Quantum non-demolition measurement enables macroscopic Leggett-Garg tests

We show how a test of macroscopic realism based on Leggett-Garg inequalities (LGIs) can be performed in a macroscopic system. Using a continuous-variable approach, we consider quantum non-demolition (QND) measurements applied to atomic ensembles undergoing magnetically-driven coherent oscillation. We identify measurement schemes requiring only Gaussian states as inputs and giving a significant LGI violation with realistic experimental parameters and imperfections. The predicted violation is shown to be due to true quantum effects rather than to a classical invasivity of the measurement. Using QND measurements to tighten the "clumsiness loophole" forces the stubborn macrorealist to re-create quantum back action in his or her account of measurement

Five-year patient outcomes with risperidone long-acting injection or oral aripiprazole

Background: This study examined 5-year outcomes of patients prescribed risperidone long-acting injection (RLAI) or aripiprazole in a clinical setting, using treatment discontinuation as a measure of effectiveness. Method: Patients who received RLAI or aripiprazole in the 18 months following their respective UK launches were included. Two-year outcome data were previously reported for these cohorts; this study reported an additional 3 years of follow up for each group. Data were collected from pharmacy records and by retrospective case note review. Patients were classified as continuers or discontinuers at 5 years and reasons for treatment discontinuation noted. Results: The number of patients remaining on treatment at 2 years (and included in this study) was 28/84 and 27/92 for RLAI and aripiprazole respectively. Two patients treated with RLAI and three treated with aripiprazole were lost to follow up. Therefore, 5-year outcome data were available for 50 patients. Fifteen patients from each group were continuers at 5 years. Of these, four receiving RLAI and three receiving aripiprazole were coprescribed other antipsychotics at study endpoint. Reasons for discontinuation of RLAI and aripiprazole respectively were lack of effect (n = 4; n = 4), adverse effects (n = 3; n = 1), noncompliance or patient choice (n = 2; n = 4) and patient death (n = 2; n = 0). Conclusion: There was no significant difference between the proportions of patients continuing RLAI or aripiprazole for 5 years. Continuation rates were relatively low (18% and 16% of the original RLAI and aripiprazole cohorts respectively), whilst coprescription of other antipsychotics at endpoint was relatively common. Lack of effectiveness was the most common reason for discontinuation of both compounds. These findings suggested that clinical effectiveness was somewhat disappointing, although the long period of follow up and number of patients previously treated with clozapine in the original cohorts were confounding factors

Implementation of a Pavement Management Program in Lexington-Fayette County, Kentucky

Lexington, in central Kentucky, is the second largest city in the state. Local government is by a mayor and council of elected representatives from twelve districts and three at-large representatives. The Department of Public Works headed by a Commissioner, who reports to the mayor and city-county council, administers the streets and roads system. The street and road network in Lexington consists of approximately 720 centerline miles. Approximately 100 miles are rural in nature and 620 miles are urban. Approximately 95 percent are bituminous surfaced roads; a majority of the remainder is constructed of portland cement concrete. Increasing costs for constructing and maintaining the street and road network was a stimulus to implement a systematic pavement and road surface management system. Available alternatives were reviewed, and it was decided to maximize in-house resources of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government. Meetings with public works officials were used to establish criteria for implementation of a management program: (a) program for visual condition survey of pavements, (b) procedure(s) to determine structural deficiencies for critical pavements identified in the visual condition survey, and (c) utilization of the above information to estimate rehabilitation strategies and their associated costs. The paper describes and documents three phases of implementation of a pavement and road surface management system. Phase I included development of a system-wide inventory of pavements and a pavement condition rating system for both flexible and rigid pavements. Phase II dealt with the modifications to a microcomputer program to process pavement condition ratings for ranking pavements on the basis of need and also to estimate pavement maintenance and rehabilitation costs. Phase III included administrative and training activities necessary for implementation of the pavement management program. Training generally addressed three areas: collection of pavement condition and distress information, operation of the microcomputer program for data processing and analyses, and interpretation and utilization of results of the analyses. Finally, the paper describes current research and development relating to refinements and modifications for the Lexington situation

The Implementation of Performance Management in the Cape Town Municipality: 1996-2000

The aim of this article is to describe, interpret and critically analyse the political and managerial processes which the newly constituted Cape Town Municipality (CTM) followed in initiating and implementing its performance management approach from 1996-2000. The following research questions were posed: (i) How clearly were the political-administrative vision and values of the CTM formulated and developed? (ii) How was achievement of strategic performance objectives facilitated through management effectiveness and efficiency? (iii) How effectively was a normative framework of international best practice implemented by the CTM? (iv) What was the impact of political and union attitudes and actions on performance management principles and practice? (v) What issues of co-ordination and co-operation were evident in the process