Effect of Different GA3 Concentration and Frequency on Growth, Flowering and Yield in Gaillardia (Gaillardia pulchella Foug.) Cv. Lorenziana

The present experiment was conducted at the Horticultural Instructional Farm, Department of Horticulture, J.A.U., Junagadh during the winter 2004-05. The experiment comprised of ten treatments, viz., three concentrations of GA3 (50, 150, 250 ppm) at three frequencies (single, double and triple spray at 30, 45 and 60 days from transplanting) and control. Each treatment was replicated thrice in randomized block design. Of the different treatments, GA3 250 ppm single spray recorded maximum plant height and plant spread. Number of branches per plant was highest under double spray of GA3 at 50 ppm. Longest flowering duration, maximum flower diameter and maximum shelf-life were observed with single spray of 250 ppm GA3. It also registered maximum number and weight of flowers per plant besides highest flower yield

Lineage dynamics of murine pancreatic development at single-cell resolution.

Organogenesis requires the complex interactions of multiple cell lineages that coordinate their expansion, differentiation, and maturation over time. Here, we profile the cell types within the epithelial and mesenchymal compartments of the murine pancreas across developmental time using a combination of single-cell RNA sequencing, immunofluorescence, in situ hybridization, and genetic lineage tracing. We identify previously underappreciated cellular heterogeneity of the developing mesenchyme and reconstruct potential lineage relationships among the pancreatic mesothelium and mesenchymal cell types. Within the epithelium, we find a previously undescribed endocrine progenitor population, as well as an analogous population in both human fetal tissue and human embryonic stem cells differentiating toward a pancreatic beta cell fate. Further, we identify candidate transcriptional regulators along the differentiation trajectory of this population toward the alpha or beta cell lineages. This work establishes a roadmap of pancreatic development and demonstrates the broad utility of this approach for understanding lineage dynamics in developing organs

Design and development of Ga-substituted Z-type hexaferrites for microwave absorber applications: Mössbauer, static and dynamic properties

Gallium substituted Z-type Sr3GaxCo2-xFe24O41 (x = 0.0–2.0 in steps of 0.4) hexaferrites were synthesised by the sol-gel auto-combustion process, and sintered at 1150 °C. The structural, morphology, magnetic, Mössbauer, dielectric and microwave absorption properties were examined. XRD results of x = 0.0, 0.4, 0.8, and 1.2 samples show the formation of a single Z-type hexagonal phase. The samples x = 1.6 and 2.0 show the formation of Z and M phases. Hysteresis loops analysis suggest that samples x < 1.6 possess a soft magnetic nature, while the samples x = 1.6 and 2.0 show a hard ferrite characteristics. All samples possess multi-domain microstructures. The composition x = 0.4 [maximum MS = 97.94 Am2kg−1] was fitted with seven sextets (Fe3+) and a paramagnetic doublet-A (Fe3+), while beyond x ≥ 0.8 two more doublets (Fe2+) were observed along with seven sextets in Mössbauer spectra. The maximum values of Fe2+ ions (1.26%) and relative area of paramagnetic doublets (1.91%) were observed for x = 1.6 composition, which is also responsible for the lowest value of MS (69.99 Am2kg−1) for this composition. The average hyperfine magnetic field was found to decrease, whereas average quadrupole splitting was found to increase, with Ga-substitution. The substitution of Ga ions enhanced permeability, dielectric constant, magnetic loss and dielectric loss, in a non-linear fashion. The reflection loss was maximum at lower frequencies for samples x = 0.0 and 0.8, and decreases with frequency. Sample x = 0.8 has maximum reflection loss of −12.44 dB at 8 GHz, a measured thickness of 3 mm, and a bandwidth of −10 dB at 1.18 GHz. The observed absorption has been discussed with the help of the input impedance matching mechanism and quarter wavelength mechanism. The observed coercivity in different samples also influenced microwave absorption which demonstrated potenial in microwave absorber applications

Development of random mating population for genetic enhancement of yield traits in Indian mustard (Brassica juncea)

A random mating population of Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. & Coss.] utilizing 20 germplasm accessions/promising donors for component traits, was developed from 2007-08 to 2009-10. Single plant progenies (180) termed as ‘half sibs’ were developed from this population and evaluated during 2010-11 in augmented block design along with standard checks. Observations were recorded on siliquae/ plant, siliquae length, seeds/siliqua, seed yield/plant and 1000-seed weight. The estimates of heritability were observed to be high 59.16 to 97.94% for all the characters. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance and GCV were observed for siliquae/plant and seed yield/plant. Maximum number of half sib progenies showed significant superiority for 1000 seed weight (39.44%) followed by seed yield/plant (10.55%), siliquae length (5.5%), siliquae/plant (5%) and seeds/siliqua (1.66%). These progenies may be utilized for initiation of second cycle of selection/development of trait specific gene pools

Effect of pre-harvest spray of calcium nitrate, boric acid and zinc sulphate on yield and quality of Nagpur mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco)

An investigation was conducted on uniform, healthy, eight year old trees of Nagpur mandarin (citrus reticulata Blanco) at Fruit Research Farm, Department of Fruit Science at College of Horticulture and Forestry, Jhalawar during 16 September, 2014 to 1 March, 2015. Various doses of calcium nitrate (1.0%, 2.0% and 3.0 %), boric acid (0.2 %, 0.4 % and 0.6 %) and zinc sulphate (0.2 %, 0.4 % and 0.6 %) were sprayed before harvesting and compared with untreated ones. The results obtained indicated that the trees sprayed with T27 i.e. (calcium nitrate 3.0 % + boric acid 0.6 % + zinc sulphate 0.6 %) showed maximum increase diameter of fruit, fruit weight, fruit volume, number of fruits per plant, fruit yield per plant, estimated yield per hectare, reducing sugar, non reducing sugar, total sugar, juice per cent, sensory score and reduced peel thickness over control. Further, T24 treatment combination (calcium nitrate 3.0 % + boric acid 0.4 % + zinc sulphate 0.6 %) has also significantly increased number of segments per fruit, TSS, TSS: Acid ratio, ascorbic acid content, and reduced number of seeds per fruit and acidity percent of fruits

Effect of pre-harvest spray of calcium nitrate, boric acid and zinc sulphate on yield and quality of Nagpur mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco)

An investigation was conducted on uniform, healthy, eight year old trees of Nagpur mandarin (citrus reticulata Blanco) at FruitResearch Farm, Department of Fruit Science at College of Horticulture and Forestry, Jhalawar during 16 September, 2014 to 1 March, 2015.Various doses of calcium nitrate (1.0%, 2.0% and 3.0 %), boric acid (0.2 %, 0.4 % and 0.6 %) and zinc sulphate (0.2 %, 0.4 % and 0.6 %)were sprayed before harvesting and compared with untreated ones. The results obtained indicated that the trees sprayed with T27 i.e. (calciumnitrate 3.0 % + boric acid 0.6 % + zinc sulphate 0.6 %) showed maximum increase diameter of fruit, fruit weight, fruit volume, number offruits per plant, fruit yield per plant, estimated yield per hectare, reducing sugar, non reducing sugar, total sugar, juice per cent, sensory scoreand reduced peel thickness over control. Further, T24 treatment combination (calcium nitrate 3.0 % + boric acid 0.4 % + zinc sulphate 0.6 %)has also significantly increased number of segments per fruit, TSS, TSS: Acid ratio, ascorbic acid content, and reduced number of seeds perfruit and acidity percent of fruits

Investigation of structural, magnetic and dielectric properties of gallium substituted Z-type Sr3Co2-xGaxFe24O41 hexaferrites for microwave absorbers

Gallium substituted Z-type hexagonal ferrites with chemical composition Sr3Co2-xGaxFe24O41 (x = 0.0,0.4, 0.8, 1.2, 1.6, and 2.0) were successfully synthesised in air at 1200 °C for 5 h using the sol-gel auto-combustion technique, in order to investigate the effect of gallium substitution on structural, magnetic and dielectric properties. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis of all samples reveals the formation of mixed hexaferrite phases, with Z ferrite as the major phase (72–90%).The average crystallite size of heated powders was found to be in the range of 21–40 nm. The saturation magnetisation decreases after gallium substitution, with the lowest values of 64 Am2 kg−1 for composition x = 1.6, which also hasthe highest value of coercivity (28.3 kA m−1). Nevertheless, all were soft ferrites, with Hc between 3.4 and 28.3 kA m−1.The Mr/MS ratio of all samples was found to be less than 0.5, suggesting that all the compositions possess multi-domain microstructures. Mössbauer spectroscopic analysis confirmed that the Fe ions were found in the 3 + high spin state for compositions below x ≤ 0.4, whereas ∼1.5% of the Fe ions were converted into Fe2+ high spin state beyond x ≥ 0.8 compositions, as Ga3+ began to substitute for Fe3+, forming Fe2+ in the cobalt positions. The average hyperfine magnetic field () was found to be decreased with Ga-substitution. Dielectric parameters such as dielectric constant and loss factor were studied as a function of frequency, and their results show normal behaviour for ferrimagnetic materials. In complex measurements at microwave frequencies (8 GHz–12.5 GHz, the X-band), all samples had a real permittivity of around 8–14. For sample x = 2.0, a dielectric resonance peak was observed around 12.15 GHz. All showed a real permeability of around 1.0–1.4 over the frequency of 8 GHz–12.5 GHz range, and ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) was observed in x = 0.0 and 2.0 samples, at around 11 and 12 GHz, respectively. This suggests that the prepared samples can be used as microwave absorbers/EMI shielding at specific microwave frequencies. The co-existence of FMR and dielectric resonance at the same frequency of 12.15 GHz for x = 2.0 could lead to the coupling of these resonances and the development of potential metamaterials

Generation of Bianchi type V cosmological models with varying Λ\Lambda-term

Bianchi type V perfect fluid cosmological models are investigated with cosmological term $\Lambda$ varying with time. Using a generation technique (Camci {\it et al.}, 2001), it is shown that the Einstein's field equations are solvable for any arbitrary cosmic scale function. Solutions for particular forms of cosmic scale functions are also obtained. The cosmological constant is found to be decreasing function of time, which is supported by results from recent type Ia supernovae observations. Some physical aspects of the models are also discussed.Comment: 16 pages, 3 figures, submitted to CJ

Direct and indirect effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients with cardiomyopathy

Objectives: (i) To evaluate the prevalence and hospitalisation rate of COVID-19 infections amongst patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in the Royal Brompton & Harefield Hospital Cardiovascular Research Centre (RBHH CRC) Biobank. (ii) To evaluate the indirect impact of the pandemic on patients with cardiomyopathy through the Heart Hive COVID-19 study. (iii) To assess the impact of the pandemic on national cardiomyopathy-related hospital admissions. Methods: (i) 1,236 patients (703 DCM, 533 HCM) in the RBHH CRC Biobank were assessed for COVID-19 infections and hospitalisations; ii) 207 subjects (131 cardiomyopathy, 76 without heart disease) in the Heart Hive COVID-19 study completed online surveys evaluating physical health, psychological wellbeing, and behavioural adaptations during the pandemic; (iii) 11,447 cardiomyopathy-related hospital admissions across NHS England were studied from NHS Digital Hospital Episode Statistics over 2019-2020. Results: A comparable proportion of patients with cardiomyopathy in the RBHH CRC Biobank had tested positive for COVID-19 compared with the UK population (1.1% vs 1.6%, p=0.14), but a higher proportion of those infected were hospitalised (53.8% vs 16.5%, p=0.002). In the Heart Hive COVID-19 study, more patients with cardiomyopathy felt their physical health had deteriorated due to the pandemic than subjects without heart disease (32.3% vs 13.2%, p=0.004) despite only 4.6% of the cardiomyopathy cohort reporting COVID-19 symptoms. A 17.9% year-on-year reduction in national cardiomyopathy-related hospital admissions was observed in 2020. Conclusion: Patients with cardiomyopathy had similar reported rates of testing positive for COVID-19 to the background population, but those with test-proven infection were hospitalised more frequently. Deterioration in physical health amongst patients could not be explained by COVID-19 symptoms, inferring a significant contribution of the indirect consequences of the pandemic