Analytic Relations between Localizable Entanglement and String Correlations in Spin Systems

We study the relation between the recently defined localizable entanglement and generalized correlations in quantum spin systems. Differently from the current belief, the localizable entanglement is always given by the average of a generalized string. Using symmetry arguments we show that in most spin 1/2 and spin 1 systems the localizable entanglement reduces to the spin-spin or string correlations, respectively. We prove that a general class of spin 1 systems, which includes the Heisenberg model, can be used as perfect quantum channel. These conclusions are obtained in analytic form and confirm some results found previously on numerical grounds.Comment: 5 pages, RevTeX

Lattice calculations on the spectrum of Dirac and Dirac-K\"ahler operators

We present a matrix technique to obtain the spectrum and the analytical index of some elliptic operators defined on compact Riemannian manifolds. The method uses matrix representations of the derivative which yield exact values for the derivative of a trigonometric polynomial. These matrices can be used to find the exact spectrum of an elliptic operator in particular cases and in general, to give insight into the properties of the solution of the spectral problem. As examples, the analytical index and the eigenvalues of the Dirac operator on the torus and on the sphere are obtained and as an application of this technique, the spectrum of the Dirac-Kahler operator on the sphere is explored.Comment: 11 page

Cell death induced by the application of alternating magnetic fields to nanoparticle-loaded dendritic cells

In this work, the capability of primary, monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DCs) to uptake iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) is assessed and a strategy to induce selective cell death in these MNP-loaded DCs using external alternating magnetic fields (AMFs) is reported. No significant decrease in the cell viability of MNP-loaded DCs, compared to the control samples, was observed after five days of culture. The amount of MNPs incorporated into the cytoplasm was measured by magnetometry, which confirmed that 1 to 5 pg of the particles were uploaded per cell. The intracellular distribution of these MNPs, assessed by transmission electron microscopy, was found to be primarily inside the endosomic structures. These cells were then subjected to an AMF for 30 min, and the viability of the blank DCs (i.e., without MNPs), which were used as control samples, remained essentially unaffected. However, a remarkable decrease of viability from approximately 90% to 2-5% of DCs previously loaded with MNPs was observed after the same 30 min exposure to an AMF. The same results were obtained using MNPs having either positive (NH2+) or negative (COOH-) surface functional groups. In spite of the massive cell death induced by application of AMF to MNP-loaded DCs, the amount of incorporated magnetic particles did not raise the temperature of the cell culture. Clear morphological changes at the cell structure after magnetic field application were observed using scanning electron microscopy. Therefore, local damage produced by the MNPs could be the main mechanism for the selective cell death of MNP-loaded DCs under an AMF. Based on the ability of these cells to evade the reticuloendothelial system, these complexes combined with an AMF should be considered as a potentially powerful tool for tumour therapy.Comment: In Press. 33 pages, 11 figure

Tuned liquid dampers simulation for earthquake response control of buildings

This paper is focused on the study of an earthquake protection system, the Tuned Liquid Damper (TLD), which can, if adequately designed, reduce earthquake demands on buildings. This positive effect is accomplished taking into account the oscillation of the free surface of a fluid inside a tank (sloshing). The behaviour of an isolated Tuned Liquid Damper, subjected to a sinusoidal excitation at its base, with different displacement amplitudes, was studied by finite element analysis. The efficiency of the TLD in improving the seismic response of an existing building, representative of modern architecture buildings in southern European countries was also evaluated based on linear dynamic analyses

Medida de desumanização baseada em traços: adaptação para a população Portuguesa

Although dehumanization (i.e., the denial of full humanness to others; Haslam, 2006) has been a frequent subject in social psychology, a set of traits designed to evaluate this phenomenon has not been validated to the Portuguese population. The main purpose of this study was to translate, culturally adapt and validate a set of dehumanization traits proposed by Haslam and colleagues (Haslam & Bain, 2007; Haslam, Bain, Douge, Lee & Bastian, 2005), which measure both the denial of uniquely human and human nature traits. A sample of 597 individuals (Mage = 40.83; SD = 11.50) were asked to rate a set of 52 traits on how much they perceived each as a characteristic of human nature and human uniqueness, as well as its desirability. T-tests were conducted to distinguish between low and high rated traits in each dimension, and to construct clusters of traits that differ in each dimension. We successfully provide a measure containing positive traits in both senses of humanness dimensions; however, we were only able to validate a human uniqueness measure with negative valence. Implications of this measure for future research on dehumanization processes are discussed.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Critical phenomena of thick branes in warped spacetimes

We have investigated the effects of a generic bulk first-order phase transition on thick Minkowski branes in warped geometries. As occurs in Euclidean space, when the system is brought near the phase transition an interface separating two ordered phases splits into two interfaces with a disordered phase in between. A remarkable and distinctive feature is that the critical temperature of the phase transition is lowered due to pure geometrical effects. We have studied a variety of critical exponents and the evolution of the transverse-traceless sector of the metric fluctuations.Comment: revtex4, 4 pages, 4 figures, some comments added, typos corrected, published in PR

Stochastic semiclassical fluctuations in Minkowski spacetime

The semiclassical Einstein-Langevin equations which describe the dynamics of stochastic perturbations of the metric induced by quantum stress-energy fluctuations of matter fields in a given state are considered on the background of the ground state of semiclassical gravity, namely, Minkowski spacetime and a scalar field in its vacuum state. The relevant equations are explicitly derived for massless and massive fields arbitrarily coupled to the curvature. In doing so, some semiclassical results, such as the expectation value of the stress-energy tensor to linear order in the metric perturbations and particle creation effects, are obtained. We then solve the equations and compute the two-point correlation functions for the linearized Einstein tensor and for the metric perturbations. In the conformal field case, explicit results are obtained. These results hint that gravitational fluctuations in stochastic semiclassical gravity have a ``non-perturbative'' behavior in some characteristic correlation lengths.Comment: 28 pages, RevTeX, no figure

Management of Iatrogenic Urorectal Fistulae in Men with Pelvic Cancer

INTRODUCTION: Urorectal fistula (URF) is a devastating complication of pelvic cancer treatments and a surgical challenge for the reconstructive surgeon. We report a series of male patients with URF resulting from pelvic cancer treatments, specifically prostate (PCa), bladder (BCa), and rectal cancer (RCa), and explore the differences and impact on outcomes between purely surgical and non-surgical treatment modalities. METHODS: Between October 2008 and June 2015, 15 male patients, aged 59-78 years (mean 67), with URF induced by pelvic cancer treatments were identified in our institutions. Patients with a history of diverticulitis, inflammatory bowel disease, or other benign conditions were excluded. We reviewed the patients' medical records for symptoms, diagnostic tests performed, type and etiology of the fistula, type of surgical reconstruction, followup, and outcomes. RESULTS: Fourteen patients underwent surgical reconstruction. One patient developed metastatic disease before URF repair and, therefore, was excluded from this study. Mean followup (FU) was 32.7 months (14-79). All patients received diverting colostomy and temporary urinary diversion. An exclusively transperineal approach was used in nine (64.3%) patients and a combined abdominoperineal in five (35.7%). Overall successful URF closure was achieved in 12 (85.7%) patients, nine (64.3%) of whom at the first reconstructive attempt, two (14.3%) after two attempts (in our institution), and one (7.1%) after three attempts (two of which elsewhere). An interposition flap was used in seven (50%) patients. Surgical reconstruction failed ultimately in two (14.3%) patients who still have a colostomy and do not wish any further reconstruction. CONCLUSIONS: Our study has several limitations, including its retrospective nature and the heterogeneity of our small patient cohort. Nonetheless, although surgical reconstruction of URF may be extremely difficult and complex in the non-surgical/energy ablation patients, its successful reconstruction is possible in most through a transperineal, or a more aggressive abdominoperineal, approach with tissue interposition in selected patients.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Obstetric Outcome of Twin Pregnancies Conceived by in Vitro fertilization (IVF) and Ovulation Induction Compared with those Conceived Spontaneously

Introduction: Uncontrolled studies suggest that twins conceived by in vitro fertilization have increased rates of preterm birth and low birth weight and would warrant increased antenatal monitoring. The objective of this study was to compare the obstetric outcome of twin pregnancies conceived by in vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) and ovulation induction with those conceived spontaneously. Methods: All twin deliveries achieved by IVF/ICSI (n=235) and ovulation induction (n=68) from September 1994 through December 2010 were evaluated. Both groups and an additional control group who conceived spontaneously (n=997) and was delivered during the same time period were compared with each other. Results: In univariate analysis, patients who conceived with the assistance of IVF/ICSI had a significantly higher risk of being older (p=0.01), nulliparous (p=0.01), having hypertensive disorders (p=0.012), gestational diabetes mellitus (p=0.031), cesarean section (p=0.008) and lower gestational age at birth, compared with the control group. Newborns had similar birthweights in all groups (2229±544g; 2102±619g; 2251±553g). Spontaneous pregnancies had a higher risk of being monochorionic 38.4% versus 16.2% and 10.2% (p=0.01). Multivariate analysis however showed that patients who conceived with the assistance of IVF/ICSI only had a higher risk of gestational diabetes (OR=1.91,95%CI 1.168-3.120; p=0.01). Conclusions: Our study shows that twin pregnancies conceived with the assistance of IVF/ICSI had a higher risk of gestacional diabetes and a lower gestacional age at birth. Birthweights were similar, as was the incidence of perinatal death, low birth weight infants, and congenital malformations