Optimizing performance of quantum operations with non-Markovian decoherence: the tortoise or the hare?

The interaction between a quantum system and its environment limits our ability to control it and perform quantum operations on it. We present an efficient method to find optimal controls for quantum systems coupled to non-Markovian environments, by using the process tensor to compute the gradient of an objective function. We consider state transfer for a driven two-level system coupled to a bosonic environment, and characterize performance in terms of speed and fidelity. We thus determine the best achievable fidelity as a function of process duration. We show there is a trade-off between speed and fidelity, and that slower processes can have higher fidelity by exploiting non-Markovian effects.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figure

Increasing Servers’ Tips: What Managers Can Do and Why They Should Do It

Tipping is generally regarded in the industry as more of a server concern than a managerial one. For this reason, it is the rare restaurant executive or manager who tries to actively influence the level of his or her servers’ tip incomes. I believe that is a mistake --that restaurant executives and managers can and should increase their servers’ tip incomes. First, I present several tactics that servers can use to increase their own tips. Then, I describe the role that executives and managers can play in encouraging servers’ use of these tactics. Finally, I explain how executives and managers will benefit from encouraging servers to try these tactics

La motivación como factor para el aprendizaje del idioma inglés en el contexto universitario ecuatoriano: Antecedentes, resultados y propuestas

First, the carried-out preliminary exploratory study aimed to determine and analyze what motivates Ecuadorian university students to learn English. The data gathered was used to design a project (in progress), which was proposed in the UNAE 2018-2019 Call for Research Projects; therefore, some important aspects are included, such as the mixed-method design to be employed. In the preliminary study, the information was obtained from a survey applied to 422 undergraduate students. The questions focused on determining the level of agreement they had with statements about integrative and instrumental motivation. Additionally, there was an open question where the surveyed students specified why they study English. The results showed that most participants do it to achieve short-term and long-term objectives; for example, get a better job, earn undergraduate and graduate degrees, and travel. It was also revealed that teachers and their methodology are considered important components of the English learning that are related to motivation. It concludes that it is crucial to implement meaningful and motivating lessons which help students reach their set goals.El estudio preliminar exploratorio tuvo como objetivo determinar y analizar qué factores motivan a estudiantes universitarios ecuatorianos a aprender inglés. La información recolectada sirvió para diseñar un proyecto (en curso), presentado en la Convocatoria a Proyectos de Investigación UNAE 2018-2019, por lo que se incluyen aspectos importantes del mismo, como el diseño de métodos mixtos empleado. En el estudio preliminar, la información fue obtenida a través de una encuesta aplicada a 422 estudiantes de grado. Las preguntas se centraron en determinar el nivel de consenso que ellos tení­an con afirmaciones relacionadas con la motivación integradora e instrumental. Además, se incluyó una pregunta abierta para que los participantes indiquen porqué estudian inglés. Los resultados mostraron que la mayorí­a de los participantes lo hacen para poder cumplir objetivos a corto y largo plazo; por ejemplo: obtener un mejor trabajo, alcanzar tí­tulos de grado y posgrado y viajar. También, se reveló que los profesores y su metodologí­a de enseñanza son considerados componentes importantes del aprendizaje del inglés, que, a su vez, están relacionados con la motivación. Se concluye que es importante implementar lecciones significativas y motivadoras que ayuden a los estudiantes a alcanzar sus objetivos planteados

Oxygen Moment Formation and Canting in Li2CuO2

The possibilities of oxygen moment formation and canting in the quasi-1D cuprate Li2CuO2 are investigated using single crystal neutron diffraction at 2 K. The observed magnetic intensities could not be explained without the inclusion of a large ordered oxygen moment of 0.11(1) Bohr magnetons. Least-squares refinement of the magnetic structure of Li2CuO2 in combination with a spin-density Patterson analysis shows that the magnetization densities of the Cu and O atoms are highly aspherical, forming quasi-1D ribbons of localised Cu and O moments. Magnetic structure refinements and low-field magnetization measurements both suggest that the magnetic structure of Li2CuO2 at 2 K may be canted. A possible model for the canted configuration is proposed.Comment: 10 pages, 8 figures (screen resolution

Intravital FRAP imaging using an E-cadherin-GFP mouse reveals disease- and drug-dependent dynamic regulation of cell-cell junctions in live tissue

E-cadherin-mediated cell-cell junctions play a prominent role in maintaining the epithelial architecture. The disruption or deregulation of these adhesions in cancer can lead to the collapse of tumor epithelia that precedes invasion and subsequent metastasis. Here we generated an E-cadherin-GFP mouse that enables intravital photobleaching and quantification of E-cadherin mobility in live tissue without affecting normal biology. We demonstrate the broad applications of this mouse by examining E-cadherin regulation in multiple tissues, including mammary, brain, liver, and kidney tissue, while specifically monitoring E-cadherin mobility during disease progression in the pancreas. We assess E-cadherin stability in native pancreatic tissue upon genetic manipulation involving Kras and p53 or in response to anti-invasive drug treatment and gain insights into the dynamic remodeling of E-cadherin during in situ cancer progression. FRAP in the E-cadherin-GFP mouse, therefore, promises to be a valuable tool to fundamentally expand our understanding of E-cadherin-mediated events in native microenvironments

SIEGE: Sistema de información estrategica para la gestión escolar

[EN] The indicators on students are generated by the data associated with the record of the schooling. When we talk about complex populations, the handling of millions of related data is required, for this reason, this data constitutes scarcely used source. To support decision taking, planning and the balance statements, within the Universidad Veracruzana has been developed Integral System which gathers the data together in an easy and reliable way, systematize them into indicators and information that has been defined as outstanding. It is focused on how to make the data running and analysis easier, but above all, to generate the conditions that facilitate the look up of the results for the users to direct their decisions. The indicators gather based on the user´s needs, it is possible to look up any indicator from the perspective of the whole population or specific units: Knowledge sphere, Region, At faculty or even as a student. The information refers to School population (volume and distribution); School retention, Performance (passing, flunking, or school average) School progress (connection between required time and credit progress) and School path the relationship between performance and progress and puts up types of students.[ES] Los indicadores sobre estudiantes se generan de los datos asociados al registro y seguimiento de la escolaridad. Cuando se trata poblaciones grandes, complejas y diversas, requiere del manejo de millones de datos relacionados, por ello estos datos suelen constituir una fuente de información escasamente utilizada. Para apoyar la toma decisiones, la planeación, los procesos de acreditación y la rendición de cuentas, en la Universidad Veracruzana se desarrolló el Sistema Integral de Gestión Escolar SIEGE el cual recopila de manera fácil y fiable los datos, los sistematiza en indicadores e información que se ha definido como relevante. Está orientado a facilitar la explotación y análisis de los datos, pero sobre sobre todo a generar condiciones que faciliten la consulta de los resultados para que los usuarios orienten sus decisiones. Los indicadores se agrupan según las necesidades del usuario, es posible consultar cualquier indicador desde la perspectiva de la totalidad de la población o unidades específicas: Área de conocimiento, Región, o un área en una región; a nivel de Escuela o Facultad y hasta estudiante. La información se refiere a la Población escolar (volumen y distribución de la demanda, el primer ingreso y la población total por sexo y edad); la Permanencia (por periodo escolar y eficiencia terminal, avance en número de créditos) Desempeño (aprobación, reprobación y promedio escolar) y Avance escolar (relación tiempo de permanencia y avance crediticio) y Trayectoria escolar que indica la relación entre desempeño y avance y construye tipos de estudiantes. A lo anterior se agregan indicadores relativos a Horarios (número días, cursos y horas de asistencia a la semana, horas interclase no ocupadas). Así mismo, permite la consulta de indicadores de egreso, titulación y resultados de exámenes de egreso. Contiene además una Consulta Gerencial de Cursos e Inscripción que sistematiza la información de cursos (volumen y distribución ofertados por periodo), profesores (por tipo de contratación y número de horas que imparte) los indicadores de ocupación de las aulas y las horas. El sistema intenta en un nivel más cercano a los usuarios directos, que los indicadores ofrezcan información certera, confiable, oportuna y fácil de consultar. Pretende brindar conocimiento sobre la complejidad que caracteriza a la universidad, fomentar la transparencia y la rendición de cuentas.Chain R., R.; García T., C.; Rodríguez C., P.; Rodríguez P., MP.; Ortega G., JC. (2014). SIEGE: Sistema de información estrategica para la gestión escolar. En CONFERENCIA INTERNACIONAL INFOACES. UN SISTEMA DE INFORMACIÓN PARA LAS UNIVERSIDADES LATINOAMERICANAS. LIBRO DE ACTAS. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 151-155. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/91474OCS15115

Prevalence of Disorders Recorded in Dogs Attending Primary-Care Veterinary Practices in England

Purebred dog health is thought to be compromised by an increasing occurence of inherited diseases but inadequate prevalence data on common disorders have hampered efforts to prioritise health reforms. Analysis of primary veterinary practice clinical data has been proposed for reliable estimation of disorder prevalence in dogs. Electronic patient record (EPR) data were collected on 148,741 dogs attending 93 clinics across central and south-eastern England. Analysis in detail of a random sample of EPRs relating to 3,884 dogs from 89 clinics identified the most frequently recorded disorders as otitis externa (prevalence 10.2%, 95% CI: 9.1-11.3), periodontal disease (9.3%, 95% CI: 8.3-10.3) and anal sac impaction (7.1%, 95% CI: 6.1-8.1). Using syndromic classification, the most prevalent body location affected was the head-and-neck (32.8%, 95% CI: 30.7-34.9), the most prevalent organ system affected was the integument (36.3%, 95% CI: 33.9-38.6) and the most prevalent pathophysiologic process diagnosed was inflammation (32.1%, 95% CI: 29.8-34.3). Among the twenty most-frequently recorded disorders, purebred dogs had a significantly higher prevalence compared with crossbreds for three: otitis externa (P = 0.001), obesity (P = 0.006) and skin mass lesion (P = 0.033), and popular breeds differed significantly from each other in their prevalence for five: periodontal disease (P = 0.002), overgrown nails (P = 0.004), degenerative joint disease (P = 0.005), obesity (P = 0.001) and lipoma (P = 0.003). These results fill a crucial data gap in disorder prevalence information and assist with disorder prioritisation. The results suggest that, for maximal impact, breeding reforms should target commonly-diagnosed complex disorders that are amenable to genetic improvement and should place special focus on at-risk breeds. Future studies evaluating disorder severity and duration will augment the usefulness of the disorder prevalence information reported herein

Obese father's metabolic state, adiposity, and reproductive capacity indicate son's reproductive health

ObjectiveTo determine whether dietary and exercise regimes in obese males can provide a novel intervention window for improving the reproductive health of the next generation.DesignExperimental animal study.SettingUniversity research facilities.Animal(s)C57BL6 male and female mice.Intervention(s)Mice were fed a control diet (6% fat) or high-fat diet (21% fat) for 9 weeks. After the initial feeding, high-fat-diet males were allocated to diet and/or exercise interventions for a further 9 weeks. After intervention males were mated with females fed standard chow (4% fat) before and during pregnancy.Main outcome measure(s)F1 sperm motility, count, morphology, capacitation, mitochondrial function, and sperm binding and weight of reproductive organs.Result(s)Our primary finding was that diet intervention alone in founders improved offspring sperm motility and mitochondrial markers of sperm health (decreased reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial membrane potential), ultimately improving sperm binding. Sperm binding and capacitation was also improved in F1 males born to a combined diet and exercise intervention in founders. Founder sperm parameters and metabolic measures as a response to diet and/or exercise (i.e., lipid/glucose homeostasis, sperm count and morphology) correlated with offspring's sperm function, independent of founder treatment. This implicates paternal metabolic and reproductive status in predicting male offspring's reproductive function.Conclusion(s)This is the first study to show that improvements to both metabolic (lipids, glucose and insulin sensitivity) and reproductive function (sperm motility and morphology) in obese fathers via diet and exercise interventions can improve subsequent reproductive health in offspring.Nicole O. McPherson, Tod Fullston, Hassan W. Bakos, Brian P. Setchell and Michelle Lan

The Prevalence and Influence of New or Worsened Neck Pain After a Sport-Related Concussion in Collegiate Athletes: A Study From the CARE Consortium

BACKGROUND: Neck pain in a concussion population is an emerging area of study that has been shown to have a negative influence on recovery. This effect has not yet been studied in collegiate athletes. HYPOTHESIS: New or worsened neck pain is common after a concussion (>30%), negatively influences recovery, and is associated with patient sex and level of contact in sport. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. METHODS: Varsity-level athletes from 29 National Collegiate Athletic Association member institutions as well as nonvarsity sport athletes at military service academies were eligible for enrollment. Participants completed a preseason baseline assessment and follow-up assessments at 6 and 24 to 48 hours after a concussion, when they were symptom-free, and when they returned to unrestricted play. Data collection occurred between January 2014 and September 2018. RESULTS: A total of 2163 injuries were studied. New or worsened neck pain was reported with 47.0% of injuries. New or worsened neck pain was associated with patient sex (higher in female athletes), an altered mental status after the injury, the mechanism of injury, and what the athlete collided with. The presence of new/worsened neck pain was associated with delayed recovery. Those with new or worsened neck pain had 11.1 days of symptoms versus 8.8 days in those without (P < .001). They were also less likely to have a resolution of self-reported symptoms in ≤7 days (P < .001). However, the mean duration of the return-to-play protocol was not significantly different for those with new or worsened neck pain (7.5 ± 7.7 days) than those without (7.4 ± 8.3 days) (P = .592). CONCLUSION: This novel study shows that neck pain was common in collegiate athletes sustaining a concussion, was influenced by many factors, and negatively affected recovery