Spherical Casimir energies and Dedekind sums

Casimir energies on space-times having general lens spaces as their spatial sections are shown to be given in terms of generalised Dedekind sums related to Zagier's. These are evaluated explicitly in certain cases as functions of the order of the lens space. An easily implemented recursion approach is used.Comment: 18 pages, 2 figures, v2:typos corrected, inessential equation in Discussion altered. v3:typos corrected, 1 reference and comments added. v4:typos corrected. Ancillary results added in an appendi

Maternal and foetal outcome of hypothyroidism in pregnancy: a prospective observational study

Background: Thyroid dysfunction is one of the most common endocrine disorders affecting women of reproductive age group. There is a debate among obstetricians about universal versus targeted screening for hypothyroidism during pregnancy. Therefore, we conducted this study with aim to highlight the need for universal screening of pregnant women for hypothyroidism. Methods: This was prospective analytical study involving 200 pregnant women conducted in a tertiary care hospital in Mumbai from January 2018 to December 2019. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) was done as a screening test. Estimation of free T3 (FT3) and free T4 (FT4) are advised if TSH was found abnormal. Patients were followed up throughout the pregnancy and postpartum up to 6 weeks. Study parameters were assessed in both mother and neonate and statistical analysis was done. Results: Pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) was observed in 13% of study population. Premature labour was observed in 11% of study population. Recurrent abortion was observed in 7% of study population. Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) was observed in 4% of study population. Anaemia was observed in 69% of study population. Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission was observed in 17% of study population. Neonatal hypo/ hyperthyroidism was observed in 3% of study population. Conclusions: Pregnant females should routinely be screened for thyroid functions to detect hypothyroidism and be given adequate treatment to prevent maternal and foetal complications. Adequate treatment and regular follow up will improve the maternal and foetal outcomes

Design, synthesis, and biological activity of bicyclic radester analogues as Hsp90 inhibitors

Bicyclic radester analogues have been synthesized and evaluated for Hsp90 inhibitory activity. These analogues induce concentration-dependent degradation of Hsp90-dependent client proteins with the six-membered bicyclic analogues manifesting increased activity versus the five-membered counterparts

Formation and Control of Chlorophyll, Solanine Alkaloids, and Sprouts of Potato (\u3cem\u3eSolanum tuberosum\u3c/em\u3e L.) Tubers and Carbonyl Compound of Tomato (\u3cem\u3eLycopersicon esculentum\u3c/em\u3e Mill.) Fruits

Part 1. Formation and control of chlorophyll, solanine alkaloids, and sprouts of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tubers Incorporation of radioactive carbon from acetic acid-2-14C (sodium salt), β-hydroxy-β-methylglutaric acid (HMG)-3-14C, L-leucine-U-14C, L-alanine-U14C, and D-glucose-U-14C into the predominant glycosidic steroidal alkaloids, &alpha-chaconine of potato sprouts was 4.88, 9.0, 15, 24, and 20 times less than that of mevalonic acid (MVA=2-14C (DBED salt), respectively. The efficiency ratio revealed that β-hydroxy-β-methylglutaric acid (HMG)-3-14 was incorporated via acetate or acetoacetate. The distribution of radioactivity originated from D-glucose-U-14C was nearly nine times higher in the glycoside moiety than that in the aglycone part of the glycoalkaloids. Apparently, Alar( succinic acid 2,2-dimethylhydrazide), Ethrel or Ethephon (2-chloroethylphosphonic acid), and Telone (1 ,3-dichloropropene and related chlorinated hydrocarbons) significantly reduced the rate of incorporation of β-hydroxy-β-methylglutaric acid (HMG)-3-14C into the alkaloids. A catalytic conversion of solanidine and UDP-glucose-U-14C to β-glucoside by the enzymatic system in a suspension of potato slices and the enzyme preparation from sprouts demonstrated the presence of β-glucosyltransferase in Solanum tuberosum L. Stepwise synthesis of α-solanine and α-chaconine from solanidine in potato tubers or sprouts seems possible. Formation of solanine alkaloids in peeled potato slices was stimulated when stored at 15 and 24 C in dark or light (200 foot-candles). The slices held under light developed nearly three to four times more alkaloids than those held in the dark. Significantly higher concentrations of solanine alkaloids were formed in the late stage (after 24 hours) than in the early stage of the storage period . Hence, it can be concluded that when potatoes are sliced for chips or French fries, they should be processed immediately, before the glycoalkaloids are synthesized in higher concentrations. Post-harvest application of chemicals, such as Phosfon (tributyl 2,4-dichlorobenzylphosphonium chloride), Phosfon-S (tributyl 2,4-dichlorobenzylammonium chloride), Amchem 72-A42 [2-(p-chlorophenylthio)- triethylamine], Amchem 70-334 or CPTA [2-(p-chlorophenylthio)-triethylamine hydrochloride], Nemagon (1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane), and Telone (1,3-dichloropropene and related chlorinated hydrocarbons) at the concentrations of 250, 500, and 100 parts per million (ppm) in water; glycerin (10, 20, and 30 percent weight by volume [w/v] in water); and mineral oil (1.25, 2. 5, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 100 percent [w/v] in ether or petroleum ether) significantly inhibited the formation of chlorophyll and solanine alkaloids in the peripheral (periderm and outer parenchyma) zone of potato tubers exposed to a fluorescent light (200 foot-candles) for 6 or 7 days at 16 C and 60 percent relative humidity. The rates of inhibition increased with concentration of chemicals studied. A 10 percent solution of mineral oil was the minimum required concentration for effective control of chlorophyll and solanine alkaloids. The tubers dipped in 10 percent mineral did not develop chlorophyll on exposure to light (200 foot-candles) for 4 weeks, while the overall rate of inhibition of alkaloids was significantly high. In general, oil treatments were the most effective in controlling the formation of chlorophyll, solanine alkaloids, and sprout growth. Part II . Formation and control of carbonyl compounds of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) fruits Incubation of unsaturated fatty acids such as linoleic and linolenic acids with the crude soluble extract from tomato fruits produced carbonyl compounds. The enzyme preparations did not catalyze the conversion of saturated or monounsaturated fatty acids to carbonyls. Inability of potassium cyanide to inactivate the crude soluble extract proved that degradation of these fatty acids was mediated by lipoxidase and nonenzymatic oxidation by heme compounds was eliminated. These findings were supported by the fact that hydrogen peroxide, an inhibitor of lipoxidase enzyme, had inhibitory effects on the degradation of linoleic and linolenic acids by the tomato extract. Hexanal was found to be one of the products of the enzyme reaction. The identity of hexanal was confirmed by comparing the physical properties such as retention time, infra-red and ultra-violet absorption bands, and Rf value with those of an authentic sample . Biogenesis of hexanal from linoleic or linolenic acid was further substantiated by the use of uniformly labeled 14C isotopes of these fatty acids with the crude soluble extract, filtered homogenate, and tissue slices. Maximum activities (as evidenced by the production of carbonyls) were observed in the extract prepared with and incubated in a buffer medium of pH 7.5 (0.l M, Tris-HCl). The degradation of linoleic and linolenic acids was maximum at 30 C when incubated for 4 hours with 1 ml of the crude soluble extract. The enzymatic activity was enhanced by metal ions and compounds containing free -SH groups. Increase in the production of carbonyls by addition of citric and L-ascorbic acid may result from their metabolism. In general, ripe fruits contained greater enzymatic activities but smaller amounts of linoleic and linolenic acids than green fruits . The activity of the crude extract was increased by dialysis and the ammonium sulfate fractionation between 30 and 70 percent saturation. The rates of degradation of linoleic and linolenic acids catalyzed by the insoluble fractions of tomato extracts were more than those by the corresponding soluble fractions. Tomato fruits (green-wrap or large green) stored under hypobaric or sub-atmospheric pressures were analyzed for their volatiles after ripening. The concentrations of selected carbonyls (acetaldehyde, 2-methyl propanal, butanal, 3-methyl butanal, and hexanal) and some other volatiles decreased substantially with decrease in storage pressure

Changes in biological productivity associated with Ningaloo Niño / Niña events in the southern subtropical Indian Ocean in recent decades

Using observations and long term simulations of an ocean-biogeochemical coupled model, we investigate the biological response in the southern subtropical Indian Ocean (SIO) associated with Ningaloo Niño and Niña events. Ningaloo events have large impact on sea surface temperature (SST) with positive SST anomalies (SSTA) seen off the west coast of Australia in southern SIO during Ningaloo Niño and negative anomalies during Niña events. Our results indicate that during the developing period of Ningaloo Niño, low chlorophyll anomaly appears near the southwest Australian coast concurrently with high SSTA and vice-versa during Niña, which alter the seasonal cycle of biological productivity. The difference in the spatiotemporal response of chlorophyll is due to the southward advection of Leeuwin current during these events. Increased frequency of Ningaloo Niño events associated with cold phase of Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) resulted in anomalous decrease in productivity during Austral summer in the SIO in the recent decades

Determinants on lens spaces and cyclotomic units

The Laplacian functional determinants for conformal scalars and coexact one-forms are evaluated in closed form on inhomogeneous lens spaces of certain orders, including all odd primes when the essential part of the expression is given, formally as a cyclotomic unitComment: 18 pages, 1 figur

DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF FLOATING PULSATILE DRUG DELIVERY OF LOSARTAN POTASSIUM

Objective: The objective of the present investigation was to the development of floating pulsatile drug delivery system of Losartan potassium (LP) tablets for obtaining no drug release during floating followed by pulsed, rapid drug release to achieve chronotherapeutic release. In hypertension, the risk of getting heart attacks early in the morning is high and therefore, there was need to develop drug delivery, which will release drugs at morning hours and provide efficacious therapy. LP is a short biological half-life (1.5-2.5h) and readily absorbed from the stomach and upper gastrointestinal tract. Methods: Tablet formulation was prepared by press coating of rapid release core tablets and core tablets were further top coated with a buoyant layer of HPMC K4M and sodium bicarbonate. Various grades of HPMC polymer (E5/E15/E50) were used for the pulsatile coating layer. The developed formulations were characterized for physical characteristics, floating lag time, floating time, release lag time, drug content, swelling index, in vitro dissolution studies, DSC and XRD. Results: The FTIR and DSC studies predicted that there was no chemical interaction between drug and excipients. The core tablet coated with HPMC E50 showed a high swelling index and release the drug 97.60±1.2% at 6h. Buoyant layer with 80 mg HPMC K4M and 25 mg sodium bicarbonate gave satisfactory floating lag time. Conclusion: The system showed an excellent lag phase followed by burst release in the distal small intestine, which gives site and time-specific delivery of LP acting as per chronotherapy for treatment of hypertension