A General Method for Selecting Quantum Channel for Bidirectional Controlled State Teleportation and Other Schemes of Controlled Quantum Communication

Recently, a large number of protocols for bidirectional controlled state teleportation (BCST) have been proposed using $n$-qubit entangled states ($n\in\{5,6,7\}$) as quantum channel. Here, we propose a general method of selecting multi-qubit $(n>4)$ quantum channels suitable for BCST and show that all the channels used in the existing protocols of BCST can be obtained using the proposed method. Further, it is shown that the quantum channels used in the existing protocols of BCST forms only a negligibly small subset of the set of all the quantum channels that can be constructed using the proposed method to implement BCST. It is also noted that all these quantum channels are also suitable for controlled bidirectional remote state preparation (CBRSP). Following the same logic, methods for selecting quantum channels for other controlled quantum communication tasks, such as controlled bidirectional joint remote state preparation (CJBRSP) and controlled quantum dialogue, are also provided.Comment: 8 pages, no figur

Prevalence of Substance Abuse, Hypertension and Obesity among Security Men working in a Teaching Hospital in Delhi: A Cross Sectional Survey

Introduction: Security men are subjected to a considerable degree of stress related problems due to their changing duty hours and difficult working environment. Chronic stress in them may lead to increased propensity to develop addiction for tobacco, alcohol and other psychoactive agents. In addition to this, certain other behavioral factors also make them prone to develop non- communicable diseases in future. Thus, it is important to find these lifestyle factors and associated morbidities at the earliest to take early interventions for their prevention and timely management.Objectives: The study aims to assess the prevalence of hypertension, obesity, and tobacco and alcohol use among security men. Methods: A total of 50 private security men working in a tertiary care teaching hospital in New Delhi were selected using convenient sampling method. Data was collected using a pre tested semi structured questionnaire consisted of items on socio- demographic profile, behavioral factors like substance abuse after taking informed consent. Anthropometric measurements like weight, height and blood pressure were also recorded. Data was analyzed using SPSS 17. Chi square/ Fisher’s exact test was used to find significance of association between qualitative variables. P value less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Mean age of security men was 52 years. The prevalence of smoking, chewing tobacco and alcohol consumption was 48%, 30% and 54% respectively. Alcohol consumption (p = 0.041) and smoking (p = 0.044) was significantly associated with migration. BMI was calculated which showed that 42% (n=21) were overweight and 6% (n=3) were obese. 16% (n=8) were found to be hypertensive. Conclusion: Looking at the high prevalence of lifestyle disorders like tobacco and alcohol abuse, obesity and hypertension, it is recommended that innovative Behavior Change Communication (BCC) strategies should be undertaken for prevention, early diagnosis and management of non communicable diseases and its risk factors

Analysis of the adverse events related to transfer of neonates to a tertiary center of Central India

Background: Institutional delivery and in utero transport of the newborn is the safest method of neonatal transport. However, neonatal illnesses cannot always be predicted, resulting in the continued need of transfer of these babies after delivery. Objective: The objective of the study was to analyze the adverse events related to transfer of neonates to a tertiary center of Central India, the impact of the epidemiological factors, and the role of temperature, oxygenation, perfusion, and blood sugar (TOPS) scoring in predicting mortality in transferred neonates. Materials and Methods: This observational study was conducted at the special care newborn unit of a tertiary teaching hospital of Indore. A total of 217 transported neonates were included in the study. The TOPS scoring for each neonate was done at admission and the parameters of the TOPS score were correlated with the outcome. Results: The common indications for referral were respiratory distress in 103 (47.4%), prematurity/low birth weight care in 31 (14.2%), sepsis in 27 (12.4%), seizures in 21 (9.6%), and neonatal hyperbilirubinemia in 16 (7.3%) cases. At the time of admission, 25.4% of neonates had normal temperature, while 31.8% had temperature between 96.8 and 97.6°F, and 42.9% had hypothermia (89.6–96.6°F). Almost 5.1% of admitted neonates were hypoglycemic (<45 mg/dl) and rest 94.9% were normoglycemic (>45 mg/dl). Hypoxemia (oxygen saturation <90%) was seen in 51.6% of neonates and 16.1% of neonates had prolonged capillary refill time at admission. A higher TOPS score of 3 and 4 was correlated with higher incidence of mortality. Conclusion: TOPS score is a useful and easy to use method to assess the physiological status and helps in prediction of mortality in neonatal transport

Summative Approach for Slum Adolescents

Background: Urban slums in India are neglected communities as far as public health facilities are concerned. There is no health infrastructure since these slums are largely illegal and unauthorized. This community has poor awareness of health schemes and other social security benefits provided by the government. No initiatives have been taken to provide vocational training to empower this economically weaker and neglected section of the society.Objectives: To generate health awareness among the slum adolescents on various issues related to health, especially menstrual hygiene, personal hygiene, household methods of water purification as well as safe disposal of waste and also make them economically independent.Methodology: A summer workshop was conducted for a period of one week by MBBS students in the urban slums of Bhangel, during the summer vacations time of school going children. Two groups of slum adolescents were recognized. One group had younger adolescents and the other had older adolescents who acted as guides for the younger group. Health awareness sessions were conducted for these children everyday on community relevant health topics like personal hygiene, menstrual hygiene, water purification techniques, etc., along with teaching them some vocational skills like first aid box making, mehendi application, lipstick making, making of dust bins, etc. They were also taught marketing and selling skills. Both these groups were asked to identify another group of young adolescents and teach them what they learnt in the workshop, under observation of the medical students.Results: On comparing the pre and post workshop assessment, the results were very encouraging.Conclusion: Marked improvement was observed in the knowledge levels related to health issues and vocational independence could be promoted. However, there is a need to explore the possibility of replicating the same at a larger scale

The snoRNA MBII-52 (SNORD 115) is processed into smaller RNAs and regulates alternative splicing

The loss of HBII-52 and related C/D box small nucleolar RNA (snoRNA) expression units have been implicated as a cause for the Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS). We recently found that the C/D box snoRNA HBII-52 changes the alternative splicing of the serotonin receptor 2C pre-mRNA, which is different from the traditional C/D box snoRNA function in non-mRNA methylation. Using bioinformatic predictions and experimental verification, we identified five pre-mRNAs (DPM2, TAF1, RALGPS1, PBRM1 and CRHR1) containing alternative exons that are regulated by MBII-52, the mouse homolog of HBII-52. Analysis of a single member of the MBII-52 cluster of snoRNAs by RNase protection and northern blot analysis shows that the MBII-52 expressing unit generates shorter RNAs that originate from the full-length MBII-52 snoRNA through additional processing steps. These novel RNAs associate with hnRNPs and not with proteins associated with canonical C/D box snoRNAs. Our data indicate that not a traditional C/D box snoRNA MBII-52, but a processed version lacking the snoRNA stem is the predominant MBII-52 RNA missing in PWS. This processed snoRNA functions in alternative splice-site selection. Its substitution could be a therapeutic principle for PW

Formation of medullary phloem in Argyreia nervosa (Burm. f.) Bojer

Histologically, family Convolvulaceae is characterised by the presence of successive cambia, medullary (internal/intraxylary) and interxylary phloem in majority of the species, whereas some of the members are devoid of successive cambia and medullary bundles. The present study on Argyreia nervosa (Burm. f.) Bojer showed the presence of medullary bundles while internal phloem was absent during the primary growth. As the secondary growth progressed, successive cambia initiated from the pericyclic parenchyma. Development of medullary bundles began along with the regular protoxylem and protophloem while formation of intraxylary phloem was observed only after the initiation of secondary growth. Medullary/intraxylary sieve elements began to develop from the marginal pith cells. In thick stems, small segments of internal cambium initiated between the protoxylem and internal phloem. This internal cambium was functionally unidirectional and produced internal phloem centripetally. Developmental particulars are described in details along with its significance