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Byline: B. Manjunatha, S. Vidya, K. Rashmi, K. Mankani, H. Shilpa, S D. Singh Objective : To investigate the comparative wound-healing potency of aqueous and methanol leaf extracts of Vernonia [...]

Epitaxial growth of α-Cr2O3(p-type) on c-Al2O3 and β-Ga2O3 (n-type) on α-Cr2O3(p-type) has been carried out to make an all oxide epitaxial n-type β-Ga2O3/p-type α-Cr2O3 heterojunction using RF sputtering. A valence band offset of 3.38 ± 0.2 eV at the heterojunction is determined using Kraut's method. From the bandgap measurements of α-Cr2O3 and β-Ga2O3, the conduction band offset of 1.68 ± 0.2 eV at the heterojunction is obtained. Thus, the band alignment at this heterojunction is found to be staggered (Type-II), which leads to the confinement of electrons and holes in the β-Ga2O3 layer and α-Cr2O3 layer, respectively. Our results provide a pathway to design all oxide optoelectronic devices based on a p-n heterojunction consisting of n-type β-Ga2O3 and p-type α-Cr2O3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transcription factors (TFs) are protein, which perform their role at transcriptional level by affecting the expression of various genes associated with metabolic pathways, growth and stress-associated genes (SAGs) at different developmental stages. Here, we identified 38 novel heat-responsive transcription factor genes from wheat cv. HD2985 by mining the de novo transcriptome data derived from heat shock (HS) treated wheat. Based on digital gene expression (DGE), a putative transcript (TaHD97) of ~1.1 kb was amplified and cloned from wheat cv. HD2985. The presence of heat stress transcription factor (HSF) DNA binding domain was observed in the amino acid sequence. Differential expression of TaHD97 was observed in HD2985 (thermotolerant) and HD2329 (thermosensitive) under heat stress. Tissue specific expression analysis showed up-regulation of TaHD97 in leaves, stem and endospermic tissues and down-regulation in root under HS. A positive correlation was established between the expression of TaHD97 and its target gene (HSP17 and HSP90) in wheat under heat stress. HSP17 transcripts were observed more in leaves of HD2985, as compared to HD2329. Thermotolerance related biochemical enzymes (SOD, CAT, GPX and TBARS) were observed higher in wheat cv. HD2985 showing maximum expression of TaHD97 under heat stress. There is a need for the functional validation of the gene TaHD97 in order to use it for the regulation of sHSP (catalytic chaperone) - a novel approach towards augmenting thermotolerance in wheat under heat stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sulphur dioxide (SO2) and particulate matter (PM) are one of the major air pollutants emerging out of the industrial development and human activities. Plants exhibit differential sensitivity to SO2 pollution and its effects on plant growth can be both direct and/or indirect. We have earlier reported that a high SO2 stress contributes toward the S-nutrition of crops. The SO2 enriched environment significantly improved the activity of serine transacetylase (SAT) in all the experimental crops, however, the activity of O-acetylserine (thiol) lyase (OAS-TL) was enhanced chiefly in wheat but not in chickpea and barley. Further, the relative tolerance of crops to the particulate and gaseous pollutants was related to a lower level of superoxide and H2O2 radicals and lipid peroxidation and a higher level of antioxidants such as ascorbic acid and peroxidase activity. Relative tolerance of crops to the particulate and gaseous pollutants was related to a lower oxidative stress and a higher anti-oxidative defence that elevated SO2 contributes to S-nutrition of crops however, the threshold value of phytotoxicity need to be determined across the crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sulphur dioxide (SO) and particulate matter (PM) are one of the major air pollutants emerging out of the industrial development and human activities. Plants exhibit differential sensitivity to SO2 pollution and its affect on plant growth can be both direct and/or indirect. The present study was conducted in controlled tunnels to assess the effect of particulate matter (PM) and SO2 on growth attributes of two cereals (bread and durum wheat and barley) and a legume (chickpea) species. Relative sensitivity of crops to elevated SO2 followed the following order: durum wheat < bread wheat < barley < chickpea. This study clearly shows that the presence of particulate matter in the growing environment severely inhibits crop growth while the SO2 enriched environment promotes plant growth and S uptake across crops and that the tolerant crop species are capable of utilizing SO2 towards the plant S pool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change associated with rising atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration may have impact on crop production and soil health. Increase in atmospheric CO2 concentration may enhance crop growth with higher demand for nutrients by the crop. An experiment was conducted during July-October, 2013 using Free Air Carbon Dioxide Enrichment facility at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi to study the impact of elevated CO2 and nitrogen (N) dose on growth, yield and nitrogen uptake in rice crop. Four doses of N, i.e., control, 0.6 g N pot-1 (75% recommended dose of N), 0.8 g N pot-1 (100% recommended dose of N) and 1.0 g N pot-1 (125% recommended dose of N) were applied in both ambient (395 ppm) and elevated CO2 (550±20 ppm) conditions. Grain and biomass yield of rice was significantly higher under elevated CO2 condition. Plant growth and yield parameters also increased with increased N doses in both elevated and ambient CO2 conditions. Nitrogen concentration of grain and straw decreased under high CO2 level but N uptake increased under elevated CO2 condition. Agronomic efficiency of N was higher under elevated CO2 while recovery efficiency of N remained unaffected. The study showed that although yield of rice increases under elevated CO2 condition, to maintain plant nitrogen concentration, application of additional dose of N is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Feeding the increasing global population with adequate supply of cereals for food, particularly with limited agricultural area, is a challenging task. In this context, emphasis on enhancing food producing processes gains attention. Gamma irradiation, up to certain doses, is known to improve crop yield without using chemical fertilizers. Among the cereals, maize is an important crop, which accounts for 9% of total food grain production. Here, we presumed that gamma ray pretreatment to maize seeds would be beneficial and boost the maize productivity and yield. In this study, we conducted field experiments to assess the gamma irradiation induced effect on seedling emergence, plant growth, yield and yield attributes of maize (HQPM-1). Grains of maize were exposed to gamma radiation doses ranging from 0.0025, 0.005, 0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 0.50, 1.0 and 2.0 kGy with the help of 60Co γ-radiation source facility available in the Centre. The germination of irradiated seeds was assessed in an incubator chamber and the irradiated seeds were sown in the field during kharif (July-October) 2013 and 2014 seasons at the IARI, New Delhi, research farm. The germination was >90% up to 0.1 kGy dose, beyond which, germination of seeds in the incubator as well as in field condition declined significantly. Few seedlings still came out from relatively higher doses of gamma irradiation (>0.5 kGy). However, these seedlings could not survive more than seven days. Results of present study indicated that plant growth parameters, such as plant height, photosynthetic rate, chlorophyll content, leaf area index at 'tasseling' as well as at 'silking' stage affected positively at lower doses (<0.2 kGy). The biological yield, grain weight (g) (cob-1), grains (cob-1) and 100 grain weights responded positively to the lower doses (≈ 0.1 kGy) of gamma irradiation. Our results indicated improvement in biological yield by 35.2% at 0.1 kGy as compared to the control (00 kGy). However, maximum reduction (33%) was recorded at 0.5 kGy. Similarly, grain yield (ton ha-1) was improved by 8.3% at 0.1 kGy as compared to the control, but reduced the most by 56.9% at 0.5 kGy compared to the respective control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims at dynamic behaviour of a Linke Hofmann Busch coach and its sensitive parameters against track irregularities considering various suspended equipment. The randomly distributed track irregularities characterized in terms of Indian Rail Road PSD standard are considered main source of excitation that produces undesired vibrations. The coach body and bogie frame subjected to 4 degree of freedom motions (bounce, lateral, roll and pitch) are modelled using finite element methodology where system matrices such as mass, stiffness and damping matrices are obtained for eigenvalue solution. Using modal parameters obtained as above and PSD of track irregularities, both vertical and lateral mean square acceleration responses (MSAR) are determined at various points of concern on coach body. It is observed that the vertical peak responses occur in low frequency range (0-10 Hz) which is caused by long wavelength irregularities of track that causes discomfort. It is also observed that constant peak lateral responses occur at still lower frequency as compared to vertical response which again causes discomfort to vehicle riders. This concludes that there is a further scope of improvement in comfort level with minor adjustments of suspended equipment of a LHB coach. A sensitivity analysis based on the partial derivatives against FRF displacement is conducted and most sensitive design parameters are obtained for optimization to improve ride comfort. It is suggested that if the mass of bio toilet tanks and relative position of battery box + transformer unit i.e. most sensitive parameters of suspended equipment are changed then the ride comfort can be improved. [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]