Thoracic myelopathy due to ossified hypertrophied ligamentum flavum

Calcification of ligamentum flavum is a rare disease that was found to occur almost exclusively in Japanese population. However the disease is now being increasingly recognized as a cause of thoracic myeloradiculopathy in Indian Population. We report a case of thoracic myelopathy at multiple levels due to ossified and hypertrophied ligamentum flavum

Quantification of signaling networks

Studies in living system in the past several decades have generated qualitative understanding of the molecular interactions resulting in large networks. These networks were essentially deciphered by breaking the components of a cell through a reductionist approach. Biological networks comprising of interactions between genes, proteins and metabolites co-ordinate in the regulation of cellular processes. However, understanding the cellular function also requires quantitative information including network dynamics, which results due to an inherent design principle embedded in the network. Interactions within the network are well organized to form a definite regulatory structure, which in turn exhibits different emergent properties. The property of the network helps the cell to achieve the desired phenotypic state in a controlled manner. The dynamics of the network or the relationship between network structure and cellular behavior cannot be understood intuitively from the interaction map of the network. Computational methods can now be employed to study these networks at system level. The field of systems biology looks at integrating the interaction maps obtained through molecular biological approach. Various studies at the system level have been reported for pathways namely chemotactic response in bacteria, cell cycle and osmotic signaling in yeast, growth factor stimulated signaling pathways in mammals. This review focuses on understanding signaling networks with the help of mathematical models

Carbon translocation accounting for yield variation in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L)

Nine lines of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) including four high yielders, one non-nodulating line and its progenitor parents, one high nitrogen fixer and a national check, were studied in situ for 14c translocation to various plant's parts- leaves, stem, root nodule, shell and kernel - at peg development and harvest stages. Of the 68% of observed yield variation accounted for by the carbon translocation to roots, nodules, shells and kernels at harvest, 65% was accounted by the former two traits alone. The relative increase in translocation to roots, nodules, shells and kernels at harvest, 65% was accounted by the former two traits alone. The relative increase in translocation to roots and nodules at harvest over peg development stage directly influenced pod yields. This was substantiated by the nature and magnitude of correlations between pod yield (PY) and % 14c at peg development (PD) and harvest (HS) stages. There was no correlation between PY and % 14c in (root + nodule) at PD; but that correlation at HS was positive and significant. The observed differences in 14c partitioning between the high and low yielders suggest partitioning of carbon to reproductive parts as an additional economic selection criterion for improving productivity in peanuts

Production and characterization of used cooking oil as an alternative fuel: optimization by response surface methodology

The application of biodiesel in internal combustion engines are increasing at a faster rate, due to the fact that biodiesel posses more oxygen content (Approximately 12 %), which helps in the complete combustion of the fuel. On the other hand the production cost of the biodiesel is high compared to mineral diesel fuel. This may be due to the availability of raw oil and its high initial cost. To minimize the high initial cost of the biodiesel used cooking oil is one of the best solutions. In this paper an attempt was made to analyze the fatty acid compositions and other characteristics of used cooking oil. Optimization techniques like response surface methodology (RSM) was successfully used for better yield estimation with the help of advanced software Design Expert. The optimum values of the variables were: oil to methanol ratio (1:8.37), catalyst concentration (0.74 Wt%), reaction temperature (47.950 °C) and reaction time (54.58 min) at 250 rpm. The predicted response value at these optimum values was 96.15 %. To confirm these optimum values, experimentations were conducted based on the optimum values and achieve the yield of 96 %. This shows that the yield of used cooking oil methyl ester is very near to the optimum value with an error of 0.15 % which may be accepted. This showed that the model correctly explains the influence of the process variables on the production of FAME from used cooking oil (UCOME). And from the gas chromatography results there is equal distribution of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. 14 % oxygen can be acclaimed in UCOME by elemental analysis. Unsaturated level of fatty acids are observed

Caractérisation électromagnétique des matériaux magnétiques anisotropes : vers une nouvelle approche de la détermination de la largeur de raie à mi-hauteur

National audienceCette étude présente une nouvelle méthode de caractérisation électromagnétique des ferrites aimantés, par nature anisotropes. Plutôt que de mesurer directement les éléments complexes du tenseur de perméabilité et la permittivité scalaire, nous proposons une technique large bande permettant de remonter au facteur d’amortissement. Ce paramètre est en effet essentiel à la détermination du comportement dynamique des ferrites polycristallins. Il constitue l’unique paramètre dynamique d’entrée d’un outil de simulation que nous avons développé pour l’aide à la conception des dispositifs hyperfréquences à ferrite. Les autres paramètres d’entrée étant les propriétés statiques du ferrite. La méthode large bande proposée est basée sur l’utilisation d’une ligne coaxiale. L’échantillon de ferrite est aimanté selon la direction de propagation

Priced fish catches discarded at Kalamukku fish landing centre

The success of marine fishing industry depends on the efficiency and performance of a plethora of departments like vessel manufacturers, net makers, ice plants, cold storages, exporters and retail outlets. If any of the departments fail wholly or partially, it cripples the industry and the people most affected are ultimately the fishermen who toil hard in the sea to earn a livelihood

Ecology and biodiversity of open sea cage farm at Mandapam, India

Farming of marine fin and shellfish species is an age old practice across the globe to augment the seafood demand and to supplement the rich protein food. Fin fish mariculture in India has been a recent initiative and the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute was successful in developing captive breeding and seed production technique for cobia (Rachycentron canadum) and silver pompano (Trachinotus blochii). The open sea cages are particularly advantageous for maintaining the brood stock of potential species for captive breeding. However, the ecology of the cage farming sites is of paramount importance and should be conducive for the survival, health and growth of fishes that are farmed. In the present study, an attempt was made to understand the ecology and biodiversity of the cage farming area at Mandapam in Gulf of Mannar, south-east coast of India