Association studies for agro-physiological and quality traits of triticale x bread wheat derivatives in relation to drought and cold stress

Correlation coefficient analysis conducted on 22 triticale x bread wheat derivatives along with six checks to select true- breeding derivative(s) for future hybridization programme with tolerance to drought and cold stress conditions as well as better quality traits revealed significant correlation of grain yield with spikelets per spike, biological yield, harvest index, leaf area index. Interestingly, the grain yield and drought susceptibility index showed no association. However, with cold tolerance it showed significant positive correlation indicating the desirability of certain plant traits under cold stress. The grain yield exhibited no association with quality traits which might assist in the predictability of high yielding varieties with high protein, total sugars, reducing sugars and non-reducing sugars. Path coefficient analysis revealed that biological yield had the highest positive direct effect on grain yield followed by harvest index, specific leaf weight, stomatal number, 1000 grain weight, stomatal size, spikelets per spike and days to heading. Therefore, indirect selection for these plant traits in order should be exercised in selecting drought tolerant genotypes. Two genotypes (RL-124-2P2 and RL 111P2) were found to be drought and cold tolerant with high grain yield, spikes per plant, spikelets per spike and leaf area index.     

Single and multiple daily dose toxicokinetics of fluoride after oral administration of sodium fluoride along with aluminum sulfate in goats

Our previous study suggested that toxicokinetic parameters of fluoride were significantly changed on the 30th day as compared with 1st day, after repeated oral administration of sodium fluoride alone for 30 days in goats. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether aluminum sulfate has ameliorative effect on the toxicokinetics of fluoride. For this, sodium fluoride (20 mg kg^?1 b. wt.) along with aluminum sulfate (150 mg kg^?1 b. wt.) was administered in goats for 30 days to investigate its effect on toxicokinetics of fluoride on days 1 and 30. The fluoride levels against time were adequately described by one compartment open model. The peak plasma level of fluoride was observed at 2 h. The toxicokinetics data revealed a nonsignificant decrease in β (elimination rate constant) and C _max (the maximum plasma concentration) and increase in t _1/2 K _a (absorption half-lives), t _1/2 β (elimination half-lives), area under the plasma (AUC) concentration versus time curve and mean residence time (MRT) was observed for the last dose from their respective first dose values. On the basis of changes in the toxicokinetic parameters, it was concluded that repeated oral administration has cumulative effect on plasma fluoride level and concurrent oral administration of aluminum sulfate has ameliorative action on the toxicokinetics of fluoride in goats.     

Assessment of environmental footprint using geospatial approach to ascertain the Sustainable Development Goal 2030s of India

Utilization of natural resources has multiplied globally, resulting in serious environmental deterioration and impeding the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). For the harmonious development of human nourishment and the balance of nature, it is vital to evaluate environmental segments' resource usage, transformation, and residue, referred to as ‘footprint,’ in order to highlight carrying capacity and sustainability. This analysis highlights the Environmental Footprint (EF) of India per state from 2010 to 2020 in terms of hectares per capita. This study evaluates India's biological, hydrological, energy, ecological, and pollution footprints, carrying capacity, environmental pressure, and environmental deficit using 17 distinct parameters categorized under the themes of biological resource, hydrological resource, energy resource, and pollution concentration. We proposed a reoriented methodology and EF concepts that determine India's footprint, carrying capacity, nature of sustainability, environmental pressure index, and its consequential links to the 2030 SDGs. As a result, the biological resources contributed to ~50% of the environmental footprint, while hydrological, energy, and pollutants made up the remaining. Between 2010 and 2020, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal had the highest EF, while Jammu and Kashmir and the north-eastern provinces had the lowest. During the research period, the ecological deficit in India has increased overall. India impedes the 2030 SDGs; therefore, the study provides a picture of resource consumption, waste generation, economic growth, and societal changes, enabling academics and policymakers to redefine or document policy for a more sustainable future.     

Alumina-supported oxime for the degradation of sarin and diethylchlorophosphate

1-(4-Chlorophenyl))-N-hydroxymethanimine and cyclohexyl-N-hydroxymethanimine were synthesized and a well-established oxime, i.e., 2-[(hydroxyimino)methyl]-1-methylpyridinium chloride was purchased. Thereafter; all were loaded over Al₂O₃ using incipient wetness technique. The prepared systems were characterized using surface area analyzer, scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive X-ray spectrophotometer, Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer and thermogravimetric analyzer. Kinetics of the degradation of sarin (GB) and simulant, i.e. diethylchlorophosphate (DEClP) was studied over synthesized oxime impregnated Al₂O₃ and results were compared with well reported oxime impregnated Al₂O₃. Kinetics of reaction was found to be following the pseudo first order reaction kinetics. The order of reactivity of the prepared systems was found to be cyclohexyl-N-hydroxymethanimine/Al₂O₃ > 1-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-hydroxymethanimine/Al₂O₃ > 2-[(hydroxyimino)methyl]-1-methylpyridinium chloride/Al₂O₃ > Al₂O₃. From the reaction kinetics it was observed that the reaction with DEClP was faster than with GB. Cyclohexyl-N-hydroxymethanimine/Al₂O₃ was found to be the most reactive system with half-life of 0.94 and 15 h for DEClP and GB respectively.     

Protective role of L-ascorbic acid against cypermethrin-induced oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation in Wistar rats

Cypermethrin is a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide used for pest control in agriculture and as an acaricide in man and animals. This study was undertaken with the objective to investigate the propensity of cypermethrin to induce oxidative stress in rats following repetitive dermal exposure and its possible attenuation by L-ascorbic acid. Results obtained showed that cypermethrin significantly (p < 0.05) increased malonaldehyde levels, activity of catalase in rat erythrocytes and plasma protein levels. Whereas, activities of glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced in the cypermethrin exposed rats as compared to the control. Supplementation of L-ascorbic acid in cypermethrin-exposed rats decreased lipid peroxidation of erythrocytes, total plasma protein and catalase activity significantly (p < 0.05) compared to non-cypermethrin-exposed group. However, L-ascorbic acid did not alleviate the negative effects of cypermethrin on the activities of SOD and GSH. This study revealed that the presence of L-ascorbic acid diminishes the adverse effects of cypermethrin on some oxidative stress parameters.     

Size-resolved effective density of submicron particles during summertime in the rural atmosphere of Beijing, China

Particle density is an important physical property of atmospheric particles.The information on high time-resolution size-resolved particle density is essential for understanding the atmospheric physical and chemical aging processes of aerosols particles.In the present study,a centrifugal particle mass analyzer(CPMA) combined with a differential mobility analyzer(DMA) was deployed to determine the size-resolved effective density of 50 to 350 nm particles at a rural site of Beijing during summer 2016.The measured particle effective densities decreased with increasing particle sizes and ranged from 1.43 to 1.55 g/cm~3,on average.The effective particle density distributions were dominated by a mode peaked at around 1.5 g/cm~3 for 50 to350 nm particles.Extra modes with peaks at 1.0,0.8,and 0.6 g/cm3 for 150,240,and 350 nm particles,which might be freshly emitted soot particles,were observed during intensive primary emissions episodes.The particle effective densities showed a diurnal variation pattern,with higher values during daytime.A case study showed that the effective density of Aitken mode particles during the new particle formation(NPF) event decreased considerably,indicating the significant contribution of organics to new particle growth.     

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons: Need for Assessment of Health Risks in India? Study of An Urban-Industrial Location in India

This paper reports the PAHs levels in the atmosphere of an urbanised industrial site of India. A high-resolution capillary gas chromatograph with a mass spectrometric detector (HRCGC-MS) and a high performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC) equipped with a fluorescence detector were used for the identification and quantitation of PAHs. The atmospheric levels of PAHs were higher (4.66 ng/m³ yearly average) than most of the concentrations previously reported in the literature. Indian sites were found more contaminated with potently carcinogenic: four and above ringed PAHs. Based on a good correlation between the levels of lead, vanadium, BaP and BghiP, the vehicular emission appears to be a major source of the PAHs. Further, the higher levels of observed PAHs could be attributed to the vertical distribution of the aerosols, the preference of the PAHs for the particulate phase and the greater availability of the substrate in the atmosphere for their sorption. This paper also discusses the need for development of a PAHs monitoring protocol and related health effect studies in developing countries such as India.     

Active carbon-pools in rhizosphere of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grown under elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration in a Typic Haplustept in sub-tropical India

Study on active and labile carbon-pools can serve as a clue for soil organic carbon dynamics on exposure to elevated level of CO2. Therefore, an experimental study was conducted in a Typic Haplustept in sub-tropical semi-arid India with wheat grown in open top chambers at ambient (370 micromol mol-1) and elevated (600 micromol mol-1) concentrations of atmospheric CO2. Elevated atmospheric CO2 caused increase in yield and carbon uptake by all plant parts, and their preferential partitioning to root. Increases in fresh root weight, volume and length have also been observed. Relative contribution of medium-sized root to total root length increased at the expense of very fine roots at elevated CO2 level. All active carbon-fractions gained due to elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration, and the order followed their relative labilities. All the C-pools have recorded a significant increase over initial status, and are expected to impart short-to-medium-term effect on soil carbon sequestration.