Improved one-way rates for BB84 and 6-state protocols

We study the advantages to be gained in quantum key distribution (QKD) protocols by combining the techniques of local randomization, or noisy preprocessing, and structured (nonrandom) block codes. Extending the results of [Smith, Renes, and Smolin, quant-ph/0607018] pertaining to BB84, we improve the best-known lower bound on the error rate for the 6-state protocol from 14.11% for local randomization alone to at least 14.59%. Additionally, we also study the effects of iterating the combined preprocessing scheme and find further improvements to the BB84 protocol already at small block lengths.Comment: 17 pages, to appear in Quantum Information & Computation. Replaced by accepted versio

The Evolution of Social Pain: Understanding the Neural Network of Social Ostracism through Electroencephalogram Waves

The lack of belonging or frequent exposure to social ostracism has maladaptive psychological and physical consequences. However, little is known about the mechanisms underlying the neural processes of social ostracism. Previously, Williams (2009) showed a decrease in theta power in the frontal lobe when female participants were ostracized in a virtual chat-room. Using male and female Illinois Wesleyan college students, this study manipulated two powerful social cues (biological sex and attractiveness level) to determine their effect on prefrontal brain activity in response to social ostracism in a virtual chat-room environment. Using EEG technology, frontal theta power (4-8Hz) was measured using three cortical electrodes (the F3, F4, and Fz sites). Using a similar procedure to Williams (2009), social ostracism was elicited using a well-established chat-room paradigm that involved 4 phases, in which participants talked to research confederates acting as students from Illinois State and University of Illinois. In the introduction, inclusion, and re-inclusion phases, participants were actively involved in the conversation, in contrast to being actively ignored during the exclusionary phase. During the exclusionary phase of the experiment, we hypothesize a significant decrease in theta power across gender and attractiveness levels in the frontal lobe

The Council for Exceptional Children, Division of Emotional and Behavioral Health's Position Statement on Solitary Confinement

This document, from the Council for Exceptional Children, Division of Emotional and Behavioral Health (DEBH), provides clear and compelling support for the abolishment of solitary confinement with incarcerated youth and young adults in juvenile and adult correctional facilities. This is the first position statement from DEBH on the topic, and the information includes (a) a definition of solitary confinement, (b) discussion of its use, (c) an explanation of the impacts of solitary confinement on youth, (d) identification of systemic issues that perpetuate the use of solitary confinement, (e) an examination of U.S. laws concerning the use of solitary confinement, (f) a declaration of principles, and (g) recommendations for policy and practice.Peer reviewe

Chamber Symphony

Title from PDF of title page, viewed on August 7, 2015Dissertation advisor: James MobberleyVitaThesis (D.M.A.)--Conservatory of Music and Dance. University of Missouri--Kansas City, 2015“Chamber Symphony” is a symphony for chamber orchestra (flute/piccolo, oboe/english horn, clarinet, bassoon, two horns in F, piano, and strings) and soprano. It is in a nesting doll structure. That is, there are increasingly smaller forms within the overall largest form; the single symphony form sits within a sonata form whose four sections are comprised of the stereotypical four symphony movements. The whole work gravitates around the tonic of D; starting there, moving through A, F-sharp, B-flat, back to D before finally resting on F. All of these structural elements are designed to emphasize, enhance, and relate to the text of Walt Whitman’s “O Me! O Life!” which is the central part of the symphony. At all of its levels “Chamber Symphony” is about memory. Walt Whitman’s text poses the question of what purpose there is in continuing on and committing to the fight to be the best possible version of yourself when the world will continue to give you unlimited reasons not to. For me personally, the last ten years of higher education have been a constant push to try to be the best while constantly having reminders that nothing will be easy. This reminder is the bases for that constant return of the funeral march theme and the barrage of split third chords throughout the work. Some of my favorite memories come from my time singing hymns at camp-fire vesper services during my times at church camp. The second movement serves to be the embodiment of these times and moments. Its hymn theme seeks to fight the funeral music throughout. Those were always the clearest and most peaceful times for me and easily some of the strongest. So, to me, those are the answer to Whitman’s question. It is because of those moments “that the powerful play goes on, and [I] may contribute a verse.

Gigantism in unique biogenic magnetite at the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum

We report the discovery of exceptionally large biogenic magnetite crystals in clay-rich sediments spanning the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) in a borehole at Ancora, New Jersey. Aside from previously-described abundant bacterial magnetofossils, electron microscopy reveals novel spearhead-like and spindle-like magnetite up to 4 μm long and hexaoctahedral prisms up to 1.4 μm long. Similar to magnetite produced by magnetotactic bacteria, these single-crystal particles exhibit chemical composition, lattice perfection, and oxygen isotopes consistent with an aquatic origin. Electron holography indicates single-domain magnetization despite their large crystal size. We suggest that the development of a thick suboxic zone with high iron bioavailability – a product of dramatic changes in weathering and sedimentation patterns driven by severe global warming – drove diversification of magnetite-forming organisms, likely including eukaryotes

Hyperfiltration and renal disease in glycogen storage disease, type I

Hyperfiltration and renal disease in glycogen storage disease, type I. A prospective study of 14 patients (ages 6 months to 33 years) with glycogen storage disease, Type I (GSD-I) was carried out in order to define the character and frequency of renal dysfunction. A marked increase in the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was documented in virtually all subjects, with the mean GFR raised by approximately 50%, to the range of 170 ml/min/1.73m2. While this constituted the only renal abnormality found in the younger patients, a significant increase in urinary albumin excretion was seen in three teen-aged individuals; three patients over 20 years of age exhibited frank proteinuria (2 to 8 g/day). Renal biopsy on two of the proteinuric subjects revealed focal and global glomerulosclerosis and interstitial fibrosis. Evaluation of factors known to cause an increase in GFR did not define the precise etiology for its elevation in GSD-I. These studies suggest that: (1) glomerular damage and chronic renal disease are common in older patients with GSD-I; (2) the renal injury appears to be specifically related to GSD-I and is not secondary to the treatment of the disease; and (3) the natural history of the renal lesion in GSD-I may be analogous to that seen in insulin-dependent diabetes, with a “silent” period where hyperfiltration is the only demonstrable renal abnormality, followed by evidence of increasing glomerular damage progressing from microalbuminuria to frank proteinuria

Reproductive Suicide: Similar Mechanisms of Aging in C. elegans and Pacific Salmon

In some species of salmon, reproductive maturity triggers the development of massive pathology resulting from reproductive effort, leading to rapid post-reproductive death. Such reproductive death, which occurs in many semelparous organisms (with a single bout of reproduction), can be prevented by blocking reproductive maturation, and this can increase lifespan dramatically. Reproductive death is often viewed as distinct from senescence in iteroparous organisms (with multiple bouts of reproduction) such as humans. Here we review the evidence that reproductive death occurs in C. elegans and discuss what this means for its use as a model organism to study aging. Inhibiting insulin/IGF-1 signaling and germline removal suppresses reproductive death and greatly extends lifespan in C. elegans, but can also extend lifespan to a small extent in iteroparous organisms. We argue that mechanisms of senescence operative in reproductive death exist in a less catastrophic form in iteroparous organisms, particularly those that involve costly resource reallocation, and exhibit endocrine-regulated plasticity. Thus, mechanisms of senescence in semelparous organisms (including plants) and iteroparous ones form an etiological continuum. Therefore understanding mechanisms of reproductive death in C. elegans can teach us about some mechanisms of senescence that are operative in iteroparous organisms

Monitoring the state of charge of vanadium redox flow batteries with an EPR-on-a-Chip dipstick sensor

The vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) is considered a promising candidate for large-scale energy storage in the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. VRFBs store energy by electrochemical reactions of different electroactive species dissolved in electrolyte solutions. The redox couples of VRFBs are VO2+/VO2+ and V2+/V3+, the ratio of which to the total vanadium content determines the state of charge (SOC). V(iv) and V(ii) are paramagnetic half-integer spin species detectable and quantifiable with electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (EPR). Common commercial EPR spectrometers, however, employ microwave cavity resonators which necessitate the use of large electromagnets, limiting their application to dedicated laboratories. For an SOC monitoring device for VRFBs, a small, cost-effective submersible EPR spectrometer, preferably with a permanent magnet, is desirable. The EPR-on-a-Chip (EPRoC) spectrometer miniaturises the complete EPR spectrometer onto a single microchip by utilising the coil of a voltage-controlled oscillator as both microwave source and detector. It is capable of sweeping the frequency while the magnetic field is held constant enabling the use of small permanent magnets. This drastically reduces the experimental complexity of EPR. Hence, the EPRoC fulfils the requirements for an SOC sensor. We, therefore, evaluate the potential for utilisation of an EPRoC dipstick spectrometer as an operando and continuously online monitor for the SOC of VRFBs. Herein, we present quantitative proof-of-principle submersible EPRoC experiments on variably charged vanadium electrolyte solutions. EPR data obtained with a commercial EPR spectrometer are in good agreement with the EPRoC data

CMV-specific T-cell responses at older ages: broad responses with a large central memory component may be key to long-term survival

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection sometimes causes large expansions of CMV-specific T-cells, particularly in older people. This is believed to undermine immunity to other pathogens and to accelerate immunosenescence. While multiple different CMV proteins are recognized, most publications on age-related T-cell expansions have focused on dominant target proteins, UL83 or UL123, and the T-cell activation marker, IFN-γ. We were concerned that this narrow approach might have skewed our understanding of CMV-specific immunity at older ages. We have, therefore, widened the scope of analysis to include in vitro-induced T-cell responses to 19 frequently recognized CMV proteins in young and older healthy volunteers and a group of oldest old, long-term survivors (>85 years of age). Polychromatic flow-cytometry was used to analyze T-cell activation markers (CD107, CD154, IL-2, TNF, IFN-γ) and memory phenotype (CD27, CD45RA). The older had on average larger T-cell responses than the young, but, interestingly, response size differences were relatively smaller when all activation markers were considered rather than IFN-γ or TNF alone. The oldest old recognized more proteins on average than the other groups and had even bigger T-cell responses than the older with a significantly larger central memory CD4 T-cell component