230 research outputs found
Equation of state of nuclear matter from empirical constraints
No full textFrom empirically determined values of some of the characteristic constants associated with homogeneous nuclear matter at saturation and subsaturation densities, within the framework of a Skyrme-inspired energy density functional, we construct an equation of state (EoS) of nuclear matter. This EoS is then used to predict values of density slope parameters of symmetry energy L(ρ), isoscalar incompressibility K(ρ), and a few related quantities. The close consonance of our predicted values with the currently available ones for the density dependence of symmetry energy and incompressibility gleaned from diverse approaches offers the possibility that our method may help in settling their values in tighter bounds. Extrapolation of our EoS at supranormal densities shows that it is in good harmony with the one extracted from experimental data
Constraining the density dependence of the symmetry energy from nuclear masses
No full textEmpirically determined values of the nuclear volume and surface symmetry
energy coefficients from nuclear masses are expressed in terms of
density distributions of nucleons in heavy nuclei in the local density
approximation. This is then used to extract the value of the symmetry
energy slope parameter L. The density distributions in both spherical
and well deformed nuclei calculated within microscopic framework with
different energy density functionals give L = 59.0 +/- 13.0 MeV.
Application of the method also helps in a precision determination of the
neutron skin thickness of nuclei that are difficult to measure
accurately
Synaptic State-Dependent Functional Interplay between Postsynaptic Density-95 and Synapse-Associated Protein 102
No full textActivity-dependent regulation of AMPA receptor (AMPAR)-mediated synaptic transmission is the basis for establishing differences in synaptic weights among individual synapses during developmental and experience-dependent synaptic plasticity. Synaptic signaling scaffolds of the Discs large (DLG)-membrane-associated guanylate kinase(MAGUK) protein family regulate these processes by tethering signaling proteins to receptor complexes. Using a molecular replacement strategy with RNAi-mediated knockdown in rat and mouse hippocampal organotypic slice cultures, a postsynaptic density-95 (PSD-95) knock-out mouse line and electrophysiological analysis, our current study identified a functional interplay between two paralogs, PSD-95 and synapse-associated protein 102 (SAP102) to regulate synaptic AMPARs. During synaptic development, the SAP102 protein levels normally plateau but double if PSD-95 expression is prevented during synaptogenesis. For an autonomous function of PSD-95 in regulating synaptic AMPARs, in addition to the previously demonstrated N-terminal multimerization and the first two PDZ (PSD-95, Dlg1, zona occludens-1) domains, the PDZ3 and guanylate kinase domains were required. The Src homology 3 domain was dispensable for the PSD-95-autonomous regulation of basal synaptic transmission. However, it mediated the functional interaction with SAP102 of PSD-95 mutants to enhance AMPARs. These results depict a protein domain-based multifunctional aspect of PSD-95 in regulating excitatory synaptic transmission and unveil a novel form of domain-based interplay between signaling scaffolds of the DLG-MAGUK family
Indigenous Reusable Chest Electrode A Cost Effective Alternative To Commercial Disposable Electrode For ECG Monitoring.
No full textExploring the Interaction between the built food environment and intrahousehold gastronomy through photovoice in India
No full textGrowing attention to food environment policies has been observed to address the multiple aspects of malnutrition (Kumar et al. 2023). In India, interventions promoting sustainable agriculture, small-scale farming, and equitable access to markets have been initiated to address the food and nutrition security of economically vulnerable groups. However, transformative interventions require deeper understanding specific contexts and a deep knowledge of the food environment. Moreover, simply improving food availability and access does not necessarily lead to better nor more equitable nutrition outcomes. Understanding the systemic cultural drivers of food choice, interventions promoting sustainable dietary choices can be more effectively contextualized leading to improved nutritional status. In this research note, we have adapted an expanded definition of the food environment using the socio-ecological framework (Downs et al., 2020) and the Gastronomic Systems Research (GSR) framework (Cuevas et al., 2017; Samaddar et al., 2020; Custodio et al., 2021). These frameworks allowed us to characterize the structures and processes in which individuals directly interact with the built food environment and the range of cultural factors influencing food choice for low to middle-income households. By employing Photovoice, a participatory and visual methodology that offers an emic approach by placing cameras in the hands of individuals facing socio economic disadvantage and/or marginalization (Pradeilles et al., 2021), we captured consumers’ experiences to identify the factors from the food environment that shape low-income households’ purchase of food, in general, and of healthier food options, in particular. Findings from this study could provide evidence for understanding consumption behaviors and associated factors, thereby providing insights into developing nutrition-sensitive interventions to improve the food environment that promotes healthy diets in low-income households.8 page
Resilience: an all-encompassing solution to global problems? A biopolitical analysis of resilience in the policies of EC, FEMA, UNDP, USAID, WB, and WEF
No full textThis thesis examines the use of resilience in international policy-making. A concept that originally meant an ability of ecosystems to absorb disturbance has not only been welcomed in many disciplines outside ecology, but lately become popular in the policies of international organisations that claim resilience as a solution to various ‘global problems’ such as climate change, underdevelopment, or economic crises. The study contributes to the ongoing critical discussion on the governance effects of resilience. Here, the Foucauldian theory of biopolitics and the concept of governmentality are useful. Resilience now addresses human systems and communities with concepts from natural sciences, thus making it a biopolitical phenomenon.
Specifically, the thesis asks how mainstreaming resilience affects the pursuit of agendas in six organisations: European Commission, Federal Emergency Management Agency, United Nations Development Programme, United States Agency for International Development, World Bank, and World Economic Forum. Using Foucauldian discourse analysis, the study is thematically divided into adaptive, entrepreneurial and governing aspects of resilience. Each part explicates how truth, power and subjectivity are constructed in the discourse. The analysis shows that contrary to the policy claims, resilience does not function as a solution but is constitutive of the problems it attempts to solve. The current policy discourse confirms pre-existing practices and power relations, and further problematizes issues on the agendas.
The thesis confirms that the policies are trapped in a neoliberal biopolitics that has problematic implications for human subjectivity and political agency. It further concludes that if resilience is to have any practical relevance and positive effects, the policy discourse has to be changed, for which current critical accounts do not offer a plausible direction. Therefore, a distinction between resilience as a policy tool and social resilience is needed, whereby the use of resilience as a policy solution is reduced to disaster risk reduction and similar technical functions, and social resilience is recognised as a communal capacity that cannot be subject to policy regulation
The Synaptonuclear Messenger RNF10 Acts as an Architect of Neuronal Morphology
No full textThe Ring Finger Protein 10 [RNF10] is a novel synapse-to-nucleus signaling protein that specifically links activation of synaptic NMDA receptors to modulation of gene expression. RNF10 dissociation from the GluN2A subunit of the NMDA receptor represents the first step of its synaptonuclear transport and it is followed by an importin-dependent translocation into the nucleus. Here, we have identified protein kinase C [PKC]-dependent phosphorylation of RNF10 Ser31 as a key step for RNF10 detachment from NMDA receptor and its subsequent trafficking to the nucleus. We show that pSer31-RNF10 plays a role both in synaptonuclear signaling and in neuronal morphology. In particular, the prevention of Ser31 RNF10 phosphorylation induces a decrease in spine density, neuronal branching, and CREB signaling, while opposite effects are obtained by mimicking a stable RNF10 phosphorylation at Ser31. Overall, these results add novel information about the functional and structural role of synaptonuclear protein messengers in shaping dendritic architecture in hippocampal neurons
Effects of Solar Soft X-rays on Earth's Atmosphere
No full textThe soft x-rays (wavelengths less than 30 nm) emitted by the sun are responsible for the production of high energy photoelectrons in the D and E regions of the ionosphere, where they deposit most of their energy. The photoelectrons created by this process are the main drivers for dissociation of nitrogen () molecules in the altitude range below 200 km. The dissociation of is one of main mechanisms responsible for the production of nitric oxide (NO) at these altitudes. These processes are important to understand because NO plays a critical role in controlling the temperatures of various regions of Earth's atmosphere.
In order to estimate the dissociation rate of we need its dissociation cross-sections. The dissociation cross-sections of due to inelastic collisions with electrons is primarily es- timated from the cross-sections of its excitation states (using predissociation factors) and dissociative ionization channels. Predissociation is the transition without emission of radi- ation from a stable excited state to an unstable excited state of a molecule that leads to dissociation. Unfortunately, the lack of cross-section data, particularly at high electron en- ergies and of higher excited states of N 2 and N 2 + , introduces uncertainty in the dissociation cross-section and subsequently the dissociation rate calculation, which leads to uncertainties in the NO production rate.
We have updated a photoelectron model with thoroughly-revised electron impact cross- section data of all major species and experimentally determined predissociation factors.
The dissociation rates of using this model are compared to the dissociation rates obtained using another existing (Solomon and Qian [2005]) model. A parameterized version of the updated dissociation rates are used in a one-dimensional global average thermospheric/ ionospheric model, ACE1D (Atmospheric Chemistry and Energetics), to obtain the updated production rates of NO.
In the final chapter, we use the ACE1D model to show that the energies deposited by the solar soft x-rays in the lower thermosphere at altitudes between 100 -150 km affect the temperature of the Earth's thermosphere at altitudes well above 300 km. By turning off the input solar flux in the different wavelength bins of the model iteratively, we are able to demonstrate that the maximum change in exospheric temperature is due to changes in the soft solar x-ray bins. We also show, using the thermodynamic heat equation, that the molecular diffusion via non-thermal photoelectrons is the main source of heat transfer to the upper ionosphere/thermosphere. Moreover, these temperature changes and heating effects of the solar soft x-rays are comparable to that of the much stronger He II 30.4nm emission.
Finally, we show that the uncertainties in the solar flux irradiance at these soft x-rays wavelengths result in corresponding uncertainties in the modeled exospheric temperature, and these uncertainties increase substantially with increased solar activity.Doctor of PhilosophyThe radiation from the sun covers a wide range of the electromagnetic spectrum. The soft x-rays with wavelengths less than 30 nm are the most energetic and variable part of the spectrum, and would have detrimental effects on humans were they not absorbed by the atmosphere. The absorption of soft x-rays by the Earth's atmosphere at altitudes near 100- 150 km creates ionized and energized particles. These energetic changes can affect and even damage the satellites in low Earth orbit, and can cause radio communication blackouts and radiation storms (large quantities of energetic particles, protons and electrons accelerated by processes at and near the Sun). Therefore, we need to have good models that can quantify these changes in order to correctly predict their effects on our atmosphere, and help to mitigate any harmful effects.
The soft x-rays and the extreme ultraviolet (EUV) are responsible for ionization of the major neutral species, , and O, in the Earth's atmosphere, which leads to the production of ions and energetic photoelectrons. These high energy photoelectrons can cause further ion- ization, excitation and dissociation. We study the dissociation of by these photoelectrons to create neutral N atoms. The N atoms created via this process combine with the in the atmosphere to produce nitric oxide (NO), which is one of the most important minor constituents because of its role in regulating atmospheric heating/cooling. The production of NO peaks near 106 km altitude, where most of the energy of the soft x-rays are deposited.
However, they also affect the temperature of the upper atmosphere well above this altitude.
This is because the energy of the photoelectrons is conducted to the upper atmosphere by collisions of electrons and ions with ambient neutral atoms and molecules, thus increasing their temperature.
In this study, we use modeling of soft x-ray irradiance, photoelectron ionization, excitation and dissociation rates and atmospheric neutral temperature to quantify the effects of soft x-rays on the Earth's atmosphere
Governmentalizing NRI Philanthropy in Andhra Pradesh: A Transregional Approach to India’s Development
No full textThis chapter looks at the idea of governmentalization of NRI philanthropy in the state of Andhra Pradesh. In a detailed analysis, the author shows how the dominant community of the Kammas in the coastal Andhra region, having historically benefitted from being part of the anti-Brahmin movement, consolidated their identity as the foremost landowners with a concerted effort towards higher education and already established networks enabling them to pursue careers in the USA. This, and a belief in giving back to the village and caste that has enabled their migration and hence success in life, has encouraged philanthropy in the region, in terms of NRI contribution to the NRI cell of Zilla Parishad and the Janmabhoomi project of the then TDP government. This is crucial because, with the term ‘governmentalization ’, she shows how caste interests influence government policy and shape the direction which philanthropy will take, who will be the recipient of the philanthropic measures, how will the philanthropic projects be spatially located and how the existing structures of hegemony will continue in this curious coming together of public and private capital
- …
