New atmospheric parameters and spectral interpolator for the MILES cool stars

Context: The full spectrum fitting of stellar spectra against a library of empirical spectra is a well-established approach to measure the atmospheric parameters of FGK stars with a high internal consistency. Extending it towards cooler stars still remains a challenge. Aims: We address this question by improving the interpolator of the MILES (Medium-resolution INT Library of Empirical Spectra) library in the low effective temperature regime (Tefff < 4800 K), and we refine the determination of the parameters of the cool MILES stars. Methods: We use the ULySS package to determine the atmospheric parameters (Teff, logg and [Fe/H]), and measure the biases of the results with respect to our updated compilation of parameters calibrated against theoretical spectra. After correcting some systematic effects, we compute a new interpolator that we finally use to redetermine the atmospheric parameters homogeneously and assess the biases. Results: Based on an updated literature compilation, we determine Teff in a more accurate and unbiased manner compared to those determined with the original interpolator. The validity range is extended downwards to about Teff = 2900 K compared to 3500 K previously. The mean residual biases on Teff, logg, and [Fe/H], with respect to the literature compilation for the coolest stars (Teff <= 3800 K) computed using the new interpolator, are -15 K, -0.02 dex, and 0.02 dex respectively. The corresponding estimations of the external precision are 63 K, 0.23 dex, and 0.15 dex respectively. For the stars with Teff in the range 3800 - 4200 K, the determinations of Teff and [Fe/H] have been slightly improved. At higher temperatures, the new interpolator is comparable to the original one. The new version of the interpolator is publicly available.Comment: A&A Accepted, 30 pages, 10 figure

Status of ψ\psi (3686), ψ\psi (4040), ψ\psi (4160), Y (4260), ψ\psi (4415) and X (4630) charmonia like states

We examine the status of charmonia like states by looking into the behaviour of the energy level differences and regularity in the behaviour of the leptonic decay widths of the excited charmonia states. The spectroscopic states are studied using a phenomenological Martin-like confinement potential and their radial wave functions are employed to compute the di-leptonic decay widths. Their deviations from the expected behaviour provide a clue to consider them as admixtures of the nearby S and D states. The present analysis strongly favour \\backslash$psi \$ (3686) as admixture of $c \bar{c}$ (2S) and $c \bar{c}$g (4.1 GeV) hybrid, \\backslash$psi \$ (4040) and \$$\backslash$psi \$ (4160) as admixture states of charmonia (3S, 3D) states with mixing angle \$$\backslash$theta \$ = 11$^\circ$and 45$^\circ$respectively. We identify Y (4260) as a pure$c \bar{c}$(4S) state whose leptonic decay is predicted as 0.65 keV. While X(4630) is closer to the$c \bar{c}$(6S) state. The status of \$$\backslash$psi \$ (4415) is still not clear as it does not fit to be pure or admixture state

Taxing Emotional Distress Recoveries: Does Murphy Show the Way?

The taxability of recoveries of damages on account of emotional distress remains a complicated issue under the American federal income tax law. Recent developments due to a controversial decision by the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals have further added fuel to this debate. Even if one were to argue the justifications of exempting such recoveries from income taxation, courts do not appear to be the very appropriate kind of forum. Congress can, and in fact does tax such recoveries and the constitutional basis of such power can hardly be doubted. As a result, appropriate changes in the statute only can bring the desirable result of exempting such recoveries from income taxation

Breeding Strategies for Improving Fodder Security in Semi-Arid Tropics (SAT)

Semi-Arid Tropic region extends in 55 countries of the world mostly developing nations which extend from Asia to Africa and provides home for 38 % of total poor of the world (Thornton et al., 2000). South Asia holds maximum areas under SAT which is followed by the countries from African continent and South America. The region is under tremendous change and facing acute problem of water, land degradation and soil health and loss of biodiversity. Demand for livestock product in the region is growing much more rapidly than the demand for food grains. Livestock numbers have increased significantly in all SAT regions for all categories of livestock over the last three decades. Increasing population of livestock in the region has created huge pressure on the available fodder resources. To meet the deficit in all components of fodder, dry crop residues and feed has to be met from either increasing productivity, utilizing untapped feed resources or increasing land area under fodder crops. The region primarily depends on annual dual purpose fodder crops viz., sorghum, pearlmillet, maize, oats, cowpea, clovers and perennial crops like lucerne and range grasses and legumes. The present paper deals about the current status, recent research and development and opportunities which can be effectively utilized for ensuring feed and fodder security in the region

Water-mediated variability in the structure of relaxed-state haemoglobin

The crystal structure of high-salt horse methaemoglobin has been determined at environmental relative humidities (r.h.) of 88, 79, 75 and 66%. The molecule is in the R state in the native and the r.h. 88% crystals. At r.h. 79%, the water content of the crystal is reduced and the molecule appears to move towards the R2 state. The crystals undergo a water-mediated transformation involving a doubling of one of the unit-cell parameters and an increase in water content when the environmental humidity is further reduced to r.h. 75%. The water content is now similar to that in the native crystals and the molecules are in the R state. The crystal structure at r.h. 66% is similar, but not identical, to that at r.h. 75%, but the solvent content is substantially reduced and the molecules have a quaternary structure that is in between those corresponding to the R and R2 states. Thus, variation in hydration leads to variation in the quaternary structure. Furthermore, partial dehydration appears to shift the structure from the R state to the R2 state. This observation is in agreement with the earlier conclusion that the changes in protein structure that accompany partial dehydration are similar to those that occur during protein action

In vitro antimicrobial activity of ten medicinal plants against clinical isolates of oral cancer cases

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Suppression of immune system in treated cancer patients may lead to secondary infections that obviate the need of antibiotics. In the present study, an attempt was made to understand the occurrence of secondary infections in immuno-suppressed patients along with herbal control of these infections with the following objectives to: (a) isolate the microbial species from the treated oral cancer patients along with the estimation of absolute neutrophile counts of patients (b) assess the in vitro antimicrobial activity medicinal plants against the above clinical isolates.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Blood and oral swab cultures were taken from 40 oral cancer patients undergoing treatment in the radiotherapy unit of Regional Cancer Institute, Pt. B.D.S. Health University,</p> <p>Rohtak, Haryana. Clinical isolates were identified by following general microbiological, staining and biochemical methods. The absolute neutrophile counts were done by following the standard methods. The medicinal plants selected for antimicrobial activity analysis were <it>Asphodelus tenuifolius Cav., Asparagus racemosus </it>Willd., <it>Balanites aegyptiaca </it>L.<it>, Cestrum diurnum </it>L., <it>Cordia dichotoma </it>G. Forst, <it>Eclipta alba </it>L., <it>Murraya koenigii </it>(L.) Spreng. <it>, Pedalium murex </it>L.<it>, Ricinus communis </it>L. and <it>Trigonella foenum graecum </it>L. The antimicrobial efficacy of medicinal plants was evaluated by modified Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. MIC and MFC were investigated by serial two fold microbroth dilution method.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Prevalent bacterial pathogens isolated were <it>Staphylococcus aureus </it>(23.2%), <it>Escherichia coli </it>(15.62%), <it>Staphylococcus epidermidis </it>(12.5%), <it>Pseudomonas aeruginosa </it>(9.37%), <it>Klebsiella pneumonia </it>(7.81%), <it>Proteus mirabilis </it>(3.6%), <it>Proteus vulgaris </it>(4.2%) and the fungal pathogens were <it>Candida albicans </it>(14.6%), <it>Aspergillus fumigatus </it>(9.37%). Out of 40 cases, 35 (87.5%) were observed as neutropenic. Eight medicinal plants (<it>A. tenuifolius, A. racemosus, B. aegyptiaca, E. alba, M. koenigii, P. murex R. communis </it>and <it>T. foenum graecum</it>) showed significant antimicrobial activity (P < .05) against most of the isolates. The MIC and MFC values were ranged from 31 to 500 μg/ml. <it>P. aeruginosa </it>was observed highest susceptible bacteria (46.6%) on the basis of susceptible index.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>It can be concluded that treated oral cancer patients were neutropenic and prone to secondary infection of microbes. The medicinal plant can prove as effective antimicrobial agent to check the secondary infections in treated cancer patients.</p