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Purpose: Bone health in primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) is under-investigated. We assessed patients with spontaneous POI for vertebral fractures (VFs) and related parameters of bone health. Methods: 70 cases with spontaneous POI (age 32.5 ± 7.0 years) and an equal number of controls were assessed for BMD, TBS, and VFs. BMD at the lumbar-spine (L1-L4), left hip, non-dominant forearm, and TBS (iNsight software) were measured on a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) machine. VFs were assessed by Genant’s classification. Serum FSH, LH, estradiol, T4, TSH, iPTH, serum 25(OH)D, total calcium, and inorganic phosphorus were measured. Results: BMD at the lumbar-spine, hip and forearm was reduced by 11.5%, 11.4% and 9.1% in POI as compared to controls (P < 0.001). Degraded or partially degraded microarchitecture on TBS was observed in 66.7% of patients and 38.2% of controls (P = 0.001). 15.7% of the POI patients had VFs, compared to 4.3% of controls (P = 0.045). Age, duration of amenorrhea and duration of HRT use were the significant predictors of TBS (P < 0.01). Serum 25(OH)D was the significant determinant of VFs. TBS abnormalities were higher in patients with POI and VFs. BMD was not significantly different in patients with and without VFs. Conclusion: Thus, lumbar-spine osteoporosis, impaired TBS and VFs were present in 35.7%, 66.7% and 15.7% of patients with spontaneous POI in their early third decade. This indicates need for rigorous investigations for impaired bone health in these young patients and management with HRT, vitamin-D, and possible need for bisphosphonate therapy.

Purpose: Patients with hypoparathyroidism are at risk of vertebral fractures (VFs) despite high bone mineral density (BMD). We investigated this paradox by assessing trabecular bone score (TBS) and hip structural analysis (HSA) in non-surgical chronic hypoparathyroidism (cHypoPT) with and without VFs. Methods: 152 cHypoPT patients (age 40.2 ± 13.4 years, M: F= 81:71) with a median follow-up of 8 (2–13) years were assessed for BMD, VFs, TBS, and HSA and compared with 152 healthy controls. VFs at T7–L4were assessed by Genant’s method. Average serum total calcium and phosphorus during follow-up were assessed. Results: The lumbar spine and hip BMD were higher by 25.4 and 13.4% in cHypoPT than controls (P< 0.001). Paradoxically, VFs (30.9 vs.7.9%), including multiple (12.5 vs. 2.6%) were higher in cHypoPT (P< 0.001). Though overall average TBS (1.411 ± 0.091) was normal in cHypoPT, 25.4% of the females had subnormal TBS, more in post than pre-menopausal women (52.3 vs. 14%, P= 0.002) and as compared to males (6.1%, P = 0.001). TBS correlated with menopausal status and follow-up serum calcium–phosphorus product. For every gm/cm2rise in BMD, TBS increase was only 0.227 in cHypoPT compared to 0.513 in controls. Frequency of VFs increased with declining TBS (P= 0.004). HSA was comparable between cHypoPT with and without VFs. 23.4% of cHypoPT with VFs had subnormal TBS. Conclusion: 31% of cHypoPT patients had VFs. TBS indicated degraded bone microarchitecture in 50% of the post-menopausal cHypoPT women. However, TBS has limitations to detect abnormal bone microarchitecture in cHypoPT as only one-fourth of patients with VFs showed low TBS.

The paper describes the procedure employed for developing a new earthquake zone map of India as part of the seventh revision of the Indian Earthquake Standard IS 1893 (Part 1). This new zone map is based primarily on a probabilistic earthquake hazard analysis performed at a grid spacing of 0.1°×0.1° in longitudes and latitudes of the entire country. But, for grid locations with small probabilistic hazard estimates, a minimum level of hazard has been estimated deterministically for the most likely maximum magnitude of an earthquake on the nearest mapped fault. Based on the results, the Indian landmass is grouped into five zones, designated as ‘earthquake zones II, III, IV, V, and VI.’ The peak ground accelerations corresponding to a return period of 2475 yr in these zones are estimated as 0.15, 0.30, 0.45, 0.60, and 0.75g, which also include the site amplification effect. Common normalized response spectra are recommended for all five zones, one for each of the three different site soil conditions, as an interim measure.

The use of treated activated carbon (AC) is investigated to eliminate cationic dye malachite green (MG) using modelled dye solution. Anionic surfactant sodium lauryl sulfate modified AC (SLS-AC) and AC treated with other two surfactants viz.sodium dodecyl sulfonate and hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide were used for the analysis. Optimum SLS-AC was analyzed and characterized using BET, XRD, ESEM accompanied with XEDS, FTIR, HR-TEM and zeta potential measurement which confirms the sorption of MG onto SLS-AC. The influence of the starting dye concentration, pH, adsorbent dose, interaction time, and additive salts as well as actual water samples were investigated. The presence of NH4+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na2+, Ca2+and K+cations in dye solution showed a negligible (less than 5%) influence on the dye removal capacity. The study of kinetics showed that apart from the best fitted pseudo second order rate, intra particle diffusion also played its part in the sorption system. Isotherm studies accompanied with error analysis revealed that the Langmuir isotherm (qmax= 217.6 mg g−1) controls the adsorption equilibrium. The adsorption reaction was favourable with the rise in temperature hinting at an endothermic system. Column experimental data were verified with several models showing the fitness of the Thomas model. The reusability (no. of cycles) of the used adsorbent was studied using regeneration experiments. Analysis inferred that AC modified using surfactants can be adopted effectively for enhanced adsorption capacity of dyes from aqueous solution and also not much work has been reported on the use of anionic surfactant modified AC for the dye removal process.

3D-printing technologies, such as biofabrication, capitalize on the homogeneous distribution and growth of cells inside biomaterial hydrogels, ultimately aiming to allow for cell differentiation, matrix remodeling, and functional tissue analogues. However, commonly, only the mechanical properties of the bioinks or matrix materials are assessed, while the detailed influence of cells on the resulting mechanical properties of hydrogels remains insufficiently understood. Here, we investigate the properties of hydrogels containing cells and spherical PAAm microgel beads through multi-modal complex mechanical analyses in the small- and large-strain regimes. We evaluate the individual contributions of different filler concentrations and a non-fibrous oxidized alginate-gelatin hydrogel matrix on the overall mechanical behavior in compression, tension, and shear. Through material modeling, we quantify parameters that describe the highly nonlinear mechanical response of soft composite materials. Our results show that the stiffness significantly drops for cell- and bead concentrations exceeding four million per milliliter hydrogel. In addition, hydrogels with high cell concentrations (≥6 mio ml−1) show more pronounced material nonlinearity for larger strains and faster stress relaxation. Our findings highlight cell concentration as a crucial parameter influencing the final hydrogel mechanics, with implications for microgel bead drug carrier-laden hydrogels, biofabrication, and tissue engineering.

The effect of sintering temperature on the mechanical and tribological characteristics of 2D phase reinforced copper-based composite has been investigated in the present study. The Cu-based composites containing 2 wt. % of(GO + MoS2)NPwere sintered at different temperatures (1023, 1073, 1123, and 1173 K) by microwave sintering process. The microstructural features observed by SEM and HRTEM of composites suggest that as the sintering temperature increases (GO + MoS2)NPpocket formation tendency also increases, which also governs the mechanical and tribological characteristics of composites. As the sintering temperature elevated, the ultimate tensile strength of the composite decreases, whereas friction and wear rate decrease with increase in temperature up to 1123 and beyond 1123 increase in friction and wear has been observed. The decrease in strength with increasing sintering temperature has been attributed to the grain size increment and increase in (GO + MoS2)NPpocket size at the grain boundaries. However, the decrease in friction and wear rate has been ascribed to the ease of extrusion of (GO + MoS2)NPfrom the pockets for the composites sintered at high temperature, rather than extrusion of (GO + MoS2)NPof fillers from the intra-grainular sites, i.e., for the composites sintered at lower temperature.

Byline: S. Das, R. Goswami, R. Goswami, M. Rahman, Y. Ray Background: Diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a major obstacle in the control of this disease. The rK39 strip-test [...]

The Rufous-bellied Woodpecker Dendrocoposhyperythrus is the only known sapsucking species occurring in Asia, found in moist temperate broadleaved forests of the Western Himalaya, a forest type threatened by degradation and conversion to other land uses. We studied the habitat selection of the species using point counts over 210 survey-hours in four field seasons between 2016-2018. Field measurement of forest structural variables, analysis of landscape composition and observations on foraging behaviour were carried out to ascertain the reasons for its habitat choice. The species showed a significant preference for dense oak forest over other forest types and land-use. Its occupancy of forest sites was strongly dependent on canopy cover, and showed a weak association with tree girth and the proportion of dense forest in the surrounding landscape. It forages primarily in the mid-storey of the forest, on medium and large trees, mainly on their trunks. Sap-wells created by the woodpecker were seen on nine tree species, and it was seen foraging on seven others. Based on its unique sapsucking behaviour, habitat selection and narrow altitudinal range (1,500-2,700 m), we suggest that the species may be a useful indicator of high-quality oak forest in the Himalaya. Given the prevailing high threat levels to its habitat we urge a review of the IUCN conservation status of the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is an aggressive hematologic malignancy, and T-ALL patients are prone to early disease relapse and suffer from poor outcomes. The PTEN, PI3K/AKT and Notch pathways are frequently altered in T-ALL. PTEN is a tumor suppressor that inactivates the PI3K pathway. We profiled miRNAs in Pten-deficient mouse T-ALL and identified miR-26b as a potentially dysregulated gene. We validated decreased expression levels of miR-26b in mouse and human T-ALL cells. In addition, expression of exogenous miR-26b reduced proliferation and promoted apoptosis of T-ALL cells in vitro, and hindered progression of T-ALL in vivo. Furthermore, miR-26b inhibited the PI3K/AKT pathway by directly targeting PIK3CD, the gene encoding PI3Kδ, in human T-ALL cell lines. ShRNA for PIK3CDand CAL-101, a PIK3CD inhibitor, reduced the growth and increased apoptosis of T-ALL cells. Finally, we showed that PTEN induced miR-26b expression by regulating the differential expression of Ikaros isoforms that are transcriptional regulators of miR-26b. These results suggest that miR-26b functions as a tumor suppressor in the development of T-ALL. Further characterization of targets and regulators of miR-26b may be promising for the development of novel therapies.

For reliable transport of data in wireless network, Aggressive Packet Combining (APC) scheme is one of the protocols, which is well established. APC has several limitations including low throughput. Several modifications were earlier studied elsewhere for achieving higher throughput in APC. In this work, it has been proposed the two new modifications of APC. The performance of proposed modified APC are studied numerically and reported accordingly. The throughput of the proposed new techniques is found higher than that of APC.

In realizing the time variant key or variable key from session to session is the key challenge in achieving perfect security. Automatic variable key (AVK) is a novel approach to realise time variant key. In AVK, key is generated for use between the sender and the receiver by using a simple computation technique. The AVK was widely experimented by other researchers that established the superiority of AVK over a single/fixed key. In this paper we propose two new techniques for generating time variant key. Our techniques ensure better randomness among the successive two keys so generated.

One of the finest approach for achieving the perfect security is the time variant key or variable key from session to session or to data. Automatic Variable Key (AVK) is a novel approach in respect of time variant key technique. In AVK, the key is generated by a variable data transmitted in prior session. The AVK was widely experimented by many researchers and the superiority of AVK over a single key/fixed key has been duly established. In this paper few new techniques to generate time variant key is proposed. Comparison to find out the superiority of different key generation techniques is also made.

The primary objective of this study is to ascertain the levels of job satisfaction experienced amongst employees at five Ferro-alloy industries in Orissa, India. For the purpose of this study, a quantitative (non-probabilistic) sampling design was used to assess the information on job satisfaction parameters. The sample group ( N = 240) consisted of male and female staff members working on a rotational shift roster in five Ferro-alloy industries. A biographical questionnaire and the Job Descriptive Index (JDI) questionnaire were administered to gather the required information. This study measures job satisfaction in terms of five important job facets, namely, pay, promotions, supervision, co-workers and the work itself. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data to find out the important determinants of job satisfaction among shift workers.

Bovine cutaneous warts (CWs) were investigated in Northern India. Of 49 cases, 44 were recorded in cattle and 5 in buffaloes. These animals had mild to moderate grade infections. Grossly, cases of CWs appeared to be of exophytic type, however, different types of growth patterns were observed. A total of 26 biopsies (cattle 21 and buffaloes 5) from CWs-affected animals studied histopathologically were diagnosed as exophytic and cauliflower-like fibropapilloma 13, exophytic and dome-shaped fibropapilloma 5, occult andor fibroblastic type papilloma 3, cauliflower-like papilloma 3, endophytic fibropapilloma 1 and fibroma 1. On PCR analysis, 11 CWs and 2 normal skin samples showed BPV-1, -2 mixed infections. A rapid, sensitive and reliable real-time SYBR Green PCR test to detect BPV-1, BPV-2 and to quantify BPV-1 was developed. Results of amplification and dissociation plot of real-time PCR revealed that six samples were BPV-1 positive, eight were BPV-2 positive and six were positive for both BPV-1 and -2. CWs samples from different dairy farms testing positive for BPV-1 by PCR assay were also positive using Quantitative real-time SYBR Green PCR assay. For the first time, mixed infection of BPV-1 and -2 was detected in India and BPV-1 load was quantified by real-time SYBR Green PCR assay.

We demonstrate a new, room-temperature approach to assemble two-dimensional and three-dimensional networks of gold nanowires by agitating nanoparticles in a toluene−aqueous mixture, without the use of templates. The nanowires have a uniform diameter of about 5 nm and consist of coalesced face-centered cubic nanocrystals. Toluene molecules passivate the gold surfaces during nanoparticle coalescence, rendering the nanowires hydrophobic and enabling their transfer into the toluene layer. Such templateless low-temperature assembly of mesostructures from nanoscale building blocks open up new possibilities for creating porous self-supporting nanocatalysts, nanowires for device interconnection, and low-density high-strength nanofillers for composites.

OBJECTIVE: The pathogenesis of sporadic idiopathic hypoparathyroidism is unclear. The calcium sensing receptor (CaSR) plays a pivotal role in extracellular calcium homeostasis and is the candidate autoantigen in hypoparathyroidism associated with autoimmune polyglandular endocrinopathy syndrome. We therefore looked for antibodies (Ab) against the CaSR in patients with sporadic idiopathic hypoparathyroidism and their association, if any, with the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR haplotypes. METHODS: The subjects included 51 patients with sporadic idiopathic hypoparathyroidism and 45 healthy controls. Investigations included computerised tomography, serum calcium, phosphorus, thyroxine, TSH, cortisol, intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), ACTH and thyroid peroxidase (TPO) and adrenal antibodies. The CaSRAb were assayed in patients' sera by Western blot. Genotyping of the HLA-DR locus was performed using PCR and sequence-specific oligonucleotide probes. RESULTS: Intracranial calcification and cataract were present in 76.5% and 41.1% of the patients respectively and 62.7% had convulsions. Autoantibodies against the 168 kDa CaSR protein were demonstrated in the serum of 49.0% of the patients and in 13.3% of the controls (P<0.001). Pre-incubating serum samples from the CaSRAb-positive patients with parathyroid membrane produced a 90% decrease in the band intensity. HLA-DRB1*01 and DRB1*09 alleles were significantly associated with idiopathic hypoparathyroidism (relative risk of 7.8, P=0.001). The frequency of HLA-DRB1*09 and DRB1*10 alleles tended to be higher in patients positive for the CaSRAb. There was no significant difference in the frequency of occurrence of convulsions, cataract, intracranial calcification, calcium:phosphorus ratio, and iPTH levels between patients with and without CaSRAb. CONCLUSION: 49.0% of the patients studied had serological evidence of organ-specific autoimmunity against the CaSR protein. The occurrence of CaSRAb and the HLA-DR associations imply an autoimmune component to the disease, but the primary role of the CaSRAb in the pathogenesis of the disease needs to be assessed further.

Scalemic acyclic α-(alkoxy)alkyl- and α-(N-carbamoyl)alkylcuprates prepared from organostannanes via organolithium reagents react with vinyl iodides, propargyl mesylates, and α,β-enones to afford coupled products with enantioselectivities ranging from 0 to 99% ee depending upon cuprate reagent, substrate structure, solvent, and temperature. In general, lithium cuprates give higher chemical yields and lower enantioselectivities, while the trends are reversed for the corresponding zinc cuprate reagents.

Creating hybrid nanostructures consisting of disparate nanoscale blocks is of interest for exploring new types of quantum device architectures. Here, we demonstrate the novel anchoring of monolayer-protected gold nanoclusters of 1−3 nm diameter to sidewalls of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) via hydrophobic interactions between octanethiols capping the nanoclusters and acetone-activated CNT surfaces. Such molecularly interlinked hybrid nanoblocks are attractive for building biocompatible nanodevices.

OBJECTIVES: Dyspnoea is a common complaint among patients with thyrotoxicosis. However, its causative mechanisms have not been identified. We assessed the role of thoracic diaphragmatic muscle weakness in dyspnoea among patients with active Graves' disease. METHODS: Twenty-seven patients (19 female, 8 male) with active Graves' disease were assessed for the clinical severity of dyspnoea, functional (pressure generating capacity) and anatomical aspects (thickness and excursion) of the diaphragm at presentation. The severity of dyspnoea was assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS) and the 6 min walk test. Lung function tests, diaphragmatic strength (sniff oesophageal pressure, SniffP(oeso)), maximum inspiratory and expiratory pressures, diaphragmatic thickness and movements on real time ultrasonography were evaluated during normal and deep respiration. Twenty of the 27 patients were reassessed after achieving euthyroidism with carbimazole therapy at a mean interval of 5+/-2 months. RESULTS: Reevaluation after carbimazole therapy revealed a significant reduction in dyspnoea on the VAS (59+/-26 to 23+/-13%). Patients covered a similar distance during the 6 min walk before and after euthyroidism. Significant improvement was observed in the vital capacity (2.57+/-0.62 to 2.94+/-0.60 l), forced expiratory volume in the first second (2.21+/-0.49 to 2.45+/-0.47 l), total lung capacity (3.57+/-1.19 to 4.1+/-1.12 l), diaphragmatic movement during deep respiration (5.5+/-1.0 to 6.6+/-1.1 cm) and SniffP(oeso) (68.7+/-23 to 93.1+/-25.2 cmH(2)O). There was no significant change in the distance walked in 6 min, tidal volume, lung diffusion capacity and diaphragmatic thickness. There was no significant correlation between the net change in dyspnoea score and net change in lung function tests, diaphragmatic movement and SniffP(oeso). CONCLUSIONS: Significant functional weakness of diaphragm muscle is present in patients with active Graves' disease. This weakness is more marked during a maximal respiratory manoeuvre, indicating a diminished diaphragmatic reserve which could be the cause of dyspnoea observed on exertion among patients with thyrotoxicosis.

Metal carbenoid chemistry is used to convert δ-amino β-ketoesters into 5-substituted 3-oxo prolines, which expands the utility of this class of polyfunctionalized chiral building blocks.

Objectives: Non- C. albicans Candida species are increasingly being recognized as the cause of vulvo-vaginal candidiasis. These species are often less susceptible to antifungal agents. Patients with diabetes mellitus are at risk for vulvo-vaginal candidasis. We assessed the species-specific prevalence rate and risk of candidiasis in patients with diabetes mellitus and healthy controls. Methods: Genital tract examination, direct microscopy and fungal cultures of discharge collected by high vaginal swab were undertaken among 78 consecutive patients with diabetes mellitus (mean (±

Pathogenesis in kala-azar is associated with depressed cellular immunity and significant elevation of antileishmanial antibodies. Since these antibodies are present even after cure, analysis of the parasite-specific isotypes and immunoglobulin G (IgG) subclasses in kala-azar patients may shed new light on the immune responses during progression and resolution of infection. Using leishmanial membrane antigenic extracts, we investigated the relative levels of specific IgG, IgM, IgA, IgE, and IgG subclasses in Indian kala-azar patient sera during disease, drug resistance, and cure. Acute-phase sera showed strong stimulation of IgG, followed by IgE and IgM and lastly by IgA antibodies. IgG subclass analysis revealed expression of all of the subclasses, with a predominance of IgG1 during disease. Following sodium stibogluconate (SAG) resistance, the levels of IgG, IgM, IgE, and IgG4 remained constant, while there was a decrease in the titers of IgG2 and IgG3. In contrast, a significant (2.2-fold) increase in IgG1 was observed in these individuals. Cure, in both SAG-responsive and unresponsive patients, correlated with a decline in the levels of IgG, IgM, IgE, and all of the IgG subclasses. The stimulation of IgG1 and the persistence, most importantly, of IgE and IgG4 following drug resistance, along with a decline in IgE, IgG4, and IgG1 with cure, demonstrate the potential of these isotypes as possible markers for monitoring effective treatment in kala-azar.

Work hardening behaviour of discontinuously reinforced metal matrix composites (MMCs) is a complex phenomenon as compared to monolithic materials and is still not explicitly understood. Under the present investigation, the effect of deformation and reinforcement content on work hardening behaviour of extruded 2124 Al/SiCp MMCs has been reported. These MMC extruded rods having 10%, 15% and 20% volume fraction of SiCp and extruded at 9:1, 36:1 and 56:1 extrusion ratios (ERs) were used. Work hardening rates were calculated from true stress-strain data obtained from tensile testing results of these MMCs. The variation in work hardening rates was correlated with the variation of SiCp content and deformation (i.e., ER). Fracture strains were estimated using a model and correlated with the experimentally measured values. Morphology of fractured surfaces was examined to elucidate the different microstructural features induced during testing and their correlation with elongation.

Visceral leishmaniasis, or kala-azar, a fatal tropical disease, remains problematic, as early diagnosis is difficult and treatment often results in drug resistance and relapse. We have developed a sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), using leishmanial membrane antigenic extracts (LAg) to detect specific antibody responses in 25 untreated Indian visceral leishmaniasis patients. To investigate the pathogenetic significance of isotype markers in kala-azar, relative levels of specific immunoglobulin G (IgG), IgM, IgA, IgE, and IgG subclasses were analyzed under clinically established diseased conditions. Since LAg showed higher sensitivity for specific IgG than lysate, the immunoglobulin isotype responses were evaluated, with LAg as antigen. Compared to 60 controls, which included patients with malaria, tuberculosis, leprosy, and typhoid and healthy subjects, visceral leishmaniasis patients showed significantly higher IgG (100% sensitivity, 85% specificity), IgM (48% sensitivity, 100% specificity), and IgE (44% sensitivity, 98.3% specificity) responses. Low levels of IgA in visceral leishmaniasis patients contrasted with a 13-fold-higher reactivity in sera from patients with leprosy. Among IgG subclasses, IgG1, -3, and -4 responses were significantly higher in visceral leishmaniasis patients than in the controls. IgG2 response, however, was significantly higher (twofold) in leprosy than even visceral leishmaniasis patients. The rank orders for sensitivity (IgG = IgG1 = IgG3 = IgG4 > IgG2 > IgM > IgE > IgA) and specificity (IgM = IgG3 > IgE > IgG4 > IgG2 > IgG > IgG1 > IgA) for LAg-specific antibody responses suggest the potentiality of IgG3 as a diagnostic marker for visceral leishmaniasis.

Abstract: Zinc-10 and 20 wt pct Pb alloys have been rapidly solidified by melt spinning to obtain a very fine scale dispersion of nanometer-sized Pb particles embedded in Zn matrix. The microstructure and crystallography of the Pb particles have been studied using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Each embedded Pb particle is a single crystal, with a truncated hexagonal biprism shape with the 6/mmm Zn matrix point group symmetry surrounded by and $$\left\{ {0001} \right\},{\text{ }}\left\{ {{\text{10}}\overline {\text{1}} {\text{0}}} \right\},{\text{ and }}\left\{ {{\text{10}}\overline {\text{1}} {\text{1}}} \right\}$$ facets. The Pb particles solidify with a well-defined orientation relationship with the Zn matrix of $$\left( {0001} \right)_{Zn} ||(111)_{Pb{\text{ }}} and{\text{ }}\left[ {{\text{11}}\overline {\text{2}} {\text{0}}} \right]_{Zn|} ||\left[ {1\overline 1 0} \right]_{Pb} $$ . The melting and solidification behavior of the Pb particle have been studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The Pb particles solidify with an undercooling of approximately 30 K, by heterogeneous nucleation on the {0001} facets of the surrounding Zn matrix, with an apparent contact angle of 23 deg.

Interesting surprises in some exotic atom kinetics have been reported recently. These involve muonic atom transfer cross sections, nuclear pion capture and theq 1s effect in µCF. These can be explained if the exotic atom population contains a contributing fast component. Such fast atoms can be formed by radiative continuum to bound transitions of fast (keV) muons or pions. Cross sections for formation of such fast pionic and muonic atoms and their velocity distributions are reported. The possibility of these processes competing with the thermalisation channels and contributing effectively to the exotic atom population is discussed.

To determine the prevalence of bladder symptoms in patients with Graves' disease and assess their abnormalities on urodynamic studies.

Evidence of a shape-dependent superheating of entrained nanosized Pb particles in a Zn matrix has been presented. It is shown that size dependence and pressure effects cannot explain the observed differences in melting points. The importance of crystallography and morphology at the microlevel at the interphase interface in controlling interfacial melting has been emphasized in order to explain the melting of entrained particles.

It is argued that the nanometric dispersion of Bi in a Zn matrix is an ideal model system for heterogeneous nucleation experiments. The classical theory of heterogeneous nucleation with a hemispherical cap model is applied to analyse the nucleation data. It is shown that, unlike the results of earlier experiments, the derived site density for catalytic nucleation and contact angle are realistic and strongly suggest the validity of the classical theory. The surface energy between the 0001 plane of Zn and the 10l¯2 plane of Bi, which constitute the epitaxial nucleation interface, is estimated to be 39 mJ m-2.

A novel, distance-cum-adjacency topological descriptor, termed as eccentric connectivity index, has been conceptualized, and its discriminating power has been investigated with regard to physical/biological properties of molecules. Correlation coefficients ranging from 95% to 99% were obtained using eccentric connectivity index in various datasets with regard to physical properties of diverse nature. These correlations were far superior to those correspondingly derived from the Wiener index. For structure−activity studies, a dataset, comprised of 94 substituted piperidinyl methyl ester and methylene methyl ester analogs as analgesic agents, was selected. Values of the eccentric connectivity index, the Wiener index, and Randić's molecular connectivity index were calculated, and active ranges were identified. Good correlations between topological descriptors and analgesic activity of these analogs were obtained. Eccentric connectivity index exhibited highest predictibility of the order of 86%. High discriminating power as revealed by excellent correlations obtained from structure−property and structure−activity studies offers an eccentric connectivity index of vast potential in QSPR/QSAR.

We study the possible effect of QCD in the proton wave function in a quark model for inclusive processesA+B→C+Xpursued by us. The assumption is the validity of the conjecture of Lepage and Brodsky in QCD on such effects. Our results obey the perturbative expectation, |Rgtan2φ|<1. Symmetric version of the model is, however, found to be at variance with most of the inclusive data as well as with some known phenomenology. If the dynamics of the underlying theory generate Regge-like symmetry breaking approximately, the model is phenomenologically viable, and the non-leading QCD effects become reasonable in size. Phenomenological necessity of the admixtures of (56, 0+)*, (70, 0+) and (56, 2+) in the nucleon wave function is also discussed in the present analysis.

The band structures of121, 123I nuclei have been studied using a version of the particle-rotor-model in which the experimental excitation energies of the neighbouring (A-1) cores can be fed directly as input parameters. The calculations have been carried out with axially symmetric Nilsson potential with both prolate and oblate deformations. The parameters of the model have been chosen from earlier theoretical work and experimental odd-even mass differences. Only the Coriolis attenuation factor has been treated as adjustable parameter. The theoretical band structures are in very good agreement with the available experimental data.

We report measurement of the electrical resistivityρ(T) and point contact differential conductance (dI/dV) for icosahedral Al70Pd30 −x(x=7,9 and 11) at low temperatures. Below 10 K, forx=11,ρ(T) follows a logTdependence. All the three compositions show a sharp minimum in the differential conductance near zero bias. Magnitude of the dip in the point contact conductance increases as the Mn concentration increases. The dip near zero bias also follows a logVdependence forV< 30 mV.

Al-1.4 at.%Pb, Cu-3.2 at.%Pb and Ni-3 at.%Pb have been rapidly solidified to obtain a nanoscale dispersion of Pb particles embedded within the higher melting point Al, Cu and Ni matrices. Each Pb particle in Al and Cu matrices is a single crystal and faceted. The shape of the Pb particles in Al and Cu is a truncated octahedron bounded by 111 and 100 facets. The second phase Pb particles in Ni are not well faceted and the shape is a roughened truncated octahedron. A well defined orientation relationship is observed between the second phase Pb particles and the matrices. The melting behaviour of these particles is studied using a differential scanning calorimeter. The majority of the second phase particles in all the matrices start melting below the equilibrium melting point of the Pb with a broad endothermic peak. In Al and Cu matrices, a few Pb particles are seen to be superheated while in the Ni matrix superheating of the Pb particles is not observed. It is shown that the observed difference in the melting behaviour is not due to the size dependent behaviour of melting of the second phase. Our results suggest that the shape of the second phase particle strongly influences the superheating.

The simian virus 40 small-t antigen contains 10 cysteine residues, 6 of which are organized in two CysXCysXXCys clusters. Mutation of individual Cys residues in the two clusters or mutation of specific residues found between these clusters causes pronounced instability of the protein in animal cells. Protein instability correlates with failure of the bacterially expressed mutant proteins to bind zinc ions, an interaction which allows purification of large amounts of small-t antigen in monomeric form.

In heat exchanger applications, Cu–Ni alloy tubings are extensively used, mainly because of their good deformability, resistance to corrosion, and optimum mechanical properties. Experimental extrusions of solid circular rods and tubes have been carried out on 70Cu–30Ni–Fe alloy to study the influence of temperature, pressing speed, extrusion ratio, die design, and lubricants. The results of experiments aimed at examining the effects of various extrusion parameters on the pressure requirements and surface quality of the extruded products are examined in the present paper.MST/1991