Fine structure in the {\alpha}-decay of odd-even nuclei

Systematic study on {\alpha}-decay fine structure is presented for the first time in the case of odd-even nuclei in the range 83 \leq Z \leq 101. The model used for the study is the recently proposed Coulomb and proximity potential model for deformed nuclei (CPPMDN), which employs deformed Coulomb potential, deformed two term proximity potential and centrifugal potential. The computed partial half lives, total half lives and branching ratios are compared with experimental data and are in good agreement. The standard deviation of partial half-life is 1.08 and that for branching ratio is 1.21. Our formalism is also successful in predicting angular momentum hindered and structure hindered transitions. The present study reveals that CPPMDN is a unified theory which is successful in explaining alpha decay from ground and isomeric state; and alpha fine structure of even-even, even-odd and odd-even nuclei. Our study relights that the differences in the parent and daughter surfaces or the changes in the deformation parameters as well as the shell structure of the parent and daughter nuclei, influences the alpha decay probability.Comment: 35 pages, 5 figure

Endovascular management of pediatric neurovascular malformations – A single‑center experience from South India

Background: Neurovascular malformations (NVMs) in pediatric population are highly challenging to manage and treatment options include open surgery, endovascular therapy, and radiosurgery or combined. Recently, there has been a gradual shift from conventional surgical approach toward endovascular therapies with increasing availability of technical expertise and gadgetry. Objective: We aimed to study the clinical profile and immediate outcome of children with NVMs, who underwent endovascular therapy. Materials and Methods: This retrospective observational study was conducted in a tertiary care center in South India between February 2017 and August 2018. We included children admitted in pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) with NVM and needed neuroradiological intervention. Children with thromboembolism or other NVMs who did not require intervention were excluded from the study. Data on clinical profile, endovascular procedure done, supportive therapy given, and immediate outcome were collected and analyzed. Results: Of 1615 children admitted in PICU, 13 had NVM (0.8%), of which five had arteriovenous malformation (AVM), three had vein of Galen arteriovenous malformation (VGAM), one had VGAM with dural AVM, one had acquired carotid-cavernous fistula, two had berry aneurysm, and one had mycotic aneurysm. VGAM presented as hydrocephalus, whereas AVM and aneurysm as intracranial hemorrhage. Endovascular embolization was done using platinum detachable coils, onyx, N-butyl cyanoacrylate glue, and coil assist stents. One child needed decompressive craniectomy and another child needed extraventricular drainage. Four children needed pre-procedure ventilation and seven children needed prolonged post-procedure ventilation. Mortality was 15%; and among the survivors, 72% had an uneventful recovery. One child had seizures and two had hemiparesis at discharge. Conclusion: Endovascular management is an effective intervention for pediatric NVM. Multidisciplinary team approach and good pediatric intensive care are important for successful outcome. Further studies with long-term follow-up are needed to assess the durability of endovascular therapy

Decentralised agrobiodiversity conservation: A multi stakeholder participatory experiment

Cultivated plant species and domesticated animal species, including their genetic variants and associated plant and animal diversity, are collectively called ‘agrobiodiversity’. These resources are at risk with the expansion of industrial agriculture, and maintaining locally adapted native seed materials in micro agro-ecosystems will be vital for ensuring crop resilience to climate change. This study narrates the learning experiences of a 3-year participatory project – Networking traditional farmers and local self-governments for agro-biodiversity conservation and Wayanad community seed festival – implemented with local communities and local governments. The aim of the project was to democratise agrobiodiversity conservation efforts through a seed conservation movement in the Wayanad district of Kerala, India

Enzymatic AND Logic Gates Operated Under Conditions Characteristic of Biomedical Applications

Experimental and theoretical analyses of the lactate dehydrogenase and glutathione reductase based enzymatic AND logic gates in which the enzymes and their substrates serve as logic inputs are performed. These two systems are examples of the novel, previously unexplored, class of biochemical logic gates that illustrate potential biomedical applications of biochemical logic. They are characterized by input concentrations at logic 0 and 1 states corresponding to normal and abnormal physiological conditions. Our analysis shows that the logic gates under investigation have similar noise characteristics. Both significantly amplify random noise present in inputs, however we establish that for realistic widths of the input noise distributions, it is still possible to differentiate between the logic 0 and 1 states of the output. This indicates that reliable detection of abnormal biomedical conditions is indeed possible with such enzyme-logic systems.Comment: PDF, 29 page

Static and Dynamic Analysis of Nose Landing Gear

Landing gear is the supporting part of an aircraft or spacecraft, and is used as principle support during takeoff, taxiing and landing. The development of new materials for landing gear is moving at rapid pace. Aerospace engine and airframe designers are constantly seeking lighter weight high strength materials which can accomplish herculean tasks such as Durability, robustness, weight reduction, cost economies, environmental responsibility and also improve performance of aircraft. Even so, steel components in landing gear are being challenged on every level. In this work, a typical landing gear of Boeing aircraft is designed and meshed using ANSYS software tool. Then structural safety, Linear static analysis and Dynamic Analysis are done by using ANSYS software to predict the phenomenon in advance so that the material and geometrical dimensions can be selected wisely. Landing gear is analyzed for the traditional metallic material Titanium 10V-2Fe3Al and new high strength stainless steel MLX17 (X1CrNiMoAlTi12-11-2). At last results of stresses and deformations of different materials are evaluated so as to get the characteristics of a material and also for the selection of materials

Antibody targeting of B7-H4 enhances the immune response in urothelial carcinoma.

Patients with locally advanced and metastatic urothelial carcinoma have a low survival rate (median 15.7 months, 13.1-17.8), with only a 23% response rate to monotherapy treatment with anti-PDL1 checkpoint immunotherapy. To identify new therapeutic targets, we profiled the immune regulatory signatures during murine cancer development using the BBN carcinogen and identified an increase in the expression of the T cell inhibitory protein B7-H4 (VTCN1, B7S1, B7X). B7-H4 expression temporally correlated with decreased lymphocyte infiltration. While the increase in B7-H4 expression within the bladder by CD11

Ultra-broadband shielding of cellulose nanofiber commingled biocarbon functional constructs:A paradigm shift towards sustainable terahertz absorbers

Terahertz (THz) spectrum and technology are envisioned to be a highly promising solution for enabling 6G and beyond wireless networks. This demand coincides with an urgent need to develop efficient electromagnetic interference shields to alleviate electromagnetic pollution in the THz range. Fully bioderived THz shields could be a sustainable solution to transcend towards a biocarbon economy. Herein, we report an environmentally benign and facile approach to fabricating 3D porous ultra-light aerogels and flexible nanopapers from cellulose nanofibers and highly conductive biocarbon fully derived from biomass. These functional constructs showcased excellent broadband THz shielding performance in both sub THz (W band) and THz region (0.4–2.0 THz). The THz shielding effectiveness of a 600 µm thick nanopaper and 3.00 mm aerogel was found to be 46 dB and 70 dB, with superior THz absorption behaviour and minimal reflection of THz signals. The electronic structure and charge transfer properties were examined under an external electric field based on density-functional theory. The results show that the effect of the external electric field induces intramolecular charge transfer from the lower-graphitic sheet to the upper-graphitic sheet of the nanocomposite suitable for THz excitation. Moreover, these sustainable absorbers could deliver similar THz shielding performance compared to graphene foam (74 dB), exemplifying their humungous potential as advanced functional materials for futuristic THz devices

Evaluation of Chikungunya Diagnostic Assays: Differences in Sensitivity of Serology Assays in Two Independent Outbreaks

Chikungunya is a mounting public health concern in many parts of the world. Definitive diagnosis is critical in differentiating the diseases, especially in dengue endemic areas. There are some commercial chikungunya kits and published molecular protocols available, but no comprehensive comparative evaluation of them was performed. Using sera collected in outbreaks caused by two variants of Chikungunya virus (A226 and 226V), we tested 2 commercial IgM tests (CTK lateral flow rapid test and EUROIMMUN IFA) alongside our in-house IgM assays (using both variants of the virus). Sensitivities of 2 published PCR protocols were also evaluated based on RNA standards derived from cell-cultured viruses. The commercial assays had different performances in each outbreak, with CTK's lateral flow test having the best performance in the first outbreak and EUROIMMUN IFA being more sensitive in the second outbreak. Use of the current circulating virus in a test assay improves sensitivity of the MAC-ELISAs. For PCR, a probe-based real time RT-PCR method was found to be 10 times more sensitive than the SYBR Green method. Despite this, the latter protocol is found to be more suitable and cost-effective for our diagnostic laboratory. This evaluation demonstrates the importance of appraisal of commercial kits and published protocols before application of a diagnostic tool in the clinical and operational setting