Chromium translocation, concentration and its phytotoxic impacts in in vivo grown seedlings of Sesbania sesban L. Merrill.

The present in vivo pot culture study showed hexavalent chromium (Cr+6) induced phytotoxic impacts and its translocation potential in 21 days old sesban (Sesbania sesban L. Merrill.) seedlings. Cr+6 showed significant growth retardation in 21 days old sesban (Sesbania sesban L. Merrill.) seedlings. Germination of seeds at 10,000 mg L−1 of Cr+6 exhibit 80% inhibition in germination. Seedling survival was 67% after 7 days of seedling exposure to 300 mg kg−1 of Cr+6. Shoot phytotoxicity was enhanced from 6% to 31% with elevated supply of Cr+6 from 10 mg kg−1 to 300 mg kg−1. Elevated supply of Cr+6 exhibited increasing and decreasing trends in % phytotoxicity and seedling tolerance index, respectively. Elevated supply of chromium showed decreased chlorophyll and catalase activities. Peroxidase activities in roots and leaves were significantly higher at increased supply of Cr+6. Cr bioconcentration in roots was nearly 10 times more than stems whereas leaves showed nearly double accumulation than stems. Tissue specific chromium bioaccumulation showed 53 and 12 times more in roots and shoots respectively at 300 mg kg−1 Cr+6 than control. The present study reveals potential of sesban for effective Cr translocation from roots to shoots as evident from their translocation factor and Total Accumulation Rate values

Comparative P solubilizing efficiencies of five acid soil bacteria incubated with calcium, aluminium and iron phosphates

As acid soils of Odisha have been facing a major constraint in phosphorus availability, application of native P solubilizing bacteria could be promising as well as ecofriendly step towards sustainable P availability for crop growth and development. To address the problem of P availability in acid soil of Bhubaneswar, Odisha, rhizosphere soil samples (pH ≤ 5.50) with rice – pulses (green gram/black gram) cropping system were collected and phosphate solubilising bacteria were isolated. In vitro characterization of the PSB isolates were conducted with calcium, aluminium and iron phosphates to recover soluble P. All the five strains i.e. Bacillus cereus BLS18 (KT582541), Bacillus amyloliquefaciens CTC12 (KT633845), Burkholderia cepacia KHD08 (KT717633), Burkholderia cepacia KJR03 (KT717634), Burkholderia cepacia K1 (KM030037) could solubilize Ca3(PO4)2, AlPO4, FePO4, and Fe3(PO4)2. Higher recovery of soluble P was with Ca3(PO4)2 while the least was with AlPO4. All the strains exibited a trend similar with respect to P recovery i.e. Ca3(PO4)2 > FePO4 > AlPO4 > Fe3(PO4)2. B. amyloliquefaciens CTC12 was most efficient in solubilizing calcium and iron phosphates whereas B. cepacia KHD08 recovered maximum P with aluminium phosphate. All the inorganic salt fortified mediums showed a significant decline in pH which necessitated the identification of compounds present in the mediums. Organic acids viz; acetic, citric, gluconic, lactic, malic, succinic, tartaric acids in the mediums were identified by HPLC. Tartaric acid was only found in the mediums supplemented with AlPO4. B. amyloliquefaciens CTC12 and B. cepacia KHD08 showed promising results in in vitro analysis of P solubilization. The present study is focused on problematic acid soils where phosphorous is unavailable and mostly fixed with aluminium and iron ultimately making it unavailable for the crops to take up. This leads to unbalanced and frequent use of chemical fertilizer. Hence the study is a significant attempt to characterize native PSBs with capacity to solubilize Al-P and Fe-

Plant growth promoting activities of P solubilizing bacteria and their impact on disease resistance in groundnut, <i>Arachis hypogaea</i> L. against soil borne fungal pathogens

606-616Plant growth promoting (PGP) activities of soil bacteria directly help plants in taking up the nutrients, attuning the growth hormones and indirectly safeguard by inhibiting diverse groups of fungal pathogens. In this study, we explored the native P solubilizing bacteria (PSB) isolated from the acid soils (pH 3(PO4)2,AlPO4,FePO4 and Fe3(PO4)2. The bioconversion of P by all the five strains in the broth medium followed the order Ca-P > Fe(III)-P > Fe(II)-P >Al-P. The strains interestingly showed potential plant growthpromoting properties including indole acetic acid (IAA) andsiderophore production in in vitro tests. These five strains also exhibited antifungal activities against fungal pathogens(Pythium aphanidermatum, Fusarium oxysporum, Pythium debaryanum, Thanatephorus cucumeris and Aspergillus niger)of groundnut. A field study was carried out with two of the above PSB strains [identified as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens(KT633845) and Burkholderia cepacia (KT717633)] with groundnut. Both the stains significantly influenced the plantgrowth (plant height, nodule no. and nodule dry weight) and pod yield. However, these two strains inoculated along withdoses of inorganic phosphate (SSP, single super phosphate) resulted in significantly higher pod yield as well as residual soil P.Additionally; the prevalence of both seedling mortality and plant mortality due to collar rot and stem rot were found to bereduced significantly in the inoculated plots. The findings substantiate the growth promoting ability of the two P solubilizingstrains, and thus qualifies to be used as biofertilizers either alone or as components of INM practices

Plant growth promoting activities of P solubilizing bacteria and their impact on disease resistance in groundnut, Arachis hypogaea L. against soil borne fungal pathogens

Plant growth promoting (PGP) activities of soil bacteria directly help plants in taking up the nutrients, attuning the growth hormones and indirectly safeguard by inhibiting diverse groups of fungal pathogens. In this study, we explored the native P solubilizing bacteria (PSB) isolated from the acid soils (pH &lt; 5.5) of Odisha for selection of efficient PGPR with antifungal potential. Five PSB strainswere checked for their P solubilization efficiencies with Ca3(PO4)2,AlPO4,FePO4 and Fe3(PO4)2. The bioconversion of P by all the five strains in the broth medium followed the order Ca-P &gt; Fe(III)-P &gt; Fe(II)-P &gt;Al-P. The strains interestingly showed potential plant growthpromoting properties including indole acetic acid (IAA) andsiderophore production in in vitro tests. These five strains also exhibited antifungal activities against fungal pathogens(Pythium aphanidermatum, Fusarium oxysporum, Pythium debaryanum, Thanatephorus cucumeris and Aspergillus niger)of groundnut. A field study was carried out with two of the above PSB strains [identified as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens(KT633845) and Burkholderia cepacia (KT717633)] with groundnut. Both the stains significantly influenced the plantgrowth (plant height, nodule no. and nodule dry weight) and pod yield. However, these two strains inoculated along withdoses of inorganic phosphate (SSP, single super phosphate) resulted in significantly higher pod yield as well as residual soil P.Additionally; the prevalence of both seedling mortality and plant mortality due to collar rot and stem rot were found to bereduced significantly in the inoculated plots. The findings substantiate the growth promoting ability of the two P solubilizingstrains, and thus qualifies to be used as biofertilizers either alone or as components of INM practice

Optimization of saccharification prospective from starch of sweet potato roots through acid-enzyme hydrolysis : structural, chemical and elemental profiling

The sweet potato root, a potent source of starch which is being considered as an effi cient alternative for fuel ethanol production in recent times. The starchy substrate needs to be subsequently dextrinized and saccharifi ed so as to enhance the utilization of its carbohydrates for ethanol production. In the present investigation, acid-enzyme process was conducted for the dextrinization and saccharifi cation of sweet potato root fl our (SPRF). The best optimized condition for dextrinization was achieved with an incubation period of 60 min, temperature 100 ºC and 1M HCl. However, for saccharifi cation, the best result was obtained with an incubation of 18 h, pH 4, temperature 65 ºC and 1000 U concentration of Palkodex®. After the dextrinization process, maximum concentrations of total sugar and hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) [380.44 ± 3.17 g/kg and 13.28 ± 0.25 mg/g, respectively] were released. Nevertheless, after saccharifi cation, 658.80 ± 7.83 g/kg of total sugar was obtained which was about 73% more than that of dextrinization. After successful dextrinization and saccharifi cation, the structural, chemical and elemental analysis were investigated using techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transforms infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and energy-dispersive X-ray fl uorescence spectrophotometer (EDXRF), respectively. Eff ective hydrolysis was demonstrated in thin layer chromatography (TLC) where the HCl was able to generate monomeric sugar such as glucose and maltose. On the other hand, only glucose is synthesized on the mutual eff ect of HCl and Palkodex®. The SEM fi ndings indicate that the rough structure of both dextrinized and saccharifi ed sample was gained due to the vigorous eff ect of both acid and enzyme subsequently. The saccharifi ed SPRF when subjected to fermentation with Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Zymomonas mobilis separately, it was observed that Z. mobilis produced more stretching vibration of –OH than S. cerevisiae, which evidenced the better production of bioethanol. Additionally, evaluation of the infl uence of S. cerevisiae and Z. mobilis through elemental analysis revealed upsurge in the concentrations of S, Cl, Ca, Mn, Fe and Zn and decline in the concentrations of P, K and Cu in the fermented residue of S. cerevisiae and Z. mobilis, however, Z. mobilis showed little more variation than that of S. cerevisiae

Evaluating air quality and criteria pollutants prediction disparities by data mining along a stretch of urban-rural agglomeration includes coal-mine belts and thermal power plants

Air pollution has become a threat to human life around the world since researchers have demonstrated several effects of air pollution to the environment, climate, and society. The proposed research was organized in terms of National Air Quality Index (NAQI) and air pollutants prediction using data mining algorithms for particular timeframe dataset (01 January 2019, to 01 June 2021) in the industrial eastern coastal state of India. Over half of the study period, concentrations of PM2.5, PM10 and CO were several times higher than the NAQI standard limit. NAQI, in terms of consistency and frequency analysis, revealed that moderate level (ranges 101–200) has the maximum frequency of occurrence (26–158 days), and consistency was 36%–73% throughout the study period. The satisfactory level NAQI (ranges 51–100) frequency occurrence was 4–43 days with a consistency of 13%–67%. Poor to very poor level of air quality was found 13–50 days of the year, with a consistency of 9%–25%. Random Forest (RF), Support Vector Machine (SVM), Bagged Multivariate Adaptive Regression Splines (MARS) and Bayesian Regularized Neural Networks (BRNN) are the data mining algorithms, that showed higher efficiency for the prediction of PM2.5, PM10, NO2 and SO2 except for CO and O3 at Talcher and CO at Brajrajnagar. The Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) between observed and predicted values of PM2.5 (ranges 12.40–17.90) and correlation coefficient (r) (ranges 0.83–0.92) for training and testing data indicate about slightly better prediction of PM2.5 by RF, SVM, bagged MARS, and BRNN models at Talcher in comparison to PM2.5 RMSE (ranges 13.06–21.66) and r (ranges 0.64–0.91) at Brajrajnagar. However, PM10 (RMSE: 25.80–43.41; r: 0.57–0.90), NO2 (RMSE: 3.00–4.95; r: 0.42–0.88) and SO2 (RMSE: 2.78–5.46; r: 0.31–0.88) at Brajrajnagar are better than PM10 (RMSE: 35.40–55.33; r: 0.68–0.91), NO2 (RMSE: 4.99–9.11; r: 0.48–0.92), and SO2 (RMSE: 4.91–9.47; r: 0.20–0.93) between observed and predicted values of training and testing data at Talcher using RF, SVM, bagged MARS and BRNN models, respectively. Taylor plots demonstrated that these algorithms showed promising accuracy for predicting air quality. The findings will help scientific community and policymakers to understand the distribution of air pollutants to strategize reduction in air pollution and enhance air quality in the study region

Global age-sex-specific mortality, life expectancy, and population estimates in 204 countries and territories and 811 subnational locations, 1950–2021, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic: a comprehensive demographic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

Background: Estimates of demographic metrics are crucial to assess levels and trends of population health outcomes. The profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on populations worldwide has underscored the need for timely estimates to understand this unprecedented event within the context of long-term population health trends. The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021 provides new demographic estimates for 204 countries and territories and 811 additional subnational locations from 1950 to 2021, with a particular emphasis on changes in mortality and life expectancy that occurred during the 2020–21 COVID-19 pandemic period. Methods: 22 223 data sources from vital registration, sample registration, surveys, censuses, and other sources were used to estimate mortality, with a subset of these sources used exclusively to estimate excess mortality due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 2026 data sources were used for population estimation. Additional sources were used to estimate migration; the effects of the HIV epidemic; and demographic discontinuities due to conflicts, famines, natural disasters, and pandemics, which are used as inputs for estimating mortality and population. Spatiotemporal Gaussian process regression (ST-GPR) was used to generate under-5 mortality rates, which synthesised 30 763 location-years of vital registration and sample registration data, 1365 surveys and censuses, and 80 other sources. ST-GPR was also used to estimate adult mortality (between ages 15 and 59 years) based on information from 31 642 location-years of vital registration and sample registration data, 355 surveys and censuses, and 24 other sources. Estimates of child and adult mortality rates were then used to generate life tables with a relational model life table system. For countries with large HIV epidemics, life tables were adjusted using independent estimates of HIV-specific mortality generated via an epidemiological analysis of HIV prevalence surveys, antenatal clinic serosurveillance, and other data sources. Excess mortality due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021 was determined by subtracting observed all-cause mortality (adjusted for late registration and mortality anomalies) from the mortality expected in the absence of the pandemic. Expected mortality was calculated based on historical trends using an ensemble of models. In location-years where all-cause mortality data were unavailable, we estimated excess mortality rates using a regression model with covariates pertaining to the pandemic. Population size was computed using a Bayesian hierarchical cohort component model. Life expectancy was calculated using age-specific mortality rates and standard demographic methods. Uncertainty intervals (UIs) were calculated for every metric using the 25th and 975th ordered values from a 1000-draw posterior distribution. Findings: Global all-cause mortality followed two distinct patterns over the study period: age-standardised mortality rates declined between 1950 and 2019 (a 62·8% [95% UI 60·5–65·1] decline), and increased during the COVID-19 pandemic period (2020–21; 5·1% [0·9–9·6] increase). In contrast with the overall reverse in mortality trends during the pandemic period, child mortality continued to decline, with 4·66 million (3·98–5·50) global deaths in children younger than 5 years in 2021 compared with 5·21 million (4·50–6·01) in 2019. An estimated 131 million (126–137) people died globally from all causes in 2020 and 2021 combined, of which 15·9 million (14·7–17·2) were due to the COVID-19 pandemic (measured by excess mortality, which includes deaths directly due to SARS-CoV-2 infection and those indirectly due to other social, economic, or behavioural changes associated with the pandemic). Excess mortality rates exceeded 150 deaths per 100 000 population during at least one year of the pandemic in 80 countries and territories, whereas 20 nations had a negative excess mortality rate in 2020 or 2021, indicating that all-cause mortality in these countries was lower during the pandemic than expected based on historical trends. Between 1950 and 2021, global life expectancy at birth increased by 22·7 years (20·8–24·8), from 49·0 years (46·7–51·3) to 71·7 years (70·9–72·5). Global life expectancy at birth declined by 1·6 years (1·0–2·2) between 2019 and 2021, reversing historical trends. An increase in life expectancy was only observed in 32 (15·7%) of 204 countries and territories between 2019 and 2021. The global population reached 7·89 billion (7·67–8·13) people in 2021, by which time 56 of 204 countries and territories had peaked and subsequently populations have declined. The largest proportion of population growth between 2020 and 2021 was in sub-Saharan Africa (39·5% [28·4–52·7]) and south Asia (26·3% [9·0–44·7]). From 2000 to 2021, the ratio of the population aged 65 years and older to the population aged younger than 15 years increased in 188 (92·2%) of 204 nations. Interpretation: Global adult mortality rates markedly increased during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, reversing past decreasing trends, while child mortality rates continued to decline, albeit more slowly than in earlier years. Although COVID-19 had a substantial impact on many demographic indicators during the first 2 years of the pandemic, overall global health progress over the 72 years evaluated has been profound, with considerable improvements in mortality and life expectancy. Additionally, we observed a deceleration of global population growth since 2017, despite steady or increasing growth in lower-income countries, combined with a continued global shift of population age structures towards older ages. These demographic changes will likely present future challenges to health systems, economies, and societies. The comprehensive demographic estimates reported here will enable researchers, policy makers, health practitioners, and other key stakeholders to better understand and address the profound changes that have occurred in the global health landscape following the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic, and longer-term trends beyond the pandemic

Global age-sex-specific mortality, life expectancy, and population estimates in 204 countries and territories and 811 subnational locations, 1950–2021, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic: a comprehensive demographic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

BACKGROUND: Estimates of demographic metrics are crucial to assess levels and trends of population health outcomes. The profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on populations worldwide has underscored the need for timely estimates to understand this unprecedented event within the context of long-term population health trends. The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021 provides new demographic estimates for 204 countries and territories and 811 additional subnational locations from 1950 to 2021, with a particular emphasis on changes in mortality and life expectancy that occurred during the 2020–21 COVID-19 pandemic period. METHODS: 22 223 data sources from vital registration, sample registration, surveys, censuses, and other sources were used to estimate mortality, with a subset of these sources used exclusively to estimate excess mortality due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 2026 data sources were used for population estimation. Additional sources were used to estimate migration; the effects of the HIV epidemic; and demographic discontinuities due to conflicts, famines, natural disasters, and pandemics, which are used as inputs for estimating mortality and population. Spatiotemporal Gaussian process regression (ST-GPR) was used to generate under-5 mortality rates, which synthesised 30 763 location-years of vital registration and sample registration data, 1365 surveys and censuses, and 80 other sources. ST-GPR was also used to estimate adult mortality (between ages 15 and 59 years) based on information from 31 642 location-years of vital registration and sample registration data, 355 surveys and censuses, and 24 other sources. Estimates of child and adult mortality rates were then used to generate life tables with a relational model life table system. For countries with large HIV epidemics, life tables were adjusted using independent estimates of HIV-specific mortality generated via an epidemiological analysis of HIV prevalence surveys, antenatal clinic serosurveillance, and other data sources. Excess mortality due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021 was determined by subtracting observed all-cause mortality (adjusted for late registration and mortality anomalies) from the mortality expected in the absence of the pandemic. Expected mortality was calculated based on historical trends using an ensemble of models. In location-years where all-cause mortality data were unavailable, we estimated excess mortality rates using a regression model with covariates pertaining to the pandemic. Population size was computed using a Bayesian hierarchical cohort component model. Life expectancy was calculated using age-specific mortality rates and standard demographic methods. Uncertainty intervals (UIs) were calculated for every metric using the 25th and 975th ordered values from a 1000-draw posterior distribution. FINDINGS: Global all-cause mortality followed two distinct patterns over the study period: age-standardised mortality rates declined between 1950 and 2019 (a 62·8% [95% UI 60·5–65·1] decline), and increased during the COVID-19 pandemic period (2020–21; 5·1% [0·9–9·6] increase). In contrast with the overall reverse in mortality trends during the pandemic period, child mortality continued to decline, with 4·66 million (3·98–5·50) global deaths in children younger than 5 years in 2021 compared with 5·21 million (4·50–6·01) in 2019. An estimated 131 million (126–137) people died globally from all causes in 2020 and 2021 combined, of which 15·9 million (14·7–17·2) were due to the COVID-19 pandemic (measured by excess mortality, which includes deaths directly due to SARS-CoV-2 infection and those indirectly due to other social, economic, or behavioural changes associated with the pandemic). Excess mortality rates exceeded 150 deaths per 100 000 population during at least one year of the pandemic in 80 countries and territories, whereas 20 nations had a negative excess mortality rate in 2020 or 2021, indicating that all-cause mortality in these countries was lower during the pandemic than expected based on historical trends. Between 1950 and 2021, global life expectancy at birth increased by 22·7 years (20·8–24·8), from 49·0 years (46·7–51·3) to 71·7 years (70·9–72·5). Global life expectancy at birth declined by 1·6 years (1·0–2·2) between 2019 and 2021, reversing historical trends. An increase in life expectancy was only observed in 32 (15·7%) of 204 countries and territories between 2019 and 2021. The global population reached 7·89 billion (7·67–8·13) people in 2021, by which time 56 of 204 countries and territories had peaked and subsequently populations have declined. The largest proportion of population growth between 2020 and 2021 was in sub-Saharan Africa (39·5% [28·4–52·7]) and south Asia (26·3% [9·0–44·7]). From 2000 to 2021, the ratio of the population aged 65 years and older to the population aged younger than 15 years increased in 188 (92·2%) of 204 nations. INTERPRETATION: Global adult mortality rates markedly increased during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, reversing past decreasing trends, while child mortality rates continued to decline, albeit more slowly than in earlier years. Although COVID-19 had a substantial impact on many demographic indicators during the first 2 years of the pandemic, overall global health progress over the 72 years evaluated has been profound, with considerable improvements in mortality and life expectancy. Additionally, we observed a deceleration of global population growth since 2017, despite steady or increasing growth in lower-income countries, combined with a continued global shift of population age structures towards older ages. These demographic changes will likely present future challenges to health systems, economies, and societies. The comprehensive demographic estimates reported here will enable researchers, policy makers, health practitioners, and other key stakeholders to better understand and address the profound changes that have occurred in the global health landscape following the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic, and longer-term trends beyond the pandemic. FUNDING: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Biomethanation of Crop Residues to Combat Stubble Burning in India: Design and Simulation Using ADM1 Mathematical Model

Stubble burning in India continues despite the severe consequences on the environment and the massive health crisis in the country. Farmers resort to such practices as a cheap and hasty solution post-harvest, which helps them prepare for their next crops. This study employs a mathematical model, the ADM1 (Anaerobic Digestion Model No. 1), to design a virtual biogas plant in the SIMBA simulation platform. The plant was designed keeping the small-scale farmers in mind, hence, cost-effectiveness, simplicity in design and operation remained a priority. Simulations were performed with different crop leftovers that are widely subjected to on-farm burning in the country such as from rice, wheat, sugarcane, cotton and maize. Simulation trials were performed for each crop residue for nearly two years, to observe the digester performance and possible disruptions over prolonged periods. The optimal feeding ratio and operating conditions for process stability were determined. Simulations revealed generation of nearly 9&ndash;10 m3 methane per day, equivalent to 90&ndash;100 kWh electricity. Co-fermentation with animal manures was strongly recommended by the model for process stability and to avoid pH disruptions due to organic acid accumulations. Policy makers and farmers are, thus, encouraged to explore a sustainable alternative to generate energy from stubble