Amino acid classes and the protein folding problem

We present and implement a distance-based clustering of amino acids within the framework of a statistically derived interaction matrix and show that the resulting groups faithfully reproduce, for well-designed sequences, thermodynamic stability in and kinetic accessibility to the native state. A simple interpretation of the groups is obtained by eigenanalysis of the interaction matrix.Comment: REVTeX, 11 pages, 4 figures, To appear in J. Chem. Phy

A RARE CASE OF SPACE OCCUPYING LESION OF BRAINSTEM IN AN ELDERLY MALE PATIENT

An elderly male patient aged 65 presented to us with history of swaying towards left side of the body since 1 month with normal higher mental functions and neurological examination suggestive of cerebellar ataxia. MRI Brain plus contrast was suggestive of an irregular, ill-defined heterogeneous enhancing lesion with few necrotic areas within and few foci of blooming on FFE (Fast Field Echo imaging technique) with significant perilesional oedema involving right thalamus and brainstem showing Choline peak on MR Spectroscopy. Keywords: Neurological examination; Cerebellar ataxia; MRI brain; FFE

A RARE CASE OF SPACE OCCUPYING LESION OF BRAINSTEM IN AN ELDERLY MALE PATIENT

An elderly male patient aged 65 presented to us with history of swaying towards left side of the body since 1 month with normal higher mental functions and neurological examination suggestive of cerebellar ataxia. MRI Brain plus contrast was suggestive of an irregular, ill-defined heterogeneous enhancing lesion with few necrotic areas within and few foci of blooming on FFE (Fast Field Echo imaging technique) with significant perilesional oedema involving right thalamus and brainstem showing Choline peak on MR Spectroscopy. Keywords: Neurological examination; Cerebellar ataxia; MRI brain; FFE

Energy storage and management in supercapacitors for application in piezoelectric energy harvesting systems

Electrical double layer capacitors (supercapacitors) were fabricated using activated carbon as the active material and polyvinylidine fluoride (PVDF) as a binder with a suitable conductive additive (MWCNTs) together in an optimized ratio. The supercapacitor cells were assembled using an aqueous solution of 0.5M Na2SO4 as the electrolyte. These cells had an average capacitance of 1.7F each as measured by the constant current charging method. The two electrode symmetric cell had a specific capacitance of 23.05 F/g. The fabrication methodology has been discussed as well as the potential applications of the supercapacitor in piezoelectric element based energy harvesting systems have been elucidate

Narasimham Committee Report - Some Further Ramifications and Suggestions

This paper while agreeing with the general thrust of the Narasimham Committee Report. Calls attention to some logical corollaries of the Report and analyses some possible fallout from implementing the Report. We agree with the view that control of banking system should be under an autonomous body supervised by the RBI. However at the level of individual banks, closer scrutiny of lending procedures may be called for than is envisaged in the Report. In a freely functioning capital market the potential of government bonds is enormous, but this necessitates restructuring of the government bond market. The government bonds may then also be used as suitable hedging mechanisms by introducing options and futures trading. We recommend freeing up the operation of pension and provident fund to enable at least partial investment of such funds in risky securities. In the corporate sector, we believe that the current 2:1 debt equity norm is too high and not sustainable in the long term. We envisage that high debt levels and higher interest rates, combined with higher business risk may result in greater incidence of corporate sickness. This may call for various schemes for retrenched workers and amendment to land laws for easy exit of companies. On account of interdependencies across different policies, any sequencing of their implementation may be highly problematic. We therefore suggest a near simultaneity in the implementation of various reforms in order to build up a momentum which would be irreversible if people are to have confidence that the reforms will endure, and if we are to retain our credibility with international financial institutions.

A rare presentation of common tropical fever, scrub typhus-purpura fulminans, lower limb arterial thrombosis and pulmonary artery thrombosis

Purpura fulminans (PF) is an acute emergency condition manifested as purpuric rash secondary to thrombosis of microvasculature. It is rapidly progressive, can cause thrombosis in large as well as small vessels and tissue infarction. Although it is commonly associated with Meningococcal and Streptococcal infections, here we report this case of PF associated with scrub typhus infection. Our patient presented with generalised body rash and progressed to multiorgan dysfunction. On evaluation, common causes of PF were ruled out and eventually patient came out to be IgM scrub typhus serology kit test positive. Lower limb angiography and pulmonary artery angiography revealed vascular thrombosis. The patient started on IV antibiotics, other supportive managements, anticoagulation. Later the patient improved clinically, skin rash resolved with excoriations but developed gangrenous changes in both lower limbs. Hence the uncommon presentation of scrub typhus infection as purpura fulminans needs early identification and effective treatment to achieve mortality and morbidity benefit

A retrospective study to analyse the rate of caesarean section according to Robson's 10 group classification in a peripheral hospital in a metropolitan city

Background: In the past several decades, a pattern of rapid increases in Caesarean section (CS) delivery rates has been observed worldwide, as also in India. It is important to identify the reason behind the rising rates of CS since they can pose unnecessary risks to the mother and the neonate. The aim of the study was to analyse the CS rate in the ten groups as per Robson’s ten group classification, in a peripheral hospital in a metropolitan city. By this study we have tried to identify specific groups of women to be targeted to reduce CS rates.Methods: This is a retrospective study carried out at a peripheral hospital in Mumbai, India. It included all women who had delivered in the hospital from January, 2019 to December, 2019. The sample size was 2603.Results: Under this study, we found out that the rate of CS delivery is higher than what is recommended by WHO in Robson’s group 2, 5 and 6.Conclusions: This study will help us carry out targeted interventions so as to reduce the CS rates in these groups

Real Space Renormalization Group for Langevin Dynamics in Absence of Translational Invariance

A novel exact dynamical real space renormalization group for a Langevin equation derivable from a Euclidean Gaussian action is presented. It is demonstrated rigorously that an algebraic temporal law holds for the Green function on arbitrary structures of infinite extent. In the case of fractals it is shown on specific examples that two different fixed points are found at variance with periodic structures. Connection with growth dynamics of interfaces is also discussed.Comment: 22 pages, RevTex 3.0, 5 figures available upon request from [email protected], to be published in J.Stat.Phy

Continuum Model for River Networks

The effects of erosion, avalanching and random precipitation are captured in a simple stochastic partial differential equation for modelling the evolution of river networks. Our model leads to a self-organized structured landscape and to abstraction and piracy of the smaller tributaries as the evolution proceeds. An algebraic distribution of the average basin areas and a power law relationship between the drainage basin area and the river length are found.Comment: 9 pages, Revtex 3.0, 7 figures in compressed format using uufiles command, to appear in Phys. Rev. Lett., for an hard copy or problems e-mail to [email protected]