Constructing Inverse Scattering Potentials for {\alpha}-{\alpha} System using Reference Potential Approach

Background: An accurate way to incorporate long range Coulomb interaction alongside short-range nuclear interaction has been a challenge for theoretical physicists. Purpose: In this paper, we propose a methodology based on the reference potential approach for constructing inverse potentials of alpha-alpha scattering. Methods: Two smoothly joined Morse potentials, regular for short-range nuclear interaction and inverted for long range Coulomb, are used in tandem as a reference potential in the phase function method to obtain the scattering phase shifts for the S, D and G states of alpha-alpha scattering. The model parameters are optimized by choosing to minimize the mean absolute percentage error between the obtained and experimental scattering phase shift values. Results: The constructed inverse potentials for S, D and G states have resulted in mean absolute percentage errors of 0.8, 0.5, and 0.4 respectively. The obtained resonances for D and G states closely match the experimental ones. Conclusion: The reference potential approach using a combination of smoothly joined Morse functions is successful in accurately accounting for the Coulomb interaction between charged particles in nuclear scattering studies.Comment: 10 pages, 4 figures, 2 Table

EVALUATION OF DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMANCE OF USG GUIDED FNAC OF THYROID SWELLINGS: A PROSPECTIVE STUDY

  Background: USG-guided FNAC is a good preoperative screening technique when compared to FNAC and USG done separately for the diagnosis of a thyroid lesion. However, there is little evidence in the literature that emphasizes the importance of USG-guided FNAC as the first step in the investigation of thyroid lesions. Aim: Our study aims to see the sensitivity and specificity, adequacy, and diagnostic accuracy of USG-guided FNAC taking histopathology as a gold standard. Methods: This Hospital-based prospective observational study was carried out on patients who attended the OPD and/or IPD and underwent surgery in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology. Results: The sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound-guided FNAC for thyroid lesions were 58.82%, 98.18%, and 88.89% respectively taking Bethesda categories 1 to 3 as benign and categories 4 to 6 as malignant. The positive likelihood ratio and negative likelihood ratio are 32.32 and 0.42 respectively. Positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 90.91% and 88.52%. The diagnostic accuracy of USG-guided FNAC for thyroid lesions in the present study is 88.89% and adequacy is 93.05%. Conclusion: Further study of a larger number of cases is desirable. US-FNAC is an expensive procedure as compared to palpable FNAC. Recommendation: We recommend the application of USG guide FNAC as the first step in the investigation of thyroid lesions along with a detailed interdepartmental correlation to make the diagnosis before surgery

Global health burden of ambient PM2.5 and the contribution of anthropogenic black carbon and organic aerosols

Chronic exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) poses a major global health risk, commonly assessed by assuming equivalent toxicity for different PM2.5 constituents. We used a data-informed global atmospheric model and recent exposure-response functions to calculate the health burden of ambient PM2.5 from ten source categories. We estimate 4.23 (95% confidence interval 3.0-6.14) million excess deaths annually from the exposure to ambient PM2.5. We distinguished contributions and major sources of black carbon (BC), primary organic aerosols (POA) and anthropogenic secondary organic aerosols (aSOA). These components make up to similar to 20% of the total PM2.5 in South and East Asia and East Africa. We find that domestic energy use by the burning of solid biofuels is the largest contributor to ambient BC, POA and aSOA globally. Epidemiological and toxicological studies indicate that these compounds may be relatively more hazardous than other PM2.5 compounds such as soluble salts, related to their high potential to inflict oxidative stress. We performed sensitivity analyses by considering these species to be more harmful compared to other compounds in PM2.5, as suggested by their oxidative potential using a range of potential relative risks. These analyses show that domestic energy use emerges as the leading cause of excess mortality attributable to ambient PM2.5, notably in Asia and Africa. We acknowledge the uncertainties inherent in our assumed enhanced toxicity of the anthropogenic organic and BC aerosol components, which suggest the need to better understand the mechanisms and magnitude of the associated health risks and the consequences for regulatory policies. However our assessment of the importance of emissions from domestic energy use as a cause of premature mortality is robust to a range of assumptions about the magnitude of the excess risk.Peer reviewe

Effectiveness Of 1.2% Simvastatin Gel as an Adjunct to Non-Surgical Therapy in The Treatment of Chronic Periodontitis: A Split Mouth Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND: Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease that results in bone resorption creating bony defects, which may cause tooth loss. AIM: The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of 1.2% Simvastatin gel as an adjunct to non-surgical therapy to treat chronic periodontitis (CP). MATERIALS AND METHOD: 25 patients with 50 sites were categorized into two treatment groups: Scaling and Root Planing plus 1.2% Simvastatin, and Scaling and Root Planing with placebo. Clinical parameters; site-specific plaque index, modified sulcus bleeding index (mSBI), pocket probing depth (PD), and relative attachment level (RAL) were recorded at baseline, 3, 6, and 9 months. RESULTS: Mean PD reduction and mean RAL gain was found to be greater in Simvastatin group than the placebo group, at 3, 6, and 9 months. CONCLUSION: Locally delivered Simvastatin was found to be effective in the treatment of chronic periodontitis (CP)

Drought Stress in Millets and Its Response Mechanism

Drought is a major abiotic stress that diminishes crop yield and weakens global food security, especially in the current emerging situation of climate change as well as increases in the prevalence and severity of stress elements. Millets are nutrient-dense and capable to resist variety of harsh environmental conditions, including lack of moisture. Millet’s crop has evolved dynamically in terms of morphology, physiology, and biochemically that allow them to flee and/or adapt to adverse environmental situations. Drought stress has a significant impact on the vegetative and reproductive phases of plants. Millets generate a very low yield compared to main cereals like wheat and rice, despite their agronomic, nutritional, and health-related benefits. It is necessary to understand how these complex features are regulated and ameliorated the impact of droughts on millet productivity. Keeping this in view, the present work aims to understand the processes used for reducing the negative impacts of droughts in the production of millets varieties using advanced agronomic management strategies (use of information technology) and the biotechnology (improvements in crop genetics)