Genetic characterization and diversity analysis of indigenous aromatic rice

Gangetic old alluvial zone in India has conserved many locally adapted aromatic rice landraces. In order to determine the extent of genetic divergence of ten morphological characters, the study was conducted to examine forty-eight aromatic rice genotypes for six Kharif seasons (2016-2021) at the Instructional Farm of Regional Research Station (Old Alluvial Zone), Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Majhian, West Bengal, India. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. A considerable degree of variation was noted for all the traits being investigated. It was found that the total number of tillers per plant, panicle numbers per plant, number of grains per panicle, fertility percentage, test weight, and grain length/breadth ratio had significantly positive correlated with seed yield per plant. Based on D2 analysis values, all the genotypes were grouped into six clusters. Cluster III (Tulaipanji, Patnai, Basmati 1121, Jugal, and Bahurupi) and Cluster VI (Kanakchur), containing genotypes were found most divergent with maximum inter-cluster distance (6941.51). According to the cluster means, Cluster II had the largest intra-cluster distance (1937.52), and important attributes including test weight, number of grains per panicle, seed yield per plant, and fertility percentage made remarkably significant contributions to this cluster. In terms of principal component analysis, maximum variability was found in PC1 (23.88 %), with high positive loading values for tillers per plant (0.459), panicle number per plant (0.441), seed yield per plant (0.408), fertility percentage (0.364), test weight (0.264), and grain length/breadth (L/B) ratio (0.263). On the basis of biplot analysis, four genotypes, namely Shakbhati, Sugandhi, Bahurupi and Kanakchur, were identified as the most divergent types for the yield-attributing traits of aromatic rice. The diverse genotypes could be used as potential donors in future breeding programmes.

Management of soil cover and tillage regimes in upland rice-sweet corn systems for better system performance, energy use and carbon footprints

This study investigates the effects of tillage and mulching regimes on rice-sweet corn systems in the lower Gangetic plains, focusing on region-specific and crop-specific impacts on soil-crop-environmental parameters. The experiment consisted of three levels of tillage: conventional (CT), minimum (MT), and zero (ZT), and four levels of mulching: live, leaf litter, paddy straw, and no mulching. The results show that ZT tillage resulted in higher bulk density (BD) compared to other treatments, despite an increase in soil organic carbon (SOC). Live and leaf litter mulching led to slight reductions in BD in the upper soil layers. CT resulted in net depletion of SOC whereas ZT registered a positive sequestration rate of 1.19 Mg ha-1 yr-1. Live and leaf litter mulching increased SOC sequestration by 42.6% and 38.8% compared to paddy straw mulching, respectively. Initially, ZT resulted in a 10.3% reduction in system productivity compared to CT, while MT yields were comparable to CT. However, mulching regimes consistently improved production by 16.4%-25.2% as compared to no mulch. ZT and MT were found to be more affordable than CT, with cost savings of 18.2% and 6.8%, respectively. ZT had the highest B: C ratio, indicating better economic efficiency. Among the mulching treatments, live mulching was the most economical. Both ZT and MT saved input energy by approximately 22.9% and 13.5%, respectively compared to CT. Live mulching resulted in the highest net energy and energy output. Compared to CT, ZT reduced carbon footprint (CF) by 41.5 and 22.2% in rice and sweet corn, respectively. MT scored midway between ZT and CT in all parameters. CT exhibited several limitations, including high input energy requirements, high cost of cultivation, poor economic efficiency, negative environmental impacts, and loss of SOC. ZT initially experienced yield reduction and lower net returns in the early years. Therefore, MT was identified as the best alternative in the initial years before transitioning completely to ZT, as it provided comparable yields to CT with better overall benefits. Among the soil cover regimes, live mulching was found to be the most favorable option across all dimensions.

Interfacial Tensions, Solubilities, and Transport Properties of the H2/H2O/NaCl System: A Molecular Simulation Study

Data for several key thermodynamic and transport properties needed for technologies using hydrogen (H2), such as underground H2 storage and H2O electrolysis are scarce or completely missing. Force field-based Molecular Dynamics (MD) and Continuous Fractional Component Monte Carlo (CFCMC) simulations are carried out in this work to cover this gap. Extensive new data sets are provided for (a) interfacial tensions of H2 gas in contact with aqueous NaCl solutions for temperatures of (298 to 523) K, pressures of (1 to 600) bar, and molalities of (0 to 6) mol NaCl/kg H2O, (b) self-diffusivities of infinitely diluted H2 in aqueous NaCl solutions for temperatures of (298 to 723) K, pressures of (1 to 1000) bar, and molalities of (0 to 6) mol NaCl/kg H2O, and (c) solubilities of H2 in aqueous NaCl solutions for temperatures of (298 to 363) K, pressures of (1 to 1000) bar, and molalities of (0 to 6) mol NaCl/kg H2O. The force fields used are the TIP4P/2005 for H2O, the Madrid-2019 and the Madrid-Transport for NaCl, and the Vrabec and Marx for H2. Excellent agreement between the simulation results and available experimental data is found with average deviations lower than 10%.

Hybrid time series models with exogenous variable for improved yield forecasting of major Rabi crops in India

Accurate and in-time prediction of crop yield plays a crucial role in the planning, management, and decision-making processes within the agricultural sector. In this investigation, utilizing area under irrigation (%) as an exogenous variable, we have made an exertion to assess the suitability of different hybrid models such as ARIMAX (Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average with eXogenous Regressor)-TDNN (Time-Delay Neural Network), ARIMAX-NLSVR (Non-Linear Support Vector Regression), ARIMAX-WNN (Wavelet Neural Network), ARIMAX-CNN (Convolutional Neural Network), ARIMAX-RNN (Recurrent Neural Network) and ARIMAX-LSTM (Long Short Term Memory) as compared to their individual counterparts for yield forecasting of major Rabi crops in India. The accuracy of the ARIMA model has also been considered as a benchmark. Empirical outcomes reveal that the ARIMAX-LSTM hybrid modeling combination outperforms all other time series models in terms of root mean square error (RMSE) and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) values. For these models, an average improvement of RMSE and MAPE values has been observed to be 10.41% and 12.28%, respectively over all other competing models and 15.83% and 18.42%, respectively over the benchmark ARIMA model. The incorporation of the area under irrigation (%) as an exogenous variable in the ARIMAX framework and the inbuilt capability of the LSTM model to process complex non-linear patterns have been observed to significantly enhance the accuracy of forecasting. The performance supremacy of other hybrid models over their individual counterparts has also been evident. The results also suggest avoiding any performance generalization of individual models for their hybrid structures.

An innovative approach to improve oil production and quality of mustard (Brassica juncea L.) with multi-nutrient-rich polyhalite

Polyhalite popularly known as POLY4 is a multi-nutrient fertiliser containing K, S, Mg, Ca, and micronutrients. POLY4 has a low carbon footprint, is certified for organic agriculture, and has the potential to improve crop productivity and quality attributes Indian mustard which often faces challenges due to imbalanced nutrition supplied in the current fertilisation schedule. The hypothesis of the study was that the multi-nutrient fartiliser POLY4 can ensure balanced nutrition for Indian mustard. Considering this, a field experiment was conducted during the winter seasons of 2017-18 and 2018-19 to evaluate the effect of POLY4 on Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.) with respect to its yield, quality, and nutrient uptake. POLY4 along with conventional sources of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) was compared to recommended fertilisation practices from conventional sources of N, P, K namely urea, di-ammonium phosphate (DAP), and muriate of potash (KCl). With the application of POLY4, seed yield was significantly improved by about 600 kg ha^-1 compared to NP control (no application of K and S) across the two seasons. Compared to recommended practice of NPK, the yield was increased by about 450 kg ha^-1 with the application of POLY4. Mustard seed oil and protein percent were also improved with the use of POLY4. POLY4 did not have any adverse effect on the content of anti-nutritional factors and improved the omega-3 fatty acid content of mustard oil. Higher uptakes of macro and micronutrients in the crop were also recorded with POLY4 along with an improved soil nutrient status. From the economic point of view, it was also observed that the application of POLY4 resulted in an increment of net returns of USD 45-60 comparing cultivating mustard with the conventional N, P, K, and S fertilizers only. Therefore, the use of POLY4 as a source of multi-nutrient for balanced nutrition helped to increase the efficiency of applied nutrients which ultimately improved the yield and quality of mustard. This study exhibits the pioneer findings of polyhalite (POLY4) based balanced nutrition in Indian mustard.

Modular electromagnetic railgun accelerator for high velocity impact studies

A modular electromagnetic railgun accelerator facility named "RAFTAR" (i.e., Railgun Accelerator Facility for Technology and Research) has been commissioned and its performance has been characterized for high velocity impact testing on materials in a single-shot mode. In the first tests, RAFTAR demonstrated an acceleration of more than 1000 m/s for an 8 g solid aluminum-7075 armature projectile. The current fed was 220 kA, having a muzzle time of about 1.75 ms. It is a single pulse breech-fed rectangular bore (14 × 13 mm²) railgun, and its 1.15 m long barrel assembly consists of two parallel copper bars with an inter-gap of 13 mm that are encased within 50 mm thick high strength reinforced fiberglass sheets (Garolite G10-FR4) and bolted from both the sides. RAFTAR is powered by two capacitor bank modules that have a maximum stored energy of 160 kJ each (containing eight 178 μF/15 kV capacitors), two high power ignitron switches, and a pulse shaping inductor. To obtain consistent acceleration of the armature inside the barrel, reversal of driving current is prevented, and its pulse duration is stretched by tactical integration of the crowbar switch and bitter coil inductor in the circuit. Armature projectile velocity measurement in-bore and outside in free space was performed by the time-of-flight technique using indigenously made miniature B-dot sensors and a novel shorting-foil arrangement, respectively. The time resolved measurement of the in-bore armature evidenced a velocity-skin-effect in the high acceleration phase. There is good agreement between the experimentally measured and theoretically predicted efficiency, confirming the optimal choice of operating parameters. The conclusion summarizes important experimental findings and analyzes the underlying causes that limit the performance of railguns.

First Report of 'Candidatus Phytoplasma solani' (16SrXII-A) Associated with Fox Nut (Euryale ferox Salisb.) Stolbur Disease in India

Fox nut also known as Gorgon nut, Makhana (Euryale ferox Salisb.) is a high value aquatic crop belonging to the family Nymphaeaceae. In India, it is generally grown in flood prone areas of North Bihar, lower Assam, parts of West Bengal, Odisha, Manipur and Tripura (Jana et al., 2018). India contributes nearly 70-80% of the global fox nut production. During September 2021, a phytoplasma like symptom was noticed on fox nut leaves at Basudeopur Farm of Research Centre for Makhana, Darbhanga, Bihar, India (23° 9' N and 65° 53' E). The characteristic symptom was that some portion of leaf lamina deformed along the veins with wrinkled and raised overgrowth or hypertrophy. The veins were thickened and reddened in the infected leaf area. The infection occurs in petiole as well as in flower stalk. The disease incidence was found as high as 30% which caused severe yield loss which was calculated to be 40% in that particular field. Total of 20 sampled fox nut plants, 10 symptomatic and 10 asymptomatic ones, were collected and tested for the presence of phytoplasma. A nested PCR assay using the phytoplasma universal 16S rRNA primer pairs: P1/P7 followed by R16F2n/R16R2 (J. Jović et al. 2011) amplified the expected ~1.2-kb 16S rDNA fragment in all 10 symptomatic samples. No amplification was detected from asymptomatic samples. One of the ten 1.2-kb nested 16S rDNA PCR products was gel purified, cloned into the pGEM-T-easy plasmid vector (Promega, Madison, WI), and sequenced and was deposited in NCBI under the Accession no.OL873590. BLAST analysis showed that the sequence of the PCR 16S rDNA product was 100% identical to several GenBank sequences of Ca. P. solani (16SrXII Stolbur group) viz. KF907506. Furthermore, analysis by iPhyClassifier software showed that the virtual restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) pattern of the sequenced PCR 16S rDNA product is identical (similarity coefficient 1.00) to the reference pattern of the 16SrXII-A subgroup. Identification of 'Ca. P. solani' was conducted following the STOL11 stolbur-specific protocol (Radonjić et al. 2009). Sequencing of tuf gene (Elongation factor Tu) was performed by using tuf marker genes (Cvrković et al. 2014) from 10 symptomatic and 10 asymptomatic samples. Sequence of the amplified gene (896 bp) was deposited in GenBank under Accession number OM174272. The presence of 'Ca. P. solani' was detected in all symptomatic samples, while all control plants tested negative. The RFLP analysis of tuf gene nested PCR products using HpaII endonuclease (Fermentas) revealed uniform tuf-b type in all positive samples. Nucleotide blast analyses showed that the tuf gene was 100% identical to STOL11 strain of C. P. solani subgroup 16SrXII-A (Accession No JQ797670). For developing a suitable management strategy, identification of the vector is essential. Leaf hoppers visiting the infected plants as well as nearby crop fields will be tested for presence of the phytoplasma. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of Candidatus Phytoplasma solani' (16SrXII-A) infecting Fox nut (Euryale ferox Salisb.) in India. References Cvrković et al. 2014. Plant Pathol. 63:42. https://doi.org/10.1111/ppa.12080 Jana, B. R., et al. 2018. Int. J. Curr. Microbiol. App. Sci. 7(12): 578-587. https://doi.org/10.20546/ijcmas.2018.712.072 Jović, J. et al. 2011. B. Insectol. 64:S83. ISI Radonjić, S. et al. 2009. J. Phytopathol. 157:682. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439- 0434.2009.01560.

Image quality improvement for optical imaging interferometric microscopy

Imaging interferometric microscopy (IIM) is an optical microscopy resolution enhancement technique involving combining multiple sub-images to increase resolution. Several image reconstruction challenges can degrade the image quality including the frequency, phase deviations between sub-images, and maintenance of a uniform frequency response across the entire space. This work proposes methods to address these issues. The methods are first compared in simulation using a Manhattan structure of 260-nm critical dimension with 2-µm-pitch calibration grating on the sides. The proposed correction methods are then applied to the experimental results and found to be effective in improving the image quality of IIM.

The association of plasma acyl ghrelin level with alcohol craving in early abstinent alcohol dependent patients

Background

Craving plays an important role in maintenance of alcohol dependence. Earlier studies have analyzed the role of ghrelin in craving and their results have been heterogenous. Acyl ghrelin is its more active form as it crosses the blood brain barrier. Hence we aimed to examine the relationship between plasma acyl ghrelin and craving in Indian patients having alcohol dependence syndrome.

Methods

The present study was a hospital-based prospective study. A total of 60 drug-naive patients of alcohol dependence and 30 healthy controls were included. After taking informed consent fasting blood samples were collected from them on day 1 and tested for plasma acyl ghrelin level. Fasting blood samples were repeated in all cases on day 14. During this time, we also assessed the patients' cravings by obsessive compulsive drinking scale, and alcohol craving questionnaire; and withdrawal by clinical institute withdrawal assessment for alcohol scale. These scales were repeated on day 14. Data analysis was done by SPSS version 25.0.

Results

Plasma concentrations of acyl ghrelin increased significantly during early abstinence in patients from day 1 to day 14 (P < 0.0001). Pearson correlation test revealed a trend of positive correlation between plasma concentration of acyl ghrelin on day 14 and severity of craving on day 1.

Conclusion

Our results suggest the plasma concentration of acyl ghrelin may be a predictor of severity of alcohol craving during early abstinence. Anti-craving drugs acting on acyl ghrelin level in brain may open an innovative avenue for optimum treatment of alcohol dependence.

Scanning of a Double-Sided Germanium Strip Detector

This work presents the results from the characterization of a Position-Sensitive Planar Germanium (PSPGe) detector. The PSPGe detector is a double-sided orthogonal strip detector consisting of 10x10 electrical segmentation along the horizontal and vertical directions. The characterization was performed using the coincidence setup between the PSPGe detector and the well-characterized scanning system employing the positron annihilation correlation principle. The scanning system consists of a Position Sensitive Detector (PSD) and 22Na positron source. The main objective of this study is to deploy PSPGe detector for future decay experiments at the Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research (FAIR), Germany. The measurements have been performed to find the depth of gamma-ray interaction in the planar segmented detector. The 2-Dimensional image obtained from the PSD has been used to find the depth of gamma-ray interaction in the planar strip detector using pulse shape analysis. In addition, the sensitivity of PSPGe detector has been investigated by calculating the rise-time from pulse shapes for the front and back strips of the detector.

Development of a position-sensitive fast scintillator (LaBr3(Ce)) detector setup for gamma-ray imaging application

We have characterized a Cerium doped Lanthanum Bromide (LaBr3(Ce) ) crystal coupled with the position-sensitive photo-multiplier system for the gamma-ray imaging application. One can use this detector set-up for the scanning of high purity germanium detectors for pulse shape analysis in gamma-ray spectroscopy experiments and the image formation of an object by Compton back-scattering . The sensor has been tested for energy, timing and position information of the gamma-rays interacting within the detector crystal. The GEANT4 simulation results are consistent with the experimental results. We have reconstructed the image of irradiation spots in different positions throughout the detector crystal. Position resolution is found to be around 3.5 mm with the 2 mm collimated gamma-rays. The 2-d image of hexagonal Bismuth Germanate (BGO) crystal and a cylindrical LaBr3(Ce) crystal have been reconstructed in coincidence technique. The performance of the detector for imaging application has been investigated by coincidence technique in GEANT4 simulation and compared with the experimental data. We have reconstructed the 2-d images of objects with various geometrical shapes by Compton back-scattered events of the gamma-rays. This position-sensitive detector can be used as an absorber of a Compton camera for the image reconstruction of an extended radioactive source. One can also use this kind of set-up as in radiation imaging and many other applications where the energy and source position of the gamma-ray is the main interest.

Effect of internet use on medical students before and after 4g internet service in india: A comparative study

BACKGROUND

Internet is being used extensively throughout the world from last decade. In India internet service has entered into new generation called 4G. Medical students are particularly vulnerable group for problematic internet use on account of the time they spend online. This might have negative effects on their physical, psychological and social health. Hence they are more prone to internet addiction.

AIMS

To compare use and effect of internet service among medical students before and after the availability of 4G service.

STUDY DESIGN

Institution based cross sectional study.

METHODS AND MATERIAL

Predesigned validated questionnaires were provided to the medical students in the year 2014. The questionnaire included demographics, pattern of internet use and Young's internet addiction test. Again in the year 2018 the similar procedure was carried out after introduction of 4G service. The data was collected and compared. Analysis was done using SPSS 25.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Descriptive statistics, Chi² test and Mann-Whitney test was applied.

RESULTS

Among 424 medical students 207 students were assessed in the year 2014 and 217 students in 2018.There was a significant change of pattern of use. Also significant increase in number of female users and severity of internet addiction in 2018. The ill effect of internet was on rise after availability of 4G service.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of internet addiction and its ill effect on behavior among medical students was higher after availability of 4G service in same college. So appropriate preventive and interventional strategies need to be developed in professional institutions.

Detection of thermodynamic "valley noise" in monolayer semiconductors: Access to intrinsic valley relaxation time scales

Together with charge and spin, many novel two-dimensional materials also permit information to be encoded in an electron's valley degree of freedom-that is, in particular momentum states in the material's Brillouin zone. With a view toward valley-based (opto)electronic technologies, the intrinsic time scales of valley scattering are therefore of fundamental interest. Here, we demonstrate an entirely noise-based approach for exploring valley dynamics in monolayer transition-metal dichalcogenide semiconductors. Exploiting their valley-specific optical selection rules, we use optical Faraday rotation to passively detect the thermodynamic fluctuations of valley polarization in a Fermi sea of resident carriers. This spontaneous "valley noise" reveals narrow Lorentzian line shapes and, therefore, long exponentially-decaying intrinsic valley relaxation. Moreover, the noise signatures validate both the relaxation times and the spectral dependence of conventional (perturbative) pump-probe measurements. These results provide a viable route toward quantitative measurements of intrinsic valley dynamics, free from any external perturbation, pumping, or excitation.

Abstract P6-07-10: The ERβ4 variant induce transformation of the normal breast mammary epithelial cell line MCF-10A; the ERβ variants ERβ2, ERβ4 and ERβ5 increase aggressiveness of TNBC by regulation of hypoxic signaling

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) still remains a challenge to treat in the clinic due to a lack of good targets for treatment. Although TNBC lacks expression of ERα, the expression of ERβ and its variants are detected quite frequently in this cancer type and can represent an avenue for treatment. We show that the variants of ERβ, namely ERβ1, ERβ2, ERβ4, and ERβ5, regulate aggressiveness of TNBC by regulating hypoxic signaling. RNA-seq of patient derived xenografts (PDX) from TNBC show expression of ERβ4 and ERβ5 variants in more than half of the samples. Furthermore, expression of ERβ4 in the immortalized, normal mammary epithelial cell line MCF-10A that is resistant to mammosphere formation caused transformation and development of mammospheres. By contrast, ERβ1, ERβ2 or ERβ5 were unable to support mammosphere formation. We have previously shown that all variants except ERβ1 stabilizes HIF-1α but only ERβ4 appear to have the ability to transform normal mammary epithelial cells, pointing towards a unique property of ERβ4. We propose that ERβ variants may be good diagnostic tools and also serve as novel targets for treatment of breast cancer.

Citation Format: Faria M, Karami S, Granados-Principal S, Dey P, Verma A, Choi DS, Elemento O, Bawa-Khalfe1 T, Chang JC, Gustafsson J-A, Strom AM. The ERβ4 variant induce transformation of the normal breast mammary epithelial cell line MCF-10A; the ERβ variants ERβ2, ERβ4 and ERβ5 increase aggressiveness of TNBC by regulation of hypoxic signaling [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2017 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P6-07-10.

Gate-Controlled Spin-Valley Locking of Resident Carriers in WSe_{2} Monolayers

Using time-resolved Kerr rotation, we measure the spin-valley dynamics of resident electrons and holes in single charge-tunable monolayers of the archetypal transition-metal dichalcogenide (TMD) semiconductor WSe_{2}. In the n-type regime, we observe long (∼130  ns) polarization relaxation of electrons that is sensitive to in-plane magnetic fields B_{y}, indicating spin relaxation. In marked contrast, extraordinarily long (∼2  μs) polarization relaxation of holes is revealed in the p-type regime, which is unaffected by B_{y}, directly confirming long-standing expectations of strong spin-valley locking of holes in the valence band of monolayer TMDs. Supported by continuous-wave Kerr spectroscopy and Hanle measurements, these studies provide a unified picture of carrier polarization dynamics in monolayer TMDs, which can guide design principles for future valleytronic devices.