An investigation into the impact of reservoir management Kerala floods 2018: A case study of the Kakki reservoir

The coastal state of Kerala, India experienced unprecedented levels of rainfall and flooding in August 2018, resulting in huge life and property loss. Since then the impact reservoir management may have had on the severity of the 2018 Kerala floods has been in question. This study presents a novel approach to developing a reservoir model using HECHMS and HEC-ResSim models, combined with satellite remote sensing data. In order to establish a link between flood severity and reservoir management, a model of the Kakki reservoir in southern Kerala was created. Simulations were carried out for six long term, two short term, and two immediate run cases. It was found that all cases except the immediate simulation run resulted in a reduced peak flow. The long simulation run, which altered the guide curve after the heavy rainfall occurring on 14th August 2018, while constraining the outflow, was found to produce the greatest reduction in peak outflow. The significant peak outflow reduction achieved suggests that improved reservoir management could have reduced the severity of the 2018 floods

Microheated substrates for patterning cells and controlling development

Here, we seek to control cellular development by devising a means through which cells can be subjected to a microheated environment in standard culture conditions. Numerous techniques have been devised for controlling cellular function and development via manipulation of surface environmental cues at the micro- and nanoscale. It is well understood that temperature plays a significant role in the rate of cellular activities, migratory behavior (thermotaxis), and in some cases, protein expression. Yet, the effects and possible utilization of micrometer-scale temperature fields in cell cultures have not been explored. Toward this end, two types of thermally isolated microheated substrates were designed and fabricated, one with standard backside etching beneath a dielectric film and another with a combination of surface and bulk micromachining and backside etching. The substrates were characterized with infrared microscopy, finite element modeling, scanning electron microscopy, stylus profilometry, and electrothermal calibrations. Neuron culture studies were conducted on these substrates to 1) examine the feasibility of using a microheated environment to achieve patterned cell growth and 2) selectively accelerate neural development on regions less than 100$mu m$wide. Results show that attached neurons, grown on microheated regions set at 37$~^circ C$, extended processes substantially faster than those incubated at 25$~^circ C$on the same substrate. Further, unattached neurons were positioned precisely along the length of the heater filament (operating at 45$~^circ C$) using free convection currents. These preliminary findings indicate that microheated substrates may be used to direct cellular development spatially in a practical manner.$hfillhbox[1414]

Factors that influence quality and yield of circulating-free DNA: A systematic review of the methodology literature.

BACKGROUND: Circulating-free DNA (cfDNA) is under investigation as a liquid biopsy of cancer for early detection, monitoring disease progression and therapeutic response. This systematic review of the primary cfDNA literature aims to identify and evaluate factors that influence recovery of cfDNA, and to outline evidence-based recommendations for standardization of methods. METHODS: A search of the Ovid and Cochrane databases was undertaken in May 2018 to obtain relevant literature on cfDNA isolation and quantification. Retrieved titles and abstracts were reviewed by two authors. The factors evaluated include choice of specimen type (plasma or serum); time-to-processing of whole blood; blood specimen tube; centrifugation protocol (speed, time, temperature and number of spins); and methods of cfDNA isolation and quantification. FINDINGS: Of 4,172 articles identified through the database search, 52 proceeded to full-text review and 37 met the criteria for inclusion. A quantitative analysis was not possible, due to significant heterogeneity in methodological approaches between studies. Therefore, included data was tabulated and a textual qualitative synthesis approach was taken. INTERPRETATION: This is the first systematic review of methodological factors that influence recovery and quantification of cfDNA, enabling recommendations to be made that will support standardization of methodological approaches towards development of blood-based cancer tests