Biochemical Changes of Chickpea Genotypesbefore and After Infestation of Pulse Beetle, Callosobruchus Chinensis L. (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) During Storage

The pulse beetle is a field-to-store pest as its infestation on pulses often begins in the field itself as adults lay eggs on mature pods and when such seed is harvested and stored, the pest population increases rapidly and results in total destruction within a short period of 3-4 months. Keeping in view,varietal screening of fifty chickpea genotypes was carried outin the storage laboratory, Department of Entomology, OUAT, BBSR and the performance of the genotypes was assessed based on various biological parameters of test insect, damage and infestation by C. chinensis. The results indicated that none of the genotypes was completely resistant to pest attack whereas 4 genotypes (Himachal Chana 1, Dheera (NBeG-47), JG-14 and Dilaji) were found moderately resistant, 8 genotypes (Phule Vikram, JG 11, ICCV-181108, ICCV-181107, ICCV-181605, C-18203, C-18205 and C-18252) were moderately susceptible,11 genotypes (RVG-204, RVG-203, JAKI-9218, Pratap Chana, Bharati, ICCC 4, ICCV-181106, ICCV-181612, C-18206, ICCV-181101 and Radhey) were susceptible and 27 genotypes (NBeG-49, Himachal Chana 2, JG-16, JG-130, CO 4, Vishal, Kranthi, NBeG-3, ICCV-14102, ICCV-171117, C-18175, ICCV-181611,ICCV-14106, Kalahandi Local, ICC 3137, ICCL 86111, C-19162, C-19168,GNG 2207, BG 3043, GG 3, Birsa Chana 3, C 19199, RSG 963, C 19200, KPG 59and NBeG 119) were noticed to be highly susceptible. The bio-chemicalconstituents analyzed in the present studies viz., protein, phenol, ash and fibre contents of the genotypes contributed to the resistance / susceptibility of C. chinensis. Among the biochemical parameters, protein exerted significant positive effect whereas phenol, ash and fibre contents exhibited negative influence on pest infestation and development

International lower limb collaborative (INTELLECT) study: a multicentre, international retrospective audit of lower extremity open fractures

Trauma remains a major cause of mortality and disability across the world1, with a higher burden in developing nations2. Open lower extremity injuries are devastating events from a physical3, mental health4, and socioeconomic5 standpoint. The potential sequelae, including risk of chronic infection and amputation, can lead to delayed recovery and major disability6. This international study aimed to describe global disparities, timely intervention, guideline-directed care, and economic aspects of open lower limb injuries

Broad-Band Activatable White-Opsin

The authors would like to thank C. Cote and K. Dhakal (UTA) for help during initiation of the project. SM would like to thank K. Deisseroth (Stanford University) for ChR2 and C1V1 plasmids, and J. Lin (UCSD) for the ReaChR construct.Currently, the use of optogenetic sensitization of retinal cells combined with activation/inhibition has the potential to be an alternative to retinal implants that would require electrodes inside every single neuron for high visual resolution. However, clinical translation of optogenetic activation for restoration of vision suffers from the drawback that the narrow spectral sensitivity of an opsin requires active stimulation by a blue laser or a light emitting diode with much higher intensities than ambient light. In order to allow an ambient light-based stimulation paradigm, we report the development of a ‘white-opsin’ that has broad spectral excitability in the visible spectrum. The cells sensitized with white-opsin showed excitability at an order of magnitude higher with white light compared to using only narrow-band light components. Further, cells sensitized with white-opsin produced a photocurrent that was five times higher than Channelrhodopsin-2 under similar photo-excitation conditions. The use of fast white-opsin may allow opsin-sensitized neurons in a degenerated retina to exhibit a higher sensitivity to ambient white light. This property, therefore, significantly lowers the activation threshold in contrast to conventional approaches that use intense narrow-band opsins and light to activate cellular stimulation.Yeshttp://www.plosone.org/static/editorial#pee

Managing the Performance of Highly Mobile Skilled Individuals in Hi-Tech Firms

The change in business terrain is accelerated by globalization, which has opened many avenues of growth. To survive in this environment, the organization requires alignment of its strategic goals and available human resources. The need is to manage the performance of the employee, who is the most important resource of the organization. The focus has now shifted to the highly skilled workforce in order to leverage technology. This chapter highlights the studies conducted on the factors affecting the people in the workplace. While some researchers have defined what it means to be a skilled employee, other researchers have provided their views on the inequity, identity, compensation, meaning of work and international policy and approach of various countries for workers. This study also came across various aspects of migration of skilled workers studied by number of researchers. The current research provides solutions in the form of requisites to improve performance of skilled employees, which will be especially useful to multinational corporations operating in the hi-tech sector. The validity of the factors can be judged from the research conducted across the continents that includes major industrialized countries in the world. It looked into the work practices followed in these countries. The chapter provides research propositions based on the literature reviewed.</jats:p

Identification of drivers of employee engagement in Indian power companies

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to extend the scope of social exchange theory (SET) to explore employee engagement and test its application in the context of Indian power companies. The study also attempts to explore the antecedents of employee engagement. This study includes organizational culture and three trusts, that is co-worker trust, supervisor trust and organizational trust whose presence in the organization influences employee engagement.Design/methodology/approachThe study includes a sample of 812 executives who represent three major functions of the Indian power sector, that is power generation, power transmission and power distribution. The relationships between constructs are evaluated using structural equation modeling.FindingsThe findings of this study indicate that four resources in the organization influence employee engagement in different ways. Three constructs representing co-worker trust, supervisor trust and organizational trust partially mediate the relation between organizational culture and employee engagement. This study also compares the engagement levels of the employees from three power companies.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is focused on companies operating in only the government sector.Practical implicationsEnsuring engagement from employees for the critical power sector is expected to support the development of the HR practices in this sector. Identification of sector-specific resources is expected to aid both employees and policymakers from the organization.Social implicationsThis study assists the policy makers in the organization by showcasing the importance of organizational culture, interpersonal and organizational trusts and their impact on employee engagement.Originality/valueResource theory explains why certain resources in the workplace are exchanged for employee engagement. This study extends theories of engagement as well as SET and examines their application as employee engagement in the context of executives from Indian power companies. This understanding will aid the practitioners and researchers to further their understanding of employee engagement.</jats:sec