Phase separation transition in anti-ferromagnetically interacting particle systems

One dimensional non-equilibrium systems with short-range interaction can undergo phase transitions from homogeneous states to phase separated states as interaction ($\epsilon$) among particles is increased. One of the model systems where such transition has been observed is the extended Katz-Lebowitz-Spohn (KLS) model with ferro-magnetically interacting particles at $\epsilon=4/5$. Here, the system remains homogeneous for small interaction strength ($\epsilon<4/5$), and for anti-feromagnetic interactions ($\epsilon<0$). We show that the phase separation transitions can also occur in anti-ferromagnetic systems if interaction among particles depends explicitly on the size of the block ($n$) they belong to. We study this transition in detail for a specific case $\epsilon = \delta/n$, where phase separation occurs for $\delta < -1$.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figure

Ceremonial Crying: The Colonial Projection

Crying is a social phenomenon. It is highly romanticized, gendered and contested. In some cases it is perceived as a psychological syndrome. Sometimes it highly personal and at numerous other times it acts as a social necessity. In the Indian context, it is an essential part in many social occasions. Deaths, marriages and several other ceremonies are often accompanied by social crying and weeping, which depict our culture’s understanding towards multiple sociological phenomena. Social crying has its implications over several cultures, religions and cults that need to be addressed in academic pedagogy. This thesis explores that colonial travellers were greeted with an episode of social crying at multiple geographical spaces that housed indigenous communities, such as the Andamanese. In the modern times, however, due to lack of documentation and rapid modernization, the discourse does not have the strictest continuity in our traditions. What we have instead is a forgotten episode of Occidental documentation of the Orient. The thesis evaluates a variety of colonial texts, travelogues, journal entries and letters and maps the way colonial travellers were greeted with an episode of crying—yet another act of discourse—which was chiefly interpreted as a cultural endeavour to document the native. Focusing on narratives on such indigenous communities, while we argue that such documents have shaped the Oriental World, we also suggest that the documentation of it has shaped ‘Indian culture’ in framing the idea of Other in Western imagination

REGULATION AND ENFORCEMENT OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS FOR AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

Game theory and numerical simulation are used to analyze government's role in regulating IPRs for agricultural biotechnology in a developing country. An imported variety brings productivity gains and a negative externality. The relative effectiveness of corrective taxes or subsidies depends upon whether there is full enforcement of the IPRs.Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies,

A Novel Approach to Discontinuous Bond Percolation Transition

We introduce a bond percolation procedure on a $D$-dimensional lattice where two neighbouring sites are connected by $N$ channels, each operated by valves at both ends. Out of a total of $N$, randomly chosen $n$ valves are open at every site. A bond is said to connect two sites if there is at least one channel between them, which has open valves at both ends. We show analytically that in all spatial dimensions, this system undergoes a discontinuous percolation transition in the $N\to \infty$ limit when $\gamma =\frac{\ln n}{\ln N}$ crosses a threshold. It must be emphasized that, in contrast to the ordinary percolation models, here the transition occurs even in one dimensional systems, albeit discontinuously. We also show that a special kind of discontinuous percolation occurs only in one dimension when $N$ depends on the system size.Comment: 6 pages, 6 eps figure

The combined effect of PDX1, epidermal growth factor and poly-L-ornithine on human amnion epithelial cells’ differentiation

Comparison of transduction efficiency of various adenoviral titres. (a) hAECs were transduced with adenovirus harbouring an mPdx1 vector at various MOIs (multiplicity of infection). Cells were stained with an mPdx1-specific antibody (Texas-Red conjugate) at 24 h and 48 h post infection to determine the transduction efficiency. Nuclei were counter stained with DAPI (blue). (b) Calculation of transduction efficiency from two different microscopic fields of cells 24 h after transduction with 50 MOI of the mPdx1-harbouring adenovirus. Cells were viewed using the 10X objective of an Olympus inverted fluorescence microscope. Purple nuclei are those that are stained by both DAPI and Texas-Red conjugated secondary antibody. (ZIP 1201 kb

A Novel Approach to Discontinuous Bond Percolation Transition

We introduce a bond percolation procedure on a $D$-dimensional lattice where two neighbouring sites are connected by $N$ channels, each operated by valves at both ends. Out of a total of $N$, randomly chosen $n$ valves are open at every site. A bond is said to connect two sites if there is at least one channel between them, which has open valves at both ends. We show analytically that in all spatial dimensions, this system undergoes a discontinuous percolation transition in the $N\to \infty$ limit when $\gamma =\frac{\ln n}{\ln N}$ crosses a threshold. It must be emphasized that, in contrast to the ordinary percolation models, here the transition occurs even in one dimensional systems, albeit discontinuously. We also show that a special kind of discontinuous percolation occurs only in one dimension when $N$ depends on the system size.Comment: 6 pages, 6 eps figure

One-Dimensional Organometallic V-Anthracene Wire and Its B-N Analogue: Efficient Half-Metallic Spin Filters

Using density functional theory, we have investigated the structural, electronic and magnetic properties of infinitely periodic organometallic vanadium-anthracene ([V_2Ant]_\infinity) and [V_4(BNAnt)_2]_\infinity(where BNAnt is B-N analogue of anthracene) for their possible application in spintronics. From our calculations, we find that one-dimensional [V_2Ant]_\infinity and [V_4(BNAnt)_2]_\infinity wires exhibit robust ferromagnetic half-metallic and metallic behavior, respectively. The finite sized $V_6Ant_2$ and $V_6(BNAnt)_2$ clusters are also found to exhibit efficient spin filter properties when coupled to graphene electrodes on either side

Future directions for the management of pain in osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the predominant form of arthritis worldwide, resulting in a high degree of functional impairment and reduced quality of life owing to chronic pain. To date, there are no treatments that are known to modify disease progression of OA in the long term. Current treatments are largely based on the modulation of pain, including NSAIDs, opiates and, more recently, centrally acting pharmacotherapies to avert pain. This review will focus on the rationale for new avenues in pain modulation, including inhibition with anti-NGF antibodies and centrally acting analgesics. The authors also consider the potential for structure modification in cartilage/bone using growth factors and stem cell therapies. The possible mismatch between structural change and pain perception will also be discussed, introducing recent techniques that may assist in improved patient phenotyping of pain subsets in OA. Such developments could help further stratify subgroups and treatments for people with OA in future

Ali: Does He Have a ‘Choice’?

The life story of a 16 year?old boy, Ali, provides a glimpse into the livelihood choices of children living in urban slums in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Until recently, Ali's life and his community was characterised by urban crime and violence. In spite of having escaped the life of violence, the struggles of a child growing up in a marginalised, poor community remain far more complex and difficult than is often perceived from the outside