Hamilton-Jacobi formalism for string gas thermodynamics

We show that the thermodynamics of a system of strings at high energy densities under the ideal gas approximation has a formulation in terms of Hamilton-Jacobi theory. The two parameters of the system, which have dimensions of energy density and number density, respectively, define a family of hypersurfaces of co-dimension one, which can be described by the vanishing of a function F that plays the role of a Hamiltonian.Comment: v2: 8 pages, 2 figures, references adde

Minimum Legal Size proposed for commercially exploited marine finfish and shellfish resources of Tamil Nadu

Marine fisheries in Tamil Nadu have undergone tremendous change in terms of fishing pattern, fishing method, extension of fishing grounds, composition of fish catch and consequent increase in the total fish catch in recent years. The recent demand from industries involved in fish meal and fish oil encourages targeted fishing for by-catch resulting in heavy landing of low value by-catch in certain places along Tamil Nadu coast. These by-catch are often dominated by juveniles of many commercially important marine finfishes and shell fishes. So it warrants some caution and intervention. One of the methods to discourage the indiscriminate exploitation of juveniles is to impose a Minimum Legal Size (MLS) which is the size at which a particular species can be legally retained if caught. The advantage of a MLS is that it aids in the control of two major problems in the fisheries management, growth overfishing and recruitment overfishing either by increasing the minimum size of harvest or by increasing or maintaining the size of the spawning stock. The most common method of increasing the reproductive output through the use of size limits is to set the minimum size at which the females become sexually mature. As the individuals of a species do not attain sexual maturity at the same size, it can be a size at which higher proportions are mature

Standardization of sample collection, isolation and analysis methods in extracellular vesicle research

The emergence of publications on extracellular RNA (exRNA) and extracellular vesicles (EV) has highlighted the potential of these molecules and vehicles as biomarkers of disease and therapeutic targets. These findings have created a paradigm shift, most prominently in the field of oncology, prompting expanded interest in the field and dedication of funds for EV research. At the same time, understanding of EV subtypes, biogenesis, cargo and mechanisms of shuttling remains incomplete. The techniques that can be harnessed to address the many gaps in our current knowledge were the subject of a special workshop of the International Society for Extracellular Vesicles (ISEV) in New York City in October 2012. As part of the “ISEV Research Seminar: Analysis and Function of RNA in Extracellular Vesicles (evRNA)”, 6 round-table discussions were held to provide an evidence-based framework for isolation and analysis of EV, purification and analysis of associated RNA molecules, and molecular engineering of EV for therapeutic intervention. This article arises from the discussion of EV isolation and analysis at that meeting. The conclusions of the round table are supplemented with a review of published materials and our experience. Controversies and outstanding questions are identified that may inform future research and funding priorities. While we emphasize the need for standardization of specimen handling, appropriate normative controls, and isolation and analysis techniques to facilitate comparison of results, we also recognize that continual development and evaluation of techniques will be necessary as new knowledge is amassed. On many points, consensus has not yet been achieved and must be built through the reporting of well-controlled experiments

Post-traumatic stress disorder in children and adolescents one year after a super-cyclone in Orissa, India: exploring cross-cultural validity and vulnerability factors

BACKGROUND: It has been asserted that psychological responses to disasters in children and adolescents vary widely across cultures, but this has rarely been investigated. The objectives of the study were to clinically evaluate the construct of traumatic stress symptoms and disorder in children and adolescents after a super-cyclone in Orissa, India; to find out the prevalence at one year; compare the effect in high and low exposure areas and study the factors associated with it. METHODS: Clinical examination of children and adolescents (n = 447) was done, supplemented by a symptoms checklist based on International Classification of Mental and Behavioural Disorders, Diagnostic Criteria for Research and a semi-structured questionnaire for disaster related experiences. RESULTS: A majority of children had post-traumatic symptoms. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was present in 30.6% (95% confidence interval: 26.4 to 34.9), and an additional 13.6% had sub-syndromal PTSD. Parents or teachers reported mental health concerns in 7.2% subjects, who were a minor proportion (12.8%) of subjects with any syndromal diagnosis (n = 196). Significantly more (43.7%) children in high exposure areas had PTSD than that (11.2%) in low exposure areas (p < 0.001). Depression was significantly associated with PTSD. Binary logistic regression analysis indicated that high exposure, lower educational level and middle socioeconomic status significantly predicted the outcome of PTSD. Extreme fear and perceived threat to life during the disaster, death in family, damage to home, or staying in shelters were not significantly associated with PTSD. CONCLUSION: Following natural disaster PTSD is a valid clinical construct in children and adolescents in Indian set up; and though highly prevalent it may be missed without clinical screening. Its manifestation and associated factors resembled those in other cultures

Marine Fisheries Policy Series No.11; Management Plans for the Marine Fisheries of Tamil Nadu

Marine fisheries are dynamic and always prone to change in tune with the changing demands, challenges, advancement of technologies etc, as is evident in modification of fishing crafts and fishing gear, extension of fishing ground, emergence of new resources, collapse and disappearance of certain resources and new forms of market demands. The overall results of such changes have both positive and negative impacts on the fishery and this necessitates continuous monitoring and interventions to ensure sustainability of the fishery as well as conservation of the resources. This policy guidance gives an overall picture of the present status of marine fisheries of Tamil Nadu, various changes in the crafts, gears, trends in landing of major resources over the years, their distributional range, status of stocks, social structure of the fishing community, economics of the fishing operations, main drivers for fishing and the need for improved management of the exploited stocks for overall sustained growth of the marine capture fisheries sector of Tamil Nadu. The recommendations given in the document are based on scientific studies and analysis carried out by the scientists associated with the Tamil Nadu Fishery Management Plans project, interactions with various stakeholders during official meetings as well as personal meetings at different landing centres

Post-intervention Status in Patients With Refractory Myasthenia Gravis Treated With Eculizumab During REGAIN and Its Open-Label Extension

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether eculizumab helps patients with anti-acetylcholine receptor-positive (AChR+) refractory generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) achieve the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA) post-intervention status of minimal manifestations (MM), we assessed patients' status throughout REGAIN (Safety and Efficacy of Eculizumab in AChR+ Refractory Generalized Myasthenia Gravis) and its open-label extension. METHODS: Patients who completed the REGAIN randomized controlled trial and continued into the open-label extension were included in this tertiary endpoint analysis. Patients were assessed for the MGFA post-intervention status of improved, unchanged, worse, MM, and pharmacologic remission at defined time points during REGAIN and through week 130 of the open-label study. RESULTS: A total of 117 patients completed REGAIN and continued into the open-label study (eculizumab/eculizumab: 56; placebo/eculizumab: 61). At week 26 of REGAIN, more eculizumab-treated patients than placebo-treated patients achieved a status of improved (60.7% vs 41.7%) or MM (25.0% vs 13.3%; common OR: 2.3; 95% CI: 1.1-4.5). After 130 weeks of eculizumab treatment, 88.0% of patients achieved improved status and 57.3% of patients achieved MM status. The safety profile of eculizumab was consistent with its known profile and no new safety signals were detected. CONCLUSION: Eculizumab led to rapid and sustained achievement of MM in patients with AChR+ refractory gMG. These findings support the use of eculizumab in this previously difficult-to-treat patient population. CLINICALTRIALSGOV IDENTIFIER: REGAIN, NCT01997229; REGAIN open-label extension, NCT02301624. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE: This study provides Class II evidence that, after 26 weeks of eculizumab treatment, 25.0% of adults with AChR+ refractory gMG achieved MM, compared with 13.3% who received placebo

Micellar effects on the reduction of <i>p</i>-nitroso-N,N-dimethylaniline by sulphite ions

181-185Micellar effects on the rate of reduction of p-nitroso-N,N-dimethylaniline by sulphite ions in a buffer medium of pH 6.5 have been investigated. A nonionic surfactant, polyoxyethylene (23) dodecanol (Brij-35, 1 x 10-2 M), catalyses the reaction and increases the rate by 34 times whereas the same concentration of a cationic surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) catalyses the reduction by 11 times. Anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) has little effect on the reduction rate. Catalytic effects have been attributed to the hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions between the substrate, reductant and micelles. Micelle-substrate binding constants have been found to be 470 and 759 M-1 for CTAB and Brij-35 catalysed reactions respectively. Influence of micelles on the activation parameters of the reaction has been discussed

Ruthenium{II} & rhodiurrul) complexes of 2-hydroxypyridinest

331-332Ruthenium(II) and rhodiumil) precursors namely RuHCl(CO)(PPh3)3], [Ru(CO)2Cl2]n, [RuCl2(PPh3)3] and [RhH(PPh3)4 react with 2-hydroxypyridine (PyOH) and 6-methyl-2-hydroxypyridine (MePyOH) to afford a range of novel mononuclear complexes, namely [RuCl(CO)(PyO)(PPh3)2], [RuH(CO)(PyO)(PPh3)2], [RuCl(CO)(MePyO)(PPh3)2], [RuH(CO)(MePyO)(PPh3)2], [Ru(MePyO)2(PPh3)2], [Ru(CO)2(PyO)2], [Rh(PyO)(PPh3)2] and [Rh(MePyO)(PPh3)2]. In these complexes the oxypyridines are bound in bidentate (N,O-chelate) mode. The complexes have been characterized by analytical, IR and 1H NMR data. Evidences indicate that [RuH/Cl(CO)(PyO/MePyO)(PPh3)2] complexes exist in two geometrical isomeric forms