Understanding the Fano Resonance : through Toy Models

The Fano Resonance, involving the mixing between a quasi-bound `discrete' state of an inelastic channel lying in the continuum of scattering states belonging to the elastic channel, has several subtle features. The underlying ideas have recently attracted attention in connection with interference effects in quantum wires and mesoscopic transport phenomena. Simple toy models are provided in the present study to illustrate the basics of the Fano resonance in a simple and tractable setting.Comment: 17 pages, 1 figur

Cell culture metabolomics in the diagnosis of lung cancer - The influence of cell culture conditions

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths. Unfortunately, lung cancer is often diagnosed only when it becomes symptomatic or at an advanced stage when few treatment options are available. Hence, a diagnostic test suitable for screening widespread populations is required to enable earlier diagnosis. Analysis of exhaled breath provides a non-invasive method for early detection of lung cancer. Analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by various mass spectral techniques has identified potential biomarkers of disease. Nevertheless, the metabolic origins and the disease specificity of VOCs need further elucidation. Cell culture metabolomics can be used as a bottom-up approach to identify biomarkers of pathological conditions and can also be used to study the metabolic pathways that produce such compounds. This paper summarizes the current knowledge of lung cancer biomarkers in exhaled breath and emphasizes the critical role of cell culture conditions in determining the VOCs produced in vitro. Hypoxic culture conditions more closely mimic the conditions of cancer cell growth in vivo. We propose that since hypoxia influences cell metabolism and so potentially the VOCs that the cancer cells produce, the cell culture metabolomics projects should consider culturing cancer cells in hypoxic conditions

SFRP4 signalling of apoptosis and angiostasis uses nitric oxide-cGMP-permeability axis of endothelium

Nitric oxide (NO) plays a critical role in endothelial functions such as cellular migration, vascular permeability and angiogenesis. Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels from "pre-existing" ones is a carefully regulated process and essential during reproduction, development and wound healing. Previously our lab group reported that Secreted Frizzled-Related Protein 4 (sFRP4) could inhibit angiogenesis in both in vitro and in vivo conditions. sFRP4 belongs to a family of secreted glycoproteins that function as antagonists of the canonical Wnt signalling pathway. Although the pro-apoptotic role of sFRP4 is well discussed in literature, little is known in regards to its anti-angiogenic property. The objective of this study was to elucidate sFRP4 implications in NO biology of the endothelium. Results demonstrate that sFRP4 causes endothelial dysfunction by suppressing NO-cGMP signaling and elevating corresponding ROS levels. The imbalance between NO and ROS levels results in apoptosis and subsequent leakiness of endothelium as confirmed in vivo (Texas red/Annxin - CAM assay) and in vitro (Monolayer permeability assay) conditions. Furthermore utilizing peptides synthesized from the CRD domain of sFRP4, our results showed that while these peptides were able to cause endothelial dysfunctions, they did not cause apoptosis of the endothelial cells. Thereby confirming that sFRP4 can mediate its anti-angiogenic effect independent of its pro-apoptotic property. In conclusion, the current study reports that sFRP4-mediated anti-angiogenesis occurs as a result of impaired NO-cGMP signaling which in turn allow for elevation of redox levels and promotion of apoptosis of endothelial cells

कोचीन मात्स्यिकी पोताश्रय में वर्ष 2010 के दौरान अवतरण किये सुरा और शंकुशों की प्रचुरता और विविधता पर विशेष परामर्श के साथ केरल की उपास्थिमीन मात्स्यिकी

कृपया पूरा लेखा पढ

The Potential of Amaranthus caudatus as a Phytoremediating Agent for Lead

The potential of Amaranthus caudatus as a phytoremediating agent was studied, using lead spiked soil to grow the plants. The effect of the concentration of lead on plant growth was studied. The main aim of the study was to assess the accumulation of lead (Pb) in different compartments of the plant. The plants were grown in soils treated with solutions corresponding to 25, 50, 75 and 100 ppm of Pb. The plants were than separated into roots, stems and leaves and dried at 600C in a convection oven for 48 hours.The metals from the plant were extracted using wet digestion process. Pearson’s coefficient correlation analysis was used to measure the relationship between Pb concentration in the soil and in plant tissues. The highest concentration was recorded in the roots of plants at 50 ppm concentration. A. Caudatus plants exposed to 25 ppm of Pb showed highest increase in root and stem growth. The lowest root growth was observed in plants exposed to 100 ppm of Pb. There is a negative relationship between the concentration of Pb in the soil and that in the above ground plant tissues. Key Words: Accumulation, Amaranthus, Lead, Phytoremediation

Type IIB tensionless superstrings in a pp-wave background

We solve the tensionless string in a constant plane wave background and obtain a hugely degenerate spectrum. This is the case for a large class of plane wave backgrounds. We show that the solution can also be derived as a consistent limit of the quantized tensile theory of IIB strings in a pp-wave. This is in contrast to the situation for several other backgrounds.Comment: 1+17 pages, LaTeX, minor corrections, added new reference

DETERMINANTS OF BROILER PRODUCTION AND ITS EFFECTS ON POVERTY STATUS AMONG CIVIL SERVANTS IN JOS METROPOLIS, PLATEAU STATE, NIGERIA

The research was carried out to analyze broiler production as a sustainable tool in reducing poverty among civil servants in Plateau State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to: determine the profitability of broiler production; evaluate the poverty status and the effect of broiler income on the poverty status of the civil servants; identify the socio-economic factors influencing the level of broiler production; and describe the constraints of broiler production. Data from 120 members of Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) who are civil servants, were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Majority of the civil servants that engaged in broiler farmers were women. Findings revealed that the influx of new entrants into broiler production in recent times was due to the ban on importation of frozen poultry product by the Federal Government of Nigeria which create high demand-supply gap. The civil servants’ broiler producers earned a profit margin of 58% and return on investment of ₦1.67 per Naira invested. This resulted into reduced FGT poverty indices. The level of broiler production were significantly determined by sex, level of education and experience at different level of probability. Likewise, the poverty status of the civil servants were significantly affected by salary and income from broiler production at 1 and 5 % levels of probability. Major constraints in broiler production were high cost of feed and vaccines. Government ban on importation of poultry meat is plausible and should be further imbibed by the Nigerian citizens to consume home grown poultry meat