National Academy Science Letters最新文献

The global shift towards coffee consumption has resulted in a significant increase in spent coffee grounds (SCG) waste. The potential biological activities of SCG, however, remain underexplored. This research investigated the cosmeceutical application potential of SCG, exploring the phytochemical composition, radical scavenging activity, anti-melanogenic activity, and photoprotective properties of SCG extracts obtained from both conventional and cold brewing methods. SCGs were extracted using ethanol, ethyl acetate, and hexane; after conventional and cold brewing methods, revealing differences in phytochemical yields. Ethyl acetate and ethanol extractions in both conventional and cold brew SCG exhibited the highest total phenolic content. Conversely, there was no difference in total steroidal content among different solvents. Cold brew SCG ethanol extract presents the highest antioxidant capacity, owing to its ability to scavenge neutral radical [1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl] (DPPH^•), cation radical [2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)] (ABTS^+•), and metal ions, followed by the cold brew SCG ethyl acetate extract. Nevertheless, none of the extracts exhibited inhibitory activity against mushroom tyrosinase, suggestive of the absence of anti-melanogenic activity. UV absorption spectra indicated relatively effective UVB protection in cold brew ethyl acetate and ethanol extracts, with determined Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 7.74 and 5.39, respectively. Spearman correlation analysis revealed significant correlations between total phenolic content and radical scavenging assays (p < 0.05). In summary, this study underscores the potential of cold brew SCG ethanolic and ethyl acetate extracts as a sustainable source of cosmeceutical ingredients, offering good antioxidant and mild photoprotective benefits for skincare formulations and sustainable waste management.

Eighteen Vrindavani male calves aged 5–6 months with a mean body weight of 33 ± 0.15 kg were divided into three treatments of six each as: T0 (control) fed with concentrate feed mixture (CFM) without inclusion of sugarcane press mud (SPM); T1 fed with CFM containing 10% SPM and T2 had 20% SPM substituting wheat bran on a physical (w/w) basis. All the three isonitrogenous CFM were prepared in mash form and offered to animals along with wheat straw in a proportion of 60:40 for 180 days. Blood samples were drawn to estimate biochemical and immune responses of experimental calves. Haematological indices like haemoglobin and packed cell volume did not vary (P > 0.05) among the three groups. Similarly, blood metabolites like glucose, total protein, albumin, globulin, albumin: globulin ratio, total cholesterol, urea and creatinine were not different due to dietary treatments. Furthermore, no effect was detected on serum enzymes such as alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase. In addition, serum minerals like calcium, phosphorus, zinc, copper and iron remained unchanged across three groups. Also, the data on immune competence revealed that the effect of treatment was non-significant (P > 0.05) for both humoral- and cell-mediated immune responses among three groups of calves. Based on these findings, it is concluded that dietary utilisation of SPM up to 20% of CFM equivalent to 12% of the total diet of calves has no adverse effects on blood biochemistry and immunity.

A swarm intelligence-based optimization approach, called JPWCV, is developed to solve the link monitoring problems in wireless ad hoc networks (WANETs). The minimum weighted connected vertex cover problem (MWCVCP) in graph theory plays a virtual backbone for the link monitoring problems in WANETs. The proposed JPWCV approach incorporates the jumping particle swarm optimization approach and a local search method based on weight and cost ratio metrics to get the best solution for the MWCVCP. This technique also uses a greedy procedure to make the weighted vertex cover into a connected one. Simulation results on extensive datasets suggest the notable improvement of JPWCV over existing algorithms in the context of less computational cost and execution time. The statistical analysis, grounded in the ranking of algorithms, further substantiates the superior performance of JPWCV over the compared algorithms.

For studying phloem-based plant-aphid interaction biology, the vascular sap is a targeted sample for analysis as an ‘interactome’ is developed due to a mixing of aphid saliva through its long and slender stylet to the sieve element cell sap. Therefore, the objective of the present study aimed to identify the maximum vascular sap recovery from different number of leaf and varied exudation time period. The maximum vascular sap recovery was evidenced from the eight leaves from six hours’ exudation period or alternatively four leaves from twenty-four hours’ exudation period. Therefore, the maximum recovery of exudates was correlated with leaf number and exudation period. But, the ratio of 260 and 280 nm was not changed in all parameter’s combination. This information will act as a functional probe to identify the maximum exudates recovery in a species-specific manner in a short period of time in plant-aphid interaction biology for addressing phloem-based defense mechanism.

Some studies have reported using 3D-printed dielectric electroactive polymer (DEAP) on woven fabric (WF) for a suitable electroactive response in the past decade. However, little has been reported on using 3D-printed thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) on WF as a part of a wearable sensor in body-centric applications (BCA). This study reports the effect of mechanical loading (0–25 N) on the dielectric constant (ɛ_r) of 3D-printed TPU over WF as a substrate for BCA. For ascertaining the change in ɛ_r, the substrate was loaded and unloaded (for repeated cycles) along the weft side of the WF for mechanical strain. The 3D printed TPU on WF has shown programmable changes as 4D capabilities in bond characteristics (based on attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR), surface roughness (R_a), porosity % (based on scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and physical properties (based on X-ray diffractions (XRD) analysis). To ascertain the BCA, the wearability of the developed sensor was ensured based on the specific absorption rate (SAR), which was observed as 1.57 W/kg.

Based on exceptionally well-preserved mid-Cretaceous amber specimens from northern Myanmar, we identified a novel genus and species Elongatus kachinus gen. et sp. nov. (Bostrichidae, Dinoderinae). This classification was established on the basis of distinctive features, including the head being obscured from a top view, the antenna possessing nine segments, the pronotum lacking lateral margins, and occasionally displaying small tubercles at the rear. Additionally, the metatarsi are shorter than the metatibiae, with the final segment of each being equivalent in length to the preceding four segments combined. The unearthing of this new genus not only enhances the fossil record diversity within the Dinoderinae subfamily during the mid-Cretaceous period but also furnishes a valuable fossilized framework for prospective research on the broader evolution and progression of the Bostrichidae family.

The current trend leans towards employing an in vitro-based regenerative approach to tackle the various challenges associated with conventional propagation techniques. Musa acuminata (AAA) cv. Amrit Sagar, native to North-east India, holds substantial nutritional and biological significance. However, its commercial cultivation faces obstacles such as poor sucker quality and biotic pressures. In this study, multiple shoots were obtained using shoot tip explants of M. acuminata cv. Amrit Sagar. These explants were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) solid medium supplemented with varying concentrations of 6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP), adenine sulfate (AdS), and α-Naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). To facilitate in vitro propagation, surface sterilization was optimized using 4.0% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) for 20 min, followed by 0.1% mercuric chloride (HgCl₂) for 20 min, resulting in a contamination rate as low as 13.33%. Shoot regeneration achieved an establishment rate of 87.33% using shoot tips in MS medium with 2.5 mg L^-1 BAP, 40 mg L^-1 AdS, and 0.5 mg L^-1 α-Naphthalene acetic acid (NAA). Optimal multiple shoot formation was observed in MS medium containing 10 mg L^-1 BAP, 40 mg L^-1 AdS, and 0.5 mg L^-1 NAA. Regarding root development, 92.90% efficiency was noted in half-strength MS medium supplemented with 2.5 mg L^-1 Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA).

The bi-directional long short-term memory (Bi-LSTM) is regarded as one of the most promising deep learning algorithms for signal detection in Multiple inputs and Multiple outputs (MIMO) system. The projected algorithm efficiently estimates the channel for several multipath scenarios and enhanced the throughput of system. The simulation results reveal that the projected Bi-LSTM offer a significant Bit error rate (BER) improvement as compared with LSTM, zero forming equalizer (ZFE), minimum mean square error (MMSE) and maximum likelihood (ML) methods for 8 × 8,16 × 16 and 64 × 64 MIMO system with Rayleigh channel.

Although several intercropping systems have been reported for cotton, the effects of legume under high-density planting systems on soil biology and nutrient availability in rainfed Vertisol have not yet been studied. With this research gap, we performed a comprehensive evaluation of different legumes (black gram, cluster beans, cowpea, green gram, soybean) in cotton and studied their effects on soil biology and nutrient availability. Legume intercropping in cotton significantly decreased soil pH (4%) and calcium carbonate content (29%), indicating soil acidification. Significant enhancements in soil organic carbon (27%), mineralizable nitrogen (35%), available phosphorus (45%), sulphur (39%), and boron (21%) were observed in cotton + legume intercropping compared with the sole cotton. Legume intercropping significantly increased glomalin (24%), soil polysaccharide (16%), and soil phosphatase activities (58%). Among legumes, soybean and green gram exhibited higher beneficial activities. Overall, our study revealed the beneficial effects of legume-based intercropping in cotton. Among the legumes, soybean and green gram were superior in enhancing soil nutrient availability and biological activities.

Mangroves are crucial ecosystems with significant ecological and socio-economic value; however, they experience global degradation due to threats mainly from anthropogenic activities. Mangrove afforestation is one of the key methods in curtailing these threats. One of the primary challenges in mangrove restoration is the year-round scarcity of propagules. This is mainly due to irregular flowering, insufficient seed viability, insect attacks, poor post-dispersal seed growth, and low germination rates. To address these constraints, efforts have been made to prioritize vegetative propagation. This study assessed the efficacy of using different stem cuttings for mangrove vegetative propagation. Additionally, various growth media (sand, clay, and vermiculite) were examined to determine their potential for supporting the growth of treated cuttings. The presence of phenolic compounds was eliminated from the cuttings prior to the experiment. Various concentrations of auxins, namely indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), and indole acetic acid (IAA), ranging from 1000ppm to 5000ppm, were applied to the stem cuttings. Based on the vigour scale, it was observed that juvenile and semi-hardwood exhibited the highest survival percentage when treated with IBA concentrations between 2000 and 3500 ppm. This study highlights the potential of vegetative propagation as a viable approach to overcome the limitations associated with mangrove restoration.