First measurement of tW production cross-section at s\sqrt s~= 13 TeV with CMS

The inclusive cross-section for tW production in proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 13$ TeV is measured for an integrated luminosity of 35.9 fb$^{-1}$ collected by the CMS experiment. The measurement is performed using events with one electron and one muon in the final state and at least one b-quark jet, and utilises kinematic differences between the signal and the dominating $t\bar{t}$ background using multivariant discriminants which is designed to disentangle the two processes. The measured cross-section of $\sigma = 63.1 \pm 1.8~({\rm stat}) \pm 6.4~({\rm syst}) \pm 2.1~({\rm lumi})$ pb is observed to be in agreement with the Standard Model.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, This conference proceeding is based on the poster presented at International Workshop on Top Quark Physics, Bad Neuenahr, Germany, September 16--21, 201

Robotic Arm Control Through Human Arm Movement using Accelerometers

In today’s world there is an increasing need to create artificial arms for different inhuman situations where human interaction is difficult or impossible. They may involve taking readings from an active volcano to diffusing a bomb. Here we propose to build a robotic arm controlled by natural human arm movements whose data is acquired through the use of accelerometers. For proper control mechanism and to reduce the amount of noise coming in from the sensors, proper averaging algorithm is used for smoothening the output of the accelerometer. The development of this arm is based on ATmega32 and ATmega640 platform along with a personal computer for signal processing, which will all be interfaced with each other using serial communication. Finally, this prototype of the arm may be expected to overcome the problem such as placing or picking hazardous objects or non-hazardous objects that are far away from the user

Direct actions of adiponectin on changes in reproductive, metabolic, and anti-oxidative enzymes status in the testis of adult mice

Accepted manuscriptObesity is a major health problem that is linked to decreased sperm count. It is hypothesized that an obesity-associated reduction in adiponectin secretion may be responsible for impairment of spermatogenesis. Therefore, the aim of the study was to evaluate the direct role of adiponectin in spermatogenesis and steroid synthesis in adult mice. This study showed that adiponectin receptors (AdipoR1 and AdipoR2) were localized in Leydig cells and seminiferous tubules in the testis of adult mice. The result of the in vitro study showed the direct action of adiponectin on spermatogenesis by stimulating cell proliferation (PCNA) and survival (Bcl2) and by suppressing cell apoptosis. Treatment of testis with adiponectin also enhanced transport of the energetic substrates glucose and lactate to protect cells from undergoing apoptosis. Adiponectin treatment further showed a significant reduction in oxidative stress and nitric oxide. Our findings suggest that adiponectin effectively facilitates cell survival and proliferation, as well as protects from apoptosis. Thus, adiponectin treatment may be responsible for enhancing sperm counts. Interestingly, this study showed the stimulatory effect of adiponectin in spermatogenesis but showed an inhibitory effect on testosterone and estradiol synthesis in the testes. Based on the present study, it is hypothesized that systemic adiponectin treatment may be a promising therapeutic strategy for the improvement of spermatogenesis and sperm count.University Grants Commission, New-Delhi, India. The authors would like to thank DeAnn Hubberd and Madison Hedrick from the Science Communications Department at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences for their work editing this manuscript. This work was also supported by Centre of Advanced Study, Department of Zoology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Indiainfo:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Development of Silicon Sensor Characterization System for Future High Energy Physics Experiments

The Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) is one of the general purpose experiments at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), CeRN and has its tracker built of all silicon strip and pixel sensors. Si sensors are expected to play extremely important role in the upgrades of the existing tracker for future high luminosity environment and will also be used in future lepton colliders. however, properties of the silicon sensors have to be carefully understood before they can be put in the extremely high luminosity condition. At Delhi university (DU), we have been working on the development of Si sensor characterization system, as part of the collaboration with the CMS experiment and RD50 collaboration. this works reports the installation of current-voltage (I-V) and capacitance-voltage (C-V) systems at DU

Most, And Least, Compact Spanning Trees of a Graph

We introduce the concept of Most, and Least, Compact Spanning Trees -- denoted respectively by $T^*(G)$ and $T^\#(G)$ -- of a simple, connected, undirected and unweighted graph $G(V, E, W)$. For a spanning tree $T(G) \in \mathcal{T}(G)$ to be considered $T^*(G)$, where $\mathcal{T}(G)$ represents the set of all the spanning trees of the graph $G$, it must have the least sum of inter-vertex pair shortest path distances from amongst the members of the set $\mathcal{T}(G)$. Similarly, for it to be considered $T^\#(G)$, it must have the highest sum of inter-vertex pair shortest path distances. In this work, we present an iteratively greedy rank-and-regress method that produces at least one $T^*(G)$ or $T^\#(G)$ by eliminating one extremal edge per iteration.The rank function for performing the elimination is based on the elements of the matrix of relative forest accessibilities of a graph and the related forest distance. We provide empirical evidence in support of our methodology using some standard graph families; and discuss potentials for computational efficiencies, along with relevant trade-offs, to enable the extraction of $T^*(G)$ and $T^\#(G)$ within reasonable time limits on standard platforms

PHARMACEUTICAL POTENTIAL OF LABORATORY GROWN CULTURES OF BLUE-GREEN ALGAE: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW AND FUTURE POSSIBILITIES

COVID-19 pandemic has taught the world researchers the urgent need for new sources and novel pharmaceuticals not only for existing diseases but also for both seasonal epidemics and future pandemics. Pharmaceutical drug discoveries for the past fifty years depended deeply on the procedure of empirical transmission of a huge number of pure bioactive compounds to provide new leads. The screening of extracts or isolating compounds is a common way to discover novel biologically active molecules. Most of the valuable Blue-Green algal metabolites are concentrated in their biomass. For existence in nature, Blue-Green algae (BGA) secrete and contain various organic substances like proteins, fatty acids, vitamins, pigments, primary and secondary metabolites, and these compounds are explored for potential biological activities such as antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral (including the anti-SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19), anticancer, antioxidant, antidiabetic, protease inhibitory activity, anti-inflammatory activity, etc. Due to their diverse application, pharmaceutical companies have shown commercial interest in the Blue-green algal group for the discovery and development of novel molecules to combat deadly diseases for the benefit of society and mankind. The current review paper highlights and discusses the diverse pharmaceutical potential of laboratory-grown cultures of BGA along with comprehensive and current knowledge on bioactive compounds discovered by researchers globally

Role of adiponectin as a modulator of testicular function during aging in mice

The mechanisms by which testicular functions decline with aging remain largely speculative. Our recent finding showed the importance of adiponectin in the regulation of testicular functions, whereas its concentration declines during male infertility. Thus, the aim of present study was to explore the potential role of adiponectin during aging. The changes in adiponectin, adiponectin-receptors, and insulin receptor proteins expression in the testis were evaluated and compared with the testicular parameters, mass, and testosterone level in the mice from early post-natal to late senescence period. Further, the current study has examined the effect of exogenous adiponectin treatment on testicular functions in aged mice. The results showed a significant decline in adiponectin/adiponectin-receptors expression simultaneously with a significant decline in testicular mass, insulin receptor expression and testosterone synthesis in the testis of aged mice. Exogenous treatment of adiponectin to aged mice resulted in marked improvements in testicular mass, histological features (cells proliferation), insulin receptor expression, testicular glucose uptake, anti-oxidative enzymes activity and testosterone synthesis as compared with the control. Based on these findings, it may be concluded that a marked decline in adiponectin synthesis and action results in decreased insulin sensitivity (development of insulin resistance) and increased oxidative stress which consequently suppresses testicular functions during aging. This study further showed that treatment with adiponectin ameliorates reduced testicular functions by enhanced expression of insulin receptor in the testis of senescent mice. It is thus hypothesized that systemic adiponectin treatment could be a promising therapeutic strategy for improvement of testosterone production and sperm counts during aging.Mayank Choubey greatly acknowledges financial assistance in the form of a Senior Research Fellowship (SRF) from Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR File No. RBMH/FW/2018/1), New Delhi, India. This work was also supported by University Grant Commission (UGC), New Delhi and Centre of Advanced Study, Department of Zoology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India

Application of plastic funnel in blast hole to improve blasting efficiency of opencast coal mine at West Bokaro

Blasting being one of the key activities of mining, its efficiency in terms of lower explosives consumption, improved rock fragmentation, decreased fly-rock, reduced noise and vibration level is very much desired for an effective mining operation which can be achieved by maximizing the utilization of explosive energy in the blast hole. Use of ‘reverse plastic funnel’ into the blast hole is one of the techniques for more utilization of explosives energy to improve blasting efficiency. The reverse plastic funnel is placed between explosive and stemming column in the blast hole which eliminates the contamination of explosive from drill cuttings (used for stemming), thus increases the Velocity of Detonation (VoD) of the explosive. Also, the conic shape of funnel creates a ‘Wedge effect’ guiding more of the explosive energy into the rock rather than upward out of the blast hole which helps in utilizing more explosive energy for rock breakage and reducing fly rock generation. In order to establish the benefit, trials were carried out in OB (overburden) benches of opencast coal mine at West Bokaro. In-hole VoD is measured by using Micro Trap VoD Recorder. It was found that the in-hole Velocity of Detonation (VoD) of the explosive is more in blast hole having funnel which means more strength of explosive. It was also observed that the fly rocks generation is negligible from blast holes in which funnels are placed

Dietary Incorporation of Ractopamine Hydrochloride Improves Body Composition and Metabolic Enzyme Activity in Calbasu, Labeo calbasu Fingerlings, despite High- and Low-Protein-Supplemented Diet

A 60-day feeding trial was conducted to examine the effect and interaction of dietary ractopamine hydrochloride (Rac) supplementation in diets with varied levels of protein and lipid for L. calbasu fingerlings. To attain this, the fish body compositions, digestive and metabolic enzyme activity were assessed. In total, nine diets were fed in triplicates to four hundred and five healthy Calbasu, Labeo calbasu fingerlings, based on ractopamine supplementation, viz., control (0 mg/kg), T1 (10 mg/kg), and T2 (20 mg/kg). The diets were further assigned in different levels of protein and lipid, viz., 35% protein and 6% lipid, 30% protein and 9% lipid, and 25% protein and 12% lipid. At the end of the trial, it has been observed that the inclusion of ractopamine hydrochloride at 20 mg/kg(-1) of basal diet significantly (p 0.05) digestive enzyme activity, viz., amylase, lipase, and protease activity in the fed fish. Conclusively, it implies that adding ractopamine hydrochloride at 20 mg/kg of basal diet (high and low protein content) enhances the whole-body protein content and improves the metabolic enzyme activity in L. calbasu fingerlings. Hence, ractopamine hydrochloride has a beneficial effect in L. calbasu fingerlings and would be a desirable feed supplement for this new species culture system