Views from the Indian Electorate: Satisfactions and Dissatisfactions with Democracy, Politics and the Economy

In this paper I present findings from Chapter 2 of the forthcoming book by Alfred Stepan, Juan J. Linz and Yogendra Yadav titled "Crafting State-Nations: India and Other Multinational Democracies". The results presented here are largely drawn from responses to the National Election Studies (NES) and the State of the Nation Surveys coordinated by the Center for the Study of Developing Societies, India over six national elections between 1971-2009. We focus on questions as they pertain to support for democracy, political efficacy and political participation in India. In particular, I focus on the responses of the seven most marginalized groups in the country based on their caste, religious, economic and gender status. These groups are Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, Muslim, Very Poor, Poor, Illiterate and Female respondents. The first section of the paper outlines the details of CSDS surveys, how they were conducted and how they compare to alternative national surveys in India and elsewhere. Subsequent sections delve into why India makes a critical case for the "State-Nation" model in our book and the results of the surveys. In the final section of the paper I present results from questions on the Indian economy and how economic change has affected people's perception of their wellbeing

Unfolding spinor wavefunctions and expectation values of general operators: Introducing the unfolding-density operator

We show that the spectral weights $W_{m\vec K}(\vec k)$ used for the unfolding of two-component spinor eigenstates $| {\psi_{m\vec K}^\mathrm{SC}} > = | \alpha > | {\psi_{m\vec{K}}^\mathrm{SC, \alpha}} > + | \beta > | {\psi_{m\vec{K}}^\mathrm{SC, \beta}} >$ can be decomposed as the sum of the partial spectral weights $W_{m\vec{K}}^{\mu}(\vec k)$ calculated for each component $\mu = \alpha, \beta$ independently, effortlessly turning a possibly complicated problem involving two coupled quantities into two independent problems of easy solution. Furthermore, we define the unfolding-density operator $\hat{\rho}_{\vec{K}}(\vec{k}_{i}; \, \varepsilon)$, which unfolds the primitive cell expectation values $\varphi^{pc}(\vec{k}; \varepsilon)$ of any arbitrary operator $\mathbf{\hat\varphi}$ according to $\varphi^{pc}(\vec{k}_{i}; \varepsilon) = \mathit{Tr}(\hat{\rho}_{\vec{K}}(\vec{k}_{i}; \, \varepsilon)\,\,\hat{\varphi})$. As a proof of concept, we apply the method to obtain the unfolded band structures, as well as the expectation values of the Pauli spin matrices, for prototypical physical systems described by two-component spinor eigenfunctions

Non-linear power spectra of dark and luminous matter in halo model of structure formation

The late stages of large-scale structure evolution are treated semi-analytically within the framework of modified halo model. We suggest simple yet accurate approximation for relating the non-linear amplitude to linear one for spherical density perturbation. For halo concentration parameter, $c$, a new computation technique is proposed, which eliminates the need of interim evaluation of the $z_{col}$. Validity of the technique is proved for $\Lambda$CDM and $\Lambda$WDM cosmologies. Also, the parameters for Sheth-Tormen mass function are estimated. The modified and extended halo model is applied for determination of non-linear power spectrum of dark matter, as well as for galaxy power spectrum estimation. The semi-analytical techniques for dark matter power spectrum are verified by comparison with data from numerical simulations. Also, the predictions for the galaxy power spectra are confronted with 'observed' data from PSCz and SDSS galaxy catalogs, good accordance is found.Comment: 18 pages, 8 figures; major changes from the previous version; accepted for publivation in Phys. Rev.

How to understand Pakistan’s hybrid regime: the importance of a multidimensional continuum

Pakistan has had a chequered democratic history but elections in 2013 marked a second turnover in power, and the first transition in Pakistan’s history from one freely elected government to another. How do we best categorize (and therefore understand) political developments in Pakistan? Is it now safe to categorize it as an electoral democracy or is it still a hybrid case of democracy? Using the Pakistani case as an example, this article argues that hybrid regimes deserve consideration as a separate case (rather than as a diminished sub type of democracy or authoritarianism), but must be categorised along a multidimensional continuum to understand the dynamics of power within the political system

Intravenous ibandronate injections are at least as effective as daily oral ibandronate: consistent effect across subgroups

peer reviewe

Hippo Signaling: Emerging Pathway in Stress-Related Psychiatric Disorders?

Discovery of the Hippo pathway and its core components has made a significant impact on our progress in the understanding of organ development, tissue homeostasis, and regeneration. Upon diverse extracellular and intracellular stimuli, Hippo signaling regulates stemness, cell proliferation and apoptosis by a well-conserved signaling cascade, and disruption of these systems has been implicated in cancer as well as metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases. The central role of Hippo signaling in cell biology also results in prominent links to stress-regulated pathways. Genetic variations, epigenetically provoked upregulation of Hippo pathway members and dysregulation of cellular processes implicated in learning and memory, are linked to an increased risk of stress-related psychiatric disorders (SRPDs). In this review, we summarize recent findings, supporting the role of Hippo signaling in SRPDs by canonical and non-canonical Hippo pathway interactions

From first‐trimester screening to risk stratification of evolving pre‐eclampsia in second and third trimesters of pregnancy: comprehensive approach

Preeclampsia and associated hypertensive disorders of pregnancy represent a leading cause of global maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Identification of women at high risk for developing preterm-preeclampsia and prophylaxis with low-dose aspirin has the potential to significantly reduce the rate of preterm-preeclampsia. In addition, risk assessment and monitoring of women in the second and third trimester of pregnancy, to aid in early detection of evolving disease, timely referral to specialist care, and active monitoring of women with confirmed or suspected preeclampsia is essential for improving maternal and neonatal outcomes. The angiogenesis-related biomarkers sFlt-1 and PlGF have been shown to have clinical value to aid in the prediction, diagnosis, and risk stratification of preeclampsia when used either alone or in combination with other risk factors. However, currently there is no consensus on the optimum strategy to link first trimester screening for preterm-preeclampsia with appropriate second and third trimester risk assessment strategies. This opinion paper will outline the current evidence for first trimester preeclampsia screening and prevention, as well as the evidence for various risk stratification approaches for detection of evolving preeclampsia through the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, and proposes a potential model integrating these tools. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

Osteoporosis in young adults: pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management

Postmenopausal osteoporosis is mainly caused by increased bone remodeling resulting from estrogen deficiency. Indications for treatment are based on low areal bone mineral density (aBMD, T-score ≤ −2.5), typical fragility fractures (spine or hip), and more recently, an elevated 10-year fracture probability (by FRAX®). In contrast, there is no clear definition of osteoporosis nor intervention thresholds in younger individuals. Low aBMD in a young adult may reflect a physiologically low peak bone mass, such as in lean but otherwise healthy persons, whereas fractures commonly occur with high-impact trauma, i.e., without bone fragility. Furthermore, low aBMD associated with vitamin D deficiency may be highly prevalent in some regions of the world. Nevertheless, true osteoporosis in the young can occur, which we define as a T-score below −2.5 at spine or hip in association with a chronic disease known to affect bone metabolism. In the absence of secondary causes, the presence of fragility fractures, such as in vertebrae, may point towards genetic or idiopathic osteoporosis. In turn, treatment of the underlying condition may improve bone mass as well. In rare cases, a bone-specific treatment may be indicated, although evidence is scarce for a true benefit on fracture risk. The International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) convened a working group to review pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of osteoporosis in the young, excluding children and adolescents, and provide a screening strategy including laboratory exams for a systematic approach of this conditio

On the breaking of a plasma wave in a thermal plasma: I. The structure of the density singularity

The structure of the singularity that is formed in a relativistically large amplitude plasma wave close to the wavebreaking limit is found by using a simple waterbag electron distribution function. The electron density distribution in the breaking wave has a typical "peakon" form. The maximum value of the electric field in a thermal breaking plasma is obtained and compared to the cold plasma limit. The results of computer simulations for different initial electron distribution functions are in agreement with the theoretical conclusions.Comment: 21 pages, 12 figure

Sulfur Respiration in a Group of Facultatively Anaerobic Natronoarchaea Ubiquitous in Hypersaline Soda Lakes

The ubiquity of strictly anaerobic sulfur-respiring haloarchaea in hypersaline systems with circumneutral pH has shaken a traditional concept of this group as predominantly aerobic heterotrophs. Here, we demonstrated that this functional group of haloarchaea also has its representatives in hypersaline alkaline lakes. Sediments from various hypersaline soda lakes showed high activity of sulfur reduction only partially inhibited by antibiotics. Eight pure cultures of sulfur-reducing natronoarchaea were isolated from such sediments using formate and butyrate as electron donors and sulfur as an electron acceptor. Unlike strict anaerobic haloarchaea, these novel sulfur-reducing natronoarchaea are facultative anaerobes, whose metabolic capabilities were inferred from cultivation experiments and genomic/proteomic reconstruction. While sharing many physiological traits with strict anaerobic haloarchaea, following metabolic distinctions make these new organisms be successful in both anoxic and aerobic habitats: the recruiting of heme-copper quinol oxidases as terminal electron sink in aerobic respiratory chain and the utilization of formate, hydrogen or short-chain fatty acids as electron donors during anaerobic growth with elemental sulfur. Obtained results significantly advance the emerging concept of halo(natrono)archaea as important players in the anaerobic sulfur and carbon cycling in various salt-saturated habitats.BT/Environmental Biotechnolog