On the highly reddened members in 6 young galactic star clusters - a multiwavelength study

The spectral and reddening properties of 211 highly reddened proper motion members with $V < 15$ mag in 6 young galactic star clusters are investigated using low resolution spectroscopic, broad-band $UBVRIJHK$ and mid-IR data. We report emission features in CaII HK and HI lines for a sample of 29 stars including 11 stars reported for the first time and also provide either a new or more reliable spectral class for a sample of 24 stars. CaII triplet width measurements are used to indicate the presence of an accretion disk for a dozen stars and to hint luminosity for a couple of stars. On the basis of spectral features, near-IR excesses, dereddened color-color diagrams and mid-IR spectral indices we identify a group of 28 pre-main sequence cluster members including 5 highly probable Herbig Ae/Be and 6 classical T Tauri star. A total of 25 non-emission MS stars, amounting to $\sim$ 10 % early type MS members, appears to show Vega-like characteristics or are precursors to such a phenomenon. The various membership indicators suggest that $\sim$ 16% of the PM members are non-members. A significant fraction ($>$70%) of program stars in NGC 1976, NGC 2244, NGC 6530 and NGC 6611 show anomalous reddening with $R_{V}$ = $5.11\pm0.11$, $3.60\pm0.05$, $3.87\pm0.05$ and $3.56\pm 0.02$, respectively, indicating the presence of grain size dust larger than that typical to the diffuse medium. A small number of stars in NGC 1976, NGC 2244 and NGC 6611 also show normal behavior while the cluster NGC 6823 appears to have a normal reddening. Three highly luminous late type giants, one in NGC 2244 and two in NGC 6530, appears to be member and are in post-hydrogen-core-burning stages suggesting a prolonged duration ($\sim$ 25 Myrs) of star formation.Comment: 12 pages, 13 figures, submitted to MNRA

Confusing Sterile Neutrinos with Deviation from Tribimaximal Mixing at Neutrino Telescopes

We expound the impact of extra sterile species on the ultra high energy neutrino fluxes in neutrino telescopes. We use three types of well-known flux ratios and compare the values of these flux ratios in presence of sterile neutrinos, with those predicted by deviation from the tribimaximal mixing scheme. We show that in the upcoming neutrino telescopes, its easy to confuse between the signature of sterile neutrinos with that of the deviation from tribimaximal mixing. We also show that if the measured flux ratios acquire a value well outside the range predicted by the standard scenario with three active neutrinos only, it might be possible to tell the presence of extra sterile neutrinos by observing ultra high energy neutrinos in future neutrino telescopes.Comment: 22 pages, version to appear in Phys. Rev.

Molecular theory of elastic constants of liquid crystals. III. Application to smectic phases with tilted orientational order

Using the density functional formalism we derive expression for the distortion free energy for systems with continuous broken symmetry and use it to derive expression for the elastic constants of smectic phases in which director is tilted with respect to the smectic layer normal. As in the previous papers of the series (Phys. Rev. A {\bf 45}, 974 (1992), E {\bf 49}, 501, (1994)) the expressions for the elastic constants are written in terms of order and structural parameters. The structural parameters involve the generalised spherical harmonic coefficients of the direct pair correlation function of an effective isotropic liquid. The density of this effective isotropic liquid depends on the nature and amount of ordering present in the system and is evaluated self- consistently. We estimate the value of elastic constants using reasonable guess for the order and structural- parameters.Comment: 31 pages; 1 Fig. in GIF format, To be appear in Phys. Rev.

ΔI=4\Delta I=4 and ΔI=8\Delta I=8 bifurcations in rotational bands of diatomic molecules

It is shown that the recently observed $\Delta I=4$ bifurcation seen in superdeformed nuclear bands is also occurring in rotational bands of diatomic molecules. In addition, signs of a $\Delta I=8$ bifurcation, of the same order of magnitude as the $\Delta I=4$ one, are observed both in superdeformed nuclear bands and rotational bands of diatomic molecules.Comment: LaTex twice, 10 pages and 5 PS figures provided upon demand by the Author

Fluids of hard ellipsoids: Phase diagram including a nematic instability from Percus-Yevick theory

An important aspect of molecular fluids is the relation between orientation and translation parts of the two-particle correlations. Especially the detailed knowledge of the influence of orientation correlations is needed to explain and calculate in detail the occurrence of a nematic phase. The simplest model system which shows both orientation and translation correlations is a system of hard ellipsoids. We investigate an isotropic fluid formed of hard ellipsoids with Percus-Yevick theory. Solving the Percus-Yevick equations self-consistently in the high density regime gives a clear criterion for a nematic instability. We calculate in detail the equilibrium phase diagram for a fluid of hard ellipsoids of revolution. Our results compare well with Monte Carlo Simulations and density functional theory.Comment: 7 pages including 4 figure

Maternal inheritance of chloroplast DNA in Coffea arabica hybrids

Intergenic spacers of chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) are very useful in phylogenetic and population genetic studies of plant species. Their integration in phylogenetic analysis leads to a deep understanding of species relationships. Mode of chloroplast DNA inheritance was investigated in the genus Coffea arabica (Rubiaceae) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of cpDNA fragments using universal primer pair rrn23 – trnR (ACG) region of chloroplast genome. A total of 30 F1 plants from five different C. arabica parent varieties were examined. Two crosses involving C. arabica var. Sln.10 and C. arabica var. Devamachy, and C. arabica var.S.881 and another cross involving C. arabica var. Agaro with C. arabica var. Tafarikela were analyzed. Length polymorphism was observed in all three hybrids at rrn23 – trnR (ACG) region of cpDNA. In each case, it was the maternal cpDNA marker that appeared in the F1 individuals. Further it was observed that the length polymorphism  observed within parental plants led to the identification of five different banding patterns at rrn23 – trnR (ACG) region of coffee cpDNA. The possible reasons for the observed differences are discussed

Using Molecular Docking, Dynamics, and Simulation to Investigate the Role of Trigonella foenum-graecum Interaction with Parkin gene in the Prevention of Oral Cancer

Background: Oral cancer is one of the most feared diseases in the world, as well as India\u27s second leading cause of death. Several studies have found that the upregulation and downregulation of various tumour suppressor genes, such as Parkin gene, are linked to cancer pathogenesis. So, numerous therapeutic options are available to combat this disease; however, due to their drawbacks and side effects, it is necessary to find alternatives, such as medicinal plants. As a result of their low toxicity and immense nutraceutical value, plants and their extracts have proven critical in treating and managing a variety of cancers, including oral cancer. Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum), considered to be one of the earliest effective medicinal plants and commonly used spices in Indian cooking. This plant has numerous valuable properties against a variety of diseases such as arthritis, bronchitis, wounds, abscesses, digestive disorders, and cancer. Methods: Using molecular docking, dynamic and simulation approaches with Parkin gene in oral cancer, we investigated the possibility of understanding the mechanism underlying the anti-cancerous activity of the bioactive compound of fenugreek seeds. Results: The findings investigated the interaction of the bioactive compound trigoneoside IB in fenugreek seeds with Parkin gene, resulting in higher molecular dock scores (-8.6 Kcal/mol), stable molecular dynamics (MD) simulation results, and lower binding energy calculations. Conclusion: The computational results show that the fenugreek seed compound trigoneoside IB could be an effective drug candidate for treating oral cancer. As a result, additional research is required to validate and prove these findings by in vivo studies