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Unfair dismissal: procedure, fairness and compensation
This article addresses those provisions of Employment Act (EA) 2002 (implemented on 1 October 2004) which introduce statutory disciplinary and grievance procedures. In particular, it will consider the impact of the new provisions on traditional approaches to procedural unfairness by employers, the doctrine established by the House of Lords in Polkey v A E Dayton Services and the calculation of compensation in these cases.
A significant recent decision of the Employment Appeal Tribunal, handed down by Elias P. has answered a number of questions about the meaning of statutory language which is described as âelusively vagueâ by the President of the EAT. Inevitably, further questions remain
Surface-Dependent Mechanism for Transcellular Permeation of Polymeric Nanoparticles Across Intestinal Monolayers
Measurement-induced disturbances and nonclassical correlations of Gaussian states
We study quantum correlations beyond entanglement in two-mode Gaussian states of continuous-variable systems by means of the measurement-induced disturbance (MID) and its ameliorated version (AMID). In analogy with the recent studies of the Gaussian quantum discord, we define a Gaussian AMID by constraining the optimization to all bi-local Gaussian positive operator valued measurements. We solve the optimization explicitly for relevant families of states, including squeezed thermal states. Remarkably, we find that there is a finite subset of two-mode Gaussian states comprising pure states where non-Gaussian measurements such as photon counting are globally optimal for the AMID and realize a strictly smaller state disturbance compared to the best Gaussian measurements. However, for the majority of two-mode Gaussian states the unoptimized MID provides a loose overestimation of the actual content of quantum correlations, as evidenced by its comparison with Gaussian discord. This feature displays strong similarity with the case of two qubits. Upper and lower bounds for the Gaussian AMID at fixed Gaussian discord are identified. We further present a comparison between Gaussian AMID and Gaussian entanglement of formation, and classify families of two-mode states in terms of their Gaussian AMID, Gaussian discord, and Gaussian entanglement of formation. Our findings provide a further confirmation of the genuinely quantum nature of general Gaussian states, yet they reveal that non-Gaussian measurements can play a crucial role for the optimized extraction and potential exploitation of classical and nonclassical correlations in Gaussian states. © 2011 American Physical Society
Patients' experiences of brief cognitive behavioral therapy for eating disorders: A qualitative investigation
Objective
Although it is important to analyze the effectiveness of new therapies, it is also necessary to consider how patients experience them. This is particularly important if we are to maximize treatment acceptability and reduce attrition. This study examined patient experiences of a new 10âsession cognitiveâbehavioral therapy (CBTâT), using a qualitative approach.
Method
The sample was 17 patients with a diagnosis of bulimia nervosa who had received CBTâT (including treatment completers and nonâcompleters) within the previous 2 years. Sample size was determined by saturation of the emergent themes. Responses were analyzed using a sixâstep thematic analysis process.
Results
Rated acceptability and effectiveness of CBTâT were high. Five themes emerged, with subthemes. The key elements of patient experience of the therapy were: the therapeutic relationship; the nature of the therapy; its challenging but beneficial aspects; ending therapy; and the overall experience of CBTâT (including comparison with other therapies).
Discussion
The findings build on the effectiveness research for CBTâT, suggesting that it is an acceptable therapy that addresses many of the same themes that matter to patients as other therapies. The findings show that patients were positive about CBTâT relative to other therapies, and offer suggestions as to how CBTâT might be delivered to emphasize the importance of the timeâlimited nature of the therapy
Measurement-induced disturbances and nonclassical correlations of Gaussian states
We study quantum correlations beyond entanglement in two-mode Gaussian states
of continuous variable systems, by means of the measurement-induced disturbance
(MID) and its ameliorated version (AMID). In analogy with the recent studies of
the Gaussian quantum discord, we define a Gaussian AMID by constraining the
optimization to all bi-local Gaussian positive operator valued measurements. We
solve the optimization explicitly for relevant families of states, including
squeezed thermal states. Remarkably, we find that there is a finite subset of
two-mode Gaussian states, comprising pure states, where non-Gaussian
measurements such as photon counting are globally optimal for the AMID and
realize a strictly smaller state disturbance compared to the best Gaussian
measurements. However, for the majority of two--mode Gaussian states the
unoptimized MID provides a loose overestimation of the actual content of
quantum correlations, as evidenced by its comparison with Gaussian discord.
This feature displays strong similarity with the case of two qubits. Upper and
lower bounds for the Gaussian AMID at fixed Gaussian discord are identified. We
further present a comparison between Gaussian AMID and Gaussian entanglement of
formation, and classify families of two-mode states in terms of their Gaussian
AMID, Gaussian discord, and Gaussian entanglement of formation. Our findings
provide a further confirmation of the genuinely quantum nature of general
Gaussian states, yet they reveal that non-Gaussian measurements can play a
crucial role for the optimized extraction and potential exploitation of
classical and nonclassical correlations in Gaussian states.Comment: 16 pages, 5 figures; new results added; to appear in Phys. Rev.
Design and User Satisfaction of Interactive Maps for Visually Impaired People
Multimodal interactive maps are a solution for presenting spatial information
to visually impaired people. In this paper, we present an interactive
multimodal map prototype that is based on a tactile paper map, a multi-touch
screen and audio output. We first describe the different steps for designing an
interactive map: drawing and printing the tactile paper map, choice of
multi-touch technology, interaction technologies and the software architecture.
Then we describe the method used to assess user satisfaction. We provide data
showing that an interactive map - although based on a unique, elementary,
double tap interaction - has been met with a high level of user satisfaction.
Interestingly, satisfaction is independent of a user's age, previous visual
experience or Braille experience. This prototype will be used as a platform to
design advanced interactions for spatial learning
Structural basis for the RING catalyzed synthesis of K63 linked ubiquitin chains
This work was supported by grants from Cancer Research UK (C434/A13067), the Wellcome Trust (098391/Z/12/Z) and Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BB/J016004/1).The RING E3 ligase catalysed formation of lysine 63 linked ubiquitin chains by the Ube2V2âUbc13 E2 complex is required for many important biological processes. Here we report the structure of the RING domain dimer of rat RNF4 in complex with a human Ubc13~Ub conjugate and Ube2V2. The structure has captured Ube2V2 bound to the acceptor (priming) ubiquitin with Lys63 in a position that could lead to attack on the linkage between the donor (second) ubiquitin and Ubc13 that is held in the active âfolded backâ conformation by the RING domain of RNF4. The interfaces identified in the structure were verified by in vitro ubiquitination assays of site directed mutants. This represents the first view of the synthesis of Lys63 linked ubiquitin chains in which both substrate ubiquitin and ubiquitin-loaded E2 are juxtaposed to allow E3 ligase mediated catalysis.PostprintPeer reviewe
Endothelial-specific Nox2 overexpression increases vascular superoxide and macrophage recruitment in ApoEâ/â mice
AIMS: Vascular disease states are associated with endothelial dysfunction and increased production of reactive oxygen species derived from NADPH oxidases. However, it remains unclear whether a primary increase in superoxide production specifically in the endothelium alters the initiation or progression of atherosclerosis. METHODS AND RESULTS: Mice overexpressing Nox2 specifically in the endothelium (Nox2-Tg) were crossed with ApoE(-/-) mice to produce Nox2-Tg ApoE(-/-) mice and ApoE(-/-) littermates. Endothelial overexpression of Nox2 in ApoE(-/-) mice did not alter blood pressure, but significantly increased vascular superoxide production compared with ApoE(-/-) littermates, measured using both lucigenin chemiluminescence and 2-hydroxyethidium production (ApoE(-/-), 19.9 ± 6.3 vs. Nox2-Tg ApoE(-/-), 47.0 ± 7.0 nmol 2-hydroxyethidium/aorta, P< 0.05). Increased endothelial superoxide production increased endothelial levels of vascular cell adhesion protein 1 and enhanced macrophage recruitment in early lesions in the aortic roots of 9-week-old mice, indicating increased atherosclerotic plaque initiation. However, endothelial-specific Nox2 overexpression did not alter native or angiotensin II-driven atherosclerosis in either the aortic root or the descending aorta. CONCLUSION: Endothelial-targeted Nox2 overexpression in ApoE(-/-) mice is sufficient to increase vascular superoxide production and increase macrophage recruitment possible via activation of endothelial cells. However, this initial increase in macrophage recruitment did not alter the progression of atherosclerosis. These results indicate that Nox-mediated reactive oxygen species signalling has important cell-specific and distinct temporal roles in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis
Mutual optical injection in coupled DBR laser pairs
We report an experimental study of nonlinear effects, characteristic of mutual optical coupling, in an ultra-short coupling regime observed in a distributed Bragg reflector laser pair fabricated on the same chip. Optical feedback is amplified via a double pass through a common onchip optical amplifier, which introduces further nonlinear phenomena. Optical coupling has been introduced via back reflection from a cleaveended fibre. The coupling may be varied in strength by varying the distance of the fibre from the output of the chip, without significantly affecting the coupling time. © 2008 Optical. Society of America
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