Ab initio no-core shell model study of neutron-rich 18,19,20^{18,19,20}C isotopes

We implement the ab initio no-core shell model approach to study neutron-rich $^{18}$C, $^{19}$C and $^{20}$C isotopes. For this purpose, we employ charge-dependent Bonn 2000 (CDB2K), inside non-local outside Yukawa (INOY) and chiral next-to-next-to-next-to-leading order (N$^{3}$LO) nucleon-nucleon interactions. Low-lying energy spectra, electromagnetic properties and point-proton radii for these nuclei up to basis space $N_{\rm max}$ = 4 are calculated. Binding energies obtained with INOY interaction are in better agreement with the experimental values as compared to other \textit{ab initio} interactions. We also show the behavior of ground state energy and point-proton radii with the NCSM parameters, $\hbar$$\Omega$ and $N_{\rm max}$. We report a strong sensitivity of the B(E2) values from the first excited $2^+$ to the ground state of $^{18}$C and $^{20}$C to the nuclear interaction. Shell model calculations with YSOX interaction are also performed, and corresponding results are compared with ab initio one.Comment: Nuclear Physics A 1029, 122565 (2023

Ab initio description of Si, P, S, Cl and Ar isotopes in sd-shell

In the present work, we have reported comprehensive study of the $sd$-shell nuclei in the range $Z = 14 - 18$ with neutron number varying from $N = 9$ to $N = 20$ using the microscopic effective valence shell interactions. These effective $sd$-shell interactions are developed using the ab initio no-core shell model wave functions and the Okubo-Lee-Suzuki transformation method. The valence shell effective interactions, which are used in this project, are N3LO, JISP16 and DJ16A interactions. For comparison, we have also performed shell model calculations with the empirical USDB interaction. Theoretically calculated shell model results are compared with the experimental data, to check the predictive strength of the microscopic interactions. It is found that the binding energies of the ground states are better reproduced with the DJ16A interaction as compared to other microscopic interactions. Spin-tensor decomposition of two-body interaction is presented to understand the contributions from central, vector and tensor components into these interactions. Electromagnetic properties of these isotopic chains have been studied. Spectroscopic strengths of $^{23}$Al($d$,$n$)$^{24}$Si are calculated for the newly performed experiment at NSCL. The beta-decay properties of $^{32}$Ar are also determined for recently available experimental data.Comment: 23 pages, 16 figure

Insect growth regulatory activities from oils of camphor and clove against Spilosoma obliqua

The present study was conducted to evaluate the insecticidal and growth regulatory activities of clove oil, Syzygium aromaticum and camphor oil, Cinammomum camphora against Bihar hairy caterpillar, Spilosoma obliqua. The fourth instar larvae were subjected to topical application by microapplicator syringe with doses of 2.5, 2.0, 1.5, 1.0 and 0.5 μl/larva. Camphor oil was most effective at 2.5, 2.0 and 1.5μl dose causing death of larvae ranging from 76-90%. It showed a strong growth regulatory activity with no adult emergence at the highest concentration. Clove oil was effective in reducing adult moth population to 27% at highest dose of 2.5 μl. Only this dose could cause larval mortality of about 60%. The study shows potential of these oils to be utilized as insecticides or antibiosis mechanism to suppress the population of S. obliqua

Psychological Flexibility Determines COVID-19 Peritraumatic Distress and Severity of Depression

COVID-19 implied social distancing, forced behavioural changes, and the economic downturn has been associated with poor mental health and wellbeing. Depression and suicide are the highly predicted psychosocial risks caused by the pandemic crises. Early studies evaluating the effect of COVID-19 on psychiatric health have succeeded in developing screening measures. However, they have been limited in understanding its relations with individual psychological flexibility. An individual's psychological flexibility determines the ability to fight against such adversities on an immediate time scale and the future psychotherapeutic treatment. We conducted an online study to examine the relationship between psychological flexibility and risks to depression and their relationship with COVID-19 peritraumatic distress. We used Multidimensional Psychological Flexibility Inventory (MPFI), Beck's Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and COVID-19 Peritraumatic Distress Index (CPDI) to measure the above psychological factors. The results are discussed in light of individual psychological flexibility and its association with BDI-II and CPDI outcomes

Evaluating the effects of neutral red on coal and coalseam water associated microbial communities

The capturing of methane from coal is a growing industry that involves naturally-produced methane extraction from coal seam beds. Biogenic methane conversion from coal includes the action from certain groups of indigenous microorganisms including fermentative bacteria and methanogenic archaea. Neutral red (3-amino-7-dimethylamino-2-methyl phenazine) is an amino derivative of the heterocyclic phenazine that has been shown to enhance methane generation with coal as a substrate. Phenazine derivatives have highly reversible redox behaviour and act as reducing equivalents in transfer mediating systems. This study aims to investigate the impact of neutral red on coal and on microbial communities involved in conversion of coal into methane. It also examines the impact of neutral red on sulphate reducing bacteria, which compete with methanogens for energy in coal seam associated groundwater. This study illustrates the impact of neutral red on properties of coal such as permeability and porosity. Microfluidics was used to observe the crystallization of neutral red in 27 μm size channels (the size of the natural fractures present in coal). Neutral red (NR) was found to crystalize within micrometer sized channels, indicating the application of neutral red in situ will decrease the permeability of coal limiting recovery of coal seam gas. To understand the impact of neutral red on microbial communities responsible for the bioconversion of coal, samples were incubated with groundwater microbial communities for six months. Data revealed that neutral red enhanced the bioconversion of coal by doubling acetate production, indicating that neutral red affects functional groups besides methanogens. Neutral red was found to inhibit the activity and growth of sulfate reducing bacteria present in coal seam associated groundwater. Proteomic analysis suggests neutral red generates free radicals that damage cellular components in sulphate reducing bacteria. Neutral red therefore adds to the list of possible biocides for control of sulphate reducing bacteria in oil and gas industries. Whilst neutral red was known to enhance acetoclastic methanogenesis in Methanosarcina mazei, nothing was known about how neutral red affects other methanogens. Neutral red was found to have an inhibitory effect on Methanosarcina barkeri and proteomic analysis identified enzymes impacted by neutral red. The different responses between M. mazei and M. barkeri likely relates to the use of methanophenazine in electron transport in M. mazei but not M. barkeri. This study provides insights into the impact of neutral red on coal seam associated microbial communities and on the coal itself, informing real world applications of neutral red for enhanced methanogenesis from coal

Toxicity of some bioactive medicinal plant extracts to Asian army worm, Spodoptera litura

Comparative toxicity of Andrographis paniculata (leaves), Anethum graveolens (leaves), Azadirachta indica (fruits), Cassia fistula (seeds), Cuscuta reflexa (stem), Dendropthoe falcata (leaves), Lantana camara (leaves and fruits), Melia azedarach (leaves) and Vitex negundo ( stem) plant extracts against 2nd days (first instar) and 6th days(third instar) old larvae of Spodoptera litura was studied at 5 and 10mg/ml concentration. D. falcata leaves (98.58%) and A. indica fruits= C. reflexa (85.72%) were most effective in reducing weight gain in 2nd days old larvae at 5mg/ml and at 10mg/ml, C. reflexa (98.58) followed by C. fistula seeds and L.camara fruits(both 92.86%) were effective in retarding growth. L.camara fruit extract (99.43 and 99.93%) showed greater toxicity and reduced growth as compared to A. graveolens leaves (76.16% ) at 5mg/ml. At 10mg/ml L.camara (99.94%) and A. paniculata (89.54%) leaves exhibited reduction in weight gain over control against 6d old larvae. All the medicinal plants showed varying degree of toxicity. D.falcata, A.indica and L.camara exhibited high larval mortality as compared to the other plant extracts

miR-135a targets IRS2 and regulates insulin signaling and glucose uptake in the diabetic gastrocnemius skeletal muscle

AbstractAlthough aberrant miRNA signatures are associated with diabetes, yet, the status and role of altered miRNAs in the diabetic skeletal muscle is currently poorly understood. Here, we report that 41 miRNAs are altered in the diabetic gastrocnemius skeletal muscle and of these, miR-135a that is identified as a critical regulator of myogenesis, is significantly up-regulated. IRS2 is predicted as its potential putative target and its levels are down-regulated in the diabetic gastrocnemius skeletal muscle. In C2C12 cells, while miR-135a levels decreased during differentiation, IRS2 levels were up-regulated. miR-135a significantly reduced IRS2 protein levels and its 3′UTR luciferase reporter activity and these were blunted by the miR-135a inhibitor and mutation in the miR-135a binding site. Knock-down of endogenous miR-135a levels increased IRS2 at the mRNA and protein levels. miR-135a also attenuated insulin stimulated phosphorylation and activation of PI3Kp85α and Akt and glucose uptake. miR-135a levels were also found to be elevated in the human diabetic skeletal muscle. In-vivo silencing of miR-135a alleviated hyperglycemia, improved glucose tolerance and significantly restored the levels of IRS2 and p-Akt in the gastrocnemius skeletal muscle of db/db mice without any effect on their hepatic levels. These suggest that miR-135a targets IRS2 levels by binding to its 3′UTR and this interaction regulates skeletal muscle insulin signaling