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The potential for damage caused by the maize fall armyworm (FAW) varies considerably, ranging from 9.0–62.5% across different seasons and regions in India. This poses a significant threat to the food and nutritional security of numerous farmers in the country. Notably, the FAW has been identified as a new host for sugarbeet, marking the first instance of such an occurrence. A comprehensive examination of the fall armyworm's behaviour in this new host was conducted. The infestation of the FAW in sugarbeet commenced during the seedling stage and persisted until the harvesting phase. During the initial seedling stage, larvae within the rhizosphere region induced defoliation of leaves and inflicted damage to the collar region. This led to the drying of the central shoot, mirroring the symptoms of dead heart, although no scraping symptoms were observed. As the plants entered the vegetative stage, they experienced further defoliation and wilting. In terms of its life cycle, the FAW exhibited distinct stages. The egg stage lasted around 3.2 ± 0.17 days. Larvae generally underwent 6 instars, with durations of 3.8 ± 0.65 days, 3.2 ± 0.90 days, 2.9 ± 0.14 days, 3.1 ± 0.36 days, 3.6 ± 0.24 days, and 6.8 ± 0.74 days for the first to sixth instars, respectively. The overall larval period ranged from 19 to 25 days, with an average of 23.4 ± 3.20 days. The pupal and adult stages lasted approximately 9.3 ± 1.80 days and 11.1 ± 1.94 days, respectively. Consequently, the complete life cycle of the fall armyworm in the sugarbeet, as observed under laboratory conditions, spanned approximately 43.8 ± 6.94 days.

Lianas (woody climbers) are crucial components of tropical forests and they have been increasingly recognized to have profound effects on tropical forest carbon dynamics. Despite their importance, lianas' representation in vegetation models remains limited, partly due to the complexity of liana-tree dynamics and the diversity in liana life history strategies. This paper provides a comprehensive review of advances and challenges for mechanistically representing lianas in forest ecosystem models and a proposed path towards effectively representing lianas in these models. Defining a liana plant functional type is a significant challenge because of the high morphological and physiological diversity amongst liana species, and because of their structural association with trees. Here, we identify critical liana traits that likely should contribute to establishing a liana plant functional type, along with key processes to properly represent lianas in ecosystem models. Subsequently, we discuss a variety of possible liana implementation strategies with their associated strengths, limitations, computational costs and data requirements. A fundamental redesign of the tree-centric demographic vegetation models seems appropriate to accommodate the unique growth and competition strategies of lianas. We illustrate the potential of such models with a single-site case study where we disentangle putative mechanisms of liana increasing abundance. Furthermore, we underscore the critical need for comprehensive liana demographic and functional data (including long-term, physiological, and pantropical observations) for the qualitative implementation and evaluation in the proposed modeling efforts. Currently, there is a scarcity of liana data and the data that do exist have a neotropical bias. We finally introduce a new liana functional trait database that can centralize existing liana trait data, incentivize improved data gathering and thus facilitate model development and scientific analyses.

Background and Objective: Few studies in adults and none in children have analyzed simultaneously, the correlation of SARS-CoV-2 reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) cycle threshold (Ct) value (inversely correlated to viral load) at diagnosis, with subsequent disease severity and antibody responses. A correlation could potentially inform treatment and vaccination decisions in advance. Materials and Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted from February 2021 to January 2022 in children below 16 years who tested RT-PCR test positive for SARS-CoV-2, including multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children. Disease severity was stratified as per standard definitions. Ct values were analyzed at diagnosis; IgG antibodies to S and N2 were quantified using a binding antibody test, 4–6 weeks after diagnosis. Multivariable analyses factored in potential effect modifiers such as age, gender, time from onset of symptoms to RT-PCR testing, time from RT-PCR to antibody testing, and immunocompromised state. Results: Of the 79 (47 male: 32 female) children who completed the study, 23 (29%) were asymptomatic, 47 (59%) had mild-to-moderate disease, 9 (11.4%) had severe disease; and 30/79 (38%) had comorbidities. The mean Ct/standard deviation (SD) value of the study population was 27.94 (±6.8); with mean Ct/SD values of 30.71 (±4.82), 26.25 (±6.82), and 29.69 (±8.5) in asymptomatic, mild-to–moderate, and severe disease, respectively. Although differences were observed between disease groups in mean Ct values and anti-N antibody titers using multiple-comparison correction, multivariable analyses showed no statistically significant correlation between Ct values, disease severity, and antibody titers. Conclusions: In children, SARS-CoV-2 Ct value at diagnosis independently predicts neither subsequent disease course/severity nor antibody response after 4–6 weeks.

Introduction: Abnormal Body Mass Index (BMI), characterised by a higher percentage of fat mass, has notable effects on postural control, leading to a forward shift in posture that exceeds the Base Of Support (BOS) boundary due to increased segmental mass and a compromised ability to regain stability after a disruption caused by excess adiposity. Aim: To investigate the potential impact of BMI on the coordination, static balance and dynamic balance of young adults. Materials and Methods: The present case-control study was conducted in the Department of Physiotherapy, School of Healthcare and Allied Sciences (SoHAS), G D Goenka University, Gurugram, Haryana, India from November 2023 to April 2024. Study was conducted among 90 subjects from the Delhi-NCR region, aged between 18 years and 30 years and including both genders, were recruited. They were categorised into three groups based on Asian Pacific BMI classifications: 29 subjects in the normal weight group (BMI 18.5-22.9 kg/m2), 26 subjects in the overweight group (BMI 23-24.9 kg/m2), and 35 subjects in the obese group (BMI >25 kg/m2). Body composition, balance tests and coordination tests were assessed for all subjects. The p-value and F-values were calculated to assess group differences using the One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) method, indicating significant results (p-value

The article presents the replicable model of Curriculum and Community Based Academic Learning with Research, Action and Service (CCBALwRAS) through a framework of '2 Cs', the 'curriculum' and the 'community'. It puts forth a support strategy for participatory community-based interventions by formally inducting higher education institutions (HEIs) to achieve long-term sustainable, workable solutions for local communities. The study is based on a multi-stakeholder partnership, facilitated through partnerships between the HEI, committed faculty-student participation and civil society, executed between 2015 and 2020. The article draws from the execution and actual field experience of the partnership, along with qualitative data from the evaluation and assessment of the programme delivered. Given that the model developed is based on the experiences of a private fee-dependent HEI in a metro city, the study does not take into consideration infrastructural and resource constraints of other HEIs. The article focuses on the role of HEIs as fulfilling dual responsibilities of knowledge creation and dissemination while addressing socioeconomic, developmental and environmental needs within their immediate communities. The resultant pedagogical shift and the model proposed is an effective solution for equity, capacity building and civic-mindedness, which will nurture socially aware and critically conscious global citizens.

Purpose: We investigated the effectiveness of using feature films in teaching organizational behavior courses at the undergraduate level at a mid-Western university in the USA. Design/methodology/approach: Our model included the impact of film analysis on self-perceived learning outcomes and cognitive and affective changes among students. Structural equation modeling using partial least squares and contemporary mediation analysis techniques were employed. Findings: Featured film analysis positively impacted perceived learning outcomes and the cognitive and affective components of learning among students. We also found an indirect effect on cognitive and affective change, indicating that learners' improved perceived learning outcomes deepened their learning and resulted in greater appreciation of organizational behavior theories. Practical implications: Films are effective pedagogical tools for teaching complex business theories and principles. We recommend that faculty members pay careful attention to selecting films for study and should design film analysis projects aligned with meaningful course learning outcomes. Appropriate films and carefully designed learning outcomes trigger cognitive changes and have a lasting influence on students beyond the semester. Originality/value: Our study is one of the few empirical studies demonstrating the effectiveness of feature films as a pedagogical tool for organizational behavior courses.