Setting Initial Conditions for Inflation with Reaction-Diffusion Equation

We discuss the issue of setting appropriate initial conditions for inflation. Specifically, we consider natural inflation model and discuss the fine tuning required for setting almost homogeneous initial conditions over a region of order several times the Hubble size which is orders of magnitude larger than any relevant correlation length for field fluctuations. We then propose to use the special propagating front solutions of reaction-diffusion equations for localized field domains of smaller sizes. Due to very small velocities of these propagating fronts we find that the inflaton field in such a ${\it field domain}$ changes very slowly, contrary to naive expectation of rapid roll down to the true vacuum. Continued expansion leads to the energy density in the Hubble region being dominated by the vacuum energy, thereby beginning the inflationary phase. Our results show that inflation can occur even with a single localized field domain of size smaller than the Hubble size. We discuss possible extensions of our results for different inflationary models, as well as various limitations of our analysis (e.g. neglecting self gravity of the localized field domain).Comment: 17 pages, 12 figures, some important modifications in the paper, published in General relativity and Gravitation, Volume 50, Issue 3, March 2018, Article:2

Global analysis of SUMO chain function reveals multiple roles in chromatin regulation.

Like ubiquitin, the small ubiquitin-related modifier (SUMO) proteins can form oligomeric chains, but the biological functions of these superstructures are not well understood. Here, we created mutant yeast strains unable to synthesize SUMO chains (smt3(allR)) and subjected them to high-content microscopic screening, synthetic genetic array (SGA) analysis, and high-density transcript profiling to perform the first global analysis of SUMO chain function. This comprehensive assessment identified 144 proteins with altered localization or intensity in smt3(allR) cells, 149 synthetic genetic interactions, and 225 mRNA transcripts (primarily consisting of stress- and nutrient-response genes) that displayed a \u3e1.5-fold increase in expression levels. This information-rich resource strongly implicates SUMO chains in the regulation of chromatin. Indeed, using several different approaches, we demonstrate that SUMO chains are required for the maintenance of normal higher-order chromatin structure and transcriptional repression of environmental stress response genes in budding yeast

Phi-Meson Production at RHIC, Strong Color Fields and Intrinsic Transverse Momenta

We investigate the effects of strong color fields and of the associated enhanced intrinsic transverse momenta on the phi-meson production in ultrarelativistic heavy ion collisions at RHIC. The observed consequences include a change of the spectral slopes, varying particle ratios, and also modified mean transverse momenta. In particular, the composition of the production processes of phi mesons, that is, direct production vs. coalescence-like production, depends strongly on the strength of the color fields and intrinsic transverse momenta and thus represents a sensitive probe for their measurement.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure

Occurrence of Parasitoid, Leiophron Sp. (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), on Adults of Helopeltis antonii Signoret in Cashew

Helopeltis antonii is a major pest of cashew, cocoa, neem, guava and pepper in the old world tropics. Survey for parasites identified a parasitoid, Leiophron sp. (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), on adults of H. antonii. The parasitism was low (1.3%), of which 59.4% was observed during the month of June. Size of the parasitoid larvae was 3.66 ± 0.11mm in length, and 1.31±0.03mm in breadth. Pre-pupation period was 1.75±0.22 days. Copulation was observed between parasitized H. antonii males and females indicating, that, mating was not affected by parasitism. Parasitoid activity showed significant positive correlation (r = 0.62; P = 0.05) with rainfall. Parasitism provided by this parasitoid certainly warrants further investigation on biological control of this economically important pest

Negative modulation of alkaline phosphatase and creatine kinase by homobrassinolide

Homobrassinolide is a plant hormone implicated in plant growth and development. Its effect on animal metabolism was less known to date. We have investigated its effect on the marker enzymes such as alkaline phosphatase and creatine kinase in selected rat tissues-brain, heart, liver, kidney, skeletal muscle and testis. Homobrassinolide was administered (66 and 330ng/ Kg body weight) intradermally in male albino wistar strain rats and changes in alkaline phosphatase and creatine kinase activities were measured. An overall reduction in both the enzyme activities occurred within 2hr of administration with few exceptions. The reaction rate constants for the enzyme activities were in the order 10-7 mM/min for alkaline phosphatase and 10-3 mM/min for creatine kinase. Time course studies indicated a decrease in enzyme activities as a function of time. Elevated hemoglobin content correlated with rise in erythrocyte number. Blood glucose level decreased by a percentage of 15.7 and 21.7 compared to control with the administration of 10μg and 50μg homobrassinolide respectively. Serum cholesterol content showed 15% decrease and 25% increase compared to control following 10μg and 50μg homobrassinolide administration. We conclude that homobrassinolide inhibited both the enzymes in the tissues and produced erythrocytosis, leukocytosis and hypoglycemia, while cellular phosphorylation status remained principally affected by this oxysterol in rat. Even though the physiological and pathological significance of these observations is not clear, it is suggested that 28-HB enriched diets may not be appropriate for higher energy related work activities.Keywords: Alkaline phosphatase; Creatine kinase; Homobrassinolide; Oxysterol; Phosphorylation; Rate constant

Evaluation of the interventricular systolic relationship in patients with right ventricular apical pacing with ventricular inhibited pacing mode by echocardiography using mitral and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursions.

The right (RV) and left (LV) ventricles differ markedly in shape and myocardial contractile element density. Despite these differences, the synchronous electrical excitation and mechanical contraction of both the ventricles and the ventricular interdependence maintains the biventricular function in balance 13. This is known as ventricular synchrony. Certain disease states like ischemic heart disease (IHD), acute pulmonary embolism, conduction disorders like left bundle branch block (LBBB), preexcitation, and ventricular pacing alters this balance resulting in ventricular dyssynchrony. RV apical permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI) with ventricular inhibited pacing (VVI) mode is known to produce ventricular dyssynchrony by abnormal electrical and mechanical activation of the ventricles. Long-term RV apical pacing is also associated with detrimental effects on cardiac structure and left ventricular (LV) function15. Echocardiographic evaluation of LV and RV systolic function by measuring mitral annular plane systolic excursion (MAPSE) 8 and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE)9 and their ratio (MAPSE/TAPSE ratio)12 has been shown to correlate with ventricular synchrony in normal healthy individuals. M-mode echocardiographic evaluation of MAPSE, TAPSE, and their ratio can provide information regarding the degree of ventricular dyssynchrony in patients with VVI pacing. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To assess the systolic function of left and right ventricle by mitral and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursions in patients with VVI pacing. 2. To analyse the interventricular systolic relationship using MAPSE/TAPSE ratio in patients with VVI pacemaker implantation. CONCLUSIONS: 1. Chronic VVI pacing from RV apex is associated with varying degrees of LV and RV dysfunction. 2. The degree of prolongation of the paced QRS duration is a powerful determinant of worsening ventricular function. 3. Advanced age is associated with both a marked prolongation of the paced QRS duration and progressive ventricular dysfunction in patients with VVI pacing. 4. MAPSE and TAPSE are useful parameters for quickly assessing LV and RV functions in VVI pacing. 5. LVEF and MAPSE/TAPSE ratio have linear correlation for LV dysfunction in VVI pacing. 6. MAPSE/TAPSE ratio is a novel indicator of ventricular dysfunction and lower levels are suggestive of associated interventricular dyssynchrony. However, this ratio needs further validation by larger randomized studies

Negative modulation of alkaline phosphatase and creatine kinase by homobrassinolide

Homobrassinolide is a plant hormone implicated in plant growth and development. Its effect on animal metabolism was less known to date. We have investigated its effect on the marker enzymes such as alkaline phosphatase and creatine kinase in selected rat tissues-brain, heart, liver, kidney, skeletal muscle and testis. Homobrassinolide was administered (66 and 330ng/ Kg body weight) intradermally in male albino wistar strain rats and changes in alkaline phosphatase and creatine kinase activities were measured. An overall reduction in both the enzyme activities occurred within 2hr of administration with few exceptions. The reaction rate constants for the enzyme activities were in the order 10-7 mM/min for alkaline phosphatase and 10-3 mM/min for creatine kinase. Time course studies indicated a decrease in enzyme activities as a function of time. Elevated hemoglobin content correlated with rise in erythrocyte number. Blood glucose level decreased by a percentage of 15.7 and 21.7 compared to control with the administration of 10μg and 50μg homobrassinolide respectively. Serum cholesterol content showed 15% decrease and 25% increase compared to control following 10μg and 50μg homobrassinolide administration. We conclude that homobrassinolide inhibited both the enzymes in the tissues and produced erythrocytosis, leukocytosis and hypoglycemia, while cellular phosphorylation status remained principally affected by this oxysterol in rat. Even though the physiological and pathological significance of these observations is not clear, it is suggested that 28-HB enriched diets may not be appropriate for higher energy related work activities.Keywords: Alkaline phosphatase; Creatine kinase; Homobrassinolide; Oxysterol; Phosphorylation; Rate constant

Biochemical evaluation of low dose methyl 2-benzimidazole carbamate fungicide on male albino rats

Methyl 2-benzimidazole carbamate (carbendazim) is one of the synthetic fungicides that controlled organisms that caused plant diseases of different types. It is widely used as a preservative in leather, paint, textile, fruits and papermaking industry. It is also used as an anticancer drug in chemical medicine. In the present study low concentrations of carbendazim was administered at 5, 10, 25 and 50mM doses intradermally to male albino rats. At the end of 6 hr, 12hr and 24hr duration, blood samples were collected from the animal for the analysis of biochemical and haematological parameters. Carbendazim caused an increase of cholesterol, uric acid, glucose and creatinine while serum phosphorous content was decreased. However, mean hemoglobin, WBC, E, and platelet counts increased and total RBC, N and L counts decreased. These results indicated that low dose level carbendazim contributed to toxicological effects in the rat tissues.Keywords: Methyl 2-benzimidazole carbamate; Fungicide; Rat tissue