The Influence of Biomass Burning Aerosols on Stratocumulus Clouds over the South-East Atlantic

Optically thick smoke aerosol plumes originating from biomass burning (BB) in the southwestern African Savanna during the austral spring are transported westward by the free-tropospheric winds to primarily overlie the vast stretches of stratocumulus cloud decks in the South-East Atlantic. We evaluated the simulations of long-range transport of BB aerosol by the Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS-5) and four other global aerosol models using Cloud-Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization (CALIOP) observations over the complete South African-Atlantic region. Models in general captured the vertical distribution of aerosol over land but exhibited some common features after long-range transport of smoke plumes that were distinct from that of CALIOP. Most importantly, the model simulated BB aerosol plumes quickly descend to lower levels just off the western coast of the continent, while CALIOP data suggests that smoke plumes continue their horizontal transport at elevated levels above the marine boundary layer. The levels to which the aerosol plumes are subsided, and the steepness of their descent vary amongst the models as well as amongst the different sub-regions of the domain. Investigations into possible causes of differences between GEOS-5 and CALIOP aerosol transport over the ocean revealed a minimal role of aerosol removal processes in the model as opposed to model dynamics. It has been well established that the cloud adjustments to aerosol-radiation interactions are strongly dependent on the relative location of the aerosol layer with respect to the clouds. Consequently, we evaluated the GEOS-5 sensitivity to changes in aerosol vertical distribution by constraining the model smoke aerosol vertical profiles using CALIOP observations. A climatology of CALIOP retrievals of smoke aerosol extinction profiles were obtained using ten years of data (2006-15). An aerosol redistribution methodology was then developed to vertically adjust the smoke aerosol mass in the model to resemble the CALIOP extinction profile, such that the column aerosol mass is conserved. Three sets of experiments, each containing five ensemble members were designed for GEOS-5 AGCM in free-running mode by prescribing aerosols at each model time-step using an aerosol climatology i.e. MERRAero (2003-14). First is the control case (CTL), where aerosol vertical distributions were based on the default MERRAero climatology. Second set used the redistributed aerosol climatology (RED) and for the third set, smoke aerosols were simply removed from the oceanic parts of the domain (NOA). There was an increase in cloud fraction by about 40% for RED compared to NOA at areas of high aerosol loading near the coast. Between RED and CTL, there was an increase in cloud fraction near the coast by ~35% with respect to RED and a decrease in cloud fractions by ~25% for areas away from the coast and warmer sea-surface temperatures. Overall, the absolute magnitudes of changes in cloud fractions are small, but the percentage changes are large because the model simulated cloud fractions for the CTL case are much smaller and spatially displaced compared to the cloud fractions retrieved from MODIS to begin with. Probable mechanisms for the observed changes in cloud amounts and MBL properties were investigated. Aerosol effects on TOA all-sky radiative forcing showed close resemblance to the pattern for cloud fraction change, wherein increase in cloud cover led to enhanced cooling and vice versa. Aerosol impacts on surface radiative forcing however, suggested a strong cooling of the ocean surface irrespective of where the aerosol layer is placed in the atmosphere

Using Network Model Represent Metadata in Data Warehouse

Using network model metadata representation have becomes a necessity not only for better knowledge, but also to handle the overall database of a huge numbers of information This work is aimed at represent metadata using network model. A model network is prepared using the entity which is present in the database

Survey of Techniques Used for Answer Evaluation using Semantic Network

Automatic Evaluation of Free Text Answers' have become a necessity, not only for better acceptance of online learning, but also to handle the pressure of assessment of a large number of students' responses in a fatigue free pedagogically correct method in traditional learning environments. This work is aimed at developing a model to evaluate free text answers of students based on the semantic similarity it has with the model answers prepared by teachers. The model answers are prepared prior to the evaluation process and through a process of dynamic semantic network building, a model is prepared which is used in evaluation. The proposed technique should allow the flexibility of comparing a student’s answer with two or more model answers and finally evaluating it against the model answer it most closely resembles. DOI: 10.17762/ijritcc2321-8169.15012

Differences in the Vertical and Microphysical Evolution of Volcanic and Pyrocumulonimbus Stratospheric Aerosol Plumes as Observed by CALIOP and CATS Satellite Lidar

For some time, volcanic eruptions have been thought to be the only significant direct injectors of aerosols in the stratosphere. However, recent fire seasons have featured fire events resulting in large volcanic-sized pyrocumulonimbus plumes of smoke aerosols reaching many kilometers into the lower stratosphere. To understand and model the effects of these pyrocumulonimbus events on stratospheric composition and climate, a natural analogy lies with better studied volcanic events; however, differences in plume composition may limit this comparison. Using satellite lidar from both CATS and CALIOP, we show that the stratospheric aerosol plumes from the record-setting Pacific Northwest pyrocumulonimbus event of 2017 and the Calbuco volcanic eruption of 2015 evolve differently both vertically and microphysically. Specifically, depolarization ratios indicate that this pyrocumulonimbus events aerosol particles became more irregularly shaped over time in contrast to volcanic aerosols which become more spherical over time. Accounting for these changes in aerosol properties may be significant in assessing the effects of pyrocumulonimbus events on the Earths radiative balance and aid in refining stratospheric aerosol typing algorithms to differentiate volcanic from pyrocumulonimbus plumes

Xanthomonas oryzae pv oryzae triggers immediate transcriptomic modulations in rice

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Xanthomonas oryzae </it>pv <it>oryzae </it>is a devastating pathogen of rice and has been extensively studied as a model pathogen of monocotyledons. Expressional studies in both the contenders have been undertaken in past to understand the molecular mechanism underlying the compatible and incompatible interactions in the pathosystem. Continuous update on database and gene annotations necessitates constant updating on the roles of the new entities as well as reinterpretation of regulations of the previous ones. Moreover the past endeavors have addressed the middle or late defense responses of the rice plant whereas in the present study an attempt has been made to investigate the early defense responses taking place immediately after inoculation.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Microarray was used to study the transcriptional modulations in eighteen days old rice seedling leaves of both susceptible and resistant genotypes one hour after inoculation. In resistant plants as compared to susceptible ones 274 genes were found to be differentially expressed. Annotations could be assigned to 112 up- and 73 down-regulated transcripts and gene interaction maps were generated for 86 transcripts. Expressional data and interaction maps were used to develop a hypothetical scheme of the molecular events taking place during early defense response. Network analysis with the differential transcripts showed up-regulation of major clusters of cell signaling proteins and transcription factors while growth and basal metabolic components were largely found to be down-regulated.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This study provides an understanding of the early defense signaling in rice cells. Components of the calcium and lipid signaling as well as MAPK cascade were modulated, by signals from surface receptors and cytosolic R-proteins, to arouse jasmonic acid and ethylene signaling and suppress auxin signaling through various transcription factors. Abscisic acid modulation was also evident through the expression regulation of transcription factors involved with its functions. Moreover adjustments in expression levels of components of primary as well as secondary metabolism, protein trafficking and turnout were apparent, highlighting the complexity of defense response.</p

Small and large scale genomic DNA isolation protocol for chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), suitable for molecular marker and transgenic analyses

Chickpea is an important food legume crop with high nutritional value. Lack of appropriate DNA isolation protocol is a limiting factor for any molecular studies of this crop. The present report describes a rapid and efficient protocol for small and large scale preparation of superior quality and quantity of DNA from four cultivars (JG62, WR315, C235 and ICCV89314) compared to that of earlier reports. The yield of DNA through both the methods was estimated to be approximately 80 μg per g of plant tissue. Both small and large scale preparations were essentially suitable for PCR and Southern blot hybridization analyses, which are the key steps in crop improvement programme through marker development and genetic engineering techniques.Key words: Cicer arietinum L., phenolics, restriction enzyme digestion, PCR amplification, Southern hybridization

Deciphering the mode of action of a mutant Allium sativum Leaf Agglutinin (mASAL), a potent antifungal protein on Rhizoctonia solani

LC MS/MS analysis of identified interactors of mASAL from R.solani Matched peptides highlighted in yellow. Green colour indicated probable sites of mutation and modification. (DOCX 2225 kb

Primary Metabolism of Chickpea Is the Initial Target of Wound Inducing Early Sensed Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri Race I

BACKGROUND: Biotrophic interaction between host and pathogen induces generation of reactive oxygen species that leads to programmed cell death of the host tissue specifically encompassing the site of infection conferring resistance to the host. However, in the present study, biotrophic relationship between Fusarium oxysporum and chickpea provided some novel insights into the classical concepts of defense signaling and disease perception where ROS (reactive oxygen species) generation followed by hypersensitive responses determined the magnitude of susceptibility or resistant potentiality of the host. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Microscopic observations detected wound mediated in planta pathogenic establishment and its gradual progression within the host vascular tissue. cDNA-AFLP showed differential expression of many defense responsive elements. Real time expression profiling also validated the early recognition of the wound inducing pathogen by the host. The interplay between fungus and host activated changes in primary metabolism, which generated defense signals in the form of sugar molecules for combating pathogenic encounter. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: The present study showed the limitations of hypersensitive response mediated resistance, especially when foreign encounters involved the food production as well as the translocation machinery of the host. It was also predicted from the obtained results that hypersensitivity and active species generation failed to impart host defense in compatible interaction between chickpea and Fusarium. On the contrary, the defense related gene(s) played a critical role in conferring natural resistance to the resistant host. Thus, this study suggests that natural selection is the decisive factor for selecting and segregating out the suitable type of defense mechanism to be undertaken by the host without disturbing its normal metabolism, which could deviate from the known classical defense mechanisms

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN TACKLING CORONAVIRUS AND FUTURE PANDEMICS

SARS-COV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2) was initially tested in Wuhan City, China, in December 2019 and had a devastating impact worldwide, exterminating more than 6 million people as of September 2022. It became the biggest worldwide health crisis since the 1918 influenza outbreak. Viruses generally&nbsp;mutate randomly,&nbsp;so predicting how SARS-CoV-2 will transform over the next few months or&nbsp;years and which forms will predominate is impossible. The possibilities for virus mutation, in theory, are practically endless. Enabling researchers to determine which antibodies have the potential to be most effective against existing and future variations could help machine learning to assist in drug discovery. In the COVID-19 pandemic, AI has benefited four key areas: diagnosis, clinical decision-making for public health, virtual assistance, and therapeutic research. This study conducted a discourse analysis and textual evaluation of AI (deep learning and machine learning) concerning the COVID-19 outbreak. Further, this study also discusses the latest inventions that can be very helpful in future pandemic detection. COVID-19 has already changed our lives, and in the future, we might be able to deal with pandemics like this with the help of AI. This review has also emphasized the legal implications of AI in the battle against COVID-19

Allergenicity Assessment of Allium sativum Leaf Agglutinin, a Potential Candidate Protein for Developing Sap Sucking Insect Resistant Food Crops

Background: Mannose-binding Allium sativum leaf agglutinin (ASAL) is highly antinutritional and toxic to various phloem-feeding hemipteran insects. ASAL has been expressed in a number of agriculturally important crops to develop resistance against those insects. Awareness of the safety aspect of ASAL is absolutely essential for developing ASAL transgenic plants. Methodology/Principal Findings: Following the guidelines framed by the Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization, the source of the gene, its sequence homology with potent allergens, clinical tests on mammalian systems, and the pepsin resistance and thermostability of the protein were considered to address the issue. No significant homology to the ASAL sequence was detected when compared to known allergenic proteins. The ELISA of blood sera collected from known allergy patients also failed to show significant evidence of cross-reactivity. In vitro and in vivo assays both indicated the digestibility of ASAL in the presence of pepsin in a minimum time period. Conclusions/Significance: With these experiments, we concluded that ASAL does not possess any apparent features of an allergen. This is the first report regarding the monitoring of the allergenicity of any mannose-binding monocot lectin having insecticidal efficacy against hemipteran insects