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In this study, we have investigated microbial communities structure and function using high throughput amplicon sequencing and whole metagenomic sequencing of DNA extracted from different depths of a plastic-laden landfill site. With diverse taxonomic groups inhabiting the plastic-rich soil, our study demonstrates the remarkable adaptability of microbes to use this new substrate as a carbon source. FTIR spectroscopic analysis of soil indicated degradation of plastic as perceived from the carbonyl index of 0.16, 0.72, and 0.44 at 0.6, 0.9 and 1.2 m depth, respectively. Similarly, water contact angles of 108.7 degree, 99.7 degree, 62.7 degree, and 77.8 degree of plastic pieces collected at 0.3, 0.6, 0.9, and 1.2 m depths respectively showed increased wettability and hydrophilicity of the plastic. Amplicon analysis of 16S and 18 S rRNA revealed a high abundance of several plastic-degrading bacterial groups, including Pseudomonas, Rhizobiales, Micrococcaceae, Chaetomium, Methylocaldum, Micromonosporaceae, Rhodothermaceae and fungi, including Trichoderma, Aspergillus, Candida at 0.9 m. The co-existence of specific microbial groups at different depths of landfill site indicates importance of bacterial and fungal interactions for plastic. Whole metagenome analysis of soil sample at 0.9 m depth revealed a high abundance of genes encoding enzymes that participate in the biodegradation of PVC, polyethylene, PET, and polyurethane. Curation of the pathways related to the degradation of these materials provided a blueprint for plastic biodegradation in this ecosystem. Altogether, our study has highlighted the importance of microbial cooperation for the biodegradation of pollutants. Our metagenome-based investigation supports the current perception that consortia of fungi-bacteria are preferable to axenic cultures for effective bioremediation of the environment.

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BACKGROUND: Shielding from radiation and plan dose verification is vital during the potential applications in industrial and medical applications. A number of natural composites have been investigated for protecting against high-energy X-ray shielding. OBJECTIVE: The aim is to learn about how natural composites behave under various X-ray energies at STP. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The radiological parameters of wood samples were determined using computed tomography imaging, specifically relative electron density (RED), Hounsfield units (HUs), and mass density (MD). Percentage attenuation was measured using a semiflux ionization chamber incorporated with a brass build-up cap and an ionization chamber placed at the beam Isocenter for a different type of natural composite. Measurements are being carried out on a Linear accelerator at an SSD of 110 cm with different collimator sizes. RESULTS: Measured values of  HUs, RED, and MD were -232 ± 40, 0.738 ± 0.039, 0.768 ± 0.024 g/cc,-368 ± 41, 0.662 ± 0.047, 0.632 ± 0.024 g/cc, -334 ± 44, 0.639 ± 0.042, 0.666 ± 0.026 g/cc, -370±61, 0.604±0.059, 0.63± 0.036 g/cc, -433±39, 0.543±0.038, 0.608 ± 0.035 g/cc, -382±54, 0.5±0.052, 0.618 ± 0.0316 g/cc, -292±68, 0.680±0.066, 0.708 ± 0.039 g/cc, -298±27, 0.680±0.0229, 0.702± 0.131 g/cc, for Acacia Nilotica, Mangifera Indica, Azadirachta Indica, Tectona Grandis L, Ficus Religiosa, Tecomella Undulata, Sesamum Indicum, Pinus respectively. CONCLUSION: Measurements show that attenuation is affected by the energy of incident photons, collimator opening, and the type of density of the wood. Various radiological parameters were determined for wood samples that can be utilized to create inhomogeneous phantoms in dosimetry. The largest attenuation is found in Acacia Nilotica and Sesamum Indicum, while the lowest attenuation is found in Ficus religiosa.

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Nanotechnology is an emerging branch of science wherein various valuable molecules with altered properties can be synthesized and utilized for numerous technological applications. Nowadays, nanotechnology is the preferred tool for the agriculture, food, and medicine industries. However, consistent accumulation of toxic by-products during the synthesis of nanoparticles from the established physical and chemical methods imposes an unprecedented danger to the environment and human well-being. The biological route for the synthesis of nanoparticles offers a potential option over the conventional chemical synthesis process due to the involvement of non-toxic and environmentally friendly materials, such as plants, fungi, bacteria, etc. Phytosynthesis, a type of biological synthesis, utilizes various combinations of secondary metabolites from different plant parts (whole plant, leaves, fruit peel, root, bark, seeds, and stem) for non-toxic and environmentally friendly nanoparticles fabrication. Non-toxic and environmentally friendly secondary metabolites derived from plants are the sources of reducing and capping agents during the biosynthesis of nanoparticles which proceeds in a controlled manner with desired characteristics. Phytosynthesis of nanoparticles is also a simple, economic, durable, and reproducible process. The present article is a comprehensive depiction of the synthesis of different metal nanoparticles from diverse plant species.

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CONTEXT: Aggression and negative affectivity (NA) are known for moderating relationship between job stressors and counterproductive work behavior. Yoga has been demonstrated earlier to reduce the parameters of aggression and negative emotions. AIM: The present study examined the effectiveness of yoga practices in reducing counterproductive work behavior and its predictors such as aggression and NA. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A pretest-posttest randomized controlled design. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study sample included yoga group (n = 80) and control group (n = 80). Yoga module that included asanas, pranayama, meditation, and yogic theory were taught to the yoga group. Mild to moderate physical exercises and management theories were taught to the control group. Both groups received intervention for 10 weeks, covering 1 h daily, 5 days a week. Measurements of self-reported counterproductive work behaviors, aggression, and NA were taken as baseline and postintervention for assessment. RESULTS: Yoga group reported significant reductions in aggression, NA, and counterproductive work behavior in comparison with the control group after 10 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: This study contributes by introducing a cost-effective way to prevent the heavy losses organizations are incurring due to counterproductive work behavior and its predictors. The findings support that yoga at workplace may result in positive psychological empowerment of the employees as well.

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Counterproductive work behavior (CWB) has long been recognized as a broad spectrum of job behaviors and its link with negative affectivity and hostile behaviors. It is a major concern practically for all organizations. Repeated exposure to workplace stressor can result in a strain, an outcome of the job stress process that can be psychological, physical, or behavioral in nature, leading to CWBs. Yoga is a technique that brings an improvement on mental and physical level by means of posture, breathing control methods, and silencing the mind through meditation. Though yoga has received less scientific consideration, there has been a significant growth in the study of yoga in the healthy population. Mindfulness and self-control practices like yoga encourage individuals to be aware and accept their aggression linked thoughts and emotions simply as a short-lived state rather than to control them. The positive effects of yoga on the improvement of personality traits are already proven. This paper introduces a simple model of cost-effective, trials of yoga intervention at the workplace which could result in the twin benefits of substantial savings from losses for the employers by reducing the CWB and health improvements for the employees by reducing the negative affectivity and aggression. Internet databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, and APA PsycNET were accessed. The available data were systematically reviewed in a structured manner and analyzed.

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INTRODUCTION: Mindfulness is about being aware of internal and external stimuli by witnessing the act in a nonjudgmental manner. Earlier researches suggest that positive affectivity (PA) is negatively related to negative affectivity, aggression, and counterproductive work behavior (CWB). AIM: The present study examined the effect of mindfulness developed through Yoga practices on aggression and PA among working professionals involved in CWB. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A pre-test, post-test randomized controlled design was used with a study sample of Yoga group (n = 80) and control group (n = 80) for a duration of 10 weeks. Yoga module that included Asanas, Pranayama, meditation, and Yogic theories were taught to the Yoga group. Mild to moderate physical exercises and management theories were taught to the control group. Measurements of aggression and PA scores were taken at the baseline and postintervention for assessment. RESULTS: At the baseline, there was no significant difference in the variable scores between both the groups. Postintervention results revealed that Yoga group showed statistically significant (P < 0.001) reduction in aggression and significant (P < 0.001) enhancement in PA in comparison to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: When compared with the control group at the end of the intervention, the Yoga group scores were significantly lower for aggression and higher for PA.

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Pollution susceptibility of groundwater of Rewa town situated on karstified Bhander limestones of the Bhander group is discussed in this paper. Pollution potential of selected localities in the town has been determined using the DRASTIC INDEX methodology. Pollution potential for these localities varied between 162 to 217. Shallow aquifers in karstified limestones having direct access to surface water were found more susceptible to pollution. Accordingly, remedial measures were suggested for minimising pollution.

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