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The distribution and composition of zooplankton are influenced by a combination of physico-chemical and biological processes, which in turn have effects on the entire ecosystem. In this study, the influence of environmental factors on zooplankton diversity in mangrove-estuarine coastal waters of Parangipettai, southeast coast of India, was investigated. Water samples were collected for a period of four years from January 2014 to December 2017. Totally, 145 species of zooplankton were recorded with highest belonging to the Arthropoda (63.21%) followed by Protozoa (10.53%), Cnidaria (7.95%), Urochordata (6.03%), Chordata (2.92%), Chaetognatha (2.62%), Mollusca (2.42%), Echinodermata (1.14%), Annelida (1.05%), Brachiopoda (1.01%), Ctenophora (0.57%) and Phoronida (0.55%). The findings of cluster, MDS, Factor analysis and CCA showed that variations in nutrient concentration may significantly alter the biotic community of zooplankton species. Furthermore, site score confirmed the effect of environmental conditions on zooplankton distribution. The result of TRIX showed the dry seasons are classified as scarcely eutrophied whereas wet seasons as moderately eutrophied. The findings of this study offer enhanced insight into how physico-chemical factors interact and vary over space and time, which is crucial for evaluating the effects of climate change on ecosystem services mediated by zooplankton. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multivariate pollution degree indices were utilized to evaluate the environmental condition of the Uppanar and Vellar estuaries. The Trophic Index (TRIX) indicates a state of "moderate eutrophication" with a value of 4.92, while the Trophic State Index (TSI) ranged from 40.3 to 57.2, categorizing the trophic states from "oligotrophic" to "eutrophic". The Comprehensive Pollution Index (CPI) showed a range of 0.13 to 0.94, classifying pollution levels from "unpolluted" to "slightly polluted". The study revealed that the Uppanar and Vellar estuaries underwent seasonal variations, transitioning from an oligotrophic state during the post-monsoon and summer periods to a eutrophic state in the pre-monsoon and monsoon seasons. The application of multivariate statistical tools allowed the identification of pollution indicator species to assess the estuarine systems. The insights gained from this study can be valuable for assessing other ecosystems facing similar anthropogenic activities, providing a basis for informed management and conservation strategies. • TRIX results showed 'scarcely eutrophication' and 'moderate eutrophication'. • Trophic State Index classified ecosystem from 'oligotrophic' to 'eutrophic' states. • Risk index assessment classify unpolluted and slightly polluted. • Vellar and Uppanar estuaries fluctuated the status from oligotrophic to eutrophic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drawbacks and limitations of recently available therapies to hepatocellular cancer (HCC) devoted the scientist to focus on emerging new strategies. ZnO nanoparticles (ZnONPs) based chemotherapeutics has been emanating as a promising approach to maximize therapeutic synergy facilitating the discovery of novel multitargeted combinations. In the present study we conjugated ZnONPs with ferulic acid (ZnONPs-FAC) characterized by computational, spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. In vitro anticancer potential has been evaluated by assessing cell viability, morphology, ROS generation, mitochondrial membrane permeability, comet assay, immunofluorescent staining of 8-OHdG, Ki67 and γ-H2AX, cell cycle analysis and western blot analysis and in vivo anticancer potential against DEN induced HCC was analyzed by histopathological and immunohistochemical methods. The results revealed that ZnONPs-FAC induces cell death through apoptosis and can suppress the DEN-induced HCC. Our study documents therapeutic potential of nanoparticle conjugated with phytochemicals, suggesting a new platform for combinatorial chemotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphene, also referred as reduced graphene oxide (RGO) is prepared by chemical exfoliation method, which delivers specific capacitance of 77 and 40 F g −1 at 0.1 and 1.0 A g −1 , respectively in aqueous electrolyte. In order to improve the specific capacitance and high power performance of RGO, composites of RGO are prepared with various carbonaceous ‘spacer’ materials such as acetylene black (AB), activated carbon (AC), multi-walled carbon nanotube (CNT) and carbon derived from polyaniline (C-PANI). Composites of RGO with spacer materials such as AB, AC and CNT is prepared by mechanically mixing RGO with the spacer materials; whereas, RGO composite with C-PANI is prepared by in situ method. These two different preparation methodologies are adopted to realise its effect on the physical and electrochemical characteristics of the composites. Morphological, X-ray diffraction and Raman data confirm the formation of mixture of few and multi-layered RGO stacks. Surface area analysis and morphological data show that the composite prepared by in situ method is beneficial in achieving higher specific surface area and improved mesoporosity. Specific capacitance of RGO and its composites obtained at 0.1 A g −1 decreased in the order: RGO/C-PANI (165 F g −1 ) > RGO/AC (121 F g −1 ) > RGO/AB (107 F g −1 ) > RGO/CNT (95 F g −1 ) > pristine RGO (77 F g −1 ). Capacitance retention of RGO and its composite electrodes (in percentage) at 1.0 A g −1 , in comparison with the value obtained at 0.1 A g −1 decreased in the order: RGO/AB (84%) > RGO/CNT (75%) > RGO/AC (71%) > RGO/C-PANI (64%) > pristine RGO (52%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Estuaries receive a considerable amount of pollutants from various sources. Presently an attempt has been made to assess whether the aquaculture discharges and dredging activities alter the ecological conditions of Vellar–Coleroon estuarine complex. The European Water Framework Directive (WFD) established a framework for the protection of marine waters. In this commission, a variety of indices were used, among them, AMBI (AZTI Marine Biotic Index) indices along with multivariate statistical approach is unique, to assess the ecological status by using macrobenthic communities. Keeping this in view, stations VE-1 and VE-4 in Vellar; CE-6 and CE-7 in Coleroon estuaries showed moderately disturbed with the AMBI values ranging between 3.45 and 3.72. The above said stations were situated near the shrimp farm discharge point and sites of dredging activities. The present study proves that various statistical and biotic indices have great potential in assessing the nature of the ecosystem undergoing various human pressures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding and tuning the wettability of the surfaces are highly intriguing for various applications. The development of stable and transparent coatings over aluminium alloys and glass substrates for making them superhydrophobic and extended oleophobic (lower to the surface tension of 33.4 mN/m (coconut oil)) using a scalable and simple spray painting technique is demonstrated. Fluorinated graphene oxide (FGO, fluorine content of 34.4 atomic weight %), an atomically layered material, modified Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) polymer composite is used as the paint for the coatings. The coated films were studied for their surface and compositional features. A water contact angle (CA) of 173.7° (close to the highest ever reported water CA, 175°) is achieved with 60 wt% FGO in PDMS, and the same showing a CA of 94.9° with coconut oil, in conjunction with a low contact angle hysteresis (4°). The work of adhesion with the amount of FGO is studied and the surface energy of FGO containing paints is calculated and compared with the bare paints using Zisman plot analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the feasibility of using industrial starchy food wastes as alternative feedstocks for fermentative production of butanol, 34 different food waste samples were obtained from 10 major Ohio food manufacturing companies. Of the food waste samples, 8 were characterized for acetone butanol ethanol (ABE) production. The food waste samples were characterized for moisture, total solids, ash, nitrogen, total organic carbon (TOC), pH, calorific value, minerals and starch content. Results showed that the pH of inedible dough and breadings was in the acceptable substrate pH range (pH 6.2–7.4) for culturing solventogenic Clostridium species, whereas the pH of batter liquid was 4.5, hence, adjusted to pH 6.5 with NH 4 OH prior to fermentation. Further, batch fermentations by Clostridium beijerinckii NCIMB 8052 using inedible dough, breadings, and batter liquid as substrates generated the following maximum ABE concentrations: 14.4, 14.8 and 15.1 g/L ABE, respectively, which is comparable to the glucose control. Besides, the ABE yield from inedible dough and batter liquid was over 2% better than that of the glucose control. Collectively, these results demonstrate that industrial starchy food waste is a viable alternative substrate for butanol production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Reduced graphene oxide (rGO) prepared by chemical exfoliation. • rGO-solar salt composites prepared. • 6% augmentation in specific heat with addition of rGO at 0.5 wt%. • 49% reduction in total solidification time. • 138% increase in discharge rate. Solar salt is a useful energy storage medium and a heat transfer fluid for concentrated solar thermal applications. The present work explores the use of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanostructures as an additive to solar salt, to improve its thermophysical properties. Reduced graphene oxide nanostructures at weight fractions of 0.125 wt% and 0.5 wt% were added to the solar salt, leading to rGO-solar salt composites. The thermophysical characterization experiments revealed that the specific heat in the 0.5 wt% rGO-solar salt nanocomposite was elevated by 6% over the temperature range of 50–270 °C. The time required for complete solidification of 0.125 wt% and 0.5 wt% was reduced by 43% and 49%. In the discharge cycle, the heat transfer rate was amplified by 90% and 138% respectively for 0.125 wt% and 0.5 wt% rGO-solar salt nanocomposites, attributable to thermal conductivity enhancement, specific heat augmentation and heterogeneous nucleation. Thus, rGO-solar salt composites are suitable for use as latent heat thermal energy storage medium in solar thermal applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]