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The present study describes the synthesis of new C-linked carbo-β-amino acids [β-Caa(1,2-ddx)], with a 1,2-dideoxy D-xylo furanoside side chain (a tetrahydro furan derivative). The stereochemistry at the newly created amine centers was determined by modified Mosher method. The (S)-β-Caa(1,2-ddx) prepared from d -mannose diacetonide were utilized for the synthesis of 1:1 α/β-peptides with L-Ala. The conformational analysis (NMR, MD and CD) revealed the presence of 11/9-helix, helix induced helix-turn (HT) and helix-turn-helix (HTH) in these peptides. These side chains with tetrahydrofuran ring facilitated the formation of robust helix, unlike some other side chains from earlier studies.

Cladocerans feed on a variety of phytoplankton food sources, which are variable across space and time. Different phytoplankton groups represent different nutritional quality to Daphnia magna (Straus) due to differences in their Redfield stoichiometry or digestibility. We used chlorophyll fluorescence to directly measure phytoplankton group quantity and composition (green algae and cyanobacteria) in the guts of live D. magna and thereby directly assessed differences in gut transit time (GTT). We observed a decrease of GTT with lower food quality relative to the most suitable diet treatment composed only of the green alga: Scenedesmus obliquus (Turpin) Kutzing (GTT = 27 min 20 s). Mixed, lower quality diets composed of 75% cyanobacteria, Microcystis aeruginosa (Kutzing) and 25% S. obliquus resulted in faster GTT, as did diets exclusively composed of microcystin-lacking cyanobacteria (GTT = 19 min 42 s). The GTT could not be measured when diets were composed exclusively of microcystin-producing M. aeruginosa due to insignificant ingestion of the cyanobacteria. Using Ivlev’s Electivity index, we demonstrate that provided with mixed algal food, D. magna was able to avoid ingesting lower quality food (cyanobacteria) in favor of more valuable material (green alga). However, this ability decreases or is lost when exposed to food mixtures dominated by cyanobacteria.

Recovery of cadmium from its low-grade sulfide ore (synthetic solutions) adopting bioleaching process involving the microbe, Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans, under aerobic conditions is taken up. Leaching rate of cadmium from the ore solutions is examined at various initial loadings of ore solutions, bacterial densities and different pH units and at various temperatures. Bioleaching of cadmium was found to increase with an increase in time as well as solid loading but decrease with an increase in bacterial loading as well pH. However, in the case of temperatures, an initial increase followed by subsequent decrease was observed with rise in the parameter. Best conditions for bioleaching of cadmium employing A. ferrooxidans were deciphered to be a solid loading of at least 5 g at a microbial density of 5% at 30 °C temperature and 1.2 units of pH.

Rotifer dominance in wetland ecosystems is due to their ability to survive and reproduce in the presence of cyanobacteria, ability to occupy different niches and elimination of competing crustaceans by predation. In addition, quality and quantity of food and physical and chemical variables affect the rotifer abundances in these waterbodies. Seasonal variations in food also affect the rotifer body size and egg ratio (ER). We studied the species richness, diversity, female egg ratio, morphometry, and density of rotifer species from four sites of Lake Xochimilco that have been influenced by agriculture, urban waste, and tourism. Zooplankton samples were collected on a monthly basis over one year (February 2005 to January 2006) and we measured selected physical and chemical variables including water depth, Secchi transparency, temperature, pH, conductivity, alkalinity, hardness, dissolved oxygen, biological oxygen demand-5 day test (BOD5), nitrates and nitrites and orthophosphates. We recorded 81 rotifer species, representing 27 genera and 17 families. The Shannon-Wiener diversity varied between 0.5 and 3.8 during the study and was highest in the rainy season. The ER did not show a significant relationship between ecological conditions and any rotifer species, indicating nearly stable physical, chemical and biological conditions in which rotifers are able to reproduce throughout the year.

The high-temperature behavior of CH4-rich melanophlogite (MEP) from Mt. Hamilton was studied by Raman spectroscopy within the range of 30–1000 °C. This study aimed to characterize the vibrational properties of the host framework and the guest CH4 molecules and elucidate how much the framework structure is damaged upon degassing. The jump-like shifts of the lattice Raman bands observed at 80 °C correspond to the α-β transition in MEP. Negative ν/T dependencies of the lattice bands and minor positive ν/T trends of the stretching C-H modes within the range of 100–400 °C correlate with the volume expansion in β-MEP observed previously. Start from 700 °C, corresponding to the onset of degassing, the transition to the stable silica phases (quartz, tridymite, cristobalite) and a progressive loss of the local order in the MEP framework is observed. A strong correlation between the framework degradation and the degree of degassing emphasizes the stabilizing role of the guest CH4 molecules for the MEP structure. The degassing process appears to have a destructive effect onto the MEP framework. The fully degassed MEP is characterized by the local-scale amorphization, but, according to the X-ray diffraction data, the far-order structure is essentially preserved, which is perhaps a specificity of rigid silica frameworks.

Background. Myriophyllum aquaticum has a high phenotypic plasticity and its plant dispersion is a function of its fast vegetative reproduction; its submerged leaves possess structural characteristics that allow the release of organic compounds, among them phenolic compounds. Goals. Under laboratory conditions, this study analyzed the development of Myriophyllum aquaticum (Vell.) Verdc. cultures associated with the release of phenolic compounds and evaluated the effect of these compounds on germination and root elongation of Lactuca sativa L. Methods. Under laboratory conditions, we cultivated emerging shoots of M. aquaticum to evaluate their growth and the production of phenolic compounds. We evaluated their effect using bioassays with L. sativa and applying phytotoxicity indices to the phenolic compounds released. Results. Our evaluation of the production of phenolic compounds found a direct relationship between this plant species and its behavior under cultivation; cultivation caused a quicker release of phenols during the first days of development. These compounds released by M. aquaticum on L. sativa, as measured by the IGN and IER index comparison, were found to have caused lower toxicity. Conclusions. The bioassay application with the evaluation of early development endpoints of L. sativa plantlets allowed us to confirm the effect of phenolic compounds released by the M. aquaticum submerged plants and characterize them as bioactive compounds.

We quantified the predation of Acanthocyclops americanus from the shallow Mediterranean lake Albufera, using gut contents from field collections and laboratory feeding tests. For functional response studies, we used Brachionus plicatilis (at 6 concentrations, 400–4000 ind. 40 ml−1) and Diaphanosoma mongolianum (at 2–20 ind. 40 ml−1). Copepod feeding rates were also estimated using different proportions of rotifer prey and lake seston (0–67.5% of seston + 40 individuals of B. plicatilis). Prey selection studies were conducted using five zooplankton species: Brachionus angularis, Brachionus plicatilis, Keratella tropica, Daphnia magna and Diaphanosoma mongolianum. Gut contents of field-collected adult Acanthocyclops contained filamentous algae and cyanobacteria and 16 zooplankton species (Keratella cochlearis, unspined and spined forms, K. tropica, Brachionus plicatilis, Brachionus calyciflorus, Brachionus angularis, Brachionus variabilis, Asplanchna girodi, Polyarthra vulgaris, Synchaeta pectinata, Lepadella rhomboides, unidentified bdelloids, Alona rectangula, Chydorus sphaericus, Bosmina longirostris, D. magna, Ceriodaphnia dubia and copepod nauplii). When fed B. plicatilis or D. mongolianum, female A. americanus had higher prey consumption rates than males. Increased proportion of lake seston caused reduced consumption of brachionid prey. Our data suggest that A. americanus is omnivorous in nature.

We isolated the rotifers Brachionus ibericus and Proales similis from the sediment of shrimp tanks and studied their individual demographic characters and competition between them at two food levels (0.25 × 106, 1.00 × 106 cells ml−1 of Nannochloropsis oculata at 25 °C) and salinities ranging from 10 to 30‰. Our hypothesis was that growth rates would be higher with increasing food levels and salinities. Observations were taken twice a day for life table studies and daily once for population growth experiments. Using survivorship and fecundity data, we derived various life history variables. Although the average life span (7.6 ± 0.4 days) and gross reproductive rate (33.8 ± 2.9 neonate female−1 day−1) of B. ibericus were higher than those of P. similis (average life span 5.4 ± 0.6 days and gross reproductive rate 13.0 ± 0.6 neonate female−1 day−1), the population growth experiments showed that P. similis had higher r values (0.32 ± 0.005 day−1) than B. ibericus (0.23 ± 0.002 day−1) at 1.0 × 106 cells ml−1 of N. oculata. The rotifer P. similis was more adversely affected due to the presence of B. ibericus than vice versa. The data are important for developing techniques for a large-scale culture of these rotifers as food in aquaculture.

Triclosan is a personal care product widely used in North America, Europe and Asia as antimicrobial ingredient in many consumer chemical products. In Mexico concentrations of triclosan have been reported in aquatic systems. However, there is no law regulating the presence of chemicals such as triclosan, in aquatic systems. The scarce data about this chemical has increased concern among ecotoxicologists regarding possible effects on aquatic organisms. Moreover, multigenerational studies are rarely studied and the results vary depending on the contaminant. Rotifers, are a dominant group of zooplankton, and have been used in aquatic risk assessments of personal care products due to their sensitivity and high reproductive rates. Plationus patulus and Brachionus havanaensis are common rotifers distributed in aquatic ecosystems of Mexico and have been used in ecotoxicological bioassays. In this study, the median lethal concentration (LC50, 24h) of P. patulus and B. havanaensis exposed to triclosan was determined. Based on the LC50, we tested three sublethal concentrations of triclosan to quantify the demographic responses of both rotifers for two successive generations (F0, and F1). The 24h LC50 of triclosan for P. patulus and B. havanaensis were 300 and 500µgL-1 respectively. Despite the concentration, triclosan had an adverse effect on both Plationus patulus and Brachionus havanaensis in both generations exposed. Experiments show that P. patulus was more sensitive than B. havanaensis when exposed to triclosan. When exposed to triclosan the parental generation (F0) of P. patulus was far more affected than F1.

Background: Multiple myeloma (MM) evolves from Monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance (MGUS), a premalignant clinical condition. Second to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, MM is the most common haematological malignancy. The aim of the study was to review the clinical profile and response of individuals treated for MM from this part of country.Methods: We evaluated data of patients with MM managed between 2013 and 2019 at a tertiary care cancer hospital in Rajamahenderi, India. Data regarding demographic variables, clinical features, disease characteristics and treatment details were collected and analysed.Results: Total of 54 patients with MM were managed. Mean age was 59.4 years. Males accounted for 63%. Bone pain (90%) was the most common symptom. Elevated serum creatinine was noted in 16.7% and M band in 42 (77.8%). X-ray of skull showed lytic lesions in 41 (75.9%). Mean haemoglobin value was 8.8±1.9 g/dl and serum calcium was 9.12 mg/dl. Majority of subjects, 44 (81.48%) belong to stage IIIA, 9 (16.67%) to stage IIIB, and 1.85% to stage IIA of Durie Salmon staging system. No response was noted in 17 (31.5%), 4 (7.4%) subjects had a progressive disease even on treatment, and 8 (14.8%) subjects had a very good partial response. Median survival of subjects belonging to DSS stage II was 17 months, IIIA was 11.037 months and stage IIIB was 17.463 months.Conclusions: MM has an early onset in India. Though MM is an incurable disease, many promising treatment options are there which lead to increase in survival. Early treatment helps in improving mortality rates, better quality of life and decreases disease burden.

In this paper, we present results of the Ground Electrical and Electromagnetic (GEE) studies (MT, CSAMT, DRS) carried out in the Koyna-Warna zone since 1976 and discuss their relevance in understanding the seismicity of the Koyna-Warna seismic zone. Though there were not many GEE studies carried out in this region, the existing ones provided a vital information, in particular, on the subsurface crustal structure, the Deccan Trap thickness and its variation and also the nature of the basement in this region. The GEE studies rule out the presence of any subtrappean sediments in this region. An interesting feature that has been identified from MT studies is the presence of a well-defined crustal block structure, characterized by high resistive blocks interspersed with moderately conductive features. All these structural features clearly point out to the intensity of tectonic disturbance that the region was subjected to in the geological past. The conductive features are correlatable with some of the known seismogenic structural features, for e.g., the Konya Fault Zone, the west coast fault, the Donachiwada fault. The moderately resistive zone sitting over the high resistive blocks as seen both in MT& DRS models is inferred to be related to the generally fractured nature of the shallow crustal column. The conductive linear features bordering the resistive blocks represent fluid filled fracture/fault zones. It is inferred that because of the NE to NS oriented compressive stress regime in the Indian shield, due to the Himalayan collision tectonics, some of these structural features may become the locales of stress accumulation which may get released due to fluid filling of these zones under the influence of nearby reservoirs, resulting in triggering of seismicity. Results from different GEE studies conducted in the study area are found to be highly consistent with each other as well as with the Rasati bore hole data, thus bringing significant validity to the subsurface model derived. Further, the 3D modelling of the MT data acquired in the Koyna-Warna region together with airborne gravity gradient and magnetic studies carried out under the Deep drilling program would open up new gate ways to accomplish multi-parametric three dimensional modeling, that will provide still more detailed and relevant subsurface image of this important RTS zone.

The Central Indian Tectonic Zone (CITZ), a major tectonic feature extending across the Indian sub-continent, was formed by the accretion of the cratonic domains in the north and south blocks of peninsular India during the Proterozoic. It is characterized with prominent shear/fault zones and granulite belts that carry the evolutionary history of the central Indian region. This study presents the two-dimensional resistivity structure of the hitherto least studied eastern segment of the mega lineament in the Indian subcontinent. Magnetotelluric (MT) data along the Rajnandgaon-Bareli profile, which extends from the southern margin (Central Indian Shear-CIS) to the northern limit (Narmada-Son Lineament-NSL) of the CITZ, were used to investigate the resistivity character of the crust and shallow upper mantle. The study imaged conductive to moderately conductive structures, which show correlation to the various shear/faults and granulitic belts mapped in the region, interspersed in a resistive background. An upper crustal isolated conductor was observed below the Bhandra – Balaghat Granulite belt, which is exposed along the CIS. A vertical moderately conductive structure noticed in the middle to upper mantle depths under the Ramakona-Katangi Granulite (RKG) belt and this is interpreted as fault/shear zone that acted as the channel/pathway for the emplacement of parental magma of the RKG rocks. A more interesting feature in the MT model is a north dipping conductive horizon extending from the upper crust to the Moho. This feature shows further extension into the upper mantle as a subvertical moderately conductive zone and can be traced onto the surface mark of the Tan Shear, which suggests suture status to this prominent shear zone within the CITZ. Resistivity section also shows mid-lower crustal conductive/moderately conductive horizons under the Deccan trap and NSL, which are produced due to the large-scale magma intrusions into the crust during the Cretaceous-Tertiary Deccan volcanism through the pre-existing weak zones in the CITZ. The conductive to moderately conductive features of the MT model are indicative of the complex tectonic history of the region that range from accretion processes started in the Paleoproterozoic, followed by multiple metamorphic and deformation cycles in different geological times, to the Late Cretaceous volcanism.

Geophysical investigations covering vertical electrical sounding (VES) has been employed in Nagapattinam and Karaikal coastal aquifers to isolate the subsurface saline water intrusion. A total of 32 soundings using Wenner configuration were attempted and data were processed using IPI2WIN software. The investigations demarcated subsurface lithology intruded by saline water on the basis of resistivity signatures. Higher resistivity values (>35 Ωm) isolates aquifers free from pollution and lower resistivity values (

Supply chain agility (SCA) has emerged as an important capability to remain competitive in this era of business uncertainty and turbulence. This study aims to gain knowledge of the current state of research on SCA, specifically to have conceptual clarity and synthesise future research avenues. To achieve these goals, we have carried out a systematic review of 118 research papers on SCA published from 1999 to 2016. The findings suggest that the domain has witnessed steady growth since its inception, but little consensus has been observed around its definition and boundaries. To counter these definitional ambiguities, we have presented a comprehensive definition of SCA. The paper further discusses SCA along three thematic categories: the first considers SCA from the strategic perspective, the second considers SCA as a capability and focuses on its enablers and the third explores the impact of SCA on performance. Finally, towards the conclusion, a holistic framework summarising the findings is presented.

We developed a simple method to culture two sessile rotifers, Limnias ceratophylli and Limnias melicerta, which should be applicable to other sessile species, and examined effect of the concentration of Chlorella vulgaris on population growth of these species. Limnias ceratophylli had higher population abundances at higher food levels. For both species, intrinsic rate of increase (r), derived from population growth study, varied from 0.12 to 0.16 day−1. Differences in r varied depending on food level for L. ceratophylli, but not for L. melicerta. Both species had little mortality during 2–3 weeks and thereafter survivorship declined until 5–7 weeks depending on food concentration. Mean life expectancy at birth for L. ceratophylli and L. melicerta was 29–34 days and 28–33 days, respectively. Generation time was shorter for L. ceratophylli. Gross and net reproductive rates were higher for L. ceratophylli. For both species, increase in food density resulted in significant decrease of average lifespan and life expectancy at birth. Gross reproductive rate and rate of population increase of both species were not significantly affected by food density. Generation time was significantly affected due to increase in algal food only for L. ceratophylli but not for L. melicerta.

In this paper, the process flow within a high-end 3PL distribution centre is studied in order to determine the optimal split between the parcel size categories moved within the system. The article considers the application of an optimisation (MIQP) model with a corresponding discrete event simulation model to validate the authenticity of the solution. The study assumes that the current process flow and layout of the centre remains fixed; the entering and exiting routes to and from the centre and the centre itself are located optimally within the network and the models have base times of one and seven days respectively. Performance measures have been analysed through utilization states of equipment and labour, queue contents versus time and average throughput times of each of the parcel categories. The findings in this paper can create a positive trigger for improvement within the distribution centre as equipment and labour can be downsized to decrease costs and improve safety and benefit the company through the alignment of a network of distribution centres that each applies modified relevant versions of the modelling logic conveyed in this paper.

Two-unit warm standby systems have been elaborately dealt within the literature. However, the study of standby systems with more than two units, though very relevant in state-of-the-art practical situations, has received little attention because of mathematical intricacies involved in analyzing them. Also, such systems have been studied assuming: (i) the lifetime or repair time of the units to be exponential, or (ii) the lifetime and repair time to be independent. The present contribution is an improvement in the state-of-the-art in the sense that three-unit warm standby system with dependent structure is shown to be capable of comprehensive analysis.

Zooplankton studies in Mexican rivers are few despite the fact that Mexico has >200 rivers. We present data on the seasonal diversity of rotifers during 2013–2014 from the river La Antigua, near Veracruz. We collected samples from 15 stations along a horizontal gradient of ~5 km, from the upper reaches to about 2 km from the sea. The physico-chemical variables analysed were temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, nitrates, phosphates, Secchi depth and salinity. From each site, 80 L of water was filtered with a 50-μm plankton net. Rotifers were identified and quantified using a Sedgewick Rafter cell. The river is shallow (maximum depth 2.5 m during the rainy season). Our observations indicated that the phytoplankton community was dominated by diatoms; the chlorophyll a concentrations ranged from 0.55 to 26.1 μg L−1 over the study period. We found >125 rotifer species belonging to 21 families, mostly from the Lecanidae, Brachionidae, Notommatidae and Lepadellidae. The density of rotifers was low

The sequencing pattern in very high-frequency radar interface has a critical role in designing waveform for automotive radar application. The automotive radar application has a need of generating signal to predict the target accurately, with radial velocity simultaneously under various ambiguity conditions. The target and velocity measure were made using a multi-frequency shift keying (MFSK) method, in target measurement range and radial velocity simultaneously. The radar uses a frequency and phase shift measurement in defining the target range and velocity. However, dual measure of these parameters has an additional processing overhead and is lower in accuracy. The frequency-based measurement has a greater significance in this usage. To achieve the objective, chirp signals are used with a very short time duration. Chirp sequence has been used in defining the target range and velocity under multi-target condition. Chirp sequence, however, has a Doppler ambiguity issue. Two chirp sequence approaches are presented recently, defined with a large carrier frequency shift to overcome the stated problem. However, the chirp sequencing wrt interference monitoring is not observed. This paper outlines an approach for chirp sequence coding for MFSK based on correlative pattern matching for code allocation to improve the accuracy of detection in radar application.

In the current scenario, sustainability is asserting a profound effect on the global Food Supply Chain (FSC). It is driven primarily by growing consciousness of consumers who want healthy food and at the same time, they demand that food production should not harm the environment. However, sustainability cannot be improved in isolation. It has to be a collaborative effort of all the players involved in the supply chain. This study is aimed at exploring the possibilities for agri-food sector of India to sustainably remunerate as good as its potential. From the perspective of a company engaged in production of an agri-food product, it is a challenging area of research to investigate into the decision-making methodologies which suit the requirements of the stakeholders as well as generate a positive sustainable impact on the FSC. In this study, a detailed analysis is done considering the present sustainable practices followed and scope for future strategies which can be adopted by its Production Plant (PP). This is achieved with the aid of Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) technique, a multi-criteria decision methodology and fuzzy-MICMAC analysis. A structured framework is obtained which shows the strength of the impact of each practice on the other. Using the result findings, it has been concluded that the PP must prioritize their efforts in taking measures for water reservation, pollution reduction, creating awareness among farmers and traders, and adopting sustainable employment practices. This research work can, hence, steer the focus of the company in the direction of appropriately prioritizing their sustainability practices for achieving a sustainable supply chain.

Is the mind of an engineer different from the mind of any other human being? Does a decade of training spanning the period of one’s BE, ME and Ph.D. programs affect the way a person thinks and acts? What does his experience teach him? I felt that introspection is certainly going to be instructive.

With the increasing super bazaar purchases by the customers in cities there is a problem of bottleneck for billing the customers at peak times, to solve this problem we propose a secure way for billing the purchased goods by the customer with their Smartphone's. There are other self checkouts that are present such as ‘Amazon go’, ‘Perpule 1Pay’, and self checkout terminals, some of the solutions uses RFID tags, these solutions are costlier and difficult to implement in countries such as India. ‘Amazon go’ uses computer vision, Deep learning algorithms, Sensor Fusion [1], Our solution is a combination of Smartphone QR Code scanner app and secure website for billing the products. Users are provided with two options to pay their bill either to pay the bill online or to pay by cash. Second verification of the purchased products by the guard will be just weighing the purchased products. Further extensions and security strength are discussed in this paper.

Cladocerans are constantly exposed to humic substances in nature, yet the effects of these substances on their survival and reproduction are not well known. Here, the effects of humic substances (20 and 40 mg L

Objectives The study goals were to (a) characterize the cultural model of fatherhood among the BaYaka, a community of egalitarian foragers in the Republic of the Congo; (b) test if BaYaka fathers' quality in relation to the cultural model predicts their children's energetic status; and (c) compare the variance in BaYaka children's energetic status to that of children of neighboring Bondongo fisher-farmers, among whom there is less cooperative caregiving, less resource sharing, and greater social inequality. Methods We used informal interviews to establish the cultural model of fatherhood, which we used to build a peer ranking task to quantify father quality. Children's energetic status was assessed by measuring height, weight, and triceps skinfold thickness. We then tested for associations between father quality scores derived from the ranking task and children's energetic status using ordinary least squares regression. Equality of variance tests were used to compare BaYaka and Bondongo children's energetic statuses. Results The BaYaka described fathers as responsible for acquiring resources and maintaining marital harmony, welcoming others to the community and sharing well with them, and teaching their children about the forest. Agreement on men's quality in these domains was high, but father quality did not significantly predict children's energetic status. BaYaka children had lower variance in energetic status overall compared to Bondongo children. Conclusions We suggest that the core BaYaka values and practices that maintain egalitarian social relations and distribution of resources help buffer children's health and well-being from variation in their fathers' qualities in culturally valued domains.

Significant advances have been made in the field of healthcare service delivery across the world; however, health coverage particular for the poor and disadvantaged still remains a distant dream in developing world. In large developing countries like India, disparities in access to healthcare are pervasive. Despite recent progress in ensuring improved access to health care in past decade or so, disparities across gender, geography and socioeconomic status continue to persist. Fragmented and scattered health records and lack of integration are some of the primary causes leading to uneven healthcare service delivery. The devised framework is intended to address these challenges. The paper aims to discuss these issues.,In view of such challenges, in this research a Big Data and blockchain anchored integrative healthcare framework is proposed focusing upon providing timely and appropriate healthcare services to every citizen of the country. The framework uses unique identification number (UID) system as formalized and implemented by the Government of India for identification of the patients, their specific case histories and so forth.,The key characteristic of our proposed framework is that it provides easy access to secure, immutable and comprehensive medical records of patients across all treatment centers within the country. The model also ensures security and privacy of the medical records based upon the incorporation of biometric authentication by the patients for access of their records to healthcare providers.,A key component of our evolved framework is the Big Data analytics-based framework that seeks to provide structured health data to concerned stakeholders in healthcare services. The model entails all pertinent stakeholders starting from patients to healthcare service providers.

Background: Colon cancer is a leading cause of increase in cancer incidence and now becoming a major cause of cancer related mortality.Methods: We evaluated data of patients diagnosed with colon cancer and managed under Aarogyasri program between 2013 and 2019 at a tertiary care cancer hospital in Rajamahenderi, Andhra Pradesh, India. We collected data regarding demography, clinical presentation, subsite, histology, stage and treatment.Results: A total of 142 patients with colon cancer were managed. The mean age was 53.6 years with males accounting for 57%. Most common clinical presentation was abdominal pain followed by vomiting. Most common histology was well differentiated adenocarcinoma. Left sided colon tumors accounted for 47%. Most common stage at presentation was stage III.Conclusions: Our data of colon cancer was different from that described in the western countries. Young age presentation, higher mucinous and signet ring carcinomas and advanced stage presentation were reported in our study. Socioeconomic factors, inadequate health care access might account for some of these differences.

Over-exploitation of tropical lakes and reservoirs ('lakes') causes water quality problems that occur as a result of competing socio-economic demands and the presence of feedback loops within the system that exacerbate the situation. We review well documented case studies from Brazil, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia and Mexico to examine the effect that changes in water quality and quantity have had on the utilisation of these tropical lakes. By comparing the different approaches used to improve their sustainable management, we have found that nutrient enrichment is one of the most important and widespread water quality problems, causing adverse effects such as algal blooms, nuisance levels of aquatic plants, low oxygen levels and elevated greenhouse gas emissions. These effects restrict the use of these lakes for water supply, fisheries, recreation, tourism and wildlife. We conclude that tropical lakes require better management, urgently, to restore the ecosystem services that they deliver to man and nature. However, to be effective, the development of sustainable management programmes needs to be underpinned by reliable scientific evidence and the results of extensive stakeholder engagement activities. We note that, currently, there is little information available on how tropical lakes respond to management interventions that can be used to guide these activities. Further research is needed to address this knowledge gap. Presented at International Conference on the Ocean and Earth Sciences, 18-20 November 2020, Jakarta Selatan, Indonesia (held online).

The absorbance and fluorescence characteristics of colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM) were investigated in the tropical monsoonal Godavari estuary over a year during 18 field surveys attempting to capture different river discharge scenarios ranging from nil to >5000 ms −1 and the accompanying environmental factors. Key biogeochemical constituents were also analyzed to explain the abundance and structure of CDOM and fluorescent DOM (FDOM) in terms of spatiotemporal controls. The high flow water of the monsoon season was rich in CDOM of spectral slope ( S 300 − 500 ) typical for river water but of lower fluorescence. The first flood water was most rich in CDOM of lowest S 300 − 500 , attributed to land washings during summer. The ratio between the UV–visible​ humic-like (A) and marine humic-like (M) fluorophores was linearly related to that of tryptophan protein-like (T) and Tyrosine protein-like (B) fluorophores and indicated linkage between terrestrial inputs and marine processes. The low and nil flow water was composed of seasonally and spatially variable CDOM but which was conservative against salinity (S) fitting to the model, a CDOM (350) (m−1) = 2.196-0.036*S. During the discharge season, pH held an inverse linear relationship to a CDOM (350): a350 (m−1) = 9.346-0.535*pH. The salinity co-varying (conservative) CDOM was linear versus silicate. A laboratory experiment showed that CDOM, FDOM and silicate were co-leached from the estuarine silts. During the non-discharge season unique, transient factors affected the CDOM e.g., (i) hot summer conditions in the upper estuary, (ii) benthic flux by bacterial metabolism from the consolidated silts after the flood season, and (iii) occasional anthropogenic input of petroleum hydrocarbons. The B:T fluorophore ratio was higher and linear versus NH 4 + during no-discharge and is a potential index of the bacterial metabolism i.e., protein un-folding of the silt-held organic matter accumulated during the erstwhile flood season.

Successful larval rearing of many fish species depends on the adequate selection of live food. Rotifers of the genus Brachionus are the most widely used in feeding protocols for freshwater and marine aquaculture. In this work, the utility of the euryhaline rotifer Proales similis as potential prey for the freshwater pike silverside Chirostoma estor estor larval rearing was investigated. The rotifers P. similis, Brachionus ibericus and B. plicatilis (body length: 84 ± 1.24, 193 ± 2.90 and 206 ± 4.20 μm, respectively) were used to evaluate C. estor estor larvae prey selectivity during the first 3 to 18 days post-hatching (DPH). Functional responses were tested at prey densities of 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8 and 16 ind. mL−1. Larval survival was evaluated using four treatments: P. similis (T1), B. ibericus (T2), B. plicatilis (T3) and a mixed diet of all three taxa (T4). Results showed that P. similis was the C. estor estor most selected prey during the 3 to 7 DPH when compared to B. ibericus and B. plicatilis. From 8 to 18 DPH, the selectivity for P. similis shifted to increase selectivity for B. ibericus and B. plicatilis. At 4 to 12 DPH, functional responses indicated a greater P. similis consumption by larvae at high density (16 ind. mL−1). Larval survival was significantly higher in T1 than other treatments (T2 – T4). These findings provide evidence that P. similis can be included during the C. estor estor larval rearing. Proales similis could be therefore used at least during the 3 to 7 DPH, but the feeding protocols should be then complemented with brachionid rotifers. The present data are valuable for aquaculture practices and help approach the management and conservation issues of this endemic endangered fish species of the Central Plateau of Mexico.

Macrophytes release allelochemicals, which affect pelagic cladocerans such as Daphnia. Using population growth experiments, we analysed the effects of allelochemicals from the macrophyte Egeria densa on the interaction between Daphnia mendotae and three littoral cladocerans (Diaphanosoma birgei, Macrothrix triserialis and Simocephalus mixtus). We found that allelochemicals from E. densa increased the abundance of all the tested cladocerans in spite of the presence of a competitor. This effect was stronger (nearly three to four times higher than in controls) for D. birgei and M. triserialis in the absence of D. mendotae. Independent of the presence of allelochemicals, S. mixtus, but not D. birgei and M. triserialis, reduced the abundance of D. mendotae as compared to controls. The rate of population increase (r) per day was significantly elevated due to the presence of Egeria’s allelochemicals (from 0.07–0.16 d−1 without allelochemicals against 0.12–0.24 d−1 with allelochemicals). In our competitio...

Present study describes the synthesis and conformational analysis of β-peptides from C-linked carbo-β-amino acids [β-Caa(l)] with a d-lyxo furanoside side chain and β-hGly in 1:1 alternation. NMR and CD investigations on peptides with an (S)-β-Caa(l) monomer at the N-terminus revealed a right-handed 10/12-mixed helix. An unprecedented solvent-directed “switch” both in helical pattern and handedness was observed when the sequence begins with a β-hGly residue instead of a (S)-β-Caa(l) constituent. NMR studies on these peptides in chloroform indicated a left-handed 10/12-helix, while the CD spectrum in methanol inferred a right-handed secondary structure. The NMR data for these peptides in CD3OH showed the presence of a right-handed 12/10-helix. NMR investigations in acetonitrile indicated the coexistence of both helix types. Quantum chemical studies predicted a small energy difference of 0.3 kcal/mol between the two helix types, which may explain the possibility of solvent influence. Examples for a solvent-...