Variación en la morfología de semillas y parámetros de aceites seleccionados de lilas india (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) de diferentes zonas agroclimáticas de Tamil Nadu, India

Tamil Nadu, in southern India, has the second-largest number of neem trees in the country. The oil from the seeds has high economic significance for cottage industries in the region. This paper examines 28 Candidate Plus Trees (CPTs) selected from six agroclimatic zones in Tamil Nadu which exhibit exceptional traits such as superior growth and other desirable characteristics. We aimed to understand seed morphology variations and physicochemical properties in the oil across different regions. Significant differences were observed for morphometric traits. Fruit production correlated negatively with rainfall. 100-seed kernel weight and seed length correlated with oil percentage. Rainfall influenced seed breadth and pericarp weight. Clustering using morphological characters did not group genotypes from the same region; while soil type could distinguish them. Correlation helped us determine the prominent features which influence the traits of interest, which can be useful for breeding programs, cultivation practices, and the development of neem-based products in Tamil Nadu and beyond.Tamil Nadu, en el sur de la India, tiene el segundo mayor número de árboles de lilas india del país. El aceite de las semillas tiene una gran importancia económica para las industrias artesanales de la región. En este trabajo se examinan 28 árboles Candidate Plus (CPT) seleccionados de seis zonas agroclimáticas en Tamil Nadu, que exhiben rasgos excepcionales como un crecimiento superior y otras características deseables. Nuestro objetivo era comprender las variaciones de la morfología de las semillas y las propiedades fisicoquímicas del aceite en diferentes regiones. Se observaron diferencias significativas para los rasgos morfométricos. La producción de frutos se correlacionó negativamente con las precipitaciones. El peso de 100 semillas y granos y la longitud de la semilla se correlacionaron con el porcentaje de aceite. Las lluvias influyeron en el ancho de la semilla y el peso del pericarpio. El agrupamiento utilizando caracteres morfológicos no agrupó genotipos de una misma región, mientras que el tipo de suelo pudo distinguirlos. La correlación nos ayudó a diseccionar las características prominentes que influyen en las características de interés, que pueden informar los programas de reproducción, las prácticas de cultivo y el desarrollo de productos a base de neem en Tamil Nadu y más allá

Multi-scale modelling to estimate spall parameters in metallic single crystals

Modeling dynamics fracture in materials involves usage of hydrodynamic codes which solve basic conservation laws of mass, energy and momentum in space and time. This requires appropriate models to handle elastic-plastic deformation, equation of state, material strength, and fracture. Nucleation and Growth (NAG) damage model is a micro-physical model which computes amount of damage in the material by accounting for phenomena like nucleation, growth and coalescence of voids or cracks. The NAG model involves several material model parameters, such as nucleation threshold, growth threshold, etc. Traditionally these parameters are fitted to experimental void volume distributions. In the present paper we fit these parameters to molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of void nucleation and growth and use the fitted parameters in hydrodynamic simulations in a multi-scale computational approach. Cubic metallic single crystals are subjected to isotropic deformation and the nucleation of voids and their growth were post-processed from the simulations. These results are used in an in-house Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) code to obtain NAG parameters for materials of our interest. Using these parameters in a 1D hydrodynamic code developed in-house, fracture parameters such as spall strength and thickness are obtained. The results are validated with published experimental data for Mo, Nb and Cu which have been simulated using the multi-scale model. This paper describes the application of the multi-scale model to obtain the NAG fracture model parameters of Al and its spall data. The results are compared with published experimental results in single crystal Al.Comment: 8 pages, 10 figures, 2 table

SFRP-mediated Wnt sequestration as a potential therapeutic target for Alzheimer's disease

The extracellular ligand, Wnt, and its receptors are involved in sign al transduction and play an important role in axis formation and neural development. In neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), a decrease of the intracellular Wnt effector, ß-catenin, has been linked to amyloid-ß-peptide-induced neurotoxicity. Despite this knowledge, targeting Wnt inhibitors as potential biomarkers has not been explored, and harnessing Wnt activators as therapeutic candidates remains largely not investigated. A wide acting family of Wnt mediators, secreted frizzled-related proteins (sFRPs), has not been probed so far as molecular indicators of disease occurrence and progression of Alzheimer's. Unlike the effect of the Dickkopf (DKK) family of Wnt antagonists on AD, the sFRP molecules have a more pleiotropic impact on the Wnt signaling cascade and probably have a far-reaching involvement in neurodegeneration. The role of sFRPs has been poorly described in AD, and in this review, we analyze the present status of the role of sFRPs on neurodegeneration, their likely involvement, and potential implications in treatment modalities of AD. This information would provide valuable clues for the development of potential therapeutic targets for aberrant neurodegenerative disorders

Cortical nNOS neurons co-express the NK1 receptor and are depolarized by Substance P in multiple mammalian species

We have previously demonstrated that Type I neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS)-expressing neurons are sleep-active in the cortex of mice, rats, and hamsters. These neurons are known to be GABAergic, to express Neuropeptide Y (NPY) and, in rats, to co-express the Substance P (SP) receptor NK1, suggesting a possible role for SP in sleep/wake regulation. To evaluate the degree of co-expression of nNOS and NK1 in the cortex among mammals, we used double immunofluorescence for nNOS and NK1 and determined the anatomical distribution in mouse, rat, and squirrel monkey cortex. Type I nNOS neurons co-expressed NK1 in all three species although the anatomical distribution within the cortex was species-specific. We then performed in vitro patch clamp recordings in cortical neurons in mouse and rat slices using the SP conjugate tetramethylrhodamine-SP (TMR-SP) to identify NK1-expressing cells and evaluated the effects of SP on these neurons. Bath application of SP (0.03–1 μM) resulted in a sustained increase in firing rate of these neurons; depolarization persisted in the presence of tetrodotoxin. These results suggest a conserved role for SP in the regulation of cortical sleep-active neurons in mammals

Genes are Gems: Reporting Agri-Biotechnology A Sourcebook for Journalists

The inspiration for a sourcebook on agri-biotechnology reporting originated at this workshop series. The idea was to collate the knowledge and wisdom gained from the workshops and put them into a handy reference book for science communicators and journalists. From the presentations of biotechnology scientists and communication specialists, experiences of journalists that were shared, and the writing exercises done at the workshops, we have distilled the practical advice and guidelines that are in this sourcebook for agri-biotechnology reporting. We are certain that the impact of this sourcebook will not end with the communicators alone. The media’s multiplier effect impacts the decision of policymakers, which in turn will lead to informed actions that will significantly improve the lives of poor farmers. This volume, Genes are Gems: Reporting Agri-Biotechnology, is our offering to science communicators who want to report on agribiotechnology. May your tribe increase

Influence Of Nanopolymers With Different End‐Functionalities On Platelets And Coagulation. An Ex‐Vivo Study

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/106058/1/jth03252.pd

Stable isotopic signatures in precipitation of 2006 southwest monsoon of Tamil Nadu

Southwest monsoon (SWM) controls the majority ofthe agricultural activities in Tamil Nadu (TN), though the amount of rainfall received due to this is relatively less. The nature and behaviour of water vapour over TN reveal the other dynamic processes that are in operation during this period of the year. Hence, the stable isotope signatures of d 18O and dD obtained here were used to derive the first local meteoric water line for the State with SWM precipitation. The d-excess parameter was also used in conjunction and it was found that three dominant processes were in operation during this period: (i) vapours from southeast Arabian Sea, (ii) local evaporating vapours from inland tanks and (iii) vapours from the Indian Ocean

Gene-environment correlations and causal effects of childhood maltreatment on physical and mental health: a genetically informed approach.

BACKGROUND: Childhood maltreatment is associated with poor mental and physical health. However, the mechanisms of gene-environment correlations and the potential causal effects of childhood maltreatment on health are unknown. Using genetics, we aimed to delineate the sources of gene-environment correlation for childhood maltreatment and the causal relationship between childhood maltreatment and health. METHODS: We did a genome-wide association study meta-analysis of childhood maltreatment using data from the UK Biobank (n=143 473), Psychiatric Genomics Consortium (n=26 290), Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (n=8346), Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study (n=5400), and Generation R (n=1905). We included individuals who had phenotypic and genetic data available. We investigated single nucleotide polymorphism heritability and genetic correlations among different subtypes, operationalisations, and reports of childhood maltreatment. Family-based and population-based polygenic score analyses were done to elucidate gene-environment correlation mechanisms. We used genetic correlation and Mendelian randomisation analyses to identify shared genetics and test causal relationships between childhood maltreatment and mental and physical health conditions. FINDINGS: Our meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies (N=185 414) identified 14 independent loci associated with childhood maltreatment (13 novel). We identified high genetic overlap (genetic correlations 0·24-1·00) among different maltreatment operationalisations, subtypes, and reporting methods. Within-family analyses provided some support for active and reactive gene-environment correlation but did not show the absence of passive gene-environment correlation. Robust Mendelian randomisation suggested a potential causal role of childhood maltreatment in depression (unidirectional), as well as both schizophrenia and ADHD (bidirectional), but not in physical health conditions (coronary artery disease, type 2 diabetes) or inflammation (C-reactive protein concentration). INTERPRETATION: Childhood maltreatment has a heritable component, with substantial genetic correlations among different operationalisations, subtypes, and retrospective and prospective reports of childhood maltreatment. Family-based analyses point to a role of active and reactive gene-environment correlation, with equivocal support for passive correlation. Mendelian randomisation supports a (primarily bidirectional) causal role of childhood maltreatment on mental health, but not on physical health conditions. Our study identifies research avenues to inform the prevention of childhood maltreatment and its long-term effects. FUNDING: Wellcome Trust, UK Medical Research Council, Horizon 2020, National Institute of Mental Health, and National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre

Effect of particle size on the thermal conductivity of nanofluids containing metallic nanoparticles

A one-parameter model is presented for the thermal conductivity of nanofluids containing dispersed metallic nanoparticles. The model takes into account the decrease in thermal conductivity of metal nanoparticles with decreasing size. Although literature data could be correlated well using the model, the effect of the size of the particles on the effective thermal conductivity of the nanofluid could not be elucidated from these data. Therefore, new thermal conductivity measurements are reported for six nanofluids containing silver nanoparticles of different sizes and volume fractions. The results provide strong evidence that the decrease in the thermal conductivity of the solid with particle size must be considered when developing models for the thermal conductivity of nanofluids