9,585 research outputs found
Integrated Photonic Sensing
Loss is a critical roadblock to achieving photonic quantum-enhanced
technologies. We explore a modular platform for implementing integrated
photonics experiments and consider the effects of loss at different stages of
these experiments, including state preparation, manipulation and measurement.
We frame our discussion mainly in the context of quantum sensing and focus
particularly on the use of loss-tolerant Holland-Burnett states for optical
phase estimation. In particular, we discuss spontaneous four-wave mixing in
standard birefringent fibre as a source of pure, heralded single photons and
present methods of optimising such sources. We also outline a route to
programmable circuits which allow the control of photonic interactions even in
the presence of fabrication imperfections and describe a ratiometric
characterisation method for beam splitters which allows the characterisation of
complex circuits without the need for full process tomography. Finally, we
present a framework for performing state tomography on heralded states using
lossy measurement devices. This is motivated by a calculation of the effects of
fabrication imperfections on precision measurement using Holland-Burnett
states.Comment: 19 pages, 7 figure
Elm Farm Organic Research Centre Bulletin 83 April 2006
Regular bulleting with technical updates from Organic Advisory Service
Issue contains:
Testing for Tolerance - a pragmatic view GM Debate
Vaccination nation - to jab or not to jab Future shape of OCIS
Evolutionary wheat makes the grade? NIAB tracks health of organic cereal seed
Stopping erosion of soil quality - the organic way
Care needed to halt butterfly collapse
Aspects of poultry behaviour: How free range is free range?
On choosing an organic wheat A local education challenge
New Wakelyns Science Building Organic vegetable market growt
Increased potassium intake from fruit and vegetables or supplements does not lower blood pressure or improve vascular function in UK men and women with early hypertension: a randomised controlled trial
K-rich fruit and vegetables may lower blood pressure (BP) and improve vascular function. A randomised controlled trial (ISRCTN50011192) with a cross-over design was conducted in free-living participants with early stages of hypertension (diastolic BP . 80 and , 100 mmHg, not receiving BP-lowering medication) to test this hypothesis. Following a 3-week run-in period on a control diet, each subject completed four dietary 6-week dietary interventions (control þ placebo capsules, an additional 20 or 40 mmol K þ /d from fruit and vegetables or 40 mmol potassium citrate capsules/d) using a Latin square design with a washout period $ 5 weeks between the treatment periods. Out of fifty-seven subjects who were randomised, twenty-three male and twenty-five female participants completed the study; compliance to the intervention was corroborated by food intake records and increased urinary K þ excretion; plasma lipids, vitamin C, folate and homocysteine concentrations, urinary Na excretion, and body weight remained were unchanged. On the control diet, mean ambulatory 24 h systolic/diastolic BP were 132·3 (SD 12·0)/81·9 (SD 7·9) mmHg, and changes (Bonferroni's adjusted 95 % CI) compared with the control on the diets providing 20 and 40 mmol K þ /d as fruit and vegetables were 0·8 (23·5, 5·3)/0·8 (21·9, 3·5) and 1·7 (2 3·0, 5·3)/1·5 (2 1·5, 4·4), respectively, and were 1·8 (2 2·1, 5·8)/1·4 (2 1·6, 4·4) mmHg on the 40 mmol potassium citrate supplement, and were not statistically significant. Arterial stiffness, endothelial function, and urinary and plasma isoprostane and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations did not differ significantly between the diets. The present study provides no evidence to support dietary advice to increase K intake above usual UK intakes in the subjects with early stages of hypertension
Evaluating case studies of community-oriented integrated care.
This paper summarises a ten-year conversation within London Journal of Primary Care about the nature of community-oriented integrated care (COIC) and how to develop and evaluate it. COIC means integration of efforts for combined disease-treatment and health-enhancement at local, community level. COIC is similar to the World Health Organisation concept of a Community-Based Coordinating Hub - both require a local geographic area where different organisations align their activities for whole system integration and develop local communities for health. COIC is a necessary part of an integrated system for health and care because it enables multiple insights into 'wicked problems', and multiple services to integrate their activities for people with complex conditions, at the same time helping everyone to collaborate for the health of the local population. The conversation concludes seven aspects of COIC that warrant further attention
Impact of Spacecraft Shielding on Direct Ionization Soft Error Rates for Sub-130 nm Technologies
We use ray tracing software to model various levels of spacecraft shielding complexity and energy deposition pulse height analysis to study how it affects the direct ionization soft error rate of microelectronic components in space. The analysis incorporates the galactic cosmic ray background, trapped proton, and solar heavy ion environments as well as the October 1989 and July 2000 solar particle events
The DiskMass Survey. I. Overview
We present a survey of the mass surface-density of spiral disks, motivated by
outstanding uncertainties in rotation-curve decompositions. Our method exploits
integral-field spectroscopy to measure stellar and gas kinematics in nearly
face-on galaxies sampled at 515, 660, and 860 nm, using the custom-built
SparsePak and PPak instruments. A two-tiered sample, selected from the UGC,
includes 146 nearly face-on galaxies, with B<14.7 and disk scale-lengths
between 10 and 20 arcsec, for which we have obtained H-alpha velocity-fields;
and a representative 46-galaxy subset for which we have obtained stellar
velocities and velocity dispersions. Based on re-calibration of extant
photometric and spectroscopic data, we show these galaxies span factors of 100
in L(K) (0.03 < L/L(K)* < 3), 8 in L(B)/L(K), 10 in R-band disk central
surface-brightness, with distances between 15 and 200 Mpc. The survey is
augmented by 4-70 micron Spitzer IRAC and MIPS photometry, ground-based
UBVRIJHK photometry, and HI aperture-synthesis imaging. We outline the
spectroscopic analysis protocol for deriving precise and accurate line-of-sight
stellar velocity dispersions. Our key measurement is the dynamical disk-mass
surface-density. Star-formation rates and kinematic and photometric regularity
of galaxy disks are also central products of the study. The survey is designed
to yield random and systematic errors small enough (i) to confirm or disprove
the maximum-disk hypothesis for intermediate-type disk galaxies, (ii) to
provide an absolute calibration of the stellar mass-to-light ratio well below
uncertainties in present-day stellar-population synthesis models, and (iii) to
make significant progress in defining the shape of dark halos in the inner
regions of disk galaxies.Comment: To appear in ApJ; 72 pages, 3 tables, 18 figures. High-resolution
version available at
http://www.astro.wisc.edu/~mab/publications/DMS_I_preprint.pd
Measuring the impact and costs of a universal group based parenting programme : protocol and implementation of a trial
Background
Sub-optimal parenting is a common risk factor for a wide range of negative health, social and educational outcomes. Most parenting programmes have been developed in the USA in the context of delinquency prevention for targeted or indicated groups and the main theoretical underpinning for these programmes is behaviour management. The Family Links Nurturing Programme (FLNP) focuses on family relationships as well as behaviour management and is offered on a universal basis. As a result it may be better placed to improve health and educational outcomes. Developed in the UK voluntary sector, FLNP is popular with practitioners, has impressed policy makers throughout the UK, has been found to be effective in before/after and qualitative studies, but lacks a randomised controlled trial (RCT) evidence base.
Methods/Design
A multi-centre, investigator blind, randomised controlled trial of the FLNP with a target sample of 288 south Wales families who have a child aged 2-4 yrs living in or near to Flying Start/Sure Start areas. Changes in parenting, parent child relations and parent and child wellbeing are assessed with validated measures immediately and at 6 months post intervention. Economic components include cost consequences and cost utility analyses based on parental ranking of states of quality of life. Attendance and completion rates and fidelity to the FLNP course delivery are assessed. A nested qualitative study will assess reasons for participation and non-participation and the perceived value of the programme to families. By the end of May 2010, 287 families have been recruited into the trial across four areas of south Wales. Recruitment has not met the planned timescales with barriers including professional anxiety about families entering the control arm of the trial, family concern about video and audio recording, programme facilitator concern about the recording of FLNP sessions for fidelity purposes and delays due to the new UK research governance procedures.
Discussion
Whilst there are strong theoretical arguments to support universal provision of parenting programmes, few universal programmes have been subjected to randomised controlled trials. In this paper we describe a RCT protocol with quantitative and qualitative outcome measures and an economic evaluation designed to provide clear evidence with regard to effectiveness and costs. We describe challenges implementing the protocol and how we are addressing these
- …