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We have fabricated and characterized asymmetric gap-engineered junctions and transmon devices. To create Josephson junctions with asymmetric gaps, Ti was used to proximitize and lower the superconducting gap of the Al counter-electrode. DC IV measurements of these small, proximitized Josephson junctions show a reduced gap and larger excess current for voltage biases below the superconducting gap when compared to standard Al/AlOx/Al junctions. The energy relaxation time constant for an Al/AlOx/Al/Ti 3D transmon was T1 = 1 {\mu}s, over two orders of magnitude shorter than the measured T1 = 134 {\mu}s of a standard Al/AlOx/Al 3D transmon. Intentionally adding disorder between the Al and Ti layers reduces the proximity effect and subgap current while increasing the relaxation time to T1 = 32 {\mu}s., Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, to be published in IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity

To test the contribution of non-equilibrium quasiparticles to qubit relaxation, we have repeatedly measured the relaxation time T_1 in Al/AlOx/Al transmons with electrodes that have different superconducting gaps. In one device, the first layer electrode was formed by thermal evaporation of nominally pure Al, while the counter-electrode was formed by deposition of oxygen-doped Al, which gave a larger gap value. The relaxation time was long, but showed large fluctuations, with T_1 varying between about 100 and 300 {\mu}s at 20 mK. In other transmons, we formed the first layer electrode by deposition of oxygen-doped Al, while the counter-electrode was formed by deposition of nominally pure Al. These devices showed a similar range of large and fluctuating T_1 values, with maximum T_1 values over 200 {\mu}s. The relaxation time of the devices did not depend strongly on temperature below about 150 mK, but dropped rapidly above this due to thermally-generated quasiparticles.

Propylea dissecta (Mulsant) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is one of the most promising ladybird beetle against many sucking pests. Predation rates, developmental biology, life table, and field assessment of this ladybird were examined against mustard aphid, Lipaphis erysimi (Kalt.) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), on broccoli. Data on the life history were collected at 23 ± 1°C and 70 ± 1% RH and were evaluated using the two-sex, age-stage life table. Results showed that the two-sex, age-stage life table-based net reproductive rate (R0) was 11.264 ± 6.197 offspring. The adult females lived longer (33.8 ± 2.356 d) than the adult males (32.2 ± 0.841 d). The fourth instar consumed most of L. erysimi (113.97 ± 5.76) compared to the other larval stages of the predator. Male (1,821) and female (2,673) consumed more aphids than larvae. The net consumption rate was 741.78 ± 89.91 aphids. Other aphidophagous predators such as Coccinella septempunctata L., Micraspis discolor (F.), Coccinella transversalis (F.), and syrphid (Diptera: Syrphidae) were also noted in broccoli. Our research showed that inoculative release of 150 or 200 adults per 1,000 m2 for two times on broccoli achieved a significant decrease in aphids L. erysimi and Brevicoryne brassicae L. (Hemiptera: Aphididae) (>95%). The release rate of 150 adults per 1,000 m2 for two times may, therefore, be recommended to manage the aphid population on broccoli.

Chilli growers across the world face the problem of seed germination, nursery raising and field establishment of the crop. The present study investigates the use of liquid seaweed extract (SWE) of Kappaphycus alvarezii (K-sap) and Gracilaria edulis (G-sap) as seed priming agent for Capsicum frutescens. The aims of the study were (1) to investigate the effects of seaweed extract priming at various concentration and duration on germination and seedling vigour of C. frutescens seeds, (2) to determine the possible effect of seaweed extract priming on the physiological and biochemical changes of in the seeds, and (3) to study the morphological traits of seedling and changes in the reproductive traits after priming treatments. Priming significantly improved germination percentage, mean germination time, vigour index and seedling weight. Moreover, we studied the electrolyte leakage, total phenol, DPPH assay and ABTS assay of both primed and non-primed seeds. Morphological traits of seedling and changes in the reproductive traits after priming treatments were found to be significantly improved upon priming. We used PCA biplots for separation of the priming treatments by using seedling traits. Overall we recommended the treatments P21 (K-sap; 1:100 for 48 h), P16 (K-sap; 1:25 for 72 h), P6 (K-sap; 1:1 for 48 h), P42 (G-sap; 1:25 for 48 h), P35 (G-sap; 1:5 for 24 h) and P37 (G-sap; 1:5 for 72 h) for improving the germination, storability and higher fruit yield in C. frutescens.

The ankyrin (ANK) repeat protein family is largely distributed across plants and has been found to participate in multiple processes such as plant growth and development, hormone response, response to biotic and abiotic stresses. It is considered as one of the major markers of capsaicin content in pepper fruits. In this study, we performed a genome-wide identification and expression analysis of genes encoding ANK proteins in three Capsicum species: Capsicum baccatum, Capsicum annuum and Capsicum chinense. We identified a total of 87, 85 and 96 ANK genes in C. baccatum, C. annuum and C. chinense genomes, respectively. Next, we performed a comprehensive bioinformatics analysis of the Capsicum ANK gene family including gene chromosomal localization, Cis-elements, conserved motif identification, intron/exon structural patterns and gene ontology classification as well as profile expression. Phylogenetic and domain organization analysis grouped the Capsicum ANK gene family into ten subfamilies distributed across all 12 pepper chromosomes at different densities. Analysis of the expression of ANK genes in leaf and pepper fruits suggested that the ANKs have specific expression patterns at various developmental stages in placenta tissue. Our results provide valuable information for further studies of the evolution, classification and putative functions of ANK genes in pepper.

North-Eastern hill (NEH) region of India is considered as an agro-biodiversity hotspot, which has rich diversity of less-known, underutilized and ethno-medicinally important fruit crops. Since these fruits are ethno-medicinally and nutritionally important, we attempted to quantify the bioactive and antioxidant compounds of these underutilized fruit crops. The antioxidant properties were assayed by scavenging abilities using diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), azinobisethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS), assay of ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and determining total phenolics (TP) and total flavonoids (TF) contents. Soapberry (Sapindus mukorossi Gaertn.), Bengal quince (Aegle marmelos (Correa) Linn.), Elephant apple (Dillenia indica L.), Burmese grape (Baccaurea ramiflora Lour.), Amla (Emblica officinalis Gaertn.) and Chapalish (Artocarpus chama Buch.-Ham.) were high source of TP content; Elephant apple (D. indica L.) and Amla (E. officinalis Gaertn.) were found to be high source of TF. Highest DPPH, ABTS and FRAP activity of underutilized fruit crops were discussed. Significant positive correlation was detected among TF–FRAP, TF–ABTS, ABTS–FRAP, DPPH–FRAP and DPPH–ABTS assays. Principal component analysis was found an effective technique in grouping the local underutilized fruits based on their antioxidant contents. Results signify that, these underutilised fruits must be promoted for cultivation, pharmaceutical and processing use in large scale.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a valuable cash crop in the northeastern hill of India and rhizome rot incited by Pythium aphanidermatum is a highly destructive in all the ginger growing areas of Mizoram. Incidence of soft rot disease recorded in the state varied from 7.23 to 40.26% and 5.23 to 34.84% in 2012 and 2013, respectively. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of integrated module of chemicals and non-chemicals against soft rot disease of ginger at ICAR-RC for NEH Region, Mizoram Centre, Kolasib, during 2012 and 2013. The pot culture study revealed that the highest germination percent (92.0 and 87.0%), least soft rot incidence (9.6 and 13.2%) and maximum yield (172.03 and 169.43 g/plot) were recorded in the treatment T3 i.e. treatment of rhizomes with fungicides, pyraclostrobin [strobilurins 20% at 0.2% for 30 min, followed by soil drenching with copper oxychloride (blitox 50 W) at 0.3%] for three times starting with disease initiation at 20 days interval. The two years field study indicated that rhizome treatment (T4) in hot water at 47 °C for 30 min and soil application of Trichoderma harzianum at 2.5 kg/50 kg FYM/ha, followed by three drenching of copper oxychloride (0.3%) was most effective in limiting the incidence of soft rot (19.29%) on ginger besides having their significant response in improving the growth and yield (41.90 q/ha).

Length of the secondary forest fallow period has often played an important role in affecting the soil fertility status for first year cultivation of crops in shifting cultivation system. However, information regarding the soils after the first year cultivation is limited. The objective of the study was to assess the effect of different shifting cultivation fallow period on the dynamics of soil health status during the first and second year. Results suggest that increase in the fallow period significantly ( p 10 year maintains one cluster where fallow period including 10 and below maintains another cluster during the first and second year. Results therefore suggest that MBC, MBC:SOC and soil enzyme activities played as an indicator of soil health and maintaining secondary forest fallow period > 10 years was better in conserving soil health for first and second year under shifting cultivation.

Insect infestation can adversely affect tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum L.; Solanaceae) development and yield. Fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) are a serious pest of tomato, and are spreading to areas where they were not previously found. This study was undertaken to determine if tephritid fruit flies were present, which species were most abundant, how tomato cultivars responded, and what amount of damage occurred in the Eastern Himalayas of India during May 2014 and 2015. Mature and ripe fruit (n = 20) per cultivar were picked at random from 12 cultivars at weekly intervals to assess percentage of infestation, fly species composition, larval infestation, pupal mortality, adult emergence, and sex ratio during 2 seasons. Seasonal fluctuation of male adults of Zeugodacus tau (Walker) (Diptera: Tephritidae) in tomato was studied by installing 3 modified clear traps, made from plastic bottles, that were baited with 0.5 mL Cue-lure and the insecticide dichlorovos 76% EC (Nuvan®). Survey and subsequent identification confirmed the presence of Z. tau in tomato in the Himalayas of India. This is the first report of the insect in the province, and of population outbreaks resulting in serious damage to tomato in India. Among fruit fly species present on tomato, Z. tau was more abundant (71.4–96.4%) in all geographical regions of Mizoram, India, than were Bactrocera correcta (Bezzi), B. dorsalis (Hendel), and B. latifrons (Hendel), which ranged from 3.6 to 28.6%. The highest percentage of infestation was in Champhai (72.7 ± 6.7%) and Kolasib (80.7 ± 3.5%) and the lowest in Mamit (14.7 ± 4.8%) and Serchhip (19.3 ± 4.7%). Cultivar influenced pupal mortality and adult emergence of Z. tau . Seasonal fluctuation of Z. tau males on tomato varied; the greatest numbers were trapped during May and Dec. Occurrence of Z. tau at high population densities was associated with high levels of damage and could lead to high economic losses in tomato fruit production. Resumen La infestacion de insectos puede afectar negativamente al desarrollo y rendimiento del tomate ( Solanum lycopersicum L.; Solanaceae). Las moscas de la fruta (Diptera: Tephritidae) son una plaga seria del tomate, y se estan extendiendo a las areas donde no fueron encontradas anteriormente. Se realizo este estudio para determinar si las moscas de la fruta frutales estan presentes, cuales son las especies mas abundantes, como responden los cultivares de tomate y el nivel del dano que ocurrio en los Himalayas orientales de la India durante mayo del 2014 y 2015. Se seleccionaron frutos maduros y pasados (n = 20 por cultivar) al azar de 12 cultivares a intervalos semanales para evaluar el porcentaje de infestacion, la composicion de las especies de mosca, la infestacion de larvas, la mortalidad de pupas, la emergencia de adultos y la proporcion de sexos durante 2 estaciones. Se estudio la fluctuacion estacional de machos adultos de Zeugodacus tau (Walker) (Diptera: Tephritidae) en tomate por medio de la instalacion de 3 trampas claras modificadas, hechas de botellas de plastico, que fueron cebadas con 0,5 mL de Cue-lure y el insecticida Dichlorovos 76% CE (Nuvan®). El estudio y identificacion subsiguiente confirmaron la presencia de Z. tau en tomate en los Himalayas de la India. Este es el primer informe de este insecto en la provincia, y de los brotes poblacionales que resultaron en dano serio al tomate en la India. Entre las especies de moscas de la fruta presentes en el tomate, Z. tau fue la mas abundante (71,4 a 96,4%) en todas las regiones geograficas de Mizoram, India, que Bactrocera correcta (Bezzi), B. dorsalis (Hendel) o B. latifrons (Hendel), que fueron entre 3,6 y 28,6%. El mayor porcentaje de infestacion fue en Champhai (72,7 ± 6,7%) y Kolasib (80,7 ± 3,5%) y el mas bajo en Mamit (14,7 ± 4,8%) y Serchhip (19,3 ± 4,7%). El cultivar influyo en la mortalidad de pupas y en la emergencia de adultos de Z. tau . La fluctuacion estacional de los machos Z. tau en el tomate vario; el mayor numero de individuos fueron atrapados durante los meses de mayo y diciembre. La ocurrencia de poblaciones de Z. tau de alta densidad fue asocida con altos niveles de dano y estos podrian ocasionar grandes perdidas economicas en la produccion de tomate. View this article in BioOne

Mizoram and Manipur are the two north-eastern states of India, where maximum diversity of Capsicum frutescens is found. Seventy two Capsicum landraces, consisting predominantly of C. frutescens accessions were collected from the major growing states of north-eastern India. Landraces were compared for 29 qualitative traits and 14 quantitative traits using multivariate methods, including clustering and principal component analysis to assess the patterns of morphological variation. Landraces collected revealed significant differences (P 4 cm was found in three landraces (MN-1, MN-2 and MZBEC-2), whereas smallest C. frutescens landraces (in length) were MZBEC-42 (1.15 cm), MZBEC-13 (1.17 cm) and MZBEC-55 (1.27 cm); a variation of 6.5 folds was found in fruit length. Among the 91 inter correlation coefficients studied in quantitative traits, 17 were positively significant (8 at P

Transcriptome landscape reveals the molecular mechanisms involved in the improvement of fruit traits by the grafting of watermelon and bottle gourd. Grafting has been used as a sustainable alternative for watermelon breeding to control soil-borne pathogens and to increase tolerance to various abiotic stresses. However, some reports have shown that grafting can negatively affect the quality of fruits. Despite several field studies on the effects of grafting on fruit quality, the regulation of this process at the molecular level has not been revealed. The aim of this study was to elucidate various molecular mechanisms involved in different tissues of heterografted watermelon and bottle gourd plants. Grafting with bottle gourd rootstock increased the size and rind thickness of watermelon fruits, whereas that with watermelon rootstock produced bottle gourd fruits with higher total soluble solid content and thinner rinds. Correspondingly, genes related to ripening, softening, cell wall strengthening, stress response and disease resistance were differentially expressed in watermelon fruits. Moreover, genes associated mainly with sugar metabolism were differentially expressed in bottle gourd fruits. RNA-seq revealed more than 400 mobile transcripts across the heterografted sets. More than half of these were validated from PlaMoM, a database for plant mobile macromolecules. In addition, some of these mobile transcripts contained a transfer RNA-like structure. Other RNA motifs were also enriched in these transcripts, most with a biological role based on GO analysis. This transcriptome study provided a comprehensive understanding of various molecular mechanisms underlying grafted tissues in watermelon.

ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter genes act as transporters for different molecules across biological membranes and are involved in a diverse range of biological processes. In this study, we performed a genome-wide identification and expression analysis of genes encoding ABC transporter proteins in three Capsicum species, i.e., Capsicum annuum, Capsicum baccatum and Capsicum chinense. Capsicum is a valuable horticultural crop worldwide as an important constituent of many foods while containing several medicinal compounds including capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin. Our results identified the presence of a total of 200, 185 and 187 ABC transporter genes in C. annuum, C. baccatum and C. chinense genomes, respectively. Capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin content were determined in green pepper fruits (16 dpa). Additionally, we conducted different bioinformatics analyses including ABC genes classification, gene chromosomal location, Cis elements, conserved motifs identification and gene ontology classification, as well as profile expression of selected genes. Based on phylogenetic analysis and domain organization, the Capsicum ABC gene family was grouped into eight subfamilies. Among them, members within the ABCG, ABCB and ABCC subfamilies were the most abundant, while ABCD and ABCE subfamilies were less abundant throughout all species. ABC members within the same subfamily showed similar motif composition. Furthermore, common cis-elements involved in the transcriptional regulation were also identified in the promoter regions of all Capsicum ABC genes. Gene expression data from RNAseq and reverse transcription-semi-quantitative PCR analysis revealed development-specific stage expression profiles in placenta tissues. It suggests that ABC transporters, specifically the ABCC and ABCG subfamilies, may be playing important roles in the transport of secondary metabolites such as capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin to the placenta vacuoles, effecting on their content in pepper fruits. Our results provide a more comprehensive understanding of ABC transporter gene family in different Capsicum species while allowing the identification of important candidate genes related to capsaicin content for subsequent functional validation.

Bird’s eye chilli (Capsicum frutescens L.) is one of the most important species of the genus Capsicum, and is grown and consumed widely across north-east India, particularly in the states of Mizoram and Manipur. The bioactive compounds present in this landrace of north-east India are very less studied. The antioxidant property was assayed by scavenging abilities using diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), azinobisethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS), assay of ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and determining total phenolics (TP) and total flavonoids (TF) contents. There was a significant variation in the total phenolic content (12.4–133.2 mg GAE/g dry weight), total flavonoid (22.1–58.8 mg quercetin/g dry weight), DPPH (0.5–6.1 mM AAE/g dry weight), ABTS (20.5–44.3 mM AAE/g dry weight) and FRAP (0.7–7.8 mM GAE/dry weight) antioxidant capacity in Capsicum frutescens L. landraces. Two landraces of Capsicum chinense viz. MN-1 and MN-2 exhibited highest values for all the antioxidant assays. Positively significant correlation coefficients were observed between ABTS–FRAP, TF–FRAP, TP–FRAP, TP–DPPH and TP–TF. From principal component analysis (PCA) first two PCs explained 67.3 % of total variance and it was contributed mainly by TP, TF, ABTS and FRAP activities. Seventy-two Capsicum landraces were grouped into five clusters based on the standardized squared Euclidean distance using Ward’s hierarchical clustering method and separation based on PCA biplot. The experiment established that the landraces of Capsicum frutescens L. are potent source of natural antioxidants which reduce the oxidation processes in the body by protecting against reactive oxygen species.

Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.), the golden spice of India, offers a myriad of health benefits primarily due to the presence of polyphenolic curcuminoid pigments. It is believed that the dark orange colour of turmeric rhizome has wide-spread health benefits; but no reliable evidential proof for this is available till date. It is crucial to discern the association of rhizome colour with health benefits. It is also of prime importance to investigate whether the curcuminoids present in the rhizomes are the sole bioactive compounds contributing to its medicinal properties. In the present study, forty five turmeric genotypes were collected from the sub-Himalayan terai region of India which differed in their rhizome colour. Here, the Turmeric Redness Index (TRI) in terms of rhizome colour content (a*/b*) of the genotypes revealed strong correlation with curcuminoid content (+0.93), total phenol content (+0.76), total flavonoids content (+0.82), iron content (+0.55) and antioxidant activity (–0.90 and –0.92 for DPPH and ABTS assays and +0.82 and +0.95 for TAC and CUPRAC assays, respectively, with p

Proximate and elemental compositions of five soil-dwelling scarabs, Lepidiota mansueta Burmeister, Lepidiota albistigma Burmeister, Xylotrupes gideon (Linnaeus), Catharsius molossus (Linnaeus), and Sophrops iridipennis (Brenske), were assessed. Nutrient content varied widely, and the ranges of proximate contents were as follows: moisture (2.04–2.55%), crude protein (68.54–79.33%), crude fat (4.00–5.50%), crude fibre (5.16–8.28%), total mineral (0.80–4.98%), and carbohydrate (5.28–11.84%). Caloric content was greater in L. mansueta (379.29 kcal) compared to the other four species. The caloric contents of X. gideon (375.54 kcal) and C. molossus (375.19 kcal) were at par but significantly higher than those of L. albistigma (371.04 kcal) and S. iridipennis (361.55 kcal). Sodium content ranged 23.16–35.91 mg/100 g; potassium 14.20–44.33 mg/100 g; calcium 23.33–33.37 mg/100 g; iron 1.41–37.05 mg/100 g; copper 2.01–16.13 mg/100 g; zinc 2.38–15.86 mg/100 g; and manganese 1.09–19.66 mg/100 g. The phenol, flavonoid, and antioxidant activities of L. mansueta and L. albistigma were 4.00 and 6.42 mg catechol equivalent/g, 1.59 and 3.71 mg quercetin equivalent/g, 22.60, and 28.20%(DPPH activity), respectively. Tannin content was higher in L. albistigma (13.30 mg/g) than in L. mansueta (3.24 mg/g). Based on our study, these scarab species can be explored as food supplements and nutraceutical resources in ensuring food security.

Modern banks play an important part in promoting economic development of a country. Banks provide necessary funds for executing various programs underway in the process of economic development. Thus, this study aims at proper utilization of the human resources to use banking sector for the all round of well fair services for the citizen of Bangladesh by considering the various kinds of prospects and problems

Bangladesh is a country of potentialities. Power plays a vital role in the economic development of the country. So the economic development is not possible without power development. No exclusive research work has been so far study. Hope that the country will be benefited with its development. Uninterrupted, safe and adequate power supply is a pre- requisite for the development of the country. Presently, to overcome the capacity limitations of generation, transmission and distribution sector, different programs have been taken. To address these issues, Tongi 80 MW Gas Turbine Power Station has been installed. This power station will not only play an important role to meet the demand but it will also contribute significantly in reducing overloading of Tongi Grid sub station, low voltage problem of the adjacent areas, technical losses of the system and will ensure quality power supply in the capital city.

The seasonal life cycle and biology of a white grub beetle, Lepidiota mansueta Burmeister (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), were studied on Majuli river island and in the laboratory during 2005–2010. This species has become an extremely serious pest of many field crops on Majuli river island, the largest mid-river deltaic island of the world. L. mansueta has a biennial life cycle, the first of its kind in North East India, and the duration of egg, grub, and pupal stages varied from 12 to 17, 635 to 671, and 28 to 35 days, respectively. Third instar grubs as heavy as 6 g caused heavy damage to crops and had a prolonged developmental period ranging from 545 to 563 days in the laboratory (27 °C). L. mansueta can be regarded as a rare species, because it spends its entire life cycle under the ground except for a short period during which adults emerge from the ground for mating. There was no evidence that the adults fed on plants either in the field or in the laboratory and hence this species has the unique distinction of being the first Indian phytophagous white grub species with nonfeeding adults.

Waste heat recovery (WHR), i.e. the recovery and reuse of by-product heat from a process/facility that would be otherwise rejected to the environment, is often a valuable cost-effective approach to improve overall industrial energy efficiency. With the advent of technologies and evolving demands of energy services, the scope, economics and potential for WHR have become increasingly dynamic in nature, particularly in the context of developing countries where both energy-intensive manufacturing and energy demand are increasing. The growth of global WHR market is expected to be 6.8% compound annual growth rate during 2016–2022. WHR has various benefits, including monetary savings, reduced environmental pollution and emission, energy security of the nation, public health. An appropriate WHR policy could provide a framework to channelize the whole process into a win–win situation for all stakeholders, such as the industry/users (e.g. iron and steel, glass, ceramic, textiles, cement, solar PV and thermal systems), the suppliers, the Government and even the public at large. The overall objective of the policy on WHR in various industry sectors is to optimize the benefits, such as mentioned above, by achieving short-, medium- and long-term goals. Some of the technological solutions already in place include cogeneration through WHR, regenerative burner, low-temperature organic Rankine cycle power generation, heat pump, thermo-photovoltaic cells/systems, thermo-chemical systems, high-efficiency recuperate, etc. The success will also depend on various socio-economic parameters, such as availability of land, project finance, research, manpower. The greatest challenge to prepare the WHR policy, as presented in this chapter in a step-by-step approach to overcome the same will be to take all the stakeholders into confidence and device it in harmony with intervening policies in place, in order to attain the mission and vision of this policy to utilize its full potential for public good.

In India, dengue endemic areas overlap with chikungunya-affected areas and both the viruses are transmitted by same vector, Aedes aegypti — thereby increasing opportunity of co-infection by both viruses. Present study was carried out to understand the DENV–CHIKV infection dynamics during recent outbreaks in eastern India (West Bengal state) and its implication on disease manifestations. Blood was collected from 326 symptomatic febrile patients. Patients’ serum was subjected to serological diagnosis for presence of anti-dengue-IgM, anti-chikungunya-IgM antibodies and dengue-NS1 antigen by ELISA. Viral RNA was extracted, and presence of dengue virus (DENV) and chikungunya virus (CHIKV) genome, their viral load (VL), and serotype among infected patients’ plasma was determined by real-time qRT-PCR. Statistical analysis was performed by using EPI INFO software. DENV and CHIKV were detected in 54% and 33% of symptomatic patients respectively, among whom 23% were harboring both viruses. WHO classified warning signs were detected among 64% DENV patients and 61% DENV–CHIKV double-infected patients. Patients with warning signs always had much higher DEN VL than those without warning signs. Hemorrhagic manifestation and abdominal pain was found in significantly higher frequency among patients with high dengue VL (>10,000 copies/ml). DENV2 was the most predominant serotype among monotypic dengue patients, whereas DENV2–DENV4 combination was most prevalent among patients infected with dual dengue serotypes. This study indicated that DENV–CHIKV double infection and high dengue VL contributed towards severe disease manifestations among infected patients. DENV2 and DENV2-DENV4 combination were the most prevalent serotype(s) found in current outbreak.

Banana bunch top virus (BBTV) is considered to be a serious threat to banana production. A new isolate of the virus (BBTV-Umiam) was identified and characterized from local banana mats growing in mid-hills of Meghalaya in North-East India. The complete nucleotide sequence analysis revealed the presence of six full-length ssDNA components (DNA R, DNA U3, DNA S, DNA M, DNA C and DNA N) sharing major common region (CR-M) and a stem-loop common region (CR-SL). BBTV-Umiam showed a unique deletion of 20 nucleotides in the intergenic region of DNA R, the absence of predicted open reading frame (ORF) in DNA U3 and probability for a small ORF in DNA U3 expecting functional evidence at transcriptional level. Phylogenetic analysis based on 88 complete nucleotide sequence of BBTV DNA R available in GenBank generated two broad clusters of Pacific-Indian Oceans (PIO) and South-East Asian (SEA) groups including BBTV-Umiam within PIO cluster. However, BBTV-Umiam was identified as the most distinct member of the PIO group with 100% bootstrap support. This was further supported by the phylogenetic grouping of each genomic component of BBTV-Umiam at the distant end of PIO group during clustering of 21 complete BBTV sequences. BBTV-Umiam shared relatively less nucleotide identity with PIO group for each genomic component (85.0–95.4%) and corresponding ORF (93.8–97.5%) than that of earlier PIO isolates (91.5–99.6% and 96.0–99.3%, respectively). Recombination analysis revealed two intra-component and five inter-component recombination events in BBTV-Umiam, but none of them was unique. Moreover, the isolate was identified as major parental sequence for intra-component recombination event spanning the replication-associated protein encoding region in Tongan BBTV DNA R. The current study indicated differential evolution of BBTV in North-East India (Meghalaya). The natural occurrence of hybrids of Musa balbisiana and M. acuminata in this geographically isolated region could be the contributing factor in accumulating genetic distinctiveness in BBTV-Umiam which need further characterization.

A study was conducted to investigate pollen viability of three polleniser mango cultivars, viz . ‘Sensation’, ‘Tommy Atkins’ and ‘Janardan Pasand’ up to 24 weeks under four storage conditions (room temperature, −4 °C, −20 °C and −196 °C). Three methods of pollen viability testing, viz . in vitro germination, fluorescein diacetate (FDA) and acetocarmine staining were used. Storage methods and interaction between storage methods and days of storage had highly significant effect on pollen viability ( p ≤ 0.0001). Room temperature storage of pollen in the three mango cultivars showed very low pollen viability after 4 weeks of storage, after which pollens were not viable. Irrespective of mango genotypes, cryo-stored (−196 °C) pollens showed significantly higher viability as compared to all the other storage conditions. The differential results obtained by using different pollen viability assay confirmed that in vitro germination test was more reliable compared to FDA or acetocarmine tests, where germination was often overestimated. From the present study, we suggest storage of pollen at −20 °C for pollination among cultivars having non-synchronized flowering in a season. However, for long term storage cryo method proved to be the best for pollen storage in mango.

An attempt was made to study pollen–pistil interactions in four mango cultivars such as ‘Amrapali’, ‘Mallika’, ‘Pusa Arunima’ and ‘Pusa Surya’, developed at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi, India. The effects of self- and open-pollination on pollen germination, pollen tube growth, fruit set, ovule degeneration and growth of fruitlets were studied in the selected cultivars. It was observed that self-pollination resulted in rapid decline in fruit setting than open-pollination in ‘Amrapali’ and ‘Mallika’ as compared to ‘Pusa Arunima’ and ‘Pusa Surya’. At 48 h after self-pollination, pollen tube growth in the stylar region of ‘Amrapali’ and ‘Mallika’ was considerably slower than ‘Pusa Arunima’ and ‘Pusa Surya’ and their pollen tube reached up to two-third of the stylar region. However, in case of ‘Pusa Arunima’ and ‘Pusa Surya’ pollen tube reached up to the micropylar end. Self-pollination resulted in 75% degenerated ovules in ‘Amrapali’ and ‘Mallika’, which dropped within 21 days after pollination (DAP). In contrast, open-pollination resulted in only 20% degenerated ovules in these mango cultivars. The growth of fruitlets and ovules obtained from self- and open-pollination revealed that the fruitlets weight and dimensions of fruitlets and ovules were significantly less in self-pollinated as compared to open-pollinated ‘Amrapali’, ‘Mallika’ and ‘Pusa Arunima’, whereas no significant differences were observed in fruitlet weight and dimension of fruitlets and ovules obtained in self- and open-pollinated ‘Pusa Surya’. The present findings bring out clearly that mango cultivars ‘Mallika’ and ‘Amrapali’ are self-incompatible, whereas, cultivars ‘Pusa Arunima’ and ‘Pusa Surya’ are self-compatible.

Chilli veinal mottle virus (ChiVMV) causes significant economic loss to chilli cultivation in northeastern India, as well as in eastern Asia. In this study, we have developed a single-tube one-step reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) assay for rapid, sensitive and specific diagnosis of ChiVMV. Amplification could be visualized after adding SYBR Green I (1000×) dye within 60 min under isothermal conditions at 63 °C, with a set of four primers designed based on the large nuclear inclusion protein (NIb) domain of ChiVMV (isolate KC-ML1). The RT-LAMP method was 100 times more sensitive than one-step reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), with a detection limit of 0.0001 ng of total RNA per reaction.

Buffalo milk standardized to solids-not-fat (SNF) to fat ratio of 1.4 was added separately with 0.1% (w/w) each of carrageenan, sodium alginate and carboxymethyl cellulose and then heated, cooled and coagulated to obtain chhana which was converted into sandesh by adding 1.5% (w/w) wheat flour and 25% (w/w) cane sugar followed by heating (40 min/kg chhana). The treated samples of sandesh were compared with control prepared similarly manner but without stabilizer. Addition of stabilizer decreased hardness, fracturability, adhesiveness, cohesiveness, gumminess and chewiness of sandesh and improved sensory body and texture, colour and appearance as well as overall acceptability of the product when compared with control. Textural and sensory properties of different samples of sandesh indicated that the product made by adding carrageenan proved best. Carrageenan at 0.1% produced better results in terms of textural and sensory profile of sandesh as compared to 0, 0.075 and 0.125% (w/w) of carrageenan.

Tree bean, Parkia timoriana is one of the most important perennial tree legume vegetable crops in north eastern region (NER) of India. Recently, sudden death or decline is emerging as a major constraint in the production of tree bean. The prevalence, intensity and etiology of this disease have not been extensively studied. The present work was aimed at studying the symptomology, severity and etiology of sudden death or decline of tree bean in the north eastern region of India. Typical symptoms of tree bean decline were initiated with wilting of half portion of the tree, excessive shedding of leaves, gradual drying up leading to death, and secondary infestation by insects on dead trees. The highest disease severity of 68.5% was observed in warmer regions like Kolasib, Mizoram. During survey, small bark borer was recorded in all districts and levels of infestation rate (holes/ft2 of log) reached maximum up to 25.49 in Hnanthial of Lunglei district. Young trees in the range 1–10 years with 57.32% (917 trees) of total trees (1600) infected were most susceptible to the disease compared to 12.58% (201 trees) infection in old trees in the range 21–30 years. The frequently associated pathogen with sudden death or decline of tree bean was identified as Botrydiplodia theobromae at the Indian Type Culture Collection, ICAR-IARI, New Delhi. It was the most aggressive species and proven to be pathogenic to tree bean following artificial inoculation.

Smelting reduction of iron ore-coal composite pellets has been carried out in an induction furnace. The pellets, tied with tungsten wire, were immersed into the liquid metal bath. The experiments were carried out in the temperature range of 1713 K to 1733 K. For 16-18 mm diameter pellets, it was observed that (i) the time required for complete dissolution in liquid metal bath is 83-90 seconds, (ii) the fraction of reduction for 40 seconds of immersion varied from 0.68-0.87 for Jharia coal pellets and 0.73-0.92 for Bhilai coal pellets, and (iii) the fraction of reduction increases with decreasing Fe/C ratio and increasing immersion period. X-ray diffraction (XRD) of reduced pellets showed that the reduction occurred topochemically. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) examination of partially reduced pellets evinced the structural changes in pellets. The present investigation aims to assess the effect of Fe/C ratio in pellet, volatile matter in coal, and time of pellet immersion into liquid metal bath on reduction of iron ore-coal composite pellets.

Land-use change, particularly soil organic carbon (SOC) loss induced by shifting cultivation (jhum) is a common land degradation issue in the hilly tracts of the humid tropics. The SOC concentration comprises different pools (labile and recalcitrant fractions), and each fraction responds to temporal dynamics of adopted management practices at varying magnitudes, such as deforestation followed by cultivation. However, information on the variation of different SOC pools due to cultural practices of vegetation burning and postburn agricultural practices (crop production) associated with shifting cultivation remains inadequate. In the present investigation, we examined the effect of burning and postburning cultivation on SOC pools across different forest fallow periods at Kolasib district, Mizoram state of the north-eastern Himalayan Region of India. Results revealed increase in the soil C stocks and total organic carbon (TOC) due to the increase in the length of fallow periods ranging from 3 to 23 years. The TOC decreased significantly compared with antecedent concentrations before vegetation burning. This was mostly attributed to the reduction in contribution of active pools (very labile and labile) to TOC from 69% to 60%. However, contribution of passive pools (less labile and nonlabile) to TOC concentration increased from 31% to 40%. Postburn cultivation also resulted in reduction of TOC as well as considerable variation in the proportion of different SOC pools to TOC concentration. Among the different pools of SOC, the very labile C pool was most sensitive to land-use change induced by shifting cultivation (phytomass burning and postburn cultivation). The labile SOC pools can act as a sensitive indicator for devising suitable location specific management practices for restoration of soil health through SOC dynamics in degraded jhum lands in hilly ecosystems.

Common beans are one of the many important food legumes grown in India. In the hilly regions of north-eastern India farmers mostly grow the pole-type beans by intercropping beans with maize, and in backyardsand kitchen gardens. In this study, we characterized a set of 52 pole-type common bean landraces collectedfrom the state of Mizoram for 23 agro-morphological and quality traits. Remarkable variability was observedfor almost all the traits. Wide range of variability was found for the traits such as leaf length (7.5–18.0 cm), leafbreadth (6.2–12.8 cm) days to flowering (33–70 days), pods per plant (7.7–24.0), pod length (8.1–14.6 cm), podyield per plant (61.5–182.3 g), seeds per pod (4.6–8.0), 100-seed weight (23.0–50.1 g) and crude protein content(20–33.8%). Positively significant correlation coefficients were observed between 100-seed weight and daysto flowering; number of pods per plant and pod yield per plant. The patterns of morphological variation wereassessed using multivariate approaches. Five morphologically distinct clusters were identified within thecollected germplasm. The evolutionary grouping of the common bean landraces has been discussed consideringthe morphological features.

Zinc is an essential element for photosynthesis and its deficiency may play a role in the reduction of activity of rubisco and hence decreased rate of photosynthesis in higher plants. Zinc deficiency sometimes resembles Fe/Mn deficiencies. Under severe zinc deficiency the shoot apices die ‘die-back ’as is widely distributed. Zinc toxicity leads to chlorosis in young leaves. Induced manganese deficiency might also be of importance as high zinc supply strongly decreases the manganese content of plants. Most preventing measures for zinc deficiency is selection of Zn efficient variety that is tolerant to high level of bicarbonate as well as low zinc in soil. Curative measure for correcting is application of 20–25 kg/ha ZnSO4 in acid soil is very helpful for correct this deficiency. Zinc is very tightly bound to phytic acid and the formation of protein-zinc-phytic acid complexes increases the resistance to hydrolysis that leads to decrease in bioavailability of Zn to human and animals. Enrichment of cereal grains with Zn through both genetic and agronomic biofortification is a high priority area of research, and will contribute to minimizing Zndeficiency-related health problems in human populations.

Large amounts of fines and superfines are generated in Indian iron ore and coal mines due to mechanized mining and mineral dressing operations. Utilization of these fines for extracting metal is of vital concern for resource utilization and pollution control. For agglomeration of these fines, a suitable binder is required. Iron ore-coal composite pellets were prepared by cold bonding. Various binders such as lime, Ca(OH)2, slaked lime, dextrose, molasses, and sodium polyacrylate (SPA), alone or in combination, were employed for making composite briquettes. The slaked lime–dextrose combination produced the highest strength among the various binders employed for producing composite briquettes and was therefore selected for producing composite pellets for the smelting reduction. In cold bonding, the composite pellets attain the requisite properties due to physico-chemical changes of the binder in ambient conditions. It was possible to obtain a dry strength of more than 300 N per pellet in some cases and more...