Effects of lithium on membrane fluidity and lipid profile in brain membranes of aluminum-treated rats

The effects of lithium (Li) supplementation on lipid profile and fluidity of cerebrum and cerebellum membranes in aluminum (Al)-treated rats were investigated. A significant decrease in the levels of total lipids and cholesterol was observed in both the regions following Al exposure, which however were significantly increased following Li supplementation. Further, glycolipids and gangliosides contents were significantly decreased in cerebrum, but increased in cerebellum following Al treatment. Interestingly, Li supplementation reversed the trends and regulated the levels of glycolipids and gangliosides. Al treatment also elevated conjugated diene formation and phospholipid levels in both cerebrum and cerebellum membranes, which however were decreased upon Li supplementation. The cholesterol/phospholipid ratio however was decreased after Al treatment and Li supplementation was able to enhance the ratio in both cerebrum and cerebellum. Further, Al treatment significantly increased the fluorescence polarization, anisotropy and order parameter, which however were normalized following Li supplementation. The levels of Al were also found to be significantly elevated in cerebrum and cerebellum after Al treatment and normalized in cerebellum following Li treatment. Therefore, the present study shows the potential of Li in regulating the changes produced by Al on membrane composition and fluidity in rat brain.     

Integrated approach of assessing sedimentary characteristics of onshore sand deposits on the Velankanni coast, Tamil Nadu, India: sheds light on extreme wave event signatures

The refraction of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami waves caused drastic devastation along East coast of India, mainly in the area of investigation. Here, we appraise and integrate the sedimentary characteristics and microfossil studies of the area. The gigantic tsunami waves caused the landward fining of sediments that were carried as suspended load. Tsunami sediments have distinctive characteristics, like fine-to-medium grained sand, moderately to poorly sorted sediments which indicating sudden winnowing followed by tranquil flood. Positively skewed grain size distribution indicating unidirectional transport, and mesokurtic to platykurtic character implying poorly sorted single source origin. The species of benthonic foraminifers and ostracods reside in marine environment indicating shallow water origin of sediments. The onshore deposits are vertically divided into three depositional units interpreted from Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) signatures—Unit 1 is a relatively continuous parallel layer indicative of calm environment; Unit 2 has paleochannels and burial scarps, seen as oblique reflections that might be indicative of an intense erosional environment; Unit 3 is interpreted as 2004 tsunami layer, has three subunits. Each main units have been separated by Heavy Mineral Concentrated (HMC) layers, deposited by continuous wave action (~?20 cm) and by the tsunami (>?30 cm) activity, evidenced by low magnetic susceptibility values at the bottom compared to the top of the HMC layers. GPR has been effectively utilized in this paper as subsurface imaging tool for the interpretation and reconstruction of stratigraphy, and also helped to unearth the erosional and depositional environments.     

Ecology of fouling bryozoans in Cochin waters

An extensive study was conducted on the settlement and seasonal succession of fouling bryozoans in and around Cochin Harbour during the period 1965 to 1966; it was the first study of its kind performed in Indian waters. A total of 14 species was recorded from localities which were ecologically dissimilar. A distinct succession of species, mainly of a seasonal character, was observed. Seasonal succession usually occurs in localities where seasons are well marked, and where different species of animals with short life spans settle during particular times of the year. The study has shown that a distinct seasonal succession of bryozoans occurs in this locality; out of the 14 species which appeared on the panels not one species settled throughout the year. This was due to seasonal differences in the ecological conditions which prevailed in the area investigated. The significant seasonal influences on the incidence of bryozoans led to a categorisation of the species into the following patterns (a) typical brackish-water forms not encountered in purely marine localities; (b) typical brackish-water forms which may occur in marine localities; (c) typical marine forms never found in localities where low salinity conditions prevail.Part of a thesis submitted by the first-named author for his degree of Doctor of Philosophy of the University of Kerala, India.     

Effects of radiation exposure on brain health: a state of the art and new challenges

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Good brain health refers to a condition in which a person may fully realize their talents and improve their psychological, emotional, cognitive, and...     

Design of optimized PI controller for 7-level inverter: a new control strategy

Photovoltaic (PV) system produces electricity that differs from variations in environmental parameters such as temperature and solar radiation. The PV network will operate at maximum power point (MPP) and deal with an ever-increasing energy demand, that changes from both load and weather conditions.” Moreover, energy storage devices could be a potential solution for improving the efficiency and performance of renewable energy sources (RES). This paper intends to establish a control design by an optimization-assisted PI controller for a 7-level inverter. Accordingly, the gains of PI controller are adjusted dynamically by FireFly Integrated-Sea Lion Optimization algorithm (FFI-SLnO) that integrates the concepts of both Sea Lion Optimization (SLnO) and FireFly algorithm (FF). The gains should be tuned such that the error among the reference signal and fault signal should be low and hence better dynamic performance can be obtained by the presented optimized PI controller. Finally, the performance of the proposed method is compared over other traditional models with respect to certain measures and its superiority is proved.

     

Proposed city-specific interim targets for India based on WHO air quality guidelines 2021

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The World Health Organization has proposed the ambient air quality guidelines 2021. The uniqueness of the guidelines of the World Health Organization...