3,475 research outputs found
Asymmetric Gaussian steering: when Alice and Bob disagree
Asymmetric steering is an effect whereby an inseparable bipartite system can
be found to be described by either quantum mechanics or local hidden variable
theories depending on which one of Alice or Bob makes the required
measurements. We show that, even with an inseparable bipartite system,
situations can arise where Gaussian measurements on one half are not sufficient
to answer the fundamental question of which theory gives an adequate
description and the whole system must be considered. This phenomenon is
possible because of an asymmetry in the definition of the original
Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen paradox and in this article we show theoretically that
it may be demonstrated, at least in the case where Alice and Bob can only make
Gaussian measurements, using the intracavity nonlinear coupler.Comment: 5 Pages, 4 Figure
Spectral Analysis of a Four Mode Cluster State
We theoretically evaluate the squeezed joint operators produced in a single
optical parametric oscillator which generates quadripartite entangled outputs,
as demonstrated experimentally by Pysher et al. \cite{pysher}[Phys. Rev. Lett.
107, 030505 (2011)]. Using a linearized fluctuation analysis we calculate the
squeezing of the joint quadrature operators below threshold for a range of
local oscillator phases and frequencies. These results add to the existing
theoretical understanding of this potentially important system.Comment: 4 pages, 6 figure
Antimicrobials in animal agriculture: Parables and policy
In addition to the scientific, economic, regulatory and other policy factors that impact on antimicrobial decision-making in different jurisdictions around the world, there exist ethical, social and cultural bases for the contemporary use of these products in animal agriculture. Thus, the use of the word âparableâ to describe the contemporary moral stories that help to guide ethical antimicrobial use practices and broader policy decisions in animal agriculture is appropriate. Several of these stories reflect difficult decisions that arise from conflicting moral imperatives (i.e. both towards animal welfare and towards human health). Understanding the factors that combine to define the past and present paradigms of antimicrobial usage is crucial to mapping a path forward. There exist barriers, as well as opportunities, for advancing scenarios for reducing antimicrobial usage under a variety of voluntary, regulatory and legal policy frameworks. Any new approaches will ideally be structured to extend the use of present-day antimicrobials into the future, to provide novel alternatives for regulating any newly introduced antimicrobial products so as to maximize their useful life span and to ensure the optimal use of these products in animal agriculture to protect not only the health of animals and the interests of animal health/agriculture stakeholders, but also the human health and the interests of the public at large. A full range of policy approaches, which span the realm from strictly enforced regulations and laws to voluntary guidelines and compliance, should be explored with respect to their risks and benefits in a variety of worldwide settings and in full consideration of a range of stakeholder values
Effect of the killing method on post-mortem change in length of larvae of Thanatophilus micans (Fabricius, 1794) (Coleoptera: Silphidae) stored in 70% ethanol
It is recommended that insect larvae collected for forensic purposes should be killed using the same method as was used to create existing models for rate of development. Certain killing methods have been shown to be preferable because they cause less distortion of the specimens, but these are not always practicable in a particular case, and so a method of correcting for effect of killing method is required. Larvae of all instars of Thanatophilus micans (Fabricius 1794) (Coleoptera: Silphidae) were measured and then killed by immersion in ethanol, immersion in hot water or freezing. Samples were re-measured immediately after death, then stored in excess 70% ethanol and re-measured after 1 week and again after 4 weeks. The change in length was significantly different from zero in all samples (t = -9.07022, p < 0.001). An analysis of covariance showed that instar, killing method and storage time all had a significant effect on the change in length. The results showed that T. micans larvae have a great potential for change in length during storage but that the change is not predictable, as the magnitude and sign of the change are variable
Mentalization-Based Interventions for Children Aged 6-12 and Their Carers: A Narrative Systematic Review
The ability to mentalize is an important developmental capacity that facilitates effective social and emotional functioning. Mentalization-Based Treatment (MBT), which aims to improve mentalizing capacity, is widely used in adults and in parent-infant therapy, but adaptations of MBT for middle childhood are less well documented. A systematic search of key databases was carried out using a PICO model. Papers were included if they explicitly described a mentalization-based approach to work with children aged between 6 and 12 and/or their caregivers. Where outcomes were reported, quality was assessed. A narrative synthesis of the literature was conducted. Sixty-two publications were included, reporting on 29 unique mentalization-informed interventions for middle childhood. Although the majority were formulated as direct therapeutic work with children and their families, several MBT interventions work with whole systems, such as schools or childrenâs social care. Only 22 papers reported outcomes and many were of poor quality, lacking in assessment of child mentalizing or child-reported outcomes. A broad range of mentalization-based interventions are available for middle childhood, demonstrating wide-reaching applicability. Better quality research is needed to examine the evidence base for these treatments
Social work education, training and standards in the Asia-Pacific region
This article discusses the joint project between the International Association of Schools of Social Work (IASSW) and the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) to establish guidelines for the training and standard setting that elucidates what social work represents on a global level. While it is impossible to address all the issues that might be significant in such a large scope, attention is given to the challenges establishing global standards might encounter in a region as diverse as the Asia-Pacific
The experience of adolescents participating in a randomised clinical trial in the field of mental health: a qualitative study
Background
This descriptive study aimed to investigate adolescentsâ motivations for participating in a randomised controlled trial (RCT), to explore the understanding that the young people had regarding a number of aspects of the trial design, to examine whether or not they found participation in the trial to be acceptable and what affected this, and to identify whether and how the young people felt that their participation in the RCT impacted on their experience of therapy and on therapeutic change.
Methods
Seventy-six adolescents who were taking part in a large-scale RCT to evaluate the clinical and cost effectiveness of psychological therapies for depression were interviewed at two time-points after completing therapy. The semi-structured interviews, which included a focus on the young peopleâs experience of the research study, were analysed using framework analysis.
Results
The vast majority of adolescents found it acceptable to participate in the clinical trial, and many agreed to participate for reasons of âconditional altruismâ. However consent was often given without great understanding of the key elements of the trial, including the difference between treatment arms and the randomisation process. Although the adolescents were largely positive about their experiences from taking part, the study raises questions about whether clinical outcomes may be influenced by participation in the research elements of the trial.
Conclusions
Although adolescents are under-represented in clinical trials, those who do participate are generally positive about the experience; however, careful thought needs to be given to key elements of the trial design and the potential impact of the research participation on clinical outcomes
Loss of expression of ATM is associated with worse prognosis in colorectal cancer and loss of Ku70 expression is associated with CIN
Repair of double strand DNA breaks (DSBs) is pivotal in maintaining normal
cell division and disruption of this system has been shown to be a key factor in
carcinogenesis. Loss of expression of the DSB repair proteins have previously been
shown to be associated with poorer survival in colorectal cancer. We wished to
ascertain the relationship of altered expression of the DSB repair proteins Îł-H2AX
(gamma-H2AX), ATM and Ku70 with biological and clinico-pathological features
of colorectal cancer. 908 tumours from the VICTOR clinical trial of stage II/III
colorectal cancer were analysed for expression of Îł-H2AX, ATM and Ku70 using
immunohistochemistry. Expression levels were correlated with CIN and with diseasefree
survival, correcting for microsatellite instability, BRAF/KRAS mutation status,
Dukes stage, chemo/radiotherapy, age, gender and tumour location. Down-regulated
Ku70 expression was associated with chromosomal instability (p=0.029) in colorectal
cancer. Reduced ATM expression was an independent marker of poor disease-free
survival (HR=1.67, 95% CI 1.11-2.50, p=0.015). For Ku70, further studies are
required to investigate the potential relationship of non-homologous end joining with
chromosomal instability. Loss of ATM expression might serve as a biomarker of poor
prognosis in colorectal cancer
Coupling curvature to a uniform magnetic field; an analytic and numerical study
The Schrodinger equation for an electron near an azimuthally symmetric curved
surface in the presence of an arbitrary uniform magnetic field
is developed. A thin layer quantization procedure is implemented to
bring the electron onto , leading to the well known geometric potential
and a second potential that couples , the component of
normal to to mean surface curvature, as well as a term
dependent on the normal derivative of
evaluated on . Numerical results in the form of ground state
energies as a function of the applied field in several orientations are
presented for a toroidal model.Comment: 12 pages, 3 figure
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