Belavkin Filtering with Squeezed Light Sources

We derive the filtering equation for Markovian systems undergoing homodyne measurement in the situation where the output processes being monitored are squeezed. The filtering theory applies to case where the system is driven by Fock noise (that, quantum input processes in a coherent state) and where the output is mixed with a squeezed signal. It also applies to the case of a system driven by squeezed noise, but here there is a physical restriction to emission/absorption coupling only. For the special case of a cavity mode where the dynamics is linear, we are able to derive explicitly the filtered estimate $\pi_t (a)$ for the mode annihilator $a$ based on the homodyne quadrature observations up to time $t$.Comment: 20 pages, 4 figures (Dedicated to Slava Belavkin

Residue analyses and exposure assessment of the Irish population to nitrofuran metabolites from different food commodities in 2009–2010

peer-reviewedAn exposure assessment to nitrofuran residues was performed for three human populations (adults, teenagers and children), based on residue analyses of foods of animal origin (liver, honey, eggs and aquaculture) covering the 2-year period 2009– 2010. The occurrence of nitrofuran metabolites in food on the Irish market was determined for the selected period using the data from Ireland’s National Food Residue Database (NFRD) and from results obtained from the analysis of retail samples (aquaculture and honey). Laboratory analyses of residues were performed by methods validated in accordance with Commission Decision 2002/657/EC regarding performance of the analytical method and interpretation of results. Semicarbazide (SEM) was the contaminant most frequently identified and its content ranged from 0.09 to 1.27 μg kg−1. SEM is currently used as a marker of nitrofuran abuse, but it may also occur from other sources. The presence of nitrofuran metabolite 3-amino-2-oxazolidinone (AOZ) was detected in two aquaculture samples (prawns) at 1.63 and 1.14 μg kg−1, but such a low number of positive cases did not present sufficient data for a full AOZ exposure assessment. Therefore, the evaluation of exposure was focused on SEM-containing food groups only. Exposure assessments were completed using a probabilistic approach that generated 10 iterations. The results of both the upper- and lower-bound exposure assessments demonstrate that SEM exposure for Irish adults, teenagers and children from selected food commodities are well below EFSA-estimated safe levels.This research was funded by the Food for Health Research Initiative (FHRI) administered by the Irish Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Health Research Board (Contract 07FHRIAFRC5

What’s Next after Industry Disruption by CubeSats? – Industry Disruption by Open Source

A decade ago, CubeSats featured almost exclusively in the academic domain only. The same can be said today for Open Source satellites. In the same way that CubeSats and the associated development mindset started in the academic community and are now embraced by commercial, civil and defence communities, the goal of the Open Source Satellite Programme is to initiate a similar outcome for open source satellite mission architectures by developing a design that is freely available for all to use. KISPE’s goal is to build a community of open-source contributors, collaborators and beneficiaries, including those from CubeSat and SmallSat teams who are at the forefront of adopting and championing non-traditional approaches to delivering space missions. A key characteristic of open-source projects is stakeholder engagement: to collaborate, iterate and improve elements of the architecture and design - and ultimately, to leverage and benefit from the design outputs. KISPE’s Open Source Satellite Programme is developing a robust, flexible satellite platform which addresses future market, mission and programmatic demands, leverages emerging technologies and is scalable for Nanosat to Microsatellite systems, enabling teams to utilise the platform as a low-cost “commodity” or infrastructure item on which to develop their specific mission

Quantum Trajectories for Squeezed Input Processes: Explicit Solutions

We consider the quantum (trajectories) filtering equation for the case when the system is driven by Bose field inputs prepared in an arbitrary non-zero mean Gaussian state. The a posteriori evolution of the system is conditioned by the results of a single or double homodyne measurements. The system interacting with the Bose field is a single cavity mode taken initially in a Gaussian state. We show explicit solutions using the method of characteristic functions to the filtering equations exploiting the linear Gaussian nature of the problem.Comment: 15 pages, 3 figure

Diet and diabetes

Provides current evidence regarding the differing diets in diabetes prevention and management once type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) arises, including the role in management of complications such as = hypoglycaemia. Background Guidelines for the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) reinforce lifestyle management, yet advice to guide general practitioners on principles around dietary choices is needed. Objective This article provides current evidence regarding the differing diets in diabetes prevention and management once T2DM arises, including the role in management of complications such as hypoglycaemia. Discussion Diets should incorporate weight maintenance or loss, while complementing changes in physical activity to optimise the metabolic effects of dietary advice. Using a structured, team-care approach supports pragmatic and sustainable individualised plans, while incorporating current evidence-based dietary approaches

Data Structures with Java

For a freshman/sophomore-level course in Data Structures in Computer Science. This text teaches the use of direct source code implementations and the use of the Java libraries; it helps students prepare for later work on larger Java software solutions by adhering to software engineering principles and techniques such as the UML and the Java Collections Framework (JCF). Using the spiral approach to cover such topics as linked structures, recursion, and algorithm analysis, this text also provides revealing illustrations, summaries, review questions, and specialized reference sections.https://scholarship.richmond.edu/bookshelf/1129/thumbnail.jp

Quantifying Isoniazid Levels in Small Hair Samples: A Novel Method for Assessing Adherence during the Treatment of Latent and Active Tuberculosis.

BackgroundTuberculosis (TB) is the leading cause of death from an infectious pathogen worldwide and the most prevalent opportunistic infection in people living with HIV. Isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT) reduces the incidence of active TB and reduces morbidity and mortality in HIV-infected patients independently of antiretroviral therapy. However, treatment of latent or active TB is lengthy and inter-patient variability in pharmacokinetics and adherence common. Current methods of assessing adherence to TB treatment using drug levels in plasma or urine assess short-term exposure and pose logistical challenges. Drug concentrations in hair assess long-term exposure and have demonstrated pharmacodynamic relevance in HIV.MethodsA large hair sample from a patient with active TB was obtained for assay development. Methods to pulverize hair and extract isoniazid were optimized and then the drug detected by liquid chromatography/ tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS-MS). The method was validated for specificity, accuracy, precision, recovery, linearity and stability to establish the assay's suitability for therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM). Hair samples from patients on directly-observe isoniazid-based latent or active TB therapy from the San Francisco Department of Public Health TB clinic were then tested.ResultsOur LC/MS-MS-based assay detected isoniazid in quantities as low as 0.02ng/mg using 10-25 strands hair. Concentrations in spiked samples demonstrated linearity from 0.05-50ng/mg. Assay precision and accuracy for spiked quality-control samples were high, with an overall recovery rate of 79.5%. In 18 patients with latent or active TB on treatment, isoniazid was detected across a wide linear dynamic range.ConclusionsAn LC-MS/MS-based assay to quantify isoniazid levels in hair with performance characteristics suitable for TDM was developed and validated. Hair concentrations of isoniazid assess long-term exposure and may be useful for monitoring adherence to latent or active TB treatment in the setting of HIV