Antifungal and defense elicitor activity of Potassium phosphite against fungal blast disease on ptxD-OE transgenic indica rice and its acceptor parent.

In rice farming, the blast disease caused by Magnaporthe oryzae (T.T. Hebert) M.E. Barr. is one of the primary production constraints worldwide. The current blast management options such as blast-resistant varieties and spraying fungicides are neither durable nor commercially and environmentally compatible. In the present study, we investigated the antifungal and defense elicitor activity of potassium phosphite (Phi) against M. oryzae on elite rice cultivar BPT5204 (popularly known as Samba Mahsuri in India) and its transgenic rice variant (ptxD-OE) over-expressing a phosphite dehydrogenase enzyme. The Phi was evaluated both preventively and curatively on rice genotypes where the preventive spray of Phi outperformed the Phi curative application with significant reductions in both rice blast severity (35.67-60.49%) and incidence (22.27-53.25%). Moreover, the application of Phi increased the levels of photosynthetic pigments (Chlorophyll and Carotenoids) coupled with increased activity of defense enzymes (PAL, SOD, and APx). Besides, Phi application also induced the expression of defense-associated genes (OsCEBiP and OsPDF2.2) in the rice leaf. Furthermore, the Phi application reduced the reactive Malondialdehyde (lipid peroxidation) to minimize the cellular damage incited by Magnaporthe in rice. Overall, the present study showed the potential of Phi for blast suppression on rice as an alternative to the current excessive use of toxic fungicides.

Recommended electron-impact excitation and ionization cross sections for Be I.

Analytic fits to the recommended electron-impact excitation and ionization cross sections for Be I are presented. The lowest 19 terms of configurations 2snl (n ≤ 4) and 2p 2 terms below the first ionization limit are considered. The fits are based on the accurate calculations with the convergent close coupling (CCC) method as well as the B-spline R-matrix (BSR) approach. The fitted cross sections provide rate coefficients that are believed to approximate the original data within 10% with very few exceptions. The oscillator strengths for the dipole-allowed transitions between all the considered states are calculated with the relativistic multi-configuration Dirac-Hartree-Fock (MCDHF) approach and compared with the CCC and BSR results. This comparison shows a very good agreement except for a handful of cases with likely strong cancellations.

Immunohistochemical detection of naturally occurring porcine Sapelovirus infection in Indian pigs.

We investigated immunohistochemical detection of porcine Sapelovirus (PSV) in naturally infected pigs of different ages. Forty-nine fecal samples, intestinal contents and other tissue samples from dead pigs were screened in previous study using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for PSV infection. Eight animals were positive for PSV based on RT-PCR examination. Gross lesions were recorded mainly in the large and small intestines. Microscopic examination of intestines showed severe enteritis. Tissue sections of all organs from PSV positive animals were immunostained using hyperimmune serum raised in rats against PSV that had been grown in a BHK-21 cell line. Staining of PSV was found only in the large and small intestines.

Major venom proteins of the fire ant Solenopsis invicta: insights into possible pheromone-binding function from mass spectrometric analysis.

Proteins in the venom of the fire ant Solenopsis invicta have been suggested to function in pheromone binding. Venom from queens and workers contains different isoforms of these proteins, consistent with the differing pheromones they secrete, but questions remain about the venom protein composition and glandular source. We found that the queen venom contains a previously uncharacterized pheromone-binding protein paralogue known as Sol i 2X1. Using imaging mass spectrometry, we located the main venom proteins in the poison sac, implying that pheromones might have to compete with venom alkaloids for binding. Using the known structure of the worker venom protein Sol i 2w, we generated three-dimensional homology models of the worker venom protein Sol i 4.02, and of the two main venom proteins in queens and female alates, Sol i 2q and Sol i 2X1. Surprisingly, the models show that the proteins have relatively small internal hydrophobic binding pockets that are blocked by about 10 amino acids of the C-terminal region. For these proteins to function as carriers of hydrophobic ligands, a conformational change would be required to displace the C-terminal region, somewhat like the mechanism known to occur in the silk moth pheromone-binding protein.

Evaluation of Treatment Outcome Following Closed Reduction of Nasal Bone Fractures.

INTRODUCTION: The closed reduction of a displaced nasal fracture is a preferred method in oral and maxillofacial surgery. This prospective study was conducted to evaluate the treatment outcome following closed reduction of nasal bone fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 20 patients with nasal bone fracture who underwent closed reduction were included in the study. The cases were operated under local or general anesthesia. The outcome of treatment was evaluated pre- and postoperatively through systematic follow-ups. Clinical assessment was done to evaluate functional (airway patency, nasal obstruction, crepitus) as well as esthetic parameters (facial symmetry, swelling, and nasal deviation). Functional and esthetic satisfaction of patients was assessed using visual analog scale (VAS) pre- and post-operatively. RESULTS: It was observed that there was significant improvement in both functional and esthetic parameters following closed reduction of nasal fractures. CONCLUSION: The present study suggested that closed reduction of nasal bone fracture is very effective in the management of nasal bone fractures. However, further studies with larger sample size in different clinical situations should be considered to confirm the efficacy of the same. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Closed reduction can be a viable and more conservative alternative in management of nasal fractures.

Clinical utility of a short resting-state MRI scan in differentiating bipolar from unipolar depression.

OBJECTIVE: Depression in bipolar disorder (BipD) requires a therapeutic approach that is from treating unipolar major depressive disorder (UniD), but to date, no reliable methods could separate these two disorders. The aim of this study was to establish the clinical validity and utility of a non-invasive functional MRI-based method to classify BipD from UniD. METHOD: The degree of connectivity (degree centrality or DC) of every small unit (voxel) with every other unit of the brain was estimated in 22 patients with BipD and 22 age, gender, and depressive severity-matched patients with UniD and 22 healthy controls. Pattern classification analysis was carried out using a support-vector machine (SVM) approach. RESULTS: Degree centrality pattern from 8-min resting fMRI discriminated BipD from UniD with an accuracy of 86% and diagnostic odds ratio of 9.6. DC was reduced in the left insula and increased in bilateral precuneus in BipD when compared to UniD. In this sample with a high degree of uncertainty (50% prior probability), positive predictive value of the DC test was 79%. CONCLUSION: Degree centrality maps are potential candidate measures to separate bipolar depression from unipolar depression. Test performance reported here requires further pragmatic evaluation in regular clinical practice.

Release behavior and bioefficacy of imazethapyr formulations based on biopolymeric hydrogels.

Controlled release formulations of imazethapyr herbicide have been developed employing guar gum-g-cl-polyacrylate/bentonite clay hydrogel composite (GG-HG) and guar gum-g-cl-PNIPAm nano hydrogel (GG-NHG) as carriers, to assess the suitability of biopolymeric hydrogels as controlled herbicide release devices. The kinetics of imazethapyr release from the developed formulations was studied in water and it revealed that the developed formulations of imazethapyr behaved as slow release formulations as compared to commercial formulation. The calculated diffusion exponent (n) values showed that Fickian diffusion was the predominant mechanism of imazethapyr release from the developed formulations. Time for release of half of the loaded imazethapyr (t1/2) ranged between 0.06 and 4.8 days in case of GG-NHG and 4.4 and 12.6 days for the GG-HG formulations. Weed control index (WCI) of GG-HG and GG-NHG formulations was similar to that of the commercial formulation and the herbicidal effect was observed for relatively longer period. Guar gum-based biopolymeric hydrogels in both macro and nano particle size range can serve as potential carriers in developing slow release herbicide formulations.

Adaptive nitrogen and integrated weed management in conservation agriculture: impacts on agronomic productivity, greenhouse gas emissions, and herbicide residues.

Increasing nitrogen (N) immobilization and weed interference in the early phase of implementation of conservation agriculture (CA) affects crop yields. Yet, higher fertilizer and herbicide use to improve productivity influences greenhouse gase emissions and herbicide residues. These tradeoffs precipitated a need for adaptive N and integrated weed management in CA-based maize (Zea mays L.)-wheat [Triticum aestivum (L.) emend Fiori & Paol] cropping system in the Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP) to optimize N availability and reduce weed proliferation. Adaptive N fertilization was based on soil test value and normalized difference vegetation index measurement (NDVM) by GreenSeeker™ technology, while integrated weed management included brown manuring (Sesbania aculeata L. co-culture, killed at 25 days after sowing), herbicide mixture, and weedy check (control, i.e., without weed management). Results indicated that the 'best-adaptive N rate' (i.e., 50% basal + 25% broadcast at 25 days after sowing + supplementary N guided by NDVM) increased maize and wheat grain yields by 20 and 14% (averaged for 2 years), respectively, compared with whole recommended N applied at sowing. Weed management by brown manuring (during maize) and herbicide mixture (during wheat) resulted in 10 and 21% higher grain yields (averaged for 2 years), respectively, over the weedy check. The NDVM in-season N fertilization and brown manuring affected N2O and CO2 emissions, but resulted in improved carbon storage efficiency, while herbicide residuals in soil were significantly lower in the maize season than in wheat cropping. This study concludes that adaptive N and integrated weed management enhance synergy between agronomic productivity, fertilizer and herbicide efficiency, and greenhouse gas mitigation.

Frequency, Distribution of Congenital Anomaly and Associated Maternal Risk Factors.

This study was done to find out the maternal risk factors associated with congenital anomaly. This cross-sectional observational study was carried out in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh from January 2011 to December 2011. During this study period 78 patients had pregnancy with congenital anomaly and delivered in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Women with ultrasound report of congenitally abnormal fetus irrespective of gestational age were included. Clinical evaluation of neonates was done by experienced neonatologist. The frequency of congenital anomaly was 3.46%. Most of the women belong to age <35 years (97.43%). Congenital anomalies more commonly were seen in the primiparas (64.10%). Most frequent associated risk factor was the history of abortions (35.89%). Maternal infections during antenatal period were also high (15.58%). There were 58 males (74.35%) and 20 females (25.64%). There was positive history of delivery of congenital abnormal babies in 6 cases (7.6%). Mothers of eight cases (10.25%) had history of drug ingestion during pregnancy. Four cases (5.12%) of mothers had hypothyroidism and 6 cases of mothers (7.69%) had diabetes mellitus respectively.

An operational epidemiological model for calibrating agent-based simulations of pandemic influenza outbreaks.

Uncertainty of pandemic influenza viruses continue to cause major preparedness challenges for public health policymakers. Decisions to mitigate influenza outbreaks often involve tradeoff between the social costs of interventions (e.g., school closure) and the cost of uncontrolled spread of the virus. To achieve a balance, policymakers must assess the impact of mitigation strategies once an outbreak begins and the virus characteristics are known. Agent-based (AB) simulation is a useful tool for building highly granular disease spread models incorporating the epidemiological features of the virus as well as the demographic and social behavioral attributes of tens of millions of affected people. Such disease spread models provide excellent basis on which various mitigation strategies can be tested, before they are adopted and implemented by the policymakers. However, to serve as a testbed for the mitigation strategies, the AB simulation models must be operational. A critical requirement for operational AB models is that they are amenable for quick and simple calibration. The calibration process works as follows: the AB model accepts information available from the field and uses those to update its parameters such that some of its outputs in turn replicate the field data. In this paper, we present our epidemiological model based calibration methodology that has a low computational complexity and is easy to interpret. Our model accepts a field estimate of the basic reproduction number, and then uses it to update (calibrate) the infection probabilities in a way that its effect combined with the effects of the given virus epidemiology, demographics, and social behavior results in an infection pattern yielding a similar value of the basic reproduction number. We evaluate the accuracy of the calibration methodology by applying it for an AB simulation model mimicking a regional outbreak in the US. The calibrated model is shown to yield infection patterns closely replicating the input estimates of the basic reproduction number. The calibration method is also tested to replicate an initial infection incidence trend for a H1N1 outbreak like that of 2009.

Plant Pathogenic Microbial Communication Affected by Elevated Temperature in Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum.

Gram-negative plant pathogenic bacteria regulate specific gene expression in a population density-dependent manner by sensing level of Acyl-Homoserine Lactone (HSL) molecules which they produce and liberate to the environment, called Quorum Sensing (QS). The production of virulence factors (extracellular enzyme viz. cellulase, pectinase, etc.) in Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum (Pcc) is under strong regulation of QS. The QS signal molecule, N-(3-oxohexanoyl)-L-Homoserine Lactone (OHHL) was found as the central regulatory system for the virulence factor production in Pcc and is also under strict regulation of external environmental temperature. Under seven different incubation temperatures (24, 26, 28, 30, 33, 35, and 37 °C) in laboratory condition, highest amount of OHHL (804 violacein unit) and highest (79 %) Disease Severity Index (DSI) were measured at 33 °C. The OHHL production kinetics showed accumulation of highest concentration of OHHL at late log phase of the growth but diminution in the concentration occurred during stationary phase onwards to death phase. At higher temperature (35 and 37 °C) exposure, OHHL was not at detectable range. The effect of temperature on virulence factor production is the concomitant effect of HSL production and degradation which justifies less disease severity index in cross-inoculated tomato fruits incubated at 35 and 37 °C. The nondetection of the OHHL in the elevated temperature may because of degradation as these signal molecules are quite sensitive and prone to get degraded under different physical factors. This result provides the rationale behind the highest disease severity up to certain elevated temperature and leaves opportunities for investigation on mutation, co-evolution of superior plant pathogen with more stable HSL signals-mediated pathogenesis under global warming context.

Behavior and bioefficacy of tribenuron-methyl in wheat (Triticum astevum L.) under irrigated agro-ecosystem in India.

Possible bioaccumulation of pesticides in crop produce may cause ill effects on animals and humans. Tribenuron-methyl is a new post-emergence herbicide and is highly efficient to control the broad-leaf weeds in cereals, pasture, and plantation crops. There are scarce studies on its bioefficacy, sensitivity to weeds, tolerance to wheat, and persistence in crop produce, which are important information required before recommending an herbicide for use by the farmers. Weed control efficiency of an herbicide is dose-sensitive and site/soil-specific. Tribenuron-methyl (75% DF) was applied at 22.5 and 45.0 g a.i./ha along with the surfactant 300.12 mL/ha as a tank mixes after 30 days of sowing in wheat as post-emergence herbicide. The samples of wheat foliage, soil, and grains at harvest were processed and analyzed for residues by high-performance liquid chromatography using a UV detector at 240 nm. The study revealed that there was a significant reduction in weed population and dry matter accumulation due to tribenuron-methyl application at a higher dose (45.0 g/ha) compared to a lower dose (of 22.5 g/ha). The weed density was found to be from 16.1 to 44.3 no/m(2) for application rate of 22.5 g/ha while at the 45.0 g/ha application, the weed density was 5.3-5.9 as compared to untreated control, where 184.3-120.5 no/m(2) was observed. The yield varied from 4.30 to 4.80 t/ha as compared to 2.25-3.55 t/ha in unweeded control with the LSD value being 21.5-16.3 to 0.27-0.19. Residues were below detectable level (BDL, <0.005 mg/kg) of tribenuron-methyl since they were detected in wheat grains at 22.5 g a.i./ha rates. However, 0.012 µg/g residues were detected in wheat foliage at an application rate of 45.0 g a.i./ha. It can be concluded that it is safe to use tribenuron-methyl at 22.5 g a.i./ha on wheat crop as post-emergence herbicide.

Potentially toxic elements in lignite and its combustion residues from a power plant.

The presence of potentially toxic elements in lignite and coal is a matter of global concern during energy extraction from them. Accordingly, Barsingsar lignite from Rajasthan (India), a newly identified and currently exploited commercial source of energy, was evaluated for the presence of these elements and their fate during its combustion. Mobility of these elements in Barsingsar lignite and its ashes from a power plant (Bikaner-Nagaur region of Thar Desert, India) is presented in this paper. Kaolinite, quartz, and gypsum are the main minerals in lignite. Both the fly ash and bottom ash of lignite belong to class-F with SiO2 > Al2O3 > CaO > MgO. Both the ashes contain quartz, mullite, anhydrite, and albite. As, In, and Sr have higher concentration in the feed than the ashes. Compared to the feed lignite, Ba, Co, U, Cu, Cd, and Ni are enriched (10-5 times) in fly ash and Co, Pb, Li, Ga, Cd, and U in bottom ash (9-5 times). Earth crust-normalization pattern showed enrichment of Ga, U, B, Ag, Cd, and Se in the lignite; Li, Ba, Ga, B, Cu, Ag, Cd, Hg, Pb, and Se, in fly ash; and Li, Sr, Ga, U, B, Cu, Ag, Cd, Pb, and Se in bottom ash. Hg, Ag, Zn, Ni, Ba, and Se are possibly associated with pyrite. Leaching test by toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) showed that except B all the elements are within the safe limits prescribed by Indian Standards.

The pro-apoptotic role of autophagy in breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Autophagy is a catabolic process that has a vital role in cancer progression and treatment. Current chemotherapeutic agents, which target autophagy, result in growth inhibition in many cancer types. In this study, we examined the role of autophagy in breast cancer (BCa) patients as well as BCa cell lines. METHODS: Tissue microarray was used to detect the expression of an autophagy marker, LC3B in BCa patients (normal/hyperplasia=8; grade-I=15, grade-II=84, and grade-III=27) and BCa cell lines. To modulate the activation of autophagy, we used novel herbal compound nimocinol acetate (NA) in BCa cell lines and the anticancer activity was measured by phenotypic and molecular analysis. RESULTS: LC3B is highly expressed in tumours as compared with normal tissues. Activation of LC3B in NA-treated BCa (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) cells was evident as compared with other autophagy makers. Further, our results confirmed that NA-transcriptionally regulates LC3B (as confirmed by mRNA levels and reporter assay), which resulted in the formation of acidic autophagy vesicles and autolysosomes in BCa cells. Nimocinol acetate inhibited mTOR-mediated pro-survival signalling that resulted in inhibition of growth in BCa cells without affecting normal breast epithelial cells. Downregulation of LC3B expression by siRNA significantly inhibited the anticancer effects of NA in BCa cells. CONCLUSIONS: Together, our results suggest that LC3B is highly expressed in BCa tissues and increasing the threshold of LC3B activation dictates the pro-apoptotic function, which in turn, suppresses the growth of BCa cells. Nimocinol acetate could be a potential agent for treatment of BCa.

Dark-coloured semen in nonobstructive azoospermia: a report of four cases.

Dark-coloured semen is rarely observed in men with nonobstructive azoospermia in absence of genital tract bleeding. Dark-coloured semen is also observed rarely in men with spinal cord injury with or without genital tract bleeding. However, this condition has not been reported in the literature in absence of genital tract bleeding or spinal cord injury. Here, we report men with nonobstructive azoospermia with dark-coloured semen and without genital tract bleeding or spinal cord injury. The study included four subjects with dark-coloured semen. All the samples first investigated for the presence of red blood cells as well as haemoglobin. All the cases were examined in details with seminal, hormonal and genetic parameters. In addition, an elemental electron microscopy and inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry evaluation for heavy metals was performed. The semen parameters showed normal volume, pH, leucocyte count and azoospermia or oligoazoospermia. Dark-coloured semen specimens contained neither red blood cells nor haeme pigment. Electron microscopy showed presence of platinum in all the cases, whereas inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry revealed increased levels of lead, manganese and nickel in serum as compared to controls. The results indicate dark-coloured semen may be linked with heavy metals found in seminal cells.

Detection of Quinolone resistance Qnr genes and its association with Extended Spectrum ß-lactamase and AmpC ß-lactamase genes in Qnr Positive Enterobacteriaceae in Bangladesh.

This cross-sectional study was conducted to explore quinolone resistant Enterobacteriaceae followed by searching the prevalence of three groups of quinolone resistance genes (QnrA, QnrB and QnrS) from January 2015 to December 2015 at Dhaka Medical College hospital, Bangladesh. Then genes for ESBL and AmpC ß-lactamase were detected among Qnr positive strains for better understanding the role of these genes for multiple drug resistance. Total 340 urines, sputum, wound swab and blood samples were collected from DMCH. Total 270(79.41%) Enterobacteriaceae were isolated from 340 samples. Out of 270 Enterobacteriaceae, 225(83.33%) were quinolone (ciprofloxacin) resistant strains. Qnr genes were detected in 141(62.67%) of the 225 quinolone resistant Enterobacteriaceae. Total 187 Qnr genes [84(59.57%) QnrS, 70(49.64%) QnrB and 33(23.40%) QnrA] were detected from 141 quinolone resistant strains. Total 48(34.04%) ESBL producers were detected by DDS test and 47(33.33%) ESBL producers were positive by PCR among 141 Qnr positive strains. QnrA was co-existed with CTX-M-15. QnrB was co-existed with TEM, CTXM-15 and OXA-1. QnrS genes were also associated with TEM, CTX-M-15 and OXA-1. Among 52 cefoxitin resistant Qnr positive strains, 22(42.31%) AmpC ß-lactamase producers were detected by Modified three-dimensional test (MTDT) and 45(86.54%) AmpC ß-lactamase producers were detected by PCR. QnrA had been identified with DHA, ACC, EBC and CIT while QnrB had been identified with DHA, ACC, EBC and CIT. QnrS had also been co-existed with DHA, ACC, EBC and CIT. The results of this study provided insights into the high proportion of Qnr genes among isolated Enterobacteriaceae. Simultaneous presence of Qnr genes and genes for extended-spectrum ß-lactamase or AmpC ß-lactamase were observed in multidrug resistant Enterobacteriaceae.

The Impact of use of Modified WHO Partograph on Labour Progress and Delivery: Outcome among Spontaneous and Induced Labour in Nulliparous Women at Term.

Labour is a normal physiological process considered by a progressive rise in frequency, intensity, and duration of uterine contractions resulting in effacement and dilatation of the cervix with descent of the fetus over the birth canal. Spontaneous or Induced labour has a significant role in the eventual mode of delivery and neonatal outcome. This study aims to compare mean duration of labour and maternofoetal outcome of spontaneous versus induced labour among nulliparous women. This was a prospective observational study conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) from October 2016 to September 2017. The study was conducted in nulliparous women coming at term (38-41) weeks in active phase of labour (with cervical dilatation at least 4cm) either spontaneous or induced, both group of labouring women were monitored using modified WHO partograph. Outcomes measures include requirement of augmentation of labour with oxytocin, mean duration of labour, eventual mode of delivery, and the maternofoetal outcome. A total of 160 women were enrolled in this study into two groups. There was no difference in mean age group, but BMI and gestational age were noted significant (p=0.001) More women had spontaneous normal vaginal delivery among those with spontaneous labour (86.25% vs. 78.75%). The mean duration of the second stage of labour was significantly more in induced (17.65 minutes) than in spontaneous labour (14.78 minutes) with a significant P-value (p=0.001). The mean Apgar score between the groups showed almost same. No statistically significant difference was found (p>0.05). This study prevailed that, requirement of oxytocin for augmentation of labour and mean duration of labour was less in spontaneous group and most of the patient delivered vaginally but in induced group rate of caesarean was higher and requirement of oxytocin for labour augmentation was also more than spontaneous group. We observed that induced labour can be a safe procedure among nulliparous women if labour is monitored by modified WHO partograph.

Halide Engineering in Mixed Halide Perovskite-Inspired Cu2AgBiI6 for Solar Cells with Enhanced Performance.

Cu2AgBiI6 (CABI) is a promising perovskite-inspired absorber for solar cells due to its direct band gap and high absorption coefficient. However, the nonradiative recombination caused by the high extrinsic trap density limits the performance of CABI-based solar cells. In this work, we employ halide engineering by doping bromide anions (Br-) in CABI thin films, in turn significantly improving the power conversion efficiency (PCE). By introducing Br- in the synthetic route of CABI thin films, we identify the optimum composition as CABI-10Br (with 10% Br at the halide site). The tailored composition appears to reduce the deep trap density as shown by time-resolved photoluminescence and transient absorption spectroscopy characterizations. This leads to a dramatic increase in the lifetime of charge carriers, which therefore improves both the external quantum efficiency and the integrated short-circuit current. The photovoltaic performance shows a significant boost since the PCE under standard 1 sun illumination increases from 1.32 to 1.69% (∼30% relative enhancement). Systematic theoretical and experimental characterizations were employed to investigate the effect of Br- incorporation on the optoelectronic properties of CABI. Our results highlight the importance of mitigating trap states in lead-free perovskite-inspired materials and that Br- incorporation at the halide site is an effective strategy for improving the device performance.

Modeling maize growth and nitrogen dynamics using CERES-Maize (DSSAT) under diverse nitrogen management options in a conservation agriculture-based maize-wheat system.

Agricultural field experiments are costly and time-consuming, and often struggling to capture spatial and temporal variability. Mechanistic crop growth models offer a solution to understand intricate crop-soil-weather system, aiding farm-level management decisions throughout the growing season. The objective of this study was to calibrate and the Crop Environment Resource Synthesis CERES-Maize (DSSAT v 4.8) model to simulate crop growth, yield, and nitrogen dynamics in a long-term conservation agriculture (CA) based maize system. The model was also used to investigate the relationship between, temperature, nitrate and ammoniacal concentration in soil, and nitrogen uptake by the crop. Additionally, the study explored the impact of contrasting tillage practices and fertilizer nitrogen management options on maize yields. Using field data from 2019 and 2020, the DSSAT-CERES-Maize model was calibrated for plant growth stages, leaf area index-LAI, biomass, and yield. Data from 2021 were used to evaluate the model's performance. The treatments consisted of four nitrogen management options, viz., N0 (without nitrogen), N150 (150 kg N/ha through urea), GS (Green seeker-based urea application) and USG (urea super granules @150kg N/ha) in two contrasting tillage systems, i.e., CA-based zero tillage-ZT and conventional tillage-CT. The model accurately simulated maize cultivar's anthesis and physiological maturity, with observed value falling within 5% of the model's predictions range. LAI predictions by the model aligned well with measured values (RMSE 0.57 and nRMSE 10.33%), with a 14.6% prediction error at 60 days. The simulated grain yields generally matched with measured values (with prediction error ranging from 0 to 3%), except for plots without nitrogen application, where the model overestimated yields by 9-16%. The study also demonstrated the model's ability to accurately capture soil nitrate-N levels (RMSE 12.63 kg/ha and nRMSE 12.84%). The study concludes that the DSSAT-CERES-Maize model accurately assessed the impacts of tillage and nitrogen management practices on maize crop's growth, yield, and soil nitrogen dynamics. By providing reliable simulations during the growing season, this modelling approach can facilitate better planning and more efficient resource management. Future research should focus on expanding the model's capabilities and improving its predictions further.