Schubert Polynomials for the affine Grassmannian of the symplectic group

We study the Schubert calculus of the affine Grassmannian Gr of the symplectic group. The integral homology and cohomology rings of Gr are identified with dual Hopf algebras of symmetric functions, defined in terms of Schur's P and Q-functions. An explicit combinatorial description is obtained for the Schubert basis of the cohomology of Gr, and this is extended to a definition of the affine type C Stanley symmetric functions. A homology Pieri rule is also given for the product of a special Schubert class with an arbitrary one.Comment: 45 page

Resolving the Large-N Nuclear Potential Puzzle

The large $N_c$ nuclear potential puzzle arose because three- and higher-meson exchange contributions to the nucleon-nucleon potential did not automatically yield cancellations that make these contributions consistent with the general large $N_c$ scaling rules for the potential. Here it is proposed that the resolution to this puzzle is that the scaling rules only apply for energy-independent potentials while all of the cases with apparent inconsistencies were for energy-dependent potentials. It is shown explicitly how energy-dependent potentials can have radically different large N behavior than an equivalent energy-independent one. One class of three-meson graphs is computed in which the contribution to the energy-independent potential is consistent with the general large N rules even though the energy-dependent potential is not.Comment: Corrections to the toy mode

Experimental Demonstration of Post-Selection based Continuous Variable Quantum Key Distribution in the Presence of Gaussian Noise

In realistic continuous variable quantum key distribution protocols, an eavesdropper may exploit the additional Gaussian noise generated during transmission to mask her presence. We present a theoretical framework for a post-selection based protocol which explicitly takes into account excess Gaussian noise. We derive a quantitative expression of the secret key rates based on the Levitin and Holevo bounds. We experimentally demonstrate that the post-selection based scheme is still secure against both individual and collective Gaussian attacks in the presence of this excess noise.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

No-Switching Quantum Key Distribution using Broadband Modulated Coherent Light

We realize an end-to-end no-switching quantum key distribution protocol using continuous-wave coherent light. We encode weak broadband Gaussian modulations onto the amplitude and phase quadratures of light beams at the Shannon's information limit. Our no-switching protocol achieves high secret key rate via a post-selection protocol that utilizes both quadrature information simultaneously. We establish a secret key rate of 25 Mbits/s for a lossless channel and 1 kbit/s, per 17 MHz of detected bandwidth, for 90% channel loss. Since our scheme is truly broadband, it can potentially deliver orders of magnitude higher key rates by extending the encoding bandwidth with higher-end telecommunication technology.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, publishe

A avaliação educacional de alunos hospitalizados: uma análise da classe hospitalar no contexto do Hospital Ophir Loyola

Os alunos hospitalizados por períodos longos, não têm direito apenas à saúde, mas também à educação. Assim, educação e saúde devem articular-se de forma a responder às necessidades dos alunos-pacientes em contexto hospitalar. Esta investigação, de âmbito qualitativo, teve como objetivo conhecer o processo educacional e a avaliação educativa realizados em classe hospitalar do Hospital Ophir Loyola (HOL) em Belém. O estudo envolveu três professoras que desenvolvem o seu trabalho em classe hospitalar. Os dados foram obtidos por meio de entrevistas semi-estruturadas e tratados através de análise de conteúdo. Concluiu-se que na educação escolar realizada no HOL são desenvolvidas acções educativas adaptadas, de cariz interdisciplinar e realizadas actividades individuais e em grupo. As avaliações são sistematizadas, planejadas e devidamente adaptadas, adotando-se variados procedimentos e instrumentos que propiciam uma análise fundamentalmente qualitativa do percurso do adolescente, e seu grau de aproveitamento. Tais avaliações são sistematizadas e comunicadas através de pareceres e relatórios que são enviados à escolas de origem no final do tempo de internamento. Quanto às dificuldades na execução da intervenção educativa e das avaliações, foi apontado pelos docentes, o tempo de permanência, aspectos físicos e emocionais, carência de material didático e o tempo exíguo para o planejamento das atividades que definem o processo. Os resultados da pesquisa poderão servir para subsidiar discussões acerca das práticas educativas e avaliativas que contribuam para novas políticas públicas que beneficiem a educação em ambiente hospitalar; The Educational Evaluation of Students Hospitalized: An Analysis of Hospital Class in the Context of Hospital Ophir Loyola ABSTRACT: Students hospitalized for long periods, are not entitled only to health but also to education. Thus, education and health must be articulated in order to meet the needs of the hospital context in student-patients. This research, qualitative level, aimed to meet the educational process and the educational assessment conducted in hospitar class of Ophir Loyola Hospital (HOL) in Belem. The study involved three teachers who develop their work in hospital class. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and addressed through content analysis. It was concluded that in school education held in HOL adapted educational activities are developed in an interdisciplinary nature and conducted individual and group activities. The evaluations are systematic, planned and properly adapted, adopting different procedures and tools to provide a fundamentally qualitative analysis teenager route, and their degree of utilization. Such evaluations are systematized and communicated through opinions and reports that are sent to the home schools at the end of the hospital stay. As for the difficulties in implementing the educational intervention and evaluation, was appointed by the teachers, length of time, physical and emotional aspects, lack of teaching materials and the extremely short time for planning activities that define the process. The survey results will be used to support discussions about educational and evaluation practices that contribute to new public policies that benefit education in hospitals

Intraspecfic variation in cold-temperature metabolic phenotypes of Arabidopsis lyrata ssp petraea

Atmospheric temperature is a key factor in determining the distribution of a plant species. Alongside this, plant populations growing at the margin of their range may exhibit traits that indicate genetic differentiation and adaptation to their local abiotic environment. We investigated whether geographically separated marginal populations of Arabidopsis lyrata ssp. petraea have distinct metabolic phenotypes associated with exposure to cold temperatures. Seeds of A. petraea were obtained from populations along a latitudinal gradient, namely Wales, Sweden and Iceland and grown in a controlled cabinet environment. Mannose, glucose, fructose, sucrose and raffinose concentrations were different between cold treatments and populations, especially in the Welsh population, but polyhydric alcohol concentrations were not. The free amino acid compositions were population specific, with fold differences in most amino acids, especially in the Icelandic populations, with gross changes in amino acids, particularly those associated with glutamine metabolism. Metabolic fingerprints and profiles were obtained. Principal component analysis (PCA) of metabolite fingerprints revealed metabolic characteristic phenotypes for each population and temperature. It is suggested that amino acids and carbohydrates were responsible for discriminating populations within the PCA. Metabolite fingerprinting and profiling has proved to be sufficiently sensitive to identify metabolic differences between plant populations at different atmospheric temperatures. These findings show that there is significant natural variation in cold metabolism among populations of A. l. petraea which may signify plant adaptation to local climates

A core outcome set for localised prostate cancer effectiveness trials : protocol for a systematic review of the literature and stakeholder involvement through interviews and a Delphi survey

Acknowledgements We would like to thank Professor Craig Ramsay, Professor Luke Vale, and Professor Vikki Entwistle for their comments on earlier drafts of the protocol. This study is funded by the Cancer Research Aberdeen and North East Scotland (CRANES) charity. Paula Williamson would like to acknowledge funding from the European Union Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013, FP7/2007-2011) under grant agreement number 305081 for the COMET initiative, which provided support for this work.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Systematic review of perioperative and quality-of-life outcomes following surgical management of localised renal cancer

UCAN Cancer Charity (www.ucanhelp.org.uk) and MacMillan Cancer Charity (www.macmillan.org.uk) helped design and conduct the study.Peer reviewedPostprin

IMI – Clinical Management Guidelines Report

Best practice clinical guidelines for myopia control involve an understanding of the epidemiology of myopia, risk factors, visual environment interventions, and optical and pharmacologic treatments, as well as skills to translate the risks and benefits of a given myopia control treatment into lay language for both the patient and their parent or caregiver. This report details evidence-based best practice management of the pre-, stable, and the progressing myope, including risk factor identification, examination, selection of treatment strategies, and guidelines for ongoing management. Practitioner considerations such as informed consent, prescribing off-label treatment, and guides for patient and parent communication are detailed. The future research directions of myopia interventions and treatments are discussed, along with the provision of clinical references, resources, and recommendations for continuing professional education in this growing area of clinical practice