Gamma ray-induced mutations have been widely used to improve existing crop germplasm and create novel genetic variation. In the current study, a multi-year experiment was carried out to induce and isolate mutants with desirable agro-morphological traits and improved grain hardness through evaluation of induced mutant populations generated in soft-textured wheat variety HPW 89 irradiated with gamma ray dose of 250, 300 and 350 Gy. Mutagen sensitivity studies revealed a higher frequency of biological damage and seedling mortality for doses beyond 300 Gy in the M1 generation. However, the mutagenic treatments in the M2–3 populations significantly altered the magnitude of the biometrical traits. Results from the variability and association studies among traits showed that biological yield per plant, 1000-grain weight, spike length, grains per spike and plant height may be prioritized for higher genetic gain and could be used as selection criteria parameters. Multivariate analysis indicated induction of heterogeneity among mutant populations. Overall, 250–300 Gy doses were found ideal for a successful wheat mutation programme and 293 agro-morphologically superior wheat mutants were identified, out of which 108 had semi-hard grain texture based on single kernel characterization system. Among these, nine mutants were found to have the highest grain hardness index due to induced changes in one or both puroindoline genes. Hence, these mutants identified for several traits along with harder grain texture will serve as important genetic resource in future wheat-breeding programmes.

This study assessed the impact of improved green fodder production activities on technical efficiency (TE) of dairy farmers in climate vulnerable landscapes of central India. We estimated stochastic production frontiers, considering potential self-selection bias stemming from both observable and unobservable factors in adoption of fodder interventions at farm level. The empirical results show that TE for treated group ranges from 0.55 to 0.59 and that for control ranges from 0.41 to 0.48, depending on how biases are controlled. Additionally, the efficiency levels of both adopters and non-adopters would be underestimated if the selectivity bias is not appropriately accounted. As the average TE is consistently higher for adopter farmers than the control group, promoting improved fodder cultivation would increase input use efficiency, especially in resource-deprived small holder dairy farmers in the semi-arid tropics.

Maize and Imperata cylindrica have been utilized globally as a pollen source for induction of haploids in wheat through chromosome elimination technique. Pollen parents with a higher haploid induction rate are desired for recovering the high frequency of haploids in wheat and related species. The present investigation was carried out with the aim to assess haploid induction efficiency of diverse germplasm of maize and I. cylindrica in different generations of intra and intergeneric crosses of hexaploid and tetraploid wheat and triticale-wheat derivatives. Crosses of twenty-six lines (female) with each of two I. cylindrica and twenty-one maize genotypes (testers) were evaluated for four haploid induction parameters viz., pseudoseed formation frequency (PFF), embryo formation frequency (EFF), haploid regeneration frequency (HRF) and haploid formation frequency (HFF). I. cylindrica outperformed maize in haploid induction rate with a frequency of embryos formed with I. cylindrica (18.39%) were significantly higher as compared to maize (4.08%). In the case of I. cylindrica genotype Ic-ye identified best with mean EFF of 30.55, 14.48 and 25.43% for hexaploids, tetraploids and triticale × wheat derivatives, respectively whereas in the case of maize genotype HPMC-60 performed best with EFF of 12.61% for hexaploids, HPMC-58 (12.58%) for tetraploids and HPMC-16 for triticale × wheat derivatives with EFF of 8.91%. I. cylindrica genotype Ic-ye and maize genotypes HPMC-14, HPMC-53, HPMC-60, HPMC-64 with significantly positive GCA for haploid induction parameters may be utilized as efficient pollen parents for recovering higher frequency of haploids in wheat.

A triple-frequency operated concentric annular ring microstrip antenna which is single fed is presented. The proposed antenna with three concentric annular rings and two symmetrical notches on its outer ring and having a cross slot in its ground surface shows triple band at resonance frequency 1.22760, 1.57542, and 2.18 GHz, respectively. At the first two bands (GPS L2 and GPS L1), circular polarization characteristic is observed and the third band observes linear polarization finding its application in Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS). The complete dimension of the antenna designed and fabricated is only 51.6 × 51.6 × 1.6 mm3. Experimental results depict the proposed antenna gain of 3.31, 3.55, and 3.50 dBi in three bands, respectively, and closely matches with the theoretical results.

Meditation, a component of ashtanga yoga, is an act of inward contemplation in which the mind fluctuates between a state of attention to a stimulus and complete absorption in it. Some forms of meditation have been found to be useful for people with psychiatric conditions such as anxiety, depression and substance use disorder. Evidence for usefulness of meditation for people with psychotic disorders is mixed, with reported improvements in negative symptoms but the emergence/precipitation of psychotic symptoms. This article narrates the benefits of meditation in psychiatric disorders, understanding meditation from the yoga perspective, biological aspects of meditation and practical tips for the practice of meditation. We also explain possible ways of modifying meditative practices to make them safe and useful for the patient population and useful overall as a society-level intervention.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) emerged from a city in China and has now spread as a global pandemic affecting millions of individuals. The causative agent, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is being extensively studied in terms of its genetic epidemiology using genomic approaches. Andhra Pradesh is one of the major states of India with the third-largest number of COVID-19 cases with a limited understanding of its genetic epidemiology. In this study, we have sequenced 293 SARS-CoV-2 genome isolates from Andhra Pradesh with a mean coverage of 13324X. We identified 564 high-quality SARS-CoV-2 variants. A total of 18 variants mapped to reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction primer/probe sites, and four variants are known to be associated with an increase in infectivity. Phylogenetic analysis of the genomes revealed the circulating SARS-CoV-2 in Andhra Pradesh majorly clustered under the clade A2a (20A, 20B and 20C) (94%), whereas 6% fall under the I/A3i clade, a clade previously defined to be present in large numbers in India. To the best of our knowledge, this is the most comprehensive genetic epidemiological analysis performed for the state of Andhra Pradesh.

The Earth’s atmosphere is incessantly bombarded by energetic charged particles called cosmic rays (CR) which are having either solar or non-solar origin. Analysis based on information theoretic estimators can be effectively employed as a potential technique to analyze the dynamical changes in cosmic ray intensity during different solar cycles. In the present study, dynamical complexity based analysis using Jensen-Shannon divergence (JSD) has been employed which reveals the existence of some peculiar fluctuation properties in CRI flux at Jung neutron monitor station. JSD based dynamical complexity analyses confirm the existence of difference in dynamical properties of CR flux during solar cycles 20-21 and 22-23.

This paper reports an integration of dual band microstrip antenna with thin film amorphous silicon solar cell which creates a wearable system to harvest microwave energy. The multiple layers in the encapsulation of the thin film solar cell are used as a substrate for microstrip antenna. The rectifier and matching circuit are designed on cotton jeans material and the whole system is mechanically supported by the foam of 5 mm thick. The performance of the antenna is studied for the mechanical bending condition. The device has maintained good power conversion efficiency. The efficiency of the voltage doubler is tested by varying radio frequency power levels from −30 to10 dBm. The voltage doubler conversion efficiency at 1.85 and 2.45 GHz are 58 and 43%, respectively, for a load of 7.5 kΩ for an input power level of −5 dBm.

Using longitudinal data from the first and second waves of the Young Lives Study (YLS) in Ethiopia, India (Andhra Pradesh), Peru and Vietnam, conducted in 2002 and 2006–07, and a repeated measures mixed model, this study examined the effect of the use of solid fuels for cooking on childhood stunting among children aged 5–76 months. The analysis showed that in all four populations, the average height-for-age z-score (HAZ score) was much lower among children living in households using solid fuels than among children in households using cleaner fuels for cooking. The average HAZ score was lower among children living in households that used solid fuels in both waves of the YLS compared with those whose households used solid fuels in only one of the two waves. A significant reduction was noted in the average HAZ score between the two waves in all countries except Ethiopia. The results of the repeated measures mixed model suggest that household use of solid fuels was significantly associated with lower HAZ scores in all populations, except Ethiopia. The findings also indicate that the reduction in the HAZ scores between waves 1 and 2 was not statistically significant by the type of cooking fuel after controlling for potential confounding factors. The study provides further evidence of a strong association between household use of solid fuels and childhood stunting in low- and middle-income countries using longitudinal data. The findings highlight the need to reduce exposure to smoke from the combustion of solid fuels, by shifting households to cleaner cooking fuels, where feasible, by providing cooking stoves with improved combustion of solid fuels and improved venting, and by designing and implementing public information campaigns to inform people about the health risks of exposure to cooking smoke.

The effects of silicon incorporation on the in vitro and in vivo properties of magnesium phosphate (MgP) bioceramics were studied. Samples were prepared by conventional solid state synthesis method. Scanning electron microscopy and micro-computed tomography (µ-CT) analysis showed that Si doping reduces degradability of MgP. In vitro studies have shown that MG63 cells can attach and proliferate on MgP samples. Live/dead imaging showed that MgP–0.5Si sample had highest cell proliferation, which was also quantitatively confirmed by alamar blue assay. In vivo biocompatibility of MgP ceramics was assessed after implantation in rabbit model. Detailed µ-CT analysis showed new bone tissue formation around the implant after 30 and 90 days. MgP–0.5Si ceramics had 84% bone regeneration compared with 56% for pure MgP ceramics, as confirmed by oxytetracycline labeling. Our finding suggests that Si doping can alter physicochemical properties of MgP ceramics and promotes osseointegration, which can be a useful choice for bone tissue engineering.

FeCoNi(Mn–Si)x (x = 0.5, 0.75, 1.0) high-entropy alloys (HEAs) were successfully synthesized by mechanical alloying (MA), and the effect of Mn and Si in the ferromagnetic alloys on crystal structure and magnetic behavior was thoroughly investigated. XRD, SEM, and TEM were used to investigate the effect of Mn and Si content on the structure of HEAs. The high Mn and Si contents change the structure from the BCC phase to FCC phase. The evolution of surface morphology was discussed on the basis of MA time and content of Mn and Si. The magnetic hysteresis curve confirmed the highest magnetic saturation (Ms) value of 134.21 emu/g for FeCoNi(Mn–Si)1.0 alloy and an appreciably low coercivity (Hc) of 98.07 Oe for FeCoNi(Mn–Si)0.5 alloy. The finite element method (FEM), using COMSOL Multiphysics software, has been used for determining the magnetic flux density (B) on the surface and at the center of the transformer core to determine the performance of the proposed HEAs.

A novel series of nanocrystalline AlCuCrFeMnWx (x = 0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5) high-entropy alloys (HEAs) were synthesized by mechanical alloying followed by spark plasma sintering. The phase evolution of the current HEAs was studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy, and selected area electron diffraction. The XRD of the AlCuCrFeMn sintered HEA shows evolution of ordered B2 phase (AlFe type), sigma phase (Cr rich), and FeMn phase. AlCuCrFeMnWx (x = 0.05, 0.1, 0.5 mol) shows formation of ordered B2 phases, sigma phases, FeMn phases, and BCC phases. Micro-hardness of the AlCuCrFeMnWx samples was measured by Vickers microindentation and the maximum value observed is 780 ± 12 HV. As the tungsten content increases, the fracture strength under compression increases from 1010 to 1510 MPa. Thermodynamic parameters of present alloys confirm the crystalline phase formation, and finally structure–property relationship was proposed by conventional strengthening mechanisms.

This study aims to investigate the sliding wear behavior of Al0.4FeCrNiCox (x = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0 mol) high-entropy alloys (HEAs) under oil lubricating conditions at room temperature. Phase and microstructural characterizations of HEAs are performed by utilizing X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The compressive yield strength of Al0.4FeCrNiCox (x = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0 mol) HEAs is observed to decrease from 1169.35 to 257.63 MPa. Plastic deformation up to 75% is achieved in the case of Al0.4FeCrNiCox=1 HEA. The microhardness of HEA samples is found to decrease from 377 to 199 HV after the addition of cobalt content from x = 0 to 1.0 mol. Thermal analysis is performed using a differential scanning calorimeter. It is confirmed that Al0.4FeCrNiCox (x = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0 mol) HEAs do not undergo any phase change up to 1000 °C. The specific wear rate of Al0.4FeCrNiCox=1 HEA is observed to be highest in all wear conditions. The worn surfaces were analyzed by SEM with attached energy-dispersive spectroscopy, 3D profiling, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).

This manuscript aims at synthesizing Al2O3-de-ionized water nanofluid and constructing a practical design of self-cooling device that does not require any external power input. Crystalline phase of powder was confirmed by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) showed the various functional groups and absorption bands and average particle size was calculated to be 58.608 nm by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) annealed at 900K. Experimental investigations were carried out to determine the effect of volume fraction of Al2O3 nanoparticles in the nanofluid on the rate of heat transfer from heat load to heat sink. Temperature of heat load was taken as 80° C. According to our results, cooling by 15°C, 13°C and 12°C was attained when volume fraction of nanoparticles was 1.5%, 1% and 0.5% respectively. The thermal conductivity was also measured and found to be increasing with the concentration of nanoparticles in nanofluid. Hence, indicating the use of nanofluids with suitable concentration in various cooling applications.

Nano-sized BiFeO3 were synthesized by sol-gel auto combustion method and report the effect of different annealing temperature (400 °C, 500 °C, 600 °C) on phase formation, morphology, magnetic and dielectric properties of synthesized bismuth ferrite (BiFeO3) nanoparticles. The phase formation of BFO nanoparticles were confirmed by X-ray diffraction pattern. Further, significant increment in particle size with increasing annealing temperature was estimated by field emission electron microscopy (FESEM). Magnetization curve showed the soft ferromagnetic behavior of the samples annealed at 400 OC and 500 OC that was explained on the basis of disturbance of spiral modulated long range antiferromagnetic order of bulk BFO. Dielectric response revealed decrease in dielectric constant with increasing annealing temperature. BFO is a room-temperature multiferroic material so it is potential candidate for various applications viz. Water waste treatment, gas sensors and photovoltaic cells in rural areas.

Nitinol, being a shape memory and super elastic alloy, is used in medical industry. Surface modification of nitinol helps to reduce the nickel ion leaching in physiological environment. The purpose of this study is to modify the nitinol surface by the silanization technique and to conduct a comparative investigation with the bare nitinol in the aspect of leaching of nickel ion, hemocompatibility, and in vivo animal response. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy studies confirmed the addition of organofunctional alkoxysilane molecules through the silanization process. The histological study showed the presence of adequate number of osteoblasts in silanized nitinol. The fluorochrome labeling study depicted more new bone formation (8 and 21% higher) in silanized nitinol specimens than bare one at one and three months postoperatively. Radiology and SEM study also proved the better performance of silanized samples. The cumulative in vivo results indicate its suitability as the potential bioimplant in various orthopedic surgical uses.

This paper presents a sequential evaluation of snow microstructure and its associated thermal conductivity under the influence of a temperature gradient. Temperature gradients from 28 to 45 Km–1 were applied to snow samples having a density range 180–320 kgm–3. The experiments were conducted inside a cold room in a specially designed heat-flux apparatus for a period of 4weeks. A constant heat flux was applied at the base of the heat-flux apparatus to produce a temperature gradient in the snow sample. A steady-state approach was used to estimate the effective thermal conductivity of snow. Horizontal and vertical thick sections were prepared on a weekly basis to obtain snow micrographs. These micrographs were used to obtain snow microstructure using stereological tools. The thermal conductivity was found to increase with increase in grain size, bond size and grain and pore intercept lengths, suggesting a possible correlation of thermal conductivity with snow microstructure. Thermal conductivity increased even though surface area and area fraction of ice were found to decrease. The outcome suggests that changes in snow microstructure have significant control on thermal conductivity even at a constant density.

A total of 326 pearl millet accessions selected for fodder traits from the world collection at ICRISAT genebank, India were evaluated in rainy, postrainy and summer seasons to identify promising sources for fodder yield. In rainy season, majority of accessions grew significantly tall, produced thick stems, long and broad leaves compared with postrainy and summer seasons. Total tillers per plant were significantly more in rainy and summer seasons than in postrainy season. Significant (P = 0.05) positive correlations were observed among all traits in all seasons except total tillers, which showed significant negative correlation with all other traits but for a few cases. Accessions of cluster 1 flowered early and produced more tillers per plant, while those of cluster 3 flowered late, grew tall, produced thick stems, more leaves per plant, which were long and broad. Promising sources identified include IP 11839 and IP 11840 for plant height and number of leaves per plant, IP 15710, IP 15735 and IP 15752 for stem thickness and leaf width, and IP 3628, IP 15285, IP 15288, IP 15302, IP 15342, IP 15351, IP 15290, IP 20347 and IP 20350 for total tillers per plant. Further testing of these sources of fodder traits at different locations will be very useful.

The world collection of pearl millet at ICRISAT genebank includes 19,696 landraces. Passport and characterization data of 2,929 accessions belonging to 89 named landraces originating in 15 countries of Africa was used to study the adoption pattern and genetic potential. Out of 89 named landraces under study, 71 were grown in one country, 11 in two countries, six in three countries and one in four countries. Latitude and prevailing climate at collection sites were found as the important determinants of cultivation pattern of landraces. A hierarchical cluster analysis using 12 agronomic traits resulted in five clusters. Cluster 1 for late flowering, short height in rainy season, high tillering and thin panicles; cluster 2 for early flowering; cluster 3 for stout panicles in both the seasons and larger seeds and cluster 5 for longer panicles in both seasons, were found as promising sources. IP 8957, IP 8958, IP 8964 of Iniadi landrace for short height, downy mildew and rust resistance and high seed iron and zinc contents; IP 17521 of Gnali (106.9 ppm) and IP 11523 of Idiyouwe (106.5 ppm) for high seed iron content; IP 17518 of Gnali (79.1 ppm) and IP 11535 of Iniadi (78.4 ppm) for high seed zinc content were the important sources. All accessions of Raa for high seed protein content (>15%) and those of Enele for drought tolerance, were found to be promising sources. Further evaluation of promising sources identified in this study is needed for enhanced utilization of germplasm in pearl millet improvement.