Difficulty of distinguishing product states locally

Non-locality without entanglement is a rather counter-intuitive phenomenon in which information may be encoded entirely in product (unentangled) states of composite quantum systems in such a way that local measurement of the subsystems is not enough for optimal decoding. For simple examples of pure product states, the gap in performance is known to be rather small when arbitrary local strategies are allowed. Here we restrict to local strategies readily achievable with current technology; those requiring neither a quantum memory nor joint operations. We show that, even for measurements on pure product states there can be a large gap between such strategies and theoretically optimal performance. Thus even in the absence of entanglement physically realizable local strategies can be far from optimal for extracting quantum information.Comment: 5 pages, 1 figur

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for cancer pain in adults.

Background Cancer-related pain is complex and multi-dimensional but the mainstay of cancer pain management has predominately used a biomedical approach. There is a need for non-pharmacological and innovative approaches. Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation (TENS) may have a role for a significant number of patients but the effectiveness of TENS is currently unknown. Objectives The aim of this systematic review was to determine the effectiveness of TENS for cancer-related pain in adults. Search strategy We searched The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsychINFO, AMED and PEDRO databases (11/04/08). Selection criteria Only randomised controlled trials (RCTS) investigating the use of TENS for the management of cancer-related pain in adults were included. Data collection and analysis The search strategy identified 37 possible published studies which were divided between two pairs of review authors that decided on study selection. A study eligibility form was used to screen each abstract and where study eligibility could not be determined from the abstract, the full paper was obtained and assessed by one pair of review authors. A standardised data extraction sheet was used to collect information on the studies and the quality of the studies was assessed independently by two review authors using the validated five-point Oxford Quality Scale. Final scores were discussed and agreed between all four review authors. The small sample sizes and differences in patient study populations of the two included studies prevented meta-analysis. Main results Only two RCTs met the eligibility criteria (64 participants). These studies were heterogenous with respect to study population, sample size, study design, methodological quality, mode of TENS, treatment duration, method of administration and outcome measures used. In one RCT, there were no significant differences between TENS and placebo in women with chronic pain secondary to breast cancer treatment. In the other RCT, there were no significant differences between acupuncture-type TENS and sham in palliative care patients; this study was underpowered. Authors' conclusions The results of this systematic review are inconclusive due to a lack of suitable RCTs. Large multi-centre RCTs are required to assess the value of TENS in the management of cancer-related pain in adults

Classical and quantum communication without a shared reference frame

We show that communication without a shared reference frame is possible using entangled states. Both classical and quantum information can be communicated with perfect fidelity without a shared reference frame at a rate that asymptotically approaches one classical bit or one encoded qubit per transmitted qubit. We present an optical scheme to communicate classical bits without a shared reference frame using entangled photon pairs and linear optical Bell state measurements.Comment: 4 pages, published versio

Cost-effectiveness analysis of the management of distal ureteral stones in children

Objective To determine the most cost-effective approach to the management of distal ureteral stones in children given the potential for recurrent renal colic during a trial of passage versus potential stent discomfort and complications of ureteroscopy. Methods We developed a decision tree to project costs and clinical outcomes associated with observation, medical explusive therapy (MET), and ureteroscopy for the management of an index patient with a 4mm distal ureteral stone. We determined which strategy would be least costly and offer the most pain-free days within 30 days of diagnosis. We performed a one-way sensitivity analysis on the probability of successful stone passage with MET. We obtained probabilities from the literature and costs from the 2016 Pediatric Health Information System Database. Results Ureteroscopywas the costliest strategy but maximized the number of pain-free days within 30 days of diagnosis ($5,282/29 pain-free days). MET was less costly than ureteroscopybut also less effective ($615/21.8 pain-free days). Observation cost more than MET and was also less effective ($2,139/15.5 pain-free days). The one-way sensitivity analysis on the probability of successful stone passage with MET demonstrated that ureteroscopyalways has the highest net monetary benefits value and is therefore the recommended strategy given a fixed WTP. Discussion Using a rigorous decision-science approach, we found that ureteroscopy is the recommended strategy in children with small distal ureteral stones. Although it cost more than MET, it resulted in more pain-free days in the first 30 days following diagnosis given the faster resolution of the stone episode

Conditional beam splitting attack on quantum key distribution

We present a novel attack on quantum key distribution based on the idea of adaptive absorption [calsam01]. The conditional beam splitting attack is shown to be much more efficient than the conventional beam spitting attack, achieving a performance similar to the, powerful but currently unfeasible, photon number splitting attack. The implementation of the conditional beam splitting attack, based solely on linear optical elements, is well within reach of current technology.Comment: Submitted to Phys. Rev.

Inadequacy of Self-Implemented Preventive Measures to Control Caries Increment due to Poor Dietary Habits in 6 and 12 Years Old Children in Riga, Latvia

Aim. This study investigated whether the self-implemented preventive measures practiced among the 6 and 12 years olds in Riga, Latvia can control the caries increment due to poor dietary habits among this age groups. Material and methods. Caries examination was performed on Thirty-eight 6 and thirty-nine 12 years olds by visual and bitewing radiographic examination at baseline and after 3 years. All participants and/or their parents completed dietary habits questionnaires. The data was analyzed using t-test, chi-square test, ANOVA and frequency tables, Wilcoxon and Fisher’s tests (α=0.05). Results. The mean (SD) values of caries experience at baseline/3-year period in 6- vs.12- year olds were as follows. DMFS: 0.72 (1.02)/3.13 (3.13) (p=0.0000) vs. 6.79 (5.14)/14.79 (9.86) (p=0.0000); dmfs: 11.26(8.71)/7.74 (4.86) (p=0.078) vs. 3.57 (2.03)/1.5 (0.71) (p=0.317). The statistical significance was reported only for the consumption of soft drinks (p=0.032) and sugared tea (p=0.018) for the 6 years olds, and for sugared tea (p=0.017) and number of teaspoons of sugar added to tea (p=0.0095) for the 12-years olds. There was positive caries increment in all the 6 and 12 years olds that reported significant increase in consumption of soft drinks and sugared tea, and increase daily number of teaspoons of sugar used in tea. Conclusions. The present study demonstrated high cariogenic diet among the children in Riga, which is associated with increased caries experience that the currently practiced self-implemented oral hygiene measures was not capable of controlling.publishersversionPeer reviewe

The Effect of MI Varnish™ on Caries Increment and Dietary Habits among 6- and 12-Year-Old Children in Riga, Latvia : A 3-Year Randomized Controlled Trial

Funding Information: Recruitment was facilitated by exempting volunteers from the two-year wait time required for their regular, complete (including radiographic examination) dental check-up financially supported by the government. Publisher Copyright: © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.Aims: This randomized controlled trial investigated the effect of MI Varnish™ (5% NaF/ CPP-ACP) on caries increment in 6- and 12-year-old children in Riga, Latvia within 36 months. Methods: Forty-eight 6-year-old children (Group 1) and forty-seven 12-year-old children (Group 3) received quarterly varnish application, while forty-eight 6-year-old children (Group 2) and thirty-seven 12-yearold children (Group 4) did not have varnish applied. All children/parents received the same preventive advice. All children were visually examined using ICDAS-II criteria. Questionnaires on dietary habits were completed by the children/parents at baseline and after 36 months. DMFS and dfs were calculated from ICDAS data. The statistical analysis was performed (α = 0.05) using a Chi-squared test, paired t-test (Welch test) and the Pearson correlation coefficient. The trial registration number is ISRCTN10584414. Results: In Group 1 versus Group 2, the DMFS(SD) (Baseline/36 months) values were 5.02(5.85)/13.21(6.67) (p < 0.001) versus 2.65(4.54)/10.81(6.14) (p < 0.001), respectively; the dfs(SD) (Baseline/36 months) values were 36.75(12.96)/24.04(12.9) (p < 0.001) versus 33.67(12.74)/23.88(11.91) (p < 0.001), respectively. In Group 3 versus Group 4, the DMFS(SD) (Baseline/36 months) values were 48.62(23.18)/70.96(23.28) (p < 0.001) versus 34.73(17.99)/54.95(16.09) (p < 0.001), respectively; the dfs(SD) (Baseline/36 months) values were 1.7(4.4)/0 (p < 0.05) versus 2(6.39)/0 (p = 0.06), respectively. The prevalence of caries (dfs + DMFS) decreased by 4.52 (p < 0.001) and 1.63 (p < 0.001) in Groups 1 and 2, respectively, but increased by 20.64 (p < 0.001) and 18.22 (p < 0.001) in Groups 3 and 4, respectively. An analysis of the questionnaires indicated the habitual, frequent consumption of a sugary diet by all the children. A significant correlation (r = 0.321; p < 0.05) was observed between caries increment and the frequency of daily intake of sugary snacks, soft drinks and tea with sugar at baseline only in Group 1. Conclusions: A quarterly application of MI varnish (CPP-ACP/fluoride) reduced caries increment in 6- and 12-year-old children in Riga, Latvia.publishersversionPeer reviewe

Caries Increment and Oral Hygiene Changes in 6-and 12-Year-Old Children in Riga, Latvia : A 3-Year Follow-Up Report Using ICDAS II and RADKE Criteria

Publisher Copyright: © 2019 Dental Investigation Society.Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the caries increment and oral hygiene changes over a 3-year period and also compare the sensitivity and specificity of Radke's caries assessment method to ICDAS II among 6-and 12-year-old children in Riga, Latvia. Materials and Methods: Thirty-eight 6 and thirty-nine 12-year-old children were examined visually and with bitewing (BW) radiographs for dental caries at baseline and after a 3-year period. Decayed, missing, and filled surfaces (dmfs/DMFS) in all teeth were scored by one calibrated examiner using the Radke's caries scoring criteria. Oral hygiene level was determined using Green-Vermillion index (G-V ind.) at baseline and after 3 years. ICDAS II was used to assess all children only at the 3rd-year time point. The parents of the 6-and 12-year-old children responded to a questionnaire on oral hygiene at baseline and at the 3-year mark. Statistical Analysis: The data were analyzed using t-test, Chi-square test, Wilcoxon test (α= 0.05), and sensitivity and specificity tests. Results: The mean (SD) values of G-V ind. and caries experience at baseline/3-year period in 6-versus 12-year-old children were as follows. G-V ind.: 1.14(0.80)/1.48(0.89) [p = 0.4768] versus 0.99(0.45)/1.45(1.22) [p = 0.0337]. DMFS: 0.72(1.02)/3.13(3.13) [p = 0.0000] versus 6.79(5.14)/14.79(9.86)[p = 0.0000]; dmfs: 11.26(8.71)/7.74 (4.86) [p = 0.0780] versus 3.57 (2.03)/1.5(0.71)[p = 0.3173].The sensitivity and specificity of Radke to ICDAS II of caries-affected surfaces was: in proximal surfaces-0.57 and 0.98, on occlusal surfaces-0.83 and 0.98, on buccal/lingual surfaces-0.43 and 0.99. Conclusions: The result of the present study suggests that the increased caries experience over a 3-year period among the 6-and 12-year-old children in Riga may be due to the concurrent decreased level of oral hygiene, suggesting that ICDAS II instead of Radke's criteria should be used to detect and monitor dental caries.publishersversionPeer reviewe

Freshwater turtles

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources published guides to many threatened animals living in the state. This guide gives information about freshwater turtles, including description, status, habitat, conservation challenges & recommendations, and measures of success