The size of the longest filament in the Luminous Red Galaxy distribution

Filaments are one of the most prominent features visible in the galaxy distribution. Considering the Luminous Red Galaxies (LRGs) in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Data Release Seven (SDSS DR7), we have analyzed the filamentarity in 11 nearly two dimensional (2D) sections through a volume limited subsample of this data. The galaxy distribution, we find, has excess filamentarity in comparison to a random distribution of points. We use a statistical technique "Shuffle" to determine $L_{\rm MAX}$, the largest length-scale at which we have statistically significant filaments. We find that $L_{\rm MAX}$ varies in the range $100-130 \, h^{-1} {\rm Mpc}$ across the 11 slices, with a mean value $L_{\rm MAX}=110 \pm 12 \, h^{-1}{\rm Mpc}$. Longer filaments, though possibly present in our data, are not statistically significant and are the outcome of chance alignments.Comment: 6 pages, 6 figures, Accepted for publication in MNRA

Unusual CT and MR Imaging Characteristics of Splenic Lymphoma

Lymphoma is the most common malignancy of the spleen. The imaging features of splenic lymphoma are nonspecific and mostly lymphomas present as a diffusely enlarged spleen. Focal lesions are described but remain of low density or intensity on CT or MRI, respectively. We describe a histologically proven case of splenic lymphoma that showed an atypical hyperdense/hyperenhancing appearance on imaging suspicious for a vascular pathology. To the best of our knowledge and based on review of English literature, such an appearance of splenic lymphoma is extremely unusual and rare

Acute pancreatitis and severe hyperbilirubinemia as initial presentation of Gilbert syndrome

Gilbert syndrome (GS) is benign, often familial condition characterized by recurrent but asymptomatic mild unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia in the absence of hemolysis or underlying liver disease. The coexistence of GS with other more clinically significant conditions could interfere with their diagnoses. The genetic variation described as GS may affect drug glucuronidation and could potentially precipitate. Gallstones are the commonest ailment affecting the hepato-biliary system. Associated jaundice is usually direct, commonly due to biliary obstructive lesions. Unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia with cholelithiasis is commonly seen with hemolytic disease. In the absence of hemolysis or systemic causes, congenital causes prevail, commonest of which is Gilbert’ Syndrome. Here we report a case of 21-year old male who presented to our hospital with complaint of pain abdomen and was diagnosed as gall stone induced pancreatitis which was further diagnosed as GS after genetic testing for UGT1A1 gene polymorphism

The new 130-cm optical telescope at Devasthal, Nainital

A modern Ritchey-Chretien Cassegrain 130-cm diameter optical telescope has been successfully installed at Devasthal, Nainital in the central Himalayan region. This location was chosen after carrying out extensive site surveys. The first images obtained with the telescope indicate that atmospheric seeing and sky darkness at Devasthal are nearly at values as measured during the site survey. The values of seeing and sky darkness are comparable to some of the best astronomical sites in the world. The 130-cm telescope is functional and observations can be carried out from the control centre at Devasthal or from the Manora Peak in Nainital. This telescope has started providing valuable data for a number of research projects and is expected to help meet part of the national requirement in optical observational astronomy from small-aperture ground-based telescopes

Diversity-Oriented Synthesis of Novel Benzimidazoles as Antimalarial agents via post Ugi MCR

An efficient strategy for the syntheses of highly diverse benzimidazoles in exceptional yields via post Ugi reactions has been described. In our methodology we have utilized isocyanide based Ugi-reaction followed by acid catalyzed condensation cyclization reaction under microwave irradiations. All benzimidazole derivatives showed moderate to good antimalarial activity when compared with chloroquine as reference compound. Among these compounds, three of them (8b), (8c), (8d) were found to be most potent towards antimalarial activity. The synthesized hybrids were examined for their purity with the help of thin layer chromatography. Different analytical techniques were employed for further characterization like Mass studies, NMRs (1H and 13C) and FT-IR

Transfersomes as a Surfactant-based Ultradeformable Liposome

In the modern era, there are numerous ways for drug delivery. The change in time has led to the progress of drug delivery systems gaining significant development. Even though most of the drugs are administered orally i.e., in conventional dosage form it has its limitations too like poor patient compliance, metabolism in the liver's first passage, poor absorption, and fluctuations in plasma level.Because our skin is indeed the largest organ, transdermal medication administration has received increased attention in recent years. Many lipids nanovesicles like Liposomes, Niosome, Ethosome, and Transfersomes have been developed as a carrier for transdermal drug delivery. But out of them, Transfersomes are the ones which are of great interest as they show better permeation among all as most of the other carriers cannot pass through the stratum corneum. The method of transdermal medication administration has been used to provide controlled and targeted action and can act as topical and dermal preparation. This review provides basic information about Transfersomes, their mechanism of action, applications, and comparison with other lipid nanocarriers

Diversity among clients of female sex workers in India: comparing risk profiles and intervention impact by site of solicitation. implications for the vulnerability of less visible female sex workers.

BACKGROUND: It seems generally accepted that targeted interventions in India have been successful in raising condom use between female sex workers (FSWs) and their clients. Data from clients of FSWs have been under-utilised to analyse the risk environments and vulnerability of both partners. METHODS: The 2009 Integrated Biological and Behavioural Assessment survey sampled clients of FSWs at hotspots in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu (n=5040). The risk profile of clients in terms of sexual networking and condom use are compared across usual pick-up place. We used propensity score matching (PSM) to estimate the average treatment effect on treated (ATT) of intervention messages on clients' consistent condom use with FSW. RESULTS: Clients of the more hidden sex workers who solicit from home or via phone or agents had more extensive sexual networks, reporting casual female partners as well as anal intercourse with male partners and FSW. Clients of brothel-based sex workers, who were the least educated, reported the fewest number/categories of partners, least anal sex, and lowest condom use (41%). Consistent condom use varied widely by state: 65% in Andhra Pradesh, 36% in Maharashtra and 29% in Tamil Nadu. Exposure to intervention messages on sexually transmitted infections was lowest among men frequenting brothels (58%), and highest among men soliciting less visible sex workers (70%). Exposure had significant impact on consistent condom use, including among clients of home-based sex workers (ATT 21%; p=0.001) and among men soliciting other more hidden FSW (ATT 17%; p=0.001). In Tamil Nadu no impact could be demonstrated. CONCLUSION: Commercial sex happens between two partners and both need to be, and can be, reached by intervention messages. Commercial sex is still largely unprotected and as the sex industry gets more diffuse a greater focus on reaching clients of sex workers seems important given their extensive sexual networks