Family Separation and the Impact of Digital Technology on the Mental Health of Refugee Families in the United States: Qualitative Study

Background: Conflicts around the world have resulted in a record high number of refugees. Family separation is a critical factor that impacts refugee mental health. Thus, it is important to explore refugees’ ability to maintain contact with family members across the globe and the ways in which they attempt to do so. It is increasingly common for refugees to use information and communication technologies (ICTs), which include mobile phones, the internet, and social media sites, such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Skype, and Viber, for these purposes. Objective: The aim of this study was to explore refugees’ perceptions of the impact of communication through ICTs on their mental health, the exercise of agency by refugees within the context of ICT use, especially their communication with their families, and logistical issues that affect their access to ICTs in the United States. Methods: We used a constructivist grounded theory approach to analyze in-depth interviews of 290 adult refugee participants from different countries, who were enrolled in a randomized controlled trial of a community-based mental health intervention. Results: Analyses showed that communication through ICTs had differing impacts on the mental health of refugee participants. ICTs, as channels of communication between separated families, were a major source of emotional and mental well-being for a large number of refugee participants. However, for some participants, the communication process with separated family members through digital technology was mentally and emotionally difficult. The participants also discussed ways in which they hide adversities from their families through selective use of different ICTs. Several participants noted logistical and financial barriers to communicating with their families through ICTs. Conclusions: These findings are important in elucidating aspects of refugee agency and environmental constraints that need to be further explicated in theories related to ICT use as well as in providing insight for researchers and practitioners involved in efforts related to migration and mental health

Heavy metal stress tolerance in Enterobacter sp. PR14 is mediated by plasmid

115-121Last two decades have witnessed the significant exploitation of many plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) as bioinoculants and biocontrol agents (BCAs). However, PGPR with potential of producing multiple biocontrol traits along with heavy metal stress tolerance and ACC deaminase activity are expected to control phytopathogens and increase tolerance of crop to heavy metal stress, thus helping in bioremediation of heavy metal ions and reducing ethylene level in the root zone. The present work reports the production of multiple biocontrol traits like ammonia (NH3), hydrogen cyanide (HCN), siderophore (79%), ACC deaminase (0.8 µM/mg/h), chitinase (9.7 U/mL) and tolerance to heavy metal ions (3200 μg/mL) and trace minerals in Enterobacter sp. PR14 isolated from the model organic farm of Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences (SHUATS), Allahabad, India. Elimination of plasmid in the organism resulted in the loss of tolerance of heavy metal ions and trace elements, indicating the role of the plasmid in heavy metal tolerance

Experimental investigation and development of correlations for pongamia pinnata biodiesel

Most promising alternative source available for fossil diesel in India is the Pongamia pinnata biodiesel (Karanja biodiesel in the Indian context). The characterization of biodiesel plays an important role in engine emission and performance. Due to oxygenation the biodiesel has low higher heating value than fossil diesel hence it is necessary to study the effect of different physio-chemical properties on higher heating value. Experimentations were conducted on 11 samples on the basis of Volume % for Pongamia Pinnata biodiesel and diesel blends in the step of 10 varying from 0% (Fossil diesel) to 100% (Pongamia pinnata biodiesel). A retrospective investigation is conducted for characterization of biodiesels and different physio-chemical properties are correlated as a function of Higher Heating Value (HHV). By the traditional statistical technique of regression analysis the correlations can predict the HHV values with the accuracy of R2=0.9907 and uncertainty of ±6.19%. HHVs obtained by performing experiments and by predicted correlations are compared with the correlations available in open literature. The study reveals that the properties of kinematic viscosity and density have a strong correlation with HHV as compared to cetane number and flash point

Plant-Derived Protectants in Combating Soil-Borne Fungal Infections in Tomato and Chilli

Fungal infections transmitted through the soil continue to pose a threat to a variety of horticultural and agricultural products, including tomato and chilli. The indiscriminate use of synthetic pesticides has resulted in a slew of unintended consequences for the surrounding ecosystem. To achieve sustainable productivity, experts have turned their attention to natural alternatives. Due to their biodegradability, varied mode of action, and minimal toxicity to non-target organisms, plant-derived protectants (PDPs) are being hailed as a superior replacement for plant pesticides. This review outlines PDPs’ critical functions (including formulations) in regulating soil-borne fungal diseases, keeping tomato and chilli pathogens in the spotlight. An in-depth examination of the impact of PDPs on pathogen activity will be a priority. Additionally, this review emphasises the advantages of the in silico approach over conventional approaches for screening plants’ secondary metabolites with target-specific fungicidal activity. Despite the recent advances in our understanding of the fungicidal capabilities of various PDPs, it is taking much longer for that information to be applied to commercially available pesticides. The restrictions to solving this issue can be lifted by breakthroughs in formulation technology, governmental support, and a willingness to pursue green alternatives among farmers and industries

Plant-Derived Protectants in Combating Soil-Borne Fungal Infections in Tomato and Chilli

Fungal infections transmitted through the soil continue to pose a threat to a variety of horticultural and agricultural products, including tomato and chilli. The indiscriminate use of synthetic pesticides has resulted in a slew of unintended consequences for the surrounding ecosystem. To achieve sustainable productivity, experts have turned their attention to natural alternatives. Due to their biodegradability, varied mode of action, and minimal toxicity to non-target organisms, plant-derived protectants (PDPs) are being hailed as a superior replacement for plant pesticides. This review outlines PDPs' critical functions (including formulations) in regulating soil-borne fungal diseases, keeping tomato and chilli pathogens in the spotlight. An in-depth examination of the impact of PDPs on pathogen activity will be a priority. Additionally, this review emphasises the advantages of the in silico approach over conventional approaches for screening plants' secondary metabolites with target-specific fungicidal activity. Despite the recent advances in our understanding of the fungicidal capabilities of various PDPs, it is taking much longer for that information to be applied to commercially available pesticides. The restrictions to solving this issue can be lifted by breakthroughs in formulation technology, governmental support, and a willingness to pursue green alternatives among farmers and industries.Peer reviewe

Environmental DNA Metabarcoding: A Novel Contrivance for Documenting Terrestrial Biodiversity

The dearth of cardinal data on species presence, dispersion, abundance, and habitat prerequisites, besides the threats impeded by escalating human pressure has enormously affected biodiversity conservation. The innovative concept of eDNA, has been introduced as a way of overcoming many of the difficulties of rigorous conventional investigations, and is hence becoming a prominent and novel method for assessing biodiversity. Recently the demand for eDNA in ecology and conservation has expanded exceedingly, despite the lack of coordinated development in appreciation of its strengths and limitations. Therefore it is pertinent and indispensable to evaluate the extent and significance of eDNA-based investigations in terrestrial habitats and to classify and recognize the critical considerations that need to be accounted before using such an approach. Presented here is a brief review to summarize the prospects and constraints of utilizing eDNA in terrestrial ecosystems, which has not been explored and exploited in greater depth and detail in such ecosystems. Given these obstacles, we focused primarily on compiling the most current research findings from journals accessible in eDNA analysis that discuss terrestrial ecosystems (2012–2022). In the current evaluation, we also review advancements and limitations related to the eDNA technique

Plant-Derived Protectants in Combating Soil-Borne Fungal Infections in Tomato and Chilli

Fungal infections transmitted through the soil continue to pose a threat to a variety of horticultural and agricultural products, including tomato and chilli. The indiscriminate use of synthetic pesticides has resulted in a slew of unintended consequences for the surrounding ecosystem. To achieve sustainable productivity, experts have turned their attention to natural alternatives. Due to their biodegradability, varied mode of action, and minimal toxicity to non-target organisms, plant-derived protectants (PDPs) are being hailed as a superior replacement for plant pesticides. This review outlines PDPs’ critical functions (including formulations) in regulating soil-borne fungal diseases, keeping tomato and chilli pathogens in the spotlight. An in-depth examination of the impact of PDPs on pathogen activity will be a priority. Additionally, this review emphasises the advantages of the in silico approach over conventional approaches for screening plants’ secondary metabolites with target-specific fungicidal activity. Despite the recent advances in our understanding of the fungicidal capabilities of various PDPs, it is taking much longer for that information to be applied to commercially available pesticides. The restrictions to solving this issue can be lifted by breakthroughs in formulation technology, governmental support, and a willingness to pursue green alternatives among farmers and industries