Evidence of Conformational Changes in Adsorbed Lysozyme Molecule on Silver Colloids

In this article, we discuss metal-protein interactions in the Ag-lysozyme complex by spectroscopic measurements. The analysis of the variation in relative intensities of SERS bands reveal the orientation and the change in conformation of the protein molecules on the Ag surface with time. The interaction kinetics of metal-protein complexes has been analyzed over a period of three hours via both Raman and absorption measurements. Our analysis indicates that the Ag nanoparticles most likely interact with Trp-123 which is in close proximity to Phe-34 of the lysozyme molecule.Comment: 15 pages, 6 figure

Manufacturing extremism: political consequences of profit-seeking media

We analyze the consequences of a monopolistic, non-partisan, profit-maximizing media on policy divergence. The media undertakes costly coverage that may reveal the quality of an office-seeking political challenger only if quality-conscious voters pay an access fee. Voters are ideologically homogenous and the incumbent politican is a populist with known quality. We show that while media absence implies a populist challenger, media presence yields platform extremism: it creates demand for information about quality and provides incentives to the media to invest in coverage that are exploited by high-quality challengers to signal strength. JEL Classifiers: C72, D72, D8

The Effects of Initial Dividend Announcements on Security Returns- Further Evidence

Daniel Walz is an Assistant Professor of Business Administration at Trinity University. Kalyan K. Roy is an Assistant Professor of Business Administration at the University of Calcutta

Facet-Dependent Photodegradation of Methylene Blue Using Pristine CeO2 Nanostructures

This work comprises the shape-and facet-dependent catalytic efficacies of different morphologies of CeO2, namely, hexagonal, rectangular, and square. The formation of different shapes of CeO2 is controlled using polyvinyl pyrrolidone as a surfactant. The surface reactivity of formation of differently exposed CeO2 facets is thoroughly investigated using UV-visible, photoluminescence, Raman, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies. A correlation between the growth of a surface-reactive facet and the corresponding oxygen vacancies is also established. Considering the tremendous contamination, caused by the textile effluents, the present study articulates the facet-dependent photocatalytic activities of pristine CeO2 for complete degradation of methylene blue within 175 min. The observed degradation time deploying pristine CeO2 as a catalyst is the shortest to be reported in the literature to our best knowledge

∗\ast-conformal Einstein solitons on N(k)-contact metric manifolds

The main goal of this paper is devoted to N(k)-contact metric manifolds admitting $\ast$-conformal Einstein soliton and also $\ast$-conformal gradient Einstein soliton. In this settings the nature of the manifold, and the potential vector field, potential function of solitons are characterized, and conditions for the $\ast$-conformal Einstein soliton to be expanding, steady, or shrinking are also given. Furthermore, the nature of the potential vector field is evolved when the metric g of N(k)-contact metric manifold satisfies $\ast$-conformal gradient Einstein soliton. Finally, an illustrative example of a N(k)-contact metric manifold is discussed to verify our findings

Correlation between clinical, radiological and arthroscopic findings in cases of osteoarthritis of knee joint

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common degenerative joint disorder and a major public health problem throughout the world. The knees are the most commonly affected joints. In view of multiple conflicting reports in the literature the present study was undertaken to study the correlation amongst radiological, arthroscopic and pain findings in knee OA patients to facilitate early and precise diagnosis leading to appropriate and timely treatment. Methods: Total 53 (39 female and 14 male) cases of primary OA were screened and selected for our study. Apley’s pain score equated to Visual Analogue Score and Western Ontario and MacMaster Universities Osteoarthritis score (WOMAC) sub scales were used for assessment of pain, stiffness and physical function respectively. Radiographic evaluation were done according to Kellgren-Lawrence Grading scale (X-ray) and modification of Outerbridge classification system (MRI). Outerbridge classification system was used to assess arthroscopic findings. Results: Clinical symptom of pain had statistically significant correlation with stiffness, physical disability, radiological severity and arthroscopic findings. Stiffness and physical disability scores individually doesn’t have any statistically significant correlation with MRI and arthroscopic severity. Radiological findings were found to corroborate with the arthroscopic findings significantly. Conclusions: Radiological and clinical findings in combination should be considered in concluding the final diagnosis and treatment of OA knee. Improvised criteria for precise diagnosis yet to be evolved

Effect of integrated nutrient management on sequential productivity, economics and nutrient uptake of rice (Oryza sativa) - potato (Solanum tuberosum) cropping sequence

A field experiment was conducted at Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh during 2010-12 to evaluate the effect of nine different combinations of integrated plant nutrient supply including 3 different type of composts prepared from carpet waste generated in huge amount from carpet industry, farmyard manure and compared with the recommended dose of NPK (120:60:60 kg/ha) through inorganic fertilizer on productivity, economics, energetic, nutrient uptake and soil health of rice (Oryza sativa L.) - potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cropping sequence. Bioinoculants such as cellulose decomposers (Trichoderma viride, Pleurotus sajor), P-solubilizing microbes (Bacillus polymyxa) and free living N-fixers (Azotobacter spp), essential nutrients, i.e. S and Zn were used as compost culture to hasten the composting process and improve the quality of the composts. The results indicated that net energy return (260 033.2 Rupees/ha), rice grain equivalent yield and nutrient uptake was significantly (P < 0.05) higher under recommended dose of NPK compared to the rest of the treatments but statistically similar with 75% RN through inorganic fertilizer and 25% N through carpet waste + cow dung slurry + Pleurotus sajor + Azotobacter + PSB + Trichoderma + enriched with S and Zn (251 886 Rupees/ha). The soil fertility status was found to be significantly improved due to application of various composts compared to sole application of 100% NPK inorganic fertilizer. Thus, substitution of chemical Nfertilizer to the tune of 25% nitrogen through carpet waste + cow dung slurry + Pleurotus sajor + Azotobacter + PSB + Trichoderma + Enrichment with S and Zn increased productivity and profitability in rice-potato cropping sequence with better soil health on long term basis