Evaluation of plant extracts for antifungal activity against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, the incitant of leaf blight in small cardamom and anthracnose of black pepper

Stress imposed by biological entities is considered as the major production constraint encountered by black pepper and small cardamom in India and elsewhere. Among the fungal diseases, leaf blight and anthracnose incited by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides in cardamom and black pepper, respectively, are the most prevalent and economically important diseases. In the present study, 35 plant species were evaluated to assess antifungal property against the targeted pathogen under in vitro conditions. Phytoextracts of Solanum nigrum (5%), S. torvum (20%) and Azadirachta indica (5%) exhibited maximum inhibitory effect whereas, Leucas aspera, Costus igneus, Datura stramonium, Lantana camara, Glycosmis pentaphylla and Adhatoda vasica promoted growth of the pathogen. Microscopic observations revealed abnormal morphological and structural alterations of hyphae, including increase in size and number of vacuoles, anomalous branching and abnormal swelling at hyphal tips. Information emanated from the present study indicates that, the efficacious plant species identified as potential sources of bioactive antifungal molecules could be further exploited to devise management strategies based on bio-prospecting

Stop Fake News: AI, Algorithms and Mitigation Actions in India

[Purpose] How to prevent fake news without spoiling the freedom of speech is a growing concern among governments across the world. Some countries see legislation as being the best approach to counter fake news. In the legislation proposals, accountability is mostly placed on technology companies, but also individuals seem to have responsibility in the legislation of some countries. Some other governments see non-legislative means to counter fake news. But it’s a fact that countering fake news without compromising free speech is a high priority across governments in the world and a challenging task too. This paper investigates the India scenario and tries to list out other than legislation what other measures are required. [Methodology] This paper takes a survey of mitigation efforts in select countries. This survey is used to testify against similar efforts in India, if any and adopts comparative approach to understand where Indian efforts stand at. [Findings] From using fact-checking tools available online, finding the source, locating how many people viewed a particular story to check grammar and spelling, and developing a critical mindset; plenty of things become a critical means in fighting down fake news. Legislation alone is insufficient. Media literacy, public scrutiny, good citizenship, and education along with sensitive civil society require playing its significant part in India to fight fake news. In India, the policy is vague. It gives the government enormous power to surveillance in the name of fake news.[Purpose] How to prevent fake news without spoiling the freedom of speech is a growing concern among governments across the world. Some countries see legislation as being the best approach to counter fake news. In the legislation proposals, accountability is mostly placed on technology companies, but also individuals seem to have responsibility in the legislation of some countries. Some other governments see non-legislative means to counter fake news. But it’s a fact that countering fake news without compromising free speech is a high priority across governments in the world and a challenging task too. This paper investigates the India scenario and tries to list out other than legislation what other measures are required. [Methodology] This paper takes a survey of mitigation efforts in select countries. This survey is used to testify against similar efforts in India, if any and adopts comparative approach to understand where Indian efforts stand at. [Findings] From using fact-checking tools available online, finding the source, locating how many people viewed a particular story to check grammar and spelling, and developing a critical mindset; plenty of things become a critical means in fighting down fake news. Legislation alone is insufficient. Media literacy, public scrutiny, good citizenship, and education along with sensitive civil society require playing its significant part in India to fight fake news. In India, the policy is vague. It gives the government enormous power to surveillance in the name of fake news.[Purpose] How to prevent fake news without spoiling the freedom of speech is a growing concern among governments across the world. Some countries see legislation as being the best approach to counter fake news. In the legislation proposals, accountability is mostly placed on technology companies, but also individuals seem to have responsibility in the legislation of some countries. Some other governments see non-legislative means to counter fake news. But it’s a fact that countering fake news without compromising free speech is a high priority across governments in the world and a challenging task too. This paper investigates the India scenario and tries to list out other than legislation what other measures are required. [Methodology] This paper takes a survey of mitigation efforts in select countries. This survey is used to testify against similar efforts in India, if any and adopts comparative approach to understand where Indian efforts stand at. [Findings] From using fact-checking tools available online, finding the source, locating how many people viewed a particular story to check grammar and spelling, and developing a critical mindset; plenty of things become a critical means in fighting down fake news. Legislation alone is insufficient. Media literacy, public scrutiny, good citizenship, and education along with sensitive civil society require playing its significant part in India to fight fake news. In India, the policy is vague. It gives the government enormous power to surveillance in the name of fake news.[Purpose] How to prevent fake news without spoiling the freedom of speech is a growing concern among governments across the world. Some countries see legislation as being the best approach to counter fake news. In the legislation proposals, accountability is mostly placed on technology companies, but also individuals seem to have responsibility in the legislation of some countries. Some other governments see non-legislative means to counter fake news. But it’s a fact that countering fake news without compromising free speech is a high priority across governments in the world and a challenging task too. This paper investigates the India scenario and tries to list out other than legislation what other measures are required. [Methodology] This paper takes a survey of mitigation efforts in select countries. This survey is used to testify against similar efforts in India, if any and adopts comparative approach to understand where Indian efforts stand at. [Findings] From using fact-checking tools available online, finding the source, locating how many people viewed a particular story to check grammar and spelling, and developing a critical mindset; plenty of things become a critical means in fighting down fake news. Legislation alone is insufficient. Media literacy, public scrutiny, good citizenship, and education along with sensitive civil society require playing its significant part in India to fight fake news. In India, the policy is vague. It gives the government enormous power to surveillance in the name of fake news

A Pattern Based Model Driven Approach to Model Transformations

The OMG's Model Driven Architecture (MDA) initiative has been the focus of much attention in both academia and industry, due to its promise of more rapid and consistent software development through the increased use of models. In order for MDA to reach its full potential, the ability to manipulate and transform models { most obviously from the Platform Independent Model (PIM) to the Platform Speci_c Models (PSM) { is vital. Recognizing this need, the OMG issued a Request For Proposals (RFP) largely concerned with ending a suitable mechanism for transforming models. This paper outlines the relevant background material, summarizes the approach taken by the QVT-Partners (to whom the authors belong), presents a non-trivial example using the QVT-Partners approach, and finally sketches out what the future holds for model transformations

A model driven approach to building implementable model transformations

The OMG's Model Driven Architecture (MDA) initiative has been the focus of much attention in both academia and industry, due to its promise of more rapid and consistent software development through the increased use of models. In order for MDA to reach its full potential, the ability to manipulate and transform models { most obviously from the Platform Independent Model (PIM) to the Platform Specifc Models (PSM) { is vital. Recognizing this need, the OMG issued a Request For Proposals (RFP) largely concerned with finding a suitable mechanism for transforming models. This paper outlines the relevant background material, summarizes the approach taken by the QVT-Partners (to whom the authors belong), presents a non-trivial example using the QVT-Partners approach, and finally sketches out what the future holds for model transformations

Biochemical changes during larval development in the short neck clam, Paphia malabarica Chemnitz

Biochemical compositions were determined for eggs, D-shaped larvae, umbo larvae and pediveliger of the short neck clam Paphia malabarica Chemnitz. Spawned eggs were composed of 63.2% protein, 25.4% lipid and 11.4% carbohydrate. After 48 h of embryogenesis, 2.6% of the protein, 11.8% of the lipid and 3.2% of carbohydrate mass had been lost, providing 20.5%,75.4% and 4.1% of the total energy expenditure of 0.2147mJ embryo�1. During 48h of metamorphosis, lipid was utilized ¢rst, followed by a heavy consumption of protein; protein, lipid and carbohydrate lost 23.8%, 50.2% and 32.5% of their mass respectively. Protein and lipid supplied a comparable amount of energy for metamorphosis,34.2% and 55.2%, respectively, whereas, carbohydrate contributed only10.6% to the 2.733mJ larva�l metamorphic energy expenditure

Management of supracondylar fracture humerus type 3 in children with percutaneous K-wire vs. open reduction and internal fixation with K-wire

Background: Aim of the study is to determine the relation between the reduction technique percutaneous pinning and open reduction and internal fixation with K-wire used in management of supracondylar humerus fractures in paediatric age group and the ultimate elbow status (functional and cosmetic), so that appropriate reduction technique can be adopted for better functional and cosmetic outcome.Methods: Children below 12 years with Gartland’s type III supracondylar fractures managed by closed reduction and percutaneous K-wire fixation and open reduction and K-wire fixation and Flynn’s criteria was used to grade the outcome of surgical fixation. 10 Closed reduction and K-wire fixation and 10 open reduction and K-wire fixation were done.Results: Most of the fractures were sustained when the patient had fallen down on out stretched hand while playing or slip and fall. According to Flynn’s grading, there are 7 excellent, 2 good and 1 fair functional result observed in closed reduction and k wire fixation. There are 4 excellent, 3 good and 3 fair functional results observed in open reduction and k wire fixation with statistically significant p value 0.04. Conclusions: Open reduction through lateral approach and internal fixation wire K wires is safe and effective method of treatment, if indicated, in supracondylar fractures of humerus in children and is associated with a good outcome. A small incision medially in cases where medial epicondyle cannot be defined to visualize the epicondyle and the ulnar nerve, by which iatrogenic ulnar nerve palsy in percutaneous fixation can be prevented

Measurement of the Coefficient of Thermal Expansion of Superconducting Thin Films Using Powder X-Ray Diffraction

The High Density Electronics Center (HiDEC) at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville is developing the technology for High Temperature Superconductor Multi-Chip Modules (HTSC-MCM\u27s). As part of this work, we are looking at the mechanical properties of HTSC materials. An important mechanical property which influences the mechanical integrity of the hybrid MCMis the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of the HTSC films. As a first step in developing a procedure for the determination of the CTE of HTSC materials, the lattice parameters and the CTE of an alpha-alumina substrate have been determined by powder x-ray diffraction technique. An extension of this technique applicable to HTSC materials is presented