Studies on Macronutrient Fertilization in Pomegranate under Sub-Tropical Plains

An investigation was carried out to study the influence of different levels of NPK fertilizers on plant growth, fruit yield and quality, and leaf NPK content in pomegranate cv. Kandhari under sub-tropical conditions. Graded doses of nitrogen (0-300g/plant), phosphorus (0-150g/plant) and potassium (0-300g/plant) fertilizers were applied through soil, in addition to a basal dose of FYM. Control plants were fed FYM only. Maximum increase in plant growth and fruit yield was recorded in plants receiving NPK @ 300:50:100g/plant, while Control plants registered least growth and yield. Potassium levels improved fruit weight over the Control. Higher dose of potassium also improved fruit colour and enhanced peel thickness and grain weight. Maximum TSS:acid ratio was seen with NPK @ 200:50:100g/plant. Reducing sugars were not affected by any treatment. Leaf N, P and K content increased with application of the respective nutrient

Clinical Research Environment in India: Challenges and Proposed Solutions.

India has compelling need and keen aspirations for indigenous clinical research. Notwithstanding this need and previously reported growth the expected expansion of Indian clinical research has not materialized. We reviewed the scientific literature, lay press reports, and ClinicalTrials.gov data for information and commentary on projections, progress, and impediments associated with clinical trials in India. We also propose targeted solutions to identified challenges. The Indian clinical trial sector grew by (+) 20.3% CAGR (compound annual growth rate) between 2005 and 2010 and contracted by (-) 14.6% CAGR between 2010 and 2013. Phase-1 trials grew by (+) 43.5% CAGR from 2005-2013, phase-2 trials grew by (+) 19.8% CAGR from 2005-2009 and contracted by (-) 12.6% CAGR from 2009-2013, and phase-3 trials grew by (+) 13.0% CAGR from 2005-2010 and contracted by (-) 28.8% CAGR from 2010-2013. This was associated with a slowing of the regulatory approval process, increased media coverage and activist engagement, and accelerated development of regulatory guidelines and recuperative initiatives. We propose the following as potential targets for restorative interventions: Regulatory overhaul (leadership and enforcement of regulations, resolution of ambiguity in regulations, staffing, training, guidelines, and ethical principles [e.g., compensation]).Education and training of research professionals, clinicians, and regulators.Public awareness and empowerment. After a peak in 2009-2010, the clinical research sector in India appears to be experiencing a contraction. There are indications of challenges in regulatory enforcement of guidelines; training of clinical research professionals; and awareness, participation, partnership, and the general image amongst the non-professional media and public. Preventative and corrective principles and interventions are outlined with the goal of realizing the clinical research potential in India

X-Ray and Infrared Enhancement of Anomalous X-ray Pulsar 1E 2259+58

The long term (~1.5 years) X-ray enhancement and the accompanying infrared enhancement light curves of the anomalous X-ray pulsar 1E 2259+58 following the major bursting epoch can be accounted for by the relaxation of a fall back disk that has been pushed back by a gamma-ray flare. The required burst energy estimated from the results of our model fits is low enough for such a burst to have remained below the detection limits. We find that an irradiated disk model with a low irradiation efficiency is in good agreement with both X-ray and infrared data. Non-irradiated disk models also give a good fit to the X-ray light curve, but are not consistent with the infrared data for the first week of the enhancement.Comment: 17 pages, 3 figures, accepted for publication in Ap

Temporal artery biopsies in south-east Scotland:a five year review

Temporal artery biopsy is the gold standard investigation for the diagnosis of giant cell arteritis. The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the use of temporal artery biopsy in diagnosing giant cell arteritis in south-east Scotland over a five-year period. We aimed to quantify success rates, and predictive factors for a positive biopsy, as well as compare the different specialities performing the biopsies. The data should enable the development of better criteria for referral for investigation of giant cell arteritis. Methods Patients were identified using a database of temporal artery biopsies generated by the pathology department in NHS Lothian (south east Scotland), for all biopsies examined between January 2010 and December 2015. An electronic patient record was used to retrospectively examine the records of patients in the database. Results A total of 715 biopsies were included in the study, of which 250 (35.0%) showed features of giant cell arteritis. The main predictors for a positive biopsy were age at biopsy, specialty performing biopsy, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, jaw claudication/pain, and ophthalmic symptoms. The most important predictor of a positive biopsy was erythrocyte sedimentation rate. The length of biopsy was not found to be a predictor of positive biopsy; however, diameter of biopsy was predictive. Conclusions We have shown that many temporal artery biopsies are negative, and finding ways to reduce the number of patients unnecessarily undergoing biopsy will be essential in reducing workload and streamlining services. This study demonstrates some key predictive factors for patients with positive biopsies. The study also shows that a large proportion of biopsies taking place do not result in the recommended length of specimen, but this does not necessarily reduce the likelihood of a positive biopsy

z'-band Ground-Based Detection of the Secondary Eclipse of WASP-19b

We present the ground-based detection of the secondary eclipse of the transiting exoplanet WASP-19b. The observations were made in the Sloan z'-band using the ULTRACAM triple-beam CCD camera mounted on the NTT. The measurement shows a 0.088\pm0.019% eclipse depth, matching previous predictions based on H- and K-band measurements. We discuss in detail our approach to the removal of errors arising due to systematics in the data set, in addition to fitting a model transit to our data. This fit returns an eclipse centre, T0, of 2455578.7676 HJD, consistent with a circular orbit. Our measurement of the secondary eclipse depth is also compared to model atmospheres of WASP-19b, and is found to be consistent with previous measurements at longer wavelengths for the model atmospheres we investigated.Comment: 20 pages, 10 figures. Published in the ApJ Supplement serie

The magnetar emission in the IR band: the role of magnetospheric currents

There is a general consensus about the fact that the magnetar scenario provides a convincing explanation for several of the observed properties of the Anomalous X-ray Pulsars and the Soft Gamma Repeaters. However, the origin of the emission observed at low energies is still an open issue. We present a quantitative model for the emission in the optical/infrared band produced by curvature radiation from magnetospheric charges, and compare results with current magnetars observations.Comment: 6 Pages, 2 Figures. Astrophysics and Space Science, in press. Proceedings of the ICREA Workshop on The High-Energy Emission from Pulsars and their Systems, Sant Cugat, April 12-16 201

Molecular characterization of induced mutagenesis through gamma radiation using RAPD markers in Jatropha curcas L.

Genetic variability in Jatropha curcas was induced by different doses (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 and 50 kR) of gamma-rays. Gamma radiation induced earliness in flowering and the plants set flowers earlier than that of control, which took longer duration of 327 days for flowering. The improved reproductive and yield parameters such as days taken to first flowering, flowering population, male to female ratio and seed yield per plant were recorded in 25 kR dose and seed germination in 5 and 10 kR treated seeds. Molecular characterization of induced mutants (M1 generation) with 47 Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) primers showed 65.27% polymorphism. The variability created by gamma rays ranged from 9 to 28%. The 50 kR mutant was found to be the most diverse from control followed by 25 kR mutant. Thus, this integrated approach can be used for carrying out the mutation-assisted breeding and subsequent selection of desired mutants using molecular markers in J. curcas.Keywords: Jatropha curcas, random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), gamma-rays, induced mutagenesis

purpleSTARS: A creative intervention into AI's Algorithms through co-production of a live ‘AI, sense of self’ portrait

We propose an exploration into the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI), sensory art, and portraiture, with a focus on inclusive research and sensory art co-production. AI algorithms often lack the nuanced understanding of diverse human experiences, particularly those of marginalised communities. We aim to challenge and reshape these algorithms to be more inclusive by engaging with them, so AI becomes more reflective of diversity, and becomes less biased. We plan to co-create a series of experimental AI generated portraits that reflect on our sensory Sense of Self, highlighting our sense of touch, smell, taste which AI cannot (yet) reproduce as well as our senses of sound and sight. Objectives: 1. Empowerment Through Artistic Expression: Provide individuals with learning disabilities and differences with a platform for creative expression and agency through inclusive research and co-production. 2. Critique and Intervention: Encourage critical reflection on the biases and limitations of AI algorithms and explore how sensory art can intervene to address these issues. 3. Co-Production and Collaboration: Facilitate collaborative processes between individuals with lived experience of learning disabilities, and conference participants to feed AI algorithms with diverse, sensory experiences and personal narratives. 4. Knowledge Sharing and Community Building: Foster an inclusive dialogue among diverse people to share insights and best practices for inclusive AI design. The session: Conference participants will be invited to co-create ‘AI, sense of self’ portraits in groups with purpleSTARS. The space will be set up similar to a traditional life drawing room but with a 360 camera at the centre instead of a life model. Easels/stands will face into the camera with screens to display AI generated imagery. Traditional art and sensory materials, highlighting touch, smell and taste will also be available circling the camera. The portraits will be captured by the 360 camera where everyone and everything is included. We hope the session will foster collaborations for future inclusive research in AI design, with a focus on centring the voices and experiences of people with learning disabilities and differences, fostering more ethical, inclusive, and human-centred AI systems

Once in a blue moon: detection of ‘bluing’ during debris transits in the white dwarf WD 1145+017

The first transiting planetesimal orbiting a white dwarf was recently detected in K2 data of WD 1145+017 and has been followed up intensively. The multiple, long and variable transits suggest the transiting objects are dust clouds, probably produced by a disintegrating asteroid. In addition, the system contains circumstellar gas, evident by broad absorption lines, mostly in the u΄ band, and a dust disc, indicated by an infrared excess. Here we present the first detection of a change in colour of WD 1145+017 during transits, using simultaneous multiband fast-photometry ULTRACAM measurements over the u΄g΄r΄i΄ bands. The observations reveal what appears to be ‘bluing' during transits; transits are deeper in the redder bands, with a u΄ − r΄ colour difference of up to ∼−0.05 mag. We explore various possible explanations for the bluing, including limb darkening or peculiar dust properties. ‘Spectral' photometry obtained by integrating over bandpasses in the spectroscopic data in and out of transit, compared to the photometric data, shows that the observed colour difference is most likely the result of reduced circumstellar absorption in the spectrum during transits. This indicates that the transiting objects and the gas share the same line of sight and that the gas covers the white dwarf only partially, as would be expected if the gas, the transiting debris and the dust emitting the infrared excess are part of the same general disc structure (although possibly at different radii). In addition, we present the results of a week-long monitoring campaign of the system using a global network of telescopes

Infrared and Optical Spectroscopy of Type Ia Supernovae in the Nebular Phase

We present near-infrared (NIR) spectra for Type Ia supernovae at epochs of 13 to 338 days after maximum blue light. Some contemporary optical spectra are also shown. All the NIR spectra exhibit considerable structure throughout the J-, H- and K-bands. In particular they exhibit a flux `deficit' in the J-band which persists as late as 175 days. This is responsible for the well-known red J-H colour. To identify the emission features and test the $^{56}$Ni hypothesis for the explosion and subsequent light curve, we compare the NIR and optical nebular-phase data with a simple non-LTE nebular spectral model. We find that many of the spectral features are due to iron-group elements and that the J-band deficit is due to a lack of emission lines from species which dominate the rest of the IR/optical spectrum. Nevertheless, some emission is unaccounted for, possibly due to inaccuracies in the cobalt atomic data. For some supernovae, blueshifts of 1000--3000 km/s are seen in infrared and optical features at 3 months. We suggest this is due to clumping in the ejecta. The evolution of the cobalt/iron mass ratio indicates that $^{56}$Co-decay dominates the abundances of these elements. The absolute masses of iron-group elements which we derive support the basic thermonuclear explosion scenario for Type Ia supernovae. A core-collapse origin is less consistent with our data.Comment: 33 Latex pages, 12 Postscript figures: accepted by Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Societ