564 research outputs found
Dual fear phenomenon in an eco-epidemiological model with prey aggregation
This study presents a thorough analysis of an eco-epidemiological model that
integrates infectious diseases in prey, prey aggregation, and the dual fear
effect induced by predators. We establish criteria for determining the
existence of equilibrium points, which carry substantial biological
significance. We establish the conditions for the occurrence of Hopf,
saddle-node, and transcritical bifurcations by employing fear parameters as key
bifurcation parameters. Furthermore, through numerical simulations, we
demonstrate the occurrence of multiple zero-Hopf (ZH) and saddle-node
transcritical (SNTC) bifurcations around the endemic steady states by varying
specific key parameters across the two-parametric plane. We demonstrate that
the introduction of predator-induced fear, which hinders the growth rate of
susceptible prey, can lead to the finite time extinction of an initially stable
susceptible prey population. Finally, we discuss management strategies aimed at
regulating disease transmission, focusing on fear-based interventions and
selective predation via predator attack rate on infectious prey
Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorders in neuronal xenotransplanted macaques
Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLDs) are a heterogeneous group of lymphoid proliferations that occur in the setting of depressed T-cell function due to immunosuppressive therapy used following solid organ transplantation, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, and also xenotransplantation. In the present study, 28 immunosuppressed parkinsonian Macaca fascicularis were intracerebrally injected with wild-type or CTLA4-Ig transgenic porcine xenografts to identify a suitable strategy to enable long-term cell survival, maturation, and differentiation. Nine of 28 (32%) immunosuppressed primates developed masses compatible with PTLD, located mainly in the gastrointestinal tract and/or nasal cavity. The masses were classified as monomorphic PTLD according to the World Health Organization classification. Immunohistochemistry and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyses revealed that the PTLDs were associated with macaca lymphocryptovirus as confirmed by double-labeling immunohistochemistry for CD20 and Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen 2 (EBNA-2), where the viral protein was located within the CD20+ neoplastic B cells. In sera from 3 distinct phases of the experimental life of the primates, testing by quantitative PCR revealed a progression of the viral load that paralleled the PTLD progression and no evidence of zoonotic transmission of porcine lymphotropic herpesvirus through xenoneuronal grafts. These data suggest that monitoring the variation of macaca lymphocryptovirus DNA in primates could be used as a possible early diagnostic tool for PTLD progression, allowing preemptive treatment such as immunosuppression therapy reduction
Quantum privacy and quantum coherence
We derive a simple relation between a quantum channel's capacity to convey
coherent (quantum) information and its usefulness for quantum cryptography.Comment: 6 pages RevTex; two short comments added 7 October 199
Classical information deficit and monotonicity on local operations
We investigate classical information deficit: a candidate for measure of
classical correlations emerging from thermodynamical approach initiated in
[Phys. Rev. Lett 89, 180402]. It is defined as a difference between amount of
information that can be concentrated by use of LOCC and the information
contained in subsystems. We show nonintuitive fact, that one way version of
this quantity can increase under local operation, hence it does not possess
property required for a good measure of classical correlations. Recently it was
shown by Igor Devetak, that regularised version of this quantity is monotonic
under LO. In this context, our result implies that regularization plays a role
of "monotoniser".Comment: 6 pages, revte
On asymptotic continuity of functions of quantum states
A useful kind of continuity of quantum states functions in asymptotic regime
is so-called asymptotic continuity. In this paper we provide general tools for
checking if a function possesses this property. First we prove equivalence of
asymptotic continuity with so-called it robustness under admixture. This allows
us to show that relative entropy distance from a convex set including maximally
mixed state is asymptotically continuous. Subsequently, we consider it arrowing
- a way of building a new function out of a given one. The procedure originates
from constructions of intrinsic information and entanglement of formation. We
show that arrowing preserves asymptotic continuity for a class of functions
(so-called subextensive ones). The result is illustrated by means of several
examples.Comment: Minor corrections, version submitted for publicatio
Indeterminate-length quantum coding
The quantum analogues of classical variable-length codes are
indeterminate-length quantum codes, in which codewords may exist in
superpositions of different lengths. This paper explores some of their
properties. The length observable for such codes is governed by a quantum
version of the Kraft-McMillan inequality. Indeterminate-length quantum codes
also provide an alternate approach to quantum data compression.Comment: 32 page
Parenting ‘gifted and talented’ children in urban areas: Parents' voices
This is the author's accepted manuscript. The final published article is available from the link below. Copyright © 2014 by SAGE Publications.International evidence demonstrates the importance of engaging parents in the education of their ‘high-potential’ children, yet limited research has focused on the involvement of parents from differing economic strata/backgrounds. The current study explored the dilemmas of parenting academically high-ability children from economically deprived urban areas in the UK. Data were gathered from a sample of parents whose children attended a university-based sustained intervention programme for designated ‘gifted’ pupils aged 12–16. Parental perceptions were sought in relation to (a) the usefulness/impact of the intervention programme, (b) parents’ aspirations for their children growing up in economically deprived urban areas and (c) parents’ views on the support provided by the extended family, peer groups and the wider community. The findings have significant implications for both policy and practice and, more specifically, for engaging parents in intervention programmes offered by universities and schools to children in order to increase their access to higher education and for enhancing their life chances
Registrar wellness in Botswana: Measuring burnout and identifying ways to improve wellness
Background. Burnout during registrar training is high, especially in resource-limited settings where stressors are intensified. Burnout leads to decreased quality of life for doctors, poor job and patient satisfaction, and difficulty retaining doctors.Objectives. Primary: to measure burnout among registrars working at Princess Marina Hospital in Gaborone, Botswana. Secondary: to determine factors contributing to burnout and identify potential wellness interventions.Methods. The validated Maslach Burnout Inventory was used to measure the degree of emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation and personal accomplishment. Work-related difficulties and potential wellness interventions were explored through multiple-choice and open-ended questions.Results. Of 40 eligible registrars, 20 (50%) completed the survey. High levels of burnout were reported for emotional exhaustion in 65% (13/20), depersonalisation in 45% (9/20), and personal accomplishment in 35% (7/20) of registrars. A high degree of burnout was reported by 75% (15/20) of registrars in one or more domains. In the previous 7 days, registrars worked an average of 77 hours, took 1.5 overnight calls, slept 5.7 hours per night, and 53% (10/19) had ≥1 of their patients die. Five (25%) registrars considered leaving Botswana to work in another country, which correlated with those with the highest degree of burnout. The most common frustrations included insufficient salary and limited medical resources. Suggested interventions included improved mentorship and wellness lectures.Conclusions. There is a high degree of burnout, especially emotional exhaustion, among registrars. Encouragingly, most registrars have a desire to work in Botswana after training. Future research on improving registrar wellness in low-resource settings is urgently needed
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