On the Electromagnetic Properties of Matter in Collapse Models

We discuss the electromagnetic properties of both a charged free particle, and a charged particle bounded by an harmonic potential, within collapse models. By choosing a particularly simple, yet physically relevant, collapse model, and under only the dipole approximation, we are able to solve the equation of motion exactly. In this way, both the finite time and large time behavior can be analyzed accurately. We discovered new features, which did not appear in previous works on the same subject. Since, so far, the spontaneous photon emission process places the strongest upper bounds on the collapse parameters, our results call for a further analysis of this process for those atomic systems which can be employed in experimental tests of collapse models, as well as of quantum mechanics.Comment: 17 pages, LaTeX, updated version with minor change

IR Spectrum of Benzoic Acid-Naphthalene Eutectic

693-69

Collapse models with non-white noises

We set up a general formalism for models of spontaneous wave function collapse with dynamics represented by a stochastic differential equation driven by general Gaussian noises, not necessarily white in time. In particular, we show that the non-Schrodinger terms of the equation induce the collapse of the wave function to one of the common eigenstates of the collapsing operators, and that the collapse occurs with the correct quantum probabilities. We also develop a perturbation expansion of the solution of the equation with respect to the parameter which sets the strength of the collapse process; such an approximation allows one to compute the leading order terms for the deviations of the predictions of collapse models with respect to those of standard quantum mechanics. This analysis shows that to leading order, the ``imaginary'' noise trick can be used for non-white Gaussian noise.Comment: Latex, 20 pages;references added and minor revisions; published as J. Phys. A: Math. Theor. {\bf 40} (2007) 15083-1509

Quantum time of flight distribution for cold trapped atoms

The time of flight distribution for a cloud of cold atoms falling freely under gravity is considered. We generalise the probability current density approach to calculate the quantum arrival time distribution for the mixed state describing the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution of velocities for the falling atoms. We find an empirically testable difference between the time of flight distribution calculated using the quantum probability current and that obtained from a purely classical treatment which is usually employed in analysing time of flight measurements. The classical time of flight distribution matches with the quantum distribution in the large mass and high temperature limits.Comment: 6 pages, RevTex, 4 eps figure

Kinetics of Solid State Reaction between Copper & Bromine Vapours

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Living with husbands with a label of dementia. The experience and meaning of Punjabi Sikh wives.

Dementia and caregiving have received increasing research, clinical and political attention over the past forty years. However, such attention has been particularly focused on understanding the biomedical markers and interventions for dementia within majority populations. Little attention has been afforded to understanding alternative conceptualisations of dementia particularly from varying cultural and religious lens’. Existing research which has attempted to explore cultural understandings of dementia has done so in a homogenising manner and masked potential nuances between different cultures and religions. Research has also tended to shy away from exploring the impact of dementia upon spousal relationships. Given spouses (predominately wives) have been shown to deliver much of dementia caregiving this is an important area to illuminate, both for its clinical and moral implications. Taking in to account these two distinct gaps in knowledge, the present study aimed to explore the experiences and meanings of Punjabi Sikh wives in living with husbands who have a label of dementia. This study adopts a grounded theory methodology to explore the experiences of Punjabi Sikh wives living with husbands who have been given a diagnosis of dementia. Based on the accounts of eleven wives, a model was generated which revolved around the various processes associated with living with a husband with dementia. The emergent model consisted of three distinct, yet interacting theoretical processes, the wives’ responses, systemic responses and resistive responses. The wives’ responses centred around how they acknowledged, understood and ultimately lived with changes they experienced in their husbands and themselves. The systemic responses outlined the ways in which participants perceived their wider system to negate their responses through, ignoring, misunderstanding and denying the changes in their husbands. Finally, participants recounted their resistive responses against such systemic pressures. Based on the accounts of the participants, implications for clinical practice and future research are discussed

A new species of the larger porcelaneous foraminifer Borelis provides novel insights into Neogene to Recent western Pacific palaeobiogeographical dispersal patterns

Only three species of alveolinoidean larger foraminifera occur in present-day tropical shallow-water marine settings. Alveolinella quoyi thrives in the Central Indo-Pacific and Eastern Indo-Pacific, Borelis pulchra in the Central and Eastern Indo-Pacific and in the central Atlantic, whereas Borelis schlumbergeri inhabits the Indo-Pacific Ocean. The northernmost record is that of Alveolinella quoyi from the shallow-water settings in Okinawa (central Ryukyu Islands, Japan). A new porcelaneous larger foraminiferal species, Borelis matsudai sp. nov. (Alveolinoidea, Borelinae), is established herein, based on specimens discovered in present-day shallow-water sediments from Sekisei Lagoon, southern Ryukyu Islands (Japan). This is the northernmost record of the genus in the western Indo-Pacific Warm Pool. The architectural characters of this species suggest its phylogenetic relationship with the Borelis pulchra group. A comprehensive literature survey of fossil and modern records of Borelis pulchra over the past 30 million years shows that the Middle Miocene constriction of the Indonesian Seaway and the Late Miocene–Early Pliocene restriction of the Indonesian Throughflow impacted the species-level dispersal of this species in the Indo-Australian Archipelago. Driven by the Kuroshio dispersal route Borelis matsudai sp. nov. likely appeared in the southern and central Ryukyu Islands at least from the Chibanian (Middle Pleistocene). This species represents a marginal part of a population in significant contact with its ancestor (B. pulchra), which is widespread southward since the Oligocene (Philippines). With ongoing global warming possible occurrences of Borelis matsudai sp. nov. in northern Ryukyu Islands, where it has not yet been found, are expected. The Sekisei Lagoon represents, therefore, a biogeographical stepping stone relay station in northward migration of the shallow-water benthic organisms along the Kuroshio dispersal route

The Low Enrollment into the Affordable Care Act\u27s Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan

Before the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (ACA), individuals with pre-existing conditions attempting to purchase coverage in the private individual market could be denied coverage, offered coverage at a higher-than-average premium, or offered coverage excluding care related to the pre-existing condition. As a result, millions of Americans remain uninsured, do not have access to adequate healthcare, or resort to less appropriate forms of healthcare, such as emergency rooms. As mandated by the ACA, beginning January 1, 2014, insurers in the individual market will be prohibited from denying coverage, increasing premiums, or restricting benefits because of a pre-existing condition. Until 2014, the ACA requires the establishment of a national high risk health insurance pool to provide affordable health insurance coverage to individuals with pre-existing conditions. The Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP) was established in July 2010 and the enrollment was expected to be high. However, the enrollment has been much lower than expected. The PCIP is viewed as a pilot program of what will occur with the insurance exchanges in 2014. This study examines reasons for the low enrollment through literature review and key informant interviews. The informants were asked questions addressing three topic areas: (1) Reasons for low enrollment; (2) How enrollment may be increased into PCIP; (3) If similar enrollment trends are to be expected with the exchanges in 2014; and (4) Recommendations for 2014. Content analysis of responses to the major topics elicited four major themes: 1) Premiums too high; 2) The six-month rule is too harsh; 3) Lack of awareness; and 4) Lack of funding. Nevertheless, the program was considered a success by all key informants because it did provide 90,000 people insurance and access to care. Further study will be needed to track the impact on this population once the new mandate begins. Presentation: 30 minute

Regulation of Photosynthetic Light Harvesting Involves Intrathylakoid Lumen pH Sensing by the PsbS Protein

The biochemical, biophysical, and physiological properties of the PsbS protein were studied in relation to mutations of two symmetry-related, lumen-exposed glutamate residues, Glu-122 and Glu-226. These two glutamates are targets for protonation during lumen acidification in excess light. Mutation of PsbS did not affect xanthophyll cycle pigment conversion or pool size. Plants containing PsbS mutations of both glutamates did not have any rapidly inducible nonphotochemical quenching (qE) and had similar chlorophyll fluorescence lifetime components as npq4-1, a psbS deletion mutant. The double mutant also lacked a characteristic leaf absorbance change at 535 nm (DeltaA535), and PsbS from these plants did not bind dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD), a known inhibitor of qE. Mutation of only one of the glutamates had intermediate effects on qE, chlorophyll fluorescence lifetime component amplitudes, DCCD binding, and DeltaA535. Little if any differences were observed comparing the two single mutants, suggesting that the glutamates are chemically and functionally equivalent. Based on these results a bifacial model for the functional interaction of PsbS with photosystem II is proposed. Furthermore, based on the extent of qE inhibition in the mutants, photochemical and nonphotochemical quenching processes of photosystem II were associated with distinct chlorophyll fluorescence life-time distribution components

Pigment conformation and pigment–protein interactions in the reconstituted Lhcb4 antenna protein

Resonance Raman spectra of the native Lhcb4 antenna protein are compared with those of a recombinant protein prepared by in vitro refolding of its polypeptide, over‐expressed in Escherichia coli, with added pigments [Giuffra et al. (1996) Eur. J. Biochem. 238, 112–120]. The results indicate that the native pigment conformation is reproduced almost perfectly in the reconstituted protein, with only small differences which are attributed to a slight shift in the Soret absorption peak of two or more chlorophylls. This procedure therefore represents a model system for the investigation of site‐directed mutant LHC proteins, which are otherwise very difficult to obtain