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The ongoing research focuses on exploring the potential of Careya arborea (CA) fiber, banana fiber (BF), and epoxy composites as sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based products and synthetic fibers. The aim is to enhance the interfacial bonding and overall performance of these composites while reducing reliance on traditional materials. The study investigates the adhesion between CA fiber, BF (both chemically treated), and epoxy with polylactic acid (PLA) coating. Specifically, it examined how the PLA coating affects the mechanical properties, including tensile strength, flexural strength, impact resistance, and water absorption behavior, of the fabricated composites. Mechanical characterizations of the composite specimens are conducted following ASTM standards. The PLA-coated and NaOH-treated specimens significantly improved their tensile strength (20.56%) and flexural strength (16.7%), and significantly reduced their water absorption capacity (by 47.6%) compared to the untreated ones. These findings highlight the promise of using treated natural fibers and PLA coatings to create more sustainable and high-performance composite materials.

Wind power has emerged as a clean alternative to traditional power production, with a significant increase in its installed capacity observed over the past decade. In numerous regions, wind power producers are now afforded the opportunity to participate in day-ahead energy and reserve markets. In this context, the wind turbines can provide ancillary services such as frequency containment reserve (FCR). However, the provision of ancillary services is known to affect the physical loading on a wind turbine. This loading on different parts of the wind turbine can possibly result in sub-optimal performance leading to a reduced net power output or even a faster degradation of the wind turbine. On the other hand, no or low participation of a wind turbine in ancillary services market will lead to a lesser revenue on a long term. Moreover, low participation of wind turbines in the ancillary market will eventually limit the amount of wind power, since the ancillary services are needed to stabilise the grid and must then be provided by other energy sources. Addressing this challenge requires a holistic method to gauge both load and revenue for wind power producers (WPP), thus enabling them to make informed decisions. This study firstly presents a method of calculating major loads on the wind turbine. Then, a load-aware optimisation method of wind power scheduling in the joint day-ahead energy and reserve market (JERM) is proposed that provides WPPs, an ability to strike a balance between revenue and the physical loading of wind turbine.

Background: Pilonidal sinus disease (PSD) is a tract in the sacrococcygeal region’s subcutaneous tissue that presents with recurrent infection and persistent inflammation. The best surgical strategy for treating pilonidal sinus illness is still up for debate, despite the fact that several surgical techniques for treating the sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus have been identified. Aims and Objectives: This study evaluated several intraoperative and post-operative constraints related to the surgical techniques of wide excision with lay open and Limberg flap transposition for treating pilonidal sinus. Materials and Methods: The division of 50 symptomatic pilonidal sinus patients into two equal groups was based on simple randomization. Patients in Group-A had wide local excisions with lay open, whereas those in Group-B received wide excisions with Limberg flaps. Operative time along with post-operative issues including pain, seroma, infection, necrosis of the flap’s tip, gaping, loss of sensation, and recurrence was compared between the two groups. Results: When compared to the wide excision group, the mean operating time was substantially greater in the Limberg flap repair group. There was a significant difference between the groups in terms of the average number of days spent in the hospital (Group-B was 6.8±1.5 days and Group-A was 12.96±1.3 days), the average number of days it took for the wound to heal (Group B was 16.6±8.5 days and Group-A was 49.5±7.8 days), mean work-off periods (Limberg’s rhomboid flap - 19.64±5.1 days and laying open technique - 52.6±8 days), and mean number of days pain lasted (Group-B - 14.8±5.7 days and Group-A - 45.6±7.5 days). Wide local excisions are associated with increased wound infection. Recurrence in Limberg’s rhomboid flap group was less (4% vs. 16% with laying open approach). Conclusions: Low recurrence rates and comparably few complications are associated with rhomboid excision with Limberg flap repair transposition surgery. The primary course of action for pilonidal sinus illness should be Limberg flap repair.

Mitochondria are important organelles for high energy synthesis, reactive oxygen species balancing, antiapoptotic molecule production, membrane stability, intracellular calcium buffering, neuroplasticity and neurotransmission. Dysfunction in mitochondria is considered to be involved in the pathophysiology of mental problems. It has been observed that several drug types used to treat brain illnesses can harm mitochondria by altering the oxidative phosphorylation system and the gene expression of mitochondria-related proteins. In some studies, it has been observed that mitochondrial biogenesis shows a therapeutic effect in the management of mitochondrial disorders. Many therapeutic compounds are effective in the activation of mitochondrial biogenesis. The comorbidity of mental problems observed in those with mitochondrial dysfunction and the change in the efficacy of the cellular respiratory system have attracted researchers to understand the pathways and possible therapeutic strategies in neurological disorders. This article has attempted to understand the impact of mitochondrial function and mitochondrial dysfunction in the pathogenesis of brain disorders to develop potential therapeutic drugs.

Abstract The participation of wind farms in providing ancillary services is an asset for the power system and one way to maintain a strong grid with the increasing penetration of renewable energy sources. Research has shown this to be feasible for wind farms by using efficient prediction and sophisticated control systems. In some parts of the world, strict grid codes are already being implemented that require wind farms to provide ancillary services. Moreover, the primary reserve market in Europe is moving towards shorter procurement periods, providing wind farms an opportunity to more efficiently optimise their resources based on short term forecasts. It can however be challenging for the wind farms to efficiently participate in grid frequency support services, especially for primary reserve services. The reason behind this is the requirement of quick activation and deactivation of power reserve margin for services such as Frequency Containment Reserve (FCR) and Fast Frequency Response (FFR). A full activation of the contracted reserve is required within seconds of a grid frequency dip. A sudden change in wind turbine dynamics is expected to have an impact on the wake behind the wind turbine. The wake effect within a wind farm is taken into thorough consideration in its design process. The effect on the wake due to the wind turbines participating in fast response ancillary services however, remains unexplored. This is a matter of greater concern for wind farms with a high capacity density. To this end, the main contribution of this article is to observe the effect of ancillary service based control system on the wake effect of a wind turbine. Additionally, the capability of developed wind turbines controllers to follow primary reserve services are also tested. FFR and FCR services are tested for a range of frequency designs, these include both synthetic and actual grid frequencies. The synthetic frequency profiles are designed to replicate both fast and slow frequency variations in order to analyse the impact on wake behaviour. The simulations are performed for low and high wind speed including constant as well as turbulent winds.

The paucity of novel antibiotics for treating human and animal infections has heightened global fears about growing drug-resistant superbugs. Antibiotic replacement approaches for food-producing animals, particularly poultry and livestock, are urgently needed by the agricultural business. The need of the hour is to develop and exploit promising antibiotic-alternative phytochemicals in order to minimize Antibiotic Growth Promoters and develop an antibiotic-free animal production system. Phytogenic plant dietary supplements have positive effects on poultry performance and immunity. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play a key role in the innate immune system. TLRs recognize microbes that have broken through physical barriers such as the skin or the mucosa of the digestive tract, triggering immune cell responses. Supplementation of herbs in the dietary regimen of poultry had shown stimulatory effects on the immune system. Herbs such as Amla, Ashwagandha, Garlic powder, Giloy, Turmeric, Shatavari, Aloe vera, Moringa and holy basil have been shown to increase the relative mRNA expression of different toll-like receptors, thereby enhancing broiler immunological status by modulating their immune response.

With rapid growth in the field of communication, technology, and higher internet penetration, extensive usage of electronic services has become inevitable. Therefore, electronic services (e-services) have become very popular and one of the key determinants contributing toward e-business success. Consequently, it becomes essential to measure and evaluate customers’ perceived E-Service Quality, which affects their purchase intention to buy online. Therefore, the current study examines the effect of customers’ perceived E-SQ on their online purchase intention, as an extension of the Theory of Planned Behavior. The study included 449 samples of online buyers from Rajasthan state of India. To test reliability and validate the constructs of the measurement model, Confirmatory Factor Analysis was used using SPSS 24.0 and AMOS 24.0 software. Further, Structural Equation Modelling was used to validate and test empirically the causal relations between the constructs of the measurement model. The results revealed that judgments related to online websites have a strong positive relationship with the key features of E-SQ (e.g., reliability, responsiveness, personalisation, convenience, trust, and ease of navigation). Further, in addition to this, results also indicate that Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) can completely predict and explain the determinants of E-SQ, influencing customers’ online purchase intention. Therefore, this study helps in providing scale measurement of online purchase websites to identify their E-SQ strengths and weaknesses, which can help them improve upon their weaknesses and try serving their customers better in the electronic marketplace.

The components of an operational wind turbine are continuously impacted by both static and dynamic loads. Regular inspections and maintenance are required to keep these components healthy. The main bearing of a wind turbine is one such component that experiences heavy loading forces during operation. These forces depend on various parameters such as wind speed, operating regime and control actions. When a wind turbine provides frequency containment reserve (FCR) to support the grid frequency, the forces acting upon the main bearing are also expected to exhibit more dynamic variations. These forces have a direct impact on the lifetime of the main bearing. With an increasing trend of wind turbines participating in the frequency ancillary services market, an analysis of these dynamic forces becomes necessary. To this end, this paper assesses the effect of FCR-based control on the main bearing lifetime of the wind turbine. Firstly, a control algorithm is implemented such that the output power of the wind turbine is regulated as a function of grid frequency and the amount of FCR. Simulations are performed for a range of FCR to study the changing behaviour of dynamical forces acting on the main bearing with respect to the amount of FCR provided. Then, based on the outputs from these simulations and using 2 years of LiDAR wind data, the lifetime of the main bearing of the wind turbine is calculated and compared for each of the cases. Finally, based on the results obtained from this study, the impact of FCR provision on the main bearing lifetime is quantified and recommendations are made, that could be taken into account in the operation strategy of a wind farm.

Introduction The most common cancer of India is head and neck, and about 70% of them present in locally advanced or metastatic disease. Palliative radiotherapy is one of the commonly used treatments in such cases. A retrospective study on the outcomes and toxicity of palliative radiotherapy is studied at a tertiary centre. Materials and Methods In this study, 74 patients who underwent palliative radiotherapy at the tertiary centre between Nov 2017 and Oct 2019 were retrospectively analysed. The frequency of different presenting symptoms, radiotherapy regimens, their outcome in form of symptomatic relief and disease status along with toxicity was studied and analysed through the available records. Results We identified 74 eligible patients. The median age was 48years (range, 26–82). Oropharyngeal primary cancer was the most common primary site. The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status was 3 or more in 74.4% patients. The radiation regimen used were ranged from 8Gyin single fraction, 20Gy in 4 fractions, 20Gy in 5 fractions, 30Gy in 10 fractions and 60Gy in 30 fractions. 93.2% of them completed their treatment. Pain and swelling were the most common presenting symptoms and 90.6% of them had more than 50% relief, while 46.5% had complete or partial response to the treatment. Conclusion Palliative radiotherapy to the head and neck provides some symptomatic benefit in most patients, there are multiple dose fractionation regimens currently being used for palliative radiation treatment, and consideration should be given to higher dose palliative RT regimens in patients having good performance status to maximize locoregional control and minimize late toxicity, patient with poor performance status will benefit from a hypofractionated palliative radiation treatment.

The nature of gene action involved is mainly responsible for the genetic improvement of any crop. Generation means analysis for maize (Zea mays L.) yield and its traits for six generations, i.e. P1, P2 F1, F2, BC1 and BC2 of six crosses evaluated at Karnal. Significant individual and joint scaling tests indicated inadequacy of three parameter models and presence of epistasis in all characters indicating greater genetic variation in parents. However, only shelling percentage in HKI 209 × HKI 163 showed additive-dominance. The presence of duplicate form of non-allelic gene interactions was prominent, except for days to maturity and cob diameter in HKI 325-17AN × HKI 163, cob length in HKI 209 × HKI 163 and shelling percentage in HKI 1332 × HKI 163 where complementary gene action is recorded. It suggests selection from F3 generation onwards for character improvement. Dominance and duplicate type of epistatic effects were found to be more prominent for inheritance than additive effects alone for grain yield/plant, grains/cob, and plant height suggesting the reciprocal recurrent selection or bi-parental mating design to improve in these characters. In crosses where dominance was of major importance, the trait could be successfully utilized for the exploitation of hybrid vigour. Some significant additive and additive × additive effects were recorded in all of these crosses, and therefore gain from selection could be possible, fixable and heritable epistasis could be effectively used in the selection of superior inbred lines.

Abstract Introduction: In developing countries like India, it is common for late presentation of Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) patients to a hospital as compared to that of developed countries. The objective of this study is to analyze the surgical outcome of TOF patients with age > 15 years. Methods: This is a retrospective descriptive study of the surgical outcomes of 45 adult patients undergoing correction for TOF. Epidemiology, symptomology, and preoperative evaluation were performed. Results: Most of the patients were male (33 [73%]). The median age was 21 years. A total of 42 (93.33%) patients had subaortic ventricular septal defect (VSD), while three (6.6%) patients presented with doubly committed VSD. The most common type of right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) obstruction was combined infundibular and valvular types, accounting for 34 cases (75.5%). Six patients had infundibular RVOT obstruction, while three patients (6.6%) had predominantly valvular pulmonary stenosis. We performed trans-right atrial repair in 33 patients. Right atrium-pulmonary artery approach was used in five patients (11.1%). The most common postoperative complication was right bundle branch block, seen in 14 patients, with a mortality rate of 2% in the early postoperative period. We achieved excellent early and midterm survival results and significant improvement in functions and disease-free quality of life. Conclusion: Intracardiac repair in adult TOF can be performed with low mortality, less residual RVOT obstruction, and need for revision of RVOT far less frequent by using the Jhajhria Infundibular Resection Adequacy Assessment technique (JIRAAT) to assess for adequacy of infundibular resection.

Abstract Introduction: Acyanotic congenital heart disease (ACHD) patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) are prone to postoperative complications, and characterization of the risk profile continues to fail in identifying inflammatory predilection. Our objective is to investigate the role of platelet-leukocyte indices (neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio [NLR], platelet-lymphocyte ratio [PLR], and systemic immune-inflammation index [SII] [neutrophil × platelet/lymphocyte]) in predicting poor outcomes following cardiac surgery in ACHD cohort with preoperative PH. Methods: This single-center, retrospective risk-predictive study included ACHD patients undergoing surgical correction at our tertiary cardiac center between January 2015 and December 2019. Standard institutional perioperative management protocol was followed, and poor postoperative outcome was defined as ≥ 1 of: low cardiac output syndrome, new-onset renal failure, prolonged mechanical ventilation (MV > 24 hours), stroke, sepsis, and/or death. Results: One hundred eighty patients out of 1,040 (17.3%) presented poor outcome. On univariate analysis, preoperative factors including right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) (PH-severity marker), congestive heart failure, albumin, NLR, PLR, SII, and aortic cross-clamping (ACC) and cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) times predicted poor outcome. However, on multivariate analysis, RVSP, NLR, SII, and ACC and CPB times emerged as independent predictors. An NLR, SII prognostic cutoff of 3.33 and 860.6×103/mm3 was derived (sensitivity: 77.8%, 78.9%; specificity: 91.7%, 82.2%; area under the curve: 0.871, 0.833). NLR and SII values significantly correlated with postoperative MV duration, mean vasoactive-inotropic scores, and length of intensive care unit and hospital stay (P

Agroforestry systems (AFS) and practices followed in India are highly diverse due to varied climatic conditions ranging from temperate to humid tropics. The estimated area under AFS in India is 13.75 million ha with the highest concentration being in the states of Uttar Pradesh (1.86 million ha), followed by Maharashtra (1.61 million ha), Rajasthan (1.55 million ha) and Andhra Pradesh (1.17 million ha). There are many forms of agroforestry practice in India ranging from intensified simple systems of monoculture, such as block plantations and boundary planting, to far more diverse and complex systems, such as home gardens. As a result, the biomass production and carbon sequestration potential of AFS are highly variable across different agro-climatic zones of India. Studies pertaining to the assessment of biomass and carbon storage in different agroforestry systems in the Indian sub-continent are scanty and most of these studies have reported region and system specific carbon stocks. However, while biomass and carbon stock data from different AFS at national scale has been scanty hitherto, such information is essential for national accounting, reporting of C sinks and sources, as well as for realizing the benefits of carbon credit to farmers engaged in tree-based production activities. Therefore, the objective of this study was to collate and synthesize the existing information on biomass carbon and SOC stocks associated with agroforestry practices across agro-climatic zones of India. The results revealed considerable variation in biomass and carbon stocks among AFS, as well as between different agro-climatic zones. Higher total biomass (>200 Mg ha−1) was observed in the humid tropics of India which are prevalent in southern and northeastern regions, while lower total biomass (−1) was reported from Indo-Gangetic, western and central India. Total biomass carbon varied in the range of 1.84 to 131 Mg ha−1 in the agrihorticulture systems of western and central India and the coffee agroforests of southern peninsular India. Similarly, soil organic carbon (SOC) ranged between 12.26–170.43 Mg ha−1, with the highest SOC in the coffee agroforests of southern India and the lowest in the agrisilviculture systems of western India. The AFS which recorded relatively higher SOC included plantation crop-based practices of southern, eastern and northeastern India, followed by the agrihorticulture and agrisilviculture systems of the northern Himalayas. The meta-analysis indicated that the growth and nature of different agroforestry tree species is the key factor affecting the carbon storage capacity of an agroforestry system. The baseline data obtained across various regions could be useful for devising policies on carbon trading or financing for agroforestry.

A key aspect of cytokine-induced changes as observed in sepsis is the dysregulated activation of endothelial cells (ECs), initiating a cascade of inflammatory signaling leading to leukocyte adhesion/migration and organ damage. The therapeutic targeting of ECs has been hampered by concerns regarding organ-specific EC heterogeneity and their response to inflammation. Using in vitro and in silico analysis, we present a comprehensive analysis of the proteomic changes in mouse lung, liver and kidney ECs following exposure to a clinically relevant cocktail of proinflammatory cytokines. Mouse lung, liver and kidney ECs were incubated with TNF-α/IL-1β/IFN-γ for 4 or 24 h to model the cytokine-induced changes. Quantitative label-free global proteomics and bioinformatic analysis performed on the ECs provide a molecular framework for the EC response to inflammatory stimuli over time and organ-specific differences. Gene Ontology and PANTHER analysis suggest why some organs are more susceptible to inflammation early on, and show that, as inflammation progresses, some protein expression patterns become more uniform while additional organ-specific proteins are expressed. These findings provide an in-depth understanding of the molecular changes involved in the EC response to inflammation and can support the development of drugs targeting ECs within different organs. Data are available via ProteomeXchange (identifier PXD031804).

Abiotic stress, especially a lack of water, can significantly reduce crop yields. In this study, we evaluated the physiological and biochemical effects of potassium sulfate (K2SO4) fertilizer and varied irrigation regimes on the economically significant oilseed crop, Brassica juncea L, under open field conditions. Two cultivars (RH-725 and RH-749) of B. juncea were used in a randomized complete block design experiment with three replicates. Irrigation regimes consisted of a control (double irrigation: once at the 50% flowering and another at 50% fruiting stages), early irrigation (at 50% flowering only), late irrigation (at 50% fruiting only) and stress (no irrigation). The K2SO4 applications were: control (K0, no fertilization); K1, 10 kg ha-1; and K2, 20 kg ha-1. We measured growth via fresh and dry plant weight, plant height, root length, and leaf area. All the growth parameters were higher in RH-749. The physiological attributes, including the membrane stability index and relative water content, were higher at the 50% flowering stage in RH-749. The amount of antioxidant enzymes (catalase (CAT), guaiacol peroxidase (POX), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and superoxide dismutase (SOD)) was enhanced when both plants were fertilized during water stress. All of these enzymes had higher activity in RH-749. The total chlorophyll content and photosynthesis rate were considerably higher in RH-749, which leaked fewer electrolytes and maintained a less destructive osmotic potential under limited water conditions. The results indicated that it is water-stress tolerant when given a high concentration of K2SO4, which alleviated the adverse effects of water stress on growth and physiology.

Weeds are the major biotic constraints in maize crop due to its wider row spacing limiting its productivity. So, a field experiment was conducted during kharif and rabi seasons of 2015 and 2016, at RRS, Karnal, Haryana to study the effect of different weed control methods on weed flora, growth and yield of kharif planted maize, the residual effect of different herbicides applied in maize on succeeding wheat crop. Treatments included two pre-emergence (PRE) herbicides namely atrazine 750 or 1000 g/ha and alachlor 2000 g/ha along with three post-emergence herbicides (POST) atrazine 500 g/ha, 2,4-D 500 g/ha and tembotrione 120 or 140 g/ha +S (surfactant) at 35 days after sowing (DAS) were used. Hand weeding twice at 20 and 35 DAS, weedy check and weed free treatments were also included. Major weed species infesting the experimental field were Cyperus rotundus, Brachiaria reptans, Dactyloctenium aegyptium, Amaranthus viridis, Digera arvensis, Phyllanthus niruri and Portulaca oleracea. Among herbicide treatments at 50 DAS, alachlor 2000 g/ha as PRE fb tembotrione 120 g/ha provided the highest weed control efficiency (95.1 %). Maximum grain yield (6505 and 6903 kg/ha) and yield attributes of maize were obtained in weed free treatment which was statistically at par with alachlor 2000 g/ha fb tembotrione 120 g/ha +S at 35 DAS (T13) (6380 and 6816 kg/ha). No visual phyto-toxicity of any applied herbicide was observed on maize crop. All herbicide treatments employed in kharif maize, irrespective of their dose and application time did not show any residual carryover effect on succeeding wheat crop.

Information on new varieties -Â Co 0118 (Karan 2), Co 0238 (Karan 4) and Co 0218 (Shreyas)

Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the efficiency of conventional and digital radiography in assessing alveolar bone loss. Materials and Methods: The study group comprised 50 participants (25 males and 25 females) between 25 and 45 years of age. The participants were screened for all clinical features of periodontitis. A series of conventional bitewing radiographs of right and left of both maxillary and mandibular posterior region (15,16,17,25,26,27,35,36,37,45,46,47) were taken for each of 50 patients by examiner 1. Similarly, a series of digital bitewing radiographs were taken by examiner 2 for each 50 patients by using RVG of Planmeca Dixi 2 B Series. In digital bitewing radiographs, the measurement was done by examiner 2, using Planmeca Dixi 2 B Digital Software, by dragging the cursor to make a line by joining the linear points. Bone level less than 2 mm from the cementoenamel junction (CEJ) was considered normal while above that was considered bone loss. In case of conventional bitewing radiographs, alveolar bone loss was measured by the same examiner by measuring the distance from the CEJ to the most apical level of crestal bone using a divider and transparent ruler. The above collected data of examiners 1 and 2 were handed over to examiner 3 for statistical evaluation. Results: Comparison of conventional and digital radiographic techniques in left maxilla, left and right mandible, and between maxilla and mandible in the total sample and in females aged 25–35 and 36–45 years yielded a significant correlation while comparison of the two techniques in the right maxilla and between maxilla and mandible in males yielded a nonsignificant correlation. Conclusion: Direct digital radiography provides an edge over conventional radiography in assessing the periodontal bone destruction.

Aim: The aim of present study was to determine seroprevalence of bluetongue virus (BTV) in Haryana state of India. Materials and Methods: A total of 803 serum samples, 408 of cattle and 395 of buffalo origin, respectively, were collected from different villages of Haryana. Sampling was done randomly to obtain unbiased results. The samples were evaluated by a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the presence of BTV antibodies. Results: Overall seroprevalence of BTV antibody in cattle and buffaloes for all 21 districts of Haryana state was found to be 75.49% and 92.91%, respectively. The prevalence of BTV in different agroclimatic zones ranged between 72-77% and 90-94% for cattle and buffalo, respectively. In buffaloes, the BTV seroprevalence was comparatively higher than in cattle. Conclusion: The study showed that BTV is circulating in cattle and buffalo populations in the Northern part of India.

Drought is the most critical environmental factor across the continents affecting food security. Roots are the prime organs for water and nutrient uptake. Fine tuning between water uptake, efficient use and loss determines the genotypic response to water limitations. Targeted breeding for root system architecture needs to be explored to improve water use efficiency in legumes. Hence, the present study was designed to explore root system architecture in lentil germplasm in response to drought. A set of 119 lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) genotypes was screened in controlled conditions to assess the variability in root traits in relation to drought tolerance at seedling stage. We reported significant variation for different root traits in lentil germplasm. Total root length, surface area, root volume and root diameter were correlated to the survival and growth under drought. Among the studied genotypes, the stress tolerance index varied 0.19–1.0 for survival and 0.09–0.90 for biomass. Based on seedling survival and biomass under control and drought conditions, 11 drought tolerant genotypes were identified, which may be investigated further at a physiological and molecular level for the identification of the genes involved in drought tolerance. Identified lines may also be utilised in a lentil breeding program.

Aim: The present study was designed to characterize the genome segment 3 (Seg-3) of bluetongue virus (BTV) serotype 12 isolates from different outbreaks of Bluetongue disease in Haryana, India. Materials and Methods: Blood and swab samples were collected from goat and sheep suspected to be suffering of BT from different outbreaks from Gurugram, Sirsa, Hisar, and Karnal districts of Haryana. The samples were grown in insect and mammalian cell lines. After preliminary identification, serotyping was done using BTV type-specific quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) assays. Sequencing was performed using terminal and walking internal primers specific for Seg-3 on ABI Capillary Sequencer 3130 using a "BigDye cycle sequencing kit." The obtained sequence data were analyzed with various bioinformatic tools. Results: Real-time PCR results confirmed the samples to be positive for BTV-12. The Seg-3 of Indian isolates was most closely related to that of a south Indian isolate of BTV-12 from Andhra Pradesh (KC662614) with 97% nucleotide identity. Conclusion: The study confirmed the circulation of BTV-12 in Haryana, India. The variations shown in genome Seg-3 of BTV-12 isolates may have some significance and need to be further explored.

Aim: The aim of the study was to correlate the milk yield of Murrah buffaloes with certain body parts measurements. Materials and Methods: A total of 70 lactating Murrah buffaloes were selected from Buffalo Farm, Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Science, Hisar and were randomly selected in a range from first to fifth parity. Traits studied were 305 days milk yield (MY), body weight (BW), body length (BL), muzzle width (MW), height at wither (HW), abdominal girth (AG), chest girth (CG), body depth fore, body depth rear, hip bone distance (HBD), pin bone distance (PBD), skin thickness (STK), and tail length (TL). Data were collected and statically analyzed by Pearson’s correlation method. Result: The result of this study showed that Murrah buffaloes had the average 2604.8±39.5 kg for MY, 556.1±4.9 kg for BW, and 152.2±0.8 cm for BL. This study showed that buffaloes had positive significant (p

Background: Mediastinum is a “Pandora's box” with many neoplastic and nonneoplastic lesions. The purpose of this study was to analyze our institutional experience of mediastinal lesions on fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and/or biopsy. Materials and Methods: This study was an analysis of 144 patients who had undergone ultrasound-guided FNAC and/or core biopsy for mediastinal lesions. Results: A total of 144 cases of suspected mediastinal masses were seen, and in 139 cases, tissue diagnosis was attempted. Out of 139 cases, 93 cases were neoplastic in nature (67%), 32 were nonneoplastic (23%), and 14 remained inconclusive (10%). Among neoplastic mediastinal lesions, metastatic carcinoma (37.4%) was the most common neoplastic lesion, followed by non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (12.2%), Hodgkin's lymphoma (7.1%), thymic lesions (3.5%), etc. Among nonneoplastic conditions, tuberculosis was the most common lesion (20.1%). An accurate tissue diagnosis was made in 89.9% cases by FNAC or core biopsy of mediastinal lesions in this study. Procedure-related mortality was nil. Complications were mostly minor and included chest pain in 24.5%, small pneumothorax in 13.6% requiring closed tube thoracostomy in 1.4%, and scanty hemoptysis in 9.3% cases. Conclusion: Neoplastic mediastinal lesions are more common than nonneoplastic lesions, with metastatic carcinoma being the most common cause followed by tuberculosis. A wide variety of lesions observed in this study stress on the importance of cytohistological diagnosis in all cases of mediastinal lesions for the final diagnosis and management planning. A guided FNAC or core biopsy is still accurate, well tolerated, and devoid of major complications.

Aim/Purpose: This research aims to examine the mobile learning (m-learning) intentions of students pursuing design courses at graduate and undergraduate levels in higher education institutions in a developing country like India. This study integrated the Technology Readiness Index (TRI 2.0) and the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) to examine students' intentions. Background: Teaching-learning in design programs at institutions predominantly takes place in design studios. Studios are the place where the constant presence of the educator, along with peers, guides the students in all aspects of creative solutions. This interaction has been hindered during the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the last decade, m-learning has grown in popularity among professionals and students. However, the intentions of students pursuing design courses still need to be evaluated. Methodology: Using a quantitative approach, a survey of 334 graduate and postgraduate students was held in the National Capital Region of Delhi, India. The students were approached based on a convenience sampling strategy. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) analysis was carried out to test the formulated hypotheses. Contribution: This is one of the first studies that empirically measured m-learning intentions of design students in the Indian context using TRUTAUT scales. The study will motivate educators to identify and integrate online content into the design curriculum. This will also help eliminate students' insecurity related to performance in online learning. Findings: The study found that the technology readiness (TRI) variables (optimism, innovativeness, and discomfort) had no significant relationship with the UTAUT variables. Design students also exhibited some insecurity about performance in their creative field, which is traditionally conducted face-to-face. But all variables of UTAUT had a significant influence, and the model explains 41% of the variance in m-learning intention. Recommendations for Practitioners: Teachers, as content creators in design education, need to suitably add online content to their subject that facilitates m-learning among students. Institutional administrators should provide adequate infrastructural facilities like stable internet connectivity, computer labs, and technical staff who can help the students with technical issues. Recommendation for Researchers: The outcome of this TRUTAUT research among design students can be studied in other developing countries to examine design students' intention to adopt m-learning. Researchers can examine the effectiveness of learning through online platforms in design programs. Future Research: Future studies could improve the model by extending it appropriately and conducting a longitudinal study with interviews and focus group discussions. Also, including teachers' opinions and attitudes toward online learning in design programs is worth exploring.

Abstract Background Cordyceps cicadae is known as Jin Chan Hua in Traditional Chinese Medicine and known to possess different pharmacological activities. Presently, it was collected from the wild and isolated. Mycelial culture was optimized for extraction of polysaccharides under submerged culture conditions. Besides antioxidant, antibacterial activities of extracted polysaccharides were tested for first time. Methods Exo-polysaccharides (EPS) and intracellular polysaccharides (IPS) production was tested under different factors (medium capacity, rotation speed, pH, incubation time, temperature, carbon, nitrogen, minerals sources and carbon to nitrogen ratio) by orthogonal experiments using one-factor-at-a-time method. Monosaccharides composition of polysaccharides produced by C. cicadae was determined using high performance liquid chromatography. Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities on eight bacterial strains were checked by different standard procedures. Results Factors viz., medium capacity, rotation speed, incubation time, pH and temperature affected the EPS and IPS production under submerged culture conditions. EPS and IPS production was observed to vary with different carbon and nitrogen sources as well as C/N ratio. Glucose was the major component of polysaccharides (63.10 ± 4.15 %). Extracted EPS and IPS showed higher antioxidant potential with significant DPPH radical scavenging activity, ABTS radical scavenging activity, reducing power and iron chelating activity. Antimicrobial activities of EPS and IPS varied among the tested bacterial strains. IPS showed slightly higher inhibition rate to all the tested bacterial strains as compared to EPS. Maximum inhibition zones of IPS (12.9 ± 0.2 mm) and EPS (12.5 ± 0.3 mm) was observed against Pseudomonas aeruginosa at 10 % con. However, both EPS and IPS fractions showed broad spectrum for all the pathogenic microbial strains tested. The MIC of both the extracts ranged from 60–100 mg/mL. Conclusions EPS and IPS production from submerged culture of C. cicadae with significant antioxidant and antibacterial potential can be enhanced with the combination of several factors which can be used for large scale industrial fermentation of C. cicadae.

This article investigates the impact of the pitch-to-stall and pitch-to-feather control concepts on horizontal axis wind turbines (HAWTs) with different blade designs. Pitch-to-feather control is widely used to limit the power output of wind turbines in high wind speed conditions. However, stall control has not been taken forward in the industry because of the low predictability of stalled rotor aerodynamics. Despite this drawback, this article investigates the possible advantages of this control concept when compared to pitch-to-feather control with an emphasis on the control performance and its impact on the pitch mechanism and structural loads. In this study, three HAWTs with different blade designs, i.e., untwisted, stall-regulated, and pitch-regulated blades, are investigated. The control system is validated in both uniform and turbulent wind speed. The results show that pitch-to-stall control enhances the constant power control for wind turbines with untwisted and stall-regulated blade designs. Stall control alleviates the fore-aft tower loading and the blades flapwise moment of the wind turbine with stall-regulated blades in uniform winds. However, in turbulent winds, the flapwise moment increases to a certain extent as compared to pitch-to-feather control. Moreover, pitch-to-stall control considerably reduces the summed blade pitch movement, despite that it increases the risk of surface damage in the rolling bearings due to oscillating movements with a small amplitude.

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of different concentration and combination of potassium [1.0 g/l (K1), 2.5 g/l (K2) and 5.0 g/l (K3)] and gibberellic acid [0.005 g/l (G1), 0.01 g/l (G2) and 0.015 g/l (G3)] foliar application on growth characteristics, quality and yield of F1hybrid cucumber (cv. KUK-9).The results showed that the highest amounts for growth, biochemical attributes, fruit maturity, quality belonged to K2 (2.5 g/l) plus G2 (0.01 g/l) combination treatment. Plant height as well as chlorophyll content attained their greatest quantities under G2K2 treatment. Dry matter, TSS % and antioxidant activity showed significant differences compared with control, G1K1 and G2K2 treatment showed the greatest sum of data. Fruit mineral content were also significantly affected by different treatments. Higher fruit potassium was recorded with G3K3 treatment.

An annotated checklist of species of genus Lentinus has been presented in this paper. On scrutiny of the latest authentic literature and mycobank record, out of a total of 41 documented species from India, 20 were found to be valid species while 21 were invalid species which were found to be synonyms.

Soil salinity occupies a prominent place among the soil problems that threaten the sustainability of agriculture over a vast area in the world. It affects plant morpho-physiology and ultimately leads to reduction in productivity. It is essential to test important medicinal plants for their salinity tolerance as research efforts aim to explore economic benefits under saline conditions. Keeping in view the importance of Stevia and salinity, present study had been designed to investigate the effect of salinity on biochemical parameters in two Stevia genotypes. Two node microcuttings were subjected to MS media supplemented with different NaCl concentrations (0, 25, 50, 75, 100, 125 mM). Chlorophyll amount was observed to be decreased as compared to sugars, proline and phenols with increased salt concentrations.

An avulsed permanent tooth is one of the few real time dental emergencies, wherein a potential unscheduled diagnostic and treatment decision outside the regular practice experience of the dentist awaits him. Prognosis is dependent on the decisions taken in the "Golden Hour" aftermath the accident. Reimplantation is the treatment of choice as there are chances of successfully saving a tooth. The condition is compounded by the lack of public awareness and the presence of a proper avulsion management protocol that has been tested by prospective longitudinal studies. This article discusses an unusual case of total replacement resorption along with a comprehensive review of the etiology, pathology, clinical features, and the management of the condition.

Bluetongue virus is the type species of the genus Orbivirus, family Reoviridae. Bluetongue viruses (BTV) are transmitted between their vertebrate hosts primarily by biting midges (Culicoides spp.) in which they also replicate. Consequently BTV distribution is dependent on the activity, geographic distribution, and seasonal abundance of Culicoides spp. The virus can also be transmitted vertically in vertebrate hosts, and some strains/serotypes can be transmitted horizontally in the absence of insect vectors. The BTV genome is composed of ten linear segments of double-stranded (ds) RNA, numbered in order of decreasing size (Seg-1 to Seg-10). Genome segment 2 (Seg-2) encodes outer-capsid protein VP2, the most variable BTV protein and the primary target for neutralising antibodies. Consequently VP2 (and Seg-2) determine the identity of the twenty seven serotypes and two additional putative BTV serotypes that have been recognised so far. Current BTV vaccines are serotype specific and typing of outbreak strains is required in order to deploy appropriate vaccines. We report development and evaluation of multiple 'TaqMan' fluorescence-probe based quantitative real-time type-specific RT-PCR assays targeting Seg-2 of the 27+1 BTV types. The assays were evaluated using orbivirus isolates from the 'Orbivirus Reference Collection' (ORC) held at The Pirbright Institute. The assays are BTV-type specific and can be used for rapid, sensitive and reliable detection / identification (typing) of BTV RNA from samples of infected blood, tissues, homogenised Culicoides, or tissue culture supernatants. None of the assays amplified cDNAs from closely related but heterologous orbiviruses, or from uninfected host animals or cell cultures.

Spilanthes acmella (Asteraceae) is an endangered ornamental cum medicinal annual herb. This study reports on the effect of two arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (Glomus mosseae and Acaulospora laevis) applied either alone or in combination on post-transplanting performance of micropropagated S. acmella. Complete plantlets of S. acmella were raised by direct organogenesis from nodal explants on Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with various cytokinins. S. acmella plantlets responded to all three mycorrhizal treatments in a significantly different way. G. mosseae enhanced the survival rate of S. acmella plantlets to 100%. Plant height, plant spread, number of branches per plant, number of leaves per plant, leaf area, biomass production, and chlorophyll content were significantly higher in AM inoculated plantlets as compared to the uninoculated ones. This clearly demonstrates that AM inoculation improved not only the survival rate of micropropagated plantlets but also their growth and biomass yield.

Synovial sarcoma is highly malignant tumor of soft tissues, occurring chiefly in the extremities and limb girdle with a propensity for local recurrence and sometimes metastases to the lungs. Primary synovial sarcoma arising in the lungs is rare and brain metastasis as presentation is further uncommon. We report a case of primary monophasic synovial sarcoma lung presenting with brain metastasis in a 35-year-old male patient. The diagnosis was made on percutaneous transthoracic needle aspiration from left-sided pulmonary mass and later confirmed by immunohistochemistry. The utility of preoperative diagnosis by percutaneous aspiration cytology is also stressed.

During 2008–2009 in Israel, equine encephalosis virus (EEV) caused febrile outbreaks in horses. Phylogenetic analysis of segment 10 of the virus strains showed that they form a new cluster; analysis of segment 2 showed ≈92% sequence identity to EEV-3, the reference isolate. Thus, the source of this emerging EEV remains uncertain.

The editor has retracted this article [1] due to overlap with a previously published article [2]. Both articles also appear to use the same image representing different fungal mycelial growths. S.K. Sharma and N.S. Atri do not agree to this retraction. N. Gautam has not responded to correspondence from the editor about this retraction.

Bluetongue (BT) is a noncontagious, vector-borne disease of domestic and wild ruminants. The causative agent bluetonguevirus (BTV) is a double stranded RNAvirus belonging to genus Orbivirus within family Reoviridae. Eradication of BTVfromendemic regions like India is not an easy task due to the widely distributed Culicoides spp. midge vectors, the ubiquitousdistribution of vertebrate hosts and existence of a large number of serotypes of the virus (at least 26 till date). The completegenomes (19,193 base-pairs) of several strains of bluetongue virus serotype 16 (BTV-16) originated from Australia, China,Indian subcontinent, Mediterranean basin, Middle East, Africa (Nigeria) and Europe, were compared. These analysis showedthat all ten genome segments of a Nigerian strain are derived from a western lineage, showing only 77% - 84% nt identity withthe eastern topotype reference strain 'RSArrrr/16' (and its derivative 'RSAvvvv/16', a vaccine strain) that was originallyisolated in Pakistan, 76.4% - 83% with eastern BTV-16 strain from Australia (DPP96) and 77% - 89% with a reassortant strainfrom India. These detailed comparisons involving global strains showed that there is a very high degree of variation (up to24%) between BTV-16 strains from eastern and western geographical regions. These data confirm the value of whole genomesequencing for characterization of novel BTV isolates and has helped to identify representative suitable 'reference-strain' ofeastern topotype (BTV-16e), western topotype (BTV-16w), as well as 'cross-topotype' reassortant strain (BTV-16r) that aregenerated in the field for further serological, phylogenetic and molecular epidemiology studies.

Eruption of tooth at about 6 months of age is a significant stage in child’s life and is an emotional event for parents. However, a tooth present in the oral cavity of newborn can lead to a lot of delusions. Natal and neonatal teeth are of utmost importance not only for a dentist but also for a paediatrician due to parent’s anxiety, folklore superstitions and numerous associated complications with it. This paper reports a rare case, wherein a natal tooth has led to the development of a reactive fibrous hyperplasia in an 8-week-old infant.

PSA (Promastigote Surface Antigen) belongs to a family of membrane-bound and secreted proteins present in several Leishmania (L.) species. PSA is recognized by human Th1 cells and provides a high degree of protection in vaccinated mice. We evaluated humoral and cellular immune responses induced by a L. amazonensis PSA protein (LaPSA-38S) produced in a L. tarentolae expression system. This was done in individuals cured of cutaneous leishmaniasis due to L. major (CCLm) or L. braziliensis (CCLb) or visceral leishmaniasis due to L. donovani (CVLd) and in healthy individuals. Healthy individuals were subdivided into immune (HHR-Lm and HHR-Li: Healthy High Responders living in an endemic area for L. major or L. infantum infection) or non immune/naive individuals (HLR: Healthy Low Responders), depending on whether they produce high or low levels of IFN-γ in response to Leishmania soluble antigen. Low levels of total IgG antibodies to LaPSA-38S were detected in sera from the studied groups. Interestingly, LaPSA-38S induced specific and significant levels of IFN-γ, granzyme B and IL-10 in CCLm, HHR-Lm and HHR-Li groups, with HHR-Li group producing TNF-α in more. No significant cytokine response was observed in individuals immune to L. braziliensis or L. donovani infection. Phenotypic analysis showed a significant increase in CD4+ T cells producing IFN-γ after LaPSA-38S stimulation, in CCLm. A high positive correlation was observed between the percentage of IFN-γ-producing CD4+ T cells and the released IFN-γ. We showed that the LaPSA-38S protein was able to induce a mixed Th1 and Th2/Treg cytokine response in individuals with immunity to L. major or L. infantum infection indicating that it may be exploited as a vaccine candidate. We also showed, to our knowledge for the first time, the capacity of Leishmania PSA protein to induce granzyme B production in humans with immunity to L. major and L. infantum infection.

Although African horse sickness (AHS) can cause up to 95% mortality in horses, naïve animals can be protected by vaccination against the homologous AHSV serotype. Genome segment 2 (Seg-2) encodes outer capsid protein VP2, the most variable of the AHSV proteins. VP2 is also a primary target for AHSV specific neutralising antibodies, and consequently determines the identity of the nine AHSV serotypes. In contrast VP1 (the viral polymerase) and VP3 (the sub-core shell protein), encoded by Seg-1 and Seg-3 respectively, are highly conserved, representing virus species/orbivirus-serogroup-specific antigens. We report development and evaluation of real-time RT-PCR assays targeting AHSV Seg-1 or Seg-3, that can detect any AHSV type (virus species/serogroup-specific assays), as well as type-specific assays targeting Seg-2 of the nine AHSV serotypes. These assays were evaluated using isolates of different AHSV serotypes and other closely related orbiviruses, from the 'Orbivirus Reference Collection' (ORC) at The Pirbright Institute. The assays were shown to be AHSV virus-species-specific, or type-specific (as designed) and can be used for rapid, sensitive and reliable detection and identification (typing) of AHSV RNA in infected blood, tissue samples, homogenised Culicoides, or tissue culture supernatant. None of the assays amplified cDNAs from closely related heterologous orbiviruses, or from uninfected host animals or cell cultures.

In the future, we may be faced with the need to provide treatment for an emergent biological threat against which existing vaccines and drugs have limited efficacy or availability. To prepare for this eventuality, our objective was to use a metabolic network-based approach to rapidly identify potential drug targets and prospectively screen and validate novel small-molecule antimicrobials. Our target organism was the fully virulent Francisella tularensis subspecies tularensis Schu S4 strain, a highly infectious intracellular pathogen that is the causative agent of tularemia and is classified as a category A biological agent by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We proceeded with a staggered computational and experimental workflow that used a strain-specific metabolic network model, homology modeling and X-ray crystallography of protein targets, and ligand- and structure-based drug design. Selected compounds were subsequently filtered based on physiological-based pharmacokinetic modeling, and we selected a final set of 40 compounds for experimental validation of antimicrobial activity. We began screening these compounds in whole bacterial cell-based assays in biosafety level 3 facilities in the 20th week of the study and completed the screens within 12 weeks. Six compounds showed significant growth inhibition of F. tularensis, and we determined their respective minimum inhibitory concentrations and mammalian cell cytotoxicities. The most promising compound had a low molecular weight, was non-toxic, and abolished bacterial growth at 13 µM, with putative activity against pantetheine-phosphate adenylyltransferase, an enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of coenzyme A, encoded by gene coaD. The novel antimicrobial compounds identified in this study serve as starting points for lead optimization, animal testing, and drug development against tularemia. Our integrated in silico/in vitro approach had an overall 15% success rate in terms of active versus tested compounds over an elapsed time period of 32 weeks, from pathogen strain identification to selection and validation of novel antimicrobial compounds.

Aim/Purpose: The study aims to supplement existing knowledge of information systems by presenting empirical data on the factors influencing the intentions of doctoral students to learn through online platforms. Background: E-learning platforms have become popular among students and professionals over the past decade. However, the intentions of the doctoral students are not yet known. They are an important source of knowledge production in academics by way of teaching and research. Methodology: The researchers collected data from universities in the Delhi National Capital Region (NCR) using a survey method from doctoral students using a convenience sampling method. The model studied was the Technology Readiness and Acceptance Model (TRAM), an integration of the Technology Readiness Index (TRI) and Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). Contribution: TRAM provides empirical evidence that it positively predicts behavioral intentions to learn from online platforms. Hence, the study validated the model among doctoral students from the perspective of a developing nation. Findings: The model variables predicted 49% of the variance in doctoral students' intent. The TRAM model identified motivating constructs such as optimism and innovativeness as influencing TAM predictors. Finally, doctoral students have positive opinions about the usefulness and ease of use of online learning platforms. Recommendations for Practitioners: Academic leaders motivate scholars to use online platforms, and application developers to incorporate features that facilitate ease of use. Recommendation for Researchers: Researchers can explore the applicability of TRAM in other developing countries and examine the role of cultural and social factors in the intent to adopt online learning. Future Research: The influence of demographic variables on intentions can lead to additional insights.

A rapid and accurate method to detect and quantify Leishmania parasite is urgently needed to facilitate early diagnosis of leishmaniasis and monitoring of antileishmania therapy. In this study, real-time assay was applied to estimate parasite load in clinical samples of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and post kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) patients. The mean parasite load in blood of VL patients (n = 31) was 8,372 parasites/ml, while the mean parasite load in bone marrow aspirate (BMA) was 194,962 parasites/million nucleated cells (n = 12). Parasite load was undetectable after treatment with amphotericin B (n = 9) in VL, while a residual parasite burden was detected in 2 of 6 patients following treatment with sodium antimony gluconate. Further, circulating levels of IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, IL-10, IL-6, IL-4 and IL-2 were analysed in VL patients (n = 29) by Cytometric Bead Array to evaluate correlation with parasitic load. Interestingly, IL-10 levels correlated significantly with parasite load (r = 0.82, P