ON KENMOTSU MANIFOLDS WITH SEMI-SYMMETRIC METRIC CONNECTION

The aim of the present paper is to study the properties of locally and globally $\phi$-concircularly symmetric Kenmotsu manifolds endowed with a semi-symmetric metric connection. First, we will prove that the locally $\phi$-symmetric and the globally $\phi$-concircularly symmetric Kenmotsu manifolds are equivalent. Next, we will study three dimensional locally $\phi$-symmetric, locally $\phi$-concircularly symmetric and locally $\phi$-concircularly recurrent Kenmotsu manifolds with respect to such connection and will obtain some geometrical results. In the end, we will construct a non-trivial example of Kenmotsu manifold admitting a semi-symmetric metric connection and validate our results. 

CHARACTERIZATION OF ϕ\phi-SYMMETRIC LORENTZIAN PARA-KENMOTSU MANIFOLDS

The purpose of the present paper is to explore the characteristics of the Lorentzian $\phi$-symmetric para-Kenmotsu manifold as an Einstein manifold. In this paper, we also study the parallel 2-form on the LP-Kenmotsu manifold (LP-Kenmotsu manifold is used in lieu of Lorentzian para-Kenmotsu manifold throughout the present research article). We explain that the conformally flat LP-Kenmotsu manifold is locally $\phi$-symmetric iff, it has constant scalar curvature

Lyra's cosmology of homogeneous and isotropic universe in Brans-Dicke theory

In this paper, we investigate a scalar field Brans-Dicke cosmological model in Lyra's geometry which is based on the modifications in geometrical term as well as energy term of Einstein's field equations. We have examined the validity of proposed cosmological model on observational scale by performing statistical analysis from latest $H(z)$ and SN Ia observational data. We find that the estimated values of Hubble's constant and matter energy density parameter are in agreement with their corresponding values, obtained from recent observations of WMAP and Plank collaboration. We also derived deceleration parameter, age of the universe and jerk parameter in terms of red-shift and computed its present values. The dynamics of deceleration parameter in derived model of the universe shows a signature flipping from positive to negative value and also indicates that the present universe is in accelerating phase.Comment: 9 pages, 6 Figures, Accepted for Publication in Int. J. Geom. Meth. Mod. Phy

Management of intercondylar fractures of the distal humerus in adults using bi-columnar plating through trans-olecranon approach

Background: Inter-condylar fractures of the distal humerus are uncommon injuries and present the most difficult challenge among fractures of the lower end of the humerus. The principle involves anatomical reduction and fixation with stabilization of extra-osseous implants. The functional outcome has been greatly influenced by the early graduated rehabilitative exercise. We aimed to evaluate the functional outcome of inter-condylar fractures of the distal humerus in adults using bi-columnar plating through a trans-olecranon approach.Methods: A prospective study with 40 adult patients with inter-condylar fracture of the distal humerus were managed with bi-columnar plating through a trans-olecranon approach and were followed up for 12 months. The functional outcome was analysed by Mayo’s Elbow Performance Score (MEPS) at the end of 12 months follow up.Results: The average age of study participants were 50.8 years. A total of 24 cases were due to RTA and 16 cases were due to direct falls. Out of 40 cases, 6 (15%) were of B1 type, 2 (5%) were of type B2, 12 (30%) were of C1, 10 (25%) of C2, and 10 (25%) were of the type of C3 according to AO classification. According to MEPS at the end of the 12th-month follow-up, excellent results were seen in 24 (60%), good in 8 (20%), fair in 6 (15%), and poor results in 2 (5%) cases.Conclusions: Anatomically, bi-columnar plating for distal humerus is useful in providing stable fixation for complex distal articular fractured by trans-olecranon approach and facilitating early postoperative rehabilitation. Clinical and radiological results showed a good healing rate with a good range of motion.

Measurement of Natural Radioactivity, Radon Exhalation Rate and Radiation Hazard Assessment in Indian Cement Samples

AbstractBuilding materials are assumed to be the second source of Radon inside buildings. Due to low level of radon emanation from these materials, long term measurements are needed. Radiation doses from the building materials vary depending upon the natural radionuclides 226Ra, 232Th and their daughter products and 40K present in them. Cement is the main and important component used in the construction of buildings in many countries. These radio nuclides pose exposure risk due to their gamma ray emission and internally due to radon and its progeny that emit alpha particles. In the present study radon exhalation rate and the activity concentration of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K radionuclides in cement samples used in Aligarh region (U.P.), India have been measured by “Sealed Can technique” using LR-115 type II detectors and a low level NaI (Tl) based gamma ray spectrometer, respectively. From the measurements activity concentration of radionuclides 226Ra, 232Th and 40K vary from 9 to 28 Bq kg-1, 21 to 43 Bq kg-1 and 280 to 554 Bq kg-1 with overall average value of 19 Bq kg-1,35 Bq kg-1 and 406.7 Bq kg -1 respectively. Radon equivalent activity (Raeq) and external hazard index (Hex) have been found to vary from 60.8 to 121 Bq kg-1 and 0.16 to 0.30 respectively. The values are lower than the recommended safe values

Ultrahigh Penetration and Retention of Graphene Quantum Dot Mesoporous Silica Nanohybrids for Image Guided Tumor Regression

Funding: This work was supported by Department of Biotechnology, Government of India. J.C. acknowledges the European Research Council Starting Grant (ERC-StG-2019-848325). We thank the staff of animal house, NCCS, Pune for supporting us during animal studies. We also thank Mr. Sumit for the discussion and Dr. Mukesh K. Kumawat for providing GQDs.So far, near-infrared (NIR) light responsive nanostructures have been well-defined in cancer nanomedicine. However, poor penetration and retention in tumors are the limiting factors. Here, we report the ultrahigh penetration and retention of carbanosilica (graphene quantum dots, GQDs embedded mesoporous silica) in solid tumors. After NIR light exposure, quick (0.5 h) emission from the tumor area is observed that is further retained up to a week (tested up to 10 days) with a single dose administration of nanohybrids. Emissive and photothermally active GQDs and porous silica shell (about 31% drug loading) make carbanosilica a promising nanotheranostic agent exhibiting 68.75% tumor shrinking compared to without NIR light exposure (34.48%). Generated heat (∼52 °C) alters the permeability of tumor enhancing the accumulation of nanotheranostics into the tumor environment. Successive tumor imaging ensures the prolonged follow-up of image guided tumor regression due to synergistic therapeutic effect of nanohybrids.publishersversionpublishe

Liposomal nanotheranostics for multimode targeted in vivo bioimaging and near‐infrared light mediated cancer therapy

Developing a nanotheranostic agent with better image resolution and high accumulation into solid tumor microenvironment is a challenging task. Herein, we established a light mediated phototriggered strategy for enhanced tumor accumulation of nanohybrids. A multifunctional liposome based nanotheranostics loaded with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and emissive graphene quantum dots (GQDs) were engineered named as NFGL. Further, doxorubicin hydrochloride was encapsulated in NFGL to exhibit phototriggered chemotherapy and functionalized with folic acid targeting ligands. Encapsulated agents showed imaging bimodality for in vivo tumor diagnosis due to their high contrast and emissive nature. Targeted NFGL nanohybrids demonstrated near infrared light (NIR, 750 nm) mediated tumor reduction because of generated heat and Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). Moreover, NFGL nanohybrids exhibited remarkable ROS scavenging ability as compared to GQDs loaded liposomes validated by antitumor study. Hence, this approach and engineered system could open new direction for targeted imaging and cancer therapy.publishersversionpublishe

Climatic Variation and Its Impacts on Yield and Water Requirement of Crops in Indian Central Himalaya

Climate is most important factor affecting agriculture, and issues related to climate and its implications have attracted attention of policy makers globally. The farm sector, particularly marginal ecosystems in mountains are vulnerable because of unpredictable variation and severe sink limitations. Efforts to impart resilience to farm and its allied sector are an urgent need. The climatic parameters play very important role to determine type of crops, cattle rearing and the life style adopted by the people. Moreover, weather has a significant impact on crop growth and development. Weather plays a vital role and affects the production and productivity of the crops. According to an estimate, weather contributes 67% variation in productivity and rest of the factors (soil, nutrient and management practices etc.) accounts for 33%. Therefore, there is a need of in-depth analysis of each meteorological parameters and identification of their trend over the years in order to identify and adapt suitable agriculture practices, better adaptable crops, varieties and their duration, time of field preparation, sowing time and irrigation as per the climatic conditions of the region. This will lead farming community to plan strategies of agriculture operation to obtain optimum yield. The climatic data from the meteorological observatory of ICAR-VPKAS, Hawalbagh located at mid hill condition (1250 m amsl) were analyzed for different periods (annual, seasonal, monthly, weekly). It was revealed that rainfall is decreasing over the years but significant (P < 0.05) decrease was recorded at mid hills. The maximum temperature is increasing significantly (P < 0.05) during post-monsoon and winter season however decreasing in monsoon season whereas minimum temperature is decreasing round the year. These changes in rainfall and temperatures are affecting production and productivity of the crops, as hills are largely rainfed. In terms of crop water demand, there is no need to apply irrigation during the rainy season except the transplanted rice. However, during the winter season as there is more than 60% of water deficit to irrigate the crops. The proper understanding of climate is necessary to bring sustainability in hill agriculture by adjusting crop sowing window and other operations as per suitability of the climate

Variation in grain zinc and iron concentrations, grain yield and associated traits of biofortified bread wheat genotypes in Nepal

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the major staples in Nepal providing the bulk of food calories and at least 30% of Fe and Zn intake and 20% of dietary energy and protein consumption; thus, it is essential to improve its nutritional quality. To select high-yielding genotypes with elevated grain zinc and iron concentration, the sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth HarvestPlus Yield Trials (HPYTs) were conducted across diverse locations in Nepal for four consecutive years: 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, and 2018–19, using 47 biofortified and 3 non-biofortified CIMMYT-bred, bread wheat genotypes: Baj#1, Kachu#1, and WK1204 (local check). Genotypic and spatial variations were found in agro-morphological traits; grain yield and its components; and the grain zinc and iron concentration of tested genotypes. Grain zinc concentration was highest in Khumaltar and lowest in Kabre. Likewise, grain iron concentration was highest in Doti and lowest in Surkhet. Most of the biofortified genotypes were superior for grain yield and for grain zinc and iron concentration to the non-biofortified checks. Combined analyses across environments showed moderate to high heritability for both Zn (0.48–0.81) and Fe (0.46–0.79) except a low heritability for Fe observed for 7th HPYT (0.15). Grain yield was positively correlated with the number of tillers per m2, while negatively correlated with days to heading and maturity, grain iron, grain weight per spike, and thousand grain weight. The grain zinc and iron concentration were positively correlated, suggesting that the simultaneous improvement of both micronutrients is possible through wheat breeding. Extensive testing of CIMMYT derived high Zn wheat lines in Nepal led to the release of five biofortified wheat varieties in 2020 with superior yield, better disease resistance, and 30–40% increased grain Zn and adaptable to a range of wheat growing regions in the country – from the hotter lowland, or Terai, regions to the dry mid- and high-elevation areas