Non-equilibrium breakdown of quantum Hall state in graphene

In this report we experimentally probe the non-equilibrium breakdown of the quantum Hall state in monolayer graphene by injecting a high current density ($\sim$1A/m). The measured critical currents for dissipationless transport in the vicinity of integer filling factors show a dependence on filling factor. The breakdown can be understood in terms of inter Landau level (LL) scattering resulting from mixing of wavefunctions of different LLs. To further study the effect of transverse electric field, we measured the transverse resistance between the $\nu=2$ to $\nu=6$ plateau transition for different bias currents and observed an invariant point.Comment: to appear in PRB Rapi

CEO overconfidence and dividend policy

We develop a model of the effect of CEO overconfidence on dividend policy and empirically examine many of its predictions. Consistent with our main prediction, we find that the level of dividend payout is lower in firms managed by overconfident CEOs. We document that this reduction in dividends associated with CEO overconfidence is greater in firms with lower growth opportunities, lower cash flow, and greater information asymmetry. We also show that the magnitude of the positive market reaction to a dividend-increase announcement is lower for firms managed by overconfident CEOs. Our overall results are consistent with the predictions of our model.Chief executive officers ; Dividends

Heat transfer in a membrane assisted fluidised bed with immersed horizontal tubes

The effect of gas permeation through horizontally immersed membrane tubes on the heat transfer characteristics in a membrane assisted fluidised bed was investigated experimentally. Local time-averaged heat transfer coefficients from copper tubes arranged in a staggered formation with the membrane tubes to the fluidised bed were measured in a square bed (0.15 m x 0.15 m x 0.95 m) containing glass particles (75-110 ¿m) fluidised with air distributed via a porous plate, where the ratio of gas fed or removed through the membrane bundles and the porous plate distributor was varied. The experimental results revealed that high gas permeation rates through the membranes strongly decreased the heat transfer coefficient at high superficial gas velocities for tubes at the top of the tube bundle, which was attributed to the reduced mobility and heat capacity (higher dilution) of the emulsion phase. However, the effect of gas permeation was much less pronounced for tubes lower in the tube bundle because of the lower local dilution of the emulsion phase

Deep Proteomics of Mouse Skeletal Muscle Enables Quantitation of Protein Isoforms, Metabolic Pathways, and Transcription Factors

Skeletal muscle constitutes 40% of individual body mass and plays vital roles in locomotion and whole-body metabolism. Proteomics of skeletal muscle is challenging because of highly abundant contractile proteins that interfere with detection of regulatory proteins. Using a state-of-the art MS workflow and a strategy to map identifications from the C2C12 cell line model to tissues, we identified a total of 10,218 proteins, including skeletal muscle specific transcription factors like myod1 and myogenin and circadian clock proteins. We obtain absolute abundances for proteins expressed in a muscle cell line and skeletal muscle, which should serve as a valuable resource. Quantitation of protein isoforms of glucose uptake signaling pathways and in glucose and lipid metabolic pathways provides a detailed metabolic map of the cell line compared with tissue. This revealed unexpectedly complex regulation of AMP-activated protein kinase and insulin signaling in muscle tissue at the level of enzyme isoforms

Effect of Various Irrigation Methods on Growth, Flowering and Yield of Tuberose (Polyanthes tuberosa Linn.)

Tuberose flower has very good fragrance and is suitable for loose and cut flowers. Although crop improvement has been researched upon in various institutes and state agricultural universities, irrigation management in this crop has not been given much emphasis. This factor is important and crucial in crop production. A field trial was conducted at Precision Farming Development Centre, Rahuri, with the objective of studying performance of tuberose cv. Suvasini Double under three irrigation systems, viz., drip, micro-sprinkler and surface irrigation (conventional method). Irrigation through drip and micro-sprinkler was applied at 0.85 PE; and in the conventional method of irrigation, the interval was set at 60 mm CPE with 6 cm depth of irrigation. Micro-sprinkler system proved to be the best and gave a flower yield of 6.77 lakh spikes/ ha with better flower quality, than drip or surface method of irrigation. B:C ratio was also higher under micro-sprinkler (2.68 )

DEVELOPING A PERFORMANCE IMPORTANCE MATRIX FOR A PUBLIC SECTOR BUS TRANSPORT COMPANY: A CASE STUDY

This paper presents a study of comparison of the importance attached by the service providers’ and the customers’ with respect to eighteen service characteristics towards the public transportation services provided by a bus company. The survey was conducted in three bus depots in one division of a state road transport undertaking (SRTU) in south India. The importance the SRTU and the customers attach to these characteristics indicates significant differences. This reveals the existence of a gap between customers’ expectations and the service provided by the company. Finally the customer retention and customer development criteria have been. identified.Performance importance matrix, Customer expectations, Public bus transport, Radar chart.

Clinical spectrum and complications of scrub typhus: a single-centre, pilot observation from central India

Background: Scrub typhus is known from various parts of India. However, reports from central India are lacking. We performed pilot observation of confirmed scrub typhus cases from a single, tertiary care centre from central India.Methods: A retrospective analysis of 16 IgM ELISA confirmed scrub typhus cases was done. Clinical features, signs, laboratory parameters and complications were identified. Age (40 years) and gender (male versuss female) specific comparisons were performed. Data were analysed descriptively with appropriate statistical tests.Results: Diagnosed cases of scrub typhus were frequent in patients aged below 40 years (68.8) and in females (81.2%). Fever (100%), nausea±vomiting (68.8%) and headache (56.2%) were common symptoms. Rash was reported in a single case whereas characteristic eschar of scrub typhus was not observed in any patient. Mean hospital stay duration did not vary either by gender or by age-groups. Laboratory abnormalities did not show any significant deviation by gender or age analysis except mean haemoglobin being lower in females than males (10.1±1.4 Vs 12.3±1.1, p<0.05). Among various complications, anaemia (56.2%), thrombocytopenia (56.2%), elevated liver enzymes (37.5%) and pleural effusion (37.5%) were frequent. Overall, the number of complications were more in females (88.2%) and younger age (73.5%) groups. No deaths were seen in our set-up.Conclusions: Our pilot observation suggests scrub typhus is common in females and in younger age groups. These findings need further exploration in a large, prospective, trial in confirmed cases of scrub typhus