Evaluation of performance of GPS controlled rubidium clocks

Global Positioning System (GPS) controlled rubidium clock systems are now being, used widely for many precise timing applications. They also play the role of the reference time and frequency source in many laboratories. This demands the evaluation of performance of such clocks to assess their reliability. For this purpose, a special experimental campaign has been planned. The epoch time has been found to be reliable within 60 ns and frequency offset does not exceed few parts in 10(-12). But the receiver takes few hours to achieve initial lock. Short-term stability in locked condition has been poorer than that of the rubidium clock in free running condition

Hexavalent chromium reduction by immobilized cells of Bacillus sphaericus AND 303

Bacillus sphaericus AND 303, a Cr(VI)-resistant and reducing bacterium reported from serpentine outcrops of Andaman was evaluated for Cr(VI) reduction using immobilized cells under batch culture. Screening of inert matrices for entrapment of whole cells indicated that polyvinyl alchohol-alginate was the most effective one reducing 87.5% of 20 µM Cr(VI) in 24 h. The rate of chromate reduction was dependent on initial Cr(VI) and biomass concentrations. The PVA cell beads were recycled three times without cell leakage and disintegration. The reduction efficiency was improved in the presence of glucose and glycerol as electron donors leading to complete reduction. However, the presence of additional metal ions was inhibitory to Cr(VI) reduction. It could be emphasized that PVA-alginate immobilized cells of B. sphaericus AND 303 could be used as a continuous bioprocess in treating Cr(VI) contaminated effluents

Instability of CGG Repeats in Transgenic Mice

Dynamic mutation resulting in the expansion of CGG repeats in the untranslated region (UTR) of the first exon of the FMR1 gene in humans results in fragile X syndrome. Long stretches of CGG repeats that are known to be highly unstable in humans have so far failed to show similar intergenerational instability in transgenic mice. We generated transgenic lines that show a dramatic increase from 26 to >300 repeats in three generations. One of the salient features of our transgene is the inclusion of the origin of replication of simian virus-40 (SV40), which is known to exclude nucleosomes. Three founder mice in FVB/NJ background show expansion of CGG repeats present in the transgene, supporting a postzygotic mechanism for CGG expansion that is independent of a genomic imprinting effect. We discuss here the results of analyzing one of the lines established

A case of spontaneous transdiaphragmatic intercostal hernia of bowel loops and omentum with herniation of lung – A very rare entity

Herein we report a case of spontaneous transdiaphragmatic intercostal hernia of bowel loops and omentum with lung herniation in an elderly gentleman with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Initially he presented with severe cough followed by pain and small fluctuating swelling over the right chest wall. In-patient investigations were suggestive of hemothorax without any chest wall abnormality. Later the swelling gradually increased to a significant size for which he was further evaluated. Detailed imaging studies revealed it was a case of spontaneous intercostal hernia of bowel loops and omentum with herniation of lung. The patient is kept under regular follow up for optimization for his obstructive airway component for the required surgical repair of the parietal defect

Restoring India's Terrestrial Ecosystems: Needs, Challenges, and Policy Recommendations

<p>This document is a product of the preparatory phase project of the National Mission on Biodiversity and Human Well-Being which was catalysed and supported by the Office of the Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India. It is the outcome of a series of stakeholder consultation meetings on ecological restoration of terrestrial landscapes and climate change in India. The insights from these meetings have been used to develop this document which highlights the challenges and best-practices in the restoration of terrestrial ecosystems, can serve as a guide for successful restoration of landscapes across different biomes of the Indian subcontinent, and help achieve India’s commitments to the Bonn Challenge and the goals set by India for biodiversity conservation, land restoration, climate mitigation and adaptation.</p&gt