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Here, we present the detailed chemical and spectral characteristics of gypsum‐phyllosilicate association of Karai Shale Formation in Tiruchirapalli region of the Cauvery Basin in South India. The Karai Shale Formation comprises Odiyam sandy clay and gypsiferous clay, well exposed in Karai village of Tiruchirapalli area, Tamil Nadu in South India. Gypsum is fibrous to crystalline and translucent/transparent type with fluid inclusions preserved in it. Along some cleavage planes, alteration features have been observed. Visible and near infrared (VNIR), Raman, and Fourier transform infrared techniques were used to obtain the excitation/vibration bands of mineral phases. VNIR spectroscopic analysis of the gypsum samples has shown absorption features at 560, 650, 900, 1,000, 1,200, 1,445, 1,750, 1,900, 2,200, and 2,280 nm in the electrical and vibrational range of electromagnetic radiation. VNIR results of phyllosilicate samples have shown absorption features at 1,400, 1,900, and 2,200 nm. Further, we have identified the prominent Raman bands at 417.11, 496.06, 619.85, 673.46, 1,006.75, 1,009.75, ∼1,137.44, ∼3,403, and 3,494.38 cm−1 for gypsum due to sulphate and hydroxyl ion vibrations. We propose that gypsum veins in Karai may have precipitated in the fractures formed due to pressure/forces generated by crystal growth. The combined results of chemical and spectral studies have shown that these techniques have significant potential to identify the pure/mineral associates/similar chemical compositions elsewhere. Our results definitely provide the database from a range of spectroscopic techniques to better identify similar minerals and/or mineral‐associations in an extraterrestrial scenario. This study has significant implications in understanding various geological processes such as fluid‐rock interactions and alteration processes involving water on the planets such as Mars.

Background: Adequate and safe food is a basic requirement for every individual. Inadequate food leads to food insecurity. Household-level food insecurity may directly influence the health of an individual. We aimed to assess the prevalence of household-level food insecurity in the rural areas of Kaniyambadi block and to assess the household level determinants of food insecurity.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in villages of Kaniyambadi block, a rural development block of Vellore district in Tamil Nadu. Households were the unit of study. The interview was conducted with a pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire in Tamil. ‘U.S. Food Security Survey module’, September 2012, for a reference period of 30 days was used to determine food security status.Results: One hundred and fifty households were selected; 15 from each 10 randomly selected villages. Prevalence of food insecurity we got as 52.7% [95% CI: 44.6%, 60.8%]. Determinants like ‘low (<1225 INR/ month) per capita income’ [Adjusted odds ratio (AOR)- 6.7; 95% CI: 3.3,13.6]; ‘presence of debt at the time of interview’ [AOR- 3.5; 95% CI:1.7, 7.3] and ‘presence of at least one smoker in the family’ [AOR- 3.2; 95% CI:1.5, 6.8], were found to be associated significantly with food insecurity, after adjusting for the clusters by multi-level modelling.Conclusions: Food insecurity is a hidden phenomenon in India. Poverty is the key determinant behind this. To alleviate food insecurity, it will be logical to adopt multi-dimensional approaches with thrust on implementing the existing poverty alleviating programs.

Introduction: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is the novel disease, causing the on-going pandemic with flu-like symptoms. COVID-19 spreads primarily by contacting the virus either from a COVID-19-infected individual through coughing or sneezing or from COVID-19 contaminated surfaces. Use of face mask is considered as an effective and safe method to control the spread of the disease. Aim: This study is to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of usage among general population in Chengalpattu district. Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among the Chengalpattu population to access the awareness regarding the usage of face mask during the pandemic. A self-administered questionnaire which consists of demographic data, knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding the usage of face mask was prepared and distributed to the general population of Chengalpattu district. Results: Majority of population, 261 (96%), knew that wearing face mask prevents COVID-19. Use of reusable, low-cost masks is preferred among the study population. Out of which, 63.6% (99 people) of the population prefer reusable masks over disposable masks (36.4%, 173 people). 78.3% (213 people) of the study population prefer low-cost masks than high-cost masks (21.7%, 59 people). Conclusion: The general population of Chengalpattu district have an acceptable knowledge, positive attitude, and required practice to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it is strongly recommended to create more awareness and health education programs to battle against COVID-19.