Search

Plums are nutraceutically rich and have health-promoting properties. To produce high-quality fruits, it is important to monitor them at harvest. This study illustrates the potential of nondestructive laser-induced fluorescence and confocal micro Raman spectroscopy for monitoring the ripening of plums. The fluorescence profile indicates that as fruit ripens, the intensity of the fluorescence of chlorophyll at 685 and 730 nm decreases with increase in the intensity ratio (F685/F730) of these bands. These observations reveal that as fruit ripens, there is a gradual loss of chlorophyll. In order to get further insight into pigment dynamics, the Raman spectra of the fruit were analyzed. The Raman spectra of pre and post-ripe stages of fruits show that as the fruit ripens, there is a prominent increase in the intensity of anthocyanin bands accompanied by subsequent decrease in the intensity of the carotenoid bands. The spectral analysis reveals that the ripening is associated with a decrease in the chlorophyll and carotenoid content with subsequent increase in anthocyanins. The results of this study highlight the utility of laser-induced fluorescence and confocal micro-Raman spectroscopy for the rapid, sensitive, and nondestructive monitoring of plum ripening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrogen (N), the most vital nutrient, undergoes a transformation in the soil and was subjected to loss through ammonia volatilization, nitrate leaching, and denitrification, which lower the soil fertility, crop yield and pollute the environment. Integrated nutrient management (INM) improves the nutrient supply system by integrating recommended dose fertilizers and biofertilizers, lessens the nitrogen losses, and synchronizes with the nutrient demand of the crop. To evaluate the impact of INM on minimization of N losses and improvement of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yield and growth parameters, a field experiment was conducted with different combinations of biofertilizers along with the recommended dosage of fertilizers. Application of NPK + Azotobacter + mycorrhiza (Tram) in combination was found to improve soil nitrogen dynamics, availability of P, K, microbial activity, root growth, urease activity, and nitrogen use efficiency as compared to NPK (Tr) only. The cumulative emission from ammonia flux in the INM plot varied from 10.2 to 10.6 kg ha−1 and denitrification losses varied from 2.4 to 2.5 kg ha−1. At the same time, these were recorded significantly higher in Tr plot. The yield obtained under the INM plot receiving Tram was recorded as 6.4 t ha−1, which is higher than other treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Underutilized fruits like kadam are bio-reserves of numerous biochemical and minerals and have the potential to be used as food alternatives and supplements to fulfill the needs of malnourished populations. The production of quality fruits needs monitoring throughout the growth and ripening in order to build consumer and industry confidence. The nondestructive optical spectroscopic techniques have immense potential to monitor the growth and ripening indices of the fruits. Hence, this study explores the potential of laser-induced fluorescence and confocal micro Raman spectroscopy for the reliable and cost effective monitoring of growth and ripening of kadam fruits. The analysis of the laser-induced fluorescence measurements reveals that the ripening of the kadam fruits may be monitored by analyzing the fluorescence emission of chlorophyll and carotenoids. The decrease in the intensity of chlorophyll fluorescence accompanied by the increase in the intensity of the carotenoid bands is the characteristic fluorescence signature associated with the ripening of the kadam fruits. Hence, upon the ripening of the fruits, the concentration of chlorophyll decreases considerably with the accumulation of carotenoids. This fact is further complimented by confocal micro Raman measurements, which show that as the fruit ripens, the intensity of carotenoid bands increases dramatically. The observed spectral features may be used by the horticulture scientists and nutritionists to monitor the growth, maturity, and ripening of underutilized fruits like kadam in order to maximize the quality and minimize postharvest losses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The massive expansion of higher education in contemporary India has been accompanied by corresponding increases in the number of women students in colleges and universities. Given this backdrop, this paper discusses the experiences of young women students within the public and private spaces of their new lives in college. Some recent discussions concerning young women in urban India have privileged public spaces as sites of freedom to which they should lay claim. This paper is based on research on women students in Prayagraj, a city in North India, and shows how college and hostel spaces enable new forms of sociability, in which they form non-kin relationships. These are formed among students of diverse social identities but are shaped by their class locations as well within the social context of homosociality. Young women students create a new social world inside their colleges and hostels, build friendships and create certain kinds of intimacies. Cooking together and caring for each other in times of illness emerge as important aspects of their friendships. Hostel spaces, in particular, provide some freedom and comfort for the young women who reside in them. This article brings out the ways in which women students inhabit such spaces, creating social support systems and care networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evaluation of the maturity and ripening of fruits is important from both consumer and industry point of view in order to produce high quality horticultural products. This requires the need to explore the potential of reliable, cost effective and fast data acquiring techniques that have practical applicability for the nondestructive monitoring of fruits. Therefore, the present study explores the utility of confocal micro Raman spectroscopy for the nondestructive, extraction-free evaluation of biochemical changes associated with the ripening of jamun fruits. For this, the exocarp, mesocarp and seed of the jamun fruits have been examined at green, green-pink, reddish-pink, light-purple, dark-purple and blackish-blue stages of growth and ripening. The analysis of the acquired Raman spectrum of the exocarp and mesocarp of jamun shows the spectral features of starch, glucose, fructose, carotenoids, anthocyanins and flavonoids. In addition, seeds are rich in carotenoids and flavonoids. The decrease in the intensity of the starch band and simultaneous increase in the intensity of glucose and fructose bands at the onset of ripening indicate that ripening is associated with a decrease in non-reducing sugars with subsequent accumulation of reducing sugars. The appearance of the spectral features of anthocyanins and carotenoids in the ripe fruits indicates significant accumulation during ripening. The obtained spectral features may be used to monitor the maturity and ripening of the fruits in order to determine the appropriate harvest time to maximize fruit quality and minimize postharvest losses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ixora flowers of different cultivars are widely grown for their esthetic values as they have bright, abundant, and beautiful inflorescence. A derivative of plant origin, especially flowers, possesses a broad spectrum of biological activities; therefore, it is important to explore current techniques and protocols for the isolation, identification, and characterization of these substances. This study explores the utility of nondestructive spectroscopic probes for monitoring the composition and bioprocess in ixora flowers. The various cultivars of ixora flowers having dark red, dark pink, light pink, peach, orange, and yellow flowers have been collected, and their absorption, fluorescence, and scattering spectral signatures have been acquired using ultraviolet-visible, laser-induced fluorescence and confocal micro Raman spectroscopy. The pre-processing and spectral analysis reveal that biochemicals present in dark red, dark pink, light pink, orange, and peach ixora flowers include flavonoids, phenolic compounds, anthocyanins, and carotenoids of varying concentrations, while the yellow flowers are abundant in carotenoids. The spectral signatures obtained in this study open new avenues for monitoring the substances of plant origin in a nondestructive, rapid, robust, and sensitive way without high operational costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climacteric fruits such as papaya are characterized by changes in the pigment composition during fruit ripening. Therefore, information on the degree of fruit ripeness with respect to the pigment composition using proper monitoring tools is important to growers for determining the appropriate harvest time associated with best quality. This study is aimed at exploring the applicability of spectroscopic probes such as laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) and confocal Raman microspectroscopy for the nondestructive, extraction free and rapid evaluation of pigment changes associated with the growth and ripening of papaya fruits. The laser-induced fluorescence spectra of the papaya show that as the fruit ripening progresses, there is a decrease in intensity of the chlorophyll bands with a simultaneous increase in intensity of carotenoid bands. This phenomenon can be regarded as a characteristic feature of the ripening of papaya. To obtain additional insight about the carotenoid dynamics during ripening, confocal Raman microspectroscopy has been utilized. The Raman spectra show strong spectral signature of carotenoids in both pericarp and mesocarp whose intensity increases as the fruit ripens. In addition, the bands of carotenoids are more prominent in the spectra of the mesocarp than in the pericarp. These facts are supported by the quantitative estimation of pigments in the papaya fruits by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. The determined spectral signatures can be used as indices for effective monitoring of ripening of fruits and commercial application for the phenotyping of important plant parts, screening, grading, shelf life estimation and quality standardization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Imbalanced and indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers has been adversely influencing the quality of soil, environment, biodiversity and nutrient status in soil. Conjoint application of bio-inoculants (BI) with organic or inorganic sources of nutrients tweaks nutrient synchrony in soil and improves plant nutrition. With this backdrop an experiment was conducted at Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi during 2016–2018. The objectives were to identify the suitable combinations of BI-mediated nutrient sources for higher productivity and profitability in pigeon pea–wheat cropping system (PWCS). The nine pigeon pea treatments; four sole applications viz., recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF), vermicompost (VC), farm yard manure (FYM), leaf compost (LC) and four conjoint applications viz., RDF + BI, VC + BI, FYM + BI and LC + BI and one control were replicated thrice under randomized block design (RBD). However, in succeeding wheat, each of the treatments applied to pigeon pea was further allocated to two levels (50% and 100%) in factorial RBD. Findings exhibit that FYM + BI could result into higher equivalent-system grain productivity (10.4 and 10.8 t ha−1 during 1st and 2nd year, respectively) of PWCS. However, profitability parameters of PWCS were higher with the RDF + BI. Uptake of nutrients (NPK) was significantly higher with FYM + BI in pigeon pea and RDF + BI in wheat. Nutrient harvest index (NHI) did not vary significantly in both the crops. Conclusively, bio-inoculation is more productive and beneficial in general, while, over the various combinations, recommendation of FYM + BI combination could be more productive and sustainable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aspirin (acetyl salicylic acid) is widely used co-medication in patients with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Given the prevalence of acetyl salicylic acid's use as a co-medication and conflicting reports in the literature on it being a substrate of P-glycoprotein (P-gp). There is a potential risk for its interaction with compounds with P-gp liability, therefore, we have conducted a detailed investigation to determine substrate potential of acetyl salicylic acid towards P-gp. We observed significantly lower cellular uptake of acetyl salicylic acid in MDR1 transfected LLC-PK1 cells compared to LLC-PK1 wild-type (WT) cells, however, the in vitro efflux of acetyl salicylic acid in MDR1 transfected LLC-PK1 cells was not inhibited by known inhibitors under various conditions. Acetyl salicylic acid did not show active asymmetrical transport across MDR1 transfected LLC-PK1 cells compared to LLC-PK1-WT cells in transwell assay. Moreover, no difference in plasma and brain exposure of acetyl salicylic acid and its metabolite salicylic acid was observed between FVB-WT and Mdr1a/b knockout (KO) mice. Taken together, our findings indicate that acetyl salicylic acid is not a substrate of P-gp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the application of spectroscopic techniques (laser induced fluorescence, Raman and attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared) coupled with principal component analysis for the nondestructive, extraction free and rapid evaluation of biochemical changes associated with ripening of chili peppers at four stages (mature, pre-ripe, ripe and post-ripe). The analysis of the fluorescence spectra of the exocarp of chili pepper shows a decrease in the intensity of chlorophyll bands at 685 and 735 nm and an increase in the intensity of carotenoid fluorescence bands at 490–500 nm and 565–580 nm with progress in the ripening stages. These changes are regarded to be significant phenotypic markers for the ripening of chili peppers. The observed changes in the position of carotenoid bands in Raman spectra at 1004, 1156, 1188, and 1524 cm−1 with increase in their intensity indicating the accumulation of carotenoids and change in the carotenoid composition from β-carotene in the mature chilis to capsanthin in the ripe chilis. In addition, the infrared spectra show changes in the carbohydrates, amide II, amide I and cutin at various stages of ripening. Also, the variation in the position of pectin bands indicates change in its molecular mass with decreasing content. The determined spectral signatures can be used as biomolecular index for effective monitoring of the ripening of chili peppers. The commercial application of noninvasive spectroscopic probes will be advantageous for the phenotyping of economically important plant parts, screening, grading, shelf life estimation and quality standardization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This mixed methods study draws upon Young Lives India longitudinal data to analyse whether children who attended private preschools demonstrate higher cognitive skills and enhanced subjective wellbeing at the age of 12 compared to those who attended government preschools in India. Using linear logistic regression models, the analysis reveals that children who attended private preschools have significantly higher mathematics scores and more positive subjective wellbeing than those in government preschools. The propensity score matching technique further substantiates this finding. Furthermore, entering preschool before the age of 4 is shown to have a significant positive association with both cognitive achievement and subjective wellbeing at the age of 12. Given that the recently enacted National Policy on Early Childhood Care and Education recognises early childhood education as the foundation for all future learning and as a sorely neglected area, early childhood education must be prioritised by policymakers across public and private sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using unique panel data from Young Lives study conducted in undivided Andhra Pradesh, India, this mixed-method paper analyses gender differentials in completion of secondary education. Results show biased secondary school completion rates in favor of boys. Probit regression results highlight certain variables such as mothers’ education, wealth, high self-efficacy, early reading skills, lower birth order, and not engaging in more than two hours of domestic work and paid work at age 12, as positively associated with educational outcomes for girls. Decomposition analysis highlights that engaging in domestic chores at age 12 is the most contributory factor (36%) for the persisting gender gap. The other unexplained contributory factors may well be existing discriminatory social norms and son preference, which is captured by the qualitative case studies. The findings suggest that unless we are able to address persisting gender norms, universalizing secondary education with gender equity, will remain a distant dream. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The concept of food autonomy draws attention to qualities of local food and food networks that can facilitate connectivity between local food production and consumption. This article reports on a study conducted in Hisar, India, that reveals how rural producer, processor, and consumer preferences of mung bean quality interact with their aim to maintain and develop a territorial mung bean connectivity so as to reinforce food autonomy. The study showed that local mung bean food qualities related to suitability in the local cropping system, processing requirements, and consumption choice. It suggests that local preferences be integrated into a reorientation of research and scientific development agendas, and should become an essential consideration of development and extension efforts, which also carries implications for the food autonomy of local producers, processors, and consumers.ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present investigation, attempts have been made to obtain the spectral signature of the fruit jamun and to estimate the changes in biochemical composition that take place in the process of ripening of the fruits. The changes in exocarp, mesocarp, and seed of the fruit in raw and ripe stages have been investigated with the help of label-free, nondestructive, and rapid techniques: laser-induced fluorescence and attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. For this, the fluorescence spectra of the different parts (exocarp, mesocarp, and seed) of the raw and ripe fruits of jamun excited by 405 nm violet diode laser have been recorded in the spectral region 400–900 nm. The spectrum shows the spectral signature of anthocyanin, flavonoids, carotenoid, and chlorophyll. The observed decrease in the intensity of chlorophyll bands and simultaneous increase in the intensity of anthocyanin and carotenoid bands is regarded as indicator of the ripening of the fruit of jamun. Also, attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectra have been recorded in the spectral region 4000–485 cm−1for the identification of functional groups associated with different biochemical altered during ripening process of the fruits of jamun. The analyses of the recorded infrared spectra show the presence of carbohydrates, cell wall components, phenolic compounds, nucleic acid, and amide. The quantitative estimation of the biochemical content in the different parts of jamun fruit during the ripening process has been done through calculating the area of the band by curve fitting. The determined spectral signatures can be utilized for the effective monitoring of jamun fruit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neural stem cells (NSCs) are primordial, uncommitted cells postulated to give rise to the array of more specialized cells of the central nervous system (CNS). NSCs can self-renew and give rise to neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. NSCs are found in the CNS of mammalian organisms, and represent a promising resource for both fundamental research and CNS repair. Animal models of CNS damage have highlighted the potential benefit of NSC-based approaches. Present study described that buffalo neural stem cells (Bu-NSCs) were isolated and expanded rapidly from buffalo fetal brain in adherent culture. They were capable of multidifferentiation into neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. Bu-NSCs were morphologically homogeneous and possessed high proliferation ability. The population doubled every 128.16 h. Normal buffalo karyotype was unchanged throughout the in vitro culture period. Together, we have isolated and cultured Bu-NSC from fetal brain that showed self-renewal, rapid proliferation and ability to differentiate into cells of nervous system. The availability of such cells may hold great interest for basic and applied neuroscience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The thermal emission spectrum of the CoBr molecule has been photographed for the first time in the spectral region 4200–6000 Å using the high-temperature excitation technique and the 2-meter plane grating spectrograph (PGS-2). The spectrum has been recorded at a reciprocal linear dispersion of 7.3 Å/mm. About 203 red degraded and line-like bands have been recorded, out of which 172 are entirely new. The observed bands have been classified into 31 systems, of which 23 are entirely new. The vibrational analyses have been carried out using band head measurements and the Deslandre table. The ground state of the CoBr molecule is found to be3Φ with the vibrational constants 318.3, 329.5, and 332.7 cm−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From the last few years a debate has been continuing over the issue of malnutrition and hunger in the developing countries. The present article investigates the importance of participatory varietal selection in the development of a suitable cultivar of mungbean along with the nutritional content and the agronomic traits of the cultivars selected by farmers in participatory varietal selection. A combination of the conventional survey strategy, participatory varietal selection, molecular markers, and chemical analysis were used to carry out the study, and results revealed that the farmers have the capacity to utilize available genetic resources to manage disease, and they can identify the disease at early stages of plant development. The genetic diversity was studied using 23 inter-simple sequence repeat marker, which shows that the extent of genetic diversity ranges from 65% to 87%, while chemical analysis of selected mungbean cultivars shows a moderate amount of iron (3.9 mg/100 g) and zinc (2.5 mg/100 g). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emission spectrum of the YbBr molecule, lying in the λλ 4400-5800 Å region and attributed to the A2Π-X2Σ and B2Σ-X2Σ transitions, has been reinvestigated using a thermal excitation technique. More than 151 bands have been photographed on a reciprocal linear dispersion of 7.3 Å/mm and assigned to the vibrational schemes of the two systems: A-X and B-X. The A-X system vibrational scheme has been extended to include bands involving Δv = ±3, +4 sequences. The B-X system has been analysed completely. Contrary to the earlier suggestion, no perturbation has been found in the B-X system and bands up to v' = 7 have been analysed. More precise vibrational constants of the relevant states have been determined as follows: For [image omitted]2Π1/2-X2Σ system [image omitted] For [image omitted]2Π3/2-X2Σ system [image omitted] For B2Σ-X2Σ system [image omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability of low cost bio‐adsorbent sawdust to remove basic dye (methylene blue) from aqueous solution is investigated using it in two different forms: in raw form and in chemically treated (with sulphuric acid) form. The effect of contact time, dye concentration, adsorbent dose and the kinetics of adsorption were studied in batch experiments. At neutral pH and 4 gm/l of chemically activated and raw sawdust adsorbents, removal of 98.12% and 97.18% of methylene blue dye (at 100 mg/l concentration) from the aqueous solution, was the best result obtained during study. An average percentage removal difference of less than 5%, between two adsorbents was achieved under different conditions in the experiments. The data fit well in Freundlich isotherm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The potential of transgenic p53 +/- mice for use as a short-term assay for identifying chemical carcinogens has been primarily evaluated using single chemicals. There have been no reports on the use of this model for assessing the carcinogenic potential of complex organic mixtures containing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). In this study, the ability of coal tar to induce a tumorigenic response in transgenic p53 +/- mice was investigated. Transgenic p53 +/- mice were fed diets containing 0.3% manufactured gas plant coal tar (MGP coal tar), 0.3% pharmaceutical grade coal tar (PG coal tar), or 100 ppm benzo[ a ]pyrene (B[ a ]P) for a total of 26 weeks. A group of mice were also treated ip with B[ a ]P (100 mg/kg body weight). Forestomach tumors were observed in 8% of the mice fed PG coal tar. Mice fed 100 ppm B[ a ]P had a 10% incidence of forestomach tumors. Bronchioalveolar adenomas were observed in 23% (3/13) of the mice fed PG coal tar. No lung tumors were observed in any of the mice given a single intraperitoneal injection of B[ a ]P or fed MGP coal tar or B[ a ]P for 260 days. These results are in contrast to results of previous studies performed with A/J and B6C3F1 mice that demonstrated MGP coal tar to be highly tumorigenic in mouse lung. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Linseed is an ancient crop used for diverse purposes since the beginning of civilization. In recent times, linseed has emerged as a superfood due to its high content of health-promoting omega-3 fatty acids and other bioactive compounds. Among primary health effects, it has potential to manage hypertension, diabetes, osteoporosis, atherosclerosis, cancer, arthritis, neurological, cardiovascular diseases including blood cholesterol levels, constipation, diarrhea, and autoimmune disorders etc. due to the presence of omega-3 fatty acid, lignans, high dietary fibers, and proteins, whereas, secondary health effects comprise of relieving from various skin disorders. Due to these health-beneficial properties, interest in linseed oil necessitates the intensification of research efforts on various aspects. These include cultivation technology, varietal and genetic improvement, post-harvest processing, profiling of nutrients and bioactive compounds, pre-clinical and clinical studies, etc. The present review discussed the advances in linseed research including pre- and post-harvest processing. However, focus on the bioactive compounds present in linseed oil and their health effects are also presented. Linseed cultivation, pre- and post-harvest processing aspects are covered including climatic, edaphic, agronomic factors, type of cultivar and storage conditions etc, which impact the overall oil yield and its nutritional quality. Various emerging applications of linseed oil in functional food, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, and cosmeceutical preparations were also presented in detail. Further, recommendations were made on linseed oil research in the field of genetics, breeding germplasm resources and genome editing for exploring its full applications as a nutrition and health product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have determined the gene expression of sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) metabolizing enzymes (SphK1, SphK2, SGPL1, SGPP1, SGPP2, PPAP2A, PPAP2B, and PPAP2C) by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction in tumor tissues and adjacent normal tissues of 50 oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients. Expression of SphK1 and SGPP1 genes was up-regulated significantly in 70% and 75% OSCC tumors respectively. Importantly, expression of SphK2 and PPAP2B was down-regulated in the tumor tissues of 70% OSCC patients. Expression of SphK2 and PPAP2B negatively correlated with tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) staging and tumor volume respectively. Furthermore, LPP1 is an independent predictor of TNM staging and lymph node ratio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]