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Meeting the requirement of high specific activity of radioisotopes and carrying out comprehensive research and development activities in the nuclear field, different nuclear facilities, including their waste disposal facilities, are going to be operational at Visakhapatnam, India. Due to environmental processes, the engineered disposal modules may lose their structural integrity and may release some radioactivity to the geo-environment. The subsequent migration of radionuclides reaching the geological environment will be governed by the distribution coefficient ( K d ). Cs was chosen for the sorption study in two soil samples (soil-29 and 31) and to estimate the K d in all the 40 soil samples through the laboratory batch method at the new campus of DAE, Visakhapatnam, India. Different soil chemical parameters like pH, organic matter, CaCO 3 , and cation exchange capacity were determined in 40 soil samples and their effect on Cs sorption was investigated. The effect of solution pH and initial concentration of Cs on sorption was also studied. The results show that the sorption of Cs increases with increasing pH. The Cs sorption was well explained by Freundlich and Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) isotherm models. Site-specific distribution coefficients ( K d ) were also estimated and the values were found to vary from 75 ± 1 to 540 ± 12 L kg −1 . The observed wide variation in K d could be due to large variations in the physico-chemical properties of collected soil. The competitive ions effect study suggests that K + has higher interference for Cs + sorption as compared to Na + . The present study results will help assess the environmental impact due to Cs release in any unforeseen scenario and in planning effective remediation strategies.

The establishment and characterization of a continuous cell line from the thymus of air-breathing fish Channa striatus are described. The cell line, designated C. striatus thymus (CST), has been subcultured over 71 times and shows optimal growth at 28°C in Leibovitz’s-15 (L-15) medium supplemented with 20% fetal bovine serum. The CST cells exhibited low plating efficiency which improved with increase in seeding density. The karyotype analysis revealed that CST cells have a normal diploid karyotype with 2n = 40. Partial amplification and sequencing of two mitochondrial genes, viz. 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and cytochrome oxidase I, confirmed that the cell line originated from C. striatus. CST cells were successfully transfected indicating their potential application for expression of recombinant proteins. In immunocytochemical staining, CST cells showed characteristics of epithelial cells. These cells were sensitive to extracellular products of Vibrio cholerae MTCC 3904 as well as to heavy metal mercuric chloride. The CST cell line would be a useful tool in functional genomic studies such as RNA interference and gene knockout as well as for cytotoxicity studies.

In this paper, we discuss the necessity of mapping of characterisation of unapproachable underground mine workings by electrical resistivity tomography (ERT). Initially, numerical forward modelling is conducted for considering the possibilities of water fill and air fill void in old workings using Wenner–Schlumberger (WS), dipole–dipole (DD) and inversion of joint of both arrays (WS+DD). Considerable accuracy of cavities dimension, depth and extensions could be recovered from data inversion of joint of both arrays (WS+DD). In field, 2D ERT survey was conducted along three parallel profiles using said configurations over Jharia coalfield, India. Inversion of joint of both arrays was introduced during data analysis for propensities of better demarcation of underground mine workings characterisations under complex geological formations. Furthers, pseudo-3D model was also done by merging 2D ERT parallel profile data for improved visualisation of 3D resistivity distributions of surveyed area. High resistivity contrast in 2D ERT model and 3D volumetric iso-resistivity model provided comfortable guidance in the investigation of possible continuity of barrier between caved panels of XVIA seam. Moderately low resistivity indicated anticipation of XVII seam working filled with water and also validated through the existing mine plan. Thus, interpretation of 3D data eventually helped in convincing outcomes.

In recent times, the importance of nanostructure of metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) as a gas sensing material is rising tremendously. Among various metal oxide semiconductors ZnO has potential to be used as a sensor for several toxic gases. In this work, we investigated the influence of Fe doping into ZnO to detect various concentrations of ethanol vapour. Pristine and Fe doped ZnO (Fe-ZnO) films were deposited on glass substrates using a spin coating technique wherein the concentration of Fe can be easily controlled. The crystallite size and surface morphology of ZnO samples were characterized by XRD, SEM and EDX techniques. The sensor performance in terms of gas response (R) of ZnO and Fe-ZnO gas sensors towards ethanol vapour were measured in the 100 to 300°C temperature range using DC electrical resistance. Fe doped ZnO samples showed enhancement in gas response due to increase in specific surface area originated from reducing grain size after doping. The 2% Fe-ZnO sample showed the good response of 40.9 for 400 ppm of ethanol vapour exposure at 260°C. This was found to be better than reported values for ZnO prepared by different methods.

The gas detection using metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) nanomaterials is rising. Among numerous MOS, ZnO is a feasible candidate for gas detection. ZnO-based gas sensor working at high operating temperatures is mostly reported. As the high-temperature operation reduces the long-term stability of the sensor, more research work has to be done to develop a room-temperature gas sensor. Because of low thermal energy at room temperature, the availability of electrons on the ZnO surface and the adsorption of oxygen molecules is low, which results in the low gas response. In this prospectus, this work reports a novel method of enhancing the gas sensing efficacy of MOS-based gas sensors at ambient temperature. In this work, the ZnO film was synthesized adopting the spray pyrolysis route and was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-Visible spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The static potential of 0-24 V was applied to the spray-coated nanostructured ZnO film to increase its oxygen adsorption capacity on its surface, and then its ammonia sensing ability was measured at ambient temperature. The gas sensing measurements showed the enhancement of gas response from 30.290 ± 0.042 at 0 V to 54.581 ± 0.062 at 24 V. It also showed quick response with a response/recovery time of 4/338 at 24 V. Thus, this report claims that the application of DC potential could be one of the useful alternative methods of achieving a MOS-based gas sensor working with a significant response.

Epizootic ulcerative syndrome (EUS), a disease listed by World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has been reported in 26 countries across 4 continents. Till date, 94 fish species have been found to be naturally infected with EUS and its host range is gradually expanding. In the year 2010–11, outbreaks resulting in heavy fish mortality were recorded in wetland districts of Uttar Pradesh, India, and EUS was confirmed as the cause of mortality on the basis of histopathology, isolation of Aphanomyces invadans, bioassay and PCR. A prevalence of ∼69% (371/540) was recorded and 13 fish species were found to be infected. Interestingly, EUS was observed in seven new species (Aristichthys nobilis, Channa punctatus, Wallago attu, Mastacembelus armatus, Mystus cavasius, Anabas testudineus and Puntius conchonius) for the first time in natural outbreaks. Furthermore, the disease was observed even in the month of May when the mean water temperature was 31.6 ± 0.65°C. This suggests that the disease can result in severe losses even after two decades of its emergence.

A huge amount of coal fly ash (CFA) is being generated in India and the management of unutilized ash is an environmental issue due to its hazardous nature. Identification of new applications will increase consumption of fly ash, which in turn reduces the environmental burden. Recently, fly ash was identified as potential secondary source to recover valuable rare earth elements. Considering this, the current study was initiated to quantify the rare earth elements in Indian CFA and the generated data was assessed for identifying suitable CFA to recover rare earth elements. Accordingly, 8 coal fly ash samples and 2 Indian coals were collected, acid digested, and quantified for rare earth elements using triple quadrupleinductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Chemical analysis results show that, Ce has highest abundance, with concentration values ranging from 88±1.5 - 218±5.8µg/g and the least concentration was observed for Lu with typical values ranging from 0.5±0.02 - 0.8±0.01µg/g. The study investigated the REYs content in Indian CFA samples collected from 8 different power plants that receive coal from major Indian coal mines. Results indicate that LREYs are dominating the Indian CFA samples, as compared to MREYs and HREYs.

Background Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) are causative agent of extraintestinal infections, collectively known as colibacillosis, which results significant losses in poultry industries. The extraintestinal survival of E. coli is facilitated by numerous virulence factors which are coded by virulence genes. This study was conducted to find out the pattern of antibiotic resistance and virulence genes content in the APEC strains isolated from broiler chickens at National Avian Disease Investigation Laboratory and Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal. Results A total of 50 E. coli strains were isolated from 50 colibacillosis suspected broiler chickens. Out of 50 isolates of E. coli , 47 (94%) showed resistant to three or more antimicrobials. The highest levels (22%) of multidrug-resistant E. coli were observed for five different types of antimicrobials. Antibiogram profiles of 50 E. coli strains showed the maximum resistance to ampicillin (98%), followed by co-trimoxazole (90%), and doxycycline (62%). The highest intermediate resistance was shown by colistin (50%) and the highest sensitivity was against amikacin (84%), followed by nitrofurantoin (55%). Based on the genetic criteria, 45 (90%) E. coli isolates were considered as pathogenic (APEC) which contained more than five virulence genes. Out of total APEC genes detected, we found the combination of iss, iucD, hlyF, ompT, iroN, and iutA genes were mostly associated with the APEC and additionally, to some lesser extent irp2, papC, Cva/cvi, and tsh genes showed the critical role for virulent traits of APEC strains. Conclusion In this study, high prevalent of antimicrobial resistant pattern was found with avian pathogenic E. coli strains isolated from broiler chickens. To our knowledge, this is the first molecular analysis which confirmed the prevalence of APEC strains in poultry sector in Nepal. These finding suggest the need of surveillance and intervention system to control misuse of antibiotics and APEC outbreak in the poultry farm.

Gram-negative Enterobacteriaceae with resistance to carbapenem conferred by New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase 1 (NDM-1) are potentially a major global health problem. We investigated the prevalence of NDM-1, in multidrug-resistant Enterobacteriaceae in India, Pakistan, and the UK. Enterobacteriaceae isolates were studied from two major centres in India—Chennai (south India), Haryana (north India)—and those referred to the UK's national reference laboratory. Antibiotic susceptibilities were assessed, and the presence of the carbapenem resistance gene bla NDM-1 was established by PCR. Isolates were typed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis of XbaI-restricted genomic DNA. Plasmids were analysed by S1 nuclease digestion and PCR typing. Case data for UK patients were reviewed for evidence of travel and recent admission to hospitals in India or Pakistan. We identified 44 isolates with NDM-1 in Chennai, 26 in Haryana, 37 in the UK, and 73 in other sites in India and Pakistan. NDM-1 was mostly found among Escherichia coli (36) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (111), which were highly resistant to all antibiotics except to tigecycline and colistin. K pneumoniae isolates from Haryana were clonal but NDM-1 producers from the UK and Chennai were clonally diverse. Most isolates carried the NDM-1 gene on plasmids: those from UK and Chennai were readily transferable whereas those from Haryana were not conjugative. Many of the UK NDM-1 positive patients had travelled to India or Pakistan within the past year, or had links with these countries. The potential of NDM-1 to be a worldwide public health problem is great, and co-ordinated international surveillance is needed. European Union, Wellcome Trust, and Wyeth.

Anemia during pregnancy is a major public health problem globally with multiple causes including inadequate dietary intakes. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of nutrition education on nutritional knowledge, hemoglobin level and dietary intake of anemic pregnant women. A quasi-experimental study was conducted among 115 mild to moderately anemic pregnant women attending ante natal clinics. Pregnant women were consecutively enrolled and assigned to receive nutrition education and diet plan in intervention group (n = 58) and general education only in control group (n = 57). The nutrition education was given to pregnant women on individual basis at the time of enrollment and follow-ups were done through biweekly phone calls and every 4 weeks during ANC visits. Baseline data were collected using semi-structure questionnaire for interview and hemoglobin level was also measured. Data were collected after 10 weeks of nutrition education intervention. Independent sample t-test was used to compare differences between the two groups. Out of 115 pregnant women enrolled, 107 completed the study (Intervention: 53; Control: 54). At the end of the nutrition education intervention and iron rich food based diet plan, the change in hemoglobin level was significantly high in the intervention over control group [0.56±0.40gm/dl vs. 0.16±0.82gm/dl, p = 0.002]. The change in the maternal nutritional knowledge score on anemia and iron rich foods was significantly high in the intervention over control group [8.26±4.57 vs. 1.05±6.59, p<0.001].Consumption of iron rich food was significantly high in the intervention group (P<0.05). Provision of nutrition education and iron rich food based diet plan was significantly associated with improved hemoglobin levels, improved dietary intake and nutritional knowledge on anemia and iron rich foods.