Oscillations in active region fan loops: Observations from EIS/{\it Hinode} and AIA/SDO

Active region fan loops in AR 11076 were studied, in search of oscillations, using high cadence spectroscopic observations from EIS on board Hinode combined with imaging sequences from the AIA on board SDO. Spectra from EIS were analyzed in two spectral windows, \FeXII 195.12 \AA and \FeXIII 202.04 \AA along with the images from AIA in 171 \AA and 193 \AA channels. We find short ($<$3 min) and long ($\approx$9 min) periods at two different locations. Shorter periods show oscillations in all the three line parameters and the longer ones only in intensity and Doppler shift but not in line width. Line profiles at both these locations do not show any visible blue-shifted component and can be fitted well with a single Gaussian function along with a polynomial background. Results using co-spatial and co-temporal data from AIA/SDO do not show any significant peak corresponding to shorter periods, but longer periods are clearly observed in both 171 \AA and 193 \AA channels. Space-time analysis in these fan loops using images from AIA/SDO show alternate slanted ridges of positive slope, indicative of outward propagating disturbances. The apparent propagation speeds were estimated to be 83.5 $\pm$ 1.8 \kms and 100.5 $\pm$ 4.2 \kms, respectively, in the 171 \AA and 193 \AA channels. Observed short period oscillations are suggested to be caused by the simultaneous presence of more than one MHD mode whereas the long periods are suggested as signatures of slow magneto-acoustic waves. In case of shorter periods, the amplitude of oscillation is found to be higher in EIS lines with relatively higher temperature of formation. Longer periods, when observed from AIA, show a decrease of amplitude in hotter AIA channels which might indicate damping due to thermal conduction owing to their acoustic nature.Comment: Accepted for publication in Solar Physic

Productivity and economics of castor (Ricinus communis) – based intercropping systems under rainfed conditions

A field experiment was conducted during rainy season of 2006 to 2009 at Dryland Research Farm of Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar with the objective to assess the productivity of castor (Ricinus communis L.) in various plant geometries and to see the feasibility of growing various intercrops in castor under rainfed conditions. Fourteen treatments consisting of castor sole at 75 cm and 90 cm, castor paired at 60:90 cm and 60:120 cm, intercropping of 1 row of greengram, moth bean, clusterbean, cowpea and pearl millet in castor paired row system of 60:90 cm and intercropping of 2 rows of greengram, moth bean, clusterbean, cowpea and pearl millet in castor paired row system of 60:120 cm were tested in randomized block design with three replications. Intercropping of 2 rows of greengram in 60:120 cm castor paired row system gave significantly higher castor equivalent yield (1.35 tonnes/ha), net returns (Rs 9 674/ha), benefit: cost ratio (1.63), monetary advantage index (2 345) and income equivalent ratio (1.71). Also, intercropping of 1 row of greengram in 60:90 cm castor paired row system was found to be more productive and remunerative than moth bean, clusterbean, cowpea and pearl millet intercropping systems. Intercropping of green gram in paired row planting system of castor either in 1 or 2 rows was found superior than other intercrops in terms of biological parameters like land equivalent ratio, area time equivalent ratio and relative crowding co-efficient

Chebyshev Type Inequalities Involving the Fractional Integral Operator Containing Multi-Index Mittag-Leffler Function in the Kernel

Recently, several authors have investigated Chebyshev type inequalities for numerous fractional integral operators. Being motivated by the work done by earlier researchers and their numerous applications in probability, transform theory, numerical quadrature, statistical problems and its significance in fractional boundary value problems. We aim to evaluate Chebyshev type inequalities involving fractional integral operator containing multi-index Mittag-Leffler function in the kernel. Admissible connections of the results mentioned in this article to those associated with previously established familiar fractional integral operators have been pointed out

The bisphosphonate, zoledronic acid, induces apoptosis of breast cancer cells: evidence for synergy with paclitaxel

Bisphosphonates are well established in the management of breast-cancer-induced bone disease. Recent studies have suggested that these compounds are effective in preventing the development of bone metastases. However, it is unclear whether this reflects an indirect effect via an inhibition of bone resorption or a direct anti-tumour effect. The breast cancer cell lines, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells were treated with increasing concentrations of the bisphosphonate, zoledronic acid, for varying time periods, in the presence or absence of paclitaxel. The effects of zoledronic acid were determined by assessing cell number and rate of apoptosis by evaluating changes in nuclear morphology and using a fluorescence nick translation assay. Zoledronic acid caused a dose- and time-dependent decrease in cell number (P< 0.001) and a concomitant increase in tumour cell apoptosis (P< 0.005). Short-term exposure to zoledronic acid was sufficient to cause a significant reduction in cell number and increase in apoptosis (P< 0.05). These effects could be prevented by incubation with geranyl geraniol, suggesting that zoledronic acid-induced apoptosis is mediated by inhibiting the mevalonate pathway. Treatment with zoledronic acid and clinically achievable concentrations of paclitaxel resulted in a 4–5-fold increase in tumour cell apoptosis (P< 0.02). Isobologram analysis revealed synergistic effects on tumour cell number and apoptosis when zoledronic acid and paclitaxel were combined. Short-term treatment with zoledronic acid, which closely resembles the clinical setting, has a clear anti-tumour effect on breast cancer cells. Importantly, the commonly used anti-neoplastic agent, paclitaxel, potentiates the anti-tumour effects of zoledronic acid. These data suggest that, in addition to inhibiting bone resorption, zoledronic acid has a direct anti-tumour activity on breast cancer cells in vitro. © 2001 Cancer Research Campaign http://www.bjcancer.co

Randomized phase II study investigating pazopanib versus weekly paclitaxel in relapsed or progressive urothelial cancer

Purpose: Two previous single-arm trials have drawn conflicting conclusions regarding the activity of pazopanib in urothelial cancers after failure of platinum-based chemotherapy. Patients and Methods: This randomized (1:1) open-label phase II trial compared the efficacy of pazopanib 800 mg orally with paclitaxel (80 mg/m2 days 1, 8, and 15 every 28 days) in the second-line setting. The primary end point was overall survival (OS). Results: Between August 2012 and October 2014, 131 patients, out of 140 planned, were randomly assigned. The study was terminated early on the recommendation of the independent data monitoring committee because of futility. Final analysis after the preplanned number of deaths (n = 110) occurred after a median follow-up of 18 months. One hundred fifteen deaths had occurred at the final data extract presented here. Median OS was 8.0 months for paclitaxel (80% CI, 6.9 to 9.7 months) and 4.7 months for pazopanib (80% CI, 4.2 to 6.4 months). The hazard ratio (HR) adjusted for baseline stratification factors was 1.28 (80% CI, 0.99 to 1.67; one-sided P = .89). Median progression-free survival was 4.1 months for paclitaxel (80% CI, 3.0 to 5.6 months) and 3.1 months for pazopanib (80% CI, 2.7 to 4.6 months; HR, 1.09; 80% CI, 0.85 to 1.40; one-sided P = .67). Discontinuations for toxicity occurred in 7.8% and 23.1% for paclitaxel and pazopanib, respectively. Conclusion: Pazopanib did not have greater efficacy than paclitaxel in the second-line treatment of urothelial cancers. There was a trend toward superior OS for paclitaxel

Population pharmacokinetics of a new long-acting recombinant coagulation factor IX albumin fusion protein for patients with severe hemophilia B

Essentials The new recombinant factor IX (FIX) albumin fusion protein (rIX-FP) has a prolonged half-life. A population pharmacokinetic (PK) model was based on FIX activity levels of hemophilia B patients. The model was used to simulate different dosing scenarios of rIX-FP to help guide dosing. The population PK model supported prolonged dosing of rIX-FP with intervals of up to 2 weeks. Click to hear Prof.Makris's presentation on new treatments in hemophilia SUMMARY: Background The recombinant fusion protein linking recombinant coagulation factor IX with recombinant albumin (rIX-FP; Idelvion® ) exhibits a longer half-life than plasma-derived factor IX (FIX) and the commercially available recombinant FIX products. Objectives (i) Characterize the population pharmacokinetics (PK) of rIX-FP in hemophilia B patients, (ii) identify covariates that are potential determinants of rIX-FP PK variability and (iii) simulate different dosing scenarios of rIX-FP following single and steady-state dosing. Patients/Methods A population PK model was developed based on FIX activity levels of 104 patients who had received treatment with rIX-FP. Patients were aged 1-65 years with FIX activity ≤ 2 IU dL-1 . PK sampling was performed for up to 14 days (336 h). Results Simulation of a single intravenous infusion of rIX-FP (25-75 IU kg-1 ) predicted that the median trough exogenous FIX activity levels would remain > 5 IU dL-1 for up to 16 days in adolescents/adults aged ≥ 12 years, up to 12 days in children aged 6 to 5 IU dL-1 for the duration of the dosing interval for the 25, 35 and 40 IU kg-1 weekly regimens and for 75 IU kg-1 every 14 days in adolescents/adults, and for the 35 and 40 IU kg-1 weekly regimens in children. Conclusion The population PK model developed here correlates well with observed clinical data and supports prolonged dosing of rIX-FP with intervals of up to 2 weeks

Detection of short-period coronal oscillations during the total solar eclipse of 24 october, 1995

An experiment to search for short-period oscillations in the solar corona was conducted during the total solar eclipse of 1995 October 24 at Kalpi, India. The intensity in the continuum, centred around 5500 Å and with a passband having a half-width of 240 Å, was recorded at a counting rate of 20 Hz using a thermoelectric-liquid cooled photomultiplier. The power-spectrum analysis of the data reveals that most of the power is contained in 6 frequencies below 0.2 Hz. A least-square analysis gives the periods of the 6 frequency components to be 56.5, 19.5, 13.5, 8.0, 6.1, and 5.3 s. These oscillations are found to be sinusoidal, and their amplitudes are found to lie in the range 0.2-1.3% of the coronal brightness. Assuming these oscillations to be fast magnetosonic modes, the calculations indicate the availability of enough flux for the heating of the active regions in the solar corona