Parametric Study of CPT Resonance in Rubidium Vapor Cell for Application in Atomic Clock

The performance of Coherent Population Trapping (CPT) based atomic clocks primarily depends on the characteristics of CPT resonance. We have performed experiments to study and optimize the characteristics of CPT resonance in 87Rb atoms by measuring its contrast and full-width-at-half maximum (FWHM) as function of laser excitation and temperature of atomic vapor cells with different dimensions. A four-level atomic model is used to simulate CPT resonance characteristics along the length of atomic vapor cell. The model incorporates scaling law to understand collision dynamics in cells with different radius for a range of laser excitation intensities and the results are compared with experimental data. The quality figure, calculated from the measured values of FWHM and contrast, decreases with increase in laser intensity and improves in cells with higher dimension (radius). The optimum temperature corresponding to maximum quality figure varies with laser excitation intensity as well as cell dimension. The underlying collision dynamics and density effects that are responsible for the observed resonance characteristics are discussed

A Mycobacterium leprae Hsp65 Mutant as a Candidate for Mitigating Lupus Aggravation in Mice

Hsp60 is an abundant and highly conserved family of intracellular molecules. Increased levels of this family of proteins have been observed in the extracellular compartment in chronic inflammation. Administration of M. leprae Hsp65 [WT] in [NZBxNZW]F1 mice accelerates the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus [SLE] progression whereas the point mutated K409A Hsp65 protein delays the disease. Here, the biological effects of M. leprae Hsp65 Leader pep and K409A pep synthetic peptides, which cover residues 352–371, are presented. Peptides had immunomodulatory effects similar to that observed with their respective proteins on survival and the combined administration of K409A+Leader pep or K409A pep+WT showed that the mutant forms were able to inhibit the deleterious effect of WT on mortality, indicating the neutralizing potential of the mutant molecules in SLE progression. Molecular modeling showed that replacing Lysine by Alanine affects the electrostatic potential of the 352–371 region. The number of interactions observed for WT is much higher than for Hsp65 K409A and mouse Hsp60. The immunomodulatory effects of the point-mutated protein and peptide occurred regardless of the catalytic activity. These findings may be related to the lack of effect on survival when F1 mice were inoculated with Hsp60 or K409A pep. Our findings indicate the use of point-mutated Hsp65 molecules, such as the K409A protein and its corresponding peptide, that may minimize or delay the onset of SLE, representing a new approach to the treatment of autoimmune diseases

Cinnamomum cassia Bark in Two Herbal Formulas Increases Life Span in Caenorhabditis elegans via Insulin Signaling and Stress Response Pathways

Background: Proving the efficacy and corresponding mode of action of herbal supplements is a difficult challenge for evidence-based herbal therapy. A major hurdle is the complexity of herbal preparations, many of which combine multiple herbs, particularly when the combination is assumed to be vitally important to the effectiveness of the herbal therapy. This issue may be addressed through the use of contemporary methodology and validated animal models. Methods and Principal Findings: In this study, two commonly used traditional herbal formulas, Shi Quan Da Bu Tang (SQDB) and Huo Luo Xiao Ling Dan (HLXL) were evaluated using a survival assay and oxidative stress biomarkers in a well-established C. elegans model of aging. HLXL is an eleven herb formula modified from a top-selling traditional herbal formula for the treatment of arthritic joint pain. SQDB consists of ten herbs often used for fatigue and energy, particularly in the aged. We demonstrate here that SQDB significantly extend life span in a C. elegans model of aging. Among all individual herbs tested, two herbs Cinnamomum cassia bark (Chinese pharmaceutical name: Cinnamomi Cortex, CIN) and Panax ginseng root (Chinese pharmaceutical name: Ginseng Radix, GS) significantly extended life span in C. elegans. CIN in both SQDB and HLXL formula extended life span via modulation of multiple longevity assurance genes, including genes involved in insulin signaling and stress response pathways. All the life-span-extending herbs (SQDB, CIN and GS) also attenuated levels of H2O2 and enhanced small heat shock protein expression. Furthermore, the life spanextending herbs significantly delayed human amyloid beta (Aβ)-induced toxicity in transgenic C. elegans expressing human Aβ. Conclusion/Significance:These results validate an invertebrate model for rapid, systematic evaluation of commonly used Chinese herbal formulations and may provide insight for designing future evidence-based herbal therapy(s). Copyright: © 2010 Yu et al.published_or_final_versio

Dalit humanization: A Quest based on M.M. Thomas' theology of salvation and humanization

Chapter one states the central quest of this thesis: to develop a Dalit theology on the basis of the concepts salvation and humanization of M.M. Thomas. Chapter two elucidates the socio- political and religious milieu which influenced his theology. Thomas’ theology has evolved and developed in revolutionary contexts which demanded political freedom, social equality and religious identity. Chapter three explores the life and work of Thomas and demonstrates his fivefold search for humanization. Thomas’ ecumenical and international exposures shaped his theology as he moved from an evangelical position to an ecumenical stance and from an ecumenical position to liberational and pluralistic stance. Chapter four is an exploration and interpretation of Thomas’ theology of salvation and humanization. He defines salvation as ‘the spiritual inwardness of humanization’ and humanization as ‘the outwardness of salvation.’ He interprets salvation as spiritual, ultimate and eschatological while humanization as physical, penultimate and historical; yet in Thomas’ view they are two sides of the same coin. Though there are obstacles Thomas finds hope in Christ. Thomas suggests secularism, inter-religious dialogue, and conscientization as means towards humanization. The process of humanization is a radical shift from individual to collective salvation, sacralization to secularization and Church-centred religious fellowship to a Christ-centred secular fellowship. The goal is to restore the lost personhood and peoplehood so that they become subject of their own history. Chapter five is an appraisal of Thomas’ theology of humanization from a liberational, tribal, feminist and Dalit perspective. Though Thomas advocates the humanization of tribals and women as well Dalits, the tribal and feminist theologians have not actively engaged with Thomas’ theology. But Dalit theologians like A.P. Nirmal and M. Azariah have criticized and rejected his contribution on methodological grounds as well as his use of brahminical tradition. However,others and Dalit theologian like V Devasahayam recognized Thomas as a man for the last, the least and the lost of the society. This thesis argues that Thomas’ theology of humanization is pivotal for Dalit humanization. Thomas served if not as a leader of Dalits but as a ladder and a spring board on which others climb and claim for a theology of humanization for the Dalits. Chapter six explores the relevance of Thomas’ theology of humanization towards Dalit humanization. It argues that Thomas’ quest for humanization is pertinent to the Dalits quest for humanization.It moves beyond Thomas by taking the particular sufferings of Dalits as the context against which a Dalit theology is to be developed. This dissertation proposes a triangle relevance of Thomas’ theology of humanization for the development of Dalit theology in the field of Dalit Christology, anthropology and ecclesiology. Chapter seven concludes that Thomas’ theology of humanization promises a fuller and a richer life in Christ for Dalits and restores their personhood and peoplehood in the society. Thomas’ theology serves as a spring board for Dalit theology and raises a genuine quest for human identity, dignity, equality, justice and humanization of people in the context of dehumanization on account of one’s caste, color, creed and gender

A convergent synthesis of the C31-C46 fragment of phorboxazoles

A convergent synthesis of the C31-C46 fragment of phorboxazoles has been achieved. This involved the preparation of a C31-C39 aldehyde and a C40-C46 benzothiazole secondary - sulfone followed by their coupling, employing modified Julia ole- fination as a key reaction

A concise and stereoselective synthesis of both enantiomers of altholactone and isoaltholactone

A concise and flexible stereoselective route to synthesize both enantiomers of the highly functionalized α,β-unsaturated-δ-lactones, altholactone and isoaltholactone, from readily available cinnamyl alcohol is described. This approach derived its asymmetry from Sharpless catalytic asymmetric epoxidation and Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation reactions. The resulting diols were produced in high enantiomeric excess and were cyclized in a stereoselective manner in the presence of a catalytic amount of camphor sulphonic acid. The synthesis of both enantiomers of altholactone and isoaltholactone has been achieved in a concise and highly enantioselective manner