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We present our AstroSat soft X-ray observations of a compact binary system, AR Sco, and analysis of its X-ray observations with Chandra that were taken only about a week before the AstroSat observations. An analysis of the soft X-ray (0.3–2.0 keV) data limits the modulation of the spin, orbital, or beat periods to less than 0.03 counts s - 1 or <10% of the average count rate. The X-ray flux obtained from both observatories is found to be almost identical (within a few percent) in flux, and about 30% lower than reported from the nine months older observations with XMM-Newton. A two-temperature thermal plasma model with the same spectral parameters fit Chandra and AstroSat data very well, and requires very little absorption in the line of sight to the source. The low-temperature component has the same temperature (∼ 1 keV) as reported earlier, but the high-temperature component has a lower temperature of 5.0 - 0.7 + 0.8 keV as compared to 8.0 keV measured earlier, however, the difference is not statistically significant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a major food grain in India next to rice. Therefore, improving yield and yield stability is the primary objective of wheat breeding programmes in this country. The eleven wheat genotypes were evaluated under eight locations representing typical rainfed conditions of the North Hill Zone. The study based on AMMI and GGE biplot analysis methods to highlight the G×E interaction in multi-location trials and stratification of genotypes as per their adaptability for rainfed conditions of the northern hill zone. Combined ANOVA analysis showed highly significant differences (p<0.001) of 11 genotypes under rainfed conditions of North Hill Zone. Highly significant environments, genotypes and G×E interaction explained 81.4%, 2.3% and 15.7% of the total sum of squares, respectively (Table 2). The significant GE interaction sum of squares is further portioned into seven significant Interaction Principal Components Axes (IPCAs) and a residual term. The first four interaction principal component analysis (IPCA1, IPCA2, IPCA3 and IPCA4) explained 33.6%, 28.1%, 19.5% and 10.0% of the G×E interaction variation, respectively. Accordingly AMMI analysis for stability, genotypes G15, G3, G8, and G1 were shown to have a higher stability for yield than other genotypes. The GGE biplot analysis shown that the genotypes G10, G5, G7 and G1 were corner genotypes and suited to particular environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

M(III) complexes of Cr, Mn and Fe with a Schiff base derived from 2-amino-4-ethyl-5-hydroxybenzaldehyde and thiocarbohydrazide were synthesized and characterized by several techniques, including elemental analysis (C,H,N), molar conductance measurements, magnetic measurements, and electronic, mass and IR spectral studies. Based on these studies, a five-coordinated square pyramidal geometry for all the complexes was proposed. The Schiff base ligand and the complexes were also tested for their antimicrobial activity (against the bacteria Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus megaterium, and the fungi Kluyveromyces fragilis, Rhodotorula rubra, Candida albicans and Trichoderma reesei) to assess their inhibiting potential. An attempt was also made to correlate the antimicrobial activity with the geometry of the complexes. All complexes were found to be less active against the pathogens E. coli, S. aureus and P. aeruginosa. The Cr(III) complex showed the best antimicrobial activity, but the ligand alone was found to be active against the fungus T. reesei. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]