Enhancement of bulk second-harmonic generation from silicon nitride films by material composition

We present a comprehensive tensorial characterization of second-harmonic generation from silicon nitride films with varying composition. The samples were fabricated using plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition, and the material composition was varied by the reactive gas mixture in the process. We found a six-fold enhancement between the lowest and highest second-order susceptibility, with the highest value of approximately 5 pm/V from the most silicon-rich sample. Moreover, the optical losses were found to be sufficiently small (below 6 dB/cm) for applications. The tensorial results show that all samples retain in-plane isotropy independent of silicon content, highlighting the controllability of the fabrication process.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, 2 tables; Re-submitted to Optics Letter

Effect of lateral crushing on tensile property of bamboo, modal and tencel fibres

The effect of lateral crushing on the tensile properties of bamboo, modal and tencel fibres has been investigated. A fibre crushing apparatus has been used for the purpose of lateral crushing of fibres. The influence of transverse compression on the axial mechanical properties of these fibres has been analysed. The study reveals that modal fibre sustained a higher loss in tensile properties compared to bamboo and tencel. The general phenomenon obtained from the study is that the percentage loss of strength and breaking extension varies from one fibre to another based on the fibre type and morphology

Seasonal and annual variations in fish and macro-crustacean fauna in the shore seine fishery of Karwar, Karnataka

Karwar coast of Karnataka is known for sandy beaches, and these beaches apart from providing the aesthetic beauty, are supporting traditional fishermen of the coast for finding their livelihood avenues. Traditionally the beaches of Karwar is known for shore-seine operations, known as rampani fishery. Rampani nets were made of coir ropes and the nets were operated from October to March, exclusively targeting mackerel and sardines

Lost equivalence of nonlinear sigma and CP1CP^{1} models on noncommutative space

We show that the equivalence of nonlinear sigma and $CP^{1}$ models which is valid on the commutative space is broken on the noncommutative space. This conclusion is arrived at through investigation of new BPS solitons that do not exist in the commutative limit.Comment: 17 pages, LaTeX2

Escape of a Uniform Random Walk from an Interval

We study the first-passage properties of a random walk in the unit interval in which the length of a single step is uniformly distributed over the finite range [-a,a]. For a of the order of one, the exit probabilities to each edge of the interval and the exit time from the interval exhibit anomalous properties stemming from the change in the minimum number of steps to escape the interval as a function of the starting point. As a decreases, first-passage properties approach those of continuum diffusion, but non-diffusive effects remain because of residual discreteness effectsComment: 8 pages, 8 figures, 2 column revtex4 forma

Combating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder with natural treatment

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a weakening mental health problem that hampers the child development. Both the hereditary and ecological elements are the primary causes behind the challenge and possibly will be different among persons. The drugs are used for ADHD may be enhancing the health problem. Therefore, huge requirement of ayurvedic based foodstuff is anticipated among the end users that are expected to be healthy as well as afford additional functional benefits. An ayurvedic plant such as brahmi (Bacopamonnieri and Centellaasiatica) is reported to have much useful functional benefits. Brahmi is well-known to harness reminiscence, perception, being sensible and further mental disorderliness. The present review enlightens the functional properties of brahmi for children with ADHD, including intervention programme

Efficient in vitro organogenesis and plantlets regeneration in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)-an important oilseed crop

The regeneration methods in Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) already developed were genotype dependent and were unsuccessful for Indian cultivars. Hence, an efficient protocol for in vitro organogenesis and plant regeneration in sesame was attempted with TMV 3 cultivar. Immature cotyledons derived from 1-week old seedlings were cultured on MS (Murashige and Shoog) medium fortified with different concentrations of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), thidiazuran (TDZ) and kinetin for adventitious shoot induction. It was found that optimal medium for direct shoot formation was MS with BAP (2.0 mg/l) at a frequency of 74% with an average of 4.5 shoots per expalnt. The shoot regeneration frequency was significantly reduced with either TDZ or kinetin when compared with BAP alone. Elongated individual shoots were transferred on MS media supplemented with Indole Butyric Acid (IBA; 0.5 mg/l) showed rooting frequency of 70%. The rooted plantlets were acclimatized to potting mixture containing sand, soil and clay mixture and grown to maturity with survival rate of 65 %. No phenotypic aberrations were observed among the ex vitro transferred plantlets. The protocol described here assures a high frequency of shoot regeneration, root induction and also plant survival rate

Fabrication of green nanoinsecticides from agri-waste of corn silk and its larvicidal and antibiofilm properties

he corn silk (CS) is composed of the thread- like stigmas of female inflorescences of Zea mays L. and represents an important waste material from maize crop production that can be recycled in further applications. In this research, the CS was used for the bio-fabrication of Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) that were evaluated against (I–V) larval instars and pupae of the mosquito vector Aedes aegypti. CS-AgNPs were characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy, TEM, EDAX, XRD, FTIR, DLS, and zeta potential analysis. Z. mays extract analyzed by gas chro- matography mass spectrometry reveals 14 compounds. The larvicidal effectiveness of CS-fabricated AgNPs was 2.35 μg·mL−1 (I Instar) to 6.24 μg·mL−1 (pupae). The field application in water storage reservoirs of both CS extracts and CS-AgNPs (10 × LC50) led to a 68–69% reduction in larval density after 72 h post-treatment. Ecotoxicological impact of CS-fabricated AgNPs was evaluated on the pre- datory efficacy of Poecilia reticulata on all the larval instars and pupae of Ae. aegypti. Finally, CS-AgNPs were tested to elucidate its anti-biofilm attributes. The CS-AgNPs at 125 μg·mL−1 showed a biofilm inhibition of 90% on S. aureus and 79% on S. epidermidis. These results support the use of CS-AgNPs for futuristic green alternative to mosquito vector management

A high-affinity antibody against the CSP N-terminal domain lacks Plasmodium falciparum inhibitory activity

Malaria is a global health concern and research efforts are ongoing to develop a superior vaccine to RTS,S/AS01. To guide immunogen design, we seek a comprehensive understanding of the protective humoral response against Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein (PfCSP). In contrast to the well-studied responses to the repeat region and the C-terminus, the antibody response against the N-terminal domain of PfCSP (N-CSP) remains obscure. Here, we characterized the molecular recognition and functional efficacy of the N-CSP-specific monoclonal antibody 5D5. The crystal structure at 1.85 Åresolution revealed that 5D5 binds an α-helical epitope in N-CSP with high affinity through extensive shape and charge complementarity, and the unusual utilization of an N-linked glycan. Nevertheless, functional studies indicated low 5D5 binding to live Pf sporozoites, and lack of sporozoite inhibition in vitro and in mosquitoes. Overall, our data on low recognition and inhibition of sporozoites do not support the inclusion of the 5D5 epitope into the next generation of CSP-based vaccines.Summary Statement The Plasmodium falciparum sporozoite surface protein, PfCSP, is an attractive vaccine target, but the antibody response against the CSP N-terminal domain has remained understudied. Here, to guide immunogen design, Thai et al. provide insights into the binding motif and functional efficacy of the N-terminal domain-specific monoclonal antibody, 5D5

Ultrasonic technology applied against mosquito larvae

The effective management of mosquito vectors is a timely challenge for medical and veterinary entomology. In this study, we evaluated the acoustic Larvasonic device to control young instars of the mosquito Aedes aegypti in diverse freshwater environments. Under laboratory conditions, we investigated the effect of exposure time and distance from the transducer on the mortality of larvae and pupae of Ae. aegypti. Furthermore, we evaluated the effectiveness of the ultrasound window of the electromagnetic spectrum under different field conditions. Results showed that first and second instar larvae were more sensitive to the frequency range of 18-30 kHz of the Larvasonic device. Ultrasonic waves applied for 180 s at a frequency from 18 to 30 kHz caused 100% larval mortality at a distance of 60 cm from the transducer. No mortality was observed in the non-target copepod Megacyclops formosanus. The exposure to the soundwaves produced by the acoustic larvicidal device over different distances effectively damaged Ae. aegypti through destruction of the larval dorsal tracheal trunk, thorax and abdomen. Overall, results indicated that the Larvasonic device tested can provide an alternative tool to reduce young instar populations of Ae. aegypti, without any effects on non-target aquatic invertebrates like copepods. It turned out to be a useful device for mosquito biocontrol. This technology has a relevant potential to fight the spread of mosquito-borne diseases