Genetic analysis of foot-and-mouth disease virus serotype A of Indian origin and detection of positive selection and recombination in leader protease- and capsid-coding regions

The leader protease (L-pro) and capsid-coding sequences (P1) constitute approximately 3 kb of the foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV). We studied the phylogenetic relationship of 46 FMDV serotype A isolates of Indian origin collected during the period 1968-2005 and also eight vaccine strains using the neighbour-joining tree and Bayesian tree methods. The viruses were categorized under three major groups - Asian, Euro-South American and European. The Indian isolates formed a distinct genetic group among the Asian isolates. The Indian isolates were further classified into different genetic subgroups (<5% divergence). Post-1995 isolates were divided into two subgroups while a few isolates which originated in the year 2005 from Andhra Pradesh formed a separate group. These isolates were closely related to the isolates of the 1970s. The FMDV isolates seem to undergo reverse mutation or onvergent evolution wherein sequences identical to the ancestors are present in the isolates in circulation. The eight vaccine strains included in the study were not related to each other and belonged to different genetic groups. Recombination was detected in the L-pro region in one isolate (A IND 20/82) and in the VP1 coding 1D region in another isolate (A RAJ 21/96). Positive selection was identified at aa positions 23 in the L-pro (P<0.05; 0.046*) and at aa 171 in the capsid protein VP1 (P<0.01; 0.003**).

In vitro micropropagation of elite rosewood (Dalbergia latifolia Roxb

Induction of single and multiple shoots was obtained from nodal expiants of 60–80 year-old elite trees of rosewood on Murashige and Skoog's basal medium supplemented with 6-benzylaminopurine (1.0 mg 1-1) and delta -Naphthalene acetic acid (0.05 mg 1-1) or indole acetic acid (0.5 mg 1-1). Multiplication of shoots was obtained on MS (reduced major elements) or Woody Plant Medium supplemented with 6-benzylaminopurine (1.0 mg 1-1) and kinetin (0.5–1.0 mg 1-1). Excised shoots were rooted on half-strength MS with IBA (2.0 mg 1-1) to obtain complete plantlets. The regenerated plantlets have been acclimatized and successfully transferred to the soil.

Synthesis of leader RNA and editing of P mRNA during transcription by rinderpest virus

Purified rinderpest virus was earlier shown to transcribe in vitro, all virus-specific mRNAs with the promoter-proximal N mRNA being the most abundant. Presently, this transcription system has been shown to synthesize full length monocistronic mRNAs comparable to those made in infected cells. Small quantities of bi- and tricistronic mRNAs are also synthesized. Rinderpest virus synthesizes in vitro, a leader RNA of not, vert, similar 55 nucleotides in length. Purified rinderpest virus also exhibits RNA editing activity during the synthesis of P mRNA as shown by primer extension analysis of the mRNA products.

Optimal Resource Partitioning in a Military Conflict based on Lanchester Attrition Models

This paper develops a model for military conflicts where the defending forces have to determine an optimal partitioning of available resources to counter attacks from an adversary in two different fronts. The Lanchester attrition model is used to develop the dynamical equations governing the variation in force strength. Three different allocation schemes - Time-Zero-Allocation (TZA), Allocate-Assess-Reallocate (AAR), and Continuous Constant Allocation (CCA) - are considered and the optimal solutions are obtained in each case. Numerical examples are given to support the analytical results.

Optimal Resource Partitioning in a Military Conflict based on Lanchester Attrition Models

This paper develops a model for military conflicts where the defending forces have to determine an optimal partitioning of available resources to counter attacks from an adversary in two different fronts. The Lanchester attrition model is used to develop the dynamical equations governing the variation in force strength. Three different allocation schemes - Time-Zero-Allocation (TZA), Allocate-Assess-Reallocate (AAR), and Continuous Constant Allocation (CCA) - are considered and the optimal solutions are obtained in each case. Numerical examples are given to support the analytical results.

A resource based game theoretical model for military conflicts

A resource interaction based game theoretical model for military conflicts is presented in this paper. The model includes both the spatial decision capability of adversaries (decision regarding movement and subsequent distribution of resources) as well as their temporal decision capability (decision regarding level of allocation of resources for conflict with adversary’s resources). Attrition is decided at present by simple deterministic models. An additional feature of this model is the inclusion of the possibility of a given resource interacting with several resources of the adversary.The decisions of the adversaries is determined by solving for the equilibrium Nash strategies given that the objectives of the adversaries may not be in direct conflict. Examples are given to show the applicability of these models and solution concepts.

A Physical Model for Inception and Propagation of Upward Lightning Leader from a 1200 kV AC Power Transmission Line

UHV power transmission lines have high probability of shielding failure due to their higher height, larger exposure area and high operating voltage. Lightning upward leader inception and propagation is an integral part of lightning shielding failure analysis and need to be studied in detail. In this paper a model for lightning attachment has been proposed based on the present knowledge of lightning physics. Leader inception is modeled based on the corona charge present near the conductor region and the propagation model is based on the correlation between the lightning induced voltage on the conductor and the drop along the upward leader channel. The inception model developed is compared with previous inception models and the results obtained using the present and previous models are comparable. Lightning striking distances (final jump) for various return stroke current were computed for different conductor heights. The computed striking distance values showed good correlation with the values calculated using the equation proposed by the IEEE working group for the applicable conductor heights of up to 8 m. The model is applied to a 1200 kV AC power transmission line and inception of the upward leader is analyzed for this configuration.