Role of HLA-A, HLA- B, HLA-DRB1 and HLADQB1 Alleles in HIV-1 Patients with Pulmonary Tuberculosis Co-Infection from Western India

We attempted to study the role of HLA HLA-A, B, DRB1 and DQB1 in HIV-1 patient’s co infected with pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). A total of 102 HIV-1 + patients co-infected with pulmonary tuberculosis and 200 healthy controls were included in HLA analysis. HLA-A*, HLA-B* HLA-DRB1* and DQB1* typing was done molecularly by PCR- SSOP (Polymerase Chain reaction-Sequence Specific Oligonucleotide Probing) method using kit (Dynal Kit – Invitrogen). The frequencies of the HLA-A, B HLA-DRB,1 and DQB1 alleles were determined using standard software. The HLA alleles identified among HIV + ve/PTB + ve co-infected patients as compared with healthy controls showed a significantly increased frequency of HLA-B*08:01:01 in HIV + ve/PTB + ve co-infected patients when compared with healthy controls (p = 0.011, OR 3.335, 95% CI 1.35-8.18), Likewise HLA-DQB1*03:01:03 was significantly increased in HIV + ve/PTB + ve co-infected patients as against healthy controls (p < 0.0001, OR 107.5, 95% CI 6.195 - 1865.3). Similarly HLA-DQB*06:01:02 allele frequency was observed in HIV + ve/PTB + ve co-infected patients as against healthy controls (p = 0.003, OR 4.808, 95% CI 1.72-13.39), HLA-DQB1*03:01:01 (p = 0.045, OR 0.219, 95% CI 0.051 - 0.940), HLA-DQB1*06:01:01:01 (p = 0.012, OR 0.334, 95% CI 0.145 - 0.770), alleles in HIV + ve/PTB + ve co-infected patients when compared with healthy controls. We can be concluded that different HLA alleles may render susceptibility or protection to in different ethnic population.

Evidence of the oldest extant vascular plant(horsetails)from the Indian Cenozoic

Equisetum(Equisetaceae)has long been a focus of attention for botanists and palaeontologists because,given its extensive and well-documented fossil record,it is considered the oldest extant vascular plant and a key element in understanding vascular plant evolution.However,to date,no authentic fossil evidence of Equisetum has been found from the Indian Cenozoic.Here,we describe a new fossil species,namely,E.siwalikum sp.nov.,recovered from the middle Siwalik(Late Miocene)sediments of Himachal Pradesh,western Himalaya.We identified fossil specimens based on morphological and epidermal characters.In addition,X-Ray diffraction(XRD)analysis was used to determine the mineral composition of compressed stems of Equisetum.The close affinity of our recovered Siwalik fossils to Equisetum is supported by the presence of both macromorphological and epidermal characters.Because Equisetum generally grows in wet conditions around water reservoirs,our findings indicate that the fossil locality was humid and surrounded by swamp and lowland regions during deposition.Ample fossil evidence indicates that this sphenopsid once existed in the western Himalaya during the Siwalik period.However,at present Equisetum is confined to a particular area of our fossil locality,probably a consequence of severe environmental changes coupled with competition from opportunistic angiosperms.Our discovery of Equisetum fossils in appreciable numbers from the Siwalik sediments of the Himachal Himalayas is unique and constitutes the first reliable recognition of Equisetum from the Indian Cenozoic.

Plant diversity and phenological pattern in the montane wet temperate forests of the southern Western Ghats,India

Plants diversity and phenological pattern of the trees were monitored in a montane wet temperate forest （shola） in the Kukkal Forest, Palni hills of the southern Western Ghats, India. Twelve random plots were selected for sampling the vegetation. For phenological studies, twenty-three fleshy fruit trees were identified in the study area and 10 individuals of each species were selected to record the phenological events fortnightly between April 2002 and April 2004. The phenological events were divided into vegetative and reproductive phases. A total of 2279 individuals were inventoried which belong to 83 species, 68 genera and 40 families. About 30% of the species were endemic to the Western Ghats. The most dominant species （〉 1 cm dbh） was Psychotria nilgiriensis var. astephana （Rubiaceae）, which accounted for 12% of the total sampled individuals. Lauraceae was the dominant family accounting for 20% of the individuals. Fruiting peak occurred in July 2003 and least in June 2002. During the peak period, fruits of 85 individuals of six species were observed. Syzygium tamilnadensis, Ilex wightiana and Beilschmiedia wightii fruited only once during the two years of study. The number of fruiting species showed no correlation with rainfall （r = 0.26, p = 0.2）, while a correlation was found with fruit abundance （r = 0.40, p 〈 0.05）. The results indicate that the montane wet temperate forest is unique in their diversity and a conspicuous display in phenology.

Hydrothermal Hgbomite Associated with Vanadiferous-Titaniferous(V-Ti) Bearing Magnetite Bands in Bhakatarhalli Chromite Mine, Nuggihalli Greenstone Belt, Western Dharwar Craton, Karnataka, India

Hogbomite,a rare exotic mineral,is found to be associated with the vanadiferous-titaniferous （V-Ti） bearing magnetite bands at Bhakatarhalli,Nuggihaifi greenstone belt,western Dharwar Craton,India.We report on a second occurrence of hogbomite from the Dharwar craton in Karnataka,which is the sixth documented occurrence of this mineral from India.We evaluate the chemical characteristics of hogbomite and associated Fe-Ti-minerals in an attempt to identify its formation as a primary hydrothermal mineral in a metamorphosed magnetite layer.We report here the presence of hogbomite as a complex oxide of Fe,Mg,Al and Ti with accessory of Zn,V and Sn.Petrographic studies suggest the （V-Ti） bearing magnetite （Mt） contain spinel,hogbomite,chlorite,martite,ilmenite （Ⅱ） and minor amounts of diaspore.The hogbomite displays euhedral to subhedral textures,and is up to 250 μm along the grain boundaries of magnetite and ilmenite.In the samples studied,hogbomite is prismatic,irregular and elongated in shape.The genesis of hogbomite in veins between magnetite and ilmenite implies its precipitation from fluids without involving complicated reactions.Several models were proposed for the formation of hogbomite; however,the subject is still debatable.

Stress Transfer and the Impact of the India-Eurasia Collision and the Western Pacific Subduction on the Geodynamics of the Asian Continent

The interaction between the India-Eurasia collision and the Western Pacific subduction and their contribution to recent geodynamics of the Asian continent are discussed. We perform a comparative analysis of the data available from world literature and new data on the slow strain and earthquake migration from the India-Eurasia collision and the Western Pacific subduction zones. Based on the concepts of wave dynamics of the deformation processes, a localization scheme is constructed illustrating the migration of slow strain fronts in central and eastern Asia, and the wave geodynamic impact of collision and subduction on the Asian continent is shown.

Plant Species Diversity along an Altitudinal Gradient of Bhabha Valley in Western Himalaya

The present study highlights the rich species diversity of higher plants in the Bhabha Valley of western Himalaya in India. The analysis of species diversity revealed that a total of 313 species of higher plants inhabit the valley with a characteristic of moist alpine shrub vegetation. The herbaceous life forms dominate and increase with increasing altitude. The major representations are from the families Asteraceae, Rosaceae, Lamiaceae and Poaceae, suggesting thereby the alpine meadow nature of the study area. The effect of altitude on species diversity displays a hump-shaped curve which may be attributed to increase in habitat diversity at the median ranges and relatively less habitat diversity at higher altitudes. The anthropogenic pressure at lower altitudes results in low plant diversity towards the bottom of the valley with most of the species being exotic in nature. Though the plant diversity is less at higher altitudinal ranges, the uniqueness is relatively high with high species replacement rates. More than 90 % of variability in the species diversity could be explained using appropriate quantitative and statistical analysis along the altitudinal gradient. The valley harbours 18 threatened and 41 endemic species, most of which occur at higher altitudinal gradients due to habitat specificity.

Crustal structure and sedimentation history over the Alleppey platform, southwest continental margin of India:Constraints from multichannel seismic and gravity data

The Alleppey Platform is an important morphological feature located in the Kerala-Konkan basin off the southwest coast of India. In the present study, seismic reflection data available in the basin were used to understand the sedimentation history and also to carry out integrated gravity interpretation. Detailed seismic reflection data in the basin reveals that:(1) the Alleppey Platform is associated with a basement high in the west of its present-day geometry(as observed in the time-structure map of the Trap Top(K/T boundary)),(2) the platform subsequently started developing during the Eocene period and attained the present geometry by the Miocene and,(3) both the Alleppey platform and the Vishnu fracture zone have had significant impact on the sedimentation patterns(as shown by the time-structure and the isochron maps of the major sedimentary horizons in the region). The 3-D sediment gravity effect computed from the sedimentary layer geometry was used to construct the crustal Bouguer anomaly map of the region.The 3-D gravity inversion of crustal Bouguer anomaly exhibits a Moho depression below the western border of the platform and a minor rise towards the east which then deepens again below the Indian shield. The 2-D gravity modelling across the Alleppey platform reveals the geometry of crustal extension,in which there are patches of thin and thick crust. The Vishnu Fracture Zone appears as a crustal-scale feature at the western boundary of the Alleppey platform. Based on the gravity model and the seismic reflection data, we suggest that the basement high to the west of the present day Alleppey platform remained as a piece of continental block very close to the mainland with the intervening depression filling up with sediments during the rifting. In order to place the Alleppey platform in the overall perspective of tectonic evolution of the Kerala-Konkan basin, we propose its candidature as a continental fragment.

Feeding patterns of Indian giant flying squirrel(Petaurista philippensis, Elliot 1839) with reference to seasonal variation in central Gujarat, India

Indian Giant Flying Squirrel(Petaurista philippensis Elliot 1839)is widely distributed in South Asia and the only species of flying squirrel found in Gujarat.We studied the seasonal variation in its feeding behaviour at selected sites of Central Gujarat.Focal sampling was employed to study the behaviours and mainly feeding behaviours.Feeding analyses were consistent with other studies and indicated Madhuca longifolia as an important food resource.The diet of the species mainly consisted of pith,twig,seed,bark,petiole,young to mature leaves,flower and fruits of 20 species of plants of 15 families along with lichens,Vanda tessellata and Dendrophthoe falcata.Madhuca longifolia(25%)contributed most to the squirrel diet,followed by Diospyros melanoxylon(10%)and Terminalia tomentosa(9%).Among the plant parts consumed,pith formed the highest bulk as a food at 23%,followed by fruits(21%),bark(16%),twig(14%),flower(10%),seed(6%),leaf(6%),and bud(4%).The findings reveal the high dependency of flying squirrel on certain tree species.These tree species are well represented and distributed throughout central Gujarat,indicating that this area is important for the survival of this species and that the area should be conserved for protection and future management of this species.

Anthropogenic Pressure on Structure and Composition of a Shola Forest in Kerala, India

The montane closed evergreen forests found at altitudes above 1,800 m in the Western Ghats of India possess a distinct vegetation type and are called shola forests. Despite the fact that these forests are located in relatively inaccessible areas, they are still under anthropogenic pressure leading to continued habitat degradation and loss of biomass and biodiversity. A case study was conducted in Mananvan shola, the largest shola forest in Kerala of Western Ghats, to recognize the impact of disturbance on vegetation structure, composition and regeneration pattern, to identify the socio-economic reasons for disturbance and to evolve strategies for its management. In the disturbed part of the forest, dominance of light demanding species in tree, shrub and herb communities has been recorded. Here even the dominance of exotic species in tree seedling, shrub and herb communities is prominent. Skewed girth class distribution of tree community with poor representation by the individuals of girth class 30.1 to 90.0 cm, is also an indication of the collection of small wood and poles from the forest. The RISQ (Ramakrishnan Index of Stand Quality) in the disturbed area of the forest is above 2.0 as against near to 1.0 in relatively undisturbed forest standssuggesting that the disturbance is intensive and thus natural recovery process would be slow. Socio- economic analysis in villages located near the shola forest revealed the fact that the people depended heavily on this forest for their livelihood. Thus, the crux and the success of future management and conservation strategy depend on how one can reduce the dependency of people on the shola vegetation. Enrichment planting in disturbed parts of shola, enhancement of firewood by raising energy plantations, as well as development of lemongrass and firewood based agroforestry systems and reduction of grazing pressure by developing silvopastoral systems are the major strategies for the conservation of these shola forests.

Logs and Snags in a Shola Forest of Kerala, India

In a tropical wet montane evergreen forest in the southern peninsular India, the estimated stocking of dead wood is 90 ± 3 stems·ha-1 and the total dead wood volume is 70.7 m3·ha-1. When the logs (downed dead trees more than 10.1 cm in diameter) constitute about 80% of the total deadwood stocking and volume, the rest is by snags (sound and rotting standing dead trees). Since the shola forest trees are characterized by their short stature with low to medium girth, about 89% of the total number of deadwood is of the size ranging from 10.1 cm to 40.0 cm in diameter. The estimated standing dead wood/standing live tree ratio is 0.16 indicating that the forest represents an old stand. Variations observed between logs and snags to change from a given decay class to the higher decay classes in two year period could be attributed to the facts that the logs would be in contact with soil for a relatively longer time and in turn would be in more contact with microorganisms and other decomposing agents.

迈向“西南方大国”:冷战后印度小多边外交的演进逻辑

小多边外交是当前印度开展对外交往的重要方式。冷战后的印度小多边外交经历了冷战后初期的转型性小多边、秩序改革背景下的机制化小多边以及大国竞争时代的印太小多边三个阶段。在“西南方大国”的目标框架下,印度的小多边外交具有接近西方联盟体系的“西向外交”、坚持发展中国家定位的“南向外交”以及以实力为基础推动次区域合作的“优势外交”等演进逻辑,显示了印度在日益靠近西方联盟体系的倾向中,仍努力坚持其自主大国的战略定位。不过,由于目标定位与战略手段之间的结构性矛盾,印度的小多边外交一方面不得不依附于西方大国的意志、实力和关系,从而导致战略不对等、不确定和被动性;另一方面则难以独立发挥作用,从而陷入了身份定位的两难,制约着印度自主大国外交的成效。

印度与西方现代建筑的对话

本文概述了从殖民地时期到70年代西方建筑师在印度的建筑活动，分析了西方影响下印度本土现代建筑的形成和发展。

从佉卢文文书看鄯善国佛教的世俗化

文章通过对佉卢文文书的考察与分析,全面地展现了魏晋时期鄯善国僧人的生活面貌,佛教传入鄯善国之后,为适应当地的社会和生态环境而更加世俗化,鄯善国世俗佛教的上源在西北印度的贵霜王朝。

热带东印度洋-西太平洋海域OLR季节内振荡空间分布特征

利用卫星观测的ＯＬＲ（Ｏｕｔｇｏｉｎｇ Ｌｏｎｇｗａｖｅ Ｒａｄｉａｔｉｏｎ）候平均资料（１９７９－１９９３年）分析热带东印度洋－西太平洋海域大气对流季节内振荡的空间分布特征。发现热带东印度洋－西太平洋海域（３５°Ｎ－３５°Ｓ，７５°Ｅ－１８０°Ｅ）大气对流运动的季节内振荡在４个区域中表现较明显：（１）热带东印度洋大气对流季节内振荡信号最强，显著的振荡周期集中在６．５－１２．５候；（２）澳大利亚西北洋面季节内振荡强信号主要周期表现为９．５－１５．５候；（３）澳大利亚东北洋面振荡周期集中在６．５－９．５候和９．５－１５．５候，南半球的大气对流活动季节内振荡显著区沿１０°Ｓ呈纬向带状分布；（４）南海北部、吕宋海峡附近及日本群岛以南的西北太平洋区域。ＩＳＯ振荡周期集中在６．５－１２．５候，南海南部季节内振荡周期集中在６．５－１５．５候。

丝绸之路上的细腰鼓

细腰鼓最早发源于古代印度,传入西域地区后又发展为都昙鼓和毛员鼓,在隋唐时期成为中国音乐史上盛行的膜鸣乐器。细腰鼓传入朝鲜半岛后叫杖鼓,一直流传至今。细腰鼓传入日本后,在雅乐里使用一、二、三、四鼓等多种形式的细腰鼓。

霍乱时期英属印度的医学对话

霍乱时期的英属印度为西方医学和印度传统医学之间的对话提供了良好的平台。在对话过程中,二者的地位逐渐发生改变。在19世纪上半期,西方医学积极借鉴印度传统医学。19世纪中期以来,西方医学打破了之前平等的对话模式,在英属印度占据了主导,而印度医学则旁落为替代医学。针对霍乱的诊治,对抗疗法和顺势疗法反映了不同医学文化之间的差异。

2020年安徽梅雨异常特征及预测前兆信号分析

基于安徽省气象台站降水资料和NCEP再分析数据,分析了2020年安徽梅雨气候异常特征及其成因,评估了汛期预测效果及其预测前兆信号的有效性。结果表明:(1) 2020年安徽6月2日入梅,8月1日出梅,梅雨期长度为60 d,梅雨量沿江江南1 057 mm,江淮之间810 mm,多地降水强度创历史极值。综合来看,梅雨期之长、覆盖范围之广、累计雨量之大、梅雨强度之强,均为1961年以来第一位。(2)梅雨异常偏多的主要原因是6-7月乌拉尔山、东西伯利亚-鄂霍茨克海附近阻塞高压活跃,东亚沿海500 hPa位势高度距平场上EAP波列的形势明显,夏季风偏弱,西太平洋副热带高压(副高)异常偏强偏西偏南,有利于冷暖空气在安徽交汇,副高西侧向安徽省的水汽输送异常偏强,水汽辐合明显;梅雨期偏长的原因是副高脊线6月偏北、7月偏南,导致入梅偏早、出梅偏迟。(3)前期冬春季赤道中太平洋出现一次弱厄尔尼诺事件,虽然其对安徽梅雨指示意义不清晰,但响应信号印度洋海温和副高异常偏暖偏强。历史统计发现,符合这一特征的年份中,前冬赤道中东太平洋基本均为厄尔尼诺状态,这些年份安徽梅雨偏多的概率很大。

印度现代建筑发展历程简述

本文简略的介绍了印度现代建筑的发展历程和若干个阶段。也强调了印度本土建筑师在西方大师在印度进行大量实践后如何对本国传统建筑文化的传承。