Editorial: Observation on the Changing Societal Mosaic of Nepal

Occasional Papers in Sociology and Anthropology - Volume 10, 200

MHD and Thermal Dispersion-Radiation Effects on Non-Newtonian Fluid Saturated Non-Darcy Mixed Convective Flow with Melting Effect

The problem of mixed convection along a vertical plate in a non-Newtonian fluid saturated non-Darcy porous medium in the presence of melting, thermal dispersion-radiation effects for aiding and opposing external flows is analyzed. Similarity solution for the governing equations is obtained for the flow equations in steady state. The equations are numerically solved by using Runge-kutta fourth order method coupled with shooting technique. The effects of melting (M), thermal dispersion (D)-radiation (R), inertia (F) and mixed convection (Ra/Pe) on velocity and temperature distributions are examined in the presence of magnetic parameter MH

Neutron Structural Studies on the Superconducting (Nd₁₋ₓCax)(Ba₁.₆La₀.₄)Cu₃Oz System

We have investigated the influence of Ca ion substitution on the structural and superconducting properties of (Nd1−xCax)(Ba1.6La0.4)Cu3Oz system. Magnetization, x-ray diffraction, and neutron diffraction studies have been carried out on a series of compounds with x=0.0-0.6. The superconducting transition temperature Tc, determined from magnetization measurements, increases with increasing Ca2+ substitution. Neutron diffraction studies reveal that these compounds crystallize in a tetragonal structure (space group P4/mmm). A detailed analysis of the neutron diffraction data reveals that Ca and La ions are intermixed at the nominal Ba and Nd sites. While a major fraction of Ca ions occupy the usual Nd site, a small fraction occupies the Ba site. Consequently, the corresponding amount of La substitutes at the nominal Nd site. The intermixing of Ca and La sites randomizes the chain site oxygens leading to a tetragonal structure despite an oxygen content close to 7.0 for all the Ca doped samples. Further increase in Ca content leads to change in its coordination from sixfold to eightfold at x\u3e=0.4

Neutron structural studies on the superconducting (Nd1-xCax)(Ba1.6La0.4)Cu3Oz system

We have investigated the influence of Ca ions substitution on the structural and superconducting properties of (Nd1-xCax)(Ba1.6La0.4)Cu3Oz system. Magnetization, X-ray diffraction and neutron diffraction studies have been carried out on a series of compounds with x = 0.0 to 0.6. The superconducting transition temperature Tc, determined from magnetization measurements increases with increasing Ca2+ substitution. Neutron diffraction studies reveal that these compounds crystallize in a tetragonal structure (space group P4/mmm). A detailed analysis of the neutron diffraction data reveals that Ca and La ions are intermixed at the nominal Ba and Nd sites. While a major fraction of Ca ions occupy the usual Nd site, a small fraction occupies the Ba site. Consequently, the corresponding amount of La substitutes at the nominal Nd site. The intermixing of Ca and La sites randomizes the chain site oxygens leading to a tetragonal structure despite an oxygen content close to 7.0 for all the Ca doped samples. Further increase of Ca content lead to change in its co-ordination from six-fold to eight-fold at x >= 0.4.Comment: 13 Pages, 5 Figure

PE11, a PE/PPE family protein of Mycobacterium tuberculosis is involved in cell wall remodeling and virulence

The role of the unique proline-glutamic acid (PE)/proline-proline-glutamic acid (PPE) family of proteins in the pathophysiology and virulence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis is not clearly understood. One of the PE family proteins, PE11 (LipX or Rv1169c), specific to pathogenic mycobacteria is found to be over-expressed during infection of macrophages and in active TB patients. In this study, we report that M. smegmatis expressing PE11 (Msmeg-PE11) exhibited altered colony morphology and cell wall lipid composition leading to a marked increase in resistance against various environmental stressors and antibiotics. The cell envelope of Msmeg-PE11 also had greater amount of glycolipids and polar lipids. Msmeg-PE11 was found to have better survival rate in infected macrophages. Mice infected with Msmeg-PE11 had higher bacterial load, showed exacerbated organ pathology and mortality. The liver and lung of Msmeg-PE11-infected mice also had higher levels of IL-10, IL-4 and TNF-α cytokines, indicating a potential role of this protein in mycobacterial virulence

Rare occurrence of sunfish Mola mola (Linnaeus) from the coastal waters off Visakhapatnam (Bay of Bengal)

The occurrence of sunfish in any sea is a rare event. It is so rare that even fishermen engaged in fishing throughout their lives find it totally strange when they come across one. On 6 May, 1986, a local fisherman reported to the Zoology Department of the Andhra University that a very strange looking fish was part of that day's catch

SARS-CoV-2 Infections and ACE2: Clinical Outcomes Linked With Increased Morbidity and Mortality in Individuals With Diabetes

Individuals with diabetes suffering from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) exhibit increased morbidity and mortality compared with individuals without diabetes. In this Perspective, we critically evaluate and argue that this is due to a dysregulated renin-angiotensin system (RAS). Previously, we have shown that loss of angiotensin-I converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) promotes the ACE/angiotensin-II (Ang-II)/angiotensin type 1 receptor (AT1R) axis, a deleterious arm of RAS, unleashing its detrimental effects in diabetes. As suggested by the recent reports regarding the pathogenesis of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), upon entry into the host, this virus binds to the extracellular domain of ACE2 in nasal, lung, and gut epithelial cells through its spike glycoprotein subunit S1. We put forth the hypothesis that during this process, reduced ACE2 could result in clinical deterioration in COVID-19 patients with diabetes via aggravating Ang-II–dependent pathways and partly driving not only lung but also bone marrow and gastrointestinal pathology. In addition to systemic RAS, the pathophysiological response of the local RAS within the intestinal epithelium involves mechanisms distinct from that of RAS in the lung; however, both lung and gut are impacted by diabetes-induced bone marrow dysfunction. Careful targeting of the systemic and tissue RAS may optimize clinical outcomes in subjects with diabetes infected with SARS-CoV-2.This study was supported by National Institutes of Health grants R01EY025383, R01EY012601, R01EY028858, and R01EY028037 to M.B.G. A.G.O. was supported in part by R01NS10241

Characteristics of VHF radiowave scintillations over a solar cycle (1983?1993) at a low-latitude station: Waltair (17.7°N, 83.3°E)

International audienceThe characteristics of VHF radiowave scintillations at 244 MHz (FLEETSAT) during a complete solar cycle (1983?93) at a low-latitude station, Waltair (17.7°N, 83.3°E), are presented. The occurrence of night-time scintillations shows equinoctial maxima and summer minima in all the epochs of solar activity, and follows the solar activity. The daytime scintillation occurrence is negatively correlated with the solar activity and shows maximum occurrence during the summer months in a period of low solar activity. The occurrence of night-time scintillations is inhibited during disturbed days of high solar activity and enhanced during low solar activity