Impact of honey-enriched mulberry diet on the energy metabolism of the silkworm, Bombyx mori

The present study was taken-up with a view to clearly define the role of oxidative phosphorylation vis-a-vis transdeamination in Bombyx mori metamorphosis, under the influence of honey-enriched mulberry diet. Therefore, the study examined the accumulation and utilization patterns of carbohydrate (glycogen, trehalose, glucose) and non-carbohydrate energy reserves (proteins, amino acids) in its fat body during larval, pupal and adult stages. In accordance with Hutchinson’s investment principle, the energy reserves invested during larval stage are partly used in pupal stage and those invested during larval and pupal stages are used in adult stage. Their utilization patterns are correlated with the activity levels of succinate (SDH) and glutamate (GDH) dehydrogenases and aspartate (AAT) and alanine (ALAT) aminotransferases and changes thereof were interpreted in terms of glycolytic oxidative phosphorylation and non-glycolytic transdeamination.  The trends in mass incorporation rates vis-à-vis enzyme activities indicated that the metabolism-related energy needs of all metamorphic events are majorly met through a gluconeogenetic mechanism called transdeamination, while the behavioural-related energy demands of larval and pupal stages are fulfilled through glycolytic-based oxidative phosphorylation. The activity trends further indicated that AAT plays major role in meeting the energy needs of larva and pupa, while GDH predominantly meets the energy requirements of reproduction in adults. The honey-enriched mulberry diet showed stage-specific and pathway-specific impacts on energy metabolism. It positively reinforced the energy metabolism in larval stage, but showed no significant effect in pupal and adult stages. Similarly, it showed more promising effect on glycolytic-oxidative phosphorylation and null or neutral effect on transdeamination

Numerical study of viscoelastic micropolar heat transfer from a vertical cone for thermal polymer coating

A mathematical model is developed to study laminar, nonlinear, non-isothermal, steady-state free convection boundary layer flow and heat transfer of a micropolar viscoelastic fluid from a vertical isothermal cone. The Eringen model and Jeffery’s viscoelastic model are combined to simulate the non-Newtonian characteristics of polymers, which constitutes a novelty of the present work. The transformed conservation equations for linear momentum, angular momentum and energy are solved numerically under physically viable boundary conditions using a finite difference scheme (Keller Box method). The effects of Deborah number (De), Eringen vortex viscosity parameter (R), ratio of relaxation to retardation times (λ), micro-inertia density parameter (B), Prandtl number (Pr) and dimensionless stream wise coordinate (ξ) on velocity, surface temperature and angular velocity in the boundary layer regime are evaluated. The computations show that with greater ratio of retardation to relaxation times, the linear and angular velocity are enhanced whereas temperature (and also thermal boundary layer thickness) is reduced. Greater values of the Eringen parameter decelerate both the linear velocity and micro-rotation values and enhance temperatures. Increasing Deborah number decelerates the linear flow and Nusselt number whereas it increases temperatures and boosts micro-rotation magnitudes. The study is relevant to non-Newtonian polymeric thermal coating processes

EFFICACY OF SHIVA GUTIKA WITH SARASWATARISHTA IN THE MANAGEMENT OF AGE ASSOCIATED MILD COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT (AAMCI)

Objective: To find the efficacy of Shiva gutika with Saraswatarishta in management of Age Associated Mild Cognitive Impairment (AAMCI). To review the literature of mild cognitive impairment, Jara, and aging as per modern science and Ayurveda. To observe side effects of the drug if any. To access effect of drug on other signs and symptoms of Jara.Method: Open Trial study was conducted on 25 patients having AAMCI and were selected for the study randomly. The patients received 1gm Shiva gutika once a day with 40ml Saraswatarista as Anupan for 3 months.Assessment Criteria: Improvement in all the six cerebral higher functions on the basis of various tests such as MMSE, CAMCOG (CAMDEX), ADL/IADL, GDS.Follow up: 0, 15th, 30th, 45th, 60th, 75th, 90th day.Duration: Total duration study was 90 Days. This study was carried out in Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University College of Ayurved & Hospital Pune in Year 2010 and 2011.Results: Comparing all the symptoms before and after treatment had significant action in age associated mild cognitive impairment (AAMCI). No side effects of the drug during clinical trial were seen.Statistical Analysis: The Statistical Analysis reveals that Shiva gutika with Saraswatarista as Anupan effective in age associated mild cognitive impairment (AAMCI).Conclusion: Shiva gutika with Saraswatarista shared significant results in AAMCI. The overall effect of drug on ADL & IADL showed significant result

Synthesis, Characterization and Phase Transition Studies on Some N-(4-Butyloxy Benzylidene)-4-Alkoxy Anilines, 4O.Om Compounds - A Dilatometric Study

Dilatometric studies are carried out on the synthesized N-(4-butyloxy benzylidene)-4-alkoxy anilines, 4O.Om compounds with the m = 3 to 7 and 9. Characterization of these compounds is done using the polarizing microscope attached with a hot stage. The differential scanning calorimeter is employed to find out the transition temperatures as well as the heats of transitions. All the compounds exhibit nematic phase with varying thermal ranges with the clearing temperatures are above 100 OC as unlike the case of the well known N-(4-butyloxy benzylidene)-4-alkyl anilines, 4O.m compounds which exhibit rich poymorphysim and the clearing temperatures are well below 100 OC. As expected the isotropic to nematic transition exhibited first order nature and the results are discussed with the body of the data available in literature

Breeding tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) for resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is an important vegetable crop cultivated in the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. Low productivity in India is due to occurrence of both biotic and abiotic stresses. Among the biotic stresses, tomato leaf curl disease, bacterial wilt, early blight and Groundnut Bud Necrosis Virus disease have become serious production constraints causing considerable yield loss in the major tomato growing areas of the country. Adoption of multiple disease resistant varieties or F1 hybrids would be the most appropriate way to address these diseases. At ICAR-IIHR, Bengaluru systematic breeding strategies were employed to pyramid genes for resistance to early blight, bacterial wilt and tomato leaf curl diseases and to develop advanced breeding lines& F1 hybrids with triple disease resistance. Stable source of resistance to early blight and bi-partite begomo-virus (Tomato Leaf Curl New Delhi Virus) has been identified in Solanum habrochaites LA-1777. Validation with molecular markers linked to tomato leaf curl virus resistance revealed that LA-1777 carryTy2 and other putative resistant genes. Several high yielding dual purpose hybrids were also developed for fresh market and processing with high level of resistance to multiple diseases. Cherry tomato lines have also been bred for high TSS, total carotenoids, total phenols, flavonoids, vitamin C, acidity and lycopene content. IIHR-249-1, IIHR-2101 (Solanum habrochaites LA-1777), IIHR- 2866 and IIHR-2864 recorded high values for quality parameters like total carotenoids, lycopene, vitamin C, total phenols, flavonoids and TSS. Drought tolerant root stock has been developed by an interspecific cross between S. habrochaites LA-1777 and S. lycopersicum (15 SB SB). Resistant sources have also been identified against Tuta absoluta, a serious insect pest reported from major tomato growing areas in the country in recent time. High temperature tolerant breeding lines are in pipe line

National identity predicts public health support during a global pandemic

Changing collective behaviour and supporting non-pharmaceutical interventions is an important component in mitigating virus transmission during a pandemic. In a large international collaboration (Study 1, N = 49,968 across 67 countries), we investigated self-reported factors associated with public health behaviours (e.g., spatial distancing and stricter hygiene) and endorsed public policy interventions (e.g., closing bars and restaurants) during the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic (April-May 2020). Respondents who reported identifying more strongly with their nation consistently reported greater engagement in public health behaviours and support for public health policies. Results were similar for representative and non-representative national samples. Study 2 (N = 42 countries) conceptually replicated the central finding using aggregate indices of national identity (obtained using the World Values Survey) and a measure of actual behaviour change during the pandemic (obtained from Google mobility reports). Higher levels of national identification prior to the pandemic predicted lower mobility during the early stage of the pandemic (r = −0.40). We discuss the potential implications of links between national identity, leadership, and public health for managing COVID-19 and future pandemics.publishedVersio

National identity predicts public health support during a global pandemic (vol 13, 517, 2022) : National identity predicts public health support during a global pandemic (Nature Communications, (2022), 13, 1, (517), 10.1038/s41467-021-27668-9)

Publisher Copyright: © The Author(s) 2022.In this article the author name ‘Agustin Ibanez’ was incorrectly written as ‘Augustin Ibanez’. The original article has been corrected.Peer reviewe

National identity predicts public health support during a global pandemic.

Changing collective behaviour and supporting non-pharmaceutical interventions is an important component in mitigating virus transmission during a pandemic. In a large international collaboration (Study 1, N = 49,968 across 67 countries), we investigated self-reported factors associated with public health behaviours (e.g., spatial distancing and stricter hygiene) and endorsed public policy interventions (e.g., closing bars and restaurants) during the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic (April-May 2020). Respondents who reported identifying more strongly with their nation consistently reported greater engagement in public health behaviours and support for public health policies. Results were similar for representative and non-representative national samples. Study 2 (N = 42 countries) conceptually replicated the central finding using aggregate indices of national identity (obtained using the World Values Survey) and a measure of actual behaviour change during the pandemic (obtained from Google mobility reports). Higher levels of national identification prior to the pandemic predicted lower mobility during the early stage of the pandemic (r = -0.40). We discuss the potential implications of links between national identity, leadership, and public health for managing COVID-19 and future pandemics