Modelling built-up land expansion probability using the integrated fuzzy logic and coupling coordination degree model.

The expansion of built-up area is the most noticeable form of urbanization-induced land use/land cover (LULC) change. In the global cities of south, the urban sprawl is increasing rapidly with even higher probabilities of future built-up expansion. These cities are witnessing unsustainable urban growth with no consideration of eco-friendly environmental condition and quality of life due to rapid expansion in built-up area. Indian cities too have been witnessing rapid urban growth and built-up expansion especially in the large metropolitan cities like Delhi. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to model the built-up expansion probabilities in Delhi National Capital Region (Delhi NCR) using remote sensing datasets and an integrated fuzzy logic and coupling coordination degree model (CCDM). For this, initially, the LULC classification was done using random forest (RF) classifier to extract the built-up area. Further, analytical hierarchy process (AHP) integrated fuzzy sets were applied using the extracted built-up area along with a set of economic, demographic, proximity parameters, topographic, and utility services. Five zones of built-up expansion probabilities were made namely very high, high, medium, low and very low. The result shows that the probability of built-up expansion in Delhi NCR is maximum under very high and high probability zones, whereas minimum expansion probabilities come in the very low probability zone for both base year i.e., 2018 and future years. Moreover, between base year and future years, the probability of built-up expansion has increased maximum (5.72%) under the very high zone while it declined by 14.06% in low probability zone. The validation of built-up probability using CCDM shows that the AHP integrated fuzzy logic-based probability model is robust while predicting built-up probability. The results of this study may provide useful insights for the urban planning department and policy makers to mitigate the adverse impacts of built-up expansion. Similar approach may be utilized in the analyzing the built-up urban expansion of other major cities of the world similar geographical conditions.

Infectivity of Entomopathogenic Fungal Isolates Against Tarnished Plant Bug Lygus lineolaris (Hemiptera: Miridae).

Twelve isolates of entomopathogenic fungi belonging to Metarhizium robertsii, M. pinghaense, M. brunneum, Beauveria bassiana, and Isaria fumosorosea were screened against tarnished plant bug. All isolates were pathogenic, causing mortality from 28.8 ± 3.4 to 96.3 ± 2.7%. The LT50 values ranged from 2.7 to 6.0 d while the LT90 values varied between 6.6 and 15.0 d. Metarhizium robertsii isolate CPD6 (will be under the trade name NoVil) was among the isolates that caused high mortality within shorter times and was selected for study on developmental stages and greenhouse trial. The third-, fourth-, and fifth-instar nymphs, and adults were inoculated with 106, 107, and 108 conidia per ml of NoVil. All the stages were susceptible to fungal infection. However, third and fourth instars were the most susceptible with no significant differences in mortality across the three concentrations. On the other hand, mortality was dose-dependent with fifth-instar nymph and adult stages. The LT50 and LT90 values were also dose-dependent, with higher concentrations having shorter lethal-time values as compared to the lower concentrations. In the greenhouse, pepper plants were sprayed with NoVil and chemical insecticide Flonicamid (as industrial standard), before releasing adult tarnished plant bug. Mortality of 37.3, 75.5, and 76.3% was recorded in the control, NoVil, and Flonicamid, respectively. This study has identified NoVil as a potential mycoinsecticide candidate for the control of tarnished plant bug under greenhouse conditions. Further field testing on juvenile and adults is needed to evaluate the potential for in-field control.

Generating susceptible strain and resistance status of field populations of Spodoptera exigua (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) against some conventional and new chemistry insecticides in Pakistan.

Two field populations of Spodoptera exigua (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) from Dera Ghazi Khan (D. G. Khan) and Multan, Pakistan, were tested for resistance to the 10 most commonly used insecticides in Pakistan by using a standard leaf disc bioassay on the F1 progeny. For comparison, a susceptible strain was generated from the Multan strain, which displayed lower LC50 values for most of the insecticides, by either mass rearing without exposure to insecticides or single-pair crosses against selected insecticides. The single-pair crosses generated a more susceptible strain than mass rearing. The D. G. Khan field strain was highly resistant to cypermethrin, profenofos, spinosad, abamectin, and chlorpyrifos and moderately resistant to deltamethrin, indoxacarb, and methoxyfenozide compared with susceptible lab strain. The Multan strain was highly resistant to profenofos and indoxacarb. Both field populations were susceptible to emamectin benzoate and lufenuron. Rotating these two insecticides with others that show very low, low, or moderate levels of resistance and have different modes of action may be useful for the effective management of this pest.

Effect of Concomitant Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting on Outcomes of Ascending Aorta Replacement.

BACKGROUND: Ascending aorta replacement can be performed safely in high-volume centers. What remains unknown is whether concomitant coronary revascularization with bypass grafting affects postoperative outcomes. METHODS: This study retrospectively reviewed a prospectively maintained institutional database for patients who underwent ascending aorta replacement (AAR) during the period from 1997 to 2018. Patients were stratified into AAR alone (AAR) vs AAR and coronary artery bypass graft (AAR with CABG), further categorized as 1 or more than 1 CABG. Aortic dissection and root replacement cases were excluded. The primary end point consisted of major adverse events (MAE), including operative mortality, perioperative myocardial infarction, stroke, need for tracheostomy, and need for dialysis. Secondary end points were operative mortality, each MAE component, and late survival. RESULTS: A total of 951 patients were included in the analysis; 725 (76.2%) underwent isolated AAR, and 226 (23.8%) underwent AAR with CABG. Operative mortality was similar across the 2 groups (1.8% for AAR with CABG and 0.8% for AAR; P = .40). The unadjusted incidence of MAE was higher in the AAR with CABG group (5.8% vs 1.9%; P = .005).). On multivariable analysis, the performance of 1 CABG (odds ratio [OR], 1.90; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.67 to 5.33; P = .23) and more than 1 CABG (OR, 2.65; 95% CI, 0.93 to 7.53; P = .07) was not associated with higher rates of MAE. Preoperative pulmonary dysfunction (OR, 2.51; 95% CI, 1.07 to 5.85; P = .03) was the only independent predictor of MAE. CONCLUSIONS: In patients undergoing concomitant CABG with AAR, the performance of concomitant CABG is not associated with an increased risk of MAE.

MicroRNA Regulation Along the Course of Cellular Reprogramming to Pluripotency.

Generation of patient-specific stem cells has been a long-held aim of many developmental biologists. Apart from providing a source for stem cell therapies, these cells have the potential to be utilized in a number of scenarios like disease modeling, drug screening and studying normal development. Various approaches have been used to reprogram terminally differentiated cells to a pluripotent state with varying efficiencies and limitations. The nuclear transfer had been the most successful method for reprogramming until recently. Shinya Yamanaka in 2006 published a seminal study wherein, by using a cocktail of stem cell transcription factors famously called Yamanaka factors, the differentiated cells were reprogrammed to a pluripotent state. These cells, called induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, were later generated by various laboratories using a different combination of molecules. Importantly, induced pluripotency is a state that is achieved in a stepwise manner with landmark steps. Various molecules including microRNAs (miRNAs) are activated or repressed at these steps to ensure a successful transition to pluripotency. The precise regulation of miRNAs is important as they collectively regulate myriads of mRNAs representing specific pathways important for steering cellular fate towards stemness. Owing to their significance, miRNAs have been constituents of cocktails used for iPSCs generation. This review aims at discussing the stepwise regulation of miRNAs and their significance along the path to reprogramming.

A fatal fungus.

We report the case of a 66-year-old man who presented with a prodromal type illness and pre-sternal swelling after having coronary artery bypass grafts 4 years earlier. Computed tomography showed that the mass had a retrosternal extension, to join a collection anterior to the right ventricle. Candida famata was isolated from operative specimens and he was treated with aggressive antifungal therapy. We believe that this is the first reported case of mediastinal Candida famata.