We model interseismic plate coupling distribution on the Main Himalayan Thrust (MHT) in Nepal through the inversion of secular GNSS velocity data. To complement previously published data, we compile ...velocity data from ten additional continuous stations to improve spatial resolution in central and mid-western Nepal. A regional non-planar structural model is adopted to reproduce the MHT fault plane. In general, the coupling pattern seems nearly binary, indicating that transition from full coupling to decoupling is occurring sharply in very narrow zones. In eastern Nepal (> 84.5ºE), plate coupling is very strong from the surface to intermediate depths, including the source region of the 2015 Mw 7.8 Gorkha earthquake. Geodetically estimated slip deficit rates are consistent with the rupture history of great earthquakes in the east revealed by geomorphological observations. In the west (< 83.0ºE), a weakly coupled zone extends laterally at intermediate depths, whereas the coupling in the shallower part remains very strong. Although the slip deficit rate in the west is significantly smaller than that in the east, seismic moment accumulated, since the last complete rupture in 1505 may be capable of generating a future great event. In central Nepal, estimated slip deficit rates are comparable with those in the east, and no great event has been documented over the past several centuries. Thus, the seismic risk may be most urgent in central Nepal. The development of local seismicity and crustal deformation should be carefully monitored.
Graphical Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to take a whole-of-chain perspective to explore how entrepreneurial orientation (EO) influences collaborative performance in agri-food value-chains through enhancing the ...acquisition of knowledge.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected through a survey of 233 actors, including farmers, intermediaries and retailers in one beef cattle value-chain in the Central Highlands, Vietnam. Structural equation modeling was used to test hypotheses.
Findings
The actors’ level of EO within a value-chain is positively associated with collaborative performance within the beef value-chain. Additionally, knowledge acquisition partially mediates the relationship between EO and collaborative performance.
Research limitations/implications
Generalizability is limited because of sampling constraints.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study of EO from a whole-of-chain perspective in agri-food value-chains in an emerging economy and has implications for policymakers and agri-food marketers.
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 virus is the serious health concern throughout the world. A comprehensive investigation of binding of SARS-CoV-2 active site with host receptor protein hACE2 is important in ...designing effective drugs. In the present work, the major amino acid binding partners between the virus CTD and host receptor have been studied and are compared with SARS-CoV RBD binding with hACE2. Our investigation show that some unique hydrogen bond pairs which were not reported in previous work. Along with hydrogen bonding, salt-bridges, hydrophobic interactions and contributions of electrostatic and van der Waals contacts play significant role in binding mechanism. The binding affinity of SARS-CoV-2 CTD/hACE2 is greater than SARS-CoV RBD/hACE2. This outcome is also verified from the free energy estimation by using umbrella sampling.
Methylation induced DNA base-pairing damage is one of the major causes of cancer. O
-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase (AGT) is considered a demethylation agent of the methylated DNA. Structural ...investigations with thermodynamic properties of the AGT-DNA complex are still lacking. In this report, we modeled two catalytic states of AGT-DNA interactions and an AGT-DNA covalent complex and explored structural features using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. We utilized the umbrella sampling method to investigate the changes in the free energy of the interactions in two different AGT-DNA catalytic states, one with methylated GUA in DNA and the other with methylated CYS145 in AGT. These non-covalent complexes represent the pre- and post-repair complexes. Therefore, our study encompasses the process of recognition, complex formation, and separation of the AGT and the damaged (methylated) DNA base. We believe that the use of parameters for the amino acid and nucleotide modifications and for the protein-DNA covalent bond will allow investigations of the DNA repair mechanism as well as the exploration of cancer therapeutics targeting the AGT-DNA complexes at various functional states as well as explorations via stabilization of the complex.
We performed the DFT calculation to study the structural, electronic, magnetic, and mechanical properties of the vanadium-doped h-BN monolayer. Although the pristine h-BN is an intrinsically ...non-magnetic compound, magnetism is induced by doping a V atom on the boron site (B-site). Moreover, the doping of the V atom in the B-site changes the structure from the planer to a distorted buckled h-BN structure and alters the electronic and mechanical properties. The asymmetry in the spin-up and spin-down electronic states leaves a signature of magnetism in the doped system. DFT
+
U calculations show that the V-doped system is a semiconductor for up spin states with a bandgap of 1.66 eV and a wide bandgap semiconductor for down spin states with a bandgap of 3.54 eV. A total magnetic moment of 2.0
μ
B
is mainly observed due to the
d
orbital of the V atom. Further, mechanical properties analysis of the doped system shows that Young’s modulus decreases whereas the Poisson ratio increases in comparison to the pristine structure. It concludes the monolayer is softened by the doping due to the weakening of the covalent bond.
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DOBA, EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, IZUM, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
Transportation of amino acids throughout the body is an essential mechanism to support life processes. Transportation phenomena such as diffusion, viscosity, etc., of amino acids in an aqueous medium ...are useful to understand their inter- and intra-molecular interactions. In this work, we performed classical molecular dynamics simulation to study the transportation properties of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in an aqueous environment. Self-diffusion coefficients of both GABA and water molecules as well as their binary diffusion coefficient were estimated at different temperatures. This work was further extended to estimate the effect of system size on diffusion coefficients and the viscosity coefficients of the solvent. In addition, the temperature dependence of the diffusion coefficient was studied utilizing an Arrhenius plot. The outcomes were compared with previously reported values. Furthermore, the number of hydrogen bonds between the solute and the solvent as well as the solvent accessible surface area of the solute was studied.
We investigated the electronic and thermoelectric properties of half-Heusler alloys NiTZ
(T = Sc and Ti; Z = P, As, Sn, and Sb) having an 18 valence electron count. Calculations
were performed by ...means of density functional theory and the Boltzmann transport equation
with constant relaxation time approximation, validated by NiTiSn. The chosen half-Heuslers
were found to be indirect bandgap semiconductors, and the lattice thermal conductivity was
comparable with the state-of-the-art thermoelectric materials. The estimated power factor
for NiScP, NiScAs, and NiScSb revealed that their thermoelectric performance can be
enhanced by an appropriate doping rate. The value of ZT found for NiScP,
NiScAs, and NiScSb is 0.46, 0.35, and 0.29, respectively, at 1200 K.
PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to quantify the benefits of contract farming (CF) on farmers’ income and adoption of food safety measures (FSMs) at the farm level. The paper also investigates the ...determinants of participation in CF.Design/methodology/approachThe study is based on a survey of 600 tomato farmers from Nepal. Descriptive statistics, regression analysis (using instrumental variable) and propensity score matching have been used to accomplish the objectives of the study.FindingsThe study found that the CF ensures higher returns to farmers as well as higher adoption of FSMs at the farm level. The contract farmers earned about 38 per cent higher net returns and had 38 per cent higher adoption of FSM as compared to independent farmers. Caste, occupation, farm size and cropping intensity significantly affected farmers’ participation in CF.Research limitations/implicationsThe analysis based on cross-section data has limitations to consider unobserved farmer-level individual heterogeneity.Originality/valueThis study will provide an empirical base to promote CF in Nepal. The study will also contribute to bridge the gap in literature on the drivers of CF and its impact on smallholders’ income and compliance with FSM in Nepal.
The study of structural conformation of Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) exhibits its biological and chemical activities. The GABA molecule is responsible in neurotransmission from one neuron to ...another neuron and activates the ion channels to pass the chlorine and sodium ions in nerve cells. Its conformation in solid state and gas state are extremely different and it also shows five different conformations in aqueous solution. The study of its structure in such environment can reveal its activity in cellular environment. We have performed the classical molecular dynamics study of this system of GABA in aqueous medium to deal its structure. Radial distribution function (RDF) has been used to study the structural properties of the system.
BIBECHANA 18 (2021) 67-74
We investigated the electronic and thermoelectric properties of half-Heusler alloys NiTZ(T = Sc and Ti; Z = P, As, Sn, and Sb) having an 18 valence electron count. Calculationswere performed by means ...of density functional theory and the Boltzmann transport equationwith constant relaxation time approximation, validated by NiTiSn. The chosen half-Heuslerswere found to be indirect bandgap semiconductors, and the lattice thermal conductivity wascomparable with the state-of-the-art thermoelectric materials. The estimated power factorfor NiScP, NiScAs, and NiScSb revealed that their thermoelectric performance can beenhanced by an appropriate doping rate. The value of ZT found for NiScP,NiScAs, and NiScSb is 0.46, 0.35, and 0.29, respectively, at 1200 K.
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