<p>Shiv Nadar University is a comprehensive, multidisciplinary, research-focused, and student-centric University offering a full range of academic programs at the undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral level. With state-of-the-art infrastructure, the University comprises of academic wings, sophisticated labs, international standard sports facilities, amphitheaters, auditorium, conference rooms and smart classrooms. The University&rsquo;s goal is to become internationally recognized for the quality of its research and creative endeavors and their applicability to improving quality of life, generating new insights and expanding the boundaries of human knowledge creativity. Committed to excellence in teaching, research and service, the University aims to serve the higher education needs of India and the world beyond.</p>

Shiv Nadar University

(SoNS) School of Natural Sciences

We propose a model describing the synergetic feedback between word-of-mouth (WoM) and epidemic dynamics controlled by voluntary vaccination. The key feature consists in combining a game-theoretic model for the spread of WoM and a compartmental model describing VSIR disease dynamics in the presence of a program of voluntary vaccination. We evaluate and compare two scenarios for determinants of behavior, depending on what WoM disseminates: (1) vaccine advertising, which may occur whether or not an epidemic is ongoing and (2) epidemic status, notably disease prevalence. Understanding the synergy between the two strategies could be particularly important for designing voluntary vaccination campaigns. We find that, in the initial phase of an epidemic, vaccination uptake is determined more by vaccine advertising than the epidemic status. As the epidemic progresses, epidemic status becomes increasingly important for vaccination uptake, considerably accelerating vaccination uptake toward a stable vaccination coverage. © 2015 Elsevier Inc.

Mathematics

World University root node

Fulltext

Mathematical Biosciences

Role of word-of-mouth for programs of voluntary vaccination: A game-theoretic approach

We provide a proof to a recent conjecture by Forrester (2014 J. Phys. A: Math. Theor. 47 065202) regarding the algebraic and arithmetic structure of Meijer G-functions which appear in the expression for probability of all eigenvalues real for the product of two real Gaussian matrices. In the process we come across several interesting identities involving Meijer G-functions. © 2015 IOP Publishing Ltd.

Physics

Journal of Physics A: Mathematical and Theoretical

Exact evaluations of some Meijer G-functions and probability of all eigenvalues real for the product of two Gaussian matrices

In biological oxidations, the intermediate FeV(O)(OH) has been proposed to be the active species for catalyzing the epoxidation of alkenes by nonheme iron complexes. However, no study has been reported yet that elucidates the mechanism of direct O-atom transfer during the reaction of FeV(O) with alkenes to form the corresponding epoxide. For the first time, we study the mechanism of O-atom transfer to alkenes using the FeV(O) complex of biuret-modified Fe-TAML at room temperature. The second-order rate constant (k2) for the reaction of different alkenes with FeV(O) was determined under single-turnover conditions. An 8000-fold rate difference was found between electron-rich (4-methoxystyrene; k2 = 216 M-1 s-1) and electron-deficient (methyl trans-cinnamate; k2 = 0.03 M-1 s-1) substrates. This rate difference indicates the electrophilic character of FeV(O). The use of cis-stilbene as a mechanistic probe leads to the formation of both cis- and trans-stilbene epoxides (73:27). This suggests the formation of a radical intermediate, which would allow C-C bond rotation to yield both stereoisomers of stilbene-epoxide. Additionally, a Hammett ρ value of -0.56 was obtained for the para-substituted styrene derivatives. Detailed DFT calculations show that the reaction proceeds via a two-step process through a doublet spin surface. Finally, using biuret-modified Fe-TAML as the catalyst and NaOCl as the oxidant under catalytic conditions epoxide was formed with modest yields and turnover numbers. (Graph Presented). © 2015 American Chemical Society.

Chemistry

Inorganic Chemistry

Mechanism of Oxygen Atom Transfer from FeV(O) to Olefins at Room Temperature

The presence of an FeV(O) species has been postulated as the active intermediate for the oxidation of both C-H and C=C bonds in the Rieske dioxygenase family of enzymes. Understanding the reactivity of these high valent iron-oxo intermediates, especially in an aqueous medium, would provide a better understanding of these enzymatic reaction mechanisms. The formation of an FeV(O) complex at room temperature in an aqueous CH3CN mixture that contains up to 90% water using NaOCl as the oxidant is reported here. The stability of FeV(O) decreases with increasing water concentration. We show that the reactivity of FeV(O) toward the oxidation of C-H bonds, such as those in toluene, can be tuned by varying the amount of water in the H2O/CH3CN mixture. Rate acceleration of up to 60 times is observed for the oxidation of toluene upon increasing the water concentration. The role of water in accelerating the rate of the reaction has been studied using kinetic measurements, isotope labeling experiments, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. A kinetic isotope effect of ∼13 was observed for the oxidation of toluene and d8-toluene showing that C-H abstraction was involved in the rate-determining step. Activation parameters determined for toluene oxidation in H2O/CH3CN mixtures on the basis of Eyring plots for the rate constants show a gain in enthalpy with a concomitant loss in entropy. This points to the formation of a more-ordered transition state involving water molecules. To further understand the role of water, we performed a careful DFT study, concentrating mostly on the rate-determining hydrogen abstraction step. The DFT-optimized structure of the starting FeV(O) and the transition state indicates that the rate enhancement is due to the transition states favored stabilization over the reactant due to enhanced hydrogen bonding with water. © 2015 American Chemical Society.

Tuning the reactivity of FeV(O) toward C-H bonds at room temperature: Effect of water

The concept of encapsulation of ultra small clusters within silica evolved as a means to address the sintering of active metal nanoparticles and subsequent deactivation observed in supported noble metal catalysts. It is hypothesised that sintering, which mainly occurs due to mobility of metal species on the support surfaces, can be minimised if the growth and movement of metal nanoparticles are constrained. First, nanoparticles are isolated inside 1D channels in 2D mesoporous compounds and the idea develops to complete encapsulation of thiol protected ultra small nanoclusters in silica spheres. Sintering is better controlled in the latter due to the confined space for growth of nanoparticles. Access of reactant molecules to the active metal surfaces also is ensured by porosity created in the silica matrix forming the basis of the concept of nanoreactors. In this paper, we elaborate on the evolution of this concept from our earlier work on highly sinter resistant silica encapsulated Au, Pd and Au-Pd alloys to the present system of Ag-Pd alloy encapsulated in silica. Silver, with the lowest Tammann temperature among noble metals, is highly prone to sintering which is adequately controlled by alloying with Pd as well as encapsulation in silica. Its enhanced activity in paranitrophenol reduction in comparison with pure metals indicates the advantageous effect of alloying. © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Catalysis Today

Encapsulation of ultra small metal clusters in silica: Evolution of the concept of nanoreactors and the case of Ag-Pd@SiO2 alloy catalyst

The patterns of nomenclature, conservation and traditional uses of mango (Mangifera indica L.) trees and fruits were studied in four districts of eastern Uttar Pradesh (Jaunpur, Azamgarh, Sultanpur and Faizabad), which have preponderance of mango groves consisting of landraces. An explanatory (qualitative) research design, supported by participatory research tools, was adopted to collect the data. The study specifically focused on the role of Indigenous knowledge in the sustainable management of mango groves, which have played a crucial role in livelihood adaptations in the past. It emerged from the data that present day mango groves were planted by the forefathers of present generations who believed in the philosophy of “aadhi kheti, aadhi baari“ which literally means ‘half the crop lands and half the gardens'. This philosophy, based on premise that half the area of a village ecosystems should be cultivated to produce food grains while another half should be under tree plantations to ensure provisioning of fruits, fuel wood, timber and environmental services, was driven by an integrated and sustainable farming approach based on local resources and traditional knowledge. © 2015, National Institute of Science Communication and Information Resources (NISCAIR). All rights reserved.

Life Sciences

Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge

Mango biodiversity in eastern Uttar Pradesh, India: Indigenous knowledge and traditional products

Background: Cyclooxygenase (COXs) and Lipoxygenase (LOXs) pathways are the two major enzymatic pathways in arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism. The term eicosanoid is used to describe biologically active lipid mediators including prostaglandins, thromboxanes, leukotrienes and other oxygenated derivatives, which are produced primarily from AA. Eicosanoids generated in a tissue specific manner play a key role in inflammation and cancer. As AA is the substrate common to variety of COXs and LOXs, inhibition of one pathway results in diversion of the substrate to other pathways, which often is responsible for undesirable side effects. Hence there is need for development of not only isozyme specific inhibitors but also dual/multi enzyme inhibitors. Understanding the interactions of AA and characterizing its binding sites in these enzymes therefore is crucial for developing enzyme specific and multi enzyme inhibitors for enhancing therapeutic efficacy and/or overcoming side effects. Results: AA binding sites in COXs and LOXs are identified and compared by the development of receptor based pharmacophore using MultiBind. Physico chemical properties were compared to understand the details of the binding sites in all the enzymes and to elucidate important amino acids that can be targeted for drug design. The alignment of AA binding sites in the seven enzymes COX-1, COX-2, 5-LOX, 12-LOX, 15-LOX and plant soybean LOX-1 and LOX-3 indicated a common pattern of five common interacting groups. In the same way, comparison of AA binding sites was done pair wise and by multiple alignment in various combinations. It has been identified that aliphatic and aromatic interactions are the most common in all the enzymes. In addition interactions unique to each one of these enzymes were identified. Conclusion: The complete analysis of AA binding sites in the seven enzymes was performed; 120 combinations for the seven enzymes were studied in detail. All the seven enzymes are structurally quite different, yet they share AA as the common binding partner. Comparisons in various combinations showed how they are similar and dissimilar with each other. This information will be helpful in designing specific as well as common inhibitors. © 2015 Kumar et al.; licensee BioMed Central.

BMC Research Notes

Exploration of binding site pattern in arachidonic acid metabolizing enzymes, Cyclooxygenases and Lipoxygenases

Environmental monitoring using external and Smartphone-interfaced wireless sensors has been widely used in the past. The roadblocks start emerging when we use on-board sensors in off-the-shelf Smartphones to estimate context aware environmental parameters like ambient temperature, humidity and atmospheric pressure. In this work, we evaluate the sensitivity and accuracy of the on-board ambient temperature sensor under various circumstances and measure its performance against standardized weather monitoring equipment. Additionally, we identify the roles of several internal and external factors that affect the temperature data. Such an investigation is motivated by the need of pervasive temperature sensing to power Smart HVAC environments and for weather crowdsourcing. Our experiments reveal that while the on-board temperature sensors have great potential, using them for large scale data collection still requires significant work. © 2015 IEEE.

Computer Science and Engineering

(SoE) School of Engineering

2015 7th International Conference on Communication Systems and Networks, COMSNETS 2015 - Proceedings

Contextual sensitivity of the ambient temperature sensor in Smartphones

Dopamine (DA) is one of the key neurotransmitters in the striatum, which is functionally important for a variety of cognitive and motor behaviours. It is known that the striatum is vulnerable to damage from traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, a therapeutic approach has not yet been established to treat TBI. Hence, the present work aimed to evaluate the ability of Normobaric hyperoxia treatment (NBOT) to recover dopaminergic neurons following a fluid percussion injury (FPI) as a TBI experimental animal model. To examine this, mice were divided into four groups: (i) Control, (ii) Sham, (iii) FPI and (iv) FPI+NBOT. Mice were anesthetized and surgically prepared for FPI in the striatum and immediate exposure to NBOT at various time points (3, 6, 12 and 24 h). Dopamine levels were then estimated post injury by utilizing a commercially available ELISA method specific to DA. We found that DA levels were significantly reduced at 3 h, but there was no reduction at 6, 12 and 24 h in FPI groups when compared to the control and sham groups. Subjects receiving NBOT showed consistent increased DA levels at each time point when compared with Sham and FPI groups. These results suggest that FPI may alter DA levels at the early post-TBI stages but not in later stages. While DA levels increased in 6, 12 and 24 h in the FPI groups, NBOT could be used to accelerate the prevention of early dopaminergic neuronal damage following FPI injury and improve DA levels consistently. © 2014 Taylor and Francis.

International Journal of Neuroscience

Normobaric hyperoxia treatment prevents early alteration in dopamine level in mice striatum after fluid percussion injury: A biochemical approach

Chickpea is an important grain legume used as a rich source of protein in human diet. The narrow genetic diversity and limited availability of genomic resources are the major constraints in implementing breeding strategies and biotechnological interventions for genetic enhancement of chickpea. We developed an integrated Chickpea Transcriptome Database (CTDB), which provides the comprehensive web interface for visualization and easy retrieval of transcriptome data in chickpea. The database features many tools for similarity search, functional annotation (putative function, PFAM domain and gene ontology) search and comparative gene expression analysis. The current release of CTDB (v2.0) hosts transcriptome datasets with high quality functional annotation from cultivated (desi and kabuli types) and wild chickpea. A catalog of transcription factor families and their expression profiles in chickpea are available in the database. The gene expression data have been integrated to study the expression profiles of chickpea transcripts in major tissues/organs and various stages of flower development. The utilities, such as similarity search, ortholog identification and comparative gene expression have also been implemented in the database to facilitate comparative genomic studies among different legumes and Arabidopsis. Furthermore, the CTDB represents a resource for the discovery of functional molecular markers (microsatellites and single nucleotide polymorphisms) between different chickpea types. We anticipate that integrated information content of this database will accelerate the functional and applied genomic research for improvement of chickpea. The CTDB web service is freely available at http://nipgr.res.in/ctdb.html. © 2015 Verma et al.