Feedback cooling of a nanomechanical resonator

Cooled, low-loss nanomechanical resonators offer the prospect of directly observing the quantum dynamics of mesoscopic systems. However, the present state of the art requires cooling down to the milliKelvin regime in order to observe quantum effects. Here we present an active feedback strategy based on continuous observation of the resonator position for the purpose of obtaining these low temperatures. In addition, we apply this to an experimentally realizable configuration, where the position monitoring is carried out by a single-electron transistor. Our estimates indicate that with current technology this technique is likely to bring the required low temperatures within reach.Comment: 10 pages, RevTex4, 4 color eps figure

Mirror quiescence and high-sensitivity position measurements with feedback

We present a detailed study of how phase-sensitive feedback schemes can be used to improve the performance of optomechanical devices. Considering the case of a cavity mode coupled to an oscillating mirror by the radiation pressure, we show how feedback can be used to reduce the position noise spectrum of the mirror, cool it to its quantum ground state, or achieve position squeezing. Then, we show that even though feedback is not able to improve the sensitivity of stationary position spectral measurements, it is possible to design a nonstationary strategy able to increase this sensitivity.Comment: 25 pages, 11 figure

The Cholecystectomy As A Day Case (CAAD) Score: A Validated Score of Preoperative Predictors of Successful Day-Case Cholecystectomy Using the CholeS Data Set

Background Day-case surgery is associated with significant patient and cost benefits. However, only 43% of cholecystectomy patients are discharged home the same day. One hypothesis is day-case cholecystectomy rates, defined as patients discharged the same day as their operation, may be improved by better assessment of patients using standard preoperative variables. Methods Data were extracted from a prospectively collected data set of cholecystectomy patients from 166 UK and Irish hospitals (CholeS). Cholecystectomies performed as elective procedures were divided into main (75%) and validation (25%) data sets. Preoperative predictors were identified, and a risk score of failed day case was devised using multivariate logistic regression. Receiver operating curve analysis was used to validate the score in the validation data set. Results Of the 7426 elective cholecystectomies performed, 49% of these were discharged home the same day. Same-day discharge following cholecystectomy was less likely with older patients (OR 0.18, 95% CI 0.15–0.23), higher ASA scores (OR 0.19, 95% CI 0.15–0.23), complicated cholelithiasis (OR 0.38, 95% CI 0.31 to 0.48), male gender (OR 0.66, 95% CI 0.58–0.74), previous acute gallstone-related admissions (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.48–0.60) and preoperative endoscopic intervention (OR 0.40, 95% CI 0.34–0.47). The CAAD score was developed using these variables. When applied to the validation subgroup, a CAAD score of ≤5 was associated with 80.8% successful day-case cholecystectomy compared with 19.2% associated with a CAAD score >5 (p < 0.001). Conclusions The CAAD score which utilises data readily available from clinic letters and electronic sources can predict same-day discharges following cholecystectomy

Delayed creation of entanglement in superconducting qubits interacting with a microwave field

We explore the role played by the intrinsic decoherence in superconducting charge qubits in the presence of a microwave field applied as a magnetic flux. We study how the delayed creation of entanglement, which is opposite to the sudden death of entanglement, can be induced. We compute the time evolution of the population inversion, total correlation and entanglement, taking into account the junction mixed state and dissipation of the cavity field. We show that although decoherence destroys the correlation of the junction and field, information of the initial state may be obtained via quasi-probability distribution functions. Copyright EDP Sciences, SIF, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2010

The geographic diversity of nontuberculous mycobacteria isolated from pulmonary samples: A NTM-NET collaborative study.

International audienceA significant knowledge gap exists concerning the geographical distribution of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) isolation worldwide.To provide a snapshot of NTM species distribution, global partners in the NTM-NET framework (www.ntm-net.org), a branch of TBNET, provided identification results of the total number of patients in 2008 in whom NTM were isolated from pulmonary samples. From these data, we visualized the relative distribution of the different NTM found per continent and country.We received species identification data for 20182 patients, from 62 laboratories in 30 countries across six continents. Ninety-one different NTM species were isolated. Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) bacteria predominated in most countries, followed by M. gordonae and M. xenopi. Important differences in geographical distribution of MAC species as well as M. xenopi, M. kansasii, and rapid growing mycobacteria were observed.This snapshot demonstrates that the species distribution among NTM isolates from pulmonary specimens in the year 2008 differed by continent and differs by countries within these continents. These differences in species distribution may partly determine the frequency and manifestations of pulmonary NTM disease in each geographical location