Science and Engineering Research Board

Abstract Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a heterogeneous disease that develops through diverse pathophysiological processes 1,2 and molecular mechanisms that are often specific to cell type 3,4 . Here, to characterize the genetic contribution to these processes across ancestry groups, we aggregate genome-wide association study data from 2,535,601 individuals (39.7% not of European ancestry), including 428,452 cases of T2D. We identify 1,289 independent association signals at genome-wide significance ( P < 5 × 10 −8 ) that map to 611 loci, of which 145 loci are, to our knowledge, previously unreported. We define eight non-overlapping clusters of T2D signals that are characterized by distinct profiles of cardiometabolic trait associations. These clusters are differentially enriched for cell-type-specific regions of open chromatin, including pancreatic islets, adipocytes, endothelial cells and enteroendocrine cells. We build cluster-specific partitioned polygenic scores 5 in a further 279,552 individuals of diverse ancestry, including 30,288 cases of T2D, and test their association with T2D-related vascular outcomes. Cluster-specific partitioned polygenic scores are associated with coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease and end-stage diabetic nephropathy across ancestry groups, highlighting the importance of obesity-related processes in the development of vascular outcomes. Our findings show the value of integrating multi-ancestry genome-wide association study data with single-cell epigenomics to disentangle the aetiological heterogeneity that drives the development and progression of T2D. This might offer a route to optimize global access to genetically informed diabetes care.

The alkaline comet assay, or single cell gel electrophoresis, is one of the most popular methods for assessing DNA damage in human population. One of the open issues concerning this assay is the identification of those factors that can explain the large inter-individual and inter-laboratory variation. International collaborative initiatives such as the hCOMET project - a COST Action launched in 2016 - represent a valuable tool to meet this challenge. The aims of hCOMET were to establish reference values for the level of DNA damage in humans, to investigate the effect of host factors, lifestyle and exposure to genotoxic agents, and to compare different sources of assay variability. A database of 19,320 subjects was generated, pooling data from 105 studies run by 44 laboratories in 26 countries between 1999 and 2019. A mixed random effect log-linear model, in parallel with a classic meta-analysis, was applied to take into account the extensive heterogeneity of data, due to descriptor, specimen and protocol variability. As a result of this analysis interquartile intervals of DNA strand breaks (which includes alkali-labile sites) were reported for tail intensity, tail length, and tail moment (comet assay descriptors). A small variation by age was reported in some datasets, suggesting higher DNA damage in oldest age-classes, while no effect could be shown for sex or smoking habit, although the lack of data on heavy smokers has still to be considered. Finally, highly significant differences in DNA damage were found for most exposures investigated in specific studies. In conclusion, these data, which confirm that DNA damage measured by the comet assay is an excellent biomarker of exposure in several conditions, may contribute to improving the quality of study design and to the standardization of results of the comet assay in human populations.

An attempt has been made to identify plausible groundwater potential zones (GWPZ) based on Grey Analytic Hierarchy Process Method (Grey-AHP) using integrated remote sensing and geographic information system. Grey-AHP combines the advantages of classical analytic hierarchy process and grey clustering method for accurate estimation of weight coefficients. The method also examines the effectiveness of GWPZ identification process. The proposed methodology has been applied to the Hirakud canal command area, Odisha (India). Feature layers [e.g. soil type, geology] are utilized for groundwater potential index (GWPI) calculation. The resulting GWPI map has been classified into three GWPZ namely: good, moderate and poor. Effectiveness based on grey clustering method is found to be in between ‘better’ and ‘common’ classes. Value of coefficient of determination (R2 = 0.865) supports the obtained effectiveness evaluation result. This analysis demonstrates the potential applicability of the methodology for a general aquifer system.

Changes in the atmospheric concentration of GHGs, 64 aerosols and LULC are the key anthropogenic drivers 65 of global climate change. 66 The global atmospheric carbon dioxide concentra-67 tion has increased from an average of 280 ppm in the 68 pre-industrial period to over 407 ppm in 2018 (https:// 69

Abstract South Asians are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D). We carried out a genome-wide association meta-analysis with South Asian T2D cases ( n = 16,677) and controls ( n = 33,856), followed by combined analyses with Europeans (n eff = 231,420). We identify 21 novel genetic loci for significant association with T2D ( P = 4.7 × 10 −8 to 5.2 × 10 −12 ), to the best of our knowledge at the point of analysis. The loci are enriched for regulatory features, including DNA methylation and gene expression in relevant tissues, and highlight CHMP4B , PDHB , LRIG1 and other genes linked to adiposity and glucose metabolism. A polygenic risk score based on South Asian-derived summary statistics shows ~4-fold higher risk for T2D between the top and bottom quartile. Our results provide further insights into the genetic mechanisms underlying T2D, and highlight the opportunities for discovery from joint analysis of data from across ancestral populations.

Pomegranate peels were studied for the effect of gamma irradiation on microbial decontamination along with its effect on total phenolic content and in vitro antioxidant activity. Gamma irradiation was applied at various dose levels (5.0, 10.0, 15.0 and 25.0 kGy) on pomegranate peel powder. Both the values of total phenolic content and in vitro antioxi- dant activity were positively correlated and showed a significant increase (p < 0.05) for 10.0 kGy irradiated dose level immediately after irradiation and 60 days of post irradiation storage. At 5.0 kGy and above dose level, gamma irradia- tion has reduced microbial count of pomegranate peel powder to nil. Post irradiation storage studies also showed that, the irradiated peel powder was microbiologically safe even after 90 days of storage period.

Until the 1980s, shielded dielectric resonators (DRs) were used as high-quality factor energy storage devices for filter and oscillator applications [1]. Later, they gained status as effective radiators due to the efforts of Long, McAllister, and Chen [2]. Since then, enormous DR antenna (DRA) designs have been explored and different feeding techniques introduced to achieve optimum antenna characteristics like high gain and low quality factor (Q-factor), etc. Compared to microstrip antennas, DRAs offer attractive features such as low loss, high efficiency, and wide impedance bandwidth (BW). Low-profile design and BW enhancement are two important aspects of effective antenna synthesis. Various BW enhancement techniques-like the compact slot DRA [3], aperture feeding, perturbation, cavity-backed disk, ring-shaped DRA, and the stacking of two or more dielectric layers [4]-can be applied on DRAs for this purpose. The stacked DRA, dual-segment, hybrid DRA, and slots in ground-plane approaches were also well suited to improve the impedance BW of DRA [5]-[10]. Various multilayer cylindrical DRA (MCDRA) structures have been proposed and investigated for BW enhancement like the stacked cylinder approach [11], [12], slotted coaxial layered structure [13], etc. More recently, various fractal geometries have been introduced for antenna applications. The main objective of fractal applications is to reduce the size of the antenna for wideband characteristics, while maintaining other design parameters at an acceptable level. Several antenna configurations based on fractal geometries have been previously examined [14].

Performance evaluation of a combined cycle power plant (CCPP) is generally attempted using first law of thermodynamics based on energy and mass balance methodology. For detailed component wise performance analysis, exergy‐based evaluation based on second law of thermodynamics is gaining increasing importance. In this study, a CCPP consisting of triple pressure steam cycle with reheat is analyzed using both energy and exergy. Effect of ambient temperature, inlet and exhaust pressure loss, CCPP load, excess air percentage, cooling water temperature, and condenser vacuum has been investigated. Energy and exergy‐based performances are compared and presented. The simulation results show that efficiency of CCPP decreases with increase in the inlet and exhaust pressure loss and with increase in inlet air temperature to compressor. The total power output of CCPP decreases at higher inlet air temperature with increase of steam flow rate in bottoming cycle and increase in compressor power consumption. The exergy efficiency of combustion chamber, heat recovery steam generator, and condenser are found to be 77.48%, 87.20%, and 29%, respectively; and the overall exergy and energy efficiency of the unit at 100% design and operating condition is found to be 54.09%, 58.26% and 53.92%, 57.10%, respectively. The overall exergetic efficiency of the CCPP can be improved by reducing the losses in bottoming cycle. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 36: 1180–1186, 2017

Aile içi şiddet, bir kişinin aynı evi paylaştığı veya evli olduğu diğer kişiye karşı uyguladığı şiddet veya kötüye kullanımdır. Kadınlar ve çocukların çoğu kez fiziksel olarak güçsüz ve savunmasız olması nedeniyle en çok onlar aile içi şiddetin mağduru olmaktadır. Aslında aile içi şiddet sadece fiziksel şiddeti içermez. Kadınlar aynı zamanda evlilikte psikolojik, cinsel ve ekonomik şiddetin de mağduru olabilir. Aile içi şiddet, kadınların ruh sağlığının ve yaşam kalitesinin bozulmasına yol açar. Ayrıca şiddete maruziyet bu kadınların tıbbi hizmet kullanımını artırır ve onların çocuklarının da uzun vadede ruhsal gelişimini bozar. Aile içi şiddete tanık olan çocuklar bazı davranışsal ve emosyonel bozulmalar yaşar. Daha da ötesi bu çocuklar sonraki yaşamında şiddetin mağduru veya uygulayıcısı olurlar. Kadına karşı aile içi şiddet bu kadınlarda depresyon, anksiyete ve posttravmatik stres bozukluğu için risk faktörüdür. Bundan dolayı psikiyatri polikliniklerine bu nedenlerle yardım almak için başvuran kadınlarda aile içi şiddetin sorgulanması kritik öneme sahiptir. Bu gözden geçirme yazısında kadına karşı aile içi şiddeti, sıklığını, aile içi şiddeti etkileyen değişkenleri incelenerek, aile içi şiddetin buna maruz kalan kadın ve onların çocukları üzerindeki etkisi gözden geçirilmiştir.

Carbohydrate restricted diet regimen is widely accepted as therapeutic approach for the treatment of kidney disease associated with type-2 diabetes, obesity and hypertensive disorders. The present study tested the influence of carbohydrate-energy restricted diet (CR) on type-1 diabetes induced renal dysfunction, hypoxia and structural alterations against diabetic rat group fed control diet (ad libitium). Male wistar rats weighing between 180 and 190 g were subjected to 30% carbohydrate energy restricted diet (CR) and diabetes was induced by administration of streptozotocin (45 mg/kg., i.p). Assessment of renal function was done after 4 weeks by determining the serum levels of creatinine, BUN, proteinuria. Oxidative stress was determined by estimating the reduced glutathione, malonaldehyde levels, catalase activity and extent of renal hypoxia by estimating the HIF-1α levels in kidney tissue homogenates. Histological studies were conducted on kidney sections using hematoxylin and eosin, periodic acid-schiff staining. Diabetic rats exhibited marked hyperglycemia and renal dysfunction developed in diabetic rats fed control diet (ad libitium) as shown by significantly elevated levels of serum creatinine, BUN and massive proteinuria after 4 weeks period. CR diet treatment in diabetic rats significantly lowered hyperglycemia, reversed the above renal functional abnormalities, reduced oxidative stress and enhanced HIF-1α levels. Furthermore histological examination of kidney sections from CR diet treated diabetic rat group showed absence of glomerular hypertrophy, mesangial expansion and tubular vacoulations. Our results demonstrated that CR diet treatment in diabetic rats attenuated renal damage by reducing oxidative stress and preventing the development of hypoxia by up-regulating HIF-1α levels.

. The catalyst can be reused several times without any significant loss in its activity and selectivity. The results from this study will be useful in designing and developing low cost, high activity catalysts from alkaline earth metals.

Thunderstorms are one of the most damaging natural hazards demanding in-depth understanding and prediction. These convective systems form in an unstable environment which is quantitatively expressed in terms of instability indices. These indices are studied over six locations across the Indian landmass in an attempt to predict thunderstorm activity on any given day. A combination of multiple regression, logistic regression, and range analysis provides new insight into the prediction of these storms. A supervised machine learning-based logistic regression model is developed in this study for thunderstorm prediction over Patna and can be further extended for operational forecasting of Thunderstorms over the region. Critical thresholds for the instability indices are determined over the considered locations providing valuable insight into the domain of Thunderstorm prediction

The present study illustrates how halogen bonds (XB) in conjunction with judiciously selected molecular scaffolds can be used for the construction of molecular arrays (ladder, one-dimensional (1D), and two-dimensional (2D) frameworks) in a series of Sn(IV)-porphyrin derivatives, which topologically resemble a “wheel–axle” duo. In all the complexes investigated here, the wheel is constructed with Sn(IV)-5,10,15,20-meso-tetrakis(4-bromophenyl)porphyrin [Sn(L)2-TBrPP], which is relatively rigid, and the two pairs of diametrically opposite Br atoms can get involved in various kind of halogen bond interactions, depending upon the complementary atom(s) present at the axle. Detailed single crystal X-ray structural studies of these complexes reveal the diverse occurrence of Br···O, Br···Br, Br···π halogen bonds, and these XBs are not only restricted between the wheel···axle alone, but also can occur among themselves (i.e., wheel···wheel and axle···axle). Different types of XB directed molecular associations are observed; for example, ladder type supramolecular associations occur in 1 and 2, interlinked 1D framework in 4, molecular chains in 7, 2D-framework in 8, etc. Complementary theoretical studies with Hirshfeld surface analysis show the definite role of Br···Br interactions in the overall stability and mapping of electrostatic potential isosurfaces with the aid of density functional theory in 8 definitely shows the presence of a σ-hole, a requisite feature to show XBs in the crystalline state. The detailed structural and theoretical studies presented here clearly vouch for the use of wheel and axle topology driven halogen bonds for the construction of molecular arrays in hexa-coordinated Sn(IV)-porphyrin derivatives. Photophysical studies show that the variation of axial ligands has a minimal effect on fluorescence as well as the excited state lifetime in these complexes.

In this study, poly(methacrylic acid-glycine)-grafted agar-based hydrogels with optimized process parameters were synthesized via a two-step green-radiation induced grafting process using microwave heating. Poly(methacrylic acid) chains were graft copolymerized onto an agar backbone using ammonium persulfate as a free radical initiator and N,N′-methylene-bis-acrylamide as a cross-linking means using microwave heating. The influence of different reaction parameters was investigated on the percentage swelling behavior of the cross-linked hydrogel networks. The prepared hydrogel networks with optimum percentage swelling were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis, using agar as a reference. The anti-bacterial activities of the prepared hydrogels against Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus bacteria and Gram-negative Escherichia coli bacteria were investigated. Staphylococcus aureus was found to be more susceptible to the compounds compared to Escherichia coli. These results indicate that the prepared hydrogels have the potential to be applied as anti-bacterial agents.

In this study, we report the first example of polymorphic Sn(IV)-tetrapyridyl porphyrins axially armed with halogen (Cl, Br)-substituted carboxyphenyl ligands (structural formula [Sn(tPyP)2+(A−)2], where A is the axial ligand = 3,5-dichloro/dibromo benzoic acid). The two polymorphs of chloro-substituted Sn(IV)-tetrapyridyl porphyrin (1α and 1β) display distinct photophysical and morphological properties in the solid state. X-ray diffraction study reveals that these polymorphs 1α and 1β greatly differ in supramolecular architecture and noncovalent interactions, which is responsible for their distinct solid-state properties. Molecules of the two polymorphs adopt different conformations of the axial carboxyphenyl ligand. Crystal packing of these polymorphs are dominated by intermolecular C–H···Npyridine, C–H···O, C–H···π, and Cl···Npyridin interactions. Theoretical study showed that the energy difference between the two polymorphs is ∼8 kcal/mol. In addition to these polymorphs, a reference compound 2 with an axial bromo-substituted carboxyphenyl ligand is also synthesized and structurally characterized.

Wheel-and-axle topology-driven halogen bonded supramolecular networks in six-coordinated Sn(<sc>iv</sc>)-porphyrins.

Background: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is an endocrine disorder due to improper secretion of insulin or action of insulin regardless of hyperglycemia in the body. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a major role in the development of insulin resistance and DM. Objective: The present study, designed to assess the role of chemically induced ROS and also the effect of chromium picolinate (CrPic) and melatonin (Mel) alone or in combination (CrPic+Mel) along with ROS on insulin resistance, blood glucose, lipid, and oxidative stress variables in alloxan induced Wistar rats. Methods: Male Wistar rats have been categorized into five groups and group consists of six rats. Group I served as untreated, while group II, III, IV, and V, were treated with alloxan (AID), alloxan+CrPic (AID+CrPic), alloxan+Mel (AID+Mel), and alloxan+CrPic+Mel (AID+CrPic+Mel) respectively. Results: Insulin resistance was greatly increased in group AID rats compared with untreated rats. A similar increase was seen in blood glucose, total cholesterol, and triacylglycerols compared between group II and untreated (P<0.05). Significant differences were observed when group group III, group IV, and group V rats were compared with group II rats in blood glucose and lipid variables (P<0.05). But prominent significant differences were observed between group group II and group IV experimental rats in serum levels of zinc, malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione (P<0.05) respectively. Histopathological findings suggest that the Mel and CrPic+Mel treated rats had normal renal tubular architecture compared with group II rats. Relatively normal architecture of liver and pancreas was observed in alloxan rats treated with Mel and CrPic+Mel. Conclusion: CrPic and Mel alone or in a combination prevented pathological alterations in the serum and in tissues due to their anti-hyperglycemic, insulinsensitizing, anti-dyslipidemia, and antioxidant activity, but Mel alone was most effective.

Bilişim suçlarıyla mücadelede yaşanan zorlukları bertaraf edebilmek adına devletlerin aynı farkındalıkta ve hassasiyette olması, maddi ceza ve ceza muhakemesi hukuku mevzuatları arasında uyumluluk sağlanması ve bu yolla bilişim suçluları için sığınma limanlarının yok edilmesi ile uluslararası adli iş birliğinin geliştirilmesi gerektiği anlaşılmış ve bu yönde uluslararası alanda bazı adımlar atılmıştır. Bu adımların en önemlisi Türkiye’nin de taraf olduğu ve bu çalışmanın da konusunu oluşturan Avrupa Siber Suçlar Sözleşmesi’dir. Bilişim suçları ulusal sınırlar içerisinde kalmamaktadır. Bu nedenle bu suçlarla mücadele edilebilmesi, dünya çapında elbirliğiyle etkin bir mücadele yürütülmesi halinde anlam kazanabilecektir. Sözleşme ile amaçlanan yeknesak bir yasal mevzuat temelinde, hızlı ve etkin bir uluslararası adli yardımlaşmanın ne seviyede sağlanabileceği zamanla görülecektir.

Parkinsonism is a degenerative disorder of the Central Nervous System affecting the aged. The receptor proteins identified PARK2 and LRRK2 are modeled by modeller software. The best models selected for each receptor are selected by Ramachandran Plot analysis. Then best model selected are docked with the phytocompounds. The phyto-compounds having the best docking score are selected as the most suitable ligand and considered for further in-vitro receptor ligand binding assay studies.

Indirect bandgap in Si‐based semiconductor limits its widespread usage as the main component for effective sunlight harvesting and led to the development of new silicon structures with small direct bandgaps and desired optical properties. Herein, the synthesis of quasi‐direct bandgap silicon nanoparticles (SiNP) by a one‐pot hydrothermal process and their application as an active layer of photodetectors are reported. The result shows that these photodetectors are operable over a long range of wavelengths and can respond in just 0.4 ms. Systematic characterizations of multiple devices led to determining the critical thickness of the silicon nanoparticles (SiNPs) active layer in photodetectors for its optimum response. The reliability, repeatability, and range of operation of an optimized device have been evaluated. This work suggests the usability of SiNP for the development of photodetectors and the significance of the thickness of the SiNP active layer in the further fabrication of optoelectronic devices.