Field-tunable stochasticity in the magnetization reversal of a cylindrical nanomagnet

The nature of magnetization reversal in an isolated cylindrical nanomagnet has been studied employing time-resolved magnetoresistance measurement. We find that the reversal mode is highly stochastic, occurring either by multimode or single-step switching. Intriguingly, the stochasticity was found to depend on the alignment of the driving magnetic field to the long axis of the nanowires, where predominantly multimode switching gives way to single-step switching behavior as the field direction is rotated from parallel to transverse with respect to the nanowire axis.Comment: Accepted in Phys. Rev.

Resistivity noise in crystalline magnetic nanowires and its implications to domain formation and kinetics

We have investigated the time-dependent fluctuations in electrical resistance, or noise, in high quality crystalline magnetic nanowires within nanoporous templates. The noise increases exponentially with increasing temperature and magnetic field, and has been analyzed in terms of domain wall depinning within the Neel-Brown framework. The frequency-dependence of noise also indicates a crossover from nondiffusive kinetics to long-range diffusion at higher temperatures, as well as a strong collective depinning, which need to be considered when implementing these nanowires in magnetoelectronic devices.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figure

Quantitative structure–activity relationship based modeling of substituted indole Schiff bases as inhibitor of COX-2

AbstractWe have performed the quantitative structure activity relationship (QSAR) study for N-1 and C-3 substituted indole shiff bases to understand the structural features that influence the inhibitory activity toward the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzyme. The calculated QSAR results revealed that the drug activity could be modeled by using molecular connectivity indices (0χ, 1χ, 2χ), wiener index (W) and mean wiener index (WA) parameters. The predictive ability of models was cross validated by evaluating the low residual activity, appreciable cross validated r2 values (Rcv2) and leave one out (LOO) technique

Exosome-mediated Transfer of αvβ3 Integrin from Tumorigenic to Nontumorigenic Cells Promotes a Migratory Phenotype.

The αvβ3 integrin is known to be highly upregulated during cancer progression and promotes a migratory and metastatic phenotype in many types of tumors. We hypothesized that the αvβ3 integrin is transferred through exosomes and, upon transfer, has the ability to support functional aberrations in recipient cells. Here, for the first time, it is demonstrated that αvβ3 is present in exosomes released from metastatic PC3 and CWR22Pc prostate cancer cells. Exosomal β3 is transferred as a protein from donor to nontumorigenic and tumorigenic cells as β3 protein or mRNA levels remain unaffected upon transcription or translation inhibition in recipient cells. Furthermore, it is shown that upon exosome uptake, de novo expression of an αvβ3 increases adhesion and migration of recipient cells on an αvβ3 ligand, vitronectin. To evaluate the relevance of these findings, exosomes were purified from the blood of TRAMP mice carrying tumors where the expression of αvβ3 is found higher than in exosomes from wild-type mice. In addition, it is demonstrated that αvβ3 is coexpressed with synaptophysin, a biomarker for aggressive neuroendocrine prostate cancer. IMPLICATIONS: Overall this study reveals that the αvβ3 integrin is transferred from tumorigenic to nontumorigenic cells via exosomes, and its de novo expression in recipient cells promotes cell migration on its ligand. The increased expression of αvβ3 in exosomes from mice bearing tumors points to its clinical relevance and potential use as a biomarker. Mol Cancer Res; 14(11); 1136-46. ©2016 AACR

A comparative study of a bio fuel cell with two different proton exchange membrane for the production of electricity from waste water

In the present study, electricity generation with waste water as substrate was investigated in a two compartment biofuel cell with two different combinations of electrodes and membrane. Two proton exchange membranes namely nafion and agar salt bridge and aluminum as electrode were used in the biofuel cell. It was found that biofuel cells operated with nafion produce maximum voltage 0.504 V with a current density of 0.1 A/m2 whereas in case of agar salt bridge maximum voltage of 0.145 V with a current density of 0.05 A/m2 was obtained. The more voltage produced in case of nafion is attributed to its low resistance for hydrogen ion transport

Influence of naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and integrated nutrient management (INM) on yield and economics attributes of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.)

The present experiment was conducted to study the response of naphthalene acetic acid NAA and integrated nutrient management on yield and yield attributes as well as and economics of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) with four levels of NAA (0 ppm, 25 ppm, 50 ppm and 75 ppm) and five levels of vermicompost (VC) along with RDF (V0-100% Recommended dose of fertilizer i.e. 120:60:60 Kg N P K /ha ), V1-100% N through Vermicompost, V2-75% N through VC + 25% (RDF), V3-50% N through VC + 50% (RDF) , V4-25% N through VC + 75% (RDF), having 20 treatment combinations. The results revealed that the combine application of 50 ppm NAA and 100% N through vermicomposti.e. P2V1 performed well in respect of fruit length (8.73 cm), fruit diameter (1.46 cm) and fruit weight (2.91 g) while the application of NAA 50 ppm + 50% N through vermicompost along with 50% RDF i.e. P2V3 gave significantly (P=0.05) maximum number of fruits/plant (73.86) and fruit yield per hectare (121.20 q) with higher gross income (Rs.2,66,640.00/ ha), net profit (Rs.1,98,946.00/ ha) and benefit - cost ratio (2.94). Therefore, it can be concluded that the combine effect of NAA 50 ppm along with 50 % N through vermicompost +50% inorganic fertilizers (RDF) gave better result regarding growth and yield attributes and also generated maximum gross income, net return and B:C ratio while the next best treatment was application of NAA 75 ppm along with 25 % N through vermicompost + 75 % inorganic fertilizers (RDF)

Identification of a Novel Link between the Protein Kinase NDR1 and TGFβ Signaling in Epithelial Cells

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGFβ) is a secreted polypeptide that plays essential roles in cellular development and homeostasis. Although mechanisms of TGFβ-induced responses have been characterized, our understanding of TGFβ signaling remains incomplete. Here, we uncover a novel function for the protein kinase NDR1 (nuclear Dbf2-related 1) in TGFβ responses. Using an immunopurification approach, we find that NDR1 associates with SnoN, a key component of TGFβ signaling. Knockdown of NDR1 by RNA interference promotes the ability of TGFβ to induce transcription and cell cycle arrest in NMuMG mammary epithelial cells. Conversely, expression of NDR1 represses TGFβ-induced transcription and inhibits the ability of TGFβ to induce cell cycle arrest in NMuMG cells. Mechanistically, we find that NDR1 acts in a kinase-dependent manner to suppress the ability of TGFβ to induce the phosphorylation and consequent nuclear accumulation of Smad2, which is critical for TGFβ-induced transcription and responses. Strikingly, we also find that TGFβ reciprocally regulates NDR1, whereby TGFβ triggers the degradation of NDR1 protein. Collectively, our findings define a novel and intimate link between the protein kinase NDR1 and TGFβ signaling. NDR1 suppresses TGFβ-induced transcription and cell cycle arrest, and counteracting NDR1's negative regulation, TGFβ signaling induces the downregulation of NDR1 protein. These findings advance our understanding of TGFβ signaling, with important implications in development and tumorigenesis

Moving up the Pipeline: Factors Associated with Interest in School Psychology Programs

Despite the growing number of minority students in U.S. public schools, only a small percentage of school psychology graduate students, trainers and practicing school psychologists identify themselves as racial minorities. Analyses were conducted on 512 responses to a national survey that investigated demographic and other qualitative factors that are associated with interest in school psychology master’s and doctoral programs. Additionally, analyses were also conducted to examine demographic differences that exist between undergraduate students interested in PsyD versus PhD school psychology programs. The study aimed to investigate whether there was: (a) a significant relationship between doctoral interest and higher household incomes, higher parental education, and financial support from family to pay for undergraduate or graduate education, (b) a significant relationship between doctoral interest among racially diverse students and higher household incomes and higher parental education, and (c) a significant relationship between interest in PsyD programs and higher household incomes. Results did not support the three proposed hypotheses. However, exploratory analyses supported differential effects of demographic and qualitative factors on interest in types of school psychology programs among White and minority students. Given the novelty of this study in investigating differences between specialist and doctoral interest, additional research is needed to support this study’s findings. Implications for recruitment of diverse individuals and future research are discussed

Assessment of genetic variability among different genotypes of Cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana L.) in India

The field experiment was carried out at the research farm of Horticulture Garden, Bihar Agricultural College, Sabour, Bhagalpur during 2014-15 for assessment of genetic variability among different genotypes of cape gooseberry in India. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with three replications having twelve genotypes. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among genotypes for all the traits studies which suggesting sufficient variability for yield and quality parameters. The overall values of phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) were higher than those of genetic coefficient of variation (GCV). Higher magnitude of GCV and PCV were recorded for fruit per plant percent (33.30 and 36.61) followed by fruit diameter, fruit weight and flowers per branch. The maximum GCV (33.30) and PCV (36.61) were recorded in fruits/plant respectively. The high values of GCV are the indication of excess variability among the genotypes and thus the scope for crop improvement depends on the selection of superior parents for crossing to get better parents for hybridization. In present study, the magnitude of heritability ranged from 37% to 98% indicating that these traits are controlled by additive gene action which is very useful in selection. The traits like plant girth, plant height, inter nodal length, appearance of 50% of flowering, bud break to full bloom, number of flowers per branch, number of fruits set per branch, duration of fruit set to maturity, fruit weight, fruit diameter and number of fruits per plant with high GCV, PCV, heritability and genetic advance as percentage of mean, indicating that these characters are under additive gene effects and more reliable for effective selection