Quadripartite continuous-variable entanglement via quadruply concurrent downconversion

We investigate an intra-cavity coupled down-conversion scheme to generate quadripartite entanglement using concurrently resonant nonlinearities. We verify that quadripartite entanglement is present in this system by calculating the output fluctuation spectra and then considering violations of optimized inequalities of the van Loock-Furusawa type. The entanglement characteristics both above and below the oscillation threshold are considered. We also present analytic solutions for the quadrature operators and the van Loock-Furusawa correlations in the undepleted pump approximation.Comment: 9 pages, 5 figure

Analysis of a continuous-variable quadripartite cluster state from a single optical parametric oscillator

We examine the feasibility of generating continuous-variable multipartite entanglement in an intra-cavity quadruply concurrent downconversion scheme that has been proposed for the generation of cluster states by Menicucci \textit{et al.} [Physical Review Letters \textbf{101}, 130501 (2008)]. By calculating optimized versions of the van Loock-Furusawa correlations we demonstrate genuine quadripartite entanglement and investigate the degree of entanglement present. Above the oscillation threshold the basic cluster state geometry under consideration suffers from phase diffusion. We alleviate this problem by incorporating a small injected signal into our analysis. Finally, we investigate squeezed joint operators. While the squeezed joint operators approach zero in the undepleted regime, we find that this is not the case when we consider the full interaction Hamiltonian and the presence of a cavity. In fact, we find that the decay of these operators is minimal in a cavity, and even depletion alone inhibits cluster state formation.Comment: 26 pages, 12 figure

V. problem presentation and advice-giving on a home birth helpline

The rate of home births in the UK is very low (around 2%) and many women who would like to give birth at home find it impossible to get midwifery cover or are advised of medical contraindications. The Home Birth Helpline offers support and expertise for women in this situation. Based on the analysis of 80 recorded calls, this article uses conversation analysis (CA) to explore how callers present their reason for calling the helpline, and what this shows about the culturally shared medicalized culture of birth. This research is an example of feminist CA in that it contributes both to the study of childbirth as a key women's health issue and to the study of helpline interaction from a conversation analytic perspectiv

Search for low instability strip variables in the young open cluster NGC 2516

In this paper we revise and complete the photometric survey of the instability strip of the southern open cluster NGC 2516 published by Antonello and Mantegazza (1986). No variable stars with amplitudes larger than $0^m.02$ were found. However by means of an accurate analysis based on a new statistical method two groups of small amplitude variables have been disentangled: one with periods $< 0^d.25$ (probably $\delta$ Scuti stars) and one with periods $>0^d.025$. The position in the HR diagram and the apparent time-scale may suggest that the stars of the second group belong to a recently discovered new class of variables, named $\gamma$ Dor variables. They certainly deserve further study. We also present a comparison between the results of the photometric survey and the available pointed ROSAT observations of this cluster.Comment: 7 pages, 2 ps figures. Accepted for P.A.S.

Dietary enrichment of apolipoprotein E-deficient mice with extra virgin olive oil in combination with seal oil inhibits atherogenesis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In this study we investigated the antiatherogenic effect of dietary enrichment of a combination of extra virgin olive oil (EVO) and seal oil on apolipoprotein E-deficient (apoE^-/-).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Six-week-old female and male apoE^-/-mice were for 12 weeks fed a lipid rich diet containing 19.5% fat and 1.25% cholesterol without any supplement, with 1% (wt/wt) mixture of extra virgin olive and seal oil (EVO/n-3), or 1% corn oil, respectively.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Supplementation with the combination of EVO/n-3 significantly reduced atherosclerotic lesion formation in the aortic arch, thoracoabdominal, and total aorta of female apoE^-/-mice. The effect was less pronounced in male mice and significant reduction was only observed in the thoracoabdominal region of the aorta. There were no differences or changes in dietary intake or body weight gain. However, compared to the other groups, plasma levels of triglycerides were reduced in both female and male mice fed the EVO/n-3 mixture. Male mice on both treatments showed reduced plasma cholesterol compared to the control mice after 12 weeks on diet.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Dietary supplementation of a marine/olive oil combination inhibits atherosclerotic lesion formation in the female apoE^-/-mice by antithrombotic, antihypertriglyceridemic, and antioxidant effects.</p

Proteases in Plasma and Kidney of db/db Mice as Markers of Diabetes-Induced Nephropathy

Db/db mice are overweight, dyslipidemic and develop diabetic complications, relevant for similar complications in human type 2 diabetes. We have used db/db and db/+ control mice to investigate alterations in proteinase expression and activity in circulation and kidneys by SDS-PAGE zymography, electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, and in situ zymography. Plasma from db/db mice contained larger amounts of serine proteinases compared to db/+ mice. Kidneys from the db/db mice had a significantly larger glomerular surface area and somewhat thicker glomerular basement membranes compared to the db/+ mice. Furthermore, kidney extracts from db/+ mice contained metalloproteinases with Mr of approximately 92000, compatible with MMP-9, not observed in db/db mice. These results indicate that higher levels of serine proteinases in plasma may serve as potential markers for kidney changes in db/db mice, whereas a decrease in MMP-9 in the kidney may be related to the glomerular changes

`Oumuamua as a messenger from the Local Association

7 pages, one table, two figures, accepted for publication by ApJL. © 2018. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.With a hyperbolic trajectory around the Sun, 'Oumuamua is the first confirmed interstellar object. However, its origin is poorly known. By simulating the orbits of 0.23 million local stars, we find 109 encounters with periastron less than 5 pc. 'Oumuamua's low peculiar velocity is suggestive of its origin from a young stellar association with similar velocity. In particular, we find that 'Oumuamua would have had slow encounters with at least five young stars belonging to the Local Association, thus suggesting these as plausible sites for formation and ejection. In addition to an extremely elongated shape, the available observational data for 'Oumuamua indicates a red color, suggestive of a potentially organic-rich and activity-free surface. These characteristics seem consistent with formation through energetic collisions between planets and debris objects in the middle part of a young stellar system. We estimate an abundance of at least 6.0 × 10 -3 au -3 for such interstellar objects with mean diameter larger than 100 m and find that it is likely that most of them will be ejected into the Galactic halo. Our Bayesian analysis of the available light curves indicates a rotation period of 6.96 +1.45 -0.39, which is consistent with the estimation by Meech et al. and shorter than those in other literature. The codes and results are available on GitHub (https://github.com/phillippro/Oumuamua).Peer reviewe