Detailed flow patterns in the nasal cavity.

The human nasal cavity filters and conditions inspired air while providing olfactory function. Detailed experimental study of nasal airflow patterns has been limited because of the complex geometry of the nasal cavity. In this work, particle image velocimetry was used to determine two-dimensional instantaneous velocity vector fields in parallel planes throughout a model of the nasal cavity that was subjected to a nonoscillatory flow rate of 125 ml/s. The model, which was fabricated from 26 computed tomography scans by using rapid prototyping techniques, is a scaled replica of a human right nasal cavity. The resulting vector plots show that the flow is laminar and regions of highest velocity are in the nasal valve and in the inferior airway. The relatively low flow in the olfactory region appears to protect the olfactory bulb from particulate pollutants. Low flows were also observed in the nasal meatuses, whose primary function has been the subject of debate. Comparison of sequentially recorded data suggests a steady flow.     

Divergence time estimates of mammals from molecular clocks and fossils: Relevance of new fossil finds from India

This paper presents a brief review of recent advances in the classification of mammals at higher levels using fossils and molecular clocks. It also discusses latest fossil discoveries from the Cretaceous — Eocene (66–55 m.y.) rocks of India and their relevance to our current understanding of placental mammal origins and diversifications.     

Antifungal Potential of Plant Growth Promoting Bacillus Species Against Blossom Blight of Rose

Blossom blight caused by Botrytis cinerea is one among the most devastating diseases that cause complete post-harvest loss in flower crops. The present study focuses on the development of effective bioformulation towards suppression of blossom blight and plant growth promotion in rose. Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (VB2) and Bacillus subtilis (AP) effectively inhibited mycelial growth of B. cinerea in vitro. Genome screening of VB2 and AP revealed the presence of antimicrobial peptide genes including, ituD, ipa14, bacA, bacD, srfA, sfP, spaC, spaS responsible for the biosynthesis of antibiotics such as iturin, bacilysin, bacillomycin, surfactin and subtilin. Further, the presence of volatile antifungal compounds in the bacterial secretome was identified through gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis. Upon treatment, AP accelerated the metabolite profile of the plants and a rise in peak area of antifungal compounds such as, pentadecanoic acid, n-hexadecanoic acid, octadecanoic acid (stearic acid) and tetradecanoic acid was observed. In vitro, VB2 produced maximum indole acetic acid (9.17 µg/ml) and gibberellic acid (8.20 µg/ml) in nutrient broth. Under field conditions, foliar spray of VB2 at 0.5% (5 ml/l), four times at weekly interval suppressed blossom blight incidence (64% reduction over control) and also promoted yield. Future research towards development of an effective bioformulation with extended shelf life will aid in the management of various fungal, bacterial and viral diseases in different crop plants.