Why Study History

The rich and famous have looked down upon history for most of the 20th century. In 1916, the pioneer car manufacturer, Henry Ford, declared „History is bunk‟ because it‟s an unwanted vestige of tradition. On the other hand, in 2005, Thomas Friedman, thought the past was overloaded with memories, these remembrances were the assassins of dreams and any society with more memories than dreams was destined to decay. Contrary to this, we argue here that history has four distinct uses, it is an aesthetic guide and moral teacher like biographies, it has a utilitarian value as a rear view mirror, it is a political device to legitimise nations and it is one epistemological tool to understand society.KeywHistoriography; Historical ords: History; thinkin

Study of correlation between perceived sleep disturbances in depressed patients with objective changes in sleep architecture using polysomnography before and after antidepressant therapy

Background: A prospective cohort study to correlate perceived sleep disturbances in depressed patients with objective changes in sleep architecture using polysomnography (PSG) before and after antidepressant therapy.Methods: Patients were recruited into the study after applying strict inclusion and exclusion criterion to rule out other comorbidities which could influence sleep. A diagnosis of Depressive episode was made based on ICD-10 DCR. Psychometry, in the form of Beck Depressive inventory (BDI) and HAMD (Hamilton depression rating scale) insomnia subscale was applied on Day 1 of admission. Patients were subjected to sleep study on Day 03 of admission with Polysomnography. Patients were started on antidepressant treatment post Polysomnography. An adequate trial of antidepressants for 08 weeks was administered and BDI score ≤09 was taken as remission. Polysomnography was repeated post remission. Statistical analysis was performed using Kruskal Wallis test and Pearson correlation coefficient.Results: The results showed positive (improvement) polysomnographic findings in terms of total sleep time, sleep efficiency, wake after sleep onset, percentage wake time and these findings were statistically significant. HAM-D Insomnia subscale was found to correlate with total sleep time, sleep efficiency, wake after sleep onset, total wake time and N2 Stage percentage.Conclusions: Antidepressant treatment effectively improves sleep architecture in Depressive disorder and HAM-D Insomnia subscale correlates with objective findings of total sleep time, sleep efficiency, wake after sleep onset, total wake time and duration of N2 stage of NREM

Neutral and cationic enantiopure group 13 iminophosphonamide complexes

Synthesis and reactivity of enantiopure iminophosphonamide ligand L-H (L = [Ph$_{2}$P{N(R)CH(CH$_{3}$)Ph}$_{2}$]) with group 13 metal compounds has been investigated. The reaction of L-H with LiAlH$_{4}$ afforded the aluminium monohydride complex [L$_{2}$AlH]. The monochloride complexes [L$_{2}$MCl] (M = Al, Ga) were accessed by reacting corresponding MCl$_{3}$ (M = Al, Ga) with L-Li. Furthermore, the tetracoordinated aluminium cation [L$_{2}$Al]$^{+}$[GaCl$_{4}$]$^{-}$ and gallium cation [L$_{2}$Ga]$^{+}$[AlCl$_{4}$]$^{-}$ were obtained by chloride abstraction from [L$_{2}$MCl] (M = Al, Ga), respectively. The title complexes represent the first examples of enantiopure group 13 metal complexes coordinated by chiral iminophosphonamides. All complexes have been characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction, multinuclear NMR, EA and IR studies

Growth and Characterization of Single Crystals ofl-Histidine Hydrochloride Monohydrate for Nonlinear Optical Applications

In the present study, we have focused on the growth of semi-organic single crystals, as they play a vital role in the generation of a terahertz pulse and its potential applications. The single crystals ofl-histidine hydrochloride monohydrate (LMHCL) were grown by slow evaporation solution growth by using deionized water as a solvent in a controlled atmosphere. Good quality crystals of the required size were obtained within 2 weeks. To estimate the lattice dimensions and get the structural information, powder x-ray diffraction (PXRD) study was performed in which we have found that the crystal belongs to the orthorhombic crystal system with space groupP2(1)2(1)2(1). The functional groups and the corresponding vibrational mode were confirmed using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy, respectively. To study the optical properties UV-Vis transmission spectrum and photoluminescence (PL) were recorded. It was observed that the single crystal has a high value of transmission over a long range of wavelength which signifies that the crystal is a good candidate for nonlinear optical (NLO) applications. The UV cut-off wavelength is found to be 236 nm. The grown single crystals were studied by time-domain terahertz spectroscopy (THz-TDS) for photonic applications and the refractive indices were calculated and it is found that the refractive index is nearly equal to 3.4

Is trophy hunting of bharal (blue sheep) and Himalayan tahr contributing to their conservation in Nepal?

Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve (DHR), the only hunting reserve in Nepal, is famous for trophy hunting of bharal or ‘blue sheep’ (Pseudois nayaur) and Himalayan tahr (Hemitragus jemlahicus). Although trophy hunting has been occurring in DHR since 1987, its ecological consequences are poorly known. We assessed the ecological consequences of bharal and Himalayan tahr hunting in DHR, and estimated the economic contribution of hunting to the government and local communities based on the revenue data. The bharal population increased significantly from 1990 to 2011, but the sex ratio became skewed from male-biased (129 Male:100 Female) in 1990 to female-biased (82 Male:100 Female) in 2011. Similarly, a recent survey of Himalayan tahr showed that there was a total population of 285 tahr with a sex ratio of 60 Male: 100 Female. Bharal and Himalayan tahr trophy hunting has generated economic benefits through generation of local employment and direct income of $364072 during the last five years. Government revenue collected from 2007-08 to 2011-12 totalled$184372. Male-focused trophy hunting as practiced in DHR may not be an ecologically sustainable practice, because its effect on the sex ratio that lead to negative consequences for the genetic structure of the population in the long term. Therefore, the population dynamics and sex ratios of the bharal and tahr must be considered while setting harvest quotas

Inhibitory Neurotransmission Is Sex-Dependently Affected by Tat Expression in Transgenic Mice and Suppressed by the Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase Enzyme Inhibitor PF3845 via Cannabinoid Type-1 Receptor Mechanisms

(1) Background. The endocannabinoid (eCB) system, which regulates physiological and cognitive processes, presents a promising therapeutic target for treating HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). Here we examine whether upregulating eCB tone has potential protective effects against HIV-1 Tat (a key HIV transactivator of transcription) protein-induced alterations in synaptic activity. (2) Methods. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings were performed to assess inhibitory GABAergic neurotransmission in prefrontal cortex slices of Tat transgenic male and female mice, in the presence and absence of the fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) enzyme inhibitor PF3845. Western blot and mass spectrometry analyses assessed alterations of cannabinoid receptor and enzyme protein expression as well as endogenous ligands, respectively, to determine the impact of Tat exposure on the eCB system. (3) Results. GABAergic activity was significantly altered upon Tat exposure based on sex, whereas the effectiveness of PF3845 to suppress GABAergic activity in Tat transgenic mice was not altered by Tat or sex and involved CB1R-related mechanisms that depended on calcium signaling. Additionally, our data indicated sex-dependent changes for AEA and related non-eCB lipids based on Tat induction. (4) Conclusion. Results highlight sex- and/or Tat-dependent alterations of GABAergic activity and eCB signaling in the prefrontal cortex of Tat transgenic mice and further increase our understanding about the role of FAAH inhibition in neuroHIV

Effect of natalizumab on disease progression in secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (ASCEND). a phase 3, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with an open-label extension

Background: Although several disease-modifying treatments are available for relapsing multiple sclerosis, treatment effects have been more modest in progressive multiple sclerosis and have been observed particularly in actively relapsing subgroups or those with lesion activity on imaging. We sought to assess whether natalizumab slows disease progression in secondary progressive multiple sclerosis, independent of relapses. Methods: ASCEND was a phase 3, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (part 1) with an optional 2 year open-label extension (part 2). Enrolled patients aged 18–58 years were natalizumab-naive and had secondary progressive multiple sclerosis for 2 years or more, disability progression unrelated to relapses in the previous year, and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores of 3·0–6·5. In part 1, patients from 163 sites in 17 countries were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive 300 mg intravenous natalizumab or placebo every 4 weeks for 2 years. Patients were stratified by site and by EDSS score (3·0–5·5 vs 6·0–6·5). Patients completing part 1 could enrol in part 2, in which all patients received natalizumab every 4 weeks until the end of the study. Throughout both parts, patients and staff were masked to the treatment received in part 1. The primary outcome in part 1 was the proportion of patients with sustained disability progression, assessed by one or more of three measures: the EDSS, Timed 25-Foot Walk (T25FW), and 9-Hole Peg Test (9HPT). The primary outcome in part 2 was the incidence of adverse events and serious adverse events. Efficacy and safety analyses were done in the intention-to-treat population. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01416181. Findings: Between Sept 13, 2011, and July 16, 2015, 889 patients were randomly assigned (n=440 to the natalizumab group, n=449 to the placebo group). In part 1, 195 (44%) of 439 natalizumab-treated patients and 214 (48%) of 448 placebo-treated patients had confirmed disability progression (odds ratio [OR] 0·86; 95% CI 0·66–1·13; p=0·287). No treatment effect was observed on the EDSS (OR 1·06, 95% CI 0·74–1·53; nominal p=0·753) or the T25FW (0·98, 0·74–1·30; nominal p=0·914) components of the primary outcome. However, natalizumab treatment reduced 9HPT progression (OR 0·56, 95% CI 0·40–0·80; nominal p=0·001). In part 1, 100 (22%) placebo-treated and 90 (20%) natalizumab-treated patients had serious adverse events. In part 2, 291 natalizumab-continuing patients and 274 natalizumab-naive patients received natalizumab (median follow-up 160 weeks [range 108–221]). Serious adverse events occurred in 39 (13%) patients continuing natalizumab and in 24 (9%) patients initiating natalizumab. Two deaths occurred in part 1, neither of which was considered related to study treatment. No progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy occurred. Interpretation: Natalizumab treatment for secondary progressive multiple sclerosis did not reduce progression on the primary multicomponent disability endpoint in part 1, but it did reduce progression on its upper-limb component. Longer-term trials are needed to assess whether treatment of secondary progressive multiple sclerosis might produce benefits on additional disability components. Funding: Biogen

Predicting biodiversity richness in rapidly changing landscapes: climate, low human pressure or protection as salvation?

Rates of biodiversity loss in Southeast Asia are among the highest in the world, and the Indo-Burma and South-Central China Biodiversity Hotspots rank among the world’s most threatened. Developing robust multi-species conservation models is critical for stemming biodiversity loss both here and globally. We used a large and geographically extensive remote-camera survey and multi-scale, multivariate optimization species distribution modelling to investigate the factors driving biodiversity across these two adjoining biodiversity hotspots. Four major findings emerged from the work. (i) We identified clear spatial patterns of species richness, with two main biodiverse centres in the Thai-Malay Peninsula and in the mountainous region of Southwest China. (ii) Carnivores in particular, and large ungulates to a lesser degree, were the strongest indicators of species richness. (iii) Climate had the largest effect on biodiversity, followed by protected status and human footprint. (iv) Gap analysis between the biodiversity model and the current system of protected areas revealed that the majority of areas supporting the highest predicted biodiversity are not protected. Our results highlighted several key locations that should be prioritized for expanding the protected area network to maximize conservation effectiveness. We demonstrated the importance of switching from single-species to multi-species approaches to highlight areas of high priority for biodiversity conservation. In addition, since these areas mostly occur over multiple countries, we also advocate for a paradigmatic focus on transboundary conservation planning.The majority of the team, as well as the data, were part of the core WildCRU effort supported principally by a Robertson Foundation grant to DWM