ASASSN-14dq: A fast-declining type II-P Supernova in a low-luminosity host galaxy

Optical broadband (UBVRI) photometric and low-resolution spectroscopic observations of the type II-P supernova (SN) ASASSN-14dq are presented. ASASSN-14dq exploded in a low-luminosity/metallicity host galaxy UGC 11860, the signatures of which are present as weak iron lines in the photospheric phase spectra. The SN has a plateau duration of $\sim\,$90 d, with a plateau decline rate of 1.38 $\rm mag\ (100 d)^{-1}$ in V-band which is higher than most type II-P SNe. ASASSN-14dq is a luminous type II-P SN with a peak $V$-band absolute magnitude of -17.7$\,\pm\,$0.2 mag. The light curve of ASASSN-14dq indicates it to be a fast-declining type II-P SN, making it a transitional event between the type II-P and II-L SNe. The empirical relation between the steepness parameter and $\rm ^{56}Ni$ mass for type II SNe was rebuilt with the help of well-sampled light curves from the literature. A $\rm ^{56}Ni$ mass of $\sim\,$0.029 M$_{\odot}$ was estimated for ASASSN-14dq, which is slightly lower than the expected $\rm ^{56}Ni$ mass for a luminous type II-P SN. Using analytical light curve modelling, a progenitor radius of $\rm \sim3.6\times10^{13}$ cm, an ejecta mass of $\rm \sim10\ M_{\odot}$ and a total energy of $\rm \sim\,1.8\times 10^{51}$ ergs was estimated for this event. The photospheric velocity evolution of ASASSN-14dq resembles a type II-P SN, but the Balmer features (H$\alpha$ and H$\beta$) show relatively slow velocity evolution. The high-velocity H$\alpha$ feature in the plateau phase, the asymmetric H$\alpha$ emission line profile in the nebular phase and the inferred outburst parameters indicate an interaction of the SN ejecta with the circumstellar material (CSM).Comment: 28 pages, 29 figures, Accepted in MNRA

2-Pyrazoline derivatives in neuropharmacology

A novel series of 1,3,5-trisubstituted-2-pyrazoline derivatives (PFC-1 to PFC-16) were synthesized in a three step reaction using conventional and microwave assisted green chemistry approach. The synthesized derivatives were characterized and their chemical structures were established by various physicochemical methods such as IR, Mass, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR and elemental analysis. The synthesized compounds were tested for their neurophar- macological potential. The compounds exhibited significant antidepressant and anti-anxiety activities against var- ious behavioral in vivo models. Compounds PFC-3 and PFC-12 were found to be the most active derivatives in the series. The 2-pyrazoline analogs, having 2-hydroxyphenyl and anthracen-9-yl substitution at 3rd position while 4-benzyloxyphenyl and 4-methylphenyl substitution at 5th position, were decisive in eliciting good antidepressant and anxiolytic properties, respectively. The docking experiments revealed that the synthesized derivatives were potential inhibitors of MAO-A protein, which plays a central role in managing depression and anxiety disorders. The most potent derivatives were found to be involved in some key interactions with Tyr407, Tyr444, Phe352 and Ala68 amino acid residues at the binding site of MAO-A protein. All the synthesized derivatives successfully passed the pharmacokinetic barriers of absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination as predicted using in silico techniques without showing any substantial indication of acute and neurotoxicity. This was further confirmed in the laboratory by performing acute toxicity studies as per OECD guidelines

N1-benzenesulfonyl-2-pyrazoline hybrids in neurological disorders

A novel series of 1,3,5-trisubstituted-2-pyrazolines (5a-5t) was prepared via Claisen Schmidt condensation, followed by heterocyclization with hydrazine hydrate, substitution of N1 hydrogen of 2-pyrazoline nucleus with 4-chlorobenzenesulfonylchloride, applying conventional and green chemistry approaches. Among the two, microwave assisted organic synthesis (MAOS) emerged as a better synthetic tool in terms of faster reaction rate and high yield. Various physicochemical and spectral studies were conducted to characterize the synthesized derivatives including- IR, Mass, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR and elemental analysis. During pharmacological evaluation, compound 5b showed excellent anti-anxiety activity and compound 5k exhibited the best antidepressant effect at the tested doses, 50 and 100 mg/kg b.w., being comparable to diazepam and imipramine, respectively. The docking experiments confirmed the probable mechanism of neuropharmacological action, showing excellent affinity towards MAO-A target protein, which was also evidenced from some of the key interactions with binding site residues Ala68, Tyr69 and Phe352. Furthermore, complimentary in silico pharmacokinetic recital without any potential risk of neurotoxicity (as evaluated by rotarod and actophotometer tests), or carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, reproductive toxicity, acute toxicity and irritancy (as predicted by LAZAR and OSIRIS programs) signified their probable use in depression and anxiety disorders

Volar plating of isolated ulna shaft fractures

Background: Dorsal plating for ulna shaft fracture is a common practice. But this is associated with hardware prominence on the dorsal subcutaneous border of ulna necessitating implant removal on later days. Volar surface of ulna is flat similar to radius volar surface with good muscle cover reducing the problem of hardware prominence. So, we wanted to study the outcome of volar plating of ulnar shaft fractures.  Methods: Ten patients satisfying our inclusion criteria underwent volar plating using volar approach between FCU and ECU and 3.5 DCP was placed on flat volar surface of ulnar shaft under thick muscle cover of FCU and FDP. Results: Out of 10 patients, 7 were acute fractures, 2 were neglected non unions and 1was non-union with implant insitu. Bone graft was used in non-union cases. All fractures united at 6-9 month post op without any complications. Conclusions: Isolated ulnar shaft fractures are common orthopaedic injuries. Displaced fractures require stabilization with dynamic compression plate (DCP). Application of implant on its volar aspect in distal 2/3rd fractures is easy due to flat surface and avoids complications related to hard ware prominence and subsequent need for implant removal

Exclusion of Tiny Interstellar Dust Grains from the Heliosphere

The distribution of interstellar dust grains (ISDG) observed in the Solar System depends on the nature of the interstellar medium-solar wind interaction. The charge of the grains couples them to the interstellar magnetic field (ISMF) resulting in some fraction of grains being excluded from the heliosphere while grains on the larger end of the size distribution, with gyroradii comparable to the size of the heliosphere, penetrate the termination shock. This results in a skewing the size distribution detected in the Solar System. We present new calculations of grain trajectories and the resultant grain density distribution for small ISDGs propagating through the heliosphere. We make use of detailed heliosphere model results, using three-dimensional (3-D) magnetohydrodynamic/kinetic models designed to match data on the shape of the termination shock and the relative deflection of interstellar neutral H and He flowing into the heliosphere. We find that the necessary inclination of the ISMF relative to the inflow direction results in an asymmetry in the distribution of the larger grains (0.1 micron) that penetrate the heliopause. Smaller grains (0.01 micron) are completely excluded from the Solar System at the heliopause.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figures, accepted for publication in the Solar Wind 12 conference proceeding

Evaluation of accuracy of various impression techniques and impression materials in recording multiple implants placed unilaterally in a partially edentulous mandible- An in vitro study

Various factors like implant angulation, type of impression material and tray type affects the implant impression accuracy. To date limited in-vitro studies were carried out on the implant impression accuracy of unilateral partially edentulous arches. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effects of 0o, 15o and 25o implant angulations on impression accuracy in simulated master casts of unilateral partially edentulous situation using different impression materials and tray selections. 30 replicas (N = 30) of a resin matrix (control) containing four implant analogues placed unilaterally from the midline till the region of second molar at an angulation of 00, 00, 150 and 250 to the vertical axis of the ridge respectively were obtained by using three impression techniques (stock metal tray, closed custom tray, and open nonsplinted custom tray) and two different impression materials (Polyvinyl-siloxane and polyether). Specific dimensions of the resultant casts were measured using coordinated measuring microscope. Mean linear changes were calculated and statistically analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey?s post-hoc procedures (p< 0.05). The casts obtained from all three impression techniques had significant differences in dimensions (p<0.05) as compared to that of master model irrespective of impression materials. Comparing the techniques with regard to the parallel implants, no statistical significant difference (p<0.05) was observed with custom tray techniques (closed/open). Whereas while comparing parallel versus non parallel, open tray technique showed superior accuracy compared to closed tray technique as the angulation increased more than 15 degrees. The influence of material and technique appeared to be significant for highly non axial implant angulations (p< 0.05), and increased angulation tended to decrease impression accuracy. The open tray technique was more accurate with highly nonaxially oriented implants for the small sample size investigated

Anisotropic Hubbard model on a triangular lattice -- spin dynamics in Ho Mn O_3

The recent neutron-scattering data for spin-wave dispersion in $\rm Ho Mn O_3$ are well described by an anisotropic Hubbard model on a triangular lattice with a planar (XY) spin anisotropy. Best fit indicates that magnetic excitations in $\rm Ho Mn O_3$ correspond to the strong-coupling limit $U/t > \sim 15$, with planar exchange energy $J=4t^2/U \simeq 2.5$meV and planar anisotropy $\Delta U \simeq 0.35$meV.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure