Evaluating pre-treatment methods in the isolation and purification of monoclonal IgG antibody

In this study, the effects of different sample preparation techniques on the separation of monoclonal antibody IgG I were inve st igated experimentally. Monoclonal IgG I was obtained from hybridoma cell line TB /C3 transfected with bcl-2 carrier plasmid. which was grown in serum-free medium. Three different pre-treatment techniques prior to Protein G affinity chromat ography have been used in order to concentrate and partial purify the monoclonal antibody . The pre-treatments researched in this paper are precipitation of the antibody by ammonium sulfate, dilution of the antibody in the binding buffer of affinity chromatography and ultra filtration through an Amicon Ultra- 15 filter with molecular weight cut-off at 100 kDa. Purification through direct application of the antibody onto the Protein G affinity column without pre-treatments was used as a control method. The results indicate that the ultra filtration through an Amicon filter was an effective method for both concentration and partial purification of the antibodies in laboratory scale

The spatial distribution patterns of condensed phase post-blast explosive residues formed during detonation

The continued usage of explosive devices, as well as the ever growing threat of ‘dirty’ bombs necessitates a comprehensive understanding of particle dispersal during detonation events in order to develop effectual methods for targeting explosive and/or additive remediation efforts. Herein, the distribution of explosive analytes from controlled detonations of aluminised ammonium nitrate and an RDX-based explosive composition were established by systematically sampling sites positioned around each firing. This is the first experimental study to produce evidence that the post-blast residue mass can distribute according to an approximate inverse-square law model, while also demonstrating for the first time that distribution trends can vary depending on individual analytes. Furthermore, by incorporating blast-wave overpressure measurements, high-speed imaging for fireball volume recordings, and monitoring of environmental conditions, it was determined that the principle factor affecting all analyte dispersals was the wind direction, with other factors affecting specific analytes to varying degrees. The dispersal mechanism for explosive residue is primarily the smoke cloud, a finding which in itself has wider impacts on the environment and fundamental detonation theory

Vibrational mechanics in an optical lattice: controlling transport via potential renormalization

We demonstrate theoretically and experimentally the phenomenon of vibrational resonance in a periodic potential, using cold atoms in an optical lattice as a model system. A high-frequency (HF) drive, with frequency much larger than any characteristic frequency of the system, is applied by phase-modulating one of the lattice beams. We show that the HF drive leads to the renormalization of the potential. We used transport measurements as a probe of the potential renormalization. The very same experiments also demonstrate that transport can be controlled by the HF drive via potential renormalization.Comment: Phys. Rev. Lett., in pres

First principles design of divacancy defected graphene nanoribbon based rectifying and negative differential resistance device

We have elaborately studied the electronic structure of 555-777 divacancy (DV) defected armchair edged graphene nanoribbon (AGNR) and transport properties of AGNR based two-terminal device constructed with one defected electrode and one N doped electrode, by using density functional theory and non-equilibrium Green's function based approach. The introduction of 555-777 DV defect into AGNRs, results in a shifting of the {\pi} and {\pi}* bands towards the higher energy value which indicates a shifting of the Fermi level towards the lower energy. Formation of a potential barrier, very similar to that of conventional p-n junction, has been observed across the junction of defected and N doped AGNR. The prominent asymmetric feature of the current in the positive and negative bias indicates the diode like property of the device with high rectifying efficiency within wide range of bias voltages. The device also shows robust negative differential resistance (NDR) with very high peak-to-valley ratio. The analysis of the shifting of the energy states of the electrodes and the modification of the transmission function with applied bias provides an insight into the nonlinearity and asymmetry observed in the I-V characteristics. Variation of the transport properties on the width of the ribbon has also been discussed.Comment: 28 Pages, 12 Figures and 1 tabl

Evaluation of bone mineral density and its correlation with homocysteine and other biochemical bone markers in postmenopausal women

Background: Osteoporosis is more common in post-menopausal women. Early detection of bone loss by bone mineral density helps to confirm the diagnosis of osteoporosis and assesses the future risk of osteoporotic fractures. Recent studies have revealed the association between increased plasma concentrations of homocysteine (Hcy), and reduced bone mineral density. Nevertheless, inconsistencies persist in the literature. Thus, the need for this study arose to investigate the possible relationship between serum Hcy status and bone mineral density on a group of post-menopausal women. The objective of the study was to assess bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women and to correlate the same with biochemical bone markers like homocysteine, serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), calcium and phosphorous levels.Methods: One hundred (100) postmenopausal women were recruited to enter this cross-sectional study. Out of which 86 postmenopausal females, were grouped into osteopenic and osteoporotic based on low t –scores. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and serum Hcy, serum ALP, calcium and phosphorus levels were estimated. The relationship of Hcy with BMDand other biochemical markers was estimated using Pearson’s correlation.Results: Serum Hcy levels were significantly higher in osteoporotic women when compared to other BMD groups, and were inversely correlated with BMD. No statistical difference was seen with other biochemical bone markers like calcium, Phosphorus and ALP.Conclusions: This study shows that Hcy status is associated with BMD in osteoporotic postmenopausal women. BMD evaluation in postmenopausal women with high Hcy levels may have prognostic and therapeutic potentials, which needs to be explored through further Prospective studies

Positive and Negative Affect on Quality of Life: A Review

As we promote the message of current year WHO theme – “Depression – Lets talk”, Positive affect (PA) and Negative Affect (NA) has to be understood in detail. In this competitive world, as a health care professional, understanding the science behind depression and well-being of a person is important in clinical diagnosis of the both. The effect of positivity and negativity in our personnel life comprises of various emotional outbursts. Both has significant effect on our quality of life and has an impact on our health. This brief review tries to explore the positive and negative effect on quality of life

Current reversals in a rocking ratchet: the frequency domain

Motivated by recent work [D. Cubero et al., Phys. Rev. E 82, 041116 (2010)], we examine the mechanisms which determine current reversals in rocking ratchets as observed by varying the frequency of the drive. We found that a class of these current reversals in the frequency domain are precisely determined by dissipation-induced symmetry breaking. Our experimental and theoretical work thus extends and generalizes the previously identified relationship between dynamical and symmetry-breaking mechanisms in the generation of current reversals

Fisheries in atolls- Tradeoffs between harvest and conservation

Atolls are ring shaped coral reefs including a coral rim that encircles a lagoon partially or completely and with or without a coral island/cays on the rim. Most of the world’s atolls are in the Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean. Lakshadweep islands, Maldives and the Chagos Archipelago are the atolls in the Indian Ocean. Lakshadweep are the only atoll islands in India. They lie scattered in the Arabian Sea between Latitude 8.26° to 12.4° N and Longitude 71.7°-73.75° E, comprising of 36 islands, 3 reefs and 5 submerged banks. These islands consist of coral formations built upon the Laccadive-Chagos submarine ridge rising steeply from a depth of about 1500 m to 4000 m off the west coast of India. While the total land area is 30 sq.km, the length of the coastline is 132 km and lagoon area of 4200 sq.km. Its territorial water spread is 20000 sq.km and it constitutes 0.4 million sq.km to the EEZ of Indian Union. Out of the 36 islands, 11 are inhabited with a population of 64,473 (2011 census). The atolls have 4 distinct biomes comprising of the islands, lagoons, reefs and the Open Ocean. Few threats to the atoll systems are sea level rise, salt water intrusion, reduced availability of fresh water, coral bleaching, disturbances to reef ecosystem, shrinking of livelihood and excessive dependence on external resources, excessive harvest of reef resources etc