Split supersymmetry and the role of a light fermion in a supergravity-based scenario

We investigate split supersymmetry (SUSY) within a supergravity framework, where local SUSY is broken by the F-term of a hidden sector chiral superfield X. With reasonably general assumptions, we show that the fermionic component of X will always have mass within a Tev. Though its coupling to the observable sector superfields is highly suppressed in Tev scale SUSY, we show that it can be enhanced by many orders in split SUSY, leading to its likely participation in accelerator phenomenology.We conclude with a specific example of such a scenario in a string based supergravity model.Comment: 12 Pages, Latex, Title changed, version thoroughly revise

Development of low phytate rice by RNAi mediated seed-specific silencing of Inositol 1,3,4,5,6-Pentakisphosphate 2-Kinase Gene (IPK1)

Phytic acid (InsP6) is considered to be the major source of phosphorus and inositol phosphates in most cereal grains. However, InsP6 is not utilized efficiently by monogastric animals due to lack of phytase enzyme. Furthermore, due to its ability to chelate mineral cations, phytic acid is considered to be an antinutrient that renders these minerals unavailable for absorption. In view of these facts, reducing the phytic acid content in cereal grains is a desired goal for the genetic improvement of several crops. In the present study, we report the RNAi-mediated seed-specific silencing (using the Oleosin18 promoter) of the IPK1 gene, which catalyzes the last step of phytic acid biosynthesis in rice. The presence of the transgene cassette in the resulting transgenic plants was confirmed by molecular analysis, indicating the stable integration of the transgene. The subsequent T4 transgenic seeds revealed 3.85-fold down-regulation in IPK1 transcripts, which correlated to a significant reduction in phytate levels and a concomitant increase in the amount of inorganic phosphate (Pi). The low-phytate rice seeds also accumulated 1.8-fold more iron in the endosperm due to the decreased phytic acid levels. No negative effects were observed on seed germination or in any of the agronomic traits examined. The results provide evidence that silencing of IPK1 gene can mediate a substantial reduction in seed phytate levels without hampering the growth and development of transgenic rice plants

Driving Factors Behind the Adoption of Improved Technologies by Lentil Growers in West Bengal

Over the last six decades in India, there has been an unsatisfactory gain in pulse productivity, which is a severe threat to the creation of resilient livelihoods and the overall food and nutritional security of the country. To specifically enhance lentil productivity under rice-based cropping systems in West Bengal, the International Centre for Agriculture Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) began a multi-disciplinary project in 2012/13 providing improved technologies, including 29 improved lentil varieties, and a package of agronomic practices to farmers

Fungal diversity notes 929–1035: taxonomic and phylogenetic contributions on genera and species of fungi

This article is the ninth in the series of Fungal Diversity Notes, where 107 taxa distributed in three phyla, nine classes, 31 orders and 57 families are described and illustrated. Taxa described in the present study include 12 new genera, 74 new species, three new combinations, two reference specimens, a re-circumscription of the epitype, and 15 records of sexualasexual morph connections, new hosts and new geographical distributions. Twelve new genera comprise Brunneofusispora, Brunneomurispora, Liua, Lonicericola, Neoeutypella, Paratrimmatostroma, Parazalerion, Proliferophorum, Pseudoastrosphaeriellopsis, Septomelanconiella, Velebitea and Vicosamyces. Seventy-four new species are Agaricus memnonius, A. langensis, Aleurodiscus patagonicus, Amanita flavoalba, A. subtropicana, Amphisphaeria mangrovei, Baorangia major, Bartalinia kunmingensis, Brunneofusispora sinensis, Brunneomurispora lonicerae, Capronia camelliaeyunnanensis, Clavulina thindii, Coniochaeta simbalensis, Conlarium thailandense, Coprinus trigonosporus, Liua muriformis, Cyphellophora filicis, Cytospora ulmicola, Dacrymyces invisibilis, Dictyocheirospora metroxylonis, Distoseptispora thysanolaenae, Emericellopsis koreana, Galiicola baoshanensis, Hygrocybe lucida, Hypoxylon teeravasati, Hyweljonesia indica, Keissleriella caraganae, Lactarius olivaceopallidus, Lactifluus midnapurensis, Lembosia brigadeirensis, Leptosphaeria urticae, Lonicericola hyaloseptispora, Lophiotrema mucilaginosis, Marasmiellus bicoloripes, Marasmius indojasminodorus, Micropeltis phetchaburiensis, Mucor orantomantidis, Murilentithecium lonicerae, Neobambusicola brunnea, Neoeutypella baoshanensis, Neoroussoella heveae, Neosetophoma lonicerae, Ophiobolus malleolus, Parabambusicola thysanolaenae, Paratrimmatostroma kunmingensis, Parazalerion indica, Penicillium dokdoense, Peroneutypa mangrovei, Phaeosphaeria cycadis, Phanerochaete australosanguinea, Plectosphaerella kunmingensis, Plenodomus artemisiae, P. lijiangensis, Proliferophorum thailandicum, Pseudoastrosphaeriellopsis kaveriana, Pseudohelicomyces menglunicus, Pseudoplagiostoma mangiferae, Robillarda mangiferae, Roussoella elaeicola, Russula choptae, R. uttarakhandia, Septomelanconiella thailandica, Spencermartinsia acericola, Sphaerellopsis isthmospora, Thozetella lithocarpi, Trechispora echinospora, Tremellochaete atlantica, Trichoderma koreanum, T. pinicola, T. rugulosum, Velebitea chrysotexta, Vicosamyces venturisporus, Wojnowiciella kunmingensis and Zopfiella indica. Three new combinations are Baorangia rufomaculata, Lanmaoa pallidorosea and Wojnowiciella rosicola. The reference specimens of Canalisporium kenyense and Tamsiniella labiosa are designated. The epitype of Sarcopeziza sicula is re-circumscribed based on cyto- and histochemical analyses. The sexual-asexual morph connection of Plenodomus sinensis is reported from ferns and Cirsium for the first time. In addition, the new host records and country records are Amanita altipes, A. melleialba, Amarenomyces dactylidis, Chaetosphaeria panamensis, Coniella vitis, Coprinopsis kubickae, Dothiorella sarmentorum, Leptobacillium leptobactrum var. calidus, Muyocopron lithocarpi, Neoroussoella solani, Periconia cortaderiae, Phragmocamarosporium hederae, Sphaerellopsis paraphysata and Sphaeropsis eucalypticola

Relation between intelligence, emotional intelligence, and academic performance among medical interns

Background: There is a dearth of research on the correlation between emotional quotient (EQ) and intelligence quotient (IQ), and specifically among medical students and interns. So, we in our study aim to find out the correlation between these two variants of intelligence, and their relation to academic performance among medical interns as well as the gender differences between EQ, IQ, and academic performance. Methodology: EQ Test Questionnaire developed by Chadha and Singh was used for testing the EQ of the participants (n=50; males=34, females=16; mean age=24.1 years). IQ was tested by an experienced clinical psychologist using Wechsler’s Adult Intelligence Test. The academic achievement was determined from the percentage of marks secured in tenth standard, 12th standard, and Final MBBS. GraphPad InStat version 3.05 was used for data entry and analysis. Results: A statistically high significant negative correlation was found between EQ and IQ of our total study sample as well as among the male participants. The mean EQ was higher among females and mean IQ among males. The females were academically better than the males and this difference was statistically highly significant. No significant correlation of EQ and IQ to academic performance was found in the total sample group. Conclusion: EQ and IQ are negatively correlated to each other, and there is no significant correlation of EQ and IQ to academic performance. Based on the current findings, further studies need to be built in larger samples. Limitation of the study is a small sample population

In Vitro Evaluation of Weizmannia coagulans Strain LMG S-31876 Isolated from Fermented Rice for Potential Probiotic Properties, Safety Assessment and Technological Properties

Bacillus coagulans, which has been taxonomically reclassified as Weizmannia coagulans, has been the focus of research due to its wide distribution in fermented foods, probiotic properties, and tolerance to extreme environments. The purpose of this study was to characterise putative probiotic bacteria in a fermented rice sample, followed by an in vitro screening of presumptive probiotic properties and a safety assessment to ensure their safety for human consumption. The predominant isolate was Gram-positive, rod-shaped, catalase-positive, spore-forming, motile, and facultatively anaerobic. The biochemical test and 16S rDNA sequencing identify the isolate as Weizmannia coagulans strain LMG S-31876. The strain showed significant viability in acidic gastric juice, pancreatin, and bile. The strain showed tolerance to 5% NaCl, and a low-to-moderate percentage of hydrophobicity and auto-aggregation was recorded. It met all safety criteria, including haemolytic activity, DNase activity, antibiotic sensitivity, and growth inhibition of other bacteria. Evaluation of its technological properties showed positive results for amylolytic and lipolytic activities; however, negative results were obtained for proteolytic activity. It could be concluded from the gathered data that W. coagulans strain LMG S-31876 isolated from fermented rice, might serve as a potential functional probiotic food. However, extended follow-up durations and larger-scale trials by assessing the therapeutic effects in managing various clinical gastrointestinal conditions are required to warranty such effects

GREEN SYNTHESIS OF SILVER NANOPARTICLES USING MANGROVE FRUIT POLYSACCHARIDE FOR BACTERIAL GROWTH INHIBITION: GREEN SYNTHESIS OF SILVER NANOPARTICLES

Objective: The objective of this study was to find out the antibacterial activity of the silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) using a low-cost green synthesis approach for the formulation of Ag-NPs applying polysaccharide extracted from the fruits of a mangrove plant of Sundarban. Methods: Fresh and healthy fruits were collected from Ceriops decandra plant. Sufficient amount of carbohydrates was extracted from those fruits and the physicochemical characterization of the polysaccharide was analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and Fourier-transform infrared spectrophotometry. The respective polysaccharide was further applied to generate the Ag-NPs which were characterized by UV visible, dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, EDAX, and X-ray diffraction. The antibacterial efficacy of the Ag-NPs was also determined against some pathogenic Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria using the microdilution method. Results: Glucose and galactose are the major monomers among the extracted carbohydrates. Various types of spectral analysis confirmed the formation of Ag-NPs. The green synthesized Ag-NPs have the average diameter of about 28 nm. Furthermore, the green synthesized Ag-NPs exhibited strong antibacterial activity against some pathogenic Gram-positive (L. cytomonogenes, Bacillus Subtilis, and Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli) bacteria. Conclusion: The green synthesis of Ag-NPs using plant polysaccharide was an environment-friendly and cost-effective method as compared to the conventional physical and chemical synthesis techniques

Mikania Mikrantha Leaf Extract Mediated Biogenic Synthesis of Magnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles: Characterization and Its Antimicrobial Activity Study

With an aim to introduce a new highly potent antimicrobial nanoparticles using an environment-friendly route, he present work reports the green synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4NPs) utilizing Mikania mikrantha leaf extract and its application as efficient antimicrobial agent. The green Fe3O4NPs have been described by X-beam diffraction (XRD), Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Fourier Transform-Infra Red (FT-IR) investigation. The TEM image shows the rhomboidal Fe3O4NPs with average mean sizes 20.27 nm. The FT-IR investigation proved Fe3O4NPs have been balanced out through the associations of steroids, terpenoids, flavonoids, phenyl propanoids, phenolic acids and proteins present in the leaf extract. The synthesized Fe3O4NPs shows a very high antibacterial and antifungal property against 5 bacterial strains such as Bacillus cereus, Acinetobacter johnsonii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Achromobacter spanius and Chromobacterium pseudoviolaceum strain, and 4 fungal strains (Aspergillus niger, Penicillium citirinum, Fusarium oxysporium, and Candida albicans). The green synthesized iron oxide nanoparticles can interfere metabolic activities of microorganisms which determine its antimicrobial properties and could bring a promising application in the fields of medicine. </p

Biosynthesis of Triangular-Shape ZnO Nanoparticles Using Tecoma Stans and Its Antimicrobial Activity

The present work reports the first green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) using Tecoma stans leaf extract. The ZnO-NPs have been investigated by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Ultra Violet-Visible (UV-Vis), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Fourier Transform-Infra Red (FT-IR) analysis. XRD investigation confirms the crystalline structure of ZnO. The TEM images show triangular shape ZnO-NPs with sizes running from 15-20 nm. The XPS spectrum revealed the presence of Zn and O in the sample. Photoluminescence studies of ZnO-NPs displayed a sharp emission of blue band at 447 nm which is attributed to the defect structures in ZnO crystal. The presence of alcoholic, phenolic amide groups in the plant extracts is responsible for the formation of ZnO-NPs. The synthesized ZnO-NPs showed a very high antibacterial property against five bacterial strains such as Bacillus cereus,Acinetobacter johnsonii, Achromobacter xylosoxidans, Achromobacter spanius and Chromobacterium pseudoviolaceum, with the highest zone of inhibition (ZOI) of 24 mm being shown against Achromobacter spanius strain. Further, the synthesized nanoparticles displayed excellent activities against four fungal strains, where a highest ZOI of 30 mm was observed against Penicillium citirinum, hence proving its high efficacy as antimicrobial agents.</div