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Fungal communities colonizing Ophiocordyceps spp. plays a crucial ecological role in their natural habitat, contributing to infect the host larvae, and influencing their occurrence. Although associated fungi with the newly described Ophiocordyceps indica, from the Indian Western Himalaya remains unclear. Therefore, we untangled the culturable fungal communities associated with O. indica and soil adhered to it, collected from low‐height areas of Himachal Pradesh, India. The study resulted in the identification of 111 fungal isolates representing 17 families, with maximum fungal isolates (36.03%) within Cordycipitaceae. Interestingly, a total of 24 genera were found associated with O. indica and adhered soil, of which 12 were common, 8 were exclusive to O. indica and 4 were only limited to soil. Additionally, the influence of soil physicochemical parameters on fungal diversity indices revealed a positive correlation with humidity and available nitrogen and a negative correlation with pH and available phosphorus. These findings provide insights into the culturable fungal diversity of O. indica and the soil adhering to it, thus can contribute to the understanding of host‐microbial interactions. Furthermore, these associations can be explored as a source of bioactive metabolites to combat the unending industrial demands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The combined application of geotechnical and geophysical methods provides an effective means of subsurface exploration. The insufficient correlation between geotechnical and geophysical methods prevents the conversion of geophysical data to geotechnical information and vice versa. In the present study, a correlation has been proposed between the geotechnical and geoelectrical properties of two soil deposits in India. Eleven boreholes along with a Standard Penetration Test (SPT) and different laboratory tests have been conducted to obtain the different engineering and physical properties of the soil layers. Twelve Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) profiles have also been conducted to obtain the resistivity profile of the subsurface layers. The variation of the resistivity of the soil layers is analyzed and explained. Results show a strong linear correlation between resistivity and SPT blow counts (N′) of the soil layer for one site while a weak correlation for another site. A strong linear correlation between transverse resistivity (T) and N′ values has been observed for both sites. A comparison with the other existing correlation between resistivity/transverse resistivity and N′-values has also been presented. The range of resistivity values and engineering properties of soil layers are mentioned. The study is useful for the development of similar correlations and provides an approximate estimation of different geotechnical parameters for infrastructure design. • The study investigates the site-specific correlation between geotechnical and geoelectrical properties of two sites in India. • The subsurface exploration of the site has been conducted through SPT N and resistivity measurement. • Correlation between N and resistivity has been developed and presented. • Correlation between N and transverse resistivity has been developed and presented. • A comparison between the previous and present study has been made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Depression is a very common psychiatric disorder. The burden on the spouse of a depressed individual is considered to be a multi-dimensional problem and is seen in the context of its emotional, psychological, physical and economic consequences. The depressed individual's aversive interpersonal behaviours may lead spouses to experience depression and problems in marital adjustment. Aim: To study and compare the burden and marital satisfaction among male and female spouses of patients suffering from depression. Materials & Methods: Spouses of patients were inducted from those attending the Department of Psychiatry of Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Chandigarh, India with their partners. A total of 60 spouses of patients with ICD-10 diagnosis of depression fulfilling inclusion and exclusion criteria were recruited for the study. Consecutive sampling was used for data collection. Participants were divided into two groups i.e. Male and Female. Zarit Burden Interview and Marital Satisfaction Scale were used to assess the burden and marital satisfaction respectively. Results: There was no significant difference in burden and marital satisfaction between the two genders which means both the groups are equally vulnerable and prone to develop psychiatric problems like stress, anxiety, depression. Conclusion: Considering the findings, both groups have an equal need to cater to care giving and related responsibilities. The study can be useful in implementing programs to help the spouses and cater the needs of care giving, to handle the burden productively associated with the care giving of their depressed partners, to strengthen their coping and to have a better marital life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]