AI and business management: Tracking future research agenda through bibliometric network analysis.

This study has been designed to analyse the academic landscape of AI on the Scopus and Web of Science (WOS) indices and compare the findings. AI is one of the most prominent and preferred research areas, only a few studies are dedicated to the bibliometric aspect of it. There is a need to compare studies on AI over different databases to identify the impact and usefulness of those studies in decision-making in business management. To conduct this analysis, the authors have collected data from both Scopus and WOS. 'VOSviewer', 'R-Studio', and 'MS Excel' software have been used for performance analysis and science mapping. This is one of the exceptional studies which perform a comparative analysis between two indices and also identifies funding sponsors for support of research in AI. "Dwivedi, Y.K." is the most productive author and "Huang, Minghui" is the most impactful author. "National Natural Science Foundation of China" is the funding agency which has significantly supported AI research. Technical aspects like "Machine learning", "neural networks", and "blockchain" with 'Sustainability', 'sustainable development', 'accounting', and 'auditing' are trending themes for managerial decision-making.

Independent antioxidant and anticancer properties of a novel thermostable lysozyme isolated from Bacillus paralicheniformis: in silico and in vitro studies.

In this study, we evaluated the independent anticancer properties of a novel heat-stable lysozyme derived from the thermophilic bacterium Bacillus paralicheniformis (BplzC) to identify potential alternative therapies to address the suboptimal outcomes of current cancer treatments. Using the String 10.5 database, an in-silico protein-protein interaction study predicted that BplzC was a strong functional partner of cytochrome c, indicating a potential role in cancer cell apoptosis. Further, the HDOCK server predicted that BplzC strongly bound to cell death receptors, such as cytokines FAS receptor, leading to activation of cytochrome c and subsequent apoptosis in the cancer cell line. In vitro assays demonstrated uniform apoptotic activity of BplzC against various cancer cell lines, while showing no apoptotic activity against normal non-cancer cell lines. And showing no apoptotic activity against normal non-cancer cell lines suggested a very specific mode of action and without any adverse side effects. Additionally, BplzC exhibited ROS scavenging activity and reducing ability comparable to ascorbic acid, and significantly accelerated HEK293 cell migration. Our findings suggest that BplzC has specific cytotoxic effects on cancer cells and may be a valuable natural source of antioxidants for future use in the nutritional and pharmaceutical sectors.

Performance of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) in maize-chickpea sequence under various integrated nutrient modules in a Vertisol of Central India.

Present investigation was conducted at the Research Farm of Indian Institute of Soil Science, Bhopal during 2017-18 and 2018-19 to study the performance of chickpea crop under various nutrient management modules in a Vertisol. The field experiment was set up in a randomized block design with three replications of twelve different INM modules. During the rabi seasons of 2017-18 and 2018-19, the chickpea (cv. JG-315) was grown with a set of treatments. The crop's performance was evaluated in terms of growth, yield (grain and straw), nutritional content, and nutrient uptake under different treatments. At crop harvest, the physic-chemical characteristics of the soil were also evaluated. Finally, the relationship between the numerous examined parameters was determined. The results showed that integrated nutrient management modules had a positive impact on chickpea crop performance and productivity when compared to using only inorganic fertilizer. The INM modules dramatically increased soil organic carbon and improved soil health in terms of physical and chemical qualities, in addition to higher crop performance. Among the various modules, (1) application of 75% STCR dose + FYM @ 5t ha-1to maize followed by 100% P only to chickpea and (2) application of FYM @ 20t ha-1to maize followed by FYM @ 5t ha-1 to chickpea increased the productivity and nutrient uptake in chickpea, improved soil physico-chemical properties and reflected as viable technique in improving soil nutrient availability on sustainable basis.

Deficiency of phyto-available sulphur, zinc, boron, iron, copper and manganese in soils of India.

Nutrient deficiencies in soil-crop contexts and inappropriate managements are the important reasons for low crop productivity, reduced nutritional quality of agricultural produce and animal/human malnutrition, across the world. The present investigation was carried out to evaluate nutrient deficiencies of sulphur (S) and micronutrients [zinc (Zn), boron (B), iron (Fe), copper (Cu) and manganese (Mn)] in agricultural soils of India for devising effective management strategies to achieve sustainable crop production, improved nutritional quality in crops and better animal/human health. A total of 2,42,827 surface (0-15 cm depth) soil samples were collected from agriculture fields of 615 districts lying in 28 states of India and were analysed for available S and micronutrients concentration. The study was carried out under the aegis of All India Coordinated Research Project on Micro- and Secondary-Nutrients and Pollutant Elements in Soils and Plants. The mean concentrations were 27.0 ± 29.9 mg kg-1 for available S, 1.40 ± 1.60 mg kg-1 for available Zn and 1.40 ± 4.70 mg kg-1 for available B, 31.0 ± 52.2 mg kg-1 for available Fe, 2.30 ± 3.50 mg kg-1 for available Cu and 17.5 ± 21.4 mg kg-1 for available Mn. There were variable and widespread deficiencies of S and micronutrients in different states. The deficiencies (acute deficient + deficient + latent deficiency) of S (58.6% of soils), Zn (51.2% of soils) and B (44.7% of soils) were higher compared to the deficiencies of Fe (19.2% of soils), Cu (11.4% of soils) and Mn (17.4% of soils). Out of 615 districts, > 50% of soils in 101, 131 and 86 districts were deficient in available S, available Zn and available B, respectively. Whereas, > 25% of soils in 83, 5 and 41 districts had deficiencies of available Fe, available Cu and available Mn, respectively. There were occurrences of 2-nutrients deficiencies such S + Zn (9.30% of soils), Zn + B (8.70% of soils), S + B (7.00% of soils) and Zn + Fe (5.80% of soils) to a greater extent compared to the deficiencies of Zn + Mn (3.40% of soils), S + Fe (3.30% of soils), Zn + Cu (2.80% of soils) and Fe + B (2.70% of soils). Relatively lower % of soils were deficient in 3-nutrients (namely S + Zn + B, S + Zn + B and Zn + Fe + B), 4-nutrients (namely Zn + Fe + Cu + Mn) and 5-nutrients (namely Zn + Fe + Cu + Mn + B) simultaneously. The information regarding the distribution of deficiencies of S and micronutrients (both single and multi-nutrients) could be used by various stakeholders for production, supply and application of right kind of fertilizers in different districts, states and agro-ecological regions of India for better crop production, crop nutritional quality, nutrient use efficiency, soil health and for tackling human and animal malnutrition.

Preparation of novel biodegradable starch/poly(vinyl alcohol)/bentonite grafted polymeric films for fertilizer encapsulation.

Sufficient hydroxyl moiety, ease of accessibility, biodegradability and reaction compatibility with other molecules make starch a basic ingredient for polymeric synthesis and to prepare encapsulated controlled release fertilizers. This article aims to prepare biodegradable clay-polymeric (starch/PVA) blended encapsulating films (CPSBs) from starch/PVA and economically feasible clay-fractioned bentonite for CPSB-encapsulated diammonium phosphate (DAP) production. The XRD, TEM and FTIR spectroscopy recognized the compatibility of bentonite with starch/PVA blend; several micropores in CPSB surface was visible through SEM. Relative crystallinity index, density of CPSBs increased with increasing bentonite content (0-20 wt%); but, porosity, water absorption was decreased. Half-life of CPSB-10 was 37.4, 40.1 and 51.9 days with Aspergillus awamori, Trichoderma viride and uninoculated soil, respectively. Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) release data from CPSB-encapsulated-DAP and uncoated DAP fitted well to Korsmeyer-Peppas model. Overall, greater bentonite content stabilizes the CPSB structure and CPSB-encapsulation reduced the N and P release from DAP.

Isolation of a broad spectrum antimicrobial producing thermophilic Bacillus and characterization of its antimicrobial protein.

The hot spring water of Atri in India was believed to have disease curing property. An antibacterial producing organism was isolated and identified as Bacillus paralicheniformis by morphology, microscopy, and 16S-rRNA. Its secretion inhibited bacteria, yeast, and fungus in well-diffusion-method. The secreted antimicrobial was a 16.74 kDa protein homologous of chicken-lysozyme-C. The novel lysozyme's activities were recorded under different parameters. It was active from pH 5-9 and endured up to 60 °C for 120 min. Complete cell wall lysis of S. flexneri and P. aeruginosa was observed under a microscope at 4500× with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 7.8 µg/ml, while others required a higher dose, i.e., 13 µg/ml, and 20 µg/ml for E.coli and S. typhimurium, respectively. The discovered lysozyme has the extraordinary potential to lyse Gram-positive bacteria, yeast, fungus, and more efficiently lyse chick-lysozyme-C resistant lipopolysaccharide rich Gram-negative bacteria's outer cell wall.

Effects of Co-composting of Municipal Solid Waste and Pigeon Pea Biochar on Heavy Metal Mobility in Soil and Translocation to Leafy Vegetable Spinach.

An experiment was conducted to study the effects of co-composted products of municipal solid waste (MSW) and pigeon pea biochar (PPB) on heavy metal mobility in soil and its uptake by spinach. Application of municipal solid waste biochar co-compost (MSWBC) significantly (p ≤ 0.05) reduced the heavy metal content in spinach leaves and roots compared to municipal solid waste compost (MSWC) amended soil. The percent decrease in spinach leaf following the application of MSWBC-10% PPB compared to MSWC was 20.62%, 28.95%, 36.02%, 41.88%, 41.50%, and 41.23% for Cu, Cd, Pb, Cr, Ni, and Zn, respectively. The dry matter yield of spinach and soil organic carbon (SOC) content in soil amended with MSWBC-10% PPB was significantly increased by 32.75% and 47.73%; and 17.62% and 27.45% relative to control and MSWC amended soil. The study concludes that co-composted product, MSWBC, stabilized heavy metals in MSW, reduced their uptake by spinach and thus making it a viable option for safe disposal of MSW.

Evaluation of Furcraea foetida (L.)Haw. for phytoremediation of cadmium contaminated soils.

In the present study, we evaluated Furcraea foetida for the phytoremediation of cadmium (Cd)-contaminated soils. We selected F. foetida because it is a drought-resistant plant, produces high biomass, and needs minimum maintenance. It belongs to the leaf fiber group of plants and therefore has economic importance. Since it is a non-edible crop, there is no danger of food chain contamination. Despite possessing these ideal characteristics, surprisingly, to date, the plant is underutilized for phytoremediation purposes. Therefore, to evaluate the phytoremediation potential of the plant, we exposed it to five levels of cadmium (0, 25, 50, 100, and 200 mg Cd kg-1 soil) and studied its influence on growth, dry matter production, uptake, and translocation efficiency. The plant showed good tolerance to Cd 200 mg kg-1 soil without exhibiting any visible toxicity symptoms. The metal mainly accumulated in the roots (233 µg g-1dw), followed by leaf (51 µg g-1 dw). The bioconcentration factor was > 1, but the translocation factor was < 1. The plant was not classified as a hyperaccumulator of Cd; however, because of its high uptake (897 µ g-1 plant) and translocation efficiency (78%), we concluded that the plant could be utilized for phytoextraction of Cd from soils with low to moderately contaminated soils.

Classification of Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.) Genotypes for Zinc Efficiency.

Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.) is grown globally for its protein-rich seed. However, low availability of soil zinc (Zn) adversely affects the seed yield of pigeonpea. The present study was therefore conducted to assess the Zn efficiency of pigeonpea genotypes based on seed yield and seed Zn uptake efficiency. Field experiments were conducted at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Indian Institute of Soil Science, Bhopal, India with twenty different pigeonpea genotypes and two levels of Zn application under a split-plot design. The two levels of Zn were low (without application of Zn fertilizer) and high (with application of 20 kg Zn ha-1 (as ZnSO4∙7H2O) as basal soil application, in conjunction with three foliar sprays of 0.50% (w/v) ZnSO4∙7H2O aqueous solution) (with 0.25% lime as neutralizing agent) at flowering, pod formation, and pod filling stages). Application of Zn improved plant height, branches plant-1, pods plant-1, seeds pod-1, and 100 seed weight of pigeonpea genotypes differently. The mean seed yield, seed Zn concentration, and seed Zn uptake of the genotypes increased from 1.71 to 2.12 t ha-1, 32.4 to 43.0 mg kg-1, and 54.9 to 90.6 g ha-1, respectively, with application of Zn. The seed yield efficiency index (SYEI) and Zn uptake efficiency index (ZUEI) of pigeonpea genotypes varied from 67.0 to 92.5 and from 47.0 to 69.9, respectively. Based on SYEI and ZUEI, the genotypes were classified as efficient and responsive (Virsa Arhar-1, GT-1, GT-101, SKNP 05-05, BDN-2, AAUT 2007-04, BSMR 853, T 15-15, DT 23, Pusa 9), efficient and non-responsive (ICPL 87119, PKV Trombay), inefficient and responsive (AKT 8811, Hisar Paras), and inefficient and non-responsive (AAUT 2007-10, JKM 7, Hisar Manak, C 11, Hisar HO2-60, GAUT 93-17). The efficient and responsive genotypes are the most useful as they yield well under low soil Zn conditions and also respond to Zn fertilizer application. The inefficient and responsive genotypes could be utilized for plant breeding programs by plant breeders for identification and utilization of responsive traits.

Effect of Soil Amendments on Microbial Resilience Capacity of Acid Soil Under Copper Stress.

An incubation study was undertaken to study microbial resilience capacity of acid soil amended with farmyard manure (FYM), charcoal and lime under copper (Cu) perturbation. Copper stress significantly reduced enzymatic activities and microbial biomass carbon (MBC) in soil. Percent reduction in microbial activity of soil due to Cu stress was 74.7% in dehydrogenase activity, 59.9% in MBC, 48.2% in alkaline phosphatase activity and 15.1% in acid phosphatase activity. Soil treated with FYM + charcoal showed highest resistance index for enzymatic activities and MBC. Similarly, the highest resilience index for acid phosphatase activity was observed in soil amended with FYM (0.40), whereas FYM + charcoal-treated soil showed the highest resilience indices for alkaline, dehydrogenase activity and MBC: 0.50, 0.22 and 0.25, respectively. This investigation showed that FYM and charcoal application, either alone or in combination, proved to be better than lime with respect to microbial functional resistance and resilience of acid soil under Cu perturbation.

Phylloplane bacteria of Jatropha curcas: diversity, metabolic characteristics, and growth-promoting attributes towards vigor of maize seedling.

The complex role of phylloplane microorganisms is less understood than that of rhizospheric microorganisms in lieu of their pivotal role in plant's sustainability. This experiment aims to study the diversity of the culturable phylloplane bacteria of Jatropha curcas and evaluate their growth-promoting activities towards maize seedling vigor. Heterotrophic bacteria were isolated from the phylloplane of J. curcas and their 16S rRNA genes were sequenced. Sequences of the 16S rRNA gene were very similar to those of species belonging to the classes Bacillales (50%), Gammaproteobacteria (21.8%), Betaproteobacteria (15.6%), and Alphaproteobacteria (12.5%). The phylloplane bacteria preferred to utilize alcohol rather than monosaccharides and polysaccharides as a carbon source. Isolates exhibited ACC (1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid) deaminase, phosphatase, potassium solubilization, and indole acetic acid (IAA) production activities. The phosphate-solubilizing capacity (mg of PO4 solubilized by 108 cells) varied from 0.04 to 0.21. The IAA production potential (µg IAA produced by 108 cells in 48 h) of the isolates varied from 0.41 to 9.29. Inoculation of the isolates to maize seed significantly increased shoot and root lengths of maize seedlings. A linear regression model of the plant-growth-promoting activities significantly correlated (p < 0.01) with the growth parameters. Similarly, a correspondence analysis categorized ACC deaminase and IAA production as the major factors contributing 41% and 13.8% variation, respectively, to the growth of maize seedlings.

Aquatic microphylla Azolla: a perspective paradigm for sustainable agriculture, environment and global climate change.

This review addresses the perspectives of Azolla as a multifaceted aquatic resource to ensure ecosystem sustainability. Nitrogen fixing potential of cyanobacterial symbiont varies between 30 and 60 kg N ha(-1) which designates Azolla as an important biological N source for agriculture and animal industry. Azolla exhibits high bioremediation potential for Cd, Cr, Cu, and Zn. Azolla mitigates greenhouse gas emission from agriculture. In flooded rice ecosystem, Azolla dual cropping decreased CH4 emission by 40 % than did urea alone and also stimulated CH4 oxidation. This review highlighted integrated approach using Azolla that offers enormous public health, environmental, and cost benefits.

RBx-0597, a potent, selective and slow-binding inhibitor of dipeptidyl peptidase-IV for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) inhibiton is a well recognized approach to treat Type 2 diabetes. RBx-0597 is a novel DPP-IV inhibitor discovered in our laboratory. The aim of the present study was to characterize the pharmacological profiles of RBx-0597 in vitro and in vivo as an anti-diabetic agent. RBx-0597 inhibited human, mouse and rat plasma DPP-IV activity with IC(50) values of 32, 31 and 39nM respectively. RBx-0597 exhibited significant selectivity over dipeptidyl peptidase8 (DPP-8), dipeptidyl peptidase9 (DPP-9) (150-300 fold) and other proline-specific proteases (>200-2000 fold). Kinetic analysis revealed that RBx-0597 is a competitive and slow binding DPP-IV inhibitor. In ob/ob mice, RBx-0597 (10mg/kg) inhibited plasma DPP-IV activity upto 50% 8h post-dose and showed a dose-dependent glucose excursion. RBx-0597 (10mg/kg) showed a significant glucose lowering effect (∼25% AUC of △ blood glucose) which was sustained till 12h, significantly increased the active glucagon-like peptide-1(GLP-1) and insulin levels. It showed a favourable pharmacokinetic profile (plasma clearance:174ml/min/kg; C(max) 292ng/ml; T(1/2) 0.28h; T(max) 0.75h and V(ss) 4.13L/kg) in Wistar rats with the oral bioavailability (F(oral)) of 65%. In summary, the present studies indicate that RBx-0597 is a novel DPP-IV inhibitor with anti-hyperglycemic effect and a promising candidate for further development as a drug for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.