Detection and Phylogenetic Affiliation of Wolbachia Endosymbiont from Drosophila Melanogaster (India)

The cellular endosymbiont Wolbachia causes reproductive alterations in arthropod and nematode species. The presence of Wolbachia in natural populations of arthropods is made possible by their ability to manipulate the physiology of their host. This study evaluated the presence of Wolbachia in laboratory populations of Drosophila melanogaster (India). Using PCR based technology, WSP was amplified from D. melanogaster which yielded a 635bp gene. Here we report a different strain of Wolbachia which is placed in phylogenetic position along with the WMel Popcorn strain and Amergiers strain of India with Wolbachia A super group. Thus by comparing our results, the probable phenotype of the new strain of Wolbachia is identified. The information will be valuable in evolutionary studies of the endosymbiont Wolbachia and strain classification. Abbreviations: WSP: Wolbachia Surface Protein PCR: Polymerase Chain Reaction MEGA: Molecular Evolutionary Genetics Analysi

Wolbachia Association and its Phylogenetic Affiliation of Brugia Malayi Parasites from India

Wolbachia have established a mutualistic association with filarial nematodes and has a phenomenal implication in its normal development, reproduction and survival. Elimination of Wolbachia by tetracycline class of antibiotic compounds have been suggested and successfully implemented for the treatment of lymphatic filarial parasites. Thereby, is necessary to assess the prevalence of the Wolbachia in B. malayi before such new strategies are employed, across the world. In the present communication, the presence of Wolbachia and phylogenetic affiliation in B. malayi collected from Sevagram, Maharashtra, India, has been addressed

Productivity and economic benefits of coconut based vegetable cropping systems under central dry zone of Karnataka

Coconut based cropping systems with vegetables i.e., okra-fallow (2012-13) and tomato-fallow (2013-14), green manure-cucumber,baby corn-gherkin and coconut monocropping as control with four integrated nutrient management (INM) practices viz., inorganicfertilizer alone (100%), 5 ton farm yard mannure (FYM)+75% NPK+25% N by vermicompost (VC), 5 ton FYM+50% NPK+25%N by vermicompost+25% N by composted coir pith (CCP)+ Indian Institute of Horticulture Research (IIHR) micronutrient sprayand 5 ton FYM+50% N by vermicompost+50% N by CCP+vermiwash spray+Azatobacter were evaluated at HRS, Arsikere,Karnataka during the year 2012 to 2014 by adopting factorial RBD with five replications. All the vegetable crops gave the highestyield under integration of organic and inorganic manure treatments, viz., 5 tonne FYM+74% NPK +25% N by VC and 5 tonFYM+50% NPK+25% N by vermicompost+25% N by CCP+IIHR micronutrient spray, whereas the lowest vegetables yield wasnoticed with 5 ton FYM+50% N by vermicompost+50% N by CCP + vermiwash spray + Azatobacter. Cropping sequence, babycorn-gherkin resulted in the highest coconut equivalent yield of intercrops and cropping system (33,548 nuts ha-1 and 44,414 nutsha-1, respectively). Pooled economic analysis indicated that, okra-fallow and tomato-fallow sequence resulted in significantlyhigher net income (` 4,03,551 ha-1) compared to other sequences and it was on par with baby corn-gherkin sequence(` 3,60,365 ha-1)

Functional and radiological outcome of surgical treatment of distal tibial fracture by minimally invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis technique

Background: Minimally invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis (MIPPO) is an established technique for fixation of fractures of the distal third tibia. Aim of our study was to manage extraarticular fractures of the distal third tibia by the minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis technique and follow them prospectively. Clinical and radiological outcomes were studied and clinical indications & efficacy of the procedure reviewed.Methods: From June 2018 to June 2019,25 patients of closed distal tibial fractures were operated by MIPPO technique with a distal tibial anatomical locking plate having 4.5 out of 5 proximal and 3.5 out of 4 distal screw holes. The follow up duration was for 1 year.Results: The mean fracture healing time was 17 weeks (range 16 to 32 weeks) and average The American orthopedic foot and ankle score was 88.2 out of a total possible 100 points. At last follow up, superficial infection occurred in 3 patients, deep infection in 1 patient, ankle stiffness in 1 patient, limb length discrepancy <1 cm in 1 patient and malunion in 2 patients.Conclusions: MIPPO technique provides good bone healing and decreases incidence of non-union and need for bone grafting. This technique should be used in distal tibia fractures where locked nailing cannot be done like fractures with small distal metaphyseal fragments, vertical splits, markedly comminute fractures

Spontaneous Resonances and the Coherent States of the Queuing Networks

We present an example of a highly connected closed network of servers, where the time correlations do not go to zero in the infinite volume limit. This phenomenon is similar to the continuous symmetry breaking at low temperatures in statistical mechanics. The role of the inverse temperature is played by the average load.Comment: 3 figures added, small correction

Impact of weather parameters on maize agroecosystem and adaptation strategies under changing climatic conditions: A review: Sustainable and climate-resilient adaptation strategies in maize agroecosystem

Change in precipitation patterns and increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events (high temperatures and heat waves) harm crop productivity. As per the future prediction, the temperature may increase by 2.5 0C by 2050 and by 2-30 C by the end of the century. The present review evaluates the impact of a rise and fall in temperature, solar radiation, and CO2 on the productivity of maize and other crops. Agronomic management practices during the crop growth period of selecting crop cultivars, date of sowing, plant population, dosage, timing, and methods of application of inputs are influenced by temperature, rainfall, solar radiation, and CO2 concentration in the atmosphere. Overall crop productivity will reduce by 50.9 % in wheat in the USA, 46% in maize in China,17% in cotton in India, and 30% in sugarcane in India. Changing the sowing date and adopting improved early and short-duration varieties of corn and other crops are becoming significant under low-cost adoption technologies to mitigate climate change. Info Crop-SORGHUM simulation model predicts that change in the sowing date of a variety in sorghum reduces the impact of climate change and vulnerability to 1- 2 % by 2020, 3-8 % by 2050, and 4-9% by 2080. The review highlights the impact of heat stress and drought on soil processes, and overall soil health. The authors conclude to implement climate adoption technologies based on Agriculture 4.0 to sustain crop production globally

Linear Stability of Triangular Equilibrium Points in the Generalized Photogravitational Restricted Three Body Problem with Poynting-Robertson Drag

In this paper we have examined the linear stability of triangular equilibrium points in the generalised photogravitational restricted three body problem with Poynting-Robertson drag. We have found the position of triangular equilibrium points of our problem. The problem is generalised in the sense that smaller primary is supposed to be an oblate spheroid. The bigger primary is considered as radiating. The equations of motion are affected by radiation pressure force, oblateness and P-R drag. All classical results involving photogravitational and oblateness in restricted three body problem may be verified from this result. With the help of characteristic equation, we discussed the stability. Finally we conclude that triangular equilibrium points are unstable.Comment: accepted for publication in Journal of Dynamical Systems & Geometric Theories Vol. 4, Number 1 (2006

Life History Traits of Talicada nyseus (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) Butterfly Under Laboratory Conditions

The butterfly Talicada nyseus G. (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) is abundant in India and Sri Lanka (Karunaratne, et al., 2002). In India, this butterfly is chiefly found in the peninsular area, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Punjab and foothills of the Himalayas (Singh, 2005). The host plants of this butterfly include Kalanchoe spp. (Saxifragales: Crassulaceae). Adult Talicada nyseus feed on nectar of surrounding flowering plants but are also reported to feed on lichens (Karunaratne, et al., 2002). Recently it has been discovered that Talicada nyseus is infected with maternally inherited Wolbachia bacteria (Ankola, et al., 2011; Salunke, et al., 2012) and exhibits a female biased sex ratio (Ankola, et al., 2011). It is suspected that the presence of the female biased sex ratio in this butterfly is caused by its endosybiont Wolbachia. As an endosymbiont, Wolbachia is known to cause female biased sex ratio in butterfly hosts by inducing two distinct reproductive anomalies: feminization of genetic males (Hiroki et al., 2004) and male killing (Jigginset al., 2001; Charlat et al., 2005). It is essential to record scientific data regarding the life history traits of Talicada nyseus naturally infected with Wolbachia. In the present report life history traits of Talicada nyseus which harbor Wolbachia infection were studied under controlled conditions. The individual Talicada nyseus specimens used for the study were collected from a laboratory reared population which was previously confirmed to be heavily infected with Wolbachia. Five individual mated pairs were used separately for the present study. The life cycle was analyzed at 28.09 ± 0.564° C. The data collected were statistically analyzed by paired t-test with the help of SPSS 7.5. Wolbachia infection in this butterfly was previously documented by Ankola etal. (2011). The fecundity of Talicada nyseus was found to be ranging from 61.6± 12.08 to 66.4 ± 17.75 (Table 1). The fecundity data obtained from the present study is in agreement with our previous report (Ankola et al., 2011). More than 95% hatchability was recorded during the present investigation indicating that there might not be male-killing induced by Wolbachia in Talicada nyseus (Jiggins et al., 2000; Charlat et al., 2007). The hatching time required for eggs ranged from 7.4 ± 1.83 to 9.6 ± 2.71 (Table 1). Furthermore, the time required for th

Dhattura Lavana: An Eccentric Salt Preparation in Folklore

Lavana kalpana is a formulation in Ayurveda which is prepared from combination of certain drugs with lavana (Salt). A particular heating pattern is followed for drugs and lavana in an earthen crucible by subjecting it to putapaka. Number of lavana kalpana like Narikela lavana Arka lavana and other such formulations are being practiced in Ayurveda. Dhattura lavana is also a formulation of Dhattura and lavana used in alcohol dependence.  An attempt was made in this work to gather the information about this formulation. It is observed that this formulation is used by traditional practioners of Kerala. The reference of Dhattura lavana could not be found in the books or literatures of Ayurveda. Deviating from the general method of preparation of putapaka, Dhattura lavana is prepared in a unique way. In this formulation, a decoction of Dhattura is prepared first and to that equal amount of lavana is added and dehydrated. Keywords: Dhattura lavana, Lavana kalpana, madatyaya, tadarthakari chikitsa

Synergistic effect of oil palm based pozzolanic materials/oil palm waste on polyester hybrid composite

This research work aims to investigate the synergistic effect of pozzolanic materials such as oil palm ash (OPA) and oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) on the developed hybrid polymer composites. The OPEFB and OPA fillers of different particle sizes (250, 150, and 75 µm) were mixed at OPEFB:OPA ratios of (0:100; 20:80; 40:60; 60:40; 80:20 and 100:0) and incorporated into an unsaturated polyester resin. Furthermore, both mechanical and morphological properties of the composites were analyzed and it was found that tensile, flexural, and impact properties were significantly improved at OPEFB:OPA of 75 µm particle size hybridization of the polymer. The increase of OPEFB to OPA filler ratio up to 80:20 significantly improved the tensile properties of the composites while 40:60 ratio of 75 µm gave the optimum filler ratio to obtain the highest flexural and impact properties of the composites among all studied samples. Scanning electron micrograph images showed strong particle dispersion of the embedded fillers with resin which explained the excellent mechanical strength enhancement of the composite