Microcomputer based software for biodynamic simulation

This paper presents a description of a microcomputer based software package, called DYNAMAN, which has been developed to allow an analyst to simulate the dynamics of a system consisting of a number of mass segments linked by joints. One primary application is in predicting the motion of a human occupant in a vehicle under the influence of a variety of external forces, specially those generated during a crash event. Extensive use of a graphical user interface has been made to aid the user in setting up the input data for the simulation and in viewing the results from the simulation. Among its many applications, it has been successfully used in the prototype design of a moving seat that aids in occupant protection during a crash, by aircraft designers in evaluating occupant injury in airplane crashes, and by users in accident reconstruction for reconstructing the motion of the occupant and correlating the impacts with observed injuries

Extreme Ultraviolet Emission in the Fornax Cluster of Galaxies

We present studies of the Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) emission in the Fornax cluster of galaxies; a relatively nearby well-studied cluster with X-ray emitting cluster gas and a very large radio source. We examine both the large-scale (~size of the X-ray emitting cluster gas), and the small-scale (<arcmin) emission. We find that this cluster has large-scale diffuse EUV emission. However, at the sensitivity level of the existing EUVE data, this emission is due entirely to the low energy tail of the X-ray emitting gas. We have also examined small-scale structures in raw EUVE images of this cluster. We find that small-scale irregularities are present in all raw Deep Survey images as a result of small-scale detector effects. These effects can be removed by appropriate flat-fielding. After flat-fielding, the Fornax cluster still shows a few significant regions of small-scale EUV enhancement. We find that these are emission from stars and galaxies in the field. We find that at existing levels of sensitivity, there is no excess EUV emission in the cluster on either large or small scales.Comment: 6 pages, 3 eps figures, aastex5, Accepted to ApJ

Factors regulating the transcription of eukaryotic protein coding genes and their mechanism of action- a review

Protein factors play a crucial role in establishing gene-specific and cell-specific regulation of the process of transcription. These include general transcription factors which recognize TATA and CCAAT boxes and which form components of the RNA polymerase II system. Specific transcription factors interact with characteristic promoter elements of individual genes. Some of the examples are SP1, glucocorticoid receptor, GCN4, GAL4 and many others. Transcription factors have a DNA binding domain demarcated from the transcription activation domain. Some factors may have an additional ligand (small molecule) binding domain. Typical structural features such as helix-turn-helix motif, zinc finger and leucine zipper have been recognized in the DNA binding domain of the transcription factors. The acidic domain of the protein factors is involved in the transcription activation process. It appears that activation is the result of the combined action of several regulatory proteins binding at different regions of the promoter. Interaction between proteins bound to DNA but seperated by long stretches of nucleotides is facilitated by DNA bending. Functional specificity as well as diversity are feasible with a limited number of transcription factors through alterations in the architecture of interaction between a group of proteins bound to promoter elements

Review of techniques on growth of GaAs and related compounds

GaAs is a technologically important material owing to its interesting properties. Several applications like high speed switching, VLSI, solar cells, lasers, LED's etc. warrant the use of different fabrication techniques. This paper deals with a concise review about the various techniques used for growth of GaAs thin films. The review discusses the principles underlying each technique and reports the work done till date

Evaluation of Micronuclei in the Exfoliated Buccal Mucosal Cells in Transgender Population

INTRODUCTION: Tobacco and alcohol were chemical carcinogen, which has genotoxic effects on buccal mucosal cells. Previous studies have demonstrated the micronuclei formation in peripheral blood lymphocytes and exfoliated buccal cells in smoking tobacco, smokeless tobacco and alcohol habituated individuals of normal population (male / female). Transgender are neglected special vulnerable group of people, who consume more amounts of tobacco products and alcohol. The medical literature has emphasized on two genders (male and female), the existence of a third gender (Transgender) is almost negligible in the literature. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of the present study is to evaluate the micronuclei in the exfoliated buccal mucosal cells in transgender population in and around Salem district of Tamilnadu. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 120 transgender subjects were enrolled in this study 30 were in the control group and 90 were in the study group (Group A) population. The study group (Group A) was further divided into three sub groups- group A1, group A2, group A3. Group A1 included subjects (30 nos.) exposed to only chewing tobacco, group A2 subjects (30 nos.) habituated to alcohol only and group A3 (30 nos.) subjects who had both the habits. Buccal mucosal exfoliated cells obtained from healthy mucosa of transgender population were evaluated for micronucleus by staining with Papanicolaou and Giemsa stain. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The results are analyzed statistically using Krukal-wallis test, t-Test and Mann - Whitney test and a P value of less than 0.001 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: The mean micronuclei frequency noted in study groups was significantly higher than the control group .More number of micronuclei was observed in those habituated to both the habits than with chewing tobacco habit alone. The least number of micronuclei was observed in those who are habituated to alcohol. The results between the groups were statistically significant. Evaluation of micronuclei in PAP stained smears showed higher number of micronuclei than Giemsa stained smears CONCLUSION: The results of the present study showed the mean micronuclei frequency observation is similar to previous studies conducted in normal population. There appears to be no scientific publication of micronuclei assessment in transgender population who are habituated to chewing tobacco, alcoholics and both the habits. Hence further studies are required to assess the micronuclei induction in transgender population who are habituated to different forms of tobacco products and alcohol consumption

Artemisinin-based combination with curcumin adds a new dimension to malaria therapy

Malaria afflicts 300 million people worldwide, with over a million deaths every year. With no immediate prospect of a vaccine against the disease, drugs are the only choice to treat it. Unfortunately, the parasite has become resistant to most antimalarials, restricting the option to use artemisinins (ARTs) for effective cure. With the use of ARTs as the front-line antimalarials, reports are already available on the possible resistance development to these drugs as well. Therefore, it has become necessary to use ART-based combination therapies to delay emergence of resistance. It is also necessary to discover new pharmacophores to eventually replace ART. Studies in our laboratory have shown that curcumin not only synergizes with ART as an antimalarial to kill the parasite, but is also uniquely able to prime the immune system to protect against parasite recrudescence in the animal model. The results indicate a potential for the use of ART- curcumin combination against recrudescence/relapse in falciparum and vivax malaria. In addition, studies have also suggested the use of curcumin as an adjunct therapy against cerebral malaria. In this review we have attempted to highlight these aspects as well as the studies directed to discover new pharmacophores as potential replacements for ART

Drugs and drug targets against malaria

The development of resistance by the parasite against first line and second line antimalarial drugs, has underscored the importance to develop new drug targets and pharmacophores to treat the disease. The absence of a vaccine for protection and the availability of artemisinin and its derivatives as the only option has made the situation rather serious. With the availability of increased support for malaria research, a variety of drug targets and candidate molecules are now available for further development. However, the success rate of a candidate molecule to become a drug is very low and it does become necessary to start with a large basket, identified on a rational basis. This review focuses on the present efforts to identify a variety of drug targets in the malaria parasite and to develop candidate drug molecules