Optical-density enhanced quantum entanglement via four-wave mixing process.

We theoretically propose a scheme to generate a strong continuous-variable quantum entangled light source in four-wave mixing (FWM) process by increasing the optical density of atomic medium. By properly choosing the input coupling field Rabi frequency and detuning, the optimized entanglement can be achieved to be better than -17 dB at an optical density of approximately 1, 000, which has been realized in atomic media. Besides, with the optimized one-photon detuning and coupling Rabi frequency, the optimum entanglement degree can be greatly enhanced with the increment of optical density. We also examine the effects of atomic decoherence rate and two-photon detuning on entanglement in a realistic setting, and evaluate the experimental feasibility. We find that the entanglement can be further improved by considering two-photon detuning. In addition, with optimum parameters the entanglement is robust against the decoherence. The strong entanglement provides a promising applications in continuous-variable quantum communications.

Microwave sensing dataset for noninvasive monitoring of ventricle enlargement due to Alzheimer's disease.

This paper presents a dataset generated from a comprehensive study on the potential of microwave imaging for early detection or monitoring of different stages of Alzheimer's disease. The study includes collecting and analyzing frequency-domain data using a radar-based head imaging system. The data was obtained from lamb brain phantoms designed to mimic lateral ventricle enlargement, a common symptom of Alzheimer's disease. The article provides detailed descriptions of the data collection method, experimental setup, and different phantoms used. Additionally, the article highlights the importance and potential of the dataset to be used for evaluating and validating new signal processing and imaging techniques. The dataset includes magnitude and phase information for both reflected and transmitted signals making it useful to evaluate radar-based signal processing and imaging techniques. The dataset is open-source and available to the scientific community, providing a valuable resource for researchers to advance their understanding of the potential use of microwave imaging techniques for detecting or monitoring Alzheimer's disease.

Lifetime Estimation and Orientation Effect Based on Long-Term Degradation Analysis of Thermoset and Thermoplastic Insulators.

Polymeric insulators have replaced ceramic insulators due to their obvious properties like low surface energy, which exhibits good hydrophobic performance, low weight, etc. However, electric utilities have concerns about their long-term performance. In that context, the long-term performance of two different types of polymeric insulators are investigated in this study: thermoset Silicone rubber (SiR) and thermoplastic elastomeric (TPE). Multi-stress aging was performed in the different orientations of both types of polymeric insulators. During multi-stress aging, insulators are exposed to varied loads in both vertical and horizontal orientations, simulating actual service environmental conditions. Experiments were done in a chamber where different types of stresses were simulated, which resembles the weathering conditions of Hattar, Pakistan, which is one of the most polluted industrial zones. Both insulators were stressed in a chamber under the designed weathering conditions for two years and six months at different orientations. Polymeric insulators made of SiR perform better in the vertical position than that in the horizontal position. Furthermore, the experimental results show that both materials are capable in a variety of situations. SiR, on the other hand, performed well due to its high hydrophobicity, which means it is less impacted by contaminants and hence has a longer life and higher service performance than TPE.

Experimental radar data for monitoring brain atrophy progression.

This data set contains complex frequency domain signals obtained from unidirectional antennas mainly fabricated for radar-based head imaging. Data were obtained as part of a project investigating radar-based microwave imaging for monitoring neurodegenerative diseases, especially Alzheimer's disease. The wearable device, measurement setup, and phantoms used are described. Multiple experiments were performed to get the data from three lamb brain phantoms that realistically mimic the whole-brain atrophy due to Alzheimer's disease. Microwave imaging has shown great potential for breast and brain screening due to its low cost, non-ionizing, portable, and wearable nature. Most of the studies are based on simulations with good results, but further evaluation on experimental data is required before its clinical viability. This work provides an open-source experimental dataset that can be used to evaluate novel signal processing and imaging techniques and validate simulation results. The data provide both the magnitude and phase value at each discrete frequency, making this data set useful for both time-delay and phase-shift based imaging algorithms.

An Integrated Methodology for Bibliometric Analysis: A Case Study of Internet of Things in Healthcare Applications.

This paper presents an integrated and easy methodology for bibliometric analysis. The proposed methodology is evaluated on recent research activities to highlight the role of the Internet of Things in healthcare applications. Different tools are used for bibliometric studies to explore the breadth and depth of different research areas. However, these Methods consider only the Web of Science or Scopus data for bibliometric analysis. Furthermore, bibliometric analysis has not been fully utilised to examine the capabilities of the Internet of Things for medical devices and their applications. There is a need for an easy methodology to use for a single integrated analysis of data from many sources rather than just the Web of Science or Scopus. A few bibliometric studies merge the Web of Science and Scopus to conduct a single integrated piece of research. This paper presents a methodology that could be used for a single bibliometric analysis across multiple databases. Three freely available tools, Excel, Perish or Publish and the R package Bibliometrix, are used for the purpose. The proposed bibliometric methodology is evaluated for studies related to the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) and its applications in healthcare settings. An inclusion/exclusion criterion is developed to explore relevant studies from the seven largest databases, including Scopus, Web of Science, IEEE, ACM digital library, PubMed, Science Direct and Google Scholar. The study focuses on factors such as the number of publications, citations per paper, collaborative research output, h-Index, primary research and healthcare application areas. Data for this study are collected from the seven largest academic databases for 2012 to 2022 related to IoMT and their applications in healthcare. The bibliometric data analysis generated different research themes within IoMT technologies and their applications in healthcare research. The study has also identified significant research areas in this field. The leading research countries and their contributions are another output from the data analysis. Finally, future research directions are proposed for researchers to explore this area in further detail.

Understanding Variations in the Tracking and Erosion Performance of HTV-SR-Based Composites due to AC-Stressed Aging.

Among the polymeric family, high-temperature-vulcanized silicone rubber (HTV-SR) is the most deployed material for high voltage insulation applications. However, in an outdoor environment, due to contamination and wetting-induced dry band arcing, consequently SR experiences surface tracking and erosion. From a practical standpoint, the tracking and erosion performance under multi-stress aging is required to be known. It is in that context that the present study was undertaken to measure and analyze the effect of multi-stress aging on tracking and erosion performance. Composite samples of SR having different filler concentrations of silica and alumina trihydroxide (ATH) were aged in a multi-stress chamber for a period of 5000 h, and after that their electrical tracking performance was studied. Simultaneously, unaged samples were also exposed to tracking test for comparison. To conduct this test, the inclined plane testing technique was used in accordance with IEC-60587. All samples exposed to tracking test were analyzed using different diagnostic and measuring techniques involving surface leakage current measurement, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermal stability and hydrophobicity classification. Experimental results shown that the tracking lifetime increased through incorporation of silica and ATH fillers in the SR. Amongst all test samples, two samples designated as filled with 2% nano silica and 20% micro silica/ATH exhibited greater resistance to tracking. This was attributed to the optimum loading as well as better dispersion of the fillers in the polymer matrix. The presence of nano-silica enhanced time-to-tracking failure, owing to both improved thermal stability and enhanced shielding effect on the surface of nanocomposite insulators.

Ethnopharmacological treatment of Cough in Piran, Malakand, Pakistan / Tratamiento etnofarmacológico de la tos en Piran, Malakand, Pakistán

The current study was designed to investigate the traditional recipes used to treat cough in Tehsil Piran, Malakand, Pakistan. These recipes were explored and quantitively analyzed for the first time. A total of 30 species of the plants, 6 animal products and one salt were reported to be used by the community to treat cough. Punica granatum L. and Olea ferruginea Royle dominated with Use value (UV) of 0.84 and Origanum vulgare L. with least use value of 0.1. The frequency citation (FC) of the Papaver somniferum L. is higher (98) while the lowest one is Verbascum thapsus L. (0.13). The large number of traditional recipes used for cough in this area shows that primary health care is still amalgamated in this culture. In future studies, these recipes may be further exploited as a base for modern medicine.

Este estudio fue diseñado con el propósito de investigar las recetas tradicionales utilizadas para tratar la tos en Tehsil Piran, Malakand, Pakistán. Estas recetas fueron exploradas y analizadas cuantitativamente por primera vez. Se constata que la comunidad utilizó un total de 30 especies de plantas, 6 productos animales y una sal para tratar la tos. Punica granatum L. y Olea ferruginea Royle se destacaron con un valor de uso (UV) de 0.84 y Origanum vulgare L. con un valor de uso mínimo de 0.1. La cita de frecuencia (FC) del Papaver somniferum L. es más alta (98) mientras que la más baja es Verbascum thapsus L. (0.13). La gran cantidad de recetas tradicionales utilizadas para la tos en esta área muestra que la atención primaria de salud todavía está amalgamada en esta cultura. En futuros estudios, estas recetas pueden explotarse aún más como base para la medicina moderna.

Understanding of Collective Atom Phase Control in Modified Photon Echoes for a Near-Perfect Storage Time-Extended Quantum Memory.

A near-perfect storage time-extended photon echo-based quantum memory protocol has been analyzed by solving the Maxwell-Bloch equations for a backward scheme in a three-level system. The backward photon echo scheme is combined with a controlled coherence conversion process via controlled Rabi flopping to a third state, where the control Rabi flopping collectively shifts the phase of the ensemble coherence. The propagation direction of photon echoes is coherently determined by the phase-matching condition between the data (quantum) and the control (classical) pulses. Herein, we discuss the classical controllability of a quantum state for both phase and propagation direction by manipulating the control pulses in both single and double rephasing photon echo schemes of a three-level system. Compared with the well-understood uses of two-level photon echoes, the Maxwell-Bloch equations for a three-level system have a critical limitation regarding the phase change when interacting with an arbitrary control pulse area.

Analysis of Controlled Rabi Flopping in a Double Rephasing Photon Echo Scheme for Quantum Memories.

A double rephasing scheme of a photon echo is analyzed for inversion-free photon echo-based quantum memories using controlled Rabi flopping, where the Rabi flopping is used for phase control of collective atom coherence. Unlike the rephasing-caused π-phase shift in a single rephasing scheme, the control Rabi flopping between the excited state and an auxiliary third state induces coherence inversion. Thus, the absorptive photon echo in a double rephasing scheme can be manipulated to be emissive. Here, we present a quantum coherence control of atom phases in a double rephasing photon echo scheme for emissive photon echoes for quantum memory applications.

Assessment of Prescriptions in the Endocrinology Department of a Tertiary Care Hospital in Pakistan Using World Health Organization Guidelines.

BACKGROUND: It is essential to follow World Health Organization drug prescribing indicators to ensure rational prescribing in every health care setting. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prescriptions in the endocrinology department, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), recommended Ghana guidelines for diabetes management and rational therapy. METHODS: Concurrent and retrospective study design was used. The prescriptions of 100 diabetes patients were assessed for the type of medicine, dosage form, number of drugs, diabetes type, and deviation from standard guidelines. RESULTS: In a total of 100 prescriptions, the pattern was reported as injections (31%), antibiotics (18%), and metformin (31.1%). Half of the prescriptions were according to WHO guidelines. The number of drugs per prescription was reported at 5.2. A 70% rational approach was followed in prescribing. 81% of drugs were prescribed from the Essential Drug List (EDL) of the WHO. However, the National Essential Drug List (NEDL) was followed by 27%. The percentage of drugs on generic names was 0.7%. Eighty-four patients showed net improvement in health; 16 patients showed higher glycemic range at the time of discharge. CONCLUSION: The conclusion of the present study indicates that WHO Ghana guidelines were not followed up to the mark to improve the overall health status of diabetic patients and rational prescribing.

Assessing the prevalence and economic significance of coccidiosis individually and in combination with concurrent infections in Pakistani commercial poultry farms.

Coccidiosis is one of the most economically important diseases of the poultry, around the globe. In order to assess seasonal and age-wise prevalence of coccidiosis individually and with concurrent infections, this study was conducted on commercial poultry farms in and around Multan division, province of Punjab, Pakistan. A total of 28,126 boilers, 4,052 layers and 7,699 golden bird samples, provided by regional farmers and consultants, were examined by microscopy for the diagnosis of coccidiosis. Based on postmortem lesions, several infections including coccidiosis, viral, and miscellaneous diseases were catalogued, whereas samples were cultured to identify concurrent bacterial diseases. Cumulative analysis of this large set of samples revealed a prevalence of 14.16, 11.01, and 19.57% in broiler, layer and golden birds, respectively. Ascaridia galli (A. galli) showed a higher prevalence in layer (2.47%) compared to golden (0.21%) birds (P < 0.01). Amongst all concurrent infections investigated, bacterial infections were identified in highest percentage of samples (59.24%; P < 0.05). The age-wise and season-wise prevalence of coccidiosis and A. galli was found to be significant (P < 0.05). During the study period, an estimated of 10.69 (coccidiosis) and 0.29 (A. galli) million poultry birds were treated or provided prophylaxis and supportive therapy at Pakistani commercial poultry farms. Depending upon the prevailing market conditions, the total economic losses (treatment, prophylaxis, and supportive therapy) from coccidiosis and A. galli were estimated to be US $45,405.00 and 2,638.50, respectively, while production (weight and eggs) losses for broiler (US$ 2,750,779.00), layer and golden, young (US$ 13,974.98 and 50,228.76) and adult (US$ 104.74 and 203.77) were estimated. Unit loss of coccidiosis with concurrent diseases and intestinal worm was estimated to be US$ 0.005 and 0.01, respectively. These results highlight the potential impact of coccidiosis individually and with concurrent infections on the poultry productivity and will inform farmers, policy makers, and other governmental and non-governmental stakeholders on the use of control and management measures in containing these infections.