The Zero Curvature Formulation of TB, sTB Hierarchy and Topological Algebras

A particular dispersive generalization of long water wave equation in $1+1$ dimensions, which is important in the study of matrix models without scaling limit, known as two--Boson (TB) equation, as well as the associated hierarchy has been derived from the zero curvature condition on the gauge group $SL(2,R)\otimes U(1)$. The supersymmetric extension of the two--Boson (sTB) hierarchy has similarly been derived from the zero curvature condition associated with the gauge supergroup $OSp(2|2)$. Topological algebras arise naturally as the second Hamiltonian structure of these classical integrable systems, indicating a close relationship of these models with 2d topological field theories.Comment: 15 pages, plain Latex, no figure

An SL(2, Z) Multiplet of Black Holes in D=4D = 4 Type II Superstring Theory

It is well-known that the conjectured SL(2, Z) invariance of type IIB string theory in ten dimensions also persists in lower dimensions when the theory is compactified on tori. By making use of this recent observation, we construct an infinite family of magnetically charged black hole solutions of type II superstring theory in four space-time dimensions. These solutions are characterized by two relatively prime integers corresponding to the magnetic charges associated with the two gauge fields (from NS-NS and R-R sectors) of the theory and form an SL(2, Z) multiplet. In the extremal limit these solutions are stable as they are prevented from decaying into black holes of lower masses by a `mass gap' equation.Comment: 15pages, LaTeX, no figure

Structure Prediction and Functional Characterization of ERG Proteins Involved in Ergosterol Biosynthetic Pathway of Candida albicans

The ERG proteins and enzymes of the ergosterol biosynthetic pathway has been the subject of intensive investigation as a target for several classes of antifungal agents used to treat C. albicans infection. Over the past few decades, a number of drugs and inhibitors with wide spectrum of activity, low toxicity and defined targets have been introduced. Several lines of evidence suggest that allylamines targets squalene epoxidase (ERG1), morpholines affects sterol C8-C7 isomerase (ERG2) and sterol reductase (ERG24), azoles inhibits a cytochrome P450 (ERG11) responsible for the 14 α-demethylation of lanosterol and C-5 sterol desaturase (ERG3) and polyenes binds to ergosterol that leads to the damage of cell plasma membrane, ensuing in leakage of intracellular ions. However, little information about the experimental structure (X-ray and NMR) of proteins from ergosterol biosynthetic pathway is available in RCSB Protein Databank (PDB). Since ERG proteins play a key role in metabolic pathway of ergosterol, their 3D structures are essential to determine most of their functions. Homology modeling approach was employed for comparative modeling. Modeller 9v7 and I-Tasser programs were utilized to serve our purpose. The modeled proteins were further validated by Procheck, Verify-3D, ERRAT and PROVE servers. Expasy’s Prot-param server and Cys_rec tool was used for physico-chemical and functional characterization of these proteins. Studies of secondary structure of these proteins were carried out using computational program, Profunc. Swiss-pdb viewer was used to visualize and analyze homology derived structures. The modeled structures of 12 ERG proteins have been submitted and are available in Protein Model Database (PMDB) so that they become accessible to other users for further studies

Editor-in-Chief\u27s Note

Global interaction, a perennial phenomenon among human groups, is a function of perceived need. The fact that Columbus’ contact with the New World was an accident does not discount the fact that he was seeking a new trade route to Asia—and avoiding established ones. And, this contact by that dark miracle of fate or chance altered the destiny of men and nations. Similarly, the Silk Road, the greatest land route on earth, traces trade, travel and ideas. Travel and trade, in turn, generate contact with groups beyond one’s particular culture—which, by itself, is a tumultuous journey into the unknown as mysterious, unsettling, and fraught with danger and uncertainty as any physical voyage of discovery. The cost, real or prospective, of innovation is therefore high, as is the risk. The other side of the same coin is, of course, the perceived benefit derived from successfully navigating uncharted geographic and cultural terrains. And, as evinced innumerable times throughout human history, the benefit to one group may come at the expense of another. Travel, trade and contact, in a very real, very human sense, can change the definition of what is perceived as global, as benefit, and as human. No matter how good we become, we always want to be better as thinking is our most important skill

Book Review: China\u27s Rise: Challenges and Opportunities.

Reviews the book China\u27s Rise: Challenges and Opportunities, by C. Fred Bergsten, Charles Freeman, Nicholas Lardy, & Derek Mitchell. Published by the Peterson Institute for International Economics and Center for Strategic & International Studies, 2008

Editor-in-Chief’s Note

This third edition of the Journal of Emerging Knowledge on Emerging Markets (JEKEM) is a virtual smorgasbord of theoretically and empirically-based articles from around the globe. We open with big questions, setting the stage across both the hemispheres, on themes of: BRIC economies, globalization, innovation, R & D, capacity utilization, issues in education, international monetary system, performance management, geo-politics, fiscal decentralization, and information technology. I hope you delight in reading and learning from these pieces as I did. It’s a great conversation. Join it. Enjoy

Long-term electrode behavior during treatment of arsenic contaminated groundwater by a pilot-scale iron electrocoagulation system.

Iron electrocoagulation (Fe-EC) is an effective technology to remove arsenic (As) from groundwater used for drinking. A commonly noted limitation of Fe-EC is fouling or passivation of electrode surfaces via rust accumulation over long-term use. In this study, we examined the effect of removing electrode surface layers on the performance of a large-scale (10,000 L/d capacity) Fe-EC plant in West Bengal, India. We also characterized the layers formed on the electrodes in active use for over 2 years at this plant. The electrode surfaces developed three distinct horizontal sections of layers that consisted of different minerals: calcite, Fe(III) precipitates and magnetite near the top, magnetite in the middle, and Fe(III) precipitates and magnetite near the bottom. The interior of all surface layers adjacent to the Fe(0) metal was dominated by magnetite. We determined the impact of surface layer removal by mechanical abrasion on Fe-EC performance by measuring solution composition (As, Fe, P, Si, Mn, Ca, pH, DO) and electrochemical parameters (total cell voltage and electrode interface potentials) during electrolysis. After electrode cleaning, the Fe concentration in the bulk solution increased substantially from 15.2 to 41.5 mg/L. This higher Fe concentration led to increased removal of a number of solutes. For As, the concentration reached below the 10 μg/L WHO MCL more rapidly and with less total Fe consumed (i.e. less electrical energy) after cleaning (128.4 μg/L As removed per kWh) compared to before cleaning (72.9 μg/L As removed per kWh). Similarly, the removal of P and Si improved after cleaning by 0.3 mg/L/kWh and 1.1 mg/L/kWh, respectively. Our results show that mechanically removing the surface layers that accumulate on electrodes over extended periods of Fe-EC operation can restore Fe-EC system efficiency (concentration of solute removed/kWh delivered). Since Fe release into the bulk solution substantially increased upon electrode cleaning, our results also suggest that routine electrode maintenance can ensure robust and reliable Fe-EC performance over year-long timescales

BRICS at the Gate: Modern International Monetary System in Conditions of Balanced Uncertainty

The history of the modern international monetary system has been one of balanced uncertainty, with a fundamental trade-off - and tension - persisting between it anchoring mechanism and the mechanism for adjusting imbalances within. Ever since the system’s moorings drifted from its anchoring to gold and the assured automaticity of convertibility, the adjustment mechanism to regulate intra-systemic imbalances - floating exchange rates, capital controls, coordinated international intervention, or a combination thereof - has had to be progressively scaled upwards to account for the contingent nature of the tie to gold. Attempts to weave this balance have typically tended to break down over time as structural shifts associated with modern capitalism have overwhelmed the founding design of each monetary order. Looking ahead, a 21st century international monetary order that is entirely de-anchored from gold and rests merely on the full faith and credit of its fiat money trustees will necessitate that its mechanisms of international coordination and adjustment to restore balance be ratcheted-upwards equivalently. The emergence of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) phenomenon, and the powerful re-rise of China as a global strategic peer competitor to the United States, is likely to heap a layer of complication to this task of international financial coordination. To overcome the fundamental structural tensions that exist within the system – semi-liberalized financial and exchange rate regimes in a universe of fully-liberalized and quicksilver capital flows; basic long-term irreconcilability of the United States’ international debtor status with its principal reserve currency-issuer status; viability of a dollar-dominated monetary system in a progressively China, Asia and BRICS-dominated global economic and trading order, we propose that flexibility and capacity be endowed within the system’s regulatory mechanisms to accommodate – and accelerate - the economic and financial liberalization trajectories, and rise, of its BRICS and emerging markets constituents

A Clashing Viewpoint Concerning India: A Critique of Goldman Sachs 2007 Report

The centerpiece of the 2007 Report by Goldman Sachs is the prediction of India\u27s phenomenal economic growth and power in the next few decades. In this article we critique the conceptual validity of that prognosis. In particular, we highlight several hard and soft infrastructure impediments to India\u27s emergence as a major economic power