Needle(s) in the Haystack – Synchronous Multifocal Tumor Induced Osteomalacia

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Endocrine Society via http://dx.doi.org/10.1210/jc.2015-3854MG is supported by the NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre

Integrating grafting and bio-inputs for sustainable management of root knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita, in tomato cultivation

IntroductionRoot-knot disease in tomato, caused by Meloidogyne incognita, presents a major challenge to global tomato production. This study explored a sustainable management approach by evaluating host-plant resistance through grafting combined with bio-inputs in farmers’ fields with high natural infestations of M. incognita.MethodsThe commercial F1 hybrid Shivam® tomato was grafted onto bacterial wilt-resistant eggplant rootstocks, EG 203 and TS 03. Two field experiments were conducted with six treatment groups to compare the performance of 'EG 203-tomato' and 'TS 03-tomato' grafts against the non-grafted hybrid tomato, both with and without bio-input applications. The bio-input protocol included soil application of neem cake (250 kg/ha) and soil and seedling drenching at nursery and transplant stages using biocontrol agents (Bacillus subtilis, Trichoderma asperellum, and Purpureocillium lilacinum, each at 5 g/L).ResultsResults indicated that the 'EG 203-tomato' graft demonstrated strong resistance to M. incognita, while the 'TS 03-tomato' graft remained susceptible, akin to the non-grafted Shivam® hybrid. The EG 203-tomato graft treated with the bio-inputs achieved the highest suppression of M. incognita, with reductions of 76.8–77.7% juvenile populations in the soil, 62.0–66.1% in female populations within roots, 73.6–77.3% in egg masses per female, and 38.1–40.0% in eggs per egg mass. This treatment also resulted in the lowest root gall index, measured at 2.0–2.1.DiscussionIn both trial locations, 'EG 203-tomato' graft plants enriched with bio-inputs outperformed the non-grafted tomato in growth and yield metrics, achieving greater plant height (54.6–54.7 cm), leaf count (81.3–84.3 per plant), branch count (3.1–3.7) and fruit yield (10.8–11.5 kg/plant). These findings support the recommendation of EG 203-tomato grafts with bio-input management as an effective large-scale strategy for tomato growers combating M. incognita infestations

Simulating the Thermal Efficiency of Courtyard Houses: New Architectural Insights from the Warm and Humid Climate of Tiruchirappalli City, India

In various climate conditions, courtyards have a major impact on a building’s energy efficiency and thermal performance. The purpose of this study is to understand and analyze the environmental aspects of a courtyard in a particular area. The chosen region is Trichy, which has generally warm-humid climate. To understand environmental factors like thermal comfort, natural ventilation, natural lighting, and microclimate, cases from the region were chosen. The primary objective of this paper is to utilize computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to investigate how these environmental factors affect the courtyard in the stated location. The chosen case is stimulated using DesignBuilder software. The field investigation is the first step in the study, which is then followed by the model-making process and stimulation. This study investigates the impact of environmental parameters on courtyard efficiency, focusing on their response to environmental conditions. Through field investigation and modeling of chosen examples, the study reveals critical elements for courtyard design success, emphasizing the relevance of knowing these characteristics for effective courtyard planning in the region. The results are beneficial for analyzing the courtyard’s circumstances since they take into consideration the courtyard’s performance towards microclimate and influences on various courtyard components. Additionally, they offer a helpful coefficient factor for additional courtyard studies