Bioactive Factors from Male Accessory Glands-A Potent Ecofriendly Approach in the Control of Spodoptera Litura Fab

Origin of male factors that regulate calling, mating and oviposition behaviour characteristic of mated moths was investigated in Spodoptera litura by injecting different tissue extracts of male reproductive system into the body cavity of day 2 virgin female moths. Male accessory glands (MAG) extract injected virgins could mimic the mated moth’s behaviour while rest of the extracts failed to induce the same. Fractionation of MAG extract in different buffers resulted in Bennett’s buffer fraction carrying the active factors. Unravelling the nature of compound/s involved in switchover of virgin to mated behaviour may help to develop bio-control strategy for pest insects

Lenticular galaxy formation: possible luminosity dependence

We investigate the correlation between the bulge effective radius (re ) and disk scale length (rd ) in the near-infrared K band for lenticular galaxies in the field and in clusters. We find markedly different relations between the two parameters as a function of luminosity. Lenticulars with total absolute magnitude fainter than MT =-24.5 show a positive correlation, in line with predictions of secular formation processes for the pseudobulges of late-type disk galaxies. But brighter lenticulars with MT <-24.5 show an anticorrelation, indicating that they formed through a different mechanism. The available data are insufficient to reliably determine the effect of galaxy environment on these correlations

HST/ACS imaging of M82: a comparison of mass and size distribution functions of the younger nuclear and older disk clusters

We present the results obtained from an objective search for stellar clusters, both in the currently active nuclear starburst region, and in the post-starburst disk of M82. Images obtained with the Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) aboard the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) in F435W(B), F555W(V), and F814W(I) filters were used in the search for the clusters. We detected 653 clusters of which 393 are located outside the central 450 pc in the post-starburst disk of M82. The luminosity function of the detected clusters show an apparent turnover at B=22 mag (MB = −5.8), which we interpret from Monte Carlo simulations as due to incompleteness in the detection of faint clusters, rather than an intrinsic log-normal distribution. We derived a photometric mass of every detected cluster from models of simple stellar populations assuming a mean age of either an 8 (nuclear clusters) or 100 (disk clusters) million years old. The mass functions of the disk (older) and the nuclear (younger) clusters follow power-laws, the former being marginally flatter (α = 1.5 ±0.1) than the latter (α = 1.8 ±0.1). The distribution of sizes (Full Width at Half Maximum) of clusters brighter than the apparent turnover magnitude (mass≳ 2 × 10⁴Mꙩ) can be described by a log-normal function. This function peaks at 10 pc for clusters more massive than 10⁵ Mꙩ, whereas for lower masses, the peak is marginally shifted to larger values for the younger, and smaller values for the older clusters. The observed trend towards flattening of the mass function with age, together with an over-abundance of older compact clusters, imply that cluster disruption in M82 is both dependent on the mass and size of the clusters

Stellar disks of collisional ring galaxies. I. new multiband images, radial intensity and color profiles, and confrontation with N-body simulations

We present new multiband imaging data in the optical (BVRI and H α) and near-infrared bands (JHK) of 15 candidate ring galaxies from the sample of Appleton and Struck-Marcell. We use these data to obtain color composite images, global magnitudes and colors of both the ring galaxy and its companion(s), and radial profiles of intensity and colors. We find that only nine of the observed galaxies have multiband morphologies expected for the classical collisional scenario of ring formation, indicating the high degree of contamination of the ring galaxy sample by galaxies without a clear ring morphology. The radial intensity profiles, obtained by masking the off-centered nucleus, peak at the position of the ring, with the profiles in the continuum bands broader than those in the Hα line. The images as well as the radial intensity and color profiles clearly demonstrate the existence of the pre-collisional stellar disk outside the star-forming ring, which is in general bluer than the disk internal to the ring. The stellar disk seems to have retained its size, with the disk outside the ring having a shorter exponential scale length as compared to the values expected in normal spiral galaxies of comparable masses. The rings in our sample of galaxies are found to be located preferentially at around half-way through the stellar disk. The most likely reason for this preference is bias against detecting rings when they are close to the center (they would be confused with the resonant rings), and at the edge of the disk the gas Surface density may be below the critical density required for star formation. Most of the observed characteristics point to relatively recent collisions (<80 Myr ago) according to the N-body simulations of Gerber et al

Stellar disks of collisional ring galaxies. I. new multiband images, radial intensity and color profiles, and confrontation with N-body simulations

We present new multiband imaging data in the optical (BVRI and Hα) and near-infrared bands (JHK) of 15 candidate ring galaxies from the sample of Appleton and Struck-Marcell. We use these data to obtain color composite images, global magnitudes and colors of both the ring galaxy and its companion(s), and radial profiles of intensity and colors. We find that only nine of the observed galaxies have multiband morphologies expected for the classical collisional scenario of ring formation, indicating the high degree of contamination of the ring galaxy sample by galaxies without a clear ring morphology. The radial intensity profiles, obtained by masking the off-centered nucleus, peak at the position of the ring, with the profiles in the continuum bands broader than those in the Hα line. The images as well as the radial intensity and color profiles clearly demonstrate the existence of the pre-collisional stellar disk outside the star-forming ring, which is in general bluer than the disk internal to the ring. The stellar disk seems to have retained its size, with the disk outside the ring having a shorter exponential scale length as compared to the values expected in normal spiral galaxies of comparable masses. The rings in our sample of galaxies are found to be located preferentially at around half-way through the stellar disk. The most likely reason for this preference is bias against detecting rings when they are close to the center (they would be confused with the resonant rings), and at the edge of the disk the gas surface density may be below the critical density required for star formation. Most of the observed characteristics point to relatively recent collisions (<80 Myr ago) according to the N-body simulations of Gerber et al

Relationship of seed traits on initial progeny growth performance and divergence studies in Madhuca latifolia Macb. for further use in tree improvement

Evaluation of twenty-three genotypes of M. latifolia was carried out based on relationship of seed traits with initial progeny growth performance and divergence studies as a scope for further breeding programme. Variability studies revealed that, more than twelve accessions recorded above average for 100-seed weight (247.5±49.2), oil content (43.8±3.7) and volume index (346.0±97.7). The maximum values observed in studied CPTs were as follows: seed length (39.1 mm) in CPT-15 genotype, seed breadth (19.2 mm) in CPT–8 and CPT–9, aspect ratio (2.2) in CPT-6 and CPT-15, 2D surface area (501.4 and 491.6 mm2) in CPT-9 and CPT-3 respectively. CPT–16 recorded maximum for 100 seed weight (282.4 g) and oil content (51.2%). However, maximum volume index was recorded by CPT–3 (578.3 cm3) followed by CPT–16 (496.0 cm3). The phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variations are close to each other for all traits, except volume index that exhibited striking difference between PCV (40.0%) and GCV (19.9%) indicating that for most traits genetic control was quite high. Trait oil content and 100 seed weight expressed high heritability (93.5%, 93.0%) accompanied with moderate genetic advance (17.2%, 15.6%), indicating that, heritability is due to additive gene effects and selection may be effective. At genotypic level 100 seed weight registered positive significant correlation with height (0.73) and seed breadth, oil content with volume index (0.55, 0.71). Hence seeds with large breadth, high seed weight and oil content may be selected for producing better progenies. Since traits viz. 100 seed weight and oil content are under strong genetic control, improvement in these characters can bring improvement in volume index. On the basis of the divergence, the 23 genotypes studied were grouped into 5 clusters, indicating wide diversity. The clustering pattern shows that geographical diversity is not necessarily related to genetic diversity. The genotypes in cluster IV and V were most heterogeneous and can be best used for within group hybridization. Cluster means indicated crosses involving under cluster II and V and cluster II and I may result in substantial segregates and further selection for overall improvement of species

APPLICATION OF ELECTRIC RESISTANCE TOMOGRAPH (ERT): INNOVATIVE NON-DESTRUCTIVE METHOD IN ANALYSING INTERIORS OF STANDING TREES IN TROPICS

The Electric Resistance Tomograph (ERT) is a customized tree specific novel technology which was developed to monitor and estimate the tree growth and development by looking into the inner structure of the standing tree to analyse the growth/heartwood and health/decay status. Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) is a valuable tool in tropical forestry for assessing the heartwood-sapwood boundary and detecting wood decay. By measuring electrical resistivity at multiple points around a tree trunk, ERT creates detailed profiles of the tree's internal structure, identifying variations in moisture content, density, and decay. This non-invasive method provides accurate, real-time data that aids in sustainable forest management, conservation, and logging decisions. It allows for precise identification of heartwood, sapwood, and decayed areas without harming the tree, making it a cost-effective and eco-friendly approach for monitoring tree health. This technique is known to contribute to detect and study the internal assembly of a tree for the mapping decay, hollowness and also to distinguish the sapwood and heartwood demarcation. This paper is addressing the possibility of exploring the application of ERT on economically important tropical trees viz. sandalwood (Santalum album L.), red sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus L.f.) and agarwood (Aquilaria agalocha Roxb.) to know the presence/absence of heartwood/decay in standing trees. Also, to know presence/absence of decay and extent of decay in standing trees using ERTThe presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the pdf file of the accepted manuscript may differ slightly from what is displayed on the item page. The information in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript reflects the original submission by the author

Mass, full and half sib-selection for genetic improvement in fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.)

A study was conducted to estimate genetic variances and heritability for yield and yield attributes in fennel UF-143 population using North Carolina Design-I. The dominance component was high for days to 50% flowering, branches per plant, umbels per plant, seeds per umbel, seed yield, harvest index and test weight. Preponderance of additive gene action was observed for plant height, umbellets per umbel and biological yield. The heritability in narrow sense was high for biological yield. Among the various methods for which theoretical responses were calculated, mass selection appeared suitable for the improvement of biological yield, harvest index, test weight, seed yield, umbellets per umbet umbels per plant and branches per plant. &nbsp

Critical analysis of Life Skills among Secondary School Pupils

Education provides the life skills needed for a person's social and moral development to flourish. Getting an education in a pleasant environment can be considered as the right of the students. If heart, head and hands are synchronized learning can be joyful. A happy heart is the soul of creativity. A student should be an entertainer, facilitator, and motivator and instructed to make learning fun. Life skills are essential for the students to develop this personality. Under the aspect of personality they can analyze their attitude, aptitudes, interests, abilities and so on. The knowledge of life skills enhances the social behavior of the students and also promotes social adjustment and understanding. A simple random sample of 50 secondary school pupils from Visakha Patnam District, Andhra Pradesh. Asper results From the tables 1and 2 it may be inferred that the sample of secondary school pupils have average level of Life Skills. 18% of the secondary school pupils have low level of Life Skills. 33% of the secondary school pupils have average level of Life Skills. Only 16 % of the secondary school pupils have high level Life Skills. The variable gender doesn‟t play a significant role on the Life Skills of secondary school pupils. The variable area doesn‟t play a significant role on the Life Skills of secondary school pupils. &nbsp; &nbsp