Caterpillar Fungus (Ophiocordyceps sinensis): Biology, Harvest and Trade |Chapter 8 | Current Advances in Plant Science, Molecular Biology and Health Sector

 

Ophiocordyceps sinensis, commonly known as Caterpillar fungus, is a medicinal fungus with significant nutritional and utilisation value. Ophiocordyceps belongs to the genus Ophiocordyceps under the family Ophiocordycipitaceae (Division: Ascomycota; Order: Hypocreales). The genus Ophiocordyceps was first scientifically described by British mycologist Tom Petch in 1931. It includes approximately 140 species that parasitise insects. It is the most expensive fungus in the world and is widely distributed in upper hilly regions of the Himalaya in China, Tibet, Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan and India. This fungus is very important and widely used in China in Traditional Medicine. The dried club-shaped fruiting body with the larva has a great medicinal value, particularly in strengthening lungs and kidneys, as well as to increase energy and vitality. It is a peculiar insect pathogenic fungus with a larva of moths at the base and the fruiting body of the fungus at the top. The life cycle of this fungus is also very interesting. The wide use of this fungus in Traditional Chinese Medicine of China has made it the fungus as costliest of the world. The characteristics and medicinal importance of the fungus in general have been discussed before going to the study of caterpillar fungus. The morphology, life cycle, harvesting, medicinal importance, and trade of Caterpillar Fungus have been elaborated. The overharvesting of this Caterpillar fungus by collectors is affecting the ecosystem of the alpine regions of the Himalaya, leading to the threat of many endangered plant and animal species of that area. Therefore, the conservation of this rare fungus is necessary by regulating harvest and taking surveillance to check cross-border activity.

 

Author(s) Details

 

Professor Satyesh Chandra Roy
Department of Botany, Centre of Advanced Study for Cell and Chromosome Research, University of Calcutta, India.

 

Please see the book here: https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/mono/978-81-989371-7-9/CH8

 

Exploring Mental Time Travel in Shakespeare’s Sonnets: A Neuropsychological Approach | Chapter 6 | An Overview of Literature, Language and Education Research Vol. 7

Time is a major subject in Shakespeare’s sequence of sonnets. Noticeably, the word “time” is mentioned seventy-nine times in the collection along with other relevant words like seasons, weeks, days, hours, and minutes. This study aims to analyze Shakespeare’s use of mental time travel (MTT) in his collection of sonnets, especially those addressed to his young friend. It also hopes to amplify that Shakespeare’s versification of MTT anticipates modern neuropsychological studies on the topic. The study isolates those sonnets that deal with issues relevant to MTT, such as time, life cycle, and memory. The issues are classed out into four different premises induced from the selected sonnets subject to analysis: first, MTT occurs in the sonnets in correlation with objective time; second, the dual constructive and destructive nature of time triggers the need for the memory-based MTT;  third, the disparaging effect of time on the poet and the friend’s mother is meant to stimulate the young friend to heed the future of his extraordinary beauty under the strokes of ruthless time; and, fourth, the destructive force of time on non-human beings and natural phenomena provides another stimulus to urge the young friend to heed the dangers of time on his future. The study concluded that Shakespeare’s demonstration of the Aristotelian concept of chronological time places him within the traditions of the Renaissance which was informed and inspired by the massive movement of humanism. Yet Shakespeare is a poet of all times.

 

Author (s) Details

 

Mufeed Al-Abdullah
Department of English, College of Arts, Jerash University, Jerash, Jordan.

 

Please see the book here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/aoller/v7/3129

Study on Consumer Behavior and Factors of Making Purchasing Decisions | Chapter 8 | Modern Perspectives in Economics, Business and Management Vol. 10

 With the constant changes and reclassifications in the field of marketing, the fundamental goal of marketing today is to match products to the needs and desires of consumers.

The ability of businesses to comprehend consumer behaviour is a prerequisite for their success.

This article discusses marketing practises that aid in understanding the behaviour and decisions of those who create the final demand for products and services. The primary purpose of this article is to investigate the consumer position in relation to the market and the factors that customers use to decide whether or not to purchase a product. The research methodologies used in this work are content analysis, export conclusions for the usage of products from consumers, understanding the results of marketing activities, and method of analysis and synthesis. In addition, this article represents a significant effort on the part of the consumer to learn how to operate and to be the best and most knowledgeable. Because of the critical tone in today's economy, consumers are compelled to adjust their purchasing habits; as a result, marketing leaders devise relevant and effective techniques.

Author(S) Details

Ioanna Dimitrakaki
International Hellenic University, Greece.

View Book:- https://stm.bookpi.org/MPEBM-V10/article/view/4050

The Entire Life Cycle of the Universe is a One Period Sine Wave.: Negative to Positive Half Cycle of Sine Wave Represents Active State Whereas Positive to Negative Half Cycle Represents the Latent State of the Universe | Chapter 11 | Current Approaches in Science and Technology Research Vol. 9

 As we all know, everything has a life cycle. Living species, non-living items, governments, the world, astronomical bodies, the solar system, galaxies, and the cosmos all have a life cycle. According to Fourier, a sine wave can explain any physical occurrence. Any arbitrary signal or physical phenomenon is made up of a dc (constant) part, a sin wave with fundamental time period, and its harmonics. If we remove the harmonics from any arbitrary signal or physical phenomenon, we are left with only a sine wave with a fundamental period. Removing all harmonics does not result in a major loss of signal energy because the fundamental period sine wave contains over 90% of the signal energy, but it does result in the basic shape of the signal or physical phenomenon - a sine wave. The fundamental building block of all physical happenings, including the life cycle of all living things from microorganisms to the universe, is a sine wave. A sine wave is the best shape for any life cycle. Only tiny modifications from the basic sine wave allow for the creation of diverse shapes in nature. The influence of imaginary time, which introduces unpredictability into the life cycle, can be attributed to these slight variances. The level of variation in the life cycle represents the amount of unpredictability. The amount of imaginary time involved in a life cycle is represented by the degree of unpredictability. The structure of the numerous life cycles is determined by the amount of deviation (number of harmonics). However, if we average out the fluctuations, we'll get a sine wave, which is the fundamental building unit of the Universe.

Author (S) Details

Prasenjit Debnath
Department of Physics, National Institute of Technology Agartala, Barjala, Jirania, PO – NIT Agartala, District – Tripura (West), State – Tripura, Pin – 799046, India.

View Book :- https://stm.bookpi.org/CASTR-V9/article/view/1983

Study of the Habitats, Burrowing Behavior, Physiological Adaptation and Life Cycle of Spadefoot Toad (Pelobates syriacus, Boettger, 1869) at the Southern Limit of Its Distribution in Israel | Chapter 4 | Current Research in Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences Vol. 3

 Based on observations and data collected over more than 30 years in northern Israel, this study describes the habitats, life cycle, larval growth, burrowing behavior, and terrestrial adaptation of spadefoot toads (Pelobates syriacus) in Israel. In Israel, the distribution area extends from the north in the Upper Galilee and Golan Heights (annual rainfall range of 500–1000 mm) to the south in the coastal plain (annual rainfall of about 250 mm). Among the 51 different amphibian breeding locations, Spadefoot toads used only ponds where water was available for a few months of the year, and metamorphosed populations were found around these ponds. The larvae metamorphosed in northern Israel during the summer and autumn, and in central and southern Israel during the spring. The percentage of toads burrowing was negatively correlated with soil moisture levels, indicating that burrowing behavior is more prevalent in dry conditions. Electrolyte and urea concentrations in plasma increased while burrowing The burrowing behavior of spadefoot toads helps them survive in this area near the southern limit of their range. Spadefoot toads have a highly specialized ecological niche that favors lower levels of diversity.

Author (S) Details

Gad Degani
Faculty of Science and Technology, Tel Hai Academic College, Tel-Hai, Israel and MIGAL-Galilee Research Institute, Kiryat Shmona, Israel.

View Book :- https://stm.bookpi.org/CRAVS-V3/article/view/1583

Calibrating Codes Safety Factors for Different Life Cycles - Proposed Simplified Procedure | Chapter 12 | Advanced Aspects of Engineering Research Vol. 13

A simpler method for calibrating code safety factors was employed in the updating of the revised Israeli Code specifications for aseismic bridge building due to a 120-year life cycle. Structures are frequently developed with a 50-year life cycle in mind, however unique or vital infrastructure facilities should be developed with a longer life cycle in mind. Aside from difficulties of reliability and maintenance, this also necessitates the requirement to cover the risk of exceeding characteristic design live loads for an extended period while retaining the same agreed-upon risk levels assumed by various codes as adequate enough for a normal 50-year life cycle. Scaling partial safety factors, or an additional "compensating" factor, is required since these structures are developed utilizing design methodologies, formulations, material characteristic strengths, and partial safety factors in compliance with existing regulations. This paper proposes a streamlined approach for determining an appropriate code safety factor calibration based on structural reliability.

 Author (s) Details

Eliezer Shamir
Shamir Posner Brown Consulting Engineering LTD., BneiBrak 5120263, Israel.

View Book : - https://stm.bookpi.org/AAER-V13/article/view/1171

Study of Life Cycle of Tree Frogs (Hyla savygnyi) in Semi-Arid Habitats in Northern Israel | Chapter 7 | Recent Research Advances in Biology Vol. 6

 The life cycle of tree frogs (Hyla savygnyi) was studied in the Upper Galilee and Golan Heights (annual rainfall range of 500–1000 mm) and the Hula Valley (ranging from 212 to 740 m above sea level) in northern Israel. Winter rain ponds, springs, and streams were home to tree frogs. A total of 51 separate breeding sites were observed. Frogs forage on the ground. Adults forage on the shore and on high plant stems above the water surface during the breeding season. Tree frogs only reproduce in ponds and springs with stable, non-flowing water, which is also where the larvae can metamorphose. The male's call at the breeding site attracts the female, who then approaches the male for breeding, which takes place underwater. In Israel, breeding time varies depending on location, as well as geographical and ecological conditions. In northern Israel, the Upper Galilee, the Golan Heights, and the Hula Valley, it takes place in March–April. Larvae mature between April and June at different breeding sites. Tree frog larvae seem to respond to breeding sites with stable water, such as ponds or springs, but not to breeding sites with running water, including streams or rivers. Pseudepidalea viridis, Rana bedriagae, Pelobates syriacus, Salamandra infraimmaculata, and Triturus vittatus were among the anuran and Urodela larvae found in the same breeding sites as H. savygnyi larvae. H. savygnyi adapts to terrestrial life in semi-arid environments after metamorphosis, and can be found on plants or hiding places under rocks and in holes to avoid dehydration, particularly during hot and dry weather. The frogs' ability to shift colour allows them to hide in a variety of environments. During dehydration, terrestrial H. savygnyi loses about 50 percent of its body weight in water. The tree frog's plasma osmolality rises from 200 mOsm/kg to about 450 mOsm/kg, allowing it to live in semi-arid environments.

Author (s) Details

Gad Degani
MIGAL–Galilee Technology Center, P.O. Box 831, Kiryat Shmona 11016, Israel and School of Science and Technology, Tel Hai Academic College, Upper Galilee 12210, Israel.

View Book :- https://stm.bookpi.org/RRAB-V6/article/view/812

Maize Cyst Nematode (Heterodera zeae): Pest of Corn Crop and Their Biological Management | Chapter 15 | New Perspectives in Agriculture and Crop Science Vol. 3

 In view of the importance of maize and the supply gap in its demand, the production of maize in the country is given high priority. In addition, maize production is still very poor due to the number of biotic and abiotic variables, including nematode-induced losses. Heterodera zeae is considered an important maize-related nematode among nematodes in India, and famers suffer chronic losses due to the high frequency of this nematode. Recently, attention has been paid to exploring the production of maize in India in order to earn foreign exchange and increase economic returns for farmers. Therefore in order to popularise its cultivation among the farming community, it is important to standardise the agro-techniques for different maize. Therefore, we studied a key maize pest and different aspects of maize cyst nematode, H, in this chapter. H. Zeae.

Author(s) Details

Shakti Singh Bhati
College of Agriculture, Nagaur-341001, Agriculture University, Jodhpur (Rajasthan) India.

Dr. B. L. Baheti
Department of Nematology, Rajasthan College of Agriculture, (MPUAT) Udaipur-313001, India.

Dr. B. S. Chandrawat

SKN College of Agriculture, SKN Agriculture University, Jobner, India.

View Book :- https://bp.bookpi.org/index.php/bpi/catalog/book/293