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In the current era, harnessing agricultural waste recycling for the production of high-value nutritional products not only addresses sustainability challenges but also holds immense potential for meeting the growing demand for nutritious food sources worldwide. In this investigation, we explored the economic viability of utilizing waste arecanut leaf sheath remnants, a byproduct of plate-making, as a substrate for the cultivation of the edible mushroom Pleurotus ostreatusspp. The study involved assessing various substrate combinations (T1, T2, T3, and T4): Paddy straw alone (T1), arecanut leaf sheath alone (T2), a 1:1 ratio of arecanut leaf sheath and paddy straw (T3), and a 2:1:1 ratio of arecanut, paddy straw, and orange peel (T4). Among the combinations experimented, T4 exhibited the most beneficial outcomes by displaying the rapid transformation of a pinhead into mature mushrooms, highest rate of primordial formation, highest average number of fruiting bodies, and greatest average weight of individual fruiting bodies. Consequently, T4 yielded the highest overall mushroom production. Importantly, T4 addressed the nutritional aspect of mushroom consumption, aligning with the goal of enhancing protein intake while maintaining a low-calorie diet. The T4 combination provided approximately 3.2 g of protein per 100 g of mushrooms, accompanied by an estimated 31.84 calories. These findings underscore the potential of utilizing arecanut leaf sheath and orange peel as sustainable and cost-effective substrates for P. ostreatuscultivation, offering both nutritional and economic benefits. This research contributes to the development of environmentally friendly practices in the field of edible mushroom cultivation.

Reduction of nitroarenes is a useful strategy for the preparation of aromatic amines. In this work, CuO was used as a reusable solid reagent for the reduction of nitroquinolines to aminoquinolines using hydrazine monohydrate as the hydrogen donor under mild reaction conditions. The reaction of 0.5 mmol of 5-nitroquinoline to 5-aminoquinoline was completed in 10 min with 100% conversion and selectivity. The reagent CuO could be easily collected and reused for up to four cycles, after which it is completely transformed into Cu2O and Cu. The high activity and selectivity of CuO were attributed to the facile formation of oxygen vacancies on the CuO surface under the reducing environment, as confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Further, density functional theory simulations showed that oxygen vacancies led to higher adsorption (Eads= −174.4 kJ/mol) and selective activation of the nitro group (Ea= 43 kJ/mol) coupled with a reaction involving hydrogen atoms activated on the CuO surface. However, the presence of an additional pyridine ring in 5-nitroquinolines slightly impeded the rate of complete reduction (t= 10 min).

Catalytic oxidation using non-noble metal-based catalysts is a promising approach to mitigate pollution due to VOCs in the air. In this work, mesoporous Cu/TiO2catalysts containing different concentrations of Cu2+(0.2, 1, 3, and 4 wt% Cu w.r.t. Ti) were synthesized using the sol–gel technique. The catalysts were characterized using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry, XRD, Raman spectroscopy, N2physisorption, cyclic voltammetry, H2-TPR and electron microscopy to understand the structure and composition. The thermal catalytic gas phase oxidation of ethylene was studied by heating a mixture of ethylene (1.5 vol%) and air (5.9 vol%) in the presence of the Cu/TiO2samples in the temperature range of 298 to 773 K. Cu/TiO2showed a higher catalytic activity compared to TiO2for the thermal oxidation of ethylene, indicating a strong promotion by doped copper ions. A volcanic behaviour in the catalytic activity was observed with different concentrations of Cu doping, with 1% Cu/TiO2showing a 99.5% ethylene conversion at 673 K and 100% selectivity to CO2. The activity of 1% Cu/TiO2remained consistent without deactivation for 24 h. At low dopant concentrations of Cu (0.2 and 1% Cu/TiO2), the reduction of Cu2+to Cu+was observed. An interplay of oxygen vacancies (OV), Cu+, Cu2+and Ti4+may be involved in controlling the activity. DRIFT studies indicated the formation of surface bidendate carbonate as a possible intermediate.

Detection of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) from cell cultures is important for monitoring different diseases. Here, g-C3N4(gCN) was incorporated into well-defined clusters of RuW (RuW–gCN) through monomer complexation of Ru-substituted phosphotungstate and melamine for electrochemical detection of H2O2. RuW–gCN exhibited enhanced electrochemical sensing properties in comparison to its constituents due to the synergic effects between RuW and gCN. The characterization of RuW–gCN revealed successful complexation to form the composite in addition to the presence of a layered structure of gCN. The electrochemical sensor made of RuW–gCN was able to detect H2O2with a detection limit of 46 nM in the linear ranges from 100 nM to 50 μM and from 50 μM to 1 mM. The developed sensor was employed for the selective detection of H2O2in the presence of analytes like ascorbic acid (AA), dopamine, and glucose in addition to being stable even after a week of storage at room temperature. It has also been verified for real sample application by detecting H2O2produced by cancer cells as a result of an AA trigger.

Extensive research has explored the use of unmanned aerial vehicles for disaster relief, focusing on surveillance, search-and-rescue, and product delivery. However, many studies overlook the scale and urgency of disasters, often assuming a fixed number of UAVs. Effective relief requires a comprehensive understanding of each situation, particularly when infrastructure is compromised, highlighting the importance of communication. UAVs can act as communication hubs, but their optimal deployment depends on prior knowledge of user locations, necessitating thorough aerial scans. In critical scenarios, working with a heterogeneous UAV fleet may be required. Efficient deployment of the fleet considers factors such as altitude, energy, and payload capacities, with image clarity crucial for locating victims, with terrain influencing this significantly. This study aims to optimize the number and 3D positions of heterogeneous multi-UAV networks for aerial survey, in formation, over an uneven terrain, ensuring required image clarity. Additionally, it explores deployment strategies for wireless coverage to victims, considering factors such as data rate and communication range for peer-to-peer connectivity. Results presented emphasize on the required UAV count and their optimal positions for a given area, along with the trade-off obtained between coverage and connectivity. The study also evaluates the additional cost of ensuring connectivity by comparing results with similar studies that do not consider connectivity constraints. It has been observed that as the user count increases, the cost of connectivity decreases because the coverage constraints necessitate more UAVs, thereby achieving backhaul connectivity with fewer or no additional UAVs.

The detection of hydrogen chloride (HCl) in the atmosphere of Mars was among the primary objectives of the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) mission. Its discovery using the Atmospheric Chemistry Suite mid‐infrared channel (ACS MIR) showed a distinct seasonality and possible link to dust activity. This paper is part 2 of a study investigating the link between HCl and aerosols by comparing gas measurements made with TGO to dust and water ice opacities measured with the Mars Climate Sounder (MCS). In part 1, we showed, and compared, the seasonal evolution of vertical profiles of HCl, water vapor, temperature, dust opacity, and water ice opacity over the dusty periods around perihelion (solar longitudes 180°–360°) across Mars years 34–36. In part 2, we investigated the quantitative correlations in the vertical distribution between each quantity, as well as ozone. We show that there is a strong positive correlation between HCl and water vapor, which is expected due to fast photochemical production rates for HCl when reacting with water vapor photolysis products. We also show a strong positive correlation between water vapor and temperature, but are unable to show any correlation between temperature and HCl. There are weak correlations between the opacities of dust and water ice, and dust and water vapor, but only very low correlations between dust and HCl. We close with a discussion of possible sources and sinks and that interactions between HCl and water ice are the most likely for both, given the inter‐comparison. The ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) has observed three Martian dusty seasons (summer in the southern hemisphere). In mid‐2018, we made the first detection of hydrogen chloride (HCl) in the Martian atmosphere using the Atmospheric Chemistry Suite (ACS). Finding this gas, among others, was a priority of ExoMars because its primary source may be volcanic. Since then, we have observed two more dusty periods with the reappearance of HCl each time. In part 1, we presented the climatology of HCl over these three dusty periods (in Mars years 34, 35, and 36) and investigate their relationships with temperature and water vapor measured by ACS, and with airborne dust and water ice measured with the Mars Climate Sounder (MCS) on the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO). In this paper, part 2, we quantify the correlations between HCl, water vapor, ozone, dust, temperature, and water ice. We show that HCl is closely correlated to water vapor, which is, in turn, correlated to temperature. There is only a very low correlation between HCl and dust or water ice, which both impact water vapor. Possible mechanisms for seasonal HCl production and destruction are discussed, concluding that the freeze‐thaw cycle of atmospheric water is most likely. Comparison of trace gases and aerosol opacity between ACS on ExoMars TGO and MCS on MROLow correlations between HCl and the opacities of dust or water ice, but very strong correlation with water vapor and the formation of icesHCl source and sink possibilities are discussed, concluding that frost activity may be the most likely possibility for both Comparison of trace gases and aerosol opacity between ACS on ExoMars TGO and MCS on MRO Low correlations between HCl and the opacities of dust or water ice, but very strong correlation with water vapor and the formation of ices HCl source and sink possibilities are discussed, concluding that frost activity may be the most likely possibility for both

Detecting trace gases such as hydrogen chloride (HCl) in Mars' atmosphere is among the primary objectives of the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) mission. Terrestrially, HCl is closely associated with active volcanic activity, so its detection on Mars was expected to point to some form of active magmatism/outgassing. However, after its discovery using the mid‐infrared channel of the TGO Atmospheric Chemistry Suite (ACS MIR), a clear seasonality was observed, beginning with a sudden increase in HCl abundance from below detection limits to 1–3 ppbv in both hemispheres coincident with the start of dust activity, followed by very sudden and rapid loss at the southern autumnal equinox. In this study, we have investigated the relationship between HCl and atmospheric dust by making comparisons in the vertical distribution of gases measured with ACS and aerosols measured co‐located with the Mars Climate Sounder (MCS). This study includes HCl, water vapor, and ozone measured using ACS MIR, water vapor and temperature measured with the near infrared channel of ACS, and temperature, dust opacity, and water ice opacity measured with MCS. In part 1, we show that dust loading has a strong impact in temperature, which controls the abundance of water ice and water vapor, and that HCl is very closely linked to water activity. In part 2, we investigate the quantitative correlations between each quantity and discuss the possible source and sinks of HCl, their likelihood given the correlations, and any issues arising from them. After four full Martian years in orbit since 2018, the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) has observed three Martian dusty seasons, which occur when it is spring and summer in the southern hemisphere. The first, starting in summer 2018, featured a global dust storm (GDS) after which we made the first detection of hydrogen chloride (HCl) in the Martian atmosphere using the Atmospheric Chemistry Suite (ACS) instrument. Finding this gas was a priority of ExoMars because its presence may indicate that the planet is volcanically active. Since then, we have observed two more dusty periods without a GDS and observed the reappearance of HCl each time. Here, we present the climatology of HCl in both hemispheres over these three dusty periods (in Mars years 34, 35, and 36) and investigate their relationships with temperature and water vapor measured by ACS, and with airborne dust and water ice measured with the Mars Climate Sounder (MCS) on the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO). In this paper, we examine how the vertical structure of each quantity changes over time. We show that there is a close relationship between HCl and H2O, and that both are controlled by temperature, driven by dust loading. Comparison of trace gas abundance and aerosol extinction between Atmospheric Chemistry Suite on ExoMars TGO and Mars Climate Sounder on Mars Reconnaissance OrbiterReveal the seasonal changes in hydrogen chloride on MarsShow that dust affects atmospheric temperature, which controls water vapor abundance and ice extinction, and thus impacts HCl abundance Comparison of trace gas abundance and aerosol extinction between Atmospheric Chemistry Suite on ExoMars TGO and Mars Climate Sounder on Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Reveal the seasonal changes in hydrogen chloride on Mars Show that dust affects atmospheric temperature, which controls water vapor abundance and ice extinction, and thus impacts HCl abundance

In this work, a composite of CuO and CaO (CuO/CaO) is prepared and demonstrated to chemically reduce nitro groups in aromatic hydrocarbons to the corresponding amines at 353 K using hydrazine monohydrate in isopropyl alcohol. The CuO/CaO was synthesized in 1:1 molar ratio of Cu to Ca by a simple sol–gel method. The CuO/CaO possesses surface oxygen vacancies and basicity which enhances the reactivity and stability in comparison to bare CuO. The active sites are probed using FT-IR, H2-TPR, XPS and CO2-TPD. Reduction of nitroarenes to aminoarenes was completed in 10–20 min with 100% selectivity. CuO/CaO was reused three successive cycles without any further treatment making it a reusable solid reagent.

Background. Occupational Performance Coaching (OPC) aims to help mothers plan and manage theirs and their children’s occupational performance.Purpose. To assess the effectiveness of OPC in improving occupational performance and parenting competence of mothers of children with disabilities in an Indian context.Method. Mixed method design was used. Thirty-six mothers were assigned to intervention or control groups. Occupational performance and parenting competence were measured at three time points. Semi-structured interviews were used.Findings. OPC had significant effects on children’s occupational performance (p< 0.001), mothers’ occupational performance (p< 0.001), and self-competence (p= 0.003). There was also a significant difference between control and intervention groups in occupational performance (p= 0.001) and satisfaction (p= 0.003). Interviews revealed three themes: acceptance, self-learning, and challenges during OPC.Implications. OPC is effective in improving the occupational performance and parenting competence of mothers of children with disabilities in varied cultural contexts.

Histamine poisoning occurs when temperature-abused marine fish containing elevated levels of histamine are consumed. Histamine-producing bacteria found in fish can colonize processing surfaces and form biofilms. In this study, the biofilm-forming abilities of histamine-producing bacteria from Indian mackerel (Rastrelliger kanagurta) and the effect of hypochlorite treatment on biofilm formation were studied. The isolates of this study produced histamine in the range of 471 to 2,126 ppm. The histidine decarboxylase gene hdcwas detected in all isolates producing histamine except in one strain each of Psychrobacter pulmonisand Proteus vulgaris. All isolates tested in this study produced moderate biofilms under control conditions, whereas exposure to 1 and 3 ppm of sodium hypochlorite significantly enhanced biofilm formation. However, exposure to 5 ppm of sodium hypochlorite showed an inhibitory effect on biofilm formation by all the isolates except Klebsiella variicola. The results of this study suggest that histamine-producing bacteria can form stable biofilms and that this activity may be enhanced by the application of low levels of sodium hypochlorite, a phenomenon that might influence the persistence of histamine-producing bacteria in fish processing areas.

The mountainous western coast of India, known as the Western Ghats, is considered to be a biodiversity hot spot, but it is under a constant threat due to human activities. The region is characterized by high orographic monsoon precipitation resulting in dense vegetation cover. Feedback of such a dense vegetation on the southwest monsoon rainfall is not yet explored. Here we perform regional climate simulations with the Weather Research and Forecasting model and find that evapotranspiration from the vegetation of Western Ghats contributes 25–40% of the southwest monsoon rainfall over the water‐deficit state of Tamil Nadu. This contribution reaches 50% during deficit monsoon years or dry spells within a season. Our findings suggest that recent deforestation in this area will affect not only the biodiversity of the region but also the water availability over Peninsular India, which is already impacted by water scarcity. Forests over the Western Ghats (WG) region at the west coast of India are suffering from severe deforestation. We find that the vegetation over the WG region contributes moisture to the precipitation of the water‐deficit state of Tamil Nadu and it reaches as high as 40% in many of the regions. Tamil Nadu is at present is under severe water crisis due to interstate water sharing and related controversies. We emphasize the urgent need of enforcing strict laws to stop the deforestation of WG not only to retain bio‐diversity but also to maintain the water cycle over these semiarid parts of Peninsular India. Forests of West Coast in India supply 25–40% (average) of moisture to the southwest monsoon rainfall over the east coastThe contributions from the forests of Western Ghats to the monsoon rainfall over the East Coast reach 50% during dry periodsThe urgent need to stop the deforestation of WG not only to retain biodiversity but also to maintain the water cycle over Peninsular India is emphasized

The paper explores whether the Kano method (used in product development and quality circles in business and industry) could be applied to an institution of higher learning to classify various attributes relating to the institution as perceived by students. The Kano classification of institutional attributes could provide additional insight into the nature of attributes believed to be important to students; some may provide delight, some may be expected and others may be basic requirements. This has implications for student satisfaction, and affects recruitment and retention of students. The present case study clearly demonstrates that the Kano Method can be applied to higher education settings. Several attributes are identified in this study (at a mid-sized, Midwestern university) as being ‘attractive’ or ‘one-dimensional’ or ‘must-be’ in Kano terms. This exploratory study provides a roadmap for conducting similar Kano studies at other institutions of higher learning. The paper also suggests how different types of Kano attributes may be used by linking them to a decision-making framework.

The article discusses the growth of organic poultry farming in India. Topics covered include consumers' increasing interest in consuming safer products, chicken's importance as an organic meat due to its short production cycle, and concerns over chemical residues in poultry meat and eggs. Also mentioned are typical antibiotic content in chicken meat, organic poultry disadvantages such as certification and housing space, and the importance of training and financing poultry farmers.

Macrobrachium rosenbergiinodavirus along with a satellite virus, extra small virus (XSV) causes white tail disease (WTD) in the giant freshwater prawn M. rosenbergii. Infected M. rosenbergiipostlarvae were collected from a hatchery in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh. The gene coding the capsid protein of XSV was cloned in a bacterial expression vector pRSET A and the recombinant protein was expressed in Escherichia coliBL21(DE3)pLysS cells. The recombinant protein was purified by Nickel affinity chromatography. Polyclonal antibodies were produced in mice against the recombinant protein and the antibodies reacted specifically with the recombinant protein and XSV in WTD-infected tissues. This is the first report of detection of XSV using antibodies against recombinant capsid protein.Macrobrachium rosenbergiinodavirus along with a satellite virus, extra small virus (XSV) causes white tail disease (WTD) in the giant freshwater prawn M. rosenbergii. Infected M. rosenbergiipostlarvae were collected from a hatchery in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh. The gene coding the capsid protein of XSV was cloned in a bacterial expression vector pRSET A and the recombinant protein was expressed in Escherichia coliBL21(DE3)pLysS cells. The recombinant protein was purified by Nickel affinity chromatography. Polyclonal antibodies were produced in mice against the recombinant protein and the antibodies reacted specifically with the recombinant protein and XSV in WTD-infected tissues. This is the first report of detection of XSV using antibodies against recombinant capsid protein.

Abstract: The effects of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Costus igneus (stem) and isolated compounds lupeol and stigmasterol on calcium oxalate urolithiasis have been studied in male albino Wistar rats. Ethylene glycol feeding resulted in hyperoxaluria as well as increased renal excretion of calcium and oxalate. The increased deposition of stone-forming constituents in the urine, serum, and kidney homogenate of urolithic rats was significantly (p < 0.05) lowered by treatment using aqueous and ethanolic extracts of C. igneus (stem), and isolated compounds lupeol and stigmasterol. The calcium oxalate crystal deposition in the kidney was significantly greater in ethylene glycol-induced urolithic rats. After administration of aqueous and ethanolic extract of C. igneus, the deposition of calcium and oxalate was significantly lowered. Treatment with lupeol and stigmasterol significantly reduced the deposition of calcium and oxalate in the kidney, and also in the blood serum; the lipid profile serum total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels at 50 and 100 mg/kg were significantly (p < 0.05) lowered in urolithiatic rats. From this study, we conclude that both the treatments with aqueous and ethanolic extract of C. igneus (stem) and isolated compounds lupeol and stigmasterol had an inhibitory effect on calcium oxalate urinary stone. Lupeol and stigmasterol were identified from the stem of C. igneus by high-performance thin layer chromatography technique. The isolated compounds were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and 13C NMR spectra.

Abstract: Among the viruses infecting penaeid shrimp, monodon-type baculovirus (MBV) otherwise known as Penaeus monodon singly enveloped nuclear polyhedrosis virus (PmSNPV), is one of the widely reported and well described viruses. It is a rod-shaped, enveloped, double-stranded DNA virus, and considered till recently, as the type A baculovirus. Besides MBV, two strains of SNPV are reported—plebejus baculovirus and bennettae baculovirus. MBV was reported to be originated from Taiwan and has wide geographic distribution and is reported to be enzootic in wild penaeids of the Indo-pacific coasts of Asia. The virus also has diverse host-range including a variety of cultured and captured shrimp species and freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii. MBV has been reported in all life stages of P. monodon with late larval, postlarval and young juvenile as the most susceptible stages/ages. However, MBV has not been documented in early larval stages. Although MBV has been reported to be tolerated well by shrimp, the infection has been attributed to decreased productivity. The target organs or tissues of MBV are the hepatopancreatic tubules and duct epithelium of postlarvae, juveniles and adults, and the anterior midgut epithelium of very young postlarvae. The prominent clinical sign of infection is the presence of multiple spherical inclusion bodies in the hepatopancreas and midgut epithelial cells. The major mode of transmission of the virus is horizontal through oral exposure to occlusion bodies, contaminated tissues or fomites. Minor morphometric variation of the virus has been reported among different isolates. The rod-shaped enveloped virus particles range from 265–324 nm in length and 42–77 nm in diameter. Although complete genome sequence of MBV is not available, nucleic acid of MBV is circular, double-stranded DNA with a genome size ranging from 80 to 160 kbp. The virus codes for a 53 kDa major polyhedrin polypeptide and two minor 47 and 49 kDa polypeptides. A variety of diagnostic tools have been reported for this virus including real-time PCR and LAMP-based detection. Taxonomic position is still uncertain and International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses lists MBV as a tentative species named PemoNPV in the genus Nucleopolyhedrovirus. However, according to the latest genomic information on the virus, it has been suggested to create a new group of non-occluded bacilliform viruses called nudiviruses with MBV as one of the members. The aim of the current work is to describe the knowledge on the status, distribution and host-range, pathology, transmission, virus structure and morphogenesis, genomic characteristics, diagnosis and the latest taxonomic position of MBV.

Aerosol forcing remains a dominant uncertainty in climate studies. The impact of aerosol direct radiative forcing on Indian monsoon is extremely complex and is strongly dependent on the model, aerosol distribution and characteristics specified in the model, modelling strategy employed as well as on spatial and temporal scales. The present study investigates (i) the aerosol direct radiative forcing impact on mean Indian summer monsoon when a combination of quasi-realistic mean annual cycles of scattering and absorbing aerosols derived from an aerosol transport model constrained with satellite observed Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) is prescribed, (ii) the dominant feedback mechanism behind the simulated impact of all-aerosol direct radiative forcing on monsoon and (iii) the relative impacts of absorbing and scattering aerosols on mean Indian summer monsoon. We have used CAM3, an atmospheric GCM (AGCM) that has a comprehensive treatment of the aerosol–radiation interaction. This AGCM has been used to perform climate simulations with three different representations of aerosol direct radiative forcing due to the total, scattering aerosols and black carbon aerosols. We have also conducted experiments without any aerosol forcing. Aerosol direct impact due to scattering aerosols causes significant reduction in summer monsoon precipitation over India with a tendency for southward shift of Tropical Convergence Zones (TCZs) over the Indian region. Aerosol forcing reduces surface solar absorption over the primary rainbelt region of India and reduces the surface and lower tropospheric temperatures. Concurrent warming of the lower atmosphere over the warm oceanic region in the south reduces the land–ocean temperature contrast and weakens the monsoon overturning circulation and the advection of moisture into the landmass. This increases atmospheric convective stability, and decreases convection, clouds, precipitation and associated latent heat release. Our analysis reveals a defining negative moisture-advection feedback that acts as an internal damping mechanism spinning down the regional hydrological cycle and leading to significant circulation changes in response to external radiative forcing perturbations. When total aerosol loading (both absorbing and scattering aerosols) is prescribed, dust and black carbon aerosols are found to cause significant atmospheric heating over the monsoon region but the aerosol-induced weakening of meridional lower tropospheric temperature gradient (leading to weaker summer monsoon rainfall) more than offsets the increase in summer-time rainfall resulting from the atmospheric heating effect of absorbing aerosols, leading to a net decrease of summer monsoon rainfall. Further, we have carried out climate simulations with globally constant AODs and also with the constant AODs over the extended Indian region replaced by realistic AODs. Regional aerosol radiative forcing perturbations over the Indian region is found to have impact not only over the region of loading but over remote tropical regions as well. This warrants the need to prescribe realistic aerosol properties in strategic regions such as India in order to accurately assess the aerosol impact.

Primary open-angle glaucoma is associated with elevated intraocular pressure, which in turn is believed to result from impaired outflow of aqueous humour. Aqueous humour outflow passes mainly through the trabecular meshwork (TM) and then through pores formed in the endothelium of Schlemm's canal (SC), which experiences a basal-to-apical pressure gradient. This gradient dramatically deforms the SC endothelial cell and potentially contributes to the formation of those pores. However, mechanical properties of the SC cell are poorly defined. Using optical magnetic twisting cytometry and traction force microscopy, here we characterize the mechanical properties of primary cultures of the human SC cell, and for the first time, the scope of their changes in response to pharmacological agents that are known to modulate outflow resistance. Lysophosphatidic acid, sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) and thrombin caused an increase in cell stiffness by up to 200 per cent, whereas in most cell strains, exposure to latrunculin A, isoproterenol, dibutryl cyclic-AMP or Y-27632 caused a decrease in cell stiffness by up to 80 per cent, highlighting that SC cells possess a remarkably wide contractile scope. Drug responses were variable across donors. S1P, for example, caused 200 per cent stiffening in one donor strain but only 20 per cent stiffening in another. Isoproterenol caused dose-dependent softening in three donor strains but little or no response in two others, a finding mirrored by changes in traction forces and consistent with the level of expression of β2-adrenergic receptors. Despite donor variability, those drugs that typically increase outflow resistance systematically caused cell stiffness to increase, while in most cases, those drugs that typically decrease outflow resistance caused cell stiffness to decrease. These findings establish the endothelial cell of SC as a reactive but variable mechanical component of the aqueous humour outflow pathway. Although the mechanism and locus of increased outflow resistance remain unclear, these data suggest the SC endothelial cell to be a modulator of outflow resistance.

The failure of atmospheric general circulation models (AGCMs) forced by prescribed SST to simulate and predict the interannual variability of Indian/Asian monsoon has been widely attributed to their inability to reproduce the actual sea surface temperature (SST)–rainfall relationship in the warm Indo-Pacific oceans. This assessment is based on a comparison of the observed and simulated correlation between the rainfall and local SST. However, the observed SSTconvection/rainfall relationship is nonlinear and for this a linear measure such as the correlation is not an appropriate measure. We show that the SST–rainfall relationship simulated by atmospheric and coupled general circulation models in IPCC AR4 is nonlinear, as observed, and realistic over the tropical West Pacific (WPO) and the Indian Ocean (IO). The SST–rainfall pattern simulated by the coupled versions of these models is rather similar to that from the corresponding atmospheric one, except for a shift of the entire pattern to colder/warmer SSTs when there is a cold/warm bias in the coupled version.

ABSTRACTEnterotoxigenic Escherichia coli(ETEC) expressing the colonization factor CS6 is widespread in many developing countries, including India. The different allelic variants of CS6, caused by point mutations in its structural genes, cssAand cssB, are designated AIBI, AIIBII, AIIIBI, AIBII, and AIIIBII. A simple, reliable, and specific mismatch amplification mutation assay based on real-time quantitative PCR (MAMA-qPCR) was developed for the first time for the detection of CS6-expressing ETEC, along with the identification of allelic variations. The assay was based on mismatched nucleotide incorporation at the penultimate base at the 3' ends of the reverse primers specific for cssAand cssBand was validated using 38 CS6-expressing ETEC isolates. This strategy was effective in detecting all the alleles containing single-nucleotide polymorphisms. Using MAMA-qPCR, we also tested CS6 allelic variants in 145 ETEC isolates from children with acute diarrhea and asymptomatic infections, with the latter serving as controls. We observed that the AIBI and AIIIBI allelic variants were mostly associated with cases rather than controls, whereas the AIIBII variants were detected mostly in controls. In addition, the AIBI and AIIIBI alleles were frequently associated with ETEC harboring the heat-stable toxin gene (est) alone or with the heat-labile toxin gene (elt), whereas the AIIBII allele was predominant in ETEC isolates harboring the eltgene. This study may help in understanding the association of allelic variants in CS6-expressing ETEC with the clinical features of diarrhea, as well as in ETEC vaccine studies.

Low plasticity burnishing (LPB) is a new method of surface improvement, which raises the burnishing to the next level of sophistication. LPB can provide deep compression for improved surface characteristics. The study focuses on the surface roughness, micro-hardness and surface integrity aspects on soft AISI 420 STAVAX ESR martensitic stainless steel AISI 420 material. This material is pronounced as difficult to cut materials like titanium, Inconel 718 etc. The investigation of surface integrity was done on this materials in terms of operating parameters like sliding speed, feed rate and depth of penetration (DOP) identifying the predominant factors among the selected parameters. The steel balls used were cryogenically treated at sub zero temperature of -176 degrees. Sub-surface micro-hardness study were also done to asses the depth of compression altered zone, surface roughness and surface hardness. The process can be applied to critical components effectively as the LPB process has cycle time advantages and also low investment cost. This can be also realized by introducing on high speed machines. This process was studied by using cryogenically treated different ball diameters at various operating parameters. This also improved on concentricity of work material. More the depth of compression produced low surface roughness at low sliding speed, feed rate with larger ball diameter. The DOP also helps to improve on surface and sub-surface hardness and close roundness. There are limitations on DOP beyond which the surface deteriorated.

Machining of materials is to produce desired shape and size with smooth surfaces for the performance. Machining is carried out using various cutting tools starting high speed steel to recently developed tools like CBN and PCBN etc. These tools are used to machine difficult to cut materials like high strength alloy steels, stainless steel, Inconel 718, Titanium etc. The inserts used are thrown out or no longer required for finish machining. It can be used for rough machining where smooth surface is not primary important and subjected to subsequent machining using fresh inserts. The used inserts can be used subsequently by subjecting them cryogenic treatment at – 196◦ C in a closed chamber. It is longer process for more than 30 hours in a liquid nitrogen chamber. This treatment gives additional strength to cutting inserts to improve the cutting ability and wear resistance. The components used in high strength applications like an aerospace, automobile industries are treated with cryogenic process to improve wear strength. The operating parameters are cutting velocity, feed rate and constant depth of cut. In this research, CBN inserts after turning for 750 mm length was cryogenically treated and again used with same operating parameters as previous machining conditions. Each inserts were measured for flank wear by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) after treatment and re-used with same turning conditions as before. Performances of all inserts used were producing the same results or results near to same. The treated inserts were acting as fresh cutting edges. The results showed that cryogenically processed CBN inserts performed very close to previous results.

AbstractThis article analyses the problems and constraints faced by women SHG members in Vellore district in Tamil Nadu. The causes of the problems may arise from within the family or their own organization (SHG) or emanate from out of the external environment and their community. The study has used 13 key variables that affect the performance of micro-finance and tries to analyse the chief variables among them that poses problems and act as a constraint to the effective functioning of the SHG. The researcher collected responses from 450 women respondents from two blocks in Vellore district in Tamil Nadu. Delay in getting the loans followed by marketing of products emerged as the chief problems and constraints to the microfinance through SHGs. The paper provides the framework of the problems and constraints and also the approaches of how the members manage them. Simple statistical tools were used to analyze the data to arrive at solid conclusions.

ABSTRACTEnteroaggregative Escherichia coli(EAEC) is an important diarrheal enteropathogen defined by aggregative adherence to cultured epithelial cells. We have detected EAEC from 121 (6.6%) of 1,826 hospitalized patients admitted with diarrhea to the Infectious Diseases Hospital in Kolkata, India. Watery diarrhea was recorded significantly (P= 0.0142) more often in children. The majority of the EAEC isolates were not serotypeable (62%) and showed resistance to five or more antibiotics (76%). We studied different virulence genes and the molecular epidemiology of 121 EAEC isolates recovered from diarrheal patients. A PCR assay for detection of virulence genes, an assay for determination of clump formation in liquid culture, and a HeLa cell adherence assay were carried out to characterize the EAEC isolates. Investigations were also conducted to correlate the virulence gene profiles with diarrheal symptoms and molecular epidemiology by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Two or more virulence genes were detected in 109 (90.1%) EAEC isolates. In the cluster analysis, some isolates with specific gene profiles and phenotypes formed a group or subcluster. This study highlights the comparative distributions of three fimbrial adhesins and other virulence genes among EAEC isolates. The diverse virulence gene and PFGE profiles, along with the existence of diverse serotypes and antibiograms, suggests that the EAEC isolates are genetically heterogeneous in Kolkata.

One hundred and sixty-six shigellae strains, isolated from stool samples of paediatric patients (&lt;5 years old) at a Childrens' Hospital in Kolkata, India during the period of 1995–2000 were examined for serotyping, drug resistance pattern and plasmid profiles. Sh. flexneri (58%) was found to be commonest isolate of total shigellae, followed by Sh. sonnei (28%), Sh. boydii (9%) and Sh. dysenteriae (5%). This profile of species was in sharp contrast to the picture obtained before 1995, when Sh. dysenteriae 1 predominated over Sh. flexneri. In Sh. flexneri strains, Sh. flexneri 2a (35%) was the most prevalent serotype, following Sh. flexneri 3a (31%), Sh. flexneri 6 (14%), Sh. flexneri 2b (11%) and Sh. flexneri 4 (9%). Resistance patterns of the strains to 12 commonly used antimicrobial agents and minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the antibiotics were also tested. All strains were found uniformly susceptible to norfloxacin, but more than 90% strains were resistant to tetracycline, co-trimoxazole and 67% strains were resistant to ampicillin. Resistance to amoxicillin, chloramphenicol and nalidixic acid was found in 55% (range 45–74%), 46% (range 40–60%) and 29% (range 15–40%) strains respectively. Overall, shigellae strains showed statistically significant increase in resistance against tetracycline, nalidixic acid and furazolidone (P&lt;0.05) over the years of this study. This indicates decreased efficacy of furazolidone, cotrimoxazole and nalidixic acid for the empirical treatment of shigellosis in Kolkata. Although a few strains showed intermediate susceptibility to ciprofloxacin (4%) and cefotaxime (10%) by disk diffusion test, but the MICs of those antibiotics were within the normal limits. Almost 57% of the strains were resistant to four or more drugs with high MICs of the antibiotics. Plasmid profile analysis revealed presence of large plasmid of 220 kb in majority of the strains except in Sh. sonnei and a correlation between presence of smaller plasmids and shigellae serotypes. Hence this study reports epidemiological change of shigellae species in Kolkata, India with regard to serotypes and antibiotic resistance patterns.

ABSTRACTWe compared putative molecular markers of virulence (vacA, cagA, and iceA) of Helicobacter pyloristrains isolated from 52 adult duodenal ulcer patients from West Bengal, India, with those of H. pyloristrains isolated from 48 adult healthy volunteers from the same region. On the basis of genotyping by PCR, we conclude that the H. pyloristrains isolated from the two study groups were indistinguishable and that there are geographic variations in the association of certain putative H. pylorivirulence genes with clinical status.

ABSTRACTTurnip crinkle virus(TCV) is a small, plus-sense, single-stranded RNA virus of plants. A virus-coded protein, p88, which is required for replication has been expressed and purified from Escherichia coli.In vitro assays revealed that the recombinant p88 has an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) activity and can also bind to RNA. Deletion of the N-terminal region in p88 resulted in a more active RdRp, while further deletions abolished RdRp activity. Comparison of the E. coli-expressed p88, the N-terminal deletion mutant of p88, and a TCV RdRp preparation obtained from infected plants revealed that these preparations show remarkable similarities in RNA template recognition and usage. Both the recombinant and the plant TCV RdRp preparations are capable of de novo initiation on both plus- and minus-strand satC and satD templates, which are small parasitic RNAs associated with TCV infections. In addition, these RdRp preparations can efficiently recognize the related Tomato bushy stunt viruspromoter sequences, including the minus- and plus-strand initiation promoters. Heterologous viral and artificial promoters are recognized poorly by the recombinant and the plant TCV RdRps. Further comparison of the single-component recombinant TCV RdRp and the multicomponent plant TCV RdRp will help dissect the functions of various components of the TCV replicase.

Summary: The seasonal and intraseasonal variation of tropical climate in National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Community Climate Model Version 2 (CCM2) General Circulation Model (GCM) has been examined using two different cumulus parameterization schemes, the moist convective adjustment scheme of Manabe et al. (1965) and the mass-flux scheme of Hack (1994). Ten-year simulations have been undertaken with each of these schemes with SST prescribed according to the monthly mean climatology. The seasonal mean rainfall in the tropics simulated by the moist convective adjustment scheme (MCA) scheme was found to be more realistic than the mass-flux (Hack) scheme. The more realistic simulation by the MCA scheme was found to be on account of the fact that the mean moist static energy of the lower troposphere in the MCA scheme was closer to the observations than in the Hack scheme. In both the schemes, the precipitation in the tropics increases montonically with precipitable water vapour when the precipitable water vapour is above 40 mm. This is consistent with relationship between precipitation and precipitable water in the observations. The Hack scheme tends to simulate lower precipitation (for a given amount of precipitable water) when compared to observations. The MCA scheme simulates the eastward migration of convective systems along the equator quite well, although the speed of propagation is somewhat low. The poleward migration of convective systems in the Indian region is more realistically simulated by the MCA scheme than the Hack scheme. This is because the latitudinal gradient of the mean moist static energy in the MCA scheme is more realistic than in the Hack scheme. Over most of the tropics, simulation by the MCA scheme is more realistic on both seasonal and intraseasonal timescales.

We present a new analytical model derived from Poisson equation for the minimum surface potential (Φm) and sub-threshold swing (S) for grooved-gate metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFETs). The relationship between the groove corner radius (r0), corner angle (α) and device characteristic length (λ) is given. The model can be used to find a lower value of r0at which smaller potential barrier height can be achieved in grooved-gate MOSFETs compared to other planar and double-gate devices. The study confirms that the present device is resistant to potential barrier lowering, and is also considerably strong. Sub-threshold swing values of the present device are found to be lower than that of the double-gate SOI MOSFETs, confirming the same from device simulator.