Quantum Mechanical Experiments using Optical Techniques in Space

The focus of this work is discussing the realization of space based experiments testing quantum mechanics, specifically quantum optics. The main experimental work is the practical realization of the earthbound part of a possible interferometric experiment that can be realized with a delayed-choice operational mode. The full Earth-satellite realization of this experimental scheme could set a new record on the distance to which delayed-choice schemes have been experimentally realized. General relativistic effects on Earth-satellite experiments is also discussed, in the case of two different setups. One of those is essentially the ground-space implementation of the interferometer realized in the laboratory, while the other represents a different possibility that could in principle measure gravitational redshift to single photons to greater extent. Which-path behavior and interference were observed to a very good degree on the interferometer realized in the lab. Specifically, the assessment of interference visibility, which was done after careful alignement of the setup, yields a value of approximately 95%, and a comparable value of approx 93% was obtained with an alternative setup which was also experimentally realized in the laboratory. As far as theoretical computations are concerned, a good formalism to deal with space-based interferometric measurements was pointed out, which allows to take into account both special relativistic contributes and general relativistic corrections to the amplitude describing the photons involved with this kind of experiments. Two different setups, which are candidates for the measurement of single photon gravitational redshift, were analyzed with this formalism. The setup with one interferometer on the ground and the other on the satellite, in principle, constitutes a good way to observe this effect by means of a phase measurement, to the first order in the gravitational potentials.ope

The Zak transform: a framework for quantum computation with the Gottesman-Kitaev-Preskill code

The Gottesman-Kitaev-Preskill (GKP) code encodes a qubit into a bosonic mode using periodic wavefunctions. This periodicity makes the GKP code a natural setting for the Zak transform, which is tailor-made to provide a simple description for periodic functions. We review the Zak transform and its connection to a Zak basis of states in Hilbert space, decompose the shift operators that underpin the stabilizers and the correctable errors, and we find that Zak transforms of the position wavefunction appear naturally in GKP error correction. We construct a new bosonic subsystem decomposition (SSD) -- the modular variable SSD -- by dividing a mode's Hilbert space, expressed in the Zak basis, into that of a virtual qubit and a virtual gauge mode. Tracing over the gauge mode gives a logical-qubit state, and preceding the trace with a particular logical-gauge interaction gives a different logical state -- that associated to GKP error correction.Comment: 15 pages, 5 figure

MKS3/TMEM67 mutations are a major cause of COACH syndrome, a joubert syndrome related disorder with liver involvement

The acronym COACH defines an autosomal recessive condition of Cerebellar vermis hypo/ aplasia, Oligophrenia, congenital Ataxia, Coloboma and Hepatic fibrosis. Patients present the “molar tooth sign”, a midbrain-hindbrain malformation pathognomonic for Joubert Syndrome (JS) and Related Disorders (JSRDs). The main feature of COACH is congenital hepatic fibrosis (CHF), resulting from malformation of the embryonic ductal plate. CHF is invariably found also in Meckel syndrome (MS), a lethal ciliopathy already found to be allelic with JSRDs at the CEP290 and RPGRIP1L genes. Recently, mutations in the MKS3 gene (approved symbol TMEM67), causative of about 7% MS cases, have been detected in few Meckel-like and pure JS patients. Analysis of MKS3 in 14 COACH families identified mutations in 8 (57%). Features such as colobomas and nephronophthisis were found only in a subset of mutated cases. These data confirm COACH as a distinct JSRD subgroup with core features of JS plus CHF, which major gene is MKS3, and further strengthen gene-phenotype correlates in JSRDs

Quantum Mechanical Experiments using Optical Techniques in Space

The focus of this work is discussing the realization of space based experiments testing quantum mechanics, specifically quantum optics. The main experimental work is the practical realization of the earthbound part of a possible interferometric experiment that can be realized with a delayed-choice operational mode. The full Earth-satellite realization of this experimental scheme could set a new record on the distance to which delayed-choice schemes have been experimentally realized. General relativistic effects on Earth-satellite experiments is also discussed, in the case of two different setups. One of those is essentially the ground-space implementation of the interferometer realized in the laboratory, while the other represents a different possibility that could in principle measure gravitational redshift to single photons to greater extent. Which-path behavior and interference were observed to a very good degree on the interferometer realized in the lab. Specifically, the assessment of interference visibility, which was done after careful alignement of the setup, yields a value of approximately 95%, and a comparable value of approx 93% was obtained with an alternative setup which was also experimentally realized in the laboratory. As far as theoretical computations are concerned, a good formalism to deal with space-based interferometric measurements was pointed out, which allows to take into account both special relativistic contributes and general relativistic corrections to the amplitude describing the photons involved with this kind of experiments. Two different setups, which are candidates for the measurement of single photon gravitational redshift, were analyzed with this formalism. The setup with one interferometer on the ground and the other on the satellite, in principle, constitutes a good way to observe this effect by means of a phase measurement, to the first order in the gravitational potentials

Outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy in the elderly: an Italian observational multicenter study

Bacterial infections are the most frequent cause of hospitalization in elderly patients. In the early eighties, the advantages of Outpatient parenteral Antibiotic therapy (OPAT) were identified in the United States, and suitable therapeutic programs were established. In order to understand the different ways of managing OPAT, a National OPAT Registry was set up in 2003 in Italy. This study analyzes data concerning bacterial infections in 176 elderly patients including demographics, therapeutic management, clinical response, and side-effects. Bone and joint infections (48.9%) and skin and soft tissue infections (27.8%) were the most common infections treated with OPAT. Teicoplanin (28.9%) and ceftriaxone (22.1%) were the top two antibiotics chosen. OPAT was mainly performed at a hospital infusion center (52.8%). The clinical success rate was high and side-effects were low (12.6% of cases). Management of bacterial infections in the elderly with an outpatient program is effective and safe

Outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy for bone and joint infections: an italian multicenter study

In the early eighties, the advantages of outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy (OPAT) (reduced costs, no hospitalization trauma in children, no immobilization syndrome in elderly, reduction in nosocomial infections by multiresistant organisms) were identified in the United States, and suitable therapeutic programs were established. Currently, more than 250,000 patients per year are treated according to an OPAT program. In order to understand the different ways of managing OPAT and its results, a National OPAT Registry was set up in 2003 in Italy. Analysis of data concerning osteomyelitis, septic arthritis, prosthetic joint infection and spondylodiskitis, allowed information to be acquired about 239 cases of bone and joint infections, with particular concern to demographics, therapeutic management, clinical response, and possible side effects. Combination therapy was the first-line choice in 66.9% of cases and frequently intravenous antibiotics were combined with oral ones. Teicoplanin (38%) and ceftriaxone (14.7%), whose pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic properties permit once-a-day administration, were the two top antibiotics chosen; fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin) were the most frequently utilized oral drugs. Clinical success, as well as patients' and doctors' satisfaction with the OPAT regimen was high. Side-effects were mild and occurred in 11% of cases. These data confirm that the management of bone and joint infections in an outpatient setting is suitable, effective and safe