Combined quantum state preparation and laser cooling of a continuous beam of cold atoms

We use two-laser optical pumping on a continuous atomic fountain in order to prepare cold cesium atoms in the same quantum ground state. A first laser excites the F=4 ground state to pump the atoms toward F=3 while a second pi-polarized laser excites the F=3 -> F'=3 transition of the D2 line to produce Zeeman pumping toward m=0. To avoid trap states, we implement the first laser in a 2D optical lattice geometry, thereby creating polarization gradients. This configuration has the advantage of simultaneously producing Sisyphus cooling when the optical lattice laser is tuned between the F=4 -> F'=4 and F=4 -> F'=5 transitions of the D2 line, which is important to remove the heat produced by optical pumping. Detuning the frequency of the second pi-polarized laser reveals the action of a new mechanism improving both laser cooling and state preparation efficiency. A physical interpretation of this mechanism is discussed.Comment: Minor changes according to the recommendations of the referee: - Corrected Fig.1. - Split the graph of Fig.6 for clarity. - Added one reference. - Added two remarks in the conclusion. - Results unchange

Should insurance risk avoidance be reformed and would reform be of a right of equitable rescission or a right sui generis?

This article explores the distinction between the alternative explanations for the remedy of insurance risk avoidance in the event of breach of the duty of utmost good faith. It asks whether the remedy is an avoidance of a void contract, or a rescission of a voidable contract. The article then considers the general significance of that distinction to the capacity of a party to exercise its primary right of avoidance, and to the secondary rights of the contracting parties - arising in consequence of the avoidance - to prevent unjust enrichment or achieve restitution. Before considering the potential for - and the desirability of - further reform in the area, the article evaluates the importance of the legal characterisation of insurance risk avoidance in the particular context of insurance contracts affording indemnity to multiple insured parties

Mitochondrial neurogastrointestinal encephalomyopathy: approaches to diagnosis and treatment

Mitochondrial neurogastrointestinal encephalomyopathy (MNGIE) is an ultra-rare disease caused by mutations in TYMP, the gene encoding for the enzyme thymidine phosphorylase. The resulting enzyme deficiency leads to a systemic accumulation of thymidine and 2’-deoxyuridine and ultimately mitochondrial failure due to a progressive acquisition of secondary mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations and mtDNA depletion. MNGIE is characterised by gastrointestinal dysmotility, cachexia, peripheral neuropathy, ophthalmoplegia, ptosis and leukoencephalopathy. The disease is progressively degenerative and leads to death at an average age of 37.6 years. Patients invariably encounter misdiagnoses, diagnostic delays, and non-specific clinical management. Despite its rarity, MNGIE has invoked much interest in the development of therapeutic strategies, mainly because it is one of the few mitochondrial disorders where the molecular abnormality is metabolically and physically accessible to manipulation. This review provides a résumé of the current diagnosis and treatment approaches and aims to increase the clinical awareness of MNGIE and thereby facilitate early diagnosis and timely access to treatments, before the development of untreatable and irreversible organ damage

Aligning capital with risk

The interaction of capital and risk is of primary interest in the corporate governance of banks as it links operational profitability and strategic risk management. Senior executives understand that their organization's monitoring system strongly affects the behaviour of managers and employees. Typical instruments used by senior executives to focus on strategy are balanced scorecards with objectives for performance and risk management, including an according payroll process. A top-down capital-at-risk concept gives the executive board the desired control of the operative behaviour of all risk takers. It guarantees uniform compensations for business risks taken in any division or business area. The standard theory of cost-of-capital assumes standardized assets. Return distributions are equally normalized to a one-year risk horizon. It must be noted that risk measurement and management for any individual risk factor has a bottom-up design. The typical risk horizon for trading positions is 10 days, 1 month for treasury positions, 1 year for operational risks and even longer for credit risks. My contribution to the discussion is as follows: in the classical theory, one determines capital requirements and risk measurement using a top-down approach, without specifying market and regulation standards. In my thesis I show how to close the gap between bottom-up risk modelling and top-down capital alignment. I dedicate a separate paper to each risk factor and its application in risk capital management