SMC protein RecN drives RecA filament translocation for in vivo homology search.

While the molecular repertoire of the homologous recombination pathways is well studied, the search mechanism that enables recombination between distant homologous regions is poorly understood. Earlier work suggests that the recombinase RecA, an essential component for homology search, forms an elongated filament, nucleating at the break site. How this RecA structure carries out long-distance search remains unclear. Here, we follow the dynamics of RecA after induction of a single double-strand break on the Caulobacter chromosome. We find that the RecA-nucleoprotein filament, once formed, rapidly translocates in a directional manner in the cell, undergoing several pole-to-pole traversals, until homology search is complete. Concomitant with translocation, we observe dynamic variation in the length of the filament. Importantly in vivo, the RecA filament alone is incapable of such long-distance movement; both translocation and associated length variations are contingent on action of structural maintenance of chromosome (SMC)-like protein RecN, via its ATPase cycle. In summary, we have uncovered the three key elements of homology search driven by RecN: mobility of a finite segment of RecA, changes in filament length, and ability to conduct multiple pole-to-pole traversals, which together point to an optimal search strategy.

Observation of Interatomic Coulombic Decay Induced by Double Excitation of Helium in Nanodroplets.

Interatomic Coulombic decay (ICD) plays a crucial role in weakly bound complexes exposed to intense or high-energy radiation. So far, neutral or ionic atoms or molecules have been prepared in singly excited electron or hole states that can transfer energy to neighboring centers and cause ionization and radiation damage. Here we demonstrate that a doubly excited atom, despite its extremely short lifetime, can decay by ICD; evidenced by high-resolution photoelectron spectra of He nanodroplets excited to the 2s2p+ state. We find that ICD proceeds by relaxation into excited He^{*}He^{+} atom-pair states, in agreement with calculations. The ability of inducing ICD by resonant excitation far above the single-ionization threshold opens opportunities for controlling radiation damage to a high degree of element specificity and spectral selectivity.

An insight into the mechanistic role of (-)-Ampelopsin F from Vatica chinensis L. in inducing insulin secretion in pancreatic beta cells.

Resveratrol oligomers, ranging from dimers to octamers, are formed through regioselective synthesis involving the phenoxy radical coupling of resveratrol building blocks, exhibiting remarkable therapeutic potential, including antidiabetic properties. In this study, we elucidate the mechanistic insights into the insulin secretion potential of a resveratrol dimer, (-)-Ampelopsin F (AmF), isolated from the acetone extract of Vatica chinensis L. stem bark in Pancreatic Beta-TC-6 cell lines. The AmF (50 µM) treated cells exhibited a 3.5-fold increase in insulin secretion potential as compared to unstimulated cells, which was achieved through the enhancement of mitochondrial membrane hyperpolarization, elevation of intracellular calcium concentration, and upregulation of GLUT2 and glucokinase expression in pancreatic Beta-TC-6 cell lines. Furthermore, AmF effectively inhibited the activity of DPP4, showcasing a 2.5-fold decrease compared to the control and a significant 6.5-fold reduction compared to the positive control. These findings emphasize AmF as a potential lead for the management of diabetes mellitus and point to its possible application in the next therapeutic initiatives.

Fragmentation of water clusters formed in helium nanodroplets by charge transfer and Penning ionization.

Helium nanodroplets ("HNDs") are widely used for forming tailor-made clusters and molecular complexes in a cold, transparent, and weakly interacting matrix. The characterization of embedded species by mass spectrometry is often complicated by the fragmentation and trapping of ions in the HNDs. Here, we systematically study fragment ion mass spectra of HND-aggregated water and oxygen clusters following their ionization by charge transfer ionization ("CTI") and Penning ionization ("PEI"). While the efficiency of PEI of embedded clusters is lower than for CTI by about factor 10, both the mean sizes of detected water clusters and the relative yields of unprotonated cluster ions are significantly larger, making PEI a "soft ionization" scheme. However, the tendency of ions to remain bound to HNDs leads to a reduced detection efficiency for large HNDs containing >104 helium atoms. These results are instrumental in determining optimal conditions for mass spectrometry and photoionization spectroscopy of molecular complexes and clusters aggregated in HNDs.

Investigating radiation profiles and conducting risk assessment for ecological and environmental components on Vaan and Koswari islands in the Tuticorin group of islands, India.

Natural radioactive concentration assessment was conducted on sediment, water, and biota obtained on Vaan and Koswari islands in the Tuticorin group of islands, Tamil Nadu, India. For biotic and abiotic components, radiation profiles such as gross alpha, beta, primordial radionuclide, polonium, and lead analyses were performed. The gross α and ß range from BDL to 15.18 ± 1.7 Bq/kg and 40.43 ± 4.9 Bq/kg to 105.12 ± 11.7 Bq/kg, respectively. Primordial radionuclides were analyzed using Nal(TI)-based scintillator with PC-MCA, and the concentrations ranged from 13.43 ± 3.3 Bq/kg to 30.97 ± 9.6 Bq/kg with a mean of 21.31 ± 2.7 Bq/kg for 238U; for 232Th, the values ranged from 11.09 ± 2.6 Bq/kg to 33.55 ± 9.5 Bq/kg with an average value of 23.89 ± 3.7 Bq/kg; and for 40 K, the values are 93.33 ± 27.3 Bq/kg to 219.91 ± 39.6 Bq/kg with an average value of 148.27 ± 21.7 Bq/kg. The present study values are lesser than the world average values. 210Po and 210Pb concentrations with an average value were determined to be 33.13 Bq/L and 16.56 Bq/L, 47.55 Bq/L and 22.37 Bq/L in the water sample, and 50.437 Bq kg1 and 62.012 Bq kg1, 46.99 Bq/kg and 58.625 Bq/kg in sediments of Vaan island and Koswari island. The concentrations of 210Po and 210Pb of Pogonias cromis were 19.27 ± 1.5 Bq/kg and 8.27 ± 1.01 Bq/kg, Belonidae 28.54 ± 2.4 Bq/kg and 18.32 ± 2.3 Bq/kg, Lepisosteidae 18.68 ± 1.4 Bq/kg and 11.17 ± 1.8 Bq/kg. The committed effective dosage was determined to be 35.74-54.61 µSv/y for 210Po and 25.39-56.25 µSv/y for 210Pb, in which the 210Pb value is lower; however, the 210Po value is higher than the global average value. The annual committed effective dosage as well as the radiological hazard indices were assessed and found to be much below the global average and the recommended limit, respectively. This research provides an extensive analysis of natural background radiation and establishes a baseline report on the radiological profile of biotic and abiotic factors in the Tuticorin group of islands, namely Vaan and Koswari, in Tamil Nadu, India.

Circulating biosignatures in multiple myeloma and their role in multidrug resistance.

A major obstacle to chemotherapeutic success in cancer treatment is the development of drug resistance. This occurs when a tumour fails to reduce in size after treatment or when there is clinical relapse after an initial positive response to treatment. A unique and serious type of resistance is multidrug resistance (MDR). MDR causes the simultaneous cross resistance to unrelated drugs used in chemotherapy. MDR can be acquired through genetic alterations following drug exposure, or as discovered by us, through alternative pathways mediated by the transfer of functional MDR proteins and nucleic acids by extracellular vesicles (M Bebawy V Combes E Lee R Jaiswal J Gong A Bonhoure GE Grau, 23 9 1643 1649, 2009).Multiple myeloma is an incurable cancer of bone marrow plasma cells. Treatment involves high dose combination chemotherapy and patient response is unpredictable and variable due to the presence of multisite clonal tumour infiltrates. This clonal heterogeneity can contribute to the development of MDR. There is currently no approved clinical test for the minimally invasive testing of MDR in myeloma.Extracellular vesicles comprise a group of heterogeneous cell-derived membranous structures which include; exosomes, microparticles (microvesicles), migrasomes and apoptotic bodies. Extracellular vesicles serve an important role in cellular communication through the intercellular transfer of cellular protein, nucleic acid and lipid cargo. Of these, microparticles (MPs) originate from the cell plasma membrane and vary in size from 0.1-1um. We have previously shown that MPs confer MDR through the transfer of resistance proteins and nucleic acids. A test for the early detection of MDR would benefit clinical decision making, improve survival and support rational drug use. This review focuses on microparticles as novel clinical biomarkers for the detection of MDR in Myeloma and discusses their role in the therapeutic management of the disease.

Inheritance and molecular mapping of solitary/cluster fruit-bearing habit in Luffa.

Fruiting behaviour and sex form are important goals for Luffa breeders and this study aimed to shed light upon inheritance patterns for both these traits. The hermaphrodite form of Luffa acutangula (known as Satputia) is an underutilized vegetable with a unique clustered fruiting habit. Its desirable traits, such as plant architecture, earliness, as well as contrasting traits like unique clustered fruiting, bisexual flower, and crossability with Luffa acutangula (monoecious ridge gourd with solitary fruits), make it a potential source for trait improvement and mapping of desirable traits in Luffa. In the present study, we have elucidated the inheritance pattern of fruiting behaviour in Luffa using F2 mapping population generated from a cross between Pusa Nutan (Luffa acutangula, monoecious, solitary fruiting) × DSat-116 (Luffa acutangula, hermaphrodite, cluster fruiting). In F2 generation, the observed distribution of plant phenotypes fitted in the expected ratio of 3:1 (solitary vs cluster) for fruit-bearing habit. This is the first report of monogenic recessive control for cluster fruit-bearing habit in Luffa. Herein, we designate for the first time the gene symbol cl for cluster fruit bearing in Luffa. Linkage analysis revealed that SRAP marker ME10 EM4-280 was linked to the fruiting trait at the distance of 4.6 cM from the Cl locus. In addition, the inheritance pattern of hermaphrodite sex form in Luffa was also studied in the F2 population of Pusa Nutan × DSat-116 that segregated into 9:3:3:1 ratio (monoecious:andromonoecious:gynoecious:hermaphrodite), suggesting a digenic recessive control of hermaphrodite sex form in Luffa, which was further confirmed by the test cross. The inheritance and identification of molecular marker for cluster fruiting trait provides a basis for breeding in Luffa species.

DNA methylome analysis provides insights into gene regulatory mechanism for better performance of rice under fluctuating environmental conditions: epigenomics of adaptive plasticity.

MAIN CONCLUSION: Roots play an important role in adaptive plasticity of rice under dry/direct-sown conditions. However, hypomethylation of genes in leaves (resulting in up-regulated expression) complements the adaptive plasticity of Nagina-22 under DSR conditions. Rice is generally cultivated by transplanting which requires plenty of water for irrigation. Such a practice makes rice cultivation a challenging task under global climate change and reducing water availability. However, dry-seeded/direct-sown rice (DSR) has emerged as a resource-saving alternative to transplanted rice (TPR). Though some of the well-adapted local cultivars are used for DSR, only limited success has been achieved in developing DSR varieties mainly because of a limited knowledge of adaptability of rice under fluctuating environmental conditions. Based on better morpho-physiological and agronomic performance of Nagina-22 (N-22) under DSR conditions, N-22 and IR-64 were grown by transplanting and direct-sowing and used for whole genome methylome analysis to unravel the epigenetic basis of adaptive plasticity of rice. Comparative methylome and transcriptome analyses indicated a large number (4078) of genes regulated through DNA methylation/demethylation in N-22 under DSR conditions. Gene × environment interactions play important roles in adaptive plasticity of rice under direct-sown conditions. While genes for pectinesterase, LRK10, C2H2 zinc-finger protein, splicing factor, transposable elements, and some of the unannotated proteins were hypermethylated, the genes for regulation of transcription, protein phosphorylation, etc. were hypomethylated in CG context in the root of N-22, which played important roles in providing adaptive plasticity to N-22 under DSR conditions. Hypomethylation leading to up-regulation of gene expression in the leaf complements the adaptive plasticity of N-22 under DSR conditions. Moreover, differential post-translational modification of proteins and chromatin assembly/disassembly through DNA methylation in CHG context modulate adaptive plasticity of N-22. These findings would help developing DSR cultivars for increased water-productivity and ecological efficiency.

Efficient Indirect Interatomic Coulombic Decay Induced by Photoelectron Impact Excitation in Large Pure Helium Nanodroplets.

Ionization of matter by energetic radiation generally causes complex secondary reactions that are hard to decipher. Using large helium nanodroplets irradiated by extreme ultraviolet (XUV) photons, we show that the full chain of processes ensuing primary photoionization can be tracked in detail by means of high-resolution electron spectroscopy. We find that elastic and inelastic scattering of photoelectrons efficiently induces interatomic Coulombic decay (ICD) in the droplets. This type of indirect ICD even becomes the dominant process of electron emission in nearly the entire XUV range in large droplets with radius ≳40 nm. Indirect ICD processes induced by electron scattering likely play an important role in other condensed-phase systems exposed to ionizing radiation as well, including biological matter.

Epidemiology of cancers among older adults in India: findings from the National Cancer Registry Programme.

OBJECTIVE: This study describes the epidemiology, clinical extent of disease at diagnosis and treatment modalities of cancer among older adults (aged 60 years and older) in India. STUDY DESIGN: Secondary data analysis of the National Cancer Registry Programme, which includes 28 Population-Based Cancer Registries (PBCRs) and 96 Hospital-Based Cancer Registries (HBCRs). METHODS: PBCR data were used to estimate the incidence in terms of crude rate (CR), age-adjusted incidence rate (AAR), age-specific rate (ASpR) and cumulative risk. Trends in the AAR were calculated with the Annual Percentage Change (APC) using join-point regression. HBCR data were used to describe the clinical extent of the disease at diagnosis and the treatment modalities. RESULTS: There is a wide heterogeneity across the country for the incidence of cancer and for the leading cancer sites among older adults. Males had a higher incidence rate compared to females in the majority of the registries. Aizawl had the highest AARs among both genders (males: 1388.8; females: 1033.0). Females had the highest ASpR at 65-69 years (482.8), whereas for males it was above 75 years (710.4). Cervical, stomach and oesophageal cancers were on the decline. The incidence of cancer among older adults was estimated to increase by 13.5% in 2025 as compared to 2020. CONCLUSION: The increasing cancer incidence among older adults in India poses a huge burden on the health system. There is a need to increase their participation in clinical trials, advocating comprehensive geriatric assessment and strengthening geriatric oncology within programs addressing older adult's care to deal with the rising cancer burden on the health system borne by them.

High-Quality Genome Resource of Ustilaginoidea virens (UV2_4G), Causal Agent of an Emerging False Smut Disease in Rice.

Ustilaginoidea virens is the fungal pathogen causing an emerging false smut disease that affects crop yield as well as deteriorates quality of the grains by producing mycotoxins. A high quality genome of U. virens isolate UV2_4G was sequenced using Nanopore and Illumina HiSeq 2,000 sequencing platforms. The total assembled genome of Indian isolate UV2_4G was 35.9 Mb, which comprised 89 scaffolds with N50 of 700,296 bp. A total of 358,697 variants were identified in the genome, out of which 355,173 were SNPs and 3,524 were INDELS. Further, 7,390 SSRs belonging to different repeat types were also identified in the genome. Out of 7,444 proteins predicted, 7,206 were functionally annotated. A total of 1,307 CAZymes, 501 signal peptides, 1,876 effectors, and 2,709 genes involved in host-pathogen interactions were identified. Comparative analysis revealed isolate UV2_4G is distinct with 31 unique clusters and placed distantly in phylogenetic analysis. Taken together, this high-quality genome assembly and sequence annotation resource can give an improved insight for characterizing the biological and pathogenic mechanisms of U. virens.

Genetic Enhancement for Biotic Stress Resistance in Basmati Rice through Marker-Assisted Backcross Breeding.

Pusa Basmati 1509 (PB1509) is one of the major foreign-exchange-earning varieties of Basmati rice; it is semi-dwarf and early maturing with exceptional cooking quality and strong aroma. However, it is highly susceptible to various biotic stresses including bacterial blight and blast. Therefore, bacterial blight resistance genes, namely, xa13 + Xa21 and Xa38, and fungal blast resistance genes Pi9 + Pib and Pita were incorporated into the genetic background of recurrent parent (RP) PB1509 using donor parents, namely, Pusa Basmati 1718 (PB1718), Pusa 1927 (P1927), Pusa 1929 (P1929) and Tetep, respectively. Foreground selection was carried out with respective gene-linked markers, stringent phenotypic selection for recurrent parent phenotype, early generation background selection with Simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers, and background analysis at advanced generations with Rice Pan Genome Array comprising 80K SNPs. This has led to the development of Near isogenic lines (NILs), namely, Pusa 3037, Pusa 3054, Pusa 3060 and Pusa 3066 carrying genes xa13 + Xa21, Xa38, Pi9 + Pib and Pita with genomic similarity of 98.25%, 98.92%, 97.38% and 97.69%, respectively, as compared to the RP. Based on GGE-biplot analysis, Pusa 3037-1-44-3-164-20-249-2 carrying xa13 + Xa21, Pusa 3054-2-47-7-166-24-261-3 carrying Xa38, Pusa 3060-3-55-17-157-4-124-1 carrying Pi9 + Pib, and Pusa 3066-4-56-20-159-8-174-1 carrying Pita were identified to be relatively stable and better-performing individuals in the tested environments. Intercrossing between the best BC3F1s has led to the generation of Pusa 3122 (xa13 + Xa21 + Xa38), Pusa 3124 (Xa38 + Pi9 + Pib) and Pusa 3123 (Pi9 + Pib + Pita) with agronomy, grain and cooking quality parameters at par with PB1509. Cultivation of such improved varieties will help farmers reduce the cost of cultivation with decreased pesticide use and improve productivity with ensured safety to consumers.

Environmental and human facets of the waterweed proliferation in a Vast Tropical Ramsar Wetland-Vembanad Lake System.

The Vembanad Lake and its associated low-lying areas and network of canals (hereafter VBL) form the major part of India's second-largest Ramsar wetland (1512 km2) located in Kerala State along India's southwest coast. The extensive VBL has a large fishery, inland waterways, and popular tourist attractions that support the livelihoods of thousands of people. Over the last several decades, the proliferation of water weeds in the VBL has alarmingly increased, causing many adverse ecological and socioeconomic effects. This study based on a review and synthesis of long-term data introduced the environmental and human dimensions of water weed proliferation in the VBL. Eichhornia (= Pontederia) crassipes, Monochoria vaginalis, Salvinia molesta, Limnocharis flava, Pistia stratiotes, and Hydrilla verticillata are the most troublesome water weeds in the VBL, with the first three being the most widespread. They were mostly imported to India long ago before becoming a part of the VBL. These weeds harmed water quality, waterways, agriculture, fisheries, disease vector management, as well as the vertical and horizontal shrinkage of the VBL through increased siltation and faster ecological succession. The inherently fragile VBL was harmed by extensive and long-term reclamation, the construction of saltwater barrages, and many landfill roads that crisscross water bodies serving as coastal dams, creating water stagnation by blocking natural flushing/ventilation by periodic tides from the adjacent southeastern Arabian Sea. These ecological imbalances were exacerbated by excessive fertiliser use in agricultural areas, as well as the addition of nutrient-rich domestic and municipal sewage, which provided an adequate supply of nutrients and a favourable habitat for the expansion of water weeds. Furthermore, because of recurrent floods and a changing ecology in the VBL, the water weed proliferation has become a more significant problem, with the potential to disrupt their current distribution pattern and spread in the future.

Working with adults with intellectual challenges to enhance their employability skills.

The employability of the intellectually challenged has received little attention in the past. In order to fill this research gap, the present study was undertaken. The study is centered on the experiences of six intellectually challenged individuals who received employability training at a non-governmental organization. A focus group discussion along with a case study was conducted. The researchers employed the Rigorous and Accelerated Data Reduction (RADaR) technique to analyze the data from the focus group discussion. Results from both the focus group discussion and the case study revealed that the training program has had a significant impact on the lives of the participants and has aided them in becoming economically empowered and independent.

Transcriptomic analysis of bakanae disease resistant and susceptible rice genotypes in response to infection by Fusarium fujikuroi.

BACKGROUND: Fusarium fujikuroi causing bakanae is one of the most significant pathogens of rice and much responsible for yield losses thereby emerging as a major risk to food security. METHODS: In the present study transcriptomic analysis was conducted between two contrasting resistant (C101A51) and susceptible (Rasi) genotypes of rice with the combinations of C101A51 control (CC) vs. C101A51 inoculated (CI); Rasi control (RC) vs. Rasi inoculated (RI) and C101A51 inoculated (CI) vs. Rasi inoculated (RI). RESULTS: In CC vs. CI commonly expressed genes were 12,764. Out of them 567 (4%) were significantly upregulated and 1399 (9%) genes were downregulated. For the RC vs. RI 14, 333 (79%) genes were commonly expressed. For CI vs. RI 13,662 (72%) genes were commonly expressed. Genes related to cysteine proteinase inhibitor 10, disease resistance protein TAO1-like, oleosin 16 kDa-like, pathogenesis-related protein (PR1), (PR4), BTB/POZ and MATH domain-containing protein 5-like, alpha-amylase isozyme were upregulated in resistant genotype C101A51. Whereas, genes related to GDSL esterase/lipase, serine glyoxylate aminotransferase, CASP-like protein 2C1, WAT1-related protein, Cytoplasmic linker associated proteins, xyloglucan endotransglucosylase/hydrolase protein and ß-D xylosidase 7 were upregulated in susceptible genotype Rasi. Gene ontology analysis showed functions related to defence response (GO:0006952), regulation of plant hypersensitive type response (GO:0010363), Potassium ion transmembrane activity (GO:0015079), chloroplast (GO:0009507), response to wounding (GO:0009611), xylan biosynthetic process (GO:0045492) were upregulated in resistant genotype C101A51 under inoculated conditions. CONCLUSION: Real time PCR based validation of the selected DEGs showed that the qRT-PCR was consistent with the RNA-Seq results. This is the first transcriptomic study against bakanae disease of rice in Indian genotypes. Further, functional studies on identified genes and their utilization through different methodology will be helpful for the development of bakanae disease management strategies.

Fragmentation dynamics of doubly charged camphor molecule following C 1s Auger decay.

The fragmentation dynamics of the gas-phase, doubly charged camphor molecule, formed by Auger decay following carbon 1s ionisation, using soft X-ray synchrotron radiation, is presented in this work. The technique of velocity map imaging combined with a photoelectron-photoion-photoion coincidence (VMI-PEPIPICO) is used for both electron energy and ion momentum (in-sequence) measurements. The experimental study is complemented by molecular dynamics simulation, performed with an NVT (moles, volume, and temperature) ensemble. Velocity Verlet algorithms were used for time integration at various internal energies. These simulations validate observed dissociation pathways. From these, we successfully deduce that the internal energy of the doubly charged molecular ion has a significant contribution to the fragmentation mechanism. Notably, a prominent signature of the internal energy was observed in the experimentally determined energies of the neutral fragment in these deferred charge separation pathways, entailing a more detailed theoretical study to uncover the exact dissociation dynamics.

Relaxation dynamics in excited helium nanodroplets probed with high resolution, time-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy.

Superfluid helium nanodroplets are often considered as transparent and chemically inert nanometer-sized cryo-matrices for high-resolution or time-resolved spectroscopy of embedded molecules and clusters. On the other hand, when the helium nanodroplets are resonantly excited with XUV radiation, a multitude of ultrafast processes are initiated, such as relaxation into metastable states, formation of nanoscopic bubbles or excimers, and autoionization channels generating low-energy free electrons. Here, we discuss the full spectrum of ultrafast relaxation processes observed when helium nanodroplets are electronically excited. In particular, we perform an in-depth study of the relaxation dynamics occurring in the lowest 1s2s and 1s2p droplet bands using high resolution, time-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy. The simplified excitation scheme and improved resolution allow us to identify the relaxation into metastable triplet and excimer states even when exciting below the droplets' autoionization threshold, unobserved in previous studies.

Tetrathiafulvalene Derivatives as Hole-Transporting Materials in Perovskite Solar Cell.

Over a couple of decades perovskite solar cells have become a highly promising photovoltaic technology. Choosing a dopant-free Hole-Transporting Material (HTM) that offers protection to a perovskite layer from oxidation is one of the viable strategies while addressing the stability of perovskite solar cell. In this line of interest, tetrathiafulvale (TTF) derivatives have shown promise in the past. However, studies that focus on small-molecule TTF derivatives as potential HTM options are scarce. The present study is an attempt to explore the applicability of a few TTF derivatives as HTM in a perovskite solar cell. Here four TTF derivatives, namely, TTF-1 (experimentally reported in a previous study), TTF-2, DBTTF1, and TMTSF1, were studied through electronic structure calculations. The properties concerning HTM, such as impact of adsorption on molecular structure, absorption spectra, distribution of frontier molecular orbitals, interaction energy between TTF derivative and MAPbI3 surface, and charge transfer at an interface, were analyzed. Results show that TTF-2 has the expected energy-level alignment, transparency in the visible range of solar spectrum, and good charge-injection ability at the interface with a perovskite layer. Hence, TTF-2 could be a potential hole-transporting material for a perovskite solar cell, and it can perform better than TTF-1.

Wellbeing of Palliative Care Workers During Covid-19 Pandemic: Implications for Social Work Practice.

The present study is aimed at examining the wellbeing of palliative care workers in India (n = 114) with special reference to work related variables. The World Health Organization's five item wellbeing index was used to measure the wellbeing of the respondents. In general, the wellbeing of the respondents was found to be good. Furthermore, the age of the respondent (p < 0.001), gender (p < 0.05), work setting (hospital vs. non-hospital) (p < 0.05), work environment (p < 0.01), recent unemployment (job loss) (p < 0.01), years of experience in palliative care (p < 0.05), number of hours of work per week (p < 0.05), and the number of clients who died in the previous month (p < 0.01), were all found to be associated with the wellbeing of the respondents. Specifically, young and female respondents, those engaged in hospital based palliative care, having a poor work environment, facing recent unemployment, having less experience, working for more number of hours, and having more number of patients dying in the previous month, all had a lower level of wellbeing. The implications for social work practice have also been discussed in detail.

Molecular profiling of BADH2 locus reveals distinct functional allelic polymorphism associated with fragrance variation in Indian aromatic rice germplasm.

Allelic variability of the aroma gene, betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (BADH2) was studied in a random subset of indigenous aromatic rice germplasm along with a few exotic aromatic accessions. Use of functional markers of four badh2 alleles identified that the test panel possessed only two alleles, badh2-E7 and badh2-p-5'UTR. Two other alleles, badh2.2 and badh2-E4-5.2 were absent. Based on the alleles present, four functional polymorphisms (FP) were detected, namely FP1 to FP4. 188 genotypes possessed FP1 having both the badh2-p-5'UTR and badh2-E7 (71.8%) alleles. The badh2 allele with FP1 is named badh2-E7-p. 39 genotypes (14.9%) possessed only the badh2-p-5'UTR allele (FP3), while three genotypes were found to carry only the badh2-E7 allele (FP2). We also found that 32 genotypes (12.2%) did not have any of the target aroma alleles tested in this study (FP4). Interestingly, for badh2-p-5'UTR marker, the expected 198 bp amplicon for the non-aromatic allele could not be detected among any of the genotypes tested. Instead, an amplicon of 456 bp length appeared with 100% presence in the non-aromatic checks. Notwithstanding, the 456 bp allele also showed a 16% presence among the aromatic lines. This article forms the first report of this allele, named badh2-p1, among aromatic rice. Quantification of 2-Acetyl-1-Pyrroline (2AP) content and sensory evaluation among the test genotypes showed that those with FP1 are highly aromatic than the genotypes carrying other types of FPs. But, a few strongly aromatic lines showed lower 2AP content. The BADH2 characterization carried out in this study is suggestive of identifying the additional gene(s)/ allele(s) governing aroma among the Indian fragrant rice. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12298-022-01181-9.