Work and Heat Value of Bound Entanglement

Entanglement has recently been recognized as an energy resource which can outperform classical resources if decoherence is relatively low. Multi-atom entangled states can mutate irreversibly to so called bound entangled (BE) states under noise. Resource value of BE states in information applications has been under critical study and a few cases where they can be useful have been identified. We explore the energetic value of typical BE states. Maximal work extraction is determined in terms of ergotropy. Since the BE states are non-thermal, extracting heat from them is less obvious. We compare single and repeated interaction schemes to operationally define and harvest heat from BE states. BE and free entangled (FE) states are compared in terms of their ergotropy and maximal heat values. Distinct roles of distillability in work and heat values of FE and BE states are pointed out. Decoherence effects in dynamics of ergotropy and mutation of FE states into BE states are examined to clarify significance of the work value of BE states. Thermometry of distillability of entanglement using micromaser cavity is proposed.Comment: 22 pages, 10 figure

Performance of Lightweight Waste-Impoundment Dikes

The containment dikes of two sludge disposal lagoons were founded on low strength, highly compressible wetland soils in Madison, Wisconsin. These lagoons, constructed in 1942 and 1967 respectively, encompass 130 acres of digested sludge produced at the sewage treatment plant. The dikes have experienced two previous failures in 1970 and 1973. A dike rehabilitation program was initiated in 1976 to prevent additional failures. New dikes were built using wood chips as a lightweight fill. Non-woven synthetic filter fabric was used to prevent soil intrusion into the chips and to provide resistance to lateral spreading. An investigation was initiated in 1984 to assess the current and long term stability and settlement of the dikes, to determine the fate of the wood chip fill, and to develop recommendations for ways to stabilize the dikes, if necessary. This paper presents the results of the stability and settlement analyses, and the attendant interpretations. The investigation indicated better than marginal stability, predicted minor loss of freeboard between 1987 and the year 2000, and found only minor changes in the wood chips after 10 years of service

Signs of low frequency dispersions in disordered binary dielectric mixtures (50-50)

Dielectric relaxation in disordered dielectric mixtures are presented by emphasizing the interfacial polarization. The obtained results coincide with and cause confusion with those of the low frequency dispersion behavior. The considered systems are composed of two phases on two-dimensional square and triangular topological networks. We use the finite element method to calculate the effective dielectric permittivities of randomly generated structures. The dielectric relaxation phenomena together with the dielectric permittivity values at constant frequencies are investigated, and significant differences of the square and triangular topologies are observed. The frequency dependent properties of some of the generated structures are examined. We conclude that the topological disorder may lead to the normal or anomalous low frequency dispersion if the electrical properties of the phases are chosen properly, such that for ``slightly'' {\em reciprocal mixture}--when $\sigma_1\gg\sigma_2$, and $\epsilon_1<\epsilon_2$--normal, and while for ``extreme'' {\em reciprocal mixture}--when $\sigma_1\gg\sigma_2$, and $\epsilon_1\ll\epsilon_2$--anomalous low frequency dispersions are obtained. Finally, comparison with experimental data indicates that one can obtain valuable information from simulations when the material properties of the constituents are not available and of importance.Comment: 13 pages, 7 figure

On micro-structural effects in dielectric mixtures

The paper presents numerical simulations performed on dielectric properties of two-dimensional binary composites on eleven regular space filling tessellations. First, significant contributions of different parameters, which play an important role in the electrical properties of the composite, are introduced both for designing and analyzing material mixtures. Later, influence of structural differences and intrinsic electrical properties of constituents on the composite's over all electrical properties are investigated. The structural differences are resolved by the spectral density representation approach. The numerical technique, without any {\em a-priori} assumptions, for extracting the spectral density function is also presented.Comment: 24 pages, 8 figure and 7 tables. It is submitted to IEEE Transactions on Dielectrics and Electrical Insulatio

Modeling Zika

Zika is an infectious disease transmitted by Ae. aegypti and Ae. Albopictus mosquitoes species, which are found also in the US. Zika is endemic in Puerto Rico and has exhibited local transmission in Florida and Texas. Other routes of transmission of Zika are through sexual contact or from a mother to the fetus. In general Zika infection is mild but it can lead Guillain-Barré Syndrome in adults and to severe birth defects in newborns to mothers with Zika infection. We model Zika infection within the vector and the host. We consider six population-level models of Zika, which use various combinations of disease transmission (vector and direct) and infectious classes (asymptomatic and pregnant). Using cumulative incidences and cumulative pregnant incidences from the 2016 Zika outbreak in Florida, we test the models for structural and practical identifiability. We find that the models are structurally identifiable but that direct transmission rates are not practically identifiable from these data. Further, fixing the recovery rates improves overall identifiability. Elasticity analysis of the Reproduction number suggests that the mosquito-to-human ratio, mosquito life span and biting rate have the greatest potential of reducing the reproduction number of Zika. These observations imply that control measures reducing mosquito numbers, life span or biting rate would have the highest impact

Seismic Response of Pile Supported Structures

Earthquake loads are applied to the foundation mainly through shear waves in the underlying soil. A method is presented for analyzing the alteration in the response of a structure by adding piling to the foundation. The method of computation consists of a series of transfer matrices which are used to form a stiffness matrix of the foundation system. Central to the computation is the modelling mode for the soil-pile interaction; several alternatives are presented. Observations regarding the effect of several design parameters, based on a numerical example, are discussed

Effects of nicotine administration in rats on MMP2 and VEGF levels in periodontal membrane

Background: Nicotine is associated with increased incidence of periodontal disease and poor response to therapy. This article aimed at identifying the expression of matrix metalloproteinases 2 (MMPs2) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) proteins on extracellular matrix, fibrous distribution and angiogenetic development in periodontitis caused by nicotine effects on periodontal membrane.Materials and methods: In this experimental study, rats were divided into nicotine and control groups. While the rats in the nicotine group (n = 6) were administered 2 mg/kg nicotine sulphate for 28 days, the animals in the control group (n = 6) were only administered 1.5 mL physiologic saline solution subcutaneously for 28 days.Results: Histological sections were prepared and immunohistochemically stained for MMP2 and VEGF. The sections stained with Trichrome-Masson were observed under light microscope. VEGF and MMP2 immunoreactivity of periodontal gingiva and dentin was assessed by immunohistochemical staining.Conclusions: Nicotine reduces MMP production, disrupts collagen synthesis and causes periodontitis. We observed that nicotine increases periodontitis by disrupting periodontal membrane and prevents tooth to anchor in dental alveoli by disrupting epithelial structure

A review of Morgagni and Bochdalek hernias in adults

The incidence of Bochdalek and Morgagni hernias among adults is very rare. The purpose of this study was to determine retrospectively the prevalence and characteristics of adult Bochdalek and Morgagni hernias in a decade. Consequently, we demonstrated 12 patients with Bochdalek and 8 patients with Morgagni hernias. We presented plain radiography, operation images, and computed tomography findings of an adult patient with symptoms due to Bochdalek and Morgagni hernias. In surgical repair, the Morgagni hernia is best approached via laparotomy, and the Bochdalek hernia can be treated through thoracotomy or laparotomy. (Folia Morphol 2011; 70, 1: 5-12

Effects of formaldehyde on vascular endothelial growth factor, matrix metallopeptidase 2 and osteonectin levels in periodontal membrane and alveolar bone in rats

Background: The objective of this study was to investigate whether long term formaldehyde inhalation may affect periodontal membrane and alveolar bone loss leading to periodontitis. The negative effects of formaldehyde were described using vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), matrix metallopeptidase 2 (MMP-2) and osteonectin antibodies involved in the extracellular matrix and angiogenetic development. Materials and methods: Thirty adult Wistar albino rats were used in this study. Rats were divided into two groups: a control group (n = 15) and formaldehyde administered group (n = 15). Formaldehyde group was exposed to inhalation of 10 ppm formaldehyde 8 hours a day, 5 days a week for 5 weeks. Maxillary bone regions were dissected under anaesthesia. After fixation in 10% formaldehyde solution, tissues were passed through graded ethanol series to obtain paraffin blocks. Five-micrometre histological sections were cut with RM2265 rotary microtome stained with Masson trichrome and VEGF, MMP-2 and osteonectin antibodies for examination under Olympus BH-2 light microscopy. Results: The present study revealed that congestion in blood vessels, degeneration of collagen fibres and alveolar matrix around alveolar bone were observed to be more significant in formaldehyde group than the control group (p ≤ 0.001). Interestingly, VEGF expression in the formaldehyde group was the most significant finding between the two groups (p &lt; 0.001). When compared inflammation, MMP-2 and osteonectin expressions were significant (p &lt; 0.01) in the formaldehyde group. Conclusions: It was suggested that formaldehyde toxicity decreased the expression of MMP-2 and in osteoblasts as well as affecting the retention of MMP levels in tooth cavity, which is very low in collagen fibres. But, vice versa for the expression of VEGF in dilated vascular endothelial cells and osteocytes in alveolar bone. As a conclusion, formaldehyde disrupts the periodontal membrane and may cause collagen fibres degeneration by affecting the alveolar bone matrix

Histopathologic and immunohistochemical investigations of dental abscess formed in maxillofacial area

Background: An abscess is a pocket of pus that forms around the root of an infected tooth. In this study, we aimed to investigate the extracellular matrix proteases ADAMTS1, ADAMTS4, osteonectin, and osteopontin expressions in abscess fluid cells in jaws after implantation and prosthesis operation. Materials and methods: In this clinical study, abscess fluids belonging to 17 patients who applied to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery were examined histopathologically and immunohistochemically. In the histopathological examination of the abscess fluid, separation of chromatin bridges in the nuclei of neutrophil cells, pyknosis and apoptotic changes in the nucleus, degenerative change in the cytoplasm, and occasional vacuolar structures were observed. Results: The positive reaction of ADAMTS1 was observed in fibroblast cells, plasma cells, and macrophage cells. The positive reaction of ADAMTS4 was observed in fibroblast cells, osteoclast cells, and some apoptotic leukocyte cells. Osteopontin expression in osteoclastic cells and polymorphonuclear cells was defined as positive. Osteonectin expression was positive in polymorphonuclear leukocytes and hypertrophic fibroblast cells. Conclusions: ADAMTS1 and ADAMTS4 may induce bone destruction with its distinctive property in alveolar bone resorption, which promotes the activation of osteoclasts, which can accelerate the destruction of the extracellular matrix in the acute phase. Furthermore, osteoclastic activity increased with the increase of osteonectin and osteopontin protein expression due to inflammation in the abscess cases