Visibility Fringe Reduction Due to Noise-Induced Effects: Microscopic Approach to Interference Experiments

Decoherence is the main process behind the quantum to classical transition. It is a purely quantum mechanical effect by which the system looses its ability to exhibit coherent behavior. The recent experimental observation of diffraction and interference patterns for large molecules raises some interesting questions. In this context, we identify possible agents of decoherence to take into account when modeling these experiments and study theirs visible (or not) effects on the interference pattern. Thereby, we present an analysis of matter wave interferometry in the presence of a dynamic quantum environment and study how much the visibility fringe is reduced and in which timescale the decoherence effects destroy the interference of massive objects. Finally, we apply our results to the experimental data reported on fullerenes and cold neutrons.Comment: 14 pages, 5 figures. Version to appear in Mod. Phys.

How genomic information is accessed in clinical practice: an electronic survey of UK general practitioners.

Genomic technologies are having an increasing impact across medicine, including primary care. To enable their wider adoption and realize their potential, education of primary health-care practitioners will be required. To enable the development of such resources, understanding where GPs currently access genomic information is needed. One-hundred fifty-nine UK GPs completed the survey in response to an open invitation, between September 2017 and September 2018. Questions were in response to 4 clinical genomic scenarios, with further questions exploring resources used for rare disease patients, direct-to-consumer genetic testing and collecting a family history. Respondents were most commonly GP principals (independent GPs who own their clinic) (64.8%), aged 35-49 years (54%), worked as a GP for more than 15 years (44%) and practiced within suburban locations (typically wealthier) (50.3%). The most popular 'just in time' education source for all clinical genomic scenarios were online primary care focussed resources with general Internet search engines also popular. For genomic continuous medical education, over 70% of respondents preferred online learning. Considering specific scenarios, local guidelines were a popular resource for the familial breast cancer scenario. A large proportion (41%) had not heard of Genomics England's 100,000 genome project. Few respondents (4%) would access rare disease specific Internet resources (Orphanet, OMIM). Twenty-five percent of respondents were unsure how to respond to a direct-to-consumer commercial genetic test query, with 41% forwarding such queries to local genetic services. GPs require concise, relevant, primary care focussed resources in trusted and familiar online repositories of information. Inadequate genetic education of GPs could increase burden on local genetic services

Experiences of pregnancy, childbirth and post-partem period in urban and suburban immigrant Pakistani women

A body of research suggests that immigrants arrive in the U.S. in good health, a healthy immigrant effect. As immigrants acculturate and absorb dominant cultural norms (measured by proxy variables such as language preference, employment, smoking and alcohol consumption), their health status deteriorates. There is a need to understand how immigrants adapt to a changed social and cultural environment and how this may influence health. A study of pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period in immigrant Pakistani women living in New Jersey explored the interface of culture, immigration and health. The study employed a three pronged approach. Census data were analyzed to identify areas with the largest Pakistani immigrant populations in New Jersey. A sample of 26 women from urban (Jersey City) and suburban (Parsippany and Edison) towns were then interviewed, and tours of their neighborhoods were undertaken to describe their environments. The in-depth interview data revealed that the pregnancy experience of these women was influenced by the timing of their pregnancy, the quality of their social networks, socio-economic status, and knowledge and ease of negotiation of the U.S. healthcare system. Initially, these women experienced a weakening of social networks and a fall in socio-economic status. Moreover, women who experienced a pregnancy soon after immigrating to the U.S. also encountered a healthcare system that was difficult to navigate. These women adapted by building new networks (friends and neighbors), strengthening kinship ties (in-laws), investing in relationships (exchange of favors) and consequently deepening embeddedness in these new networks. These new networks also functioned as conduits of information that facilitated the obtaining of healthcare. Social networks in Pakistan were linked via a range of transnational mechanisms. Differences in socio-cultural adaptation occurred based on urban and suburban location, and these influenced the women\u27s pregnancy experience. Urban and suburban networks differed in composition (e.g. urban networks were comprised of other Pakistani immigrants vs. suburban networks that were more diverse) and collective social capital, and these women used their social capital to address different needs and to achieve different goals. Urban women tended to be more conservative in their adaptations and maintained old social patterns, while suburban women were comparatively more flexible. Additionally, these individual adaptations have collectively shaped urban and suburban Pakistani immigrant communities