Contribution Of Residues Research Articles

Computer-Aided Virtual Design of 3-Dehydroquinic Acid Analogues Inhibitors of Dehydroquinase Type II of Mycobacterium tuberculosis with Favorable Pharmacokinetics Profile

New potent 3-dehydroquinic acid (AQs) inhibitors of 3-dehydroquinate dehydratase (dehydroquinase type II) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MtDHQ2) were obtained by using structure-based molecular design via the in situ modification of the template inhibitor AQ1 within the MtDHQ2-AQ1 crystal structure (PDB ID: 2XB8), in order to describe the interactions upon the formation of the complex MtDHQ2-inhibitor. A training set of 14 AQs with known inhibition constants (Kiexp) was used to establish a quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) model for correlating the pKiexp (pKiexp = ‑log10 (Kiexp)) to the computed Gibbs free energies of formation (ΔΔGcom) of MtDHQ2-AQs complexes (pKiexp= -0.278 ΔΔGcom + 7.653 , R² = 0.98) is derived. This accounts for the solvent effect and the loss of inhibitor entropy upon enzyme binding. Validation of this QSAR model was performed with 3D- QSAR pharmacophore generation (PH4). The structural information derived from the 3D model and breakdown of computed MtDHQ2-AQs interaction energies up to individual active site residue contribution led to the design of a virtual combinatorial library of 1600 AQs that was screened through the PH4 filter to retain about forty molecules. The absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion parameters of these designed molecules were computed with the QikProp program while the inhibition constants were predicted by the generated QSAR model. Our computational approach, which combines molecular modeling, pharmacophore generation and analysis of MtDHQ2-AQ interaction energies, resulted in the proposed novel predicted potent antitubercular agents with favorable pharmacokinetic profile, of which the best candidate predicted inhibition constant (Kipre) value within the picomolar range.

Dynamics of microbial residues in highland agroecosystems as affected by cropping systems and fertilisation in a 31‐year‐long experiment

AbstractMicrobial residues are essential for soil organic carbon (SOC) accumulation and stability. However, the interactive effects of cropping system and fertilisation on microbial residues and their contributions to SOC have not been addressed. Herein, we used amino sugars as tracers for microbial residues and analysed the dynamics of microbial residues in a 31‐year‐long experiment in a highland agroecosystem to understand how effects of fertilisation vary with cropping systems. The cropping systems included continuous alfalfa (AC, a pure legume system), continuous winter wheat (WC, a non‐legume system) and grain‐legume rotation (GLR) system. The fertilization treatments were the unfertilised control (CK), phosphorus (P), P and nitrogen (NP) and NP and manure (NPM). When averaged across the experimental periods, compared with the GLR and WC systems, the AC system increased microbial residues, the ratio of fungal‐to‐bacterial residues and the contribution of fungal residues to SOC. The NP and NPM increased microbial residues, and the effects of NPM were greater than those of NP. However, the contribution of microbial residues to SOC was lower in the NPM treatment than that in the NP treatment. The effects of NP or NPM on microbial residues were similar among cropping systems, while the effect of P was greater in the AC system but smaller in the WC system in comparison with those in the GLR system. Therefore, the pure legume cropping system was conducive to SOC accumulation mainly by increasing fungal residues in soils. Manure combined with chemical fertilisers was more beneficial to the accumulation of microbial residues, but SOC accumulation caused by it was less attributable to the increase in microbial‐derived C. Moreover, P fertiliser was crucial for the accumulation of microbial residues in legume‐included cropping systems.Highlights This study addresses effects of fertilization on microbial residues in three cropping systems. The effects of NP or NPM on microbial residues were similar among cropping systems. The effect of P fertilizer on microbial residues varied with cropping system. Legume cropping system was conducive to SOC accumulation mainly by increasing fungal residues.

Essential roles of buried phenylalanine in the structural stability of thioredoxin from a psychrophilic Arctic bacterium Sphingomonas sp.

Thioredoxin (Trx), a small redox protein, exhibits thermal stability at high temperatures regardless of its origin, including psychrophiles. Trxs have a common structure consisting of the central β-sheet flanked by an aliphatic cluster on one side and an aromatic cluster on the other side. Although the roles of aromatic amino acids in the folding and stability of proteins have been studied extensively, the contributions of aromatic residues to the stability and function of Trx, particularly Trxs from cold-adapted organisms, have not been fully elucidated. This study examined the roles of aromatic amino acids in the aromatic cluster of a Trx from the psychrophilic Arctic bacterium Sphingomonas sp. PAMC 26621 (SpTrx). The aromatic cluster of SpTrx was comprised of W11, F26, F69, and F80, in which F26 at the β2 terminus was buried inside. The substitution of tyrosine for F26 changed the SpTrx conformation substantially compared to that of F69 and F80. Further biochemical and spectroscopic investigations on F26 showed that the F26Y, F26W, and F26A mutants resulted in structural instability of SpTrx in both urea- and temperature-induced unfolding and lower insulin reduction activities. The Trx reductase (SpTR) showed lower catalytic efficiencies against F26 mutants compared to the wild-type SpTrx. These results suggest that buried F26 is essential for maintaining the active-site conformation of SpTrx as an oxidoreductase and its structural stability for interactions with SpTR at colder temperatures.

Structurally Guided Reprogramming of Valerenadiene Synthase

Valerena-1,10-diene synthase (VDS) catalyzes the conversion of the universal precursor farnesyl diphosphate into the unusual sesquiterpene valerena-1,10-diene (VLD), which possesses a unique isobutenyl substituent group. In planta, one of VLD's isobutenyl terminal methyl groups becomes oxidized to a carboxylic acid forming valerenic acid (VA), an allosteric modulator of the GABAA receptor. Because a structure-activity relationship study of VA for its modulatory activity is desired, we sought to manipulate the VDS enzyme for the biosynthesis of structurally diverse scaffolds that could ultimately lead to the generation of VA analogues. Using three-dimensional structural homology models, phylogenetic sequence comparisons to well-characterized sesquiterpene synthases, and a substrate-active site contact mapping approach, the contributions of specific amino acid residues within or near the VDS active site to possible catalytic cascades for VLD and other sesquiterpene products were assessed. An essential role of Tyr535 in a germacrenyl route to VLD was demonstrated, while its contribution to a family of other sesquiterpenes derived from a humulyl route was not. No role for Cys415 or Cys452 serving as a proton donor to reaction intermediates in VLD biosynthesis was observed. However, a gatekeeper role for Asn455 in directing farnesyl carbocations down all-trans catalytic cascades (humulyl and germacrenyl routes) versus a cisoid cascade (nerolidyl route) was demonstrated. Altogether, these results have mapped residues that establish a context for the catalytic cascades operating in VDS and future manipulations for generating more structurally constrained scaffolds.

Binding site hotspot map of PI3Kα and mTOR in the presence of selective and dual ATP-competitive inhibitors

The PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway plays a pivotal role in cellular metabolism, growth and survival. PI3Kα hyperactivation impairs downstream signaling, including mTOR regulation, and are linked to poor prognosis and refractory cancer treatment. To support multi-target drug discovery, we took advantage from existing PI3Kα and mTOR crystallographic structures to map similarities and differences in their ATP-binding pockets in the presence of selective or dual inhibitors. Molecular dynamics and MM/PBSA calculations were employed to study the binding profile and identify the relative contribution of binding site residues. Our analysis showed that while varying parameters of solute and solvent dielectric constant interfered in the absolute binding free energy, it had no effect in the relative per residue contribution. In all complexes, the most important interactions were observed within 3–3.5 Å from inhibitors, responding for ∼75–100% of the total calculated interaction energy. While closest residues are essential for the strength of the binding of all ligands, more distant residues seem to have a larger impact on the binding of the dual inhibitor, as observed for PI3Kα residues Phe934, Lys802 and Asp805 and, mTOR residues Leu2192, Phe2358, Leu2354, Lys2187 and Tyr2225. A detailed description of individual residue contribution in the presence of selective or dual inhibitors is provided as an effort to improve the understanding of molecular mechanisms controlling multi-target inhibition. This work provides key information to support further studies seeking the rational design of potent PI3K/mTOR dual inhibitors for cancer treatment. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma

Morphodynamic Equilibria in Double‐Inlet Systems: Existence and Stability

AbstractThe existence of morphodynamic equilibria of double‐inlet systems is investigated using a cross‐sectionally averaged morphodynamic model. The number of possible equilibria and their stability strongly depend on the forcing conditions and geometry considered. This is illustrated by considering a rectangular double‐inlet system forced by M2 tidal constituents only. Depending on the M2 amplitudes and phases at both entrances, no equilibrium, one equilibrium or multiple morphodynamic equilibria may exist. In case no equilibrium is found, the minimum water depth becomes zero somewhere in the system, reducing the double‐inlet system to two single‐inlet systems. In the other cases, the location of the minimum water depth and the direction of the tidally‐averaged sediment transport, as well as their actual values, depend strongly on the M2 tidal characteristics. Such parameter sensitivity is also observed when including the residual and M4 forcing contributions to the water motion, and when allowing for width variations. This suggests that, when considering a specific system, the number and stability of morphodynamic equilibria, as well as the characteristics of these quantities, can only be assessed by investigating that specific system in detail. As an example, the Marsdiep‐Vlie inlet system in the Dutch Wadden Sea is considered. It is found that, by using parameter values and a geometry characteristic for this system, the water motion and bathymetry in morphodynamic equilibrium are qualitatively reproduced. Also the direction and order of magnitude of the tidally‐averaged suspended sediment transport compare well with those obtained from a high‐complexity numerical model.

Theoretically exploring selective-binding mechanisms of BRD4 through integrative computational approaches

ABSTRACT The origin of cancer is related to the dysregulation of multiple signal pathways and of physiological processes. Bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) has become an attractive target for the development of anticancer and anti-inflammatory agents since it can epigenetically regulate the transcription of growth-promoting genes. The synthesized BRD4 inhibitors with new chemical structures can reduce the drug resistance, but their binding modes and the inhibitory mechanism remain unclear. Here, we initially constructed robust QSAR models based on 68 reported tetrahydropteridin analogues using topomer CoMFA and HQSAR. On the basis of QSAR results, we designed 16 novel tetrahydropteridin analogues with modified structures and carried out docking studies. Instead of significant hydrogen bondings with amino acid residue Asn140 as reported in previous research, the molecular docking modelling suggested a novel docking pose that involves the amino acid residues (Trp81, Pro82, Val87, Leu92, Leu94, Cys136, Asp144, and Ile146) at the active site of BRD4. The MD simulations, free energy calculations, and residual energy contributions all indicate that hydrophobic interactions are decisive factors affecting bindings between inhibitors and BRD4. The current study provides new insights that can aid the discovery of BRD4 inhibitors with enhanced anti-cancer ability.

Unique functional insights into the antioxidant response of the cyanobacterial Mn-catalase (KatB)

KatB, a hexameric Mn-catalase, plays a vital role in overcoming oxidative and salinity stress in the ecologically important, N2-fixing cyanobacterium, Anabaena. The 5 N-terminal residues of KatB, which show a high degree of conservation in cyanobacteria, form an antiparallel β-strand at the subunit interface of the KatB hexamer. In this study, the contribution of these N-terminal non-active site residues, towards the maintenance of the structure, biochemical properties, and redox balance was evaluated. Each N-terminal amino acid residue from the 2nd to the 7th position of KatB was individually mutated to Ala (to express KatBF2A/KatBF3A/KatBH4A/KatBK5E/KatBK6A/KatBE7A) or this entire 6 amino acid stretch was deleted (to yield KatBTrunc). All the above-mentioned KatB variants, along with the wild-type KatB protein (KatBWT), were overproduced in E. coli and purified. In comparison to KatBWT, the KatBF2A/KatBH4A/KatBTrunc proteins were less compact, more prone to chemical/thermal denaturation, and were unexpectedly inactive. KatBF3A/KatBK5E/KatBK6A showed biophysical/biochemical properties that were in between that of KatBWT and KatBF2A/KatBH4A/KatBTrunc. Surprisingly, KatBE7A was more thermostable with higher activity than KatBWT. On exposure to H2O2, E. coli expressing KatBWT/KatBE7A showed considerably reduced formation of ROS and increased survival than the other KatB variants. Utilizing the KatB structure, the molecular basis responsible for the altered stability/activity of the KatB mutants was delineated. This study demonstrates the physiological importance of the N-terminal β-strand of Mn-catalases in combating H2O2 stress and shows that the non-active site residues can be used for rational protein engineering to develop Mn-catalases with improved characteristics.

In silico evaluation of NO donor heterocyclic vasodilators as SARS-CoV-2 Mpro protein inhibitor

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) which causes COVID-19 disease has been exponentially increasing throughout the world. The mortality rate is increasing gradually as effective treatment is unavailable to date. In silico based screening for novel testable hypotheses on SARS-CoV-2 Mpro protein to discover the potential lead drug candidate is an emerging area along with the discovery of a vaccine. Administration of NO-releasing agents, NO inducers or the NO gas itself may be useful as therapeutics in the treatment of SARS-CoV-2. In the present study, a 3D structure of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro protein was used for the rational setting of inhibitors to the binding pocket of enzyme which proposed that phenyl furoxan derivative gets efficiently dock in the target pocket. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations helped to investigate possible effective inhibitor candidates bound to SARS-CoV-2 Mpro substrate binding pocket. Molecular mechanics Poisson-Boltzmann surface area (MM/PBSA) calculations revealed energetic contributions of active site residues of Mpro in binding with most stable proposed NO donor heterocyclic vasodilator inhibitor molecules. Furthermore, principal component analysis (PCA) showed that the NO donor heterocyclic inhibitor molecules 14, 16, 18 and 19 was strongly bound to catalytic core of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro protein, limiting its movement to form stable complex as like control. Thus, overall in silico investigations revealed that 5-oxopiperazine-2-carboxylic acid coupled furoxan derivatives was found to be key pharmacophore in drug design for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2, a global pandemic disease with a dual mechanism of action as NO donor and a worthwhile ligand to act as SARS-CoV-2 Mpro protein inhibitor. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma

Fitting ultracold resonances without a fit

We present a numerical procedure allowing one to extract Feshbach resonance parameters from numerical calculations without relying on approximate fitting procedures. Our approach is based on a simple decomposition of the reactance matrix in terms of poles and residual background contribution, and can be applied to the general situation of inelastic overlapping resonances. A simple lineshape for overlapping inelastic resonances, equivalent to known results in the particular cases of isolated and overlapping elastic features, is also rigorously derived.

Search for exotic decays of the Higgs boson into long-lived particles in pp collisions at sqrt{s} = 13 TeV using displaced vertices in the ATLAS inner detector

A novel search for exotic decays of the Higgs boson into pairs of long-lived neutral particles, each decaying into a bottom quark pair, is performed using 139 fb−1 of sqrt{s} = 13 TeV proton-proton collision data collected with the ATLAS detector at the LHC. Events consistent with the production of a Higgs boson in association with a leptonically decaying Z boson are analysed. Long-lived particle (LLP) decays are reconstructed from inner-detector tracks as displaced vertices with high mass and track multiplicity relative to Standard Model processes. The analysis selection requires the presence of at least two displaced vertices, effectively suppressing Standard Model backgrounds. The residual background contribution is estimated using a data-driven technique. No excess over Standard Model predictions is observed, and upper limits are set on the branching ratio of the Higgs boson to LLPs. Branching ratios above 10% are excluded at 95% confidence level for LLP mean proper lifetimes cτ as small as 4 mm and as large as 100 mm. For LLP masses below 40 GeV, these results represent the most stringent constraint in this lifetime regime.

Leaky-Wave Radiation From 2-D Dielectric Lattices Excited by an Embedded Electric Line Source

This article presents an analytical and numerical investigation of the radiation features of an interesting class of electromagnetic bandgap (EBG) structures excited by an electric line source. The radiation from 2-D lattices made with lossless dielectric cylinders, typically optimized by using the Bloch analysis of the corresponding 2-D photonic crystals, is originally investigated in terms of leaky waves. A thorough modal analysis of open waveguides, composed of a finite number of periodic chains of circular dielectric rods, is presented, which shows a multiplicity of bound and leaky modes. Two radiation windows are identified and the relevant directive features are described in terms of properly excited dominant leaky modes. The possible excitation of higher order leaky modes and guided modes has been carefully considered, by also capturing the relevant residue contributions in a nonspectral representation of the excited fields. The final results on radiated fields by realistic truncated structures, obtained by <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">ad hoc</i> software as well as full-wave EM simulators, are in excellent agreement with those predicted by the proposed leaky-wave approach.

Parameterization of a RTPT Association Activity Coefficient Model using Spectroscopic Data

Self-associating species exhibit highly nonideal vapor-liquid phase behavior in many mixtures, which is challenging to model. The most successful models, such as the statistical associating fluid theory (SAFT) equations, are based on Wertheim's first thermodynamic perturbation theory (TPT-1). However, despite its success, the traditional TPT-1 implementations of SAFT lack the requisite flexibility to account for the cooperative effects of hydrogen bonding observed in alcohol + hydrocarbon systems. The resummed thermodynamic perturbation theory (RTPT) provides an improved representation of these systems by considering hydrogen bond cooperativity. While more robust than its TPT-1 predecessor, RTPT has only been validated against computer simulations. In this work, we develop a form of the RTPT association contribution to the activity coefficient and fit RTPT parameters to experimental infrared spectroscopic data. The agreement between the RTPT model and the experimental data is striking despite requiring only one additional parameter compared to TPT-1. Calculated enthalpies indicate the occurrence of positive hydrogen bond cooperativity in all of the systems examined. Association constants fitted to the spectroscopic data are used to calculate activity coefficient contributions using a Flory combinatorial term. For completeness, regressions of vapor-liquid equilibrium data are included and utilize a non-random two-liquid (NRTL) model residual contribution.

Investigation of glutathione as a natural antioxidant and multitarget inhibitor for Alzheimer’s disease: Insights from molecular simulations

Glutathione (GSH) is the most plentiful nonprotein thiol-containing substance in all kinds of cells, and plays crucial roles in the antioxidant defense system and maintaining redox homeostasis in neurons. Extensive microscopic molecular simulations with atomistic details were performed to examine GSH interaction with three proteins involved in β-Amyloid formation (BACE-1, GSK-3β, AChE). The results show that the binding of GSH to AChE is vertical and from the side of Cys residue, while for BACE-1 it was relatively horizontal. The simultaneous study of MSD and interaction energies proved that due to the stronger interaction between GSH and the active-site of BACE-1, GSH shows the least mobility in the BACE-1 containing system, also due to no binding to GSK-3β, it shows the most mobility in this system. Analyzing the radius of gyration and the molecule's inner angle showed that GSH adopts folded and extended structures in interaction with BACE-1 and AChE, respectively. Estimating binding free energy using MMPBSA calculations proved that GSH binding to BACE-1 (-16.98 kJ/mol) is thermodynamically more favorable than AChE (-8.27 kJ/mol). Contributions of active-site residues in binding free energies revealed that GSH binding into BACE-1 and AChE was controlled more dynamically and thermodynamically, respectively. Cavity size analysis showed that the accessible volume of cavities for GSH in BACE-1 and AChE is sufficient for binding. Furthermore, “adjacent pocket” and “breathing motion” types were suggested for AChE and BACE-1, respectively.

Differential accumulation patterns of microbial necromass induced by maize root vs. shoot residue addition in agricultural Alfisols

Soil organic carbon (SOC) has significant implications in regulating soil health. Emerging insights emphasize the important role of microbial anabolism in SOC storage by continuously transforming plant fragments into persistent microbial residues. However, knowledge of the sequestration pathway of root versus shoot carbon (C) is under debate. While recent studies have shown that labile shoot residue is disproportionately important for stable SOC accumulation through microbial assimilation, how plant root vs. shoot residue retention impacts microbial-derived C under different soil fertility conditions remains elusive. Here, we conducted a 500-d in situ experiment using Alfisols with low fertility (LF) and high fertility (HF) amended with maize root or shoot (both stem and leaf) residues. The microbial residues (amino sugar biomarkers) and microbial communities (lipid biomarkers) were analyzed at 60, 90, 150, and 500 d after the amended materials were added. The results showed that shoot residue input facilitated microbial residue accumulation more efficiently than root input before 150 d. However, at the end of the experiment, the treatment containing added root residue accumulated more microbial residues and produced a higher proportion of microbial residue in SOC, compared with shoot treatment. These results provide novel evidence that root residue can also yield SOC efficiently through the organic substrate–microbial anabolism pathway, but it depends on the decomposition period. Moreover, soil fertility plays an important role in regulating the quantity and relative composition of microbial residues. Specifically, crop residue application greatly increased the contribution of microbial residue C to SOC in the LF treatment compared to that in the HF treatment on day 500. Meanwhile, crop residue addition had a more positive effect on fungal residue accumulation in the LF soil, while it facilitated the accumulation of bacterial residue in the HF soil. These findings highlight that crop residue addition (especially root residue) is an effective approach for improving microbial-derived C sequestration in infertile soils.

Estimating near-infrared reflectance of vegetation from hyperspectral data

Disentangling the individual contributions from vegetation and soil in measured canopy reflectance is a grand challenge to the remote sensing and ecophysiology communities. Since Solar Induced chlorophyll Fluorescence (SIF) is uniquely emitted from vegetation, it can be used to evaluate how well reflectance-based vegetation indices (VIs) can separate the vegetation and soil components. Due to the residual soil background contributions, Near-infrared (NIR) reflectance of vegetation (NIRv) and Difference Vegetation index (DVI) present offsets when compared to SIF (i.e., the value of NIRv or DVI is non-zero when SIF is zero). In this study, we proposed a simple framework for estimating the true NIR reflectance of vegetation from Hyperspectral measurements (NIRvH) with minimal soil impacts. NIRvH takes advantage of the spectral shape variations in the red-edge region to minimize the soil effects. We evaluated the capability of NIRvH, NIRv and DVI in isolating the true NIR reflectance of vegetation using the data from both the model-based simulations and Hyperspectral Plant imaging spectrometer (HyPlant) measurements. Benchmarked by simultaneously measured SIF, NIRvH has the smallest offset (0–0.037), as compared to an intermediate offset of 0.047–0.062 from NIRv, and the largest offset of 0.089–0.112 from DVI. The magnitude of the offset can vary with different soil reflectance spectra across spatio-temporal scales, which may lead to bias in the downstream NIRv-based photosynthesis estimates. NIRvH and SIF measurements from the same sensor platform avoided complications due to different geometry, footprint and time of observation across sensors when studying the radiative transfer of reflected photons and SIF. In addition, NIRvH was primarily determined by canopy structure rather than chlorophyll content and soil brightness. Our work showcases that NIRvH is promising for retrieving canopy structure parameters such as leaf area index and leaf inclination angle, and for estimating fluorescence yield with current and forthcoming hyperspectral satellite measurements.

Measuring changes in drug particulate on evidence packaging due to routine case analysis

The presence of drug residue and drug background in a forensic context continues to be of interest for a variety of reasons. While prior work has studied the presence of these residues on laboratory surfaces and on drug evidence, the contribution of residue on the exterior of drug packaging from the analysis process itself has not yet been studied. This work aims to qualitatively and quantitively identify what, if any, effect the analysis of drug evidence has on drug residue levels on the exterior of the evidence packaging. Using wipe collection techniques, samples from the exterior of drug evidence packaging were taken prior to opening cases and after repackaging to measure changes in residue composition and mass. A total of 64 submissions were analyzed, and an increase in drug residue mass was observed 85.5% of the time. After analysis and repackaging, 95% of packages had detectable drug residue on their exterior even though some of the cases were repackaged into new bags. Drug residue masses on the exterior of drug packaging were found to be as high as tens of micrograms. The presence of drug residue on the exterior of drug evidence packaging is expected given the collection and analysis procedures, therefore potential ways to minimize these levels are currently being studied. The presence of these residues is an important factor to consider when developing protocols for the entire evidence handling process and its impact on personnel – from evidence handling technicians to crime scene technicians to submitting officers.

Comparative Study on Profitability of Sorghum-Legumes Intercropping Systems in Ethiopia

The imbalance between the crop production and population growth is currently the major issue in Ethiopia. To feed the growing population, increasing the production of food through growing more crop types in the same field as an intercropping is the right strategy. The study was aimed at evaluating the profitability of sorghum-legume intercropping on yield of sorghum. Intercropping sorghum with legumes crops increases the land productivity as its Land Equivalent Ratio is greater than one. In these cases, the land equivalent ratio is greater than one indicating the benefits of intercropping. In general, legume crops contributed to the yield of sorghum either intercropped with legume or grown up using residual contribution of legumes after a year. Therefore, for maximum sorghum production, farmers should plant either as intercrop or after residual effect of legumes crops. In addition to agronomic parameters used to compare the advantages of any cropping system in small scale farming conditions, total gross monetary value is also used to evaluate economic advantages of intercropping system.

Fodder status in drought year and the practice of free range grazing in Bundelkhand region of India

Free range grazing of animals, is a practice followed since many years by farmers of Bundelkhand region of India which often leads to conflict in the community. Inadequacy of fodder is the main reason for this. Scientific analysis of fodder scenario in the region which comprises 13 districts of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh using secondary data of crops, livestock and land use pattern was carried out so that districts with severe shortage of fodder get priority in livestock development projects. Besides, primary data was collected from 43 farmers to know the reasons for practicing it. Results indicated that 3 districts Tikamgarh, Jhansi and Jalaun belonged to deficient and 4 districts-Mahoba, Hamirpur, Banda and Chitrakoot were in severely deficient dry matter categories. Region faces dry matter shortage of nearly 42%. In all the districts, contribution of crop residue to total dry matter was more. However contribution of greens and concentrate did not vary much and remained almost same across districts. Analysis of primary data revealed that 67.44% of farmers in the region follow the practice of free range grazing. Majority (62.79%) expressed shortage of fodder and water for livestock in summer as the main reason to follow this practice. Establishing cattle shelters during summer in villages was suggested by 67.44% of farmers to restrain from following this practice. Convergence of efforts of different agencies and farmers is required to promote agrihorti- silvipastoral system for sustainable fodder availability in the region.

Deducing Non‐Migrating Diurnal Tides in the Middle Thermosphere With GOLD Observations of the Earth's far Ultraviolet Dayglow From Geostationary Orbit

AbstractThe global‐scale observations of the limb and disk (GOLD) Mission images middle thermosphere temperature and the vertical column density ratio of oxygen to molecular nitrogen (O/N2) using its far ultraviolet imaging spectrographs in geostationary orbit. Since GOLD only measures these quantities during daylight, and only over the ∼140° of longitude visible from geostationary orbit, previously developed tidal analysis techniques cannot be applied to the GOLD data set. This paper presents a novel approach that deduces two specified non‐migrating diurnal tides using simultaneous measurements of temperature and O/N2. DE3 (diurnal eastward propagating wave 3) and DE2 (diurnal eastward propagating wave 2) during October 2018 and January 2020 are the focus of this paper. Sensitivity analyses using TIE‐GCM simulations reveal that our approach reliably retrieves the true phases, whereas a combination of residual contributions from secondary tides, the restriction in longitude, and random uncertainty can lead to ∼50% error in the retrieved amplitudes. Application of our approach to GOLD data during these time periods provides the first observations of non‐migrating diurnal tides in measurements taken from geostationary orbit. We identify discrepancies between GOLD observations and TIE‐GCM modeling. Retrieved tidal amplitudes from GOLD observations exceed their respective TIE‐GCM amplitudes by a factor of two in some cases.