Thermal and Transport Behavior of Single Crystalline R2CoGa8 (R = Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Lu and Y) Compounds

The anisotropy in electrical transport and thermal behavior of single crystalline R$_{2}$CoGa$_{8}$ series of compounds is presented. These compounds crystallize in a tetragonal structure with space gropup P4/mmm. The nonmagnetic counterparts of the series namely Y$_{2}$CoGa$_{8}$ and Lu$_{2}$CoGa$_{8}$show a behavior consistent with the low density of states at the fermi level. In Y$_{2}$CoGa$_{8}$, a possibility of charge density wave transition is observed at $\approx$ 30 K. Gd$_{2}$CoGa$_{8}$ and Er$_{2}$CoGa$_{8}$ show a presence of short range correlation above the magnetic ordering temperature of the compound. In case of Gd$_{2}$CoGa$_{8}$, the magnetoresistance exhibits a significant anisotropy for current parallel to {[}100{]} and {[}001{]} directions. Compounds with other magnetic rare earths (R = Tb, Dy, Ho and Tm) show the normal expected magnetic behavior whereas Dy$_{2}$CoGa$_{8}$ exhibits the possibility of charge density wave (CDW) transition at approximately same temperature as that of Y$_{2}$CoGa$_{8}$. The thermal property of these compounds is analysed on the basis of crystalline electric field (CEF) calculations.Comment: 10 Pages 14 Figures. Submitted to PR

Phytosociological Assessment of Vegetation at Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) Campus at New Delhi

The paper aims to investigate the phytosociological attributes the vegetation of the managed campus area of Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) situated at New Delhi in India. The purpose of the study was to understand the diversity pattern of vegetation for its characterization. The vegetation sampling and data analysis were undertaken by adopting universally standard procedures. The findings of the study demonstrated that the study area had a total of 116 species of plants which belonged to 28 different families. Out of which 55 species of trees, 29 species of shrubs and 32 species of herbs were taken on record. The most common plant species based on importance value in tree, shrub and herb layers were found to be Azadiracta indica (IVI-66.87), Matricaria chamomilla (RVI-51.89) and Cynodon dactylon (RVI- 106.11), respectively. Amongst families, Fabaceae was found to be the most dominant. Results reflect dominance of higher trees over ground floras. This study provides baseline information for future studies on the managed and natural forest patches exiting in the campus, and suggests that suitable conservation and management of biodiversity can improve the natural floral and faunal value of institutional campus

Critical exponents and the correlation length in the charge exchange manganite spin glass Eu_{0.5}Ba_{0.5}MnO_{3}

The critical regime of the charge exchange (CE) manganite spin glass Eu_{0.5}Ba_{0.5}MnO_{3} is investigated using linear and non linear magnetic susceptibility and the divergence of the third ordered susceptibility (chi{_3}) signifying the onset of a conventional freezing transition is experimentally demonstrated. The divergence in chi{_3}, dynamical scaling of the linear susceptibility and relevant scaling equations are used to determine the critical exponents associated with this freezing transition, the values of which match well with the 3D Ising universality class. Magnetic field dependence of the spin glass response function is used to estimate the spin correlation length which is seen to be larger than the charge/orbital correlation length reported in this system.Comment: 4 pages, 4 Figure

Low-degree multi-spectral p-mode fitting

We combine unresolved-Sun velocity and intensity observations at multiple wavelengths from the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager and Atmospheric Imaging Array onboard the Solar Dynamics Observatory to investigate the possibility of multi-spectral mode-frequency estimation at low spherical harmonic degree. We test a simple multi-spectral algorithm using a common line width and frequency for each mode and a separate amplitude, background and asymmetry parameter, and compare the results with those from fits to the individual spectra. The preliminary results suggest that this approach may provide a more stable fit than using the observables separately

Androgen receptor mutations in prostate cancer

We analyzed the frequency and relevance of mutations in the coding region of the androgen receptor (AR) in genomic DNA extracted from 137 specimens of prostate cancer. The specimens were obtained from the primary tumors of patients affected by stage B disease [15 nonmicrodissected (group 1A) and 84 microdissected (group 1B)] and from the metastatic deposits of individuals with stage D1 disease [8 nonmicrodissected (group 2A) and 30 microdissected (group 2B)] who had not undergone androgen ablation therapy. The study was conducted by PCR-single strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP) analysis of exons 2-8 in the four groups and direct sequence analysis of exon 1 in group 1B. As positive and negative controls, we used genomic DNA extracted from genital skin fibroblasts of patients affected by various forms of androgen resistance with known mutations in the AR. To control for genetic instability, PCR-SSCP analysis of exon 2 of the human progesterone receptor was carried out on each specimen. The overall number of mutations detected was 11 (8%). No mutations were detected in any of the 99 patients with stage B disease. Eleven mutations were detected in exons 2-8 in 8 of the 38 patients with stage D1 disease (all in group 2B). Simultaneous analysis of exon 2 of the progesterone receptor was carried out, and no SSCP changes were identified. These data suggest that AR mutations are rare and presumably do not play a role in the initial phase of prostatic carcinogenesis. The presence of a significant number of AR mutations in metastatic disease indicates that mutations of this molecule may play a role in the most advanced phases of the natural history of this disease, either by facilitating growth or acquisition of the metastatic phenotype

Chronic Oedema and the older person: The effects of ageing upon treatment outcomes

Chronic oedema (CO) and lymphoedema (LO) are long-term conditions that can become more complicated or are more likely to develop with age. The ageing process can involve alterations in the structures that support the normal function of the lymphatic system or put it at greater risk of damage. The main three components (skin care, exercise and compression therapy) within the management of CO/LO can become more difficult to apply with age. This is because of reduced healing rates, decreased cardiovascular capacity and deterioration in vascular and arterial structures. The impact of ageing and how this can affect patients and treatment outcomes requires careful consideration