7,282 research outputs found
Mesoscopic continuous and discrete channels for quantum information transfer
We study the possibility of realizing perfect quantum state transfer in
mesoscopic devices. We discuss the case of the Fano-Anderson model extended to
two impurities. For a channel with an infinite number of degrees of freedom, we
obtain coherent behavior in the case of strong coupling or in weak coupling
off-resonance. For a finite number of degrees of freedom, coherent behavior is
associated to weak coupling and resonance conditions
Theory of continuum percolation II. Mean field theory
I use a previously introduced mapping between the continuum percolation model
and the Potts fluid to derive a mean field theory of continuum percolation
systems. This is done by introducing a new variational principle, the basis of
which has to be taken, for now, as heuristic. The critical exponents obtained
are , and , which are identical with the mean
field exponents of lattice percolation. The critical density in this
approximation is \rho_c = 1/\ve where \ve = \int d \x \, p(\x) \{ \exp [-
v(\x)/kT] - 1 \}. p(\x) is the binding probability of two particles
separated by \x and v(\x) is their interaction potential.Comment: 25 pages, Late
Double dot chain as a macroscopic quantum bit
We consider an array of N quantum dot pairs interacting via Coulomb
interaction between adjacent dots and hopping inside each pair. We show that at
the first order in the ratio of hopping and interaction amplitudes, the array
maps in an effective two level system with energy separation becoming
exponentially small in the macroscopic (large N) limit. Decoherence at zero
temperature is studied in the limit of weak coupling with phonons. In this case
the macroscopic limit is robust with respect to decoherence. Some possible
applications in quantum information processing are discussed.Comment: Phys. Rev. A (in press
Neuron-Like Cells Generated from Human Umbilical Cord Lining-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells as a New In Vitro Model for Neuronal Toxicity Screening: Using Magnetite Nanoparticles as an Example
The wide employment of iron nanoparticles in environmental and occupational settings underlines their potential to enter the brain. Human cell-based systems are recommended as relevant models to reduce uncertainty and to improve prediction of human toxicity. This study aimed at demonstrating the in vitro differentiation of the human umbilical cord lining-derived-mesenchymal stem cells (hCL-MSCs) into neuron-like cells (hNLCs) and the benefit of using them as an ideal primary cell source of human origin for the neuronal toxicity of Fe3O4NPs (magnetite-nanoparticles). Neuron-like phenotype was confirmed by: live morphology; Nissl body staining; protein expression of different neuronal-specific markers (immunofluorescent staining), at different maturation stages (i.e., day-3-early and day-8-full differentiated), namely \u3b2-tubulin III, MAP-2, enolase (NSE), glial protein, and almost no nestin and SOX-2 expression. Synaptic makers (SYN, GAP43, and PSD95) were also expressed. Fe3O4NPs determined a concentration- and time-dependent reduction of hNLCs viability (by ATP and the Trypan Blue test). Cell density decreased (20-50%) and apoptotic effects were detected at 6510 \u3bcg/mL in both types of differentiated hNLCs. Three-day-differentiated hNLCs were more susceptible (toxicity appeared early and lasted for up to 48 h) than 8-day-differentiated cells (delayed effects). The study demonstrated that (i) hCL-MSCs easily differentiated into neuronal-like cells; (ii) the hNCLs susceptibility to Fe3O4NPs; and (iii) human primary cultures of neurons are new in vitro model for NP evaluation
Chopped random-basis quantum optimization
In this work we describe in detail the "Chopped RAndom Basis" (CRAB) optimal
control technique recently introduced to optimize t-DMRG simulations
[arXiv:1003.3750]. Here we study the efficiency of this control technique in
optimizing different quantum processes and we show that in the considered cases
we obtain results equivalent to those obtained via different optimal control
methods while using less resources. We propose the CRAB optimization as a
general and versatile optimal control technique.Comment: 9 pages, 10 figure
Metastatic lung cancer presenting as thoracic empyema: A Case report
Increased cancer risk in patients with inflammatory and infectious diseases has been reported in many studies and lung cancer\u2010associated empyema in <0.3% patients. We present a patient with empyema in whom the final diagnosis was metastatic lung adenocarcinoma. Purulent pleural fluid obtained by drainage or thoracentesis must always been examined because the association of malignant tumors and empyema should be taken into consideration
Unexpected thymoma in a challenging case of hyperparathyroidism
We report the case of a woman with primary hyperparathyroidism suspected of mediastinal ectopic parathyroid adenoma revealed to be a thymoma. Our aim was to
focus on some possible criticisms in distinguishing between ectopic parathyroid and
thymus
Pneumomediastinum after a swimming race and dental extraction
A 16-year-old male competitive swimmer presented with dyspnea, chest pain, and right neck crepitus after a race. He had undergone an uncomplicated lower right third molar tooth extraction 2 days earlier. He had no known allergies. On examination, he was alert, well-perfused, and afebrile. The peritoneal signs were negative. A chest radiograph showed subcutaneous emphysema with pneumomediastinum. Computed tomography showed submandibular, neck, and mediastinal emphysema (Figure 1). Conservative therapy based on observation and prophylactic parenteral administration of antibiotics (clindamycin 450\u2009mg every 6\u2009h and ceftriaxone 2\u2009g daily for 10 days) was successfully adopted, and he was discharged after 3 days
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