Neutrino Mass Matrices with a Texture Zero and a Vanishing Minor

We study the implications of the simultaneous existence of a texture zero and a vanishing minor in the neutrino mass matrix. There are thirty six possible texture structures of this type, twenty one of which reduce to two texture zero cases which have, already, been extensively studied. Of the remaining fifteen textures only six are allowed by the current data. We examine the phenomenological implications of the allowed texture structures for Majorana type CP-violating phases, 1-3 mixing angle and Dirac type CP-violating phase. All these possible textures can be generated through the seesaw mechanism and realized in the framework of discrete abelian flavor symmetry. We present the symmetry realization of these texture structures.Comment: To appear in Phys. Rev.

Cubic pythagorean fuzzy linear spaces

The first author is supported by the “CSIR” Council of Scientific and Industrial Research.Pythagorean fuzzy sets assist in handling more uncertain and vague data than fuzzy sets and intuitionistic fuzzy sets. The notion of cubic pythagorean fuzzy sets is defined by combining interval valued pythagorean fuzzy sets and pythagorean fuzzy sets In this paper, based on the notion of cubic Pythagorean fuzzy sets we initiate a new theory called cubic pythagorean fuzzy linear spaces. Inspired by the notion of Cubic linear spaces we also present P(resp. R)-union and P(resp. R) intersection of cubic pythagorean fuzzy linear spaces. The concept of internal(resp. external) cubic pythagorean fuzzy linear spaces and its properties are examined.Publisher's Versio

Some Results of Double Sequences in 2-Normed and n-Normed Spaces

The primary purpose of this paper is to introduce the notion of double sequences in 2-normed space. We provide a simple way to derive a norm from the standard 2-norm by using double sequences when a 2-normed space is given. Equivalence relation between derived norm and the usual norm are established. Using this derived norm, we examine the completeness property of a 2-normed space and we extend the results to n-normed spaces

Is South Africa advancing towards National Health Insurance? The perspectives of general practitioners in one pilot site

Background. The launch of the National Health Insurance (NHI) White Paper in December 2015 heralded a new stage in South Africa’s advancement towards universal health coverage. The ‘contracting in’ of private sector general practitioners (GPs), though only one component of the overall reformed system, is nevertheless crucial to address staff shortages and capacity, and also to realise the broader vision of a single unified, integrated system.Objective. To report on the views and experiences of GP providers tasked with implementing the reforms at one pilot site, Tshwane District in Gauteng Province, providing an insight into the practical challenges the NHI scheme faces in implementation.Methods. The study was qualitative in nature, using a combination of convenience and purposeful sampling to recruit participants. A thematic analysis of the data was conducted using Nvivo 10 software.Results. The overall experiences of the GPs exposed a number of problems with the pilot. These included frustration with lack of appropriate infrastructure and equipment in NHI facilities, difficulties integrating into the facilities and lack of professional autonomy, as well as unhappiness with contracting arrangements. Despite strong support for the idea of NHI, there was general scepticism that private doctors would embrace the scheme on the scale required.Conclusion. The study suggests that the current pilots are still a long way from the vision of a single, integrated health system. While it may be argued that the pilots are not themselves the completed NHI, the findings suggest that it will take much longer to establish than the timeline envisaged by government

Double magnetic transitions and exotic field induced phase in the triangular lattice antiferromagnets Sr3_3Co(Nb,Ta)2_2O9_9

Two triangular lattice antiferromagnets Sr$_3$Co(Nb,Ta)$_2$O$_9$ with an effective $j_{\rm eff}=1/2$ of Co$^{2+}$ are synthesized and their magnetic properties are investigated via magnetization and heat capacity measurements. The leading in-plane antiferromagnetic exchange coupling is estimated to be $J/k_{\rm B} \simeq 4.7$ K and 5.8 K, respectively. Both the compounds feature two-step magnetic transitions at low temperatures [($T_{\rm N1} \simeq 1.47$ K and $T_{\rm N2} \simeq 1.22$ K) and ($T_{\rm N1} \simeq 0.88$ K and $T_{\rm N2} \simeq 0.67$ K), respectively], driven by weak easy-axis anisotropy. Under magnetic field Sr$_3$CoNb$_2$O$_9$ evinces a plateau at $1/3$ magnetization. Interestingly, the high field magnetization of Sr$_3$CoTa$_2$O$_9$ reveals an exotic regime (between $H_{\rm S1}$ and $H_{\rm S2}$), below the fully polarized state in which the heat capacity at low temperatures is governed by a power law ($C_{\rm p} \propto T^{\alpha}$) with a reduced exponent $\alpha \simeq 2$. These results demonstrate an unusual field induced state with gapless excitations in the strongly frustrated magnet Sr$_3$CoTa$_2$O$_9$. The complete $T-H$ phase diagram is discussed for both the compounds.Comment: 12 pages, 7 figures, 2 table

Amelioration of experimental rheumatoid arthritis by selected ultra-diluted preparations by down regulating increased expression of TNF-α & IL-6

The current work explored the inhibitory effect of selected homeopathic drugs, in experimental models of inflammation and CFA-induced arthritis. Twelve groups of animals were made, each containing 6 animals. The selected homeopathic drugs (causticum, calcarea, medorrhinum, mercurius, formica, proteus, silica, sulphur, thuja), placebo and standard drug, Indomethacin. In CFA model, treatment groups and the reference drug were administered daily for a period of 21 days. Dysfunction in joints was evaluated by parameters such as joint diameter, expression of inflammatory markers (TNF-α, IL-6). Findings of the study revealed that on CFA administration, there is a significant (p<0.01) increase in joint diameter in all the tested animals. On day 3, we found highest increase in the joint diameter in all treatment groups. Medorrhinum, silica, sulphur showed significant (p<0.01) decrease in joint diameter on day 21. Significant (p<0.05) reduction in paw edema was observed at 5 hours post carrageenan administration. IHC of NF-kB in CFA treated group revealed presence of vacuoles, infiltration of inflammatory cells. However, prominent reversal of joint damage was seen in homeopathic drugs (medorrhinum, silica, sulphur) and indomethacin. Study inferred that the homeopathic drugs (medorrhinum, silica, sulphur) and indomethacin were found to be potent in ameliorating inflammation

Seed protectants for healthy exports

Dry formulations of three insecticides (chlorpyriphos, fenvalerate and carbaryl) were compared for their efficacy against rice moth, Corcyra cephalonica (Stainton) and groundnut bruchid Caryedon serratus Oliver, in the context of identifying a suitable alternative to aldrin. Fenvalerate 4 g/kg seed showed quick action and killed all the Corcyra eggs, and Caryedon grubs and adults, within 48 h. Chlorpyriphos and carbaryl were less effective, although the former showed high persistency. Fenvalerate and carbaryl were significantly superior to a range of rates of chlorpyriphos up to 180 DAT, and were on par with aldrin. For seed exports that require storage of 60 days or more, chlorpyriphos could be used as an effective replacement for aldrin. The chemicals tested hid no deleterious effects on seed viability of pearl millet and groundnut up to 180 days at ambient temperature during storag

Insect Cell Expression and Purification of Recombinant SARS-COV-2 Spike Proteins That Demonstrate ACE2 Binding

The COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection has led to socio-economic shutdowns and the loss of over 5 million lives worldwide. There is a need for the identification of therapeutic targets to treat COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2 spike is a target of interest for the development of therapeutic targets. We developed a robust SARS-CoV-2 S spike expression and purification protocol from insect cells and studied four recombinant SARS-CoV-2 spike protein constructs based on the original SARS-CoV-2 sequence using a baculovirus expression system: a spike protein receptor-binding domain that includes the SD1 domain (RBD) coupled to a fluorescent tag (S-RBD-eGFP), spike ectodomain coupled to a fluorescent tag (S-Ecto-eGFP), spike ectodomain with six proline mutations and a foldon domain (S-Ecto-HexaPro(+F)), and spike ectodomain with six proline mutations without the foldon domain (S-Ecto-HexaPro(-F)). We tested the yield of purified protein expressed from the insect cell lines Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) and Trichoplusia ni (Tni) and compared it to previous research using mammalian cell lines to determine changes in protein yield. We demonstrated quick and inexpensive production of functional glycosylated spike protein of high purity capable of recognizing and binding to the angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor. To further confirm functionality, we demonstrate binding of eGFP fused construct of the spike ectodomain (S-Ecto-eGFP) to surface ACE2 receptors on lung epithelial cells by flow cytometry analysis and show that it can be decreased by means of receptor manipulation (blockade or downregulation)