Experimental estimation of entanglement at the quantum limit

Entanglement is the central resource of quantum information processing and the precise characterization of entangled states is a crucial issue for the development of quantum technologies. This leads to the necessity of a precise, experimental feasible measure of entanglement. Nevertheless, such measurements are limited both from experimental uncertainties and intrinsic quantum bounds. Here we present an experiment where the amount of entanglement of a family of two-qubit mixed photon states is estimated with the ultimate precision allowed by quantum mechanics.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure

Comunicación organizacional à la française: avances y perspectivas

O fortalecimento do campo da comunicação organizacional em esfera mundial se deve, primeiramente, ao empenho, à dedicação e à pesquisa de investigadores implicados na formação de um arcabouço teórico e disciplinar originais. Em segundo lugar, salienta-se o diálogo e o intercâmbio necessários entre as perspectivas oriundas de diferentes partes do globo, em vista da legitimação do conhecimento científico. Nesse sentido, apresenta-se um panorama da comunicação organizacional na França, destacando a evolução da área, as principais linhas de investigação e os pesquisadores nelas implicados.The strengthening of the field of organizational communication at the global level is due, firstly, to the commitment, to the dedication and to the research of investigators involved in the formation of a theoretical and disciplinary structure that is original. Secondly, one emphasizes the necessary dialogue and interchange between the perspectives coming from different parts of the world, in view of the legitimization of scientific knowledge. In this sense, one presents an overview of organizational communication in France, highlighting the evolution of the area, the main lines of research and the researchers involved with them.El fortalecimiento del campo de la comunicación organizacional en el ámbito mundial se debe, en primer lugar, al empeño, a la dedicación y a la investigación de estudiosos involucrados en la formación de un referencial teórico y disciplinario originales. En segundo lugar, se enfatiza el diálogo y el intercambio necesarios entre las perspectivas provenientes de diferentes partes del globo, en dirección a la legitimización del conocimiento científico. En ese sentido, se  presenta un panorama de la comunicación organizacional en Francia, destacando la evolución del área, las principales líneas de investigación y los investigadores dedicados a ellas

Tuberculous meningitis: evaluation of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) as a diagnostic tool – a pilot study.

Meningite é uma forma grave e potencialmente fatal de tuberculose. O diagnóstico envolve a detecção de bacilos álcool-ácido resistentes no líquido cefalorraquidiano por microscopia ou cultura. Entretanto, a dificuldade de detectar o organismo representa um desafio ao diagnóstico. O uso da reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR) na abordagem diagnóstica de meningite causada por Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) tem sido relatado como um método rápido e preciso, com diversos kits comerciais disponíveis. Como alternativa, algumas instituições vêm desenvolvendo testes in house com baixo custo. Em nossa instituição, usamos PCR in house para tuberculose. O desempenho de nossa PCR para o diagnóstico de meningite causada por MTB foi analisado em 148 pacientes consecutivos, usando a cultura do MBT como padrão-ouro. A sensibilidade da PCR no líquido cefalorraquidiano para o diagnóstico de meningite causada por MTB foi de 50%, especificidade de 98,6% e concordância coma cultura de 96% (kappa = 0,52). O desempenho de nossa PCR é semelhante ao obtido com os kits comerciais disponíveis.Meningitis is a severe and potentially fatal form of tuberculosis. The diagnostic workup involves detection of acid-fast bacilli in the cerebrospinal fluid by microscopy or culture. However the difficulty in detecting the organism poses a challenge to diagnosis. Use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the diagnostic approach to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) meningitis has been reported as a fast and accurate method, with several commercial kits available. As an alternative, some institutions have been developing inexpensive in-house assays. In our institution, we use an in-house PCR for tuberculosis. The performance of our PCR for the diagnosis of MTB meningitis was analyzed in 148 consecutive patients, using MTB culture as the gold standard. Sensitivity of cerebrospinal fluid PCR for the diagnosis of MTB meningitis was 50%, specificity was 98.6%, and concordance with culture was 96% (kappa = 0.52). The performance of our PCR is similar to that obtained with the available commercial kits

Small Farmers Agricultural Cooperative Launched

The Walmart Initiative was designed to provide technical support to train at least 200 farmers on best practices in marketing produce to larger companies and corporations like Walmart. This support was provided through specialized training, workshops, informational group meetings, and overall awareness of market opportunities. The specialized training included Food Safety Standards and Food Safety Certification requirements, effective production techniques, harvesting, grading, packaging, refrigeration/cold chain requirements, transportation, fiscal responsibility, financial management, record-keeping, and insurance and product liability. As part of a five state initiative, Tuskegee University identified and assisted in the formation of the Small Farmers Agricultural Cooperative comprised of members from several regions throughout the State of Alabama. The Cooperative received training necessary to understand the importance of farmers working together, internal management and controls, sharing of knowledge, resources and experience, doing business at higher volumes/quantities, and operating at a higher level of quality assurance; thus, improving marketing opportunities. Key Words: Cooperative, Produce Marketing, Small Farmers, Walmart Initiativ