Assessment of genetic divergence for quantitative traits in thermo tolerant tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) genotypes

In the present study, 21 thermo tolerant tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) genotypes were evaluated to delineate the extent of genetic diversity through 10 quantitative traits. The genotypes were categorized into 4 distinct clusters using D2 statistics. Cluster IV had the maximum number (10) of genotypes, where all heat tolerant genotypes grouped together, followed by cluster I (5). Intra cluster analysis revealed that the cluster IV had highest distance, while the inter cluster distance was maximum between cluster III and cluster IV (6.53) indicating the presence of wide range of variability among genotypes of the cluster. Cluster IV recorded maximum cluster mean for yield (579.0), average fruit weight (33.33) and fruit set per cent (54.8) and the cluster III recorded highest mean value for days to 50 percent flowering (67.33). Principal component analysis showed that the first two principal components (PC’s) accounting for 77.6 per cent of total variation. On the basis of inter cluster distance, cluster mean and principal component analysis observed in the present study, a crossing programme involving genotypes from cluster IV will be promising one for developing heat tolerant tomato hybrids

Photo-damage to Keratinocytes by Quinine Photosensitization under mild Ultraviolet-B Exposure

Simultaneous and sufficient exposure to sunlight and drug cause phototoxic reactions in the skin. In the present study, the photosensitizing activity of quinine (Q) was studied. Evidences obtained by reduction of cell viability, mitochondrial damage, DNA damage, ROS generation, lysosome damage and phosphatidyl serine translocation as a marker of apoptosis indicates that exposure of quinine treated keratinocytes to UV-B radiation results in quinine photosensitization and subsequent reactions which alter normal cellular processes. Quinine absorbs strongly in UV-B region (330 nm). It reduced viability of cells significantly as observed through MTT assay. Reduction of cell viability was confirmed through accumulation of Rhodamine 123 dye which showed that quinine and UV-B treated cells accumulate less than control cells confirmed that mitochondrial membrane potential was disturbed. Increased intracellular ROS production was measured through DCF fluorescence. Early apoptosis was confirmed through phosphatidyl serine translocation in the membrane. Increased lysosome damage was observed through acridine orange accumulation in the lysosmes. Single stranded damage was confirmed through comet assay and apoptosis was confirmed through EB/AO staining.  These results show that UV-B radiation elicits phototoxic effects in keratinocytes through reactive oxygen species generation

Comparison of Results of Calibration of Isolation Current Transformer by Conventional Method Two Power Comparator Method

This paper describes the calibration of Isolation Current Transformer by two methods, by conventional method and by two comparator based calibration method. A conventional method has limitations that we get fixed ratios and hence can go up to lower value of 1A. The uncertainties of the calibration system are in the order of 0.005 % for the ratio error and 0.01 crad for the phase displacement of the current transformer at 50 Hz. The power comparator based measurements can be done at test currents from 10 mA to 160A

Antibiotic Impact of Certain Hosts on A Polyphagous Pest, Helicoverpa Armigera Hübner Under Ambient Rearing

The present study has been designed with the aim to explore the impact of certain established host plants on the biology of polyphagous pest, Helicoverpa armigera Hübner under the ambient rearing. The hosts namely, Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L), Maize (Zea mays L.), Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajan L.), Mungbean (Vigna radiata L.), and Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) have been used. The test insect, Helicoverpa armigera has been reared under ambient on the mentioned hosts to know the host suitability and further has been evaluated for the bioattributes like feeding index, approximate digestibility (%), pupal weight, growth index and survival index. During investigation, Gram, Cicer arietinum L. [Feeding Index 0.27 {±0.25}, Approximate Digestibility per cent 61.40 {±2.14}, Pupal Weight (mg) 321.25 {±3.97}, Growth Index 0.87 {±0.20} and Survival Index 1.41 {±0.57}] followed by Maize, Zea mays L. [Feeding Index 0.21 {±0.3}, Approximate Digestibility per cent 57.07 {±3.17}, Pupal Weight (mg) 311.34 {±4.31}, Growth Index 0.79 {±0.22} and Survival Index 1.37 {±0.54}] and Pigeon Pea, Cajanus cajan L. [Feeding Index 0.13 {±0.47}, Approximate Digestibility per cent 54.54 {±3.17}, Pupal Weight (mg) 297.67 {±2.41}, Growth Index 0.61 {±0.31} and Survival Index 1.34 {±0.48}] have been found to be the most suitable on the basis of evaluated bioattributes for the development of the test insect, Helicoverpa armigera. It has been recorded that the rest host crops also showed variable performance on different bioattributes of the test insect, Helicoverpa armigera

Ecological Interactions of Invasive Insects and Native Plant Species in Changing Climate

Invasive insects pose a significant threat to native plant species and ecosystems, particularly in the context of changing climates. Understanding these interactions is crucial for effective conservation and management strategies aimed at mitigating the adverse effects of invasive species on native plant communities. Invasive insects often establish and proliferate in new habitats due to the absence of natural enemies and the availability of suitable resources. As climate change alters the distribution and phenology of plants, it can influence the susceptibility and resilience of native plant species to invasive insects. In some cases, rising temperatures and altered precipitation patterns may favour the spread and population growth of invasive insects, leading to increased herbivory, reduced plant fitness, and ultimately, altered community dynamics. Furthermore, changing climates can disrupt the synchrony between native plants and their pollinators or beneficial insect populations, further exacerbating the impacts of invasive insects. As native plants and pollinators respond differently to shifting climatic conditions, their interactions may become disrupted, potentially reducing the reproductive success and long-term survival of native plant populations. However, it is important to note that climate change can also create novel opportunities for both invasive insects and native plant species. In certain instances, invasive insects may benefit from warmer temperatures and expanded ranges, while some native plants may exhibit adaptive responses and resilience to changing climatic conditions. These complex interactions highlight the need for a comprehensive understanding of the ecological dynamics between invasive insects and native plant species under various climate scenarios. The ecological interactions between invasive insects and native plant species in changing climates have far-reaching consequences for biodiversity conservation and ecosystem functioning. As climates continue to evolve, it is imperative to further investigate these interactions and develop adaptive strategies to mitigate the impacts of invasive insects on native plant communities. By doing so, we can strive to preserve and restore ecological balance in the face of ongoing environmental change

Optimization and fabrication of MEMS based piezoelectric acoustic sensor for wide frequency range and high SPL acoustic application

This paper reports finite element model (FEM) simulation and fabrication of a square shaped diaphragm along with microtunnel for MEMS acoustic sensor which can be used for measurement of wide operational frequency range and high sound pressure level (SPL) 100 dB–180 dB measurement in launching vehicle and aircraft. The structure consists of a piezoelectric ZnO layer sandwiched between two aluminum electrodes on a thin silicon diaphragm. There is a microtunnel in the structure which relates the cavity to the atmosphere for pressure compensation. The microtunnel decides the lower cut-off frequency of device. Analytical and simulation approaches are used to optimize microtunnel dimension and simulation approach for diaphragm structure optimization. The change in displacement, stress, sensitivity and resonance frequency due to different diaphragm sizes with diaphragm thickness variation is also analyzed. The optimized diaphragm structure of 1750 × 1750 μm2 and microtunnel of 100 μm wide and 24 μm deep have been fabricated using bulk micromachining technique. The fabricated device response has been tested using LDV and sensitivity measurement system

Pharmacokinetic interaction potential assessment of cladrin, a potent bioactive constituent of Butea monosperma, and raloxifene, a prescription anti-osteoporotic by in vitro ADME approach

Raloxifene is a well-known modulator of estrogen receptors which is structurally similar to tamoxifen. As flavonoids can interact with the estrogen modulator raloxifene in vitro, we performed an in vitro stability study and in situ permeability assay of raloxifene and cladrin in female Sprague-Dawley rats when administered alone and when co-administered. The in vitro study samples were analyzed by HPLC; raloxifene administered individually and in combination with cladrin was compared. In this study, we investigated the absorption, metabolic stability, plasma stability, determination of permeability and plasma protein binding of both drugs in SD rats using an established in situ single pass intestinal perfusion model. Increase in the bioavailability of raloxifene and cladrin alone or in co-administration also could be because of the activation of P-glycoprotein in the rat intestine. Further the present report concludes on the basis of ATPase assay of both raloxifene and cladrin alone and in combination showed that both drugs are P-gp substrate. In in situ permeability assay showed that the both drugs competitively lower the permeability of each other but still the predicted human permeability value lied in the range of high permeability drug.