Superatom Picture of Collective Nonclassical Light Emission and Dipole Blockade in Atom Arrays.

We show that two-time, second-order correlations of scattered photons from planar arrays and chains of atoms display nonclassical features that can be described by a superatom picture of the canonical single-atom g_{2}(τ) resonance fluorescence result. For the superatom, the single-atom linewidth is replaced by the linewidth of the underlying collective low light-intensity eigenmode. Strong light-induced dipole-dipole interactions lead to a correlated response, suppressed joint photon detection events, and dipole blockade that inhibits multiple excitations of the collective atomic state. For targeted subradiant modes, the nonclassical nature of emitted light can be dramatically enhanced even compared with that of a single atom.

An expert consensus to standardise definitions, diagnosis and treatment targets for anti-fibrotic stricture therapies in Crohn's disease.

BACKGROUND: Fibrotic stricture is a common complication of Crohn's disease (CD) affecting approximately half of all patients. No specific anti-fibrotic therapies are available; however, several therapies are currently under evaluation. Drug development for the indication of stricturing CD is hampered by a lack of standardised definitions, diagnostic modalities, clinical trial eligibility criteria, endpoints and treatment targets in stricturing CD. AIM: To standardise definitions, diagnosis and treatment targets for anti-fibrotic stricture therapies in Chron's disease. METHODS: An interdisciplinary expert panel consisting of 15 gastroenterologists and radiologists was assembled. Using modified RAND/University of California Los Angeles appropriateness methodology, 109 candidate items derived from systematic review and expert opinion focusing on small intestinal strictures were anonymously rated as inappropriate, uncertain or appropriate. Survey results were discussed as a group before a second and third round of voting. RESULTS: Fibrotic strictures are defined by the combination of luminal narrowing, wall thickening and pre-stenotic dilation. Definitions of anastomotic (at site of prior intestinal resection with anastomosis) and naïve small bowel strictures were similar; however, there was uncertainty regarding wall thickness in anastomotic strictures. Magnetic resonance imaging is considered the optimal technique to define fibrotic strictures and assess response to therapy. Symptomatic strictures are defined by abdominal distension, cramping, dietary restrictions, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and post-prandial abdominal pain. Need for intervention (endoscopic balloon dilation or surgery) within 24-48 weeks is considered the appropriate endpoint in pharmacological trials. CONCLUSIONS: Consensus criteria for diagnosis and response to therapy in stricturing Crohn's disease should inform both clinical practice and trial design.

Coarsening Dynamics of an Isotropic Ferromagnetic Superfluid.

In zero magnetic field the ground-state manifold of a ferromagnetic spin-1 condensate is SO(3) and exhibits Z_{2} vortices as topological defects. We investigate the phase-ordering dynamics of this system after being quenched into this ferromagnetic phase from a zero-temperature unmagnetized phase. Following the quench, we observe the ordering of both magnetic and gauge domains. We find that these domains grow diffusively, i.e., with domain size L(t)∼t^{1/2}, and exhibit dynamic scale invariance. The coarsening dynamics progresses as Z_{2} vortices annihilate; however, we find that at finite energy a number of these vortices persist in small clumps without influencing magnetic or gauge order. We consider the influence of a small nonzero magnetic field, which reduces the ground-state symmetry, and show that this sets a critical length scale such that when the domains reach this size the system dynamically transitions in order parameter and scaling behavior from an isotropic to an anisotropic ferromagnetic superfluid.

Exercise- and hypoxia-induced anaerobic metabolism and recovery: a student laboratory exercise using teleost fish.

Anaerobic metabolism is recruited in vertebrates under conditions of intense exercise or lowered environmental oxygen availability (hypoxia), typically resulting in the accumulation of lactate in blood and tissues. Lactate will be cleared over time after the reoxygenation of tissues, eventually returning to control levels. Here, we present a laboratory exercise developed as part of an upper-level vertebrate physiology class that demonstrates the effects of exercise and hypoxia exposure on blood lactate in fish and the subsequent decrease in lactate during recovery. Typically, the results obtained by students demonstrate that both treatments cause significant increases in blood lactate concentrations (two to three times higher than control values) that decrease back to normal values within 3 h of recovery under normoxia. The procedures described are generally applicable to other fish species and provide an alternative to using humans or other mammalian species to investigate anaerobic metabolism.

Vertebrate osmoregulation: a student laboratory exercise using teleost fish.

Here, we describe a laboratory experiment as part of an upper-level vertebrate physiology course for biology majors to investigate the physiological response of vertebrates to osmoregulatory challenges. The experiment involves measuring plasma osmolality and Na+-K+-ATPase activity in gill tissue of teleost fish acclimated to water of differing salinity. We describe results obtained using the widely available goldfish (Carassius auratus) and a common baitfish, the Gulf killifish (Fundulus grandis). The procedures described are generally applicable to other fish species, and they provide an alternative to the experimental use of humans or other mammalian species to investigate osmoregulation mechanisms. In addition to reenforcing the conceptual material covered in lecture, this laboratory exercise trains students in a wide range of laboratory and analytical skills, such as calculating and performing dilutions, pipetting, tissue sampling and homogenizing, preparing standard curves, conducting enzymatic assays, and analyzing and interpreting results. Typical student results are presented and discussed, as are common experimental and conceptual mistakes made by students.