Equivalence of topological mirror and chiral superconductivity in one dimension

Recently it has been proposed that a unitary topological mirror symmetry can stabilize multiple zero energy Majorana fermion modes in one dimensional (1D) time reversal (TR) invariant topological superconductors. Here we establish an exact equivalence between 1D "topological mirror superconductivity" and chiral topological superconductivity in BDI class which can also stabilize multiple Majorana-Kramers pairs in 1D TR-invariant topological superconductors. The equivalence proves that topological mirror superconductivity can be understood as chiral superconductivity in the BDI symmetry class co-existing with time-reversal symmetry. Furthermore, we show that the mirror Berry phase coincides with the chiral winding invariant of the BDI symmetry class, which is independent of the presence of the time-reversal symmetry. Thus, the time-reversal invariant topological mirror superconducting state may be viewed as a special case of the BDI symmetry class in the well-known Altland-Zirnbauer periodic table of free fermionic phases. We illustrate the results with the examples of 1D spin-orbit coupled quantum wires in the presence of nodeless s_{\pm} superconductivity and the recently discussed experimental system of ferromagnetic atom (Fe) chains embedded on a lead (Pb) superconductor.Comment: 5+ pages, 1 figur

Electrochemical determination of surface area-to-volume ratio for metal nanoparticle analysis.

This dissertation describes an electrochemical approach for measuring the surface area-to-volume ratio (SA/V) of electrode-attached metal nanoparticles (NPs), which was used to analyze their size, aggregation state, and porosity. This dissertation further describes the effect of the metal NP electrode assembly method on the SA/V, which is related to metal NP catalytic activity and stability. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) in acid electrolyte followed by anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV) in KBr electrolyte allows the electrochemical measurement of the SA/V of electrode-attached Au nanospheres (NSs). In CV, the forward scan produces a thin surface Au2O3 layer on the Au NSs. Measuring the Coulombs of charge passed during the reduction of the Au2O3 on the reverse scan allows a measurement of the total surface area (SA) of all NSs on the electrode. Subsequent measurement of the Coulombs of charge passed during oxidative dissolution of all of the Au NSs in KBr electrolyte provides a measurement of the total V of the Au NSs. Since the radius of a sphere is equal to 3/(SA/V), the SA/V provides a direct measure of the Au NS size, which matches very closely to the size of several Au NSs ranging from 4 nm to 70 nm in diameter based on scanning electron microscopy (SEM) size measurements.. Electrochemical SA/V measurements provide information about the aggregation state of electrode-attached Au NSs. The SA/V decreases as 4 nm and 15 nm diameter Au NSs go from isolated NSs to aggregated structures, caused by the neutralization of the citrate stabilizer at low pH. The decreased SA/V for aggregated Au NSs accounts for the positive shift in the peak oxidation potential (Ep) of aggregated NSs compared to isolated ones. The SA/V of distorted, flattened, and porous Au NSs formed by dealloying Ag from AuAg alloy NSs increases with an increasing percentage of Ag in the initial alloy NSs. Greater removal of Ag leads to greater porosity and a higher SA/V. The increased SA/V for porous NSs resulted in a negative shift in Ep relative to similar diameter non-porous Au NSs. The SA/V of similar sized NSs assembled onto indium-tin-oxide-coated glass electrodes (glass/ITO) by different assembly methods, including electrostatic attachment to an amine-functionalized silane linker, electrophoretic deposition (EPD), direct drop-cast deposition, and drop-cast deposition after mixing with carbon black, can be dramatically different. Au NSs with higher SA/V generally exhibit higher electrocatalytic activity, as demonstrated for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), but also oxidize at lower potentials (lower Ep). The SA/V follow the order of electrostatic attachment \u3e EPD \u3e drop-cast with carbon black \u3e drop-cast. Since different assembly methods lead to different SA/V for the same size Au NSs, the SA/V is a better predictor of Ep, or the oxidation properties of the NSs, compared to the size (or curvature) of the Au NSs. This is generally true for all of the different variables studied in this dissertation, including NSs of different size, aggregation state, porosity, and assembled by different methods. The SA/V provides important information about both activity and stability of metal NPs

Who is Paying for God: A thematic analysis of Henry Arthur Jones\u27s religious plays in relation to the modernist trend

This thesis project argues for the value of Henry Arthur Jones’s work in the late 1890s and seeks to illustrate that Jones’s contribution to the larger Modernist movement in the theatre. Using a close textual analysis of Jones’s plays Michael and His Lost Angel, Judah, and Saints and Sinners, this project examines Jones’s use of popular theatrical genres to provide commentary on the religious and fiscal tensions in the surrounding Victorian society. The critical commentary in Jones’s plays is then used to draw a connection between Jones’s work and his fight for dramatists to have greater freedom in the topics they sought to portray onstage, demonstrating that Jones used his own work as part of the “National Drama” that he sought to create in England. Ultimately, this thesis ties together the elements of religion, Victorian society, and the theoretical foundation of a National Drama to justify Jones’s place in the Modernist movement

Macrophage polarization impacts tunneling nanotube formation and intercellular organelle trafficking.

Tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) are cellular extensions enabling cytosol-to-cytosol intercellular interaction between numerous cell types including macrophages. Previous studies of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell (HSPC) transplantation for the lysosomal storage disorder cystinosis have shown that HSPC-derived macrophages form TNTs to deliver cystinosin-bearing lysosomes to cystinotic cells, leading to tissue preservation. Here, we explored if macrophage polarization to either proinflammatory M1-like M(LPS/IFNγ) or anti-inflammatory M2-like M(IL-4/IL-10) affected TNT-like protrusion formation, intercellular transport and, ultimately, the efficacy of cystinosis prevention. We designed new automated image processing algorithms used to demonstrate that LPS/IFNγ polarization decreased bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) formation of protrusions, some of which displayed characteristics of TNTs, including cytoskeletal structure, 3D morphology and size. In contrast, co-culture of macrophages with cystinotic fibroblasts yielded more frequent and larger protrusions, as well as increased lysosomal and mitochondrial intercellular trafficking to the diseased fibroblasts. Unexpectedly, we observed normal protrusion formation and therapeutic efficacy following disruption of anti-inflammatory IL-4/IL-10 polarization in vivo by transplantation of HSPCs isolated from the Rac2-/- mouse model. Altogether, we developed unbiased image quantification systems that probe mechanistic aspects of TNT formation and function in vitro, while HSPC transplantation into cystinotic mice provides a complex in vivo disease model. While the differences between polarization cell culture and mouse models exemplify the oversimplicity of in vitro cytokine treatment, they simultaneously demonstrate the utility of our co-culture model which recapitulates the in vivo phenomenon of diseased cystinotic cells stimulating thicker TNT formation and intercellular trafficking from macrophages. Ultimately, we can use both approaches to expand the utility of TNT-like protrusions as a delivery system for regenerative medicine

ESTIMATION EFFICACY OF ANTITHROMBOTIC ACTIVITY OF VARIOUS ANTIPLATELET DRUGS IN MURINE MODEL

Objective: To estimate antithrombotic effect of antiplatelet drugs, in collagen epinephrine treated swiss mice. Materials and Methods: Lung damage (pulmonary thromboembolism) in swiss mice treated with collagen (1.5 mg/kg) and epinephrine (0.5 mg/kg) by tail vein was studied by assessing parameters such as percentage protection. The effect of antiplatelet drugs (30µM oral) on above parameters was investigated .This biochemical observations were supplemented by histological examination of lung sections. The data from the dose response studies were subjected to one-way ANOVA followed by post hoc Bonferroni's Multiple Comparison test. Results: Administration of antiplatelet drugs (30µM oral) significantly increased percentage protection against collagen epinephrine induced pulmonary thromboembolism. Histological examination of lung sections revealed less thrombi generation, after administration of various antiplatelet drugs. Conclusions: The study suggests preventive action of antiplatelet drugs in collagen epinephrine induced pulmonary thromboembolism

Endoscopic findings of acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding in a tertiary care hospital

Introductions: Acute upper gastrointestinal (UGI) bleeding is common emergency. Prompt endoscopic diagnosis has an important role in overall management of patients. This study analyses the findings of endoscopic findings of UGI bleeding in a tertiary care teaching hospital. Methods: This was a cross sectional study of patients with haematemesis, melaena or both who had UGI endoscopy at Patan hospital during Nov 2009 to Jan 2010. Patient demographics, site and nature of lesions and risk factors for bleeding were analysed. Results: There were 301 patients, male 203 (67%) female 98 (33%), age 15 to 92 years. Esophageal lesions were seen in 136 (45%), gastric 102 (34%), duodenal 46 (15%) and unidentified in 17 (7%). The lesions detected were esophageal varices in 120 (40%), duodenal ulcer in 32 (11%), mallory-weiss tear in 26 (9%), gastric ulcer in 18 (6%), gastric carcinoma in 17 (6%) and congestive pangastropathy in 16 (5%). History of drugs intake like aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, warfarin and bisphosphonates was present in 32 (11%) patients. Conclusions: Endoscopy was diagnostic in majority (94% of 301) UGI bleeding patients. Esophageal variceal bleeding was the common cause followed by peptic ulcer. Keywords: endoscopy, gastroduodenoscopy, upper gastrointestinal, UGI bleedingÂ

Prescribing pattern of anti diabetic drugs in patients suffering from type 2 diabetes mellitus with co-existing hypertension in a tertiary care teaching hospital

Background: Diabetes mellitus and hypertension frequently co-exist in a patient. In such patients, the risk of complications, morbidity and mortality increases. One should be careful in management and choosing drugs. Authors undertook this study to understand the prescribing pattern of the physicians in diabetic hypertensive patients.Methods: This cross sectional, observational study was conducted in type 2 diabetic outdoor patients with co-existing hypertension, for duration of one year. We used descriptive statistics to analyze data of 615 patients to determine prescribing pattern of drugs.Results: 93.17% of patients were more than 40 years of age. Ratio of female to male patients was 1.30. Mean duration of diabetes was 5.81 years. Multi drug anti diabetic regimes (54.47%) were common than monotherapy (43.90%). Commonly prescribed anti diabetic drug groups were biguanides (89.27%), Sulfonylureas (43.90%) and insulin (15.28%). Metformin (89.27%), glibenclamide (29.11%) and insulin (15.28%) were commonly prescribed anti diabetic drugs. Metformin was the most common monotherapy drug and biguanide + sulfonylurea was the most common two drug combination. Commonly prescribed drugs for co-morbid conditions were enalapril (83.41%), aspirin (30.41%), amlodipine (29.76%) atorvastatin (27.32%) and famotidine (26.34%). Average number of drugs prescribed in a prescription was 4.65. Prescriptions with injections were 15.93% and with brand names were 13.15%.Conclusions: Prescribing pattern of drugs was as per current practices and recommendations of guidelines. Still, there is room for improvement in choice of drug, prescribing drug with generic name and choosing drug from essential medicine list

Evaluation of the Plant Stevia rebaudiana (Bert.)'s Pharmacological and Therapeutic Significance

Research on novel compounds with less hazardous side effects and greater potency is underway, and more focus is being placed on medicinal plants as a means of treating the aforementioned issues. Drug candidates made from medicinal plants have been identified.. The globe uses The plant-based carbohydrate a sweetener which has therapeutic qualities as well as nutritional, therapeutic, and industrial relevance. The rebaudiana plant's leaves are often referred as as as from honey leaves, and candies, and sweets

CRISPR-Cas9 Gene Editing of Hematopoietic Stem Cells from Patients with Friedreich's Ataxia.

Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA) is an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disorder caused by expansion of GAA repeats in intron 1 of the frataxin (FXN) gene, leading to significant decreased expression of frataxin, a mitochondrial iron-binding protein. We previously reported that syngeneic hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell (HSPC) transplantation prevented neurodegeneration in the FRDA mouse model YG8R. We showed that the mechanism of rescue was mediated by the transfer of the functional frataxin from HSPC-derived microglia/macrophage cells to neurons/myocytes. In this study, we report the first step toward an autologous HSPC transplantation using the CRISPR-Cas9 system for FRDA. We first identified a pair of CRISPR RNAs (crRNAs) that efficiently removes the GAA expansions in human FRDA lymphoblasts, restoring the non-pathologic level of frataxin expression and normalizing mitochondrial activity. We also optimized the gene-editing approach in HSPCs isolated from healthy and FRDA patients' peripheral blood and demonstrated normal hematopoiesis of gene-edited cells in vitro and in vivo. The procedure did not induce cellular toxic effect or major off-target events, but a p53-mediated cell proliferation delay was observed in the gene-edited cells. This study provides the foundation for the clinical translation of autologous transplantation of gene-corrected HSPCs for FRDA