Probing quantum fluctuation theorems in engineered reservoirs

Fluctuation Theorems are central in stochastic thermodynamics, as they allow for quantifying the irreversibility of single trajectories. Although they have been experimentally checked in the classical regime, a practical demonstration in the framework of quantum open systems is still to come. Here we propose a realistic platform to probe fluctuation theorems in the quantum regime. It is based on an effective two-level system coupled to an engineered reservoir, that enables the detection of the photons emitted and absorbed by the system. When the system is coherently driven, a measurable quantum component in the entropy production is evidenced. We quantify the error due to photon detection inefficiency, and show that the missing information can be efficiently corrected, based solely on the detected events. Our findings provide new insights into how the quantum character of a physical system impacts its thermodynamic evolution.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figure

Autonomy-connectedness in collectivistic cultures: an exploratory cross-cultural study among Portuguese natives, Cape-Verdean and Chinese people residing in Portugal

The present investigation focuses on a recent personality trait construct, Autonomy-connectedness. This concept has been proposed as a three-dimensional variable (self-awareness, sensitivity to others, and capacity to manage new situations), which intends to reflect a more gender- and culture- sensitive notion of autonomy rather than a value based on individualism and hegemonic masculinity. Two studies were conducted. Study I (N = 185) aimed to adapt the Autonomy-Connectedness Scale (ACS-30) to Portuguese and evaluate its three dimensions among a Portuguese sample. The subscales showed satisfactory reliability and overall results converge with previous studies on Autonomy-connectedness. Study II aimed to analyze and compare three different cultural groups, namely Portuguese natives and, Chinese and Cape Verdean immigrants residing in Portugal. A total of 90 participants (30 participants per nationality/cultural group) collaborated in the study. The findings suggest cultural differences in autonomy-connectedness, as well as a possible association between acculturation processes and autonomy-connectedness. This study extends to the support of autonomy-connectedness as a conceptually meaningful construct, with contributions to both gender and cross-cultural studies.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Caracterización química y mineral ógica de los sedimentos de los canales de Mira, Ílhavo y Ovar de la Laguna de Aveiro (Portugal)

The paleoenvironmental reconstruction of Aveiro Lagoon is being carried out based on the sedimentological, paleoecological, geochemical and mineralogical characterization of sediment samples collected systematically in the lagoon. This paper presents results concerning the changes in the chemical and mineralogical composition of the fine fraction (<63 μm) and the clay fraction (<2 μm) in sediment samples from Aveiro Lagoon, mainly collected from the lower intertidal plain and subtidal deposits located along the Mira, Ílhavo and Ovar channels. A zonography of the lagoon was established based on the parameters analyzed. The results show that the surface and near-surface sediments of Aveiro Lagoon trap relatively large quantities of trace metals, such as Cu, Pb, Co, Ni, Cd, Zn, Fe, Mn and Cr, considered to be partially adsorbed, particularly on silty and clayey particles, and co-precipitated on Fe and Mn oxyhydroxide forms precipitated in the topmost layers of sediments. Series of statistically significant relationships were established between trace metal concentrations and clay content and semi-quantitatively determined clay mineral species in the sediments.La reconstrucción paleoambiental de la Laguna de Aveiro se está realizando mediante la caracterización sedimentológica, paleoecológica, geoquímica y mineralógica de muestras de sedimento recogidas sistemáticamente en la misma. Este artículo presenta resultados relativos a las variaciones en la composición química y mineralógica de las fracciones fina (<63 μm) y arcillosa (<2 μm) de las muestras de sedimento de la Laguna de Aveiro, recogidas principalmente en las planicies intermareales bajas y depósitos submareales de los canales de Mira, Ílhavo y Ovar. Estos parámetros fueron utilizados para caracterizar los sedimentos de cada uno de los canales estudiados de la Laguna de Aveiro. Los sedimentos superficiales y subsuperficiales de esta laguna retienen cantidades relativamente elevadas de elementos vestigiales como Cu, Pb, Co, Ni, Cd, Zn, Fe, Mn y Cr, los cuales se consideran principalmente adsorbidos en partículas fangosas y arcillosas y en óxidos de Fe y Mn. Con base en los parámetros analizados se puede establecer una zonografía de la laguna. Se han encontrado relaciones entre las concentraciones de elementos vestigiales y el contenido de arcilla y las especies minerales de las arcillas en los sedimentos

Experimental observation of weak non-Markovianity

Non-Markovianity has recently attracted large interest due to significant advances in its characterization and its exploitation for quantum information processing. However, up to now, only non-Markovian regimes featuring environment to system backflow of information (strong non-Markovianity) have been experimentally simulated. In this work, using an all-optical setup we simulate and observe the so-called weak non-Markovian dynamics. Through full process tomography, we experimentally demonstrate that the dynamics of a qubit can be non-Markovian despite an always increasing correlation between the system and its environment which, in our case, denotes no information backflow. We also show the transition from the weak to the strong regime by changing a single parameter in the environmental state, leading us to a better understanding of the fundamental features of non-Markovianity.Comment: v2: final versio

Obtenção de Imagens de Algas por Microscopia de Força Atômica.

bitstream/CNPDIA/10457/1/CT63_2004.pd

Cultural adaptation and psychometric validation of the Portuguese breakthrough pain assessment tool with cancer patients

Breakthrough cancer pain (BTcP) is a transient exacerbation of pain that occurs over persistent, stable, and adequately controlled cancer background pain. It is prevalent and bears severe consequences to patients' quality-of-life. The effective management of BTcP depends on fast and reliable (re)assessment. The Breakthrough pain Assessment Tool (BAT) is one of the most concise and reliable self-report instruments adapted to clinical contexts so far, showing good psychometric qualities in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and South Korea. As to promote the effective management of BTcP in Portuguese-speaking communities this study, first aimed to culturally adapt and validate the Portuguese version of the BAT (BAT-Pt). Second, and most importantly, it sought to provide novel evidence on its criterion validity by investigating its association with measures of psychological distress, which has not been yet investigated. The BAT was translated into European Portuguese, using the back-translation method, and culturally adapted. Its psychometric properties (factor structure, internal consistency, construct and criterion validity) were analyzed in a cross-sectional multicenter study, with a sample of 65 cancer patients (49.2% women) recruited from eight hospitals in mainland Portugal (a priori power analysis determined a minimum sample of 50). Health professionals collected patients' clinical information, assessed their functional disability (ECOG Performance Status) and the adequacy of pain control. In addition to the Portuguese version of the BAT (BAT_Pt), patients completed the Portuguese versions of the Brief Pain Inventory, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, a Distress Thermometer and answered questions about the adequacy of pain control. The BAT-Pt was very well accepted by experts and patients. As hypothesized, a Principal Axis Factor Analysis revealed two underlying factors accounting for 55.2% of the variance: (1) Pain Severity and Impact of BTcP and (2) Duration of BTcP and Medication Inefficacy. Two items (on episode frequency and medication efficacy) were analyzed separately given their lower/cross loadings. The BAT-Pt showed good internal consistency overall (?=0.79) and for each sub-scale, namely, Pain Severity and Impact of BTcP (n=5 items; ?=0.86) and Duration of BTcP and Medication Inefficacy (n=2 items; rsb=0.62).info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

The informal social support for autonomy and dependence in pain inventory Spanish version

Social support plays a crucial role in the quality of life of people with chronic pain. The Informal Social Support for Autonomy and Dependence in Pain Inventory assesses two functions of received social support: the promotion of autonomy and the promotion of dependence. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to adapt this instrument for its use in the Spanish population. The sample comprised 256 individuals with chronic pain. Participants were recruited through two local associations of people with fibromyalgia, a physiotherapy unit and a hospital pain unit. The data were collected in Spain between October 2018 and January 2020. The structure of the questionnaire was analysed using confirmatory factor analysis, average variance extracted, composite reliability and internal consistency indexes, and inter-correlations between the scales. The criterion-related validity of the instrument was analysed by investigating its relationship with pain intensity, positive and negative affect, daily functioning, activity impairment, wellbeing and satisfaction with life. The structure with the best fit had four related factors: emotional social support for the promotion of autonomy; instrumental social support for the promotion of autonomy; emotional social support for the promotion of dependence and instrumental social support for the promotion of dependence. The scales showed adequate internal consistency. An association was found between higher levels of instrumental social support for the promotion of dependence and higher levels of pain-related disability and decreased daily functioning. An association was also found between the promotion of autonomy and increased satisfaction with life. The Spanish version of the inventory shows appropriate psychometric properties. In the setting of disability prevention, this instrument is useful in assessing the support relationships between people with chronic pain and their relatives.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Hormona Paratiróideia Como Factor Predictivo de Hipocalcemia Após Tiroidectomia: Estudo Prospectivo em 100 Doentes

INTRODUCTION: Hypocalcemia is a frequent complication after total thyroidectomy and the main reason for prolonged hospitalization of these patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied prospectively 112 patients who underwent total or completation thyroidectomy between June 2012 and November 2013. Twelve patients with preoperative changes in parathyroid function were excluded. Parathyroid hormone and calcium levels were determined pre-operatively, immediately after surgery, on 1st day and on 14th day after surgery. RESULTS: Of the 100 patients enrolled, 60 have developed hypocalcaemia (60%) but only 14 patients had symptomatic hypocalcaemia. It mostly occurs 24 hours after surgery (76.7%). It was permanent in 3 patients and temporary in the others. In the 60 patients with hypocalcaemia, it has been found hypoparathyroidism in 19 patients immediately after surgery, in 14 patients on 1st day but only 3 had hypoparathyroidism (patients with permanent hypocalcaemia). Comparing the group of patients with and without hypocalcaemia we found a decrease of parathyroid hormone in both (immediately after surgery and on 1st day) but was more important in the hypocalcaemia group (p = 0.004 and p 19.4% determined on the 1st day (sensitivity = 82%; specificity = 63%). DISCUSSION: In our study there was a high incidence of hypocalcemia (60%), expressed predominantly 24 hours after surgery and conditioned, in these patients, a longer hospital stay. However, only 3 patients (3%) had permanent hypocalcemia. We still found a match in the oscillation of serum calcium levels and parathyroid hormone which identified the decrease in parathyroid hormone on the first day after surgery as a reliable predictor of hypocalcemia. CONCLUSION: Decrease of parathyroid hormone levels > 19.4% determined on 1st day is a good predictor of hypocalcemia after total / completation thyroidectomy, allowing to identify patients at higher risk of hypocalcemia, medicate them prophylactically and get early and safe discharges.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Relationship of arterial and exhaled CO2 during elevated artificial pneumoperitoneum pressure for introduction of the first trocar.

The present study evaluated the correlation between arterial CO2 and exhaled CO2 during brief high-pressure pneumoperitoneum. Patients were randomly distributed into two groups: P12 group (n=30) received a maximum intraperitoneal pressure of 12mmHg, and P20 group (n=37) received a maximum intraperitoneal pressure of 20mmHg. Arterial CO2 was evaluated by radial arterial catheter and exhaled CO2 was measured by capnometry at the following time points: before insufflation, once intraperitoneal pressure reached 12mmHg , 5 minutes after intraperitoneal pressure reached 12mmHg for the P12 group or 20mmHg for the P20 group, and 10 minutes after intraperitoneal pressure reached 12mmHg for the P12 group or when intraperitoneal pressure had decreased from 20mmHg to 12mmHg, for the P20 group. During brief durations of very high intraperitoneal pressure (20mmHg), there was a strong correlation between arterial CO2 and exhaled CO2. Capnometry can be effectively used to monitor patients during transient increases in artificial pneumoperitoneum pressure