Microscopic approach to coherent population trapping state and its relaxation in a dense medium

Using a master equation with cooperative interaction of radiative nature included, we demonstrate the generation and relaxation characteristics of the coherent population trapping state. We also show how the microscopic master equation in the mean field approximation leads to density matrix equations obtained from local field considerations

Non-linear wave packet dynamics of coherent states of various symmetry groups

We present a comparative study of the non-linear wave packet dynamics of two-mode coherent states of the Heisenberg-Weyl group, the SU(1,1) group and the SU(2) group under the action of a model anharmonic Hamiltonian. In each case, we find certain generic signatures of non-linear evolution such as quick onset of decoherence followed by Schrodinger cat formation and revival. We also report important differences in the evolution of coherent states belonging to different symmetry groups

Seismic Bearing Capacity of Strip Footing Resting on Reinforced Earth Bed

With an increase in demand for construction the use of poor soils becomes imperative. Soil bearing capacity and settlement play an important role in the design of foundations. Seismicity of the site is another important parameter in the design of the foundation for a structure. Hence seismic bearing capacity of soil becomes an important component in the design. In weak soils often deep foundations are recommended on account of the low soil bearing capacity available. In poor soils, ground improvement techniques are commonly used to improve the soil bearing capacity. Reinforcing earth with geo synthetic is one such technique adopted in practice. This is preferred due to its cost effectiveness as in most of the engineering projects economy plays an important role. If the weak soil is improved by using geo synthetic, then it becomes feasible to use shallow foundations instead of deep foundations for the same structure, thus effecting economy. Shallow foundations still remain the most used foundation type in construction due to its economy and ease in construction. In this paper an attempt has been made to develop an analytical approach to obtain the seismic bearing capacity of a strip footing resting on reinforced earth. The approach is based on the analysis proposed by Binquet and Lee (1975b) for a strip footing subjected to static load. Both vertical and horizontal accelerations have been considered in terms of seismic coefficients, αh and αv. Results have been presented in the form of non - dimensional charts from which seismic bearing capacity can be obtained, conveniently. Both rupture strength and frictional resistance criteria, have been taken into account in preparing these charts. Charts incorporate horizontal seismic acceleration coefficient, αh = 0.0 and 0.10. The value of vertical seismic acceleration coefficient, αv, is taken as 2/3αh. An illustrative example has been included for a lucid understanding

Mixed electromagnetically and self-induced transparency

We show that application of self-induced transparency (SIT) solitons as a driving field in V -type electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) leads to "mixed induced transparency" (MIT) that nicely combines the best features of both SIT and EIT

Colour in relation to chemical constitution of the organic salts and metallic derivatives of isonitrosodiphenyl-thiohydantoin

1. Isonitroso-1:3-diphenylthio-hydantoin has been obtained for the first time by the action of nitrous acid on 1:3-diphenylthio-hydantoin. 2. Isonitroso-diphenylthio-hydantoin has a bright yellow colour in the solid state or in solution in organic solvents, but on treatment with alkalies or organic bases, intense crimson coloured salts are formed the transition of colour from yellow to crimson being sufficiently strong and sharp for the compound to act as an excellent indicator. 3. The change of colour of the above compound from yellow to crimson has been shown from theoretical considerations to be due to a fundamental change in the constitution of the molecules from an oximinoketonic to a nitroso-enolic form. 4. The above change is quite in accordance with a "Theory of colour on the basis of molecular strain," advanced by Dutt

Strategies to Enhance Rehabilitation after Acute Kidney Injury in the Developing World

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is independently associated with new onset chronic kidney disease (CKD), end-stage kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, and all-cause mortality. However, only a minority of patients receive follow-up care after an episode of AKI in the developing world, and the optimal strategies to promote rehabilitation after AKI are ill-defined. On this background, a working group of the 18th Acute Dialysis Quality Initiative (ADQI) applied the consensus-building process informed by a PubMed review of English language articles to address questions related to rehabilitation after AKI. The consensus statements propose that all patients should be offered follow-up within three months of an AKI episode, with more intense follow-up (e.g., < one month) considered based upon patient risk factors, characteristics of the AKI event, and the degree of kidney recovery. Patients should be monitored for renal and non-renal events post-AKI, and we suggest the minimum level of monitoring consist of an assessment of kidney function and proteinuria within three months of the AKI episode. Care should be individualized for higher risk patients, particularly patients who are still dialysis-dependent to promote renal recovery. While evidence-based treatments for survivors of AKI are lacking and some outcomes may not be modifiable, we recommend simple interventions such as lifestyle changes, medication reconciliation, blood pressure control, and education, including the documentation of AKI on the patient’s medical record. In conclusion, survivors of AKI represent a high-risk population and these consensus statements should provide clinicians with guidance on the care of patients after an episode of AKI

Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (4th edition)1.

In 2008, we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, this topic has received increasing attention, and many scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Thus, it is important to formulate on a regular basis updated guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Despite numerous reviews, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to evaluate autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. Here, we present a set of guidelines for investigators to select and interpret methods to examine autophagy and related processes, and for reviewers to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of reports that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a dogmatic set of rules, because the appropriateness of any assay largely depends on the question being asked and the system being used. Moreover, no individual assay is perfect for every situation, calling for the use of multiple techniques to properly monitor autophagy in each experimental setting. Finally, several core components of the autophagy machinery have been implicated in distinct autophagic processes (canonical and noncanonical autophagy), implying that genetic approaches to block autophagy should rely on targeting two or more autophagy-related genes that ideally participate in distinct steps of the pathway. Along similar lines, because multiple proteins involved in autophagy also regulate other cellular pathways including apoptosis, not all of them can be used as a specific marker for bona fide autophagic responses. Here, we critically discuss current methods of assessing autophagy and the information they can, or cannot, provide. Our ultimate goal is to encourage intellectual and technical innovation in the field

Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (3rd edition)

In 2008 we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, research on this topic has continued to accelerate, and many new scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Accordingly, it is important to update these guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Various reviews have described the range of assays that have been used for this purpose. Nevertheless, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to measure autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. For example, a key point that needs to be emphasized is that there is a difference between measurements that monitor the numbers or volume of autophagic elements (e.g., autophagosomes or autolysosomes) at any stage of the autophagic process versus those that measure fl ux through the autophagy pathway (i.e., the complete process including the amount and rate of cargo sequestered and degraded). In particular, a block in macroautophagy that results in autophagosome accumulation must be differentiated from stimuli that increase autophagic activity, defi ned as increased autophagy induction coupled with increased delivery to, and degradation within, lysosomes (inmost higher eukaryotes and some protists such as Dictyostelium ) or the vacuole (in plants and fungi). In other words, it is especially important that investigators new to the fi eld understand that the appearance of more autophagosomes does not necessarily equate with more autophagy. In fact, in many cases, autophagosomes accumulate because of a block in trafficking to lysosomes without a concomitant change in autophagosome biogenesis, whereas an increase in autolysosomes may reflect a reduction in degradative activity. It is worth emphasizing here that lysosomal digestion is a stage of autophagy and evaluating its competence is a crucial part of the evaluation of autophagic flux, or complete autophagy. Here, we present a set of guidelines for the selection and interpretation of methods for use by investigators who aim to examine macroautophagy and related processes, as well as for reviewers who need to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of papers that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a formulaic set of rules, because the appropriate assays depend in part on the question being asked and the system being used. In addition, we emphasize that no individual assay is guaranteed to be the most appropriate one in every situation, and we strongly recommend the use of multiple assays to monitor autophagy. Along these lines, because of the potential for pleiotropic effects due to blocking autophagy through genetic manipulation it is imperative to delete or knock down more than one autophagy-related gene. In addition, some individual Atg proteins, or groups of proteins, are involved in other cellular pathways so not all Atg proteins can be used as a specific marker for an autophagic process. In these guidelines, we consider these various methods of assessing autophagy and what information can, or cannot, be obtained from them. Finally, by discussing the merits and limits of particular autophagy assays, we hope to encourage technical innovation in the field