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Rapid growth in population and land cover makes urban areas more vulnerable to Urban Heat Island. Due to which, cities experience higher mean temperature than its proximate surrounding rural or non-urban area. The relationship between UHI and urbanization is proven in previous studies. Delhi the capital city of India is well known for its extreme heat condition in summer and air pollution. In this study, an attempt has been made to understand UHI behavior in a satellite town of Delhi. Satellite town or cities are the small independent towns built in the vicinity of a large city or metropolitan city. In this paper 4 major satellite towns of Delhi, i.e. Gurugram (name changed from Gurgaon in April 2016), Noida, Faridabad and Ghaziabad has been studied to understand the changing trends in urbanization and temperature. The parameters used are rate of urban expansion, population density, GDP growth and increasing temperature over the last two decades. Gurugram showed the maximum urbanization and identified as study area. Gurugram has undergone a major growth journey from being a small town to ‘The Millennium city’ of the country in a short span. The Landsat images of past three decades ranging from different time period i.e. 1990, 1996, 2002, 2009, 2014 and 2018 were investigated by applying integrated approach of GIS and Remote sensing. The images represent the condition of UHI and urbanization in different period. The temporal change in LULC was used to study the rate of urban growth in last three decades. The results showed the increase in built-up area out of the total area of Gurugram from 10% (i.e.50.6 sq. km) in 1990 to 17.25% (80.5 sq. km) in 2002 which further increased to 45.1% (210.4 sq. km) in 2018. Thermal Infrared band of Landsat series were used to retrieve land surface temperature (LST) intensity of the study period. The results show a positive correlation (r = 0.46) between impervious surfaces and LST. The results of the study could be helpful in identifying the causative factors and level of impacts in different zones and also enable us to develop a mitigation strategy based on spatial decision support system.

Fertilizer plant waste carbon slurry has been investigated after some processing as an adsorbent for the removal of dyes and phenols using columns. The results show that the carbonaceous adsorbent prepared from carbon slurry being porous and having appreciable surface area (380 m2/g) can remove dyes both cationic (meldola blue, methylene blue, chrysoidine G, crystal violet) as well as anionic (ethyl orange, metanil yellow, acid blue 113), and phenols (phenol, 2-chlorophenol, 4-chlorophenol and 2,4-dichlorophenol) fruitfully from water. The column type continuous flow operations were used to obtain the breakthrough curves. The breakthrough capacity, exhaustion capacity and degree of column utilization were evaluated from the plots. The results shows that the degree of column utilization for dyes lies in the range 60 to 76% while for phenols was in the range 53-58%. The exhaustion capacities were quite high as compared to the breakthrough capacities and were found to be 217, 211, 104, 126, 233, 248, 267 mg/g for meldola blue, crystal violet, chrysoidine G, methylene blue, ethyl orange, metanil yellow, acid blue 113, respectively and 25.6, 72.2, 82.2 and 197.3 mg/g for phenol, 2-chlorophenol, 4-chlorophenol and 2,4-dichlorophenol, respectively

Background: Lung cancer is considered as the most commonly diagnosed cancer. It is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality. Smoking and environmental pollutants act as important risk factors in majority of lung cancer cases (80%-90%).Material and Methods: This is a hospital-based study carried on in lung cancer patients of North India. Demographic profile of lung cancer patients was recorded. Hematological and biochemical profiles of lung cancer patients and healthy controls were compared.Results: Highest proportion of lung cancer was found in the age group of 46-60 years. Lung cancer was seen in highest number in male gender (76.63%) and also in those patients belonging to the rural category (84.58%). In this study, only 3.98% lung cancer patients having the past history of cancer and 5.47% showing the family history of cancer. Significant differences were found in weight and body mass index (BMI) of lung cancer patients when compared to healthy control (P < 0.0001). Hemoglobin (Hb) was found lower in lung cancer patients as compared with healthy controls. Significant difference was also observed in Hb levels of these two groups (P < 0.000). The serum protein level was lower in lung cancer patients than healthy controls. A significant difference was also observed in the protein levels of these two groups (P < 0.0001). Serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels were higher in lung cancer patients in comparison to healthy controls. A significant difference was also observed in serum ALP levels in lung cancer patients as compared with healthy controls (P < 0.0001).Conclusions: Significant difference between BMI, Hb, serum albumin, and total protein was found in this study. These biomarkers may be helpful in the diagnosis of lung cancer at early stage and also in the follow-up assessment of the effects of treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AIMS: The current study was designed to test that vasa vasorum (VV) plays a role in the progression of cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) in patients with heart transplantation (HTX). METHODS AND RESULTS: Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) were performed in the left anterior descending artery in 19 segments of 19 HTX patients (median 2.1 years from HTX). Each segment is composed of both the continuous lesions: (i) CAV area: intimal thickness >0.5 mm with 5 mm length and (ii) VV area: intimal thickness ≤0.5 mm with 5 mm length. The per cent VV volume (VV volume/vessel volume × 100, %VV) was evaluated in the VV area with OCT (in CAV area VV cannot be assessed because of limited penetration power of OCT). A year later, the association between the baseline %VV and the change in per cent plaque volume (plaque volume/vessel volume × 100, %PV) was evaluated with IVUS. To a normal distribution, Δ%PV (follow-up %PV-initial %PV) was undergone square root transformation. The correlations between the %VV at baseline study and square root-Δ%PV were significant both in the CAV area and in the VV area (r = 0.787, P < 0.001 and r = 0.701, P < 0.001, respectively). In multivariable analysis, only the %VV was significantly correlated with square root-Δ%PV in both areas. CONCLUSION: The current study demonstrated a significant association between the VV volume and the progression of plaque volume in both the CAV area and the VV area. Thus, VV may be a potential predictor and possible therapeutic target to attenuate CAV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The change in the electrical resistivity of 2605SC (Fe81B13.5Si3.5C2) and 2705M (Co69B12Si12Fe4Mo2Ni1) metallic glasses (MGs) resulting from 130 MeV 28Si ion irradiation has been investigated. Resistivity as a function of temperature has been measured off-line and in situ before and after irradiation, and on-line as a function of ion fluence. The results show that for the 2605SC MG electrical resistivity increases by 5.2% (fluence = 3.7 × 1014 ions/cm2) and 4.5% (fluence = 1.6 × 1014 ions/cm2). This has been explained on the basis of the ‘two-hit model’. For the 2705M MG, however, an unexpected decrease of electrical resistivity of about –9.6% (fluence = 1.1 × 1016 ions/cm2) and –8.7% (1.3 × 1014 ions/cm2) is observed, which has been attributed to irradiation-induced structural modification. (© 2004 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Aims The ICMR INDIAB-17 study revealed a diabetes prevalence of 11.4% in India, emphasizing the need for effective treatment for glycemic control. A Phase IV study was conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a Fixed Dose Combination (FDC) of Remogliflozin, Metformin and Vildagliptin (RMV) in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) patients uncontrolled on Metformin plus SGLT2 inhibitor or Metformin plus DPP4 inhibitor dual therapy. Methods A total of 215 patients (mean age: 46.4 years; 64% male, 36% female) were enrolled across multiple centers in India. The study population included patients with a baseline HbA1c ≥ 8% at the time of screening. The primary objective was to assess safety based on treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs), while the secondary. aim was to evaluate effectiveness in terms of glycemic (HbA1c, fasting plasma glucose, postprandial glucose) and extra-glycemic measures (renal and lipid parameters). Statistical analysis was conducted using paired t-tests and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test for within-group comparisons, and the Bonferroni correction was applied to adjust for multiple comparisons. Effectiveness was evaluated at baseline, week 12, and week 24. Results The study demonstrated statistically significant reductions in mean HbA1c levels from baseline to both week 12 and week 24 (p

A deeper sense of advantages over the planar quantum dots and the foreseen applications in the single-electron devices and quantum computation have given vertically stacked quantum dots (VSQD) a width of interest. Here, we embark on the collective excitations in a quantum wire made up of vertically stacked, self-assembled InAs/GaAs quantum dots in the presence of an applied magnetic field in the symmetric gauge. We compute and illustrate the influence of an applied magnetic field on the behavior characteristics of the density of states, Fermi energy, and collective (magnetoplasmon) excitations (obtained within the framework of random-phase approximation (RPA)). The Fermi energy is observed to oscillate as a function of the Bloch vector. Remarkably, the intersubband single-particle continuum splits into two with a collective excitation propagating within the gap. This is attributed to the (orbital) quantum number owing to the applied magnetic field. Strikingly, the alteration in the well and barrier widths can enable us to customize the excitation spectrum in the desired energy range. These findings demonstrate, for the very first time, the viability and importance of studying the VSQD subjected to an applied magnetic field. The technological promise that emerges is the route to devices exploiting magnetoplasmon qubits as the potential option in designing quantum gates for the quantum communication networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantum wires occupy a unique status among the semiconducting nanostructures with reduced dimensionality – no other system seems to have engaged researchers with as many appealing features to pursue. This letter aims at a core issue related with the magnetoplasmon excitations in the quantum wires characterized by the confining harmonic potential and subjected to a longitudinal electric field and a perpendicular magnetic field in the symmetric gauge. Despite the substantive complexity, we obtain the exact analytical expressions for the eigenfunction and eigenenergy, using the scheme of ladder operators, which fundamentally characterize the quantal system. Crucial to this inquiry is an intersubband collective excitation that evolves into a magnetoroton – above a threshold value of magnetic field – which observes a negative group velocity between the maxon and the roton. The evidence of negative group velocity implies anomalous dispersion in a gain medium with the population inversion that forms the basis for the lasing action of lasers. Thus, the technological pathway that unfolds is the route to devices exploiting the magnetoroton features for designing the novel optical amplifiers at nanoscale and hence paving the way to a new generation of lasers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Medical thoracoscopy is an essential tool in the evaluation of patients with pleural effusion who remain undiagnosed despite a thorough pleural fluid workup. Malignancy and tuberculosis are the two most common etiologies in such patients having completely different prognoses. Therefore, correct diagnosis is very important before starting treatment. This study was planned to study the yield of rigid thoracoscopy in such patients and to observe its associated complications. Furthermore, the difference in the profile of patients with malignancy and tuberculosis was also evaluated. Methods This was a single-center, exploratory, observational study done between 1st May 2021 to 31st December 2022. Patients with undiagnosed exudative pleural effusion defined as exudative pleural effusions as per Light’s criteria with negative Gene X pert and twice negative pleural fluid cytology for malignancy, underwent rigid thoracoscopy for confirmation of their diagnosis. Results A total of 160 patients, who fulfilled our inclusion criteria, were included in our study. Male to female ratio was 1.25:1, with a mean age of 57.3 years. The most common etiology observed was malignancy, seen in 120 out of 160 patients (75%), followed by tuberculosis, which was seen in 27 (17%) patients. A final diagnosis could be made in 158 patients, giving a diagnostic yield of 98.8%. 11.8% showed procedure-related complications without any mortality. Conclusion Rigid medical thoracoscopy has a very high diagnostic yield with few complications. A significant proportion of patients with straw-colored effusion can present with malignancy and vice versa. A few with ADA above 40 were diagnosed as having malignancy. Therefore, tissue-based biopsy with thoracoscopy can be easily performed to make a correct diagnosis with huge future implications in such patients.

We investigate a one-component, quasi–zero-dimensional, quantum plasma exposed to a parabolic potential and an applied magnetic field in the symmetric gauge. If the size of such a system as can be realized in the semiconducting quantum dots is on the order of the de Broglie wavelength, the electronic and optical properties become highly tunable. Then the quantum size effects challenge the observation of many-particle phenomena such as the magneto-optical absorption, Raman intensity, and electron energy loss spectrum. An exact analytical solution of the problem leads us to infer that these many-particle phenomena are, in fact, dictated by the generalized Kohn's theorem in the long-wavelength limit. Maneuvering the confinement and/or the magnetic field furnishes the resonance energy capable of being explored with the FIR, Raman, or electron energy loss spectroscopy. This implies that either of these probes should be competent in observing the localized magnetoplasmons in the system. A deeper insight into the physics of quantum dots is paving the way for their implementation in diverse fields such as quantum computing and medical imaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Chronic lung disease (CLD) is the second leading cause of pulmonary hypertension (PH) and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Although PH associated with CLD (PH‐CLD) leads to impaired health‐related quality of life (HRQOL), there are no validated tools to assess HRQOL in PH‐CLD. The Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension–Symptoms and Impact Questionnaire (PAH‐SYMPACT) is an HRQOL instrument aimed at assessing the symptoms and impact of PH on overall function and well‐being. We performed a single‐center prospective cohort study using PAH‐SYMPACT scores to compare symptoms, exercise capacity and HRQOL in patients with PAH and PH‐CLD. One hundred and twenty‐five patients (99 patients with idiopathic/heritable PAH and 26 with PH‐CLD) completed the PAH‐SYMPACT questionnaire which consists of 22 questions that assess HRQOL across four domains: cardiopulmonary (CP) symptoms, cardiovascular (CV) symptoms, physical impact (PI), and cognitive/emotional (CE) impact. Higher scores indicate worse HRQOL. We compared patients with PAH and PH‐CLD using a Wilcoxon rank sum or chi‐squared test as appropriate. Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to assess the relationship between PH classification and SYMPACT scores. Compared to PAH, patients with PH‐CLD were older, more likely to use oxygen and had worse functional class and exercise capacity. While there was no significant difference between the two groups in CP, CV, or CE domain scores, patients with PH‐CLD had significantly worse PI scores by univariate (1.79 vs. 1.13, p

Antero-lateral ligament complex (ALC) is a vital structure for maintaining rotational stability of the knee. Evaluation of ALC radiologically (MRI) is still unpopular in setting of anterior cruciate ligament injury. A dire necessity exists for the orthopedic surgeons in outdoor patient department settings to rule out involvement of ALC. So, that it can be addressed during operating for Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury. The authors have formulated an algorithm on a personal level and have implemented this screening program and initiated screening of young to middle aged patients reporting with rotational knee instability for ALC involvement before recommending final operative plan. This screening program which uses specifically devised physical tests have significantly reduced the number of underdiagnosed Antero Lateral Ligament tear.

Abstract Zinc–air batteries proffer high energy density and cyclic stability at low costs but lack disadvantages like sluggish reactions at the cathode and the formation of by-products at the cathode. To resolve these issues, a new perovskite material, CaCu3Ti4O12 (CCTO), is proposed as an efficacious electrocatalyst for oxygen evolution/reduction reactions to develop zinc–air batteries (ZAB). Synthesis of this material adopted an effective oxalate route, which led to the purity in the electrocatalyst composition. The CCTO material is a proven potential candidate for energy applications because of its high dielectric permittivity (ε) and occupies an improved ORR-OER activity with better onset potential, current density, and stability. The Tafel value for CCTO was obtained out to be 80 mV dec−1. The CCTO perovskite was also evaluated for the zinc–air battery as an air electrode, corresponding to the high specific capacitance of 801 mAh g−1 with the greater cyclic efficiency and minimum variations in both charge/discharge processes. The highest power density (Pmax) measured was 127 mW cm−2. Also, the CCTO based paper battery shows an excellent performance achieving a specific capacity of 614 mAh g−1. The obtained results promise CCTO as a potential and cheap electrocatalyst for energy applications.

Takayasu's arteritis (TA) is also termed pulseless disease owing to the frequent occlusion of large arteries originating from the aorta and its major branches. It is an uncommon chronic inflammatory progressive idiopathic large vessel vasculitis with a predilection for young women of childbearing age group. Fatigue, malaise, and fever are the frequently encountered early symptoms of TA. Hemoptysis is not commonly seen as an initial presentation of TA. The subclavian artery is most commonly involved, and the disease is usually discovered accidentally owing to pulse asymmetry. In addition, pulmonary artery involvement is not common in TA. Here, we present a case of a young female presented to us with hemoptysis with pulmonary artery involvement with a de novo diagnosis of TA.

Abstract Aims Cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) is the major cause of increased morbidity and mortality after heart transplantation. Peripheral endothelial dysfunction (PED) is associated with early atherosclerosis and future risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in non‐heart transplant population. We aimed to investigate the association of PED with future MACE, and plaque progression assessed by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) after heart transplantation. Methods and results We included 66 transplant patients who underwent serial IVUS surveillance for CAV and baseline assessment of peripheral endothelial function using reactive hyperaemia peripheral arterial tonometry. PED was defined as reactive hyperaemia index

Abstract Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive pulmonary vascular disease that negatively impacts health‐related quality of life (HRQOL). The PAH‐symptoms and impact (PAH‐SYMPACT) questionnaire is a validated disease‐specific patient‐reported outcome (PRO) instrument that assesses a patient's symptoms and the impact of PAH and its treatment on well‐being. We performed a single‐center prospective cohort study of patients with PAH to determine the feasibility of assessing PROs in clinical practice and to determine the association between PAH‐SYMPACT domains and clinical characteristics and outcomes. One hundred and ten patients completed the 1‐day version of the PAH‐SYMPACT questionnaire which consists of 22 Likert‐scale questions that assess HRQOL across four domains: cardiopulmonary (CP) symptoms, cardiovascular (CV) symptoms, physical impact (PI), and cognitive and emotional (CE) impact. Higher scores indicate worse HRQOL. Patients were predominantly female (n = 86, 78%) with a mean age of 57.8 ± 16.2 years. While several patient characteristics were associated with CP and PI domains, few were associated with CV and CE domains. PI and CE impact scores were associated with recent hospitalizations and mortality and CE impact score was independently associated with an increased risk of death after adjustment for disease severity (hazard ratio: 3.29, 95% confidence interval: 1.56–6.91, p = 0.002). In conclusion, the assessment of PROs in clinical practice using the PAH‐SYMPACT questionnaire is both feasible and valuable. PAH‐SYMPACT scores have independent prognostic value and are not adequately reflected by traditional measures of disease severity. These findings underscore the importance of assessing HRQOL in clinical practice.

Pink oyster mushroom (Pleurotus djamor) owns a pleasant colour, good sensory attributes, high nutritional value, anti-oxidant, anti-microbial and medicinal properties. Cultivation of different types of mushroom has been accepted as a short-term income generating avenue under crop production for livelihood of the farmers. The present study was carried out to assess the nutritional quality, anti-oxidant activities and economic benefits of pink oyster mushroom at Research farm of G B Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand during 2015–18. The fresh whole mushroom was assessed for yield and physical parameters. It was exposed to 60±20C temperature for 8 h to prepare dried mushroom powder. The dried powder was used for proximate composition analysis and anti-oxidant activity study. The cost to benefit ratio was calculated on the basis of gross expenditure and net profit incurred in the trial field. The high contents of protein, fat and carbohydrate along with good anti-oxidant property and biological efficiency revealed the mushroom as a rich source of quality nutrients. The yield of 740.60 g/kg wheat straw with benefit to cost ratio of 2.60 depicted economical viability of mushroom farming. The study concludes that, pink oyster mushroom farming can be explored for nutritional security in alleviating the malnutrition with economic benefits to the farmers in Uttarakhand.

Aim To study molecular diversity and genomic heritage of the Meitei community of Manipur using 20 autosomal gene loci markers. Subjects and methods Blood samples were collected from 120 unrelated, healthy individuals of the Meitei population following ethical standards. DNA was extracted using the Phenol chloroform organic extraction method and amplified using the PowerPlex® 21 system. Genetic profiles of the individuals were generated using the Genetic Analyser 3500XL following the recommended protocol. Results The studied population showed Observed Heterozygosity (Hobs) from 0.583 (TH01) to 0.90 (D6S1043) among all the studied loci. The discrimination power and exclusion power for all the studied loci were found to be 1 and 0.9999999988, respectively, with the maximum power of discrimination being found at Penta E locus. Conclusions All the studied loci showed a high degree of matching probability and paternity index of 2.83 × 10−24 and 7.35 × 108, respectively; these are high-level statistical values and indicate that these loci might play a very important role in the application of DNA reports in the courts of justice. The studied population showed a relatively closer genetic affinity with Newar, Kathmandu, and Han Chinese populations compared with the South and West Indian populations. The outcomes of this study will enrich the STR database of the Indian population and this is the first global report on genetic diversity in the Meitei community of Manipur, India, at 20 autosomal STR genetic markers.

Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) is a spectrum of lymphoid conditions frequently associated with the Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) and the use of potent immunosuppressive drugs after solid organ transplantation. PTLD remains a major cause of long-term morbidity and mortality following heart transplantation (HT). Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a key pathogenic driver in many PTLD cases. In the majority of PTLD cases, the proliferating immune cell is the B-cell, and the impaired T-cell immune surveillance against infected B cells in immunosuppressed transplant patients plays a key role in the pathogenesis of EBV-positive PTLD. Preventive screening strategies have been attempted for PTLD including limiting patient exposure to aggressive immunosuppressive regimens by tailoring or minimizing immunosuppression while preserving graft function, anti-viral prophylaxis, routine EBV monitoring, and avoidance of EBV seromismatch. Our group has also demonstrated that conversion from calcineurin inhibitor to the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor, sirolimus, as a primary immunosuppression was associated with a decreased risk of PTLD following HT. The main therapeutic measures consist of immunosuppression reduction, treatment with rituximab and use of immunochemotherapy regimens. The purpose of this article is to review the potential mechanisms underlying PTLD pathogenesis, discuss recent advances, and review potential therapeutic targets to decrease the burden of PTLD after HT.

Nanoparticles show the multidisciplinary versatile utility and are gaining the prime place in various fields, such as medicine, electronics, pharmaceuticals, electrical designing, cosmetics, food industries, and agriculture, due to their small size and large surface to volume ratio. Biogenic or green synthesis methods are environmentally friendly, economically feasible, rapid, free of organic solvents, and reliable over conventional methods. Plant extracts are of incredible potential in the biosynthesis of metal nanoparticles owing to their bountiful availability, stabilizing, and reducing ability. In the present study, the aqueous leaf extract of Buchanania lanzan Spreng was mixed with 0.5 mM silver nitrate and incubated at 70°C for 1 h and synthesized a good quantity of AgNPs. The synthesized AgNPs were characterized using UV-visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometry (XRD), dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The maximum absorption of UV-visible spectra was obtained in the range of 420–430 nm. Furthermore, SEM and TEM results inferred that the size of the particles were 23–62 nm, spherical, crystalline, uniformly distributed, and negatively charged with the zeta potential of −27.6 mV. In addition, the antifungal activities of the AgNPs were evaluated against two phytopathogenic fungi Rhizoctonia solani and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici in vitro using poison food techniques on PDA media. The maximum rate of mycelia inhibition was found in 150 ppm concentration of AgNPs against both phytopathogenic fungi.

The World Health Organization Classification of Tumours of Haematopoietic and Lymphoid Tissues (WHO 2017) included updated criteria for diagnosis and classification of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLDs). This study evaluated the clinicopathologic spectrum using WHO 2017 criteria and adult PTLD patients’ outcomes over 30 years between 1987 and 2017 at Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN). Patients were retrospectively reviewed for clinical features, outcomes, and diagnostic pathology material and classified based on WHO 2017 criteria. A total of 227 patients were diagnosed with PTLD, with a median time from transplant to PTLD of 45 months. PTLD occurred >1 year after transplant in 149 (66%) patients. Monomorphic PTLD was the most common subtype (173, 76%), with diffuse large B cell lymphoma as the commonest morphology (n = 137). Epstein-Barr virus was positive in 61% of total cases and 90% of PTLD that developed within 1 year from transplant. The median event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival for the entire cohort were 21 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 9–35) and 82 months (95% CI: 39–115), respectively. The EFS or overall survival was not impacted by Epstein-Barr virus status but differed based on WHO subtypes and year of diagnosis. Management changed over time with increased use of rituximab or chemotherapy + immunosuppression reduction as initial therapy. When compared to the matched general population and de novo diffuse large B cell lymphoma, patients not achieving EFS 24 status (no progression/treatment or death within 24 mo of diagnosis) had a worse standardized mortality ratio 16.75 (95% CI: 13.91–20) versus SMR 1.72 (95% CI: 1.26–2.28) in those who achieved EFS24. Cause of death was mostly attributed to non-lymphoma–related causes in those achieving EFS 24.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is now considered as a chronic disease in a population having a higher prevalence of several commodities. Infection with HIV has now emerged as the strongest risk factor for the development of active tuberculosis, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, and lung cancer. Several studies have investigated the presence of respiratory symptoms in the HIV-infected population. HIV infects CD4+ T-lymphocytes selectively and causes the destruction of CD4+ T-cells directly as well as indirectly, which leads to gradual loss of the CD4+ T-cell numbers in peripheral circulation. In immune response, CD4+ T-lymphocytes play a central regulatory role. The decrease in numbers of CD4+ T-cell can compromise the normal immune functions of the body. CD4+ T-cell numbers in circulation can provide important information about the immune competence of an individual since early detection and appropriate management of the disease is a priority, in order to improve patients' prognosis and to improve the quality of life.

The coronavirus disease-2019 is a rapidly progressing pandemic that has jeopardized health infrastructure in many countries. India was to some extent successful to slow the rate of spread of disease by implementing multipronged strategies. Unfortunately, despite all efforts, the disease is rapidly progressing in India. The aim of this review is to critically appraise the strategies adopted by the Government of India to tackle this pandemic and to suggest suitable strategies for the current scenario. Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats analysis was done to assess the current scenario. Delayed and selective implementation of regulation on international travel, self-reporting of symptoms and undue reliance of thermal scanning for screening at the point of entry screening, poorly monitored home quarantine strategy with noncompliance, narrow testing strategy at the beginning with inability to capture asymptomatic case were some of the loopholes identified in the existing strategy. Improvement of inter-sectoral coordination by the development of Multi-disciplinary Epidemic Management board, involvement of AYUSH, judicious use of health manpower, and capacity development for indigenous production of personal protective equipment and other logistics, up-gradation of rural health facility and preparedness for second wave are the key recommendations.

Background Myocardial fibrosis is an important contributor for development of diastolic dysfunction. We investigated the impact of sirolimus as primary immunosuppression on diastolic dysfunction and fibrosis progression among heart transplantation recipients. Methods and Results In 100 heart transplantation recipients who were either treated with a calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) (n=51) or converted from CNI to sirolimus (n=49), diastolic function parameters were assessed using serial echocardiograms and right heart catheterizations. Myocardial fibrosis was quantified on serial myocardial biopsies. After 3 years, lateral e′ increased within the sirolimus group but decreased in the CNI group (0.02±0.04 versus −0.02±0.04 m/s delta change; P=0.003, respectively). Both pulmonary capillary wedge pressure and diastolic pulmonary artery pressure significantly decreased in the sirolimus group but remained unchanged in the CNI group (−1.50±2.59 versus 0.20±2.20 mm Hg/year; P=0.02; and −1.72±3.39 versus 0.82±2.59 mm Hg/year; P=0.005, respectively). A trend for increased percentage of fibrosis was seen in the sirolimus group (8.48±3.17 to 10.10±3.0%; P=0.07) as compared with marginally significant progression in the CNI group (8.76±3.87 to 10.56±4.34%; P=0.04). The percent change in fibrosis did not differ significantly between the groups (1.62±4.67 versus 1.80±5.31%, respectively; P=0.88). Conclusions Early conversion to sirolimus is associated with improvement in diastolic dysfunction and filling pressures as compared with CNI therapy. Whether this could be attributed to attenuation of myocardial fibrosis progression with sirolimus treatment warrants further investigation.

In the present paper, we propose a new design of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor having better performance parameters by employing the well-known transfer matrix method. The proposed SPR sensor is comprised of BK-7 prism-ZnO-Ag-BaTiO3-Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs, mainly WS2 and MoS2)/Graphene. A comparison is made among their performance parameters i.e. sensitivity, detection accuracy, quality parameter with other traditional reported SPR sensor. We have also analysed full width at half maxima (FWHM) and electric field intensity enhancement factor (EFIEF) for the proposed SPR sensor. On comparison, it is found that the proposed SPR sensor with monolayer WS2 configuration has better sensitivity of 180°/RIU as compared to monolayer MoS2 and graphene which are 174°/RIU and 157°/RIU respectively. However, the proposed SPR sensor with graphene layer shows small FWHM, higher quality parameter and detection accuracy. We have found that maximum sensitivity of 2350/RIU corresponds to the two-layer WS2 configuration. Our proposed SPR sensor shows better performance as compared to the other reported works.

Background and Aims: Mass Drug Administration (MDA) coverage remains an important indicator in elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis (LF), especially in context of recent changes in programme strategies in India, such as incorporation of Ivermectin and involvement of urban Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs). This study aimed at assessing the coverage and compliance with MDA of Filariasis as well as exploring perspective of beneficiaries for non-consumption in selected slum area of Nagpur city. Methods: Mixed-method study design comprising of quantitative assessment of MDA coverage, followed by qualitative method to explore the reasons of non-compliance was used in selected slum areas of Nagpur city. Using cluster sampling, 240 households were selected and house-to-house visits were made to interview the eligible participants. In-depth interviews were conducted among selected non-compliant participants. Statistical Analysis: Multivariable logistic regression analysis to identify the factors associated with non-consumption. Thematic analysis was done to obtain the reasons of non-consumption as perceived by the beneficiaries. Results: Among the 1096 individuals studied, distribution and consumption coverage were 55.2% and 48.5%, respectively. Effective supervised consumption was further low (28.9%). Coverage compliance gap (CCG) was 12.1%. Male sex and younger age (2-5 years) were significant socio-demographic determinants of non-consumption. No repeat visit to houses left in first round, fear of side effects, pill burden, poor understanding about the need were important reasons as revealed by qualitative inquiry. Conclusion: Effective pre-campaign awareness, incorporation of context specific drug delivery strategies and strengthening monitoring system are essential for successful MDA implementation.

The forest ecosystem is an important carbon sink and source containing majority of the aboveground terrestrial organic carbon. Carbon management in forests is the global concern to mitigate the increased concentration of green house gases in the atmosphere. The present study estimated vegetation carbon pool and biophysical spectral modelling to correlate biomass with reflectance/ derivatives in Barkot Forest Range, Uttarakhand. The study was carried out using Cartosat-1, IRS-P6 LISS-IV MX, IRS LISS-III, Landsat 7 ETM satellite data and ground data collected from stratified random sampling. Forest type and forest crown density was mapped using resolution merged Cartosat-1 and LISS-IV imagery. Growing stock, biomass and carbon was calculated for the individual sample plots using inventory-based biomass assessment technique. Field-inventoried data was correlated with the surface reflectance and derivatives of it. Among the four vegetation types, viz. Shorea robusta, S. robusta mixed, S. robusta Tectona grandis mixed, T. grandis plantation, mixed plantation, Grassland and Agriculture/ orchard, the S.robusta was found to be the dominant vegetation in the area, covering 55.86 km2 of the total area. The study revealed that the S.robusta with high density had the highest aboveground biomass (AGB) (t/ha) was found in S.robusta > 70% (530 t ha−1), followed by S.robusta 40–70% (486 t ha−1) and minimum was found in mixed plantation −1). The general trend showed the decrease in AGB with decrease of forest density in each forest type category. The average AGB of S. robusta T. grandis forest was found (308 t ha−1–458 t ha−1) due to the dominancy of S. robusta trees. The study highlighted the invaluable role of geospatial technology and field inventory for growing stock, biomass and carbon assessment.

Abstract Background PD is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder commonly treated by levodopa. The findings from genetic studies on adverse effects (ADRs) and levodopa efficacy are mostly inconclusive. Here, we aim to identify predictive genetic biomarkers for levodopa response (LR) and determine common molecular link with disease susceptibility. A systematic review for LR was conducted for ADR, and drug efficacy, independently. All included articles were assessed for methodological quality on 14 parameters. GWAS of PD were also reviewed. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis using STRING and functional enrichment using WebGestalt was performed to explore the common link between LR and PD. Results From 37 candidate studies on levodopa toxicity, 18 genes were found associated, of which, CAn STR 13, 14 (DRD2) was most significantly associated with dyskinesia, followed by rs1801133 (MTHFR) with hyper-homocysteinemia, and rs474559 (HOMER1) with hallucination. Similarly, 8 studies on efficacy resulted in 4 genes in which rs28363170, rs3836790 (SLC6A3) and rs4680 (COMT), were significant. To establish the molecular connection between LR with PD, we identified 35 genes significantly associated with PD. With 19 proteins associated with LR and 35 with PD, two independent PPI networks were constructed. Among the 67 nodes (263 edges) in LR, and 62 nodes (190 edges) in PD pathophysiology, UBC, SNCA, FYN, SRC, CAMK2A, and SLC6A3 were identified as common potential candidates. Conclusion Our study revealed the genetically significant polymorphism concerning the ADRs and levodopa efficacy. The six common genes may be used as predictive markers for therapy optimization and as putative drug target candidates.

Aim: The aim of the study is to understand the role of anxiety and depression in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients. Patients and Methods: This prospective, observational study was conducted at King George's Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India, from September 2011 to August 2012. Seventy-one patients were enrolled in the study after obtaining informed written consent. Polysomnography (PSG) was performed to confirm OSA, and the psychiatric features were determined using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale score. Results: A total of 71 individuals were enrolled in the study, and after exclusion, 48 individuals had participated in PSG. Of the 48 patients, 44 (91.67%) had shown OSA with PSG. From 44 OSA-diagnosed patients, 10 (22.73%) patients were diagnosed of having psychiatric manifestations (50% with depression, 30% with anxiety, and 20% having features of both depression and anxiety). No significant difference was found in between those with psychiatric features than that those without in body mass index (mean ± standard deviation [SD]: 32.38 ± 7.17 and 31.64 ± 3.93, P = 0.610), Epworth's sleepiness scale score (mean ± SD: 13.20 ± 4.71 and 11.88 ± 5.63, P = 0.505), apnea/hypopnea index (mean ± SD: 48.01 ± 31.71 and 37.81 ± 22.84, P = 0.263), average saturation (mean ± SD: 92.19 ± 4.37 and 91.74 ± 4.38, P = 0.774), and lowest saturation (mean ± SD: 74.50 ± 11.97 and 74.32 ± 11.97, P = 0.968), respectively. Conclusion: Although patients with OSA must be screened for psychiatric manifestations, the severity of OSA is not directly related to the severity of psychiatric features.

Intraflagellar transport (IFT) in C. elegans chemosensory cilia is an example of functional coordination and cooperation of two motor proteins with distinct motility properties operating together in large groups to transport cargoes: a fast and processive homodimeric kinesin-2, OSM-3, and a slow and less processive heterotrimeric kinesin-2, kinesin-II. To study the mechanism of the collective dynamics of kinesin-II of C. elegans cilia in an in vitro system, we used Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence microscopy to image the motility of truncated, heterodimeric kinesin-II constructs at high motor densities. Using an analysis technique based on correlation of the fluorescence intensities, we extracted quantitative motor parameters, such as motor density, velocity and average run length, from the image. Our experiments and analyses show that kinesin-II motility parameters are far less affected by (self) crowding than OSM-3. Our observations are supported by numerical calculations based on the TASEP-LK model (Totally Asymmetric Simple Exclusion Process-Langmuir Kinetics). From a comparison of data and modelling of OSM-3 and kinesin-II, a general picture emerges of the collective dynamics of the kinesin motors driving IFT in C. elegans chemosensory cilia and the way the motors deal with crowding.

Background The presence of a durable left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is associated with increased risk of vasoplegia in the early postoperative period following heart transplantation (HT). However, preoperative predictors of vasoplegia and its impact on survival after HT are unknown. We sought to examine predictors and outcomes of patients who develop vasoplegia after HT following bridging therapy with an LVAD. Methods and Results We identified 94 patients who underwent HT after bridging with continuous‐flow LVAD from 2008 to 2018 at a single institution. Vasoplegia was defined as persistent low vascular resistance requiring ≥2 intravenous vasopressors within 48 hours after HT for >24 hours to maintain mean arterial pressure >70 mm Hg. Overall, 44 patients (46.8%) developed vasoplegia after HT. Patients with and without vasoplegia had similar preoperative LVAD, echocardiographic, and hemodynamic parameters. Patients with vasoplegia were significantly older; had longer LVAD support, higher preoperative creatinine, longer cardiopulmonary bypass time, and higher Charlson comorbidity index; and more often underwent combined organ transplantation. In a multivariate logistic regression model, older age (odds ratio: 1.08 per year; P=0.010), longer LVAD support (odds ratio: 1.06 per month; P=0.007), higher creatinine (odds ratio: 3.9 per 1 mg/dL; P=0.039), and longer cardiopulmonary bypass time (odds ratio: 1.83 per hour; P=0.044) were independent predictors of vasoplegia. After mean follow‐up of 4.0 years after HT, vasoplegia was associated with increased risk of all‐cause mortality (hazard ratio: 5.20; 95% CI, 1.71–19.28; P=0.003). Conclusions Older age, longer LVAD support, impaired renal function, and prolonged intraoperative CPB time are independent predictors of vasoplegia in patients undergoing HT after LVAD bridging. Vasoplegia is associated with worse prognosis; therefore, detailed assessment of these predictors can be clinically important.

Background Diastolic pulmonary gradient (DPG) was proposed as a better marker of pulmonary vascular remodeling compared with pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) and transpulmonary gradient (TPG). The prognostic significance of DPG in patients requiring a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) remains unclear. We sought to investigate whether pre‐LVAD DPG is a predictor of survival or right ventricular (RV) failure post‐LVAD. Methods and Results We retrospectively reviewed 268 patients who underwent right heart catheterization before LVAD implantation from 2007 to 2017 and had pulmonary hypertension because of left heart disease. Patients were dichotomized using DPG ≥7 mm Hg, PVR ≥3 mm Hg, or TPG ≥12 mm Hg. The associations between these parameters and all‐cause mortality or RV failure post LVAD were assessed with Cox proportional hazards regression and Kaplan–Meier analyses. After a mean follow‐up time of 35 months, elevated DPG was associated with increased risk of RV failure (hazard ratio [HR]: 3.30; P=0.004, for DPG ≥7 versus DPG

Rust caused by Uromyces viciae-fabae is a major biotic constraint to field pea (Pisum sativum L.) cultivation worldwide. Deployment of host-pathogen interaction and resistant phenotype is a modest strategy for controlling this intricate disease. However, resistance against this pathogen is partial and influenced by environmental factors. Therefore, the magnitude of environmental and genotype-by-environment interaction was assessed to understand the dynamism of resistance and identification of durable resistant genotypes, as well as ideal testing locations for rust screening through multi-location and multi-year evaluation. Initial screening was conducted with 250 diverse genotypes at rust hot spots. A panel of 23 promising field pea genotypes extracted from initial evaluation was further assessed under inoculated conditions for rust disease for two consecutive years at six locations in India. Integration of GGE biplot analysis and multiple comparisons tests detected a higher proportion of variation in rust reaction due to environment (56.94%) as an interactive factor followed by genotype × environment interaction (35.02%), which justified the requisite of multi-year, and multi-location testing. Environmental component for disease reaction and dominance of cross over interaction (COI) were asserted by the inconsistent and non-repeatable genotypic response. The present study effectively allocated the testing locations into various categories considering their “repeatability” and “desirability index” over the years along with “discrimination power” and “representativeness.” “Mega environment” identification helped in restructuring the ecological zonation and location of specific breeding. Detection of non-redundant testing locations would expedite optimal resource utilization in future. The computation of the confidence limit (CL) at 95% level through bootstrapping strengthened the accuracy of the GGE biplot and legitimated the precision of genotypes recommendation. Genotype, IPF-2014-16, KPMR-936 and IPF-2014-13 identified as “ideal” genotypes, which can be recommended for release and exploited in a resistance breeding program for the region confronting field pea rust.

Background Left ventricular (LV) hemodynamic assessment has been sparsely performed in patients supported on continuous‐flow LV assist devices (cfLVADs). Insight into dynamic changes of left heart parameters during ramp studies may improve LV assist device optimization and evaluate pathology. Methods and Results To complement right heart catheterization, a novel technique for left heart catheterization in patients with a cfLVAD was developed. Patients implanted with cfLVADs underwent hemodynamic ramp left heart catheterization and right heart catheterization with transthoracic echocardiography. Continuous aortic and LV pressures were measured along with right atrial, pulmonary artery, and pulmonary capillary wedge pressures. A novel index, the transaortic gradient (TAG) was established. Thirty eight patients with cfLVADs were evaluated at a median of 446 days (interquartile range, 183–742) after device implant. During left heart catheterization performed for hemodynamic optimization, drop‐in LV end‐diastolic pressure and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure were associated with a rise in TAG. A range was identified for TAG (20–40 mm Hg) as providing the most optimal level of hemodynamic offloading. Pathologic states deviated from normal responses to ramp. LV assist device thrombosis was associated with an inability to increase in TAG during speed ramp. Significant aortic insufficiency was associated with a marked increase in LV end‐diastolic pressure despite a concomitant decrease in pulmonary capillary wedge pressure with increasing LV assist device speeds. Conclusions Inclusion of left heart catheterization to a typical right heart catheterization LV assist device ramp protocol imparted unique insights to optimize cfLVAD speeds in different clinical scenarios. A novel index, the TAG was defined and provided additional resolution to optimized offloading.

Spaceborne and airborne polarimetric synthetic-aperture radar interferometry (PolInSAR) data have been extensively used for forest parameter retrieval. The PolInSAR models have proven their potential in the accurate measurement of forest vegetation height. Spaceborne monostatic multifrequency data of different SAR missions and the Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI)-derived forest canopy height map were used in this study for vegetation height retrieval. This study tested the performance of PolInSAR complex coherence-based inversion models for estimating the vegetation height of the forest ranges of Doon Valley, Uttarakhand, India. The inversion-based forest height obtained from the three-stage inversion (TSI) model had higher accuracy than the coherence amplitude inversion (CAI) model-based estimates. The vegetation height values of GEDI-derived canopy height map did not show good relation with field-measured forest height values. It was found that, at several locations, GEDI-derived forest height values underestimated the vegetation height. The statistical analysis of the GEDI-derived estimates with field-measured height showed a high root mean square error (RMSE; 5.82 m) and standard error (SE; 5.33 m) with a very low coefficient of determination (R2; 0.0022). An analysis of the spaceborne-mission-based forest height values suggested that the L-band SAR has great potential in forest height retrieval. TSI-model-based forest height values showed lower p-values, which indicates the significant relation between modelled and field-measured forest height values. A comparison of the results obtained from different SAR systems is discussed, and it is observed that the L-band-based PolInSAR inversion gives the most reliable result with low RMSE (2.87 m) and relatively higher R2 (0.53) for the linear regression analysis between the modelled tree height and the field data. These results indicate that higher wavelength PolInSAR datasets are more suitable for tree canopy height estimation using the PolInSAR inversion technique.

Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the airways, leading to significant morbidity and mortality throughout the world. There is a need to have a holistic evaluation of COPD patients, other than just measuring the level of obstruction as performed by spirometry. High resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scan of thorax partly fulfills this requirement. Materials and Methods: Fifty patients of COPD (confirmed on spirometry as per the GOLD guidelines 2014 guidelines) were enrolled, out of which 35 patients got a HRCT done. Complete clinical evaluation was done. The Philips computer program for lung densitometry was used with these limits (−800/−1, 024 Hounsfield unit [HU]) to calculate densities, after validating densitometry values with phantoms. We established the area with a free hand drawing of the region of interest, then we established limits (in HUs) and the computer program calculated the attenuation as mean lung density (MLD) of the lower and upper lobes. Results: There was a significant correlation between smoking index and anteroposterior tracheal diameter (P = 0.036). Tracheal index was found to be decreasing with increasing disease severity which was statistically significant (P = 0.037). Mean upper lobe MLD was −839.27 HU, mean lower lobe MLD was −834.91 HU and the mean MLD was −837.08 HU. The lower lobes MLD were found to be decreasing with increasing disease severity. A mild linear correlation of pre forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) was observed with lower lobe and total average MLD while a mild linear correlation of Post-FEV1 was observed with both coronal (P = 0.042) and sagittal (P = 0.001) lower lobes MLD. In addition, there was a linear correlation between both pre (P = 0.050) and post (P = 0.024) FEV1/forced vital capacity with sagittal lower lobe MLD. A predictive model can be derived to quantify obstruction severity (FEV1). Conclusion: HRCT may be an important additional tool in the holistic evaluation of COPD. HRCT can well be correlated with the spirometric and clinical features and the level of obstruction can be indirectly derived from it by measuring the MLD.

Background: Leptin, a 16 kDa peptide hormone synthesized and secreted specifically from white adipose cells protects neurons against amyloid β-induced toxicity, by increasing Apolipoprotein E (APO E)-dependent uptake of β amyloid into the cells, thereby, protect individuals from developing Alzheimer′s disease (AD). The APO E ε4 allele is a known genetic risk factor for AD by accelerating onset. It is estimated that the lifetime risk of developing AD increases to 29% for carriers with one ε4 allele and 9% for those with no ε4 allele. Objectives: To determine the levels of serum leptin, cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL-C), and high density lipoprotein (HDL-C) in the diagnosed cases of AD and the association of them with cognitive decline and Apolipoprotein E (APO E) genotypes in AD. Materials and Methods: Serum levels of serum leptin, cholesterol, LDL-C, and HDL-C along with APO E polymorphism were studied in 39 subjects with probable AD and 42 cognitive normal individuals. Results: AD group showed significantly lower levels of leptin (P = 0.00) as compared to control group. However, there was no significant difference in cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-C, and HDL-C levels in AD and control groups. The frequency of ε4 allele in AD (38.5%) was found to be significantly higher than in control (10.3%). ε3 allele was more frequent than ε4 allele in AD and control group.

Introduction: Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer related death. Targeted treatment for specific markers may help in reducing the cancer related morbidity and mortality. Aim: To study expression of Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK)and Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) mutations in patients of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer NSCLC, that are the targets for specific ALK inhibitors and EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Materials and Methods: Total 69 cases of histologically diagnosed NSCLC were examined retrospectively for immunohistochemical expression of EGFR and ALK, along with positive control of normal placental tissue and anaplastic large cell lymphoma respectively. Results: Of the NSCLC, Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) accounted for 71.0% and adenocarcinoma was 26.1%. ALK expression was seen in single case of 60-year-old female, nonsmoker with adenocarcinoma histology. EGFR expression was seen in both SCC (59.18%) and adenocarcinoma in (77.78%) accounting for 63.77% of all cases. Both ALK and EGFR mutation were mutually exclusive. Conclusion: EGFR expression was seen in 63.77% of cases, highlighting the importance of its use in routine analysis, for targeted therapy and better treatment results. Although, ALK expression was seen in 1.45% of all cases, it is an important biomarker in targeted cancer therapy. Also, the mutually exclusive expression of these two markers need further studies to develop a diagnostic algorithm for NSCLC patients.

Complex intercellular interaction is a common theme in plant-pathogen/symbiont relationship. Cellular physiology of both the partners is affected by abiotic stress. However, little is known about the degree of protection each offers to the other from different types of environmental stress. Our current study focused on the changes in response to toxic arsenic in the presence of an endophytic fungus Piriformospora indica that colonizes the paddy roots. The primary impact of arsenic was observed in the form of hyper-colonization of fungus in the host root and resulted in the recovery of its overall biomass, root damage, and chlorophyll due to arsenic toxicity. Further, fungal colonization leads to balance the redox status of the cell by adjusting the antioxidative enzyme system which in turn protects photosynthetic machinery of the plant from arsenic stress. We observed that fungus has ability to immobilize soluble arsenic and interestingly, it was also observed that fungal colonization restricts most of arsenic in the colonized root while a small fraction of it translocated to shoot of colonized plants. Our study suggests that P. indica protects the paddy (Oryza sativa) from arsenic toxicity by three different mechanisms viz. reducing the availability of free arsenic in the plant environment, bio-transformation of the toxic arsenic salts into insoluble particulate matter and modulating the antioxidative system of the host cell.

Polarimetric synthetic aperture radar (PolSAR) remote sensing has been widely used for forest mapping and monitoring. PolSAR data has the capability to provide scattering information that is contributed by different scatterers within a single SAR resolution cell. A methodology for a PolSAR-based extended water cloud model (EWCM) has been proposed and evaluated in this study. Fully polarimetric phased array type L-band synthetic aperture radar (PALSAR) data of advanced land observing satellite (ALOS) was used in this study for forest aboveground biomass (AGB) retrieval of Dudhwa National Park, India. The shift in the polarization orientation angle (POA) is a major problem that affects the PolSAR-based scattering information. The two sources of POA shift are Faraday rotation angle (FRA) and structural properties of the scatterer. Analysis was carried out to explore the effect of FRA in the SAR data. Deorientation of PolSAR data was implemented to minimize any ambiguity in the scattering retrieval of model-based decomposition. After POA compensation of the coherency matrix, a decrease in the power of volume scattering elements was observed for the forest patches. This study proposed a framework to extend the water cloud model for AGB retrieval. The proposed PolSAR-based EWCM showed less dependency on field data for model parameters retrieval. The PolSAR-based scattering was used as input model parameters to derive AGB for the forest area. Regression between PolSAR-decomposition-based volume scattering and AGB was performed. Without deorientation of the PolSAR coherency matrix, EWCM showed a modeled AGB of 92.90 t ha−1, and a 0.36 R2 was recorded through linear regression between the field-measured AGB and the modeled output. After deorientation of the PolSAR data, an increased R2 (0.78) with lower RMSE (59.77 t ha−1) was obtained from EWCM. The study proves the potential of a PolSAR-based semiempirical model for forest AGB retrieval. This study strongly recommends the POA compensation of the coherency matrix for PolSAR-scattering-based semiempirical modeling for forest AGB retrieval.

We investigate a one-component, quasi-zero dimensional, quantum plasma exposed to a parabolic potential and an applied magnetic field in the symmetric gauge. If the size of such a system as can be realized in the semiconducting quantum dots is on the order of the de-Broglie wavelength, the electronic and optical properties become highly tunable. Then the quantum size effects challenge the observation of many-particle phenomena such as the magneto-optical absorption, Raman intensity, and electron energy-loss spectrum. An exact analytical solution of the problem leads us to infer that these many-particle phenomena are, in fact, dictated by the generalized Kohn’s theorem (GKT) in the long-wavelength limit. Maneuvering the confinement and/or the magnetic field furnishes the resonance energies capable of being explored with the FIR, Raman, and/or electron-energy-loss spectroscopy. This implies that either of these probes is competent in observing the localized magnetoplasmons in the system. As an application of the rigorous analytical diagnosis of the system, we have presented various pertinent single-particle, such as Fock-Darwin spectrum, Fermi energy, zigzag excitation spectrum, and magneto-optical transitions, and the many-particle phenomena, such as magneto-optical absorption, Raman intensity, and electron energy-loss probability. In the latter, the energy position of the resonance peaks is observed to be independent of the electron-electron interactions and hence of the number of electrons in the quantum dot in compliance with the GKT. It is found that both confinement potential and magnetic field play a decisive role in influencing the aforementioned many-particle phenomena. Specifically, increasing (decreasing) the strength of the confining potential is found to be analogous to shrinking (expanding) the size of the quantum dots and results into a blue (red) shift in the respective spectra. Intensifying the magnetic field has two-fold effects in the resonance spectra associated with all three spectroscopies considered here: the lower resonance peak observes a red shift, whereas the higher one experiences a blue shift. This is a unique and intriguing behavior observed in the quantum dots with complete confinement. A deeper insight into the physics of the quantum dots is paving the way for their implementation in such diverse fields as quantum computing and medical imaging.