Observation of a prethermal discrete time crystal

Extending the framework of statistical physics to the nonequilibrium setting has led to the discovery of previously unidentified phases of matter, often catalyzed by periodic driving. However, preventing the runaway heating that is associated with driving a strongly interacting quantum system remains a challenge in the investigation of these newly discovered phases. In this work, we utilize a trapped-ion quantum simulator to observe the signatures of a nonequilibrium driven phase without disorder-the prethermal discrete time crystal. Here, the heating problem is circumvented not by disorder-induced many-body localization, but rather by high-frequency driving, which leads to an expansive time window where nonequilibrium phases can emerge. Floquet prethermalization is thus presented as a general strategy for creating, stabilizing, and studying intrinsically out-of-equilibrium phases of matter.

E-pharmacophore based screening to identify potential HIV-1 gp120 and CD4 interaction blockers for wild and mutant types

HIV-1 gp120 provides a multistage viral entry process through the conserved CD4 binding site. Hunting of potential blockers can diminish the interaction of gp120 with the CD4 host receptor leading to the suppression of HIV-1 infection. Structure-based pharmacophore virtual screening followed by binding free energy calculation, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation and density functional theory (DFT) calculation is applied to discriminate the potential blockers from six small molecule databases. Five compounds from six databases exhibited vital interactions with key residues ASP368, GLU370, ASN425, MET426, TRP427 and GLY473 of gp120, involved in the binding with CD4, host receptor. Most importantly, compound NCI-254200 displayed strong communication with key residues of wild type and drug resistance single mutant gp120 (M426L and W427V) even in the dynamic condition, evidenced from MD simulation. This investigation provided a potential compound NCI-254200 which may show inhibitory activity against HIV-1 gp120 variant interactions with CD4 host cell receptors.

Insight into the charging-discharging of magnetite electrodes: in situ XAS and DFT study

The structural changes of Fe3O4 nanoparticle electrodes in Li ion batteries during charging-discharging cycles have been investigated using in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). Chemometric methods viz., Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Multivariate Curve Resolution-Alternate Least Square (MCR-ALS) have been used for analysis of the in situ XANES data during the charge-discharge cycle, which help to identify the various species formed during the lithiation-delithiation of Fe3O4. The concentration variation of the different species has also been determined and the detailed intercalation-conversion mechanism of the Fe3O4 electrodes during the first discharge has been established. Subsequently, the first charge and second discharge cycles were also studied to apprehend the difference in redox reaction between the first discharge and subsequent cycles. The above studies clearly identify the four species involved in the whole intercalation-conversion process of Fe3O4 electrode of a Li ion battery and also indicate the irreversibility of the conversion reaction in subsequent cycles which may be one of the reasons for capacity fading of these electrodes. The above results have also been corroborated with density functional theory (DFT)based ab inito calculations.

Clinical trials of homeopathy in urological disorders: a systematic review

OBJECTIVES

Homeopathy remains one of the most sought after therapies for urological disorders. The aim of this paper was to systematically review the available clinical researches of homeopathy in the said conditions.

CONTENT

Relevant trials published between Jan 1, 1981 and Dec 31, 2016 (with further extension up to Dec 31, 2017) was identified through a comprehensive search. Internal validity of the randomized trials and observational studies was assessed by The Cochrane Collaboration's tool and methodological index for non-randomized studies (MINORS) criteria respectively, homeopathic model validity by Mathie's six judgmental domains, and quality of homeopathic individualization by Saha's criteria.

SUMMARY

Four controlled (three randomized and one sequentially allocated controlled trial) trials were reviewed and 14 observational studies alongside - all demonstrated positive effect of homeopathy. Major focus areas were benign prostatic hypertrophy and renal stones. One of the four controlled trials had 'adequate' model validity, but suffered from 'high' risk of bias. None of the non-randomized studies was tagged as 'ideal' as all of those underperformed in the MINORS rating. Nine observational studies had 'adequate' model validity and quality criteria of individualization. Proof supporting individualized homeopathy from the controlled trials remained promising, still inconclusive.

OUTLOOK

Although observational studies appeared to produce encouraging effects, lack of adequate quality data from randomized trials hindered to arrive at any conclusion regarding the efficacy or effectiveness of homeopathy in urological disorders. The findings from the RCTs remained scarce, underpowered and heterogeneous, had low reliability overall due to high or uncertain risk of bias and sub-standard model validity. Well-designed trials are warranted with improved methodological robustness.

FUNDING

None; Registration web-link: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?ID=CRD42018081624&ID=CRD42018081624.

Thlaspi Bursa Pastoris in Treatment of Urinary Stones: A Case Series

BACKGROUND

 Urinary stones are the most common cause of acute ureteral obstruction. The homeopathic medicine Thlaspi bursa pastoris (TBP) has many symptoms similar to the typical symptoms of urolithiasis, yet its clinical usefulness has not been well documented.

PATIENTS

 In this study, the clinical symptoms of each of five patients, along with ultrasonographic evidence, were taken for the assessment of the outcome. TBP was prescribed in potency 30c and/or 200c to each patient on the basis of the main symptoms, typically dysuria, retention of urine and haematuria. Each case was followed for up to 6 months. Assessment of causal attribution of treatment effect was performed using the Modified Naranjo Criteria.

RESULTS

 There was full recovery of all five patients and post-treatment ultrasonography showed no calculi remaining. The Modified Naranjo Criteria total score for each patient was either +8/13 or +9/13.

CONCLUSION

 TBP was observed to be effective in eliminating renal stones within a short span of time and without any complications.

Flux-induced topological superconductivity in full-shell nanowires

Hybrid semiconductor-superconductor nanowires have emerged as a promising platform for realizing topological superconductivity (TSC). Here, we present a route to TSC using magnetic flux applied to a full superconducting shell surrounding a semiconducting nanowire core. Tunneling into the core reveals a hard induced gap near zero applied flux, corresponding to zero phase winding, and a gapped region with a discrete zero-energy state around one applied flux quantum, corresponding to 2π phase winding. Theoretical analysis indicates that the winding of the superconducting phase can induce a transition to a topological phase supporting Majorana zero modes. Measured Coulomb blockade peak spacing around one flux quantum shows a length dependence that is consistent with the existence of Majorana modes at the ends of the nanowire.

Efficacy and safety comparison of combination of 0.04% tretinoin microspheres plus 1% clindamycin versus their monotherapy in patients with acne vulgaris: a phase 3, randomized, double-blind study

Background and objectives: There is an unmet need for topical treatments with good tolerability in management of acne vulgaris. The present study aimed to evaluate efficacy and safety of a novel tretinoin (microsphere, 0.04%) formulation in combination with clindamycin (1%) gel for treatment of acne vulgaris.Materials and methods: This phase 3 randomized, double-blind study included patients with moderate-to-severe acne. Patients were treated with tretinoin (microsphere, 0.04%) + clindamycin (1%) or one of the monotherapies (tretinoin, 0.025%; clindamycin, 1%). Key endpoints included percent change in lesion counts, and improvement in Investigator's Static Global Assessment (ISGA) score.Results: 750 patients were randomized (combination, n = 300; tretinoin and clindamycin, each n = 150). At week 12, reductions in inflammatory (77%), non-inflammatory (71%) and total lesions (73%) were significantly greater with combination treatment versus either monotherapy (p < .03). Proportion of patients rated 'clear' or 'almost clear' with ≥2-grade ISGA improvement was higher with combination (46%) versus monotherapies (p < .02). Adverse events occurred in 20 patients, most were mild-moderate; no deaths or serious adverse events were reported. The discontinuation rates due to adverse events with combination therapy were low (≤1%).Conclusion: The once-daily, microsphere-based formulation was generally tolerable with a positive impact on therapeutic outcomes and patients' compliance. ClinicalTrial Registration No.: CTRI/2014/08/004830.

The formation and effect of O-vacancies in doped TiO2

The formation of O-vacancies along with their local environment and locus of formation for the O-vacancies has been understood using EXAFS and ab initio techniques in a doped (Zn²⁺) anatase lattice.

A Systematic Review of Controlled Trials of Homeopathy in Bronchial Asthma

Homeopathy is a controversial form of complementary therapy, but is widely practised to treat asthma. The aim of this systematic review is to evaluate the controlled trials of homeopathy in bronchial asthma. Relevant trials published between Jan 1, 1981, and Dec 31, 2016, were considered. Substantive research articles, conference proceedings, and master and doctoral theses were eligible. Methodology was assessed by Jadad's scoring, internal validity by the Coch-rane tool, model validity by Mathie's criteria, and quality of individualization by Saha's criteria. Sixteen trials were eligible. The majority were positive, especially those testing complex formulations. Methodological quality was diverse; 8 trials had "high" risk of bias. Model validity and individualization quality were compromised. Due to both qualitative and quantitative inadequacies, proofs supporting individualized homeopathy remained inconclusive. The trials were positive (evidence level A), but inconsistent, and suffered from methodological heterogeneity, "high" to "uncertain" risk of bias, incomplete study reporting, inadequacy of independent replications, and small sample sizes.

Assessment of Likelihood Ratio for Four Contact Dermatitis Symptoms of Vinca Minor

Background Contact dermatitis (CD) is a frequently occurring medical condition, for which Vinca minor (VM) is one of the recommended homeopathic medicines. However, the symptoms indicating this medicine have not yet been assessed systematically. Likelihood ratio (LR), based on Bayesian statistics, may yield better estimation of a medicine's indication than the existing method of entry of symptoms into materia medica and repertories.

Methods We investigated LRs of four CD symptoms of VM: (1) great sensitiveness of skin, with redness and soreness from slightest rubbing; (2) weeping eczema with foul, thick crusts; (3) itching amelioration in open air; and (4) CD of scalp. An observational, prospective, patient-outcome study was conducted in five different practice settings on 390 CD patients over 18 months using three outcomes—Glasgow Homeopathic Hospital Outcome Scale (GHHOS), Scoring Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD), and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), assessed at baseline, after 3 and 6 months. The LR of each of the four symptoms was estimated as per the patient-rated outcomes on GHHOS.

Results Seventy-four VM and 316 non-VM cases were analyzed. Estimated LRs were as follows: symptom 1, 1.29 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.65 to 2.60); symptom 2, 1.48 (95% CI: 0.80 to 2.74); symptom 3, 1.70 (95% CI: 0.94 to 3.07); symptom 4, 1.36 (95% CI: 0.74 to 2.51). There were statistically significant reductions in SCORAD and DLQI scores over 3 and 6 months.

Conclusion There was insufficient evidence to attribute any of the four assessed symptoms clearly to VM. Though non-significant, a high LR was observed for “itching amelioration in open air” (symptom 3). Symptoms in the homeopathic materia medica for VM are perhaps over-represented. More research of this nature is warranted.

Extended x-ray absorption fine structure measurements on radio frequency magnetron sputtered HfO2 thin films deposited with different oxygen partial pressures

Two sets of HfO₂ thin film have been deposited by the radio frequency magnetron sputtering technique at various oxygen partial pressures, one set without any substrate bias and another set with a 50 W pulsed dc substrate bias. The films have been characterized by extended x-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) measurements at the Hf L₃ edge, and the structural information obtained from analysis of the EXAFS data has been used to explain the macroscopic behavior of the refractive index obtained from spectroscopic ellipsometry measurements. It has been observed that the variation of refractive index with oxygen partial pressure depends on the Hf-Hf bond length for the set of films deposited without substrate bias, while for the other set of films deposited with pulsed dc substrate bias, it depends on the oxygen coordination of the nearest neighbor shell surrounding Hf sites.

Growth of block copolymer stabilized metal nanoparticles probed simultaneously by in situ XAS and UV-Vis spectroscopy

The growth of Au and Pt nanoparticles from their respective chloride precursors using block copolymer-based reducers has been studied by simultaneous in situ measurement of XAS and UV-Vis spectroscopy at the energy-dispersive EXAFS beamline (BL-08) at INDUS-2 SRS at RRCAT, Indore, India. While the XANES spectra of the precursor give real-time information on the reduction process, the EXAFS spectra reveal the structure of the clusters formed at the intermediate stages of growth. The growth kinetics of both types of nanoparticles are found to be almost similar and are found to follow three stages, though the first stage of nucleation takes place earlier in the case of Au than in the case of Pt nanoparticles due to the difference in the reduction potential of the respective precursors. The first two stages of the growth of Au and Pt nanoparticles as obtained by in situ XAS measurements could be corroborated by simultaneous in situ measurement of UV-Vis spectroscopy also.

Complexation of Eu(iii) with Cucurbit[n]uril, n = 5 and 7: A Thermodynamic and Structural Study

An investigation of Eu(iii) CBn complexes in solution using calorimetry, TRFS, EXAFS and DFT calculations shows the presence of Eu(iii) in different binding modes depending on the cavity size of CBn and the stoichiometry of the complex.

Correlation of Mo dopant and photocatalytic properties of Mo incorporated TiO2: an EXAFS and photocatalytic study

This study addresses the effect of Mo-dopant in the TiO₂ lattice quantitatively through extensive EXAFS measurements and deciphers it’s role in photodegradation of Methylene Blue (MB).

Magnetic-field-tuned Aharonov-Bohm oscillations and evidence for non-Abelian anyons at ν = 5/2

We show that the resistance of the ν = 5/2 quantum Hall state, confined to an interferometer, oscillates with the magnetic field consistent with an Ising-type non-Abelian state. In three quantum Hall interferometers of different sizes, resistance oscillations at ν = 7/3 and integer filling factors have the magnetic field period expected if the number of quasiparticles contained within the interferometer changes so as to keep the area and the total charge within the interferometer constant. Under these conditions, an Abelian state such as the (3, 3, 1) state would show oscillations with the same period as at an integer quantum Hall state. However, in an Ising-type non-Abelian state there would be a rapid oscillation associated with the "even-odd effect" and a slower one associated with the accumulated Abelian phase due to both the Aharonov-Bohm effect and the Abelian part of the quasiparticle braiding statistics. Our measurements at ν = 5/2 are consistent with the latter.

A prospective multi-centric open clinical trial of homeopathy in diabetic distal symmetric polyneuropathy

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate homeopathic treatment in the management of diabetic distal symmetric polyneuropathy.

METHODS

A prospective multi-centric clinical observational study was carried out from October 2005 to September 2009 by Central Council for Research in Homeopathy (CCRH) (India) at its five institutes/units. Patients suffering from diabetes mellitus (DM) and presenting with symptoms of diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) were screened, investigated and were enrolled in the study after fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Patients were evaluated by the diabetic distal symmetric polyneuropathy symptom score (DDSPSS) developed by the Council. A total of 15 homeopathic medicines were identified after repertorizing the nosological symptoms and signs of the disease. The appropriate constitutional medicine was selected and prescribed in 30, 200 and 1 M potency on an individualized basis. Patients were followed up regularly for 12 months.

RESULTS

Out of 336 patients (167 males and 169 females) enrolled in the study, 247 patients (123 males and 124 females) were analyzed. All patients who attended at least three follow-up appointments and baseline curve conduction studies were included in the analysis.). A statistically significant improvement in DDSPSS total score (p = 0.0001) was found at 12 months from baseline. Most objective measures did not show significant improvement. Lycopodium clavatum (n = 132), Phosphorus (n = 27) and Sulphur (n = 26) were the medicines most frequently prescribed. Adverse event of hypoglycaemia was observed in one patient only.

CONCLUSION

This study suggests homeopathic medicines may be effective in managing the symptoms of DPN patients. Further studies should be controlled and include the quality of life (QOL) assessment.

Homeopathy in chronic sinusitis: a prospective multi-centric observational study

OBJECTIVE

The primary objective was to ascertain the therapeutic usefulness of homeopathic medicine in the management of chronic sinusitis (CS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Multicentre observational study at Institutes and Units of the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, India. Symptoms were assessed using the chronic sinusitis assessment score (CSAS). 17 pre-defined homeopathic medicines were shortlisted for prescription on the basis of repertorisation for the pathological symptoms of CS. Regimes and adjustment of regimes in the event of a change of symptoms were pre-defined. The follow-up period was for 6 months. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 16.

RESULTS

628 patients suffering from CS confirmed on X-ray were enrolled from eight Institutes and Units of the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy. All 550 patients with at least one follow-up assessment were analyzed. There was a statistically significant reduction in CSAS (P = 0.0001, Friedman test) after 3 and 6 months of treatment. Radiological appearances also improved. A total of 13 out of 17 pre-defined medicines were prescribed in 550 patients, Sil. (55.2% of 210), Calc. (62.5% of 98), Lyc. (69% of 55), Phos. (66.7% of 45) and Kali iod. (65% of 40) were found to be most useful having marked improvement. 4/17 medicines were never prescribed. No complications were observed during treatment.

CONCLUSION

Homeopathic treatment may be effective for CS patients. Controlled trials are required for further validation.