Entanglement of distant optomechanical systems

We theoretically investigate the possibility to generate non-classical states of optical and mechanical modes of optical cavities, distant from each other. A setup comprised of two identical cavities, each with one fixed and one movable mirror and coupled by an optical fiber, is studied in detail. We show that with such a setup there is potential to generate entanglement between the distant cavities, involving both optical and mechanical modes. The scheme is robust with respect to dissipation, and nonlocal correlations are found to exist in the steady state at finite temperatures.Comment: 12 pages (published with minor modifications

A new dawn? The Roman Catholic Church and environmental issues

This is a PDF version of an article published in New Blackfriars© 1997. The definitive version is available at www.blackwell-synergy.com.This article discusses the stance of the Roman Catholic Church on environmental issues and argues that the Church tends to stay on the fringe rather than get involved. Some of the ways in which Roman Catholic theologians have incorporated environmental issues into theological reflection is discussed, as are environmental challenges facing the Church in Britain (conservation, resources, biodiversity, animal welfare, biotechnology, cooperate/individual ethics, environmental justice, economics/policy development, and global issues)

Problems with Using Evolutionary Theory in Philosophy

Does science move toward truths? Are present scientific theories (approximately) true? Should we invoke truths to explain the success of science? Do our cognitive faculties track truths? Some philosophers say yes, while others say no, to these questions. Interestingly, both groups use the same scientific theory, viz., evolutionary theory, to defend their positions. I argue that it begs the question for the former group to do so because their positive answers imply that evolutionary theory is warranted, whereas it is self-defeating for the latter group to do so because their negative answers imply that evolutionary theory is unwarranted

Enhancement of vaccinia virus based oncolysis with histone deacetylase inhibitors

Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDI) dampen cellular innate immune response by decreasing interferon production and have been shown to increase the growth of vesicular stomatitis virus and HSV. As attenuated tumour-selective oncolytic vaccinia viruses (VV) are already undergoing clinical evaluation, the goal of this study is to determine whether HDI can also enhance the potency of these poxviruses in infection-resistant cancer cell lines. Multiple HDIs were tested and Trichostatin A (TSA) was found to potently enhance the spread and replication of a tumour selective vaccinia virus in several infection-resistant cancer cell lines. TSA significantly decreased the number of lung metastases in a syngeneic B16F10LacZ lung metastasis model yet did not increase the replication of vaccinia in normal tissues. The combination of TSA and VV increased survival of mice harbouring human HCT116 colon tumour xenografts as compared to mice treated with either agent alone. We conclude that TSA can selectively and effectively enhance the replication and spread of oncolytic vaccinia virus in cancer cells. © 2010 MacTavish et al

Chemical neurotoxicity to the inferior alveolar nerve — a rare sequela of endodontic treatment

Aim Damage to the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) during endodontic procedures is a rare complication. However, over- instrumentation and over-filling during root canal treatment can cause injury through direct trauma, pressure or neurotoxicity from intra-canal irrigants or root canal filling materials, particularly where the roots of mandibular molars or premolars are in close proximity to the IAN. This report describes the clinical presentation and management of a severe chemical injury to the right IAN following the endodontic treatment. We also provide practical considerations to help minimise such complications. Methods A 27-year-old female developed immediate onset numbness and tingling to the right mental region following endodontic treatment of tooth 47. Radiographic examination confirmed widespread extrusion of root canal sealer within the marrow spaces of the right mandibular body extending centrally within the mandibular canal and perforating the lingual cortex. Results Urgent surgical exploration and decompression of the right IAN were undertaken, which revealed an avascular and fibrotic nerve with virtually no normal neuronal structure. There was evidence of foreign material both in contact with the epineurium and within the nerve trunk, much of which could not be eliminated. This severe chemical insult to the nerve resulted in irreversible anaesthesia in the right IAN distribution. Conclusion This case highlights the diligence that is required when performing root canal treatment in high-risk mandibular molar teeth, particularly in relation to confining materials within the canal space, accurate canal measurements and comprehensive radiographic evaluation both pre- and post-operatively. Urgent specialist referral for the elimination of foreign material is essential to maximise the potential for nerve regeneration

Elucidating the Influence of the Activation Energy on Reaction Rates by Simulations Based on a Simple Particle Model

An application for visualizing the dynamic properties of an equimolar binary mixture of isotropic reactive particles is presented. By introducing a user selectable choice for the activation energy, the application is useful to demonstrate qualitatively that the reaction rate depends on the above choice and on temperature. The application is based on a 2D realistic dynamic model where atoms move because of their thermal energies and the trajectories are determined by solving numerically Newton’s laws according to a Molecular Dynamics (MD) scheme. Collisions are monitored as time progresses, and every time the collision energy is larger than the selected activation energy, a reactive event occurs. By examining the time evolution of the configurations, it is possible to observe that the number of reactive collisions is always smaller than the total number of collisions. However, the number of reactive events increases on raising the temperature and/or by decreasing the activation energy. The above observations, as well as more quantitative analyses of the simulation data, are useful in elucidating the connections existing among particle kinetic energy, temperature, and activation energy of the reaction. The application can be used at different levels of detail and in different instruction levels. Qualitative visual observations of the progress of the reaction are suitable at all levels of instruction. Systematic investigations on the effect of changes of temperature and activation energy, suitable for senior high school and college courses and useful to gain insight into kinetic models and Arrhenius’ law, are also reported

Rapid and reliable DNA extraction and PCR fingerprinting methods to discriminate multiple biotypes of the nematophagous fungus Pochonia chlamydosporia isolated from plant rhizospheres

To develop a simple, rapid, reliable protocol producing consistent polymerase chain reaction (PCR) fingerprints of Pochonia chlamydosporia var. chlamydosporia biotypes for analysing different fungal isolates during co-infection of plants and nematodes. DNA extracted from different P. chlamydosporia biotypes was fingerprinted using enterobacterial repetitive intragenic consensus (ERIC)-PCR. Four extraction methods (rapid alkaline lysis; microLYSIS((R))-PLUS; DNeasy((R)); FTA((R)) cards) gave consistent results within each protocol but these varied between protocols. Reproducible fingerprints were obtained only if DNA was extracted from fresh fungal cultures that were free of agar. Some DNA degradation occurred during storage, except with the FTA((R)) cards, used with this fungus for the first time, which provide a method for long-term archiving. Rapid alkaline lysis and ERIC-PCR identified fungal isolates from root and nematode egg surfaces when plants were treated with different combinations of fungal biotypes; the dominant biotype isolated from the rhizosphere was not always the most abundant in eggs. ERIC-PCR fingerprinting can reliably detect and identify different P. chlamydosporia biotypes. It is important to use fresh mycelium and the same DNA isolation method throughout each study. This evaluation of methods to assess genetic diversity and identify specific P. chlamydosporia biotypes is relevant to other mycelial fungi

Lowering Cardiovascular Disease Risk for People with Severe Mental Illnesses in Primary Care: A Focus Group Study.

BACKGROUND: People with severe mental illnesses die early from cardiovascular disease. Evidence is lacking regarding effective primary care based interventions to tackle this problem. AIM: To identify current procedures for, barriers to, and facilitators of the delivery of primary care based interventions for lowering cardiovascular risk for people with severe mental illnesses. METHOD: 75 GPs, practice nurses, service users, community mental health staff and carers in UK GP practice or community mental health settings were interviewed in 14 focus groups which were audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed using Framework Analysis. RESULTS: Five barriers to delivering primary care based interventions for lowering cardiovascular risk in people with severe mental illnesses were identified by the groups: negative perceptions of people with severe mental illnesses amongst some health professionals, difficulties accessing GP and community-based services, difficulties in managing a healthy lifestyle, not attending appointments, and a lack of awareness of increased cardiovascular risk in people with severe mental illnesses by some health professionals. Identified facilitators included involving supportive others, improving patient engagement with services, continuity of care, providing positive feedback in consultations and goal setting. CONCLUSION: We identified a range of factors which can be incorporated in to the design, delivery and evaluation of services to reduce cardiovascular risk for people with severe mental illnesses in primary care. The next step is determining the clinical and cost effectiveness of primary care based interventions for lowering cardiovascular risk in people with severe mental illnesses, and evaluating the most important components of such interventions

The cytoplasm of living cells: A functional mixture of thousands of components

Inside every living cell is the cytoplasm: a fluid mixture of thousands of different macromolecules, predominantly proteins. This mixture is where most of the biochemistry occurs that enables living cells to function, and it is perhaps the most complex liquid on earth. Here we take an inventory of what is actually in this mixture. Recent genome-sequencing work has given us for the first time at least some information on all of these thousands of components. Having done so we consider two physical phenomena in the cytoplasm: diffusion and possible phase separation. Diffusion is slower in the highly crowded cytoplasm than in dilute solution. Reasonable estimates of this slowdown can be obtained and their consequences explored, for example, monomer-dimer equilibria are established approximately twenty times slower than in a dilute solution. Phase separation in all except exceptional cells appears not to be a problem, despite the high density and so strong protein-protein interactions present. We suggest that this may be partially a byproduct of the evolution of other properties, and partially a result of the huge number of components present.Comment: 11 pages, 1 figure, 1 tabl