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In this study, we analyze the spatiotemporal patterns of propagation of pre‐monsoon heatwaves and their drivers in India. Using complex networks, we find that heatwaves originate most frequently in northwest India and propagate in the northeast or southeast direction. Heatwaves propagating in the northeast direction have a higher intensity, lower moving distance, smaller areal coverage, and shorter duration than heatwaves moving in the southeast. We find that the larger area and duration of heatwaves propagating southeast are a result of development of larger and more persistent high‐pressure systems extending over entire northern and eastern India, which are influenced by El Niño Southern Oscillation. On the other hand, higher radiative fluxes and larger heat entrainment in the boundary layer in the heatwaves propagating northeast contribute to their higher intensities. Plain Language Summary: We analyze the spatial patterns of where heatwaves originate and how they spread in the pre‐monsoon period in India. We find that most heatwaves originate in northwest India. Some of these heatwaves spread to north and central India while some propagate to south India. Heatwaves in northern and central India have higher intensity and last for a shorter period of time as compared to those which spread to south India. The area and duration of heatwaves moving toward south India are influenced by El Nino events. On the other hand, the intensity of heatwaves of central and north India is higher due to greater shortwave radiation and heat entrainment in the boundary layer. Key Points: Regions of origin and termination of pre‐monsoon heatwaves in India are identified using complex networks and event synchronizationMajority of heatwaves originate from northwest India and propagate in the northeast or southeast directionHeatwaves propagating southwards have larger duration and areal extent and are influenced by El Niño Southern Oscillation [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To grant the Muslim majority princely state of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) a special accommodation in the Indian context via Article 370 had been a novel constitutional experiment. The negotiations between the ruler of the state and the government of India formalized the 'Accession' of J&K with India, and Article 370 reflected the conditions of the constitutional relationship between the two. Being an exceptional provision that gave birth to a separate, but not independent, constitution (of Jammu and Kashmir), why has not Article 370 of the Indian constitution, or more precisely Jammu and Kashmir's autonomous status, stood the test of time? Was the unmaking ingrained in the very making of Article 370 or an outcome of its antithetical use by successive Indian governments? What concerns, motivations, and ambitions influenced the J&K leadership during this constitutional exercise? These are questions that this paper seeks to answer. This paper argues that the repeal of Article 370 was inevitable due to the nature and context of its initial framing as much as its subsequent institutional-political working, and that the guarantee of autonomy was essentially, from the very genesis, meant to lead to a complete integration of J&K with the Indian Union without any special constitutional autonomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study analyzes the tree diversity and regeneration status of species between repeated forest fires and unburned areas of the tropical dry deciduous forest of Panna Tiger Reserve (PTR), Madhya Pradesh, Central India. Fire frequency maps were prepared with the help of Landsat 5, 7, and 8 satellite images, and the study area was classified into seven fire frequency classes (B1 to B7) and one control class (B0). Five plots were laid in every fire class including the control. A total of 45 tree species belonging to 33 genera and 20 families were recorded during the study period and of these, 44, 26, and 25 species were recorded in the three-growth stages: trees, saplings, and seedlings, respectively. Of the 7873 individuals recorded, 2667, 1243, and 3963 were seedlings, saplings, and trees, respectively. Our results showed that tree species diversity was higher at moderate fire frequencies than controls, but decreased with increasing fire frequency classes. Regeneration of species was significantly different among all fire frequency classes. Certain fire-tolerant species were increasingly dominant with increasing fire frequency classes. With fires left to continue unabated, the dry deciduous forest of the Central Indian region could have lower tree diversity in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Economic Corridors have emerged new models ensuring regional development and integration as well. There is a realization that South Asia despite the enormous problems itfaces can become a 'Zone of Cooperation ' through the revival of Ancient Silk Route. China launched the most ambitious trans-national project 'One Belt One Road' with a clear intention to emerge as a world leader in next three decades. China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is all but a must project for the accomplishment, or attraction, of BRI. Established and Iron-Brotherhood of Pakistan and China, it argued here, is instrumentally important for Chinese ambition of major global power by her centenary republic celebration. This paper argues that CPEC is a critical concern for India ranging from economic; security to political. China will not displease India as is evident from her moderate stand over Kashmir Issue since 1978-79. At the same time, the 'all-weather' friendship with Pakistan is dear to Chinese interests for regional and global power politics. In the last four decades, China has, however, 'balanced' Indian concerns and Pakistan's anxiety in an 'act' of 'courting' and 'reassuring', respectively. Afghanistan opens up two-fold concerns to India -with China as becoming a major regional influence over Kabul, and also with augmentation of Pakistan's geo-strategic importance. Afghanistan has added complexity to the complex web of relations between and among India, Pakistan and China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geomorphic and morphotectonic evaluations of the Kashmir Basin have been carried by implicating different geomorphic indices such as stream-gradient index (SL), hypsometric integral (HI), drainage basin asymmetry (AF), valley floor height and width ratio (Vf), transverse topographic symmetry factor (T), mountain front sinuosity (Smf), drainage basin shape (BS) and sinuosity index (SI) for the categorization of relative index of active tectonics (RIAT) through the use of geographic information systems (GIS) so as to decipher the role of neotectonics in geomorphologic evolution of the basin. The verified RIAT classes through field investigation and validation reveal the traverse of twenty-one active faults in the basin with demarcation of three RIAT classes viz., class-1 (inactive 20.07% of the area), class-2 (moderately active; 36.52% of the area) and class-3 (very active; 43.4% of the area). The observed values of RIAT distribution pattern are well corroborated with field observations. Ultimately, the overall geomorphic outputs and clustering of recent seismicity support the active tectonic control over the Kashmir basin, India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several risk factors associated with colorectal cancer (CRC) have been identified including β-catenin/CTNNB1 hotspot mutations. The levels of β-catenin within a cell are regulated via phosphorylation of the N terminus of β-catenin by GSK-3β. Thus far three serines (S33, 37, 45) and one threonine (T41) are considered to be the substrates for GSK-3β phosphorylation. In the present investigation an attempt was made to study the role of β-catenin mutations in exon-3 in 60 colorectal cancer patients from Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The hot spot mutation region of β-catenin exon 3 was evaluated in matched tumor and normal tissues using PCR and direct sequencing. Sequencing of exon 3 of the CTNNB1 gene revealed an activating mutation (S33F) in one of the tumor samples as compared to the normal tissue from the same patient where there was no such mutation found. Immunohistochemical staining showed the accumulation of β-catenin protein both in cytoplasm and in the nuclei of cancer cells as compared to normal tissue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Esophageal cancer (EC) is the sixth leading cause of death from cancer. In high-risk regions, squamous cell carcinoma is the most common type of EC, and its etiology remains poorly understood. It shows uneven geographical distribution in its occurrence, reflecting the influence of local environmental conditions, lifestyle and genetic predisposition in the development of the cancer. Kashmir, in the north of India, has been described as a high-risk area for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). In the present investigation an attempt was made to study the role of β-catenin mutations and human papillomavirus in 62 ESCC patients from Kashmir., Methods: The hot spot mutation region of β-catenin exon 3 was evaluated in matched tumor and normal tissues using a combination of PCR-SSCP and direct sequencing. We used two different sets of consensus primers viz., GP5+ and GP6+; PGMY09 and PGMY11 in conjunction with reverse line blot assay to screen for human papillomavirus(HPV)., Results: None of the tumors showed the presence of commonly reported mutations in β-catenin. In view of the fact that HPV has been linked to pathogenesis of EC, we screened all the tumor and control specimens for the presence of HPV and we didn't detect HPV in any of the matched tumor and control specimens in contrast to the positive controls we used., Conclusion: In conclusion our results suggest that squamous cell carcinoma of esophagus in Kashmir may arise independent of oncogenic β-catenin mutations and HPV is unlikely to be an etiologic factor for ESCC in this region.