Comment on ``Roughening Transition of Interfaces in Disordered Media''

Emig and Nattermann (Phys. Rev. Lett. 81, 1469 (1998)) have recently investigated the competition between lattice pinning and impurity pinning using a Renormalisation Group (RG) approach. For elastic objects of internal dimensions $2 < D < 4$, they find, at zero temperature, an interesting second order phase transition between a flat phase for small disorder and a rough phase for large disorder. These results contrast with those obtained using the replica variational approach for the same problem, where a first order transition between flat and rough phases was predicted. In this comment, we show that these results can be reconciled by analysing the RG flow for an arbitrary dimension $N$ for the displacement field.Comment: Submitted to Phys. Rev. Let

Information Management Behaviour of Rice Farmers under Collective Farming in Kerala

The study was conducted in Kannur district of Kerala State, to assess the information management behaviour of rice farmers under the collective farming project of Kudumbashree mission. Expost facto research design was followed for the study. A sample of 120 farmers was selected by using proportionate sampling procedure and information was gathered and analyzed. The results showed that majority of the women rice farmers belonged to medium category of information management behavior

Evaluation of insulin and C-peptide in diabetic patients undergoing renal dialysis

Background: Patients with kidney failure associated with diabetes mellitus have disturbed responses of several glucoregulatory hormones. Diabetic nephropathy is the leading cause of end stage renal disease (ESRD). Renal failure is the progressive loss of function of kidney and patient requires a long renal replacement therapy, during which body’s waste products including urea, creatinine, glucoregulatory hormones and excess water are removed. Objectives of the study were to evaluate insulin and c-peptide concentrations in diabetic patients on renal dialysis and to compare the concentration of insulin, c-peptide, random blood glucose, urea and creatinine in pre and post dialysis samples of both controlled and uncontrolled diabetic patients.Methods: The study was conducted in 30 patients with diabetic kidney disease undergoing renal dialysis. The patients were grouped as controlled diabetics and uncontrolled diabetics based on their HbA1c levels.  Pre and post dialysis blood samples were collected from patients. Concentration of insulin and c-peptide were analyzed by using ELISA methods. Random blood glucose (RBG), urea and creatinine were estimated by standard methods.Results: The patients were divided into 2 groups depending on their HbA1c levels as controlled and uncontrolled diabetes mellitus. The concentration of insulin, c-peptide, RBG, serum urea and creatinine showed statistically significant reduction in post dialysis samples when compared to pre dialysis in uncontrolled diabetics. But in case of controlled diabetes mellitus reduction was observed in the levels of insulin and c- peptide in post dialysis samples as compared to pre dialysis samples, but, the difference was not statistically significant.Conclusions: There are alterations in the levels of insulin, c-peptide and the glycemic status in diabetic patients during dialysis. This significant reduction may affect glucose metabolism in diabetic patients on dialysis. Hence, glycemic status should be continuously monitored in these patients

Case report on tuberous sclerosis

Tuberous sclerosis is a genetic multisystem disorder characterized by widespread hamartomas in several organs, including the brain, heart, skin, eyes, kidney, lung and liver.  The affected genes are TSC1 and TSC2, encoding hamartin and tuberin respectively.  Most features of tuberous sclerosis become evident only in childhood, limiting their usefulness for early diagnosis. We report a case of 3months old female child with seizures and hypo-pigmented skin lesions. The case is rare as it is documented in a family affected continuously in three generations involving four members

Wandering of a contact line at thermal equilibrium

We reconsider the problem of the solid-liquid-vapour contact-line on a disordered substrate, in the collective pinning regime. We go beyond scaling arguments and perform an analytic computation, through the replica variational method, of the fluctuations of the line. We show how gravity effects must be included for a proper quantitative comparison with available experimental data of the wetting of liquid helium on a caesium substrate. The theoretical result is in good agreement with experimental findings for this case.Comment: 24 laTex pages with 5 EPS figures included. submitted to Phys. Rev

Chronic intake of 4-Methylimidazole induces hyperinsulinemia and hypoglycaemia via pancreatic beta cell hyperplasia and glucose dyshomeostasis

Caramel colours are the preferential food colouring agent globally, reaches wide age groups through eatables. Colas, a sweetened carbonated drink are most common caramel coloured beverage and its consumption is linked with diabetes, obesity, pancreatic cancer and other endocrine disorders. A major by-product produced during caramelization is 4-methylimidazole (4-MEI) that is detected in noteworthy concentrations in colas and other beverages. Previous studies revealed the neurotoxic and carcinogenic potential of 4-MEI in animals at higher doses but the effect of 4-MEI at theoretical maximum daily intake dose on glucose homeostasis is unexplored. Here, mice treated with 4-MEI (32 µg/kg bodyweight/day) for seven weeks exhibited severe hypoglycaemia and hyperinsulinemia mediated by hyperplasia of pancreatic beta cells and induces metabolic alterations. On combinatorial treatment, 4-MEI suppressed the glucogenic potential of non-artificial sweeteners and promotes lipogenesis. Furthermore, increased levels of C-peptide, LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides were observed in the humans with regular intake of 4-MEI containing beverages. In summary, 4-MEI induced pancreatic beta cell hyperplasia and leads to disruption of glucose and lipid homeostasis. This study suggests the need for further assessment and reconsideration of the wide usage of 4-MEI containing caramels as food additives

Power spectrum of turbulent convection in the solar photosphere

The solar photosphere provides us with a laboratory for understanding turbulence in a layer where the fundamental processes of transport vary rapidly and a strongly superadiabatic region lies very closely to a subadiabatic layer. Our tools for probing the turbulence are high-resolution spectropolarimetric observations such as have recently been obtained with the two sunrise missions, and numerical simulations. Our aim is to study photospheric turbulence with the help of Fourier power spectra that we compute from observations and simulations. We also attempt to explain some properties of the photospheric overshooting flow with the help of its governing equations and simulations. We find that quiet-Sun observations and smeared simulations exhibit a power-law behavior in the subgranular range of their Doppler velocity power spectra with an index of$~\approx -2$. The unsmeared simulations exhibit a power-law index of$~\approx -2.25$. The smearing considerably reduces the extent of the power-law-like portion of the spectra. Therefore, the limited spatial resolution in some observations might eventually result in larger uncertainties in the estimation of the power-law indices. The simulated vertical velocity power spectra as a function of height show a rapid change in the power-law index from the solar surface to $300$~km above it. A scale-dependent transport of the vertical momentum occurs. At smaller scales, the vertical momentum is more efficiently transported sideways than at larger scales. This results in less vertical velocity power transported upward at small scales than at larger scales and produces a progressively steeper vertical velocity power law below $180$ km. Above this height, the gravity work progressively gains importance at all scales, making the atmosphere progressively more hydrostatic and resulting in a gradually less steep power law.Comment: 10 pages, 7 figures, Accepted in A and

Dynamics of live oil droplets and natural gas bubbles in deep water

Explaining the dynamics of gas-saturated live petroleum in deep water remains a challenge. Recently, Pesch et al. (Environ. Eng. Sci. 2018, 35, 289−299) reported laboratory experiments on methane-saturated oil droplets under emulated deep-water conditions, providing an opportunity to elucidate the underlying dynamical processes. We explain these observations with the Texas A&M Oil spill/Outfall Calculator (TAMOC), which models the pressure-, temperature-, and composition-dependent interactions between: oil-gas phase transfer; aqueous dissolution; and densities and volumes of liquid oil droplets, gas bubbles, and two-phase droplet-bubble pairs. TAMOC reveals that aqueous dissolution removed >95% of the methane from ~3.5-mm live oil droplets within 14.5 min, prior to gas bubble formation, during the experiments of Pesch et al. Additional simulations indicate that aqueous dissolution, fluid density changes, and gas-oil phase transitions (ebullition, condensation) may all contribute to the fates of live oil and gas in deep water, depending on the release conditions. Illustrative model scenarios suggest that 5-mm diameter gas bubbles released at <470 m water depth can transport methane, ethane, and propane to the water surface. Ethane and propane can reach the water surface from much deeper releases of 5-mm diameter live oil droplets, during which ebullition occurs at water depths of <70 m

Enhanced oxidative stress by alcohol use in HIV+ patients: possible involvement of cytochrome P450 2E1 and antioxidant enzymes

BACKGROUND: Alcohol consumption is prevalent amongst HIV positive population. Importantly, chronic alcohol use is reported to exacerbate HIV pathogenesis. Although alcohol is known to increase oxidative stress, especially in the liver, there is no clinical evidence that alcohol increases oxidative stress in HIV positive patients. The mechanism by which alcohol increases oxidative stress in HIV positive patients is also unknown. METHODS: To examine the effects of alcohol use on oxidative stress we recruited HIV+ patients who reported mild-to-moderate alcohol use. Strict inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to reduce the effect of other therapeutic drugs metabolized via the hepatic system as well as the effect of co-morbidities such as active tuberculosis on the interaction between alcohol and HIV infection, respectively. Blood samples were collected from HIV-negative alcohol-users and HIV positive alcohol-users followed by collection of plasma and isolation and fractionation of monocytes from peripheral blood. We then determined oxidative DNA damage, glutathione level, alcohol level, transcriptional level of cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) and several antioxidant enzymes, and plasma level of cytokines. RESULTS: Compared to HIV-negative alcohol users, HIV-positive alcohol users demonstrated an increase in oxidative DNA damage in both plasma and CD14+ monocytes, as well as, a relative increase in oxidized/reduced glutathione (GSSG/GSH) in plasma samples. These results suggest an increase in oxidative stress in HIV-positive alcohol users compared with HIV-negative alcohol users. We also examined whether alcohol metabolism, perhaps by CYP2E1, and antioxidant enzymes are involved in alcohol-mediated increased oxidative stress in HIV-positive patients. The results showed a lower plasma alcohol level, which was associated with an increased level of CYP2E1 mRNA in monocytes, in HIV-positive alcohol users compared with HIV-negative alcohol users. Furthermore, the transcription of major antioxidants enzymes (catalase, SOD1, SOD2, GSTK1), and their transcription factor, Nrf2, were reduced in monocytes obtained from HIV positive alcohol users compared to the HIV-negative alcohol user group. However, no significant change in levels of five major cytokines/chemokines were observed between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The data suggests that alcohol increases oxidative stress in HIV+ patients, perhaps through CYP2E1- and antioxidant enzymes-mediated pathways. The enhanced oxidative stress is accompanied by a failure of cellular antioxidant mechanisms to maintain redox homeostasis. Overall, the enhanced oxidative stress in monocytes may exacerbate HIV pathogenesis in HIV positive alcohol users

Undergoing Transformation to the Patient Centered Medical Home in Safety Net Health Centers: Perspectives from the Front Lines

Objectives—Safety Net Health Centers (SNHCs), which include Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) provide primary care for underserved, minority and low income patients. SNHCs across the country are in the process of adopting the Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) model, based on promising early implementation data from demonstration projects. However, previous demonstration projects have not focused on the safety net and we know little about PCMH transformation in SNHCs. Design—This qualitative study characterizes early PCMH adoption experiences at SNHCs. Setting and Participants—We interviewed 98 staff,(administrators, providers, and clinical staff) at 20 of 65 SNHCs, from five states, who were participating in the first of a five-year PCMH collaborative, the Safety Net Medical Home Initiative. Main Measures—We conducted 30-45 minute, semi-structured telephone interviews. Interview questions addressed benefits anticipated, obstacles encountered, and lessons learned in transition to PCMH. Results—Anticipated benefits for participating in the PCMH included improved staff satisfaction and patient care and outcomes. Obstacles included staff resistance and lack of financial support for PCMH functions. Lessons learned included involving a range of staff, anticipating resistance, and using data as frequent feedback. Conclusions—SNHCs encounter unique challenges to PCMH implementation, including staff turnover and providing care for patients with complex needs. Staff resistance and turnover may be ameliorated through improved healthcare delivery strategies associated with the PCMH. Creating predictable and continuous funding streams may be more fundamental challenges to PCMH transformation