Vertical propagation characteristics and seasonal variability of tidal wind oscillations in the MLT region over Trivandrum (8.5° N, 77° E): first results from SKiYMET Meteor Radar

Tidal activity in the Mesospheric Lower Thermosphere (MLT) region over Trivandrum (8.5° N, 77° E) is investigated using the observations from newly installed SKiYMET Meteor Radar. The seasonal variability and vertical propagation characteristics of atmospheric tides in the MLT region are addressed in the present communication. The observations revealed that the diurnal tide is more prominent than the semi/terdiurnal components over this latitude. It is also observed that the amplitudes of meridional components are stronger than that of zonal ones. The amplitude and phase structure shows the vertical propagation of diurnal tides with vertical wavelength of ~25 km. However, the vertical wavelength of the semidiurnal tide showed considerable variations. The vertical propagation characteristics of the terdiurnal tide showed some indications of their generating mechanisms. The observed features of tidal components are compared with Global Scale Wave Model (GSWM02) values and they showed a similar amplitude and phase structure for diurnal tides. Month-to-month variations in the tidal amplitudes have shown significant seasonal variation. The observed seasonal variation is discussed in light of the variation in tidal forcing and dissipation

Early Cenozoic rapid flight enigma of the Indian subcontinent resolved: roles of topographic top loading and subcrustal erosion

Intrinsic magmatic processes are considered as critical operators of plate movements. Here we demonstrate the role of extrinsic processes consequent to intrinsic processes as a catalyst for anomalous rapid plate movement. The rapid and accelerated flight of the Indian subcontinent since Deccan volcanism until its collision with Eurasia remains as one of the geological conundrums. Data on seismic tomography, peninsular geomorphology and inferences on continuum of subcrustal structures are utilized to address this enigma. We propose geomorphic isostasy as the mechanism that has driven this fastest drift ever recorded in geological history. It was initiated by sudden instability after the Deccan volcanism and resultant extensive accumulation of lava pile over continental lithosphere of northern India, northern-eastern tilt due to crustal thickness heterogeneity and subcrustal thermal stratification. The drift was sustained by Carlsberg and Central Indian ridge-push until collision and sediment top loading at northeast thenceforth. These inferences and geomorphic isostasy as a catalytic mechanism necessitate variability of drift rates as integral inputs for any continental scale modeling.Muthuvairavasamy Ramkumar, David Menier, Manoj Mathew, M. Santosh, Numair A. Siddiqu

Aquatic plant Azolla as the universal feedstock for biofuel production

Background: The quest for sustainable production of renewable and cheap biofuels has triggered an intensive search for domestication of the next generation of bioenergy crops. Aquatic plants which can rapidly colonize wetlands are attracting attention because of their ability to grow in wastewaters and produce large amounts of biomass. Representatives of Azolla species are some of the fastest growing plants, producing substantial biomass when growing in contaminated water and natural ecosystems. Together with their evolutional symbiont, the cyanobacterium Anabaena azollae, Azolla biomass has a unique chemical composition accumulating in each leaf including three major types of bioenergy molecules: cellulose/hemicellulose, starch and lipids, resembling combinations of terrestrial bioenergy crops and microalgae. Results: The growth of Azolla filiculoides in synthetic wastewater led up to 25, 69, 24 and 40 % reduction of NH4-N, NO3-N, PO4-P and selenium, respectively, after 5 days of treatment. This led to a 2.6-fold reduction in toxicity of the treated wastewater to shrimps, common inhabitants of wetlands. Two Azolla species, Azolla filiculoides and Azolla pinnata, were used as feedstock for the production of a range of functional hydrocarbons through hydrothermal liquefaction, bio-hydrogen and bio-ethanol. Given the high annual productivity of Azolla, hydrothermal liquefaction can lead to the theoretical production of 20.2 t/ha-year of bio-oil and 48 t/ha-year of bio-char. The ethanol production from Azolla filiculoides, 11.7 × 103 L/ha-year, is close to that from corn stover (13.3 × 103 L/ha-year), but higher than from miscanthus (2.3 × 103 L/ha-year) and woody plants, such as willow (0.3 × 103 L/ha-year) and poplar (1.3 × 103 L/ ha-year). With a high C/N ratio, fermentation of Azolla biomass generates 2.2 mol/mol glucose/xylose of hydrogen, making this species a competitive feedstock for hydrogen production compared with other bioenergy crops

Automatic Identification System (AIS): An initiative in purse seine fisheries along Mumbai coast

Automatic Identification System (AIS) is a significant development in navigation safety since the introduction of RADAR. It was originally developed as a collision avoidance tool for commercial vessels to improve the helmsman’s information about his surrounding environment. AIS does this by continuously transmitting a vessels identity, position, speed and course along with other relevant information to all other AIS equipped vessels within range

Protein O-Glucosyltransferase 1 (POGLUT1) Promotes Mouse Gastrulation through Modification of the Apical Polarity Protein CRUMBS2

Crumbs family proteins are apical transmembrane proteins with ancient roles in cell polarity. Mouse Crumbs2 mutants arrest at midgestation with abnormal neural plate morphology and a deficit of mesoderm caused by defects in gastrulation. We identified an ENU-induced mutation, wsnp, that phenocopies the Crumbs2 null phenotype. We show that wsnp is a null allele of Protein O-glucosyltransferase 1 (Poglut1), which encodes an enzyme previously shown to add O-glucose to EGF repeats in the extracellular domain of Drosophila and mammalian Notch, but the role of POGLUT1 in mammalian gastrulation has not been investigated. As predicted, we find that POGLUT1 is essential for Notch signaling in the early mouse embryo. However, the loss of mouse POGLUT1 causes an earlier and more dramatic phenotype than does the loss of activity of the Notch pathway, indicating that POGLUT1 has additional biologically relevant substrates. Using mass spectrometry, we show that POGLUT1 modifies EGF repeats in the extracellular domain of full-length mouse CRUMBS2. CRUMBS2 that lacks the O-glucose modification fails to be enriched on the apical plasma membrane and instead accumulates in the endoplasmic reticulum. The data demonstrate that CRUMBS2 is the target of POGLUT1 for the gastrulation epithelial-to-mesenchymal transitions (EMT) and that all activity of CRUMBS2 depends on modification by POGLUT1. Mutations in human POGLUT1 cause Dowling-Degos Disease, POGLUT1 is overexpressed in a variety of tumor cells, and mutations in the EGF repeats of human CRUMBS proteins are associated with human congenital nephrosis, retinitis pigmentosa and retinal degeneration, suggesting that O-glucosylation of CRUMBS proteins has broad roles in human health

Spectrum of Epithelial Cell Abnormality (ECA) and Cyto-Histopathological Correlation: A Hospital Based Prospective Study

Objective: To determine the spectrum of cervical cytology and its correlation with histopathological findings in a tertiary care centre. Methods: This was a hospital based prospective study conducted in the Vinayaka Missions Medical College & Hospital, Karaikal, Puducherry, India (tertiary care centre) between June 2022, and May 2023. Results: Of the 442 requests for cytological examination – 5.2% were found to be unsatisfactory for evaluation, 80.8% smears were negative for intraepithelial lesion and malignancy and 7.9% had an epithelial cell abnormality (ECA). The distribution of smears showing signs of inflammation and atrophic changes were 5.0% and 1.1% respectively. Of the ECA, 14.3% had atypical squamous cells cannot exclude high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (ASC-H), 8.6% had low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL), 14.3% had high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL), 11.4% had invasive squamous cell carcinoma, 2.8% had adenocarcinoma, and 5.7% had atypical glandular cells of undetermined significance (AGUS). Cytology and histopathology showed high rates of concordance for malignant lesions and AGUS. The assessment of diagnostic accuracy demonstrated the strength of cytology in identifying invasive squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma with 100% sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV. However, variations were observed in the accuracy of identifying HSIL, LSIL, and negative cytology (NILM). Conclusion: The high diagnostic accuracy for malignancies reinforces the pivotal role of cytology in identifying clinically significant lesions. However, the variations observed in the accuracy of identifying pre-neoplastic lesions call for a nuanced approach, potentially incorporating adjunctive testing and tailored surveillance strategies

THE ROLE OF HYBRID WORK MODELS IN ENHANCING EMPLOYEE WELL-BEING, PRODUCTIVITY, AND JOB SATISFACTION

Introduction: The hybrid workplace model, which combines in-office and remote work, has gained significant traction, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. This shift has introduced new dynamics in workplace flexibility, altering employee well-being, productivity, and job satisfaction. Understanding the impact of hybrid work is crucial as organizations adapt to evolving work environments.Objective: This study aims to investigate the relationship between hybrid work models and employee well-being, productivity, and job satisfaction. The study is guided by two hypotheses: (1) Hybrid work environments promote employee well-being, and (2) Hybrid work arrangements lead to increased productivity and job satisfaction.Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted to establish the theoretical foundation for the study. A survey was administered to 1,000 employees from organizations implementing hybrid work models. Regression and correlation analyses were performed on the collected data to assess the relationships between hybrid work arrangements, well-being, productivity, and job satisfaction.Results: The findings demonstrate a positive correlation between hybrid work models and employee well-being, confirming the first hypothesis. Employees in hybrid roles reported better mental health and job satisfaction. Additionally, the study supports the second hypothesis, as higher productivity was observed among employees with increased remote work flexibility.Conclusion: Hybrid work models can serve as an effective strategy for improving organizational success and employee satisfaction. When properly implemented, they enhance worker well-being, increase productivity, and foster a more balanced work environment. Organizations should consider structured hybrid policies to maximize the benefits of this evolving work model in the modern workforce

N,N′-(1,4-Phenyl­ene)bis­(2-bromo-2-methyl­propanamide)

The mol­ecular structure of the title compound, C14H18Br2N2O2, has one half-mol­ecule in the asymmetric unit. The mol­ecule has a crystallographic inversion centre in the middle of the benzene ring. The C—C—N—C torsion angle between the benzene ring and the bromo­amide group is 149.2 (7)°. The crystal is stabilized by a strong inter­molecular N—H⋯O bond and weak C—H⋯O inter­actions. These contacts give rise to a three-dimensional network

कर्नाटक के देवगढ़ द्वीप में पक्षियोँ की जैवविविधता

कर्नाटक के देवगढ़ द्वीप में पक्षियोँ की जैवविविधत

Logistics service provider selection for disaster preparation: a socio-technical systems perspective

Since 1990s, the world has seen a lot of advances in providing humanitarian aid through sophisticated logistics operations. The current consensus seems to be that humanitarian relief organizations (HROs) can improve their relief operations by collaborating with logistics service providers (CLSPs) in the commercial sector. The question remains: how can HROs select the most appropriate CLSP for disaster preparation? Despite its practical significance, no explicit effort has been done to identify the criteria/factors in prioritising and selecting a CLSP for disaster relief. The present study aims to address this gap by consolidating the list of criteria from a socio-technical systems (STS) perspective. Then, to handle the interdependence among the criteria derived from the STS, we develop a hybrid multi-criteria decision making model for CLSP selection in the disaster preparedness stage. The proposed model is then evaluated by a real-life case study, providing insights into the decision-makers in both HROs and CLSPs