Classical Robustness of Quantum Unravellings

We introduce three measures which quantify the degree to which quantum systems possess the robustness exhibited by classical systems when subjected to continuous observation. Using these we show that for a fixed environmental interaction the level of robustness depends on the measurement strategy, or unravelling, and that no single strategy is maximally robust in all ways.Comment: 8 Pages, 2 figures, Version 2. Minor changes to wording for clarification and some references added. Accepted for publication in Europhysics Letter

Data analysis of continuous gravitational wave: Fourier transform-I

We present the Fourier Transform of a continuous gravitational wave. We have analysed the data set for one day observation time and our analysis is applicable for arbitrary location of detector and source. We have taken into account the effects arising due to rotational as well as orbital motions of the earth.Comment: Accepted in MNRAS, 22 pages, 9 figure

Caring for continence in stroke care settings: a qualitative study of patients’ and staff perspectives on the implementation of a new continence care intervention

Objectives: Investigate the perspectives of patients and nursing staff on the implementation of an augmented continence care intervention after stroke. Design: Qualitative data were elicited during semi-structured interviews with patients (n = 15) and staff (14 nurses; nine nursing assistants) and analysed using thematic analysis. Setting: Mixed acute and rehabilitation stroke ward. Participants: Stroke patients and nursing staff that experienced an enhanced continence care intervention. Results: Four themes emerged from patients’ interviews describing: (a) challenges communicating about continence (initiating conversations and information exchange); (b) mixed perceptions of continence care; (c) ambiguity of focus between mobility and continence issues; and (d) inconsistent involvement in continence care decision making. Patients’ perceptions reflected the severity of their urinary incontinence. Staff described changes in: (i) knowledge as a consequence of specialist training; (ii) continence interventions (including the development of nurse-led initiatives to reduce the incidence of unnecessary catheterisation among patients admitted to their ward); (iii) changes in attitude towards continence from containment approaches to continence rehabilitation; and (iv) the challenges of providing continence care within a stroke care context including limitations in access to continence care equipment or products, and institutional attitudes towards continence. Conclusion: Patients (particularly those with severe urinary incontinence) described challenges communicating about and involvement in continence care decisions. In contrast, nurses described improved continence knowledge, attitudes and confidence alongside a shift from containment to rehabilitative approaches. Contextual components including care from point of hospital admission, equipment accessibility and interdisciplinary approaches were perceived as important factors to enhancing continence care

Breast Cancer: Modelling and Detection

This paper reviews a number of the mathematical models used in cancer modelling and then chooses a specific cancer, breast carcinoma, to illustrate how the modelling can be used in aiding detection. We then discuss mathematical models that underpin mammographic image analysis, which complements models of tumour growth and facilitates diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Mammographic images are notoriously difficult to interpret, and we give an overview of the primary image enhancement technologies that have been introduced, before focusing on a more detailed description of some of our own recent work on the use of physics-based modelling in mammography. This theoretical approach to image analysis yields a wealth of information that could be incorporated into the mathematical models, and we conclude by describing how current mathematical models might be enhanced by use of this information, and how these models in turn will help to meet some of the major challenges in cancer detection

Data analysis of continuous gravitational wave: All sky search and study of templates

We have studied the problem of all sky search in reference to continuous gravitational wave particularly for such sources whose wave-form are known in advance. We have made an analysis of the number of templates required for matched filter analysis as applicable to these sources. We have employed the concept of {\it fitting factor} {\it (FF)}; treating the source location as the parameters of the signal manifold and have studied the matching of the signal with templates corresponding to different source locations. We have investigated the variation of FF with source location and have noticed a symmetry in template parameters, $\theta_T$ and $\phi_T$. It has been found that the two different template values in source location, each in $\theta_T$ and $\phi_T$, have same {\it FF}. We have also computed the number of templates required assuming the noise power spectral density $S_n(f)$ to be flat. It is observed that higher {\it FF} requires exponentially increasing large number of templates.Comment: Accepted in MNRAS, 14 pages, 5 figure

Matching of the continuous gravitational wave in an all sky search

We investigate the matching of continuous gravitational wave (CGW) signals in an all sky search with reference to Earth based laser interferometric detectors. We consider the source location as the parameters of the signal manifold and templates corresponding to different source locations. It has been found that the matching of signals from locations in the sky that differ in their co-latitude and longitude by $\pi$ radians decreases with source frequency. We have also made an analysis with the other parameters affecting the symmetries. We observe that it may not be relevant to take care of the symmetries in the sky locations for the search of CGW from the output of LIGO-I, GEO600 and TAMA detectors.Comment: 16 pages, 7 figures, 3 Tables, To appear in Int. J. Mod. Phys.

Data analysis of continuous gravitational wave: Fourier transform-II

In this paper we obtain the Fourier Transform of a continuous gravitational wave. We have analysed the data set for (i) one year observation time and (ii) arbitrary observation time, for arbitrary location of detector and source taking into account the effects arising due to rotational as well as orbital motion of the earth. As an application of the transform we considered spin down and N-component signal analysis.Comment: Accepted in MNRAS, 14 pages, 4 figure

Self-Similar Scalar Field Collapse: Naked Singularities and Critical Behaviour

Homothetic scalar field collapse is considered in this article. By making a suitable choice of variables the equations are reduced to an autonomous system. Then using a combination of numerical and analytic techniques it is shown that there are two classes of solutions. The first consists of solutions with a non-singular origin in which the scalar field collapses and disperses again. There is a singularity at one point of these solutions, however it is not visible to observers at finite radius. The second class of solutions includes both black holes and naked singularities with a critical evolution (which is neither) interpolating between these two extremes. The properties of these solutions are discussed in detail. The paper also contains some speculation about the significance of self-similarity in recent numerical studies.Comment: 27 pages including 5 encapsulated postcript figures in separate compressed file, report NCL94-TP1

Is Steam a Modern Heating Medium or a Victorian Hangover?

In the UK many hospitals use steam as a heating medium. It is an accepted fact that steam can carry considerable amounts of heat energy, but is heating by steam really a cost effective and energy efficient method for hospital engineering services? This paper examines some steam and MTHW case studies in terms of energy and operation, and some quantifiable parameters for comparison of the two have been obtained. An important feature revealed by the study is that optimum energy and operational performance for both steam and MTHW systems is directly related to management and maintenance. Other factors affecting the choice of steam are also examined. For example, when choosing between steam and MTHW, how important a factor are those unique hospital applications such as laundries and sterilization equipment, that are traditionally provided for by steam? Interviews were conducted with engineering professionals at a large North-West hospital in order to consider the specialist health service applications for steam. The investigation concludes that although steam retains a Victorian image, in hospital applications its energy and financial performance costs are comparable, and sometimes better than hot water alternatives