Isolation, identification of Phytophthora nicotianae var. parasitica and screening of tomato parental lines for buckeye rot resistance

Buckeye rot disease of tomato which is one of the most devastating diseases of tomato crop is caused by soil born fungus Phytophthora nicotianae var. parasitica. In present study, the pathogen was isolated, morphologically identified and its pathogenicity was proved on susceptible commercial variety Solan Lalima and resistant line EC-251649 of tomato. Isolation of pathogen from the infected tomato fruit was achieved on Corn Meal Agar (CMA) out of two different media viz., Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) and CMA. Fungal inoculum was prepared on Corn Meal broth. Inoculation with 10 ml of inoculum was found optimum in plant parts namely, stem, leaves and fruits. Parental lines were inoculated to test their disease reaction to buckeye rot. Symptoms of infection appeared on leaves and fruits only. Solan Lalima was found to be highly susceptible to with disease severity of 92 % and 100 % disease incidence, while EC-251649 was found moderately resistant on the basis of 16 % disease severity and 10 % disease incidence to the disease. After confirmation of resistance and susceptibility, the parental lines were surveyed for polymorphism using 42 primers and 32 were recorded to be polymorphic revealing that the differences are present at DNA level also. This is the very first study which evaluated parental lines for buckeye rot disease reaction on morphological as well as molecular basis. These lines will be further used for quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis/gene tagging for buckeye rot and marker assisted selection to provide improved varieties to the farmers

Comparative genomics exploration tools

Comparative Genomics focuses on elucidating the genetic differences between different species or different strains of the same species by the comparative analysis of DNA sequences to identify functional elements and regulatory regions. This thesis describes the design and development of two software tools to support comparative genomics research. These tools were specifically developed to support the analysis and assembly of sequence data produced from innovative new DNA sequencing technology from 454 Life Sciences using the PicoTiterPlate(TM) device. This technology will dramatically affect comparative genomics research. Currently available software tools were developed to handle traditional shotgun sequences averaging 500-1000 base pairs in length. These tools are inadequate to handle the unique characteristics of sequence reads generated by 454 Life Sciences. The goal of this research is to adapt currently available tools and develop new tools to be used for sequence reads generated by any sequencing technology, even those having different characteristics from the traditional shotgun sequences

An analysis of financial performance of State Road Transport Corporation in Gujarat

As, GSRTC offers passenger transport services, the efficiency lies in providing qualitative services in terms of safety and punctuality. The prime resource of GSRTC is its buses, so the proper upkeep and effective utilization of vehicles and efficiency in operations will increase revenue and control the cost of operations. Unfortunately, more than 52 per cent (as on 31st March 2008) of the fleet owned by GSRTC are over aged and due for replacement. However, scarcity of funds restricted the replacement of these vehicles. Aged fleet needs more resources (man and material) to operate, slow down operations due to frequent break-downs and reduced trips than planned. Consequently, number of passengers and employee and vehicle utilization goes down and as such, increased cost of operations and decreased profit together contributes to financial weakness of GSRTC. The GSRTC will have to compete with the private sector even though the former may continue to play a dominant role in terms of social obligations. The research is focused on financial analysis Gujarat State Road Transport. The research has its own findings and ended with fruitful suggestions

Efficacy and safety of oral mifepristone on preinduction cervical ripening at term pregnancy prospective randomized control study

Background: Cervical ripening is important prerequisite for induction of labour, induction is indicated when it is advantageous to mother and fetus. Successful induction of labour decreases caesarean rate. Beyond term pregnancy there will be placental insufficiency, it leads to complications such as oligohydramnios thereby cord compression, birth asphyxia, increased incidence of operative delivery. Induction at term pregnancy has the potential to improve the neonatal outcomes. Aim was to study the efficacy and safety of oral mifepristone on cervical ripening prior to induction of labor at term pregnancy and to compare the feto maternal outcome with control group. Methods: Total 112 pregnant women at term pregnancy, where pregnancy can be continued for another 48 hours with bishop score 4 or less were selected. Sample was equally divided into study group (56 women) to receive 200mg mifepristone and control Group group (56 women) to receive placebo orally. Bishop score was assessed at 24hours and 48hours. In women who did not enter labor spontaneously other modes of induction was done. Results: There is significant improvement in bishop score at 24 hr and 48hr in study group p value 0.001, 80.35% women in study group and 50 % women in control group delivered vaginally. 33.9% women of study group and 10.7% women of control group delivered spontaneously. Requirement of PGE2 gel and oxytocin was significantly lesser in study group, there was no significant adverse effect seen on mother and newborn compared to control group. Conclusions: Cervical ripening with mifepristone prior to induction of labour at term improves bishop score and decreases rate of failed induction and cesarean section rate, with good neonatal outcome

Influence of Bi Concentration on Major Physical Parameters of Ge14BixSe76-xTe10 Based Chalcogenide Glasses

The investigation of some useful properties of chalcogenide glasses with respect to composition has been increased in recent years for characterization and improvement of the properties of chalcogenide glasses and the materials exhibiting particularly the switching phenomenon ever since reversible switching phenomenon in certain types of chalcogenide glasses was first reported. In the present article, the influence of varying the bismuth content on the physical parameters has been studied theoretically for Ge14 Bix Se76-x Te10 (x = 1.5, 4.5, 7.5, 10.5, 13.5, 16.5, 19.5, 22.5 at. %) based chalcogenide glasses. The variation in glass transition temperature has been studied using two approaches, namely the Tichy – Ticha approach and Lankhorst approaches. The smooth variation of almost all parameters, studied here, indicates the suitability of this combination for phase change optical recording and finds valuable applications in rewritable optical recording

The oral microbiome and adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Significant evidence supports an association between periodontal pathogenic bacteria and preterm birth and preeclampsia. The virulence properties assigned to specific oral pathogenic bacteria, for example, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Filifactor alocis, Campylobacter rectus, and others, render them as potential collaborators in adverse outcomes of pregnancy. Several pathways have been suggested for this association: 1) hematogenous spread (bacteremia) of periodontal pathogens; 2) hematogenous spread of multiple mediators of inflammation that are generated by the host and/or fetal immune response to pathogenic bacteria; and 3) the possibility of oral microbial pathogen transmission, with subsequent colonization, in the vaginal microbiome resulting from sexual practices. As periodontal disease is, for the most part, preventable, the medical and dental public health communities can address intervention strategies to control oral inflammatory disease, lessen the systemic inflammatory burden, and ultimately reduce the potential for adverse pregnancy outcomes. This article reviews the oral, vaginal, and placental microbiomes, considers their potential impact on preterm labor, and the future research needed to confirm or refute this relationship

Reclamation of thermal power plant waste as a distributed phase in electrodeposited Ni composite coating

In the exploration for newer and inexpensive distributed phases that can be used in electrodeposited Ni-composite coatings, cenosphere particles which are one of the constituents of fly ash, the waste product of thermal power plants has been explored as a potential candidate material. An attempt was made to prepare electrodeposited Nicenosphere composite coating. The as-received cenosphere particles could be codeposited only after reducing the particle size by ball milling. The loading of cenosphere particles in the Ni-sulphamate bath was varied (25, 75 and 100 g L−1) and a maximum microhardness of 430 HK at 50 gF load was obtained for the coating deposited from 100 g L−1 cenosphere containing bath. The Ni-cenosphere composite coating with higher microhardness exhibited lower wear rate. Thus cenosphere, a waste product from thermal power plants is a potential candidate for a greener surface engineering strategy for improving the wear resistance of electrodeposited Ni composite coating

Role Of Forensic in Victim Identification: An Indian Perspective

Forensic science has become an invaluable tool in criminal investigations, enabling investigators to identify suspects, victims, and even the cause of death in some cases. In India, the use of forensic science for the identification of victims is gaining importance due to the increasing number of human trafficking, child abductions and kidnappings. In such cases, it is often difficult to identify the victim due to the lack of personal belongings or other evidence. Through the use of sophisticated tools and techniques such as DNA analysis, fingerprinting and other forensic techniques, victims can be identified and perpetrators of crime brought to justice.  The identification of victims through forensic evidence is a highly complex and labour-intensive process. It requires the proper collection, preservation, and analysis of evidence from the crime scene, as well as the use of sophisticated technological tools and techniques. In India, forensic science has been used to identify victims of mass disasters, like the recent floods in Kerala and the 2008 terror attacks in Mumbai. In these cases, forensic scientists used DNA analysis, fingerprinting, and other techniques to identify those who had been lost or killed. In addition to its use in mass disasters and terrorist attacks, forensic science has also been used in the identification of victims of homicide and other violent crimes in India. It has proved invaluable in cases where other means of identification have failed due to the nature of the crime, the bodies being unrecognizable, or the lack of any other evidence. In these cases, forensic science has provided vital clues that have helped law enforcement to identify the victims and bring the perpetrators to justice. There are several laws that have been put in place in India to ensure the proper use of forensic science in victim identification. The Evidence Act, 1872, lays down the legal provisions related to the examination of evidence and provides guidelines for evidence collection as well as its admissibility in a court of law. The Indian Penal Code, 1860, also provides specific provisions related to the use of forensic science in victim identification. This paper explores the role of forensic science in victim identification in India. It examines the legal provisions in place to ensure the proper use of forensic science, as well as the laws related to evidence collection and admissibility in court. Furthermore, it looks at the use of forensic science in identifying victims of mass disasters and violent crimes, as well as its potential to revolutionize the criminal justice system in the country. Additionally, it highlights the need for further recognition of forensic anthropology as a speciality of significance, as well as for the implementation of dedicated courses in the field. Lastly, it also provides a comparison between the status quo in India and developed nations. The paper concludes by emphasizing the importance of forensic science in helping to identify victims and bring perpetrators of crime to justice, and its potential to revolutionize the criminal justice system in India