Electronic origin of the inhomogeneous pairing interaction in the high-Tc superconductor Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+delta

Identifying the mechanism of superconductivity in the high-temperature cuprate superconductors is one of the major outstanding problems in physics. We report local measurements of the onset of superconducting pairing in the high-transition temperature (Tc) superconductor Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+delta using a lattice-tracking spectroscopy technique with a scanning tunneling microscope. We can determine the temperature dependence of the pairing energy gaps, the electronic excitations in the absence of pairing, and the effect of the local coupling of electrons to bosonic excitations. Our measurements reveal that the strength of pairing is determined by the unusual electronic excitations of the normal state, suggesting that strong electron-electron interactions rather than low-energy (<0.1 volts) electron-boson interactions are responsible for superconductivity in the cuprates.     

Effect of vaginal douching and different semen extenders on bacterial load and fertility in turkeys

1. A study on artificial insemination of Beltsville Small White turkeys investigated the effect on bacterial load and fertility of vaginal douching with diluents containing Gentamicin 400 microg/ml and different semen extenders. 2. Irrespective of the extenders used, vaginal douching with Gentamicin reduced the microbial load of the vagina with resultant improvement in fertility and hatchability and corresponding reduction in embryonic mortality. 3. Eggs from hens inseminated with semen extended with Beltsville Poultry Semen Extender (BPSE) diluent along with vaginal douching showed a trend towards higher per cent fertility and per cent hatchability of total and fertile eggs set compared to other extenders, though this was non-significant.     

Comparing System of Wheat Intensification (SWI) with standard recommended practices in the northwestern plain zone of India

The practices of the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) methodology have been extended to wheat and various other crops with reported good results. To assess such reports with respect to wheat, an experiment was conducted at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi during 2011–2012 and 2012–2013. This experiment compared the performance of wheat under System of Wheat Intensification (SWI) and standard recommended practices (SRPs). In 2011–2012, the SWI yield of 7.93 t ha^?1 was 30% higher than for SRP in 2012–2013, climatically a less favorable year, hence SWI performed relatively better with a 46% yield advantage under climate stress. SWI produced 12.5% less in the stressful year, while the reduction for the SRPs ranged from 18% to 31%. Differences in yield attributes and root traits were also observed in favor of SWI. Available N, P, and K in the soil after harvesting was increased with SWI, whereas depletion in nutrients with the SRPs indicated the scope for SWI sustaining soil fertility. Higher yield compensated for higher SWI costs of cultivation. A net return of US$ 1383 ha^?1 was obtained with SWI, 35% more than the US$ 1020 ha^?1 from SRPs. Overall, SWI outperformed the SRPs in terms of yields, climate resilience, and economics.     

Effect of azadirachtin on haematological and biochemical parameters of Argulus-infested goldfish Carassius auratus (Linn. 1758)

Argulosis hampers aquaculture production and alters the host physiology and growth. Azadirachtin is recognized as a potential antiparasitic agent against Argulus sp. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of different concentration of azadirachtin solution on haematological and serum biochemical parameters of Argulus-infested goldfish Carassius auratus. Ninety Argulus-infested goldfish were randomly divided into six equal groups. Fish of group 1–5 were treated with azadirachtin solution through bath of 1, 5, 10, 15 and 20 mg L^?1 as T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5, respectively, and group 6 was exposed to 2 % DMSO solution without azadirachtin and considered as negative control T0^?. Along with six treatment groups, a positive control T0⁺ of healthy goldfish free from Argulus infestation was also maintained. Parasitic mortality was evaluated after 3 days of consecutive bath treatment. After 7 days of post-treatment, the blood and serum were drawn from each of the treatment groups and haematological and serum biochemical parameters were evaluated. Total leucocyte count (TLC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), blood glucose, total protein (TP), globulin, serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT) and serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) were significantly (p < 0.05) high in negative control group when compared with positive control group. It could be concluded that Argulus infestation altered marked haematological and serum biochemical parameters. However, in treated groups complete elimination of Argulus was found in T4 and T5 groups. Also significant (p < 0.05) reduction in haematological and serum biochemical parameters of all the treatment groups were recorded in comparison with negative control group. In addition, T4 and T5 groups showed significantly (p < 0.05) high superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, total erythrocyte count (TEC) and haemoglobin (Hb). However, higher mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), blood glucose and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels in T5 group revealed that higher concentration of azadirachtin have notable effects on activity of vital tissues function and physiology of the host. Argulus spp. from infested goldfish could be eliminated using bath treatment with solution of azadirachtin having concentration of 15 mg L^?1 and that also shifted haematological and serum biochemical parameters towards homeostasis.     

Macrophomina phaseolina–host interface: Insights into an emerging dry root rot pathogen of mungbean and urdbean,and its mitigation strategies

The necrotrophic fungus Macrophomina phaseolina is an important pathogen of many crops, such as strawberry, maize, sorghum, potato, soybean, chickpea, and pigeon pea, and causes multiple diseases throughout the world. The microsclerotia, which are the source of primary inoculum, play an important role in the survival and spread of M. phaseolina, as well as disease initiation and development. South Asia has unique characteristics relative to countries with temperate climates, that is, warm temperature, high humidity, and reduced rainfall that influence the interaction between M. phaseolina and its hosts. This review discusses the distribution pattern, pathogen background, pathogenic and genetic variability, and the mitigation strategies applied worldwide to reduce the impact of diseases caused by M. phaseolina with a focus on dry root rot of mungbean and urdbean in South Asia. Dry root rot, caused by M. phaseolina, is an emerging disease of mungbean and urdbean in South Asia. Dry root rot research in South Asia has focused mostly on adopting disease mitigation strategies evolved in tropical to temperate climates such as cultural practices, chemical control, genetic resistance, and biological control. Although the disease is prevalent in most of South Asia, there have been very few studies on M. phaseolina and its host–parasite interaction. Therefore, additional research is required in this domain, which could result in improved understanding and management of M. phaseolina in the face of present and future climate extremes.     

Influence of pre-insemination douching and different semen extenders on fertility and hatchability of white Leghorn eggs.

1. White Leghorn hens were artificially inseminated twice weekly with undiluted semen or semen diluted (1:3) in Tris buffer, pH 6.8 or saline solution (9 g NaCl/l); with or without pre-insemination douching of the vagina with a solution of ampicillin. 2. Pre-insemination douching reduced the bacterial load of the vagina, resulting in an improvement in fertility and hatchability, with a proportionate reduction in the embryonic mortality. 3. The fertilising and hatching abilities of saline-diluted semen were comparable with those of undiluted semen. 4. Dilution of semen with Tris buffer significantly reduced fertility, but not hatchability.     

Herbicide resistant Phalaris minor in India—history of evolution,present status and its management

Phytoparasitica - The introduction and large scale cultivation of wheat cultivars which are semi-dwarf and high yielding in the north-western Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGPs) of India has led to the...     

Prospects and challenges in utilization of indigenous rocks and minerals as source of potassium in farming

Potassium (K) is one of the essential nutrients required by crops in large quantities; however, its use in agriculture by farmers is less than required in developing countries. This neglect has led to excess mining of K in soils by crop plants and has resulted in a negative balance of K in soils. This loss necessitates the need of more use of potassium fertilizers in agriculture. Rocks and minerals offer a potential fertilizer to utilize in agriculture as source of K. The crop trials revealed that feldspar, mica, glauconite, nepheline and shoenite are good sources of K for crops, especially in highly weathered acid soils. However, some researchers have reported no agronomic benefit of feldspar or granite rock application to crops. Overall the size modification, acidulation, microbial inoculants and preparation of K-enriched compost are the effective techniques to utilize K-bearing rocks and minerals. Very limited information is available on these aspects. Thus, in this review, an attempt has been to consolidate up-to-date information of indigenous rocks and minerals as possibilities for alternate sources of K for crop plants. Moreover, this area of research needs attention to utilize indigenous K sources, which can aid to limit the import and cost, of the establishment of potash fertilizer-based industries in developing countries.     

Identification of quantitative trait loci associated with iron deficiency chlorosis resistance in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea)

Iron deficiency chlorosis is an important abiotic stress affecting groundnut production worldwide in calcareous and alkaline soils with a pH of 7.5–8.5. To identify genomic regions controlling iron deficiency chlorosis resistance in groundnut, the recombinant inbred line population from the cross TAG 24 × ICGV 86031 was evaluated for associated traits like visual chlorosis rating and SPAD chlorophyll meter reading across three crop growth stages for two consecutive years. Thirty-two QTLs were identified for visual chlorosis rating (3.9%–31.8% phenotypic variance explained [PVE]) and SPAD chlorophyll meter reading [3.8%–11% PVE] across three stages over 2 years. This is the first report of identification of QTLs for iron deficiency chlorosis resistance-associated traits in groundnut. Three major QTLs (>10% PVE) were identified at severe stage, while majority of other QTLs were having small effects. Interestingly, two major QTLs for visual chlorosis rating at 60 days (2013) and 90 days (2014) were located at same position on LG AhXIII. The identified QTLs/markers after validation across diverse genetic material could be used in genomics-assisted breeding.     

Antidiabetic potential of Butea monosperma in rats

The antihyperglycemic activity of the ethanolic extract of Butea monosperma (BMEE) was studied in glucose-loaded and alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Single dose treatment of BMEE (200 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly improved glucose tolerance and caused reduction in blood glucose level in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Repeated oral treatment with BMEE (200 mg/kg/day) for 2 weeks significantly reduced blood glucose, serum cholesterol and improved HDL-cholesterol and albumin as compared to diabetic control group.