Search of Astrophysical results with LIGO from the Science runs S1 to S5

The gravitational wave detectors especially LIGO has attained its design sensitivity and up gradation has virtually reached near the completion. The gravitational wave search is in progress and hopefully result will be possible in due course of time. We discuss the recent attempts to detect various classes of signals which include un-modelled sub second burst of gravitational radiation like from core collapse supernoval and γ-ray burst engine. A stochastic background of gravitational waves of cosmological origin would provide a new idea about early universe. We discuss current attempts to detect gravitational waves from these sources and know about future prospectus of these searches

Achievable Sum-rate of variants of QAM over Gaussian Multiple Access Channel with and without security

The performance of next generation wireless systems (5G/6G and beyond) at the physical layer is primarily driven by the choice of digital modulation techniques that are bandwidth and power efficient, while maintaining high data rates. Achievable rates for Gaussian input and some finite constellations (BPSK/QPSK/QAM) are well studied in the literature. However, new variants of Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM) such as Cross-QAM (XQAM), Star-QAM (S-QAM), Amplitude and phase shift keying (APSK), and Hexagonal Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (H-QAM) are not studied in the context of achievable rates for meeting the demand of high data rates. In this paper, we study achievable rate region for different variants of M-QAM like Cross-QAM, H-QAM, Star-QAM and APSK. We also compute mutual information corresponding to the sum rate of Gaussian Multiple Access Channel (G-MAC), for hybrid constellation scheme, e.g., user 1 transmits using Star-QAM and user 2 by H-QAM. From the results, it is observed that S-QAM gives the maximum sum-rate when users transmit same constellations. Also, it has been found that when hybrid constellation is used, the combination of Star-QAM \& H-QAM gives the maximum rate. In the next part of the paper, we consider a scenario wherein an adversary is also present at the receiver side and is trying to decode the information. We model this scenario as Gaussian Multiple Access Wiretap Channel (G-MAW-WT). We then compute the achievable secrecy sum rate of two user G-MAC-WT with discrete inputs from different variants of QAM (viz, X-QAM, H-QAM and S-QAM).It has been found that at higher values of SNR, S-QAM gives better values of SSR than the other variants. For hybrid inputs of QAM, at lower values of SNR, combination of APSK and S-QAM gives better results and at higher values of SNR, combination of HQAM and APSK gives greater value of SSR.Comment: 11 Figures, two tables. Accepted for publication in IEEE International Conference on Signal Processing and Computer Vision (SPCV-2023

Haemato-biochemical Changes in Natural Cases of Canine Babesiosis

Incidence of severe anemia due to babesiosis in dogs resulting in death in a short time of illness is on the increase in Punjab, during last few decades due to introduction of exotic breeds like Grey Hound, German shepherd, Doberman, Labrador and others. In the present study the hematological and biochemical changes in blood samples obtained from 4 dogs naturally infected with Babesia were evaluated. The dogs were presented to the Department of Veterinary Clinical Services Complex, GADVASU, Ludhiana from August 2008 to April 2009. The evaluation included Hemoglobin (Hb), Red Blood Cell count (RBC), Packed Cell Volume (PCV), Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV), Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC), leucocyte counts, platelet counts and reticulocyte counts. The serum biochemistry included Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, total protein, albumin, bilirubin, Aspartate amino Transferase (AST), Alanine amino Transferase (ALT), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), The hematological findings in most of these dogs were normocytic normochromic anemia and thrombocytopenia. The total and differential leukocyte counts were not specific. Biochemical values were within normal ranges but serum biochemistry varied for each dog. This study indicated that Babesia infection in dogs apparently caused anemia and thrombocytopenia, while other clinical values did not change

Seasonal and monthly variations of protein content in the muscle of fish Schizothorax esocinus

Schizothorax esocinus (Chirruh snow barbell) Heckel, 1838 a key and freshwater species in the valley of Kashmir and is now endangered one. This study is to evaluate seasonal and monthly changes in protein content of muscle tissue and was studied over a period of twelve months from January 2011-Febuary 2012. Remarkable variation in protein content of muscle tissues of S. esocinus has been analyzed during the study period. The protein content of fish species showed increased level in summer season (28%) and lowest percentage in winter season (10%), attaining peak values in July (35%) and minimum value in December (0.08%). The results indicate that the protein content of the fish depends on season but also to a great extent in reaction to food and reproductive cycle. The present study is the first to describe the seasonal variation in the protein content of muscle of Schizothorax esocinus from the Kashmir Valley

Primary Fibrosarcoma of the Liver: We Don't Know Much: A Case Report

A 60-year-old lady presented to us with a right upper abdominal mass. With a clinical diagnosis of liver tumor, she was evaluated with abdominal CT, MRI, nuclear scan, tumor markers, USG guided FNAC and other baseline investigations. On evaluation she had a massive right lobe tumor crossing the midline. In view of the ambiguous diagnosis she was subjected to laparotomy where the lesion was judged unresectable and a biopsy was taken. Histopathological examination showed the rare pathology of primary fibrosarcoma of the liver with features of homogeneous, spindle-shaped cells with abundant collagen fibers showing a classic herringbone pattern. Tissue samples were then sent to another referral cancer hospital for immunohistochemistry and immunoreactive vimentin was found in the tumor cells. Electron microscopically, the tumor cells were rich in rough endoplasmic reticulum without a basement membrane, and were surrounded by large amounts of collagen fibers. The fibroblastic character of the tumor cells was suggested by light and electron microscopy

Comparative assessment of extraction methods and quantitative estimation of luteolin in the leaves of Vitex negundo Linn. by HPLC

AbstractObjectiveTo find out the ideal organic solvent and extraction technique for the isolation of luteolin from the leaves of Vitex negundo Linn. (V. negundo) by quantitative estimation of luteolin through high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method.MethodsThe leaves of V. negundo were identified by a botanist, cleaned, dried under shade and powdered. Maceration, reflux, Soxhlet and ultrasound assisted extraction techniques were used for the extraction of luteolin from the leaves by using four different solvents of varying polarity such as methanol, ethanol, chloroform, and dichloromethane. A simple HPLC method was used to determine the quantity of luteolin in each sample extract.ResultsThe calibration plot of standard luteolin showed a linear relationship in the concentration range of 100-500 μg/mL with a correlation coefficient, r2 of 0.998. The methanolic extract was found to contain highest amount of luteolin and among various techniques employed for extraction and isolation of luteolin, reflux technique was observed to be the most efficient.ConclusionBased on the HPLC results, it can be concluded that reflux technique using methanol is better than the other extraction techniques and should be preferred for the extraction and isolation of luteolin from V. negundo leaves extract in research labs or industries

Psychological Determinants of Drug Addiction: A Study of Kashmiri youth

Substance abuse has been considered as one of the alarming problem throughout the world. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) World Drug Report, 2012 estimates that between 153 million and 300 million people age 15–64 used illicit drugs at least once in the past year and attributes 1 in every 100 adult deaths annually to illicit drug use. The field of psychology has also witnessed momentum over the research on psychological perspectives of substance abuse/drug addiction during the past two decades. Several psychological factors have been found associated with substance dependence or drug addiction. The present study attempts to find out the relationship of drug addiction/ substance dependence with personality dimensions of neuroticism and extraversion; impulsiveness and subjective wellbeing. The study also attempts to predict the significant psychological factors contributing to drug addiction/Substance dependence. Drug addicts/substance dependents who join de-addiction centres were compared with those who don‘t join de-addiction centres on personality dimensions (extraversion, neuroticism); impulsiveness and subjective wellbeing. The study also examines the self reported reasons of drug addicts/substance dependents for joining de-addiction centres or for not joining de-addiction centres and continuing drug use. One hundred and fifty male participants were selected in the study. One group of subjects (N=50) were taken from different drug de-addiction centres. Another group of drug addicts (N=100), include those who don‘t join drug de-addiction centres and were taken from different areas of Srinagar. Drug addiction/substance dependence was assessed using Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test- V 3.0 (ASSIST-V 3.0); Personality (neuroticism and extraversion) were assessed using Modified version of Eysenck's Maudsley‘s Personality Inventory (MPI 1959- S.S Jalota and S.D Kapoor); Impulsivity was assessed using Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, Version -11 (BIS-11) & Subjective wellbeing by Subjective Wellbeing Inventory –SUBI (Nagpal and sell, 1992). Apart from these tools a self designed semi structured interview schedule was used to collect the responses of the subjects pertaining to their reasons for joining de-addiction centre or reason for not joining de-addiction and continuing drug use. The data collected was analyzed by using appropriate statistical techniques like Pearson‘s product moment correlation, multiple regression analysis, t-test and also content analysis for qualitative date. The results showed significant positive correlation between drug addiction/ substance dependence and neuroticism (r=0.269, P ≤ 0.01). However, the relationship between drug addiction/substance dependence and Extraversion was found negative but insignificant. Overall impulsiveness (r = 0.204, p ≤ 0.05) and two of it‘s sub factors i;e Attentional impulsiveness (r = 0.230, P ≤ 0.01) and non-planning impulsiveness (r = 0.183, p ≤ 0.05) showed significant positive correlation with drug addiction/ substance dependence. However motor impulsiveness (a sub factor of impulsiveness) showed insignificant correlation with drug addiction/substance dependence. Subjective wellbeing and it‘s factorial dimensions showed insignificant correlation with drug addiction/ substance dependence. Neuroticism was found as the only significant predictor of drug addiction/ substance dependence. The results also showed significant difference between drug addicts/substance dependents who join de-addiction centres and drug addicts/substance dependents who don‘t join de-addiction centres on extraversion (t=2.574, p ≤ 0.05). However no such difference was found between the two groups on Neuroticism. Significant difference was also found between drug addicts/ substance dependents who join de-addiction centres and drug addicts/ substance dependents who don‘t join de-addiction centres on motor impulsiveness (t=2.10, p ≤ 0.05).However the difference between the two groups on overall impulsiveness and two of it‘s sub factors (Attentional impulsiveness and Non-planning impulsiveness) was not found statistically significant. Significant difference was found between drug addicts/substance dependents who join de-addiction centres and drug addicts who don‘t join de-addiction centres on general wellbeing positive affect (t=1.986, p ≤ 0.05), confidence in coping (t = 2.240, p ≤ 0.05), primary group concern (t= 2.486, p ≤ 0.05), and perceived ill health (t= 2.890, p ≤ 0.01) dimension of subjective wellbeing. However the difference between these two groups on the rest of the factorial dimensions of subjective wellbeing and overall SWB was not found statistically significant. Health concern, dignity of self and their families, and family concern /family pressure were found as the major self reported reasons for joining de-addiction centres. Denial, feeling in control, and recreational drug use were found as the major self reported reasons for not joining de-addiction centres and continuing drug use. Most of the results of the study were found in tune with the findings of the previous relevant research. The limitations of the study and the suggestions for future research have been mentioned

Prevalence of anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder in the Kashmir Valley.

BACKGROUND: Following the partition of India in 1947, the Kashmir Valley has been subject to continual political insecurity and ongoing conflict, the region remains highly militarised. We conducted a representative cross-sectional population-based survey of adults to estimate the prevalence and predictors of anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the 10 districts of the Kashmir Valley. METHODS: Between October and December 2015, we interviewed 5519 out of 5600 invited participants, ≥18 years of age, randomly sampled using a probability proportional to size cluster sampling design. We estimated the prevalence of a probable psychological disorder using the Hopkins Symptom Checklist (HSCL-25) and the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire (HTQ-16). Both screening instruments had been culturally adapted and translated. Data were weighted to account for the sampling design and multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify risk factors for developing symptoms of psychological distress. FINDINGS: The estimated prevalence of mental distress in adults in the Kashmir Valley was 45% (95% CI 42.6 to 47.0). We identified 41% (95% CI 39.2 to 43.4) of adults with probable depression, 26% (95% CI 23.8 to 27.5) with probable anxiety and 19% (95% CI 17.5 to 21.2) with probable PTSD. The three disorders were associated with the following characteristics: being female, over 55 years of age, having had no formal education, living in a rural area and being widowed/divorced or separated. A dose-response association was found between the number of traumatic events experienced or witnessed and all three mental disorders. INTERPRETATION: The implementation of mental health awareness programmes, interventions aimed at high risk groups and addressing trauma-related symptoms from all causes are needed in the Kashmir Valley

Utility of second trimester beta HCG levels in prediction of gestational hypertension: a prospective cohort study

Background: Gestational hypertension is a significant threat both to maternal and fetal health. However, it is still a distant dream to predict accurately its occurrence in early pregnancy. Objective was to find out if β HCG levels determined between 13 to 20 weeks of gestation can be used as a predictor for gestational hypertension.Methods: This prospective observational cohort study was conducted from August 2014 to January 2016. Serum β HCG levels were determined at 13 to 20 weeks of gestation of 190 normotensive pregnant women attending the antenatal clinics. They were followed for the development of gestational hypertension till 40 weeks of gestation or delivery.Results: Out of the total 190 women, 25 (13.1%) developed gestation hypertension. Of those who developed gestational hypertension, 22 (88%) were having β HCG levels >2 MOM (p2 MOM were 83.3, 96.9, 80.0 and 97.5 respectively (95% CI).Conclusions: Pregnant women with high Beta HCG levels in early pregnancy have significantly higher risk for development of gestational hypertension

In vivo evaluation of ziram induced acute toxicity on pathomorphology of broiler chicken

Fungicides are usually used in agriculture and often find their way in poultry feed. Therefore, a study was undertaken to study the in vivo effect of one such fungicide (ziram) induced intoxication on pathomorphology of broiler chicken. After 2 weeks of age the birds were given fungicide (Ziram) in feed as a single oral dose of 100 mg/kg body weight. Out of 10 birds, 3 died due to ziram intoxication (30% mortality rate). Birds that died rapidly showed pronounced neurological signs like convulsions. The carcasses of ziram intoxicated birds appeared dehydrated and their mucous membrane was pale in colour. Marked vascular congestion was observed in brain on gross examination. The livers showed congestion and haemorrhages with necrotic foci. Kidneys and lungs had ecchymotic haemorrhages and heart revealed gelatinization of pericardium, distention and pericarditis. Atrophy of bursa of Fabricius and thymus; hypertrophy of thyroid was found. Histopathological examination revealed neuronal degeneration and necrosis associated with mild gliosis in brain. Lungs, pericardium and epicardium had severe congestion and there was degeneration with separation of myofibers. Glomeruli were congested and frequently revealed hypercellularity. There were sinusoidal congestion and varying degrees of hepatocellular degeneration. Bursa revealed mild depletion of lymphoid cells in few lobules while as thymus showed hypoplasia with depletion of lymphocytes. Thyroid had mild mononuclear cell infiltration and caecum showed marked necrosis and denudation of the mucosa. In conclusion, the depletion of lymphoid tissue from lymphoid organs was suggestive of immunosuppressive and immunomodulatory effects of ziram toxicity in broiler chicken