Unbounded randomness certification using sequences of measurements

Unpredictability, or randomness, of the outcomes of measurements made on an entangled state can be certified provided that the statistics violate a Bell inequality. In the standard Bell scenario where each party performs a single measurement on its share of the system, only a finite amount of randomness, of at most $4 log_2 d$ bits, can be certified from a pair of entangled particles of dimension $d$. Our work shows that this fundamental limitation can be overcome using sequences of (nonprojective) measurements on the same system. More precisely, we prove that one can certify any amount of random bits from a pair of qubits in a pure state as the resource, even if it is arbitrarily weakly entangled. In addition, this certification is achieved by near-maximal violation of a particular Bell inequality for each measurement in the sequence.Comment: 4 + 5 pages (1 + 3 images), published versio

Almost quantum correlations

Quantum theory is not only successfully tested in laboratories every day but also constitutes a robust theoretical framework: small variations usually lead to implausible consequences, such as faster-than-light communication. It has even been argued that quantum theory may be special among possible theories. Here we report that, at the level of correlations among different systems, quantum theory is not so special. We define a set of correlations, dubbed 'almost quantum', and prove that it strictly contains the set of quantum correlations but satisfies all-but-one of the proposed principles to capture quantum correlations. We present numerical evidence that the remaining principle is satisfied too. © 2015 Macmillan Publishers Limited

Non-adaptive Measurement-based Quantum Computation and Multi-party Bell Inequalities

Quantum correlations exhibit behaviour that cannot be resolved with a local hidden variable picture of the world. In quantum information, they are also used as resources for information processing tasks, such as Measurement-based Quantum Computation (MQC). In MQC, universal quantum computation can be achieved via adaptive measurements on a suitable entangled resource state. In this paper, we look at a version of MQC in which we remove the adaptivity of measurements and aim to understand what computational abilities still remain in the resource. We show that there are explicit connections between this model of computation and the question of non-classicality in quantum correlations. We demonstrate this by focussing on deterministic computation of Boolean functions, in which natural generalisations of the Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger (GHZ) paradox emerge; we then explore probabilistic computation, via which multipartite Bell Inequalities can be defined. We use this correspondence to define families of multi-party Bell inequalities, which we show to have a number of interesting contrasting properties.Comment: 13 pages, 4 figures, final version accepted for publicatio

Pharmacodynamic Activity of Ceftobiprole Compared with Vancomycin versus Methicillin-Resistant \u3cem\u3eStaphylococcus aureus\u3c/em\u3e (MRSA), Vancomycin-Intermediate \u3cem\u3eStaphylococcus aureus\u3c/em\u3e (VISA) and Vancomycin-Resistant \u3cem\u3eStaphylococcus aureus\u3c/em\u3e (VRSA) Using an In Vitro Model

Background This study compared the pharmacodynamics of ceftobiprole and vancomycin against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-intermediate S. aureus (VISA) and vancomycin-resistant S. aureus (VRSA) using an in vitro model. Methods Two methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA), two community-associated (CA)-MRSA, one healthcare-associated (HA)-MRSA, three VISA and two VRSA were studied. The pharmacodynamic model was inoculated with a concentration of 1 × 106 cfu/mL and ceftobiprole dosed every 8 h (at 0, 8 and 16 h) to simulate the fCmax and t1/2 obtained after 500 mg intravenous (iv) every 8 h dosing (fCmax, 30 mg/L; t1/2, 3.5 h). Vancomycin was dosed every 12 h (at 0 and 12 h) to simulate fCmax and t1/2 obtained after 1 g iv every 12 h dosing (fCmax, 20 mg/L; t1/2, 8 h). Samples were collected over 24 h to assess viable growth. Results Ceftobiprole T \u3e MIC of ≥100% (ceftobiprole MICs, ≤2 mg/L) was bactericidal (≥3 log10 killing) against MSSA, CA-MRSA, HA-MRSA, VISA and VRSA at 16 and 24 h. Vancomycin fAUC24/MIC of 340 (vancomycin MIC, 1 mg/L for MSSA and MRSA) resulted in a 1.8–2.6 log10 reduction in colony count at 24 h. Vancomycin fAUC24/MIC of 85–170 (vancomycin MIC, 2–4 mg/L for VISA) resulted in a 0.4–0.7 log10 reduction at 24 h. Vancomycin fAUC24/MIC of 5.3 (vancomycin MIC, 64 mg/L for VRSA) resulted in a limited effect. Conclusions Ceftobiprole T \u3e MIC of ≥100% (ceftobiprole MICs, ≤2 mg/L) was bactericidal (≥3 log10 killing) against MSSA, CA-MRSA, HA-MRSA, VISA and VRSA at 16 and 24 h. Vancomycin was bacteriostatic against MSSA, MRSA and VISA, while demonstrating no activity against VRSA

A role for the orphan nuclear receptor TLX in the interaction between neural precursor cells and microglia

Microglia are an essential component of the neurogenic niche in the adult hippocampus and are involved in the control of neural precursor cell (NPC) proliferation, differentiation and the survival and integration of newborn neurons in hippocampal circuitry. Microglial and neuronal cross-talk is mediated in part by the chemokine fractalkine/chemokine (C-X3-C motif) ligand 1 (CX3CL1) released from neurons, and its receptor CX3C chemokine receptor 1 (CX3CR1) which is expressed on microglia. A disruption in this pathway has been associated with impaired neurogenesis yet the specific molecular mechanisms by which this interaction occurs remain unclear. The orphan nuclear receptor TLX (Nr2e1; homologue of the Drosophila tailless gene) is a key regulator of hippocampal neurogenesis, and we have shown that in its absence microglia exhibit a pro-inflammatory activation phenotype. However, it is unclear whether a disturbance in CX3CL1/CX3CR1 communication mediates an impairment in TLX-related pathways which may have subsequent effects on neurogenesis. To this end, we assessed miRNA expression of up- and down-stream signalling molecules of TLX in the hippocampus of mice lacking CX3CR1. Our results demonstrate that a lack of CX3CR1 is associated with altered expression of TLX and its downstream targets in the hippocampus without significantly affecting upstream regulators of TLX. Thus, TLX may be a potential participant in neural stem cell (NSC)–microglial cross-talk and may be an important target in understanding inflammatory-associated impairments in neurogenesis

Assessment of the Activity of Ceftaroline Against Clinical Isolates of Penicillin-Intermediate and Penicillin-Resistant \u3cem\u3eStreptococcus pneumoniae\u3c/em\u3e with elevated MICs of Ceftaroline Using an In Vitro Pharmacodynamic Model

Objectives This study assessed the pharmacodynamics of ceftaroline against penicillin-intermediate and penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae with elevated MICs of ceftaroline using an in vitro pharmacodynamic model. Methods Nine isolates of S. pneumoniae, including one penicillin-susceptible isolate, one penicillin-intermediate isolate and seven penicillin-resistant isolates, were tested. The pharmacodynamic model was inoculated with a concentration of 1 × 106 cfu/mL and ceftaroline was dosed twice daily (at 0 and 12 h) to simulate the fCmax (maximum free concentration in serum) and t1/2 (half-life in serum) obtained after 600 mg intravenous doses every 12 h (fCmax, 16 mg/L; t1/2, 2.6 h). Ceftaroline was compared with ceftriaxone dosed once daily to simulate the fCmax and t1/2 obtained after a 1 g dose (fCmax, 18 mg/L; t1/2, 8.0 h). Samples were collected over 24 h to assess viable growth and possible changes in ceftaroline MICs over time. Results Ceftaroline fT\u3eMIC (time of free serum concentration over the MIC) of 100% (ceftaroline MICs, ≤0.5 mg/L) was bactericidal (≥3 log10 killing) against all isolates at 6 h and completely eradicated all organisms at 12 and 24 h. No bacterial regrowth occurred over the study period and no changes in ceftaroline MICs were observed. Upon ceftriaxone exposure, S. pneumoniae isolates with ceftriaxone MICs of 0.12 and 0.25 mg/L were eradicated, but isolates with ceftriaxone MICs of 1–8 mg/L resulted in initial bacterial reduction at 6 h with organism regrowth at 12 h and no reduction in organism concentration, relative to the starting inoculum, at 24 h. Conclusions Ceftaroline fT\u3eMIC of 100% (ceftaroline MICs, ≤0.5 mg/L) was bactericidal (≥3 log10 killing) and eradicated all S. pneumoniae at 12 and 24 h with no regrowth

Characterizing the Effects of Chronic 2G Centrifugation on the Rat Skeletal System

During weightlessness, the skeletal system of astronauts is negatively affected by decreased calcium absorption and bone mass loss. Therefore, it is necessary to counteract these changes for long-term skeletal health during space flights. Our long-term plan is to assess artificial gravity (AG) as a possible solution to mitigate these changes. In this study, we aim to determine the skeletal acclimation to chronic centrifugation. We hypothesize that a 2G hypergravity environment causes an anabolic response in growing male rats. Specifically, we predict chronic 2G to increase tissue mineral density, bone volume fraction of the cancellous tissue and to increase overall bone strength. Systemically, we predict that bone formation markers (i.e., osteocalcin) are elevated and resorption markers (i.e., tartrate resistant acid phosphatase) are decreased or unchanged from controls. The experiment has three groups, each with an n8: chronic 2g, cage control (housed on the centrifuge, but not spun), and a vivarium control (normal rat caging). Pre-pubescent, male Long-Evans rats were used to assess our hypothesis. This group was subject to 90 days of 2G via centrifugation performed at the Chronic Acceleration Research Unit (CARU) at University of California Davis. After 90 days, animals were euthanized and tissues collected. Blood was drawn via cardiac puncture and the right leg collected for structural (via microcomputed tomography) and strength quantification. Understanding how counteract these skeletal changes will have major impacts for both the space-faring astronauts and the people living on Earth

Self-testing through EPR-steering

The verification of quantum devices is an important aspect of quantum information, especially with the emergence of more advanced experimental implementations of quantum computation and secure communication. Within this, the theory of device-independent robust self-testing via Bell tests has reached a level of maturity now that many quantum states and measurements can be verified without direct access to the quantum systems: interaction with the devices is solely classical. However, the requirements for this robust level of verification are daunting and require high levels of experimental accuracy. In this paper we discuss the possibility of self-testing where we only have direct access to one part of the quantum device. This motivates the study of self-testing via EPR-steering, an intermediate form of entanglement verification between full state tomography and Bell tests. Quantum non-locality implies EPR-steering so results in the former can apply in the latter, but we ask what advantages may be gleaned from the latter over the former given that one can do partial state tomography? We show that in the case of self-testing a maximally entangled two-qubit state, or ebit, EPR-steering allows for simpler analysis and better error tolerance than in the case of full device-independence. On the other hand, this improvement is only a constant improvement and (up to constants) is the best one can hope for. Finally, we indicate that the main advantage in self-testing based on EPR-steering could be in the case of self-testing multi-partite quantum states and measurements. For example, it may be easier to establish a tensor product structure for a particular party’s Hilbert space even if we do not have access to their part of the global quantum system

Learning to Teach Argumentation: Research and development in the science classroom

The research reported in this study focuses on an investigation into the teaching of argumentation in secondary science classrooms. Over a one-year period, a group of 12 teachers from schools in the greater London area attended a series of workshops to develop materials and strategies to support the teaching of argumentation in scientific contexts. Data were collected at the beginning and end of the year by audio and video recording lessons where the teachers attempted to implement argumentation. To assess the quality of argumentation, analytical tools derived from Toulmin's argument pattern (TAP) were developed and applied to classroom transcripts. Analysis shows there was development in teachers' use of argumentation across the year. Results indicate that the pattern of use of argumentation is teacher-specific, as is the nature of change. To inform future professional development programmes, transcripts of five teachers, three showing a significant change and two no change, were analysed in more detail to identify features of teachers' oral contributions that facilitated and supported argumentation. The analysis showed that all teachers attempted to encourage a variety of processes involved in argumentation and that the teachers whose lessons included the highest quality of argumentation (TAP analysis) also encouraged higher order processes in their teaching. The analysis of teachers' facilitation of argumentation has helped to guide the development of in-service materials and to identify the barriers to learning in the professional development of less experienced teachers