A solution of the Gaussian optimizer conjecture

The long-standing conjectures of the optimality of Gaussian inputs for Gaussian channel and Gaussian additivity are solved for a broad class of covariant or contravariant Bosonic Gaussian channels (which includes in particular thermal, additive classical noise, and amplifier channels) restricting to the class of states with finite second moments. We show that the vacuum is the input state which minimizes the entropy at the output of such channels. This allows us to show also that the classical capacity of these channels (under the input energy constraint) is additive and is achieved by Gaussian encodings.Comment: 24 pages, no figures (minor typos corrected

The subperichondrial / subperiosteal dissection in preservation rhinoplasty: how histology can help us to perform better surgeries

Aim: The classical dissection plane in rhinoplasty is in the sub-SMAS plane with traumatic dissection of tissues and as a result significant and prolonged postoperative edema, especially in the external approach. A complete subperichondrial/periosteal route has been recently described. It seems to allow for simpler postoperative follow-up than external or closed approach performed in the sub-SMAS plane. However, little is known about the exact histological planes that are really dissected during surgery. Material and methods: Histological examinations of 10 cadavers noses dissected in the so-called subperichondrial/subperiosteal plane were performed. Results: The subperichondrial plane is truly subperichondrial and consists in a dissection under the chondrogenic layer of the perichondrium. Subperichondrial dissection necessitates sharp scrapping to separate the cartilage from the chondrogenic layer. The perichondrium is naturally thicker on the dorsum, which explains why it is easier to begin the dorsal dissection at the W point. Scroll cartilages are consistent and show between 9 and 13 isolated cartilages, most of the time, 1 major and several minors cartilages. Optimal strategy to ease the dissection is discussed Conclusions: The subperichondrial/subperiosteal route, although necessitating significant dissection of the teguments of the nasal pyramid, is respectful of the anatomy of the nasal pyramid. It allows minimal traumatic maneuvers than in the sub-SMAS route, despite of the large dissection performed

The subperichondrial / subperiosteal dissection in preservation rhinoplasty: how histology can help us to perform better surgeries

Aim: The classical dissection plane in rhinoplasty is in the sub-SMAS plane with traumatic dissection of tissues and as a result significant and prolonged postoperative edema, especially in the external approach. A complete subperichondrial/periosteal route has been recently described. It seems to allow for simpler postoperative follow-up than external or closed approach performed in the sub-SMAS plane. However, little is known about the exact histological planes that are really dissected during surgery. Material and methods: Histological examinations of 10 cadavers noses dissected in the so-called subperichondrial/subperiosteal plane were performed. Results: The subperichondrial plane is truly subperichondrial and consists in a dissection under the chondrogenic layer of the perichondrium. Subperichondrial dissection necessitates sharp scrapping to separate the cartilage from the chondrogenic layer. The perichondrium is naturally thicker on the dorsum, which explains why it is easier to begin the dorsal dissection at the W point. Scroll cartilages are consistent and show between 9 and 13 isolated cartilages, most of the time, 1 major and several minors cartilages. Optimal strategy to ease the dissection is discussed Conclusions: The subperichondrial/subperiosteal route, although necessitating significant dissection of the teguments of the nasal pyramid, is respectful of the anatomy of the nasal pyramid. It allows minimal traumatic maneuvers than in the sub-SMAS route, despite of the large dissection performed

The anterior cribriform plate foramina: from anatomy to surgery

Background: Despite the development of anterior skull base surgery, the anatomy of the nasal bone and anterior cribriform plate remains unclear. A recent study confirmed 2 distinct foramina in the anterior part of the cribriform plate: the ethmoidal slit (ES) and the cribroethmoidal foramen (CF). The aim of this study was to specify their content, their anatomic relationship to the frontal sinus and skull base, and their potential value in skull base surgery. Methods: Dissections were performed on 36 cadaver heads. Macro- and microscopic examinations were carried out. Microcomputed tomography scans contrasted with osmium were performed to identify vessels and nerves. Histology with neural, meningeal, or luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone immunomarkers was performed on the content of the foramina. Finally, endonasal surgical dissections were carried out. Results: The ES and the CF were observed in all cases. They measured a mean of 4.2 and 1.6 mm, respectively. The ES contained dura mater, arachnoid tissues, lymphatics, and the terminal nerve. The CF contained the anterior ethmoidal nerve and artery. This foramen continued forward with the cribroethmoidal groove, which measured a mean of 2.5 mm. This groove was under the frontal sinus and in front of the skull base. We also described a "cribroethmoidal canal" and a "nasal bone foramen." Clinical applications are discussed. Conclusion: The clinical applications of this new anatomic description concern both the cribriform plate and frontal sinus surgeries. Identifying the terminal nerve passing through the ES is a step forward in understanding pheromone recognition in humans

The anterior cribriform plate foramina: from anatomy to surgery

Background: Despite the development of anterior skull base surgery, the anatomy of the nasal bone and anterior cribriform plate remains unclear. A recent study confirmed 2 distinct foramina in the anterior part of the cribriform plate: the ethmoidal slit (ES) and the cribroethmoidal foramen (CF). The aim of this study was to specify their content, their anatomic relationship to the frontal sinus and skull base, and their potential value in skull base surgery. Methods: Dissections were performed on 36 cadaver heads. Macro- and microscopic examinations were carried out. Microcomputed tomography scans contrasted with osmium were performed to identify vessels and nerves. Histology with neural, meningeal, or luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone immunomarkers was performed on the content of the foramina. Finally, endonasal surgical dissections were carried out. Results: The ES and the CF were observed in all cases. They measured a mean of 4.2 and 1.6 mm, respectively. The ES contained dura mater, arachnoid tissues, lymphatics, and the terminal nerve. The CF contained the anterior ethmoidal nerve and artery. This foramen continued forward with the cribroethmoidal groove, which measured a mean of 2.5 mm. This groove was under the frontal sinus and in front of the skull base. We also described a "cribroethmoidal canal" and a "nasal bone foramen." Clinical applications are discussed. Conclusion: The clinical applications of this new anatomic description concern both the cribriform plate and frontal sinus surgeries. Identifying the terminal nerve passing through the ES is a step forward in understanding pheromone recognition in humans

Reducing the burden of iron deficiency anemia in Cote D'Ivoire through fortification

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is highly prevalent in the Cote d'Ivoire and has severe health and economic consequences. In this paper, we apply a health economic model to quantify the burden of IDA, and the contribution of nationwide mandatory iron fortification of wheat flour and voluntary iron fortification of condiments to the reduction of this burden

Isolated hypoglossal palsy due to cervical osteophyte

SummaryIntroductionIsolated hypoglossal nerve palsy is rare, and etiological diagnosis is difficult. We report a case of isolated hypoglossal compression by a cervical osteophyte in the hypoglossal canal exit.Case studyAn 86-year-old woman with history of cervical spondylotic myelopathy consulted for a lesion of the free edge of the tongue with impaired elocution. Clinical examination found a bite lesion on the right free edge of the tongue with right lingual amyotrophy and associated left deviation on retraction. Isolated right hypoglossal palsy was diagnosed. Skull base CT found a cervical osteophyte compressing the hypoglossal nerve at the exit from the right hypoglossal canal. Surgery was contra-indicated by the patient's general health status. No motor recovery was observed at 6 months’ follow-up, but the elocution disorders regressed under speech therapy.ConclusionHypoglossal palsy is infrequent, but generally a sign of skull base pathology. History-taking and careful examination guide rational selection of the radiological examinations required for etiological diagnosis

Electromagnetic channel capacity for practical purposes

We give analytic upper bounds to the channel capacity C for transmission of classical information in electromagnetic channels (bosonic channels with thermal noise). In the practically relevant regimes of high noise and low transmissivity, by comparison with know lower bounds on C, our inequalities determine the value of the capacity up to corrections which are irrelevant for all practical purposes. Examples of such channels are radio communication, infrared or visible-wavelength free space channels. We also provide bounds to active channels that include amplification.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures. NB: the capacity bounds are constructed by generalizing to the multi-mode case the minimum-output entropy bounds of arXiv:quant-ph/0404005 [Phys. Rev. A 70, 032315 (2004)

Diabetes Screening and Prevention in a High-Risk, Medically Isolated Border Community

Introduction: A project in a Texas border community setting, Prevention Organized against Diabetes and Dialysis with Education and Resources (POD2ER), offered diabetes prevention information, screening, and medical referrals. The setting was a large, longstanding flea market that functions as a shopping mall for low-income people. The priority population included medically underserved urban and rural Mexican Americans. Components of the program addressed those with diabetes, prediabetes, and accompanying relatives and friends. Background: People living in the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) face challenges of high rates of type 2 diabetes, lack of knowledge about prevention, and inadequate access to medical care. Recent statistics from actual community-wide screenings indicate a high diabetes prevalence, 30.7% among adults in the LRGV compared with 12.3% nationwide. Methods: A diverse team composed of public health faculty, students, a physician, a community health worker, and community volunteers conceived and developed the project with a focus on cultural and economic congruence and a user-friendly atmosphere. The program provided screening for prediabetes and diabetes with a hemoglobin A1c test. Screening was offered to those who were at least 25 years of age and not pregnant. When results indicated diabetes, a test for kidney damage was offered (urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio). A medical appointment at a community clinic within a week was provided to those who tested positive for diabetes and lacked a medical home. Health education modules addressed all family members. Discussion: The project was successful in recruiting 2,332 high-risk people in 26 months in a community setting, providing clinic referrals to those without a doctor, introducing them to treatment, and providing diabetes prevention information to all project participants. Implications for research and practice are highlighted. Conclusion: This study shows that a regular access point in a place frequented by large numbers of medically marginalized people in a program designed to eliminate cultural and economic barriers can succeed in providing a hard-to-reach community with diabetes prevention services. Aspects of this program can serve as a model for other service provision for similar populations and settings

Continuous variable quantum key distribution with two-mode squeezed states

Quantum key distribution (QKD) enables two remote parties to grow a shared key which they can use for unconditionally secure communication [1]. The applicable distance of a QKD protocol depends on the loss and the excess noise of the connecting quantum channel [2-10]. Several QKD schemes based on coherent states and continuous variable (CV) measurements are resilient to high loss in the channel, but strongly affected by small amounts of channel excess noise [2-6]. Here we propose and experimentally address a CV QKD protocol which uses fragile squeezed states combined with a large coherent modulation to greatly enhance the robustness to channel noise. As a proof of principle we experimentally demonstrate that the resulting QKD protocol can tolerate more noise than the benchmark set by the ideal CV coherent state protocol. Our scheme represents a very promising avenue for extending the distance for which secure communication is possible.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figure