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Rice followed by wheat is the dominant cropping system in the middle Indo-Gangetic plains (IGP). Lower productivity (4.8 t ha−1) of this cropping system in Bihar, compared to the national average (6.8 t ha−1) due to several climate- and production-related issues, is a matter of concern for the farmers and the policymakers. Keeping all these in view, an experiment with rice–wheat cropping system was carried out during 2020–21 and 2021–22 in 17 adopted villages of 13 districts of Bihar under the Project “Climate Resilient Agriculture Program (CRAP)” to evaluate the feasibility of early transplanting of rice in the month of June with the aim of achieving higher system productivity by early harvesting of rice and subsequent timely sowing of wheat before 15 November with the provision of assured irrigation. In this study, the concept of an innovative community irrigation approach and single-phase 3-hp submersible pump was employed. Long-duration rice variety (150 days) Rajendra Mahsuri-1 was sown during 20–25 May in the nursery and transplanted through puddling operation during 15–20 June in 17 locations. Under delayed conditions, the nursery sowing and transplanting window were 10–15 June and 10–15 July, respectively. Timely sown rice grown with the provision of a community irrigation system achieved a grain yield of 5.2 t ha−1 and 85.8% higher water productivity, compared to late-sown crops. Following the harvest of rice, the HD-2967 variety of wheat was planted in the first fortnight of November and harvested in the first week of April, yielding 4.9 t ha−1 with the application of 2–3 irrigations based on soil type and evaporative demand. Timely harvesting of wheat facilitated farmers of the region to take an additional crop of summer green gram. With an assured irrigation system and shifting planting dates and thereby managing climatic risks, the overall productivity of the rice–wheat cropping system was achieved to the tune of 10.1 t ha−1 with a cropping intensity of 300% for better adaptation and sustainable production.

The global healthcare market in the post-pandemic era emphasizes a constant pursuit of therapeutic, adaptogenic, and immune booster drugs. Medicinal plants are the only natural resource to meet this by supplying an array of bioactive secondary metabolites in an economic, greener and sustainable manner. Driven by the thrust in demand for natural immunity imparting nutraceutical and life-saving plant-derived drugs, the acreage for commercial cultivation of medicinal plants has dramatically increased in recent years. Limited resources of land and water, low productivity, poor soil fertility coupled with climate change, and biotic (bacteria, fungi, insects, viruses, nematodes) and abiotic (temperature, drought, salinity, waterlogging, and metal toxicity) stress necessitate medicinal plant productivity enhancement through sustainable strategies. Plants evolved intricate physiological (membrane integrity, organelle structural changes, osmotic adjustments, cell and tissue survival, reclamation, increased root-shoot ratio, antibiosis, hypersensitivity, etc.), biochemical (phytohormones synthesis, proline, protein levels, antioxidant enzymes accumulation, ion exclusion, generation of heat-shock proteins, synthesis of allelochemicals. etc.), and cellular (sensing of stress signals, signaling pathways, modulating expression of stress-responsive genes and proteins, etc.) mechanisms to combat stresses. Endophytes, colonizing in different plant tissues, synthesize novel bioactive compounds that medicinal plants can harness to mitigate environmental cues, thus making the agroecosystems self-sufficient toward green and sustainable approaches. Medicinal plants with a host set of metabolites and endophytes with another set of secondary metabolites interact in a highly complex manner involving adaptive mechanisms, including appropriate cellular responses triggered by stimuli received from the sensors situated on the cytoplasm and transmitting signals to the transcriptional machinery in the nucleus to withstand a stressful environment effectively. Signaling pathways serve as a crucial nexus for sensing stress and establishing plants’ proper molecular and cellular responses. However, the underlying mechanisms and critical signaling pathways triggered by endophytic microbes are meager. This review comprehends the diversity of endophytes in medicinal plants and endophyte-mediated plant-microbe interactions for biotic and abiotic stress tolerance in medicinal plants by understanding complex adaptive physiological mechanisms and signaling cascades involving defined molecular and cellular responses. Leveraging this knowledge, researchers can design specific microbial formulations that optimize plant health, increase nutrient uptake, boost crop yields, and support a resilient, sustainable agricultural system.

In this era of rapid biodiversity decline, creating a checklist of threatened taxa is a prerequisite as it apprises the conservationists about the current status of species, thereby enabling the enforcement of necessary measures to prevent them from extinction. The present study was carried out to develop a comprehensive list of threatened species of Meghalaya using both the global and regional lists viz., International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List, Red Data Book of Indian Plants and Conservation Assessment and Management Plan. The analysis revealed the presence of 385 plant taxa belonging to 274 genera and 108 families in the state under various threatened categories. The dominant life form consisted of trees (40.26%), followed by herbs (35.84%), shrubs (13.25%), climbers (5.45%), epiphytes (4.94%) and parasites (0.26%). Fabaceae with 34 species was the largest family and Magnolia with 14 species was the dominant genera. The distribution of the threatened species showed that 24 species are exclusively endemic to Meghalaya and 70 species were restricted to Northeastern India, Indo-Burma or the Eastern Himalaya region. The present study has enabled the compilation of data on threatened plants of Meghalaya spread across literature with an update on their distributional area.

Introduction: A perennial, aromatic, tuberose plant Zingiber roseum (Roscoe.) (Zingiberaceae), flourishes in tropical and subtropical climates. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, several pharmacological properties of Zingiber roseum have been reported its antiseptic, antivertigo, and antidiarrheal activities. Therefore, the present article aims to provide insights into the ethnomedicinal, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of Zingiber roseum. Methods: The literature was compelled after systematically searching scientific databases, including Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Research Gate. The selection criteria for the plant comprised the therapeutic potential of Zingiber roseum and its active components. Moreover, to explore anti-diabetic activity, ligands of interest from Z. roseum were evaluated for their affinity towards PPAR-α and PPAR-γ. Results and discussions: Out of 200 articles, 140 were selected for the current study, and from the para-topic literature, it was found that Zingiber roseum has numerous pharmacological properties due to the presence of phytoconstituents like flavonoids, alkaloids, phenolic chemicals, terpenoids, saponins, and phytosterols. Furthermore, in silico studies were carried out using PyRx. It was found that rosmarinic acid (-8.3 kcal/mol) and stigmasterol (-11.12 kcal/mol) exhibited the highest binding affinities for PPAR-α and PPAR-γ, respectively, when compared to standard Rosiglitazone. Conclusion: It may be concluded that Z. roseum has several therapeutic activities. Moreover, in silico studies revealed the anti-diabetic action of Z. roseum via modulation of PPAR-α and PPAR-γ.

Abstract Actuators are ubiquitous to generate controlled motion through the application of suitable excitation force or torque to perform various operations in manufacturing and industrial automation. The demands placed on faster, smaller, and efficient actuators drive innovation in actuator development. Shape memory alloy (SMA) based actuators have multiple advantages over conventional actuators, including high power-to-weight ratio. This paper integrates the advantages of pennate muscle of a biological system and the unique properties of SMA to develop SMA-based bipennate actuator. The present study explores and expands on the previous SMA actuators by developing the mathematical model of the new actuator based on the bipennate arrangement of the SMA wires and experimentally validating it. The new actuator is found to deliver at least five times higher actuation forces (up to 150 N) in comparison to the reported SMA-based actuators. The corresponding weight reduction is about 67%. The results from the sensitivity analysis of the mathematical model facilitates customization of the design parameters and understanding critical parameters. This study further introduces an Nth level hierarchical actuator that can be deployed for further amplification of actuation forces. The SMA-based bipennate muscle actuator has broad applications ranging from building automation controls to precise drug delivery systems.

Background High-resolution ultrasound (HRUS) and magnetic resonance neurography (MRN) are considered complementary to clinical and neurophysiological assessment for neuropathies. Aims The aim of our study was to compare the accuracy of HRUS and MRN for detecting various peripheral nerve pathologies, to choose the correct investigation to facilitate prompt patient management. Materials and Methods This prospective study was done using HRUS with 14 MHz linear-transducer and 3 or 1.5T MR in cases referred for the assessment of peripheral nerve pathologies. Image interpretation was done using a scoring system (score 0–3 confidence level) to assess for nerve continuity/discontinuity, increased nerve signal/edema, fascicular change, caliber change, and neuroma/mass lesion. We determined the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of these modalities compared with the diagnostic standard determined by surgical and/or histopathological, if not performed then clinical and/or electrodiagnostic evaluation. Results The overall accuracy of MRN was 89.3% (specificity: 66.6%, sensitivity: 92.6%, negative predictive value [NPV]: 57.1%, positive predictive value [PPV]: 95%) and that of HRUS was 82.9% (specificity: 100%, sensitivity: 80.4%, NPV: 42.8, PPV: 100). The confidence level for detecting nerve discontinuity and change in nerve caliber was found to be higher on ultrasonography than magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (100 vs. 70% and 100 vs. 50%, respectively). Pathology of submillimeter caliber nerves was accurately detected by HRUS and these could not be well-visualized on MRI. Conclusion HRUS is a powerful tool that may be used as the first-line imaging modality for the evaluation of peripheral nerve pathologies, and a better means of evaluation of peripheral nerves with submillimeter caliber.

During the last era in India, the use of chemical fertilizer has increased tremendously. The excessive use of these chemicals leads to the degradation of soil quality, health, as well as nutritional status. These are also causing a degradation of human health. This experiment was conducted during Mrig Bahar (July to December) during two consecutive years (2019–2020)in a randomized block design with three replications in which six-year-old 42 pomegranate plants were tested with 14 treatments of different organic manures. Findings showed that in the various treatments, the organic combination T13-Jeevamrut 16.08 L plant-1 + Vermicompost 24.79 kg plant-1 had a significant effect on the nutritional status (available nitrogen, available phosphorus, and available potassium) and microbial population (fungi, bacterial, and actinomycetes count). In addition, T13-Jeevamrut 16.08 L plant-1 + Vermicompost 24.79 kg plant-1 found a significant effect on fruit yield characteristics like fruit plant-1 (122.00), fruit yield (17.38 kg plant-1), fruit weight (192.50 g) and fruit quality characteristics such as fruit juice percent (52.92%), and total sugar (11.92%).

Abstract In this study, bio-polymeric gel beads were made from synthetic and laboratory-made CMC (bagasse). Calcium chloride cross-linked with sodium alginate (Na-Alg) added to CMC displayed great affinity for the removal of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) ions present in an aqueous solution. Activated carbon obtained from bagasse was also used for adsorptive removal of Cr(VI) ions from aqueous solution. The effect of different adsorption parameters such as pH, contact time and adsorbent dosage was studied. Bio-polymeric gel beads and activated carbon were prepared and characterized by SEM, FTIR and XRD. The maximum percentage removal for synthetic and bagasse bio-polymeric gel beads reaches 94.56% and 98.42% values at a pH of 4.0 at 25 °C and for activated carbon 64.79% value at a pH of 6.0 at 25 °C. Higher degree of substitution results in an increase in the percentage removal of Cr(VI) ions due to the increase in the surface area and the binding sites of the adsorbent. Our study suggests that bio-polymeric gel beads made from laboratory-made CMC (bagasse) can be used in a more cost-effective and efficient way for the removal of harmful chromium ions.

The study deals with the quantification of urban sprawl and land transformation of Dhanbad Urban Agglomeration (DUA) using geoinformatics and gradient modeling during last four decades (1972–2011). Various multi-temporal satellite images viz., MSS (1972), ETM+ (1999, 2011) and digital elevation model (CARTOSAT I, 2006) were used to analyse the urban expansion, land transformation, growth directions, and spatial segregations within the urban landscape to develop an understanding the nature of built-up growth in DUA. The urban area increased from 10.33 km2 to 46.70 km2 (352.08%) along with high rate of population growth (160.07%) during 1972–2011 exhibiting population densification in DUA. The study reveals that coal mining based city faced significant land use transformation converting vegetation (−41.33%) into built-up land (352.08%) exhibiting loss of productive lands for the expansion of impervious surface. The per year urban growth exhibited increasing urban growth from 0.4 km2/year to 1.51 km2/year during 1972–1999 and 1999–2011 periods with overall growth of 332.73%. The built-up growth on varied elevation zones exhibits that the elevation zones 150–200 m is the most preferred (79.01%) for urban development with high growth (541.74%). The gradient modeling represents that the percentage of land (built-up) gradually increased from 3.48% to 15.74% during 1972–2011. The result exhibited that the major growth took place in south-west direction followed by south direction in haphazard manner during 1971–99 period, whereas predominant built-up development was observed in north, south and south-west direction during 1999–2011 period, majorly within the municipal limits. The study provides an analytical method to evaluate the built-up growth patterns of an urban milieu combining geoinformatics and landscape matrix. The built-up growth in DUA indicates urgent imposition of building bylaws along with zoning (land use, height and density) regulations to transform DUA as liveable city.

Two new electronically controllable sinusoidal oscillators each employing two Voltage Differencing Inverting Buffered Amplifiers (VDIBAs), two capacitors, and a single resistor have been proposed. The presented oscillators offer independent electronic control of Condition of Oscillation (CO) and Frequency of Oscillation (FO), and low active and passive sensitivities. The effect of non-idealities of the VDIBAs on the proposed oscillators is also investigated. The validity of the proposed structures has been confirmed by SPICE simulation with TSMC 0.18 µm process parameters.

Magnolia lanuginosa (Wall.) Figlar & Noot. [= Michelia lanuginosa Wall.], a rare tree species of Meghalaya, is restricted to the West Khasi Hills District, Meghalaya. The species was considered to have become extinct from the state. The present paper reports a recent re-collection of the species from four locations in the West Khasi Hills after a lapse of almost 100 years. In addition, the population structure, regeneration status and the threat to the species are also discussed so as to develop effective strategies for its conservation.

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is a major cause of viral encephalitis in South and South-East Asia. Lack of antivirals and non-availability of affordable vaccines in these endemic areas are a major setback in combating JEV and other closely related viruses such as West Nile virus and dengue virus. Protein secondary structure mimetics are excellent candidates for inhibiting the protein-protein interactions and therefore serve as an attractive tool in drug development. We synthesized derivatives containing the backbone of naturally occurring lupin alkaloid, sparteine, which act as protein secondary structure mimetics and show that these compounds exhibit antiviral properties.In this study we have identified 3,7-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane, commonly called bispidine, as a privileged scaffold to synthesize effective antiviral agents. We have synthesized derivatives of bispidine conjugated with amino acids and found that hydrophobic amino acid residues showed antiviral properties against JEV. We identified a tryptophan derivative, Bisp-W, which at 5 µM concentration inhibited JEV infection in neuroblastoma cells by more than 100-fold. Viral inhibition was at a stage post-entry and prior to viral protein translation possibly at viral RNA replication. We show that similar concentration of Bisp-W was capable of inhibiting viral infection of two other encephalitic viruses namely, West Nile virus and Chandipura virus.We have demonstrated that the amino-acid conjugates of 3,7-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane can serve as a molecular scaffold for development of potent antivirals against encephalitic viruses. Our findings will provide a novel platform to develop effective inhibitors of JEV and perhaps other RNA viruses causing encephalitis.

Japanese encephalitis (JE), the most common form of viral encephalitis occurs periodically in endemic areas leading to high mortality and neurological deficits in survivors. It is caused by a flavivirus, Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), which is transmitted to humans through mosquitoes. No effective cure exists for reducing mortality and morbidity caused by JEV infection, which is primarily due to excessive inflammatory response. Fenofibrate, a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPARα) agonist is known to resolve inflammation by repressing nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and enhancing transcription of anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory genes. In addition, fenofibrate also up-regulates a class of proteins, cytochrome P4504Fs (Cyp4fs), which are involved in detoxification of the potent pro-inflammatory eicosanoid, leukotriene B(4) (LTB(4)) to 20-hydroxy LTB(4).The neuroprotective effect of fenofibrate was examined using in vitro (BV-2 microglial cell line) and in vivo (BALB/c mice) models of JEV infection. Mice were treated with fenofibrate for 2 or 4 days prior to JEV exposure. Pretreatment with fenofibrate for 4 but not 2 days reduced mortality by 80% and brain LTB(4) levels decreased concomitantly with the induction of Cyp4f15 and 4f18, which catalyze detoxification of LTB(4) through hydroxylation. Expression of cytokines and chemokine decreased significantly as did microglial activation and replication of the JEV virus.Fenofibrate confers neuroprotection against Japanese encephalitis, in vivo, in mouse model of JEV infection. Thus, fenofibrate, a PPARα agonist that is commonly used as a hypolipidemic drug could potentially be used for prophylaxis during JE epidemics to reduce mortality and morbidity.

Japanese Encephalitis virus (JEV) is a common cause of acute and epidemic viral encephalitis. JEV infection is associated with microglial activation resulting in the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines including Interleukin-1 β (IL-1β) and Interleukin-18 (IL-18). The Pattern Recognition Receptors (PRRs) and the underlying mechanism by which microglia identify the viral particle leading to the production of these cytokines is unknown.For our studies, we have used murine model of JEV infection as well as BV-2 mouse microglia cell line. In this study, we have identified a signalling pathway which leads to the activation of caspase-1 as the key enzyme responsible for the maturation of both IL-1β and IL-18 in NACHT, LRR and PYD domains-containing protein-3 (NLRP3) dependent manner. Depletion of NLRP3 results in the reduction of caspase-1 activity and subsequent production of these cytokines.Our results identify a mechanism mediated by Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) production and potassium efflux as the two danger signals that link JEV infection to caspase-1 activation resulting in subsequent IL-1β and IL-18 maturation.

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) induces neuroinflammation with typical features of viral encephalitis, including inflammatory cell infiltration, activation of microglia, and neuronal degeneration. The detrimental effects of inflammation on neurogenesis have been reported in various models of acute and chronic inflammation. We investigated whether JEV-induced inflammation has similar adverse effects on neurogenesis and whether those effects can be reversed using an anti-inflammatory compound minocycline.Here, using in vitro studies and mouse models, we observed that an acute inflammatory milieu is created in the subventricular neurogenic niche following Japanese encephalitis (JE) and a resultant impairment in neurogenesis occurs, which can be reversed with minocycline treatment. Immunohistological studies showed that proliferating cells were replenished and the population of migrating neuroblasts was restored in the niche following minocycline treatment. In vitro, we checked for the efficacy of minocycline as an anti-inflammatory compound and cytokine bead array showed that production of cyto/chemokines decreased in JEV-activated BV2 cells. Furthermore, mouse neurospheres grown in the conditioned media from JEV-activated microglia exhibit arrest in both proliferation and differentiation of the spheres compared to conditioned media from control microglia. These effects were completely reversed when conditioned media from JEV-activated and minocycline treated microglia was used.This study provides conclusive evidence that JEV-activated microglia and the resultant inflammatory molecules are anti-proliferative and anti-neurogenic for NSPCs growth and development, and therefore contribute to the viral neuropathogenesis. The role of minocycline in restoring neurogenesis may implicate enhanced neuronal repair and attenuation of the neuropsychiatric sequelae in JE survivors.

BACKGROUND: Benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) belongs to a class of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons that serve as micropollutants in the environment. B[a]P has been reported as a probable carcinogen in humans. Exposure to B[a]P can take place by ingestion of contaminated (especially grilled, roasted or smoked) food or water, or inhalation of polluted air. There are reports available that also suggests neurotoxicity as a result of B[a]P exposure, but the exact mechanism of action is unknown. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Using neuroblastoma cell line and primary cortical neuron culture, we demonstrated that B[a]P has no direct neurotoxic effect. We utilized both in vivo and in vitro systems to demonstrate that B[a]P causes microglial activation. Using microglial cell line and primary microglial culture, we showed for the first time that B[a]P administration results in elevation of reactive oxygen species within the microglia thereby causing depression of antioxidant protein levels; enhanced expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, that results in increased production of NO from the cells. Synthesis and secretion of proinflammatory cytokines were also elevated within the microglia, possibly via the p38MAP kinase pathway. All these factors contributed to bystander death of neurons, in vitro. When administered to animals, B[a]P was found to cause microglial activation and astrogliosis in the brain with subsequent increase in proinflammatory cytokine levels. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Contrary to earlier published reports we found that B[a]P has no direct neurotoxic activity. However, it kills neurons in a bystander mechanism by activating the immune cells of the brain viz the microglia. For the first time, we have provided conclusive evidence regarding the mechanism by which the micropollutant B[a]P may actually cause damage to the central nervous system. In today's perspective, where rising pollution levels globally are a matter of grave concern, our study throws light on other health hazards that such pollutants may exert.

In this article, electrical and optical properties of PEDOT:PSS/Polyaniline: (PANI)bilayer thin films deposited on indium tin oxide (ITO) are reported. Spin coater has been used for fabrication of thin films of 40–50 nm thickness at 5000 rpm. The deposited thin films have been characterized by using Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV‐vis spectroscopy and Keithley electrometer. Layer‐by‐layer (LBL) technique has been shown to produce electroactive polymer films with low roughness, excellent uniformity, and high electrical conductivity for heterojunction solar cells. The electrical response of fabricated films showing ohmic behavior for PEDOT: PSS/PANI thin films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]