Ultra-short solitons and kinetic effects in nonlinear metamaterials

We present a stability analysis of a modified nonlinear Schroedinger equation describing the propagation of ultra-short pulses in negative refractive index media. Moreover, using methods of quantum statistics, we derive a kinetic equation for the pulses, making it possible to analyze and describe partial coherence in metamaterials. It is shown that a novel short pulse soliton, which is found analytically, can propagate in the medium.Comment: 6 pages, 2 figures, to appear in Phys. Rev.

CHEMICAL SPECIATION OF Pb(II), Cd(II), Hg(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) AND Zn(II) BINARY COMPLEXES OF L-METHIONINE IN 1,2-PROPANEDIOL–WATER MIXTURES

Chemical speciation of Pb(II), Cd(II), Hg(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes of L-methionine in 0.0-60 % v/v 1,2-propanediol-water mixtures maintaining an ionic strength of 0.16 M at 303 K has been studied pH metrically. The active forms of ligand are LH2+, LH and L-. The predominant species detected are ML, MLH, ML2, ML2H, ML2H2 and MLOH. Models containing different numbers of species were refined by using the computer program MINIQUAD 75. The best-fit chemical models were arrived at based on statistical parameters. The trend in variation of complex stability constants with change in the dielectric constant of the medium is explained on the basis of electrostatic and non-electrostatic forces. KEY WORDS: Complex equilibria, Chemical speciation, L-Methionine, 1,2-Propanediol, Metals Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2007, 21(3), 363-372

Time Domain Signal Detection for MIMO OFDM

The MIMO techniques with OFDM is regarded as a promising solution for increasing data rates, for wireless access qualities of future wireless local area networks, fourth generation wireless communication systems, and for high capacity, as well as better performance. Hence as part of continued research, in this paper an attempt is made to carry out modelling, analysis, channel matrix estimation, synchronization and simulation of MIMO-OFDM system. A time domain signal detection algorithm can be based on Second Order Statistics (SOS) proposed for MIMO-OFDM system over frequency selective fading channels. In this algorithm, an equalizer is first inserted to reduce the MIMO channels to ones with channel length shorter than or equal to the Cyclic Prefix (CP) length. A system model in which the ith received OFDM block left shifted by j samples introduced. MIMO OFDM system model which uses the equalizer can be designed using SOS of the received signal vector to cancel the most of the Inter Symbol Interference (ISI). The transmitted signals are then detected from the equalizer output. In the proposed algorithm, only 2P (P transmitted antennas / users in the MIMO-OFDM system) columns of the channel matrix need to be estimated and channel length estimation is unnecessary, which is an advantage over an existing algorithms. In addition, the proposed algorithm is applicable for irrespective of whether the channel length is shorter than, equal to or longer than the CP length. Simulation results verify the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm and shows that it out performs the existing one in all cases

Association studies of grain iron and zinc concentrations with yield and other agronomic traits using F2 populations of two crosses in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench)

Micronutrient malnutrition affects more than one-half of the world’s population, especially women and pre-school children (Nestel et al., 2006). World Health Organization (WHO) of the United Nations estimated that mal nutrition is an underlying cause of 53% of all deaths in children under five years of age and recognized that the two micronutrients iron and zinc and pro-vitamin A (â-carotene) are limiting (Ma et al., 2008). Sorghum [Sorghum bicolour (L.) Moench], being the staple food and fodder crop in parts of semi-arid region of the world and the second cheapest source of energy (63.4 - 72.5 % starch) and micronutrients such as iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) after pearl millet, if enriched with iron and zinc concentrations, can address the micronutrient requirements of the undernourished populations. Moreover, the poor and vulnerable groups in the society, particularly in India depend upon sorghum for their calorie and micronutrient requirement in the absence of access and affordability to nutrient-rich foods like vegetables, fruits and animal products. A study on association of grain iron and zinc concentrations with agronomic traits is needed to help the breeder in devising a suitable breeding strategy for the enhancement of micronutrient density in sorghum. Hence, this study was undertaken at ICRISAT, Patancheru with an aim to analyze the relationships of grain iron and zinc concentrations with grain yield and other agronomic traits in sorghum

Splitting and focusing of neutrino collective states

It is shown that the collective nonlinear interactions between intense neutrino or anti-neutrino fluxes and a dense neutrino plasma are governed by a multi-dimensional coupled cubic Schr\"odinger equation in which the interaction potential is positive or negative depending on the neutrino type. The cubic Schr\"odinger equation describes the splitting and focusing of intense neutrino beams due to the nonlinear excitations associated with the modifications of the individual neutrino energies in a dense neutrino background.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures (colour

Unexpected Long-Term Variability in Jupiter's Tropospheric Temperatures

An essential component of planetary climatology is knowledge of the tropospheric temperature field and its variability. Previous studies of Jupiter hinted at periodic behavior that was non-seasonal, as well as dynamical relationships between tropospheric and stratospheric temperatures. However, these observations were made over time frames shorter than Jupiter's orbit or they used sparse sampling. We derived upper-tropospheric (300-mbar) temperatures over 40 years, extending those studies to cover several orbits of Jupiter, revealing unexpected results. Periodicities of 4, 7 8-9 and 10-14 years were discovered that involved different latitude bands and seem disconnected from seasonal changes in solar heating. Anti-correlations of variability in opposite hemispheres were particularly striking at 16, 22 and 30 degrees from the equator. Equatorial temperature variations are also anticorrelated with those 60-70 km above. Such behavior suggests a top-down control of equatorial tropospheric temperatures from stratospheric dynamics. Realistic future global climate models must address the origins of these variations in preparation for their extension to a wider array of gas-giant exoplanets.Comment: Primary file: 16 pages, 5 figures. Supplemental File (attached): 12 pages, 3 figures, 1 tabl

The Cloud Aerosol Interaction and Precipitation Enhancement Experiment (CAIPEEX): overview and preliminary results

While the demand for enhancing rainfall through cloud seeding is strong and persistent in the country, considerable uncertainty exists on the success of such an endeavour at a given location. To understand the pathways of aerosol-cloud interaction through which this might be achieved, a national experiment named Cloud Aerosol Interaction and Precipitation Enhancement EXperiment (CAIPEEX) in two phases, was carried out. The rationale of CAIPEEX, the strategy for conducting the experiment, data quality and potential for path-breaking science are described in this article. Pending completion of quality control and calibration of the CAIPEEX phase-II data, here we present some initial results of CAIPEEX phase-I aimed at documenting the prevailing microphysical characteristics of aerosols and clouds and associated environmental conditions over different regions of the country and under different monsoon conditions with the help of an instrumented research aircraft. First-time simultaneous observations of aerosol, cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) and cloud droplet number concentration (CDNC) over the Ganges Valley during monsoon season show very high concentrations (> 1000 cm-3) of CCN at elevated layers. Observations of elevated layers with high aerosol concentration over the Gangetic valley extending up to 6 km and relatively less aerosol concentration in the boundary layer are also documented. We also present evidence of strong cloud- aerosol interaction in the moist environments with an increase in the cloud droplet effective radius. Our observations also show that pollution increases CDNC and the warm rain depth, and delays its initiation. The critical effective radius for warm rain initiation is found to be between 10 and 12 µm in the polluted clouds and it is between 12 and 14 µm in cleaner monsoon clouds

Associations of the built environment with type 2 diabetes in Asia: a systematic review

Objectives Our study aimed to systematically review the literature and synthesise findings on potential associations of built environment characteristics with type 2 diabetes (T2D) in Asia. Design Systematic review of the literature. Data sources Online databases Medline, Embase and Global Health were used to identify peer-reviewed journal articles published from inception to 23 January 2023. Eligibility criteria Eligible studies included cohort, cross-sectional and case–control studies that explored associations of built environment characteristics with T2D among adults 18 years and older in Asia. Data extraction and synthesis Covidence online was used to remove duplicates and perform title, abstract and full-text screening. Data extraction was carried out by two independent reviewers using the OVID database and data were imported into MS Excel. Out of 5208 identified studies, 28 studies were included in this systematic review. Due to heterogeneity in study design, built environment and outcome definitions, a semiqualitative analysis was conducted, which synthesised results using weighted z-scores. Results Five broad categories of built environment characteristics were associated with T2D in Asia. These included urban green space, walkability, food environment, availability and accessibility of services such as recreational and healthcare facilities and air pollution. We found very strong evidence of a positive association of particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10), nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide (p<0.001) with T2D risk. Conclusion Several built environment attributes were significantly related to T2D in Asia. When compared with Western countries, very few studies have been conducted in Asia. Further research is, therefore, warranted to establish the importance of the built environment on T2D. Such evidence is essential for public health and planning policies to (re)design neighbourhoods and help improve public health across Asian countries

Changes in Culture Expanded Human Amniotic Epithelial Cells: Implications for Potential Therapeutic Applications

Human amniotic epithelial cells (hAEC) isolated from term placenta have stem cell-like properties, differentiate into tissue specific cells and reduce lung and liver inflammation and fibrosis following transplantation into disease models established in mice. These features together with their low immunogenicity and immunosuppressive properties make hAEC an attractive source of cells for potential therapeutic applications. However, generation of large cell numbers required for therapies through serial expansion in xenobiotic-free media may be a limiting factor. We investigated if hAEC could be expanded in xenobiotic-free media and if expansion altered their differentiation capacity, immunophenotype, immunosuppressive properties and production of immunomodulatory factors. Serial expansion in xenobiotic-free media was limited with cumulative cell numbers and population doubling times significantly lower than controls maintained in fetal calf serum. The epithelial morphology of primary hAEC changed into mesenchymal-stromal like cells by passage 4–5 (P4–P5) with down regulation of epithelial markers CK7, CD49f, EpCAM and E-cadherin and elevation of mesenchymal-stromal markers CD44, CD105, CD146 and vimentin. The P5 hAEC expanded in xenobiotic-free medium differentiated into osteocyte and alveolar epithelium-like cells, but not chondrocyte, hepatocyte, α- and β-pancreatic-like cells. Expression of HLA Class IA, Class II and co-stimulatory molecules CD80, CD86 and CD40 remained unaltered. The P5 hAEC suppressed mitogen stimulated T cell proliferation, but were less suppressive compared with primary hAEC at higher splenocyte ratios. Primary and P5 hAEC did not secrete the immunosuppressive factors IL-10 and HGF, whereas TGF-β1 and HLA-G were reduced and IL-6 elevated in P5 hAEC. These findings suggest that primary and expanded hAEC may be suitable for different cellular therapeutic applications

Human Amniotic Epithelial Cell Transplantation Induces Markers of Alternative Macrophage Activation and Reduces Established Hepatic Fibrosis

Chronic hepatic inflammation from multiple etiologies leads to a fibrogenic response that can progress to cirrhosis and liver failure. Transplantation of human amniotic epithelial cells (hAEC) from term delivered placenta has been shown to decrease mild to moderate hepatic fibrosis in a murine model. To model advanced human liver disease and assess the efficacy of hAEC therapy, we transplanted hAEC in mice with advanced hepatic fibrosis. Immunocompetent C57BL/6 mice were administered carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) twice weekly resulting in bridging fibrosis by 12 weeks. hAEC (2×106) were infused via the tail vein at week 8 or weeks 8 and 10 (single and double dose, respectively). Human cells were detected in mouse liver four weeks after transplantation showing hAEC engraftment. CCl4 treated mice receiving single or double hAEC doses showed a significant but similar decrease in liver fibrosis area associated with decreased activation of collagen-producing hepatic stellate cells and decreased hepatic protein levels of the pro-fibrogenic cytokine, transforming growth factor-beta1. CCl4 administration caused hepatic T cell infiltration that decreased significantly following hAEC transplantation. Hepatic macrophages play a crucial role in both fibrogenesis and fibrosis resolution. Mice exposed to CCl4 demonstrated increased numbers of hepatic macrophages compared to normal mice; the number of macrophages decreased significantly in CCl4 treated mice given hAEC. These mice had significantly lower hepatic protein levels of the chemokine monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 than mice given CCl4 alone. Alternatively activated M2 macrophages are associated with fibrosis resolution. CCl4 treated mice given hAEC showed increased expression of genes associated with M2 macrophages including YM-1, IL-10 and CD206. We provide novel data showing that hAEC transplantation induces a wound healing M2 macrophage phenotype associated with reduction of established hepatic fibrosis that justifies further investigation of this potential cell-based therapy for advanced hepatic fibrosis