Field evaluation of Trichoderma harzianum, Pochonia chlamydosporia and Pasteuria penetrans in a root knot nematode infested black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) garden in India

Two fungal bioagents (Trichoderma harzianum and Pochonia chlamydosporia) and a bacterial endoparasite (Pasteuria penetrans) were evaluated for biological control of nematodes in a black pepper garden in Waynad District of Kerala, India for five years (1998-2001) in a randomized block design with six treatments replicated thrice. The yellowing of vines in the experimental plot has decreased in all the treatments after the first year onwards. After four years, the lowest incidence of yellowing (15.25 %) was noticed in plots treated with phorate followed by plots treated with P. chlamydosporia (20.78 %) and P. penetrans (24.13 %). The highest mean yield (1.83 kg vine-1) was obtained in P. chlamydosporia treated plots followed by combined application of phorate and potassium phosphonate (1.50 kg vine-1). The lowest mean population of root-knot nematodes in black pepper roots was observed in phorate + potassium phosphonate treated plants followed by P. penetrans treated plants. The final nematode level was the lowest in P. chlamydosporia treated plots. The study has clearly proved the efficacy of these bioagents, especially P. chlamydosporia for managing root knot nematodes in black pepper gardens

Safety evaluation of Sapindus laurifolius leaf extract in Wistar rats

Objectives:The present work was aimed to study the phytochemical composition of the Sapindus laurifolius leaves andtoxicological effect of the Sapindus laurifolius leaf extract in a systematic way using Wistar albino rats as a model animal.Materials and Methods :The identification of phytoconstituents present in the leaf extract was performed using Highperformance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC). In toxicity studies, the acute oral toxicity study was conducted as per theguidelines of Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD 423 Acute Toxic Class Method) for testingof chemicals. In repeated dose 28-day oral toxicity study (OECD 407), methanolic leaf extract administered at the dose of 50,200 and 800 mg/kg BWand limit dose of 1000 mg/kg BW.Results: Saponins, flavanoids, glycosides and bitter principles were the major phytoconstituents identified. In acute toxicitystudy, the LD cut-off values were found to be more than 2g/kg in leaf extract. In repeated dose 28-day oral toxicity, significant 50(P<0.05) increase in AST, ALT, BUN and creatinine, significant (P<0.05) increase in total protein was noticed. Thehistopathological changes confined to liver, kidney and intestine, revealed mild to moderate hepatotoxicity, severenephrotoxicity and increased goblet cell activity. The changes were found to correlate with increased dose of leaf extract.Conclusion:The phytochemical analysis of Sapindus laurifolius revealed the presence of saponins, glycosides, flavonoidsand bitter principles.The acute oral toxicity study of S. laurifolius methanolic leaf extract in rats resulted in no toxicity even atthe highest dose, but in repeated 28-day oral toxicity study revealed mild to moderate hepatotoxicity, severe nephrotoxicityand intestinal damage

TRENDS IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS

Ever since the first HIV case reported, there is a dramatic increase in the prevalence of HIV infection which urged the need for an effective diagnostic method.  There are several improvements in diagnostic methods employing various technologies to screen for HIV infection using enzyme immunoassays and rapid diagnostic tests which simultaneously detect antigen and antibody with significantly reduced window period.  Further, western blot or immunofluorescence methods are used to confirm the results. Nucleic acid amplification tests, though sensitive, are expensive and hence not employed for screening but instead used to monitor the antiretroviral drug response. In spite of appreciable advancements in the sensitivity and specificity of the detection techniques, the algorithms are still the method of choice for ensuring the accuracy of test results

Evaluation of fungal bioagents for management of root-knot nematodes in ginger and turmeric fields

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) and turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) are important herbaceousspices cultivated extensively in different states of India. Being vegetatively propagated, theyare challenged with several pests and diseases including plant parasitic nematodes. Root-knot nematode problem in these crops is currently managed with nematicides, cover cropsand organic amendments. Realizing the scope of biological control in these crops, a series ofexperiments were conducted at Indian Institute of Spices Research, Calicut, Kerala to screenand evaluate various fungal bioagents for control of root knot nematodes (Meloidogyneincognita) infesting ginger and turmeric under field conditions. Ten antagonistic fungi wereevaluated in different field experiments conducted in root-knot infested ginger and turmericfields at two locations. The most promising isolates that suppressed root knot nematodeswere Aspergillus nidulans (Is.10), &nbsp;Fusarium oxysporum (Is.11), Paecilomyces lilacinus (Is.36),Trichoderma viride (Is. 25), Verticillium lecanii (Is.35) and Pochonia chlamydosporia (Is.32). Fromthese, three fungi viz. &nbsp;F. oxysporum, T. viride and P. chlamydosporia were further tested inginger fields using two delivery systems, soil bed application and seed rhizome dippinggenerally applicable in dry shed treatment. The final results showed that &nbsp;P. chlamydosporiasignificantly suppressed root knot nematodes in ginger and gave the maximum yieldirrespective of the mode of application. &nbsp

Stability and Effective Process Control for Secure Email Filtering

A fantastic tool for both commercial and personal communication is electronic mail. It has increasingly become a necessary component of our working life since it is straightforward, available, and simple to use. Spam emails have started to tarnish internet experiences and threaten the integrity of email. Due to the exponential growth of spam, both people and organisations are under a great deal of financial and other strain. In order to prevent the future of email itself from being in jeopardy, a solution to the spam problem must be discovered. There is an urgent need to solve the Email spam issue since spam volume has been rising over the last several decades. As part of this effort, many effects of spam emails on businesses and people were noted and thoroughly examined. In order to properly assess current technologies, solutions, and methods, a comprehensive literature review was conducted throughout the procedures. The goals of this work is to develop new methodologies for the implementation of new strategies for the efficient management of email spam and to construct a proof-of-concept software system for the Process controlled assessment of such strategies

Effect of Surface Roughness on the Squeeze Film Characteristics of Circular Plates in the Presence of Conducting Couplestress Fluid and Transverse Magnetic Field

The combined effect of surface roughness and magnetic field on the performance characteristic of the circular plates lubricated with conducting couplestress fluid (CCSF) has been studied. On the basis of the Christensen Stochastic model, the generalized stochastic Reynold’s equation is derived. Modified equations for the nondimensional pressure, load load-carrying capacity, and squeeze film time are derived. The results are presented both numerically and graphically and compared with conducting smooth surface case. It is observed that the surface roughness effects are more pronounced for couplestresses as compared to nonconducting Newtonian fluid (NCNF) in the presence of magnetic field

Het gaat weer beter met de natuur in Nederland

In een Volkskrantinterview (22 mei 2009) poneerden de eerste drie auteurs de stelling, dat het weer beter gaat met de Nederlandse natuur. Aanleiding vormde de presentatie van de Monitor Duurzaam Nederland (CBS, 2009) waarbij het Planbureau concludeerde dat de biodiversiteit in ons land nog steeds achteruitholt. Dit artikel onderbouwt de stelling van 22 mei en is in feite een vervolg op een eerdere discussie, waarin de methodiek van het PBL werd gepresenteerd. Dit artikel gaat uit van de vraag hoe het gaat met de biodiversiteit en kijkt van daaruit naar de methode

Flutter mitigation of turbofan blades using viscoelastic patches

Flutter as a self-feeding aeroelastic instability presents one of the biggest challenges in aero-engine designsto improve its aerodynamic and structural performance. This work presents a detailed feasibility study ofusing different viscoelastic patches as Constrained Layer Damping (CLD) enhancement for an aero-enginefan blade to reduce potential flutter risks. The static and dynamic responses of the different materials andconfigurations (thicknesses, layers and locations) are evaluated on both cruise and take-off/landingconditions. It is found that a double bi-layer 3M® ISD110 is the optimal choice of material for the CLDtreatment for the fan blade. The study also shows that an optimal CLD treatment of 15 % total surface areaof the blade at the root demonstrated a 36 % reduction in resonance amplitudes across the first six modes

Anterior Segmental Distraction Osteogenesis in the Hypoplastic Cleft Maxilla : Report of five cases

Orthognathic surgery and distraction osteogenesis play a prime role in the correction of maxillary hypoplasia in patients with cleft lip and palate (CLP). Advancement of the anterior maxilla alone without interfering with the velopharyngeal sphincter may be advantageous in cleft patients, who more commonly have speech deficits and dental crowding. We present a case series of anterior maxillary segmental distraction for maxillary hypoplasia in 5 CLP patients with a one-year follow-up. A custom-made tooth-borne distraction device with a hyrax screw positioned anteroposteriorly was used. The evaluation comprised of hard and soft tissue analysis and speech assessment. A stable occlusion with positive overjet and correction of dental-crowding without extraction was achieved at one year post-distraction. Facial profile and lip support improved. There was no deterioration in speech