The Geometry of Entanglement Sudden Death

In open quantum systems, entanglement can vanish faster than coherence. This phenomenon is usually called sudden death of entanglement. In this paper sudden death of entanglement is discussed from a geometrical point of view, in the context of two qubits. A classification of possible scenarios is presented, with important known examples classified. Theoretical and experimental construction of other examples is suggested as well as large dimensional and multipartite versions of the effect.Comment: 6 pages, 2 figures, references added, initial paragraph corrected, sectioning adopted, some parts rewritten; accepted by New J. Phy

Multifocal: a strategic bidirectional transformation language for XML schemas

Lenses are one of the most popular approaches to define bidirectional transformations between data models. However, writing a lens transformation typically implies describing the concrete steps that convert values in a source schema to values in a target schema. In contrast, many XML-based languages allow writing structure-shy programs that manipulate only specific parts of XML documents without having to specify the behavior for the remaining structure. In this paper, we propose a structure-shy bidirectional two-level transformation language for XML Schemas, that describes generic type-level transformations over schema representations coupled with value-level bidirectional lenses for document migration. When applying these two-level programs to particular schemas, we employ an existing algebraic rewrite system to optimize the automatically-generated lens transformations, and compile them into Haskell bidirectional executables. We discuss particular examples involving the generic evolution of recursive XML Schemas, and compare their performance gains over non-optimized definitions.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologi

Generic point-free lenses

Lenses are one the most popular approaches to define bidirectional transformations between data models. A bidirectional transformation with view-update, denoted a lens, encompasses the definition of a forward transformation projecting concrete models into abstract views, together with a backward transformation instructing how to translate an abstract view to an update over concrete models. In this paper we show that most of the standard point-free combinators can be lifted to lenses with suitable backward semantics, allowing us to use the point-free style to define powerful bidirectional transformations by composition. We also demonstrate how to define generic lenses over arbitrary inductive data types by lifting standard recursion patterns, like folds or unfolds. To exemplify the power of this approach, we “lensify” some standard functions over naturals and lists, which are tricky to define directly “by-hand” using explicit recursion

Distribution of Cannabinoid Receptors in Keratinocytes of Healthy Dogs and Dogs With Atopic Dermatitis

It is commonly accepted that some form of skin barrier dysfunction is present in canine atopic dermatitis (AD), one of the most common cutaneous pruritic inflammatory diseases of dogs. The impaired skin barrier function facilitates the penetration of allergens and subsequently stronger sensitization responses. The role of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in the physiology and pathology of the skin is becoming increasingly established. It has been demonstrated that cannabinoid receptors are expressed in healthy and diseased skin and, based on current knowledge, it could be stated that cannabinoids are important mediators in the skin. The present study has been designed to immunohistochemically investigate the expression of the cannabinoid receptors type 1 (CB1R) and 2 (CB2R) and the cannabinoid-related receptors G protein-coupled receptor 55 (GPR55), transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) and ankyrin 1 (TRPA1), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors alpha (PPARα), and serotoninergic receptor 1a (5-HT1aR) in keratinocytes of healthy dogs and of dogs with AD. Samples of skin tissues were collected from 7 healthy controls (CTRL-dogs) and from 8 dogs with AD (AD-dogs). The tissue samples were processed using an immunofluorescence assay with commercially available antibodies, and the immunolabelling of the receptors studied was quantitatively evaluated. The keratinocytes of the CTRL- and the AD-dogs showed immunoreactivity for all the receptors investigated with a significant upregulation of CB2R, TRPA1, and 5-HT1aR in the epidermis of the AD-dogs. The presence of cannabinoid and cannabinoid-related receptors in healthy keratinocytes suggested the possible role of the ECS in canine epidermal homeostasis while their overexpression in the inflamed tissues of the AD-dogs suggested the involvement of the ECS in the pathogenesis of this disease, having a possible role in the related skin inflammation and itching. Based on the present findings, the ECS could be considered a potential therapeutic target for dogs with AD

Neuroevolutionary multiobjective methodology for the optimization of the injection blow molding process

Injection blow molding process is widely used in the industry to produce plastic parts. One of the main challenges in optimizing this process is to find the best manufacturing thickness profiles which provides the desirable mechanical properties to the final part with minimal material usage. This paper proposes a methodology based on a neuroevolutionary approach to optimize this process. This approach focuses on finding the optimal thickness distribution for a given blow molded product as a function of its geometry. Neural networks are used to represent thickness distributions and an evolutionary multiobjective optimization algorithm is applied to evolve neural networks in order to find the best solutions, i.e., to obtain the best trade-off between material usage and mechanical properties. Each solution is evaluated through finite element analysis simulation considering the design of an industrial bottle. The results showed that the proposed technique was able to find good solutions where the material was distributed along the most critical regions to maintain adequate mechanical properties. This approach is general and can also be applied to different geometries.FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia in the scope of the project: PEst-OE/EEI/UI0319/2014 and the European project MSCA-RISE-2015, NEWEX, with reference 73420

Cannabinoid receptors in the inflammatory cells of canine atopic dermatitis

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is one of the most common cutaneous inflammatory and pruritic diseases in dogs. Considering its multifactorial nature, AD can be a challenging disease to manage, and the therapeutic strategy must often be multimodal. In recent years, research has been moving toward the use of natural products which have beneficial effects on inflammation and itching, and no side effects. Cannabinoid receptors have been demonstrated to be expressed in healthy and diseased skin; therefore, one of the potential alternative therapeutic targets for investigating AD is the endocannabinoid system (ECS). Objective: To immunohistochemically investigate the expression of the cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2R), and the cannabinoid-related receptors G protein-coupled receptor 55 (GPR55), transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) and ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) in mast cells (MCs), macrophages, dendritic cells (DCs), T cells, and neutrophils of the skin of dogs with AD. Animals: Samples of skin tissues were collected from eight dogs with AD (AD-dogs). Materials and methods: The immunofluorescent stained cryosections of the skins of 8 dogs with AD having antibodies against CB2R, GPR55, TRPV1, TRPA1 were semiquantitatively evaluated. The inflammatory cells were identified using antibodies against tryptase (mast cells), ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (IBA1) (macrophages/DCs), CD3 (T cells), and calprotectin (neutrophils). The proportions of MCs, macrophages/DCs, T cells, and neutrophils expressing CB2R, GPR55, TRPV1 and TRPA1 were evaluated. Results: The cells of the inflammatory infiltrate showed immunoreactivity (IR) for all or for some of the cannabinoid and cannabinoid-related receptors studied. In particular, MCs and macrophages/DCs showed CB2R-, GPR55-, TRPA1-, and TRPV1-IR; T cells showed CB2R-, GPR55- and TRPA1-IR, and neutrophils expressed GPR55-IR. Co-localization studies indicated that CB2R-IR was co-expressed with TRPV1-, TRPA1-, and GPR55-IR in different cellular elements of the dermis of the AD-dogs. Conclusions and clinical importance: Cannabinoid receptor 2, and cannabinoid-related receptors GPR55, TRPV1 and TRPA1 were widely expressed in the inflammatory infiltrate of the AD-dogs. Based on the present findings, the ECS could be considered to be a potential therapeutic target for dogs with AD, and may mitigate itch and inflammation

Patent Ductus Arteriosus: Perinatal Risk Factors

Background: Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) is the most common heart disease among the newborn population. Besides prematurity, other factors are believed to play a significant role in this condition. Aims: Identification of perinatal risk factors associated with PDA in premature or Very Low Birth Weight Infants (VLBW). Material and methods: Transversal study including all infants admitted to a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, from January 2005 to December 2009 and included in the Very Low Birth Weight Portuguese National Database . Clinical and demographic data were analysed using a logistic regression analysis to identify risk factors for PDA. Results: A total of 318 VLBW or less than 32 weeks Gestational Age (GA) infants were enrolled, 53.6% males. Infants presenting PDA (100; 31.4%) had a lower mean BW ( 914,19 versus 1257,44 grams; p<0.001) and a lower mean GA (27.06 versus 29.77 weeks; p<0.0001). Using univariate logistic regression, both lower BW [OR: 0.99; CI (95%): 0.995-0.997] and lower GA [OR: 0.68; CI (95%): 0.61-0.75] were important risk factors for PDA. Other factors increasing the risk of PDA were: lower Apgar scores at one [OR: 0.77; CI (95%): 0.68-0.86] and five minutes [OR:0.73;CI (95%): 0.62-0.86]; need for resuscitation in the delivery room [OR: 13.1;CI(95%):3.11-55.1]; surfactant administration [OR:8.12;CI(95%):4.13-15.95]; higher CRIB score [OR:1.17;CI(95%): 1.11-1.24], and higher SNAPPEII score [OR: 1.03; CI (95%): 1.02-1.04]. The logistic multivariate regression model using all these variables identified BW [OR: 0.997; CI (95%): 0.996- 0.998] and surfactant treatment [OR: 3.99; CI (95%): 1.903-8.386] as the only risk factors contributing with statistical significance. The analysis of the ROC curve showed a predictive positive value of 82%. Discussion: The most important risk factors were the use of surfactant and BW, the latter increasing by 23%, the risk of PDA for fewer 100 grams. Although surfactant treatment leads to improved respiratory outcomes and survival in VLBW infants, it increased the risk of PDA by an almost fourfold

Topical and Systemic Cannabidiol Improves Trinitrobenzene Sulfonic Acid Colitis in Mice

Background/Aims: Compounds of Cannabis sativa are known to exert anti-inflammatory properties, some of them without inducing psychotropic side effects. Cannabidiol (CBD) is such a side effect-free phytocannabinoid that improves chemically induced colitis in rodents when given intraperitoneally. Here, we tested the possibility whether rectal and oral application of CBD would also ameliorate colonic inflammation, as these routes of application may represent a more appropriate way for delivering drugs in human colitis. Methods: Colitis was induced in CD1 mice by trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid. Individual groups were either treated with CBD intraperitoneally (10 mg/kg), orally (20 mg/kg) or intrarectally (20 mg/kg). Colitis was evaluated by macroscopic scoring, histopathology and the myeloperoxidase (MPO) assay. Results: Intraperitoneal treatment of mice with CBD led to improvement of colonic inflammation. Intrarectal treatment with CBD also led to a significant improvement of disease parameters and to a decrease in MPO activity while oral treatment, using the same dose as per rectum, had no ameliorating effect on colitis. Conclusion: The data of this study indicate that in addition to intraperitoneal application, intrarectal delivery of cannabinoids may represent a useful therapeutic administration route for the treatment of colonic inflammation. Copyright (C) 2012 S. Karger AG, Base