A Simplified Hierarchical Dynamic Quantum Secret Sharing Protocol with Added Features

Generalizing the notion of dynamic quantum secret sharing (DQSS), a simplified protocol for hierarchical dynamic quantum secret sharing (HDQSS) is proposed and it is shown that the protocol can be implemented using any existing protocol of quantum key distribution, quantum key agreement or secure direct quantum communication. The security of this proposed protocol against eavesdropping and collusion attacks is discussed with specific attention towards the issues related to the composability of the subprotocols that constitute the proposed protocol. The security and qubit efficiency of the proposed protocol is also compared with that of other existing protocols of DQSS. Further, it is shown that it is possible to design a semi-quantum protocol of HDQSS and in principle, the protocols of HDQSS can be implemented using any quantum state. It is also noted that the completely orthogonal-state-based realization of HDQSS protocol is possible and that HDQSS can be experimentally realized using a large number of alternative approaches.Comment: 9 pages, 1 figur

Comparing coherence measures for X states: Can quantum states be ordered based on quantum coherence?

Quantum coherence is an essential resource for quantum information processing and various quantitative measures of it have been introduced. However, the interconnections between these measures are not yet understood properly. Here, using a large set of randomly prepared $X$ states and analytically obtained expressions of various measures of coherence (e.g., relative entropy of coherence, $l1$ norm of coherence, coherence via skew information, and first-order coherence), it is established that these measures of quantum coherence cannot be used to perform ordering of a set of quantum states based on the amount of coherence present in a state. Further, it is shown that for a given value of quantum coherence measured by the relative entropy of coherence, maximally nonlocal mixed states of $X$ type (which are characterized by maximal violation of the CHSH inequality) have maximum quantum coherence as measured by $l1$ norm of coherence. In addition, the amount of coherence measured by $l1$ norm of coherence for a Werner state is found to be always less than that for a maximally nonlocal mixed state even when they possess an equal amount of coherence measured by the relative entropy of coherence. These resource theory based measures of coherence are not observed to show any relation with the first-order coherence, while its maximum (hidden coherence) is found to be more connected to concurrence both being basis independent quantities. These observations could be of use in obtaining a deeper understanding of the interconnections between various measures of quantum coherence.Comment: Interconnections between various measures of quantum coherence is investigated using $X$ state

Use of amorphous TiO2 deposited on cotton by sol-gel process for de-colorization of direct dye solutions in presence of UV radiation

In this investigation, decolorization of a direct dye solution catalysed by TiO2 coated on a cotton fabric by sol- gel route in presence of UV radiation has been studied. Effect of various process and material parameters like initial dye solution concentration, treatment time and temperature, stirring rate and construction of fabric on dye decolorization extent has been studied. It is observed that with a starting dye solution concentration of 0.1 g/L, almost 80% dye removal can be achieved. It is not possible to improve the decolorization extent beyond 80% by any combination of parameters. X-ray diffraction studies reveal that the form of TiO2 deposited on cotton fabric is not crystalline but amorphous in nature. While the UV radiation intensity and the fabric construction influence the dye decolorization, the treatment temperature and stirring rate do not have much bearing on decolorizing efficiency

AN OVERVIEW ON INFECTION PREVENTION AND CONTROL PRACTICES AND BIOMEDICAL WASTE MANAGEMENT (BMWM) IN COVID-19 ERA

The ongoing Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has affected the almost entire world and has hit the healthcare and economic sector with a hard blow. The Government imposed lockdowns in almost all part of the world has not only affected the global economy but also has harsh effects on physical and mental health of people around the world. To date, there is no specific and defined treatment or vaccine available for its prophylaxis and treatment; hence preventive strategies like Infection prevention and control (IPC) practices and proper disposal of biomedical waste (BMW) play key role in preventing transmission of the infection in the healthcare sector among healthcare professionals. Ethically, we all should follow the IPC and BMW guidelines soulfully to prevent ourselves and fellow workers from getting infected. The review highlights the salient features of the IPC and BMWM (Biomedical waste management) practices in concise manner for better understanding and implementation at this crucial period of COVID-19 pandemic

Review of clinical profile, risk factors, and outcome in patients with Tuberculosis and COVID -19

Coronavirus disease (COVID 19) has involved millions of people all over the world. Tuberculosis (TB) continues to affect millions of people every year with high mortality. There is limited literature on the occurrence of COVID 19 in patients with TB. We reviewed the available data on various clinical details, management, and outcome among patients with COVID-19 and TB. 8 studies reported a total of 80 patients with this coinfection. These patients were reported from ten different countries, with Italy reporting the largest number of cases. Migrant, males constituted a major proportion of cases. Most reported patients were symptomatic. Fever, dry cough, and dyspnea were the most commonly reported symptoms. Bilateral ground glass opacities were more common in COVID 19 infection and cavitary lesions were more common in patients with TB. Most reported TB patients had been found to have mycobacterium tuberculosis from sputum culture in the background of pulmonary TB. Most patients of TB were treated with multidrug regimen antitubercular therapy. In all 8 studies, COVID 19 was treated as per the local protocol. Mortality was reported in more than 10% of patients. Mortality was higher in elderly patients ( \u3e 70 years) and amongst patient with multiple medical comorbidities

Mechanisms of neurological injury in COVID-19

We read with much interest the article “Neurological Impact of Coronavirus Disease (COVID 19): Practical Considerations for the Neuroscience Community” by Werner et al. published in your esteemed Journal. Authors have described the various neurological details of COVID-19 in detail.1 We believe this topic is important and is continuously evolving. We have the following comments as an addition to the article

Cerebrovascular events in COVID-19 patients

Neurological manifestations in patients with COVID-19 are more frequently being reported. Cerebrovascular events have been reported in around 3% of patients. In this review we summarize the published literature on cerebrovascular events in patients with COVID-19 as available on the PubMed database. So far, 3 studies have reported cerebrovascular events. Cerebrovascular events were identified on screening patients with decreased consciousness or in the presence of focal neurological deficits. These events were common in elderly, critically ill patients and in patients with prior cardio-cerebrovascular comorbidities. The diagnosis of cerebrovascular events was confirmed with computed tomography of the brain in most studies reporting neurological events. Multiple pathological mechanisms have been postulated regarding the process of neurological and vascular injury among which cytokine storm is shown to correlate with mortality. Patients with severe illness are found to have a higher cardio- cerebrovascular comorbidity. With an increasing number of cases and future prospective studies, the exact mechanism by which these cerebrovascular events occur and attribute to the poor outcome will be better understood