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We fabricate elliptical planar Hall effect magnetometers with Permalloy thickness ranging between 25 and 200 nm. We study the thickness dependence of their equivalent magnetic noise by examining the effect of the layer thickness on the signal and noise including Joule heating contributions. Sensors with a thickness of 50 nm achieve equivalent magnetic noise as low as ∼24 pT/ √ Hz at 50 Hz and ∼36 pT/ √ Hz at 10 Hz, which are the best reported values for any type of magnetic sensor of similar or smaller size. These results are achieved without the use of magnetic flux concentrators, which helps to reduce the sensor volume while improving its spatial resolution and reducing the complexity and time of its production and, hence, its potential cost. We discuss different routes for further resolution improvements.

The tetracycline-controlled Tet-Off and Tet-On gene expression systems are used to regulate the activity of genes in eukaryotic cells in diverse settings, varying from basic biological research to biotechnology and gene therapy applications. These systems are based on regulatory elements that control the activity of the tetracycline-resistance operon in bacteria. The Tet-Off system allows silencing of gene expression by administration of tetracycline (Tc) or tetracycline-derivatives like doxycycline (dox), whereas the Tet-On system allows activation of gene expression by dox. Since the initial design and construction of the original Tet-system, these bacterium-derived systems have been significantly improved for their function in eukaryotic cells. We here review how a dox-controlled HIV-1 variant was designed and used to greatly improve the activity and dox-sensitivity of the rtTA transcriptional activator component of the Tet-On system. These optimized rtTA variants require less dox for activation, which will reduce side effects and allow gene control in tissues where a relatively low dox level can be reached, such as the brain.

A detailed structural, magnetic and physics properties of La1−xMnO3±δ (LMO) nanomanganites were investigated to find out the role of cationic vacancies (La vacancy with Mn3+/Mn4+) in grain size modulation. Crystal structure and phase analysis of all samples were carried out by Rietveld refinement of high-resolution XRD and neutron diffraction data. We report here, the oxygen content in studied LMO compound decreases with increase in La vacancies in parent site and a parasitic Mn3O4 phase has been evolved in the range of 0.9 ≥ La/Mn ≥ 0.7. Para to ferro magnetic transition temperature (TC) of all nanometric samples (La/Mn

We report studies of the ferroelectric and magnetic phase transitions of (1 – x)Pb(Fe0.5Nb0.5)O3 – xCo0.65Zn0.35Fe2O4 (x = 0.2) composite with emphasis upon the nature of magnetoelectric coupling at room temperature. The presence of all cationic elements with their required stoichiometry have been confirmed by SEM and XPS studies. The composite shows well-saturated ferroelectric and ferromagnetic (multiferroic) behavior at room temperature. A ferroelectric-paraelectric phase transition has been confirmed from the temperature dependent dielectric spectra along with DSC and Raman spectroscopic studies. Antiferromagnetic, ferromagnetic, and relaxor paramagnetic states have been observed in this composite. This composite shows strong bulk biquadratic magnetoelectric coupling at room temperature, which can be useful for potential multifunctional device applications.

Current drug therapies effectively suppress HIV-1 replication but do not inactivate the provirus that persists in latent reservoirs. Recent studies have found that the guide RNA (gRNA)-directed CRISPR/Cas9 system can be used for sequence-specific attack on this proviral DNA. Although potent inhibition of virus replication was reported, HIV-1 can escape from a single antiviral gRNA by mutation of the target sequence. Here, we demonstrate that combinations of two antiviral gRNAs delay viral escape, and identify two gRNA combinations that durably block virus replication. When viral escape is prevented, repeated Cas9 cleavage leads to saturation of major mutations in the conserved target sequences that encode critical proteins. This hypermutation coincides with the loss of replication-competent virus as scored in sensitive co-cultures with unprotected cells, demonstrating complete virus inactivation. These results provide a proof-of-principle that HIV-1-infected cells can be functionally cured by dual-gRNA CRISPR/Cas9 treatment.

Conditionally replicating HIV-1 variants that can be switched on and off at will are attractive tools for HIV research. We previously developed a genetically modified HIV-1 variant that replicates exclusively when doxycycline (dox) is administered. The nef gene in this HIV-rtTA variant was replaced with the gene encoding the dox-dependent rtTA transcriptional activator. Because loss of Nef expression compromises virus replication in primary cells and precludes studies on Nef function, we tested different approaches to restore Nef production in HIV-rtTA. Strategies that involved translation via an EMCV or synthetic internal ribosome entry site (IRES) failed because these elements were incompatible with efficient virus replication. Fusion protein approaches with the FMDV 2A peptide and human ubiquitin were successful and resulted in genetically-stable Nef-expressing HIV-rtTA strains that replicate more efficiently in primary T-cells and human immune system (HIS) mice than Nef-deficient variants, thus confirming the positive effect of Nef on in vivo virus replication.

The low-temperature electronic transport behavior of under doped polycrystalline Pr0.8Sr0.2MnO3 (PSMO) manganitenanoparticles (down to 40 nm), have been investigated in the presence of applied external magnetic fields (Hext) and adistinct resistivity minimum (ρmin) is observed below 50 K for each PSMO sample. It has been found that both depth of ρmin,and temperature of resistivity minima (min T ) values enhance with increase of Hext. Considering various possibilities likeCoulomb blockade theory, electron-electron interaction, phase separation, Kondo mechanism, we conclude thatoccurrence of low temperature resistivity anomalies (

Magnetoelectric (ME) composite thin films are promising candidates for novel applications in future nanoelectronics, spintronics, memory, and other multifunctional devices as they exhibit much higher ME coupling and transition temperatures (Tc) than well-known single phase multiferroics discovered to date. Among the three types of multiferroic composite nanostructures, (2–2) layered and (1–3) vertically aligned composite nanostructures exhibit comparatively smaller ME coupling due to different shortcomings that restrict their use in many applications. Here, we study the morphological, piezoresponse force microscopic (PFM), ferroelectric, magnetic, and magnetodielectric properties of 0–3 [magnetic nanoparticles (0) homogeneously distributed in ferroelectric matrices (3)] multiferroic composite thin films. The Pb(Fe0.5Nb0.5)O3 (PFN)–Ni0.65Zn0.35Fe2O4 (NZFO) particulate composite films were synthesized by pulsed laser deposition. These particulate composite thin films are completely c-axis oriented with very low surface roughness. We observed magnetic and ferroelectric Tc above room temperature (RT) for all composite thin films. The PFN–NZFO 0–3 composites exhibit large polarization, high saturated magnetization with low coercive field, and low dielectric loss along with magnetodielectric coupling at RT. These nanocomposites might be utilized in next generation nano/microelectronics and spintronic devices.

The interferon γ-inducible protein 16 (IFI16) is known as immune sensor of retroviral DNA intermediates. We show that IFI16 restricts HIV-1 independently of immune sensing by binding and inhibiting the host transcription factor Sp1 that drives viral gene expression. This antiretroviral activity and ability to bind Sp1 require the N-terminal pyrin domain and nuclear localization of IFI16, but not the HIN domains involved in DNA binding. Highly prevalent clade C HIV-1 strains are more resistant to IFI16 and less dependent on Sp1 than other HIV-1 subtypes. Furthermore, inhibition of Sp1 by IFI16 or pharmacologically by Mithramycin A suppresses reactivation of latent HIV-1 in CD4+ T cells. Finally, IFI16 also inhibits retrotransposition of LINE-1, known to engage Sp1, and murine IFI16 homologs restrict Friend retrovirus replication in mice. Thus, IFI16 restricts retroviruses and retrotransposons by interfering with Sp1-dependent gene expression, and evasion from this restriction may facilitate spread of HIV-1 subtype C.

Present work demonstrates the operation of a smartphone platform sensor that accurately measures mercury (Hg (II)) level concentration in water. The sensing principle of the designed sensor is based on the detection of fluorescence emission from a ternary complex containing different concentration of Hg (II) in the mixture. The designed sensor correlates the level of Hg (II) concentration in a given sample through the emission of fluorescence emission from it. Using simple optical components, a compact optical set-up has been designed which can be attached to the rear-camera of the smartphone. Using the designed smartphone sensor Hg (II)-level variation as low as 50ppb can be detected accurately and reliably. The performance of the sensor has been evaluated in presence of other interfering elements such as iron, copper, zinc and manganese and we noticed that the sensor characteristic does not perturb by the presence of such elements. It has been observed that the proposed sensor performs at par with that of a laboratory grad optical spectrometer. Owing to the involvement of low-cost components and user-friendly application that essentially converts the CMOS illumination reading into a readable form we envision that the proposed sensing technique would be useful for in-field based sensing of Hg(II) level in water largely present in industrial waste water and other environmental water bodies.

Jan Svoboda studied aspects of viral latency, in particular with respect to disease induction by avian RNA tumor viruses, which were later renamed as part of the extended retrovirus family. The course of retroviral pathogenesis is intrinsically linked to their unique property of integrating the DNA copy of the retroviral genome into that of the host cell, thus forming the provirus. Retroviral latency has recently become of major clinical interest to allow a better understanding of why we can effectively block the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) in infected individuals with antiviral drugs, yet never reach a cure. We will discuss HIV-1 latency and its direct consequence—the formation of long-lasting HIV-1 reservoirs. We next focus on one of the most explored strategies in tackling HIV-1 reservoirs—the “shock and kill” strategy—which describes the broadly explored pharmacological way of kicking the latent provirus, with subsequent killing of the virus-producing cell by the immune system. We furthermore present how the clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and associated protein (Cas) system can be harnessed to reach the same objective by reactivating HIV-1 gene expression from latency. We will review the benefits and drawbacks of these different cure strategies.

In bacteria and archaea, the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and associated proteins (Cas) confer adaptive immunity against exogenous DNA elements. This CRISPR-Cas system has been turned into an effective tool for editing of eukaryotic DNA genomes. Pathogenic viruses that have a double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) genome or that replicate through a dsDNA intermediate can also be targeted with this DNA editing tool. Here, we review how CRISPR-Cas was used in novel therapeutic approaches against the human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1), focusing on approaches that aim to permanently inactivate all virus genomes or to prevent viral persistence in latent reservoirs.

Transcription of the HIV-1 proviral DNA and subsequent processing of the primary transcript results in the production of a large set of unspliced and differentially spliced viral RNAs. The major splice donor site (5′ss) that is located in the untranslated leader of the HIV-1 transcript is used for the production of all spliced RNAs, and splicing at this site has to be tightly regulated to allow the balanced production of all viral RNAs and proteins. We demonstrate that the viral Tat protein, which is known to activate viral transcription, also stimulates splicing at the major 5′ss. As for the transcription effect, Tat requires the viral long terminal repeat promoter and the trans -acting responsive RNA hairpin for splicing regulation. These results indicate that HIV-1 transcription and splicing are tightly coupled processes through the coordinated action of the essential Tat protein. IMPORTANCE The HIV-1 proviral DNA encodes a single RNA transcript that is used as RNA genome and packaged into newly assembled virus particles. This full-length RNA is also used as mRNA for the production of structural and enzymatic proteins. Production of other essential viral proteins depends on alternative splicing of the primary transcript, which yields a large set of differentially spliced mRNAs. Optimal virus replication requires a balanced production of all viral RNAs, which means that the splicing process has to be strictly regulated. We show that the HIV-1 Tat protein, a factor that is well known for its transcription activating function, also stimulates splicing. Thus, Tat controls not only the level of the viral RNA but also the balance between spliced and unspliced RNAs.

Many potent antiviral drugs have been developed against HIV-1, and their combined action is usually successful in achieving durable virus suppression in infected individuals. This success is based on two effects: additive or even synergistic virus inhibition and an increase in the genetic threshold for development of drug resistance. More recently, several genetic approaches have been developed to attack the HIV-1 genome in a gene therapy setting. We set out to test the combinatorial possibilities for a therapy based on the CRISPR-Cas9 and RNA interference (RNAi) mechanisms that attack the viral DNA and RNA, respectively. When two different sites in the HIV-1 genome were targeted, either with dual CRISPR-Cas9 antivirals or with a combination of CRISPR-Cas9 and RNAi antivirals, we observed additive inhibition, much like what was reported for antiviral drugs. However, when the same or overlapping viral sequence was attacked by the antivirals, rapid escape from a CRISPR-Cas9 antiviral, assisted by the error-prone nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) DNA repair machinery, accelerated the development of cross-resistance to the other CRISPR-Cas9 or RNAi antiviral. Thus, genetic antiviral approaches can be combined, but overlap should be avoided.

Nano-dimensional effects on electronic-, magneto-transport properties of granular ferromagnetic insulating (FMI) Pr0.8Sr0.2MnO3 (PSMO) manganite (down to 40 nm) have been investigated in details. From the electronic and magnetic transport properties, a metallic state has been observed in grain size modulation by suppressing the ferromagnetic insulating state of PSMO bulk system. A distinct metal-insulator transition (MIT) temperature around 150 K has been observed in all nanometric samples. The observed insulator to metallic transition with size reduction can be explained with surface polaron breaking model, originates due to enhanced grain surface disorder. This proposed phenomenological polaronic model plays a significant role to understand the polaronic destabilization process on the grain surface regime of these phase separated nano-mangnatie systems. Temperature dependent resistivity and magnetoresistance data in presence of external magnetic fields are investigated in details with various compatible models.

Gd and Nd co-doped ceria nanocrystalline materials [Ce 0.9 Gd 0.1-x Nd x O 1.95 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.1)] were successfully prepared through citrate–nitrate auto-ignition method. Rietveld refinement of the X-ray diffraction profiles was performed to get detailed microstructural information of the prepared samples. It had been found that with an increase of Nd concentration, the lattice parameter and average Ce O bond distance increased. The average crystallite size, calculated from XRD was in good agreement with the transmission electron microscopy result. It was observed that, co-doped ceria showed slightly higher conductivity than the single doped with the same dopant concentration. The grain boundary conductivity was found to be higher than the grain interior conductivity. The increase in dielectric loss tangent value and shifting of the peak frequency with temperature indicated a thermally activated relaxation process which was found corresponding to defect pairs. The correlation between structural and dielectric properties of the samples was established.

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) splicing has to be strictly controlled to ensure the balanced production of the unspliced and all differently spliced viral RNAs. Splicing at the major 59 splice site (59ss) that is used for the synthesis of all spliced RNAs is modulated by the local RNA structure and binding of regulatory SR proteins. Here, we demonstrate that the suboptimal sequence complementarity between this 59ss and U1 small nuclear RNA (snRNA) also contributes to prevent excessive splicing. Analysis of a large set of HIV-1 sequences revealed that all three regulatory features of the 59ss region (RNA structure, SR protein binding and sequence complementarity with U1 snRNA) are highly conserved amongst virus isolates, which supports their importance. Combined mutations that destabilize the local RNA structure, remove binding sites for inhibitory SR proteins and optimize the U1 snRNA complementarity resulted in almost complete splicing and accordingly reduced virus replication.

Purpose of review This review summarizes recent findings concerning the ever-growing HIV-1 RNA population. Recent findings The retrovirus HIV-1 has an RNA genome that is converted into DNA and is integrated into the genome of the infected host cell. Transcription from the long terminal repeat-encoded promoter results in the production of a full-length genomic RNA and multiple spliced mRNAs. Recent experiments, mainly based on next-generation sequencing, provided evidence for several additional HIV-encoded RNAs, including antisense RNAs and virus-encoded microRNAs. Summary We will survey recent findings related to HIV-1 RNA biosynthesis, especially regulatory mechanisms that control initiation of transcription, capping and polyadenylation. We zoom in on the diversity of HIV-1 derived RNA transcripts, their mode of synthesis and proposed functions in the infected cell. Special attention is paid to the viral transacting responsive RNA hairpin motif that has been suggested to encode microRNAs

Multistation and multi-technique observation of equatorial ionospheric irregularities from locations over the magnetic equator through the northern crest of the Equatorial Ionization Anomaly (EIA) and beyond is one of the important objectives of the Indian CAWSES program. For this purpose, multistation observational campaign was conducted during September 2011, April 2012 and September 2012 involving GPS TEC and S 4 from Calcutta situated virtually underneath the northern crest of the EIA, and GPS S 4 measurements from Siliguri, located beyond the northern crest of the EIA. Intense amplitude scintillation observations have been noted around midnight and post-midnight hours on certain GPS links located north of Siliguri with no scintillation patches during pre-midnight period. Satellite links experiencing scintillations from Siliguri were unaffected at Calcutta. Day-to-day variability has been noted in the maximum northern observation of GPS scintillations at different S 4 levels from both Calcutta and Siliguri. Simultaneous observations from Siliguri and Calcutta indicate that post-midnight GPS amplitude scintillations are possibly associated with interaction of traveling ionospheric disturbances from mid-latitudes towards the equator, with transionospheric GPS links contrary to early evening hours when such movement are usually from over the magnetic equator towards the northern and southern crests of EIA. The present paper reports three cases of ionospheric irregularity tracking using the above stations on September 25, 2012, April 12, 2012 and September 11, 2011, all magnetically quiet days. Information related to the variabilities of latitudinal extent of scintillation observations along 88°E meridian at different times during 13–19 UT and different levels of intensities of scintillation could provide useful information for transionospheric satellite link design and Satellite-based Augmentation System (SBAS).

Polyserositis is defined as general inflammation of serous membranes associated with serous effusion due to many causes. In this case, we report polyserositis as a complication of connective tissue disorder. A 56-year-old female with a history of hypertension, hypothyroidism, and bipolar disorder having dyspnea along with pleural effusion which was repeatedly tapped and treated on suspicion of tuberculosis. She became better on steroid treatment and her respiratory distress resolved.

This study was done to find out the maternal risk factors associated with congenital anomaly. This cross-sectional observational study was carried out in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh from January 2011 to December 2011. During this study period 78 patients had pregnancy with congenital anomaly and delivered in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Women with ultrasound report of congenitally abnormal fetus irrespective of gestational age were included. Clinical evaluation of neonates was done by experienced neonatologist. The frequency of congenital anomaly was 3.46%. Most of the women belong to age35 years (97.43%). Congenital anomalies more commonly were seen in the primiparas (64.10%). Most frequent associated risk factor was the history of abortions (35.89%). Maternal infections during antenatal period were also high (15.58%). There were 58 males (74.35%) and 20 females (25.64%). There was positive history of delivery of congenital abnormal babies in 6 cases (7.6%). Mothers of eight cases (10.25%) had history of drug ingestion during pregnancy. Four cases (5.12%) of mothers had hypothyroidism and 6 cases of mothers (7.69%) had diabetes mellitus respectively.

Continuous hyperfractionated accelerated radiotherapy (CHART) remains an option to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC; NICE, 2011). We have previously published treatment outcomes from 1998-2003 across five UK centres. Here we update the UK CHART experience, reporting outcomes and toxicities for patients treated between 2003 and 2009.UK CHART centres were invited to participate in a retrospective data analysis of NSCLC patients treated with CHART from 2003 to 2009. Nine (of 14) centres were able to submit their data into a standard database. The Kaplan-Meier method estimated survival and the Log-rank test analysed the significance.In total, 849 patients had CHART treatment, with a median age of 71 years (range 31-91), 534 (63%) were men, 55% had undergone positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) and 26% had prior chemotherapy; 839 (99%) patients received all the prescribed treatment. The median overall survival was 22 months with 2 and 3 year survival of 47% and 32%, respectively. Statistically significant differences in survival were noted for stage IA versus IB (33.2 months versus 25 months; P = 0.032) and IIIA versus IIIB (20 months versus 16 months; P = 0.018). Response at 3 months and outcomes were significantly linked; complete response showing survival of 34 months against 19 months, 15 months and 8 months for partial response, stable and progressive disease, respectively (P 0.001). Age, gender, performance status, prior chemotherapy and PET-CT did not affect the survival outcomes. Treatment was well tolerated with5% reporting ≥grade 3 toxicity.In routine practice, CHART results for NSCLC remain encouraging and we have been able to show an improvement in survival compared with the original trial cohort. We have confirmed that CHART remains deliverable with low toxicity rates and we are taking a dose-escalated CHART regimen forward in a randomised phase II study of sequential chemoradiotherapy against other accelerated dose-escalated schedules.

Introduction: Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy (LC) is the most frequently performed elective daycare surgery and provision of postoperative pain relief is of importance. After laparoscopic cholecystectomy shoulder and abdominal pain causes considerable distress. Visceral pain during coughing, respiration and mobilization increases morbidity, hospital stay and costs. Aim: To compare the analgesic efficacy of intraperitoneally instilled equipotent concentrations of bupivacaine and ropivacaine versus placebo in relieving postoperative pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy when used as a part of multimodal analgesia. Materials and Methods: In this randomised, prospective, double blind, placebo controlled study, 90 ASA Class I or II patients were randomly divided into three groups of 30 each. Group S received intraperitoneal infiltration with 35 ml of 0.9% normal saline, Group B with 35 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine and Group R with 35 ml of 0.375% ropivacaine. All groups received standard general endotracheal anaesthesia and analgesia with IV paracetamol 15 mg/kg and diclofenac 1.5 mg/kg. Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) score of analgesia at rest and on cough/movement, duration of analgesia, haemodynamic parameters, need for a rescue analgesic (IV tramadol 1 mg/kg) was recorded and adverse effects of procedure and drugs if any were monitored. Data was analysed with SPSS statistical software version 21.0. One way ANOVA or the Kruskal–Wallis test was used to compare continuous data across all three groups as appropriate. Subsequent analysis of continuous data between two groups was achieved by Tukey’s post hoc test. Significance was accepted as p

Multiferroic composite structures, i.e., composites of magnetostrictive and piezoelectric materials, can be envisioned to achieve the goal of strong room-temperature ME coupling for real practical device applications. Magnetic materials with high magnetostriction, high Neel temperature (TN), high resistivity and large magnetization are required to observe high ME coupling in composite structures. In continuation of our investigations on suitable magnetic candidates for multiferroic composite structures, we have studied the crystal structure, dielectric, transport, and magnetic properties of Co0.65Zn0.35Fe2O4 (CZFO). Rietveld refinement of X-ray diffraction patterns confirms the phase purity with a cubic crystal structure with the (Fdm) space group; however, we have found a surprisingly large magneto-dielectric anomaly at the Neel temperature, unexpected for a cubic structure. The presence of mixed valences of Fe2+/Fe3+ cations is probed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), which supports the catonic ordering-mediated large dielectric response. Large dielectric permittivity dispersion with a broad anomaly is observed in the vicinity of the magnetic phase transition temperature (TN) of CZFO suggesting a strong correlation between dielectric and magnetic properties. The evidence of strong spin-polaron coupling has been established from temperature dependent dielectric, ac conductivity and magnetization studies. The ferrimagnetic–paramagnetic phase transition of CZFO has been found at ∼640 K, which is well above room temperature. CZFO exhibits low loss tangent, a high dielectric constant, large magnetization with soft magnetic behavior and magnetodielectric coupling above room temperature, elucidating the possible potential candidates for multiferroic composite structures as well as for multifunctional and spintronics device applications.

In this work, the variation of optical properties in the AlGaN/GaN quantum well after thermal annealing is studied. The potential profile change of the quantum well resulting from the interdiffusion of Ga and Al atoms across the interface of the well and the barrier during the thermal treatments is assumed to follow Fick’s law. The results show that the thermal annealing can induce an increase of the optical susceptibilities in the AlGaN/GaN quantum well. However the third-order nonlinear optical susceptibilities are red shifted with increasing in diffusion lengths.

Effect of both positive and negative dc electric fields on the Al0.3Ga0.7N/GaN/Al0.3Ga0.7 N heterojnuctions based single quantum well is studied through the Stark shifted energy levels and resonance widths which are related to tunneling rates. The built-in electric field in the quantum well is calculated using the polarizations due to spontaneous and piezoelectric fields. The results show that a high positive electric field is needed for tunneling under positive electric field over come to negative direction of the built-in electric field. The tunneling under negative bias can take place at lower field since both the negative electric field and internal electric field are in the same direction.

Introduction Adenoidectomy is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures in children. Conventional adenoidectomy is associated with incomplete adenoid tissue removal with persistence of symptoms. The advent of rigid nasal endoscopes, cold light source, fiber optics and powered instruments used in functional endoscopic sinus surgery helped in the development of endoscopic microdebrider-assisted adenoidectomy. Aim To establish the safety and efficacy of combined conventional and endoscopic microdebrider-assisted adenoidectomy procedure. Materials and methods This is a prospective study of 60 child patients who underwent combined conventional and endoscopic microdebrider-assisted adenoidectomy. The study was conducted from September 2013 to September 2015. Only child patients with grade 3 and grade 4 Adenoid Hypertrophy (AH) was included in the study. At the end of conventional adenoidectomy and after combined procedure, the AH was graded again. Post-operative complications like neck pain, hypernasality and swallowing problems were noted. Their symptom score was reviewed before surgery and after one month and one year of surgery. The duration of surgery and amount of blood loss was recorded. Results By this technique, complete clearance of adenoid tissue was obtained in all 60 (100%) cases. The mean pre-operative symptom score for AH was 3.7, which improved to 0 after one month of combined conventional and endoscopic microdebrider-assisted adenoidectomy. All child patients were symptom-free at the end of one month and one year. The duration of conventional adenoidectomy was 5 minutes 12 seconds while total duration of the combined conventional and endoscopic microdebrider-assisted adenoidectomy was 14 minutes 45 seconds. There was no significant blood loss (15±3 ml approximately). There were no major complications in this study. Conclusion The combined approach of conventional curette along with endoscopic microdebrider-assisted adenoidectomy is a safe and effective method for complete and accurate removal of large adenoids.

The invariance of the standard model (SM) under the CPT transformation predicts equality of particle and antiparticle masses. This prediction is tested by measuring the mass difference between the top quark and antiquark (Δmt=mt−mt‾) that are produced in pp collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 8 TeV, using events with a muon or an electron and at least four jets in the final state. The analysis is based on data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 19.6 fb−1collected by the CMS experiment at the LHC, and yields a value of Δmt=−0.15±0.19(stat)±0.09(syst) GeV, which is consistent with the SM expectation. This result is significantly more precise than previously reported measurements. © 2017 The Author(s)

Detailed temperature dependent magnetic and transport properties of electron doped Sm0.09Ca0.91MnO3 nanomanganite exhibiting Griffiths phase (GP) have been investigated. A GP-like behavior having ferromagnetic spin correlation above ferromagnetic transition temperature (TC) without any spontaneous magnetization has been observed in this nanomanganite. Moreover, in this electron doped nanomanganite, the experimental large effective magnetic moment and deviation of the inverse susceptibility from Curie–Weiss law clearly indicate the possible existence of GP. The complex non-linear ac susceptibilities (2nd and 3rd harmonics) have also been studied to explore the role of nature of disorder in the GP phenomenon. The transport measurements yield a ferromagnetic insulating ground state exhibiting colossal magneto resistance (CMR) near the ferromagnetic transition temperature. It has also been reported that the temperature dependent average spin moment at the hopping site and the ferromagnetic phase fraction bear the signature of the onset of GP.

The effect of mechanical stress on the electrical properties of Ag/silica nano-composite sol–gel films, fabricated using an ultra-violet (UV) photo-reduction process, is studied over a large range of Ag volume fractions, φ. The ability to finely tune φ in situ by varying the UV exposure time enables the direct identification of the critical volume fraction, φ* ≈ 13.1%, around which the resistance changes by 6 orders of magnitude and the average piezoresistive gage factor, , peaks at 4330. is orders of magnitude larger than that of bulk silicon and φ* is close to the value expected for percolation in 3 dimensions. It is shown experimentally that this giant piezoresistance is the result of a stress-induced change in the average Ag cluster size that significantly modifies the sample resistance when φ ∼ φ*. In terms of the potential use of any composite material as a sensitive strain sensor, a sensor figure-of-merit (F) that accounts for both and for the measured, expected divergence in resistance fluctuations close to φ* is defined. It is shown that maximum F is achieved in composites slightly to the metallic side of the percolation transition. In the case studied here, the maximum value of F, which is 5–10 times larger than that measured on commercial strain gages under the same conditions, is obtained for φ ≈ 13.4%. The ability to finely tune φ in-situ therefore suggests that Ag/silica nano-composites could be the basis for a highly sensitive, low power, strain sensing technology.

We have prepared nanotubular composite of polyaniline with cobalt from the reverse micelle of sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate and n-hexane. Samples are characterized with characterized by X-ray diffractometer (XRD), transmission electron microscopy, field emission scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier transformed-infrared spectrums (FTIR), thermo gravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimeter, and vibrating sample magnetometer. XRD patterns shows metastable e-cobalt phase in the composite. Tube like morphology with average diameter of 25–35 nm and length up to 1 µm is obtained. Peak assignment of FTIR spectrum reveals that green solid material is polyaniline and incorporation of cobalt in polyaniline matrix leads structural change. EDS also indicates the presence of cobalt in the nanocomposite. Enhancement in thermal stability is obtained for nanocomposite. Superparamagnetism is obtained in the nanocomposite from dc magnetic measurement and ac susceptibility measurement. POLYM. COMPOS. 36:489–496, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers

Characterization and evaluation of land resources of Mawryngkneng block was carried out using IRS-P6 LISS III and LISS-IV data. Five major physiographic units namely structural hills, denudational hills, plateau and intermontane valley were identified. Visual interpretation of satellite data indicated that 32.2% of the total geographical area (TGA) is under dense forest followed by wastelands (28.8%), open forest (16.1%), cultivated area (13.6%), built up area (8.2%) and water body (0.9%). Ten soil series were tentatively identified and the soils belonged to 2 orders (Ultisols and Alfisols), 3 sub orders (Udult, Udalf and Humult), 6 great groups, 8 sub groups. The soils are moderately acidic, deep to very deep and texture varies from sandy clay loam to clay. The soils are very rich in organic carbon. The availability of nitrogen is medium to high and phosphorus availability is low to medium whereas potassium availability is low in the entire study area. The soils were grouped into land capability class II & III and the soils were moderately to marginally suitable for orange and marginally suitable for pine apple. An action plan with suggested land use and interventions has been prepared by using all land resource information generated under the study. The action plan includes areas for afforestation, intensive cultivation in the existing cropped areas with soil conservation measures like mulching, zero tillage etc. and orange and pine apple plantation in open scrub lands which are cultivable wastelands. This might help the farmers and the planner in better management of land resources for sustained productivity.

A new thiosemicarbazone based-sorbent matrix with sensitive selectivity and accurate spectrophotometric method was proposed for the determination of vanadium (IV) using thiophene-2- carboxaldehyde thiosemicarbazone. In our earlier paper we have reported the synthesis, complexetion and analytical data of the sorbent material. It is also characterized by FAB-Mass, IR-spectra, UV-Vis spectroscopy and magnetic behaviour. In the present work we report here the advantages for using thiophene-2- carboxaldehyde thiosemicarbazone as a reagent for the spectrophotometric determination of vanadium (IV). Several extractive parameters that considered for the extraction such as pH, contact time, effect of temperature, effect of diverse ions, effect of metal ion concentration and desorption of the metal ion were studied, The results showed that the sorbent material has a special selectivity and high adsorption capacity for vanadium (IV) from aqueous samples. The quantitative recovery of V (IV) was achieved by using 1(M) EDTA solutions. The proposed method has been applied for the determination of vanadium (IV) in different water samples.

The 5′ leader region of the HIV-1 RNA contains the major 5′ splice site (ss) that is used in the production of all spliced viral RNAs. This splice-donor (SD) region can fold a stem-loop structure. We demonstrate that whereas stabilization of this SD hairpin reduces splicing efficiency, destabilization increases splicing. Both stabilization and destabilization reduce viral fitness. These results demonstrate that the stability of the SD hairpin can modulate the level of splicing, most likely by controlling the accessibility of the 5′ss for the splicing machinery. The natural stability of the SD hairpin restricts splicing and this stability seems to be fine-tuned to reach the optimal balance between unspliced and spliced RNAs for efficient virus replication. The 5′ss region of different HIV-1 isolates and the related SIVmac239 can fold a similar structure. This evolutionary conservation supports the importance of this structure in viral replication.

Land evaluation procedure given by FAO for soil site suitability for various land utilization types for rainfed agriculture has been used to assess the land suitability for khasi mandarin orange and pineapple in East Khasi Hills District of Meghalaya. The database on soil and land use/land cover was generated from IRS-P6 remote sensing satellite data, soil survey and laboratory analysis of soil samples to perform an integrated analysis in the Geographic Information System environment. Different soil chemical parameters and physical parameters were considered to evaluate soil site suitability for orange & pineapple. Different thematic layers were derived from soil map by using ArcGIS software. Subsequently all of them were overlaid and integrated in GIS environment and suitability criteria was applied to the resulted composite map and generated land suitability map for orange and pineapple. The result indicated that the soil sites of the study area are highly to marginally suitable for mandarin orange whereas it is marginally suitable for pineapple. The study reveals that highly suitable areas for orange are found in the Cherapunjee and Mawsynram area that covers 34.5 Sq.Km areas. Moderately suitable (37% of TGA) and marginally suitable (24% of TGA) areas are found only because of slope constraint (8%-30% slope). The hills with deep gorges and ravines on the southern portion of the district is found not suitable for orange plantation because of steep slopes (>30%) and stoniness. Land suitability analysis for pineapple showed that 81% area of total geographical area of the district is marginally suitable and 19% area is not suitable to support the crop. The district is marginally suitable because of topography (slope and erosion), soil fertility (base saturation and CEC) and climate.

Eukaryotic cells and several DNA viruses encode miRNAs to regulate the expression of specific target genes. It has been controversial whether RNA viruses can encode such miRNAs as miRNA excision may lead to cleavage of the viral RNA genome. We will focus on the retrovirus family, HIV-1 in particular, and discuss the production of virus-encoded miRNAs and their putative function in the viral replication cycle. An intricate scenario of multi-layer virus-host interactions becomes apparent with small RNAs as the regulatory molecules.

Introduction: Total thyroidectomy is one of the most routinely performed head and neck surgical procedures with extremely low mortality. This procedure has been associated with two major complications such as recurrent laryngeal nerve injury and hypocalcaemia due to parathyroid insufficiency. The use of bipolar electrocautery has not been widely accepted in view of thermal damage to adjacent structures. Aim: To study the outcomes and complications of capsular dissection technique along with use of bipolar electrocautery in total thyroidectomy. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted from May 2013 to May 2016. The study was performed at Department of ENT Otorhinolayngology, DM WIMS Hospital, Wayanad, Kerala, India. This retrospective descriptive study analysed the outcome of 130 patients who underwent total thyroidectomy by capsular dissection technique along with use of bipolar electrocautery for cauterization of vascular pedicles, at our institution over a 3 year period. Results: The incidence of permanent unilateral vocal cord palsy was 1.5% and permanent hypocalcaemia was 2.3%. There was no case of haemorrhage or haematoma in this study. Conclusion: Total thyroidectomy by capsular dissection technique along with the use of bipolar electrocautery has very low incidence of recurrent laryngeal nerve and parathyroid injury, as per our data. Hence, we recommend this technique along with routine use of bipolar electrocautery for total thyroidectomy.