and data mining implementations in reservoir engineering, including reservoir characterisation and performance prediction, well test analysis, well logging and formation evaluation, and enhanced oil recovery operations. The commonly used statistical measures for classification and regression models have been discussed as well. The observations from the review have led to suitable suggestions that shall enrich the research in this area. [Received: July 29, 2021; Accepted: October 30, 2021]

Lycopene is a pigment present in tomato fruits with multiple health benefits. Thereby, non-destructive and simple methods of lycopene estimation are needed. In the present investigation, hyperspectral technique was used towards the development of models for prediction of lycopene content in tomato fruits. Tomato fruits of four varieties at six different ripening stages were either harvested directly from the plants or obtained during the period of postharvest storage. Reflectance of individual tomato fruit was recorded at each wavelength in a spectrum of 350–2500 nm. Subsequently, actual estimation of lycopene content was done. Thereafter, reflectance values and actual lycopene content data were subjected to chemometric analysis. The best model was y[lycopene content, µg g−1fresh weight (FW)] = 0.1713x−1.789where xis reflectance at 546 nm (R546). This model can accurately predict the lycopene content for a difference of ≥ 5.04 with biasness of 0.10. The second-best model was y= 0.0726x2+ 0.3272x+ 0.5482 where xis inverse of reflectance at 550 nm (1/R550). This model had predictability of ≥ 5.06 with biasness of 0.67. The developed models were valid across the varieties, ripening stages, and ripening conditions i.e., plant harvested (fresh fruits) and stored (aged fruits). The findings will prove useful in development of non-destructive, cost-effective, and simple tools for rapid monitoring, sorting, grading, and phenotyping of tomato fruits based on their lycopene content. This in turn will be of immense use for processing, value-addition, pharmaceutical, and marketing of tomato fruits.

Rice productivity has reached a plateau, and further yield improvement can be possible by exploiting the physiological traits. Higher grain yield and biomass production are important agronomically desired targets for a successful breeding program. A field study was conducted using mini core collection of 135 basmati rice germplasm to analyze variability in growth, photosynthetic and gas exchange traits, and yield parameters. Eleven diverse morphological and physiological traits under standard agronomic practices were scored in the study. At 50% flowering, plant samples were analysed for growth traits. Photosynthetic and gas exchange traits of the fourth leaf from the top were measured. Most of the growth and photosynthetic traits showed variability among the rice genotypes, and the magnitude of variability among them was quite large. The shoot biomass varied between 8 to 95 g hill−1and tiller number were 5 to 22 tillers hill−1across the genotypes. Similarly, grain weight was observed in the range of 1.16–25.16 g per plant. Photosynthesis rate ranged between 6 to 26 µmol CO2m−2s−1and transpiration rate from 3 to 10 mmol H2O m−2s−1among basmati rice germplasm. There was a strong positive correlation between shoot biomass and days to flowering and between gas exchange traits, while photosynthesis rate showed no correlation with shoot biomass and grain yield. The study suggests that the variability in diverse morphological and physiological traits and their correlation with grain yield can be useful as selection criterion for breeding high yielding basmati rice cultivars.

Tomato fruit firmness is an important quality parameter as it plays decisive role in its preference and acceptability by the consumers. So, non-destructive and rapid assessment of firmness of tomato fruit is of immense significance in view of monitoring, postharvest management (PHM), marketing and processing. This study identified reflectance-based indices and developed models for non-destructive assessment of tomato fruit firmness. Tomato fruits of two varieties and two hybrids (at different ripening stages) were taken either directly from the plants or during the period of postharvest storage. Reflectance (350 to 2500 nm) of individual fruit was recorded by spectroradiometer. Fruits were then subjected for actual firmness (N) measurement (ranged from 11.74 to 1.13 N) along with the determination of ripening stages (immature to over-ripe stage). Thereafter, reflectance and firmness data were subjected to chemometric analysis for the development of models. Out of different models developed, model [y (firmness in N) = 1260.800 x + 3.309] based on the index i.e., x = R501(1st derivative) was found to be the best. This model can accurately predict the firmness for a difference of ≥ 1.05 N with biasness of − 0.01 N. The second-best model [y = − 5.377 x2+ 18.209 x + 2.951] was based on the index R521(= x). This had the predictability of  ≥  1.11 N with biasness of − 0.002 N. The developed models were able to predict the firmness of tomato fruits across the varieties/hybrids, ripening stages and ripening conditions i.e., plant harvested (fresh) and stored (aged) fruits. The findings will prove useful in developing cost-effective tools for automation of firmness-based sorting and monitoring resulting in rapid phenotyping and better PHM of tomatoes.

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) may be able to form viral DNA in human T-cell lines, but may not produce competent viruses. T-cell lines are precursors to the T-cells of the immune system. Researchers grew two HTLV-1-positive human cell lines and three HTLV-1-negative human cell lines with an FIV-positive feline cell line to evaluate the human cell lines' sensitivity to FIV-induced cell joining. Giant cells with multiple nuclei formed in four of the five human cell lines cultivated with FIV cells. In three human cell lines, giant cell formation was followed by cell death. None of the cultivated human cells or human cells treated with cell-free FIV produced proteins specific to FIV. Four of the human cell lines tested negative for the presence of FIV DNA or virus replication according to tests conducted after exposure to FIV. Subsequent analyses identified one human cell line that contained FIV DNA.

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicumL.) fruits of nine popular varieties in India were analysed for change in the levels of different nutrients (P, K, Fe, Zn, B, Cu, Mg, Ca and Mn) during the period of their postharvest ripening (fruits harvested at green mature stage and stored at 25 ± 1 °C). This work is in continuation of our previous and related work wherein similar studies were done on the tomato fruits undergoing ripening while attached to the plant (Ramesh in 1–15, 2020). Here in this study, nutrients were estimated in the outer pericarp of tomato fruits at the time of their harvest (at green mature stage) and during the storage period at 5, 10 and 14 days after harvest (DAH). Under above said storage conditions, ripening behaviour of tomato fruits of different varieties was also determined by ripening index (RI %) at 3, 5, 8, 10 and 14 DAH. The results on nutrients showed net increase in P, K, Fe, Zn, B and Cu with static levels for Mg, Ca, and Mn at 14 DAH in comparison to their levels at green mature stage. The increase is explained in view of remobilization of nutrients from other parts of the fruit to the outer pericarp. While, internal mobilization of nutrients within the fruit might have helped in maintaining the static level of nutrients. Correlation analyses revealed that lower content of K and Ca along with higher content of B and Cu can impart slow ripening to tomato fruits. Comparison between plant-attached (our earlier study) and plant-detached tomato fruits (this study) indicated that in contrast to the fruits at green mature stage there is net increase in Zn, B, Cu, Mg, Ca and Mn in the outer pericarp of plant-detached ripened fruits. This was due to the internal mobilization of nutrients within the fruits towards the outer pericarp and absence of any remobilization or back flow of nutrients away from the fruits as the fruits were off the plant.

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) having a large surface area, porosity, and substantial amounts of heteroatom content are recognized as the ideal class of materials for energy storage and gas sorption applications. In this work, we have synthesized four different porous COF materials by the polycondensation of a heteroatom-rich flexible triazine-based trialdehyde linker, namely 2,4,6-tris(4-formylphenoxy)-1,3,5-triazine (TPT-CHO), with four different triamine linkers. Triamine linkers were chosen based on differences in size, symmetry, planarity, and heteroatom content, leading to the synthesis of four different COF materials named IITR-COF-1, IITR-COF-2, IITR-COF-3, and IITR-COF-4. IITR-COF-1, synthesized within 24 h from the most planar and largest amine monomer, exhibited the largest Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area of 2830 m2g–1, superior crystallinity, and remarkable reproducibility compared to the other COFs. All of the synthesized COFs were explored for energy and gas storage applications. It is shown that the surface area and redox-active triazene rings in the materials have a profound effect on energy and gas storage enhancement. In a three-electrode setup, IITR-COF-1 achieved an electrochemical stability potential window (ESPW) of 2.0 V, demonstrating a high specific capacitance of 182.6 F g–1with energy and power densities of 101.5 Wh kg–1and 298.3 W kg–1, respectively, at a current density of 0.3 A g–1in 0.5 M K2SO4(aq) with long-term durability. The symmetric supercapacitor of IITR-COF-1//IITR-COF-1 exhibited a notable specific capacitance of 30.5 F g–1and an energy density of 17.0 Wh kg–1at a current density of 0.12 A g–1. At the same time, it demonstrated 111.3% retention of its initial specific capacitance after 10k charge–discharge cycles. Moreover, it exhibited exceptional CO2capture capacity of 25.90 and 10.10 wt % at 273 and 298 K, respectively, with 2.1 wt % of H2storage capacity at 77 K and 1 bar.

Truncus arteriosus, also referred to as common arterial trunk (CAT), is generally classified as a cyanotic congenital heart disease characterized by a single arterial trunk arising from the heart and supplying both pulmonary and systemic circulations. Cyanosis exists by virtue of it being an admixture lesion. We report a 13-year-old boy diagnosed to have type 1 CAT who was acyanotic at presentation and had all features of an operable lesion even at this age. He underwent a successful repair with closure of the subtruncal VSD and insertion of a hand-sewn valved right ventricle-to-pulmonary artery conduit made of bovine pericardium and Gore-Tex membrane.

Purpose: This paper provides a thematic analysis of an IUCN Red-Listed bird, the houbara bustard, which Pakistan uses as a fungible resource to appease its wealthy Arab benefactors. Design/methodology/approach: Thematic analysis of relevant media reports and government ministry and NGO websites comprise the study's data. Media reports were located using Dow Jones' Factiva database. Findings: Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issues wealthy Arabs special permits for hunting the houbara bustard as a “soft” foreign diplomacy strategy aimed at propping up the country's fragile economy. Although illegal under international and Pakistan's own wildlife laws, resource dependence theory helps explain how various country-specific issues (e.g. dysfunctional political and judicial systems) enable Pakistan's unlawful exchange of hunting permits for Arab oil and short-term financing. Surrogate accountability and agencement are examined as two means for arresting the bird's trajectory toward extinction. Research limitations/implications: Media reports comprise the primary data. Pakistani government officials were approached for interviews, but failed to reply. Although unfortunate, the pervasive corruption and mistrust that characterise Pakistan's culture would have likely tainted the responses. For this reason, media reports were always the primary data sought. Originality/value: The present study extends prior literature by exploring how country context can subvert the transferability of social and political approaches used in developed countries to address environmental accounting issues and challenges. As this study shows, a developing country's economic vulnerability, combined with its dysfunctional political systems, impotent judiciary and feckless regulatory mechanisms, can undermine legislation meant to protect the country's natural environment, in general, and a threatened bird's existence, in particular.

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicumL.) is one of the most important Solanaceous and remunerative vegetable crops. However, despite its value in fresh and processing markets, many farmers are concerned about pest resistance. Therefore, looking to the seriousness of pest menace particularly leaf curl and fruit borer, research is needed to reduce the chemical pressure and establish an ecological equilibrium in tomato fields. A combination of bio‐intensive pest management (BIPM) and chemo‐intensive pest management (CIPM) were followed trap crop marigold (Tagetes erectaL.) and yellow sticky traps to manage these pests during 2016–2017 and 2017–2018. The percent plant infestation with leaf curl (0.6–0.9) and fruit infestation with fruit borer (5.2–6.7) were observed in BIPM and CIPM. In these fields, the application of insecticides increased yields 30–38.3%. There was 47.1–56.8% higher net return in BIPM and 59.5–68.9% higher in CIPM than farmers’ practices. Similarly, benefit cost ratio was analyzed 2.5:3.6 in BIPM and 2.5:3.7 in CIPM.

Alzheimer’s disorder is one of the most common worldwide health problems, and its prevalence continues to increase, thereby straining the healthcare budgets of both developed and developing countries. So far, donepezil is the only Food and Drug Administration-approved dual-binding site inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) that can amplify the cholinergic activity and also decrease Aβ aggregation in Alzheimer patients. We report herein a new donepezil-like natural compound derivative (D1) as a convincing AChE inhibitor. The in silicostudies suggests that D1 exhibits a dual-binding mode of action and interacts with both the catalytic anionic site and peripheral anionic site (PAS) of human AChE. The biological studies confirm the dual-binding site character of D1 and revealed that D1 not only enhances the acetylcholine levels but also reduces the accumulation of Aβ plaques in Caenorhabditis elegans. In fact, 5 μM D1 was seen more potent in elevating the acetylcholine expression than 25 μM donepezil. While most of the non-cholinergic functions of donepezil, associated with the PAS of AChE, were gradually lost at higher concentrations, D1 was more functional at similar doses. Promisingly, D1 also exerted an agonistic effect on the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor.

The amount of charge of a material has always been regarded as a property (or state) of materials and can be measured precisely and specifically. This study describes for the first time a fundamental physical–chemical phenomenon in which the amount of charge of a material is actually a variable—it depends on the shape of the material. Materials are shown to have continuously variable and reversible ranges of charge states by changing their shapes. The phenomenon was general for different shapes, transformations, materials, atmospheric conditions, and methods of charging. The change in charge was probably due to a dynamic exchange of charge from the material to the surrounding atmosphere as the shape changed via the reversible ionization and deposition of air molecules. Similar changes in charge were observed for self-actuating materials that changed their shapes autonomously. This fundamental relationship between geometry and electrostatics via chemistry is important for the broad range of applications related to the charge of flexible materials.

Tomato fruit ripening is a complex phenomenon and throughout its progress it is tightly associated with colour change. Hence, colour change has been considered as an important quality trait to assess ripening behaviour of tomato fruits. Present study depicts the use of two widely used colour based parameters for assessment of ripening behaviour of tomato fruits during storage. Tomato fruits of ten popular Indian varieties were harvested at green mature stage and stored up to 14 days at 22 ± 1 °C with RH of 90 ± 5%. Ripening index (RI %) and red tomato (RT %) were used to determine the progress of ripening at 5, 10 and 14 days after harvest. Out of these two parameters, RI (%) was found to be better for assessment of tomato fruit ripening as it was more sensitive (2.5 times) to the change in rate of ripening than the RT (%). Hence, this colour change based simple, rapid and non-destructive parameter can be used suitably for assessing the progress of tomato fruit ripening. Based on the time-course values of RI (%), tomato varieties were classified as fast ripening, intermediate ripening and slow ripening types. Further, visual colour based evaluation of tomato fruits is discussed and its implications are being highlighted for other colour associated and ripening-related changes (maturity, firmness, nutritional status).

Scheduling and planning are considered difficult combinatorial optimisation problems and belong to the NP-complete class. The university course timetabling problem (UCTP) is one such type of problem which is to be solved under various constraints. The purpose of this paper is to create a university course timetable generator to automate the university course scheduling process, which is one of the most challenging and cumbersome tasks for the administration. All modules of the proposed timetable generator are inter-linked in SQL database and implemented in C# programming on the .NET platform. The proposed university course timetable generator is tested on several randomly generated problem instances of various complexities to verify the efficiency. The outcomes of them signify the importance of the solver, as it is producing a conflict-free timetable by taking very less amount of time and primary memory.

Simple, green, and energy-efficient methods for preparing electroactive materials used to generate and store renewable energy are important for a sustainable future. In this study, we showed that noble and certain non-noble metal nanoparticles can be deposited on graphite without the aid of any reducing agent. This method of reducing metal ions to metal nanoparticles by graphite involves only one step (i.e., immersion into a solution) and one chemical (i.e., a metal salt). Hence, the method is exceedingly simple, green, and does not require any energy input. Large amounts of metal nanoparticles are generated both on the surface and deep into the bulk of graphite (∼100 μm). Despite the simplicity of this method, the metal deposited on graphite showed good electrocatalytic performance for ethanol oxidation and oxygen evolution reactions and also functioned as electrodes for supercapacitors. This method is thus ideal for preparing electrocatalytic materials and electrochemical energy storage devices due to its simplicity and environmental sustainability. The simplicity of the method is due to the inherent reducing potential of graphite (i.e., a material that is generally perceived as inert). Results from analyses showed that functionalization of the reactive edges in the regions of defects allowed the graphite to serve as a reducing agent. Increasing the amount of defects (e.g., via chemical or simple mechanical treatments) is shown to be the fundamental principle for increasing the reactivity of graphite.

Anatomical features of mango (Mangifera indicaL.) fruits were examined at three different maturity stages in four varieties namely; Langra (L), Amrapali (A), Dushehari (D) and Ramkela (R) which differ in their rate of ripening. Gross anatomical variations were observed among the varieties in terms of cuticle thickness, number of cellular layers in hypodermis, compactness of hypodermal region and pattern of staining of exocarp region representing lignin and suberin depositions on cell walls. At cellular level, significant differences were observed in cell density which was primarily due to variations in cell size rather than the extent of intercellular spaces. The varietal differences in cell density was more prominent in the mesocarp region compared to the peel region of the mango fruits. The rate of ripening of fruits was in order of L > A > D > R and was found to be directly related to the cell density. While the respiration rate was in order of L > D ≈ A > R and this was inversely related with the cell size (L ≈ D < A < R). Fruits of variety Langra with smallest cell size and highest rate of respiration showed fastest rate of ripening. In contrast to this, fruits of variety Ramkela having the largest cell size and lowest rate of respiration showed slowest rate of ripening. The results indicated that the cell size is inversely linked to the rate of ripening due to its influence on the rate of respiration. This association between the cell size and the rate of respiration is explained on the basis of positive relationship between surface to volume ratio of cells and the respiration rate or basal metabolic rate in tissues/organs. The study pointed out the role of fruit anatomy in varietal differences which is having implications on respiration rate and on ripening.

Static charge on surfaces of materials is generated when two solid surfaces come into contact and are then separated. It is important to understand the phenomenon because the influence of static charge on surfaces is widely felt in our daily lives and can have a wide range of applications or undesirable effects in industry. Although the phenomenon has been observed since antiquity, the fundamental mechanism that underlies the generation of charge on insulating surfaces is still not known. After many decades of research, different mechanisms have been proposed, including electron and ion transfer. One other possibility has been discussed to a lesser extent: material transfer (i.e., the transfer of quantities of charged materials). This study seeks to investigate the significance of material transfer by correlating the amount of charge transferred and the amount of material transferred from one surface to another after contact. The investigation involved varying the degree of softness of a polymer (polydimethylsiloxane; PDMS), contact-charging it against another reference material, and analyzing the surfaces of the materials after contact. Results showed that when more material transferred, more charge was generated. An explanation for these results is that the surface of PDMS experienced heterolytic cleavage of bonds, which resulted in the generation of charge. When more cleavage of bonds occurred, more charge was generated, and more materials were transferred. Hence, material transfer seems to have an important contribution for the generation of charge by contact.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore the biodiversity and threatened species reporting of the top 150 Fortune Global companies. The paper has two main objectives: to explore the extent to which the top 150 Fortune Global companies disclose information about their biodiversity and species conservation practices, and to explore the effects of biodiversity partners and industry on companies’ biodiversity and threatened species reporting. Design/methodology/approach: The study’s sample is the top 150 Fortune Global companies. Each company’s fiscal year ending 2014 annual report, its 2014 sustainability report, and its company website were content analyzed for evidence of biodiversity and threatened species reporting. This content analysis is supplemented by a detailed analysis that focusses on the sample’s top five reporters, including a phone interview with a senior sustainability manager working at one of these companies. Finally, a regression analysis was conducted to examine the associations between companies’ biodiversity and threatened species reporting and the presence/absence of biodiversity partners and a company’s industry F&C Asset Management industry category. Findings: The reporting on biodiversity and threatened species by the top 150 Fortune Global companies is quite limited. Few companies (less than 15) are providing any substantial reporting. It was further observed that even among the high scoring companies there is a lack of consistent reporting across all index items. A subsequent empirical examination of these companies’ disclosures on biodiversity and threatened species showed a statistically positive association between the amount of reporting and companies’ holding of biodiversity partnerships. It was also observed that firms categorized as red- and green-zone companies made more disclosures on biodiversity and threatened species than amber-zone companies. Originality/value: This is the first study to systematically analyze corporate disclosures related to threatened species and habitats. While some prior studies have included the concept of biodiversity when analyzing organizations’ environmental disclosures, they have done so by examining it as one general category out of many further categories for investigating organizations’ environmental reporting. In the present study, the focus is on the specific contents of biodiversity disclosures. As such, this study has the twin research objectives of seeking to illuminate the current state of biodiversity and threatened species reporting by the world’s largest multinationals and provide an appreciation for how certain organizational and industry variables serve to influence these reporting practices. These multiple insights offer companies, and potentially regulators, understanding about how to include (or extend) disclosures on biodiversity loss and species under threat of extinction.

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.

The use of herbs in the form of dietary supplements and medicine is fascinating the world, owing to their safety and protective effects against oxidative stress. The elevation in oxidative stress promotes aging and age related disorders. To this end, the authors evaluated in vivo antioxidant activity and anti-aging potential of Trachyspermum ammiL. (TA) oil in Caenorhabditis elegansfor the first time. This medicinally important herb is commonly known as carom seed, ajwain, Bishop’s weed and traditionally used as spice in food preparations in India and other parts of world. The authors evaluated three doses of TA oil (10, 100 and 1000 ppm) and 10 ppm dose demonstrated maximal lifespan extension (12.45 %, P≤ 0.0001) in C. elegans. The 10 ppm dose of TA oil demonstrated in vivo antioxidant activity as it was able to extend lifespan in oxidative stress sensitive mev-1mutant by 9.53 % (P< 0.0001). Furthermore, TA oil treatment elevated expression of SOD-3 and GST-4 and conferred oxidative stress resistance in worms. This study broadens current perspectives concerning antiaging potential of TA oil. The present study has implications in the development of natural antioxidant based therapy for treating age related disorders which can be subjected to future investigations.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore the biodiversity reporting practices and trends of the top 50 Australian mining companies before and after the United Nations (UN) declared the period 2011-2020 as the “Decade on Biodiversity”. Design/methodology/approach: Using content analysis and interviews, this study compares the extent and type of biodiversity disclosures made by the Australian Stock Exchange’s top 50 metals and mining companies both before and after the UN’s “Decade on Biodiversity” declaration in 2010. Findings: A significant increase in the amount of biodiversity reporting is observed between the 2010 fiscal year preceding the UN’s declaration and the 2012 and 2013 fiscal years following the declaration. The findings reveal, however, that the extent of biodiversity reporting is quite variable, with some companies showing substantial increases in their biodiversity reporting and others showing modest or no increases. In particular, the larger companies in the sample showed a statistically significant increase in their disclosures on biodiversity in 2013 compared with 2010, while the increase in biodiversity disclosures by smaller companies was not significant. While interviewees spoke about their companies being more open and transparent, the biodiversity information that is being reported would not enable external parties to assess the company’s biodiversity performance. Research limitations/implications: To minimise an organisation’s use of biodiversity reporting as an impression management tool, it is suggested that biodiversity reporting should be more impact based and organisations should provide a report of their activities and their direct and tangible impacts on short-term and long-term biodiversity in and around their operating sites. A possible limitation of the present study pertains to its focus on companies’ voluntary disclosures made in their annual reports and sustainability reports, as opposed to other possible formal or even informal disclosure mediums. Social implications: Australia is one of 17 mega-diverse wildlife countries in the world. Finding ways to support the country’s biodiversity framework and strategy are crucial to this continued status. Due to the mining industry’s significant impact on Australia’s biodiversity, a strong need exists for biodiversity reporting by this industry. Furthermore, this reporting should be provided on a site-by-site basis. At present, the reporting aggregation typically conducted by mining companies produces obscure information that is neither useful for stakeholders who are impacted by the mining companies’ activities nor for policymakers who are vested with responsibility for protecting and sustaining the world’s biodiversity. Originality/value: This study examines the biodiversity reporting and discourse practices of mining companies in Australia and develops a 50-item biodiversity reporting index to measure the biodiversity reporting practices.

Nanostructured electrodes are at the forefront of advanced materials research, and have been studied extensively in the context of their potential applications in energy storage and conversion. Here, we report on the properties of core–shell (gold-polypyrrole) hybrid nanowires and their suitability as electrodes in electrochemical capacitors and as electrocatalysts. In general, the specific capacitance of electrochemical capacitors can be increased by faradaic reactions, but their charge transfer resistance impedes charge transport, decreasing the capacitance with increasing charge/discharge rate. The specific capacitance of the hybrid electrodes is enhanced due to the pseudocapacitance of the polypyrrole shells; moreover, the electrodes operate as an ideal capacitive element and maintain their specific capacitance even at fast charge/discharge rates of 4690 mA/cm3and 10 V/s. These rates far exceed those of other types of pseudocapacitors, and are even superior to electric double layer-based supercapacitors. The mechanisms behind these fast charge/discharge rates are elucidated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and are ascribed to the reduced internal resistance associated with the fast charge transport ability of the gold nanowire cores, low ionic resistance of the polypyrrole shells, and enhanced electron transport across the nanowire’s junctions. Furthermore, the hybrid electrodes show great catalytic activity for ethanol electro-oxidation, comparable to bare gold nanowires, and the surface activity of gold cores is not affected by the polypyrrole coating. The electrodes exhibit improved stability for electrocatalysis during potential cycling. This study demonstrates that the gold-polypyrrole hybrid electrodes can store and deliver charge at fast rates, and that the polypyrrole shells of the nanowires extend the catalytic lifetime of the gold cores.

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.

One dimensional (1D) Pt(II)-based metallo-supramolecular polymer with carboxylic acids (polyPtC) was synthesized using a new asymmetrical ditopic ligand with a pyridine moiety bearing two carboxylic acids. The carboxylic acids in the polymer successfully served as apohosts for imidazole loaded in the polymer interlayer scaffold to generate highly ordered 1D imidazole channels through the metallo-supramolecular polymer chains. The 1D structure of imidazole loaded polymer (polyPtC-Im) was analyzed in detail by thermogravimetric analysis, powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and ultraviolet–visible and photoluminescence spectroscopic measurements. PolyPtC-Im exhibited proton conductivity of 1.5 × 10–5S cm–1at 120 °C under completely anhydrous conditions, which is 6 orders of magnitude higher than that of the pristine metallo-supramolecular polymer.

This research aims to optimize deep learning models constituting long short-term memory and dense neural networks using the genetic algorithm (GA). This novel scenario has been applied to automatically identify reservoir types (homogeneous and natural fracture) and their external boundaries (infinite acting, circularly closed, and constant pressure) and estimate the related parameters. The suggested scenario includes two classifiers and 48 predictors to handle reservoir/boundary model detection and parameter estimation simultaneously. This methodology can recognize the reservoir/boundary models and predict wellbore storage constant, storativity ratio, skin factor (S), CD (dimensionless wellbore storage constant) × e2S, and inter-porosity flow coefficient. The pressure signals required for training the classifier and predictor models have been simulated by solving governing equations with added noise percentages. The hyperparameters of the intelligent models have been carefully tuned using the genetic algorithm to improve their classification/prediction accuracy. The GA-optimized classifier attained 94.79% and 94.29% accuracy over the training and testing groups of the pressure transient signal, respectively. The separately trained 24 optimized predictors converged well to estimate the reservoir parameters. The reliability of the proposed scenario has also been validated using two actual-field well-testing signals. The results indicate that the suggested procedure accurately identifies the reservoir/boundary model and efficiently approximates the associated parameters.

The deep learning model constituting two neural network models (i.e., densely connected and long short-term memory) has been applied for automatic characterization of dual-porosity reservoirs with infinite, constant pressure, and no-flow external boundaries. A total of 16 different prediction paradigms have been constructed (one classifier to identify the reservoir models and 15 regressors for predicting the dual-porosity reservoir characteristics). Indeed, wellbore storage coefficient, CDe2S, skin factor, interporosity flow coefficient, and storativity ratio have been estimated. The training pressure signals have been simulated using the analytical solution of the governing equations with varying noise percentages. The pressure drop and derivation of the noisy synthetic signals serve as the input signals to the intelligent scenario. The hyperparameters of the intelligent model have been carefully adjusted to improve its prediction performance. The trained classification model attained 99.48% and 99.32% accuracy over the training and testing datasets. The separately trained 15 regressors converged well to estimate the reservoir parameters. The model performance has been demonstrated with three uniquely simulated and real-field cases. The results indicate that the compiled prediction model can accurately identify the reservoir model and estimate the corresponding characteristics.

Linear Fe(II)-based metallo-supramolecular polymer chains were precisely aligned by the simple replacement of the counteranion with an N,N′-bis(4-benzosulfonic acid)perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylbisimide (PSA) dianion, which linked the polymer chains strongly. A parallel alignment of the polymer chains promoted by the PSA dianions yielded nanosheets formation. The nanosheets’ structure was analyzed with FESEM, HRTEM, UV–vis, and XRD in detail. The nanosheets showed more than 5 times higher proton conductivity than the original polymer due to the smooth ionic conduction through the aligned polymer chains. The complex impedance plot with two semicircles also suggested the presence of grain boundaries in the polymer nanosheets.

We present the design and performance of the TANSPEC, a medium-resolution 0.55–2.5 μm cryogenic spectrometer and imager, now in operation at the 3.6 m Devasthal Optical Telescope (DOT), Nainital, India. The TANSPEC provides three modes of operation, which include photometry with broad- and narrowband filters, spectroscopy with short slits of 20″ length and different widths (from 0.″5 to 4.″0) in cross-dispersed mode at a resolving power Rof ∼2750, and spectroscopy with long slits of 60″ length and different widths (from 0.″5 to 4.″0) in prism mode at a resolving power Rof ∼100–350. TANSPEC’s imager mode provides a field of view of 60″ × 60″ with a plate scale of 0.″245 pixel−1on the 3.6 m DOT. The TANSPEC was successfully commissioned during 2019 April–May, and the subsequent characterization and astronomical observations are presented here. The TANSPEC was made available to the worldwide astronomical community for science observations from 2020 October.

A platinum(II)-based, luminescent, metallo-supramolecular polymer (PolyPtL1) having an inherent dipole moment was synthesized via complexation of Pt(II) ions with an asymmetric ligand L1, containing terpyridyl and pyridyl moieties. The synthesized ligand and polymer were well characterized by various NMR techniques, optical spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry studies. The morphological study by atomic force microscopy revealed the individual and assembled polymer chains of 1–4 nm height. The polymer was specifically attached on Au-electrodes to produce two types of film (films 1 and 2) in which the polymer chains were aligned with their dipoles in opposite directions. The Au-surface bounded films were characterized by UV–vis, Raman spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and atomic force microscopy study. The quantum mechanical calculation determined the average dipole moment for each monomer unit in PolyPtL1 to be about 5.8 D. The precise surface derivatization permitted effective tuning of the direction dipole moment, as well as the direction of rectification of the resulting polymer-attached molecular diodes. Film 1 was more conductive in positive bias region with an average rectification ratio (RR = I(+4 V)/I(−4 V)) ≈ 20, whereas film 2 was more conducting in negative bias with an average rectification ratio (RR = I(−4 V)/I(+4 V)) ≈ 18.

Storage of potato (Solanum tuberosumL.) tubers at 8–12 °C (depending on the countries either 8–10 or 10–12 °C) with 85–90 % RH in cold stores is common practice because at this storage temperature the accumulation of sugars is minimum and potatoes remain suitable for processing. This temperature is however, also suitable for sprout growth and therefore, use of a sprout suppressant becomes essential. Isopropyl N-(3-chlorophenyl) carbamate (CIPC) is the most commonly used sprout suppressant used in potatoes. It is applied in the form of aerosol on the stored potatoes as a Post-harvest application. The possibility of using glyphosate as a pre-harvest foliar application on the potato crop to check the sprout growth of potatoes during subsequent storage has been reviewed in this article. Relative comparison between CIPC and glyphosate showed that glyphosate is safer in terms of lower mammalian toxicity with respect to oral LD50, contaminant level for human toxicity (long-term), acceptable daily intake limit (for human body) and acceptable residue limit (for human consumption). Comparatively, CIPC is more harmful to birds, fishes and other aquatic animals, worms and the environment. There are growing concerns regarding degradation products/metabolites of CIPC as they are more toxic and cytolytic in nature. Practical aspects such as cost of the chemical, application cost and ease of application also favor the glyphosate. Higher water solubility of glyphosate over the CIPC and its metabolites is also a point, as this can assist in minimizing the residue levels of glyphosate either in processed or cooked potato tubers. It is proposed that outcome of the further research work, especially on the suggested lines, may help in developing glyphosate as an alternative/supplementary to CIPC for its use as sprout suppressant on potatoes stored at 8–12 °C.

The effect of pre-emergence herbicide tank-mixes was evaluated under tillage and no-tillage (NT) conditions for weed control, yield and physiological parameters in soybean [Glycine max(L.) Merrill]. Out of the eight weed control treatments, the herbicide mixture pendimethalin + imazethapyr was found superior. Results indicated that weed density in NT treatment was significantly lower than conventional tillage but weed dry matter, leaf soluble protein, chlorophyll content and yield were not affected by tillage treatments. Pendimethalin tank-mix with imazethapyr was more effective against weed than pendimethalin alone. Leaf soluble protein in pendimethalin was significantly higher than weed-free check, while lower value was observed in metribuzin 0.3 kg/ha + imazethapyr 0.075 kg/ha. All weed control treatments gave significantly higher soybean seed yield compared to weedy check, but pendimethalin + imazethapyr was comparable with weed-free check and was superior to all other weed control treatments.

Rapid rate of ripening in tomato (Solanum lycopersicumL.) fruit due to its climacteric ripening behaviour has direct implications on its postharvest management. In India, huge losses (25–40 %) occur due to glut of tomato in the market during summer and spring seasons. Non-availability of cost-effective, safe and simple method for delaying the ripening of harvested tomato fruits creates the problems pertaining to its storage, proper distribution, marketing, price fluctuation and net returns to the farmers. As a consequence quantitative as well as qualitative losses, consumption, nutritional status and processing aspects are adversely affected. The plant hormone ethylene is one of the prime regulators of ripening in tomato fruit. So for delaying the ripening, one approach involves inhibition of ethylene action. 1-Methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) is one such regulator and it is very effective in delaying the ripening and ripening-related changes in tomato fruits. This review aims to provide an update on 1-MCP along with a critical evaluation of scope, prospects and potential of using 1-MCP in India, particularly on tomato. Besides, the review also highlights some lesser reviewed but important issues related to 1-MCP such as; safety concerns, maximum residue limit and acceptable daily intake.

Remote sensing technique is useful for monitoring large crop area at a single time point, which is otherwise not possible by visual observation alone. Yellow mosaic disease (YMD) is a serious constraint in soybean production in India. However, hardly any basic information is available for monitoring YMD by remote sensing. Present study examines spectral reflectance of soybean leaves due to Mungbean yellow mosaic India virus(MYMIV) infection in order to identify YMD sensitive spectral ratio or reflectance. Spectral reflectance measurement indicated significant (p< 0.001) change in reflectance in the infected soybean canopy as compared to the healthy one. In the infected canopy, reflectance increased in visible region and decreased in near infra-red region of spectrum. Reflectance sensitivity analysis indicated wavelength ~642, ~686 and ~750 nm were sensitive to YMD infection. Whereas, in yellow leaves induced due to nitrogen deficiency, the sensitive wavelength was ~589 nm. Due to viral infection, a shift occurred in red and infra-red slope (called red edge) on the left in comparison to healthy one. Red edge shift was a good indicator to discriminate yellow mosaic as chlorophyll gets degraded due to MYMIV infection. Correlation of reflectance at 688 nm (R688) and spectral reflectance ratio at 750 and 445 nm (R750/R445) with the weighted mosaic index indicated that detection of yellow mosaic is possible based on these sensitive bands. Our study for the first time identifies the yellow mosaic sensitive band as R688 and R750/R445, which could be utilized to scan satellite data for monitoring YMD affected soybean cropping regions.

Global efforts to reduce the emissions require proper monitoring and understanding of the carbon inputs and outputs by the terrestrial ecosystems i.e. vegetation and soil. Photosynthesis and net primary productivity can be used as indicators of carbon exchange and their estimate can be made through traditional approaches as well as other approaches e.g. mechanistic photosynthesis models and the light use efficiency with satellite data. Advancements have taken place for monitoring the CO2exchange at different scales viz. leaf, stand-, landscape levels, vertical carbon column- and satellite observations. There are methods to partition the fluxes based on discrimination of isotopes of carbon by terrestrial ecosystem processes. The soil is a vast reservoir of carbon and has a great potential for atmospheric carbon sequestration. Monitoring of carbon and fluxes in soil is therefore an essential aspect in the era of changing climate. The root systems are monitored mostly in a destructive manner but many non-destructive methods have also been devised. Similarly, soil carbon estimation with traditional chemical method can be replaced by reflectance spectroscopy for rapid and large area estimations. Measurement of soil respiration and its partitioning also helps in verifying the capacity of soil as a net source or net sink. Monitoring of the pools and fluxes therefore uses multi-technique and -disciplinary approaches. Uncertainties in the estimates occur due to the multi-factorial effects and have implications on carbon trading. Therefore more effective monitoring and reduction of the uncertainties is needed.