Novel Organotin(IV)-Schiff Base Complexes: Synthesis, Characterization, Antimicrobial Activity, and DNA Interaction Studies

Four organotin(IV) complexes with 2-(2-hydroxybenzylideneamino)isoindoline-1,3-dione (L1), and 4-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylideneamino-N-(pyrimidin-2-yl)benzenesulfonamide (L2) were synthesized and well characterized by analytical and spectral studies. The synthesized compounds were tested for antimicrobial activity by disc diffusion method. The DNA binding of the complexes 1 and 3 with CT-DNA has been performed with absorption spectroscopy, which showed that both the complexes are avid binders of CT-DNA. Also the nuclease activity of complexes 1 and 3 with plasmid DNA (pUC19) was studied using agarose gel electrophoresis. The complex 1 can act as effective DNA cleaving agent when compared to complex 3 resulting in the nicked form of DNA under physiological conditions. The gel was run both in the absence and presence of the oxidizing agent

The FastMap Algorithm for Shortest Path Computations

We present a new preprocessing algorithm for embedding the nodes of a given edge-weighted undirected graph into a Euclidean space. The Euclidean distance between any two nodes in this space approximates the length of the shortest path between them in the given graph. Later, at runtime, a shortest path between any two nodes can be computed with A* search using the Euclidean distances as heuristic. Our preprocessing algorithm, called FastMap, is inspired by the data mining algorithm of the same name and runs in near-linear time. Hence, FastMap is orders of magnitude faster than competing approaches that produce a Euclidean embedding using Semidefinite Programming. FastMap also produces admissible and consistent heuristics and therefore guarantees the generation of shortest paths. Moreover, FastMap applies to general undirected graphs for which many traditional heuristics, such as the Manhattan Distance heuristic, are not well defined. Empirically, we demonstrate that A* search using the FastMap heuristic is competitive with A* search using other state-of-the-art heuristics, such as the Differential heuristic

OPTIMIZATION OF CULTURE CONDITIONS OF STREPTOMYCES CARPATICUS (MTCC-11062) FOR THE PRODUCTION OF ANTIMICROBIAL COMPOUND

Objective: To improve the antimicrobial compound productivity of Streptomyces carpaticus (MTCC-11062) by optimizing its physical and chemical parameters Methods: Streptomyces carpaticus (MTCC-11062) was isolated from Visakhapatnam sea coast of Bay of Bengal and was screened for its antimicrobial activity by using agar well diffusion method. To improve the production of antimicrobial compound the medium composition and physical parameters were optimized and its productivity was studied against Bacillus cereus (MTCC 430) Escherichia coli (MTCC 443), Candida albicans (MTCC 227) obtained from MTCC, Chandigarh, India. Results: Optimum growth of mycelium and antimicrobial compound production occurred at pH 7.2, agitation 180 rpm and temperature 300C with glucose 10g/L, soyabean meal 2.5g/L, K2HPO4 2g/L, MgSO4 1g/L, NaCl 7.5g/L and trace salts. Conclusion: The optimization of cultural conditions proposed in this paper has effetely improved the antimicrobial compound productivity of Streptomyces carpaticus (MTCC-11062)

Study of length of umbilical cord and fetal outcome: a study of 1000 deliveries

Background: Human embryo develops inside the body of the mother. One of the important part of the fetoplacental unit is the umbilical cord. The umbilical cord is the lifeline of the fetus. Objective of present study was to investigate the correlation of umbilical cord length with fetal parameters like APGAR score, sex, weight, and length, and its effect on labor.Methods: This prospective study conducted in the Department of OBG of VIMS, Bellary, from 1st February 2016 to 31st January 2017. The 1000 pregnant women of >37 weeks were studied following delivery for length of umbilical cord, any loop around neck, trunk, shoulder and number of loops of cord; knots of cord etc. Fetal parameters recorded were sex, weight, and length of the newborn and APGAR score at 1 and 5 min.Results: Cord length varied from 22 to 126 cm. The mean cord length was 66 cm (±10 cm). Maximum cases have cord length of 61and 70 cm. Lower 5th percentile and upper 5th percentile considered as short and long cord. Short-cord group was associated with significantly higher (p<0.05) incidence of LSCS cases. The incidence of all types of cord complications increases as the cord length increases (p<0.001). Nuchal cords had higher mean cord length and as the number of loops in a nuchal cord increases to two or more loops, the operative interference and fetal heart abnormalities increases. Fetal heart rate abnormalities and birth asphyxia increase with extremes of cord length (p<0.001).Conclusions: Short and long cords are associated with increased incidence of cord complications, operative interference, intrapartum complications, increased fetal heart rate abnormalities, and birth asphyxia. But cord length did not vary according to the weight, length, and sex of the baby

Effect of Temperature on Free Vibration of Functionally Graded Plate With Cutout

Present article performs the parametric study on vibration characteristics of functionally graded (FG) plate with central hole in thermal environment. ANSYS Parametric Design language is used in developing Finite element model and discretization of the material is done using an eight-node serendipity shell element. Displacement field of the present model is developed using first-order shear deformation theory (FOSDT) with six degrees of freedom. Frequency responses are extracted using Block Lanczos eigenvalue extraction method. To show the accurateness of the  model developed convergence study is done for various mesh sizes to obtain the suitable mesh density. Present results which are computed are compared and validated with the previously reported results. Finally, the effect of temperature on various parameters like cut-out size to thickness ratio, cut-out size to side ratio, power law index, side to thickness ratio, boundary conditions are shown through various numerical illustrations

Information needs assessment in digital environment

The information needs represent gaps in the current knowledge of the user. The professional can assess the information needs of clientele at two levels: first, by analyzing the characteristics of the community served; and second, by analyzing the needs of specific individuals when and where they seek information. Assessment of information need typically occurs through a communication process called interview of information user. The process of assessment of information need through interview can be divided in eight stages. These are determining the purpose, researching the topic, selecting interviewees, structuring the interview, conducting the interview, preparing the report, presenting the report and feedback & further refinement. These have been changed in digital era due to introduction of Internet, e-mail, online groups and blogs. Identifying information needs is a complex process as some of the respondents may think that it is a wastage of time as it is a somewhat time taking process and may attempt to test whether the information provider will provide the information or not. This paper takes up the change brought up due to introduction of digital means in all the eight steps mentioned in assessment of information need through interview

Impact of sintering temperature on room temperature magneto-resistive and magneto-caloric properties of Pr2/3Sr1/3MnO3

Magneto-resistive and magneto-caloric properties of polycrystalline Pr2/3Sr1/3MnO3 have been studied as a function of sintering temperature (Ts) between 1260-1450{\deg}C. Reitveld refinement of their X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns confirms their single phase crystalline structure with orthorhombic Pbnm space group. The point of maximum value of temperature coefficient of resistance (TCRmax) and Curie temperature (Tc) decreased slightly with Ts. Magneto-resistance (MR) and magnetic entropy ({\Delta}SM) increased markedly with sintering temperature. This could be attributed to the observed sharpness of both the magnetic and resistive transitions due to better grain connectivity. Optimum results are obtained for the sample with Ts = 1400{\deg}C. MR at Tc of the same is found to be as large as 32% at 1T and 58% at 5T magnetic fields. The maximum entropy change ({\Delta}SMmax) near its Tc is 2.3Jkg-1K-1 and 7.8 Jkg-1K-1 upon 1T and 5T fields change respectively. These characteristics [MR (32% 1T, 58% 5T) and reasonable change in magnetic entropy (7.8Jkg-1K-1, 5T)] generate possibility that the optimized compound can be used as a potential magnetic refrigerant close to room temperature.Comment: 19 pages text + fig