Isolation of seed-borne fungi of sorghum (Sorghum vulgare pers.)

Sorghum (Sorghum vulgare Pers.) is the fifth most important cereal crop in the world after wheat, rice, maize and barley. The grain had been used for consumption of both humans and livestock and also different genes of the plant serve many other important uses. The crop has been suffer from various type of diseases, majority of them are known to be caused by fungi, which are mostly seed born. In present study Seed-borne fungi of sorghum in Marathwada region were surveyed. A total of 24 seed samples of eight different varieties from various locations, collected were tested, using the blotter and agar plate methods. Twenty eight fungal species of eighteen genera appeared in the seeds of eight different variety of Sorghum. In untreated seeds of the entire varieties maximum incidence was of Curvularia lunata. Treated seeds showed complete absence of Cladosporium herbarum, Trichothecium roseum and Absidia ramose. Agar plate method was found to be favorable for the maximum counts of saprophytic fungi and also favorable for detection of some specific fungi. Presence of many pathogenic fungi in considerable number of seed samples indicates the need of field surveys for these and other pathogens.Â

The high-pressure behavior of CaMoO4

We report a high-pressure study of tetragonal scheelite-type CaMoO4 up to 29 GPa. In order to characterize its high-pressure behavior, we have combined Raman and optical-absorption measurements with density-functional theory calculations. We have found evidence of a pressure-induced phase transition near 15 GPa. Experiments and calculations agree in assigning the high-pressure phase to a monoclinic fergusonite-type structure. The reported results are consistent with previous powder x-ray-diffraction experiments, but are in contradiction with the conclusions obtained from earlier Raman measurements, which support the existence of more than one phase transition in the pressure range covered by our studies. The observed scheelite-fergusonite transition induces significant changes in the electronic band gap and phonon spectrum of CaMoO4. We have determined the pressure evolution of the band gap for the low- and high-pressure phases as well as the frequencies and pressure dependences of the Raman-active and infrared-active modes. In addition, based upon calculations of the phonon dispersion of the scheelite phase, carried out at a pressure higher than the transition pressure, we propose a possible mechanism for the reported phase transition. Furthermore, from the calculations we determined the pressure dependence of the unit-cell parameters and atomic positions of the different phases and their room-temperature equations of state. These results are compared with previous experiments showing a very good agreement. Finally, information on bond compressibility is reported and correlated with the macroscopic compressibility of CaMoO4. The reported results are of interest for the many technological applications of this oxide.Comment: 36 pages, 10 figures, 8 table

In vitro antimicrobial activity of crude extracts of Jatropha species

Leaf extracts, stem extract, roots extract, latex and oil of Jatropha curcas, J. glandulufera, J. integerrima and J. gossypofolia were screened in order to study their effect on plant pathogenic fungi Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Fusarium oxysporum, and Rhizoctonia solani and plant pathogenic bacteria Erwinia carotovora pv. Carotovora, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Xanthomonas campestris pv. Citri and Xanthomonas campestris pv. mangiferaeindicae. Degree of variation of antifungal and antibacterial activity of different parts of Jatropha sp. was observed

Calibration of multi-layered probes with low/high magnetic moments

We present a comprehensive method for visualisation and quantification of the magnetic stray field of magnetic force microscopy (MFM) probes, applied to the particular case of custom-made multi-layered probes with controllable high/low magnetic moment states. The probes consist of two decoupled magnetic layers separated by a non-magnetic interlayer, which results in four stable magnetic states: ±ferromagnetic (FM) and ±antiferromagnetic (A-FM). Direct visualisation of the stray field surrounding the probe apex using electron holography convincingly demonstrates a striking difference in the spatial distribution and strength of the magnetic flux in FM and A-FM states. In situ MFM studies of reference samples are used to determine the probe switching fields and spatial resolution. Furthermore, quantitative values of the probe magnetic moments are obtained by determining their real space tip transfer function (RSTTF). We also map the local Hall voltage in graphene Hall nanosensors induced by the probes in different states. The measured transport properties of nanosensors and RSTTF outcomes are introduced as an input in a numerical model of Hall devices to verify the probe magnetic moments. The modelling results fully match the experimental measurements, outlining an all-inclusive method for the calibration of complex magnetic probes with a controllable low/high magnetic moment

Biomolecule surface patterning may enhance membrane association

Under dehydration conditions, amphipathic Late Embryogenesis Abundant (LEA) proteins fold spontaneously from a random conformation into alpha-helical structures and this transition is promoted by the presence of membranes. To gain insight into the thermodynamics of membrane association we model the resulting alpha-helical structures as infinite rigid cylinders patterned with hydrophobic and hydrophilic stripes oriented parallel to their axis. Statistical thermodynamic calculations using Single Chain Mean Field (SCMF) theory show that the relative thickness of the stripes controls the free energy of interaction of the alpha-helices with a phospholipid bilayer, as does the bilayer structure and the depth of the equilibrium penetration of the cylinders into the bilayer. The results may suggest the optimal thickness of the stripes to mimic the association of such protein with membranes.Comment: Published in ACS Nano http://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/10.1021/nn204736

Equilibrium analysis in multi-echelon supply chain with multi-dimensional utilities of inertial players

In a supply chain, the importance of information elicitation from the supply chain players is vital to design supply chain network. The rationality and self-centredness of these players causes the information asymmetry in the supply chain and thus situation of conflict and non-participation of the players in the network design process. In such situations, it is required to analyse the supply chain players’ behaviour in order to explore potential for coordination through incentives. In this paper, a novel approach of social utility analysis is proposed to elicit the information for supply chain coordination among the supply chain players in a dyadic relationship – supplier and buyer. In principal, we consider a monopsony situation where buyer is a dominant player. With the objective of maximizing the social utility, efforts have been made to value behavioural issues in supply chain. On the other hand, the reluctance of player due to the information asymmetry is measured in the form of inertia – an offset to the supply chain profit. The suppliers’ behaviour is analysed with three distinct level of risk for two types of the product in procurement process. The useful insight from this paper is in supplier selection process where the reluctance of supplier offsets supply chain profit. The paper provides recommendations to supply chain managers for efficient decision-making ability in supplier selection process

Flexible CO₂ sensor architecture with selective nitrogen functionalities by one-step laser-induced conversion of versatile organic ink

Nitrogen-doped carbons (NC) are a class of sustainable materials for selective CO2 adsorption. We introduce a versatile concept to fabricate flexible NC-based sensor architectures for room-temperature sensing of CO2 in a one-step laser conversion of primary coatings cast from abundant precursors. By the unidirectional energy impact in conjunction with depth-dependent attenuation of the laser beam, a layered sensor heterostructure with porous transducer and active sensor layer is formed. Comprehensive microscopic and spectroscopic cross-sectional analyses confirm the preservation of a high content of imidazolic nitrogen in the sensor. The performance was optimized in terms of material morphology, chemical composition, and surface chemistry to achieve a linear relative resistive response of up to ∆R/R0 = -14.3% (10% of CO2). Thermodynamic analysis yields ΔadsH values of -35.6 kJ·mol-1 and 34.1 kJ·mol-1 for H2O and CO2, respectively. The sensor is operable even in humid environments (e.g., ∆R/R0,RH=80% = 0.53%) and shows good performance upon strong mechanical deformation

A Study of Sexual Dysfunction and Quality of Life in Female Patients on Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI)

Context: Sexual dysfunction is one of the most common and disconcerting side effect during treatment with Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Sexual side effects from these medications have significant impact on self esteem, quality of life and can lead to non compliance and relapse in long term treatment. Aims: To study prevalence, severity of sexual dysfunction and its possible association with quality of life in female patients on treatment with SSRI for depression and anxiety. Materials and Methods: This was an observational, cross sectional, single-centre study. Hundred consecutive female patients who were sexually active, on SSRIs for six weeks or more were recruited. Diagnosis of Major depressive disorder (MDD), Anxiety disorders and female sexual dysfunction was done by clinician administered interview as per Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of mental disorders (DSM 5). The patients were further assessed for demographic details, CSFQ-F-C, HAM-D, HAM-A and WHOQOL-BREF scales for sexual dysfunction, depression, anxiety and quality of life respectively. p value of <0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: Prevalence of sexual dysfunction was 84%. Patients with sexual dysfunction scored significantly lower value in social relationships (p= 0.0002) and environment (p= 0.033) domains of quality of life. Frequency of sexual dysfunction among patients on fluoxetine was 86.20%, on escitalopram was 86.76% and on sertraline was 66.6%. Frequency of sexual dysfunction was more with higher dose of SSRIs. Conclusions: Patients on various SSRIs experienced sexual dysfunction and had poor quality of life. Frequency of sexual dysfunction was more with higher doses of SSRIs

Investigation on drying kinetics analysis of gooseberry slices dried under open sun

An experimental analysis of the drying behaviour of gooseberry slices dried in the open sun is described in this article. Gooseberries brought from the local market were cut approximately semi-circular in cross-section, with an average length of 20–25 mm and a thickness of 3–5 mm. Using the hot air dryer method, the moisture content (MC) of gooseberry slices in their initial condition was estimated to be 87.81% wet-basis. The drying data revealed a steady reduction in MC with time, indicating the lack of a consistent rate drying phase. To fit the drying data, ten mathematical models were used. The selected models were analysed using a multi-regression methodology in an Excel-solver equation. The optimal drying model was chosen based on the values of the coefficient of determination (R2), reduced chi-square (χ2) and root mean square error (RMSE). The logarithmic model was chosen as the best drying model for open sun drying of gooseberry slices as it had the highest R2 (0.99758980) and the lowest values of χ2 (0.00017191) and RMSE (0.01255328) of all the models tested. Multi-regression analysis resulted in the development of a thin layer drying equation that can be used to forecast moisture ratio (MR) at a specific drying period. The estimated value of effective diffusivity was found to be within its value for various agro-products. © 202

Application of whey of Mozzarella di Bufala Campana fermented by lactic acid bacteria as a bread biopreservative agent

A total of nine isolated lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from tomato and sourdough with antifungal activity were employed to revaluate the whey of Mozzarella di Bufala through the fermentation process for 72 h at 37 °C. Then, the fermented whey (BWF) was characterised and used as biopreservative in bread formulation. L. plantarum TR7 and L. plantarum TR2 strains showed average lactic acid concentration in BWF of 13.8 g L 1. Also, the bread volatile organic compounds (VOC) analysis showed an increase in hexanal, benzeneacetaldehyde, benzaldehyde and pyrazine tetramethyl when using BWF as ingredient. Moreover, the DPPH-inhibitory activity of bread with BWF extract also reflected a 33% rise in comparison with control bread. The application of BWF as a biopreservation agent in bread showed an increase in shelf life compared with bread with 0.3% calcium propionate and bread control for 2 and 15 days, respectively. BWF can be used as an interesting biopreservation strategy of bread