Main conclusion
The main purpose of this review is to shed light on the role of millet models in imparting climate resilience and nutritional security and to give a concrete perspective on how NF-Y ...transcription factors can be harnessed for making cereals more stress tolerant.
Agriculture faces significant challenges from climate change, bargaining, population, elevated food prices, and compromises with nutritional value. These factors have globally compelled scientists, breeders, and nutritionists to think of some options that can combat the food security crisis and malnutrition. To address these challenges, mainstreaming the climate-resilient and nutritionally unparalleled alternative crops like millet is a key strategy. The C4 photosynthetic pathway and adaptation to low-input marginal agricultural systems make millets a powerhouse of important gene and transcription factor families imparting tolerance to various kinds of biotic and abiotic stresses. Among these, the nuclear factor-Y (NF-Y) is one of the prominent transcription factor families that regulate diverse genes imparting stress tolerance. The primary purpose of this article is to shed light on the role of millet models in imparting climate resilience and nutritional security and to give a concrete perspective on how NF-Y transcription factors can be harnessed for making cereals more stress tolerant. Future cropping systems could be more resilient to climate change and nutritional quality if these practices were implemented.
Main conclusion
Expression profiling of NF-Y transcription factors during dehydration and salt stress in finger millet genotypes contrastingly differing in tolerance levels identifies candidate genes ...for further characterization and functional studies
.
ss
The Nuclear Factor-Y (NF-Y) transcription factors are known for imparting abiotic stress tolerance in different plant species. However, there is no information on the role of this transcription factor family in naturally drought-tolerant crop finger millet (
Eleusine coracana
L.). Therefore, interpretation of expression profiles against drought and salinity stress may provide valuable insights into specific and/or overlapping expression patterns of
Eleusine coracana
Nuclear Factor-Y (
EcNF-Y)
genes. Given this, we identified 59 NF-Y (18 NF-YA, 23 NF-YB, and 18 NF-YC) encoding genes and designated them
EcNF-Y
genes. Expression profiling of these genes was performed in two finger millet genotypes, PES400 (dehydration and salt stress tolerant) and VR708 (dehydration and salt stress sensitive), subjected to PEG-induced dehydration and salt (NaCl) stresses at different time intervals (0, 6, and 12 h). The qRT-PCR expression analysis reveals that the six
EcNF-Y
genes namely
EcNF-YA1, EcNF-YA5, EcNF-YA16, EcNF-YB6, EcNF-YB10,
and
EcNF-YC2
might be associated with tolerance to both dehydration and salinity stress in early stress condition (6 h), suggesting the involvement of these genes in multiple stress responses in tolerant genotype. In contrast, the transcript abundance of finger millet
EcNF-YA5
genes was also observed in the sensitive genotype VR708 under late stress conditions (12 h) of both dehydration and salinity stress. Therefore, the
EcNF-YA5
gene might be important for adaptation to salinity and dehydration stress in sensitive finger millet genotypes. Therefore, this gene could be considered as a susceptibility determinant, which can be edited to impart tolerance. The phylogenetic analyses revealed that finger millet NF-Y genes share strong evolutionary and functional relationship to NF-Ys governing response to abiotic stresses in rice, sorghum, maize, and wheat. This is the first report of expression profiling of
EcNF-Ys
genes identified from the finger millet genome and reveals potential candidate for enhancing dehydration and salt tolerance.
Temperature-dependent dc-magnetization and ac-susceptibility curves have been recorded for series of single and double layered Ruddlesden-Popper multicomponent perovskites with chemical formula A
BO
...and A
B
O
, respectively, with (La, Sr) on A-sites and up to 7 different cations on the B-sites (Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu). The phase purity and chemical homogeneity of the compounds were investigated by X-ray diffraction and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Independently of the composition, spin glassiness is observed in both systems. Scaling analyses suggest the materials undergo spin glass phase transitions at low temperatures. Yet, qualitative differences are observed between the single-layered and double-layered systems, which are discussed in the light of the spatial dimensionality and magnetic interaction in layered oxide perovskites.
Abstract
Exploration of the gold-rich part of the ternary Gd–Au–Al system afforded the intermetallic compound GdAu
6.75−x
Al
0.5+x
(x ≈ 0.54) which was structurally characterized by single crystal ...X-ray diffraction (
Pnma
, a = 18.7847(4) Å, b = 23.8208(5) Å, c = 5.3010(1) Å). GdAu
6.75−x
Al
0.5+x
crystallizes in a previously unknown structure type featuring layers of Gd
2
(Au, Al)
29
and Gd
2
(Au, Al)
28
clusters which are arranged as in a close-packing parallel to the
ac
plane. The Gd substructure corresponds to slightly corrugated 3
6
nets (d
Gd–Gd
= 5.30–5.41 Å) which are stacked on top of each other along the
b
direction with alternating short (5.4, 5.6 Å, within layers) and long distances (6.4 Å, between layers). The title compound has been discussed with respect to a quasicrystal approximant (1/1 AC) GdAu
5.3
Al in the same system. The magnetic properties of GdAu
6.75−x
Al
0.5+x
were found to be reminiscent to those of some ternary ACs, with sharp peaks in the temperature dependent magnetization, and metamagnetic-like transitions. The material becomes antiferromagnetic below 25 K; magnetometry results suggest that the antiferromagnetic state is composed of ferromagnetic
ac
planes, coupled antiferromagnetically along the
b
direction.
Aims/hypothesis Raised maternal plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) concentrations predict small size at birth, which is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus. We studied the association between ...maternal vitamin B₁₂, folate and tHcy status during pregnancy, and offspring adiposity and insulin resistance at 6 years. Methods In the Pune Maternal Nutrition Study we studied 700 consecutive eligible pregnant women in six villages. We measured maternal nutritional intake and circulating concentrations of folate, vitamin B₁₂, tHcy and methylmalonic acid (MMA) at 18 and 28 weeks of gestation. These were correlated with offspring anthropometry, body composition (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan) and insulin resistance (homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance HOMA-R) at 6 years. Results Two-thirds of mothers had low vitamin B₁₂ (<150 pmol/l), 90% had high MMA (>0.26 μmol/l) and 30% had raised tHcy concentrations (>10 μmol/l); only one had a low erythrocyte folate concentration. Although short and thin (BMI), the 6-year-old children were relatively adipose compared with the UK standards (skinfold thicknesses). Higher maternal erythrocyte folate concentrations at 28 weeks predicted higher offspring adiposity and higher HOMA-R (both p < 0.01). Low maternal vitamin B₁₂ (18 weeks; p = 0.03) predicted higher HOMA-R in the children. The offspring of mothers with a combination of high folate and low vitamin B₁₂ concentrations were the most insulin resistant. Conclusions/interpretation Low maternal vitamin B₁₂ and high folate status may contribute to the epidemic of adiposity and type 2 diabetes in India.
Out of several thousand known edible plant species, only four crops-rice, wheat, maize and potato provide the largest proportion of daily nutrition to billions of people. While these crops are the ...primary supplier of carbohydrates, they lack essential amino acids and minerals for a balanced nutrition. The overdependence on only few crops makes the future cropping systems vulnerable to the predicted climate change. Diversifying food resources through incorporation of orphan or minor crops in modern cropping systems is one potential strategy to improve the nutritional security and mitigate the hostile weather patterns. One such crop is buckwheat, which can contribute to the agricultural sustainability as it grows in a wide range of environments, requires relatively low inputs and possess balanced amino acid and micronutrient profiles. Additionally, gluten-free nature of protein and nutraceutical properties of secondary metabolites make the crop a healthy alternative of wheat-based diet in developed countries. Despite enormous potential, efforts for the genetic improvement of buckwheat are considerably lagged behind the conventional cereal crops. With the draft genome sequences in hand, there is a great scope to speed up the progress of genetic improvement of buckwheat. This article outlines the state of the art in buckwheat research and provides concrete perspectives how modern breeding approaches can be implemented to accelerate the genetic gain. Our suggestions are transferable to many minor and underutilized crops to address the issue of limited genetic gain and low productivity.
The arid region of Rajasthan has been classified into unique agro-ecological sub-regions, zones, and sub-zones (indicated by their code number in this abstract) for which sustainable land use has ...been suggested based on the potentials and constraints. 2.1, 2.2 and 3.1 sub-zones need dune stabilization, silvopastural farming, and kharif cultivation in interdunes; khadin water harvesting system, as well as solar farming. 4.1 and 4.2 sub-zones need rainfed cropping under conserved moisture, agroforestry and limited irrigation, cultivation of low water requiring crops, such as mustard, cumin in rabi. In 4.3 sub-zone under conserved moisture and winter rainfall pulses and mustard are suggested. In 5.1 and 5.2 sub-zones kharif season crops and wheat, mustard, cumin, and condiments irrigated with brackish groundwater by adopting gypsum treatment are suggested. In the canal command area, the micro-irrigation system is doing well in the sandy plain and dune complex area, but in the Ned area irrigation needs to be restricted/avoided. In 5.3 and 5.4 sub-zones, rainfed irrigated crops and fruit cultivation is suggested. In 6.1 sub-zone dune stabilization is suggested; 6.2 and 6.3 sub-zones require erosion control and irrigation water management for the cultivation of cotton, paddy, groundnut, sugarcane, and kinnow.
Current paper comprises the electrodeposition of nanostructured porous Co1−xNix layered double hydroxide (Co1−xNix LDHs) thin films on to stainless steel substrate by a potentiodynamic mode. The ...compositional impacts on the various properties of Co1−xNix LDHs are examined via structural, morphological, surface wettability and electrochemical studies. The nanocrystalline Co1−xNix LDHs thin films possess varying porous, nanoflake like morphology and superhydrophilic behavior by the composition influence. Electrochemical studies demonstrate the supercapacitive performance of Co1−xNix LDHs thin film electrodes. The maximal specific capacitance for Co1−xNix LDHs electrode is found to be ∼1213 F g−1 for composition Co0.66Ni0.34 LDH in 2 M KOH electrolyte at 5 mV s−1 scan rate owing specific energy of 104 Whkg−1, specific power of 1.44 kW kg−1 with ∼94% of coulomb efficiency and stability of electrode retained to 77% after 10,000th cycle. The high capacitance retention proposes the deposited Co1−xNix LDHs thin film as promising contender for supercapacitor applications.
► Co1−xNix layered double hydroxides by potentiodynamical mode. ► The Co1−xNix LDHs thin film electrodes as redox supercapacitor with specific capacitance ∼ 1213 F g−1. ► Highly electrochemical cyclic stability retained 77% after 10,000th cycle. ► Co0.66Ni0.34 LDHs showed specific energy = 104 W h kg−1, specific power = 1.44 kW kg−1 and coulomb efficiency ∼94%.
Tuberculosis (TB) continues to pose a significant public health challenge in India, which is home to one of the highest TB burdens worldwide. This systematic review and meta-analysis will aim to ...synthesize the anticipated progress and potential challenges in achieving TB elimination in India by 2025.
A comprehensive search will be conducted across multiple databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, to identify relevant studies. The eligibility criteria will encompass individuals diagnosed with TB in India, interventions targeting TB treatment, prevention, or control, and various comparator groups. Outcomes of interest will include incidence reduction, mortality rate, treatment success rate, barriers to TB care, and more. Both quantitative and qualitative data will be synthesized, and the risk of bias will be assessed using established tools.
The review is expected to provide a holistic understanding of the TB landscape in India, highlighting the effective interventions and potential challenges in the journey towards TB elimination.
While it is anticipated that significant progress will be made in the fight against TB in India, challenges are likely to persist. This review will offer a comprehensive roadmap for researchers, policymakers, and healthcare professionals, emphasizing the importance of continued efforts, innovative strategies, and a multi-pronged approach in achieving the goal of TB elimination in India by 2025.
We describe here the development and evaluation of an Earth system model suitable for centennial-scale climate prediction. The principal new components added to the physical climate model are the ...terrestrial and ocean ecosystems and gas-phase tropospheric chemistry, along with their coupled interactions. The individual Earth system components are described briefly and the relevant interactions between the components are explained. Because the multiple interactions could lead to unstable feedbacks, we go through a careful process of model spin up to ensure that all components are stable and the interactions balanced. This spun-up configuration is evaluated against observed data for the Earth system components and is generally found to perform very satisfactorily. The reason for the evaluation phase is that the model is to be used for the core climate simulations carried out by the Met Office Hadley Centre for the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5), so it is essential that addition of the extra complexity does not detract substantially from its climate performance. Localised changes in some specific meteorological variables can be identified, but the impacts on the overall simulation of present day climate are slight. This model is proving valuable both for climate predictions, and for investigating the strengths of biogeochemical feedbacks.
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