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Introduction: In the year 2022, a Dengue virus outbreak occurred nationwide in Bangladesh, including Chattogram, a port city. The purpose of this study was to identify and document the serotypes of Dengue virus and to measure the viral load of the virus positive specimens. Methods: This observational study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital of Chattogram during a period of six months from June through December, 2022. A total of 74 patients with symptoms suggestive of Dengue Fever(DF) and NS1 or IgM/IgG positive dengue patients were recruited into the study. From them clinicopathological data was collected on a case record form(CRF). Ten ml of venous whole blood was drawn in EDTA tubes then centrifuged and was sent to the laboratory at SlieaGen L.L.C in Austin, Texas, USA, for Dengue serotyping and viral load analysis by qPCR-LDT method. A total of 73 specimens were analyzed, one specimen was excluded. Ethical clearance was obtained from the hospital ethical review board, written informed consents were also taken from all subjects. Serotyping and qPCR testing data was shared by SlieaGen LLC once analysis was completed. Results: Amongst the 74 patients most were male 57(77%) and most [20(40.5%)] patients were young at 21-30 years. All had history of fever(100%), followed by body aches 67(90.5%), headache 49(66.2%) and weakness 55(74.3%). Positive NS1, IgM Dengue Ab and IgG Dengue Ab were found in 68(91.9%), 8(10.8%) and 3(4.1%) cases respectively. Frequency of serotype distributions revealed DENV 1 and DENV 3 were the most common serotypes 25(33.8%) and 16(21.6%) respectively also DENV 2 was 3(4.1%) and DENV 4 was 1(1.4%). Among 27 virus positive cases single infection DENV 1 was found in 10(13.51%) samples, DENV 3 and DENV 4 found in 1(1.4%) samples each, doubly infected (DENV 1 + DENV 2) was found in 12(16.2%) samples, triple infected (DENV 1 + DENV 2 + DENV 3) was found in 3(4.1%) samples. No virus was detected in 46(62.16%) samples. Viral load (Mean ± SD) found in DENV 1(890974.48 ± 4156206)cp/ml, DENV 2 (33423.00 ± 9088.35)cp/ml, DENV 3(23991.12 ± 51250.18)cp/ml and DENV 4 (822.00cp/ml) in virus detected samples. Conclusions: All four serotypes were found in the 2022 Dengue outbreak in Chittagong and DENV 1 and DENV 3 were common serotype. Simultaneous double and triple serotype infection in the same patients may be related with different unusual clinical features which need further documentations in future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The anion C5N− is one of the largest linear (C,N)-bearing chains detected in the interstellar medium. Here we present and discuss the general features of new ab initio potential energy surfaces describing the interaction of this linear anion with He and H2. We employ a Legendre Polynomials expansion representation for the former and an artificial neural network fit for the latter. We then carry out quantum scattering calculations to yield rotationally inelastic cross-sections for collisions with He and H2, using relative translational energy values in the range of 0.1–300 cm−1. We then obtained the corresponding inelastic rate coefficients as a function of temperature covering the range from 1 to 100 K. The results for these two systems are compared with each other, as well as with the earlier results on the C3N− colliding with the same partners. We found that the final inelastic rate coefficients for this anion are all fairly large, those from collisions with H2 being the largest. The consequences of such findings on their non-equilibrium rotational populations in interstellar environments are discussed in our conclusions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new genus, Mystocestus, is proposed to accommodate a new species, Mystocestus anindoi n. g., n. sp. from Mystus vittatus (Bloch) (type host) in West Bengal and Mystus cavasius (Hamilton) (Siluriformes: Bagridae) in Maharashtra, India. The new genus is most similar to Lucknowia Gupta, 1961 in the shape of the body, which is elongate, slightly tapering towards the anterior end, and scolex, which is digitiform, but differs in the shape of the ovary, which is H-shaped (vs. inverted A-shaped in Lucknowia), the absence of a seminal receptacle (present in Lucknowia) and exclusively cortical vitelline follicles (vs. some follicles in the medulla in the latter genus). Molecular data support the erection of the new genus and place it close to Bovienia Fuhrmann, 1931, species of which can be easily distinguished by exclusively lateral vitelline follicles (lateral and median in the new genus), the presence of a seminal receptacle (absent in Mystocestus) and scolex shape (digitiform, with blunt or slightly concave anterior edge in the new genus vs. small, unspecialized or spatulate in Bovienia). The convoluted taxonomy of tapeworms placed in Mystoides Mathur, 1992 is critically reviewed to clean up taxonomic chaos in Indo-Malayan caryophyllideans. Mystoides was erected in an unpublished PhD thesis and thus its generic name becomes unavailable and also, its type species is conspecific with Lucknowia fossilisi Gupta, 1961 from the stinging catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch). Other species of this genus are also conspecific with L. fossilisi. In addition, specific names of most of these taxa are unavailable because they were described in unpublished theses or conference abstracts. Based on recent revisions of Indo-Malayan caryophyllideans, the following nine genera with 15 species are considered valid (numbers of species of individual genera are provided in parentheses): Bovienia (3), Djombangia (1), Lucknowia (2), Lytocestus (2), Mystocestus (1), Pseudocaryophyllaeus (2) (all family Lytocestidae); Adenoscolex (1), Lobulovarium (2), Paracaryophyllaeus (1) (all family Caryophyllaeidae). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The anisotropy in resonant tunneling transport through an electrostatic barrier in monolayer black phosphorus either in presence or in absence of an oscillating potential is studied. Non-perturbative Floquet theory is applied to solve the time dependent problem and the results obtained are discussed thoroughly. The resonance spectra in field free transmission are Lorentzian in nature although the width of the resonance for the barrier along the zigzag (Г–Y) direction is too thinner than that for the armchair (Г–X) one. Resonant transmission is suppressed for both the cases by the application of oscillating potential that produces small oscillations in the transmission around the resonant energy particularly at low frequency range. Sharp asymmetric Fano resonances are noted in the transmission spectrum along the armchair direction while a distinct line shape resonance is noted for the zigzag direction at higher frequency of the oscillating potential. Even after the angular average, the conductance along the Г–X direction retains the characteristic Fano features that could be observed experimentally. The present results are supposed to suggest that the phosphorene electrostatic barrier could be used successfully as switching devices and nano detectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Refractive index is directly proportional to the concentration of medium. Based on this principle, we report two schemes of measuring varying concentration of solvent by measuring output response through intensity interrogation. In the first case, we use evanescent field by exposing certain portion of a cladding to varying concentration of fossil fuels. In the second case, we utilize reflectance through a displacement scheme for measuring the same analyte. Accordingly, all results are comprehensively analyzed and all sensing performances are procedurally investigated. The sensitivity of both the schemes are estimated and compared. The evanescent fiber optic set-up renders better response as compared to the displacement one. Due to simplicity in design approach, the all fiber optic schemes prove to be highly adaptable to sense other chemical contaminants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Present study was carried out to find the effect of combining EGF with IGF, cysteine and sodium pyruvate singly as additive in a medium consisting of TCM-199 + 100 μl/ml foetal bovine serum + 100 μM/ml cysteamine + 1 μg/ml 17β- Oestradiol + 5 μg/ml pFSH + 5μg/ml oLH + 10 per cent follicular fluid and 10 per cent oestrous goat serum on in-vitro maturation (IVM) of caprine oocytes on incubation at 38.5°C for 24 hours in a CO2 incubator maintaining 5 per cent CO2 under humidified condition. The additives comprised 10 ng/ml EGF + 50 ng/ml IGF-1, 10 ng/ml EGF + 600 μM/ml cysteine and 10 ng/ml EGF + 0.2 mM/ml sodium pyruvate. The IVM rate of oocytes on the basis of cumulus cells expansion and nuclear maturation was found to be significantly higher (P<0.05) with EGF + IGF-1 (88.74 ± 1.85% and 61.71 ± 1.61%) than with EGF + sodium pyruvate (82.86 ± 0.97% and 54.62 ± 1.88%), EGF + cysteine (78.58 ± 1.45% and 49.02 ± 1.52%) and without additive (control) (75.27 ± 1.58% and 43.03 ± 1.48%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A small deformation micromorphic computational homogenization framework for matrix–inclusion composites was recently presented in Biswas and Poh (2017), where standard continuum models at the micro-scale are translated consistently onto the macro-scale to recover a micromorphic continuum. In this contribution, the micromorphic framework is extended to the regime of significant geometrical and material nonlinearities. Following the small deformation framework, an additional degree of freedom is introduced to capture the influence of rapid fluctuations within a unit cell. In this contribution, we elaborate on the specific choice of decomposition for the kinematic fields, where certain higher-order modes are deliberately neglected. Several examples are considered to illustrate the influence of different higher-order modes, and how the corresponding size effect emerges naturally in the homogenized micromorphic model. In the regime of geometrical softening, the higher order term provides a regularizing effect to give mesh independent solutions, albeit with a stiffer response. A detailed discussion on this phenomenon is provided. The homogenization framework is implemented using a client–server based parallel processing algorithm to reduce the computational time. The excellent predictive capability and efficiency of the micromorphic approach are demonstrated with a mixed loading problem on a composite plate with non-uniform cross-section. Furthermore, the micromorphic solutions are shown to be independent of the choice of a unit cell. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The titled system has been investigated from the modelling point of view. The equilibration time for the system is 45 min, and 5% (v/v) heptane-1-ol in the organic phase is used as a de-emulsifier. The factors affecting the extent of extractions are [Ti(IV)], pH(eq), [Cyanex 301], [SO42-] and temperature (T). The selected levels are high (+) and low (-) for these factors in the present investigation. Model equation for the extraction of Ti(IV) by Cyanex 301 is determined from 25 full factorial design. However, the success of the factorial design depends on the linear relationship between yield and factor. Plots of log CD vs log [Ti(IV)], pH(eq), log [Cyanex 301] and log [SO42-] are curves. Logistic functions involving these factors are considered in designing. While [Ti(IV)] < 1.00 g/L and [HA](o) > 0.10 mol/L, considered logistic functions viz. -log(1+316.2 ([Ti(IV)], mol/L)), -log (10-pH + 229 10-2pH), log ([HA](o), mol/L), -log (1+0.79 ([SO42-], mol/L)) and absolute temperature are abbreviated as M, P, E, S and T, respectively. Model is log CD = 5.847 + 0.964 M + 0.909 P + 2 E + 0.995 S - (1437.5/T). The experimental model illustrates that there is no interaction effect between the factors under investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a highly sensitive Localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) based photonic crystal fiber (PCF) sensor by embedding an array of gold nanospheres into the first layer of air-holes of PCF. We present a comprehensive analysis on the basis of progressive variation of refractive indices of analytes as well as sizes of the nanospheres. In the proposed sensing scheme, refractive indices of the analytes have been changed from 1 to 1.41(RIU), accompanied by alteration of the sizes of nanospheres ranging 40–70 nm. The entire study has been executed in the context of different material based PCFs ( viz . phosphate and crown) and the corresponding results have been analyzed and compared. We observe a declining trend in modal loss in each set of PCFs with increment of RI of the analyte. Lower loss has been observed in case of crown based PCF. The sensor shows highest sensitivity ∼27,000 nm/RIU for crown based PCF for nanosphere of 70 nm with average wavelength interrogation sensitivity ∼5333.53 nm/RIU. In case of phosphate based PCF, highest sensitivity is found to be ∼18,000 nm/RIU with an average interrogation sensitivity ∼4555.56 nm/RIU for 40 nm of Au nanosphere. Moreover, the additional sensing parameters have been observed to highlight the better design of the modelled LSPR based photonic crystal fiber sensor. As such, the resolution (R), limit of detection (LOD) and sensitivity (S) of the proposed sensor in each case (viz. phosphate and crown PCF) have been discussed by using wavelength interrogation technique. The proposed study provides a basis for detailed investigation of LSPR phenomenon for PCF utilizing noble metal nanospheres (AuNPs). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the present study was to find the comparative efficacy of three extenders to preserve semen of Labrador- Retriever (LR) dogs at 5o C for a short term. The semen samples of LR dogs were collected by digital manipulation method and extended at the rate of 1:4 in Tris-Egg Yolk- Citric Acid-Glucose (TEYCAG), Tris-Egg Yolk- Citric Acid-Fructose (TEYCAF) and Egg Yolk-Citrate-Glycine-Glucose (EYCGG) extenders by split sample technique. Semen was evaluated at 0, 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120 hours of preservation. Mean motile, live and HOST-reacted sperm and acrosomal, head, mid piece and tail abnormalities of spermatozoa varied significantly (P<0.01) between extenders and between preservation periods. The interactions between extender and preservation period were also significant (P<0.01) except for HOSTreacted and head abnormalities of sperm. The highest mean motile, live and HOST-reacted sperm were recorded in TEYCAG extender which did not differ significantly from that of TEYCAF extender. Mean per cent sperm acrosomal and tail abnormalities were significantly (P<0.05) lower, and the incidences of mean sperm head and mid piece abnormalities were also lower in TEYCAG, but not significantly from that in TEYCAF irrespective of hour of preservation. Per cent motile, live and HOST-reacted sperm were significantly (P<0.05) lower and sperm acrosomal, head, mid piece and tail abnormalities were significantly (P<0.05) higher in EYCGG as compared to that in TEYCAG and TEYCAF irrespective of hour of preservation. It was concluded that the semen of LR dog sustained good quality during preservation up to 5 days at 5oC suitable for successful artificial insemination and would be preserved better in TEYCAG and TEYCAF extenders than in EYCGG extender, since more than 50 per cent sperm motility and live sperm were maintained up to 120 hours of preservation in the former two extenders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electronic transport through graphene magnetic barriers is studied theoretically in presence of an external time harmonic scalar potential in the framework of non-perturbative Landau–Floquet Formalism. The oscillating field mostly suppresses the transmission for rectangular magnetic barrier structure and exhibits the Fano resonance for multiphoton processes due to the presence of bound state inside the barrier. While, for a pair of delta function barriers of larger separation, the oscillating potential suppresses the usual Fabry–Perot oscillations in the transmission and a new type of asymmetric Fano resonance is noted for smaller separation, occurring due to extended states between the barriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The titled system has been investigated using a single drop technique and flux (F) method of data treatment. In calculating fluxes, the time for drop formation and coalescence (Δt = 0.75 s) is considered. At lower concentration region of vanadium, V(V), the rate of V(V) transfer is directly proportional to its concentration. With the increase in [V(V)], slowly extractable V(V) species are formed gradually resulting in decrease in rate. Rate is directly proportional to the square root of [TOA]. It is reported that the most favorable extractable V(V) species exists in maximum amount at pH 2, and so, log F vs pH plots show a maximum at pH~2. The flux of V(V) transfer in most cases is found to be decreased with increasing [NO3-]. Reaction orders with respect to [V(V)], pH and [NO3-] have been attempted to be estimated, but in vein due to non-linearity of plots in most cases. Activation energies for the present system is ~-12 kJ/mol. This is unexpected but explained. Due to irregular variation of the composition of extractable species with [V(V)], [H+]; as well as temperature; it is not possible to elucidate the value of rate constant (k) and mechanism in simple way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sulforaphene from cruciferous vegetable has shown to modulate various signaling pathways of apoptosis. But it has not yet been studied extensively for the cervical cancer treatment. Previous studies show the promising role of photodynamic therapy for cervical cancer. Here, we confirm that sulforaphene can synergistically enhance the efficacy of photodynamic therapy. Human cervical cancer cells HeLa were treated with a very low dose of sulforaphene (2.0 μg/ml) and photodynamic therapy with radachlorin (0.5 μg/ml) at a fluence of 27 J/cm2 (30 milliwatts/cm2, λmax ∼ 670 ± 3 nm). The combination treatment showed a synergistic effect to induce apoptosis. The mitochondrial apoptotic pathway was activated via caspase 3 and caspase 9. On the other hand, caspase 12 and C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) were expressed that indicated endoplasmic reticulum stress. This combination treatment also activated death receptor pathway via activation of caspase 8 and inhibited cell proliferation via down-regulation of EGFR. Thus, several apoptotic pathways were simultaneously activated in this combination treatment which results in a synergistic efficacy of sulforaphene with photodynamic therapy. Therefore, this study could be useful in the improvement of therapies for human cervical and other types of cancers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate theoretically the transmission of electrons through a pair of δ-function magnetic barriers in graphene in presence of external monochromatic, linearly polarized and CW laser field. The transmission coefficients are calculated in the framework of non-perturbative Floquet theory using the transfer matrix method. It is noted that the usual Fabry–Perot oscillations in transmission through the graphene magnetic barriers with larger inter barrier separation takes the shape of beating oscillations in presence of the external laser field. The laser assisted transmission spectra are also found to exhibit the characteristic Fano resonances (FR) for smaller values of the inter barrier separation. The appearance of the perfect node in the beating oscillation and the asymmetric Fano line shape can be controlled by varying the intensity of the laser field. The above features could provide some useful and potential information about the light - matter interactions and may be utilized in the graphene based optoelectronic device applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was conducted to evaluate the in vivo fertility of frozen thawed boar semen. Twenty ejaculates collected from six mature boars were frozen in a programmable freezer. After freezing the semen was evaluated for different sperm quality parameters. Twenty five sows were inseminated artificially utilizing frozen thawed semen. The percentage of sperm motility, live sperm, live intact acrosome, plasma membrane intact sperm, HOST-reacted sperm, live sperm with high mitochondrial membrane potential, lipid peroxidised sperm and DNA-damaged sperm of frozen semen utilised for AI were 56.25±0.96, 63.75±1.47, 59.88±1.09, 41.08±1.01, 40.31±1.02, 86.23±1.29, 9.28±0.83 and 4.20±0.29 respectively. The farrowing rate was 44.00 per cent and the mean litter size at birth was 5.91±0.69. It could be concluded that the freezing and insemination protocol of boar semen used in the present study resulted in moderate fertility of frozen boar semen and it would help in further improvement and utilization of frozen boar semen for AI in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The modal characteristics of photonic crystal fibers (PCF) with guiding cores consisting of seven missing air holes are investigated with effective index method. We incorporate two different composites – phosphate and crown and systematically analyze the modal characteristics with good control from structural parameters i.e., diameter ( d ) and pitch ( Λ ) in the E and L band of communication. The comprehensive analysis of these two varying PCFs suggests that crown PCF exhibits more spot size and good coverage of V parameters relative to phosphate in the same communication band implicating low loss as well as divergence with better tuning with respect to structural parameters. We also observe good correlation between the theoretical and experimental values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was designed to compare the efficacy of different liquid semen extenders for preservation of boar semen at 15°C. Twenty ejaculates, four from each of five Hampshire boars were used to study the efficacy of BTS, GEPS, FEY and LSEEY extenders for preservation of boar semen at 15°C up to 72 h. The mean sperm motility, live sperm and live spermatozoa with intact acrosome were found to be significantly (P < 0.05) higher in GEPS as compared to other extenders. The sperm motility, live sperm and live spermatozoa with intact acrosome differed significantly (P < 0.01) between extenders, preservation periods and interaction of extenders and preservation periods. GEPS was found to be the best extender for preservation followed by BTS, LSEEY and FEY. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iron(III) has been estimated spectrophotometrically at 425 nm following its quantitative extraction from Cl medium by Cyanex 301 in redistilled colorless kerosene. Beer's law is valid provided (i) a 10-min phase agitation is allowed in extraction, (ii) [HCl] in the aqueous phase during extraction is kept at 0.10 mol/l or less, (iii) [Cyanex 301] is kept over 0.5% (v/v). It is observed that the linearity range of Beer's plot is increased with increasing (v/v)% of the Cyanex 301 used; the optimum ([Fe(III)], mg/l)/[Cyanex 301] in ((v/v)%) is 20:1. The color is stable for at least 10 days. The molar extinction coefficient ε is 7111 l/mol⋅cm. The method has been applied in the analysis of some metallurgical samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Nd:YAG laser microdrilled holes on gamma-titanium aluminide, a newly developed alloy having wide applications in turbine blades, engine valves, cases, metal cutting tools, missile components, nuclear fuel and biomedical engineering, are important from the dimensional accuracy and quality of hole point of view. Keeping this in mind, a central composite design (CCD) based on response surface methodology (RSM) is employed for multi-objective optimization of pulsed Nd:YAG laser microdrilling operation on gamma-titanium aluminide alloy sheet to achieve optimum hole characteristics within existing resources. The three characteristics such as hole diameter at entry, hole diameter at exit and hole taper have been considered for simultaneous optimization. The individual optimization of all three responses has also been carried out. The input parameters considered are lamp current, pulse frequency, assist air pressure and thickness of the job. The responses at predicted optimum parameter level are in good agreement with the results of confirmation experiments conducted for verification tests. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: Rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis is a rapidly progressive disease with high mortality rates of about 60 per cent. The increasing incidence of rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis in coronavirus disease 2019 patients in India and worldwide has become a matter of concern owing to the case fatality rate. This study explored the use of low dose aspirin in decreasing the mortality rate of coronavirus disease 2019 associated mucormycosis. Method: This was a retrospective observational study. Patients suffering from post-coronavirus disease 2019 mucormycosis were included in the study. Each patient was treated with surgical debridement and systemic amphotericin B. Low dose aspirin was added, and mortality rates were compared with the patients who did not receive aspirin. Results: The demographic data and rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis staging between the two groups were not significantly different. There was a statistically significant difference in mortality outcomes between the two groups (p = 0.029) and a 1.77 times higher risk of dying for patients not receiving aspirin. Kaplan–Meier survival indicated that patients receiving aspirin had better survival rates (p = 0.04). Conclusion: Low dose aspirin improves survival rates in coronavirus disease 2019 associated mucormycosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanophotonic structures of indium telluride having barbed wire morphology exhibits second order non-linearity. This distinctive non-linear behavior is leading to the generation of second harmonics. Here, we demonstrate low power driven SHG by barbed wire indium telluride system by tuning polarization of the fundamental laser beam in a perpendicular orientation to the axis of the nanostructures. The energy corresponding to the second harmonic is found to be saturating toward higher range of polarizing angles. This study will lead to implementation of the structure in photonic applications negating the influence of polarization to a wide extent. Apart from this, when the nanostructure is subjected to low potential driven Kerr opto-electric non-linearity, the system reveals a critical electric field exhibiting intensity reversal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 2D transient free convection flow has been demonstrated in the current study computationally as well as numerically. The important terms thermal radiation and heat source term have been employed extensively in this study for the porous medium. The novelty of the current study associated with the term radiation which performs more efficiently in a fluid than any other ingredients when compared to the other methods of heat transfer. Explicit finite difference method (EFDM) has been treated as the main tool of the numerical experiments. This kind of fluids are typically chosen by researchers because of their mechanical characteristics, which play a key role in deciding whether they are suitable for convective heat transfer. The current study can be used as an invaluable resource for research and experimentation due to its comprehensive parametric investigation which has been performed as a motivation of adding few new terms from the previous study. Isotherms and streamlines, as well as shear stress, nusselt and sherwood numbers, were also examined for a variety of parametric ranges. All the analysis has been established using the convergence criteria Sc≥0.100andPr≥0.367\documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\usepackage{amsmath}\usepackage{wasysym}\usepackage{amsfonts}\usepackage{amssymb}\usepackage{amsbsy}\usepackage{mathrsfs}\usepackage{upgreek}\setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt}\begin{document}$${\text{Sc}}\ge 0.100\mathrm{ and Pr}\ge 0.367$$\end{document}. Few of the main findings can be highlighted as: grashof numbers and heart source parameters elevate temperature characteristics, while prandtl numbers, magnetic parameters diminish the profile of temperature. The model that is suggested is advantageous as it holds the potential to substantially improve the fields of thermal and manufacturing engineering. In addition, this current model is worthwhile since it can potentially be utilized in the field of astrophysical research and aerospace technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Charge transport through a rectangular vector potential barrier modulated by a continuum laser in monolayer phosphorene is studied theoretically in the ballistic regime along the line of Floquet formalism. Laser free transmission profile displays strong directional behavior exhibiting collimation depending on the incident energy and width of the barrier. However, the application of laser, polarized along the zig-zag direction, creates a sharp anti-resonance in the transmission spectrum and reveals a strong light matter interaction due to broken symmetry in presence of the magnetic vector potential. Transmission properties through a vector barrier are found to be sensitive particularly for lower frequency and higher intensity of the laser. For a thin barrier, the laser assisted conductance is suppressed remarkably in contrast to its oscillatory nature for a thicker one. • Tunneling through a driven phosphorene vector barrier is studied for the first time. • Laser with linear polarization can be used to control the tunneling transmission. • Characteristic Fano anti-resonances are noted in the transmission. • Suppression in the conductance is noted particularly for the lower width of the barrier. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Scattering and Neutrino Detector at the LHC (SND@LHC) started taking data at the beginning of Run 3 of the LHC. The experiment is designed to perform measurements with neutrinos produced in proton-proton collisions at the LHC in an energy range between 100 GeV and 1 TeV. It covers a previously unexplored pseudo-rapidity range of 7.2 < η < 8.4 . The detector is located 480 m downstream of the ATLAS interaction point in the TI18 tunnel. It comprises a veto system, a target consisting of tungsten plates interleaved with nuclear emulsion and scintillating fiber (SciFi) trackers, followed by a muon detector (UpStream, US and DownStream, DS). In this article we report the measurement of the muon flux in three subdetectors: the emulsion, the SciFi trackers and the DownStream Muon detector. The muon flux per integrated luminosity through an 18 × 18 cm 2 area in the emulsion is: 1.5 ± 0.1 (stat) × 10 4 fb/cm 2. The muon flux per integrated luminosity through a 31 × 31 cm 2 area in the centre of the SciFi is: 2.06 ± 0.01 (stat) ± 0.12 (sys) × 10 4 fb/cm 2 The muon flux per integrated luminosity through a 52 × 52 cm 2 area in the centre of the downstream muon system is: 2.35 ± 0.01 (stat) ± 0.10 (sys) × 10 4 fb/cm 2 The total relative uncertainty of the measurements by the electronic detectors is 6 % for the SciFi and 4 % for the DS measurement. The Monte Carlo simulation prediction of these fluxes is 20–25 % lower than the measured values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current research elaborates an experimental study on poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), to produce microchannels using the laser transmission cutting technique, utilizing a nanosecond pulsed Nd:YAG laser system. The cutting operation was carried out in partially submerged condition. The prime objective during the machining operation was to minimize the heat affected zone (HAZ) and kerf width. Lamp current, pulse frequency, pulse width and cutting speed were the process parameters under consideration during the experimentation. The developed microchannels characteristics such as HAZ and kerf width were subsequently measured and analysed. Response surface methodology (RSM) technique was applied to develop the mathematical relationships between the input process parameters and output responses. Model adequacy was tested using the method of analysis of variance (ANOVA). The optimal combinations of process parameter settings were obtained through single and multi-objective optimizations methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transmission profiles in bilayer graphene are studied theoretically through a rectangular vector potential (magnetic) barrier with and without the presence of an oscillatory potential. Unlike the electrostatic barrier, the Fano resonances (FR) are noted in the transmission spectra both for normal and glancing incidences due to non-conservation of chirality for a static vector barrier. The results for normal incidence indicate that the cloaking effect is a manifestation of the chirality conservation in charge transport through bilayer graphene scalar barriers. It is also noted that the aforesaid FR for a static vector barrier might disappear (photon induced electronic cloaking effect) due to the predominant photon exchange processes in presence of an external oscillating potential. The study of Fano resonances in transmission spectrum is in high demand in respect of localization of charge carriers in graphene nano structures for its potential applications in digital device fabrications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assam Hill goat (AHG) is an important goat germplasm found in Assam and its adjoining areas of India. The study was designed with an objective to study the semen characteristics and freezability of AHG buck semen using Tris -Egg yolk-Citrate-Fructose diluent. The mean values of fresh semen characteristics in AHG bucks viz., ejaculate volume (ml), initial sperm motility (%), sperm concentration (x106/ml), live sperm (%), sperm abnormality (%), HOST-reacted sperm (%) and intact acrosome (%) recorded were 0.39 ± 0.01, 77.97 ± 0.73, 3201.00 ± 143.78, 83.02 ± 0.65, 7.66 ± 0.73, 66.95 ± 0.74 and 93.34 ± 0.51, respectively. Mean values for post-thaw semen characteristics i.e., sperm motility (%), live sperm (%), HOST-reacted sperm (%) and intact acrosome (%) were 55.39 ± 0.97, 71.01 ± 0.78, 54.77 ± 0.55 and 82.16 ± 0.43, respectively. It can be concluded that AHG bucks donate acceptable quality of semen which can be frozen successfully in Tris-Egg yolk-Citrate-Fructose diluents for using in Artificial Insemination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The photo-degradation of polymer solar cells is a critical challenge preventing its commercial deployment. We experimentally fabricate organic solar cells and characterize their degradation under solar simulators in an environmental chamber under nitrogen flow, without exposure to oxygen and moisture. We have developed a thermally stable inverted organic solar cell architecture in which light induced degradation of device characteristics can be reversibly annealed to the pristine values. The stable inverted cells utilized MoO x layers that are thermally treated immediately after their deposition on the organic layer, and before metal cathode deposition. Organic solar cells that are photo-degraded in the presence of oxygen, however show irreversible degradation that cannot be thermally recovered. The decrease of organic solar cell characteristics correlates with increases in mid-gap electronic states, measured using capacitance spectroscopy and dark current. It is likely the photo-induced defect states caused by local H motion from the alkyl chains to the aromatic backbone, can be reversibly annealed at elevated temperatures after photo-degradation. Our results provide a pathway for improving the stability of organic photovoltaics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biofilm development in Pseudomonas aeruginosa is regulated by its quorum sensing (QS) systems. It has three major QS systems: LasI/R, RhlI/R and PQS/MvfR. Previous studies showed that phenyllactic acid (PLA) binds to RhlR and PqsR and inhibits the Rhl and PQS QS; and eugenol at sublethal concentration inhibits Las and PQS QS systems. Here, we have demonstrated that a combination of sublethal doses of eugenol and PLA enhanced the inhibition of the QS mediated production of the virulence factors and biofilm development of this pathogen. A combination of 50 μmol l−1 eugenol and 0·3 mmol l−1 PLA significantly inhibited the pyocyanin production, protease activity, swarming motility and cytotoxic activities of P. aeruginosa strain PAO1, whereas eugenol and PLA when added individually to PAO1 cultures were less effective in inhibiting its virulence factor expression. Biofilm formation of PAO1 was reduced by 32, 19 and 87% on glass surfaces; and 54, 49 and 93% on catheter surfaces when treated using 50 μmol l−1 eugenol or 0·3 mmol l−1 PLA and their combinations, respectively. The in vitro finding in the reduction of biofilm development was further validated in vivo using a catheter associated medaka fish biofilm model. Our results indicate that a combination of QS inhibitors targeting different QS pathways should be selected while designing therapeutic molecules to achieve maximum QS mediated biofilm inhibition and clinical outcome against P. aeruginosa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We design, simulate and fabricate enhanced thin film silicon solar cells using periodically textured photonic crystal substrates. We utilize a thin film absorber layer consisting of a superlattice of alternating hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) and nano-crystalline silicon (nc-Si). Rigorous vectorial simulations optimized the periodically patterned solar cells by solving Maxwell?s equations in Fourier space. Simulations found optimized architectures for a triangular lattice of metallic nano-cones as a back-reflector, and a conformal solar cell geometry. The periodically patterned photonic crystal based substrates achieve (1) high diffraction, enhancing the path length of light in thin absorber layers and (2) plasmonic concentration of light intensity. Simulations predict an absorption enhancement of 43% for a 12-period superlattice of 800 nm thickness. The optimized pitch of the photonic lattice is near 700 nm. Experimentally the periodically patterned substrates were fabricated with nano-imprint lithography, and utilized as a substrate for the superlattice cells. We measured a large photo-current enhancement between the textured photonic crystal based superlattice cell and the flat cell of 21%, together with long-wavelength quantum efficiency enhancements beyond 600 nm. This is an approach to achieving thin film solar cells with high currents through advanced light-trapping techniques on novel materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The magnetic penetration depth (λ) as a function of applied magnetic field and temperature in SrPt3P (Tc 8.4 K) was studied by means of muon-spin rotation (μSR). The dependence of λ-2 on temperature suggests the existence of a single s-wave energy gap with the zero-temperature value Δo = 1.55(2) meV. At the same time λ was found to be strongly field dependent which is the characteristic feature of the nodal gap and/or multiband systems. The multiband nature of the superconducting state is further suggested by the upward curvature of the upper critical field. This apparent contradiction is resolved by SrPt3P being a particular two-band superconductor with equal gaps but different coherence lengths within the two Fermi surface sheets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) in the nearby Hubble flow are excellent distance indicators in cosmology. The Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF) has observed a large sample of SNe from an untargeted, rolling survey, reaching 20.8, 20.6, and 20.3 mag in g r , and i band, respectively. With an FoV of 47 deg2, ZTF discovered > 3000 SNe Ia in a little over 2.5 yr. Here, we report on the sample of 761 spectroscopically classified SNe Ia from the first year of operations (DR1). The sample has a median redshift |$\bar{z} =$| 0.057, nearly a factor of 2 higher than the current low- z sample. Our sample has a total of 934 spectra, of which 632 were obtained with the robotic SEDm on Palomar P60. We assess the potential for precision cosmology for a total of 305 SNe with redshifts from host galaxy spectra. The sample is already comparable in size to the entire combined literature low- z anchor sample. The median first detection is 13.5 d before maximum light, about 10 d earlier than the median in the literature. Furthermore, six SNe from our sample are at D L < 80 Mpc, for which host galaxy distances can be obtained in the JAMES WEBB SPACE TELESCOPE era, such that we have calibrator and Hubble flow SNe observed with the same instrument. In the entire duration of ZTF-I, we have observed nearly 50 SNe for which we can obtain calibrator distances, key for per cent level distance scale measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• To create microchannels on a transparent substance. • Micro-channeling of PMMA in an open air using a Nd: YAG laser. • Model predictions match empirical results, proving its superiority. In the present research work, performance enhancement which plays pivotal role in the modern machining techniques during machining of advanced engineering materials has been attributed. An investigation is conducted on the laser transmission micro-channeling of thick transparent PMMA using Nd: YAG laser. The objective is to examine the impact of three key factors, namely pulse frequency, lamp current and cutting speed, on several quality aspects including depth of cut, kerf width, and heat-affected zone (HAZ) width. General full factorial design is used to design the experiments and empirical models (non-linear) are developed to establish the relationship between the control factors and responses. A feed forward back-propagation neural network (FF-BPNN) is used to model the process and subsequently to predict the responses. The successful capability of FF-BPNN in predicting and enhancing the characteristics of micro-channels fabricated on PMMA has been observed. Furthermore, it has been shown that feedforward backpropagation neural networks (FF-BPNN) can serve as a highly effective tool for acquiring a comprehensive model and determining the ideal configuration of process parameters in laser transmission micro-channeling operations. Additionally, FF-BPNN results and model predicted values are compared with non-linear modelling technique. Finally, mean absolute error is calculated to find out the accuracy of both the techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Staphylococcus aureus, an opportunistic pathogen, causes diverse community and nosocomial‐acquired human infections, including folliculitis, impetigo, sepsis, septic arthritis, endocarditis, osteomyelitis, implant‐associated biofilm infections and contagious mastitis in cattle. In recent days, both methicillin‐sensitive and methicillin‐resistant S. aureus infections have increased. Highly effective anti‐staphylococcal agents are urgently required. Lysostaphin is a 27 kDa zinc metallo antimicrobial lytic enzyme that is produced by Staphylococcus simulans biovar staphylolyticus and was first discovered in the 1960s. Lysostaphin is highly active against S. aureus strains irrespective of their drug‐resistant patterns with a minimum inhibitory concentration of ranges between 0·001 and 0·064 μg ml−1. Lysostaphin has activity against both dividing and non‐dividing S. aureus cells; and can seep through the extracellular matrix to kill the biofilm embedded S. aureus. In spite of having excellent anti‐staphylococcal activity, its clinical application is hindered because of its immunogenicity and reduced bio‐availability. Extensive research with lysostaphin lead to the development of several engineered lysostaphin derivatives with reduced immunogenicity and increased serum half‐life. Therapeutic efficacy of both native and engineered lysostaphin derivatives was studied by several research groups. This review provides an overview of the therapeutic applications of native and engineered lysostaphin derivatives developed to eradicate S. aureus infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Candida species are opportunistic human fungal pathogens that cause acute and chronic infections against which only few antifungal agents are available. Here we have elucidated the antifungal effect of Syzygium samarangense leaf extracts (SSLE). Antifungal activity of SSLE was studied against Candida albicans, C. krusei, C. parapsilosis, C. glabrata, C. auris and C. tropicalis. Following experiments were performed: minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) determination, agar well disc diffusion assays, fungal morphology analysis using scanning electron microscope (SEM), ex vivo fungal survival assays on porcine tongue and skin and in vivo fungal survival assays using Drosophila melanogaster fly model. Results demonstrated MFC of SSLE ranges between 100 and 125 mg ml−1. SEM images showed cell wall degradation of C. albicans when treated with SSLE. Around 75% decrease in C. albicans viability was observed when infected porcine tongue and skin were treated using SSLE. The C. albicans infected D. melanogaster when fed with SSLE showed significant decrease (around 80%) of fungal count than the infected control. Furthermore, agar plate disc diffusion assays demonstrated that the antifungal activity of SSLE could be due to chalcone, which is one of the active constituents in SSLE. Our study demonstrated that SSLE could be used for the topical treatment of Candida infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• WS 2 nanosheets deposited on Cu electrodes is reported here. • The scheme exhibits non-ohmic behavior on addition of heavy metal ions. • Additionally, the current also gets enhanced due to incorporation of metal ions. • The I-V characteristics are found to be reversible. We herein report an atypical electrical behavior of WS 2 nanosheets drop casted on Cu electrodes. The addition of heavy metal ions on this platform results in non-ohmic behavior, accompanied by a dramatic rise of current. Additionally, this atypical behavior is found to be reversible. The proposed platform regains its ohmic behavior upon removal of these ions from the nanosheets. It is envisioned that this unusual characteristic will pave way for more research in the field of sensing as well as in relevant fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Laser drilling of Monel k-500 superalloy which is based on laser sawing approach. • To reduce hole taper and HAZ in low power fiber laser trepan drilling. • Development of laser sawing machine the recent study bears a great influence. Monel k-500 is a nickel-copper alloy with excellent resistivity towards corrosion, strength and hardness. This makes drilling of precision holes into the super alloy tricky. However, laser beam machining (LBM) employing low power fiber laser has been a potential and successful process in performing laser trepanned drilling operation on nickel based super alloy to produce superior quality holes. The laser drilling process involves a number of process parameters. Each of it is important for the success of the drilling operation. This research paper studies the process parameters and the performance characteristics of laser drilling on difficult to cut Monel k-500 super alloy. Input process parameters for this study include sawing angle, power setting, duty cycle, pulse frequency and trepanning speed. An experiment matrix has been designed to establish the relation between each significant process parameter and hole characteristics like hole taper and heat affected zone (HAZ). Teaching learning-based optimization (TLBO) algorithm has been applied to perform single objective optimization and multi objective optimization to achieve optimized values of hole taper and HAZ. It is also demonstrated that the algorithm used in the study is a powerful tool capable of obtaining optimal parameters setting of LBM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deep eutectic solvents (DES) are composite mixtures which have freezing point lesser than that of their individual components. A mixture of acetamide and lithium nitrate in the molar ratio of 78:22 is observed to form a DES with freezing point below room temperature. Here we report nanoscale dynamics in acetamide + LiNO 3 DES as studied using quasielastic neutron scattering (QENS) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation techniques. The results of MD simulation show a transient subdiffusive motion for acetamide molecules. The acetamide molecules form a hydrogen-bond network with its neighbouring set of molecules resulting in a transient cage. The motion of the acetamide molecules is described by considering a power law memory kernel for the relaxation of the cage. The intermediate scattering function obtained from the QENS experiments of DES are described using stretched exponential relaxation function. The power law exponent describing the results of MD simulation is found to match well with the stretching exponent obtained from QENS experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The effect of anacardic acid impregnation on catheter surfaces for the prevention of Staphylococcus aureus attachments and biofilm formations were evaluated. Methods and Results: Silicon catheter tubes were impregnated using different concentrations of anacardic acids (0·002–0·25%). Anacardic acids are antibacterial phenolic lipids from cashew nut (Anacardium occidentale) shell oil. Anacardic acid‐impregnated silicon catheters revealed no significant haemolytic activity and were cytocompatible against fibroblast cell line (L929). Sustained release of anacardic acids was observed for 4 days. Anacardic acid‐impregnated silicon catheters efficiently inhibited S. aureus colonization and the biofilm formation on its surface. The in vivo antibiofilm activity of anacardic acid‐impregnated catheters was tested in an intraperitoneal catheter‐associated medaka fish infection model. Significant reduction in S. aureus colonization on anacardic acid‐impregnated catheter tubes was observed. Conclusions: Our data suggest that anacardic acid‐impregnated silicon catheters may help in preventing catheter‐related staphylococcal infections. Significance and Impact of the Study: This study opens new directions for designing antimicrobial phytochemical‐coated surfaces with ideal antibiofilm properties and could be of great interest for biomedical research scientists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was aimed to evaluate the beneficial effect of different growth factors on in-vitro maturation of porcine oocytes. Ovaries were collected from a local abattoir immediately after slaughter of the animals and transported to the laboratory. A total of 618 type A and type B oocytes were cultured in TCM-199 containing additives with PMSG and hCG for the first 22 hrs and without hormones for subsequent 22 hrs of incubation at 39o C under 5 per cent CO2 level and 90- 95 per cent humidity. The effects of supplementation of different growth factors viz., EGF, IGF-I and EGF + IGF-I in the medium were studied. The rate of oocytes with cumulus cells expansion was significantly higher (P<0.01) when growth factors were added as compared to control but it did not differ significantly between growth factors. The rate of nuclear maturation of oocytes was significantly higher (P<0.01) as compare to control for EGF and EGF + IGF-I but not for IGFI. There was no significant difference in the rate of oocytes with nuclear maturation between the growth factors studied. It can be concluded from the present study that addition of EGF, IGF-I or EGF + IGF and additives along with hormones (PMSG and hCG for first 20-22 hrs) in TCM-199 Medium gives optimum in-vitro maturation rates in porcine oocytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present paper a fiber-optic volatile liquid sensor based on localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) has been demonstrated. The sensing probe element has been realized through deposition of colloidal nanoparticle layer on the unclad U-bent portion of a multimode fiber. Evanescent field at the sensing region excites the localized surface plasmons (LSPs) of noble metal nanoparticles (Ag and Au) of average diameter 20 nm. The electric field of the plasmons interacts with the vapors of volatile liquids (such as acetone, methanol, ethanol and propanol) at different concentration causing a progressive change in resonance conditions of the localized plasmons which eventually modulate the output light signal of the fiber. The modulated light signal at the output end of the fiber falls on a photo-detector and consequently the detector registers a change in voltage response. The consistency of the designed optical sensor has been investigated using both Ag and Au nanoparticle coating on the unclad portion of the fiber. The response sensitivity for Ag nanoparticle coated probe is found to be more uniform than that of Au nanoparticles coated probe. The sensor shows quick response towards vapors of volatile liquids and requires very small amount of nanoparticle colloidal solution (∼20 μL). As a proof of concept, limit of detection (LOD), sensitivity, working domain and repeatability test has been evaluated for the volatile liquids. The novelty of the proposed sensor lies in its simple and inexpensive optics design, miniaturized optical set-up and quick response towards analyte concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale or NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) is a widely used tool for assessing stroke severity. We conducted this study to determine the severity of stroke patients admitted in a tertiary care hospital. Methods: This is a cross sectional study conducted in Department of Neurology, Dhaka Medical College Hospital from April 2016 to October 2016 involving 91 acute stroke patients. Result: About half (44%) of the patients were older than 60 years of age and mean age of the patients was 60.34 (± 16.1) years at onset and there is a slight female predominance (51.6%). Majority had hypertension (75.8%) followed by physical inactivity (67%), diabetes (37.4%), smoking (33%), obesity (23.1%), family H/O stroke (20.9%) and dyslipideamia (15.4%). Many patients were found to have hyperglycemia (14.3%) followed by hyperthermia (13.2%), hypotension (4.4%) and low oxygen saturation (3.3%) at the time of admission. Most of them had ischemic stroke (60%), followed by intracerebral hemorrhage (35%) and subarachnoid hemorrhage (5%). After leveling with NIHSS score more than half of the patients (51%) were found to be moderate grade on admission. Although, there was no association between risk factors of stroke and admission NIHSS score level, significant association was found between hypoxia and admission NIHSS score severity. Conclusion: Acute stroke patients, mostly have moderate grade of NIHSS score on admission. Hypertension, physical inactivity, diabetes, smoking, obesity, family H/O stroke and dyslipideamia are common risk factors observed among the patients which have no significant association with admission stroke severity determined by NIHSS score. There is significant association between hypoxia and admission NIHSS score severity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) are recommended to undergo carotid duplex study in presence of risk factors. Aim of the study was to quantify the relationship between risk factors and presence of carotid disease and examine if screening influenced outcomes. Methods Over a four year period in a single institution, 4364 consecutive patients presenting for primary isolated CABG were enrolled to undergo carotid duplex scanning. Patients were grouped as no significant carotid artery stenosis (< 50%), moderate stenosis (50%–70%) and severe stenosis (> 70%). Sub group analysis of patients with severe carotid stenosis was performed. Sensitivity of risk factors thought to be associated with carotid disease was also assessed. Results Of the 4364 patients, 406 patients (9.3%) had moderate or severe carotid artery stenosis. 32 (7.88%) had bilateral disease. Age > 65, hypertension, left main stem stenosis, peripheral vascular disease, and previous neurological injury were all associated with carotid artery disease (p < 0. 01). Diabetes (p = 0.06) and smoking (p = 0.79) were not significant risk factors. In patients with moderate carotid artery stenosis there was no difference in the incidence of major 4 (0.98%) vs.18 (0.45%) p = 0.14 or minor 8 (1.9%) vs. 56 (1.41%); p = 0.38 neurological outcomes. However, severe carotid stenosis was associated with an increase in all-cause mortality but no increase in neurological events. Conclusions In the presence of risk factors carotid screening identifies at risk population. Severe carotid stenosis was associated with increased all-cause mortality. However, moderate stenosis did not influence neurological outcomes or mortality in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) from cows were matured under normal (38.5°C) and elevated temperatures (41°C) simulating heat stress and their maturation was assessed based on measurement of cumulus expansion in both groups. There was a significant reduction (P<0.01) in maturation rate in the heat stressed oocytes. The ultrastructural events associated with in vitro oocyte maturation and changes associated with elevated temperature were also studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Normal maturation cellular events were marked by migration of Golgi and mitochondria from the cortical regions, and conversely by a migration of cortical granules from the inner regions to a sub-perivitelline zone. Heat stressed oocytes (41°C) were not only marked by a reduction in rate and less cumulus cell expansion, but also by a reduction in cortical granule migration. The mitochondria appeared swollen with cristolysis. Ribosomal disruption and an abundance of free ribosomes were also seen. Changes in the cumulus cells include nuclear chromatin margination, condensation and karyolysis, formation of nuclear and cell membrane blebs, and typical membrane bound vesicles enclosing cell fragments indistinguishable from apoptosis. Evidently, heat stress can be associated with reduced cytoplasmic events of oocyte maturation, thereby decreasing the oocyte competence and can be associated with apoptosis of the cumulus cells and therefore compromise the survival of the oocyte itself. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the study was to assess the variability in the physiological responses of growing pigs on melatonin and vitamin E supplementation during summer and winter seasons.36 nos. of weaned crossbred (Hampshire X Assam local) female pigs were selected for the study. Eighteen (18) animals were subjected to treatment separately during summer and winter. The selected animals were divided into three groups, with six pigs in each group, consisting of the control group (Treatment 1), a second group comprising of animals fed with melatonin (Meloset) @3 mg/animal (Treatment 2) and a third group in which the animals were fed Vitamin E (Evion) @100 mg (Treatment 3), for both the seasons. The rectal temperature, respiration and pulse rate differed significantly (P<0.01) between seasons. There was also significant difference (P<0.01) in the mean pulse rate between treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: As human populations become more and more urban, decision-makers at all levels face new challenges related to both the scale of service provision and the increasing complexity of cities and the networks that connect them. These challenges may take on unique aspects in cities with different cultures, political and institutional frameworks, and at different levels of development, but they frequently have in common an origin in the interaction of human and environmental systems and the feedback relationships that govern their dynamic evolution. Accordingly, systems approaches are becoming recognized as critical to understanding and addressing such complex problems, including those related to human health and wellbeing. Management of water resources in and for cities is one area where such approaches hold real promise.Results: This paper seeks to summarize links between water and health in cities and outline four main elements of systems approaches: analytic methods to deal with complexity, interdisciplinarity, transdisciplinarity, and multi-scale thinking. Using case studies from a range of urban socioeconomic and regional contexts (Maputo, Mozambique; Surat and Kolkata, India; and Vienna, Austria).Conclusion: We show how the inclusion of these elements can lead to better research design, more effective policy and better outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is due to mutations in the CFTR gene, which prevents correct folding, trafficking and function of the mutant cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. The dysfunctional effect of CFTR mutations, principally the F508del-CFTR mutant, is further manifested by hypersecretion of the pro-inflammatory chemokine interleukin-8 into the airway lumen, which further contributes to morbidity and mortality. We have hypothesized that microRNA (miR)-based therapeutics could rescue the dysfunctional consequences of mutant CFTR. Here we report that a miR-16 mimic can effectively rescue F508del-CFTR protein function in airway cell lines and primary cultures, of differentiated human bronchial epithelia from F508del homozygotes, which express mutant CFTR endogenously. We also identify two other miRs, miR-1 and miR-302a, which are also active. Although miR-16 is expressed at basal comparable levels in CF and control cells, miR-1 and miR-302a are undetectable. When miR mimics are expressed in CF lung or pancreatic cells, the expression of the F508del-CFTR protein is significantly increased. Importantly, miR-16 promotes functional rescue of the cyclic AMP-activated apical F508del-CFTR chloride channel in primary lung epithelial cells from CF patients. We interpret these findings to suggest that these miRs may constitute novel targets for CF therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study evaluates effectiveness of up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor followed by two post-anaerobic treatment options, namely free-surface, up-flow constructed wetland (FUP-CW) and oxygen-limited anaerobic nitrification/denitrification (OLAND) processes in treating sewage from the peri-urban areas in India receiving illegal industrial infiltrations. The UASB studies yielded robust results towards fluctuating strength of sewage and consistently removed 87-98% chemical oxygen demand (COD) at a hydraulic retention time of 1.5-2 d. The FUP-CW removed 68.5±13% COD, 68± 3% NH4+-N, 38±5% PO43--P, 97.6± 5% suspended particles and 97± 13% fecal coliforms. Nutrient removal was found to be limiting in FUP-CW, especially in winter. Nitrogen removal in the OLAND process were 100 times higher than the FUP-CW process. Results show that UASB followed by FUP-CW can be an excellent, decentralized sewage treatment option, except during winter when nutrient removal is limited in FUP-CW. Hence, the study proposes bioaugmentation of FUP-CW with OLAND biomass for overall improvement in the performance of UASB followed by FUP-CW process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]