Gold nanosphere enhanced green and red fluorescence in ZnO: Al, Eu3+

Gold nanoparticles can generate near field due to surface plasmon resonance (SPR) in the visible region. Such near field has the ability to enhance fluorescence of optimally proximal emitters. We have observed augmented green (intrinsic) and red (Eu3+) emission under UV excitation (375 nm) from an important semiconductor ZnO:Al, Eu3+ when optimally conjugated with gold nanospheres. Local field generated by gold nanosphere (similar to 30 nm) is simulated through finite difference time domain method, and a direct correlation with fluorescence enhancement is established

Proteomic profiling of vetiver grass (Chrysopogon zizanioides) under 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) stress

Vetiver grass is an ideal plant for 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) phytoremediation, due to its ability to tolerate and metabolize TNT as previously reported. The current study is the first attempt to investigate the changes in the proteomic profile of a plant under TNT stress. Vetiver plants were grown in nutrient media with varying concentrations of TNT (0, 25, 50, and 100 mg L−1) for 10 days. Although the plants appeared healthy, significant biomass reductions (p = 0.0008) were observed in treated plants. Total proteins in the root decreased significantly (p = 0.0003). Proteomic analysis of root proteins revealed the downregulation of functional proteins involved in key cellular mechanisms such as transcription, ribosome biogenesis, nucleo-cytoplasmic transport of proteins, protein glycosylation, and translation. Growth-related proteins were downregulated; plant defense proteins were upregulated at lower TNT concentrations but downregulated at higher concentrations. Comprehensive understanding of changes in the proteomic profile provides important clues to the mechanism of TNT stress response and tolerance in vetiver

Exploring The Effect of Wheat Grass Juice on Thalassaemia: A Comprehensive Review

Thalassemia is a hereditary blood disorder characterized by a deficiency in the oxygen-carrying protein (haemoglobin) and a reduced number of red blood cells in the body compared to normal. Mild forms of thalassemia may not necessitate treatment, while severe cases may require blood transfusions or a stem-cell transplant from a donor. Wheatgrass extract is seen as a supplementary treatment option for thalassemia, although research in this field is still in its early stages. Wheatgrass is a low-calorie substance but rich in essential nutrients, including antioxidants like glutathione, vitamin C, and vitamin E that plays a crucial role in combating harmful free radicals in the body, reducing oxidative stress, and providing protection against conditions such as arthritis, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases. The proposed mechanism behind wheatgrass extract involves the swift absorption of chlorophyll and its action at the cellular level in the bone marrow, facilitating heme production. Treatment with wheatgrass tablets has been found to maintain serum ferritin levels and increase HbF levels in children with thalassemia who undergo frequent blood transfusions. However, it does not appear to reduce the frequency of blood transfusions required. Wheatgrass tablets also contribute to an improved quality of life for children with thalassemia. The present study aims to investigate the effectiveness of wheatgrass therapy in patients with transfusion-dependent anemia, further extensive studies involving a larger patient population would be necessary

Notes on Günther’s Oriental Slender Snake (Trachischium guentheri) from the Himalayan Realm of North Sikkim, India

The Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) is known for its biodiversity, yet it faces substantial threats fromanthropogenic activities and climate change. Despite the ecological importance of the IHR, herpetofaunal studies,especially in the eastern Himalayan State of Sikkim, remain limited. We herein address aspects of natural history ofa fossorial snake, Günther’s Oriental Slender Snake (Trachischium guentheri) in North Sikkim. We encountered 25snakes during field surveys from 30 September to 12 October 2023 in the Lachen region at elevations of 2,549–2,918m asl. Responses of snakes to unusually high rainfall led to increased road mortality during the peak tourist season. Inresponse, we propose two specialized structures, featuring elevated barriers and elaborate hollow, trapezoidal concreteslabs, to mitigate roadkills. We also emphasize the importance of monitoring to identify areas with high traffic wheremeasures to mitigate road mortality should be employed

Enhanced visible fluorescence in highly transparent Al-doped ZnO film by surface plasmon coupling of Ag nanoparticles

ZnO:Al (AZO) film has been deposited on quartz substrate by Pulsed laser deposition and showed monophasic hexagonal structure of c-axis oriented nanorods upto 80 nm in height. AZO film was optimally conjugated with Ag nanoparticles (Ag NPs) in a hybrid nanostructure to achieve significant enhancement in the visible fluorescence emission. Augmented near field and extinction spectra of shape tailored Ag NPs and their dimers are simulated through FDTD method, and a direct association with fluorescence enhancement is established. Such plasmon-enhanced visible emission from a transparent conducting oxide could be very important for solar cell applications

Antitumor Responses of Invariant Natural Killer T Cells

Natural killer T (NKT) cells are innate-like lymphocytes that were first described in the late 1980s. Since their initial description, numerous studies have collectively shed light on their development and effector function. These studies have highlighted the unique requirements for the activation of these lymphocytes and the functional responses that distinguish these cells from other effector lymphocyte populations such as conventional T cells and NK cells. This body of literature suggests that NKT cells play diverse nonredundant roles in a number of disease processes, including the initiation and propagation of airway hyperreactivity, protection against a variety of pathogens, development of autoimmunity, and mediation of allograft responses. In this review, however, we focus on the role of a specific lineage of NKT cells in antitumor immunity. Specifically, we describe the development of invariant NKT (iNKT) cells and the factors that are critical for their acquisition of effector function. Next, we delineate the mechanisms by which iNKT cells influence and modulate the activity of other immune cells to directly or indirectly affect tumor growth. Finally, we review the successes and failures of clinical trials employing iNKT cell-based immunotherapies and explore the future prospects for the use of such strategies

Evidence for Exocellular Arsenic in Fronds of Pteris vittata

The arsenic (As) hyperaccumulating fern species Pteris vittata (PV) is capable of accumulating large quantities of As in its aboveground tissues. Transformation to AsIII and vacuolar sequestration is believed to be the As detoxification mechanism in PV. Here we present evidence for a preponderance of exocellular As in fronds of Pteris vittata despite numerous reports of a tolerance mechanism involving intracellular compartmentalization. Results of an extraction experiment show that 43–71% of the As extruded out of the fronds of PV grown in 0.67, 3.3 and 6.7mM AsV. SEM-EDX analysis showed that As was localized largely on the lower pinna surface, with smaller amounts on the upper surface, as crystalline deposits. X-ray fluorescence imaging of pinna cross-sections revealed preferential localization of As on the pinna surface in the proximity of veins, with the majority localized near the midrib. Majority of the As in the pinnae is contained in the apoplast rather than vacuoles. Our results provide evidence that exocellular sequestration is potentially a mechanism of As detoxification in PV, particularly at higher As concentrations, raising concern about its use for phytoremediation

Organizational factors fostering employee green behavior in the workplace: Study on the leather industry

This study investigates the influencing factors that foster green employee behavior in the workplace. The objective of this study is to measure the impact of environmental concern, green human resources practices, environmental knowledge, and green organizational culture on green employee behavior at the workplace. As the potential sample, the study only considered working employees of various medium-sized organizations of the leather industry in Bangladesh. The survey questionnaire was developed on Google Forms using a five-point Likert scale. 300 online questionnaires were sent to the respondents, and 215 responses were deemed valid, showing a response rate of 71%. Moreover, a 5% significance level and SPSS software were used to analyze the data regarding the research purpose of this study. Cronbach’s alpha (α) and factor loading values were used for the reliability and validity of the variables. OLS regression was used to test the hypotheses. This study results find that employees’ concern for the environment, organizational green HRM, necessary information about the environment, green culture, and leadership style are critical for fostering green behavioral outcomes at the workplace. These four factors explained 48.6% of variations on the dependent variable. It is also found that environmental concern (β = 0.274, p < 0.05**) has the highest impact on employee behavior, and green HR practices (β = 0.145, p < 0.05**) have the lowest impact on employee behavior

Urban cooling potential and cost comparison of heat mitigation techniques for their impact on the lower atmosphere

Cool materials and rooftop vegetation help achieve urban heating mitigation as they can reduce building cooling demands. This study assesses the cooling potential of different mitigation technologies using Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF)- taking case of a tropical coastal climate in the Kolkata Metropolitan Area. The model was validated using data from six meteorological sites. The cooling potential of eight mitigation scenarios was evaluated for: three cool roofs, four green roofs, and their combination (cool-city). The sensible heat, latent heat, heat storage, 2-m ambient temperature, surface temperature, air temperature, roof temperature, and urban canopy temperature was calculated. The effects on the urban boundary layer were also investigated. The different scenarios reduced the daytime temperature of various urban components, and the effect varied nearly linearly with increasing albedo and green roof fractions. For example, the maximum ambient temperature decreased by 3.6 °C, 0.9 °C, and 1.4 °C for a cool roof with 85% albedo, 100% rooftop vegetation, and their combination. The cost of different mitigation scenarios was assumed to depend on the construction options, location, and market prices. The potential for price per square meter and corresponding temperature decreased was related to one another. Recognizing the complex relationship between scenarios and construction options, the reduction in the maximum and minimum temperature across different cool and green roof cases were used for developing the cost estimates. This estimate thus attempted a summary of the price per degree of cooling for the different potential technologies. Higher green fraction, cool materials, and their combination generally reduced winds and enhanced buoyancy. The surface changes alter the lower atmospheric dynamics such as low-level vertical mixing and a shallower boundary layer and weakened horizontal convective rolls during afternoon hours. Although cool materials offer the highest temperature reductions, the cooling resulting from its combination and a green roof strategy could mitigate or reverse the summertime heat island effect. The results highlight the possibilities for heat mitigation and offer insight into the different strategies and costs for mitigating the urban heating and cooling demands.Dev Niyogi acknowledges fnancial support from US NOAA-NIHHIS (NA21OAR4310146; Program Manager: Hunter Jones); the NASA Interdisciplinary Sciences program (80NSSC20K1262 and 80NSSC20K1268), the U.S. National Science Foundation (1835739, 2051110, and 2228205), and the University of Texas at Austin for William Stamps Farish Chair funds and the Bridging Barriers/Planet Texas 2050 initiativ