Epitaxial strain modulated electronic properties of interface controlled nickelate superlattice

Perovskite nickelate heterostructure consisting of single unit cell of EuNiO$_3$ and LaNiO$_3$ have been grown on a set of single crystalline substrates by pulsed laser interval deposition to investigate the effect of epitaxial strain on electronic and magnetic properties at the extreme interface limit. Despite the variation of substrate in-plane lattice constants and lattice symmetry, the structural response to heterostructuring is primarily controlled by the presence of EuNiO$_3$ layer. In sharp contrast to bulk LaNiO$_3$ or EuNiO$_3$, the superlattices grown under tensile strains exhibit metal to insulator transition (MIT) below room temperature. The onset of magnetic and electronic transitions associated with the MIT can be further separated by application of large tensile strain. Furthermore, these transitions can be entirely suppressed by very small compressive strain. X-ray resonant absorption spectroscopy measurements reveal that such strain-controlled MIT is directly linked to strain induced self-doping effect without any chemical doping.Comment: Accepted in Phys. Rev.

Passive Energy Recapture in Jellyfish Contributes to Propulsive Advantage over other Metazoans

Gelatinous zooplankton populations are well known for their ability to take over perturbed ecosystems. The ability of these animals to outcompete and functionally replace fish that exhibit an effective visual predatory mode is counterintuitive because jellyfish are described as inefficient swimmers that must rely on direct contact with prey to feed. We show that jellyfish exhibit a unique mechanism of passive energy recapture, which is exploited to allow them to travel 30% further each swimming cycle, thereby reducing metabolic energy demand by swimming muscles. By accounting for large interspecific differences in net metabolic rates, we demonstrate, contrary to prevailing views, that the jellyfish (Aurelia aurita) is one of the most energetically efficient propulsors on the planet, exhibiting a cost of transport (joules per kilogram per meter) lower than other metazoans. We estimate that reduced metabolic demand by passive energy recapture improves the cost of transport by 48%, allowing jellyfish to achieve the large sizes required for sufficient prey encounters. Pressure calculations, using both computational fluid dynamics and a newly developed method from empirical velocity field measurements, demonstrate that this extra thrust results from positive pressure created by a vortex ring underneath the bell during the refilling phase of swimming. These results demonstrate a physical basis for the ecological success of medusan swimmers despite their simple body plan. Results from this study also have implications for bioinspired design, where low-energy propulsion is required

Assesment of Roles and Responsibilities of ASHA workers in Bijapur taluk of Karnataka

The discourse on the ASHA's role centres around three typologies - ASHA as an activist, ASHA as a link worker or facilitator, and ASHA as a community level health care provider. She will counsel women on birth preparedness, importance of safe delivery, breastfeeding and complementary feeding, immunization, contraception and prevention of common infections including Reproductive Tract Infection/Sexually Transmitted Infection (RTIs/STIs) and care of the young child. A cross sectional study was done on 132 ASHA workers selected from 5 random PHCs in Bijapur taluk. Data was collected in a prestructured proforma using interview technique from June to October, 2012. Most of the ASHA workers were not aware about the newer roles and responsibilities been implied on them under various national programmes including the immunization guidelines and schedule. All the ASHA workers were aware about the performance based incentive for the their work in the community and its their right to claim that incentive. Under the cascade model of training to the ASHA, trainings should provide complete knowledge and skills to the trainees within the stipulated time. Quality of training should be enhanced and refresher trainings should be planned regularly

Diarrhoeal disease outbreak in a rural area of Karnataka

Background: Acute diarrhoea is the passage of 3 or more loose or watery stools in the past 24 hours with or without dehydration. Owing to WASH strategy (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) the burden of diarrheal diseases has seen a tremendous decline over the past 2 decades. Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal infection caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio Cholerae. Objectives: 1. To document the factors responsible for the outbreak. 2. To provide recommendations for prevention and control of such outbreaks in future. Methods: After receiving verbal information from district office regarding outbreak of diarrhoeal disease (cholera) in a town of Bijapur district, we independently conducted a cross sectional study in the affected area and collected information regarding no. of people affected since the outbreak, their age and sex distribution. A total of 3802 people were interviewed using a predesigned questionnaire on 28th and 29th July, 2012. We also conducted environmental investigation regarding the source of contamination and collected 2 water samples from drinking water source. Results: All the cases were clustered in the five streets, which were consuming water from contaminated two water tanks. A total of 121 cases of diarrhoea were identified affecting 3.18% of the population. Attack rate of cholera was highest (4.5%) in 25-34 years age group followed by 4.22% in 15-24 years age group. Attack rates was higher among females (3.4%) compared to males (2.9%). Laboratory report stated that water samples were unfit for drinking purpose. V. Cholera (Ogawa serotype) was isolated from water sample. Conclusion: Consumption of contaminated water from a newly dug bore-well had led to the diarrhea outbreak. Lack of sanitation and hygiene had worsened the situation

Altered chemomechanical coupling causes impaired motility of the kinesin-4 motors KIF27 and KIF7.

Kinesin-4 motors play important roles in cell division, microtubule organization, and signaling. Understanding how motors perform their functions requires an understanding of their mechanochemical and motility properties. We demonstrate that KIF27 can influence microtubule dynamics, suggesting a conserved function in microtubule organization across the kinesin-4 family. However, kinesin-4 motors display dramatically different motility characteristics: KIF4 and KIF21 motors are fast and processive, KIF7 and its Drosophila melanogaster homologue Costal2 (Cos2) are immotile, and KIF27 is slow and processive. Neither KIF7 nor KIF27 can cooperate for fast processive transport when working in teams. The mechanistic basis of immotile KIF7 behavior arises from an inability to release adenosine diphosphate in response to microtubule binding, whereas slow processive KIF27 behavior arises from a slow adenosine triphosphatase rate and a high affinity for both adenosine triphosphate and microtubules. We suggest that evolutionarily selected sequence differences enable immotile KIF7 and Cos2 motors to function not as transporters but as microtubule-based tethers of signaling complexes

Neck linker docking is critical for Kinesin-1 force generation in cells but at a cost to motor speed and processivity.

Kinesin force generation involves ATP-induced docking of the neck linker (NL) along the motor core. However, the roles of the proposed steps of NL docking, cover-neck bundle (CNB) and asparagine latch (N-latch) formation, during force generation are unclear. Furthermore, the necessity of NL docking for transport of membrane-bound cargo in cells has not been tested. We generated kinesin-1 motors impaired in CNB and/or N-latch formation based on molecular dynamics simulations. The mutant motors displayed reduced force output and inability to stall in optical trap assays but exhibited increased speeds, run lengths, and landing rates under unloaded conditions. NL docking thus enhances force production but at a cost to speed and processivity. In cells, teams of mutant motors were hindered in their ability to drive transport of Golgi elements (high-load cargo) but not peroxisomes (low-load cargo). These results demonstrate that the NL serves as a mechanical element for kinesin-1 transport under physiological conditions

Establishment of social clubs as a potential tool to educate adolescents living in urban field practice area of Shri BM Patil Medical college, Bijapur

Introduction: Globally half of the new HIV/AIDS cases are among the age group of 15 to 24 years and the greatest hope for changing the course of epidemic lies with the same agegroup. Within this age group, adolescents are more vulnerable to HIV infection as they do not have access to appropriate information or awareness of the dangers of high risk behavior. Objectives: Utilization and Impact of Social Clubs on imparting Knowledge to the Adolescents regarding HIV/ AIDS. Methodology: The study was conducted from Dec 2012 to Nov 2013. Assuming a 30 per cent prevalence of knowledge on HIV/AIDS, 95 per cent confidence interval and 15 per cent allowable error and 10 % dropout rate the calculated sample size was 438 adolescents Results: Out of 438 enrolled adolescents in the social club, 64 per cent participated in vocational training courses (62% girls and 38% boys) and also they participated in recreational activities and AIDS education sessions. The remaining (36%) participated only in recreational activities.88 per cent of adolescents attended more than 75 per cent of educational sessions held while 10 Per cent attended only 50 to 75 per cent of AIDS awareness sessions. Conclusion: The social clubs seem to have potentials to improve HIV/AIDS awareness among adolescents to adopt a healthy lifestyle and can be utilized to address various issues related to adolescents