Assessment of the efficiency of various gene promoters via biolistics in leaf and regenerating seed callus of millets, Eleusine coracana and Echinochloa crusgalli

A simple regeneration protocol has been developed for two millets, Eleusine coracana and Echinochloa crusgalli. The plantlet regeneration in both the millets is via somatic embryogenesis as evidenced by histological studies. In the case of E. coracana, up to 340 plants could be regenerated per 100 seed calli while up to 2266 plants could be regenerated per 100 seed calli of E. crusgalli. Subsequently, the regenerating seed callus as well as leaf segments from these two millets have been used as explants for assessing the suitability of five gene promoter constructs for transformation via biolistic means. Transient GUS histochemical as well as spectrofluorometric assays reveal the high efficiency of Ubiquitin I gene promoter from maize in terms of bringing about maximum GUS activity in both the millets. The activity of Ubiquitin I promoter from maize was highest in leaf lamina followed by leaf sheath and seed callus. Other four promoters were found to be much less efficient for both millets

Improved Density Based Spatial Clustering of Applications of Noise Clustering Algorithm for Knowledge Discovery in Spatial Data

There are many techniques available in the field of data mining and its subfield spatial data mining is to understand relationships between data objects. Data objects related with spatial features are called spatial databases. These relationships can be used for prediction and trend detection between spatial and nonspatial objects for social and scientific reasons. A huge data set may be collected from different sources as satellite images, X-rays, medical images, traffic cameras, and GIS system. To handle this large amount of data and set relationship between them in a certain manner with certain results is our primary purpose of this paper. This paper gives a complete process to understand how spatial data is different from other kinds of data sets and how it is refined to apply to get useful results and set trends to predict geographic information system and spatial data mining process. In this paper a new improved algorithm for clustering is designed because role of clustering is very indispensable in spatial data mining process. Clustering methods are useful in various fields of human life such as GIS (Geographic Information System), GPS (Global Positioning System), weather forecasting, air traffic controller, water treatment, area selection, cost estimation, planning of rural and urban areas, remote sensing, and VLSI designing. This paper presents study of various clustering methods and algorithms and an improved algorithm of DBSCAN as IDBSCAN (Improved Density Based Spatial Clustering of Application of Noise). The algorithm is designed by addition of some important attributes which are responsible for generation of better clusters from existing data sets in comparison of other methods

Development and characterization of large-scale simple sequence repeats in jute

Jute is an important crop of the Indian subcontinent and comprises tossa jute (Corchorus olitorius) and white jute (C. capsularis). The yield and fiber quality of this crop remained stagnant for many years and could not be improved through conventional plant breeding. Also, no effort has been made to develop molecular markers on a scale required for marker-assisted selection (MAS) to supplement conventional plant breeding. As a first step toward deploying MAS for jute improvement, 2469 simple sequence repeats (SSRs) were developed in tossa jute (JRO 524) using four SSR-enriched genomic libraries. A random subset of 100 SSRs (25 SSRs from each library) was used to detect polymorphism between the parental genotypes of each of the two recombinant inbred line (RIL) mapping populations. The RILs are being developed from JRO 524 × PPO4 (for fiber fineness) and JRC 321 × CMU 010 (for lignin content) crosses to prepare molecular maps and conduct quantitative trait loci (QTL) analyses. Both SSR length polymorphism and ± polymorphism (null alleles, i.e., presence and absence of specific SSR) were detected; 50 SSRs detected polymorphism between the two genotypes of tossa jute, whereas 45 SSRs detected polymorphism between the two genotypes of white jute. This SSR allelic polymorphism in jute is higher than that reported in other crops and is adequate for construction of genetic maps for QTL analysis. The large-scale SSRs will also prove useful in studying genetic diversity, population structure, and association mapping

Larvicidal activity of neem oil (Azadirachta indica) formulation against mosquitoes

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Mosquitoes transmit serious human diseases, causing millions of deaths every year. Use of synthetic insecticides to control vector mosquitoes has caused physiological resistance and adverse environmental effects in addition to high operational cost. Insecticides of botanical origin have been reported as useful for control of mosquitoes. <it>Azadirachta indica </it>(Meliaceae) and its derived products have shown a variety of insecticidal properties. The present paper discusses the larvicidal activity of neem-based biopesticide for the control of mosquitoes.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Larvicidal efficacy of an emulsified concentrate of neem oil formulation (neem oil with polyoxyethylene ether, sorbitan dioleate and epichlorohydrin) developed by BMR & Company, Pune, India, was evaluated against late 3^rdand early 4^thinstar larvae of different genera of mosquitoes. The larvae were exposed to different concentrations (0.5–5.0 ppm) of the formulation along with untreated control. Larvicidal activity of the formulation was also evaluated in field against <it>Anopheles</it>, <it>Culex</it>, and <it>Aedes </it>mosquitoes. The formulation was diluted with equal volumes of water and applied @ 140 mg <it>a.i</it>./m²to different mosquito breeding sites with the help of pre calibrated knapsack sprayer. Larval density was determined at pre and post application of the formulation using a standard dipper.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Median lethal concentration (LC₅₀) of the formulation against <it>Anopheles stephensi</it>, <it>Culex quinquefasciatus </it>and <it>Aedes aegypti </it>was found to be 1.6, 1.8 and 1.7 ppm respectively. LC₅₀values of the formulation stored at 26°C, 40°C and 45°C for 48 hours against <it>Ae. aegypti </it>were 1.7, 1.7, 1.8 ppm while LC₉₀values were 3.7, 3.7 and 3.8 ppm respectively. Further no significant difference in LC₅₀and LC₉₀values of the formulation was observed against <it>Ae. aegypti </it>during 18 months storage period at room temperature. An application of the formulation at the rate of 140 mg <it>a.i</it>./m²in different breeding sites under natural field conditions provided 98.1% reduction of <it>Anopheles </it>larvae on day 1; thereafter 100% reduction was recorded up to week 1 and more than 80% reduction up to week 3, while percent reduction against <it>Culex </it>larvae was 95.5% on day 1, and thereafter 80% reduction was achieved up to week 3. The formulation also showed 95.1% and, 99.7% reduction of <it>Aedes </it>larvae on day 1 and day 2 respectively; thereafter 100% larval control was observed up to day 7.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The neem oil formulation was found effective in controlling mosquito larvae in different breeding sites under natural field conditions. As neem trees are widely distributed in India, their formulations may prove to be an effective and eco-friendly larvicide, which could be used as an alternative for malaria control.</p

Impact of climate variability on human health: A pilot study in tertiary care hospital of Eastern Uttar Pradesh, India

This study is an attempt to find out the effect of climate variables on respiratory, cardiovascular, vector-borne and diarrheal diseases from 2004-2013 carried out at Sir Sunder Lal hospital, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh with focus on eastern Uttar Pradesh. The study shows that cases of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD) and Cardiovascular Disorders (CVD) didn't show any significant relation with any of the climate variables. With increase of 1 C mean maximum monthly temperature the estimated decrease in number of Tuberculosis (TB) patients was 4 (95% CI = 4.95-3.05) while a 1C increase in minimum monthly temperature showed increase of TB patients by 4 (95% CI = 4.95-3.05). One percent increase of monthly averaged relative humidity is estimated to increase the one pneumonia patients (95% CI = 1.95-0.05) at any given month. One-degree increase in given monthly temperature will increase the load of one diarrhea patients (95% CI = 1.95-0.05) monthly. Dengue and Malaria patients showed increasing monthly malaria cases by 5 (95% CI = 5.95-4.05) with 1C rise in minimum monthly temperature and by 1 patient (95% CI = 1.95-0.05) with increase in 1% relative humidity. Encephalitis showed an increase of one patient load (95% CI = 1.95-0.05) with monthly increase of 1C in maximum temperature. The study shows advance knowledge of health information, on timescales of seasons to decades ahead, would aid effective planning of health response measures and infrastructure at local and regional scale

High density linkage mapping of genomic and transcriptomic SNPs for synteny analysis and anchoring the genome sequence of chickpea

This study presents genome-wide discovery of SNPs through next generation sequencing of the genome of Cicer reticulatum. Mapping of the C. reticulatum sequenced reads onto the draft genome assembly of C. arietinum (desi chickpea) resulted in identification of 842,104 genomic SNPs which were utilized along with an additional 36,446 genic SNPs identified from transcriptome sequences of the aforementioned varieties. Two new chickpea Oligo Pool All (OPAs) each having 3,072 SNPs were designed and utilized for SNP genotyping of 129 Recombinant Inbred Lines (RILs). Using Illumina GoldenGate Technology genotyping data of 5,041 SNPs were generated and combined with the 1,673 marker data from previously published studies, to generate a high resolution linkage map. The map comprised of 6698 markers distributed on eight linkage groups spanning 1083.93 cM with an average inter-marker distance of 0.16 cM. Utility of the present map was demonstrated for improving the anchoring of the earlier reported draft genome sequence of desi chickpea by ~30% and that of kabuli chickpea by 18%. The genetic map reported in this study represents the most dense linkage map of chickpea , with the potential to facilitate efficient anchoring of the draft genome sequences of desi as well as kabuli chickpea varieties

Performance assessment of evapotranspiration estimated from different data sources over agricultural landscape in Northern India

Accurate estimation of evapotranspiration is generally constrained due to lack of required hydro-meteorological datasets. This study addresses the performance analysis of Reference Evapotranspiration (ETo) estimated from NASA/POWER, National Center for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) global reanalysis data before and after dynamical downscaling through the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model. The state of the art Hamon’s and Penman-Monteith methods were utilized for the ETo estimation in the Northern India. The performances indices such as Bias, Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) and correlation(r) were calculated, which showed the values 0.242, 0.422 and 0.959 for NCEP data (without downscaling) and 0.230, 0.402,0.969 for the downscaled data respectively. The results indicated that after WRF downscaling, there was some marginal improvement found in the ETo as compared to the without downscaling datasets. However, a better performance was found in the case of NASA/POWER datasets with Bias, RMSE and correlation values of 0.154 0.348 and 0.960 respectively. In overall, the results indicated that the NASA/POWER and WRF downscaled data can be used for ETo estimation, especially in the ungauged areas. However, NASA/POWER is recommended as the ETo calculations are less complicated than those required with NASA/POWER and WRF

Paraspinal Transposition Flap for Reconstruction of Sacral Soft Tissue Defects: A Series of 53 Cases from a Single Institute

Study DesignCase series.PurposeTo describe paraspinal transposition flap for coverage of sacral soft tissue defects.Overview of LiteratureSoft tissue defects in the sacral region pose a major challenge to the reconstructive surgeon. Goals of sacral wound reconstruction are to provide a durable skin and soft tissue cover adequate for even large sacral defects; minimize recurrence; and minimize donor site morbidity. Various musculocutaneous and fasciocutanous flaps have been described in the literature.MethodsThe flap was applied in 53 patients with sacral soft tissue defects of diverse etiology. Defects ranged in size from small (6 cm×5 cm) to extensive (21 cm×10 cm). The median age of the patients was 58 years (range, 16-78 years).ResultsThere was no flap necrosis. Primary closure of donor sites was possible in all the cases. The median follow up of the patients was 33 months (range, 4-84 months). The aesthetic outcomes were acceptable. There has been no recurrence of pressure sores.ConclusionsThe authors conclude that paraspinal transposition flap is suitable for reconstruction of large sacral soft tissue defects with minimum morbidity and excellent long term results

Generation of Hidden Optical-Polarization: Squeezing and Non-Classicality

A monochromatic double-mode coherent light endowed with orthogonally polarized photons propagating collinearly is studied in Degenerate Parametric Amplification. Generation of Hidden Optical- Polarized States is shown by non-zero values of Index of Hidden Optical-Polarization. Squeezing in HOPS is demonstrated by recognizing a Squeezing function. The Non-Classical feature of HOPS is observed by 'degree of Hidden Optical-Polarization' which attains non-classical value 'greater than unity'. The dynamical nature of Generation, Squeezing and Non-Classicality are numerically presented.Comment: 14 pages and 02 figure

CT Angiography in The Detection of Carotid Body Enlargement in Patients with Hypertension and Heart Failure

Introduction: The carotid body (CB) has previously been found to be enlarged and hyperactive in various disease states such as heart failure (HF), hypertension (HTN), and respiratory disease. Evaluation of CB size in these disease states using imaging has not been performed. The purpose of this case–control study was to compare CB sizes in patients with HF and HTN with those of controls using CT angiography. Methods: A retrospective review was performed on 323 consecutive patients who had neck computed tomography angiography (CTA) exams in 2011. Following extensive review, 17 HF and HTN patients and 14 controls were identified. Two radiologists blinded to the patient disease status made consensus bilateral carotid body (CB) measurements on the CTA exams using a previously described standardized protocol. CB axial cross-sectional areas were compared between HF and HTN cases and controls using a paired t test. Results: The right CB demonstrated a mean cross-sectional area of 2.79 mm2 in HF and HTN patients vs. 1.40 mm2 in controls (p = 0.02). The left CB demonstrated a mean cross-sectional area of 3.13 mm2 in HF and HTN patients vs. 1.53 mm in controls (p = 0.03). Conclusion: Our results provide imaging evidence that the carotid bodies are enlarged in patients with HF and HTN. Our case–control series suggests that this enlargement can be detected on neck CTA