Full Classification of Transport on an Equilibrated 5/2 Edge via Shot Noise.

The nature of the bulk topological order of the 5/2 non-Abelian fractional quantum Hall state and the steady state of its edge are long-studied questions. The most promising non-Abelian model bulk states are the Pfaffian (Pf), anti-Pffafian (APf), and particle-hole symmetric Pfaffian (PHPf). Here, we propose to employ a set of dc current-current correlations (electrical shot noise) in order to distinguish among the Pf, APf, and PHPf candidate states, as well as to determine their edge thermal equilibration regimes: full vs partial. Using other tools, measurements of GaAs platforms have already indicated consistency with the PHPf state. Our protocol, realizable with available experimental tools, is based on fully electrical measurements.

Floral scents, specialized metabolites and stress-response activities in Heritiera fomes and Bruguiera gymnorrhiza from Sundarban mangrove ecosystem.

Floral biochemistry and stress physiology is an underexplored aspect of mangroves, which should be investigated as part of preservation and restoration efforts. A thriving true mangrove tree (Bruguiera gymnorrhiza (L.) Lamk.) and a threatened mangrove-associate species (Heritiera fomes Buch. Ham.) were studied in the Sundarban region of India for seasonal variations in floral odours, non-volatile phytochemicals, antioxidant enzyme activities, and surface water chemistry in surrounding habitat. Both species were found to exhibit significant differences in floral volatilomes, protein contents, antioxidant enzyme activities, total flavonoids, and total phenolic contents between spring and autumn blooms. The bird-pollinated flowers of B. gymnorrhiza also showed considerable seasonal differences in floral anthocyanin and proline contents, indicating vulnerability of the post-anthesis open flowers to environmental factors. Contrarily to previous findings, B. gymnorrhiza floral bouquet appeared to be enriched in various classes of volatiles - dominated by sulphurous compounds in bud stage and terpenoids in open stage. Floral anthocyanins, contributing to the striking colouration of the calyx, were found to comprise cyanidin and delphinidin derivatives. Other glycosides of cyanidin and delphinidin were detected in H. fomes flowers, contributing to visual guides to potential food rewards for pollinating insects. Floral tissue in H. fomes was found to be protected by densely overlapping layers of stellate trichomes containing sesquiterpenoids as phytoprotectants. Comparison of the two floral species suggested that H. fomes flowering is optimized to oligohaline (but not freshwater) vernal conditions; whereas B. gymnorrhiza blooms are adapted for biologically enriched (including abundant herbivores and microbial growth), mesohaline forest habitats.

The Flower Colour Influences Spontaneous Nectaring in Butterflies: a Case Study with Twenty Subtropical Butterflies.

Butterflies have a wide spectrum of colour vision, and changes in flower colour influence both the visiting and nectaring (the act of feeding on flower nectar) events of them. However, the spontaneous behavioural response of butterflies while foraging on real flowers is less characterised in wild conditions. Hence, this study intends to investigate flower colour affinity in wild butterflies in relation to nectaring frequency (NF) and nectaring duration (ND). Six distinct flower colours were used to study spontaneous nectaring behaviour in 20 species of subtropical butterflies. Both NF and ND greatly varied in the flower colours they offered. Yellow flowers were frequently imbibed by butterflies for longer durations, followed by orange, while red, pink, white and violet flowers were occasionally nectared in shorter bouts. Though butterflies have a general tendency to nectar on multiple flower colours, the Nymphalids were more biased towards nectaring on yellow flowers, but Papilionids preferred both yellow and orange, while the Pierids were likely to display an equal affinity for yellow, orange and violet flowers as their first order of preference. Even if the blooms are associated with higher nectar concentrations or a significant grade reward, the butterfly may prefer to visit different-coloured flowers instead. Flower colour choice appears to be a generalist phenomenon for butterflies, but their specialist visiting nature was also significant. Nymphalid representatives responded to a wider variety of floral colour affinities than Pierid and Papilionid species. The colour preference of butterflies aids in the identification of flowers during foraging and influences subsequent foraging decisions, which ultimately benefits pollination success. The current information will support the preservation and conservation of butterflies in their natural habitats.

Visible light photoredox-catalyzed arylative cyclization to access benzimidazo[2,1-a]isoquinolin-6(5H)-ones.

A photoredox-catalyzed arylative radical cascade involving N-acryloyl-2-arylbenzoimidazoles and diaryliodonium triflates leading to the formation of a broad array of pharmaceutically important arylated-benzimidazo[2,1-a]isoquinolin-6(5H)-ones is described. Importantly, the synthesized benzimidazoisoquinolinones are amenable for further synthetic manipulation and allowed efficient access to benzimidazo-fused polycyclic heterocycles.

Metal accumulation and morphofunctional damage in coelomocytes of earthworm collected from industrially contaminated soil of Kolkata, India.

The current study is aimed to assess the ecotoxicological effects of toxic metals and seasonal shift of the physicochemical characteristics of soil in an endogeic earthworm Metaphire posthuma of industrially contaminated soil of Calcutta leather complex. The accumulation of cadmium, chromium, lead and mercury was quantitated in whole earthworms and coelomocytes. The accumulation of metals was derived to be high in the coelomocytes than whole earthworms. Morphofunctional shift in coelomocytes indicated a high level of metal toxicity in soil inhabitants. The shift in differential coelomocyte count and cellular damage including intense cytoplasmic vacuolation and membrane blebbing of coelomocytes of M. posthuma of contaminated soil were suggestive to a state of immunocompromisation in the same species. Shift in the generation of nitric oxide and activity of inducible nitric oxide synthase indicated a possible immunosuppression in earthworm. Depletion in the acetylcholinesterase activity of coelomocytes indicated neurotoxicity of metals leached from the dumped wastes in Calcutta leather complex. Integrated biomarker response based analysis was carried out to assess the biomarker potential of experimental endpoints of M. posthuma to monitor metal toxicity in soil.

Obesity among Medical Students of a Medical College: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.

Introduction: The prevalence of overweight and obesity is increasing these days. The adverse effect of obesity can be seen in different physiological functions. Relative fat mass is a newly identified parameter to estimate whole body fat. This study aimed to find out the prevalence of obesity among medical students of a medical college. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among medical students of a medical college from 1 September 2021 to 30 January 2022. Ethical approval was taken from the Institutional Review Committee (Reference number: FNMC/539/078/79). Simple random sampling was done. Height was measured using a stadiometer and waist circumference was measured using non-stretchable tape. Relative fat mass was calculated using the relative fat mass equation. The data was categorised according to the distribution of fat mass. Point estimate and 95% Confidence Interval were calculated. Results: Out of 180 medical students, 57 (31.67%) (24.87-38.47, 95% Confidence Interval) were obese according to relative fat mass cut-off. The mean fat mass among male and female participants with high relative fat mass was 27.057±1.42 and 35.674±2.63 respectively. Conclusions: The prevalence of obesity was lower than in other studies done in similar settings. Keywords: body fat; obesity; medical students.

Shift in phagocytosis, lysosomal stability, lysozyme activity, apoptosis and cell cycle profile in the coelomocytes of earthworm of polluted soil near a tannery field of India.

Calcutta Leather Complex of the state of West Bengal, India has been designated as an industrially active zone with around 400 active tannery units. This area spanning 4.5 km2 is surrounded by human habitation. The soil of this region is contaminated with metal pollutants and exhibited an alteration in selected physicochemical parameters, namely cation exchange capacity, moisture content, pH, total nitrogen, total organic carbon and water holding capacity. Metaphire posthuma, a common variety of endogeic earthworm inhabiting this region is thus continuously exposed to these toxic metals. Coelomocytes, the chief immune effector cells of earthworm presented a shift in phagocytosis, lysosomal membrane stability, lysozyme and phosphatase activity, physiological apoptosis and cell cycle profile of M. posthuma sampled from the soil of tannery industry. Presence of high concentration of toxic metals and change in the physicochemical characteristics of soil led to a state of cellular stress and immunocompromisation in M. posthuma, a common inhabitant of soil of this region. Experimental endpoints bear ecotoxicological significance as biomarkers of physiological stress in earthworm for monitoring the health of soil around this tannery industrial zone.

Comparison between the motor function of school-aged children with normal birth weight and children with low birth weight: a cross-sectional study.

Pal A, Manna S, Dhara PC. Comparison between the motor function of school-aged children with normal birth weight and children with low birth weight: a cross-sectional study. Turk J Pediatr 2019; 61: 374-385. Low birth weight (LBW) children are prone to abnormal neurological signs in tone, coordination and reflexes, due to neonatal complications which lead to development of motor deficits and delays. The aim of the present study was a comparison between the motor function of school-age children with normal birth weight (NBW) and children with LBW. This study was conducted with 471 school-aged children from different districts of West Bengal, India. Different socio-demographic variables of the participants were studied by using a pre-structured schedule questionnaire. Gross motor function was studied by standing broad jump and vertical jump whereas fine motor function was studied by hand reaction time and speed of movement. Jumping skill was better among the boys than girls which implied that the gross motor skill of boys was better than girls. However, the hand reaction time and speed of movement among the girls was better than that of boys which implied that the fine motor skill of girls was better than boys. The postnatal growth of LBW children was significantly lower than that of NBW children. Both gross and fine motor performances of LBW children were significantly poorer than that of NBW children. This study found a strong association between birth weight and motor skills among school-age children even after controlling for the effects of age, gestational age, postnatal growth (height, weight and BMI) and socioeconomic status in a multivariable model. Thus, it appears that babies who are born with LBW have a tendency of neuro-developmental impairments during their childhood. Therefore, long-term monitoring programs and early detection and intervention is necessary in order to minimize future sequelae. The finding of this study indicates the importance of paying special attention to developmental follow up of high risk and LBW infants. It is proposed that more diagnostic evaluations be conducted on LBW infants for all aspects of development.