Tight Approximation Algorithms for p-Mean Welfare Under Subadditive Valuations

We develop polynomial-time algorithms for the fair and efficient allocation of indivisible goods among n agents that have subadditive valuations over the goods. We first consider the Nash social welfare as our objective and design a polynomial-time algorithm that, in the value oracle model, finds an 8n-approximation to the Nash optimal allocation. Subadditive valuations include XOS (fractionally subadditive) and submodular valuations as special cases. Our result, even for the special case of submodular valuations, improves upon the previously best known O(n log n)-approximation ratio of Garg et al. (2020). More generally, we study maximization of p-mean welfare. The p-mean welfare is parameterized by an exponent term p ? (-?, 1] and encompasses a range of welfare functions, such as social welfare (p = 1), Nash social welfare (p ? 0), and egalitarian welfare (p ? -?). We give an algorithm that, for subadditive valuations and any given p ? (-?, 1], computes (in the value oracle model and in polynomial time) an allocation with p-mean welfare at least 1/(8n) times the optimal. Further, we show that our approximation guarantees are essentially tight for XOS and, hence, subadditive valuations. We adapt a result of Dobzinski et al. (2010) to show that, under XOS valuations, an O (n^{1-?}) approximation for the p-mean welfare for any p ? (-?,1] (including the Nash social welfare) requires exponentially many value queries; here, ? > 0 is any fixed constant

Analysis of human collagen sequences

The extracellular matrix is fast emerging as important component mediating cell-cell interactions, along with its established role as a scaffold for cell support. Collagen, being the principal component of extracellular matrix, has been implicated in a number of pathological conditions. However, collagens are complex protein structures belonging to a large family consisting of 28 members in humans; hence, there exists a lack of in depth information about their structural features. Annotating and appreciating the functions of these proteins is possible with the help of the numerous biocomputational tools that are currently available. This study reports a comparative analysis and characterization of the alpha-1 chain of human collagen sequences. Physico-chemical, secondary structural, functional and phylogenetic classification was carried out, based on which, collagens 12, 14 and 20, which belong to the FACIT collagen family, have been identified as potential players in diseased conditions, owing to certain atypical properties such as very high aliphatic index, low percentage of glycine and proline residues and their proximity in evolutionary history. These collagen molecules might be important candidates to be investigated further for their role in skeletal disorders

Assessment of Health Profile of School Adolescents in a Rural Area of Uttar Pradesh

Introduction: Adolescents are in a transition stage of physical, psychological and social development from puberty to legal adulthood that needs to be focused on priority basis. Aims and Objectives: To assess the health profile of school-going adolescents in a rural area of Uttar Pradesh. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted during an adolescent health camp organized in a village school of Jattari area in Uttar Pradesh in 2014. A pre-tested, semi-structured, interviewer-based questionnaire was used as a study tool. A detailed clinical examination was done with special attention on those systems which were affected most like weight, height, body mass index (BMI), etc. Results: A total of 60 adolescents aged 14 to19 years participated in the present study. Majority (86.67%) of the study participants were girls and maximum (65%) study subjects were of 16–17 years age group. Family history of diabetes was present in 10% of study participants and family history of hypertension was present in 8.33% of study population. Most (45%) of the study participants were underweight, in which girls were more undernourished as compared to boys. Regarding visual status, 16.66% students needed some correction in which boys needed more corrective measures than girls. Dental hygiene was poor in 80% of study participants. About 13.46% girls were having abnormal menstrual history and 9.61% girls were having poor menstrual hygiene. Conclusion: Health camps can be a good initiative to screen out common health problems of adolescents as early as possible. Undernutrition among rural adolescents is a crucial issue to be resolved on a priority basis. Low awareness about personal hygiene is another key area of concern which could be tackled by active involvement of adolescents, parents, school teachers, and healthcare providers

Prediction of Fracture Pattern in Defective Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes Using Molecular Structural Mechanics

AbstractAn atomistic-based dynamic crack model for recreating execution of carbon nanotubes by considering vacancy defects is projected. The idea of the fracture model is taking into account the supposition that carbon nanotubes, when stacked, carry on like space-casing structures. The finite element method is utilized to analyse the nanotube structure and the molecular structural mechanics approach with beam element is used to simulate the non-linear force field of the C–C bonds. The model has been applied to defected single walled chiral, arm chair and zigzag nanotubes subjected to critical tension. The defect presented here (model) is one absent atom at the centre of the nanotube. The anticipated crack advancement, failure stresses of the nanotubes correspond exceptionally well with sub-atomic mechanics model from the literature

An approach to modelling and simulation of single-walled carbon nanocones for sensing applications

In the present manuscript an approach to modelling and simulation of nanocones has been suggested for their use as sensing mediums. The vibrational behaviours of bridged and cantilever Single-Walled Carbon nanocones are modelled using three-dimensional elastic beams of carbon- carbon bonds and atomic masses. Also, the dynamic analysis of bridged and cantilever configurations of these nanocones with different disclination angles of 60°, 120°, 180°, and 240° is performed to evaluate the variation in stiffness with different configurations. The analysis also exhibits the effect of change in the length of nanocones on the vibrational frequencies. For the said purpose a mass equivalent to a carbon atom has been added at the nodes. It is observed that increasing side length of a Single-Walled Carbon nanocones with a constant apex angle results in a reduction in the fundamental frequency. It is also clear from the results that Single-Walled Carbon nanocones with larger apex angles exhibit smaller values of fundamental frequencies. The results suggest that smaller lengths of nanocones are better candidates for sensing applications as they exhibit substantial change in the fundamental frequencies. It can be stated that with higher number of bonds and atoms Single-Walled Carbon nanocones undergoes substantial bending with large declination angle which can be considered as an important finding

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Not AvailableBacteriophages play an important role in bacterial control in natural niche however a little is known about Bacillus sp. phages prevailing in cadaver affected soils. In the current study, the Bacillus sp. phage was isolated from the equine cadaver disposal site and characterised to gain an insight into the issue of role of phages in biological dynamics of manure thus formed over years. Firstly, the host bacterium was isolated and identified as Bacillus cereus group member as assessed by phylogenetic analysis and secondly it’s corresponding phage from same soil sample was also enriched and characterised. The phage (VTCCBPA38) was found to belong to family Myoviridae and was active within the temperature range of 4 °C - 45 °C. As assessed by biological sensitivity by spot test, the phage was active against 6/19 (31.6 %) Bacilli tested including Bacillus cereus from goat mastitis. Thus the phage may find potential use in biocontrol of diseases caused by Bacillus sp. Furthermore, this report is valuable as the first study for investigation of Bacillus sp. phage in carcass burial sites.Not Availabl

Isolation and Characterization of A Bacillus Phage from Equine Carcass Disposal Site

Bacteriophages play an important role in bacterial control in natural niche however a little is known about Bacillus sp. phages prevailing in cadaver affected soils. In the current study, the Bacillus sp. phage was isolated from the equine cadaver disposal site and characterised to gain an insight into the issue of role of phages in biological dynamics of manure thus formed over years. Firstly, the host bacterium was isolated and identified as Bacillus cereus group member as assessed by phylogenetic analysis and secondly it’s corresponding phage from same soil sample was also enriched and characterised. The phage (VTCCBPA38) was found to belong to family Myoviridae and was active within the temperature range of 4°C - 45°C. As assessed by biological sensitivity by spot test, the phage was active against 6/19 (31.6 %) Bacilli tested including Bacillus cereus from goat mastitis. Thus the phagemay find potential use in biocontrol of diseases caused by Bacillus sp. Furthermore, this report is valuable as the first study for investigation of Bacillus sp. phage in carcass burial sites

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Not AvailableKlebsiella pneumoniae is an important emerging pathogen of humans and animals which may lead to major clinical implications including mortality. Moreover the increased use of antibiotics has promoted emergence of carbapenem resistant strains and extended spectrum β-lactamase producers (ESBLs) of K. pneumoniae. Recently, phage therapy has gained momentum as a conceivable alternative against emerging antibiotic resistance. OBJECTIVE: With the aim to explore the efficacy of phage therapy against virulent K. pneumoniae infection, the current study was undertaken to assess the therapeutic effects of a novel lytic phage-VTCCBPA43 in pneumonic mouse model. METHODS: The tailed phage - VTCCBPA43 was assessed for it's growth kinetics, in vitro host range analysis, temperature and pH sensitivity. The protein constituents were analysed by SDS-PAGE and Lc MS/MS and the therapeutic efficacy was observed 2 hr post challenge with virulent K. pneumoniae in BALB/c mouse model. RESULTS: The phage-VTCCBPA43 was found to exhibit high temperature (upto 80 °C) tolerant property. It was most active at pH 5, had a burst size of 172 PFU/ml and exhibited a narrow host range. It was identified as KP36 like phage by shotgun proteomics. Following intranasal application of a single dose of 2 × 109 PFU/mouse post challenge, presence of biologically active phage in vivo and a significant reduction of bacterial load in lungs at all time points was observed which was even more impressive at 96hpi, 6dpi and 10dpi. The loss of severity of lesions suggested overall beneficial effects of phage therapy using BPA43 in the pneumonic mouse model. CONCLUSION: The current research represents first in vivo evidences for effective phage therapy against K. pneumoniae infection by using intranasal route.Not Availabl