Preparation of Mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) for Genetic Characterization and Morphological Examination.

Mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) are economically significant agricultural pests on many different crops. Because of their small size and lack of easily visible characters for identification, determination of their taxonomic status is difficult and requires technical competency to prepare a slide-mounted specimen. The standard mounting technique does not allow for analysis of the genome of the specimen. Conversely, preparatory techniques for genetic analysis of mealybugs cause either loss of the entire individual or physical damage that can make morphology-based identification difficult. This study describes a simple protocol that does not impact physical integrity of the specimen for fixation and microscopic examination yet enables simultaneous DNA extraction for DNA-based identification of four mealybug species. All species prepared yielded high quality slide mounts, identified as Planococcus citri Risso, Pseudococcus viburni Signoret, Rhizoecus kondonis Kuwana, or Rhizoecus californicus Ferris. DNA extracted in this manner had higher purity and yield in the final eluate than in samples extracted using standard methods. DNA extracted was successfully amplified by polymerase chain reaction using primers for the cytochrome oxidase I gene and subsequently sequenced for all specimens. This protocol is likely to be applicable to other Hemiptera taxa that are preserved by slide mounting, allowing for both the preparation of a high-quality voucher specimen for morphological identification and simultaneous analysis of DNA for the same specimen. The methods used are technically less challenging than current standard procedures

In vitro flowering, somatic embryogenesis and regeneration in Boerhaavia diffusa Linn. - A medicinal plant

In vitro callogenesis was achieved from leaf explants of Boerhaavia diffusa Linn. on basal medium supplemented with different concentrations of BAP, NAA, Kn and IAA. Regeneration of shoot buds were observed on MS medium supplemented with BAP and NAA at different concentrations. In some of the replicates the shoot buds were elongated and terminated in flower buds. In vitro flowering occurred within two weeks of subculture. The highest percentage of flowering was obtained on medium supplemented with BAP (2 mg l 1). Excised shoots after transferring to rooting liquid medium (0.5-2.0 mg l 1 IAA or NAA) roots were initiated. The regenerated plantlets have been successfully established in vermiculite soil. Subsequently, they were shifted to the field conditions. Regenerated plantlets resemble the parent plants morphologically and cytologically. Histological study of the cultures showed the presence of meristemoids, somatic embryos and embryoids

Application of remote sensing to marine fisheries: alternative approaches

A discussion is presented on the applications of remote sensing to fisheries. The measurement of temperature, wind stress, and ocean colour using remote sensing techniques is considered

Vitis vinifera (Vitales: Vitaceae) as a Reproductive Host of Spissistilus festinus (Hemiptera: Membracidae).

Feeding by the three-cornered alfalfa hopper, Spissistilus festinus (Say) (Hemiptera: Membracidae) results in girdling of grapevine petioles and shoots. Its significance as an economic pest of grape has increased since it was shown to transmit Grapevine red blotch virus (GRBV) in a greenhouse study. However, the status of grapevines as a reproductive host for S. festinus remained undetermined. Adult S. festinus were caged onto three regions of the grapevines: apical shoot, green shoot, and dormant cane. Their ability to reproduce was determined by weekly destructive sampling for 7 wk. Successful oviposition and nymphal emergence were observed on apical and green shoots, but not on dormant canes. However, insect development beyond the second nymphal instar did not occur. Knowledge of S. festinus reproduction on grapevines will be an important consideration in designing management guidelines to minimize the spread of GRBV in vineyards

Evaluation of phytochemicals and antibacterial activity of leaf and leaf derived callus extracts of Artemisia annua L. and Sauropus androgynus (L.) Merr.

The present study focuses on the use of salicylic acid as a plant growth hormone for the induction of callus in Sauropus androgynus and Artemisia annua plants. Higher induction of callus of 72% in S. androgynus (NAA+BAP+SA at +2.5+2.5 mg/ l concentration) and 64% in A. annua (NAA+Kn+SA at 1.0+2.5+2.5 mg/ l concentration) were observed when compared to 52% and 51%, respectively in individual supplementation of plant growth regulators. The phytochemical analysis also revealed the presence of maximum phytochemicals in callus extract compared to leaf extracts of S. androgynus and A. annua there by corroborating with the results of callus induction. The methanol extracts of both callus and leaf extracts of S. androgynus and A. annua exhibited antibacterial activity against all the test pathogens viz., S. aureus, B. subtilis, S. typhi and E. coli. A maximum inhibition zone of 20 mm was observed against S. typhi in methanol callus extract of S. androgynus followed by 18 mm inhibition zone against S. aureus with same extract. It was evident from the results both callus and leaf extracts of the selected plants possessed potential antibacterial activity against all the test pathogens with one or the other solvent extracts. The findings provide a new facelift for callus induction using salicylic acid in selected plants and also pave way for identification of novel compounds for drug development from S. androgynus and A. annua

Effect of COVID-19 on Students Studying in the Secondary and Higher Secondary Level

The novel Corona virus has been declared a pandemic due to its high transmissibility rate, influencing human life to its heights. It has affected the psychological and mental health of all people, including the functioning of various sectors. This study is based on a micro-level survey that discusses the pandemic's effect on 600 students pursuing education in secondary and higher secondary levels in Kolkata. The school students’ effect was analysed based on four parameters— school, home, a shift in the medium of education from offline to online, and the effect on the students’ future plans, aims, and ambition. The survey was conducted using a questionnaire, which was comprised of structured and semi-structured questions circulated online among the respondents. The respondents were asked to initially rank the indicators and the variables they considered the most critical cause affecting their studies. The respondents were then asked to rate the indicators on a five-point Likert scale to judge the degree of impact of the variables on the respondents

The political economy of uneven rural development : the case of the nonfarm sector in Kerala, India

The rural nonagricultural/nonfarm sector (RNFS) has been gaining prominence in (rural) development theory and practice in many developing countries of the world since the 1970s. It is widely argued that the RNFS is able to generate employment and reduce poverty in rural economies, which are otherwise plagued by a stagnant agricultural sector. The existing literature on the RNFS has situated the development of the RNFS in terms of its economic linkage with rural-agricultural or urban-industrial sectors. While this literature has contributed to our understanding of the RNFS, it has not adequately explained the processes and outcomes of RNFS in relation to its capitalist class character. In other words, there is a dearth of political-economic analysis of an important sphere of economic activity. This inadequacy along with the fact that much of the research on rural capitalist relations (i.e. on rural political economy) has been on rural-agricultural activity, define the points of departure for this research project. This dissertation examines the historical-geographical development of capitalist/class relations of non-agricultural activity within rural spaces. The study is contextualized in the coir industry -- an important rural nonagricultural industry -- in Kerala, India. The empirical findings of this research show that class differentiation and class relations in the RNFS emerge historically and spatially, driven by the principles of commercialization, capitalist accumulation, profit maximization and competition. Colonialism set the stage for the initial economic subordination of labor under capital in the coir industry, establishment of capitalist market and formation of a huge reserve army of surplus labor. Production in the industry is dominated by its capitalist form. Relations to property and labor power are expressed in a variety of place-specific forms. These include not only relations between private capital and labor but also capital-labor relations in the cooperative and state-managed sectors. A large section of the economically active population in the coir sector, which can be called a reserve army of labor, is 'self-employed' and connected to the capitalist system in the realm of exchange relations. Employers employ workers at low wages and control them through various mechanisms including technological control at the point of production, which workers accept owing to their vulnerable conditions in the struggle for a living wage. Class relations also condition and are reinforced by non-class relations of gender and caste in the coir industry

AN INVESTIGATION ON ONLINE COMPONENTS OF THE BACHELOR OF EDUCATION HONOURS IN SPECIAL NEEDS EDUCATION DEGREE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF SPECIAL NEEDS EDUCATION

The Department of Special Needs Education, part of the Faculty of Education at the Open University of Sri Lanka (OUSL), offers the Bachelor of Education Honours in Special Needs Education degree. This program differs from other bachelor’s degree programs as most activities are conducted online. The study aims to identify the current situation, explore the challenges faced by students and lecturers, and propose improvements for online activities in the program. The study follows a pragmatic philosophical worldview and employs a mixed-methods research approach with a convergent design. Data was collected through questionnaires (49 students and 8 lecturers), interview schedules (10 students and 4 lecturers), and document analysis. The program spans four years and requires 120 credits, with assessments consisting of continuous assessment (CA) and a final examination. Findings indicate that most students were satisfied with their technical knowledge and used mobile phones for online activities. However, many students faced difficulties with slow internet connections, unclear audio, and device malfunctions. While 58% of students were satisfied with their online activities, 12% expressed dissatisfaction. A significant number of lecturers (87.5%) preferred face-to-face teaching. Lecturers (75%) reported three major issues: equipment problems, lack of student responses, and internet-related difficulties. Students suggested providing clearer instructions for online activities, while lecturers recommended offering flexible solutions for online assignment submission and grading. Additionally, the researcher proposes the creation of a convenient communication channel, especially for students’ grievances, to promptly resolve any issues related to online activities.  Article visualizations

姿勢－呼吸フィードバック制御機構の実装と評価

国立大学法人長岡技術科学大

Optimal Power System Planning with Renewable DGs with Reactive Power Consideration

This paper analyses the optimal power system planning with DGs used as real and reactive power compensator. Recently planning of DG placement reactive power compensation are the major problems in distribution system. As the requirement in the power is more the DG placement becomes important. When planned to make the DG placement, cost analysis becomes as a major concern. And if the DGs operate as reactive power compensator it is most helpful in power quality maintenance. So, this paper deals with the optimal power system planning with renewable DGs which can be used as a reactive power compensators. The problem is formulated and solved using popular meta-heuristic techniques called cuckoo search algorithm (CSA) and particle swarm optimization (PSO). the comparative results are presented