Experimental validation of phase space conduits of transition between potential wells

A phase space boundary between transition and non-transition, similar to those observed in chemical reaction dynamics, is shown experimentally in a macroscopic system. We present a validation of the phase space flux across rank one saddles connecting adjacent potential wells and confirm the underlying phase space conduits that mediate the transition. Experimental regions of transition are found to agree with the theory to within 1\%, suggesting the robustness of phase space conduits of transition in a broad array of two or more degree of freedom experimental systems, despite the presence of small dissipation.Comment: 7 pages, 6 figure

Near-infrared Observations of Be/X-ray Binary Pulsar A0535+262

We present results obtained from an extensive near-infrared spectroscopic and photometric observations of the Be/X-ray binary A0535+262/HDE 245770 at different phases of its ~111 day orbital period. This observation campaign is a part of the monitoring programme of selective Be/X-ray binary systems aimed at understanding the X-ray and near-IR properties at different orbital phases, especially during the periastron passage of the neutron star. The near-IR observations were carried out using the 1.2 m telescope at Mt. Abu IR observatory. Though the source was relatively faint for spectroscopic observations with 1.2 m telescope, we monitored the source during the 2011 February--March giant outburst to primarily investigate whether any drastic changes in the near-IR JHK spectra take place at the periastron passage. Changes of such a striking nature were expected to be detectable in our spectra. Photometric observations of the Be star show a gradual and systematic fading in the JHK light curves since the onset of the X-ray outburst that could suggest a mild evacuation/truncation of the circumstellar disc of the Be companion. Near-IR spectroscopy of the object shows that the JHK spectra are dominated by the emission lines of hydrogen Brackett and Paschen series and HeI lines at 1.0830, 1.7002 and 2.0585 micron. The presence of all hydrogen emission lines in the JHK spectra, along with the absence of any significant change in the continuum of the Be companion during X-ray quiescent and X-ray outburst phases suggest that the near-IR line emitting regions of the disc are not significantly affected during the X-ray outburst.Comment: 10 Pages, 5 Figures, Accepted for publication in Res. in Astronomy and Astrophysic

A clinical study to determine metformin as a cause of serum vitamin B12 decrease and effect of combination of metformin and mecobalamin on serum vitamin B12 levels in type 2 diabetics

Background: Several evidences show metformin decreases vitamin B12. Diabetics are also at the risk of developing neuropathy which is treated with vitamin B12. metformin being initial therapy for diabetic patients, it becomes all the more important to know the extent of this decrease. The study was designed with the objective to compare the levels of vitamin B12 in patients on metformin vis-à-vis on antidiabetic drugs other than metformin and to evaluate the increase in vitamin B12 levels after prescribing a combination of metformin and mecobalamin, in T2DM patients.Methods: Of 500 enrolled, 321 patients completed the study for duration of 6 months, divided in two periods of 3 months each. At the end first period of 3 months the vitamin B12 levels were compared form Metformin vs. that of other antidiabetics. In second period of 3 months a combination of metformin and mecobalamin was given instead of plain metformin and vitamin B12 levels were repeated at the end of this period.Results: There was reduction in vitamin B12 levels with metformin with levels of 272.5pg/ml compared to 714.6pg/ml with other antidiabetics at the end of first period. The levels increased from 272.5pg/ml to 615.9 pg/ml at the end of second period after receiving the combination of metformin and mecobalamin.Conclusions: T2DM patients being treated with metformin had a greater risk of reduction in vitamin B12 levels and addition of vitamin B12 in the form of mecobalamin would decrease the reduction in vitamin B12 levels associated with Metformin therapy

Random access quantum information processors

Qubit connectivity is an important property of a quantum processor, with an ideal processor having random access -- the ability of arbitrary qubit pairs to interact directly. Here, we implement a random access superconducting quantum information processor, demonstrating universal operations on a nine-bit quantum memory, with a single transmon serving as the central processor. The quantum memory uses the eigenmodes of a linear array of coupled superconducting resonators. The memory bits are superpositions of vacuum and single-photon states, controlled by a single superconducting transmon coupled to the edge of the array. We selectively stimulate single-photon vacuum Rabi oscillations between the transmon and individual eigenmodes through parametric flux modulation of the transmon frequency, producing sidebands resonant with the modes. Utilizing these oscillations for state transfer, we perform a universal set of single- and two-qubit gates between arbitrary pairs of modes, using only the charge and flux bias of the transmon. Further, we prepare multimode entangled Bell and GHZ states of arbitrary modes. The fast and flexible control, achieved with efficient use of cryogenic resources and control electronics, in a scalable architecture compatible with state-of-the-art quantum memories is promising for quantum computation and simulation.Comment: 7 pages, 5 figures, supplementary information ancillary file, 21 page

Do technical skills correlate with non-technical skills in crisis resource management: a simulation study

Background Both technical skills (TS) and non-technical skills (NTS) are key to ensuring patient safety in acute care practice and effective crisis management. These skills are often taught and assessed separately. We hypothesized that TS and NTS are not independent of each other, and we aimed to evaluate the relationship between TS and NTS during a simulated intraoperative crisis scenario. Methods This study was a retrospective analysis of performances from a previously published work. After institutional ethics approval, 50 anaesthesiology residents managed a simulated crisis scenario of an intraoperative cardiac arrest secondary to a malignant arrhythmia. We used a modified Delphi approach to design a TS checklist, specific for the management of a malignant arrhythmia requiring defibrillation. All scenarios were recorded. Each performance was analysed by four independent experts. For each performance, two experts independently rated the technical performance using the TS checklist, and two other experts independently rated NTS using the Anaesthetists' Non-Technical Skills score. Results TS and NTS were significantly correlated to each other (r=0.45, P<0.05). Conclusions During a simulated 5 min resuscitation requiring crisis resource management, our results indicate that TS and NTS are related to one another. This research provides the basis for future studies evaluating the nature of this relationship, the influence of NTS training on the performance of TS, and to determine whether NTS are generic and transferrable between crises that require different T

Biodegradability and Nitrogen Use Efficiency of Crotonaldehyde Diurea in Wheat

A field experiment was conducted to test the efficacy of Rhodococcus spp for biodegradability of crotonaldehyde diurea and its N use efficiency in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)â€at different critical growth stages and five treatments of nitrogen. The soil sample was collected and attempted to isolate the Rhodococcus spp. on selective medium. The Rhodococcus spp. showed profuse growth in a medium containing 0.1 % urea and slightly less profuse growth on the medium containing 0.1 % CDU as a sole nitrogen source. The CDU contained ammonical and nitrate nitrogen 19.6 and 13.0 %, respectively. It thus appeared that the soil microorganism Rhodococcus spp. can utilize the CDU probably suggesting that microorganism could have enzymatic activity which can degrade CDU. The activity of nitrate assimilating enzyme was assayed from the leaf tissues at four critical stages showed that the treatment T5 (100 % CDU) recorded highest activities of  NR, NiR, and GS, high nitrogen up take, high NUE and higher grain yield. Thus it appeared that Crotonaldehyde Diurea (CDU) is biodegradable by the Rhodococcus spp. present in the soil rhizosphere and applied once at the time of sowing

The microbiological profile of lacrimal abscess: two decades of experience from a tertiary eye care center

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to exclusively report the microbiological spectrum of lacrimal abscess and the antibiotic sensitivity patterns of the organisms. Retrospective interventional study on 112 eyes of 112 patients who presented to the ophthalmic plastic clinic of a tertiary eye care center over a period of 23 years from January 1990 to February 2013 with lacrimal abscess were reviewed for demographic and microbiological profile. The culture results, organisms isolated, and their antibiotic sensitivity were studied. RESULTS: The mean age at presentation was 37 years. The female to male ratio was 2:1. There was no significant difference in the laterality between the right and left eyes. Gram-positive organisms were the most commonly isolated accounting for 56.3% (63/112), and the commonest species isolated was Staphylococcus aureus in 25% (28/112) of the patients. Hemophilus influenzae was the commonest gram-negative isolate accounting for 30.2% of all the gram-negative isolates. Of the patients, 10.7% (12/112) showed no organisms on smear as well as sterile cultures. Gram-positive organisms were commonly sensitive to penicillins and vancomycin whereas gram-negative organisms were sensitive to quinolones and aminoglycosides. CONCLUSIONS: Gram-positive organisms are quite common as compared to gram-negative ones in cases of lacrimal abscess. The results of this study have significant bearing on the treatment of patients with lacrimal abscess

Near-infrared Observations of Nova V574 Puppis (2004)

We present results obtained from extensive near-infrared spectroscopic and photometric observations of nova V574 Pup during its 2004 outburst. The observations were obtained over four months, starting from 2004 November 25 (four days after the nova outburst) to 2005 March 20. The near-IR JHK light curve is presented - no evidence is seen from it for dust formation to have occurred during our observations. In the early decline phase, the JHK spectra of the nova are dominated by emission lines of hydrogen Brackett and Paschen series, OI, CI and HeI. We also detect the fairly uncommon Fe II line at 1.6872 micron in the early part of our observations. The strengths of the HeI lines at 1.0830 micron and 2.0585 micron are found to become very strong towards the end of the observations indicating a progression towards higher excitation conditions in the nova ejecta. The width of the emission lines do not show any significant change during the course of our observations. The slope of the continuum spectrum was found to have a lambda^{-2.75} dependence in the early stages which gradually becomes flatter with time and changes to a free-free spectral dependence towards the later stages. Recombination analysis of the HI lines shows deviations from Case B conditions during the initial stages. However, towards the end of our observations, the line strengths are well simulated with case B model values with electron density n_e = 10^{9-10} cm^{-3} and a temperature equal to 10^4 K. Based on our distance estimate to the nova of 5.5 kpc and the observed free-free continuum emission in the later part of the observations, we estimate the ionized mass of the ejecta to be between 10^{-5} and 10^{-6} solar-mass.Comment: 10 pages, 8 figures, Accepted for publication in MNRA

Therapeutic role of vegetables in Respiratory Diseases – A critical review from Ayurvedic classics.

The concept of Pathya (wholesome diet) is an unique contribution of Ayurveda, which plays an important role in prevention and management of many diseases. “Shakavarga”, a category under dietetics in classical texts of Ayurveda enlisted different vegetables with their properties and indications in different disease conditions. These vegetables can be prescribed as Pathya (wholesome diet) in clinical practice. In the present review, plants described under Shakavarga, indicated as Pathya in different diseases related to Pranavaha Srotas (Respiratory system) were compiled from 15 different Ayurvedic classical texts. Critical analysis of the compiled data reveals that out of 332 vegetables described under Shakavarga, 44 are indicated in respiratory disease like Shvasa (Dyspnoea/Asthma), Kasa (Cough), Peenasa (Chronic rhinitis) and Hikka (Hiccup). Among them, botanical identity of 42 classical plants has been established and maximum number of vegetables belongs to the family cucurbitaceae (10) followed by solanaceae (4). Some of these vegetables have been reported for their various pharmacological activities related to prevention and management of diseases related to Pranavaha Srotas (Respiratory system). These vegetables are reported for their anti-inflammatory (16), antioxidant (14), anti-allergic (6) and antitussive (3) activities. The observed result may be helpful in use of vegetables as Pathya (wholesome diet) and planning further scientific studies about the efficacy of these plants on prevention as well as management of respiratory diseases