Observational Constraints on Axion(s) with a Cosmological Constant

The present work deals with a dark energy model that has an oscillating scalar field potential along with a cosmological constant (CC). The oscillating part of the potential represents the contribution of a light axion field in the dark energy that has its origin in the String-Axiverse scenario. The model has been confronted with the latest cosmological observations. The results show that a sub-Planckian value of the axion field decay constant is consistent at 1$\sigma$ confidence level. The oscillating feature in the scalar field evolution and in the equation of state for the dark energy can be observed at 2$\sigma$ confidence interval. It is also observed that cluster number counts in this axion model are suppressed compared to the $\Lambda$CDM and this suppression is enhanced for the sub-Planckian values for the axion decay constant.Comment: 18 pages, LateX style. Comments welcom

Supersolid Stacks in Antidipolar Bose-Einstein Condensates

We theoretically investigate a novel supersolid structure taking the form of stacked, disk-shaped superfluid droplets connected via a dilute superfluid, in an antidipolar condensate. A phase diagram is determined for varying the particle number and scattering length, identifying the regions of a regular dipolar superfluid, supersolid stacks, and isolated stacked disk-shaped droplets in an experimentally realizable trapping potential. The collective Bogoliubov excitation spectrum across the superfluid-supersolid phase transition is studied, and the transition point is found to be associated with the breaking of the degeneracy of the two lowest-lying modes. The dynamical generation of the supersolid stacks is also investigated by ramping down the scattering length across the phase transition. Moreover, we have studied the impact of vortex-line penetration on the phase transition. We have found that the presence of a vortex line causes the supersolid region to move towards weaker contact interactions. Our detailed numerical simulations highlight that an antidipolar condensate can create such supersolid stacks within an experimentally reachable parameter regime.Comment: 12 pages, 9 figure

Role of Androgens in Cardiovascular Diseases in Men: A Comprehensive Review

The present knowledge on the androgens role in cardiovascular physiology is not fully completed. It remains unclear whether low serum testosterone concentrations in men are an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) or a marker of the presence of CVD. However, we demonstrated that endogenous testosterone levels may be implicated in CVDs. Androgens role in modulating cardiovascular function is one of the highest importances, given that its deficiency is strongly associated with hypertension, atherosclerosis, diabetes, obesity, and cardiac hypertrophy. Although significant and independent association between testosterone levels and cardiovascular events in elderly men have not been confirmed in large prospective studies, cross-sectional studies, however, suggested that low testosterone levels in elderly men are associated with CVDs. The results of androgen therapy are not also conclusive. Perhaps, the effects of testosterone treatment of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity have not been extensively examined in control studies. Data on male animal experimentation of the effect of testosterone replacement therapy are either neutral or beneficial on the development of atherosclerosis. Since circulatory androgen levels modulation is expected to cause many other side effects, it seems to be essential to develop a strategy to target androgen receptor for better treating the CVDs

Synthesis of amine functionalized graphite nanosheets and their water-soluble derivative for drug loading and controlled release

A facile route to synthesize amine (–NH2) functionalized graphite nanosheets (AFGNS) by 2-step controlled chemical modification of microcrystalline graphite is described. The method begins with nitration by mixed acid (HNO3 : H2SO4 in 1 : 1 v/v ratio), followed by reduction with Na2S to form AFGNS. The AFGNS was reacted with carboxylic acid-terminated polyethylene glycol (PEG) chains (MeO–mPEG–COOH, MW = 5000 Da) in the presence of a carbodiimide coupling agent to obtain a water-soluble PEGylated AFGNS (P-AFGNS) composite. Anticancer drug doxorubicin (DOX) was loaded on this composite with a loading capacity of 0.296 mg mg−1 for an initial concentration of 0.232 mg mL−1 DOX and 0.136 mg mL−1 of P-AFGNS and the release of DOX from this water-soluble DOX loaded P-AFGNS composite at two different temperatures was found to be strongly pH dependent

Irreversible Hemichorea–Hemiballism in a Case of Nonketotic Hyperglycemia Presenting as the Initial Manifestation of Diabetes Mellitus

Background: Hemichorea–hemiballism (HCHB) is a hyperkinetic movement disorder with features of both chorea and ballism occurring on the same side. Case report: We present a case of HCHB due to nonketotic hyperglycemia (NKH) that was the initial presentation of diabetes and was irreversible clinically even after 6 months of optimal blood sugar control. Discussion: Although HCHB due to hyperglycemia is a potentially reversible condition in the majority of patients, prolonged uncontrolled hyperglycemia may cause ischemic insult and persistent symptoms. Hyperglycemia should always be kept in the list of differentials while dealing with patients who are newly diagnosed with HCHB