Theoretical Study of Magnetoelectric Effects in Noncentrosymmetric and Cuprate Superconductors

A century after the discovery of superconductivity at the lab of Kamerlingh Onnes in 1911, it is noticeable that the phenomenon is quite ubiquitous in nature. In addi- tion to a long list of superconducting alloys and compounds, almost half the elements in the periodic table superconduct. By the late seventies, superconductivity was thought to be well understood. This turned out to be a myth, with the discovery of unconventional superconductors that defied Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer (BCS) theory. Cuprates have been the most prominent example among them ever since their discov- ery in 1986 by Bednorz and M ̈uller. Another example of non-compliance with BCS theory lie among noncentrosymmetric superconductors. In this dissertation, mag- netoelectric (ME) effects in these two classes of superconductors have been studied from different perspectives, utilizing Ginzburg-Landau (GL) theory. Even though GL theory was proposed before the BCS theory, it was not given much importance due to its phenomenological nature until Gor’kov proved that it is a limiting form of the microscopic BCS theory. However today, in the absence of any complete microscopic theory to explain superconductivity in unconventional superconductors, Ginzburg- Landau theory is an important tool to move ahead and qualitatively understand the behavior of varied superconducting systems. Noncentrosymmetric superconductors have generated much theoretical interest since 2004 despite been known for long. The absence of inversion symmetry in non- centrosymmetric superconductors allows for extra terms called Lifshitz invariants in the Ginzburg-Landau functional. This leads to magnetoelectric effects that do not exist in centrosymmetric superconductors. One manifestation of this is in the vortex structure in materials with a cubic point group O. In particular, a current is pre- dicted to flow parallel to the applied magnetic field in such a vortex in addition to the usual vortex supercurrents. In this work, we present both analytical and numerical solutions of the Ginzburg-Landau equations that reveal the spatial structure of this current as well as the associated component of the magnetic field for both a single vortex and in the vortex lattice phase near the upper critical field. The discovery of superconductivity in lanthanum barium copper oxide (LBCO) in 1986, was followed by yttrium barium copper oxide (YBCO) in 1987, commenc- ing the era of high temperature superconductivity. The astonishingly rich phase diagram of cuprates includes the pseudogap phase which was earlier thought to be a precursor to superconductivity. Now signatures of broken symmetries have been seen, indicating a true phase transition. Pair density wave (PDW) order has earlier been proposed to account for superconducting correlations and charge density wave (CDW) order in pseudogap phase. There is evidence that the pseudogap phase in the cuprates also breaks time-reversal symmetry. Here we show that pair density wave (PDW) states give rise to a translational invariant nonsuperconducting order param- eter that breaks time-reversal and parity symmetries, but preserves their product. This secondary order parameter has a different origin, but shares the same symme- try properties as a magnetoelectric loop current order that has been proposed earlier in the context of the cuprates to explain the appearance of intracell magnetic or- der. We further show that, due to fluctuations, this secondary loop current order, which breaks only discrete symmetries, can preempt PDW order, which breaks bothcontinuous and discrete symmetries. In such a phase, the emergent loop current or- der coexists with spatial short-range superconducting order and possibly short-range charge density wave (CDW) order. Finally, we propose a PDW phase that accounts for intracell magnetic order and the polar Kerr effect, has CDW order consistent with x-ray scattering and nuclear magnetic resonance observations, and quasiparticle (QP) properties consistent with angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. Our work, con- sistently accommodates all observations of broken symmetries in pseudogap phase in a single theory

Evaluation of functional outcome of distal tibial fractures stabilized with distal tibial locking plate

Background: The present study is an attempt to evaluate the results of locking compression plate for distal tibia in lower tibial fractures using open reduction internal fixation and minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis technique.Methods: Prospective and retrospective study was conduct on patients attending the outpatient department (OPD)/Emergency OPD in Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla during September 2015 to August 2016 with distal tibial fractures. The patients treated with locking compression plates using minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) or open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) are reviewed for inclusion and exclusion criteria. All data were collected and analyzed by Epi-info software.Results: Out of 52 patients, 48.4% patients undergo open reduction internal fixation had excellent results and 28.6% patients undergo surgery by MIPPO technique had excellent results. p value is 0.352 which is not significant. Overall, 40.4% patients had excellent results. In our study, 32.6% patients having AO/OTA type A fractures had excellent score while type B and C had 1.9% excellent score. This is attributed to more comminution and involvement of ankle joint. Overall, 40.4% patients had excellent score. P value is 0.863 which is insignificant.Conclusions: We observed excellent/ good functional outcome in 65.3% of patients

People’s Perception about Gender Equity at RHTC, Naila, Jaipur

Gender equality refers to the equal rights, responsibilities, and opportunities of women and men, as well as girls and boys (United Nations Women, 2012). Women in India have suffered gender disparities since ages; although addressed at all fronts (social, political) for last few decades yet we can find scars here and there in the form of gender violence, honor-killing, rape, and social policing. Changes toward equitable gender roles and relations in the community as well as household are a prerequisite to gender equality Promotion of gender equality and empowering of women is one of the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDG) to which India is a signatory. Gender equality and women‘s empowerment are two sides of the same coin: progress toward gender equality requires women‘s empowerment and women‘s empowerment requires increases in gender equality evident by pairing of them in MDG

Evaluating Traits Influencing Hybrid Paddy Seed Production using a Double Haploid Production Derived from Kalanamak Parental Combination

Steps in double haploid breeding for genetic improvement of rice genetically diverse parents could reach the heterotic level of hybrid which pinpointed the prospect of anther culture technique in rice. DH lines with earliness, enhanced biomass production, high panicle density and increased yield potential with resistance top stand grain quality could be produced from anther culture of different crosses. DH lines from cv. 'Calrose 76' showed variation with improved agronomic characters e.g. seed number size, panicle size, plant height and tiller number and improved protein content and higher yields. Scientists reported high genetic variability for filled grains panicle -1 , grains yield plant -1 and number of panicles plant -1 among androgenic plantlets derived from scented Indica rice cv. 'Karnal local 95', suggesting the scope of haploid breeding for higher seed yield. Scientists developed 22 outstanding DHLs for high grain quality through anther culture. Scientists confirmed 98 lines to be DHs out of 232 lines recovered from 'Mahyco Hybrid MRP5401' which had dwarf height, early to late flowering and high yield characters. Development of improved DHs for kalanamak tolerance , submergence tolerance , and bacterial blight resistance , have been reported. Scientists recovered genetically uniform dwarf DHs from anther culture of an advance breeding line 'BR802-78-2-1-1'. A few of these DHs showed high fertility status of spikelet with long-bold and long-slender grain

Ulocuplumab (BMS-936564 / MDX1338): a fully human anti-CXCR4 antibody induces cell death in chronic lymphocytic leukemia mediated through a reactive oxygen species-dependent pathway.

The CXCR4 receptor (Chemokine C-X-C motif receptor 4) is highly expressed in different hematological malignancies including chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The CXCR4 ligand (CXCL12) stimulates CXCR4 promoting cell survival and proliferation, and may contribute to the tropism of leukemia cells towards lymphoid tissues. Therefore, strategies targeting CXCR4 may constitute an effective therapeutic approach for CLL. To address that question, we studied the effect of Ulocuplumab (BMS-936564), a fully human IgG4 anti-CXCR4 antibody, using a stroma--CLL cells co-culture model. We found that Ulocuplumab (BMS-936564) inhibited CXCL12 mediated CXCR4 activation-migration of CLL cells at nanomolar concentrations. This effect was comparable to AMD3100 (Plerixafor--Mozobil), a small molecule CXCR4 inhibitor. However, Ulocuplumab (BMS-936564) but not AMD3100 induced apoptosis in CLL at nanomolar concentrations in the presence or absence of stromal cell support. This pro-apoptotic effect was independent of CLL high-risk prognostic markers, was associated with production of reactive oxygen species and did not require caspase activation. Overall, these findings are evidence that Ulocuplumab (BMS-936564) has biological activity in CLL, highlight the relevance of the CXCR4-CXCL12 pathway as a therapeutic target in CLL, and provide biological rationale for ongoing clinical trials in CLL and other hematological malignancies

Targeting the CXCR4 pathway using a novel anti-CXCR4 IgG1 antibody (PF-06747143) in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

BackgroundThe CXCR4-CXCL12 axis plays an important role in the chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)-microenvironment interaction. Overexpression of CXCR4 has been reported in different hematological malignancies including CLL. Binding of the pro-survival chemokine CXCL12 with its cognate receptor CXCR4 induces cell migration. CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling axis promotes cell survival and proliferation and may contribute to the tropism of leukemia cells towards lymphoid tissues and bone marrow. Therefore, we hypothesized that targeting CXCR4 with an IgG1 antibody, PF-06747143, may constitute an effective therapeutic approach for CLL.MethodsPatient-derived primary CLL-B cells were assessed for cytotoxicity in an in vitro model of CLL microenvironment. PF-06747143 was analyzed for cell death induction and for its potential to interfere with the chemokine CXCL12-induced mechanisms, including migration and F-actin polymerization. PF-06747143 in vivo efficacy was determined in a CLL murine xenograft tumor model.ResultsPF-06747143, a novel-humanized IgG1 CXCR4 antagonist antibody, induced cell death of patient-derived primary CLL-B cells, in presence or absence of stromal cells. Moreover, cell death induction by the antibody was independent of CLL high-risk prognostic markers. The cell death mechanism was dependent on CXCR4 expression, required antibody bivalency, involved reactive oxygen species production, and did not require caspase activation, all characteristics reminiscent of programmed cell death (PCD). PF-06747143 also induced potent B-CLL cytotoxicity via Fc-driven antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) and complement-dependent cytotoxicity activity (CDC). PF-06747143 had significant combinatorial effect with standard of care (SOC) agents in B-CLL treatment, including rituximab, fludarabine (F-ara-A), ibrutinib, and bendamustine. In a CLL xenograft model, PF-06747143 decreased tumor burden and improved survival as a monotherapy, and in combination with bendamustine.ConclusionsWe show evidence that PF-06747143 has biological activity in CLL primary cells, supporting a rationale for evaluation of PF-06747143 for the treatment of CLL patients

Decoding seasonal changes: soil parameters and microbial communities in tropical dry deciduous forests

In dry deciduous tropical forests, both seasons (winter and summer) offer habitats that are essential ecologically. How these seasonal changes affect soil properties and microbial communities is not yet fully understood. This study aimed to investigate the influence of seasonal fluctuations on soil characteristics and microbial populations. The soil moisture content dramatically increases in the summer. However, the soil pH only gradually shifts from acidic to slightly neutral. During the summer, electrical conductivity (EC) values range from 0.62 to 1.03 ds m-1, in contrast to their decline in the winter. The levels of soil macronutrients and micronutrients increase during the summer, as does the quantity of soil organic carbon (SOC). A two-way ANOVA analysis reveals limited impacts of seasonal fluctuations and specific geographic locations on the amounts of accessible nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). Moreover, dehydrogenase, nitrate reductase, and urease activities rise in the summer, while chitinase, protease, and acid phosphatase activities are more pronounced in the winter. The soil microbes were identified in both seasons through 16S rRNA and ITS (Internal Transcribed Spacer) gene sequencing. Results revealed Proteobacteria and Ascomycota as predominant bacterial and fungal phyla. However, Bacillus, Pseudomonas, and Burkholderia are dominant bacterial genera, and Aspergillus, Alternaria, and Trichoderma are dominant fungal genera in the forest soil samples. Dominant bacterial and fungal genera may play a role in essential ecosystem services such as soil health management and nutrient cycling. In both seasons, clear relationships exist between soil properties, including pH, moisture, iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), and microbial diversity. Enzymatic activities and microbial shift relate positively with soil parameters. This study highlights robust soil-microbial interactions that persist mainly in the top layers of tropical dry deciduous forests in the summer and winter seasons. It provides insights into the responses of soil-microbial communities to seasonal changes, advancing our understanding of ecosystem dynamics and biodiversity preservation

Tumor reversion: a dream or a reality.

Reversion of tumor to a normal differentiated cell once considered a dream is now at the brink of becoming a reality. Different layers of molecules/events such as microRNAs, transcription factors, alternative RNA splicing, post-transcriptional, post-translational modifications, availability of proteomics, genomics editing tools, and chemical biology approaches gave hope to manipulation of cancer cells reversion to a normal cell phenotype as evidences are subtle but definitive. Regardless of the advancement, there is a long way to go, as customized techniques are required to be fine-tuned with precision to attain more insights into tumor reversion. Tumor regression models using available genome-editing methods, followed by in vitro and in vivo proteomics profiling techniques show early evidence. This review summarizes tumor reversion developments, present issues, and unaddressed challenges that remained in the uncharted territory to modulate cellular machinery for tumor reversion towards therapeutic purposes successfully. Ongoing research reaffirms the potential promises of understanding the mechanism of tumor reversion and required refinement that is warranted in vitro and in vivo models of tumor reversion, and the potential translation of these into cancer therapy. Furthermore, therapeutic compounds were reported to induce phenotypic changes in cancer cells into normal cells, which will contribute in understanding the mechanism of tumor reversion. Altogether, the efforts collectively suggest that tumor reversion will likely reveal a new wave of therapeutic discoveries that will significantly impact clinical practice in cancer therapy

Genetic diversity and population structure analyses in barley (Hordeum vulgare) against corn-leaf aphid, Rhopalosiphum maidis (Fitch)

Corn-leaf aphid (CLA), Rhopalosiphum maidis (Fitch) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) is a serious economic pest of barley worldwide. Breeding for aphid resistance in plants is considered a cost-effective and environmentally safe approach for aphid control, compared to the use of chemical pesticides. One of the challenges in breeding for aphid resistance is the identification of resistant plant genotypes, which can be achieved through the use of molecular markers. In the present study, a set of aphid specific 10 simple-sequence repeats (SSR) markers were used to investigate genetic diversity and population structure analyses in 109 barley genotypes against R. maidis. Three statistical methods viz., multivariate hierarchical clustering based on Jaccard’s similarity coefficient, principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) and the Bayesian approach were utilized to classify the 109 barley genotypes. The analyses revealed four subpopulations i.e., SubPop1, SubPop2, SubPop3 and SubPop4 with 19, 46, 20 and 24 genotypes including admixtures, respectively and represented 17.43%, 42.2%, 18.34% and 22.01% genotypes of the total population size, respectively. The studied SSR markers produced 67 polymorphic bands, with an average of 6.7 and ranging from 3 to 12 bands. Heterozygosity (H) was found to be highest in SSR28 (0.64) and lowest in SSR27 (0.89). The observed genetic diversity index varied from 0.10 to 0.34 (with an average of 0.19). Major allele frequency varied from 74.08% to 94.80%. On an average, 87.52% of the 109 barley genotypes shared a common major allele at any locus. Based on the Aphid Infestation Index (AII), only 2 genotypes were found to be resistant against CLA. SubPop2 also had lowest mean aphid population (28.83), widest genetic similarity index (0.60-1.00) and highest genetic similarity coefficient (0.82), which highlighted its potential for inclusion in future CLA resistance breeding programs