Seasonal population of cardamom thrips (Sciothrips cardamomi (Ramk.) on three cultivar types of cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum Maton)

The seasonal population of cardamom thrips (Sciothrips cardamomi) and its damage to capsules was assessed on three Cllitivar types (Malabar, Vazhukka and Mysore) of cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) at Saklespur (Karnataka, India) during 1990-92. Thrips population was high during pre-and post-monsoon periods in all the cultivar types. There were significant differences in thrips damage on the capsules in the three cultivar types. There was no significant correlation between abiotic factors and thrips population. The cultivar type Malabar, mainly grown in Karnataka, recorded about 50% less damage than the other cultivar types. Mean thrips damage on capsules during the three years of study in Malabar, Vazhukka and Mysore cultivam types were 28.44%, 57.92% and 62.55%, respectively. &nbsp

Computer-Aided Design of Nanoceria Structures as Enzyme Mimetic Agents: The Role of Bodily Electrolytes on Maximising Their Activity

Nanoceria, typically used for ‘clean air’ catalytic converter technologies, is the same material that could also be used as a nanomedicine. Specifically, nanoceria, which can capture, store and release oxygen, for oxidative/reductive reactions, can also be used to control oxygen content in cellular environments; as a ‘nanozyme’, nanoceria mimics enzymes by acting as an antioxidant agent. The computational design procedures for predicting active materials for catalytic converters can therefore be used to design active ceria nanozymes. Crucially, the ceria nanomedicine is not a molecule; rather it is a crystal and exploits its unique crystal properties. Here, we use ab initio and classical computer modelling, together with experiment, to design structures for nanoceria that maximises its nanozymetic activity. We predict that the nanomaterial should have (truncated) polyhedral or cuboidal morphologies to expose (active) CeO2 {100} surfaces. It should also contain oxygen vacancies and surface –OH species. We also show that the surface structures strongly affects the biological activity of nanoceria. Analogous to catalyst poisoning, phosphorus 'poisoning' - the interaction of nanoceria with phosphate, a common bodily electrolyte – emanates from phosphate ions binding strongly to CeO2{100} surfaces, inhibiting oxygen capture and release and hence its ability to act as an nanozyme. Conversely, phosphate interaction with {111} surfaces is weak and therefore these surfaces protect the nanozyme against poisoning. The atom-level understanding presented here also illuminates catalytic processes and poisoning in ‘clean-air’ or fuel-cell technologies because the mechanism underpinning and exploited in each technology – oxygen capture, storage and release – is identical

The impact of motivation on employees productivity in the retail sector: the mediating effect of compensation benefits

All companies aspire to compete against their rivals, retain a strategic edge in the industry, gain the largest market share and be inspired to bring out their utmost to achieve their desired goals at work. Few businesses think they will gain growth and wealth by important assets for their workers. Unfortunately, most companies appear to exploit the dismissal of their workers and talented applicants. Recognizing the critical position of workers appears to have a major effect on operational performance as most companies aim to maintain staff by empowering and enhancing the working standards of their employees. Therefore, it is necessary to enforce certain techniques to retain high quality and ensure performance and efficiency. The research examined the influence of organizational participation and encouragement in banks' work results. A study of 100 participants was tested, and findings were evaluated using the chi-square analysis. The findings revealed a substantial level below 5% which indicates that the study variables are closely linked. The quantitative approach and qualitative framework have been used to analyze their perception of the effects of job retention on the success of workers. Approach a single case study for various branches by implementing a similar case study and addressing a larger number of samples. This allows the researcher to remove the survey challenge and hold evidence from a larger community with a deeper comprehension of the idea of encouragement and how it influences workers' output

Seasonal population of cardamom thrips (Sciothrips cardamomi (Ramk.) on three cultivar types of cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum Maton)

The seasonal population of cardamom thrips (Sciothrips cardamomi) and its damage to capsules was assessed on three Cllitivar types (Malabar, Vazhukka and Mysore) of cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) at Saklespur (Karnataka, India) during 1990-92. Thrips population was high during pre-and post-monsoon periods in all the cultivar types. There were significant differences in thrips damage on the capsules in the three cultivar types. There was no significant correlation between abiotic factors and thrips population. The cultivar type Malabar, mainly grown in Karnataka, recorded about 50% less damage than the other cultivar types. Mean thrips damage on capsules during the three years of study in Malabar, Vazhukka and Mysore cultivam types were 28.44%, 57.92% and 62.55%, respectively. &nbsp

Evaluation of Adjuvanticity and Protective Efficacy of Recombinant ORFV B2L Protein Adjuvanted FMD Vaccine in Guinea Pigs

The present study evaluates the adjuvant effect of rec-B2L protein of orf virus and widely used oil adjuvant with purified inactivated FMDV 146S trivalent antigens (O, A and Asia 1) in guinea pig model. Rec-B2L protein expressed in prokaryotic expression system was coadministered intradermally with FMDV trivalent antigens. The serum antibody titre, CMI response and protectiveefficacy against FMDV-type ‘O’ virulent virus challenge were assessed. The antibody titres of oil adjuvant group were found highest. However, rec-B2L group showed better antibody titre than the control group. The levels of IgG1 were found to be constant throughout the experiment except some fluctuations noticed on 14th and 28th dpv against serotype A and Asia1. Rec-B2L group showed higher levels of IgG2 against serotype A on 14th and 28th dpv than FMDV trivalent antigens alone. Further, the adjuvant effect of rec-B2L protein was also reflected by enhanced levels of IFN-c, TNF-b on 28th dpv; IL-15, IL10 on 7 dpv in the immunized serum samples. The oil adjuvant group and rec-B2L group showed a centumprotection following challenge on 28th dpv. These preliminary findings indicate the adjuvant effect of rec-B2L protein

Not Available

Not AvailableAlthough considerable advances have been made in understanding the pathogenesis of FMDV infection, there is still scope for delineating the complex interplay of host and virus interactions. FMDV pathogenesis in cattle is associated with a distinct profile of host microRNAs (miRNAs) that could influence cellular gene expression. The miRNAs are small RNA molecules which regulate gene expression by targetting messenger RNA and cause either mRNA degradation or translation repression, thus modulating gene expression and subsequent cellular pathways. Following infection, normal miRNA patterns can be altered to regulate disease pathogenesis, in turn determining the outcome of the infection.Not Availabl

Not Available

Not AvailableTraditionally, quality assessment of FMD vaccine is carried out by live FMD virus challenge of vaccinated cattle. Replacing the use of animals for quality assessment with in vitro tests like serum neutralization test (SNT) or liquid phase blocking ELISA (LPBE), requires the establishment of logistic regression models from series of challenge experiments. Before establishing a logistic regression model, we did a preliminary investigation on the relationship between SNT and LPBE titre, to be used as cut-off titre for classifying cattle as protected or unprotected.Not Availabl

Not Available

Not AvailableFoot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) causes a highly contagious infection in cloven-hoofed animals, with many outbreaks in the developing world. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are non-coding RNAs that regulate antiviral defence by post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. In this study, the host miRNA response following FMDV infection was investigated in cattle, a natural host for FMDV. A significant alteration in serum miRNA expression was detected at early stages of infection. Compared to prior to infection, on day 2 postinfection (PI), 119 miRNAs were upregulated, of which 39 were significantly upregulated (P < 0.05). Gene target prediction and pathway enrichment analysis suggested that upregulated miRNAs target innate immune signalling pathways, suggesting a homeostasis effect, possibly to limit inappropriate immune responses. Further, for the significantly upregulated miRNAs, nine miRNA recognition elements were identified in the genome sequence of FMDV serotype O, which was used for infection. The antiviral effect of four of these miRNAs was confirmed in a cell culture system. These data demonstrate that changes in miRNA expression occur during early pathogenesis, and the identification of possible miRNA targets genes could help in elucidating molecular events involved in virus-host interaction and thus could be useful in developing therapeutic strategies.Not Availabl