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The jellyfish venom stored in nematocysts contains highly toxic compounds comprising of polypeptides, enzymes and other proteins, which form their chemical defence armoury against predators. We have characterized the proteome of crude venom extract from three bloom-forming scyphozoan jellyfish along the south-west coast of India, Chrysaora caliparea, Cyanea nozakii and Lychnorhiza malayensis using a Quadrupole-Time of Flight (Q/TOF) mass spectrometry analysis. The most abundant toxin identified from Chrysaora caliparea and Lychnorhiza malayensis is similar to the pore-forming toxins and metalloproteinases. A protective antioxidant enzyme called peroxiredoxin was found abundantly in Cyanea nozakii. Metalloproteinase identified from the C. caliparea shows similarity with the venom of pit viper (Bothrops pauloensis), while that of L. malayensis was similar to the venom of snakes such as the Bothrops insularis and Bothrops asper. Kininogen-1 is a secreted protein, identified for the first time from the jellyfish L. malayensis. The proteome analysis of Cyanea nozakii, Chrysaora caliparea and Lychnorhiza malayensis contained 20, 12, 8 unique proteins, respectively. Our study characterized the proteome map of crude venom extract from L. malayensis and C. caliparea for the first time, and the venom profile is compared with published information elsewhere. Proteomic data from this study has been made available in the public domain.

Detailed experiments were conducted on AISI 304, 8 m austenitic plate TIG welded, to systematically investigate the effect of heat treatment and filler wire on the mechanical and microstructural properties. Hardness of the austenitic stainless steel when welded with TIG is more with 304 filler wire as compared to 308 filler wire. Existence of 90–100% austenitic phase results into good strength and high toughness value for the 308 filler wire weld in comparison with 304 filler wire weld. Due to heat treatment, the micro structure of base metal changes and most of the carbon found near the grain boundaries in chromium carbide formation also the stabilized ferrite and pearlite grain growth but also sulphide inclusion is more which with 308 filler wire and equiaxed grain growth with low ferrite and high austenite formed with little sulphide inclusion which indicates that 304 weld joint is more brittle in comparison with 308 filler wire weld.

Adolescents with Specific Learning Disorder (SLD) are at higher risk of academic underachievement, stigmatization, and mental health issues. However, the complete elimination of disorder-related deficits and external challenges is an impracticable solution for enhancing their well-being.The study adopts a strength-based approach to understand the role of an innate factor, i.e., self-concept, in the association between character strengths and well-being of adolescents with SLD.A correlational research design following a mediation analysis was adopted to examine the association between the study variables on a sample of 115 adolescents with SLD from India.Self-concept functioned as a partial mediator between the life-satisfaction construct of well-being and six character strengths: Appreciation of beauty and excellence, Perseverance, Judgment, Leadership, Perspective, and Zest. Gender differences were identified with regard to the study variables.Self-concept of adolescents with SLD could partly contribute to enhanced character strengths awareness to protect well-being. Further, the crucial role of internal factors like self-concept and character strengths in improving the well-being of this population was highlighted. Thereby encouraging future research on SLD to adopt approaches that focus on innate strengths rather than deficits and external sources of well-being.

This paper applies reflectance spectroscopy and Advanced Space borne thermal emission reflection radiometer (ASTER) data processing to delineate dolomite-hosted rock phosphate around Udaipur City, Western India, using visible-near infrared (VNIR) and short wave infrared (SWIR) bands of the ASTER sensor. A number of ASTER image spectra and field spectra (resampled to ASTER bands) of pure dolomite and rock phosphate are compared and found to be consistent in terms of the presence of absorption minima at 2.3 µm for dolomite and the absence of the same feature in the spectra of the rock-phosphate. Before attempting spectral mapping, ASTER SWIR band data are clipped using the spatial extent of host rock; which has been prepared from the reference geological map and consequently updated using VNIR-SWIR derived image enhanced products at selected part of the study areas. Two sub-pixel spectral methods namely adaptive coherence estimator (ACE) and matched filtering (MF) methods are applied to ASTER SWIR bands to delineate rock-phosphate-rich zones within dolomite. The output images of the above algorithms are integrated in a principal component (PC) image to delineate phosphate pixels. A principal component; which has similar sign of Eigen vector loading for ACE and MF abundance image is used to delineate rock phosphate within dolomite. The results are validated in the field using a qualitative colorimetric method and also by comparing image spectra of spectrally anomalous zone with the ASTER resampled laboratory spectra of rock phosphate samples. A number of sporadic but important patches of phosphate rich zones in addition to the main surface exposures of the Jhamar Kotra Mine are confirmed in the field. The proposed method is a novel application of spectral mapping of phosphate deposits in dolomitic and carbonatic rocks and present approach of ASTER data processing can be used to delineate phosphate rich zones occurring within similar geological provinces in any parts of the world.

A comparative study of 150 keV argon (Ar+) and oxygen (O+) ion implantation induced microstructural modifications in Bakelite Resistive Plate Chamber (RPC) detector material at different implantation fluences have been studied using Positron Annihilation Lifetime Spectroscopy (PALS). Positron lifetime parameters viz., o-Ps lifetime (τ3) and its intensity (I3) upon lower implantation fluences can be interpreted as the cross-linking and the increased local temperature induced diffusion followed by trapping of ions in the interior polymer voids. The increased o-Ps lifetime (τ3) at higher O+ ion implantation fluences indicates chain scission owing to the oxidation and track formation. This is also justified by the X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) results. The modification in the microstructure and electrical conductivity of Bakelite materials are more upon implantation of O+ ions than Ar+ ions of same energy and fluences. The reduced electrical conductivity of Bakelite polymer material upon ion implantation of both the ions is correlated to the conducting pathways and cross-links in the polymer matrix. The appropriate energy and fluence of implanting ions might reduce the leakage current and hence improve the performance of Bakelite RPC detectors.

Resistive Plate Chamber (RPC) detector materials viz., Asahi and Saint Gobain float glasses were exposed to 500 keV and 1 MeV oxygen ions at diverse fluences. Positron Annihilation Lifetime Spectroscopic (PALS) investigations were carried out to explore the ion implantation induced microstructural modifications in these glasses. Positron lifetime parameters at lower ion implantation fluences suggests the breakage of Si O bonds at the regular tetrahedral sites of Si O Si and the displacement of molecules due to the formation of track inside the silicate glass structure in Asahi glass samples. In both the glasses, the reduced void size at higher ion implantation fluences indicates the increased chemical bonding between the tetrahedral sites and hence increases the short range order. The local temperature induced diffusion followed by trapping of ions in the interior glass voids is predominant at higher fluences. The microstructural modifications and electrical conductivity in both the glasses were well correlated with the measured free volume parameters. The variation in optical band gap from the UV–Vis absorption edge inferred the possibility of strain mismatch in the glass network by the elimination of defects at higher implantation fluences. This is complementary with Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) results.

8 pages, 4 figures, 3 tables, 1 appendix.-- This is CMLRE contribution number 73, It is necessary to understand the resource partitioning among species, to describe the functioning of deep sea marine ecosystems. Functional morphology is an effective approach to understand and compare taxonomic units with different phenotypic characteristics related to swimming and foraging. In this study, our main objective was to delineate the functional traits with a view to determine the discrimination level and degree of functional niche overlap among seven common species inhabiting deep-sea waters in south-eastern Arabian Sea. Results indicated significant differences in the functional traits between species providing a low functional niche overlap. Although, the ecological and biological information of fishes were scarce, we demonstrated that functional analyses are effective to extrapolate the prey preferences, sizes and detection and propulsion efficiencies for their feeding and swimming strategies. Our study supports the hypothesis that in some environments with a limitation of resources, species coexisting is due to high resource partitioning. The present work is a first attempt to compare the morpho-functional characteristics and niche partitioning in the deep-sea fish assemblages from the Indian waters., The financial and logistical support from the CMLRE (MoES), is appreciatively acknowledged

Ni 1.5 Fe 1.5 O 4 ferrite samples were synthesized by maintaining different pH values (1–12) during chemical reaction at 80 ° C. The as-prepared samples were annealed at 1000 ° C to form a cubic spinel structure. The heat treated samples were used for the study of electrical conductivity and dielectric properties. In this work, we understand the mechanism of unusual metal-like state in ferrite samples, characterized by negative temperature coefficient of conductivity. We have discussed various aspects, e.g., hopping mechanism through superexchange paths (Fe 3+ -O 2− -Fe 3+ and Ni 2+ -O 2− -Ni 2+ ), charge delocalized conduction mechanism affected by the magnetic spins order in t 2g and e g electronic energy levels of B sites cations, grain size variation, relaxation of charge carriers at grains and grain boundaries of the particles, for outlining the mechanism of thermal activated charge localization (semiconductor state) and delocalization (metal-like state) effect in our samples. We have carried out a detailed analysis of conductivity spectra (Jonscher's power law fit, scaling of conductivity), impedance spectra (Cole-Cole plot by incorporating constant phase element), modulus spectra (Bergman proposed KWW function), and dielectric loss and dielectric constant spectra to extract the conductivity and relaxation contributions from grains, grain boundaries and space charge polarization in the samples.

The magnetic properties of Ni 1.5 Fe 1.5 O 4 ferrite have been investigated using the techniques of dc magnetometry and Mӧssbauer spectroscopy. The material has been prepared by chemical reaction of metal nitrates at different pH values and subsequently, annealed at different temperatures to improve the microstructure. The samples with single-phased cubic spinel structure have been used for magnetic study. The material showed a variety of magnetic features, including superparamagnetic and soft ferromagnetic properties. At room temperature, changes of the ferromagnetic parameters of the material have been found in the range 0–47 emu/g for spontaneous magnetization, 0–0.37 for squareness, and 0–195 Oe for coercivity. Variation of the pH value during chemical reaction and changes of the grain size by thermal treatment played an important role in tuning the coexisting superparamagnetic and ferromagnetic components in the material. Samples prepared at high pH value showed small grain size and superparamagnetic features, whereas the samples prepared at low pH value produced large grain size and better ferromagnetic features. The ferromagnetic properties of the material have been enhanced by lowering the pH value and increasing the annealing temperature. Mossbauer spectra provided insight of the local magnetic order, site occupancy of Ni and Fe ions and oxidation state of Fe ions in the spinel structure of Ni 1.5 Fe 1.5 O 4 ferrite.

Owstonia kamoharai Endo, Liao and Matsuura, 2015 is reported for the first time from the northeastern Indian Ocean. Two specimens measuring 320 mm and 250 mm (Standard Length) were collected during the exploratory fishery surveys by Fishery Oceanographic Research Vessel Sagar Sampada in Andaman and Nicobar waters, India during April 2016 at a depth of 411 m. A brief description of the specimens collected, comparisons and previous distributional records were provided.

Asahi and Saint Gobain float glass Resistive Plate Chamber (RPC) detector materials are subjected to isochronal annealing treatment. To explore the temperature induced microstructural modifications in glass RPC detector materials, Positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS), X-Ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic investigations were performed. The positron lifetime parameters viz., o-Ps lifetime (τ3) and void size (Vf) increased significantly due to thermal expansion of Si O Si bonds in the regular tetrahedral structure of glass network. The significant increase in the void size of glass RPCs above 150 °C annealing temperature is attributed to the thermal vibrations of Si O Si bonds. The temperature induced electrical conductivity and activation energy is correlated with the positron lifetime parameters in both the float glasses. The thermally induced structural changes at higher annealing temperature are more in Saint Gobain glass than Asahi float glasses.

Experiments have been conducted at various tribological conditions to study the deformation characteristics such as strain rate distribution, barrelling profile and processing load during forging of mild steel specimens at room temperature. On the basis of experimental results obtained, velocity field model and interfacial friction law have been constructed and energy solution have been developed for the calculation of forging load and dynamic effects of forging. Results so obtained have been presented graphically for a polygonal disc.

We report the synthesis, structural and magnetic properties of Ni1.5Fe1.5O4 ferrite nanoparticles. The pH value during coprecipitation from metal nitrates solution has been varied in the range 1–12. The samples after coprecipitation have been annealed at different temperatures to study thermal effect on crystalline phase and grain growth process. A detailed microstructural study has been performed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infra-red Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) attached with Energy dispersive analysis of X-ray (EDX) spectrometer, and Micro Raman Spectroscopy. XRD pattern showed formation of single phased cubic spinel structure above certain annealing temperature that strongly depends on the pH value during coprecipitation. Analysis of the FTIR and Raman spectra of the samples prepared at different pH values indicated ordering of cations in A and B sites of the cubic spinel structure. EDX data indicated Ni deficiency for the samples prepared at pH 2. Minor hematite (α-Fe2O3) phase has been identified for the samples coprecipitated at pH 4 and 6, in addition to the major cubic spinel phase. The samples of Ni1.5Fe1.5O4 have shown soft ferromagnetic character at room temperature and ferromagnetic parameters varied in a wide range with pH value at which sample was coprecipitated.

Bembrops caudimacula dominates the deep-sea trawl catch in the exploratory surveys and as bycatch in the commercial trawling targeting deep-sea shrimps, in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone. The intra-species variability in the bathy-demersal fish Bembrops caudimacula collected from two different ecosystems in the Indian Ocean were studied using otolith morphometric analysis. Five otolith size parameters (ferret length, ferret width, area, perimeter and weight), and five shape indices (roundness, rectangularity, ellipticity, form factor and circularity) were taken from forty-seven otoliths collected from two regions. Principal component analysis (PCA) and non-parametric PERMANOVA successfully differentiate the fishes from two regions based on the otolith morphometry. PCA indicated that ellipticity and otolith weight were the major factor responsible for the variation. The study indicated that otoliths of the fishes collected from Andaman Sea (part of Bay of Bengal) were more elliptic and massy compared to those collected from the Arabian Sea. This is the first work on the differentiation of B. caudimacula population from these two unique ecosystems, using otolith morphometry which is highly imperative to understand its population structure. Our study confirmed the suitability of otolith morphometric studies as an easiest and inexpensive method for differentiating the fish populations.