Microbial Habitability of Sulfate-rich Environments of Earth and Mars

Mars hosted ancient hypersaline sulfate lakes around 4 billion years ago in the early Noachian. Chemically similar environments on Earth are teeming with microbes that have adapted to these extreme conditions yet the microbiome of terrestrial MgSO4 systems has not yet been adequately constrained. This is essential in order to understand the potential habitability of epsomic environments of early Mars. This thesis presents the characterisation of the microbial community compositions of enrichments of epsomite (MgSO4.7H2O) crystals from Basque Lakes, British Columbia, Canada. Basque lakes are sulfate-rich playas that serve as analogues for Mars' ancient hypersaline sulfate lakes. The predominant microbial taxa, which are typically halophilic, are also epsotolerant, which means that they can grow at high MgSO4.7H2O concentrations but do not require it to grow. Microbes residing in such rare terrestrial epsomic habitats are exemplars of the putative microbial life deemed to be associated with equivalent environments on early Mars. Therefore, one of the major contributions of this thesis is that it adds to the inventory of model terrestrial halophiles that can help inform our understanding of viable metabolisms and potential biosignatures on Mars. This thesis also reports the discovery of three novel microbial species: two bacteria and one archaeon, isolated from Basque Lake epsomite enrichments and characterised through a suite of genomic, physiological, and chemotaxonomic tests. Four whole genome sequencing accession numbers granted by GenBank are also reported, with computational tools employed to assign functions to the genes in the novel isolates. The subsystem categories and gene clusters for metabolic and signalling pathways represented in the novel bacterial genomes could have a bearing on survival under oligotrophic as well as multiple physicochemical stresses. Given NASA’s and ESA’s robotic missions to Mars are currently targeting sulfate-rich environments the results of this thesis may inform the search for potentially habitable epsomitic niches on Mars that could host preserved biosignatures

Role of amnioinfusion in meconium stained liquor in relation to fetal outcome

Background: Meconium aspiration syndrome complicates 1.7 to 35.8% of deliveries. The meconium aspiration syndrome is believed to result from aspiration of meconium during intrauterine gasping or at the time of first breath. Transcervical infusion of saline into amniotic cavity or amnioinfusion has been proposed as a method to reduce the risk of the meconium aspiration syndrome.Methods: The study was conducted in Department of Obstetrics and gynecology in collaboration with the department of paediatrics, Era’s Lucknow Medical College, Lucknow, India in the study period of 18 months. It was a prospective case control study. A total number of 80 patients were enrolled for the purpose of study. The patients were randomly divided into two groups. Control group (n=40) those who received standard treatment (i.e. labor analgesia, maternal nutrition and record of progress of labor) and Study group (n=40) patients who were managed by giving amnioinfusion in addition to the standard treatment. Both groups were compared in terms of fetal outcome. Data so obtained was subjected to statistical analysis using statistical package for Social Science Version 15.0.Results: Majority of babies of control group (n=22, 55%) have Apgar score at 1 minute was <7 whereas majority of babies born to mothers of study group (n=27, 67.5%) have apgar scores at 1 minute was ≥7.    Resuscitative measures were required in majority of control group babies (n=22, 55%) as compared to only 13 (32.5%) babies of study group. Meconium aspiraton syndrome was present in 12 babies (30%) of control group as compared to only 4 babies (10%) of study group. Rate of neonatal death was higher in control group (5%) as compared to study group (2.5%). A total of 25 (62.5%) babies required NICU admission in control group and 15 (37.5) babies in study group.Conclusions: The findings in present study indicates that aminoinfusion in a well-equipped tertiary care unit reduces the rate of caesarean section significantly while at the same time influences the neonatal outcome in terms of better Apgar score, reduced need of resuscitative measures and reduced neonatal morbidity

Green and non-green outcomes of green human resource management (GHRM) in the tourism context

Globally, organizational espousal of green and sustainable operations has been critically facilitated by green human resource management (GHRM) initiatives, especially in the tourism and hospitality sector. This research is an effort to examine the nuances of employees' responses to GHRM and contribute to this field by examining how narcissism, an individual trait and boundary condition, influences GHRM's relationship with employees' green (voluntary and task-related practices) and non-green outcomes (task performance and job satisfaction). Our hypotheses, grounded in social identity and trait activation theories, were tested with data obtained through a time-lagged two-wave survey of 219 UK-based hotel employees via the Prolific Academic platform. Analysis revealed significant associations between GHRM and all employee outcomes. Narcissism was shown to have a significant moderating effect on GHRM's associations with both green and non-green (task performance) behaviors. Our results imply important understandings for the advancement of theoretical knowledge and practical implementation of GHRM.publishedVersio

Biogenic nanozirconium in hydrogel beads for fluoride removal: equilibrium, thermodynamic and kinetic studies

248-253In the present research work, removal of fluoride from aqueous solution using fenugreek leaf mediated Zr nanoparticle entrapped in calcium alginate beads has been attempted. The adsorption study for removal of fluoride from aqueous solution of defined concentrations has been carried out in batch mode followed by its estimation using ion-chromatography. Synthesized Zr nanoparticles are subjected to various analyses e.g. SEM, TEM, SAED EDAX and FTIR, revealing zirconium an integral component. The adsorption capacity of Zr entrapped calcium alginate beads for fluoride is found to be 90.90 mg/g. The Langmuir isotherm model best fits on equilibrium data since it provides higher&nbsp;R2 value than Freundlich model similarly, pseudo-second order kinetic model could better explain adsorption kinetic in comparison to pseudo first order model by presenting better correlation coefficient.&nbsp;The overall study suggests that Zr nanoparticles entrapped in alginate beads could be a better candidate for removal of fluoride from aqueous solution

Biogenic nanozirconium in hydrogel beads for fluoride removal: equilibrium, thermodynamic and kinetic studies

In the present research work, removal of fluoride from aqueous solution using fenugreek leaf mediated Zr nanoparticle entrapped in calcium alginate beads has been attempted. The adsorption study for removal of fluoride from aqueous solution of defined concentrations has been carried out in batch mode followed by its estimation using ion-chromatography. Synthesized Zr nanoparticles are subjected to various analyses e.g. SEM, TEM, SAED EDAX and FTIR, revealing zirconium an integral component. The adsorption capacity of Zr entrapped calcium alginate beads for fluoride is found to be 90.90 mg/g. The Langmuir isotherm model best fits on equilibrium data since it provides higher R2 value than Freundlich model similarly, pseudo-second order kinetic model could better explain adsorption kinetic in comparison to pseudo first order model by presenting better correlation coefficient. The overall study suggests that Zr nanoparticles entrapped in alginate beads could be a better candidate for removal of fluoride from aqueous solution

Draft genome sequence of <i>Halobacillus campisalis</i> strain ASL-17

We report here the genome sequence of moderately halophilic Halobacillus campisalis ASL-17, isolated from hypersaline sediment from the Yellow Sea, Korea. The bacterium was Gram variable, oval or coccoid, and mesophilic. The genome of H. campisalis ASL-17 has 3.8 Mbp, with 3,910 coding sequences, 76 RNAs, and 41.3% G + C content

Ladakh: Diverse, high-altitude extreme environments for off-earth analogue and astrobiology research

This paper highlights unique sites in Ladakh, India, investigated during our 2016 multidisciplinary pathfinding expedition to the region. We summarize our scientific findings and the site's potential to support science exploration, testing of new technologies and science protocols within the framework of astrobiology research. Ladakh has several accessible, diverse, pristine and extreme environments at very high altitudes (3000-5700 m above sea level). These sites include glacial passes, sand dunes, hot springs and saline lake shorelines with periglacial features. We report geological observations and environmental characteristics (of astrobiological significance) along with the development of regolith-landform maps for cold high passes. The effects of the diurnal water cycle on salt deliquescence were studied using the ExoMars Mission instrument mockup: HabitAbility: Brines, Irradiance and Temperature (HABIT). It recorded the existence of an interaction between the diurnal water cycle in the atmosphere and salts in the soil (which can serve as habitable liquid water reservoirs). Life detection assays were also tested to establish the best protocols for biomass measurements in brines, periglacial ice-mud and permafrost melt water environments in the Tso-Kar region. This campaign helped confirm the relevance of clays and brines as interest targets of research on Mars for biomarker preservation and life detection.The team would like to express its gratitude to BirbalSahni Institute of Palaeosciences, Department of Science and Technology,Office of Chief Wildlife Warden of Ladakh, Government of India for helpingarrange the requisite clearances and permits for the conducted work. Projectmentoring and guidance provided by Spaceward Bound members at NASAAmes Research Center. Financial and logistics support provided by TataMotors Ltd, Inspired Journeys Co, Pearl Travels Ltd and NationalGeographic Traveller India. Website and IT support provided by the BlueMarble Space Institute of Science. Audio-video documentation support pro-vided by Astroproject India and The H

Role of amnioinfusion in meconium stained liquor in relation to fetal outcome

Background: Meconium aspiration syndrome complicates 1.7 to 35.8% of deliveries. The meconium aspiration syndrome is believed to result from aspiration of meconium during intrauterine gasping or at the time of first breath. Transcervical infusion of saline into amniotic cavity or amnioinfusion has been proposed as a method to reduce the risk of the meconium aspiration syndrome.Methods: The study was conducted in Department of Obstetrics and gynecology in collaboration with the department of paediatrics, Era’s Lucknow Medical College, Lucknow, India in the study period of 18 months. It was a prospective case control study. A total number of 80 patients were enrolled for the purpose of study. The patients were randomly divided into two groups. Control group (n=40) those who received standard treatment (i.e. labor analgesia, maternal nutrition and record of progress of labor) and Study group (n=40) patients who were managed by giving amnioinfusion in addition to the standard treatment. Both groups were compared in terms of fetal outcome. Data so obtained was subjected to statistical analysis using statistical package for Social Science Version 15.0.Results: Majority of babies of control group (n=22, 55%) have Apgar score at 1 minute was &lt;7 whereas majority of babies born to mothers of study group (n=27, 67.5%) have apgar scores at 1 minute was ≥7.    Resuscitative measures were required in majority of control group babies (n=22, 55%) as compared to only 13 (32.5%) babies of study group. Meconium aspiraton syndrome was present in 12 babies (30%) of control group as compared to only 4 babies (10%) of study group. Rate of neonatal death was higher in control group (5%) as compared to study group (2.5%). A total of 25 (62.5%) babies required NICU admission in control group and 15 (37.5) babies in study group.Conclusions: The findings in present study indicates that aminoinfusion in a well-equipped tertiary care unit reduces the rate of caesarean section significantly while at the same time influences the neonatal outcome in terms of better Apgar score, reduced need of resuscitative measures and reduced neonatal morbidity

Evaluation of Simulated AVIRIS-NG Imagery Using a Spectral Reconstruction Method for the Retrieval of Leaf Chlorophyll Content

The leaf chlorophyll content (LCC) is a vital parameter that indicates plant production, stress, and nutrient availability. It is critically needed for precision farming. There are several multispectral images available freely, but their applicability is restricted due to their low spectral resolution, whereas hyperspectral images which have high spectral resolution are very limited in availability. In this work, hyperspectral imagery (AVIRIS-NG) is simulated using a multispectral image (Sentinel-2) and a spectral reconstruction method, namely, the universal pattern decomposition method (UPDM). UPDM is a linear unmixing technique, which assumes that every pixel of an image can be decomposed as a linear composition of different classes present in that pixel. The simulated AVIRIS-NG was very similar to the original image, and its applicability in estimating LCC was further verified by using the ground based measurements, which showed a good correlation value (R = 0.65). The simulated image was further classified using a spectral angle mapper (SAM), and an accuracy of 87.4% was obtained, moreover a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for the classifier was also plotted, and the area under the curve (AUC) was calculated with values greater than 0.9. The obtained results suggest that simulated AVIRIS-NG is quite useful and could be used for vegetation parameter retrieval