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Groundwater is being pumped extensively from the coastal part of the Arani and Koratalai River Basin, Tamil Nadu, India for irrigation and water supply to the city of Chennai. The objective of this study is to delineate the groundwater potential zones of this area using Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques. Weighted overlay analysis was used to demarcate the groundwater potential zones. Various thematic layers such as geology, geomorphology, soil, lineament density, drainage density, rainfall and landuse maps were prepared. The geological map was prepared using a Geological Survey of India (GSI) district resource map. Indian Remote Sensing System Linear Imaging Self-scanning Sensor III (IRS-1D LISS III) satellite imagery was used to prepare the geomorphology, soil, lineament density, drainage density, and landuse maps. The final groundwater potential map was prepared by assigning appropriate weightage to different thematic maps and adding them to the final groundwater potential map. The derived groundwater potential map was overlaid with the groundwater level and location of well fields for validation. The map prepared will help in systematic and proper development of groundwater resources in this area to meet the growing water requirements of the city of Chennai.

The present work is employed in Omalur Taluk (study area 538.10 km 2 ), Salem District, Tamil Nadu, India. Eighty-nine groundwater samples were collected during pre-monsoon (May) 2011 and were analyzed for major cations and anions. The irrigational parameters like; EC, Kelley’s ratio, sodium absorption ratio (SAR) values, Mg 2+ hazards, HCO 3 − and residual sodium carbonate (RSC) have been worked out to know the suitability of the groundwater for irrigational purpose. Wilcox diagram indicates that out of 89 samples, 39 samples belong to good permissible category and Doneen diagram revealed that 98.88 % of the groundwater samples fall in Class I. The plotting of SAR values in USSL diagram indicates that all the samples have low SAR value. Out of 89 samples, 44 samples were in C 3 -S 1 field. This implies that no alkali hazard is anticipated to the crops. In 44 locations (49.44 %), samples fall within C 3 -S 1 category. This category is suitable for irrigation purpose. However, the concentration of bicarbonate was in significant amount showing 82 % of sites under “increasing problem” and the 4 % sites under “Severe Problem” zones. Finally, the above-said results are taken into a Geographic Information System (GIS) platform. To understand the spatial distribution of unsuitable zones, ArcGIS was employed. The present work reveals that groundwater in the Omalur Taluk is of good quality and is suitable for all uses including interbrain water transfer in the region.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the eighth largest cause of cancer-related mortality across the world, with a median 5-year survival rate of less than 3.5%. This is partly because the molecules and the molecular mechanisms that contribute to PDAC are not well understood. Our goal is to understand the role of p21-activated kinase 1 (Pak1) signaling axis in the progression of PDAC. Pak1, a serine/threonine kinase, is a well-known regulator of cytoskeletal remodeling, cell motility, cell proliferation and cell survival. Recent reports suggest that Pak1 by itself can have an oncogenic role in a wide variety of cancers. In this study, we analyzed the expression of Pak1 in human pancreatic cancer tissues and found that Pak1 levels are significantly upregulated in PDAC samples as compared with adjacent normals. Further, to study the functional role of Pak1 in pancreatic cancer model systems, we developed stable overexpression and lentiviral short hairpin RNA-mediated knockdown (KD) clones of Pak1 and studied the changes in transforming properties of the cells. We also observed that Pak1 KD clones failed to form tumors in nude mice. By adopting a quantitative PCR array-based approach, we identified fibronectin, a component of the extracellular matrix and a mesenchymal marker, as a transcriptional target of Pak1 signaling. The underlying molecular mechanism of Pak1-mediated transformation includes its nuclear import and recruitment to the fibronectin promoter via interaction with nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB)–p65 complex. To our knowledge, this is the first study illustrating Pak1–NF-κB–p65-mediated fibronectin regulation as a potent tumor-promoting mechanism in KRAS intact model.

The use of organic materials presents a tremendous opportunity to significantly impact the functionality and pervasiveness of large-area electronics. Commercialization of this technology requires reduction in manufacturing costs by exploiting inexpensive low-temperature deposition and patterning techniques, which typically lead to lower device performance. We report a low-cost approach to control the microstructure of solution-cast acene-based organic thin films through modification of interfacial chemistry. Chemically and selectively tailoring the source/drain contact interface is a novel route to initiating the crystallization of soluble organic semiconductors, leading to the growth on opposing contacts of crystalline films that extend into the transistor channel. This selective crystallization enables us to fabricate high-performance organic thin-film transistors and circuits, and to deterministically study the influence of the microstructure on the device characteristics. By connecting device fabrication to molecular design, we demonstrate that rapid film processing under ambient room conditions and high performance are not mutually exclusive. Crystallization of acenes into high-mobility structures for transistors is achieved by pretreating the substrate in the region where crystallization is required. Cross-talk is prevented between devices by the amorphous material produced on the untreated region.

Aim: To evaluate the toxic effects of nano-zeolites on soil beneficial microorganisms. Methodology: This study involved dry milling of zeolites at varying parameters to obtain dry-milled zeolites of four size regimes such as 10-100 nm, 200-400 nm, 500-1000 nm and 1000-2000 nm that were tested at incremental concentrations such as 100 ppm, 1000 ppm and 2000 ppm along with control on various soil beneficial microorganisms. Three replications were done for each treatment with factorial completely randomized design. The poison food technique, growth curve assessment followed by cytotoxicity and genotoxicity studies on all four bacterial genera treated with zeolites of varying sizes and doses were undertaken. The effects of zeolite on average linear growth rate (ALGR) of biocontrol agent, Trichoderma viride were also studied. Results: The effect of zeolites tested on four bacterial genera viz. Azotobacter chroococcum, Rhizobium leguminosarum, Bacillus megaterium and Pseudomonas fluorescens using poison food technique and growth curve revealed that zeolites regardless of size or concentration had positively influenced the growth dynamics of all four bacteria tested. The effect of zeolite on average linear growth rate (ALGR) of Trichoderma viride also indicated that incremental dose of zeolite had a positive effect. Lactose dehydrogenase revealed that 2000 ppm nano-zeolite exhibited cytotoxic effects on soil beneficial micro-organisms tested. On the other hand, comet assay demonstrated no quantifiable DNA damage in nano-zeolite treated cells in comparison to control cultures. Interpretation: This study unequivocally demonstrated that zeolites of size greater than 200-400 nm, irrespective of doses even up to 2000 ppm are quite safe for soil beneficial microbes.

Lymphatic vessels maintain tissue fluid homeostasis and modulate inflammation, yet their spatial organization and molecular identity in the healthy human kidney, and how these change during chronic transplant rejection, remain poorly defined. Here, we show that lymphatic capillaries initiate adjacent to cortical kidney tubules and lack smooth muscle coverage. These vessels exhibit an organ-specific molecular signature, enriched for CCL14, DNASE1L3, and MDK, with limited expression of canonical immune-trafficking markers found in other organ lymphatics, such as LYVE1 and CXCL8. In allografts with chronic mixed rejection, lymphatics become disorganized and infiltrate the medulla, with their endothelial junctions remodeling from a button-like to a continuous, zipper-like, architecture. Lymphatics in rejecting kidneys localize around and interconnect tertiary lymphoid structures at different maturation stages, with altered intralymphatic and perilymphatic [CD4.sup.+] T cell distribution. The infiltrating T cells express IFN-[gamma], which upregulates coinhibitory ligands in lymphatic endothelial cells, including PVR and LGALS9. Simultaneously, lymphatics acquire HLA class II expression and exhibit C4d deposition, consistent with alloantibody binding and complement activation. Together, these findings define the spatial and molecular features of human kidney lymphatics, revealing tolerogenic reprogramming accompanied by structural perturbations during chronic transplant rejection.

Lymphatic vessels maintain tissue fluid homeostasis and modulate inflammation, yet their spatial organization and molecular identity in the healthy human kidney, and how these change during chronic transplant rejection, remain poorly defined. Here, we show that lymphatic capillaries initiate adjacent to cortical kidney tubules and lack smooth muscle coverage. These vessels exhibit an organ-specific molecular signature, enriched for CCL14, DNASE1L3, and MDK, with limited expression of canonical immune-trafficking markers found in other organ lymphatics, such as LYVE1 and CXCL8. In allografts with chronic mixed rejection, lymphatics become disorganized and infiltrate the medulla, with their endothelial junctions remodeling from a button-like to a continuous, zipper-like, architecture. Lymphatics in rejecting kidneys localize around and interconnect tertiary lymphoid structures at different maturation stages, with altered intralymphatic and perilymphatic CD4+ T cell distribution. The infiltrating T cells express IFN-γ, which upregulates coinhibitory ligands in lymphatic endothelial cells, including PVR and LGALS9. Simultaneously, lymphatics acquire HLA class II expression and exhibit C4d deposition, consistent with alloantibody binding and complement activation. Together, these findings define the spatial and molecular features of human kidney lymphatics, revealing tolerogenic reprogramming accompanied by structural perturbations during chronic transplant rejection.

Aim: To study the influence of elevated atmospheric CO2 concentrations on the carbon and nitrogen assimilation patterns in rice plants. Methodology: Rice (Oryza sativa) plants were placed in Open Top Chambers (OTCs) and exposed to elevated levels of CO2. The treatments consisted of three levels of CO2 (398, 550 and 750 µmol mol-1) and three levels of nitrogen (0, 150 and 200 kg ha-1) and replicated five times in completely randomized design. Results: Leaf nitrogen was significantly reduced by 10.6 % and 6.5 % during later stages in rice plants exposed to CO2 @ 750 µmol mol-1 and 550 µmol mol-1, respectively over the ambient CO2. Rice plants under elevated CO2 did not exhibit any variations in Nitrate Reductase activity in leaves in comparison to ambient CO2 at tillering stage. Interestingly, NRase activity in leaves decreased at flowering stage whereas NRase activity in roots increased at same stage. The highest mean nitrogen values (0.58, 0.89 and 1.35 %) were observed in Camb (ambient CO2 concentration) and the lowest values (0.51, 0.80 and 1.27 %) in C750 in roots, straw and grains, respectively. Elevated CO2 @ 750 µmol mol-1 significantly increased the above ground biomass (straw and grain) by 15.6 and 40.1 %, respectively, over the ambient CO2 of 398 µmol mol-1. Interpretation: Elevated CO2 enhanced the grain productivity but affected the quality of rice grains. Thus, excessive nitrogen fertilization above the current recommendation is necessary for future high CO2 environments.

Previous studies of nurses' critical thinking skills that included demographic characteristics as determinants have been inconclusive. This study explored demographic determinants of critical thinking skills among nurses from public hospitals in Peninsular Malaysia. This cross-sectional study included 549 nurses recruited via multistage cluster sampling. Nurses completed the demographic questionnaire and Health Sciences Reasoning Test (HSRT). The majority of respondents failed to demonstrate critical thinking skills with a mean overall HSRT score of 13.8 (SD = 3.4). Educational qualifications (p = .003) and clinical specialties (p = .022) were significantly related to nurses' critical thinking skills. Years of clinical experience, age, and job ranking were not significant CONCLUSION: The findings indicate a need to address the present curriculum in nursing education and to reinforce critical thinking skills in the nursing workforce. Future research on how nurses in Malaysia acquire critical thinking skills is needed. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2020;51(3):109-117.].

Issue Title: Asian Pacific Phycology in the 21st Century: Prospects and Challenges Hong Kong rocky shores are dominated by cyanobacterial biofilms composed of a diversity of species. Thirteen common species, belonging to seven genera, were isolated in pure culture in MN+ and MN- media under defined growth conditions from a semi-exposed shore in Hong Kong. The nutritional values (i.e., protein, carbohydrate and calorific value) of these 13 species were determined. All species showed high nutritional quality in terms of protein, carbohydrate and calorific value, however, overall nutritional value varied between the species. Species of Spirulina and Phormidium were most nutritious (highest nutritional values) whereas species of Calothrix and Lyngbya were the least nutritious. Microphagous molluscan grazer density and diversity were relatively high at the study site, despite the seemingly low biomass (as assessed by chlorophyll a concentration) of the biofilm. It is suggested that the high nutritional quality of cyanobacteria, together with their fast turnover rates can support high levels of secondary production (biomass of grazers). The high nutritional quality of cyanobacteria on tropical, cyanobacteria-dominated, rocky shores is therefore of great importance in the benthic food web.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]