Decoherence in a fermion environment: Non-Markovianity and Orthogonality Catastrophe

We analyze the non-Markovian character of the dynamics of an open two-level atom interacting with a gas of ultra-cold fermions. In particular, we discuss the connection between the phenomena of orthogonality catastrophe and Fermi edge singularity occurring in such a kind of environment and the memory-keeping effects which are displayed in the time evolution of the open system

Enhancing the charging power of quantum batteries

Can collective quantum effects make a difference in a meaningful thermodynamic operation? Focusing on energy storage and batteries, we demonstrate that quantum mechanics can lead to an enhancement in the amount of work deposited per unit time, i.e., the charging power, when $N$ batteries are charged collectively. We first derive analytic upper bounds for the collective \emph{quantum advantage} in charging power for two choices of constraints on the charging Hamiltonian. We then highlight the importance of entanglement by proving that the quantum advantage vanishes when the collective state of the batteries is restricted to be in the separable ball. Finally, we provide an upper bound to the achievable quantum advantage when the interaction order is restricted, i.e., at most $k$ batteries are interacting. Our result is a fundamental limit on the advantage offered by quantum technologies over their classical counterparts as far as energy deposition is concerned.Comment: In this new updated version Theorem 1 has been changed with Proposition 1. The paper has been published on PRL, and DOI included accordingl

Discussions about Limiting Treatment in a Geriatric Clinic

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/111239/1/j.1532-5415.1993.tb06705.x.pd

Solidarity and cost management: Swiss citizens’ reasons for priorities regarding health insurance coverage

ContextApproaches to priority‐setting for scarce resources have shifted to public deliberation as trade‐offs become more difficult. We report results of a qualitative analysis of public deliberation in Switzerland, a country with high health‐care costs, an individual health insurance mandate and a strong tradition of direct democracy with frequent votes related to health care.MethodsWe adapted the Choosing Healthplans All Together (CHAT) tool, an exercise developed to transform complex health‐care allocation decisions into easily understandable choices, for use in Switzerland. We conducted focus groups in twelve Swiss cities, recruiting from a range of socio‐economic backgrounds in the three language regions.FindingsParticipants developed strategic arguments based on the importance of basic coverage for all, and of cost‐benefit evaluation. They also expressed arguments relying on a principle of solidarity, in particular the importance of protection for vulnerable groups, and on the importance of medical care. They struggled with the place of personal responsibility in coverage decisions. In commenting on the exercise, participants found the degree of consensus despite differing opinions surprising and valuable.ConclusionThe Swiss population is particularly attentive to the costs of health care and means of reducing these costs. Swiss citizens are capable of making trade‐offs and setting priorities for complex health issues.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/146495/1/hex12680.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/146495/2/hex12680_am.pd

Lucky IP

A person naturally owns the fruits of their intellectual labour; so goes the labour argument for intellectual property. But what should happen when a creator gets ‘lucky’ – such as the photographer who is in the right place at the right time or the scientist who accidentally discovers a new drug? IP law frequently awards ownership in such cases (what we call ‘Lucky IP’). Some argue, however, that the creators in such cases do not labour sufficiently to deserve ownership, and that Lucky IP merely demonstrates that IP law is not truly concerned about labour at all. Drawing on the philosophical literature of moral luck, we argue that this analysis is misguided. Nearly all intellectual creations involve some measure of luck and, in most cases, the creators still labour sufficiently to become the natural owners of their creations. Lucky IP does not, therefore, undermine the labour theory of IP law

On Copyright Utilitarianism

Utilitarians typically argue that the state should grant copyright to authors only when doing so promotes utility. In recent years, however, this argument has faced three criticisms. As a normative matter, critics argue that a utilitarian copyright system is neither just nor attractive. As an epistemological matter, critics argue that society cannot ever know whether copyright promotes utility. And as an interpretive matter, critics argue that utilitarianism fails to appreciate what copyright is really all about: progress of the sciences and useful arts. And so, an increasing number of scholars conclude that copyright should be awarded, not when doing so aids utility, but when doing so secures natural rights or promotes democratic norms. This Article refines and defends the utilitarian argument for copyright law. The Article departs the company of prior utilitarians, however, in its conceptualization of “utility.” Taking inspiration from John Stuart Mill’s defense of utilitarianism, the Article argues that utility in copyright cannot be understood in purely quantitative terms. Of course, the overall amount of creative work that the copyright system generates matters a great deal; but it is not the only thing that matters. The type of creative work incentivized by the system also matters: creative work that feeds the mind, sparks feelings and imagination, and promotes moral sentiments provide copyright’s “higher pleasures.” A truly utilitarian copyright system is, therefore, one that produces more and better creative work. A utilitarian copyright of this kind is normatively attractive, epistemologically realistic, and interpretively consistent with the constitutional structure of American copyright law

Do we practice what we preach? A qualitative assessment of resident–preceptor interactions for adherence to evidence‐based practice

Background  Evidence‐based medicine (EBM) is important in training doctors for high‐quality care. Yet little is known about whether ambulatory precepting incorporates the concepts and principles of EBM. Methods  The authors observed and audiotaped 95 internal medicine residency precepting interactions and rated interactions using a qualitative analytic template consisting of three criteria: (1) presence of clinical questions; (2) presence of an evidence‐based process; and (3) resident ability to articulate a clinical question. Results  Sixty‐seven of 95 audio tapes (71%) were of acceptable quality to allow template analysis. Thirty (45%) contained explicit clinical questions; 11 (16%) included an evidence‐based process. Resident ability to articulate a clinical question when prompted was rated as at least ‘fair’ in 59 of 67 interactions (88%). Conclusions  EBM was not optimally implemented in these clinics. Future research could explore more systematically what factors facilitate or impair the use of EBM in the real‐time ambulatory training context.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/99027/1/j.1365-2753.2008.00966.x.pd

Financial Toxicity During Breast Cancer Treatment: A Qualitative Analysis to Inform Strategies for Mitigation

Financial toxicity from cancer treatment is a growing concern. Its impact on patients requires refining our understanding of this phenomenon. We sought to characterize patients\u27 experiences of financial toxicity in the context of an established framework to identify knowledge gaps and strategies for mitigation. Semistructured interviews with patients with breast cancer who received financial aid from a philanthropic organization during treatment were conducted from February to May 2020. Interviews were transcribed and coded until thematic saturation was reached, and findings were contextualized within an existing financial toxicity framework. Thirty-two patients were interviewed, of whom 58% were non-Hispanic White. The mean age was 46 years. Diagnoses ranged from ductal carcinoma in situ to metastatic breast cancer. Concordant with an established framework, we found that direct and indirect costs determined objective financial burden and subjective financial distress stemmed from psychosocial, behavioral, and material impact of diagnosis and treatment. We identified expectations as a novel theme affecting financial toxicity. We identified knowledge gaps in treatment expectations, provider conversations, identification of resources, and support-finding and offer strategies for mitigating financial toxicity on the basis of participant responses, such as leveraging support from decision aids and allied providers. This qualitative study confirms an existing framework for understanding financial toxicity and identifies treatment expectations as a novel theme affecting both objective financial burden and subjective financial distress. Four knowledge gaps are identified, and strategies for mitigating financial toxicity are offered. Mitigating patients\u27 financial toxicity is an important unmet need in optimizing cancer treatment

Direct detection of bound ammonium ions in the selectivity filter of ion channels by solid-state NMR.

The flow of ions across cell membranes facilitated by ion channels is an important function for all living cells. Despite the huge amount of structural data provided by crystallography, elucidating the exact interactions between the selectivity filter atoms and bound ions is challenging. Here, we detect bound 15 N-labeled ammonium ions as a mimic for potassium ions in ion channels using solid-state NMR under near-native conditions. The non-selective ion channel NaK showed two ammonium peaks corresponding to its two ion binding sites, while its potassium-selective mutant NaK2K that has a signature potassium- selective selectivity filter with four ion binding sites gave rise to four ammonium peaks. Ions bound in specific ion binding sites were identified based on magnetization transfer between the ions and carbon atoms in the selectivity filters. Magnetization transfer between bound ions and water molecules revealed that only one out of four ions in the selectivity filter of NaK2K is in close contact with water, which is in agreement with the direct knock-on ion conduction mechanism where ions are conducted through the channel by means of direct interactions without water molecules in between. Interestingly, the potassium-selective ion channels investigated here (NaK2K and, additionally, KcsA-Kv1.3) showed remarkably different chemical shifts for their bound ions, despite having identical amino acid sequences and crystal structures of their selectivity filters. Molecular dynamics simulations show similar ion binding and conduction behavior between ammonium and potassium ions and identify the origin of the differences between the investigated potassium channel