Capture of a diffusing lamb by a diffusing lion when both return home

A diffusing lion pursues a diffusing lamb when both of them are allowed to get back to their homes intermittently. Identifying the system with a pair of vicious random walkers, we study their dynamics under Poissonian and sharp resetting. In absence of any resets, the location of intersection of the two walkers follows a Cauchy distribution. In presence of resetting, the distribution of the location of annihilation is composed of two parts: one in which the trajectories cross without being reset (center) and the other where trajectories are reset at least once before they cross each other (tails). We find that the tail part decays exponentially for both the resetting protocols. The central part of the distribution, on the other hand, depends on the nature of the restart protocol, with Cauchy for Poisson resetting and Gaussian for sharp resetting. We find good agreement of the analytical results with numerical calculations.Comment: 9 pages, 3 figure

Active fractal networks with stochastic force monopoles and force dipoles unravel subdiffusion of chromosomal loci

We study the Rouse-type dynamics of elastic fractal networks with embedded, stochastically driven, active force monopoles and dipoles, that are temporally correlated. We compute, analytically -- using a general theoretical framework -- and via Langevin dynamics simulations, the mean square displacement of a network bead. Following a short-time super-diffusive behavior, force monopoles yield anomalous subdiffusion with an exponent identical to that of the thermal system. Force dipoles do not induce subdiffusion, and result in rotational motion of the whole network -- as found for micro-swimmers -- and network collapses beyond a critical force amplitude. The collapse persists with increasing system size, signifying a true first-order dynamical phase transition. We conclude that the observed identical subdiffusion exponents of chromosomal loci in normal and ATP-depleted cells are attributed to active force monopoles rather than force dipoles.Comment: 18 pages: 6 pages - main text, and 12 pages - Supplemental. 12 figues: 4 figures - main text, and 8 figures -s Supplementa

Prevalence of overt and subclinical thyroid dysfunction among women and its effects on maternal and fetal outcome

Background: Objective of present study was to determine the current prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in normal pregnant women and to study the impact of thyroid dysfunction on maternal and fetal outcome.Methods: 400 pregnant women between 13 and 26 weeks of gestation were registered for the study. Apart from routine obstetrical investigations, TSH tests were done. Free T4 and anti-TPO antibody tests were done in patients with deranged TSH. Patients were followed up till delivery. Their obstetrical and perinatal outcomes were noted.Results: The prevalence of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism was and 1.25%, respectively. Adverse maternal effects in overt hypothyroidism included preeclampsia (16.6 vs. 7.8%) and placental abruption (16.6 vs. 0.8%). Subclinical hypothyroidism was associated with preeclampsia (22.3 vs. 7.8%) as compared to the euthyroid patients. Adverse fetal outcome in overt hypothyroidism  included spontaneous abortion (16.6 vs. 2.39%), preterm birth (33.3 vs. 5.8%), low birth weight (50 vs. 12.11%), intrauterine growth retardation (25 vs. 4.9%), and fetal death (16.6 vs.7%) as compared to the euthyroid women. Adverse fetal outcomes in subclinical hypothyroidism included spontaneous abortion (5.5 vs. 2.39%), preterm delivery (11.2 vs. 5.8%), low birth weight (25 vs. 12.11%), and intrauterine growth retardation (8.4 vs. 4.9%) as compared to the euthyroid women.Conclusions: The prevalence of thyroid disorders was high in our study with associated adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. Routine screening of thyroid dysfunction is recommended to prevent adverse fetal and maternal outcome

Polarimetric Approach Towards Membership Probability of Open Star Cluster NGC 2345

Using the linear polarimetric observations, we present a method to derive the membership probability of stars in cluster NGC 2345. The polarimetric observations of cluster NGC 2345 are performed using the instrument ARIES IMaging POLarimeter (AIMPOL) mounted as a backend of the 104-cm telescope of ARIES. Members of the cluster should exhibit comparable polarization since they are located nearly at the same distance. This concept is used to extract the membership probability of known member stars of cluster NGC 2345. The membership probability estimated using the polarimetric data for cluster NGC 2345 agrees with the membership probability derived from the proper motion method in the previous studies.Comment: 6 pages, 2 figures, 2 tables. Accepted for publication in the Bulletin of Li\`ege Royal Society of Sciences as proceeding of the 3rd Belgo-Indian Network for Astronomy and Astrophysics (BINA) worksho

Polymer in wedge-shaped confinement: Effect on the θ temperature

The equilibrium properties of a finite-length linear polymer chain confined in an infinite wedge composed of two perfectly reflecting hard walls meeting at a variable apex angle (α) are presented. One end of the polymer is anchored a distance y from the apex on the conical axis of symmetry, while the other end is free. We report here, the nonmonotonic behavior of θ temperature as a function of y for a finite-length chain. Data collapse for different chain lengths indicates that such behavior will exist for all finite lengths. We delineate the origin of such nonmonotonic behavior, which may have potential applications in understanding the cellular process occurring in nanoconfined geometries

Awareness and Pattern of Tobacco Use among the Medical Students of Government Medical College

Introduction: Nearly 6 million people die due to tobacco every year and this figure will increase to 8 million tobacco-attributed deaths per year by 2030 with 80% of them occurring in developing countries. Objective: To study the awareness and pattern of tobacco use among the undergraduate medical students of Government Medical College, Haldwani. Material and Methods: A Cross-sectional study was conducted among 303 medical students using a predesigned and pretested, semi-structured self-administered anonymous questionnaire. Data was analyzed by using SPSS v 16. Results: Among 303 participants, 44(14.5%) were smokers.  Majority of the students (97.73%) were more than 20 years of age at the time of initiation of tobacco use. Cigarette smoking was most common form (79.55%) of abuse. Male students were using tobacco significantly higher than that of females (?2=36.68). The effect of parental tobacco use on tobacco consumption habits of the users were significantly higher than non-tobacco users (?2=180.75). The tobacco consumption was significantly increased among the senior students as compared to that among the juniors (?2=15.29). Awareness about harmful effects of tobacco abuse was very high (90.76%) and mainly they got knowledge from media. 84.16% students support ban on tobacco use in public places. Conclusion: We can conclude that though the awareness among medical students regarding harmful effects of tobacco use was very high but they got this knowledge mainly from the electronic media, so it is necessary to introduce teaching on tobacco dependence and cessation early in the courses of the medical colleges

Knowledge and attitude of peripheral health workers regarding Non-Communicable diseases in a Rural area of Rajasthan

Background: Mortality due to Non communicable disease (NCD) has increased from 50% to 60% in India from 2004 to 2014. Increasing mortality due to NCD has compelled Government of India to launch a national program (NPCDCS). This program has involved peripheral health workers hence this study was conducted to assess level of knowledge and attitude of peripheral health workers working in rural area of CHC Naila regarding NCDs. Methods: Present study was conducted at CHC Naila, Rajasthan, during June to Dec 2019. All (38) peripheral health staff working under CHC Naila were assessed and categorised regarding NCD and NPCDCS program. Results: Majority (77%) peripheral health workers had more than ten years of field experience. All have heard about NPCDCS program and type of NCDs covered under it. they were aware of sign & symptoms of common NCDs, however 18.42% of these were not aware of their role of community awareness about risk factors of NCDs and conducting regular screening. Conclusion: Though the level of awareness of health workers regarding type of NCDs, its consequences and risk factors was good however skill development training is needed so that they can screen people effectively and motivate them for healthy life style for optimum result

Prevalence of obesity and its correlates in school going adolescents of Haldwani, Nainital, Uttarakhand, India

Background: With a rising trend of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in the present world, overweight and obesity has gained importance as it is not only a disease in itself but also risk factor for majority of other NCDs. A dramatic increase in overweight and obesity among children and adolescent has raised the concern of various public health physicians especially in developing country like India. Aims & Objective: To study the prevalence of overweight and obesity & its correlates among school going adolescents of Haldwani block. Material & Methods: School based cross sectional study was done among the adolescents of 8th to 12th standard. To calculate the maximum sample size prevalence of obesity was assumed to be 50%, taking absolute error of 5%, design effect of 2 and 10% non-response rate the sample was calculated to be 880, rounded off to 900. Samples were collected from 30 clusters/schools using simple random sampling. Data was collected using a pre-designed, semi-structured and pre-tested questionnaire and analyzed by using SPSS version 22. Results: Prevalence of overweight and obesity was 13% (CI = 10.8 - 15.2%). Overweight and obesity was found to be significantly associated with urban area, private school, Socio-economic class I, non-vegetarian diet, physical inactivity and playing videogames, working on laptops and computer on univariate analysis. On applying binary logistic regression factors like private schools, socioeconomic class I, non-vegetarian diet and physical inactivity were again found to be significantly associated with overweight and obesity. Conclusion: Prevalence of obesity was found to be more in adolescents having modifiable risk factors. &nbsp