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Objectives: The objectives of this study were to compare the alignment efficacy, changes in arch dimensions, and pain experience with three different nickel-titanium (NiTi) archwires. Material and Methods: Forty-five subjects were subjected to indirect bonding in the mandibular arch, and allocated to three groups using block randomization; Group 1 (0.014” Superelastic NiTi), Group 2 (0.014” 27° Copper NiTi), and Group 3 (0.016” seven stranded coaxial NiTi archwire). The mandibular study models were retrieved periodically at 4-week intervals for 12 weeks, which were blinded to measure the change in Little’s irregularity index (LII) and dental arch dimensions. Pain and discomfort were recorded with visual analog scale at five different time intervals, namely, immediately after bonding (0) and at 1-, 4-, 8-, and 12-h for initial 7 days. Repeated analysis of variance, Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test, post hoc Bonferroni test, and Friedman’s test was applied for the comparison and was used for data analysis. Results: A significant reduction of LII score and increase inarch length, intercanine, interpremolar, and intermolar width (P ≤ 0.001) were observed after 12 weeks among all groups. However, intergroup comparison showed significant mean changes only for intercanine width (Group 1 versus 3) and interpremolar width (Groups 1 and 3; Groups 2 and 3). All other variables were found to be insignificant at all-time intervals when compared among each group. The increase in pain score was maximum with Group 1and least with Group 3. Conclusion: All archwires were found to be effective in reducing the LII score. Nevertheless, Group 3 archwire could achieve reduction of LII to zero in 14% of subjects than Groups 1 and 2.

In Today’s time the health is a priority factor to all. The medical sector proven very useful in pre and post corona time. But people’s fears to visit hospitals as there were possibility of spreading of diseases in the hospital. Peoples mostly consider consulting doctors on calls or chats. Our application focuses on the same issue and creates a medium of communication between doctor and patients via call.

Bacterial wilt and canker caused by Clavibacter michiganensis (Cm) inflict considerable damage in tomato-growing regions around the world. Cm has a narrow host range and can cause disease in tomato but not in many eggplant varieties. The pathogenicity of Cm is dependent on secreted serine proteases, encoded by the chp/tomA pathogenicity island (PI), and the pCM2 plasmid. Screening combinations of PI deletion mutants and plasmid-cured strains found that Cm-mediated hypersensitive response (HR) in the Cm-resistant eggplant variety Black Queen is dependent on the chp/tomA PI. Singular reintroduction of PI-encoded serine proteases into Cm

Geophysical parameter such as Land Surface Temperature (LST) plays an important role in studies related to hydrological processes, climate change, Forest Cover Change (FCC) detections, soil moisture estimations, vegetation water stress, etc. Thermal Infrared Sensors (TIRS) for several FCC categories are measured heat signatures. Deforestation, forest fire, grazing, and anthropogenic activities were witnessed in Protected Areas (PAs) forests. For the Single Channel (SC) algorithm and the Split Window (SW) algorithm. The Landsat-5 Thematic Mapper (TM), Landsat-7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+), and Landsat-8 Operational Land Imager (OLI) several time-series satellite data have been employed. The overall analysis of FCC showed a significant reduction (-5.59%) in dense forest areas. Despite an overall decrease in pasture and non-forest areas of about 2.99 Km2 between 2000 and 2021, there was a significant increase in these areas between 2000 and 2021 of 7.25% and 0.22%, respectively. The relative comparison of the LST on various FCC categories obtained from SC and SW algorithms revealed a ± 1 Kelvin (K) average difference in the years 2000, 2011, and 2021. The LST retrieved using the SC algorithm shows a strong negative correlation coefficient with Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) of R2 = 0.791 in the year 2000 with ⍴ a value of -0.889, 0.750 with ⍴ the value of -0.866 in the year 2011, respectively, whereas the LST obtained using the SW algorithm exhibited a perfect negative Correlation Coefficient (R2 = 0.646 with a ⍴ value of -0.804) with the NDVI for the year 2021.

The Xanthomonas group of phytopathogens communicate with a fatty acid‐like cell–cell signalling molecule, cis‐11‐2‐methyl‐dodecenoic acid, also known as diffusible signal factor (DSF). In the pathogen of rice, Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae, DSF is involved in the regulation of several virulence‐associated functions, including production and secretion of several cell wall hydrolysing type II secretion effectors. To understand the role of DSF in the secretion of type II effectors, we characterized DSF synthase‐deficient (rpfF) and DSF‐deficient, type II secretion (xpsE) double mutants. Mutant analysis by expression analysis, secretion assay, fatty acid analysis, and physiological studies indicated that rpfF mutants exhibit hypersecretion of several type II effectors due to a perturbed membrane and DSF is required for maintaining membrane integrity. The rpfF mutants exhibited significantly higher uptake of 1‐N‐phenylnapthylamine and ethidium bromide, and up‐regulation of r poE (σE). Increasing the osmolarity of the medium could rescue the hypersecretion phenotype of the rpfF mutant. The rpfF mutant exhibited highly reduced virulence. We report for the first time that in X. oryzae pv. oryzae RpfF is involved in the maintenance of membrane integrity by playing a regulatory role in the fatty acid synthesis pathway., We show that in Xanthomonas quorum sensing plays an important role in the regulation of envelope stress and maintenance of membrane integrity, which is crucial for virulence.

Objectives To evaluate the success rate, treatment duration, and pain perceived during forced eruption of maxillary palatally impacted canines using the K9 and Ballista springs. Materials and Methods Thirty unilateral palatal canine impactions of moderate and difficult category as determined by KPG index (score between 10 and 19) were enrolled. Group 1 comprised canine impactions managed with K9 springs, and Group 2 comprised Ballista springs. Block randomization and opaque sealed envelopes were used for allocation. The success rate and treatment duration (application of force to ligation of the impacted canine into the initial alignment archwire) were recorded. Pain perception was evaluated on a 10-point visual analogue scale (VAS) and modified McGill Pain Questionnaire. Chi-square test and Mann-Whitney U-test were used to compare the groups. Results The success rate for eruption of palatally impacted canines was 100%. The average treatment duration was 296.13 ± 96.45 days and 311.93 ± 94.34 days, respectively for Group 1 and Group 2. VAS scale scores for pain were greater for Group 2 compared to Group1, and the differences were statistically significant at all time intervals except at T1. The frequency of none and mild pain was significantly greater at all time intervals in both groups. Conclusions The impacted canines of moderate and difficult category were erupted with a 100% success rate and similar treatment duration with both interventions. The pain scores of Ballista springs were greater after 24 hours of force application.

Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) causes a serious disease of rice known as bacterial leaf blight. Several virulence-associated functions have been characterized in Xoo. However, the role of important second messenger c-di-GMP signalling in the regulation of virulence-associated functions still remains elusive in this phytopathogen. In this study we have performed an investigation of 13 c-di-GMP modulating deletion mutants to understand their contribution in Xoo virulence and lifestyle transition. We show that four Xoo proteins, Xoo2331, Xoo2563, Xoo2860 and Xoo2616, are involved in fine-tuning the in vivo c-di-GMP abundance and also play a role in the regulation of virulence-associated functions. We have further established the importance of the GGDEF domain of Xoo2563, a previously characterized c-di-GMP phosphodiesterase, in the virulence-associated functions of Xoo. Interestingly the strain harbouring the GGDEF domain deletion (ΔXoo2563GGDEF ) exhibited EPS deficiency and hypersensitivity to streptonigrin, indicative of altered iron metabolism. This is in contrast to the phenotype exhibited by an EAL overexpression strain wherein, the ΔXoo2563GGDEF exhibited other phenotypes, similar to the strain overexpressing the EAL domain. Taken together, our results indicate a complex interplay of c-di-GMP signalling with the cell-cell signalling to coordinate virulence-associated function in Xoo.

The percentage of older persons in India is projected to rise to 11 percent of the total population by 2025 and to 19 percent by 2050. Available literature suggests that life satisfaction of older persons depends extensively on their social network. Young people in urban areas have a busy lifestyle and little time for older family members. The present study aims to explore the role of social networking and the support from these networks on life satisfaction of the older people in India. Primary data from 530 households were collected between November 2014 and March 2015. Descriptive statistics, chi square test and Berkman’s theoretical model were partially used. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was applied to examine the association between the social network and life satisfaction, arbitrated by different types of social support. Different types of social network act differently on the perception of life satisfaction among the older person. Findings show that networks with family, neighbours, friends and close ones were significantly associated with life satisfaction of the older people in urban area. Support derived from different social networks is important for life satisfaction at later ages. Having a strong confidant social network is significant in promoting life satisfaction among older persons. The main characteristic of this network support is trust between the support provider and old people.

The forest in India have a long history of human induced modifications through intensive forest management that began in the colonial period but continued afterwards to meet the wood-based demand until the forestry goals shifted towards conservation efforts. All this greatly influenced the plant community structure. We attempt to describe the abundance and distribution pattern of trees in recorded forestland of Western Himalaya using the National Forest Inventory database. A total of 3549 sample plots laid across different forest types were analyzed to reveal the abundance, frequency and distribution pattern of 226 tree species/genus using various indices i.e. abundance by frequency ratio, Morisita index and variance mean ratio. Twelve tree species and Eucalyptus genus were found to be most abundantly found tree species in recorded forest area of Western Himalaya. Ten tree species were found to have regular distribution pattern, one hundred ninety-two were contagiously distributed while twenty-five were randomly distributed. Results derived from huge datasets helps in establishing firm statements with quoted significance value. Myrica esculenta and Aegle marmelos were found among the most abundantly occurring tree species whereas Myrica esculenta, Syzygium cumini and Pyrus pashia, were among the most relatively frequently occurring wild fruit yielding tree species. These species (apart from fodder tree species) can be considered in social forest and joint forest management programs in forest fringe villages/areas to enhance and sustain the provisional ecosystem services in Western Himalaya.

Three dimensional imaging systems whether in the form of digital models, facial scanning or dolphin software play an important role in proper diagnosis and treatment planning of the orthosurgical cases. This case report highlights importance of three-dimensional treatment planning in the ortho-surgical management of the patient with skeletal Class III malocclusion involving atypical extraction. On clinical examination, patient had concave profile, prominent chin, deficient midface, flat cheekbone contour and prominent nasal projection. He had Class III molar and canine relation bilaterally with missing 12 (previously extracted), negative overbite and overjet with discordant maxillomandibular midlines. After 3-dimensional digital model set-up for occlusion planning and dolphin simulation for soft tissue prediction, extraction of left maxillary lateral incisor was planned followed by maxillary advancement and mandibular setback surgery and finish the occlusion in Class II molar relationship. After the orthodontic and orthognathic surgical treatment, the skeletal and dental imbalance was corrected, and most of the treatment objectives were achieved and patient was extremely satisfied with his facial profile. The treatment results were stable at the 3 years follow-up.

Experiments are conducted for studying the slug breakup mechanism for three different liquid pairs in a serpentine minireactor of i.d. 2 mm. Liquid pairs used are kerosene–water (K–W), toluene–wate...

Sudheer Sharma, The Nepal Nexus: An Inside Account of the Maoists, the Durbar and New Delhi (New Delhi, Penguin/Viking, 2019), xiii + pp. 521.

The present study was carried out to evaluate the biochemical changes occurring in infected and non infected leaves of tomato with Alternaria solani. Various biochemical constituents were studied viz., chlorophyll content (chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b), total sugars (reducing and non reducing sugar), total phenol content and total soluble protein. Results revealed that infected plants show severe necrosis and there is sudden decline in chlorophyll content (chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b) and in amount of total soluble sugar (reducing and non reducing sugar) and increase in protein and phenol content in infected plants. The result indicate that pathogen Alternaria solani causes severe alteration in biochemical constitutes of tomato plant that directly or indirectly reduce the resistance or weakens the defense response of tomato against virulent pathogen.

Multicellularity is associated with higher eukaryotes having an organized division of labour and a coordinated action of different organs composed of multiple cell types. This division of different cell types and organizations to form a multicellular structure by developmental programming is a key to the multitasking of complex traits that enable higher eukaryotes to cope with fluctuating environmental conditions. Microbes such as bacteria, on the other hand, are unicellular and have flourished in diverse environmental conditions for a much longer time than eukaryotes in evolutionary history. In this review, we will focus on different strategies and functions exhibited by microbes that enable them to adapt to changes in lifestyle associated with transitioning from a unicellular solitary state to a complex community architecture known as a biofilm. We will also discuss various environmental stimuli and signaling processes which bacteria utilize to coordinate their social traits and enable themselves to form complex multicellular-like biofilm structures, and the division of labour operative within such communities driving their diverse social traits. We will also discuss here recent studies from our laboratory using a plant-associated bacterial pathogen as a model organism to elucidate the mechanism of bacterial cell-cell communication and the transition of a bacterial community to a multicellular-like structure driven by the complex regulation of traits influenced by cell density, as well as environmental sensing such as chemotaxis and nutrient availability. These studies are shedding important insights into bacterial developmental transitions and will help us to understand community cooperation and conflict using bacterial cell-cell communication as a model system.

In this paper, extraction of acetic acid from toluene with water as solvent has been studied in a serpentine miniature geometry of circular cross section with 2 mm inner diameter. The results are further compared with that obtained in a straight tube of same inner diameter. It is observed that, serpentine geometry is responsible for formation of slug droplet regime instead of only slug regime as observed in straight tube. Also due to presence of secondary flow, mass transfer efficiency in serpentine geometry found to be 1.2 times higher than that in straight tube. This results in lower pressure drop than that observed in straight tube. The maximum extraction efficiency in serpentine geometry found to be 94% for the feed to solvent ratio 10.

To evaluate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on orthodontic treatment and mental health of patients undergoing orthodontic treatment and to compare their mental health with the age-matched control group.484 orthodontic patients (245 males and 239 females) and 200 age-matched control subjects were divided into two age groups. Group 1 had 14-18 years of adolescents (N = 274) and 100 control participants (Group 2) and Group 3 comprised of 19 years above adults (N = 210) and 100 control participants (Group 4). Group 1 and 3 patients filled the 4 sections of the questionnaire related to orthodontic emergencies (Sections 1-3) and mental distress (Kessler Psychological Distress Scale-Section 4), while groups 2 and 4 were asked to fill only Section-4. The comparison of mental distress on high/low Kessler scores was made using the Chi-Square test/Fisher's exact test. The factors which came out to be significant were put to bivariate logistic regression analysis.The percentage of patients with high Kessler scores among Group 1 and Group 3 were 9.9% and 17.2% respectively, and their differences with age-matched control groups were non-significant. The mean differences of Kessler score were significantly higher for Group 3 compared to group 1. The higher Kessler score was associated with age, higher education, a feeling of concern for non-availability of appointments, increased treatment duration, its effect on the quality of treatment, and sabotaging of definitive future plans.The orthodontic treatment and emergencies may not be a significant factor contributing to increased stress among patients during the lockdown.

This paper examines the effect of maternal healthcare utilization on early neonatal, neonatal and post-neonatal mortality in India using the recent round of National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4) data. At the national level, for the last live birth of women during the five year preceding the survey, the early neonatal mortality rate was about 16, neonatal mortality rate was 19 and post-neonatal mortality was 7 per thousand live births. Also, only one-fifth of women who had a birth in the past five years received full antenatal care (ANC), 83 percent women received safe delivery and 65 percent women received post-natal care. Findings of the study indicate that full ANC and postnatal care were significantly associated with early neonatal and neonatal mortality. However, no significant association between safe delivery and newborn mortality were found after adjusting the socio-economic and demographic characteristics. Therefore, for a policy point of view, there is a dire need to strengthen supply dependent factors regarding public awareness, accessibility, and affordability of maternal and child healthcare services. It is also necessary to focus on increasing utilization along with continuum of care of maternal and child healthcare services to sustain the reduction in mortality during infancy.

Cadherins play an essential role in the attachment of the blastocyst to the endometrium, a process known as endometrial receptivity. Loss of E-cadherin expression is essential during the process, while the expression level of the other cadherin, N-cadherin, has been reported to be altered in cases of infertility. Both E-cadherin and N-cadherin can be regulated by members of the PARP family. Specifically, PARP-2, which is under the epigenetic control of miR-149, has been observed to promote E-cadherin expression in other human cells. We investigated the roles of E-cadherin and N-cadherin in endometrial receptivity using mouse models for normal endometrial receptivity, pseudopregnancy, and LPS-induced endometrial receptivity failure. E-cadherin and phosphorylated E-cadherin were predominantly expressed during pre-receptive stages as well as in the implantation site of the receptive stage, which were observed reduced during the later stages of implantation in both implantation and non-implantation regions, while N-cadherin was detected only at pre-receptive stages. E-cadherin and N-cadherin were also seen in the uterus during pseudopregnancy, showing a downregulation trend during receptive and post-receptive stages. LPS-induced failed endometrial receptivity showed upregulation of E-cadherin and downregulation of N-cadherin. The E-cadherin expression promoter, GSK-3, was lost and its suppressor, SLUG was upregulated during normal course of endometrial receptivity in mouse model, while GSK-3 was increased during LPS-induced failed embryo implantation. In an in vitro model of embryo implantation, E-cadherin expression is promoted by PARP-2 and regulated by miR-149 epigenetically in human endometrium epithelial cells. In conclusion, E-cadherin is predominantly expressed during pre-receptive stage and promoted by PARP-2, which is regulated by miR-149 in the endometrial epithelial cells.

Moringa oleifera is a tree variety native to India and is a highly valued plant, distributed throughout tropics and subtropics. Almost all parts of this plant are being consumed as food and have medicinal applications. Wastewater treatment is also an important aspect of M. oleifera. Current study aims to evaluate the effects of M. oleifera seeds with oil, de-oiled and leaves on the wastewater treatment process. When water extract of all three components was applied to wastewater, it was seen that 99.2% and 99% reduction in turbidity was there in case of oiled and de-oiled seeds at the applied coagulant concentration of 2% and 1% respectively. Lowering up to 96.8% and 96.2% in suspended solids was also observed at the same applied dose. No raise in DO values were noticed in both cases. However, a slight reduction of 12.5% and 16.6% in BOD values were there at 1% applied concentration of stock solution for both oiled and de-oiled seeds. Reduction in COD was only observed in case of de-oiled seeds which was up to 25.3% at applied concentration of 1.5%. No effect on ammoniacal nitrogen was seen after application of all three coagulants in wastewater but nitrate nitrogen decreased uto 50.3% in case of oiled seeds and 51.6% in case of de-oiled seeds at applied concentration of 1.5% for both the cases. Also, no alteration in pH was seen which makes M. oleifera a suitable coagulant as no post-treatment is required. Whereas, in the case of M. oleifera leaves, no positive results were obtained in any of the parameters tested.

Proper documentation of tree distribution across the globe has been considered crucial to assess the relationships between species occurrence and changing climate, and accordingly in designing the conservation action plans. Himalaya is one of the regions in the world where the temperature is gradually increasing at a rate higher than the global average. Therefore, it becomes imperative to understand the most influential parameters for major tree species distribution and its regeneration pattern across their habitat in Western Himalaya (WH) via direct gradient analysis. We used National Forest Inventory (NFI) data which has a robust statistical design with data collected in a consistent manner across the timeline in systematic order. This allowed us carrying out detail analysis to reveal the aforesaid relationship and pattern. Three topographical factors (altitude, aspect, slope), four major climatic variables (temperature, temperature seasonality, precipitation and its seasonality) and four edaphic factors (soil depth, soil humus, soil consistency and soil coarse fragments) were considered as defining variables. The results indicated that the altitude and temperature were the most determinant factors followed by precipitation in shaping the distribution of major tree species in WH. The analysis also indicated the upward shift of regenerating individuals of these tree species towards higher altitude. These relevant information about the extent of current tree distribution and their regeneration pattern over the last one and half decade might help in systematic conservation planning and monitoring range dynamics under future climate change conditions.

Ethnopharmacological relevance The present study has indicated phytochemical composition, distribution and ethno-medicinal uses of Arnebia euchroma (Royle) I.M. Johnst, which is commonly known as “Ratanjot” in the Indian subcontinent. It has widely been used in the traditional systems of the Unani, Ayurvedic and Chinese medicines recipes due to its anti-fungal and anti-microbial properties. Instead, the gap of earlier studies is well defined that will be helpful for researchers to carry out more analysis and increase medicinal importance of this plant. Aim of study The main aim of this review study is to demonstrate the phytochemical composition and traditional ethno-medicinal uses of A. euchroma all over the world. Earlier studies related to this plant have been discussed in the present study and on that basis, future perspective of A. euchroma is also proposed. Materials and methods The information of A. euchroma has been gathered from various electronic database, reference books and available literature. Results The study has indicated that Arnebia euchroma owing to anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties is used in the traditional medicines and pharmaceutical industries for the treatment of hair problems, remitting, chronic diseases, burnt limbs, cough and cold, etc., and besides as a vegetable colorant and dyeing of cloths. The important phytochemical constituents viz., shikonin, acetyl-shikonin, iso-butyryl-shikonin, β,β-di-methylacryl-shikonin, isovaleryl-shikonin, β-hydroxy-isovaleryl-shikonin, deoxy-shikonin, isobutyl-shikonin, arnebinone, arnebin-7, stigmasterol, etc., isolated from the roots of Arnebia euchroma are used for curing various harmful diseases. Conclusions The earlier studies have confirmed that Arnebia euchroma is having wound healing, anti-microbial and anti-bacterial properties and thus used for the treatment of several diseases. Although, a little works is done on the experimental study regarding anti-HIV, anti-cancer diseases, etc., so there is a requirement of more exploration via analytical studies on phytochemical compounds to treat such diseases. Moreover, the information of its clinical and pharmacokinetics uses is also limited. Therefore, further research is needed to understand bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of this species. In-situ and ex-situ conservations for the management of this endangered species are also lacking in the Himalayan perspective. Such studies will emphasize to explore the possibilities for its conservation and development of agro-technological protocol.

The present study was conducted for probability analysis of 17 th years (1994-2010) with the prime objective for prediction of annual maximum rainfall of one to five consecutive months Sultanpur region. The maximum rainfall values were estimated by proposed prediction models viz., Gumbel, Log Pearson Type III and Log Normal. The predicted values were compared with observed values and correlation between the predicted and observed values was also established. Rainfall data had been in the above distributions and their corresponding rainfall events were estimated at 5.5, 11.5, 6.6, 33.3 and 50 per cent probabilities level. The goodness of fit models was tested by chi-square. The comparison between the measured and predicted maximum value of rainfall clearly shows that the developed model can be efficiently used for the prediction of rainfall. The statistical comparison by chi-square test for goodness of fit clearly indicates that the Gumbel distribution was found to be best model for predicting two, three, four and five consecutive months annual maximum rainfalls (mm) while Log Pearson types III are fairly close to observed for one and four consecutive months annual maximum rainfall (mm). Rainfall prediction by Log Normal distribution shows very close relation to the observed rainfall for one consecutive months annual maximum rainfall (mm).