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Objectives: To assess the psychological impact of COVID-19 lockdown among healthy individuals in India Methods: A self-assessed cross-sectional web-based study was conducted between 3rd April and 4th May 2020 Centre for Epidemiological Study for Depression questionnaire was administered for assessing the depressive symptoms among general public during the COVID-19 lockdown Using the google forms the questionnaire was circulated among the public through social media Descriptive analysis was performed to represent the study characteristics, Chi-square test for assessing the associations of depressive symptoms among the study variables, and the logistic regression analysis for identifying the factors influencing the depressive symptoms Results: A total of 588 participants with a mean (SD) age of 27 59 (8 72) years were responded to the questionnaire The prevalence depressive symptoms were higher among males (54%) compared to females (36%) It was identified that the participants with educational background of pre-university education/diploma (58 22%) and middle school (71 42%), and occupation as semiskilled (60%) and unskilled workers (70%), social history of consumption alcohol (56 52%) and smoking (75%), and belong to joint family (53 10%) were the predictors for depressive symptoms Subgroup analysis identified that these factors influence depressive symptoms especially among male population Conclusions: It is an alarming situation that the depressive symptoms found in approximately 45% of healthy individuals during the COVID-19 lockdown Educational interventions by the government and non-government organizations are very much required to combat the progression of depressive symptoms into disorder

Background Sorghum, the C4 dry-land cereal, important for food, fodder, feed and fuel, is a model crop for abiotic stress tolerance with smaller genome size, genetic diversity, and bio-energy traits. The heat shock proteins/chaperonin 60s (HSP60/Cpn60s) assist the plastid proteins, and participate in the folding and aggregation of proteins. However, the functions of HSP60s in abiotic stress tolerance in Sorghum remain unclear. Methods Genome-wide screening and in silico characterization of SbHSP60s were carried out along with tissue and stress-specific expression analysis. Results A total of 36 HSP60 genes were identified in Sorghum bicolor. They were subdivided into 2 groups, the HSP60 and HSP10 co-chaperonins encoded by 30 and 6 genes, respectively. The genes are distributed on all the chromosomes, chromosome 1 being the hot spot with 9 genes. All the HSP60s were found hydrophilic and highly unstable. The HSP60 genes showed a large number of introns, the majority of them with more than 10. Among the 12 paralogs, only 1 was tandem and the remaining 11 segmental, indicating their role in the expansion of SbHSP60s. Majority of the SbHSP60 genes expressed uniformly in leaf while a moderate expression was observed in the root tissues, with the highest expression displayed by SbHSP60-1. From expression analysis, SbHSP60-3 for drought, SbHSP60-9 for salt, SbHSP60-9 and 24 for heat and SbHSP60-3, 9 and SbHSP10-2 have been found implicated for cold stress tolerance and appeared as the key regulatory genes. Conclusion This work paves the way for the utilization of chaperonin family genes for achieving abiotic stress tolerance in plants.

The DnaJ/Hsp40s, are important components in the chaperone machine, and play pivotal roles in plant growth, development and stress tolerance. Sorghum, the semi-arid crop, is the drought resilient, model C4 crop. However, no reports of DnaJs have been available. Genome-wide analysis of Sorghum bicolor revealed 113 DnaJ/Hsp40 genes, classified into four groups; 8 genes in SbDnaJ-A class, 10 in SbDnaJ-B, 82 in SbDnaJ-C and 13 in SbDnaJ-D distributed unevenly on all the 10 chromosomes. Chromosomes 1 and 3 were found hot spots with 22 and 20 genes respectively. All genes displayed large number of introns, with an exception of 11 of the SbDnaJ-C which is devoid of introns. Out of 36 paralogous duplications, 7 tandem and 29 segmental duplications were noticed, indicating the major role of segmental duplications in the expansion. Analysis of digital data revealed tissue and stage-specific expressions. Transcriptional profiling of 12 selected genes representing all 4 classes revealed highly significant expression in leaf followed by root tissues. No expression was noticed in stems with an exception of SbDnaJ-C76. The SbDnaJ-A1, D1, and C subgroup genes displayed upregulation in roots, stems and leaves under cold, inferring the involvement of Hsp40s for cellular protection during cold stress. The results demonstrate that C76 and D1 are the candidate genes associated with multiple abiotic stresses. Present research furnishes valuable information about the role of sorghum DnaJs in abiotic stress response and establishes a foundation for understanding the molecular mechanisms associated with plant development and stress tolerance.

The mass media is largely regarded as an integral cogwheel in health service delivery, with a decisive influence on public attitudes. Numerous studies identify connections between media use and neg...

There is a crucial need for awaring people regarding blood donation all over the world. According to Census 2011 Rajnandgaon city, Chhattisgarh has 1,63114 population and only around 1000 Voluntary Blood Donation done per year3 . This depicts the lack of knowledge and social awareness regarding the blood donation among the population of Rajnandgaon (C.G). Material and Method: The present study is a cross sectional study and conducted among the students of the various graduate and post graduate colleges of Rajnandgaon, to assess their knowledge and attitudinal variables towards voluntary, non-remunerated blood donation. Sample Size: It is calculated by using Kish and Lisle formula for cross-sectional studies8 . Four hundred students were selected to participate in this study Result: After analyzing the data, we observe that the overall knowledge regarding blood donation in study population was found to be 46.11%. Most amazing thing is that 370 student out of 400 never did blood donation (92.5%). Overall 30.60% of students have negative attitude towards blood donation which includes generalized tiredness after blood donation (10.12%), hypovolemic anemia(15.12%) and decrease in Immunity is (5.36%). Around 69.40% of students have positive attitude and are willing to donate blood if they are demanded for blood donation (39.40%), 3% of non-donors not know much importance of blood donation and 27% don’t know the procedure and place where to do blood donation. Conclusion: Through this study we suggest that appropriate motivational campaign should be launched immediately among this young section of the population to convert this favourable “attitude” towards blood donation into a regular “practice” in order to increase the voluntary blood donation in Rajnandgaon.

Drought, one of the environmental stresses, plays crucial role in reduction in plant production on majority of agricultural fields of world, In order to evaluate drought stress on RNA content Relative water content (RWC), and chlorophyll content, Water deficit was induced by Polyethylene glycol (PEG) in peanut (Arachis hypogaea), accession number ICGV 91114. In this current study we evaluate RNA content and Relative water content (RWC) both in leaves and roots and chlorophyll content in leaf. The present study was undertaken with the aim to investigate the effect of water deficit imposed by PEG-6000, 40 old day seedlings were treated with varying concentrations of polyethylene glycol-6000 (PEG-6000; w/v-5%, 10%, 15% & 20%) for 24 h. The results showed that RNA content and Relative water content (RWC) content was significantly reduced in both leaves and roots with increased concentration of PEG, In leaves, a concentration dependent decline in chlorophyll content with increasing concentration of polyethylene glycol-6000 (PEG-6000). Reduction in chlorophyll 'a' level was to a greater extent than the chlorophyll 'b'. Thus, this attributes can be used as screening tool for drought tolerance in peanut.

A field experiment was conducted at Horticultural Research Station, Adilabad, Telangana State, India during kharif and rabi seasons of 2015-16 and 2016-17 to study the effect of INM practices on hyacinth bean in baby corn-hyacinth bean cropping system. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design for baby corn during kharif season of 2015 season with seven treatments comprised of 100% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF, 150:60:60 N, P2O5 and K2O kg ha-1), 25% N supplemented through Farm Yard Manure or vermicompost + 75% RDF with or without soil application of Azospirillum and Bacillus megaterium @ 5 kg ha-1 each and unfertilized control with 3 replications. Each main treatment was divided into four subplots during rabi season of 2015-16 and 2016-17 for hyacinth bean and the treatments of 100% RDF (20 kg N, 50 Kg P2O5 ha-1) and 75% RDF with or without Bradyrhizobium @ 500 g ha-1 (seed treatment) were imposed in split plot design. Mean data of two rabi seasons revealed that seed treatment with Bradyrhizobium in conjunction with 100% RDF recorded significantly higher plant height, leaf area index, nodule number, dry matter production at harvest, higher number of pods plant 1, maximum pod length, pod weight and higher pod yield, respectively over 100% RDF alone, 75% RDF with or without seed treatment.

Late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins, the space fillers or molecular shields, are the hydrophilic protective proteins which play an important role during plant development and abiotic stress. The systematic survey and characterization revealed a total of 68 LEA genes, belonging to 8 families in Sorghum bicolor. The LEA-2, a typical hydrophobic family is the most abundant family. All of them are evenly distributed on all 10 chromosomes and chromosomes 1, 2, and 3 appear to be the hot spots. Majority of the S. bicolor LEA (SbLEA) genes are intron less or have fewer introns. A total of 22 paralogous events were observed and majority of them appear to be segmental duplications. Segmental duplication played an important role in SbLEA-2 family expansion. A total of 12 orthologs were observed with Arabidopsis and 13 with Oryza sativa. Majority of them are basic in nature, and targeted by chloroplast subcellular localization. Fifteen miRNAs targeted to 25 SbLEAs appear to participate in development, as well as in abiotic stress tolerance. Promoter analysis revealed the presence of abiotic stress-responsive DRE, MYB, MYC, and GT1, biotic stress-responsive W-Box, hormone-responsive ABA, ERE, and TGA, and development-responsive SKn cis-elements. This reveals that LEA proteins play a vital role during stress tolerance and developmental processes. Using microarray data, 65 SbLEA genes were analyzed in different tissues (roots, pith, rind, internode, shoot, and leaf) which show clear tissue specific expression. qRT-PCR analysis of 23 SbLEA genes revealed their abundant expression in various tissues like roots, stems and leaves. Higher expression was noticed in stems compared to roots and leaves. Majority of the SbLEA family members were up-regulated at least in one tissue under different stress conditions. The SbLEA3-2 is the regulator, which showed abundant expression under diverse stress conditions. Present study provides new insights into the formation of LEAs in S. bicolor and to understand their role in developmental processes under stress conditions, which may be a valuable source for future research.

A genome-wide scanning of Sorghum bicolor resulted in the identification of 25 SbHsf genes. Phylogenetic analysis shows the ortholog genes that are clustered with only rice, representing a common ancestor. Promoter analysis revealed the identification of different cis-acting elements that are responsible for abiotic as well as biotic stresses. Hsf domains like DBD, NLS, NES, and AHA have been analyzed for their sequence similarity and functional characterization. Tissue specific expression patterns of Hsfs in different tissues like mature embryo, seedling, root, and panicle were studied using real-time PCR. While Hsfs4 and 22 are highly expressed in panicle, 4 and 9 are expressed in seedlings. Sorghum plants were exposed to different abiotic stress treatments but no expression of any Hsf was observed when seedlings were treated with ABA. High level expression of Hsf1 was noticed during high temperature as well as cold stresses, 4 and 6 during salt and 5, 6, 10, 13, 19, 23 and 25 during drought stress. This comprehensive analysis of SbHsf genes will provide an insight on how these genes are regulated in different tissues and also under different abiotic stresses and help to determine the functions of Hsfs during drought and temperature stress tolerance.

With near exhaustion of shallow deposits, mining operations are planned to reach greater depths. Coal mining particularly in SCCL has to face numerous challenges for extraction from lower horizons associated with difficult geo-mining and environmental conditions. Suitable mining technology with heavy mechanisation is being introduced to meet the production requirements safely and economically. Mining at greater depth needs strategic planning and execution to overcome the operational problems and issues related to mine environment. AdriyalaLongwall Project in SCCL is planned to operate with high capacity Longwall unit at depth range of 300-720m. To maintain comfort work place environment in workings of the mine, it is proposed to establish suitable ventilation system along with air cooling arrangements. This paper gives insight of the details of the project and ventilation system executed to meet the requirements and the proposed air cooling arrangements at the mine.

Drought is a major constraint to the productivity of many crops affecting various physiological and biochemical processes. Seventy percent of the peanuts are grown in semiarid tropics that are frequently prone to drought stress. So, we analyzed its effect in 4 cultivars of peanut, with different degrees of drought tolerance, under 10 and 20 days of water stress using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry. A total of 189 differentially expressed protein spots were identified in the leaf proteome of all the 4 cultivars using PD Quest Basic software; 74 in ICGV 91114, 41 in ICGS 76, 44 in J 11 and 30 in JL 24. Of these, 30 protein spots were subjected to in-gel trypsin digestion followed by MALDI-TOF that are functionally categorized into 5 groups: molecular chaperones, signal transducers, photosynthetic proteins, defense proteins and detoxification proteins. Of these, 12 proteins were sequenced. Late embryogenesis abundant protein, calcium ion binding protein, sucrose synthase isoform-1, 17.3 kDa heat shock protein and structural maintenance of chromosome proteins were overexpressed only in the 15 and 20 days stressed plants of ICGV 91114 cultivar while cytosolic ascorbate peroxidase was expressed with varying levels in the 10 and 20 days stressed plants of all the 4 cultivars. Signaling protein like 14-3-3 and defense proteins like alpha-methyl-mannoside-specific lectin and mannose/glucose-binding lectins were differentially expressed in the 4 cultivars. Photosynthetic protein like Rubisco was down-regulated in the stressed plants of all 4 cultivars while Photosystem-I reaction center subunit-II of chloroplast precursor protein was overexpressed in only 20 days stressed plants of ICGV 91114, ICGS 76 and J11 cultivars. These differentially expressed proteins could potentially be used as protein markers for screening the peanut germplasm and further crop improvement. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1007/s13205-018-1180-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Solution processed zinc tin oxide (ZTO) thin film transistors (TFTs) were fabricated by varying the Zn/Sn composition. The addition of Sn to the zinc oxide (ZnO) films resulted in improved electrical characteristics, with devices of Zn0.7Sn0.3O composition showing the highest mobility of 7.7 cm(2)/(V s). An improvement in subthreshold swings was also observed, indicative of a reduction of the interfacial trap densities. Mobility studies at low temperature have been carried out, which indicated that the activation energy was reduced with Sn incorporation. Kelvin probe force microscopy was performed on the films to evaluate work function and correlated to the metal-semiconductor barrier indicating Zn0.7Sn0.3O films had the smallest barrier for charge injection. Organic-inorganic hybrid complementary inverters with a maximum gain of 10 were fabricated by integrating ZTO TFTs with poly-3-hexylthiophene (P3HT) transistors.

In any open cast mine, the management of stripped spoil during mining is crucial to the mine’s successful operation. The improper management of the overburden (OB) dump can result in stability issues which may affect safety and production of the mine. Various literatures have reported the failure of open pit dumps and the consequences in loss of life, production and impact on neighbouring amenities. Recently, the failure of an out-of-pit OB dump at an Indian Colliery was reported. The failed OB dump displaced spoil approximately 70 m from the original location of the dump toe and impacted on neighbouring amenities. This paper back analyse material properties and investigates the probable mechanism of this OB failure. Well established tools including limiting equilibrium and continuum numerical methods have been used to understand and identify the failure kinematics of this dump. It has been found that the residual friction angle of the material comprising the dump structural unit dominates stability. Mobilisation of residual strength can occur by operational induced strains and/or the presence of water. The shear strength of the foundation was fully mobilised and provided a slip surface for the overlying dump material. The resultant failure is manifest as a bilinear wedge movement of two ridged blocks defined by linear rupture planes.

The study investigates the differential accumulation of osmolytes and their contribution to osmotic adjustment in leaf tissue of peanut under drought stress. Plants of four peanut cultivars, obtained from ICRISAT, with varying degrees of drought tolerance were subjected to 10, 15, and 20 days of drought stress by withholding irrigation to 20-day-old seedlings. Leaf samples were collected on 31st, 36th, and 41st days from these stressed plants along with their respective controls. The results indicated that ICGV 91114 was the most drought-tolerant variety followed by ICGS 76 and J 11, while JL 24 was the most drought susceptible. The leaves of ICGV 91114 maintained higher RWC and chlorophyll pigments under water stress compared to JL 24. The contents of all the biochemicals were found to be the maximum in ICGV 91114 and least in JL 24 during stress periods. Drought induced increase in the contents of TSS and TRS were significantly higher in ICGV 91114 under 15 days of water stress compared to the other three varieties and stress periods, while TLP, total free amino acids and total proline were higher in 20-day-old stressed plants of ICGV 91114 and the lowest in 10-day-old stressed plants of JL 24. In the control plants of all four varieties, there was a steady increase in the contents of all these biochemicals with an increase in the age of the plants. The results suggest that osmolytes act as important compatible solutes to maintain osmotic balance, to protect cellular macromolecules, and scavenge free radicals under water stress conditions.

Background and aims : The biceps brachii is a large fusiform muscle in the flexor compartment of the arm. In terms of the number and morphology of its head, the biceps brachii muscle is one of the most variable muscles in human body. The present study explores the importance of such variations. Materials and methods: The upper limbs of embalmed human cadavers (fixed in 10 % formaldehyde solution) were included in present study. Total 36 (72 upper limbs) cadavers were studied by dissection. Results: Among the 72 superior extremities studied, six (8.33%) arms were found to have a three- headed biceps brachii muscles. The variation was present in the left arm of four males and one female. The variation was present in the right arm of one male. Conclusion : Presence of third head of biceps brachii muscle might increase its kinematics. Supernumerary heads of biceps brachii muscle may become significant in pre-operative procedure and during surgery of upper limb.

The physical and electronic properties of nano-scale semiconductor devices are mainly decided by their surfaces and interfaces. Use of dipolar self-assembled monolayer (SAM) on semiconductor/oxide interfaces has an enormous potential to tailor the behavior of nanoelectronic, optical and biological devices. Among different molecules, porphyrins have been identified to form chemically stable SAMs on different substrates and their dipolar properties can be tuned by incorporating various metal species in them. This allows work-function tuning according to various technological needs. In this paper, we describe the effect of central metal ion (selected period-4 transition metal ions Zn, Cu, Ni, Fe and Co) incorporated in 5-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-10,15,20-tri(p-tolyl)porphyrin (TTPOH) on the surface potential using Kelvin probe microscopy. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed to estimate the magnitude of dipole moments. Also, absorption spectra of TTPOH molecule and its metal derivatives are compared.

The origin of various defect levels in the SnS thin films deposited using chemical spray pyrolysis (CSP) technique has been explored in this manuscript, by employing low-temperature photoluminescence (PL) technique. Concentration of Sn in the samples was varied purposefully by ex situ diffusion in order to alter the defect levels. The acceptor level obtained at 0.22 eV from the Arrhenius plot, has been assigned as the defect level caused by the Sn vacancies present in the lattice. Two shallow donor levels are conclusively identified and their activation energies have been estimated. The present study could also unearth a trap level in the forbidden energy gap which was due to the oxygen contaminant occupied by the vacancy of Sn. This trap level could be removed by annealing the sample in vacuum or through the ex situ diffusion of Sn. Employing Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM), the work-function of SnS was obtained as 4.925 eV, from which the position of the Fermi level could be assigned. Based on the present work, an energy level scheme for SnS thin films is proposed outlying origin of various defect levels.

The levels of resistance to spotted stem borer (Chilo partellus) in sorghum are low to moderate. We therefore evaluated wild relatives of sorghum to identify accessions with high levels of resistance to this pest and studied the mechanisms of resistance. Heterosorghum (Sorghum laxiflorum), Para-sorghum (S. australiense, S. purpureo-sericeum, S. versicolor, S. matarankense, S. timorense, S. brevicallosum and S. nitidum) and Stiposorghum (S. angustum, S. ecarinatum, S. extans, S. intrans, S. interjectum and S. stipoideum) showed very high levels of resistance to stem borer. Chaetosorghum (S. macrospermum), four wild races of S. bicolor subsp. verticilliflorum and S. halepense were found to be susceptible. Under no-choice conditions, egg laying was observed on all accessions, which significantly differed among the species/accessions. Accessions belonging to Stiposorghum and Para-sorghum (S. purpureo-sericeum, S. versicolor and S. timorense) were significantly less preferred for oviposition than the resistant control, IS 2205. Accessions belonging to Stiposorghum showed slight leaf-feeding, but there was no deadheart formation. Although there was some damage in Para-sorghum, very few deadhearts were formed, and a few larvae that were recovered subsequently died. In Heterosorghum, the two accessions of S. laxiflorum were highly preferred for oviposition, and up to 82% deadhearts were recorded, but the six larvae that were recovered died within a month. Accessions belonging to Eu-sorghum showed maximum deadhearts, larval recovery and adult emergence. The results suggested that some of the wild relatives of sorghum possess high levels of resistance to C. partellus and both antixenosis and antibiosis are major components of resistance to this pest. Accessions showing high levels of resistance to stem borer can be utilized to increase the levels and diversify the bases of resistance to this pest in sorghum.

Bilayer organic field effect transistor (OFET) structures consisting of an optically active electron donor (D) and an electrically active electron acceptor (A) system offer a quantitative device tool for characterizing photoinduced charge transport processes. Here, we report an investigation of the photoinduced response of a bilayer OFET fabricated from a naphthalene-bis(dicarboximide)-based polymer (N2200) as the n-channel A transport layer and a p-channel regioregular poly-3-hexylthiophene (P3HT) top D layer. This FET exhibits characteristic steady-state spectral response as well as transient profiles as a function of the gate voltage (Vg), yielding valuable information on bulk and interfacial charge transport properties. Thus, the derived N2200 electron mobility is shown to be in good agreement with bulk measurements (significantly greater than that of PCBM), and the N2200/P3HT interface is shown to be a highly efficient structure for charge transfer and free carrier generation.

The levels of resistance to shoot fly, Atherigona soccata in sorghum germplasm are low to moderate and therefore, we evaluated 17 wild relatives of sorghum under field and greenhouse conditions as an alternate source of genes for resistance to this pest. Thirty-two accessions belonging to Parasorghum, Stiposorghum and Heterosorghum did not suffer any shoot fly damage under multi-choice conditions in the field, while one accession each of Heterosorghum (Sorghum laxiflorum) and Chaetosorghum (S. macrospermum) suffered very low shoot fly damage. Accessions belonging to S. exstans (TRC 243601), S. stipoideum (TRC 243399) and S. matarankense (TRC 243576) showed absolute non-preference for oviposition under no-choice conditions. Accessions belonging to Heterosorghum, Parasorghum and Stiposorghum were preferred for oviposition, but suffered low deadheart formation. Manual infestation of seedlings with shoot fly eggs did not result in deadheart formation in some of the accessions belonging to S. exstans (TRC 243601), S. stipoideum (TRC 243399), S. matarankense (TRC 243576) and S. purpureosericeum (IS 18944). Larval mortality was recorded in main stems of the Parasorghums. Within section Sorghum, accessions belonging to S. bicolor ssp. verticilliflorum were highly susceptible to shoot fly, as were those of S. halepense. However, a few accessions such as IS 18226 (race arundinaceum) and IS 14212 (S. halepense) resulted in reduced survival and fecundity. Wild relatives of sorghum exhibited very high levels of antibiosis to A. soccata, while only low levels of antibiosis have been observed in the cultivated germplasm. Therefore, wild relatives with different mechanisms of resistance can be used as a source of alternate genes to increase the levels and diversify the basis of resistance to shoot fly, A. soccata.

Wild relatives of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajanL.) possess many useful genes that can be utilized for crop improvement, most importantly genes for resistance toHelicoverpa armigera, the legume pod borer. The present study aimed at quantifying diversity in a collection ofCajanus scarabaeoides, Cajanus sericeus,Cajanus reticulatusandC. cajanspecies selected from a wide geographic range using two PCR-based marker systems, amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and simple sequence repeats (SSRs), and the hybridization-based restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). Polymorphism was higher among the wild accessions than among the cultivated genotypes. Wild and cultivatedCajanusaccessions belonging to different species clustered into four distinct major groups largely based on the interspecific differences.C. scarabaeoidesaccessions derived from same geographical origins formed one group reflecting similar genetic makeup of these accessions. Dendrograms generated using AFLP, RFLP and SSR marker data were comparable with minor clustering differences, which suggests that either method, or a combination of both can be applied to expanded genetic studies inCajanus.Mantel testing confirmed the congruence between the genetic distances of three markers, indicating that the markers segregated independently, giving similar grouping patterns of all accessions having similar genetic origin.

Variations in the trypsin inhibitors and lectin content in the developing pods of thirty accessions of Cajanus scarabaeoides, a wild relative of pigeonpea, from wide geographical locations and six cultivated genotypes were estimated at juvenile, immature and mature stages of pod development. Genotypes differed at all three stages for these two biochemical components. Total protein and trypsin inhibitor contents were higher in the wild accessions than in the cultivated genotypes. Although lectin content in the juvenile stage of pod development in the wild accessions ICPW 138 and ICPW 98 was highest, it was absent in the mature pods in both the cultivated and the wild genotypes. Very high broad-sense heritability estimates indicated the possibility of involvement of few genes in the inheritance of these biochemical components, which could be easily introgressed into the elite agronomic background.

The legume pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera, is one of the most devastating pests of pigeonpea. High levels of resistance to pod borer have been reported in the wild relative of pigeonpea, Cajanus scarabaeoides. Trichomes (their type, orientation, density and length) and their exudates on pod wall surface play an important role in the ovipositional behavior and host selection process of insect herbivores. They have been widely exploited as an insect defense mechanism in number of crops. In the present investigation, inheritance of resistance to pod borer and different types of trichomes (A, B, C and D) on the pod wall surface in the parents (C. cajan and C. scarabaeoides) and their F1, F2, BC1 (C. cajan × F1), and F3 generations has been studied. Trichomes of the wild parents (high density of the non-glandular trichomes C and D, and glandular trichome B and low density of glandular trichome A) were dominant over the trichome features of C. cajan. A single dominant gene as indicated by the segregation patterns individually will govern each trait in the F2 and backcross generation. Segregation ratio of 3 (resistant): 1 (susceptible) for resistance to pod borer in the F2 generation under field conditions was corroborated with a ratio of 1:1 in the backcross generation, and the ratio of 1 non-segregating (resistant): 2 segregating (3 resistant: 1 susceptible): 1 non-segregating (susceptible) in F3 generation. Similar results were obtained for pod borer resistance under no-choice conditions. Resistance to pod borer and trichomes associated with it (low density of type A trichome and high density of type C) are governed individually by a dominant allele of a single gene in C. scarabaeoides. Following backcrossing, these traits can be transferred from C. scarabaeoides into the cultivated background.

Sorghum downy mildew (SDM), caused by Peronosclerospora sorghi Weston and Uppal (Shaw), is a serious disease of sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] and maize (Zea mays L.). The wild relatives of sorghum, both cross compatible and cross incompatible with S. bicolor, could provide alternate sources of resistance genes for the long-term control of SDM. The objective of this study was to assess the downy mildew reaction of several taxa of wild and weedy sorghums. One hundred three wild and weedy sorghums, and six cultivated types belonging to five sections, representing 17 species, originating from Asia, Australia, Africa, and the USA, were greenhouse tested for downy mildew resistance during the rainy seasons of 1998 and 1999 at ICRISAT, Patancheru, India. Forty-five accessions comprising 15 species from four sections, parasorghum, heterosorghum (S. laxiflorum Bailey), chaetosorghum (S. macrospermum Garber), and stiposorghum (S. angustum S. T. Blake, S. ecarinatum Lazarides, S. extans Lazarides, S. intrans F. Muell. ex Benth., S. interjectum Lazarides, S. stipoideum (Ewart & Jean White) C. Gardener & C. E. Hubb.), including all accessions from Australia, exhibited immunity to downy mildew. Cultivated types and wild races of section Sorghum showed the greatest susceptibility (mean downy mildew infection of 62 and 46%, respectively), while accessions of S. halepense (L.) Pers. were comparatively less susceptible (36% mean downy mildew infection). Potential new sources of resistance genes from wild and weedy sorghums were identified that could be used to develop resistant cultivars to control downy mildew.

A simple method is proposed for the chemical modification of carbon nanotubes (CNT) thin film counter electrodes (CE) for the replacement of fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) and platinum catalyst (Pt) while retaining light transparency. In order to decrease the sheet resistance, CNT thin films underwent various concentrations (≤10 M) and durations of HNO3 treatment prior to cell fabrication, and the effect on thin film properties was analyzed. P-doping was observed, and the maximum change in work function was found to be +0.35 eV with 4 M HNO3. Optimum sheet resistance reduction (50%) and work function increment were achieved after 1 h treatment with 4 M HNO3. Changes in optical transmittances for all samples were negligible (± 5%). Pristine and HNO3 treated films on plastic substrates were tested as CE in flexible bifacial dye sensitized solar cells (DSSC). Most significant improvements in conversion efficiencies were obtained when CNT on plastic substrates were pretreated with 8 M HNO3 (from 1.18% to 1.40% under roomlight, from 0.19% to 0.26% under 1 Sun).

The present study was under taken in a commercial floriculture farm under protected cultivation with three cultivarsof carnation during July 2010 to February 2011. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with factorialconcept. Harvesting of carnation flower stalk at 10 cm height from the ground level recorded minimum number of days to sprouting of buds than other harvesting heights i.e., 5, 15 and 20 cm height. Days to first flower bud appearance, color break stage and days to harvest was also minimum with harvesting at 10 cm height in cultivars Domingo, Dover and Keiro. And the length of lateral, length of flower stalk and flower, diameter of flower stalk and flower, number of flower stalks per plant, fresh flower weight and vase life was maximum with harvesting 10 cm height than other harvesting heights in cultivar Domingo.