Cyclic di-guanosine monophosphate (di-GMP) is a circular RNA dinucleotide that functions as a second messenger in diverse species of bacteria to trigger wide-ranging physiological changes, including ...cell differentiation, conversion between motile and biofilm lifestyles, and virulence gene expression. However, the mechanisms by which cyclic di-GMP regulates gene expression have remained a mystery. We found that cyclic di-GMP in many bacterial species is sensed by a riboswitch class in messenger RNA that controls the expression of genes involved in numerous fundamental cellular processes. A variety of cyclic di-GMP regulons are revealed, including some riboswitches associated with virulence gene expression, pilus formation, and flagellum biosynthesis. In addition, sequences matching the consensus for cyclic di-GMP riboswitches are present in the genome of a bacteriophage.
Increasing demand of the irrigation water led to improper surface water irrigation policies resulting in water logging problems in southwest Punjab coupled with apprehension of saline zones formation ...by salinity ingression towards central Punjab due to excessive groundwater abstraction. A network of piezometers exploring 4 upper aquifers was constructed at 6 sites in Sri Muktsar Sahib district of south-west Punjab. Groundwater samples were collected from these piezometers, TDS was measured and analysed for stable isotopes (ẟ
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O and ẟD). Based on isotope characterization 4 zones were identified as: (1) zone A: source as fresh water or precipitation (2) zone B evaporation either during precipitation or infiltration (3) zone C intermediate of evaporated and recycled water (4) recycled water. This study can be useful in proper management of the water resources in this region by identifying the fresh water and saline groundwater zones in the area.
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of work-related factors, namely work overload and work support on work-life balance (WLB) dimensions and its significant impact on ...work satisfaction particularly among South Indian nurses in the healthcare sector.
Design/methodology/approach
The study was carried out in the healthcare sector comprising of 182 nurses employed in various hospitals located in southern parts of India through a structured questionnaire. The study adopted Barron and Kenny’s mediated regression analysis.
Findings
Work satisfaction showed a significant negative relationship with work overload and a positive relationship with work support. WLB dimensions, namely work to personal life strains, personal life to work strains, work to personal life gains (WPLG) and personal life to work gains mediated the relationships between work support and work satisfaction. However, WPLG mediated the relationships between work overload and work satisfaction.
Practical implications
The present investigation directed toward the importance of work-personal life balance experienced by the nurses in the healthcare sector imperatively influence both work and personal life domains and the study suggests that support from the organization, superiors and peers can go a long way in helping the incumbents to attain improved organizational outcomes.
Originality/value
This study focuses on investigating the mediating role of WLB dimensions in the relationship between organizational-related factors and work satisfaction among nurses in the healthcare sector in South India.
A prototype biosensor array has been assembled from engineered RNA molecular switches that undergo ribozyme-mediated self-cleavage when triggered by specific effectors. Each type of switch is ...prepared with a 5'-thiotriphosphate moiety that permits immobilization on gold to form individually addressable pixels. The ribozymes comprising each pixel become active only when presented with their corresponding effector, such that each type of switch serves as a specific analyte sensor. An addressed array created with seven different RNA switches was used to report the status of targets in complex mixtures containing metal ion, enzyme cofactor, metabolite, and drug analytes. The RNA switch array also was used to determine the phenotypes of Escherichia coli strains for adenylate cyclase function by detecting naturally produced 3',5'- cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in bacterial culture media.
Since the Kyoto Protocol agreement, clean development mechanism (CDM) for techno-economic viable project implementations has garnered large emphasis in terms of certified emission reduction, ...particularly among developing nations. This paper attempts to assess the economic impact of CDM implementation toward sustainable development and the CO
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emission particularly in rural domestic energy sector. A detailed survey was undertaken in the state of Kerala, located in southern part of India, to map the rural domestic energy consumption pattern. Multiple-regression analysis of the data collected reveals the interrelationships of the various parameters that influence domestic energy consumption. The interrelationships between the different parameters were modeled as a linear programming model that optimizes the contribution of individual energy resources on end applications. The results were used to estimate the feasible extent of CO
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emission reduction through use of various energy resources, vis-à-vis their economic viability through cost effectiveness.
Modeling energy utilization pattern at both micro and macro levels has been recognized as vital in effective energy planning vis-à-vis the development of any country, not only in the perspective of ...efficient use of resources for generation but also toward achieving significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. This paper presents a linear programming (LP) formulation of energy utilization pattern in the domestic sector. The data for the model was collected through random samples identified from among the rural areas in the state of Kerala, one of the southern states of India. The results indicate an optimal mix of resources contributing to the overall domestic energy requirements.
One of the important responses of Kyoto Protocol towards mitigation of global warming is the clean development mechanism (CDM) that has garnered large emphasis amidst the global carbon market in ...terms of certified emission reduction (CER). CERs are the carbon credits issued by the CDM executive board for emission reductions achieved by CDM projects and verified by designated operational entity (DOE) under the rules of the Kyoto Protocol. While CDM aims to achieve sustainable development in energy production and consumption in developing countries, the results achieved through its implementation are still uncertain. More than 400 studies have been undertaken since 1997 on the CDM. Albeit, hitherto no compilations of key issues pertaining to the CDM and different points of views on its implementation and achievement have been attempted. This paper envisages to assess the contributions of the CDM towards sustainable development and its impact in various sectors.
This article presents the results of the investigations carried out on the separate and combined effects of modification, vibration during solidification, and heat treatment (processing conditions) ...on the microstructure and mechanical properties of cast Al-(7/12/16)%Si-0.35%Mg alloys. Superior mechanical properties are exhibited by the test castings in which the melt is modified and is vibrated during the solidification and later heat-treated using a fluidized bed furnace. Optical microscopy of the samples shows enhanced spheroidization and uniformly distributed eutectic silicon crystals, when treated with higher solutionizing temperature. Scanning electron microscopy of the tensile fractured surfaces shows the influence of modification, vibration, and solutionizing temperature on the mechanical properties and the mode of fracture.
Genetic control by metabolite-binding mRNAs is widespread in prokaryotes. These riboswitches are typically located in noncoding regions of mRNA, where they selectively bind their target compound and ...subsequently modulate gene expression. We have identified mRNA elements in fungi and in plants that match the consensus sequence and structure of thiamine pyrophosphate-binding domains of prokaryotes. In Arabidopsis, the consensus motif resides in the 3'-UTR of a thiamine biosynthetic gene, and the isolated RNA domain binds the corresponding coenzyme in vitro. These results suggest that metabolite-binding mRNAs are possibly involved in eukaryotic gene regulation and that some riboswitches might be representatives of an ancient form of genetic control.
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