Avocado is a delicious fruit crop having great economic importance. Understanding the extent of variability present in the existing germplasm is important to identify genotypes with specific traits and their utilization in crop improvement. The information on genetic variability with respect to morphological and biochemical traits in Indian avocados is limited and as it has hindered genetic improvement of the crop. In the current study, 83 avocado accessions from different regions of India were assessed for important 17 morphological and 8 biochemical traits. The results showed the existence of wide variability for traits such as fruit weight (75.88–934.12 g), pulp weight (48.08–736.19 g), seed weight (6.37–32.62 g), FRAP activity (27.65–119.81 mg AEAC/100 g), total carotenoids (0.96–7.17 mg/100 g), oil content (4.91–25.49%) and crude fibre (6.85–20.75%) in the studied accessions. The first three components of principal component analysis explained 54.79 per cent of total variance. Traits such as fruit weight, pulp weight, seed weight, moisture and oil content contributed more significantly towards total variance compared to other traits. The dendrogram constructed based on Euclidean distance wards minimum variance method divided 83 accessions into two major groups and nine sub clusters suggesting wide variability in the accessions with respect to studied traits. In this study, superior accessions for important traits such as fruit size (PA-102, PA-012), high pulp recovery (PA-036, PA-082,), thick peel (PA-084, PA-043, PA-011, PA-008), high carotenoids (PA-026, PA-096) and high oil content (PA-044, PA-043, PA-046, PA-045) were identified which have potential utility in further crop improvement programmes.

Objectives/Goals: We describe the prevalence of individuals with household exposure to SARS-CoV-2, who subsequently report symptoms consistent with COVID-19, while having PCR results persistently negative for SARS-CoV-2 (S[+]/P[-]). We assess whether paired serology can assist in identifying the true infection status of such individuals. Methods/Study Population: In a multicenter household transmission study, index patients with SARS-CoV-2 were identified and enrolled together with their household contacts within 1 week of index’s illness onset. For 10 consecutive days, enrolled individuals provided daily symptom diaries and nasal specimens for polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Contacts were categorized into 4 groups based on presence of symptoms (S[+/-]) and PCR positivity (P[+/-]). Acute and convalescent blood specimens from these individuals (30 days apart) were subjected to quantitative serologic analysis for SARS-CoV-2 anti-nucleocapsid, spike, and receptor-binding domain antibodies. The antibody change in S[+]/P[-] individuals was assessed by thresholds derived from receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis of S[+]/P[+] (infected) versusS[-]/P[-] (uninfected). Results/Anticipated Results: Among 1,433 contacts, 67% had ≥1 SARS-CoV-2 PCR[+] result, while 33% remained PCR[-]. Among the latter, 55% (n = 263) reported symptoms for at least 1 day, most commonly congestion (63%), fatigue (63%), headache (62%), cough (59%), and sore throat (50%). A history of both previous infection and vaccination was present in 37% of S[+]/P[-] individuals, 38% of S[-]/P[-], and 21% of S[+]/P[+] (P<0.05). Vaccination alone was present in 37%, 41%, and 52%, respectively. ROC analyses of paired serologic testing of S[+]/P[+] (n = 354) vs. S[-]/P[-] (n = 103) individuals found anti-nucleocapsid data had the highest area under the curve (0.87). Based on the 30-day antibody change, 6.9% of S[+]/P[-] individuals demonstrated an increased convalescent antibody signal, although a similar seroresponse in 7.8% of the S[-]/P[-] group was observed. Discussion/Significance of Impact: Reporting respiratory symptoms was common among household contacts with persistent PCR[-] results. Paired serology analyses found similar seroresponses between S[+]/P[-] and S[-]/P[-] individuals. The symptomatic-but-PCR-negative phenomenon, while frequent, is unlikely attributable to true SARS-CoV-2 infections that go missed by PCR.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome PCOS is an endocrine disorder affecting 8 to 13% of reproductive aged women(1). Dietary and physical activity changes are the first-line therapy to assist with symptom and weight management and to reduce the risk of reproductive, metabolic and psychological comorbidities(2). However, women with PCOS have a higher weight, experience weight gain, and a higher prevalence of living in a larger body. Health care professionals (HCPs) play a crucial role in delivering diet and physical activity advice for people with PCOS. Thus, the aim of this systematic review is to understand the barriers, facilitators, experiences, and perceptions of engagement and compliance with diet and physical activity modifications in people with PCOS and in HCPs providing or referring people with PCOS to diet and physical activity modifications. A mixed-method systematic review was conducted with quantitative studies narratively synthesised and all studies thematically analysed. There were 68 eligible papers, including n = 59 (n = 5198) people with PCOS and n = 17 (n = 2,622) HCPs. Several themes were identified as impacting people with PCOS’ ability to make diet and physical activity changes. HCP education on PCOS management through diet and physical activity was viewed by HCPs and people with PCOS to be inadequate, further impacting the quality of care and health outcomes. Dietary and physical activity advice delivered by a multidisciplinary team, including dietitians, was identified as a key component for change. Both people with PCOS and HCPs agreed that there was a need for individualised and PCOS-specific diet and physical activity advice. However, HCPs viewed that there was limited evidence supporting these recommendations and a lack of time to deliver this care. Weight stigma was identified as impacting both those in larger and smaller bodies with PCOS, reducing the quality of care and affecting self-perception and mental health. People with PCOS perceived that diet and physical activity are overly focused on weight loss and fertility, independent of their own personal motivations and goals. Systemic changes, including receiving diet and physical activity advice that meet the individual’s needs, are necessary for leading to long-term sustainable changes and improvements in health outcomes. A multidisciplinary team approach and an overhaul of HCPs’ perceptions and mentality of weight and weight-centric care for those with PCOS are essential in delivering effective diet and physical activity advice.

Rice crop is affected by different types of floods at different stages of the crop cycle. Constant efforts of researchers resulted in the development of rice varieties for anaerobic germination, flash floods and stagnant flooding by both conventional and molecular breeding approaches. Detection of QTLs for different types of floods in new genetic source (AC39416A) is needed to combat adverse effects of climate change. Present investigation was carried out to identify QTLs for flood tolerance using recombinant inbred lines derived from Indra and AC39416A. QTL mapping resulted in identification of QTLs, qAG3.1 on chromosome 3 for anaerobic germination and qSF10.1 on chromosome 10 for plant survival % under stagnant flooding. These QTLs explain 59.08 and 13.21% of phenotypic variance respectively. Two candidate genes were identified in qAG3.1 region, LOC_Os03g42130 gibberellin 20 oxidase2 and LOC_Os03g44170 glutathione S-transferase. The underlying mechanism might be the inhibition of gibberellic acid synthesis and thereby protecting seedlings from oxidative stress under anoxia condition. Genomic region of qSF10.1 revealed LOC_Os10g35020 glycosyltransferase and LOC_Os10g35050 aquaporin protein loci, which might be responsible for adaptive mechanism for plant survival % under stagnant flooding. This indicates that the new genetic resource AC39416A has an ability to adopt to different types of flood tolerance in response to environmental stress. Unveiling physiological and molecular mechanisms for flood tolerance in AC39416A using advanced omics studies would help in precise genomic selections for sustained production in flood-prone areas.

Fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) is a polyphagous and highly destructive invasive insect pest of many crops. It was recently introduced into India and widely reported in almost all parts of India. Development of a temperature-based phenology model for predicting its rate of development and distribution will help in understanding the establishment and further spread of introduced invasive insect pests. Development, survival and reproduction parameters of S. frugiperda at six constant temperature conditions (15, 20, 25, 27, 30 and 35°C) were investigated and further validated with data generated under fluctuating temperature conditions. The estimated lower developmental threshold temperatures were 12.1°C for eggs, 11°C for larvae, 12.2°C for pupae, 15.13°C for males and 12.66°C for females. Degree-day (DD) requirements for the development of the different stages of S. frugiperda were 50, 250 and 200 DD for egg, larva and pupa, respectively. The best-fitted functions were compiled for each life stage to yield a phenology model, which was stochastically simulated to estimate the life table parameters. The developed phenology model predicted temperature ranges between 27 and 30°C as favourable for S. frugiperda development, survival and reproduction. The results revealed that maximum net reproductive rate (215.66 females/female/generation) and total fecundity (981.08 individuals/female/generation) were attained at 30°C constant temperature. The mean length of generations decreased from 74.29 days at 15°C to 38.74 days at 30°C. The maximum intrinsic rate of increase (0.138 females/female/day) and shortest doubling time (4.9 days) were also observed at 30°C. Results of simulated life table parameters showed high temperature-dependent development of S. frugiperda and complete development within all the tested constant temperature ranges (15–35°C). Simulated life table parameters for predicting risk indices of S. frugiperda in India indicated a significant increase in activity indices and establishment risk indices with a higher number of generations during future (2050 and 2070) climatic change scenarios compared to present conditions. Our results indicate that India will be highly suitable for the establishment and survival of S. frugiperda in future time periods.

Beachpea (Vigna marina) is a halophytic wild leguminous plant which occurs throughout tropical and subtropical beaches of world. As quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for salt tolerance in V. marina and its crossability with other Vigna species are known, the current study was undertaken to know the presence of these QTLs in the V. marina accessions along with check varieties of pulses. Accordingly, 20 Vigna genotypes (15 accessions of V. marina collected from sea-shore areas of Andaman and Nicobar Islands along with five check varieties of green gram and black gram) were subjected to molecular characterization using seven simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers associated with salt tolerance. Of the markers used, only four SSR markers amplified in the studied germplasm. Number of alleles detected per primer and size of alleles ranged from 1 to 3 and 100 to 325 bp, respectively. Polymorphism information content and heterozygosity values ranged from 0.305 to 0.537 and 0.375 to 0.612, respectively. Three major clusters, cluster I, II and III were obtained at Jaccard's similarity coefficient value of 0.48 through the un-weighted paired group method with arithmetic means method of cluster analysis. It grouped green gram and black gram genotypes in clusters I (04) and II (01), whereas all V. marina genotypes were grouped in cluster III (15). Principal co-ordinate analysis explained 85.9% of genetic variation among genotypes which was further confirmed by cluster analysis. This study indicated the effectiveness of SSR markers in separating cultivated Vigna species from wild V. marina. The findings will be useful for transferring trait of robust salt tolerance of V. marina in cultivated Vigna species using marker-assisted breeding.

Case fatality rate (CFR) and doubling time are important characteristics of any epidemic. For coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), wide variations in the CFR and doubling time have been noted among various countries. Early in the epidemic, CFR calculations involving all patients as denominator do not account for the hospitalised patients who are ill and will die in the future. Hence, we calculated cumulative CFR (cCFR) using only patients whose final clinical outcomes were known at a certain time point. We also estimated the daily average doubling time. Calculating CFR using this method leads to temporal stability in the fatality rates, the cCFR stabilises at different values for different countries. The possible reasons for this are an improved outcome rate by the end of the epidemic and a wider testing strategy. The United States, France, Turkey and China had high cCFR at the start due to low outcome rate. By 22 April, Germany, China and South Korea had a low cCFR. China and South Korea controlled the epidemic and achieved high doubling times. The doubling time in Russia did not cross 10 days during the study period.

This paper offers a framework for measuring global growth and inflation, built on standard index number theory, national accounts principles, and the concepts and methods for international macro-economic comparisons. Our approach provides a sound basis for purchasing power parity (PPP)- and exchange rate (XR)-based global growth and inflation measures. The Sato–Vartia index number system advocated here offers very similar results to a Fisher system but has the added advantage of allowing a complete decomposition with PPP or XR effects. For illustrative purposes, we present estimates of global growth and inflation for 141 countries over the years 2005 and 2011. The contribution of movements in XRs and PPPs to global inflation are presented. The aggregation properties of the method are also discussed.

Thirty-one accessions of Oryza glaberrima were evaluated to study the genetic variability, correlation, path, principal component analysis (PCA) and D2 analysis. Box plots depicted high estimates of variability for days to 50% flowering and grain yield per plant in Kharif 2016, plant height, productive tillers, panicle length and 1000 seed weight in Kharif 2017. Correlation studies revealed days to 50% flowering, plant height, panicle length, number of productive tillers, spikelets per panicle having a high direct positive association with grain yield, while path analysis identified the number of productive tillers having the maximum direct positive effect on grain yield. Days to 50% flowering via spikelets per panicle, productive tillers and plant height via spikelets per panicle exhibited high positive indirect effects on grain yield per plant. PCA showed that a cumulative variance of 54.752% from yield per plant, days to 50% flowering, spikelets per panicle and panicle length, contributing almost all the variation of traits while D2 analysis identified days to 50% flowering and grain yield per plant contributing maximum to the genetic diversity. Therefore, selection of accessions with more number of productive tillers and early maturity would be most suitable for yield improvement programme. The study has revealed the utility of African rice germplasm and its potential to utilize in the genetic improvement of indica rice varieties.

In this study, we estimate the burden of foodborne illness (FBI) caused by five major pathogens among nondeployed US Army service members. The US Army is a unique population that is globally distributed, has its own food procurement system and a food protection system dedicated to the prevention of both unintentional and intentional contamination of food. To our knowledge, the burden of FBI caused by specific pathogens among the US Army population has not been determined. We used data from a 2015 US Army population survey, a 2015 US Army laboratory survey and data from FoodNet to create inputs for two model structures. Model type 1 scaled up case counts of Campylobacter jejuni, Shigella spp., Salmonella enterica non-typhoidal and STEC non-O157 ascertained from the Disease Reporting System internet database from 2010 to 2015. Model type 2 scaled down cases of self-reported acute gastrointestinal illness (AGI) to estimate the annual burden of Norovirus illness. We estimate that these five pathogens caused 45 600 (5%–95% range, 30 300–64 000) annual illnesses among nondeployed active duty US Army Service members. Of these pathogens, Norovirus, Campylobacter jejuni and Salmonella enterica non-typhoidal were responsible for the most illness. There is a tremendous burden of AGI and FBI caused by five major pathogens among US Army Soldiers, which can have a tremendous impact on readiness of the force. The US Army has a robust food protection program in place, but without a specific active FBI surveillance system across the Department of Defence, we will never have the ability to measure the effectiveness of modern, targeted, interventions aimed at the reduction of specific foodborne pathogens.

Throughout history, acute gastrointestinal illness (AGI) has been a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among US service members. We estimated the magnitude, distribution, risk factors and care seeking behaviour of AGI among the active duty US Army service members using a web-based survey. The survey asked about sociodemographic characteristics, dining and food procurement history and any experience of diarrhoea in the past 30 days. If respondents reported diarrhoea, additional questions about concurrent symptoms, duration of illness, medical care seeking and stool sample submission were asked. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression were used to identify the factors associated with AGI and factors associated with seeking care and submitting a stool sample. The 30-day prevalence of AGI was 18.5% (95% CI 16.66–20.25), the incidence rate was 2.24 AGI episodes per person-year (95% CI 2.04–2.49). Risk factors included a region of residence, eating at the dining facility and eating at other on-post establishments. Individuals with AGI missed 2.7–3.7 days of work, which costs approximately $ 847 451 629 in paid wages. Results indicate there are more than 1 million cases of AGI per year among US Army Soldiers, which can have a major impact on readiness. We found that care-seeking behaviours for AGI are different among US Army Service Members than the general population. Army Service Members with AGI report seeking care and having a stool sample submitted less often, especially for severe (bloody) diarrhoea. Factors associated with seeking care included rank, experiencing respiratory symptoms (sore throat, cough), experiencing vomiting and missing work for their illness. Factors associated with submitting a stool sample including experiencing more than five loose stools in 24 h and not experiencing respiratory symptoms. US Army laboratory-based surveillance under-estimates service members with both bloody and non-bloody diarrhoea. To our knowledge, this is the first study to estimate the magnitude, distribution, risk factors and care-seeking behaviour of AGI among Army members. We determined Army service members care-seeking behaviours, AGI risk factors and stool sample submission rates are different than the general population, so when estimating burden of AGI caused by specific foodborne pathogens using methods like Scallan et al. (2011), unique multipliers must be used for this subset of the population. The study legitimises not only the importance of AGI in the active duty Army population but also highlights opportunities for public health leaders to engage in simple strategies to better capture AGI impact so more modern intervention strategies can be implemented to reduce burden and indirectly improve operational readiness across the Enterprise.

Association mapping (AM), an alternative method of quantitative trait loci (QTL) discovery, exploits historic linkage disequilibrium (LD) present in natural populations. AM is effective in self-pollinated crops such as Dolichos bean as LD extends over longer genomic distance driven-by low rate of recombination and thereby requiring fewer markers for exploring marker-traits associations. A core set of Dolichos bean germplasm consisting of 64 accessions was evaluated for nine quantitative traits (QTs) during 2014 and 2015 rainy seasons and genotyped using 234 simple sequence repeats (SSR) markers. Substantial diversity was observed among the core set accessions at loci controlling QTs and 95 of the 234 SSR markers were found polymorphic. The structure analysis and low magnitude of fixation indices suggested weak population structure, which in-turn indicated the low possibility of false discovery rates in the marker-QTs association. The marker allele's scores were regressed onto phenotypes at nine QTs following general linear model and mixed linear model for exploring marker-QTs associations. Significantly higher number of SSR markers was found associated with genomic regions controlling nine QTs. A few of the markers such as KT Dolichos (KTD) 200 for days to 50% flowering, KTD 273 for fresh pod yield per plant and KTD 130 for fresh pods per plant explained ≥10% of the trait variations. The study could also identify a few SSR markers such as KTD 273, KTD 271 and KTD 130 linked to multiple traits. These linked SSR markers are suggested for validation for their use in marker-assisted Dolichos bean improvement programmes.

Olivines from igneous rocks generally have low calcium contents. However, olivines crystallized from strongly silica-undersaturated magmas occasionally contain large amounts of kirschsteinite (Ki" CaFeSiO4) and monticellite (Mo: CaMgSiO4) components. The purpose of this note is to report the first natural occurrence of kirschsteinite crystals that have lamite (La: CazSiO4) in the mineralogical norm.

Fluorine-rich prismatine, (□,Fe,Mg)(Mg,Al,Fe)5Al4(Si,B,Al)5O21(OH,F), with F/(OH+F) = 0.36–0.40 and hercynite are major constituents of a Fe-Al-B-rich lens in ultrahigh-temperature granulite-facies quartz-sillimanite-hypersthene-cordierite gneisses of the Eastern Ghats belt, Andhra Pradesh, India. Hemo-ilmenite, sapphirine, magnetite, biotite and sillimanite are subordinate. Lithium, Be and B are concentrated in prismatine (140 ppm Li, 170 ppm Be, and 2.8 –3.0 wt.% B2O3). Another Fe-rich lens is dominantly magnetite, which encloses fine-grained zincian ferrohögbomite-2N2S, (Fe2+,Mg,Zn,Al)6 (Al,Fe3+,Ti)16O30(OH)2, containing minor Ga2O3 (0.30 –0.92 wt.%). Fe-Al-B-rich lenses with prismatine (or kornerupine) constitute a distinctive type of B-enrichment in granulite-facies rocks and have been reported from four other localities worldwide. A scenario involving a tourmalineenriched lateritic precursor affected by dehydration melting is our preferred explanation for the origin of the Fe-Al-B-rich lenses at the five localities. Whole-rock analyses and field relationships at another of these localities, Bok se Puts, Namaqualand, South Africa, are consistent with this scenario. Under granulite-facies conditions, tourmaline would have broken down to give kornerupine-prismatine (±other borosilicates) plus a sodic melt containing H2O and B. Removal of this melt depleted the rock in Na and B, but the formation of ferromagnesian borosilicate phases in the restite prevented total loss of B.