Explore the vast range of titles available.

Durkheimian anthropology has so insisted on the primacy of the sacred that one scarcely pauses to think on what role the profane may play in the study of religion. This paper examines the cultivation of dead bodies in the Tantric ritual of shav-sadhana to draw out the element of the “profanation of holy objects” operative within religion. Based on ethnographic research among Tantric specialists in rural Bengal, this paper examines how impurity liquidates the distance between the sacred and the profane which opens a window on the role of mundanity in religious rites and beliefs. I begin by portraying the ritual act undertaken by Tantric practitioners in which corpses ensuing from sudden, untimely deaths are mobilized for spiritual advancement. The ritual and its mode of efficacy are evocative for using impure matter to turn the flow of human ideals away from transcendence to ordinary, human ones. This paper concludes with a snapshot of Kaliyuga, the last age of Hindu cosmogony and the most corrupt, to thematize how the profane forms a lure as much as a barrier to religion.

The manipulation of matter at the atomic level (nanotechnology) has experienced an explosion in research interest in recent years. Bimetallic nanoparticles are vital due to their high biocompatibility, stability and comparatively less toxicity. The synthesis methods that include physical, chemical and biological methods are explored and explained in detail, along with their advantages. They have a wide range of applications due to their synergistic properties including biological applications (in medicine and agriculture), environmental application (in water treatment and removal of toxic contaminants), engineering application (in nanosensors, nanochips and nano-semiconductors) and chemical and physical application (in optics, catalysis and paints). The green synthesis approach is a promising method of synthesis that can give rise to more biocompatible and less toxic bimetallic nanoparticles due to increasing environmental pollution. However, despite these interesting attributes of bimetallic nanoparticle, there is still much work to be done to improve the biocompatibility of bimetallic nanoparticles because of their toxicity and potentially hazardous effects.

The M dwarf star Gliese 581 is believed to host four planets, including one (GJ 581d) near the habitable zone that could possibly support liquid water on its surface if it is a rocky planet. The detection of another habitable-zone planet–GJ 581g–is disputed, as its significance depends on the eccentricity assumed for d. Analyzing stellar activity using the Hα line, we measure a stellar rotation period of 130 ± 2 days and a correlation for Hα modulation with radial velocity. Correcting for activity greatly diminishes the signal of GJ 581d (to 1.5 standard deviations) while significantly boosting the signals of the other known super-Earth planets. GJ 581d does not exist, but is an artifact of stellar activity which, when incompletely corrected, causes the false detection of planet g.

We review the current scenario of long-duration Gamma-ray burst (LGRB) progenitors, and in addition, present models of massive stars for a mass range of 10–150M⊙ with ΔM=10M⊙ and rotation rate v/vcrit=0 to 0.6 with a velocity resolution Δv/vcrit=0.1. We further discuss possible metallicity and rotation rate distribution from our models that might be preferable for the creation of successful LGRB candidates given the observed LGRB rates and their metallicity evolution. In the current understanding, LGRBs are associated with Type-Ic supernovae (SNe). To establish LGRB-SN correlation, we discuss three observational paths: (i) space-time coincidence, (ii) evidence from photometric light curves of LGRB afterglows and SN Type-Ic, (iii) spectroscopic study of both LGRB afterglow and SN. Superluminous SNe are also believed to have the same origin as LGRBs. Therefore, we discuss constraints on the progenitor parameters that can possibly dissociate these two events from a theoretical perspective. We further discuss the scenario of single star versus binary star as a more probable pathway to create LGRBs. Given the limited parameter space in the mass, mass ratio and separation between the two components in a binary, binary channel is less likely to create LGRBs to match the observed LGRB rate. Despite effectively-single massive stars are fewer in number compared to interacting binaries, their chemically homogeneous evolution (CHE) might be the major channel for LGRB production.

Introducing Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and Our Biological Clock - a groundbreaking book that sheds light on one of the most prevalent and misunderstood health conditions affecting women today. Within the pages of this book, readers will embark on a transformative journey of understanding as they unravel the intricate relationship between PCOS and the biological clock. Delving into the science behind PCOS, the authors demystify its causes, symptoms, and long-term implications. With a compassionate and holistic approach, they provide practical advice on managing symptoms, optimizing fertility, and improving overall well-being. This book is not only a comprehensive resource for women struggling with PCOS, but also an essential tool for healthcare professionals, researchers, and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of this complex condition. Its accessible language and evidence-based approach makes it an invaluable companion for individuals looking to unravel the mysteries of PCOS and make informed decisions about their health. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and Our Biological Clock stands as a beacon of knowledge, compassion, and empowerment, guiding readers towards a brighter future where PCOS no longer holds them back. Whether you're a woman battling PCOS, a concerned partner, or a healthcare provider looking to offer better care, this book is a must-read that will change lives and reshape the conversation surrounding PCOS.

Signaling driven by hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and MET receptor facilitates conspicuous biological responses such as epithelial cell migration, 3‐D morphogenesis, and survival. The dynamic migration and promotion of cell survival induced by MET activation are bases for invasion–metastasis and resistance, respectively, against targeted drugs in cancers. Recent studies indicated that MET in tumor‐derived exosomes facilitates metastatic niche formation and metastasis in malignant melanoma. In lung cancer, gene amplification‐induced MET activation and ligand‐dependent MET activation in an autocrine/paracrine manner are causes for resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors and anaplastic lymphoma kinase inhibitors. Hepatocyte growth factor secreted in the tumor microenvironment contributes to the innate and acquired resistance to RAF inhibitors. Changes in serum/plasma HGF, soluble MET (sMET), and phospho‐MET have been confirmed to be associated with disease progression, metastasis, therapy response, and survival. Higher serum/plasma HGF levels are associated with therapy resistance and/or metastasis, while lower HGF levels are associated with progression‐free survival and overall survival after treatment with targeted drugs in lung cancer, gastric cancer, colon cancer, and malignant melanoma. Urinary sMET levels in patients with bladder cancer are higher than those in patients without bladder cancer and associated with disease progression. Some of the multi‐kinase inhibitors that target MET have received regulatory approval, whereas none of the selective HGF‐MET inhibitors have shown efficacy in phase III clinical trials. Validation of the HGF‐MET pathway as a critical driver in cancer development/progression and utilization of appropriate biomarkers are key to development and approval of HGF‐MET inhibitors for clinical use. Signaling pathways driven by HGF and MET participate in invasion, metastasis, and resistance to molecular target drugs. Biomarker discovery and the utilization of appropriate biomarkers to validate HGF‐MET signaling as a driver in cancer development, metastasis, and drug resistance appears to be key for regulatory approval of HGF‐MET inhibitors for clinical use.

Ras association domain-containing protein 5 (RASSF5), one of the prospective biomarkers for tumors, generally plays a crucial role as a tumor suppressor. As deleterious effects can result from functional differences through SNPs, we sought to analyze the most deleterious SNPs of RASSF5 as well as predict the structural changes associated with the mutants that hamper the normal protein–protein interactions. We adopted both sequence and structure based approaches to analyze the SNPs of RASSF5 protein. We also analyzed the putative post translational modification sites as well as the altered protein–protein interactions that encompass various cascades of signals. Out of all the SNPs obtained from the NCBI database, only 25 were considered as highly deleterious by six in silico SNP prediction tools. Among them, upon analyzing the effect of these nsSNPs on the stability of the protein, we found 17 SNPs that decrease the stability. Significant deviation in the energy minimization score was observed in P350R, F321L, and R277W. Besides this, docking analysis confirmed that P350R, A319V, F321L, and R277W reduce the binding affinity of the protein with H-Ras, where P350R shows the most remarkable deviation. Protein–protein interaction analysis revealed that RASSF5 acts as a hub connecting two clusters consisting of 18 proteins and alteration in the RASSF5 may lead to disassociation of several signal cascades. Thus, based on these analyses, our study suggests that the reported functional SNPs may serve as potential targets for different proteomic studies, diagnosis and therapeutic interventions.

Today, environmental contamination is a big concern for both developing and developed countries. The primary sources of contamination of land, water, and air are extensive industrialization and intense agricultural activities. Various traditional methods are available for the treatment of different pollutants in the environment, but all have some limitations. Due to this, an alternative method is required which is effective and less toxic and provides better outcomes. Nanomaterials have attracted a lot of interest in terms of environmental remediation. Because of their huge surface area and related high reactivity, nanomaterials perform better in environmental clean-up than other conventional approaches. They can be modified for specific uses to provide novel features. Due to the large surface-area-to-volume ratio and the presence of a larger number of reactive sites, nanoscale materials can be extremely reactive. These characteristics allow for higher interaction with contaminants, leading to a quick reduction of contaminant concentration. In the present review, an overview of different nanomaterials that are potential in the remediation of environmental pollutants has been discussed.

Plants generally secrete secondary metabolites in response to stress. These secondary metabolites are very useful for humankind as they possess a wide range of therapeutic activities. Secondary metabolites produced by plants include alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, and steroids. Flavonoids are one of the classes of secondary metabolites of plants found mainly in edible plant parts such as fruits, vegetables, stems, grains, and bark. They are synthesized by the phenylpropanoid pathway. Flavonoids possess antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimutagenic, and anticarcinogenic properties. Due to their various therapeutic applications, various pharmaceutical companies have exploited different plants for the production of flavonoids. To overcome this situation, various biotechnological strategies have been incorporated to improve the production of different types of flavonoids. In this review, we have highlighted the various types of flavonoids, their biosynthesis, properties, and different strategies to enhance the production of flavonoids.

Jharkhand is a minerally prosperous state with geogenic and industrial origins of metals. This study assesses the seasonal variation of pseudo-total metal contents (Cr, Ni, Pb, Zn, Mn, Cu, Fe, Mg, Al) and related contamination and risks in indoor dust, street dust, and soils of four major cities of Jharkhand. Across cities and seasons, Zn, Cu, and Pb were the most common pollutants. Indoor dust showed higher metal concentrations than street dust and soil, suggesting their indoor origins. Geo-accumulation indices indicated significant Cu contamination, followed by Pb and Zn. Street dust exhibited notable enrichment in Zn and Pb in all cities except Dhanbad, where Cu contamination was substantial. Ecological risk indices peaked during summer in street dusts of Ranchi and Bokaro (for Pb) and during monsoons in soils of Jamshedpur and Dhanbad (for Cu). Based on chemical sequential extractions, the mobilities of Mg, Mn, Zn, and Cu were high, while Pb had moderate mobility. The probable sources of immediate concern were vehicles and paints, wire, electroplating, metal casting, and steel manufacturing industries. The findings emphasize the urgent need for implementing stringent regulations to mitigate metal emissions and ensure compliance with environmental standards.