Topologically distinct atomic insulators

Topological classification of quantum solids often (if not always) groups all trivial atomic or normal insulators (NIs) into the same featureless family. As we argue here, this is not necessarily the case always. In particular, when the global phase diagram of electronic crystals harbors topological insulators with the band inversion at various time-reversal invariant momenta ${\bf K}^{\rm TI}_{\rm inv}$ in the Brillouin zone, their proximal NIs display noninverted band-gap minima at ${\bf K}^{\rm NI}_{\rm min}={\bf K}^{\rm TI}_{\rm inv}$. In such systems, once topological superconductors nucleate from NIs, the inversion of the Bogoliubov de Gennes bands takes place at ${\bf K}^{\rm BdG}_{\rm inv}={\bf K}^{\rm NI}_{\rm min}$, inheriting from the parent state. We showcase this (possibly general) proposal for two-dimensional time-reversal symmetry-breaking insulators. Then distinct quantized thermal Hall conductivity and responses to dislocation lattice defects inside the paired states (tied with ${\bf K}^{\rm BdG}_{\rm inv}$ or ${\bf K}^{\rm NI}_{\rm min}$), in turn unambiguously identify different parent atomic NIs.Comment: Published version in PRB as a Letter: 7 pages, 4 figures (Supplemental Material as Ancillary file

ATTENUATED AND MODIFIED VACCINE VIRUSES: DO THEY ACTAS A SOURCE OF SOME OTHER VIRAL DISEASES?

For effective control of several viral diseases, live virus vaccines are given preference over killed or inactivated vaccines for their higher immunogenic potentials. Live virus vaccine strains are developed by attenuation by passaging in nonnatural host species, tissues, embryonated eggs, etc., or by transferring viral genes/genomes to some other vector virus. The attenuated viruses fail to infect the species of their choice; though can elicit immunity when used as vaccines. The vector viruses are modified by the addition of a section of the genome of the disease-producing viruses in their genome to offer the desired immunity in vaccinated humans or animals. During mass vaccinations, the attenuated live viruses or vector viruses spread in the biosphere. It is suspected that many erstwhile low-profile disease agents genetically related to the viruses used in live vaccine production are causing more severe disease symptoms, changing tissue or organ of predilection, and even changing or broadening host species specificity. Three representative viral diseases affecting three species (human, goat, and cattle) are discussed as examples to enlighten the possible linkage between the spread of the attenuated or vector viruses in the biosphere and the increased virulence of related disease-producing viruses

A dosemetric and radiobiological impact of VMAT and 3DCRT on lumbosacral plexuses, an underestimated organ at risk in cervical cancer patients

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate dosimetric and radiobiological difference between volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) and 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) in organ at risk (OAR) lumbosacral plexus (LSP) in cervical cancer patients. Materials and methods: 30 patients of cervical cancer who were treated using 3DCRT or VMAT along with chemotherapy followed by brachytherapy were enrolled. LSP was delineated retrospectively. Dosimetric and radiobiological difference was evaluated. Patients were followed for radiation induced lumbosacral plexopathy (RILSP). Results: Median follow-up was 12 months (3–16 months). 53.3% of patients were treated by 3DCRT and 46.7% by VMAT. The mean (±SD) LSP volume: 119.03 ± 15 cm3. The mean volume percentages (%) of the LSP: V5, V10, V20, V30, V40, V50, V55, and V60 were 100%, 99.8%, 99.2%, 94.3%, 84.03%, 59.7%, 0%, 0%, respectively. All patients received doses to the LSP in excess of 50 Gy, one patient received 55 Gy. A statistically significant difference was observed in the median value of V20, V30, V40, V50, D50, P2, P4, P7, P8, P9, and P10 across two different techniques of radiotherapy — VMAT and 3DCRT. None of the patients presented with RILSP. NTCP value was less in VMAT plans compared to 3DCRT, which is also statistically significant. Conclusion: RILSP is a rare and often refractory complication of pelvic radiotherapy. Advance radiotherapy technique with proper OAR delineation and constraint can prevent the occurrence of RILSP. VMAT has potential benefits for the probability of dose reduction in LSP. Further studies are required focusing on dose distribution in LSP–OAR and radiotherapy modality

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Not AvailableThe ongoing pandemic of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has killed millions across the globe. This paper hypothesizes anaerobic glycolysis and dehydrogenase enzymes as the focal points of SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis that ensure virus survival and replication in humans and the reservoir host bat. Metabolic alterations in hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and higher reliance on anaerobic glycolysis for energy generation make males and aged people more vulnerable to the disease. The bat has a low level of vitamin D, greater metabolic dependence on anaerobic glycolysis, and low dehydrogenase activities which might predispose this mammal to persistent infection. Similarities of the bat metabolism with the metabolic changes brought by SARS-CoV-2 in humans suggest possible evolution of the coronavirus targeting the host metabolic processes for its replication and survival. Further research on host-pathogen interactions at the metabolism levels would unravel the pathogenesis of coronavirus and several other viruses.Ni

Noncrystalline topological superconductors

Topological insulators, featuring bulk-boundary correspondence, have been realized on a large number of noncrystalline materials, among which amorphous network, quasicrystals and fractal lattices are the most prominent ones. By contrast, topological superconductors beyond the realm of quantum crystals are yet to be harnessed, as their nucleation take place around a well-defined Fermi surface with a Fermi momentum, the existence of which rests on the underlying translational symmetry. Here we identify a family of noncrystalline Dirac materials, devoid of translational symmetry, on which suitable local or on-site pairings yield topological superconductors. We showcase this outcome on all the above mentioned noncrystalline platforms embedded on a two-dimensional flat space. The resulting noncrystalline topological superconductors possess a quantized topological invariant (Bott index) and harbor robust one-dimensional Majorana edge modes.Comment: 6 Pages, 4 Figure

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Not AvailableWe studied the microbiological quality and prevalence of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in finfish and shellfish sold in the domestic markets of West Bengal, India following enrichment in alkaline peptone water and further plating on to thiosulfate citrate bile salt sucrose agar. Total plate count of bacteria in shrimp flesh with the exoskeleton, and finfish muscle with skin was also estimated which ranged from 20±1.12 x 105 cfu/g to 73±1.12 x 105 cfu/g, and from 0.2 ±0.18 x 105 cfu/g to 1.2 ±0.43 x 105 cfu/g, respectively. Prevalence of V. parahaemolyticus varied in different fish and shellfish species, with highest prevalence in Lutjanus sp (27.77%) and lowest in Setipinna phasa (10%); the bacterium was not detected in Labeo bata and Channa striata. The contamination rate was higher in shellfish like Penaeus monodon (42.85%) and P. indicus (40%).Contamination was higher during summer than in winter: an average of 20.85 % of finfish and shellfish were contaminated during winter, compared to contamination of 31.45% of samples during summer months. The study showed that although overall microbial load was within permissible limits, fish and shellfish were contaminated with V. parahaemolyticus raising food safety concern to the domestic consumers.Not Availabl

Pecularities in the distribution of produced particles emission in ²⁴Mg-Ag/Br interactions at 4.5 A GeV*

156-160The angular sub-structures of particle produced within dense and dilute groups along the rapidity axis in 24Mg induced interaction of Ag/Br nuclei in an emulsion detector at 4.5 A GeV/c have been investigated. The experimental results have been compared with the results simulated by Monte Carlo method. Non-statistical jet-like sub-structures have been found in the data. However, when the parameter S2 is used in the analysis there seems to be definite jet-structure for the dilute groups which cannot be accounted for independent emission model (MC). The average behaviour of the S parameters strongly favours the presence of jet-like sub-structures

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Not AvailableWe studied the microbiological quality and prevalence of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in finfish and shellfish sold in the domestic markets of West Bengal, India following enrichment in alkaline peptone water and further plating on to thiosulfate citrate bile salt sucrose agar. Total plate count of bacteria in shrimp flesh with the exoskeleton, and finfish muscle with skin was also estimated which ranged from 20±1.12 x 105 cfu/g to 73±1.12 x 105 cfu/g, and from 0.2 ±0.18 x 105 cfu/g to 1.2 ±0.43 x 105 cfu/g, respectively. Prevalence of V. parahaemolyticus varied in different fish and shellfish species, with highest prevalence in Lutjanus sp (27.77%) and lowest in Setipinnaphasa (10%); the bacterium was not detected in Labeobata and Channastriata. The contamination rate was higher in shellfish like Penaeus monodon (42.85%) and P. indicus (40%).Contamination was higher during summer than in winter: an average of 20.85 % of finfish and shellfish were contaminated during winter, compared to contamination of 31.45% of samples during summer months. The study showed that although overall microbial load was within permissible limits, fish and shellfish were contaminated with V. parahaemolyticus raising food safety concern to the domestic consumersNot Availabl

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Not AvailableBiogeochemical reduction and mobilization of sediment-bound arsenic have triggered widespread groundwater arsenic contamination and public health emergency in Bengal Delta. The present study examines arsenic reduction ability of pond sediment microbiota and their diversity from arsenic-affected villages. Arsenic reduction ability of pond sediment microbiota and individual bacterial isolates were studied in sediment microcosm and in culture medium. Arsenic reducing strains were identified from 16S rDNA sequences. Pond sediment microflora caused profuse arsenic reduction under anoxic and partial anoxic conditions, and under the influence of labile organic matter. Prominent arsenic-reducing strains were identified as Chryseobacterium sp., Pseudomonas sp., Acinetobacter sp., and Comamonas aquatica. The presence of partial-to-true anoxic conditions, typical of pond ecosystems in this region and labile organic matter, as well as organic manure applications in ponds for aquaculture, strongly favored arsenic reduction by sediment microflora. The Bengal Delta plain is bestowed with thousands of aquaculture ponds and floodplain wetlands which might act as important sites for microbial reduction and mobilization of arsenic to the groundwater hydrologic system in the region.NAI

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AMAAS projectMicrobial mobilization of sediment calcium-bound P constitutes an important process of P cycling in aquatic environments. The present study was conducted to identify the bacterial community responsible for inorganic phosphate solubilization in tropical oxbow lakes. Fifty eight phosphate-solubilizing bacteria were isolated from bottom soil, water, and fish gut and examined for solubilization of tricalcium phosphate. Results revealed aquatic PSB to be low-to-moderately capable in P solubilization (mean: 33.5 mg P L¡1 ; range: 6.3–68.8 mg P L¡1 ), and bacteria from wetland sediment and water were more effective than those from fish gut. The PSB were identified to belong to diverse genera, viz. Bacillus, Brevibacillus, Enterobacter, Agrobacterium, Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, Microbacterium, Curtobacterium, Stenotrophomonas and Novosphingobium. The findings help in understanding the microbial role in inorganic P solubilization and identifying important P solubilizers in freshwater environments.ICA