More assistance of entanglement, less rounds of classical communication

Classical communication plays a crucial role to distinguish locally a class of quantum states. Despite considerable advances, we have very little knowledge about the number of measurement and communication rounds needed to implement a discrimination task by local quantum operations and classical communications (in short, LOCC). In this letter, we are able to show the relation between round numbers with the local discrimination of a set of pure bipartite orthogonal quantum states. To demonstrate the possible strong dependence on the round numbers, we consider a class of orthogonal product states in $d\otimes d$, which require at least $2d-2$ round of classical communications. Curiously the round number can be reduced to $d$ by the assistance of one-ebit of entanglement as resource and can be reduced further by assistance of more entanglement. We are also able to show that the number of LOCC rounds needed for a discrimination task may depend on the amount of entanglement assistances.Comment: 11 pages, 3 figures, revtex, comments welcom

Sarcoma botryoides in a 14 year old girl: a rare case

Embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (Sarcoma botryoides) of the uterine cervix is an uncommon entity. Because of extreme rarity its discussion has mainly been in the light of individual case reports. We report a case of a 14-year old female who presented with irregular vaginal bleeding and cervical polyp. Her biopsy specimen confirmed sarcoma botryoides and she underwent abdominal hysterectomy with wide excision of vaginal cuff after a multidisciplinary consultation

Leptospirosis complicated with meningoencephalitis and pancreatitis – A case report

In severe leptospirosis multi organ involvement is common. Pancreatitis and meningo encephalitis are two\ud uncommon manifestations of leptospirosis. Our patient presented with fever, jaundice, altered sensorium and\ud subsequently developed severe pain abdomen. He was finally diagnosed as having icteic leptospirosis\ud complicated with pancreatitis and meningoencephalitis. Simultaneous presence of these two complications in a\ud patient of leptospirosis probably not been documented before

UV-vis-NIR and EPR characterisation of the redox series [MQ3]2+,+,0,−,2−, M = Ru or Os, and Q = o-quinone derivative

The neutral title compounds with Q = 3,5-di-tert-butyl-o-quinone or 4,6-di- tert-butyl-N-phenyl-o-iminobenzoquinone (Qx) were studied by UV-vis-NIR spectroelectrochemistry and by EPR spectroscopy in the case of the odd- electron monocation and monoanion intermediates. Supported by DFT and TD-DFT calculations, the results indicate stepwise electron removal from predominantly ligand-based delocalised MOs on oxidation whereas the stepwise electron uptake on reduction involves unoccupied MOs with considerably metal–ligand mixed character. In both cases, the strong near-infrared absorption of the neutral precursors diminishes. In comparison to the ruthenium series, the osmium analogues exhibit larger transition energies from enhanced MO splitting and a different EPR response due to the higher spin–orbit coupling. The main difference between the quinone (1nnn, 2nnn) and corresponding monoiminoquinone systems (3nnn, 4nnn) is the shift of about 0.6 V to lower potentials for the monoimino analogues. While the absorption features do not differ markedly, the EPR data reflect a higher degree of covalent bonding for the complexes with monoimino ligands

Cerebral infarction: an unusual manifestation of viper snake bite

Snake envenomation causes significant mortality and morbidity. Viper bite usually present with local cellulites, renal failure and bleeding disorders. Thrombotic manifestation of snake bite is rarely reported and early administration of Anti-Snake Venom Serum (ASV) also reduces the risk of thrombotic complications. Cerebral infarction in case of viper bite may be due to hypotension, hypercoagulability or direct action of venom on vessel wall. We report a rare case of viper bite, presented with renal failure and cerebral infarction in spite of early ASV institution. The thrombotic manifestation in this case was possibly due to disseminated intravascular coagulation

A Study on Food Security Among Single Parents and Elderly Populations in St. John’s: Final Report

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, food security is defined as “the idea that all people at all times have access (including physical, social, and economic access) to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food necessary to lead active and healthy lives.” While more than one-fifth of NL’s population does not have enough disposable income to buy the necessities like food, one in every twenty uses food banks on a regular basis. Around 60% of people who use food banks in the province are women, and the majority of the recipients are on social assistance. The senior population is another group likely to suffer from food insecurity. Many of these seniors live alone and often face multiple complex challenges in the ability to purchase and prepare healthy food. Despite this precarious situation, in comparison to other provinces, there is scarce evidence on the complex dynamics of food insecurity affecting these vulnerable populations and hinders the development and implementation of appropriate and efficient strategies. We intended to study the ways, and extent food insecurity affects food-related practices among the elderly population and single parents living in St John’s, NL. We used the mixed method approach, including the key informant (KI) interviews, followed by face-to-face survey interviews with a representative sample of 50 single parents and 48 seniors (over the age of 65 years). We first conducted KI interviews of government officials and service providers who deal with such vulnerable population. Following this, we conducted a survey. The survey questions were based on the validated questionnaire for the general population, developed by the Statistics Canada, during their latest Canadian Community Health Survey in 2012. In order to reach out to the participants, we partnered with Single Parents Association of Newfoundland and Senior Resource Centre NL and followed convenient sampling. The KI interviews and the additional comments from the survey respondents reveal that there is a growing trend in the consumption of processed/semi-processed or take-out foods, particularly among the single parents. Cooking skills and practices have markedly decreased, particularly among the single parents and further motivates to buy processed/semi-processed or take-out foods. Single parents use food banks more than the seniors. For seniors, mobility and physical disability are the major issues for a regular visit to groceries and cooking. Quantitative analysis: Income wise single parents are in more disadvantageous position than seniors. While 80% of single parents earn less than $25,000/year, only 4$40,000/year. For seniors, the proportions of these income brackets are 50% and 22% respectively. Single parents mostly (80%) relied upon government sponsored income support and wages/salaries (35%). The majority of the elderly persons depended on old age security and guaranteed income support (71%) and job-related retirement pensions (48%). Regular eating of healthy food was more among the elderly population than single parents. Our study shows that single parents and seniors are vulnerable to food security, however, the former population group is more vulnerable than the other. The strong association between food insecurity and low educational status (not with income) indicates the importance of awareness generation. Existing food guide can be further improvised with more inputs on quick, easy, affordable but healthy cooking recipe. The study findings strongly advocate the scaling up of social safety nets with more promotion of healthy foods and reaching out to the vulnerable communities with more practical health promotion message

Occupational noise exposure at sea: A socio-legal study on fish harvesters’ perceptions in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada

IntroductionNoise is a significant health hazard for fish harvesters. Chronic exposure to hazardous noise levels of 85 dB (A) for an 8-h work shift can have adverse health impacts, including both auditory and non-auditory health problems such as noise-induced hearing loss, stress, hypertension, sleeping disorders, and impaired cognitive performance.MethodsA review of legislation and policies governing workplace noise exposure, as well as qualitative, semi-structured interviews, were conducted to assess how fish harvesters in Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) manage onboard occupational noise exposure and perceive noise-induced health problems, as well as the barriers and challenges associated with preventing and controlling noise exposure.ResultsThe legal review shows no compulsory noise preventive measure at the fishing vessel design stage in Canada. Limited implementation of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) regulations to control and prevent onboard noise by employers in Newfoundland and Labrador. Fishers reported that their workplace is noisy. Over time, fish harvesters adapted to the environment and learned to tolerate loud noise, displaying fatalistic behavior. Fish harvesters reported avoiding using hearing protection onboard due to navigation safety concerns. Fishers reported hearing loss as well as other non-auditory health problems. Inadequate noise control measures adopted by employers, a limited supply of hearing protection onboard, and a lack of regular hearing testing, training, and education were identified as the main barriers to preventing and controlling noise exposure.ConclusionProper implementation of NL OHS regulations and the development of hearing conservation initiatives by employers are necessary. All stakeholders, including the federal and provincial governments, WorkplaceNL, and not-for-profit fishing organizations in the province, are strongly recommended to initiate training and education campaigns to help fish harvesters understand noise exposure and adopt preventive measures