ABSTRACT
Aim: Many crop modelling and climate simulation studies have reported variability in pest and pathogen distribution as well as their interaction with host. These prediction encourages to revisit the pest and pathogen epidemological and distribution studies in light of changing climate. In line with above assumption, the present field study was carried out to study the population dynamics of cowpea aphid (Aphis craccivora) and its influence on BCMV disease incidence. Methodology: In this field experiment, A. craccivora population and BCMV disease incidence data were collected in different standard meteorological weeks of 2013-2014 and 2014-2015. Impact of weather parameters on A. craccivora and BCMV disease incidence was statistically analyzed. Results: The significant change in A. craccivora population and BCMV disease incidence was documented during the study. The maximum aphid population was observed during rabi season and less was observed in kharif and summer season. Whereas, incidence of BCMV was recorded maximum in rabi season. Correlation analysis affirmed, minimum temperature (Tmin) and rainfall had negative impact on A. craccivora whereas weather parameters had non-significant impact on BCMV disease incidence. The regression models developed from the present study explained 41.4 % to 78.8 % and 18.5 % to 46.1% variability (R2) of aphid population and BCMV incidence, respectively. Interpretation: The weather parameters had more impact on A. craccivora population than BCMV disease incidence and merely presence of maximum number of A. craccivora was not a deciding factor for outbreak of virus disease incidence.
ABSTRACT
Background: The diagnosis of collagen vascular disease is based on clinical, serological and histological findings. The classical ANA indirect immunofluorescence assay is the most efficient screening test for LE. Aim and objectives: To study ANA profile in various collagen vascular diseases. Materials and methods: A study was conducted in 170 clinically confirmed cases of collagen vascular diseases during 2010-2012. A thorough clinical examination was carried out and baseline investigations were done. All the patients were subjected to complete ANA profile. Patients were followed up regularly in department of dermatology. Results: Majority of the patients (55%) in our study were those of lupus erythematosus and systemic sclerosis (30%). The study revealed that 92% patients of SLE, 90% of MCTD, 85% of systemic sclerosis and 50% each of dermatomyositis and overlap syndromes showed ANA positivity. 77.14% and 42.85% patients of SLE showed anti Ds DNA and anti Ro 52 positivity respectively. Anti scl 70 positivity was seen in 75% patients of systemic sclerosis. All patients of MCTD tested positive anti u1 RNP. Conclusion: ANA profile correlated very well with clinical manifestations in majority of patients in this study.
ABSTRACT
The adsorption of fluoride on corn cobs powder was investigated in the present study. Neat powdered corn cobs did not show remarkable adsorption but aluminium treated corn cobs had good adsorption capacity. The parameters studied include the contact time, concentration, temperature and pH. Near neutral pH was identified as the optimum condition of the medium, and 90 to 120 minutes was the best contact time for maximum fluoride adsorption. The adsorption process was found to follow Freundlich isotherm. The adsorption process was found to be exothermic as adsorption decreased with increasing temperature.