Quadrature and polarization squeezing in a dispersive optical bistability model

We theoretically study quadrature and polarization squeezing in dispersive optical bistability through a vectorial Kerr cavity model describing a nonlinear cavity filled with an isotropic chi(3) medium in which self-phase and cross-phase modulation, as well as four--wave mixing, occur. We derive expressions for the quantum fluctuations of the output field quadratures as a function of which we express the spectrum of fluctuations of the output field Stokes parameters. We pay particular attention to study how the bifurcations affecting the non-null linearly polarized output mode squeezes the orthogonally polarized vacuum mode, and show how this produces polarization squeezing.Comment: 10 text pages + 12 figure

Some conceptual difficulties regarding "net" multipliers

Multipliers are routinely used for impact evaluation of private projects and public policies at the national and subnational levels. Oosterhaven and Stelder (2002) correctly pointed out the misuse of standard 'gross' multipliers and proposed the concept of 'net' multiplier as a solution to this bad practice. We prove their proposal is not well founded. We do so by showing that supporting theorems are faulty in enunciation and demonstration. The proofs are flawed due to an analytical error but the theorems themselves cannot be salvaged as generic, non-curiosum counterexamples demonstrate. We also provide a general analytical framework for multipliers and, using it, we show that standard 'gross' multipliers are all that is needed within the interindustry model since they follow the causal logic of the economic model, are well defined and independent of exogenous shocks, and are interpretable as predictors for change

Spindle cell carcinoma: Two instances mistaken for vocal polyps

Spindle cell carcinoma is a variant of squamous carcinoma, with behavior that is apparently more aggressive than that of squamous carcinoma and that can produce distant lymphatic metastasis. It was first described by Virchow in 1864 [1], but the origin of the tumor is still not clear. The tumor is biphasic, with an epidermal component and a sarcomatous component involving spindle cells; transition zones between these components can be found [2–5]. In part due to this peculiar and complex nature, the tumor has accumulated various names since it was first described: sarcomatoid tumor, carci- nosarcoma, pleomorphic carcinoma, collision tumor, etc. [2,5,6]

Standardised proformas improve patient handover: Audit of trauma handover practice

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The implementation of the European Working Time Directive has meant the introduction of shift patterns of working for junior doctors. Patient handover between shifts has become a necessary part of practice in order to reduce the risk of medical errors. Data handed over between shifts are used to prioritise clinical jobs outstanding, and to create theatre lists. We present a closed-loop audit of handover practice to assess whether standardised proformas improve clinical data transfer between shifts during handover in our Orthopaedic Unit.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We collected data handed over between shifts for a period of one week at our department. The data were in the form of hand written data on plain paper used to assist verbal handover. Data were analysed and a standardised handover sheet was trialled. After feedback from juniors the sheet was revised and implemented. A re-audit, of handover data, was then undertaken using the revised standardised proforma during a period of 1 week.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Forty-eight patients were handed over in week 1 while 55 patients were handed over during re-audit. The standardised proformas encouraged use of pre-printed patient labels which contained legible patient identifiers, use of labels increased from 72.9% to 93.4%. Handover of outstanding jobs increased from 31.25% to 100%. Overall data handed over increased from 72.6% to 93.2%. Handover of relevant blood results showed little improvement from 18.8% to 20.7%</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This audit highlights the issue of data transfer between shifts. Standardised proformas encourage filling of relevant fields and increases the data transferred between shifts thereby reducing the potential for clinical error cause by shift patterns.</p

The GOODSTEP project: General Object-Oriented Database for Software Engineering Processes

The goal of the GOODSTEP project is to enhance and improve the functionality of a fully object-oriented database management system to yield a platform suited for applications such as software development environments (SDEs). The baseline of the project is the O2 database management system (DBMS). The O2 DBMS already includes many of the features regulated by SDEs. The project has identified enhancements to O2 in order to make it a real software engineering DBMS. These enhancements are essentially upgrades of the existing O2 functionality, and hence require relatively easy extensions to the O2 system. They have been developed in the early stages of the project and are now exploited and validated by a number of software engineering tools built on top of the enhanced O2 DBMS. To ease tool construction, the GOODSTEP platform encompasses tool generation capabilities which allow for generation of integrated graphical and textual tools from high-level specifications. In addition, the GOODSTEP platform provides a software process toolset which enables modeling, analysis and enaction of software processes and is also built on top of the extended O2 database. The GOODSTEP platform is to be validated using two CASE studies carried out to develop an airline application and a business application

Radial and tangential migration of telencephalic somatostatin neurons originated from the mouse diagonal area

The telencephalic subpallium is the source of various GABAergic interneuron cohorts that invade the pallium via tangential migration. Based on genoarchitectonic studies, the subpallium has been subdivided into four major domains: striatum, pallidum, diagonal area and preoptic area (Puelles et al. 2013; Allen Developing Mouse Brain Atlas), and a larger set of molecularly distinct progenitor areas (Flames et al. 2007). Fate mapping, genetic lineage-tracing studies, and other approaches have suggested that each subpallial subdivision produces specific sorts of inhibitory interneurons, distinguished by differential peptidic content, which are distributed tangentially to pallial and subpallial target territories (e.g., olfactory bulb, isocortex, hippocampus, pallial and subpallial amygdala, striatum, pallidum, septum). In this report, we map descriptively the early differentiation and apparent migratory dispersion of mouse subpallial somatostatin-expressing (Sst) cells from E10.5 onward, comparing their topography with the expression patterns of the genes Dlx5, Gbx2, Lhx7-8, Nkx2.1, Nkx5.1 (Hmx3), and Shh, which variously label parts of the subpallium. Whereas some experimental results suggest that Sst cells are pallidal, our data reveal that many, if not most, telencephalic Sst cells derive from de diagonal area (Dg). Sst-positive cells initially only present at the embryonic Dg selectively populate radially the medial part of the bed nucleus striae terminalis (from paraseptal to amygdaloid regions) and part of the central amygdala; they also invade tangentially the striatum, while eschewing the globus pallidum and the preoptic area, and integrate within most cortical and nuclear pallial areas between E10.5 and E16.5.This work was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation grant BFU2008-04156, and SENECA Foundation contract 0458/GERM/06-10891 to L.P.; and the Local Government of Castilla-La Mancha grant PII1I09-0065-8194 to C.D. Infrastructure support provided by the University of Murcia and Castilla-La Mancha is also acknowledged

Bayesian optimization of laser-plasma accelerators assisted by reduced physical models

Particle-in-cell simulations are among the most essential tools for the modeling and optimization of laser-plasma accelerators, since they reproduce the physics from first principles. However, the high computational cost associated with them can severely limit the scope of parameter and design optimization studies. Here, we show that a multitask Bayesian optimization algorithm can be used to mitigate the need for such high-fidelity simulations by incorporating information from inexpensive evaluations of reduced physical models. In a proof-of-principle study, where a high-fidelity optimization with FBPIC is assisted by reduced-model simulations with Wake-T, the algorithm demonstrates an order-of-magnitude speedup. This opens a path for the cost-effective optimization of laser-plasma accelerators in large parameter spaces, an important step towards fulfilling the high beam quality requirements of future applications

Gross, Histologic and Immunohistochemical Characteristics of Keratoacanthomas in Lizards

The present study describes the clinical behavior as well as the histopathologic and immunohistochemical characteristics of keratoacanthomas (Kas) in three different saurian species. While Kas presented as two dermal lesions in a bearded dragon ( Pogona vitticeps), multicentric Kas were observed in three panther chameleons ( Furcifer pardalis) and a veiled chameleon ( Chamaeleo calyptratus). Macroscopically, Kas presented as dome-shaped skin tumors with a centralized keratinous pearl and a diameter ranging from 0.1-1.5 cm. In all lizards, Kas were predominantly located at the dorsolateral body wall, and KA of the eyelid was additionally observed in three out of four chameleons. Histologically, KAs presented as relatively well-defined, circumscribed epidermal proliferations that consisted of a crateriform lesion containing a central keratinous pearl with minimally infiltrating borders. In all KAs, a consistent immunohistochemical pattern was observed, with the expression of cyclooxygenase-2, E-cadherin, and pan-cytokeratin. A follow-up period of one to two years was established in all lizards. While no recurrence was observed in the panther chameleons, recurrence of a single keratoacanthoma was observed in the bearded dragon after one year, and in the veiled chameleon, multicentric keratoacanthomas reappeared during a follow-up period of two years. We describe KA as a previously unrecognized neoplastic entity in lizards that constitutes a low-grade, non-invasive but rapidly growing skin tumor that may show a multicentric appearance, especially in chameleons. As previously postulated for dermal squamous cell carcinomas (SCC), artificial ultraviolet lighting may play an important role in the oncogenesis of KAs in lizards. Although dermal SCCs in lizards show similar predilection sites and gross pathologic features, our results suggest that KA should be considered as a histologic variant of SCC that represents a rather benign squamous proliferation in comparison to conventional SCCs. Early diagnosis of KA and reliable discrimination from SCCs are essential for the prognosis of this neoplastic entity in lizards