The quantum-classical transition as an information flow

We investigate the classical limit of the semiclassical evolution with reference to a well-known model that represents the interaction between matter and a given field. This is done by recourse to a special statistical quantifier called the "symbolic transfer entropy". We encounter that the quantum-classical transition gets thereby described as the sign-reversal of the dominating direction of the information flow between classical and quantal variables.Facultad de Ciencias Exacta

The quantum-classical transition as an information flow

We investigate the classical limit of the semiclassical evolution with reference to a well-known model that represents the interaction between matter and a given field. This is done by recourse to a special statistical quantifier called the "symbolic transfer entropy". We encounter that the quantum-classical transition gets thereby described as the sign-reversal of the dominating direction of the information flow between classical and quantal variables.Facultad de Ciencias Exacta

Conformal and covariant formulation of the Z4 system with constraint-violation damping

We present a new formulation of the Einstein equations based on a conformal and traceless decomposition of the covariant form of the Z4 system. This formulation combines the advantages of a conformal decomposition, such as the one used in the BSSNOK formulation (i.e. well-tested hyperbolic gauges, no need for excision, robustness to imperfect boundary conditions) with the advantages of a constraint-damped formulation, such as the generalized harmonic one (i.e. exponential decay of constraint violations when these are produced). We validate the new set of equations through standard tests and by evolving binary black hole systems. Overall, the new conformal formulation leads to a better behavior of the constraint equations and a rapid suppression of the violations when they occur. The changes necessary to implement the new conformal formulation in standard BSSNOK codes are very small as are the additional computational costs.Comment: 12 pages, 7 figures. Version matching the one in press on PR

Introduction to the special issue on ‘‘hydro-meteorological time series analysis and their relation to climate change’’

Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Differential expression and activity of matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 in canine early placenta

The zonary and endotheliochorial dog placenta is the most invasive placenta of carnivores. The importance of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) in placenta invasiveness has been determined in several mammals including species with haemochorial, epitheliochorial and endotheliochorial placentation. Regarding the latter, the expression of MMP enzymes has been studied in the cat and the mature canine placenta. The aim of this study was to analyse the expression and activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the early dog placenta. Placentae from 18 to 30 days of pregnancy were collected from four bitches. Two placentae from each bitch were analysed. Placental tissue from one uterine horn was fixed in formaldehyde for immunohistochemistry, while marginal haematoma, labyrinth, non-implantative and implantative endometrium from the contralateral horn were immediately frozen in dry ice for the analysis of MMP expression (Western blot [WB]) and activity (zymography). MMP-2 and MMP-9 were evidenced in the labyrinth, maternal glands and marginal haematoma; this finding was directly correlated with levels of MMP expression by WB, and with the activity of MMP-2, mainly in the haematoma (the area of major remodelling of tissues). Thus, although MMP-9 is well expressed in the early canine placenta, it is not active. Given the important role of MMPs for invasiveness, maternal–foetal angiogenesis and the establishment of a correct foetal nutrition, the results are consistent with the findings in other species in which the MMP-2 activation precedes the MMP-9 one in early placentation.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

Clinical efficacy of levofloxacin on the treatment of dogs affected by skin and urinary infections

La eficacia y tolerancia de levofloxacina (Floxaday®, Holliday-Scott) para el tratamiento de infecciones dérmicas y de vías urinarias, fue evaluada en caninos. Se incluyeron 26 casos clínicos que fueron tratados con 10 mg/kg vía oral cada 24 horas durante 14 y hasta 21 días. De los 14 casos de afecciones a nivel dérmico, 4 fueron severos y los restantes de severidad intermedia. De los 12 casos de infecciones a nivel urinario, 8 fueron procesos severos, 3 intermedios y uno bajo. La eficacia de los tratamientos fue evaluada aplicando una escala ad-hoc. El tratamiento fue exitoso en el 99% de los casos, observándose curación clínica al día 4 en el 6,25% y al día 7 en el 43,75%. En el día 14 la curación clínica fue registrada en el 99% de los pacientes; solamente uno de ellos requirió un tratamiento de 21 días para alcanzarla. En la población con infecciones urinarias todos los pacientes respondieron satisfactoriamente al tratamiento (curación clínica), el 42% lo hizo hacia el día 4 y el 83% al día 7. Al día 14, la curación clínica fue constatada en el 100% de los casos. No se observaron efectos secundarios en ninguno de los pacientes incluidos en el estudio. En caninos, levofloxacina administrada por vía oral a la dosis de 10 mg/kg una vez al día, demostró una excelente eficacia y nula aparición de efectos adversos.The efficacy and tolerance of levofloxacin for the treatment of skin and urinary tract infections were evaluated in canines. Twenty six clinical cases were included and treated orally with 10 mg/kg every 24 hours for 14 to 21 days. From the 14 cases of skin disorders, 4 corresponded to severe cases and the rest to intermediate severity. From the 12 cases of infections at urinary level, 8 corresponded to severe infections, 3 were intermediate and one was low. Treatment was successful in 99% of the cases of dermatitis. Clinical cure (score 0) was observed at day 4 for 6.25% and day 7 for 43.75% of the animals, respectively. By day 14 clinical cure was observed in 99% of patients. One patient required a 21-day treatment to reach score 0. In the population with urinary infections, all patients responded satisfactorily to treatment (clinical cure-score 0), 42% on day 4 and 83% on day 7. By day 14 clinical cure was observed in 100% of patients. No side effects were observed in any of the patients included in the study. Levofloxacin (Floxaday®, Holliday-Scott) administered orally at a dose of 10 mg/kg once a day in canines, demonstrated excellent efficacy with no adverse effects.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

O Perfil do Franqueado Divulgado pelos Franqueadores na Fase de Prospecção de Candidatos

Este artigo tem como objetivo investigar o perfil do franqueado divulgado pelos franqueadores na fase de prospecção de candidatos. A pesquisa, de natureza qualitativa e quantitativa, foi realizada com os 165 franqueadores que receberam o Selo de Excelência em Franchising 2013, concedido pela Associação Brasileira de Franchising (ABF). As características do franqueado foram definidas a partir da bibliografia levantada. Os dados foram coletados nos websites e material promocional das empresas e analisados utilizando análise de conteúdo. Os resultados revelaram que habilidade gerencial é a característica do perfil do franqueado mais citada pelos franqueadores, seguida da capacidade financeira, capacidade empreendedora e comprometimento pessoal com o negócio. Observou-se que as empresas do segmento de alimentação são as que mais divulgam o perfil do franqueado desejado para o seu negócio. Finalmente, concluiu-se que os franqueadores buscam franqueados com perfil semelhante ao do empreendedor corporativo, que estejam entre gerentes tradicionais e empreendedores, participando diretamente do negócio, ao invés de delegar tarefas

Differential Spatiotemporal Patterns of Galectin Expression are a Hallmark of Endotheliochorial Placentation

Problem: Galectins influence the progress of pregnancy by regulating key processes associated with embryo-maternal cross talk, including angiogenesis and placentation. Galectin family members exert multiple roles in the context of hemochorial and epitheliochorial placentation; however, the galectin prolife in endotheliochorial placenta remains to be investigated. Method of study: Here, we used immunohistochemistry to analyze galectin (gal)-1, gal-3 and gal-9 expression during early and late endotheliochorial placentation in two different species (dogs and cats). Results: We found that during early feline gestation, all three galectin members were more strongly expressed on trophoblast and maternal vessels compared to the decidua. This was accompanied by an overall decrease of gal-1, gal-3 and gal-9 expressions in late feline gestation. In canine early pregnancy, we observed that gal-1 and gal-9 were expressed strongly in cytotrophoblast (CTB) cells compared to gal-3, and no galectin expression was observed in syncytiotrophoblast (STB) cells. Progression of canine gestation was accompanied by increased gal-1 and gal-3 expressions on STB cells, whereas gal-9 expression remained similar in CTB and STB. Conclusion: These data suggest that both the maternal and fetal compartments are characterized by a spatiotemporal regulation of galectin expression during endotheliochorial placentation. This strongly suggests the involvement of the galectin family in important developmental processes during gestation including immunemodulation, trophoblast invasion and angiogenesis. A conserved functional role for galectins during mammalian placental development emerges from these studies.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

Differential Spatiotemporal Patterns of Galectin Expression are a Hallmark of Endotheliochorial Placentation

Problem: Galectins influence the progress of pregnancy by regulating key processes associated with embryo-maternal cross talk, including angiogenesis and placentation. Galectin family members exert multiple roles in the context of hemochorial and epitheliochorial placentation; however, the galectin prolife in endotheliochorial placenta remains to be investigated. Method of study: Here, we used immunohistochemistry to analyze galectin (gal)-1, gal-3 and gal-9 expression during early and late endotheliochorial placentation in two different species (dogs and cats). Results: We found that during early feline gestation, all three galectin members were more strongly expressed on trophoblast and maternal vessels compared to the decidua. This was accompanied by an overall decrease of gal-1, gal-3 and gal-9 expressions in late feline gestation. In canine early pregnancy, we observed that gal-1 and gal-9 were expressed strongly in cytotrophoblast (CTB) cells compared to gal-3, and no galectin expression was observed in syncytiotrophoblast (STB) cells. Progression of canine gestation was accompanied by increased gal-1 and gal-3 expressions on STB cells, whereas gal-9 expression remained similar in CTB and STB. Conclusion: These data suggest that both the maternal and fetal compartments are characterized by a spatiotemporal regulation of galectin expression during endotheliochorial placentation. This strongly suggests the involvement of the galectin family in important developmental processes during gestation including immunemodulation, trophoblast invasion and angiogenesis. A conserved functional role for galectins during mammalian placental development emerges from these studies.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

The quantum-classical transition as an information flow

We investigate the classical limit of the semiclassical evolution with reference to a well-known model that represents the interaction between matter and a given field. This is done by recourse to a special statistical quantifier called the "symbolic transfer entropy". We encounter that the quantum-classical transition gets thereby described as the sign-reversal of the dominating direction of the information flow between classical and quantal variables.Facultad de Ciencias Exacta