Study of Intra-Day Flux Distributions of Blazars Using XMM-Newton Satellite

We present a study of the flux distribution of a sample of 15 Intermediate and Low-energy peaked blazars using XMM-Newton observations in a total of 57 epochs on short-term timescales. We characterise the X-ray variability of all of the light curves using excess fractional variability amplitude and found that only 24 light curves in 7 sources are significantly variable. In order to characterise the origin of X-ray variability in these blazars, we fit the flux distributions of all these light curves using Gaussian and lognormal distributions, as any non-Gaussian perturbation could indicate the imprints of fluctuations in the accretion disc, which could be Doppler boosted through the relativistic jets in blazars. However, intra-day variability, as seen in our observations, is difficult to reconcile using disc components as the emissions in such sources are mostly dominated by jets. We used Anderson-Darling (AD) and $\chi^{2}$ tests to fit the histograms. In 11 observations of 4 blazars, namely, ON 231, 3C 273, PKS 0235+164 and PKS 0521-365, both models equally fit the flux distributions. In the rest of the observations, we are unable to model them with any distribution. In two sources, namely, BL Lacertae and S4 0954+650, the lognormal distribution is preferred over the normal distribution, which could arise from non-Gaussian perturbations from relativistic jets or linear Gaussian perturbation in the particle time scale leading to such flux distributions.Comment: Published in Universe Journal on Nov 2nd 2022, 13 pages, 2 image

X-ray Flux and Spectral Variability of Blazar H 2356-309

We present the results of timing and spectral analysis of the blazar H 2356-309 using XMM-Newton observations. This blazar is observed during 13 June 2005-24 December 2013 in total nine observations. Five of the observations show moderate flux variability with amplitude 1.7-2.2 percent. We search for the intra-day variability timescales in these five light curves, but did not find in any of them. The fractional variability amplitude is generally lower in the soft bands than in the hard bands, which is attributed to the energy dependent synchrotron emission. Using the hardness ratio analysis, we search for the X-ray spectral variability along with flux variability in this source. However, we did not find any significant spectral variability on intra-day timescales. We also investigate the X-ray spectral curvature of blazar H 2356-309 and found that six of our observations are well described by the log parabolic model with alpha=1.99-2.15 and beta=0.03-0.18. Three of our observations are well described by power law model. The break energy of the X-ray spectra varies between 1.97-2.31 keV. We investigate the correlation between various parameters that are derived from log parabolic model and their implications are discussed.Comment: 13 pages, 4 figures, published in the special issue "X-Ray Flux and Spectral Variability of Blazars" of Galaxies journa

Association of smoking or tobacco use with ear diseases among men: a retrospective study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Health related behaviour specially smoking and tobacco in any form are major determinants of health and lead to health inequities. Tobacco leads to various health problems including ear, nose and throat diseases.</p> <p>Objective</p> <p>To determine the influence of smoking or tobacco use on ear diseases we performed a retrospective study among men.</p> <p>Method</p> <p>Of 11454 subjects of different age-groups there were 4143 men aged 20-60 years who were evaluated for demographic variables, smoking/tobacco use and middle and internal ear diseases. Descriptive statistics and age adjusted logistic regression analyses were performed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Among the 4143 men, 1739 (42.0%) were smokers or used tobacco. In smokers/tobacco users compared to non-users the age adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for chronic suppurative otitis media were 1.13 (CI 0.96-1.34), acute otitis media 1.16 (CI 0.82-1.64), suppurative otitis media 1.21 (CI 0.79-1.84), otosclerosis 0.97 (CI 0.52-1.33) (p > 0.05) and for overall middle ear diseases was 1.15 (CI 0.99-1.33, p = 0.05). For internal ear diseases the age adjusted odds ratios were for sensorineural hearing loss 1.12 (CI 0.92-1.58), 0.12 (CI 0.42-0.93) for vertigo and tinnitus and overall internal ear diseases were 0.97 (CI 0.77-1.22, p = 0.81). Among men 40-60 years there was a significantly greater risk for both middle ear (OR 1.73, CI 1.29-2.30) and internal ear diseases (OR 1.94, CI 1.24-3.04) (p < 0.001).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Smoking/tobacco use is significantly associated with greater prevalence of middle and internal ear diseases among middle-aged men in India.</p

Psihološki utjecaj koronavirus karantene na opću populaciju: internetsko presječno istraživanje

Purpose: To assess the psychological impact of COVID-19 infection lockdown on the general population. Methods: From 28th April to 4th May 2020, an online survey was conducted using snowballing sampling and invitation through online social media to participate. Socio-demographic and clinical variables were collected. Psychological impact was assessed with the help of self designed questionnaire adapted from DSM-5 Self-Rated Level 1 CCSM-Adult scale. Results: In total, there were 568 responses from different cities / villages of the country. Out of these eight responses were excluded from the study because of lack of consent and final sample size analyzed was 560 (358 male, 202 female). Half of the participants were under 35 years of age, 63.9% were male, 49% have done post graduation and 59.1% were living in nuclear family. Analysis of response revealed presence of a high prevalence of psychiatric symptoms ranging from 5.5 % to 49.3% in the participants. Anxiety symptoms (49.3%), manic symptoms (37.3%) depressive symptoms (36.1%), anger issues (28.6%), somatic symptoms (26.3%) and sleep problems (24.5%) were the most common domains of psychiatric symptomatology reported by participants. Conclusion: Our study provides early evidence of a significant psychological impact of COVID-19 infection and lockdown on common people living in the community indicating a need for quick, comprehensive and longitudinal assessment of mental health needs of the population for early diagnosis and prevention of psychiatric disorders.Svrha: Procijeniti psihološki utjecaj izolacije na opću populaciju za vrijeme COVID-19 infekcije. Metode: Od 28. travnja do 4. svibnja 2020. godine provedeno je online istraživanje korištenjem uzorkovanja snježne kugle i slanjem pozivnica za sudjelovanje putem društvenih mreža. Prikupljene su socio-demografske i kliničke varijable. Psihološki utjecaj procijenjen je uz pomoć vlastitog dizajniranog upitnika prilagođenog prema DSM-5 CCSM-skali za odrasle razine 1 za samoocijenjivanje. Rezultati: Ukupno je bilo 568 odgovora iz različitih gradova/sela unutar zemlje. Osam odgovora isključeno je iz studije zbog nedostatka pristanka te je konačna analizirana veličina uzorka bila 560 (358 muških, 202 ženskih). Polovica sudionika bila je mlađa od 35 godina, 63,9% su bili muškarci, 49% je završilo postdiplomski studij, a 59,1% je živjelo u nuklearnoj obitelji. Analiza odgovora otkrila je prisutnost visoke prevalencije psihijatrijskih simptoma kod sudionika u rasponu od 5,5% do 49,3%. Simptomi anksioznosti (49,3%), manični simptomi (37,3%), depresivni simptomi (36,1%), problemi s bijesom (28,6%), somatski simptomi (26,3%) i problemi sa spavanjem (24,5%) bili su najčešća područja psihijatrijske simptomatologije o kojoj su izvijestili sudionici. Zaključak: Naša studija pruža rane dokaze o značajnom psihološkom utjecaju COVID-19 infekcije i karantene na obične ljude koji žive u zajednici, što ukazuje na potrebu za brzom, sveobuhvatnom i longitudinalnom procjenom potreba mentalnog zdravlja stanovništva te za ranom dijagnozom i prevencijom psihijatrijskih poremećaja

Secular trends in cholesterol lipoproteins and triglycerides and prevalence of dyslipidemias in an urban Indian population

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Coronary heart disease is increasing in urban Indian subjects and lipid abnormalities are important risk factors. To determine secular trends in prevalence of various lipid abnormalities we performed studies in an urban Indian population.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Successive epidemiological Jaipur Heart Watch (JHW) studies were performed in Western India in urban locations. The studies evaluated adults ≥ 20 years for multiple coronary risk factors using standardized methodology (JHW-1, 1993–94, n = 2212; JHW-2, 1999–2001, n = 1123; JHW-3, 2002–03, n = 458, and JHW-4 2004–2005, n = 1127). For the present analyses data of subjects 20–59 years (n = 4136, men 2341, women 1795) have been included. In successive studies, fasting measurements for cholesterol lipoproteins (total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol) and triglycerides were performed in 193, 454, 179 and 252 men (n = 1078) and 83, 472, 195, 248 women (n = 998) respectively (total 2076). Age-group specific levels of various cholesterol lipoproteins, triglycerides and their ratios were determined. Prevalence of various dyslipidemias (total cholesterol ≥ 200 mg/dl, LDL cholesterol ≥ 130 mg/dl, non-HDL cholesterol ≥ 160 mg/dl, triglycerides ≥ 150 mg/dl, low HDL cholesterol <40 mg/dl, high cholesterol remnants ≥ 25 mg/dl, and high total:HDL cholesterol ratio ≥ 5.0, and ≥ 4.0 were also determined. Significance of secular trends in prevalence of dyslipidemias was determined using linear-curve estimation regression. Association of changing trends in prevalence of dyslipidemias with trends in educational status, obesity and truncal obesity (high waist:hip ratio) were determined using two-line regression analysis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Mean levels of various lipoproteins increased sharply from JHW-1 to JHW-2 and then gradually in JHW-3 and JHW-4. Age-adjusted mean values (mg/dl) in JHW-1, JHW-2, JHW-3 and JHW-4 studies respectively showed a significant increase in total cholesterol (174.9 ± 45, 196.0 ± 42, 187.5 ± 38, 193.5 ± 39, 2-stage least-squares regression R = 0.11, p < 0.001), LDL cholesterol (106.2 ± 40, 127.6 ± 39, 122.6 ± 44, 119.2 ± 31, R = 0.11, p < 0.001), non-HDL cholesterol (131.3 ± 43, 156.4 ± 43, 150.1 ± 41, 150.9 ± 32, R = 0.12, p < 0.001), remnant cholesterol (25.1 ± 11, 28.9 ± 14, 26.0 ± 11, 31.7 ± 14, R = 0.06, p = 0.001), total:HDL cholesterol ratio (4.26 ± 1.3, 5.18 ± 1.7, 5.21 ± 1.7, 4.69 ± 1.2, R = 0.10, p < 0.001) and triglycerides (125.6 ± 53, 144.5 ± 71, 130.1 ± 57, 158.7 ± 72, R = 0.06, p = 0.001) and decrease in HDL cholesterol (43.6 ± 14, 39.7 ± 8, 37.3 ± 6, 42.5 ± 6, R = 0.04, p = 0.027). Trends in age-adjusted prevalence (%) of dyslipidemias in JHW-1, JHW-2, JHW-3 and JHW-4 studies respectively showed insignificant changes in high total cholesterol (26.3, 35.1, 25.6, 26.0, linear curve-estimation coefficient multiple R = 0.034), high LDL cholesterol ≥ 130 mg/dl (24.2, 36.2, 31.0, 22.2, R = 0.062), and high low HDL cholesterol < 40 mg/dl (46.2, 53.3, 55.4, 33.7, R = 0.136). Increase was observed in prevalence of high non-HDL cholesterol (23.0, 33.5, 27.4, 26.6, R = 0.026), high remnant cholesterol (40.1, 40.3, 30.1, 60.6, R = 0.143), high total:HDL cholesterol ratio ≥ 5.0 (22.2, 47.6, 53.2, 26.3, R = 0.031) and ≥ 4.0 (58.6, 72.5, 70.1, 62.0, R = 0.006), and high triglycerides (25.7, 28.2, 17.5, 34.2, R = 0.047). Greater correlation of increasing non-HDL cholesterol, remnant cholesterol, triglycerides and total:HDL cholesterol ratio was observed with increasing truncal obesity than generalized obesity (two-line regression analysis p < 0.05). Greater educational level, as marker of socioeconomic status, correlated significantly with increasing obesity (r²men 0.98, women 0.99), and truncal obesity (r²men 0.71, women 0.90).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In an urban Indian population, trends reveal increase in mean total-, non-HDL-, remnant-, and total:HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides and decline in HDL cholesterol levels. Prevalence of subjects with high total cholesterol did not change significantly while those with high non-HDL cholesterol, cholesterol remnants, triglycerides and total-HDL cholesterol ratio increased. Increasing dyslipidemias correlate significantly with increasing truncal obesity and obesity.</p

Magnetic Anomalies in a New Manganocuprate Gd3Ba2Mn2Cu2O12

The manganocuprate compound Gd3Ba2Mn2Cu2O12 (Gd-3222) has been synthesized by conventional solid state reaction method and its magnetic behavior has been studied by dc and ac magnetization (M) and heat capacity (C) measurements as a function of temperature (T). This compound crystallizes in a tetragonal structure (space group I4/mmm). We find that this compound exhibits three magnetic transitions, around 2.5, 4.8 and 9 K, as inferred from dc and ac magnetic susceptibility (chi) data. However, no evidence for a well-defined lambda-anomaly is found in C(T) above 1.8 K, though there is a gradual upturn below about 10 K. An application of a magnetic field results in a peak around 5K, while ac chi appears to show a very weak frequency dependence below 9 K. Isothermal M curve at 1.8 K exhibits a weak hysteresis without any evidence for saturation even at fields as high as 120 kOe. These results imply that this compound undergoes a spin-glass-like freezing at low temperatures, though the exact nature of the magnetic transition at 10 K is not clear. The magnitude of the magnetocaloric effect, as inferred from M and C data, is quite large over a wide temperature range below 50 K peaking around 4 K.Comment: 1 PDF file, 8 Figures, 18 page

Identification and multi-environment validation of resistance to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris in chickpea

Chickpea wilt incited by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris is one of the most important constraints to chickpea production worldwide and best managed through host plant resistance. The aim of this work was to find new sources of resistance to wilt disease and validate their stability across different environments. One-hundred and twenty three lines with wilt incidence <10% were selected from preliminary evaluation of 948 lines including germplasm and breeding lines from the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) for wilt resistance in the sick plot during 2003/2004 crop season at ICRISAT, Patancheru, India. Sixty lines were selected for second round of evaluation (2005/2006) and from those 57 lines were selected for third round of evaluation (2006/2007). In order to validate resistance stability, a Chickpea Wilt Nursery was constituted with 27 lines (7 germplasm accessions, 19 breeding lines and a highly susceptible check) and further tested in multi-location experiment for wilt resistance at 9 locations in India for three years (2007/2008–2009/2010). Variability in wilt incidence due to genetic differences among the genotypes, among the environments, and that due to genotype × environment interaction was highly significant (P < 0.001). Although complete resistance across the locations was not found, the genotype and genotype × environment (GGE) biplot analyses allowed the selection of three breeding lines (ICCV 05527, ICCV 05528 and ICCV 96818) and one germplasm accession (ICC 11322) with moderate level of disease resistance and stable performance across the environments. Genotype × environment (G × E) interaction contributed 36.7% of total variation of the multi-environment evaluation, revealing instability of the phenotypic expression across environments. The identified resistant sources should be useful to chickpea disease resistance breeding programs

Isolation and identification of carotenoid-producing yeast and evaluation of antimalarial activity of the extracted carotenoid(s) against P. falciparum

Plasmodial resistance to a variety of plant-based antimalarial drugs has led toward the discovery of more effective antimalarial compounds having chemical or biological origin. Since natural compounds are considered as safer drugs, in this study, yeast strains were identified and compared for the production of carotenoids that are well-known antioxidants and this metabolite was tested for its antiparasitic activity. Plasmodium falciparum 3D7 strain was selected as the target parasite for evaluation of antimalarial activity of yeast carotenoids using in vitro studies. Data were analyzed by FACS (fluorescence-activated cell sorter) and counted via gold standard Giemsa-stained smears. The extracted yeast carotenoids showed a profound inhibitory effect at a concentration of 10–3 µg/µl and 10−4 µg/µl when compared to β- carotene as control. SYBR Green1 fluorescent dye was used to confirm the decrease in parasitaemia at given range of concentration. Egress assay results suggested that treated parasite remained stalled at schizont stage with constricted morphology and were darkly stained. Non-toxicity of carotenoids on erythrocytes and on human liver hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG2 cells) was shown at a given concentration. This report provides strong evidence for antimalarial effects of extracted yeast carotenoids, which can be produced via a sustainable and cost-effective strategy and may be scaled up for industrial application

Multi-messenger observations of a binary neutron star merger

On 2017 August 17 a binary neutron star coalescence candidate (later designated GW170817) with merger time 12:41:04 UTC was observed through gravitational waves by the Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo detectors. The Fermi Gamma-ray Burst Monitor independently detected a gamma-ray burst (GRB 170817A) with a time delay of ~1.7 s with respect to the merger time. From the gravitational-wave signal, the source was initially localized to a sky region of 31 deg2 at a luminosity distance of 40+8-8 Mpc and with component masses consistent with neutron stars. The component masses were later measured to be in the range 0.86 to 2.26 Mo. An extensive observing campaign was launched across the electromagnetic spectrum leading to the discovery of a bright optical transient (SSS17a, now with the IAU identification of AT 2017gfo) in NGC 4993 (at ~40 Mpc) less than 11 hours after the merger by the One- Meter, Two Hemisphere (1M2H) team using the 1 m Swope Telescope. The optical transient was independently detected by multiple teams within an hour. Subsequent observations targeted the object and its environment. Early ultraviolet observations revealed a blue transient that faded within 48 hours. Optical and infrared observations showed a redward evolution over ~10 days. Following early non-detections, X-ray and radio emission were discovered at the transient’s position ~9 and ~16 days, respectively, after the merger. Both the X-ray and radio emission likely arise from a physical process that is distinct from the one that generates the UV/optical/near-infrared emission. No ultra-high-energy gamma-rays and no neutrino candidates consistent with the source were found in follow-up searches. These observations support the hypothesis that GW170817 was produced by the merger of two neutron stars in NGC4993 followed by a short gamma-ray burst (GRB 170817A) and a kilonova/macronova powered by the radioactive decay of r-process nuclei synthesized in the ejecta