Search

The influence of film morphology on the broadening of the time-of-flighttransient photo-current pulse is investigated using Monte Carlo simulation.Simulation of the time-of-flight transient photo-current pulse shape is carriedout for homogeneous and inhomogeneous organic thin films by varying theoverall energetic disorder. In homogeneous system, the value of the tailbroadening parameter (W) of the photocurrent pulse is found to decrease upondecreasing the energetic disorder, which can be attributed to the variation inthe non-thermal field assisted diffusion. Interestingly, in the case of inhomo-geneous system, upon decreasing the overall energetic disorder of the systemthe value of W initially attains a maximum value before it starts decreasing.This observation is explained in terms of the morphology dependent carrierdiffusion. This study asserts the importance of the influence of the morphologydependent carrier diffusion on the charge transport in disordered systems andthe related experimental measurements.

This short essay is an analysis of the Supreme Court decision that upheld the validity of the 103rd Amendment of the Indian Constitution, which had introduced clause (6) in Articles 15 and 16. While the amendment’s validity was upheld by a 3–2 verdict, the author supports the minority decision of the two dissenting judges.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder that can be categorized mainly into type 1 and type 2. Diabetes type 1 is caused due to β-cell destruction, whereas type 2 is caused by the resistance of cell receptors. Many therapies are available for the management of diabetes, but they have some side effects, and as a result of this, people are attracted to natural treatments. Pleurotus mushrooms are well documented for their medicinal attributes and their role in the treatment of diseases like cancer, infectious disease, neurodiseases, and inflammatory disease. The protective mechanism of the Pleurotus fossulatus (P. fossulatus) mushroom and its detailed histological study on kidneys and the liver in diabetic conditions were unexplored. The present study evaluated the effects of P. fossulatus aqueous extract on histological changes in the diabetic rat model. Male Wistar albino rats were used to create the diabetic model by using streptozotocin (STZ) intraperitoneal (IP) injection. The animals were separated into five different groups, with six animals in each. Only group I, animals that did not receive STZ, was considered a normal control. Group II was a diabetic control and received normal saline, and group III was a drug control and received metformin as a standard drug. Groups IV and V were dosing groups, which received the aqueous extract of P. fossulatus in 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg of body weight concentrations, labeled as T1 and T2 groups, respectively. The T1 and T2 groups clearly showed their potential to reverse the histopathological changes in the kidney and liver. However, the T2 group was more effective than the T1 group, as results indicate that functions of the glomerulus and its structural deformity were restored to their near-natural form in the T2 group. In the case of the liver, the histological changes like the dilatation of sinusoids, more numbers of the Kupffer cell formation, and necrosis were restored in the T2 group. All these results proved the potential of P. fossulatus against the side effects of diabetes. It could protect the organs from developing diabetic nephropathy (DN) and liver-related diseases like cirrhosis and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

G-Coat Plus is a nano-filled, self-adhesive light cured protective coating that strengthens, protects and enhances glass ionomer restorations. The effect of G- Coat plus on different GICs have not been studied comprehensively. Hence the study was conducted to compare the effect of resin coating on surface hardness and Shear punch strength of newer modified GIC.Materials and methods: 120 samples of three GICs i.e. Fuji IX Extra, Fuji IX Fast, Fuji II LC were prepared using specialized metal moulds. Specimens of Fuji II LC were light cured for 20 seconds. Coated and uncoated samples were tested for surface hardness and 30 samples were tested for shear punch strength. P < 0.05 was considered as significant. Results: Shear Punch Strength after G-Coat plus coating was significantly higher for Fuji IX Extra followed by Fuji II LC. Surface Hardness after G- Coat plus coating was significantly higher for Fuji IX Extra followed by Fuji IX Fast and Fuji II LC.Conclusion: Surface coating by a resin agent significantly increases the surface hardness and shear strength of the GIC. Considering the above stated findings, they can be incorporated into daily clinical practice to enhance the strength and longevity of GIC.

Background The spectrum of infections causing the above acute onset fever with jaundice has changed over the last few years from the conventional hepatotropic viruses to new emerging infections. Methods 250 adult patients ≥ 14 years of age) with acute fever (body temperature > 101ᵒF of 14 days or less in duration) without any localized source of infection on initial clinical evaluation accompanied with jaundice (hyperbilirubinemia ≥ 1.5 mg/dl or elevation of ALT or AST ≥ three times upper limit) were enrolled.All these patients with fever and jaundice were evaluated on the basis of a standard proforma and were evaluated for malaria (peripheral smears/rapid diagnostic kits), scrub typhus( PCR /IgM ELISA), leptospirosis(IgM ELISA), enteric fever by blood cultures and dengue by dengue (NS1 antigen test and IgM ELISA), Hepatitis(IgM ELISA of EBV/HSV, IgM ELISA of HAV/HEV and HBsAg with IgM HBc ELISA if HBsAg positive) Results 62.5 % were males and 37.5 % were females. The mean duration of fever before the presentation was 8.1 ± 2.58 days. 10 patients (4%) died, while 133 patients (96%) improved with treatment. Scrub typhus 57 (22.8%), Hepatitis E 33 (13.2%), malaria 9 (3.6%), dengue fever, enteric fever, hepatitis A and leptospirosis in 26 (10.4%), 6 (2.4%), 6 (2.4%) patients and 4 (1.6%) patient respectively were the prominent aetiology a patient presenting with fever and jaundice. Probable sepsis (Fulfilling SIRS criteria with a negative culture) accounted for 40(16%) patients. In 69(27.6%) cases no diagnosis could be made on serological testing Conjunctival suffusion (OR=23.17), respiratory crepitations (OR=5.17), thrombocytopenia (OR=1.14), normal INR (OR=0.29) were significant predictors of a diagnosis of scrub typhus in patients with fever and jaundice. Severe anaemia (Hb< 8), Hypoalbuminemia, severe thrombocytopenia (Platelet count < 50,000) and a near-normal INR at admission were predictors of a malarial vs a viral aetiology of Tropical jaundice. Co-infection with scrub typhus and malaria was seen in 6 patients (vivax-5 and falciparum-1) and viral hepatitis A & E was observed in 10 patients. Conclusion Neglected Tropical diseases like Scrub typhus infection is emerging as common aetiology of acute onset tropical jaundice in adults presenting to emergency services. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures.

In Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP, ~18 mha geographical area), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a predominant cropgrown in rabi. Improving the productivity of wheat in a rice-based farming system through a suitable cultivar inIGP is necessary to evaluate under the agro-ecological condition of IGP of India. A farmer’s participatory fieldexperiment was studied at three villages Saunta, Sathedi and Bhangela situated in Khatauli block of Muzaffarnagar(Uttar Pradesh) under two crop environments (low rainfall and high temperature, LRHT and heavy rainfall and lowtemperature, HRLT) with four wheat varieties during rabi of 2017–18 and 2018–19. In this study we have evaluatedthe productivity in isolation as well as in combination of prevailing weather scenario (2017–18 and 2018–19) underirrigated agro-ecosystems of Western Plain Zone of Uttar Pradesh. Interaction studied between crop environmentsand varieties indicated that PBW-550 and PBW 658 registered higher grain yield of 5514 and 5475 kg/ha, respectivelythan farmers practice (PBW-226, 4659 kg/ha) and DBW-90 (4647 kg/ha) in LRHT. However, under HRLT, PBW-658performed better (5326 kg/ha) over other cultivars. Mean grain yield of all four cultivars were recorded significantlyhigher under LRHT with 5074 kg/ha compared to HRLT where mean grain yield was 4710 kg/ha. A highly significant(P=0.01) negative association was found between grain yield and monthly rainfall (except December month) andcumulative rainfall of the crop season (-0.322**). Prevailing mean monthly air temperature during grain filling tomaturity phenophase was found to be positively associated with grain yield (r = -0.322*).

Large cardamom (Amomum subulatum Roxb.) is one of the important cash crops of Sikkim and Darjeeling areas of West Bengal. In this study, a fixed plot survey on insect pests of large cardamom was conducted and found that stem borer (Glyphipterix spp., Lepidoptera: Glyphiperidae), shoot fly (Merochlotops dimorphus Cherian, Diptera: Chlororpidae), leaf eating caterpillar (Artona chorista Jordon, Lepidoptera: Zygaenidae) and tea mosquito bug (Helopeltis theivora Waterhouse, Hemiptera: Miridae) are the major pests of the crop. Eco-friendly organic treatments like neem-based oil, petroleum-derived horticultural oil, spinosad and different formulations of entomopathogens were tested against these major insects. Among all, application of spinosad 45 SC @ 0.3 ml L-1 was found effective followed by neem-based oil (Azadirachtin 0.15% EC) 1500 ppm @ 3 ml L-1 at three different time intervals (first application in February-March, second application in June-July and third application in October-November) against all insects. Moreover, entomopathogenic bio-control agents (Bacillus thuringiensis @ 2 ml L-1, Metarhizium anisopliae@ 5 ml L-1 and Beauveria bassiana @ 5 ml L-1) were on par with neem-based oil for the management of stem borer. Considering the economic importance of the crop and absence of valid technology for management of insect pests in large cardamom through organic options, application of either of them could be helpful in organic management of insect pests in Sikkim.

Peptidyl-prolyl cis–trans isomerases (PPIases) are the only class of enzymes capable of cis–trans isomerization of the prolyl peptide bond. The PPIases, comprising of different families viz., cyclophilins, FK506-binding proteins (FKBPs), parvulins and protein phosphatase 2A phosphatase activators (PTPAs), play essential roles in different cellular processes. Though PPIase gene families have been characterized in different organisms, information regarding these proteins is lacking in Penicillium species, which are commercially an important fungi group. In this study, we carried out genome-wide analysis of PPIases in different Penicillium spp. and investigated their regulation by salt stress in a halotolerant strain of Penicillium oxalicum. These analyses revealed that the number of genes encoding cyclophilins, FKBPs, parvulins and PTPAs in Penicillium spp. varies between 7–11, 2–5, 1–2, and 1–2, respectively. The halotolerant P. oxalicum depicted significant enhancement in the mycelial PPIase activity in the presence of 15% NaCl, thus, highlighting the role of these enzymes in salt stress adaptation. The stress-induced increase in PPIase activity at 4 and 10 DAI in P. oxalicum was associated with higher expression of PoxCYP18. Characterization of PPIases in Penicillium spp. will provide an important database for understanding their cellular functions and might facilitate their applications in industrial processes through biotechnological interventions.

Sickle cell disease has varied clinical symptoms, and patients having high fetal hemoglobin (HbF) have milder symptoms. Various genetic factors are known to modulate the HbF levels. Kruppel-like factor 1 (KLF1) is a transcription factor that regulates the beta-like globin gene expression. Any variation in KLF1 gene may alter the sickle cell disease phenotype. Xmn-I polymorphism is also known to regulate the gamma globin gene expression. Present studies were carried out to investigate the effect of KLF1 gene mutations and Xmn-I polymorphism on the sickle cell disease severity and to ascertain the genotype-phenotype correlation. One hundred and eighteen sickle cell disease patients having a median follow-up of 5 years (3–10 years) were recruited. Clinical details were recorded from their retrospective medical records. Xmn-I polymorphism were analyzed using PCR-RFLP method. Variations in KLF1 gene were identified using Sanger sequencing. Out of 118 patients, 24 had acute chest syndrome and 21 patients had more than 2 pain episodes per year. There were no significant differences in sickle cell disease-related morbidities in male and females barring leg ulcers. A total of 6 polymorphism were observed in KLF1 gene, out of which 3 are novel (c.-304G > C, c.*141A > G and c.*178A > G). No statistically significant association of any of SNPs identified in KLF1 gene or Xmn-I polymorphism was seen with HbF levels as well as the sickle cell disease-related morbidities. No association exists between fetal hemoglobin or sickle cell disease-related morbidities and Xmn-I polymorphism or with SNPs identified in KLF1 gene in the studied cohort.

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is one of the most debilitating brain diseases. Despite the availability of symptomatic treatments, response towards the health of PD patients remains scarce. To fulfil the medical needs of the PD patients, an efficacious and etiological treatment is required. In this review, we have compiled the information covering limitations of current therapeutic options in PD, novel drug targets for PD, and finally, the role of some critical beneficial natural products to control the progression of PD.

Mitochondrial dysfunction plays a very vital role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Several shreds of evidence have indicated that the mitochondrial function is severely compromised under AD pathogenesis. Most of the recent therapeutic strategies have been conversed to treat AD by pinpointing the pathways involved in the pathophysiology of AD. In AD, mitochondria progressively lose their proper functions that are ultimately responsible for their accumulation and removal via the autophagic process, which is called mitophagy that further worsens the progression of this incapacitating disease. Preclinical and clinical studies have suggested that mitochondrial dysfunction along with mitophagy significantly contributes to the accumulation of amyloid-beta (Aβ) fibrils and hyperphosphorylated tau protein tangles which lead to synaptic dysfunctions and cognitive impairments such as memory loss through reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated pathway. The present review is intended to discuss the recent advancements in the frontiers of mitochondrial dysfunction and consequent therapeutic strategies that have been employed to treat AD.

The manufacturing and characterization of freeform optical surfaces are influenced by their high sensitivity to misalignments. In this work, the computational sampling moiré technique combined with phase extraction is developed for the precise alignment of freeform optics during fabrication and in metrology applications. This novel, to the best of our knowledge, technique achieves near-interferometry-level precision in a simple and compact configuration. This robust technology can be applied to industrial manufacturing platforms (such as diamond turning machines, lithography, and other micro-nano-machining techniques) as well as their metrology equipment. In a demonstration of computational data processing and precision alignment using this method, iterative manufacturing of freeform optical surfaces with a final-form accuracy of about 180 nm was accomplished.

Performance of six gladiolus genotypes was evaluated on vegetative as well as floral parameters under north Bihar agro-climatic conditions. The study reveals that Gladiolus genotype, ‘Arka Naveen’ proved to be better with regard plant height, rachis length, number of spikes and its length, number of florets per spike, florets quality, early flower opening times, shelf life, number of corms and cormels per plant and other vegetative and floral characters followed by genotype ’Arka Manorma’. The other genotypes, Punjab glad - 1, Glad Acc - 7, White prosperity and American beauty were found average on the basis of these vegetative and floral characteristics of market value requisite for the cut flower.

The present study has been conducted to identify the sensitivity in the pre-dominant farming systems of Western plain zone of Uttar Pradesh (WPZ) considering the importance of gender specific technologies much needed for better efficiency and productivity of farming systems. Four pre-dominant farming systems have been identified in WPZ of Uttar Pradesh with the highest area share (57.1%) and highest farmer distribution (62.9%) in FS1: Crop + Dairy (1C+1-2B). The highest net return was found in FS2: Crop + Horticulture (Fruits) + Dairy (2C+ 1-2 B), whereas the lowest net return was noticed in FS3: Crop + Horticulture (Vegetables) + Dairy (1C + 1B). Load carrying through head load was found extensively performed by the women of FS3 followed by FS4: Horticulture + Crop + Dairy (1C+1B) and FS2 respectively. Chopper (hand tool) for chaff cutting, winnowing through natural wind, power operated winnowing without safety gadgets was performed in FS4 (33%), FS3 (22.8%) and FS4 (17%) respectively by family female workers. Threshing through hand beating was maximally performed by FS2 (81%) as hired female labour. Work involvement in farming system studies shows that female workers (family and hired) of FS3 contributed maximum (44.7%) followed by FS1 (41.5%). Also, the women participation index on drudgery prone activities was found highest amongst female workers (family and hired) of FS3 (87.8%) followed by FS1 (83.21%). The results indicate that FS3 may be tagged as sensitive farming system with respect to maximum number of female headed households contributing maximum work and hardships followed by FS1.

We use a simple method based on the Grover–Saxena equation of state (EOS) for investigating the volume–pressure–temperature (V–P–T) relationships and bulk modulus of NaCl, MgO, hcp iron, MgSiO3 and CaSiO3 perovskites. The effect of temperature is taken into account in terms of thermal pressure based on the Anderson formula. The results for volumes as a function of pressure and temperature present close agreement with available experimental data based on X-ray diffraction measurements and molecular dynamics simulations. The results determined from the Grover–Saxena EOS compare well with those from the Birch–Murnaghan EOS and the Vinet EOS. In the case of MgO, the comparison of V–P–T results is presented with the ab initio values reported recently by Belmonte (Minerals, 7 (2017) 183). The V–P–T relationship for hcp iron based on the Grover–Saxena EOS is used to predict the density and bulk modulus at the inner core boundary of the earth's interior, showing good agreement with seismic data.

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) represent a common neurological pathology that determines a progressive deterioration of the brain or the nervous system. For treating NDs, comprehensive and alternative medicines have attracted scientific researchers' attention recently. Edible mushrooms are essential for preventing several age-based neuronal dysfunctions such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. Mushroom such as Grifola frondosa, Lignosus rhinocerotis, Hericium erinaceus, may improve cognitive functions. It has also been reported that edible mushrooms (basidiocarps/mycelia extracts or isolated bioactive compounds) may reduce beta-amyloid-induced neurotoxicity. Medicinal mushrooms are being used for novel and natural compounds that help modulate immune responses and possess anti-cancer, anti-microbial, and anti-oxidant properties. Compounds such as polyphenols, terpenoids, alkaloids, sesquiterpenes, polysaccharides, and metal chelating agents are validated in different ND treatments. This review aims to assess mushrooms' role and their biomolecules utilization for treating different kinds of NDs. The action mechanisms, presented here, including reducing oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and modulation of acetylcholinesterase activity, protecting neurons or stimulation, and regulating neurotrophins synthesis. We also provide background about neurodegenerative diseases and in-silico techniques of the drug research. High costs associated with experiments and current ethical law imply efficient alternatives with limited cost value. In silico approaches provide an alternative method with low cost that has been successfully implemented to cure ND disorders in recent days. We also describe the applications of computational procedures such as molecular docking, virtual high-throughput screening, molecular dynamic (MD) simulation, quantum-mechanical methods for drug design. They were reported against various targets in NDs.