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The epitaxial NiO layers deposited with higher fluence values are found to be strained, and the strain increases with the fluence values. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) profile taken from the synchrotron beam shows the presence of relaxed grains of NiO in addition to the strained grains, where the fraction of relaxed grains gradually increases with the fluence values. The presence of Pendellosung fringes in the XRD profile for the layers deposited at lower fluence values confirms good interfacial and crystalline qualities. As the fluence value is increased, the Pendellosung fringes start merging indicating relatively poor interfacial and crystalline qualities. The NiO layers are of epitaxial nature and grown along [111] direction with two domain structures that are in-plane rotated by 60° with respect to each other. The analysis of local structures from extended X-ray absorption fine structure measurements also indicates that the NiO lattice is strained at higher fluence values. The Ni-O bond distance does not change with the fluence values; however, Ni-Ni bond distance increases with the fluence values in corroboration with XRD results. The surface topography shows island growth of NiO at lower fluence values giving larger roughness, and these islands start merging with an increase in the fluence values leading to relatively smoother layers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A detailed description of the assemblage of Miogypsina (Lepidosemicyclina) bifida Rutten from the sub-surface Mumbai Offshore is presented by carrying out biometric studies on nineteen equatorial sections. The mean V is 47.2 and the mean DI 212μm. The mean DII is 272.35μm and the mean ε 341.76μm. The larger spire has notational value in the range 4.1/2 to 7.1/2 and the smaller spire 1.1/2 to 3.1/2. The species is recorded to be occurring below M. (L.) excentrica Tan Sin Hok. In terms of the planktonic zonation, it pertains to the planktonic Zone N6 (Burdigalian). This is the first detailed study of M.(L.) bifida Rutten from India. The foraminifer, M.(L.) bifida Rutten, recorded from the L-III, a major producing reservoir of Mumbai High field is found in association with Lepidocyclina sp., Sphaerogypsina sp., Operculina sp., Amphistegina sp., Elphidium sp. and Cibicides sp. along with Bryozoa. The assemblage, recorded from limestone, indicates a shallow inner neritic paleoenvironment (bathymetry 15-20 meters) of deposition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of Jatropha curcas L. (Jatropha) as biofuel is currently increasing in tropical and sub-tropical regions. Jatropha species are well known for synthesizing various toxicants. However, the effects of Jatropha plantation on soil microbiota have barely been investigated. Hence, in current experiment, we had investigated the effects of Jatropha cultivation on soil microbial and biochemical properties in winter, summer and wet seasons after 9 years of plantation with different plant population densities. A nearby uncultivated area was included as the control site. Soil organic carbon was found to increase, while carbon: nitrogen ratio (C:N) decreased under Jatropha plantation as compared to control. Irrespective of seasons, mean microbial biomass C (MBC) and microbial biomass N increased under Jatropha plantation. The microbial quotient calculated as the percentage of MBC to soil organic carbon was lowest in summer and relatively constant in other two seasons. There was a significant increase in urease and dehydrogenase enzyme activities due to Jatropha plantation. The rate of decomposition of soil organic matter was faster under Jatropha cultivation compared to the control. The study revealed that irrespective of population density of Jatropha, there was improvement of soil health in terms of biochemical and microbial characteristics. These findings suggest that Jatropha can be used in the bunds of agricultural lands or in the degraded lands without any harmful effects on the soil microbial community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present investigation was carried out in a free-air CO2 enrichment (FACE) facility to assess the effect of elevated CO2 on the incidence and severity of three foliar diseases of Brassica juncea cv. Pusa Tarak. Exposure of plants to elevated concentration of CO2 (550 ppm) revealed lower incidence and severity of Alternaria blight caused by Alternaria brassicae and downy mildew caused by Hyaloperonospora brassicae, while white rust infection caused by Albugo candida increased. Leaves of mustard plants grown under elevated CO2 had a higher amount of epicuticular wax which, together with higher concentration of total phenols and phenylalanine ammonia lyase activity, may have increased the ability of mustard plants to resist infection by A. brassicae and H. brassicae. Mustard plants grown under elevated CO2 showed a decrease in stomatal density and pore size, and consequently also in stomatal conductance. This might explain the decrease in disease index of downy mildew caused by the stomata-invading pathogen H. brassicae. There was no change in leaf protein concentration, whereas sugars were three times as concentrated in plants grown under high vs. ambient CO2. There was an increase in the concentration of total glucosinolates (GSs) under FACE in plants grown under elevated CO2, but a decrease in their diversity. Namely, the aliphatic GS gluconapin was more abundant in plants grown under high CO2, while three out of eight different GSs found in the leaves of plants grown under ambient CO2 could not be detected. Higher sugar availability and lower GSs diversity may account for the higher incidence and severity of white rust caused by the obligate biotroph A. candida. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The literature on osteopetrosis is briefly reviewed. A case report of malignant osteopetrosis in a child of 6 months is reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphorus (P) demand is likely to increase especially in legumes to harness greater benefits of nitrogen fixation under elevated CO2 condition. In the following study, seed yield and seed P uptake in cowpea increased by 26.8% and 20.9%, respectively, under elevated CO2 level. With an increase in phosphorus dose up to 12 mg kg−1, seed yield enhanced from 2.6 to 5.4 g plant−1. P application and cyanobacterial inoculation increased the microbial activity of soil, leading to increased availability of P. Under elevated CO2 condition, microbial activity, measured as dehydrogenase, acid phosphatase, and alkaline phosphatase activities showed stimulation. Soil available P also increased under elevated CO2 condition and was stimulated by both P application and cyanobacterial inoculation. Higher P uptake in elevated CO2 condition led to lower values of inorganic P in soil. Stepwise regression analysis showed that aboveground P uptake, soil available P, and alkaline phosphatase activity of soil influenced the yield while available P, and organic and inorganic P influenced the aboveground P uptake of the crop. This study revealed that under elevated CO2 condition, P application and cyanobacterial inoculation facilitated P uptake and yield, mediated through enhanced availability of nutrients, in cowpea crop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To see the effect of climate change on the variation of soil hydrothermal regimes and growth of maize crop, an experiment was conducted in free-air carbon dioxide enrichment (FACE) facility during the kharif season of 2015 at Climate Change Facility of Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India. Under elevated CO2 and ambient condition, surface bulk density (BD) were 1.38 Mgm−3 and 1.44 Mgm−3, respectively but BD were not significantly different. During different days after sowing (DAS), in 0 to 10-cm soil depth, soil water content (SWC) in FACE varied between 14.58-20.70%, whereas in ambient condition, SWC variations were in between 19.33-22.94%. In 10 to 20-cm soil depth, SWC ranged in between 20.47-27.14% in FACE and 23.57-25.42% in ambient condition for different DAS. It is also observed that the arrival of peak surface ST was 1 h early in elevated CO2 condition. Photosynthetic rate increased by 5.7% on 44 DAS and 18.1% on 70 DAS under elevated carbon dioxide condition. Elevated carbon dioxide had reduced the stomatal conductance but the reduction was not significant. Like variation in air temperature for climate change, more intensive study is required to see the effect of climate change on soil temperature and its effect on crop growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An attempt has been made to study the effect of elevated temperature on soil hydrothermal regimes and winter wheat growth under simulated warming in temperature gradient tunnel (TGT). Results showed that bulk density (BDs) of 0, 0.9, and 2.5 °C were significantly different whereas BDs of 2.8 and 3.5 °C were not significantly different. Water filled pore space (WFPS) was maximum at 3.5 °C temperature rise and varied between 43.80 and 98.55%. Soil surface temperature (ST) at different dates of sowing increased with rise in sensor temperature and highest ST was observed at S5 sensors (3.5 °C temperature rise). Temperature and its difference were high for the top soil, and were stable for the deep soil. Photosynthesis rate (μmol CO2 m−2 s−1) of wheat was lower at higher temperature in different growth stages of wheat. In wheat, stomatal conductance declined from 0.67 to 0.44 mol m−2 s−1 with temperature rise. Stomatal conductance decreased with increase in soil temperature and gravimetric soil moisture content (SWC). In TGT, 0 °C temperature rise showed highest root weight density (RWD) (5.95 mg cm−3); whereas, 2.8 and 3.5 °C showed lowest RWD (4.90 mg cm−3). Harvest index was maximum (0.37) with 0 °C temperature rise, and it decreased with increase in temperature, which indicated that both grain and shoot biomass decreased with increase in temperature. Intensive studies are needed to quantify the soil hydrothermal regimes inside TGT along with the crop growth parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]