Arbitrary multimode Gaussian operations on mechanical cluster states

We consider opto- and electro-mechanical quantum systems composed of a driven cavity mode interacting with a set of mechanical resonators. It has been proposed that the latter can be initialized in arbitrary cluster states, including universal resource states for Measurement Based Quantum Computation (MBQC). We show that, despite the unavailability in this set-up of direct measurements over the mechanical resonators, computation can still be performed to a high degree of accuracy. In particular, it is possible to indirectly implement the measurements necessary for arbitrary Gaussian MBQC by properly coupling the mechanical resonators to the cavity field and continuously monitoring the leakage of the latter. We provide a thorough theoretical analysis of the performances obtained via indirect measurements, comparing them with what is achievable when direct measurements are instead available. We show that high levels of fidelity are attainable in parameter regimes within reach of present experimental capabilities.Comment: 12 pages, 8 figure

Unconditional measurement-based quantum computation with optomechanical continuous variables

Universal quantum computation encoded over continuous variables can be achieved via Gaussian measurements acting on entangled non-Gaussian states. However, due to the weakness of available nonlinearities, generally these states can only be prepared conditionally, potentially with low probability. Here we show how universal quantum computation could be implemented unconditionally using an integrated platform able to sustain both linear and quadratic optomechanical-like interactions. Specifically, considering cavity opto- and electro-mechanical systems, we propose a realisation of a driven-dissipative dynamics that deterministically prepares the required non-Gaussian cluster states --- entangled squeezed states of multiple mechanical oscillators suitably interspersed with cubic-phase states. We next demonstrate how arbitrary Gaussian measurements on the cluster nodes can be performed by continuously monitoring the output cavity field. Finally, the feasibility requirements of this approach are analysed in detail, suggesting that its building blocks are within reach of current technology.Comment: 5 pages + 9 pages supplementary materia

Experience of Being an Insider and an Outsider during a Qualitative Study with Men Who Have Experienced Significant Weight Loss

The major question being answered in the study is, “What is the experience of being an insider/outsider in a study regarding men and significant weight loss?” The purpose of the paper is to explore the experience of being both an insider and an outsider, and specifically to discuss how researcher status and self-disclosure emerged and impacted the research process. The methodology used in the research study is narrative inquiry, specifically self-narrative. In the study, membership role status was found to be difficult to define, inherently complex, and arbitrary at times. Additional research on the topic of membership role status is needed and the level of importance should be further explored for the specific population

Hard to reach? Young people’s experiences and understandings of the post-16 transition

This thesis is concerned with the experiences and understandings of young people as they move from their final two years of compulsory education into a range of post-16 destinations including Further Education, work, apprenticeships and unemployment. The participants were all identified as being ‘hard to reach’ by school practitioners. The research responds to a need to deepen understanding of such young people ahead of the age of participation in education and training in England being raised to 18 in 2015. The research was conducted in the South West of England. The empirical research was undertaken between January 2008 and April 2010 and comprised semi-structured interviews with 51 young people who were interviewed between one and three times during that period. The data presented in this thesis is focused on 11 of those young people who were each interviewed on three occasions. The findings suggest similarities between the post-16 transition experiences of the young people participating here and those of young people in this age range, not identified as ‘hard to reach’. Notwithstanding these parallels, the research revealed that young peoples’ post-16 transitions and the aspirations they hold are often more nuanced than has been theorised in previous research. The findings raise questions about the implications of labelling young people, and 14-19 policy predicated upon assumptions regarding those who do not participate post-16. In conclusion it is suggested that at a time of continued economic uncertainty and UK youth unemployment approaching one million , young people need more flexibility in the school and post-16 experiences that are available and actively encouraged, rather than increased levels of constraint

Mechanisms of LRRK2-Mediated Neurodegeneration

Mutations in the leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) gene represent the most common cause of familial Parkinson's disease (PD), whereas common variation at the LRRK2 locus is associated with an increased risk of idiopathic PD. Considerable progress has been made toward understanding the biological functions of LRRK2 and the molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenic effects of disease-associated mutations. The development of neuronal culture models and transgenic or viral-based rodent models have proved useful for identifying a number of emerging pathways implicated in LRRK2-dependent neuronal damage, including the microtubule network, actin cytoskeleton, autophagy, mitochondria, vesicular trafficking, and protein quality control. However, many important questions remain to be posed and answered. Elucidating the molecular mechanisms and pathways underlying LRRK2-mediated neurodegeneration is critical for the identification of new molecular targets for therapeutic intervention in PD. In this review we discuss recent advances and unanswered questions in understanding the pathophysiology of LRRK

Selling Southern Places: An Examination of Delta’s Sky Magazine City Profiles.

Delta’s Sky magazine claims to be an influential outlet for entities trying to promote places to investors and tourists. Claiming nearly 6 million readers monthly, the magazine’s profiles of cities, states and regions have the potential to reach the niche audiences that shape the spatial practices of firms and influence individual decisions on tourism expenditures. This paper explores how Sky promotes places in the text of these profiles through the dual use of digital humanities tools and close reading-based interpretation to ad- dress the following questions. First, we ask how is the South represented in the Sky profiles? Second, what themes are present in the profile texts, given that all places seek to address both unique elements while addressing common themes of importance to business? We find that place pro- motion practitioners use very similar themes that have been identified in the literature since the 1980s, primarily accessibility. Efforts to attract the creative class are also present in the Sky profiles. The South poses unique challenges to place marketers, and our findings show a convergence in how profiles tackle the concept of southern culture and identity as it is leveraged in many of the profiles. RESUMEN: La revista Sky de Delta Airlines afirma ser una fuente importante para las entidades que intentan promover varios lugares para la inversión económica y también para el turismo. Con más de seis millones de lectores mensuales, los perfiles Sky de las ciudades, los estados y las regiones tienen el potencial de llegar a audiencias específicas que dan forma a las prácticas espaciales de empresas e influyen las decisiones personales sobre los gastos en el turismo. Este artículo explora cómo el texto de Sky promueve varios lugares tras el uso dual de herramientas de humanidades digitales y una interpretación cercana basada en la lectura para abordar las siguientes preguntas. Primero preguntamos ¿cómo se representa el sur estadounidense en los perfiles Sky? Segundo, ¿cuáles son los patrones en el texto de los perfiles, dado que todo lugar trata de presentarse como único pero también importante para el negocio? Encontramos que profesionales de la promoción usan temas similares que se han identificado en la literatura desde los años 1980—sobre todo la accesibilidad. Los esfuerzos para atraer la clase creativa también se presentan en los perfiles Sky. El sur estadounidense plantea desafíos únicos para el marketing. Nuestros halazgos muestran una convergencia en la forma en que muchos de los perfiles abordan el concepto de cultura e identidad del sur estadounidense. From Southeastern Geographer, Volume 59 and Pages 248-267. Copyright © (2019) by the University of North Carolina Press. Used by permission of the publisher. https://www.uncpress.orgFrom Southeastern Geographer, Volume 59 and Pages 248-267. Copyright © (2019) by the University of North Carolina Press. Used by permission of the publisher. https://www.uncpress.orgYe

Coping Strategies for Inner Conflicts between Gay Bear Identity and Health Concerns

Gay bear refers to a burly gay man with a hirsute body and face. Chinese gay bear men are highly homogeneous and strictly emphasize a uniform bear appearance; however, obesity is an obvious health issue in this population. This study aims to explore the Chinese gay bear men\u27s inner conflicts between bear identity and health concerns. Eleven Chinese gay bear men including four Taiwanese, two mainland Chinese, two Hong Kong, two Malaysian, and one Singaporean were interviewed. The study used a thematic analysis approach and found three coping strategies including (a) Eat healthy but maintain a minimal bear standard; (b) Eat like a bear but go to gym and take physical exam; (c) Reframe the meaning of being a bear or reduce the need of being a bear. This study expects to increase health professionals\u27 knowledge about Chinese gay bear men\u27s inner conflicts between identity and health and to suggest coping strategies for health professionals when addressing this population\u27s health issues

Enhancing the productivity of supercoiled plasmid upstream bioprocessing through plasmid engineering

This study was set out to develop an approach for producing highly supercoiled plasmid DNA. Potentially, the level of supercoiling can have an impact on ease of downstream processing. A 7.2kb plasmid was developed by cloning of Bacteriophage-Mu Strong gyrase-binding sequence (Mu-SGS) into 6.8kb pSVβ-Gal. Four E. coli strains were transformed with both the modified pSVβ-Gal398 plasmid and pSVβ-Gal. Small scale fermentations and analysis were carried out in triplicate cultures to screen for best performing strains. Two of the four strains selected amplified the plasmids efficiently. There was over 20% increase in the total plasmid yield with pSVβ-Gal398 in both strains. The supercoiled topoisomer content was increased by 5% in both strains leading to a 27% increase in the overall yield. The two strains were investigated further in shake flasks. Increases in supercoiling and plasmid yield were also observed. The extent of supercoiling was examined by superhelical density quantification, with pSVβ-Gal398 maintaining a supercoil density of -0.022 and pSVβ-Gal -0.019 in both strains. The compactness of the plasmid DNA was also quantified by hydrodynamic diameter measurement using the Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA) and it was observed that pSVβ-Gal398 was more compact with a Dh of 40-59nm compared to pSVβ-Gal with Dh of 70-90nm for both strains examined. The report of this study has shown that plasmid engineered to contain the Mu-phage SGS sequence has a beneficial effect on improving not only the yield of total plasmid but also the supercoiled topoisomer content of therapeutic plasmid DNA during bioprocessing. References: Hassan, S., Keshavarz‐Moore, E., & Ward, J. (2016). A cell engineering strategy to enhance supercoiled plasmid DNA production for gene therapy. Biotechnology and bioengineering, 113(9), 2064-2071. Yau, S. Y., Keshavarz‐Moore, E., & Ward, J. (2008). Host strain influences on supercoiled plasmid DNA production in Escherichia coli: Implications for efficient design of large‐scale processes. Biotechnology and bioengineering, 101(3), 529-544

The Juicer LVCSR Decoder - User Manual for Juicer version 0.5.0

Juicer is a decoder for HMM-based large vocabulary speech recognition that uses a weighted finite state transducer (WFST) representation of the search space. The package consists of a number of command line utilities: the Juicer decoder itself, along with a number of tools and scripts that are used to combine the various ASR knowledge sources (language model, pronunciation dictionary, acoustic models) into a single, optimised WFST that is input to the decoder