Prospects of indirect searches for dark matter annihilations in the earth with ICAL@INO

We study the prospects of detecting muon events at the upcoming Iron CALorimeter (ICAL) detector to be built at the proposed India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO) facility due to neutrinos arising out of annihilation of Weakly Interactive Massive Particles (WIMP) in the centre of the earth. The atmospheric neutrinos coming from the direction of earth core presents an irreducible background. We consider 50kt $\times$ 10 years of ICAL running and WIMP masses between 10-100 GeV and present 90 \% C.L. exclusion sensitivity limits on $\sigma_{SI}$ which is the WIMP-nucleon Spin Independent (SI) interaction cross-section. The expected sensitivity limits calculated for ICAL for the WIMP annihilation in the earth are more stringent than the limits obtained by any other indirect detection experiment. For a WIMP mass of ~$52.14 \textup{ GeV}$, where the signal fluxes are enhanced due to resonance capture of WIMP in earth due to Fe nuclei, the sensitivity limits, assuming 100\% branching ratio for each channel, are : $\sigma_{SI} =1.02\times 10^{-44}~cm^2$ for the $\tau^{+} \tau^{-}$ channel and $\sigma_{SI} =5.36\times 10^{-44} ~cm^2$ for the $b ~\bar{b}$ channel.Comment: 20 pages, 1 table and 11 figure

Neutrino Physics with Non-Standard Interactions at INO

Non-standard neutrino interactions (NSI) involved in neutrino propagation inside Earth matter could potentially alter atmospheric neutrino fluxes. In this work, we look at the impact of these NSI on the signal at the ICAL detector to be built at the India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO). We show how the sensitivity to the neutrino mass hierarchy of ICAL changes in the presence of NSI. The mass hierarchy sensitivity is shown to be rather sensitive to the NSI parameters $\epsilon_{e\mu}$ and $\epsilon_{e\tau}$, while the dependence on $\epsilon_{\mu\tau}$ and $\epsilon_{\tau\tau}$ is seen to be very mild, once the $\chi^2$ is marginalised over oscillation and NSI parameters. If the NSI are large enough, the event spectrum at ICAL is expected to be altered and this can be used to discover new physics. We calculate the lower limit on NSI parameters above which ICAL could discover NSI at a given C.L. from 10 years of data. If NSI were too small, the null signal at ICAL can constrain the NSI parameters. We give upper limits on the NSI parameters at any given C.L. that one is expected to put from 10 years of running of ICAL. Finally, we give C.L. contours in the NSI parameter space that is expected to be still allowed from 10 years of running of the experiment.Comment: 24 pages, minor improvement

Nonprofessional Phagocytosis Can Facilitate Herpesvirus Entry into Ocular Cells

Phagocytosis is a major mechanism by which the mediators of innate immunity thwart microbial infections. Here we demonstrate that human herpesviruses may have evolved a common mechanism to exploit a phagocytosis-like entrapment to gain entry into ocular cells. While herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) causes corneal keratitis, cytomegalovirus (CMV) is associated with retinitis in immunocompromised individuals. A third herpesvirus, human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8), is crucial for the pathogenesis of Kaposi's sarcoma, a common AIDS-related tumor of eyelid and conjunctiva. Using laser scanning confocal microscopy, we show that successful infection of ocular cell types by all the three viruses, belonging to three divergent subfamilies of herpesviruses, is facilitated by induction of F-actin rich membrane protrusions. Inhibitors of F-actin polymerization and membrane protrusion formation, cytochalasin D and latrunculin B, were able to block infection by all three viruses. Similar inhibition was seen by blocking phosphoinositide 3 kinase signaling, which is required for microbial phagocytosis. Transmission electron microscopy data using human corneal fibroblasts for HSV-1, human retinal pigment epithelial cells for CMV, and human conjunctival epithelial cells for HHV-8 are consistent with the possibility that pseudopod-like membrane protrusions facilitate virus uptake by the ocular cells. Our findings suggest a novel mechanism by which the nonprofessional mediators of phagocytosis can be infected by human herpesviruses

Comparative Evaluation of Preloading with Dextran, Hydroxyethyl Starch, Polygelatine and Ringer Lactate for Prevention of Hypotension Following Spinal Anaesthesia

Background: A good number of routine and emergency surgical procedures are done under spinal anaesthesia. Hypotension is the most common cardiovascular response of spinal anaesthesia which may be associated with serious patient discomfort and mortality. Preloading has proved to be the most effective method for prevention of post spinal hypotension. Preloading is rapid administration of crystalloid or colloid solution before giving spinal or epidural block.Aim: To study the effect of pre-operative infusion of Ringer Lactate, Hydroxyethyl starch, Dextran 40 and Polygelatine to prevent spinal hypotension and compare the effect of preloading with different colloids. Material & Methods: 100 patients, ASA physical status of I and II undergoing elective surgeries between the age group of 21 to 60 years were randomized into four groups depending upon the type of fluid (Hydroxyethyl starch, Dextran-40, Polygelatine and Ringer Lactate) used for preloading the patients before the subarachnoid block. In case of hypotension, Inj. Mephentermine(3mg) was injected to maintain blood pressure. The number of boluses of Inj. Mephentermine were recorded. Results: Incidence of hypotension in group R preloaded with Ringer lactate solution is 56%, group H preloaded with HES is 24%, group D preloaded with Dextran 40 is 32% and group P Polygelatine is 36%. This was statistically found to be highly significant (p<0.001). when compared between groups, it was also observed that the use of mephenteramine as vasopressor was minimum in Hydroxyethyl Starch (HES) group as compair to the Ringer Lactate, Dextran and Polygelatine groups. The use of mephentermine was found higest in the Ringer lactate group. Conclusion: Subarachnoid block is associated with significant incidence of hypotension. In prevention of post subarachnoid block hypotension preloading with Hydroxyethyl Starch (HES)  is more effective than the Ringer Lactate, Dextran and Polygelatine

Whimsical Nature of Tughlaq

The present research paper deals with Whimsical nature of Tughlaq. Tughlaq is protagonist of Girish Karnad’s famous play Tughlaq. He was the sultan of Delhi in 14th century. The play was written by Girish Karnad in 1964. Tughlaq by Girish Karnad is a classic in Indian English drama. It tells the story of Muhammad Bin Tughlaq, exploring the rationale behind his actions and exploring his psyche. The action of the play takes place in 14th century and it gives a clear picture of that time and character of Tughlaq. In the play Tughlaq is Impulsive and Whimsical king. He always thinks that he is right and all his actions are right too.  Nobody can foretell his moods and actions in his own fate. As a king Tughlaq took many decisions but all the plan of Tughlaq has failed due to his negligence and becomes problem for Delhi residents. Thus for his mad plans he was regarded as a mad king

A Comparative Study of Effect of Propofol, Etomidate Lipuro and Propofol-Etomidate Lipuro Admixture on Haemodyanamic Response and on BIS Values at Induction of General Anaesthesia- A RCT

Background: Patients undergoing elective surgical procedures require an anesthetic agent which would provide a smooth, pleasant, rapid induction and recovery along with   hemodynamic stability and minimal side effects. To achieve these goals Propofol, Etomidate and propofol – etomidate lipuro admixture may be the agents of choice. Bispectral index (BIS) monitoring has emerged as a convenient and versatile tool to titrate hypnotic agentsAim: 1. To compare the time of onset, of ,loss of consciousness and induction of anaesthesia using BIS index value among the propofol (1%), etomidate-lipuro (0.2%) and 50% (1:1) admixture of these agents (Etofol) in various  procedures to choose the better induction agent. 2. To compare the hemodynamic changes caused by these agents.Material and methods:90 patients of either sex and of ASA physical status I or II scheduled for elective surgery under general anesthesia were selected for the study and were randomly placed into three groups. Group P was induced with intravenous Propofol 1%, Group E with intravenous Etomidate (2mg/ml) and Group PE with intravenous mixture of Propofol plus Etomidate (1:1) @ 400ml/hr till the BIS value reached 40.  Patient was considered to be induced once the BIS value reached 40 and this time was noted for all three groups.  BIS values and hemodynamic measurements were recorded before induction (T1), at induction (T2), before intubation (T3) after intubation (T4) and then after intubation, at 1 min (T5), at 3 min (T6), at 5 min (T7) and at 10 min (T8).Results: The Induction (time to reach BIS value of 40) was fastest in Etofol group. Induction dose of Etofol provided better control of BIS values after orotracheal intubation. It was also noted that Heart Rate remained near baseline in Etofol group at different time intervals. In the Post intubation period, a significant increase in the Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP), Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP) and Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP), was noted in Group E. The increase in blood pressure at different intervals after intubation was found to be lowest in Group PE.Conclusion: We conclude that Etofol is associated with a shorter induction time and better haemodyanamic stability than Etomidate and Propofol alone. It also provides effective control of BIS values during induction, orotracheal intubation and thereafter. Key words: Etomidate, Propofol, Etofol, bispectral index (BIS) and haemodyanamic stability