Browsing by Author "Smita Singh"

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A Co and Fe bimetallic MOF with enhanced electrocatalytic oxygen evolution performance: exploring the electronic environment modifications upon Fe incorporation
(Royal Society of Chemistry, 2024) Varsha Singh; Devesh Kumar Singh; Mamta Yadav; Smita Singh; Vikram Rathour; Ananya Tiwari; Vellaichamy Ganesan
The incorporation of iron into the cobalt-based metal-organic framework (Co-MOF) modifies the electronic environment and the resulting bimetallic MOF exhibits enhanced oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance. The Co-MOF, Fe-MOF, and different ratios of bimetallic Co-Fe-MOFs are prepared using 2,2′-bipyridine 4,4′-dicarboxylic acid (H2bpdc) by a single-step hydrothermal process. The MOFs are evaluated by necessary spectroscopy and microscopy techniques like Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma emission spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The incorporation of Fe3+ into the Co-MOF significantly increases the electrocatalytic activity of the resulting bimetallic Co-Fe-MOF towards the OER. An optimized bimetallic MOF having a Co : Fe ratio of 2 : 1 shows the lowest overpotential (310 mV) to realize the 10 mA cm−2 current density and the lowest Tafel slope of 53 mV dec−1 with excellent durability in comparison to the Co-MOF, the Fe-MOF, and the state-of-the-art catalyst, RuO2. Furthermore, this manuscript addresses the inherent electrocatalytic properties of MOF-based electrocatalysts and demonstrates their possible exploitation in water electrolysis. © 2024 RSC.
A comparative study on the electrocatalytic efficiency of coupled (CuO-Co3O4) vs. mixed (CuCo2O4) metal oxides: Probed by hydrazine oxidation and sensitive determination
(Elsevier Ltd, 2025) Smita Singh; Varsha K. Singh; Vikram Singh Rathour; Vellaichamy Ganesan
This work reports the synthesis of copper- and cobalt-based coupled and mixed metal oxides (CuO-Co3O4 and CuCo2O4, respectively) utilizing a simple hydrothermal and calcination approach. CuO-Co3O4, CuCo2O4, and the control samples were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy dispersive X-ray, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. TEM and FE-SEM analyses of CuO-Co3O4 reveal the presence of two distinct morphologies: rod- and sphere-shaped particles (CuO and Co3O4, respectively). Further, CuO-Co3O4 was efficiently utilized as an electrocatalyst for the selective oxidation of hydrazine (Hyz). CuO-Co3O4 shows a high redox response compared to CuO, Co3O4, CuCo2O4, and the physical mixture of CuO and Co3O4 (CuO/Co3O4). This enhanced performance is attributed to the synergistic interaction between the metal ions caused by their close proximity and the increased exposure of surface active sites. CuO-Co3O4 shows a broad linear range (1–3500 µM), a low detection limit (0.29 µM), and high sensitivity (0.5756 µA µM-1 cm-2) for the Hyz determination. Kinetic parameters, for instance the diffusion coefficient and catalytic rate constant for Hyz oxidation were obtained using chronoamperometry. Additionally, CuO-Co3O4 was effectively utilized to analyze Hyz in real samples with acceptable recovery rates. © 2024 Elsevier Ltd
A Linear Trinuclear Acetate Bridged Cobalt Complex Containing Pyridine-Based Bicompartmental Ligand: Synthesis, Structural, Magnetic, and Electrocatalytic Oxygen Evolution Studies
(American Chemical Society, 2024) Ezhava Manu Manohar; Soumalya Roy; Sujoy Bandyopadhyay; Manas Pal; Smita Singh; Vellaichamy Ganesan; Robert Pełka; Piotr Konieczny; Michał Rams; Hyosung Choi; Srinu Tothadi; Sourav Das
The reaction of Co(OAc)2·4H2O, LH2, and Et3N in a 1.5:1:3 molar ratio affords a linear trinuclear complex, [Co3(L)2(μ-η1: η1-OAc)2(CH3CN)2] (1). The synthesized complex was characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies, and it exhibited better electrocatalytic activity for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) compared with the catalyst, RuO2. The complex exhibits an overpotential of 380 mV at 10 mA cm-2 current density for the OER, which is better than that of RuO2 (480 mV) under identical experimental conditions. The Tafel slope values of the complex and RuO2 were calculated to determine the kinetics of the electrochemical reaction and were found to be 58 and 85 mV/dec, respectively, which implies its robust heterogeneous OER catalysis. The DC magnetic studies revealed that the coupling between the Co(II) ions through the dioxo bridges was found to be antiferromagnetic, and the best-fit yielded exchange interaction J = −3.077(3) cm-1, zero field splitting parameters D1 = 46.35(6) cm-1 and D2 = 5.831(7) cm-1, g = 2.56(2), θ = 90.3(1) °, and σχT = 2.4 × 10-5. The positive values of D2 are consistent with the orbital singlet ground term 4A2g in the octahedral coordination, which suggest that the central and terminal Co(II) ions show easy-plane anisotropies. © 2024 American Chemical Society
An elaborative NMR based plasma metabolomics study revealed metabolic derangements in patients with mild cognitive impairment: a study on north Indian population
(Springer, 2021) Umesh Kumar; Abhai Kumar; Smita Singh; Payal Arya; Sandeep Kumar Singh; Rameshwar Nath Chaurasia; Anup Singh; Dinesh Kumar
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is transition phase between cognitive decline and dementia. The current study aims to investigate altered metabolic pattern in plasma of MCI for potential biomarkers. MCI (N = 50) and healthy controls (HC, N = 50) age group 55–75 years were screened based on Mini Mental State Examination Test (MMSE) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI imaging). The MMSE score of MCI was significantly lower (25.74 ± 1.83) compared to healthy control subjects (29 ± 1). The MCI patients exhibit significant changes in white matter integrity in the right frontal lobe, right temporal lobe, left frontal lobe, forcep major, fornix, corpus callosum. Further, the plasma samples of twenty seven MCI patients (N = 27) and twenty HC subjects (N = 20; having no significant differences in any demographics) were analyzed using 1H NMR based metabolomics approach. Consistent with many previous reports, the levels of several plasma metabolites were found to be elevated in MCI patients compared to healthy controls. Further univariate and multivariate ROC curve analyses provided three plasma metabolites as a diagnostic panel of biomarker for MCI; which are lysine, glycine, and glutamine. Overall, the results of this study will help to improve the diagnostic and prognostic strategies of MCI in addition to improving our understanding about disease pathogenesis. We believe that the over-nutritional metabolic phenotype of MCI needs to be targeted for developing future dietary interventions so that the progression of MCI can be limited. Graphical abstract: Metabolic derangements associated with Mild Cognitive Impairment [Figure not available: see fulltext.] © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC part of Springer Nature.
Bacteriocins as antimicrobial and preservative agents in food: Biosynthesis, separation and application
(Elsevier Ltd, 2022) Deepak Kumar Verma; Mamta Thakur; Smita Singh; Soubhagya Tripathy; Alok Kumar Gupta; Deepika Baranwal; Ami R. Patel; Nihir Shah; Gemilang Lara Utama; Alaa Kareem Niamah; Mónica L. Chávez-González; Carolina Flores Gallegos; Cristobal Noe Aguilar; Prem Prakash Srivastav
Emerging evidence shows the trend of using safe and natural preservatives like bacteriocins in food processing. The increasing demand by the food industry to extend keeping quality and prevent spoilage of various food products has appealed for new preservatives and new methods of conservation. Further, to discover the novel spectrum of antimicrobial compounds that could effectively battle food-borne pathogens, bacteriocins have been intensively studied in the last few years. Recently, great attention has been paid to the application of lactic acid-bacterial bacteriocins targeting food spoilage-causing or pathogenic microorganisms with no significant side effects. Different mechanisms of action like pore-formation, retarding cell-wall/nucleic acid/protein synthesis have been proposed and described for diverse bacteriocins. Therefore, the syntheses, purification of bacteriocins in addition to their applications as antimicrobial and preservative agents in food processing are reviewed in detail. The review will also discuss the preservative effect of bacteriocins and their combinations having multiple modes of action (hurdle approach) to reduce the microbial load as well as antimicrobial resistance. © 2022
Candidemia-induced pediatric sepsis and its association with free radicals, nitric oxide, and cytokine level in host
(W.B. Saunders, 2015) Dharmendra Kumar; Abhai Kumar; Smita Singh; Ragini Tilak
Candida species has become the seventh most frequent causal microorganisms of nosocomial sepsis. Prematurity and low birth weights are strongly associated with the development of neonatal nosocomial bloodstream infections. Candida albicans has been the species most often associated with neonatal infections, but recently, there has been a changing pattern in the isolates recovered from neonates with invasive candidiasis, which poses resistance to the existing class of azoles such as fluconazole antifungals along with cross resistance to newer triazoles, which results in a therapeutic challenge in invasive fungal infections causing high incidence of mortality. Candida species was isolated from blood of neonates and children younger than 15 years admitted to hospital and susceptible for Candida-induced sepsis. Polymerase chain reaction-based identification and confirmation of individual Candida species were done using DNA sequencing. Antibiotic susceptibility assay and resistance pattern for fluconazole, voriconazole, and amphotericin were done for all the isolates. Furthermore, the change in free radical, cytokine release, and nitric oxide synthase expression and nitric oxide release from polymorphonuclear leukocytes isolated from control and pediatric sepsis cases were also performed.The present study probably for the first time reports the change in increasing incidence of nonalbicans Candida-induced sepsis in neonates and children admitted to the intensive care unit of hospital, and current antibiotics load posing resistance for antifungal treatment strategy and provide serious threats in future treatment. The increase in free radicals in polymorphonuclear leukocytes and increase in expression of nitric oxide synthase expression and nitric oxide release in Candida-infected pediatric sepsis cases underlie the role of host factor in dissemination and invasiveness of infection from exogenous sources and pathogenesis of systemic inflammation during sepsis. © 2014 Elsevier Inc.
Carbon-Based Nanomaterials and Their Green Energy Applications: Carbon Nanotubes
(wiley, 2024) Smita Singh; Varsha Singh; Vikram Rathour; Vellaichamy Ganesan
In today’s world, the rapid exhaustion of non-renewable energy sources has led to a significant surge in renewable and green energy alternatives. Electrochemical devices are considered to be one of the reliable alternatives. Carbon-based nanostructures, including graphene, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and similar materials have drawn substantial interest owing to their distinct physicochemical and electrical properties, which render them promising candidates for green energy applications. With the first finding of CNTs by Iijima in 1991, they are exploited in many fields. CNTs are the one-dimensional allotrope of carbon, possessing long hollow tube-like structures made up of sp2carbon having a diameter of nanoscale range and length in micrometers. On the basis of the number of tubes in their structure, they can be either single-or multi-walled CNTs (SWCNTs and MWCNTs, respectively). They have grabbed the interest of researchers owing to their unique chemical composition and many alluring properties like high conductivity, huge mechanical strength, and large surface area. Numerous carbon-based nanomaterials exhibit fascinating structure-property relationships, but it is the CNTs that have garnered the most intense research focus. Owing to such unique properties, CNTs have been utilized either directly as the electrode material or as a support in almost all the fields of electrochemistry: be it sensing, energy conversion, or energy storage applications. CNTs have demonstrated promising results in enhancing the proficiency of energy conversion and storage strategies, thereby contributing to the advancement of green energy innovations. In this chapter, the synthesis, characterization, and unique properties of CNTs are delved. Moreover, its vital role in various green energy applications, specifically in the areas of oxygen electrocatalysis and supercapacitors, is comprehensively discussed. © 2025 by The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. All rights reserved.
Chemistry and sources of lactase enzyme with an emphasis on microbial biotransformation in milk
(wiley, 2023) Alaa Kareem Niamah; Shayma Thyab Gddoa Al-Sahlany; Deepak Kumar Verma; Smita Singh; Soubhagya Tripathy; Deepika Baranwal; Nihir Shah; Ami R. Patel; Mamta Thakur; Gemilang Lara Utama; Mónica L. Chávez-González; Cristobal Noe Aguilar
The milk of mammals contains a disaccharide called lactose, which is often commonly referred to as milk sugar. Lactose does not have an overwhelming sweetness, has weak solubility, and cannot be absorbed straight from the gastrointestinal system. Lactase is an enzyme that breaks down lactose into glucose and galactose. Glucose and galactose have a sweetness that is comparable to that of sucrose, but they are three to four times more soluble and are more readily absorbed by the colon. Lactase, which may also be referred to as 3-galactosidase or ß-glycosidases, can be found in the intestines of newborn animals as well as in the cells of some microbes (although lactase activity often decreases after weaning). The vast majority of the lactic lactococci that are utilized in the production of cheese have lactase activity. Glycosidases are enzymes that hydrolyze glycosides into oligosaccharides, polysaccharides, and glycoconjugates in a way that is efficient and inexpensive. Lactase is an enzyme that can be found in higher plants, animals, and even microbes. It is a member of the ß-glycosidases family. Utilizing ß-galactosidases allows for the degradation of lactose in milk, which results in the production of lactose-free milk that is sweeter than ordinary milk and is ideal for persons who are lactose intolerant. The lactose-degrading enzyme known as ß-galactosidase is used in the food industry to produce dairy products that are easier to digest, sweeter, more soluble, and have a more flavorful profile. Enzymes called ß-galactosidase are put to use in the food processing industry so that a variety of products, including hydrolyzed milk products, whey, and galactooligosaccharides, can be manufactured. As a consequence of this, the enzyme in discussion is an important protein that can be manufactured by recombinant technology. This chapter covers the origins of ß-galactosidase, as well as its structure, recombinant synthesis, and the key alterations that have been made to the enzyme in order to improve its efficiency. © 2023 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. All rights reserved.
Contrasting pattern of methane flux in rice agriculture
(1998) Smita Singh; J.S. Singh; A.K. Kashyap
[No abstract available]
Design and development of a multiwalled carbon nanotubes-based copper (II) Schiff base complex for the facile non-enzymatic electrochemical sensing of glucose
(Springer, 2023) Rashmi Gupta; Mamta Yadav; Smita Singh; Vellaichamy Ganesan; Bachcha Singh
A new bifunctional nanomaterial, [SBCu(II)Hyd]-MWCNTs, exhibiting exotic electrical and magnetic properties has been synthesized via chemical modification of MWCNT-COOH. Double probe DC electrical conductivity, CV and EIS studies show better conductivity of the material than that of MWCNT-COOH. With higher saturation and remanent magnetization, as well as coercivity, [SBCu(II)Hyd]-MWCNTs showed better ferromagnetic characteristics. Mott–Schottky electrochemical analysis was carried out to explore capacitive and dielectric properties. The enhancement in electrical conductivity of [SBCu(II)Hyd]-MWCNTs is also confirmed by optical and electrochemical band gaps studies. Subsequently, this material has been utilized to fabricate an electrochemical sensor by coating it over glassy carbon electrode for the determination of glucose. The corresponding sensitivity and limit of detection values are calculated to be 1.1 µA µM−1 cm−2 and 0.09 µM, respectively. Graphical Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.] © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.
Diffusion tensor imaging based white matter changes and antioxidant enzymes status for early identification of mild cognitive impairment
(Taylor and Francis Ltd, 2019) Abhai Kumar; Smita Singh; Anup Singh; Ashish Verma; Vijay Nath Mishra
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is an early stage of dementia. The changes in white matter integrity and antioxidant enzymes levels are crucial in onset and progression to Alzheimer’s disease (AD). To elucidate the changes in cognitive performance, white matter integrity, oxidative stress marker, for early detection of prodromal state of AD. Fifty cases of MCI and controls (55-75 years) were subjected to Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) followed by estimation of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and lipid peroxidation in serum of MCI and control population. The MMSE scores of MCI subjects were (28±2 - 22.6±1) as compared with controls (28±1- 29±1). DTI metrics fractional anisotropy (FA) values in right and left frontal lobe, fornix, corpus callosum, while apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values in right temporal lobe, hippocampus head, corpus callosum right, and forcep major were significantly altered in MCI as compared with controls. Superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase level were lower while lipid peroxidation marker malondialdehyde (MDA) was increased in patients with MCI as compared with controls. The study emphasized that changes in neuro-psychological performance, white matter integrity and antioxidant enzymes level provide early signature for diagnosis of MCI. © 2018, © 2018 Taylor & Francis.
Effect of crop geometries and fertility levels on growth, yield and residual nutrients of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) hybrids under rainfed condition
(Indian Council of Agricultural Research, 2014) U.N. Shukla; M.S. Khakare; Smita Singh; S.K. Verma
A field experiment was conducted during kharif season of 2008-09 to study the effect of crop geometries and fertility levels on growth, yield and residual nutrients of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) hybrids under rainfed condition. Cotton hybrids MLCH 318 was planted under wider crop geometry of 90 cm × 60 cm which recorded significantly higher growth parameters, monopodial branches and seed cotton weight/plant. However, yield potential of MLCH 318 were higher under closer crop geometry (60 cm × 60 cm) and recorded significantly taller plant, yield attributes and yield of cotton over wider crop geometry of 90 cm × 60 cm (S1) due to more number of plants stand at initial and harvest stages, respectively. Although, cultivar VBCH 2231 (V2) with crop geometry of 90 cm × 60 cm (S1) recorded more in residual status of N (200.44 and 204 kg/ha), P (16.82 and 16.67 kg/ha) and K (496.50 and 489.04 kg/ha), respectively. Among fertility levels, growth characters, yield attributes and yield of cotton with residual N (204.11), P (17.24) and K (495.26 kg/ha) were significantly higher under highest levels of fertility, i.e. 62.5: 31.25: 31.25 kg N: P: K/ha. Thus, it concluded that sowing of cultivar MLCH 318 at crop geometry of 60 cm × 60 cm and fertilized with. 62.5: 31.25: 31.25 kg N: P: K/ha produced significantly higher yield attributes and yield under rainfed condition.
Effect of integrated nutrient management and drought mitigating practices on performance of rainfed chickpea (Cicer arietinum)
(Indian Council of Agricultural Research, 2017) Savita Dewangan; Rajendra Prasad Singh; M.K. Singh; Smita Singh
The investigation aimed to study the effect of integrated nutrient management and drought mitigating practices on rainfed chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) on sandy clay loam soil at Varanasi in winters of 2012-13 and 2013-14. The treatment consisted of combinations of four integrated nutrients levels in main plot and five drought mitigating practices including control in sub-plot. The growth and yield were significantly influenced by different integrated nutrients during both the years. Application of 100% RDF + 2% urea spray proved significantly superior to the 100% RDF+ 25% N (VC), 100% RDF + 5 kg Zn/ha and 100% RDF in terms of growth and yield attributes, net returns and B:C ratio. Foliar spray of 2% KCl + 0.4% sodium selenite recorded maximum values of growth and yield of chickpea which was found comparable with 2% KCl during both the years. The maximum net return (23 880) and B:C ratio (1.97) was recorded under 2% KCl during both the years. It is concluded that significant improvement in growth characters, yield attributes, yields and nutrients uptake were recorded with the application of 100% RDF + 2% urea spray during both the years of experimentations. Similarly, among the drought mitigating practices, application of 2% KCl + 0.4% Sodium selenite spray was found significantly superior to others during both the years of experiment. 100% RDF + 2% Urea spray resulted in maximum gross return, net return and B:C ratio during both the years of study. Among the drought mitigating practices, application of 2% KCl + 0.4% Sodium selenite spray showed maximum gross return during both the year while maximum net return as well as B:C ratio were associated with 2% KCl spray during both the year of investigation.
Effect of integrated nutrients management and drought mitigating strategies on yield, water use efficiency and soil fertility of rainfed chickpea (Cicer arietinum)
(Indian Council of Agricultural Research, 2017) Savita Dewangan; Rajendra Prasad Singh; Smita Singh; M.K. Singh
A field experiment was conducted at Agricultural Research Farm, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh (India) on sandy clay loam soil during winter season of 2012-13 and 2013-14 to find out the effect of integrated nutrients and drought mitigating strategies on productivity, water use efficiency and soil health of rainfed chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). The result showed that the application of 100% RDF + 2% urea spray proved significantly superior to the 100% RDF+ 25% N (VC), 100% RDF + 5 kg Zn/ha and 100% RDF in terms of the number of pods/plant (51.41), seed pod (1.18), 100-seed weight (26.81 g), seed yield (1 200 kg/ha) and water use efficiency (13.36 kg/ha/mm) of chickpea and available nutrients in soils (187.06 kg/ha N, 22.66 kg/ha P2O5, 203.99 kg/ha K2O, 18.20 kg/ha S and 0.66 mg/kg Zn soil) during both the years. Similarly, foliar spray of 2% KCl + 0.4% sodium selenite recorded maximum values of number of pods/plant (55.06), seeds/pod (1.14), 100-seed weight (26.16 g) and finally seed yield (1 159 kg/ha) of chickpea which was found comparable to 2% KCl during both the years. Maximum water use efficiency (12.93 kg/ha mm) and available soil nutrients (188.57 kg/ha N, 22.15 kg/ha P2O5, 204.03 kg/ha K2O, 17.83 kg/ha S and 0.66 mg/kg Zn soil) were recorded highest under 2% KCl + 0.4% sodium selenite during both the years. © 2017, Indian Council of Agricultural Research. All rights reserved.
Effect of seedlings age, cultivars and weed management on weed dynamics, nutrient removal and yield of rice (Oryza sativa) under system of rice intensification (SRI)
(Indian Council of Agricultural Research, 2015) U.N. Shukla; V.K. Srivastava; Smita Singh; U.S. Ram; A.K. Pandey
A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of age of seedlings, cultivars and weed management on weed dynamics, NPK removal and yield of rice (Oryza sativa L.) under SRI at Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi during 2010 and 2011 in split-plot design replicated thrice. The tender aged seedling (10 days) and hybrid rice cultivar PHB 71 had significantly marked potential to minimize the weed dynamics of grassy weeds (Echinochloa spp. and Cynodon dactylon), sedges (Fimbristylis miliacea and Cyperus spp.) and BLWs (Ammania baccifera and Ludwigia parviflora) significantly that resulted in marked reduction on total weed density, weed dry weight, weed index resulted in higher weed control efficiency over older seedling (15 days) of NDR 359. Four times cono-weeding at 10, 20, 30 and 40 DAT minimised grassy weeds over rest of the weeding treatments, but at par with pre and post-emergence application of pretilachlor + bispyribac-Na herbicides in respect of sedges and BLWs with total weed density that resulted in improving weed index due to higher weed control efficiency over 15 days old seedlings and other weed management treatment during both the years of study. Similarly, transplanting of younger seedlings (10 days) of PHB 71 produced significantly higher rice yield under 4 times cono-weeding closely followed by pre and post-emergence application of pretilachlor + bispyribac-Na. Significantly lower NPK removal by weeds at 45 DAT recorded with 10 days old seedling of PHB-71 under 4 times cono-weeding at 10, 20, 30 and 40 DAT (W4), though remained at par with pre and post-emergence application of pretilachlor + bispyribac-Na.
Effect of soil nitrogen, carbon and moisture on methane uptake by dry tropical forest soils
(1997) J.S. Singh; Smita Singh; A.S. Raghubanshi; Saranath Singh; A.K. Kashyap; V.S. Reddy
Methane uptake was measured for two consecutive years for four forest and one savanna sites in a seasonally dry tropical region of India. The soils were nutrient-poor and well drained. These sites differed in vegetational cover and physico-chemical features of the soil. There were significant differences in CH4 consumption rates during the two years (mean 0.43 and 0.49 mg m-2 h-1), and at different sites (mean 0.36 to 0.57 mg m-2 h-1). The mean uptake rate was higher (P < 0.05) in dry seasons than in the rainy season at all the sites. There was a significant season and site interaction, indicating that the effect of different seasons differed across the sites. There was a positive relation between soil moisture and CH4 uptake rates during summer (the driest period) and a negative relation during the rest of the year. The results suggested that seasonally dry tropical forests are a strong sink for CH4, and C and N status of soils regulates the strength of the sink in the long term.
Effect of transplanting date and age of seedlings on growth, yield and quality of hybrids under system of rice (Oryza sativa) intensification and their effect on soil fertility
(Indian Council of Agricultural Research, 2016) Akhilesh Vishwakarma; J.K. Singh; Avijit Sen; J.S. Bohra; Smita Singh
A field experiment to study the effect of transplanting date and age of seedlings on growth, yield and quality of rice hybrids under SRI and their effect on soil fertility was conducted on sandy-clay loam soil at Varanasi during rainy (kharif) seasons of 2012 and 2013. The experiment on sandy loam soil was laid out in split-split plot design assigning three dates of transplanting (27 June, 7 July and 17 July) in main plot, two rice hybrids (PHB-71 and Pusa RH-10) in sub-plot and three age of seedlings (10, 14 and 18-day old) in sub-sub plot with three replications. Results revealed that higher growth parameters, viz. plant height (104.2 cm), tillers/hill (20.4), leaf area index (5.16) and dry matter accumulation/hill (31.2 g) and yield attributes, viz. effective tillers/m2 (248.2), panicle length (30.5 cm), grains/panicle (176), weight/panicle (5.08 g) and test weight (23.11 g), grain and straw yield (6.67 and 8.71 tonnes/ha, respectively) and harvest index (43.17) were observed under 27 June transplanting as compared to rest of the two dates of planting. Protein content in grain and kernel length before and after cooking also registered significant improvement in 27 June transplanted crop. The magnitude of increase in grain and straw yield of hybrid under SRI by the early transplanting (27 June) as compared to the late transplanting (17 July) was 19.9 and 15.2 %, respectively on pooled basis. However, soil pH, EC, organic carbon, available NPK, hulling, milling and head rice recovery percentage, kernel breadth (B) before and after cooking, length (L) elongation ratio and L/B ratio remained unaffected due to different dates of transplanting. Among the hybrids, PHB-71 produced markedly higher plant height (104.8 cm), tillers/hill (17.6), leaf-area index (4.91), dry matter accumulation/hill (29.5 g), effective tillers/m2 (236.4), panicle length (30.1 cm), grains/panicle (188), weight/panicle (4.62 g), test weight (22.67 g), grain yield (7.00 tonnes/ha), straw yield (8.95 tonnes/ha) and harvest index (43.87) over Pusa RH-10. Organic carbon content in soil as well as quality parameters viz. hulling, milling and head rice recovery percentage, protein content and kernel breadth before and after cooking were also recorded higher with PHB-71 than the Pusa RH-10. However, maximum available NPK, kernel length before and after cooking, length elongation and length breadth ratio before cooking were recorded with 'Pusa RH-10'. Younger aged seedlings (10-day old) recorded significantly higher growth and yield parameters, yields and harvest index over older aged seedlings (18-day), whereas maximum available NPK was recorded with older aged seedlings (18-day). The 10-day old seedlings gave 6.4 and 12.9% more grain yield than 14 and 18-day old seedlings, respectively. Interactive effect on grain yield was significant among date of transplanting, age of seedlings and hybrids. Transplanting of PHB-71 hybrid on 27 June having either 10 or 14-day old seedlings resulted in markedly higher grain yield as compared to rest of the treatments. © 2016, Indian Council of Agricultural Research. All rights reserved.
Efficacy of herbicides and nutrient management on weed dynamics and yield of French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris)
(Indian Council of Agricultural Research, 2018) Smita Singh; R.P. Singh; U.N. Shukla; J.K. Singh; O.N. Singh
A field experiment was conducted to assess the effect of herbicides and integrated nutrient managements on weed dynamics, NPK removal and yield of French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) at Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi during 2009 and 2010. The results revealed that the pendimethalin fb quizalofop-p-ethyl had significantly marked potential to minimize the weed dynamics of Chenopodium album, Melilotus alba, Melilotus indica and Cyperus rotundus significantly, resulted in marked reduction on total weed density (41.48 and 41.11 nos/m), weed dry weight (45.62 and 44.68 g/m) and weed index at all stages of crop growth during 2009 and 2010, respectively and showed higher weed control efficiency over the alone application of pendimethalin. Recommended dose + 200 kg Wellgro Soil (Dust) minimized broad leaves weeds (BLWs) over rest of the fertility levels but at par with RD + 300 kg Wellgro Soil (Dust) in respect of BLWs weed density that resulted in enhanced weed index due to higher weed control efficiency over rest of the fertility levels during both the years of study. Significantly lower NPK removal by weeds at harvest recorded with pendimethalin fb quizalofop-p-ethyl under recommended dose + 200 kg Wellgro Soil (Dust), though remained at par with recommended dose + 300 kg Wellgro Soil (Dust). © 2018 Indian Council of Agricultural Research. All rights reserved.
Emerging lactic acid bacteria bacteriocins as anti-cancer and anti-tumor agents for human health
(Elsevier Ltd, 2024) Alaa Kareem Niamah; Shayma Thyab Gddoa Al-Sahlany; Deepak Kumar Verma; Rakesh Mohan Shukla; Ami R. Patel; Soubhagya Tripathy; Smita Singh; Deepika Baranwal; Amit Kumar Singh; Gemilang Lara Utama; Mónica L. Chávez González; Wissal Audah Hassan Alhilfi; Prem Prakash Srivastav; Cristobal Noe. Aguilar
Modern cancer diagnostics and treatment options have greatly improved survival rates; the illness remains a major cause of mortality worldwide. Current treatments for cancer, such as chemotherapy, are not cancer-specific and may cause harm to healthy cells; therefore, it is imperative that new drugs for cancer be developed that are both safe and effective. It has been found that lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have the potential to produce bacteriocins, which could potentially offer a promising alternative for cancer treatment. They have been shown in several studies to be effective against cancer cells while having no effect on healthy cells. More research is needed to fully understand the potential of LAB bacteriocins as anti-cancer medicines, to find the appropriate dose and delivery route, and to conduct clinical trials to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the products in human patients, as is suggested by this work. Furthermore, LAB bacteriocins may evolve into a significant new class of anti-cancer drugs and food products. Patients with cancer may have a safe and effective alternative treatment option in the form of anti-cancer foods and drugs. Therefore, the aim of this study is to provide an in-depth analysis of the recent breakthroughs and potential future technical advancements of significant bacteriocins that are produced by LAB, how these bacteriocins function, and how these bacteriocins may be utilized as an anti-cancer agent. In addition, the current analysis emphasizes the significant constraints and boundaries that bacteriocins face when they are used as an anti-cancer factor. © 2024
Epidemiology and management of neurocysticercosis: An update
(Elsevier, 2022) Abhai Kumar; Smita Singh; Varun Kumar Singh; Rameshwar Nath Chaurasia
The invasion of tape worm Taenia solium in human from contaminated food, water, and uncooked meat leads to neurocysticercosis (NCC). The NCC is the neglected disease of central nervous system prevalent in lower income countries and disseminate in high-income countries due to migration, which is major cause of morbidity/mortality. The diagnosis is based on clinical history, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging brain imaging, and other immunological and serological tests, although these test have their own limitations and not specific to differentiate the different form of NCC pathogenesis. The worldwide prevalence of NCC is lacking, and proper studies are needed to estimate the global presence of NCC. The current chapter discusses the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment, and socioeconomic challenges in eradication of the disease. The role of chronic inflammation in host defense, cyst degeneration, and reabsorption is discussed. The update on current research in development of new screening tools based on immunological and molecular test for diagnosis of NCC, treatment, and randomized control trial for parenchymal and extraparenchymal NCC is emphasized. NCC is believed as main cause of acquired epilepsy, among clinical and social workers, differentiation in seizures on the basis on proper diagnostic methods and international guidelines could decrease stigmatization among public. Further, the role of national and international agencies and socioeconomic factors involved in the eradication of disease are reviewed. © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.