Experiments on hydraulic jumps over uneven bed for turbulent flow modelling validation in river flow and hydraulic structures.

This study presents a comprehensive dataset comprising multiple data packages derived from laboratory experiments on steady and unsteady hydraulic jumps interacting with a large-scale Gaussian-shaped bed obstacle in an open-channel flume. The primary objective was to accurately measure the impact of hydraulic jump on the free surface and the bed pressure along the obstacle, ensuring the transferability of the results. A multi-process method was followed: designed experiments were recorded, images were postprocessed, and water level data were digitalized. For steady conditions, the bed pressure along the obstacle were measured by piezometers. The repository data are organized and provided in a single package, supplemented by a second package containing panoramas for each experimental time instant and graphical representations of the data, facilitating rapid evaluation of the outcomes. This study provides versatile data that can be utilized in various ways, particularly for fluvial model validation and studying turbulence-driven phenomena in open-channel flows. The detailed methodology presented herein can contribute to the advancement of enhanced laboratory techniques to study similar flow problems.

Bioprotective Role of Phytocompounds Against the Pathogenesis of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease to Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis: Unravelling Underlying Molecular Mechanisms.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), with a global prevalence of 25%, continues to escalate, creating noteworthy concerns towards the global health burden. NAFLD causes triglycerides and free fatty acids to build up in the liver. The excessive fat build-up causes inflammation and damages the healthy hepatocytes, leading to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Dietary habits, obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and dyslipidemia influence NAFLD progression. The disease burden is complicated due to the paucity of therapeutic interventions. Obeticholic acid is the only approved therapeutic agent for NAFLD. With more scientific enterprise being directed towards the understanding of the underlying mechanisms of NAFLD, novel targets like lipid synthase, farnesoid X receptor signalling, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors associated with inflammatory signalling, and hepatocellular injury have played a crucial role in the progression of NAFLD to NASH. Phytocompounds have shown promising results in modulating hepatic lipid metabolism and de novo lipogenesis, suggesting their possible role in managing NAFLD. This review discusses the ameliorative role of different classes of phytochemicals with molecular mechanisms in different cell lines and established animal models. These compounds may lead to the development of novel therapeutic strategies for NAFLD progression to NASH. This review also deliberates on phytomolecules undergoing clinical trials for effective management of NAFLD.

Can Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) endure the future climate and land use change scenario in the East Himalayan Region? Perspective from a multiple model framework.

Large mammals are susceptible to land use and climate change, unless they are safeguarded within large, protected areas. It is crucial to comprehend the effects of these changes on mammals to develop a conservation plan. We identified ecological hotspots that can sustain an ecosystem for the endangered Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris), an umbrella species. We developed three distinct ensemble species distribution models (SDMs) for the Bengal tiger in the Indian East Himalayan Region (IEHR). The first model served as the baseline and considered habitat type, climate, land cover, and anthropogenic threats. The second model focused on climate, land use, and anthropogenic threats, the third model focused on climate variables. We projected the second and third models onto two future climate scenarios: RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5. We evaluated the threats possess to protected areas within eco-sensitive zone based on the potential tiger habitat. Finally, we compared the potential habitat with the IUCN tiger range. Our study revealed that the Brahmaputra valley will serve as the primary habitat for tigers in the future. However, considering the projected severe climate scenarios, it is anticipated that tigers will undergo a range shift towards the north and east, especially in high-altitude regions. Very high conservation priority areas, which make up 3.4% of the total area, are predominantly located in the riverine corridor of Assam. High conservation priority areas, which make up 5.5% of total area are located in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. It is important to note that conservation priority areas outside of protected areas pose a greater threat to tigers. We recommend reassessing the IUCN Red List's assigned range map for tigers in the IEHR, as it is over-predicted. Our study has led us to conclude both land use and climate change possess threats to the future habitat of tigers. The outcomes of our study will provide crucial information on identifying habitat hotspots and facilitate appropriate conservation planning efforts.

Anti-Hypertensive Activity of Some Selected Unani Formulations: An Evidence-Based Approach for Verification of Traditional Unani Claims Using LC-MS/MS for the Evaluation of Clinically Relevant Blood Parameters in Laboratory Rats.

Background: Systemic arterial hypertension, which is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease(CVD), is the most significant modifiable risk factor for mortality and morbidity worldwide. WHO has recognized Unanipathy as an alternate system of medicine. The aim of the present study is to investigate the anti-hypertensive activity of some selected unani formulations using L-NAME model. Method: Group I or hypertensive control group: L-NAME administered for 7 days and left for the next 7 days; Group II or KASgroup: L-NAME administered (i.p) for 7 days and L-NAME + KAS (1000 mg/kg b.w) for the next 7 days; Group III or DMM group: L-NAME administered (i.p) for 7 days and L-NAME + DMM (2000 mg/kg b.w) for the next 7 days; Group IV or MSR group: L-NAME administered (i.p) for 7 days and L-NAME + MSR (300 mg/kg b.w) for the next 7 days; Group V or HJ group: L-NAME administered (i.p) for 7 days and L-NAME + HJ (113 mg/kg b.w) for the next 7 days; Group VI or KGS group: L-NAME administered (i.p) for 7 days and L-NAME +KGS (2000 mg/kg b.w) for the next 7 days. Non-invasive systolic blood pressure and RR-interval (ECG) was measured. Plasma was investigated forsodium, potassium, nitrite, ANP, adrenaline, noradrenaline and aldosterone on day 0, 7 and 14 using LC-MS/MS. Result: Treatment showed a non-significant lowreduction in SBP (systolic blood pressure) of KAS, MSR and HJ while that of DMM was quite significant (p < 0.05), but in the case of KGS, SBP increased. DMM on day 14 significantly (p < 0.05) reduced plasma nitrite while no significant plasma Na+ was noted. In the case of both DMM and KGS, potassium increased significantly (p < 0.05) on day 14. No significant changes in plasma ANP and aldosterone was observed against DMM and KGS while blood levels of adrenaline and noradrenaline significantly (p < 0.05) changed. No significant change in body weight was found. Conclusions: L-NAME KAS, MSR and HJ showed no change in SBP while DMM showed a significant reduction in SBP with decreased plasma nitrite. Probably, DMM may have anti-hypertensive activity mediated through NO inhibition while KGS may involve central sympathomimetic action.

Submarine channels formation driven by turbidity currents interacting with an erodible bed.

In this article, we explore the submarine channel formation driven by the interaction of turbidity currents with an erodible bed. The theoretical analysis considers the three-dimensional continuity and momentum equations of the fluid phase, and the advection-diffusion and Exner equations of the solid phase. The governing equations are linearized by imposing periodic perturbations on the base flow. We study the response of both the base flow (profiles of velocity and suspended sediment concentration) and perturbations (growth rate and perturbation fields) to changes in key parameters related to the flow and sediment transport. The growth rate and the critical wavenumber are examined for a given quintet formed by the gravitational parameter, longitudinal bed slope, sediment concentration at the edge of the driving layer, Rouse number and erosion coefficient. The critical wavenumber reduces with an increase in gravitational parameter, longitudinal bed slope, sediment concentration at the edge of the driving layer and erosion coefficient, while it increases with the Rouse number. For the submarine channel formation, we identify the upper threshold values for the gravitational parameter, longitudinal bed slope, sediment concentration at the edge of the driving layer and erosion coefficient and the lower threshold value for the Rouse number.

Adaptive capacity and vulnerability of the socio-ecological system of Indian Himalayan villages under present and predicted future scenarios.

Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) is prone to climate shock and is highly sensitive to minor climate variance. Yet, there is a dearth of studies evaluating the adaptive capacity and vulnerability of the socio-ecological system. We assessed the household (n = 1346) and village (n = 77) level adaptive capacity and vulnerability to climate stress in Beas, Bhagirathi, and Teesta basins of IHR following a bottom-up approach. The estimation of adaptive capacity scores for surveyed households and villages were done based on preselected indicator scores of the natural, human, financial, and physical capital assets. The exposure to climate shock was obtained from Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5) data of different scenarios. The present and future vulnerability scores were assessed based on the adaptive capacity, exposure and sensitivity to climatic shock. The villages and households were grouped in resilient and vulnerable clusters, and major indicators determining the vulnerability were identified. Our result revealed the household and village level adaptive capacity were low in the Bhagirathi and Teesta basin compared to the Beas basin, so as the present and future climate shock. We found that access to different resources as well as natural and financial capital assets were the major governing factor for the adaptive capacity of the villages. We suggest future policy interventions to be on climate sensitive sectors, mostly the natural capital of the region as part of the adaptation and mitigation strategy to climate change.

Mega riverbed-patterns: linear and weakly nonlinear perspectives.

In this paper, we explore the mega riverbed-patterns, whose longitudinal and vertical length dimensions scale with a few channel widths and the flow depth, respectively. We perform the stability analyses from both linear and weakly nonlinear perspectives by considering a steady-uniform flow in an erodible straight channel comprising a uniform sediment size. The mathematical framework stands on the dynamic coupling between the depth-averaged flow model and the particle transport model including both bedload and suspended load via the Exner equation, which drives the pattern formation. From the linear perspective, we employ the standard linearization technique by superimposing the periodic perturbations on the undisturbed system to find the dispersion relationship. From the weakly nonlinear perspective, we apply the centre-manifold-projection technique, where the fast dynamics of stable modes is projected on the slow dynamics of weakly unstable modes to obtain the Stuart-Landau equation for the amplitude dynamics. We examine the marginal stability, growth rate and amplitude of patterns for a given quintet formed by the channel aspect ratio, wavenumber of patterns, shear Reynolds number, Shields number and relative roughness number. This study highlights the sensitivity of pattern formation to the key parameters and shows how the classical results can be reconstructed on the parameter space.