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Introduction: The National Institute of Clinical Excellence in the UK (NICE) recommended the use of "one-stop" clinics for the assessment and management of head and neck lumps like those established for breast lumps. "One-stop" clinics should follow a triple assessment protocol involving physical examination, radiological imaging and fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC). Methods: A retrospective analysis of 144 patients with suspected parotid tumours from 2005 to 2011 was done. Patients were assessed for individual modalities and compared against the final histological diagnosis. Statistical analysis was used for sensitivity and specificity, as well as positive and negative predictive values. All calculations were performed using SPSS version 16 (Statistical Packages for the Social Sciences, Chicago, IL). A p value of < 0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance. Results: A total of 105 patients underwent all the three modalities. Out of them, 93 had imaging that was considered radiologically benign and 12 were reported to have a malignant lesion. Cytologically, 75 were found to have a benign tumour, 13 were malignant, and 17 were considered to be indeterminate. The most common benign neoplasm was pleomorphic adenoma followed by Warthin's tumour. The sensitivity and specificity of triple assessment were 96% (p value 0.878–0.984) and 73% (p value 0.42–0.904), respectively. The positive predictive value was 96% (p value 0.878–0.984) and negative predictive value came out to be 93% (p value 0.42–0.904). Conclusions: The overall accuracy of triple assessment was found to be 92%. This study concludes that triple assessment is a useful assessment tool to evaluate a patient with parotid lump. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficacy of ten phytoextracts viz., garlic, onion, karanj, neem, jamun, turmeric, lantana, eucalyptus, tulsi and ginger was evaluated both under in vitro as well as in vivo conditions against the pathogen Macrophomina phaseolina. In vitro conditions, all phytoextracts inhibited the mycelial growth of M. phaseolina as compared to untreated check. The maximum inhibition of mycelial growth was recorded at 10% concentration of garlic extract (88.53%) followed by onion (85.92%) and minimum (44.20%) by the extract of lantana. Under in vivo conditions two varieties were selected for evaluation of efficacy of phytoextracts, in which higher disease control was recorded with the treatment of garlic extract followed by onion and lowest by lantana. At the same concentration garlic extract showed maximum disease control (44.17%) followed by onion (37.33%) and minimum (11.59%) was recorded by the treatment of lantana extract in variety HT 1. Similar trends were also observed on variety HT 2 and garlic extract was found most effective in reducing incidence of charcoal rot disease (46.62%) followed by onion (39.60%) and minimum (12.91%) by the treatment of lantana extract. However, HT 1 showed higher disease incidence as compared to variety HT 2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Expression levels of 13 microRNAs (miRNAs) were compared between buffalo blastocysts produced by somatic cell nuclear transfer through hand-made cloning and IVF to improve cloning efficiency. Expression of miR-22, miR-145, miR-374a and miR-30c was higher, whereas that of miR-29b, miR-101, miR-302b, miR-34a, miR-21 and miR-25 was lower, in nuclear transferred (NT) than IVF embryos; the expression of miR-200b, miR-26a and miR-128 was similar between the two groups. Based on these, miR-145, which is involved in the regulation of pluripotency, was selected for further investigation of NT embryos. miR-145 expression was lowest at the 2-cell stage, increased through the 4-cell stage and was highest at the 8-cell or morula stage in a pattern that was similar between NT and IVF embryos. miR-145 expression was higher in NT than IVF embryos at all stages examined. Treatment of reconstructed embryos 1 h after electrofusion with an inhibitor of miR-145 for 1 h decreased the apoptotic index and increased the blastocyst rate, total cell number, ratio of cells in the inner cell mass to trophectoderm, global levels of acetylation of histone 3 at lysine 18 and expression of Krueppel-like factor 4 (KLF4), octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (OCT4) and SRY (sex determining region Y)-box 2 (SOX2) in blastocysts. Treatment with an miR-145 mimic had the opposite effects. In conclusion, treatment of NT embryos with an miR-145 inhibitor improves the developmental competence and quality, and increases histone acetylation and expression of pluripotency-related genes. MicroRNA-145 (miR-145) is important for embryo development because it regulates pluripotency. Although the miR-145 expression pattern is similar in nuclear transferred (NT) and IVF embryos during development, miR-145 expression is higher in NT than IVF embryos at all stages of development. Deceasing miR-145 expression by treating NT embryos with an miR-145 inhibitor could be used to increase the blastocyst rate and improve embryo quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kumaon and Garhwal regions are the chief terrains of Uttarakhand Himalaya. The present article simulates the strong ground motion of the 2011 IndoNepal earthquake in the Kumaon region using modified semi empirical technique (MSET). Acceleration records at ten stations in the near field region have been simulated which validates well with actual records and therefore confirms the reliability of MSET. In addition, MSET has been used to simulate strong motion records of future scenario earthquakes (Mw 7.0 and Mw 8.0) in Kumaon region by assuming the earthquake location same as that of 2011 IndoNepal earthquake. Isoacceleration maps are also provided, which reveals more than 400 gal value of PGA at epicentral distances less than 25 kms for an earthquake of magnitude 8.0. The comparison of isoacceleration map of future scenario earthquake (Mw 7.0) in Kumaon region has been done with isoacceleration map of 1991 Uttarkashi earthquake (Mw 6.8) in Garhwal region which suggests distinct attenuation characteristics of these two regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low adoption of improved agricultural practices is one of the major challenges to improve food security. A case study was carried out to assist the farmer's fertilizer application gap in rice cultivation in Nepal. To collect data a household survey was conducted in 2017 by selecting 90 households randomly from rice growing pocket area of Banke district of Nepal. The rates of fertilizers use were assessed in relation to farm size, crop variety, irrigation etc. The applications of both organic and mineral fertilizers vary highly by farmer type. Small and medium farmers applied twice the amount of organic manure compared to large farmers. For inorganic fertilizer use, large farmers applied higher amounts of nitrogen (N) fertilizer compared to medium and small farmers. Across farmer types, a higher amount of N and P fertilizers was used for hybrid varieties than inbred varieties and in irrigated fields than in rainfed fields. The use of potassium (K) fertilizer was low and not affected by farmer type or variety. Overall, farmers used a lower amount of N and K and a higher amount of P than the recommendation. The imbalanced use of fertilizers was associated with poor access to agricultural extension services. Variations of fertilizer use among farmers and the role of extension in the adoption of improved practices are still under-researched, and hence this study exposes the need to investigate in-depth knowledge, determinants of fertilizer use and role of extension education. Results from this study could be important to develop an innovative extension program using multiple channels to increase farmers' access to and awareness regarding balanced use of fertilizers to increase soil fertility and crop productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The adoption of Conservation agriculture (CA) contributes to sustainable production and its advantages include lower inputs and stable yields. This study was conducted in the research field of Regional Agricultural Research Station, Bhagetada, Dipayal, Doti during 2014 and 2015 to identify the effect of CA on grain yield and income of maize in Maize based cropping system. Both conservation and conventional agricultural (ConvA) practices were evaluated on two maize based cropping systems namely maize-wheat-mungbean (M-W-MB) and maize-lentil-mungbean (M-L-MB). For this purpose two maize varieties namely Raj Kumar and Arun-2 were used. The average productivity of maize under M-L-MB cropping system was 1.6% higher (5.75 t/ha) than M-W-MB cropping system (5.66 t/ha). The average grain yield of maize under CA was 16.7% higher (6.15 t/ha) than ConvA (5.27 t/ha). Rajkumar produced 43% higher average grain yield (6.73 t/ha) than Arun-2 variety (4.69 t/ha). The average net benefit was slightly higher (US$ 597.33/ha) under M-L-MB cropping system than M-W-MB cropping system (US$ 573.89/ha). Similarly, the average net benefit from CA was 102% higher (US$ 783.67/ha) than ConvA (US$ 386.79/ha). Rajkumar variety gave 127% higher average net benefit (US$ 813.49/ha) than Arun-2 (US$ 357.81/ha). The average benefit - cost (B:C) ratio of M-L-MB cropping system was slightly higher (1.72) than the average B:C ratio of M-W-MB cropping system (1.70). The average B:C ratio of CA was 42% higher (2.01) than ConvA (1.41). The average B:C ratio of Rajkumar variety was found 33% higher (1.95) than Arun-2 (1.46). The higher grain yield, net profit and B:C ratio were found in CA practices under M-L-MB cropping system and Rajkumar variety. This study suggests that hybrid maize planting and the adoption of M-L-MB cropping system should be used to increase grain yield and economic performance under CA practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drug resistant pathogenic microbes have been causing serious health issues resulting in the substantial increase of death rates and morbidity paving the way for nanoparticles to be utilized as antimicrobial agents. This study was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of CuNPs on the growth of drug resistant clinical isolates of Streptococcus pyogenes, Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis. Minimum inhibitory concentration of CuNPs against Streptococcus pyogenes, Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis was found to be 1.25. 1.25 and 0.625 mg/ml and minimum bactericidal concentration against the same isolates was found to be 2.5, 2.5 and 5 mg/ml respectively. The ratio of MBC/MIC, referred to as tolerance level, was calculated for all the isolates which signifies the bactericidal or bacteriostatic effect of any antimicrobial agent. For Streptococcus pyogenes and Enterococcus faecium, the tolerance level was 2 while as for Enterococcus faecalis, it was 8. Antibiotic susceptibility results were calculated which showed that the isolates were resistant to Ampicillin (10 fig), Amoxycillin (30 fig) and Aztreonam (30 fig). Susceptibility results were followed by calculating multiple antibiotic resistance indices (MARI). MARI is an important tool which gives an idea about the bacterial resistance in a given population. For all the three isolates, MARRI results were equivalent to 1 because of their resistance towards all the three antibiotics used. Antimicrobial activity through well-plate method was carried out and inhibitory effect of CuNPs on biofilm formation was evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On 21st September 2009 an earthquake of magnitude ( M 6.1) occurred in the East Bhutan. This earthquake caused serious damage to the residential area and was widely felt in the Bhutan Himalaya and its adjoining area. We estimated the source model of this earthquake using modified semi empirical technique. In the rupture plane, several locations of nucleation point have been considered and finalised based on the minimum root mean square error of waveform comparison. In the present work observed and simulated waveforms has been compared at all the eight stations. Comparison of horizontal components of actual and simulated records at these stations confirms the estimated parameters of final rupture model and efficacy of the modified semi-empirical technique (Joshi et al., Nat Hazards 64:1029-1054, 2012b) of strong ground motion simulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The milk has high nutritional properties and is widely used as baby food in different forms. The present study was undertaken to evaluate pesticide contamination in bovine milk samples from Patna district of Bihar. Out of 24 samples analyzed during 2012, 18 samples (75 %) were found to be contaminated with HCH residues varying from ND-0.178 mg kg-1 (mean value 0.135 mg kg-1). Seven samples (29.2 %) had HCH exceeding MRL of 0.01 mg kg-1. DDT residues were detected in 20 samples (83.3 %) and ranged from ND-0.132 mg kg-1 (mean value 0.122 mg kg-1). Five samples (20.8 %) contained DDT residues above the prescribed MRL of 0.05 mg kg-1. Out of 24 samples of bovine milk analyzed during 2013, 16 samples (66.7 %) were found to be contaminated with HCH and 15 samples (62.5%) with DDT residues. The residues of HCH varied from ND-0.154 mg kg-1 (mean value 0.053 mg kg-1) and DDT from ND-0.120 mg kg-1 (mean value 0.122 mg kg-1). The residues of HCH and DDT were above MRL in four samples (16.7 %) and three samples (12.5 %) respectively. The management practices of animals and legal punishment on using banned pesticides are the alternatives to reduce pesticide contamination incidences in milk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diazepam ingestion along with ethanol is encountered commonly in drug overdose cases. In the present study, the effect of pH and ethanol on the adsorption of diazepam in the simulated gastric fluid and the simulated intestinal fluid onto activated charcoal was determined in vitro. The adsorption behaviors of diazepam in both simulated gastric and intestinal pH onto activated charcoal were studied. In the adsorption study with ethanol, some of the gastric or intestinal fluid was replaced with an equivalent volume of 10 and 25% ethanol, respectively. The unabsorbed diazepam in simulated gastric fluid and simulated intestinal fluid (with and without ethanol) was determined by UV spectrophotometer at wavelengths 289 and 256 nm, respectively. The maximum adsorption capacities (at 95% confidence limits) of activated charcoal were 25 (18.42; 31.5) mg and 200 (175.158; 224.84) mg diazepam/g activated charcoal at pH values 1.2 and 6.8, respectively. In case of 10 and 25% ethanol, adsorption in the simulated gastric fluid were 19.20 (21.23;18.00) mg and 0.268 (0.286; 0.26) mg diazepam/g activated charcoal, respectively. Surprisingly, in the simulated intestinal fluid, the adsorption patterns were not affected due to presence of 10% ethanol while it was reduced to 76.92 (78.179; 74.84) mg/g activated charcoal at 25% ethanol concentration. Under the simulated gastrointestinal environmental condition, the activated charcoal adsorbed a sufficient amount of diazepam (200 mg/g-25 mg/g) with maximum at intestinal pH. Our results show that standard dose of 50 g of activated charcoal as provided in general poisoning cases is sufficient to prevent diazepam intoxication with or without ethanol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A large proportion of the soil carbon (C) in boreal forests originates from roots and ectomycorrhizal fungi, and accurate quantification of fine-root litter production is needed. Methods for determination of root turnover have been under debate in recent years. Two recently used methods-radiocarbon (C) dating and use of minirhizotrons (MR)-have yielded different results. This has been attributed to analysis of different roots by use of these methods. At Flakaliden, northern Sweden, in a long-term soil warming and irrigation experiment, we compared MR lifespan with the C-derived age of fine roots from soil cores of the same root diameter class. We also determined the C-derived age of ingrowth core roots of Norway spruce. The median lifespan of fine roots around MR tubes installed 15 years previously was shorter than 2.5 years whereas the C-derived age of the fine roots from soil cores varied from recently grown to 14 years. Correspondingly, the age of C in fine roots harvested from ingrowth cores installed in soil 3 months previously was between 1 and 20 years. Thus, cellulose in these roots contained older C than is possible from photosynthesis during the time of cellulose formation. By investigating whether the age of Norway spruce and Scots pine seedlings was less than their root C-derived age, we tested the possibility of root C originating from soil uptake. This was found to be unlikely, because fine roots of four and eight-year-old seedlings had C that was dated to be as old as or younger than the seedlings. We propose that further effort is required to identify the ecological conditions leading to root growth utilization of stored or recycled C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field experiment on the effect of time of harvesting on yield and quality of Melissa officinalis L. was conducted under the agroclimatic conditions of Doon valley, Uttarakhand in order to assess the performance of four harvesting times (H1-120 days, H2 -140 days, H3-160 days and H4-180 days after planting). The fresh and dry herbage and oil yield of the aerial parts showed greater response in H3 i.e. harvesting at 160 days after planting, followed by H2 harvesting time. The quality of essential oil was evaluated using GC and GC-MS analysis. Geranial (24.53 %) and neral (18.80 %) were the major constituents found in the essential oil followed by trans-caryophyllene (7.70 %). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study deals with the parametric instability of a beam with multiple cracks. The variation of buckling load and dynamic stability regions, with respect to relative crack depth and position of cracks, are analysed using FEM. The loading on the beam is considered to be axial with a simple harmonic fluctuation with respect to time. The equation of motion represents a system of second order differential equations with periodic coefficients of the Mathieu-Hill type. The development of the regions of instability arises from Floquet's theory, and the periodic solution is obtained by Bolotin's approach using the finite element method. The stiffness matrix of the cracked beam element is obtained from the flexibility matrix of the intact beam, and the additional flexibility matrix due to the crack. The frequencies of vibration and buckling loads of the cracked cantilever beams reduce with the increase in crack depth and number of cracks. The onset of instability occurs earlier with the introduction of more cracks. The instability region for the crack location nearer to the fixed end occurs at a lower excitation frequency of the cracked beam. The vibration and instability results can be used as a technique for structural health monitoring or testing of structural integrity, performance, and safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In ad hoc wireless networks, there is no predefined infrastructure and nodes communicate with each other via peer communications. In order to make routing efficient in such networks the connected dominating set (CDS) can act as virtual backbone for the network. A smaller virtual backbone suffers less from the interference problem and incurs less maintenance overhead. Computing minimum CDS backbone is proven to be NP-Hard, it is therefore desirable to use efficient heuristic algorithms to find a virtual backbone of small size. Diameter and average backbone path length (ABPL) are other major criteria for evaluation of the backbone produced by an algorithm. In this paper, after giving a brief survey of classical CDS algorithms, two new centralized algorithms are described for the construction of the virtual backbone and their performance has been compared with five recent algorithms (two centralized and three distributed) along the parameters: size, diameter, and ABPL. The new algorithms perform better on most of the criteria. The re-construction of entire CDS upon movement or failure of a few nodes is very costly in terms of processing power, battery utilization, bandwidth utilization etc., as compared to maintaining the CDS for the affected nodes, since the re-construction of the CDS is to be performed for the whole network while maintenance involves the affected nodes and their neighbours only. A new distributed algorithm is described that maintains the virtual backbone on movement or failure of a single node. The overhead of CDS maintenance with this algorithm compares very favourably against that of re-construction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and methods: The effects of changing climate on ectomycorrhizal (EcM) fine roots were studied in northern Sweden by manipulating soil temperature for 14 years and/or by fertilizing for 22 years. Fine root biomass, necromass, EcM root tip biomass, morphology and number as well as mycelia production were determined from soil cores and mesh bags. Results and conclusions: The fine root biomass and necromass were highest in the fertilized plots, following similar trends in the above-ground biomass, whereas the EcM root tip biomass per basal area decreased by 22 % in the fertilized plots compared to the control. Warming increased the fine root biomass, live/dead-ratio and the number of EcM root tips in the mineral soil and tended to increase the production of EcM mycelia. Greater fine root biomass meant more EcM root tips, although the tip frequency was not affected by fertilization or warming. Significantly higher specific root length of EcM root tips indicated an increased need for nutrients in warmed and in unfertilized plots. Better nutrient supply and warmer soil temperature provide a potential to increase the flow of carbon into the soil via increased fine root biomass, but the carbon balance also depends on root turnover. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: The main objectives of this study were to determine how the carbon age of fine root cellulose varies between stands, tree species, root diameter and soil depth. In addition, we also compared the carbon age of fine roots from soil cores of this study with reported values from the roots of the same diameter classes of ingrowth cores on the same sites. Methods: We used natural abundance of C to estimate root carbon age in four boreal Norway spruce and Scots pine stands in Finland and Estonia. Results: Age of fine root carbon was older in 1.5-2 mm diameter fine roots than in fine roots with <0.5 mm diameter, and tended to be older in mineral soil than in organic soil. Fine root carbon was older in the less fertile Finnish spruce stands (11-12 years) than in the more fertile Estonian stand (3 and 8 years), implying that roots may live longer in less fertile soil. We further observed that on one of our sites carbon in live fine roots with the 1.5-2 mm diameter was of similar C age (7-12 years) than in the ingrowth core roots despite the reported root age in the ingrowth cores - being not older than 2 years. Conclusions: From this result, we conclude that new live roots may in some cases use old carbon reserves for their cellulose formation. Future research should be oriented towards improving our understanding of possible internal redistribution and uptake of C in trees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To test the reliability of the radiocarbon method for determining root age, we analyzed fine roots (originating from the years 1985-1993) from ingrowth cores with known maximum root age (1-6 years old). For this purpose, three Scots pine ( Pinus sylvestris L.) stands were selected from boreal forests in Finland. We analyzed root C age by the radiocarbon method and compared it with the above-mentioned known maximum fine root age. In general, ages determined by the two methods (root C age and ingrowth core root maximum age) were in agreement with each other for roots of small diameter (<0.5 mm). By contrast, in most of the samples of fine roots of larger diameter (1.5-2 mm), the C age of root samples of 1987-1989 exceeded the ingrowth core root maximum age by 1-10 years. This shows that these roots had received a large amount of older stored carbon from unknown sources in addition to atmospheric CO directly from photosynthesis. We conclude that the C signature of fine roots, especially those of larger diameter, may not always be indicative of root age, and that further studies are needed concerning the extent of possible root uptake of older carbon and its residence time in roots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

van der Pol type system with delayed feedback is explored by employing the two variable expansion perturbation method. The perturbation scheme is based on choosing a critical value for the delay corresponding to a Hopf bifurcation in the unperturbed ε=0 system. The resulting amplitude-delay relation predicts two Hopf bifurcation curves, such that in the region between these two curves oscillations will be quenched. The perturbation results are verified by comparison with numerical integration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The national maize improvement program in Nepal regularly receives elite maize ( Zea mays L.) genotypes from CIMMYT and other countries and tests them for their performance stability in highly diverse environments. Studies were conducted on research stations and farmers’ fields at five sites in three years to determine performance stability of exotic maize genotypes. Replicated on-station and on-farm studies were conducted using 25 and 10 genotypes, respectively, including a local check and an improved check (Manakamana-3), in 2004–2006. We analyzed grain yield, days to flowering, plant and ear height, plant population, husk cover, and plant and ear aspect. Stability and genotype superiority for grain yield was determined using genotype and genotype × environment (GGE) biplot analysis that compares among a set of genotypes with a reference ‘ideal’ genotype, which has the highest average value of all genotypes and is absolutely stable. Several genotypes produced significantly higher grain yield than the local check. Four genotypes (‘Across9942 × Across9944’, ‘Open Ended White Hill Population’, ‘Population 44C10’ and ‘ZM621’), that produced significantly higher grain yield than the improved check, also had other agronomic traits (days to flowering, plant and ear height, number of ears, resistance to leaf blight, plant and ear aspect and husk cover tightness) equal to or better than the improved check. GGE-biplot analysis showed that Across9942 × Across9944 and ZM621 were the most superior genotypes in the on-station and on-farm trials, respectively. The findings from this study provide new information on the stability of the maize genotypes that are also adapted to other regions of the world. Such information could be useful for maize improvement program for the highlands in Nepal and other similar environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents the latitudinal variation (from 60° 30' N to 68° 2' N latitude) of natural abundances of 15N in the foliage, humus and soils of boreal forests of Finland. Our results clearly showed that N concentration of the foliage did not change significantly with latitudes but their 15N values were significantly higher in higher latitude sites relative to that of the mid and lower latitude sites, indicating the different forms of N uptake at the higher latitudes compared to the lower latitudes. We assume that the higher foliage δ15N values of the higher latitudes trees might be due to either more openness of N cycle (greater proportional N losses) in these latitudes compared to the sites of southern latitudes (lower N losses) or the differences in their mycorrhizal associations. Regression analysis showed that the temperature was the main factor influencing the 15N natural abundance of humus and soil of all forest ecosystems, both before and after clear-cut, whereas rainfall was the main controlling factor to the foliage 15N. Possible reasons behind the increasing δ15N natural abundances of plants and soils with increasing latitudes are discussed in this paper. The clear-cut did not show any specific trend on the 15N fractionation in humus and soil, i.e. both 15N-enrichment and -depletion occurred after clear-cut. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wheat breeders in South Asia are attempting to develop wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars resistant to Helminthosporium leaf blight (HLB), which occurs mainly as a complex of spot blotch caused by Cochliobolus sativus (Ito & Kuribayashi) Drechs. ex Dastur, and tan spot caused by Pyrenophora tritici-repentis (Died.) Drechs. Information on the combining ability for HLB resistance in wheat cultivars of South Asia is not available. This study was undertaken to examine the resistance to HLB in nine genetically diverse wheat parents, and to evaluate their general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) effects toward determining the genetic basis of disease resistance. Nine parents were crossed in a half-diallel mating design to produce 36 populations. The F1 and F2 progenies, and the parents were evaluated in replicated field tests at Rampur, Nepal. Multiple disease scores were recorded, and area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) was calculated to measure disease severity over time. The combining ability analysis was performed using Griffing's Method 2, Model 1. The parents chosen showed wide variation for resistance to HLB. They and the F1 and F2 progenies differed significantly for AUDPC. GCA and SCA effects were significant in both generations suggesting that additive as well as non-additive genetic mechanisms were involved in the expression of resistance in these parents. Wheat genotypes ‘SW89-5422’, ‘G 162’, ‘NL 781’and ‘Chirya 7’ had significantly negative GCA effects for AUDPC in both F1 and F2 generations, suggesting their prime suitability for use in wheat breeding programs to improve resistance to HLB. The estimate of narrow-sense heritability was 0.77 in both generations suggesting that selection for HLB resistance should be effective in these crosses. The results indicate a predominance of additive gene action in the inheritance of HLB resistance in spring wheat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

QCD as a dual gauge theory has been constructed in terms of restricted chromodynamics by using the magnetic symmetry. The associated dual structure has been utilized to explain the colour confinement as a result of dynamical breaking of magnetic symmetry and the parameters related to the confinement have been derived. The generalized supercurrent of dyonically condensed vacuum has been shown to lead to the generalized Meissner effect responsible for the confining nature of RCD vacuum. The range parameter analysis has been shown to unfavour the higher-order Dirac charges and it has been demonstrated that the generalized-charge-space parameter can improve the RCD confining properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Iwate–Miyagi earthquake (Mw 6.9) of 14 June 2008 is one of the largest intraplate earthquakes that struck north-east Japan. This earthquake has produced the largest peak ground acceleration (PGA) ever recorded. The acceleration values 4022 and 1036 gal were observed at the surface and borehole accelerometers of IWTH25. To understand the cause of this extremely large acceleration, it is highly essential to obtain the detailed rupture process of Iwate–Miyagi earthquake. The present paper estimates the rupture model for this earthquake using the modified semi-empirical technique (MSET). The detailed analysis proposes one strong motion generation area (SMGA) in the rupture plane and nucleation point in the extreme western corner of the SMGA. Using this estimated source model, a satisfactory match is observed between the simulated and actual records. The quantitative analysis of these waveforms provides an almost 1:1 match for PGA values. Furthermore, the variation of these PGA values with epicentral distance shows similar attenuation rate. These results confirm the reliability of MSET and the estimated source model of this earthquake. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to model SMGAs in the rupture model using MSET and provides sufficiently reliable information which will be useful for seismic hazard prevention management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past decades, strong motion generation areas (SMGAs) have received significant attention in the modelling of high-frequency records. Herein, we propose the source model for a scenario earthquake ( M w 8.5) in the central seismic gap region of Himalayas. On the rupture plane, three SMGAs have been identified. Further, SMGA parameters are evaluated using available empirical relations. The spatiotemporal distribution of aftershocks is utilised to locate these SMGAs on the rupture plane. Further, the modified semi-empirical technique (MSET) is used to simulate the strong motion records. It has been observed that the study area can expect peak ground acceleration of > 100 cm/s 2 and its distribution is mainly affected by the location of nucleation point in the rupture plane. Furthermore, the estimated peak ground acceleration (PGA) values are comparable with the earlier studies in the region. This confirms the robustness of generated rupture model with three SMGAs and the reliability of MSET to simulate high-frequency records. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study that examines the geometric constraints between the ribcage and scapula in the shoulder complex using a cadaver. It explores 79 arm configurations of cadaver that cover the whole arm reachable space. The study indicates the presentation of small deviations in distance and angle in the centre of the inner scapular plane.

The article presents a study which examines the impact of various soil preparations on the foliage nitrogen (N) dynamics of boreal forests in Finland. Here, the authors focus on clear cutting method, a common silvicultural practice in the country. To provide a better seed bed conditions, site preparations such as ploughing, burning and fertilization has been applied. They conclude that the long-term effects of various soil management can be studied through atmospheric N deposition.