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The establishment of a resilient and enduring agricultural production system is important in order to meet the global need for food. Due to dramatic climatic changes and growing population pressure, traditional chemical-based farming approaches have proven inefficient. Globally, abiotic stresses have a substantial impact on crop yields across many crops. The use of silicon nanoparticles (nSi) has gained popularity in the last few years as a means to alleviate abiotic stress. The addition of nano Si as a supplement has been found to mitigate stress under adverse environmental conditions and promote the growth as well as overall development of plants. Its rehabilitative properties are associated with increased activities of antioxidant enzymes, preserving the balance between the production and elimination of reactive oxygen species. The accumulation and/or absorption of nSi in a variety of crops, along with its mechanism of action, are discussed in this study. These factors are associated with enhanced plant growth and tolerance capacities, which support sustainable agriculture. In summary, this review highlights the significance of nano-enabled methods using nSi for enhancing crop tolerance against abiotic stresses and the potential to address worldwide food security concerns.

Climate change is now evident and severe water shortage due to unpredictable raining season along with extended summers is expected to hamper crop production across the globe. Application of nanoparticle based formulations is one of the most sought after approach that is being explored currently to alleviate drought stress impact on plants. The present study was aimed to evaluate the potential of biosynthesized silica nanoparticles (silica NPs) in improving the drought tolerance of wheat. Four different concentrations of silica NPs (30, 60, 90, and 120 ppm) were used to treat wheat plants grown under two irrigation regimes- 50% soil moisture content (drought) and 100% soil moisture content (well-watered). The induced drought caused a prominent reduction in both - the crop yield and the morphological parameters of the crop. Foliar application of silica NPs at all concentrations, increased the plant's tolerance towards water stress but 60 ppm concentration was found to be most effective amongst all. After treatment with silica NPs at 60 ppm concentration, the plant height increased by 8.28%, spikes per plant by 98%, seeds per spike by 12.4%, and thousand seed weight by 37.5% as compared to the control. Besides this, expression levels of four drought-stress responsive genes-ABC1, Wdhn13, CHP,and EXP2was also studied. We observed an enhanced expression of all the stress genes after treatment with silica nanoparticles in wheat plants grown under water deficient conditions, clearly supporting the influence of NP treatment at gene/molecular level. In nutshell, we conclude that silica nanoparticles have the potential to significantly ameliorate the negative impact of drought stress by reviving plant growth and modulating gene expression.

Performance evaluation of two-lane intercity highways helps in defining the level of service (LOS) being provided to the road users and making a decision regarding utilization of public funds. In the past, different performance measures were proposed by different researchers to assess the performance of two-lane highways. In the present study eight performance measures and four platooning variables are examined in order to identify the best suited performance measure for two-lane intercity highways under heterogeneous traffic condition. Free-flow speed is calculated by using the 10 sec gap threshold value which implies that the vehicles will be in free flow condition if they travel with the gap value equal to or greater than 10 sec. Gap acceptance curve method is used to identify the followers with the help of speed difference limit ranged from -4 to +10 km/h and 10 sec gap threshold value. Different critical gap values are observed ranged from 1.9 to 4.3 sec at different study sites beyond which the probability of vehicles to travel in free flow condition will be more. Afterwards different graphical and statistical analyses are carried out to understand the association between the eight performance measures and four platooning variables. Among all the platooning variables examined, two-way traffic volume has the highest correlation with all the performance measures. The study revealed that the speed related performance measures are not appropriate to examine the performance of two-lane highway because of their less sensitiveness towards platooning variables. On the other hand, follower related performance measures have the highest correlation with two-way traffic volume. Therefore, number of followers per capacity followed by follower density are found to be two most effective measures for evaluating the performance of two-lane intercity highways under heterogeneous traffic condition.

A free moving vehicle is a vehicle that travels at their desired speed without any influenced from other vehicles within the same traffic stream or in the opposite traffic stream and the speed is considered as free-flow speed (FFS). This FFS or in another word desired speed can achieve only when the vehicle is travelling in the FFC. FFC is one of the key parameters which is directly related to the LOS assessment for two-lane highways. In the past decades, different researchers used different methodologies to calculate the FFC but all of them were based on homogeneous traffic conditions while in India heterogeneous traffic condition occurred. US HCM 2010 recommend calculating FFS at low traffic volume as vehicle will travel under FFC. On the other hand, other researchers suggested different critical headway value in order to identify the FFC. So, there was a need to examine the previously proposed guidelines or methodology in order to examine their suitability for heterogeneous traffic condition. Different five study sites were selected from different regions of India and different relationships were established between previously used measures to identify the FFC. It was concluded that headway can't be used under heterogeneous traffic condition as well travel mean speed and 85thpercentile speed also. So, a new measure namely; speed difference (SD), which is the difference in speed of two consecutive vehicles in the traffic stream introduced in this study. A relationship was established between SD and headway threshold but it found inappropriate for the existing heterogeneous traffic condition at all the study sites. Finally, the gap is used instead of headway and found suitable for heterogeneous traffic condition. A critical gap threshold value of 10 seconds was observed at all the study sites which showed that the vehicles would be in FFC after that critical gap value and ultimately FFS can be calculated by considering those vehicles which were travelling greater than 10 sec gap value.

Developmentally regulated GTP-binding protein 1 (DRG1) is a highly conserved member of a class of GTPases implicated in translation. Although the expression of mammalian DRG1is elevated in the central nervous system during development, and its function has been implicated in fundamental cellular processes, no pathogenic germline variants have yet been identified. Here, we characterize the clinical and biochemical consequences of DRG1variants.

A cognitive diagnostic test is an instrument for teachers to implement in measuring and evaluating during instruction in order to diagnose mastery learning for each attribute set for the cognitive model of individual students. The results of the diagnosis can be presented with a high degree of validity, convenience and speed. Hence, the present study was aimed at forming the cognitive diagnostic test on basic arithmetic operations, beginning by setting the desired attributes for measurement in the cognitive model, namely, the following four topics: addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of counted amounts and forming questions according to the set cognitive model. Next, the mental dimension is content validity by relying upon the discretion of experts.

Development of a Jetty in an estuary with wide tidal flat is quite a challenging job as the approach channel to the deep water is a complicated issue where the disturbance to the natural hydrodynamic behaviour of the sea and the dynamic nature of the sediment movement is to be handled with utmost care. Flat slope causes reduction in velocity and there by formation of mudflats in water way. The design of the shipping channel needs to cater to the required draft for the vessels plying with most efficient hydrodynamic conditions and minimal sediment deposition to cut short the huge cost on maintenance dredging. Model study was taken up by CWPRS to design a shipping channel route inside Tapi Estuary for barges carrying coal of 3.0 MMTPA to a 360 MW coal based thermal power plant at Hazira in Gujarat. This study was conducted in two stages i.e., desk studies and numerical model studies. Initially the bed profile of Tapi Estuary was analyzed in detail and two alternative shipping routes were identified. Subsequently, tidal window analysis was carried out to determine the availability of sufficient draft for the barges to ply during high tide to economize the shipping route. Further studies were carried out to predict the probable zone of siltation and zone of erosion and to arrive at suitable navigational channel with reasonable navigational depth considering tidal window and siltation aspects.

Two-lane roads represent the majority of the highway system in India. The analysis of traffic performance on two-lane roads is critical for their planning, design, maintenance, rehabilitation, and operation. It is a major input to important decisions on public fund investments that are made at different stages of the highway life. Performance evaluation is typically carried out with the capacity analysis for various highway facilities. Many countries in the world have a standard methodology for capacity analysis procedure. In general, performance of a highway is expressed in terms of level of service (LOS), which is a scheme intended to depict traffic conditions for an existing or proposed transportation facility operating under current or projected traffic demand. Evaluating the performance of the two-lane roads is not an easy task because of several distinct characteristics associated with these roads. IRC: 64-1990 provides some guidelines for capacity of two-lane roads; however, these guidelines provide very little information on LOS and its evaluation on these roads. As a result of that planners in India use the methodologies given in the Highway Capacity Manuals (HCM) of other developed countries. But these methodologies may not be applicable for Indian mixed traffic condition. This adoptation can cause serious consequences in situations where capacity augmentation by widening of the roads will cost huge amount of money. Therefore, it is necessary to examine the concerns expressed above and evaluate operational performance measure(s) used by researchers across the globe which would be appropriate and applicable to Indian conditions. This paper summarises the evolution of research on determining the LOS of two-lane roads and provides a discussion for future directions pertinent to Indian mixed traffic situation.

The effectiveness of two reading intervention programs (phonics-based and inductive learning) was investigated with 63 First Nations children identified as poor readers in Grades 3 and 4 in Study 1, whereas in Study 2, the efficacy of booster sessions for inductive learning or PREP (PASS Reading Enhancement Program) was examined. The major dependent variables in Study 1 were pretest to posttest changes following intervention on reading tests for word reading and word decoding. Other dependent variables comprised tests of phonological awareness, rapid naming speed, and cognitive tests of Planning, Attention, Successive, and Simultaneous processing (PASS). Results of Study 1 showed a significant improvement on both reading tasks following inductive learning intervention, among children below the median in comparison with those above the median. The phonics-based programresulted in similar improvement in only one of the reading tasks, word decoding. Results are discussed in terms of approaches to reading intervention for children with persistent reading difficulties. In Study 2, the important dependent variables were word reading and word decoding, as well as passage comprehension. Results showed that PREP participants evidenced continued improvements in their reading skills, notably in comprehension.

The unsoaked, soaked and soaked-dehulled seeds of some newly released high yielding cultivars of moth bean (Jwala, RMO 225 and RMO 257) and one local variety commonly used by the farmers, were cooked till soft in the microwave oven for different standardized time periods and analysed for starch digestibility and protein digestibility. The starch digestibility of unprocessed moth bean varieties differed significantly (P<0.05) from 25.35 to 28.18 mg maltose released/g flour. The protein digestibility also differed significantly from 70.29 to 74.65% among all the four varieties. Soaking (12 h) and soaking-dehulling of seeds prior to cooking reduced the cooking time considerably. Microwave cooking appreciably improved the starch and protein digestibility of unsoaked, soaked and soaked-dehulled samples. However, maximum improvement in starch digestibility (from 27.28 to 62.57 mg maltose released/g flour) was noticed in soaked-dehulled and microwave cooked samples of Jwala variety and similarly, maximum improvement in protein digestibility (from 72.29 to 87.56%) was noticed in soaked-dehulled microwave cooked sample of RMO 225 variety.

Three newly high yielding cultivars, Jwala, RMO 225 and RMO 257, together with one local variety commonly used by the farmers of the area were studied.

Academicians and practitioners alike have found it difficult to resolve the issue of optimal capital structure in the perfect capital markets of the West as well as in the imperfect capital markets, as in India. This paper examines whether there exists an optimal capital structure in Indian companies, both at the micro and the macro level and whether financing decisions affect the value of a firm.

The increasing demand of synthetic oligonucleotides for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes can be hardly satisfied by simply upscaling the commercial synthesizers. The introduction of a liquid-phase method that utilizes a polymeric support soluble into the reaction media can overcome the shortcomings related to the heterogeneity of the solid phase and allow a convenient large-scale process. Recently we have proposed a new synthetic approach for the oligonucleotide production that utilizes polyethylene glycol or PEG as soluble supporting polymer. We call this method High-Efficiency Liquid Phase or HELP. This approach preserves the advantages of a homogeneous synthesis in solution and adds an easy purification step of all the intermediates, mimicking the solid-phase procedure. In fact, reagent excess and byproducts can be eliminated by a simple precipitation-and-filtration step at the end of each synthetic cycle. Since all the reactions take place in solution, the scale-up of the process is easily predictable. Various synthetic protocols have been tested and optimized for the oligonucleotide production, up to the antisense-size level. After the phosphotriester and the phosphoramidite chemistry, the H-phosphonate approach is now under development. The possibility of an efficient automation of the whole process is also investigated.

Focal Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis is a rare chronic inflammatory condition of kidneys which usually is associated with postrenal obstruction or renal stone leading to chronic bacterial infection and eventually chronic glomerular inflammation. About 90% of cases are of the diffuse type and associated with staghorn renal calculi. The case presented in this paper is of the focal type in a 58-year-old diabetic female. Interestingly she did not have symptoms or laboratory presentation of chronic renal bacterial infection except for elevated ESR. She sought medical attention due to severe pulmonary infection of the background of morbid obesity. Imaging studies revealed several pulmonary lesions and a large mass of the right kidney which was indistinguishable from renal malignancy. After surgical resection of the right kidney, the lesion is pathologically diagnosed to be a focal Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis. The pulmonary lesions were spontaneously resolved about three months following right nephrectomy.

AimsPatient and public involvement (PPI) in research is important to add relevance and context. No formal ethical approval is required, however in sensitive research subject areas, there are potential ethical issues that could arise from PPI. In particular, research concerning palliative care requires discussion about the end of life and dying, which can cause distress. The aim of this abstract is to outline the development of an ethical approach to PPI with children and young people (CYP) for palliative care research.MethodsThe approach was informed by quality checklists for PPI and by drawing on broad ethical principles; benefits and risks to participants, and the responsibilities attached to relationships with both participants and the wider community when conducting an activity. Funding for the PPI work was secured as part of an NIHR Doctoral Research Fellowship.ResultsBenefits for PPI participants were identified as learning new skills, working with others and contributing to an original piece of research. Processes were developed in order to minimise the risk of distress, by outlining clear aims, benefits and risks are for the PPI work at each group meeting, providing written resources, and asking for verbal consent before proceeding. Younger group members were encouraged to discuss their involvement with their parents. Access to debrief and support from youth workers was made available, if necessary.Young people have offered honest constructive feedback on the project, and expect that this is listened to. This requires a clear commitment from the researcher to act on feedback and use it to inform work appropriately, while at the same time managing the expectations of the group. PPI has informed literature reviews, study design, the development of resources for participants, applications for ethical approval and plans for dissemination. There has been a request for social media interaction through Twitter.ConclusionPPI is an integral part of research. Involving young people as peers provides the benefit of being able to design research from their perspective. Planning an ethically sound approach minimises risks to PPI group members. The approach described here was developed for palliative care research but can be applied more broadly.

ObjectiveTo determine if 1H NMR spectroscopy of urine and a quantitative metabolomics approach can aid diagnostic and prognostic outcomes in patients who have suffered acute sport concussion.DesignPre-concussion urine samples were collected from WinSport athletes at the beginning of the sport season. Any athlete who experienced a head injury reported to a brain injury clinic to be tested within 72 hours of head injury. This testing included collection of a post-concussion urine sample for metabolomic analysis.SettingBrain injury clinic and metabolomics laboratory.Participants167 athletes entered the study with a total of 39 concussions occurring. Inclusion criteria: at least 18 years old, diagnosis of concussion, and concussion sustained within 72 hours. Exclusion criteria: multiple injuries coinciding with concussion and a past history of neurological pathology.Outcome measuresMetabolite concentrations were calculated in pre- and post-concussion urine samples and compared using a paired t-test and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) to determine which metabolites led to significant variation between samples.Main resultsThe PLS-DA model showed significant variation between baseline and post-injury sample groups and passed all permutation and cross-validation testing. A paired t-test, with cross-validation, isolated five significant metabolites of interest in the concussion group (p<0.05).ConclusionsUsing NMR spectroscopy we quantified urinary metabolites in patients before and after concussion. This revealed several metabolites that were shown to be significantly altered following injury, opening up future inquiry into both the pathways and processes involved in concussion and new avenues for personalized diagnosis and treatment.Competing interestsNone.

Resistance to anthracnose in sorghum [Sorghum bicolor(L.) Moench] accession SC326‐6 was found to segregate as a simple recessive trait in a cross to the susceptible cultivar BTx623.F3 progeny tests following self pollination of 115 F2individuals identified homozygous resistant and susceptible F2plants for use in bulked‐segregant analysis. DNA from the parental cultivars and the bulks was screened by PCR amplification with 300 RAPD (random amplified polymorphic DNA) primers. Two RAPD primers amplified a sequence that co‐segregated with the recessive resistance allele, while another amplified a band linked to the susceptible allele.

Oxidative stress resulting from accumulation of reactive oxygen species has been associated with disease. The search for natural antioxidants of plant origin is necessitated by the side effects associated with synthetic antioxidants currently available. The objective of the study was to determine the antioxidant activity of Combretum zeyheri, Combretum platypetalum, and Parinari curatellifolia extracts by determining nitrite radical scavenging ability. The nitrite radical scavenging assay was used to evaluate the antioxidant potential of the extracts. The total flavonoid content of P. curatellifolia methanol extract was determined by the aluminium calorimetric method. The aqueous and ethanolic leaf extracts of C. zeyheri, C. platypetalum, and P. curatellifolia extracts exhibited nitrite radical scavenging activity. The results show the scavenging activity in the order of potency: P. curatellifolia > C. platypetalum > C. zeyheri with concentration values of 103?µg/mL, 158?µg/mL, and 188?µg/mL for the ethanol extracts and 92.5?µg/mL, 97.5?µg/mL, and 198?µg/mL for the water extracts, respectively. P. curatellifolia ethanol extract was the most potent and the total flavonoid content was estimated to be 0.4 ± 0.05?mg/g quercetin and could account for the activity. Thus, our findings provide evidence that C. zeyheri, C. platypetalum, and P. curatellifolia leaf extracts could be potential sources of natural antioxidants.