Effect of Land Use Change on Molecular Composition and Concentration of Organic Matter in an Oxisol.

Land use change from native vegetation to cropping can significantly affect the quantity and quality of soil organic matter (SOM). However, it remains unclear how the chemical composition of SOM is affected by such changes. This study employed a sequential chemical extraction to partition SOM from an Oxisol into several distinct fractions: water-soluble fractions (ultrapure water (W)), organometal complexes (sodium pyrophosphate (PP)), short-range ordered (SRO) oxides (hydroxylamine-HCl (HH)), and well-crystalline oxides (dithionite-HCl (DH)).

Synthesis of bio-stabilized silver nanoparticles using Roccella montagnei, their anticandidal capacities & potential to inhibit the virulence factors in fluconazole-resistant Candida albicans.

Candida species is the causative agent in approximately 80% of invasive mycoses and drug-resistant Candida albicans is among the four strains of 'critical priority group' framed by WHO. Lichens are endowed with some rare phytochemicals and a plethora of therapeutics viz. antifungal capacities of Roccella montagnei.

Quantitative phase contrast X-ray tomography of aluminium metal matrix composite.

The quantitative assessment of micro-structure and load-induced damages in Al-SiC metal matrix composites (MMC) is important for its design optimization, performance evaluation and structure-property correlation. X-ray Phase contrast micro-tomography is potentially used for evaluation of its 3 dimensional micro-structure manifested in the form of voids, cracks, embedded particles, and load-induced damages. However, the contrast between Al matrix and SiC particles is insufficient for their clear morphological identification and quantitative assessment.

Neutralizing antibodies from prior exposure to dengue virus negatively correlate with viremia on re-infection.

Background: India is hyperendemic to dengue and over 50% of adults are seropositive. There is limited information on the association between neutralizing antibody profiles from prior exposure and viral RNA levels during subsequent infection.

Methods: Samples collected from patients with febrile illness was used to assess seropositivity by indirect ELISA.

Virus-Like Particles of SARS-CoV-2 as Virus Surrogates: Morphology, Immunogenicity, and Internalization in Neuronal Cells.

The engineering of virus-like particles (VLPs) is a viable strategy for the development of vaccines and for the identification of therapeutic targets without using live viruses. Here, we report the generation and characterization of quadruple-antigen SARS-CoV-2 VLPs. VLPs were generated by transient transfection of two expression cassettes in adherent HEK293T cells─one cassette containing M for processing of three structural proteins (M, E, and N), and the second cassette expressing the Spike protein.

Ecotoxicological effects of plastics on plants, soil fauna and microorganisms: A meta-analysis.

The interactions of plastics and soil organisms are complex and inconsistent observations on the effects of plastics on soil organisms have been made in published studies. In this study, we assessed the effects of plastic exposure on plants, fauna and microbial communities, with a meta-analysis. Using a total of 2936 observations from 140 publications, we analysed how responses in plants, soil fauna and microorganisms depended on the plastic concentration, size, type, species and exposure media.

Pre-existing antibody levels negatively correlate with antibody titers after a single dose of BBV152 vaccination.

Many adults in India have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine with or without a prior history SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, there is limited information on the effect of prior immunity on antibody response upon vaccination in India. As immunization of individuals continues, we aimed to assess whether pre-existing antibodies are further boosted by a single dose of BBV152, an inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, and, if these antibodies can neutralize SARS-CoV-2 Delta and Omicron variants.

Identification of QTLs for zinc deficiency tolerance in a recombinant inbred population of rice (Oryza sativa L.).

Background: Deficiency of Zn is a major soil constraint in rice plant growth and yield. Edaphic factors such as Zn deficiency in soil in relation to plant performance are still poorly understood. Here, we report promising quantitative trait loci (QTL) conferring tolerance to Zn deficiency, which were identified through biparental mapping.

Prevalence of Dysnatremia in Pulmonary Tuberculosis.

Unlabelled: Pulmonary tuberculosis is one of the common diseases with high prevalence of mortality and morbidity in developing countries. It is one of the rare pulmonary infections which can induce hyponatremia and it is important to recognise hyponatremia because of its potential hazards.

Objectives: To assess the serum sodium levels in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and to establish a relation between the serum sodium levels and its effect on illness in these patients.

The white beam station at imaging beamline BL-4, Indus-2.

The high flux density of synchrotron white beam offers several advantages in X-ray imaging such as higher resolution and signal-to-noise ratio in 3D/4D micro-tomography, higher frame rate in real-time imaging of transient phenomena, and higher penetration in thick and dense materials especially at higher energies. However, these advantages come with additional challenges to beamline optics, camera and sample due to increased heat load and radiation damage, and to personal safety due to higher radiation dose and ozone gas hazards. In this work, a white beam imaging facility at imaging beamline BL-4, Indus-2, has been developed, while taking care of various instrumental and personal safety challenges.

Use of Synchrotron Phase-Sensitive Imaging for the Investigation of Magnetopriming and Solar UV-Exclusion Impact on Soybean () Leaves.

The combined response of exclusion of solar ultraviolet radiation (UV-A+B and UV-B) and static magnetic field (SMF) pre-treatment of 200 mT for 1 h were studied on soybean () leaves using synchrotron imaging. The seeds of soybean with and without SMF pre-treatment were sown in nursery bags kept in iron meshes where UV-A+B (280-400 nm) and UV-B (280-315 nm) from solar radiation were filtered through a polyester filters. Two controls were planned, one with polythene filter controls (FC)- which allows all the UV (280-400 nm); the other control had no filter used (open control-OC).

Investigations on Melt Flow Rate and Tensile Behaviour of Single, Double and Triple-Sized Copper Reinforced Thermoplastic Composites.

Thermoplastic composite materials are emerging rapidly due to the flexibility of attaining customized mechanical and melt flow properties. Due to high ductility, toughness, recyclability, and thermal and electrical conductivity, there is ample scope of using copper particles in thermoplastics for 3d printing applications. In the present study, an attempt was made to investigate the Melt Flow Index (MFI), tensile strength, and electrical and thermal conductivity of nylon 6 and ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) thermoplastics reinforced with copper particles.

Comparative Immunomodulatory Evaluation of the Receptor Binding Domain of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein; a Potential Vaccine Candidate Which Imparts Potent Humoral and Th1 Type Immune Response in a Mouse Model.

The newly emerged novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19 has proven to be a threat to the human race globally, thus, vaccine development against SARS-CoV-2 is an unmet need driving mass vaccination efforts. The receptor binding domain of the spike protein of this coronavirus has multiple neutralizing epitopes and is associated with viral entry. Here we have designed and characterized the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein fragment 330-526 as receptor binding domain 330-526 (RBD) with two native glycosylation sites (N331 and N343); as a potential subunit vaccine candidate.

Synchrotron radiation-based micro-computed tomographic analysis of apical transportation of different Nickel-Titanium rotary systems in curved root canals: An study.

Background: In the last few decades, the availability of synchrotron sources has initiated revolutionary advances in X-ray imaging.

Aims: The study aimed to evaluate the incidence of apical transportation after root canal preparation with ProTaper Gold (PTG), Hyflex electro discharge machining (HEDM), Reciproc (RPC), and WaveOne Gold (WOG) using synchrotron radiation-based micro-computed tomographic (SR-μCT) analysis.

Materials And Methods: Forty mandibular molars were assigned to four experimental groups (n = 10) according to the file system used for the root canal preparation: Group 1: PTG (25/0.

WRKY transcription factors and plant defense responses: latest discoveries and future prospects.

WRKY transcription factors are among the largest families of transcriptional regulators. In this review, their pivotal role in modulating various signal transduction pathways during biotic and abiotic stresses is discussed. Transcription factors (TFs) are important constituents of plant signaling pathways that define plant responses against biotic and abiotic stimuli besides playing a role in response to internal signals which coordinate different interacting partners during developmental processes.

Prediction of Soil Clay Content and Cation Exchange Capacity Using Visible Near-Infrared Spectroscopy, Portable X-ray Fluorescence, and X-ray Diffraction Techniques.

This article investigates a novel data fusion method to predict clay content and cation exchange capacity using visible near-infrared (visNIR) spectroscopy, portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. A total of 367 soil samples from two study areas in regional Australia were analyzed and intra- and interarea calibration options were explored. Cubist models were constructed using information from each device independently and in combination.

A rapid novel strategy for screening of antibody phage libraries for production, purification, and functional characterization of amber stop codons containing single-chain antibody fragments.

Phage display antibody (PDA) libraries, allows the rapid isolation and characterization of high specificity monoclonal antibodies for therapeutic and diagnostic applications. However, selection of positive binding clones from synthetic and semi-synthetic libraries has an inherent bias towards clones containing randomly generated amber stop codons, complicating the identification of high affinity binding antibodies. We screened Tomlinson I and J library against receptor binding domain (RBD) of SARS CoV2, eight clones which showed positive binding in phage ELISA, contained one or more amber stop codons in their single-chain antibody fragment (scFv) gene sequences.

Synchrotron radiation-based micro-computed tomographic analysis of dentinal microcracks using rotary and reciprocating file systems: An study.

Background: Advances in both X-ray sources and X-ray optics have dramatically improved the feasibility of these techniques in various fields.

Aims: We aimed to evaluate the frequency of dentinal microcracks observed after root canal preparation with ProTaper Gold (PTG), Hyflex electrodischarge machining (HEDM), Reciproc (RPC), and WaveOne Gold (WOG) using synchrotron radiation-based micro-computed tomographic (SR-μCT) analysis.

Subjects And Methods: Forty mandibular molars were assigned to 4 experimental groups ( = 10) according to the file system used for the root canal preparation: Group 1: PTG (25/0.

Correlationship of Drug-Polymer Miscibility, Molecular Relaxation and Phase Behavior of Dipyridamole Amorphous Solid Dispersions.

In present work, a correlationship among quantitative drug-polymer miscibility, molecular relaxation and phase behavior of the dipyridamole (DPD) amorphous solid dispersions (ASDs), prepared with co-povidone (CP), hydroxypropyl methylcellulose phthalate (HPMC P) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose acetate succinate (HPMC AS) has been investigated. Miscibility predicted using melting point depression approach for DPD with CP, HPMC P and HPMC AS at 25 °C was 0.93% w/w, 0.

A genome-wide association study in Indian wild rice accessions for resistance to the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne graminicola.

Rice root-knot nematode (RRKN), Meloidogyne graminicola is one of the major biotic constraints in rice-growing countries of Southeast Asia. Host plant resistance is an environmentally-friendly and cost-effective mean to mitigate RRKN damage to rice. Considering the limited availability of genetic resources in the Asian rice (Oryza sativa) cultivars, exploration of novel sources and genetic basis of RRKN resistance is necessary.

Magnetopriming effects on arsenic stress-induced morphological and physiological variations in soybean involving synchrotron imaging.

This study investigates the effect of static magnetic field (SMF) pre-treatment in ameliorating arsenic (As) toxicity in soybean plants in relation to growth, photosynthesis and water transport through leaf venation. Soybean (Glycine max variety JS-9560) seeds pre-treated with SMF (200 mT for 1 h) were grown in four levels of arsenate-polluted soil (As(V); 0, 5, 10 and 50 mg kg ) in order to find out the impact of magnetopriming on plant tolerance against As toxicity. Quantitative image analysis of soybean leaf venation showed a narrowing in the width of midrib with increasing As(V) contamination in non-primed seeds.

Demineralization of tooth enamel following radiation therapy; An microstructure and microhardness analysis.

Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of radiotherapy doses on mineral density and percentage mineral volume of human permanent tooth enamel.

Materials And Methods: Synchrotron radiation Xray microcomputed tomography (SRμCT) and microhardness testing were carried out on 8 and 20 tooth samples, respectively. Enamel mineral density was derived from SRμCT technique using ImageJ software.

Current status of genomic resources on wild relatives of rice.

Rice is a food crop of global importance, cultivated in diverse agro-climatic zones of the world. However, in the process of domestication many beneficial alleles have been eroded from the gene pool of the rice cultivated globally and eventually has made it vulnerable to a plethora of stresses. In contrast, the wild relatives of rice, despite being agronomically inferior, have inherited a potential of surviving in a range of geographical habitats.

Effect of land use on organic matter composition in density fractions of contrasting soils: A comparative study using C NMR and DRIFT spectroscopy.

C CP-MAS nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform (DRIFT) spectroscopies were compared for evaluating their potential to characterise the influence of land use change on organic carbon (OC) chemistry of particulate organic matter (POM) and mineral associated OM (MOM) fractions of different soil types. Surface soil samples of Ferralsol, Luvisol, Vertisol and Solonetz were collected from native and crop lands and isolated into different density fractions. NMR and DRIFT showed distinct OC composition for all the soil fractions of two land uses.