1,400 research outputs found
Quantum Control of Two-Qubit Entanglement Dissipation
We investigate quantum control of the dissipation of entanglement under
environmental decoherence. We show by means of a simple two-qubit model that
standard control methods - coherent or open-loop control - will not in general
prevent entanglement loss. However, we propose a control method utilising a
Wiseman-Milburn feedback/measurement control scheme which will effectively
negate environmental entanglement dissipation.Comment: 11 pages,4 figures, minor correctio
Barriers and facilitators to nationwide implementation of the malaria vaccine in Ghana.
Interventions such as antimalarial drugs, bed nets and insecticides have helped curb the burden of malaria in the past decade, yet malaria remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children below the age of five years. In 2019, Ghana, Malawi, and Kenya in sub-Saharan Africa (countries with moderate to high transmission areas of malaria and deaths) started piloting the RTS,S/AS01E malaria vaccine in selected regions. Using qualitative methods, this study examined the main factors (forces) that will influence or hinder the nationwide implementation of the malaria vaccine, if approved, in Ghana. We conducted in-depth interviews with 12 key individuals (national, research/academia, and program implementing partners) in the public health sector in Ghana in October 2018 to February 2019. Results were analyzed using Kurt Lewin's force field analysis (FFA) to understand how organizations interact with their external environment in the delivery of health policies such as the implementation of the malaria vaccine. We found that the disease burden of malaria deaths in Ghana, efficacy of the vaccine, stakeholder involvement, and evidence for feasibility of vaccine delivery generated by the consortium of researchers (body of researchers) that can track the implementation were the driving forces to scale up the vaccine into routine health system. On the other hand, the needed logistics, funding, administration of the 4-dose vaccine and follow up were identified as potential barriers. The most influential force collectively highlighted by the respondents was the disease burden, and the most influential barrier was the logistics of delivering the vaccine. Our findings provide decision-makers with key barriers and facilitators to guide policy and decision-making for malaria control in Ghana and other similar settings in low middle-income countries
Favorable outcome of early treatment of new onset child and adolescent migraine-implications for disease modification.
There is evidence that the prevalence of migraine in children and adolescents may be increasing. Current theories of migraine pathophysiology in adults suggest activation of central cortical and brainstem pathways in conjunction with the peripheral trigeminovascular system, which ultimately results in release of neuropeptides, facilitation of central pain pathways, neurogenic inflammation surrounding peripheral vessels, and vasodilatation. Although several risk factors for frequent episodic, chronic, and refractory migraine have been identified, the causes of migraine progression are not known. Migraine pathophysiology has not been fully evaluated in children. In this review, we will first discuss the evidence that early therapeutic interventions in the child or adolescent new onset migraineur, may halt or limit progression and disability. We will then review the evidence suggesting that many adults with chronic or refractory migraine developed their migraine as children or adolescents and may not have been treated adequately with migraine-specific therapy. Finally, we will show that early, appropriate and optimal treatment of migraine during childhood and adolescence may result in disease modification and prevent progression of this disease
Sonic Hedgehog Signaling Promotes Peri-Lesion Cell Proliferation and Functional Improvement after Cortical Contusion Injury
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of death and disability globally. No drug treatments are available, so interest has turned to endogenous neural stem cells (NSCs) as alternative strategies for treatment. We hypothesized that regulation of cell proliferation through modulation of the sonic hedgehog pathway, a key NSC regulatory pathway, could lead to functional improvement. We assessed sonic hedgehog (Shh) protein levels in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with TBI. Using the cortical contusion injury (CCI) model in rodents, we used pharmacological modulators of Shh signaling to assess cell proliferation within the injured cortex using the marker 5-Ethynyl-2’-deoxyuridine (EdU); 50mg/mL. The phenotype of proliferating cells was determined and quantified. Motor function was assessed using the rotarod test. In patients with TBI there is a reduction of Shh protein in CSF compared with control patients. In rodents, following a severe CCI, quiescent cells become activated. Pharmacologically modulating the Shh signaling pathway leads to changes in the number of newly proliferating injury-induced cells. Upregulation of Shh signaling with Smoothened agonist (SAG) results in an increase of newly proliferating cells expressing glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), whereas the Shh signaling inhibitor cyclopamine leads to a reduction. Some cells expressed doublecortin (DCX) but did not mature into neurons. The SAG-induced increase in proliferation is associated with improved recovery of motor function. Localized restoration of Shh in the injured rodent brain, via increased Shh signaling, has the potential to sustain endogenous cell proliferation and the mitigation of TBI-induced motor deficits albeit without the neuronal differentiation
Building Babies - Chapter 16
In contrast to birds, male mammals rarely help to raise the offspring. Of all mammals, only among rodents, carnivores, and primates, males are sometimes intensively engaged in providing infant care (Kleiman and Malcolm 1981). Male caretaking of infants has long been recognized in nonhuman primates (Itani 1959). Given that infant care behavior can have a positive effect on the infant’s development, growth, well-being, or survival, why are male mammals not more frequently involved in “building babies”? We begin the chapter defining a few relevant terms and introducing the theory and hypotheses that have historically addressed the evolution of paternal care. We then review empirical findings on male care among primate taxa, before focusing, in the final section, on our own work on paternal care in South American owl monkeys (Aotus spp.). We conclude the chapter with some suggestions for future studies.Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (HU 1746/2-1)
Wenner-Gren Foundation, the L.S.B. Leakey Foundation, the National Geographic Society, the National Science Foundation (BCS-0621020), the University of Pennsylvania Research Foundation, the Zoological Society of San Dieg
On supersymmetric quantum mechanics
This paper constitutes a review on N=2 fractional supersymmetric Quantum
Mechanics of order k. The presentation is based on the introduction of a
generalized Weyl-Heisenberg algebra W_k. It is shown how a general Hamiltonian
can be associated with the algebra W_k. This general Hamiltonian covers various
supersymmetrical versions of dynamical systems (Morse system, Poschl-Teller
system, fractional supersymmetric oscillator of order k, etc.). The case of
ordinary supersymmetric Quantum Mechanics corresponds to k=2. A connection
between fractional supersymmetric Quantum Mechanics and ordinary supersymmetric
Quantum Mechanics is briefly described. A realization of the algebra W_k, of
the N=2 supercharges and of the corresponding Hamiltonian is given in terms of
deformed-bosons and k-fermions as well as in terms of differential operators.Comment: Review paper (31 pages) to be published in: Fundamental World of
Quantum Chemistry, A Tribute to the Memory of Per-Olov Lowdin, Volume 3, E.
Brandas and E.S. Kryachko (Eds.), Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 200
Body mass index and risk of pancreatic cancer in a Chinese population
10.1371/journal.pone.0085149PLoS ONE91-POLN
Quantitative imaging of concentrated suspensions under flow
We review recent advances in imaging the flow of concentrated suspensions,
focussing on the use of confocal microscopy to obtain time-resolved information
on the single-particle level in these systems. After motivating the need for
quantitative (confocal) imaging in suspension rheology, we briefly describe the
particles, sample environments, microscopy tools and analysis algorithms needed
to perform this kind of experiments. The second part of the review focusses on
microscopic aspects of the flow of concentrated model hard-sphere-like
suspensions, and the relation to non-linear rheological phenomena such as
yielding, shear localization, wall slip and shear-induced ordering. Both
Brownian and non-Brownian systems will be described. We show how quantitative
imaging can improve our understanding of the connection between microscopic
dynamics and bulk flow.Comment: Review on imaging hard-sphere suspensions, incl summary of
methodology. Submitted for special volume 'High Solid Dispersions' ed. M.
Cloitre, Vol. xx of 'Advances and Polymer Science' (Springer, Berlin, 2009);
22 pages, 16 fig
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