The generalized gradient approximation kernel in time-dependent density functional theory

A complete understanding of a material requires both knowledge of the excited states as well as of the ground state. In particular, the low energy excitations are of utmost importance while studying the electronic, magnetic, dynamical, and thermodynamical properties of the material. Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory (TDDFT), within the linear regime, is a successful \textit{ab-initio} method to access the electronic charge and spin excitations. However, it requires an approximation to the exchange-correlation (XC) kernel which encapsulates the effect of electron-electron interactions in the many-body system. In this work we derive and implement the spin-polarized XC kernel for semi-local approximations such as the adiabatic Generalized Gradient Approximation (AGGA). This kernel has a quadratic dependence on the wavevector, {\bf q}, of the perturbation, however the impact of this on the electron energy loss spectra (EELS) is small. Although the GGA functional is good in predicting structural properties, it generality overestimates the exchange spin-splitting. This leads to higher magnon energies, as compared to both ALDA and experiment. In addition, interaction with the Stoner spin-flip continuum is enhanced by AGGA, which strongly suppresses the intensity of spin-waves.Comment: 11 pages, 7 figure

Primera cita de Botrytis cinerea sobre Lilium polyphyllum, especie en peligro de extinción en Uttarakhand, India

Dhyani, A. High Altitude Plant Physiology Research Centre. Srinagar, Pauri Garhwal, Uttarakhand, India.Nautiyal, B. P. Department of Horticulture. Aromatic and Medicinal Plant, Mizoram University, Aizawl, India.Nautiyal, M. C. High Altitude Plant Physiology Research Centre. Srinagar, Pauri Garhwal, Uttarakhand, India.Rivera, Marta Carolina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía. Departamento de Producción Vegetal. Cátedra de Fitopatología. Buenos Aires, Argentina.Prasad, D. University of Agriculture and Technology. College of Forestry and Hill Agriculture.Plant Pathology Section. Ranichauri, India.Singh, K. P. University of Agriculture and Technology. College of Forestry and Hill Agriculture.Plant Pathology Section. Ranichauri, India.157-159Lilium polyphyllum es una planta herbácea que se encuentra en estado de peligro en ambientes naturales de Uttarakhand, India. La enfermedad conocida como moho gris fue detectada sobre esta especie desde Julio a Agosto (2008-2009) causando muerte de inflorescencias y varas. Botrytis cinerea fue aislado consistentemente de inflorescencias. Su patogenicidad fue confirmada mediante inoculación de plantas de L. polyphyllum cultivadas en macetas en un invernáculo. Como resultado, se cita a Botrytis cinerea por primera vez como causante de moho gris sobre Lilium polyphyllum en India, cuyos síntomas son tizón de flores y varas. Esta enfermedad puede afectar seriamente a este hospedante en riesgo durante su estado reproductivo. A nuestro entender, no existe otro antecedente de B. cinerea sobre este hospedante

Effect of moon light and lunar periodicity on the attraction of black cutworm Moth Agrotis Flammatara (Schiffer - Mueller) on light trap

The effect of moon light and lunar periodicty on the attraction of cutworm moth, Agrotis flammatra (Schiffer Mueller) was studied during active periods (rainy season) in 1997 and 1998 at Horticulture Research Block of Hill Campus, Ranichauri (1600m ASL). In the light trap, a mercury vapour electric bulb (160 Watt) was used as the source of light. The moths attracted to the light trap during the active period were collected and recorded daily. Number of moths trapped on the light trap was correlated with the degree of moon phase of different days of a lunar cycle. The results indicated that the number of moths attracted to light trap was consistently very low during moonlight nights around full moon. A highly significant inverse linear correlation between the degree of moon phase and light trap catches was observed. On the average, the attraction response of cutworm moths was stronger in descending phase as compared to ascending phase

Pollen germination studies in Giant Himalayan Lily (Cardiocrinum giganteum Wall.) a high value of ornamental plant in Western Himalayan region

Giant Himalayan lily (Cardiocrinum giganteum Wall.) is a perennial bulbiferous herb of Liliaceae and an endemic species in the eastern Himalayan region, which has become one of the new flower crops because of its high ornamental value. The present investigationwas conducted to study pollen morphologyi.e., fresh pollen grains size was measured in different media, viz., water, acetocarmine, glycerol and without any medium (dry). The pollen grains of Giant Himalayan lily exhibited the average size (length x width) of (22.64 x 19.72μ) in water suspension. The result revealed that in glycerine and dry condition shape of pollen grains was perprolate. However, in water and acetocarmine it looked was round in shape. The result also shown that highest pollen germination (54.70%, 63.69%) and pollen tube growth (89.24μ, 175.85μ) in 10% sucrose solution for 12 hours and 24 hours respectively. In control light treatments, red light was found to be best in pollen germination and pollen tube growth

Cultivation of Angelica archangelica Linn.: evaluation for economical viability at two different climatic conditions

ABSTRACT Cultivation of an important sub alpine-alpine medicinal and aromatic herb, Angelica archangelica Linn. (Apiaceae), was carried out at two different climatic zone at 2200 m asl (Pothivasa, PV) and 3600 m asl (Tungnath, TN) altitudes in Garhwal, North west Himalaya, India. These altitudes represent temperate and alpine region of the Himalaya. Since the species has a very few wild populations, cultivation of the species is recommended for its medicinal use. After the establishment of sufficient quantity of seedlings, they were transplanted in both sites at the age of two, three and four months for the comparative accounts on survival, growth and yield and, to test the appropriate age of seedlings for transplantation and climatic suitability for cultivation of the species. Organic cultivation protocol was adopted by using different farm yard manure (FYM) as treatments. Yield was minimum in youngest seedlings (two months old ) transplanted at TN in ordinary alpine soil (control) and maximum under polyhouse beds at PV after three years of growth. Observations on yield at different climatic zone revealed that it was maximum in PV (temperate site) as compared to alpine site (natural site) in all treatments. Seedlings of different age also had better survival, growth and yield at the temperate site though; two months old seedlings after transplantation had comparatively slow growth and yield than those of three and four months seedlings. These observations clearly suggested that temperate region (2200 m) is suitable for cultivation of A. archangelica. Addition of manure (leaf litter in particular) and polyhouse cultivation further improved the yield. Economical viability of the cultivation was also observed and presented here

An overview of the predictors of symptomatic urinary tract infection among nursing students

Background: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the most common infection experienced by humans after respiratory and gastro‑intestinal infections, and also the most common cause of nosocomial infections for patients admitted to hospitals indeed UTIs are the most frequent bacterial infection in women. Aim: The aim was to determine the prevalence of UTI and to identify factors associated with an increased risk of UTI among nursing students. Subjects and Methods: The cross‑sectional study involved 177 unmarried nursing students aged 18–30 years studying in the SRMSIMS, Nursing College Bareilly. A structured questionnaire was used, and study subjects were asked regarding the symptoms of UTI in the previous 3 months. Chi‑square test and Univariate Logistic Regression was used to analyze the data. Results: The overall prevalence of UTI was found to be 19.8% (35/177). Rural background, inadequate water intake, and unsatisfactory toilet habits were found to be strong predictors of UTI. Conclusions: There is an urgent need to sensitize the nursing students regarding the growing need of the issue so that they themselves become aware in addition to raising the awareness of other high‑risk groups.Keywords: Nursing students, Prevalence, Urinary tract infectio

Ecological features and traditional knowledge of Roscoea alpina Royle a medicinal plant in Himalaya

167-173Roscoea alpina Royle (Zingiberaceae) commonly known as Kakoli is a perennial medicinal plant endemic to the Himalayas. It has been used in vitality strengthening Ayurveda groups i.e., Astavarga and Jeevaniyagana and in preparation of Ayurvedic formulations e.g., Chyavanprasha and Divya Pidantak Tail. Considering its medicinal uses, high demand and overexploitation, natural habitats were surveyed in subalpine and alpine regions of Garhwal Himalaya for population estimation and to identify elite germplasm. R. alpina frequency was recorded more than 60% in Tungnath, Dayara, Valley of Flowers and Kedarnath populations. However, plant density and area occupied were low compared to other species of subalpine and alpine site. For threat category assessment, IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria were used and conservation status was assigned, based on site to site and for entire Garhwal region of the Western Himalaya. R. alpina, based on extent of occurrence was categorized as Vulnerable and based on number of mature individuals as Endangered for the Garhwal Himalaya. Further, habitat destruction and degradation were the major threats for population reduction in the wild. Morphological variation revealed plants from Tungnath and Kedarnath may be used for future propagation and domestication programs

Economic dynamics of tissue cultured strawberry (Fragaria× ananassa) under the influence of integrated plant nutrients in humid sub tropical hills of North Eastern India

Satisfactory and sustainable level of agricultural production can be achieved by combined application of inorganic fertilizers with organic manures, bio-fertilizers, bio-regulators and vermicompost. A field experiment was conducted during 2010-12 at experimental farm, Department of Horticulture, Aromatic and Medicinal Plants, Mizoram University, Aizawl, India, to find out the profitability of tissue cultured strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) (cv. Festival) cultivation by using various integrated plant nutrient system (IPNS) combining inorganic fertilizers with organic manures, bio-fertilizers and bio-regulators. The response of IPNS on economics of strawberry indicated that the overall cost of cultivation as well as economics of strawberry production was significantly influenced by integration of various components. Among the different treatments, the highest expenditure of Rupees 2 077 576.83/ha was incurred in 100% RDF + vermicompost as against the lowest in control. With respect to the income, the highest net income of Rupees 7 298 119.27/ha was obtained in 75 % RDF + vermicompost + Azospirillum + PSB + 50 ppm GA3+50 ppm BA. The same treatment also recorded the highest cost benefit ratio of 1: 3.51

Evaluation of maize (Zea mays) hybrids for leaf thermo-stability, photosynthetic rate, stem reserves and productivity under rain-dependent conditions

Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the most versatile crops probably due to its wider adaptability and photosynthetic efficiency but drought and higher temperature tolerance are prerequisite for cultivation under rain-dependent conditions. Fifteen maize hybrids were evaluated for yield and yield attributes during two consecutive years, i.e. 2011 and 2012, and heat tolerance and stem reserves (starch + sugars) during 2012. Leaf photosynthetic rate (PN) was measured during 2012 and 2013. Analysis of variance of grain yield and its attributes during two years showed significant variations in genotype (G), year of cultivation (Y) and their interaction (G × Y). Tasseling and silking intervals were least in PHM-1 and Parakash during both the years. Leaf relative injury index (RI) varied between 40% in both Parakash and PHM-1, and 74% in HQPM-1. Thus, hybrids were classified based on RI values such as tolerant (RI between 40 and 49%), moderately tolerant (RI between 50 and 59%) and susceptible (RI≥60). In general, PN enhanced from vegetative to anthesis and thereafter declined during grain filling stages. This was attributed to reproductive sink-driven demand. Stem reserves (non-structural carbohydrates) were higher in Parakash, HQPM 7 and JH-3459. In addition, grain protein and starch contents during milking stage were higher in DHM-117, Parakash and DHM-3. Average values of biomass and grain yields recorded during two consecutive years ranged between 1 874 and 4 769 g/m2, and 809 and 1 669 g/m2, respectively. Also, associations between various attributes of grain yield, photosynthesis, leaf temperature, RI and stem reserves were established, and potential hybrids were identified. Especially, hybrids Parakash and PHM-1 were found efficient in most of the parameters studied, such as, heat tolerance, lesser tassling and silking interval, relatively lower stem diameter at final harvest, higher stem reserves, PN, 1 000-seed mass, HI, grain and biomass yields

Proteomic analysis of heparin-binding proteins from human seminal plasma: a step towards identification of molecular markers of male fertility

Glycosaminoglycans, especially heparin, are involved in various cell processes such as apoptosis, cell cycle control, platelet activation, capacitation, acrosome reaction and sperm decondensation. Heparin-binding proteins (HBPs) are essential constituents of human seminal fluid, which bind to sperm lipids containing the phosphorylcholine group and mediate the fertilization process. We utilized a proteomic set-up consisting of affinity chromatography, isoelectric focusing (IEF) coupled with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (MALDI TOF/MS) for protein analysis of human HBPs. We resolved 70 different spots on two-dimensional (2-D) gel and subsequently identified these proteins. Forty different types of proteins were identified. Functional analysis revealed that 38% of the proteins belonged to the enzyme category, 20% were involved in RNA processing and transcription, 18% in structure and transport function, and 16% in cell recognition and signal transduction. We also identified 8% of proteins with unknown functions, although their expression in seminal fluid has been documented. Proteins of seminal fluid that bind heparin may be directly involved in sperm capacitation and acrosome reaction (AR), which are the two critical steps for fertilization. This information on HBPs would be useful for identifying potential biomarkers of fertility in the near future