First Preliminary Report on Isolation and Characterization of Novel Acinetobacter spp. in Casing Soil Used for Cultivation of Button Mushroom, Agaricus bisporus (Lange) Imbach

Despite evaluation of large number of agroindustrial wastes for their use as casing material for Agaricus bisporus (Lange) Imbach cultivation, scant attention has been given to the importance of biological properties of casing materials. In the present study, an attempt was made to characterize the bacterial flora in casing layer, namely, Farm Yard Manure (FYM) and Spent Mushroom Substrate/spent compost (SMS/SC) (FYM+SC, 3 : 1) and FYM and Vermi Compost (VC) (FYM+VC, 3 : 1), employing partial 16S rDNA sequencing. Available data showed a significant variety of organisms that included Acinetobacter and Pseudomonas of the γ-proteobacteria, that were the most frequently encountered genera. This is the first preliminary report on the microbial diversity of casing soils and demonstrates the presence of Acinetobacter spp. that has not been previously described in casing material

Nonlocality without inequality for spin-s system

We analyze Hardy's non-locality argument for two spin-s systems and show that earlier solution in this regard was restricted due to imposition of some conditions which have no role in the argument of non-locality. We provide a compact form of non-locality condition for two spin-s systems and extend it to n number of spin-s particles. We also apply more general kind of non-locality argument still without inequality, to higher spin system.Comment: 6 page

Effect of non-magnetic impurities on the magnetic states of anatase TiO2_2

The electronic and magnetic properties of TiO$_2$, TiO$_{1.75}$, TiO$_{1.75}$N$_{0.25}$, and TiO$_{1.75}$F$_{0.25}$ compounds have been studied by using \emph{ab initio} electronic structure calculations. TiO$_2$ is found to evolve from a wide-band-gap semiconductor to a narrow-band-gap semiconductor to a half-metallic state and finally to a metallic state with oxygen vacancy, N-doping and F-doping, respectively. Present work clearly shows the robust magnetic ground state for N- and F-doped TiO$_2$. The N-doping gives rise to magnetic moment of $\sim$0.4 $\mu_B$ at N-site and $\sim$0.1 $\mu_B$ each at two neighboring O-sites, whereas F-doping creates a magnetic moment of $\sim$0.3 $\mu_B$ at the nearest Ti atom. Here we also discuss the possible cause of the observed magnetic states in terms of the spatial electronic charge distribution of Ti, N and F atoms responsible for bond formation.Comment: 11 pages, 4 figures To appear J. Phys.: Condens. Matte

Nonlocality without inequality for almost all two-qubit entangled state based on Cabello's nonlocality argument

Here we deal with a nonlocality argument proposed by Cabello which is more general than Hardy's nonlocality argument but still maximally entangled states do not respond. However, for most of the other entangled states maximum probability of success of this argument is more than that of the Hardy's argument.Comment: 9 pages, 1 figur

Reduction of In(III) at d.m.e. in Presence of Glyoxalate Ions & Determination of Composition & Stability Constants of the Complexes

773-77

Excellent impact strength of ethylene-methyl acrylate copolymer toughened polycarbonate

The intrinsic notch sensitivity of polycarbonate (PC) demands improvement in the notched impact strength for a variety of applications. Blends of PC/ethylene-methyl acrylate (EMA) copolymer of different compositions were prepared by melt blending using a co-rotating twin-screw extruder. The notched izod impact strength of PC/EMA blends showed a positive blending effect and increased 381% with incorporation of a very little amount of EMA (5%) with a marginal decrease in the tensile strength of PC. Tensile data was also analyzed by using predictive theories. Incorporation of EMA decreases the glass transition temperature of PC and facilitates its processing. Scanning electron micrographs of cryogenically fractured samples after etching were used to study the phase structure. A two phase morphology was seen with a fine dispersion of rubber granules in the PC matrix. On the other hand, the impact fractured surface of PC/EMA blends indicated debonding of EMA particles, leaving hemispherical bumps, indicating inadequate interfacial adhesion between PC and EMA

Multi-wavelength Diagnostics of the Precursor and Main phases of an M1.8 Flare on 2011 April 22

We study the temporal, spatial and spectral evolution of the M1.8 flare, which occurred in NOAA AR 11195 (S17E31) on 22 April 2011, and explore the underlying physical processes during the precursors and their relation to the main phase. The study of the source morphology using the composite images in 131 {\deg}A wavelength observed by the SDO/AIA and 6-14 keV revealed a multiloop system that destabilized systematically during the precursor and main phases. In contrast, HXR emission (20-50 keV) was absent during the precursor phase, appearing only from the onset of the impulsive phase in the form of foot-points of emitting loop/s. This study has also revealed the heated loop-top prior to the loop emission, although no accompanying foot-point sources were observed during the precursor phase. We estimate the flare plasma parameters viz. T, EM, power-law index, and photon turn-over energy by forward fitting RHESSI spectral observations. The energy released in the precursor phase was thermal and constituted ~1 per cent of the total energy released during the flare. The study of morphological evolution of the filament in conjunction with synthesized T and EM maps has been carried out which reveals (a) Partial filament eruption prior to the onset of the precursor emission, (b) Heated dense plasma over the polarity inversion line and in the vicinity of the slowly rising filament during the precursor phase. Based on the implications from multi-wavelength observations, we propose a scheme to unify the energy release during the precursor and main phase emissions in which, the precursor phase emission has been originated via conduction front formed due to the partial filament eruption. Next, the heated leftover S-shaped filament has undergone slow rise and heating due to magnetic reconnection and finally erupted to produce emission during the impulsive and gradual phases.Comment: 16 Pages, 11 Figures, Accepted for Publication in MNRAS Main Journa

Resource optimization through process re-engineering of inhalational therapy unit at a tertiary care public hospital

Background: Salaries, supplies and machinery account for bulk of public funding necessitating efficient utilisation. Studies suggest that process re-engineering helps improve cost, quality, service, and speed. Disbanded once and re-commissioned, a centralized Inhalational Therapy Unit (ITU) banked and provided portable mechanical ventilators to the inpatient wards. A demand for new ventilators from ITU led to the present study involving its critical review and cost analysis.Methods: An interventional study was conducted at a large tertiary care public hospital in India from April 2015 to June 2015. Critical review of process of providing portable ventilators and cost analysis were conducted. Review of records of and interview with ITU personnel and nursing staff were carried out. Fundamental rethinking and radical redesign of the process was done with attention to human resource, costs, space and actual medical equipment utilization. Two fundamental questions of process re-engineering were deliberated upon: “Why do we do what we do?” “And why do we do it the way we do?” Fundamental rethinking for new process was organized around the outcome.Results: Average utilization coefficient was 6.2% (3.3% to 12.1%). Ventilators utilized per day were 1.43. Expenditure on salaries was INR 315000 per month and INR 10500 per day. Low utilization offered low value for expenses incurred. All activities in ITU focused on “provision of ventilators” (outcome) and the old rule was, “If one needed a ventilator one must contact ITU”. Since nurses were using the “outcome” and performed activities of arranging, they were handed-over the ventilators (based on utilisation patterns). ITU was disbanded, human resource and space were re-allocated to various hospital areas (costs tied were done away with) with no adverse effect on hospital functioning.Conclusions: Process re-engineering led to improved healthcare delivery, curtailed delays in hospital processes, optimised costs involved in human resources and medical equipment

Utilization of Bioinformatics and Immunocytochemistry to Examine Gap Junction Expression in Breast Cancers Cells

Utilization of Bioinformatics and Immunocytochemistry to Examine Gap Junction Expression in Breast Cancers Cells. Jasmine D. Carter1, Giovanni Reyes1, Abeeha Choudhary2 and Eric A. Albrecht1 Breast cancer is known for its diverse clinical classifications and expressing different levels of membrane proteins such as ion channels and gap junctions. This diversity allows more variations in cell polarization, which can lead to enhanced directional ion fluxes in certain breast cancer subtypes. We utilized the interactive web portal UALCAN to evaluate the gene expression data of gap junctions, ion exchange channels and cytoskeletal proteins in breast cancer tissues. Our data showed several gene targets (e.g., GJA1(Cx43),GJB2(Cx26) increased expression during tumor development compared to normal breast tissue. Immunocytochemistry protocols were developed to examine the spatial expression of GJB2(Cx26) in MCF10A (normal breast cells) and MCF7 (weakly metastatic) breast cancer cell lines under static conditions. Primary antibodies to GJB2(Cx26) were visualized using fluorescein conjugated anti-mouse IgG (H+L) secondary antibodies. Our data suggests that the use of genomic and proteomic expression data is an effective approach for identifying differential expression differences in normal and malignant tissues. 1Kennesaw State University, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Kennesaw, GA 30144 2Kennesaw State University, Department of Psychological Science, Kennesaw, GA 3014