Non-disturbing quantum measurements

We consider pairs of quantum observables (POVMs) and analyze the relation between the notions of non-disturbance, joint measurability and commutativity. We specify conditions under which these properties coincide or differ---depending for instance on the interplay between the number of outcomes and the Hilbert space dimension or on algebraic properties of the effect operators. We also show that (non-)disturbance is in general not a symmetric relation and that it can be decided and quantified by means of a semidefinite program.Comment: Minor corrections in v

Capabilities of Earth-based radar facilities for near-Earth asteroid observations

We evaluated the planetary radar capabilities at Arecibo, the Goldstone 70-m DSS-14 and 34-m DSS-13 antennas, the 70-m DSS-43 antenna at Canberra, the Green Bank Telescope, and the Parkes Radio Telescope in terms of their relative sensitivities and the number of known near-Earth asteroids (NEAs) detectable per year in monostatic and bistatic configurations. In the 2015 calendar year, monostatic observations with Arecibo and DSS-14 were capable of detecting 253 and 131 NEAs respectively, with signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) greater than 30/track. Combined, the two observatories were capable of detecting 276 NEAs. Of these, Arecibo detected 77 and Goldstone detected 32, or 30% and 24% the numbers that were possible. The two observatories detected an additional 18 and 7 NEAs respectively, with SNRs of less than 30/track. This indicates that a substantial number of potential targets are not being observed. The bistatic configuration with DSS-14 transmitting and the Green Bank Telescope receiving was capable of detecting about 195 NEAs, or ~50% more than with monostatic observations at DSS-14. Most of the detectable asteroids were targets of opportunity that were discovered less than 15 days before the end of their observing windows. About 50% of the detectable asteroids have absolute magnitudes > 25, which corresponds diameters < ~30 m.Comment: 12 pages, 7 figures, Accepted to A

Increased frequency of Tim-3 expressing T cells is associated with symptomatic West Nile virus infection

More than a decade after West Nile virus (WNV) entered North America, and despite a significant increase in reported cases during the 2012 and 2013 seasons, no treatment or vaccine for humans is available. Although antiviral T cells contribute to the control of WNV, little is known about their regulation during acute infection. We analyzed the expression of Tim-3 and PD-1, two recently identified T cell negative immune checkpoint receptors, over the course of WNV infection. Symptomatic WNV+ donors exhibited higher frequencies of Tim-3+ cells than asymptomatic subjects within naïve/early differentiated CD28+/-CD57-CD4+ and differentiated CD28-CD57-CD8+ T cells. Our study links Tim-3-expression on T cells during acute WNV infection with the development of symptomatic disease, suggesting Tim-3 and its ligands could be targeted therapeutically to alter anti-WNV immunity and improve disease outcome

Comment on "Local accumulation times for source, diffusion, and degradation models in two and three dimensions" [J. Chem. Phys. 138, 104121 (2013)]

In a recent paper, Gordon, Muratov, and Shvartsman studied a partial differential equation (PDE) model describing radially symmetric diffusion and degradation in two and three dimensions. They paid particular attention to the local accumulation time (LAT), also known in the literature as the mean action time, which is a spatially dependent timescale that can be used to provide an estimate of the time required for the transient solution to effectively reach steady state. They presented exact results for three-dimensional applications and gave approximate results for the two-dimensional analogue. Here we make two generalizations of Gordon, Muratov, and Shvartsman’s work: (i) we present an exact expression for the LAT in any dimension and (ii) we present an exact expression for the variance of the distribution. The variance provides useful information regarding the spread about the mean that is not captured by the LAT. We conclude by describing further extensions of the model that were not considered by Gordon,Muratov, and Shvartsman. We have found that exact expressions for the LAT can also be derived for these important extensions..

Introduction: Policymaking, Learning and Devolution

This collection explores the idea that devolution in European states can provide &lsquo;laboratories of democracy' as states experiment in different ways to address social and economic problems and engage their citizens. While there is a substantial literature on policy diffusion and learning among US states, and on transfer and learning between countries, there is not much on learning among European federated and devolved governments. This collection fills that gap with a series of studies based primarily on experiences in Germany, Spain and the UK (including a particular focus on Northern Ireland). The introduction sets up the analytical framework, discussing the concepts of learning and transfer, the direction of transfer (for example, from the centre to the devolved territory), the mechanisms involved (from voluntary to coercive) and the degree of transfer

Effects of resistance training on depression and cardiovascular disease risk in black men: Protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background Depression is severely undertreated in Black men. This is primarily because Black men are less likely to seek traditional psychiatric treatment, have less access and more barriers to treatment, and perceive more stigma associated with treatment. Depression contributes to cardiovascular disease (CVD), and Black men have the highest rate of mortality from CVD. Resistance training (RT) can have beneficial effects on both depression and CVD. This study will be the first randomized controlled trial to test the effects of RT on depression and cardiovascular health in a sample of depressed Black men. Method Fifty Black men with clinically significant symptoms of depression will be randomized to either (a) a 12-week RT or (b) an attention control group. Behavioral Activation techniques will be used to support adherence to home-based RT goals. Both groups will meet on-site twice/week during the 12-week program, and follow-up assessments will occur at the end-of-treatment and 3 months post-treatment. Qualitative interviews will be conducted after the 3-month follow-up. The objectives of this study are (1) to assess the feasibility and acceptability of recruitment, retention, and intervention procedures, (2) to obtain preliminary evidence of efficacy, and (3) to explore potential mediators of the effects of RT on depression. Discussion This study will advance the field of minority men\u27s health by producing new data on the effects of RT for depression, the potential mechanisms of action that may support its use, and its effects on markers of CVD risk in Black men

Depressed mood predicts pulmonary rehabilitation completion among women, but not men

SummaryBackgroundAs many as 30% of patients who start pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) fail to complete it, and depressed mood has been associated with PR non-completion. Depression is more common in women than men with COPD and historically women with COPD have been under studied. However, no studies to date have investigated gender-specific predictors of PR completion.MethodsThe study included 111 patients with COPD who enrolled in a community based outpatient PR program in Providence, RI. Patients who attended 20 or more sessions were designated “completers”. Depression was measured using the CES-D. Logistic regression models were evaluated to test depressed mood as a predictor of PR completion. Analyses controlled for demographic and health variables found to differ between completers and non-completers.ResultsPatients were 95% white and 49.5% women, and 74% had a GOLD stage ≥3. Sixty-eight percent of patients were PR completers. A logistic regression model, showed that lower depressed mood independently predicted PR completion across all patients (adjusted OR = 0.92, p = .002). In gender-stratified analyses, lower depressed mood was an independent predictor of PR completion for women (adjusted OR = .91, p = .024) but not men (adjusted OR = .97, p = .45). Greater 6-min walk test distance was also an independent predictor of PR completion among women.ConclusionDepressed mood is an important predictor of completion of community based PR among women. Screening and brief treatment of depression should be considered in practice