Impact of Climate Change on Crop-Pathogen Interaction: A Review

Crop response to climatic variation is critical criterion not only in yield and productivity but also, its interaction with pathogens. Disease triangle happens under a favourable weather, virulent pathogen and a susceptible host. Climate change influences both host plant and pathogens leading to altered interaction and disease cycle. Carbon dioxide is a major contributor in the green house gas phenomenon. The consequent influence of GHG effect on temperature due to warming and erratic seasonal weather has an impact on both plant and pathogen development. Physiological changes in plants impact pathogenicity and disease development. Altered crop physiology under climate change is more susceptible to biotic stress. Hence, it is essential to understand impact of climate change on host plants to know the disease dynamics. View Article DOI: 10.47856/ijaast.2022.v09i09.00

Towards an Equilibrium of Cultural Synergy: Evaluating Anticipated and Experienced Cultural Distance Differences in Expatriate-Local Employee Relational Dynamics

Extensive research has considered cross-cultural difference at the national level. However, little research has explored the relational manifestation of cross-cultural differences through the context of the multinational organization setting. This study considers the frequently-utilized global strategy model of expatriates within the broader organizational culture at the subsidiary. Through this model, we consider the differences between the experienced and anticipated cultural distance between an individual employee and expatriate of two different countries. Specifically, we consider the moderating and downstream effects of the expatriate and subsidiary employees’ individual behaviors on the multinational organization’s effectiveness. We propose four cultural outcomes: cultural standstills, cultural authenticity, cultural facades, and cultural synergy. We suggest that unilateral or bilateral accommodations bring the expatriate and local employees’ cultures closer to an equilibrium of ‘cultural synergy,’ in which the subsidiary’s culture is convergent and shared between the individual employees and the expatriate. Further, we discuss the various manifestations of cultural synergy, which have both, positive and negative long-term implications on the firm. Finally, we discuss the practical implications of such moderators and consequences in global strategy decisions for management executives and human relations decision-makers

Neonatal septicemia- a smooth technique of diagnosis in developing countries

Background: Neonatal septicemia is characterized by clinical signs and symptoms accompanied by bacteremia in the first month of life. As per National Neonatal Perinatal Database (NNPD) 2002-2003, the incidence of neonatal sepsis in India was 30 per 1000 live birth. C-reactive protein (CRP), an acute phase reactant has advantages of low serum levels in normal infants, a rapid rise after 12 to 24 hours of sepsis and a massive rise thereafter as long as inflammatory stimuli persist and followed by immediate fall of serum level as soon as inflammation subside.Methods: Total 100 cases were studied at NICU, K.R Hospital, Mysore, India. Peripheral blood smear was prepared by heel prick and were stained using Leishman stain.  Total leucocyte count was performed by using automated haematology analyzer. I/T (immature to total neutrophil) ratio were calculated by dividing the total immature count by total neutrophil count (including both mature and immature neutrophil count. C reactive protein was assessed by kit using CRP Latex, agglutination slide test. For Micro ESR blood was collected in preheparinised microhematocrit tubes of 75 mm length with an internal diameter of 1.1 mm & external diameter of 1.5 mm by heel prick technique.Results: Our study revealed that, among 100 children under study, males of low birth weight were commonly affected. Among the investigations I:T ratio and CRP shows a better sensitivity and specificity for early diagnosis of neonatal sepsis.Conclusions: Amongst all the hematological parameters Immature to total neutrophil (I:T) ratio has a reasonably good predictive value for early diagnosis of neonatal septicemia. This study is done as an endeavor to add to something about our preexisting knowledge of diagnosis of neonatal sepsis early for better management of this group of patients especially in developing countries.

Are metabolic syndrome, obstructive sleep apnoea & syndrome Z sequential?-a hypothesis

Background & Objectives: The metabolic syndrome (MS) is a risk factor for development of cardiovascular disease and is closely associated with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Co-occurrence of both OSA and MS is called syndrome Z. It has been hypothesized that the OSA may be a manifestation of MS. We collected data on polysomnography (PSG) and biochemical investigations on middle aged urban Indians during a community based study in South Delhi while studying prevalence of obstructive sleep apnoea and analysed to find out the ages at which the OSA, MS and syndrome Z exist in these subjects. Methods: A 2-stage, cross-sectional, population-based study in subjects of either gender between 30-65 yr of age in 4 different socio-economic zones of the South Delhi, India, was performed earlier (from April 2005 through June 2007). In-hospital, supervised PSG studies were performed and biochemical investigations for the MS using National Cholesterol Education Programmme Adult Treatment Panel (NCEP ATP) III criteria were carried out. In this communication, the data were further analysed to estimate the prevalences of MS alone, OSA alone and syndrome Z and average ages of 3 conditions. Results: Three hundred and fifty one subjects had satisfactory PSG studies. The MS alone was present in 105 [29.9%; (95% CI 25.1-34.7)] while OSA alone was present in 24 [6.8%; (95% CI 4.2-9.5)] subjects and the syndrome Z was present in 70 [19.9%; (95% CI 15.8-24.1)] subjects. Median ages of normal subjects, and subjects with MS, OSA and syndrome Z were 40, 43, 43 and 47 yr respectively. Minimum ages of normal subjects, and subjects with MS, OSA and syndrome Z were 30, 30, 32 and 32 yr respectively. Interpretation & Conclusions: When body mass index (BMI) was normal, the increasing median ages of these conditions indicated that the MS may be the first event followed by OSA and eventually syndrome Z develops. With BMI >25 or >30 no clear-cut difference was noted, indicating that the BMI itself could have an independent role in MS, OSA and syndrome Z

Emotional faces and the default mode network

The default-mode network (DMN) of the human brain has become a central topic of cognitive neuroscience research. Although alterations in its resting state activity and in its recruitment during tasks have been reported for several mental and neurodegenerative disorders, its role in emotion processing has received relatively little attention. We investigated brain responses to different categories of emotional faces with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and found deactivation in ventromedial prefrontal cortex (VMPFC), posterior cingulate gyrus (PC) and cuneus. This deactivation was modulated by emotional category and was less prominent for happy than for sad faces. These deactivated areas along the midline conformed to areas of the DMN. We also observed emotion-dependent deactivation of the left middle frontal gyrus, which is not a classical component of the DMN. Conversely, several areas in a fronto-parietal network commonly linked with attention were differentially activated by emotion categories. Functional connectivity patterns, as obtained by correlation of activation levels, also varied between emotions. VMPFC, PC or cuneus served as hubs between the DMN-type areas and the fronto-parietal network. These data support recent suggestions that the DMN is not a unitary system but differentiates according to task and even type of stimulus. The emotion-specific differential pattern of DMN deactivation may be explored further in patients with mood disorder, where the quest for biological markers of emotional biases is still ongoing

DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF AN RP-HPLC METHOD FOR THE DETERMINATION OF ULIPRISTAL ACETATE IN BULK AND PHARMACEUTICAL DOSAGE FORM

Objective: This work makes an attempt to establish a sensitive and accurate method for the development and validation of an analytical method for estimation of ulipristal acetate (UPA) in bulk and pharmaceutical dosage form. Methods: A mixture of 20 mM acetate buffer pH 3.7 and methanol in the ratio of 70:30 (v/v %) was used as the mobile phase. An xBridge™ C18 column (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5μ) was used for the analysis at a flow rate of 1 ml/min, injection volume of 20 μl, run time of 15 min, and detection wavelength of 309 nm. The repeatability (within-day in triplicates) and intermediate precision (for 2 days) were carried out by six injections and the obtained results within and between the days of trials were expressed as percent relative standard deviation (% RSD). The linearity of the method was determined by the analysis of analyte concentration across a range of 10 μg/ml–60 μg/ml. Results: The % RSD values of precision studies were found to be below the accepted limit of 2%. The method was found to be linear with a correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.98. The method was also found to be accurate and robust with suitable values. Limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) of the method were found to be 0.371 μg/ml and 1.23 μg/ml, respectively. Conclusion: The results of analysis prove that this method can be used for the routine determination of UPA in bulk drug and in pharmaceutical dosage forms

Sources of suspended organic matter and selective feeding by zooplankton in an estuarine mangrove ecosystem, as traced by stable isotopes

Between January 1995 and August 1996, suspended matter and zooplankton were sampled at different locations in a mangrove ecosystem located in the Gautami Godavari Estuary and adjacent Kakinada Bay (Andhra Pradesh, India). Suspended matter was sampled at 13 different stations, and was found to have a highly variable carbon stable isotope composition, with delta 13C values ranging overall between -30.94 and -19.18 ppt, and a highly variable elemental (C:N) composition. Our data suggest that the phytoplankton component has a seasonally and spatially variable delta 13C signature, which is surpressed by the terrestrial signal but may at times fall in the same range as the delta 13C of the allochtonous matter. It is argued that the phytoplankton delta 13C decreases after the onset of the monsoon rains, most likely due to the 13C-depletion of the DIC pool caused by the microbial respiration of the allochtonous organic matter. At each of the 4 sites selected for concurrent zooplankton sampling, the zooplankton showed a much wider range of delta 13C than did the suspended matter, with overall delta 13C values between -30.14 and -16.45 ppt. In addition, spatial differences in average delta 13C were much more pronounced for zooplankton than for total suspended matter. These data indicate that zooplankton feed on a component of the suspended matter pool, which has more pronounced seasonal and spatial delta 13C variations than the total suspended matter. Thus, despite the large amounts of terrestrial and mangrove detritus present in the water column, the locally produced phytoplankton appears to be a more important carbon source for the zooplankton

On Generating Explanations for Reinforcement Learning Policies: An Empirical Study

Understanding a \textit{reinforcement learning} policy, which guides state-to-action mappings to maximize rewards, necessitates an accompanying explanation for human comprehension. In this paper, we introduce a set of \textit{linear temporal logic} (LTL) formulae designed to provide explanations for policies, and an algorithm for searching through those formulae for the one that best explains a given policy. Our focus is on crafting explanations that elucidate both the ultimate objectives accomplished by the policy and the prerequisite conditions it upholds throughout its execution. These LTL-based explanations feature a structured representation, which is particularly well-suited for local-search techniques. The effectiveness of our proposed approach is illustrated through a simulated game of capture the flag and a car-parking environment. The paper concludes with suggested directions for futureComment: This work has been submitted to the IEEE for possible publication. Copyright may be transferred without notice, after which this version may no longer be accessibl

Stipe anatomical studies on selected pteridophytes of South India

Present study is based on the stipe anatomy of 13 selected species of pteridophytes of South India. Detailed description, key to the taxa based on stipe anatomy, photographs and descriptions are provided

A database management system for selection of steel

Selection of an ideal material for a given application will be a relatively simple matter, if perfect or near perfect materials are available. Such a material will have high strength, high toughness, good ductility and good fabricability. These properties would not necessarily be compatible in an existing material. Compromises and trade-offs among various properties become inevitable. On the other hand, infinite number of possible materials in various forms and its usage are so intertwined in all industries that a person can have no real comprehension of the characteristics of all the materials. A computer assistance either in the form of a software or a database is therefore unavoidable. A database is developed to assist in the selection of steels for scientific and engineering applications. A program is written in Foxpro to identify the ideal steel based on its tensile strength, elongation, toughness and hardness. The program can select the suitable steels and can generate the forging temper-ature, heat treatment procedure, etc. The input data are obtained from various handbooks and textbooks. A Pentium-586 with FOXPRO is used to build the prototype database management system in DOS environment. Human interface with the system is enhanced by the user-friendly menus. The database can be made compatible easily to a wide variety of micro, mini and mainframe computers