Differential occurrence of epicuticular wax and its role in leaf tissues of three edible aroids hails 1from north eastern hill region of India

Localization of epicuticular wax (EW) content in leaf tissues and its interaction on leaf protective mechanisms of 17three edible aroids, Alocasia,ColocasiaandXanthosomawereassessed. Scanning electron microscopy depicted the 18occurrence of EW in leaf tissues which was higher in Colocasia(10.61 mg dm-2) and Xanthosoma(11.36 mg dm-2) 19than in Alocasia (1.36 mg dm-2). The result highlightedthe interface of EW between the leaves and its internal and 20external environments. EW acted as a protecting barrier againstdeleterious solar radiationin term of sun protecting 21factor (SPF). Occurrence of EW also effectively managedleaf pigmentation, moisture retention, cellular membrane 22integrity against the invaders. Colocasiaexhibited superhydrophobic properties with higher static contact angle(CA)23>150othan hydrophobicXanthosoma and Alocasia with CAranged between 99.0o to 128.7o. ColocasiaEW highly 24influenced the qualitative and protective mechanisms of leaf. Aroids are the cheapestsourcesof edible EW among 25the terrestrial plants could be used in food,agricultural and industrial applicationsFil: Pieniazek, Facundo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Research Complex for North Eastern Hill Region; IndiaFil: Messina, Valeria Marisa. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Research Complex for North Eastern Hill Region; IndiaFil: Dasgupta, Madhumita. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Sahoo, Manhas. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Research Complex for North Eastern Hill Region; Indi

Utility Of Technology In Higher Education: Recent Contours In Teaching Learning Process

Life is the gift of God and technology is the gift of human. Technology in today’s era has a significant role to play, it not only saves time but also makes work easier which can be effectively felt in every stage of our daily life. Besides technology form one of the basis of economic growth as it lessens the burden upon the human and at the same time reduces the instances of mistakes.  The ambit of technology has widened so far that it has touched the educational sector too. This has revolutionized the whole educational sector wherein the teacher student relation has been more enjoyable and at the same time has eased the imparting and acquiring of education. With the inclusion of computer application in the curriculum in the primary level itself, it gives a scope to the students to get accustomed to use of technology in education. And gradually, as they learn more, they get inured how to apply technology in acquiring education by attaining its optimum utility. The use of technology has become very common in higher education now a days as it helps the students in the attainment of maximum knowledge within limited resources and time, thus making them more self-reliant. This article aims to find out the role of technology in higher education and how far it has benefitted the teachers and the students in the process of imparting and acquiring education

Revisiting The Role Of Sbi In Digitization Mapping: A CSR Initiative

Digitalization has inaugurated a new approach to publicize socialization in all types of organizations, generally, and businesses specifically. Stakeholders now favour companies that adhere to social standards and virtues. The companies comprehend that it is essential for the advertising of their CSR activities so that the viewing public can fully comprehend that they are engaged with a business that delivers facilities that benefit society. With the advancement of technology, cyberspace provides several portals upon which content can be posted. Once the viewers are engaged with the organization, the word is dispersed in such a way that the company garners prominence. Using such an added benefit, the company uses this framework to endorse the business to its full extent too. This is accomplished with the assistance of digital marketing. This paper emphasizes the marketing potential of CSR efforts for businesses and the necessity of social media advertising of such programs in the current technology era. This essay also discusses how using digital channels like social media, websites, blogs, and emails to promote CSR initiatives can be advantageous to the business in the long run. As a result, this article aims to connect the CSR principle to marketing by categorizing various theoreticalviewpoints that suggest a connection between the two concepts. The present paper is an attempt to capture the extent of digitalisation of services and the subsequent impact on the CSR performances of the largest bank in the Indian sub-continent- State Bank of India. The paper tries to analyse the growth of CSR activities vis a vis the rate of digital services provided by the bank

Differential Occurrence of Cuticular Wax and Its Role in Leaf Physiological Mechanisms of Three Edible Aroids of Northeast India

The localization of cuticular wax (CW) on the leaf epidermis and its interaction with the physiological mechanisms of three edible aroids, Alocasia, Colocasia, and Xanthosoma, were assessed. CW in the leaf tissues was visualized using scanning electron microscopy, which was higher in Colocasia (10.61 mg·dm−2) and Xanthosoma (11.36 mg·dm−2) than in Alocasia (1.36 mg·dm−2). Colocasia CW exhibited superhydrophobic properties with a higher static contact angle (CA) (>150◦) than Xanthosoma (99.0◦) and Alocasia (128.7◦). The higher CW in Colocasia and Xanthosoma resulted in better leaf chlorophyll stability, moisture retention ability, and cellular membrane integrity compared to Alocasia. CW acted as a protecting barrier against deleterious solar radiation in terms of sun protection factor (SPF). The glossy appearance of wax crystals in the Alocasia leaf cuticles resulted in higher SPF. Overall, Colocasia CW highly influenced the qualitative and protective mechanisms of the leaf. Our study sheds light on the pivotal role of CW in the physiological properties of aroid leaves, which would be useful for the selection of wax-rich plants for augmenting future breeding strategies. The information would also be useful for further exploration of the industrial potential of superhydrophobic wax crystals obtained from edible aroids.Fil: Pieniazek, Facundo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Unidad de Investigación y Desarrollo Estratégico para la Defensa. Ministerio de Defensa. Unidad de Investigación y Desarrollo Estratégico para la Defensa; Argentina. ICAR Research Complex for North Eastern Hill Region; IndiaFil: Dasgupta, Madhumita. ICAR Research Complex for North Eastern Hill Region; IndiaFil: Messina, Valeria Marisa. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Unidad de Investigación y Desarrollo Estratégico para la Defensa. Ministerio de Defensa. Unidad de Investigación y Desarrollo Estratégico para la Defensa; ArgentinaFil: Devi, Mayengbam Premi. ICAR Research Complex for North Eastern Hill Region; IndiaFil: Devi, Yumnam Indrani. ICAR Research Complex for North Eastern Hill Region; IndiaFil: Mohanty, Sansuta. ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research; IndiaFil: Singh, Satyapriya. ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research; IndiaFil: Sahoo, Bibhuti Bhusan. Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology; IndiaFil: Nongdam, Potshangbam. Manipur University; IndiaFil: Acharya, Gobinda Chandra. ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research; IndiaFil: Sahoo, Manas Ranjan. ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research; India. ICAR Research Complex for North Eastern Hill Region; Indi

Mergers and its Effects in Select Indian Iron and Steel Companies - A Study

As an important sphere of corporate strategy, Mergers and Acquisitions have been undergoing a sea change within the economic set -up since liberalization in India. Massive growth in both Foreign Direct Investment and Foreign Institutional Investors has been witnessed by the economy. Rather than Greenfield Investment, a substantial fraction of the growth in FDI during the late 1990s tends to rapid increase of cross-border deals in form of Mergers and Acquisitions. This study has attempted to identify the performance of some selected Indian Iron and Steel Companies as a regime study through applying techniques   like Economic Value Added and Operating Profit

Evaluation of functionality in Ni@stabilized ZrO2 and NiO@NiO-Zn through X-ray diffraction technique

A mathematical model is developed for calculating X-ray penetration depth based on the theories of diffraction to quantitatively characterize the heterogeneous functional materials with core-shell morphology. Functional materials viz. Ni@stabilized ZrO2 (SZ) and NiO@NiO-Zn are synthesized and penetration depth (xi Ni/xi NiO) is calculated. Ni@SZ and NiO@NiO-Zn function as effective catalyst for methane steam reformation and olefin epoxidation respectively. Functionality of the catalysts lies in the core-shell morphology with interconnection among the phases. The author's aim to optimize the shell thickness using the mathematical model and correlate with the catalyst activity. Sequential increase of Ni-content in Ni@SZ from 25 to 40 vol % results in reduction of penetration depth similar to 2.1 to 0.8 mu m] relative to core (xi(S)(Z-core)) thereby restricting the SZ contribution and limiting the oxide ion percolation. Similarly, surface coverage of nano NiO onto NiO-Zn for olefine epoxidation requires the involvement of three zone region viz. NiO, Zn and pi electron cloud of the substrate. Effectivity of the catalytic activity of such NiO@NiO-Zn matrix is found optimum (4.3 mu m w.r.t.xi(NiO)) with the penetration depth derived from mathematical modeling. Hence, such modeling reveals its significance towards finding the penetration depth for core-shell type functional materials for catalysis compared to disperse heterogeneous catalyst

Nutrient, antioxidant and anti nutrient composition of value added products made with underutilized forest produce Bay leaf (Cinnamomum tamala)

This study made an attempt to develop value added products (bay leaf tea powder, bay leaf saffron tea powder, bay leaf basil tea powder, bay leaf mint sparkle powder, bay leaf spice cubes and bay leaf spice mix) with underutilised forest produce bay leaf. The developed products were evaluated for sensory acceptability and best  acceptable products (bay leaf tea powder and bay leaf spice cube) were evaluated for nutrient, antioxidant and anti nutrient composition in comparision with fresh bay leaf. The results indicated that bay leaf tea powder was rich in ash (18.67 ± 1.21) and protein (12.91 ± 0.81) content and bay leaf spice cube was rich in crude fiber (10.50 ± 2.79) content. Highest amount of proline (4.15 ± 0.11), phenols (8.73 ± 0.10), ascorbate (14.38 ± 0.40), flavonoids (36.58 ± 0.61) and reduced glutathione activity (14.20 ± 0.25) were found in bay leaf tea powder compared to bay leaf spice cube and fresh bay leaf. DPPH (92.23 ± 0.24) and hydroxyl activity (0.03 ± 0.00) were higher in bay leaf spice cube. Tannin content (9.28±0.76) and phytic acid content (149.53±24.73) was higher in bay leaf tea powder compared to other products. Results of the study show that bay leaf and its products are sources of natural antioxidants and are rich in nutrients like fiber, minerals and proteins. The processing and marketing of this underutilized forest produce is capable of creating employment and economic opportunities through various value added products processing activities, which can improve the food security of the forest communities

Determinants of menstrual hygiene among school going adolescent girls in a rural area of West Bengal

Background: Menstrual hygiene is a neglected issue in rural India. Lack of menstrual hygiene in adolescent girls can make them susceptible to various morbidities, for example, reproductive tract infection and urinary tract infection and their long-term consequences, for example, cervical cancer, infertility, and ectopic pregnancy. This study aims to find out the determinants of menstrual hygiene among the school going adolescent girls in a rural area of West Bengal. Objectives: To elicit the menstrual hygiene practices among the study population and to find out the association of poor menstrual hygiene practices with sociodemographic factors, such as age, occupation and education of the parents, housing, and presence of sanitary toilet. Materials and Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted among 307 school going adolescent girls of 12–17 years age group in a rural area of West Bengal. Results: Majority of the students in both schools (62.9%) were Hindu, general caste (54.1%) and belonged to nuclear family (69.7%). Most of the parents in both schools had completed their education up to primary level. Bivariate analyses were done, and the significant factors predicting good menstrual hygiene were entered into the multivariable logistic regression model. It revealed that good menstrual hygiene was more among those whose mothers were educated (adjusted odds ratios [AOR] 2.3 [1.06–5.01]), and who were homemakers (AOR 2.3 [1.06–5.01]). Conclusions: Menstrual hygiene among the study population was found to be poor. The improving education level of the mothers can go a long way in improving menstrual hygiene practice

High efficient de novo root-to-shoot organogenesis in Citrus jambhiri Lush.: Gene expression, genetic stability and virus indexing.

A protocol for high-frequency direct organogenesis from root explants of Kachai lemon (Citrus jambhiri Lush.) was developed. Full-length roots (~3 cm) were isolated from the in vitro grown seedlings and cultured on Murashige and Skoog basal medium supplemented with Nitsch vitamin (MSN) with different concentrations of cytokinin [6-benzylaminopurine, (BAP)] and gibberellic acid (GA3). The frequency of multiple shoot proliferation was very high, with an average of 34.3 shoots per root explant when inoculated on the MSN medium supplemented with BAP (1.0 mg L-1) and GA3 (1.0 mg L-1). Optimal rooting was induced in the plantlets under half strength MSN medium supplemented with indole-3-acetic acid (IAA, 0.5-1.0 mg L-1). IAA induced better root structure than 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), which was evident from the scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The expressions of growth regulating factor genes (GRF1 and GRF5) and GA3 signaling genes (GA2OX1 and KO1) were elevated in the regenerants obtained from MSN+BAP (1.0 mg L-1)+GA3 (1.0 mg L-1). The expressions of auxin regulating genes were high in roots obtained in ½ MSN+IAA 1.0 mg L-1. Furthermore, indexing of the regenerants confirmed that there was no amplicons detected for Huanglongbing bacterium and Citrus tristeza virus. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers detected no polymorphic bands amongst the regenerated plants. This is the first report that describes direct organogenesis from the root explant of Citrus jambhiri Lush. The high-frequency direct regeneration protocol in the present study provides an enormous significance in Citrus organogenesis, its commercial cultivation and genetic conservation

Supramolecular Arrangement and DFT analysis of Zinc(II) Schiff Bases: An Insight towards the Influence of Compartmental Ligands on Binding Interaction with Protein

We report, for the first time, a detailed crystallographic study of the supramolecular arrangement for a set of zinc(II) Schiff base complexes containing the ligand 2,6-bis((E)-((2-(dimethylamino)ethyl)imino)methyl)-4-R-phenol], where R=methyl/tert-butyl/chloro. The supramolecular study acts as a pre-screening tool for selecting the compartmental ligand R of the Schiff base for effective binding with a targeted protein, bovine serum albumin (BSA). The most stable hexagonal arrangement of the complex Zn-Me] (R=Me) stabilises the ligand with the highest FMO energy gap (Delta E=4.22 eV) and lowest number of conformations during binding with BSA. In contrast, formation of unstable 3D columnar vertebra for Zn-Cl] (R=Cl) tend to activate the system with lowest FMO gap (3.75 eV) with highest spontaneity factor in molecular docking. Molecular docking analyses reported in terms of 2D LigPlot+ identified site A, a cleft of domains IB, IIIA and IIIB, as the most probable protein binding site of BSA. Arg144, Glu424, Ser428, Ile455 and Lys114 form the most probable interactions irrespective of the type of compartmental ligands R of the Schiff base whereas Arg185, Glu519, His145, Ile522 act as the differentiating residues with Delta G=-7.3 kcal mol(-1)