Investigation of a single-photon source based on quantum interference

We report on an experimental investigation of a single-photon source based on a quantum interference effect first demonstrated by Koashi, Matsuoka, and Hirano [Phys. Rev. A 53, 3621 (1996)]. For certain types of measurement-based quantum information processing applications this technique may be useful as a high rate, but random, source of single photons.Comment: Submitted to the New J. Phys. Focus Issue on "Measurement-based quantum information processing

Missing data in randomized controlled trials testing palliative interventions pose a significant risk of bias and loss of power: a systematic review and meta-analyses

Objectives To assess the risk posed by missing data (MD) to the power and validity of trials evaluating palliative interventions. Study Design and Setting A systematic review of MD in published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of palliative interventions in participants with life-limiting illnesses was conducted, and random-effects meta-analyses and metaregression were performed. CENTRAL, MEDLINE, and EMBASE (2009-2014) were searched with no language restrictions. Results One hundred and eight RCTs representing 15,560 patients were included. The weighted estimate for MD at the primary endpoint was 23.1% (95% confidence interval [CI] 19.3, 27.4). Larger MD proportions were associated with increasing numbers of questions/tests requested (odds ratio [OR] , 1.19; 95% CI 1.05, 1.35) and with longer study duration (OR, 1.09; 95% CI 1.02, 1.17). Meta-analysis found evidence of differential rates of MD between trial arms, which varied in direction (OR, 1.04; 95% CI 0.90, 1.20; I 2 35.9, P = 0.001). Despite randomization, MD in the intervention arms (vs. control) were more likely to be attributed to disease progression unrelated to the intervention (OR, 1.31; 95% CI 1.02, 1.69). This was not the case for MD due to death (OR, 0.92; 95% CI 0.78, 1.08). Conclusion The overall proportion and differential rates and reasons for MD reduce the power and potentially introduce bias to palliative care trials

Statistical Analysis Plan: Grammar and Writing Research Project

Englicious is an approach to grammar teaching underpinned by linguistics research that is supported by an extensive set of website resources (www.englicious.org). Englicious combines formal grammar teaching, that is specified in England’s national curriculum, with emphasis on how this grammar links with some of the processes of writing. The approach aims to make learning about grammar fun and appealing, and stimulates pupils to learn about grammar in a hands-on way. For teachers the website provides a wide variety of innovative teaching materials, including lesson plans, interactive exercises, projects, videos, a glossary, etc., as well as background materials to improve their understanding of grammar. It helps teachers deliver England’s national curriculum requirements for English grammar, and to prepare their pupils for the Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling tests which are optional at KS1 and statutory at KS2. What makes Englicious unique is that it is informed by modern linguistics (Aarts 2011, Aarts, Mehl and Wallis, 2016; Aarts and Smith-Dennis, 2018), and makes full use of digital technologies such as tablets, apps and interactive whiteboards. Currently over 6,500 teachers have signed up to use Englicious. The resources on Englicious are tailored for particular year groups and address specific grammatical topics. For example, in order to teach pupils that adverbs (part of the KS1 National Curriculum specification for Year 2) can be moved around in sentences Englicious offers a lesson plan with an associated interactive activity that teaches the idea of adverb mobility in a playful way

Cost effectiveness analysis of larval therapy for leg ulcers

Objective: To assess the cost effectiveness of larval therapy compared with hydrogel in the management of leg ulcers. Design: Cost effectiveness and cost utility analyses carried out alongside a pragmatic multicentre, randomised, open trial with equal randomisation. Population: Intention to treat population comprising 267 patients with a venous or mixed venous and arterial ulcers with at least 25% coverage of slough or necrotic tissue. Interventions: Patients were randomly allocated to debridement with bagged larvae, loose larvae, or hydrogel. Main outcome measure: The time horizon was 12 months and costs were estimated from the UK National Health Service perspective. Cost effectiveness outcomes are expressed in terms of incremental costs per ulcer-free day (cost effectiveness analysis) and incremental costs per quality adjusted life years (cost utility analysis). Results: The larvae arms were pooled for the main analysis. Treatment with larval therapy cost, on average, 96.70 pound ((sic)109.61; $140.57) more per participant per year (95% confidence interval -491.9 pound to 685.8) pound than treatment with hydrogel. Participants treated with larval therapy healed, on average, 2.42 days before those in the hydrogel arm (95% confidence interval -0.95 to 31. 91 days) and had a slightly better health related quality of life, as the annual difference in QALYs was 0.011 (95% confidence interval -0.067 to 0.071). However, none of these differences was statistically significant. The incremental cost effectiveness ratio for the base case analysis was estimated at 8826 pound per QALY gained and 40 pound per ulcer-free day. Considerable uncertainty surrounds the outcome estimates. Conclusions: Debridement of sloughy or necrotic leg ulcers with larval therapy is likely to produce similar health benefits and have similar costs to treatment with hydrogel. Trial registration: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN55114812 and National Research Register N0484123692