EVALUATION OF THE EFFECT OF ELEVATED CO2 ON BIOEFFICACY OF BUPROFEZIN INSECTICIDE AGAINST BROWN PLANT HOPPER, Nilaparvata lugens (STÅL)

The effect of elevated CO2 (570±25ppm) on the brown plant hopper (BPH) population, rice yield parameters, and efficacy of buprofezin (0.05%) in terms of spray volume was studied in an open top chamber (OTCs) during rainy season 2017 and 2018. The pest population was observed to be higher during 2017 compared to the rainy season of 2018. Under elevated CO2, rice plants had more vegetative tillers (18%) and reproductive tillers (22.1%), but there was a decrease in 1000-seed weight (11.2%), seed number per panicle (3.91%), and grain yield (18.8%) in comparison to ambient CO2 grown rice plants. The spray volumes of 700, 600, 500, and 400 l/ha each caused higher BPH mortality under ambient CO2 compared to elevated CO2. A spray volume of 500 l/ha did not prove as effective under elevated CO2 as under ambient CO2. Lower efficacy of spray volume of 500 l/ha under elevated CO2 could be ascribed to higher canopy size under elevated CO2 due to higher tillering. Increased crop canopy size under elevated CO2 may thus require higher spray volume to ensure proper coverage. Results of the study suggested a need to revise spray volume recommendations to facilitate effective management of BPH under climate change

COMPARATIVE IN VITRO ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF ETHYL ACETATE AND ETHANOL EXTRACTS OF CALLICARPA MACROPHYLLA

Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate and compare the antioxidant activity of (EA and E) ethyl acetate and ethanol extracts of (CM) Callicarpa macrophylla. Methods: The physiochemical parameters were assessed according to guidelines given by the world health organization. The total content of phenols and flavonoids was assessed by Folin–Ciocalteu and aluminum chloride methods. In vitro, antioxidant activity was screened by (DPPH) 1, 1-diphenyl-2- picrylhydrazyl and(H2O2) hydrogen peroxide scavenging and reducing power assay. Results: The physicochemical parameters fulfilled the standards of WHO guidelines. Total phenol and flavonoid content were more in ethanol extract as compared to ethyl acetate extract of CM. The antioxidant activity of ethanol extract was further high as compared to ethyl acetate extract of Callicarpa macrophylla. The IC50 of Callicarpa macrophylla ethanol extract was less than the ethyl acetate extract. So, more antioxidant activity of ethanol extract compared to ethyl acetate extract of CM. Conclusion: Overall, both the extracts showed antioxidant activity and can be used further for diseases that can be managed using antioxidants. Ethanol extract possessed significant antioxidant effects than the ethyl acetate extract

A REVIEW FROM HISTORICAL TO CURRENT-CELASTRUS PANICULATUS

Celastrus paniculatus is commonly known as “Malkangani”, widely distributed in the Maldives, Australia, China, Cambodia, Malaysia, Taiwan, Nepal, Thailand as well as in the Pacific Islands and all over India mainly Maharashtra, Orissa and Andaman and Nicobar group of Islands on an altitude of 1800m. It climbs up to over 10m. The leaves are ovate or elliptic in shape with dentate margin. Seeds are ellipsoid or ovoid, yellowish-brown in color and grow inside the capsules. Celastrus paniculatus (Malkangni) is used in Ayurveda as a nervine tonic, tranquilizer and diuretic and in rheumatism, gout, leprosy and asthma. Different Parts of Celastrus paniculatus after extraction and fractionation give different active constituents such as sesquiterpene esters-malkanguinol, malkangunin, sesquiterpene alkaloids-celapanin, celapanigin, alkaloids-celastrine, paniculatine, fatty acids-oleic acid, palmittic acid, linoleic acid and stearic acid, crystalline substance tetracasanol and sterol. Different pharmacological activities are anti-rheumatic, anti-fungal, nootropic activity, antimalarial activity, anti spermatogenic effect, anti-anxiety and anti-atherosclerotic effect. In the present review, our target is to search, bring together and compile the data of Celastrus paniculatus, which have less side effects and very valuable for the treatment of rheumatism. Related information is procured from various scientific publications using online, seek out engines such as Google scholar, Pubmed and Science Direct. A total of 200 articles was reviewed out of which 55 articles are selected to review for the description of the plant, parts used, chemical constituents, traditional uses and for reported activities

Spray deposited copper zinc tin sulphide (Cu<inf>2</inf>ZnSnS<inf>4</inf>) film as a counter electrode in dye sensitized solar cells

Stoichiometric thin films of Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) were deposited by the spray technique on a FTO coated glass substrate, with post-annealing in a H2S environment to improve the film properties. CZTS films were used as a counter electrode (CE) in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSCs) with N719 dye and an iodine electrolyte. The DSC of 0.25 cm2 area using a CE of CZTS film annealed in a H2S environment under AM 1.5G illumination (100 mW cm-2) exhibited a short circuit current density (JSC) = 18.63 mA cm-2, an open circuit voltage (VOC) = 0.65 V and a fill factor (FF) = 0.53, resulting in an overall power conversion efficiency (PCE) = 6.4%. While the DSC using as deposited CZTS film as a CE showed the PCE = 3.7% with JSC = 13.38 mA cm-2, VOC = 0.57 V and FF = 0.48. Thus, the spray deposited CZTS films can play an important role as a CE in the large area DSC fabrication. © the Partner Organisations 2014

Influence Of Tillage Practices And Residue Management Practices on Yield Attributes And Yield Of Maize In Maize-Based Cropping Systems Under Semi-Arid Tropics

A field experiment was conducted during kharif and rabi in 2016-17 and 2017-18 at International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-arid Tropics, Patancheru, Hyderabad to study the influence of tillage practices and residue management practices on yield attributes and yield of maize in maize-based cropping systems under semi-arid tropics. The field experiment was laid out on broad-beds and furrows in a split-split design with four replications under rainfed conditions. Main plot consisted of two tillage practices (minimum tillage and conventional tillage), sub-plot of two crop residue management practices (residue addition and no-residue addition) and sub-sub plot of two cropping systems (Maize-chickpea sequential cropping and maize+pigeonpea intercropping system). The results revealed that yield and yield attributes of maize did not vary significantly due to tillage practices, however, minimum tillage led to considerable yield losses. Among the residue management practices, addition of crop residue recorded significantly higher yield and yield attributes (cob girth, number of grain rows and test weight) as compared to no residue addition. Yield attributes and yield remained non-significant among the two cropping systems

Clinicopathological observations on incidental appendicectomy in a tertiary care teaching hospital, Ranchi

Background: Incidental appendectomy&nbsp;is defined as the removal of a clinically normal appendix during non-appendiceal surgery.&nbsp; This study was conducted at RIMS, Ranchi to document effects of incidental appendicectomy on overall morbidity and mortality while performing the intra-abdominal operation and also to study the frequency of pathological findings in incidentally removed appendices and the correlation between the pathology in the appendix with known aetiological factors for acute appendicitis. Materials &amp; Methods: The diagnosis of the primary intra-abdominal pathology was made on the basis of a detailed history through clinical examination, supported by laboratory investigations and confirmed during operation besides, the patients. The clinical setting-emergency or elective laparotomy in which the appendix was removed was noted. Laparotomy incision used was noted with regard to the case with which the appendix could be approached. The naked eye examination of the appendix was noted. A piece of appendix was collected for histopathological examination. Results: About 42% of patients were below 30 years of age. Approximately 68% of female patients were below 40 years of age. Diseases of the extra-hepatic biliary tree were the most frequent indications for operation in female patients (91%).&nbsp; Contaminated operations formed 88% of abdominal operations. Appendix could be easily approached and removed in 90% of the laparotomies. Operative time (length of anaesthesia) was increased by an average of 7.7 minutes. Retrocaecal position was the commonest site of appendix (68%). Length of appendices varied between 2.5-15 cms, majority being about 5-10 cms in length. Fibrotic changes with luminal obliteration were observed in 15% of appendices. Faecoliths alone or with bands, kings, adhesions or thickening of wall of appendix were present in 12% cases. Evidence of focal or catarrhal appendicitis was evident in 3% cases. Post-operative hospital stay was 12 days or less in the majority of patients (93%). Conclusion: An incidental appendicectoy should be performed when operating in abdomen for the surgical treatment of some other diseases, where no contraindication exists. The added procedure does not increase either intra-operative risk or post-operative complications and spares the patient from the possible subsequent development of acute appendicitis

Study the antimicrobial agents sensitivity of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from patients admitted in RIMS, Ranchi

Background: Methicillin-resistant&nbsp;Staphylococcus aureus&nbsp;(MRSA) is a major cause of hospital-acquired infections that are becoming increasingly difficult to combat because of emerging resistance to all current antibiotic classes. For this, study of MRSA isolated from admitted patients were carried out. These strains were separately tested for their sensitivity to different antibiotics to know which group of antibiotics are most effective particularly for cases of RIMS, Ranchi. Material &amp; Methods: The present study was carried out in the Department of Microbiology, Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Ranchi clinical isolates of MRSA strains were obtained from admitted patients of RIMS, Ranchi. The sources of isolate included pus from infected surgical wounds, infected burn wounds, conjunctival swab, aural swab, throat swab, vaginal swab, urine etc for microbiological analysis and antimicrobial sensitivity of MRSA. Disc diffusion method was employed. Results: All the 264 cases of staphylococcal species isolated from different clinical specimens were subjected to coagulase test. It was observed that out of 264 strains of staphylococci isolated from different sites 165 strains (62.5%) were coagulase positive and 99 strains (37.5%) were coagulase negative by tube method. It was observed that out of 165 strains of staph. aureus isolated from different clinical samples 64 strains of staph. aureus were resistant to methicillin (38.78%). Maximum isolation of MRSA were from pus 38 (51.35%), followed by throat swab 19 (36.36%), aural swab (14.28%) and conjunctival swab (44.44%). It was observed that out of 165 strains of s. aureus isolated only 64 strains were resistant to methicillin. All strains of MRSA were 100% sensitive to Vancomycin &amp; linezolid. Similarly 92.3% were sensitive to netilmicin, 89.7% to clindamycin, 82.1% to ciprofloxacin, 74.4% to cephotaxime, 69.2% to azithromycin, 56.4% to roxithromycin &amp; clarithromycin, 17.9% to piperacillin/tazobactam. The most effective antibiotic against MRSA was vancomycin, linezolid, netilmicin &amp; clindamycin. Conclusion: After comparing the effectiveness of antibiotics against MRSA infection it can be concluded that piperacillin/tazobactam, clarithromycin, roxithromycin azithromycin, cefotaxime &amp; ciprofloxacin are of little value in treating the MRSA infection. They should not be used indiscriminately and in a haphazard manner otherwise increment in emergence of resistant strains may not be checked

Estimation of hypocentral parameters of local earthquakes when crustal layers have constant P-velocities and dipping interfaces

The paper describes an algorithm for estimating the hypocentral coordinates and origin time of local earthquakes when the wave speed model to be employed is a layered one with dipping interfaces. A constrained least-squared error problem has been solved using the penalty function approach, in conjunction with the sequential unconstrained optimization technique of Fiacco and McCormick. Joint confidence intervals for the computed parameters are estimated using the approach of Bard for nonlinear problems. These results show that when a hypocentre lies outside the array of recording stations and head waves from a dipping interface are involved, then its inclination must be taken into account for dip angles exceeding 5°

Controlling molecular conformation for highly efficient and stable deep-blue copolymer light-emitting diodes

We report a novel approach to the achievement of deep-blue, high-efficiency, and long-lived solution processed polymer light-emitting diodes (PLEDs) via a simple molecular-level conformation change whereby we introduce rigid β-phase segments into a 95% fluorene - 5% arylamine copolymer emission layer (EML). The arylamine moieties at low density act as efficient exciton formation sites in PLEDs whilst the conformational change alters the nature of the dominant luminescence from a broad, charge-transfer like emission to a significantly blue-shifted and highly vibronically structured, excitonic emission. As a consequence, we observe a significant improvement in Commission International de L'Eclairage (CIE) (x, y) co-ordinates from (0.149, 0.175) to (0.145, 0.123) whilst maintaining high efficiency and improving stability. We achieve peak luminous efficiency, η = 3.60 cd/A and luminous power efficiency, ηw = 2.44 lm/W; values that represent state of the art performance for single copolymer deep-blue PLEDs. These values are five-fold better than for otherwise-equivalent, β-phase poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene) (PFO) EML PLEDs (0.70 cd/A and 0.38 lm/W). This report represents the first demonstration of the use of molecular conformation as a vector to control the optoelectronic properties of a fluorene copolymer; previous examples have been confined to homopolymers