The observational evidence pertinent to possible kick mechanisms in neutron stars

We examine available observations on pulsars for evidence pertaining to mechanisms proposed to explain the origin of their velocities. We find that mechanisms predicting a correlation between the rotation axis and the pulsar velocity are ruled out. Also, that there is no significant correlation between pulsar magnetic field strengths and velocities. With respect to recent suggestions postulating asymmetric impulses at birth being solely responsible for both the spins and velocities of pulsars, single impulses of any duration and multiple extended duration impulses appear ruled out.Comment: 7 pages. Accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysic

Case report: targeted whole exome sequencing enables the first prenatal diagnosis of the lethal skeletal dysplasia Osteocraniostenosis.

BACKGROUND: Osteocraniostenosis (OCS) is a rare genetic disorder characterised by premature closure of cranial sutures, gracile bones and perinatal lethality. Previously, diagnosis has only been possible postnatally on clinical and radiological features. This study describes the first prenatal diagnosis of OCS. CASE PRESENTATION: In this case prenatal ultrasound images were suggestive of a serious but non-lethal skeletal dysplasia. Due to the uncertain prognosis the parents were offered Whole Exome Sequencing (WES), which identified a specific gene mutation in the FAMIIIa gene. This mutation had previously been detected in two cases and was lethal in both perinatally. This established the diagnosis, a clear prognosis and allowed informed parental choice regarding ongoing pregnancy management. CONCLUSIONS: This case report supports the use of targeted WES prenatally to confirm the underlying cause and prognosis of sonographically suspected abnormalities

Orienting Graphs to Optimize Reachability

The paper focuses on two problems: (i) how to orient the edges of an undirected graph in order to maximize the number of ordered vertex pairs (x,y) such that there is a directed path from x to y, and (ii) how to orient the edges so as to minimize the number of such pairs. The paper describes a quadratic-time algorithm for the first problem, and a proof that the second problem is NP-hard to approximate within some constant 1+epsilon > 1. The latter proof also shows that the second problem is equivalent to ``comparability graph completion''; neither problem was previously known to be NP-hard

Role of the cluster structure of 7^7Li in the dynamics of fragment capture

Exclusive measurements of prompt $\gamma$-rays from the heavy-residues with various light charged particles in the $^7$Li + $^{198}$Pt system, at an energy near the Coulomb barrier (E/$V_b$ $\sim$ 1.6) are reported. Recent dynamic classical trajectory calculations, constrained by the measured fusion, $\alpha$ and $t$ capture cross-sections have been used to explain the excitation energy dependence of the residue cross-sections. These calculations distinctly illustrate a two step process, breakup followed by fusion in case of the capture of $t$ and $\alpha$ clusters; whereas for $^{6}$He + $p$ and $^{5}$He + $d$ configurations, massive transfer is inferred to be the dominant mechanism. The present work clearly demonstrates the role played by the cluster structures of $^7$Li in understanding the reaction dynamics at energies around the Coulomb barrier.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures, Accepted for publication in Phys. Letts.

Influence of Oreocnide integrifolia (Gaud.) Miq on IRS-1, Akt and Glut-4 in Fat-Fed C57BL/6J Type 2 Diabetes Mouse Model

Oreocnide integrifolia (OI) leaves are used as folklore medicine by the people of northeast India to alleviate diabetic symptoms. Preliminary studies revealed hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic potentials of the aqueous leaf extract. The present study was carried out to evaluate whether the OI extract induces insulin secretion in vivo and in vitro and also whether it is mediated through the insulin-signaling pathway. The experimental set-up consisted of three groups of C57BL/6J mice strain: (i) control animals fed with standard laboratory diet, (ii) diabetic animals fed with a high-fat diet for 24 weeks and (iii) extract-supplemented animals fed with 3% OI extract along with high-fat diet for 24 weeks. OI-extract supplementation lowered adiposity and plasma glucose and insulin levels. Immunoblot analysis of IRS-1, Akt and Glut-4 protein expressions in muscles of extract-supplemented animals revealed that glucoregulation was mediated through the insulin-signaling pathway. Moreover, immunostaining of pancreas revealed increased insulin immunopositive cells in OI-extract-treated animals. In addition, the insulin secretogogue ability of the OI extract was demonstrated when challenged with high glucose concentration using isolated pancreatic islets in vitro. Overall, the present study demonstrates the possible mechanism of glucoregulation of OI extract suggestive of its therapeutic potential for the management of diabetes mellitus

Studies on maturity onset diabetes of the young (MODY) from S. India

We examined the following aspects of Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young (MODY): prevalence, vascular complications, insulin secretion in offspring of MODY subjects, insulin resistance and whether MODY can be considered a distinct disease. We report a higher prevalence of MODY among Asian Indian patients. The prevalence rates of microvascular complications in MODY were found to be the same as in classical NIDDM patients. Glucose stimulated insulin and C-peptide responses were compared with non-diabetic controls. In MODY subjects, C-peptide responses were lower, whereas insulin responses were varied. Insulin secretion in offspring of MODY subjects was similarly evaluated, and abnormalities discovered even in these prediabetic subjects. Using the euglycaemic clamp technique, MODY patients were found to be more insulin resistant than classical NIDDM patients. Further lines of evidence are needed to resolve whether MODY can be considered a distinct disease

Green Bank Telescope Observations of the Eclipse of Pulsar "A" in the Double Pulsar Binary PSR J0737-3039

We report on the first Green Bank Telescope observations at 427, 820 and 1400 MHz of the newly discovered, highly inclined and relativistic double pulsar binary. We focus on the brief eclipse of PSR J0737-3039A, the faster pulsar, when it passes behind PSR J0737-3039B. We measure a frequency-averaged eclipse duration of 26.6 +/- 0.6 s, or 0.00301 +/- 0.00008 in orbital phase. The eclipse duration is found to be significantly dependent on radio frequency, with eclipses longer at lower frequencies. Specifically, eclipse duration is well fit by a linear function having slope (-4.52 +/- 0.03) x 10^{-7} orbits/MHz. We also detect significant asymmetry in the eclipse. Eclipse ingress takes 3.51 +/- 0.99 times longer than egress, independent of radio frequency. Additionally, the eclipse lasts (40 +/- 7) x 10^{-5} in orbital phase longer after conjunction, also independent of frequency. We detect significant emission from the pulsar on short time scales during eclipse in some orbits. We discuss these results in the context of a model in which the eclipsing material is a shock-heated plasma layer within the slower PSR J0737-3039B's light cylinder, where the relativistic pressure of the faster pulsar's wind confines the magnetosphere of the slower pulsar.Comment: 12 pages, 3 figure

A RAPID ISOCRATIC HIGH PERFORMANCE LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY (HPLC-UV) METHOD FOR THE QUANTIFICATION OF RITONAVIR IN HUMAN PLASMA

Objective: An accurate, simple, and rapid HPLC-UV based method for the quantitative determination of ritonavir (RTV) in human plasma is developed.Methods: The method involved deproteinization of the sample with 0.125N NaOH and methyl tertiary butyl ether and evaporated to dryness. The residue was reconstituted with mobile phase (20 mM Sodium Acetate and Acetonitrile–55:45 v/v). The analysis was done using C8 column (250 x 4.6 mm ID) and detection at a wavelength of 212 nmResults: The method range was linear over the range 0.5–10.0 µg/ml as derived using calibration curve method. Mean intra-and inter-day variations over the ranges of the standard curves were less than 10 % and mean extraction recoveries from human plasma ranged from 96 to 110 %.Conclusion: A rapid and accurate method for quantitation of RTV in plasma was validated. The assay spans the concentration range of clinical interest. The easy sample preparation and small sample size makes this assay highly suitable for pharmacokinetic studies of RTV in HIV-infected patients with TB.Keywords: Ritonavir, Pharmacokinetics, HPLC, Plasma extraction, HI