Quasideterministic generation of maximally entangled states of two mesoscopic atomic ensembles by adiabatic quantum feedback

We introduce an efficient, quasideterministic scheme to generate maximally entangled states of two atomic ensembles. The scheme is based on quantum nondemolition measurements of total atomic populations and on adiabatic quantum feedback conditioned by the measurements outputs. The high efficiency of the scheme is tested and confirmed numerically for ideal photodetection as well as in the presence of losses.Comment: 7 pages, 6 figures, title changed, revised version published on Phys. Rev

A solitary fibrous tumor of the parotid gland: Case report

Introduction: Solitary fibrous tumor is a rare neoplasm that can affect any part of the body, also head and neck region. Etiology is unknown. The incidence is slightly higher in males, the age ranges from 11 to 79 years. Presentation of case: It's the first case in our country of left parotid solitary fibrous tumor, removed by partial parotidectomy with facial nerve preservation. Histology examination showed diffuse spindle-shaped cells proliferation, moderate polymorphism, low mitotic index (<4 mitoses per 10 HPF), partially bordered by fibrous capsule. Immunohistochemistry showed STAT6, CD34, CD99 positivity. Six-months follow-up didn't show sign of recurrence. Discussion: Solitary fibrous tumor is a mesenchymal spindle cell neoplasm with fibroblastic differentiation ubiquitous in soft tissues, that involved the head and neck region in 6 % of cases. Etiology is unknown. The possible pathogenesis is NAB2-STAT6 gene fusion. It's asymptomatic or symptoms are related to space-occupying mass. Diagnostic work up involves imaging, immunohistochemistry, histology. Radiographic finding may lead to incorrect assessment of the mass: the same imaging features are present in pleomorphic adenoma, the most frequent tumor of salivary glands. Conclusion: This case report aims to stress that, although rare, solitary fibrous tumor should be considered in differential diagnosis in case of indolent salivary gland mass, since it may require more invasive approach (e.g., total parotidectomy, adjuvant radiotherapy). It would like to highlight the role of multidisciplinary team to define the best therapy, tailored for the patient, as well as to give awareness to a rare but sometimes aggressive tumor

Supernova neutrino oscillations: A simple analytical approach

Analyses of observable supernova neutrino oscillation effects require the calculation of the electron (anti)neutrino survival probability P_ee along a given supernova matter density profile. We propose a simple analytical prescription for P_ee, based on a double-exponential form for the crossing probability and on the concept of maximum violation of adiabaticity. In the case of two-flavor transitions, the prescription is shown to reproduce accurately, in the whole neutrino oscillation parameter space, the results of exact numerical calculations for generic (realistic or power-law) profiles. The analytical approach is then generalized to cover three-flavor transitions with (direct or inverse) mass spectrum hierarchy, and to incorporate Earth matter effects. Compact analytical expressions, explicitly showing the symmetry properties of P_ee, are provided for practical calculations.Comment: 22 pages (RevTeX) + 5 figures (PostScript

Evaluation of the efficiency of fungicides in controlling foliage soybean diseases in Tucumán, Argentina

Las enfermedades de la soja [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] constituyen un factor limitante de la producción cuando el cultivo se desarrolla bajo sistemas de manejo y condiciones ambientales favorables al desarrollo y dispersión de patógenos que lo afectan. Este trabajo muestra los resultados de cuatro años de evaluación a campo de la eficiencia del control químico de las enfermedades de fin de ciclo y la roya asiática de la soja, utilizando diferentes ingredientes activos y momentos de aplicación. Los ensayos se realizaron sobre A 8000 RG, grupo de maduración VIII, en la localidad de Puesto del Medio, departamento Burruyacú (Tucumán), durante las campañas 2007/2008, 2008/2009, 2009/2010 y 2010/2011. Los ingredientes activos evaluados fueron: flutriafol, pyraclostrobin + epoxiconazole, trifloxistrobin + cyproconazole, azoxistrobina + cyproconazole, picoxistrobin + cyproconazole, metominostrobin + tebuconazole, carbendazim + tebuconazole y cyproconazole + difenoconazole. Se aplicaron en los estadios fenológicos R3, R5 o R3+R5. Los parámetros evaluados fueron: severidad de las enfermedades (en R6), persistencia foliar (a inicios de R7), rendimiento del cultivo (kg/ha), peso de 1000 semillas (g), emergencia radicular (%) y porcentaje de infección en semillas. En la campaña 2007/2008, todos los tratamientos superaron al testigo en rendimiento y peso de 1000 semillas, presentando también menores niveles de enfermedad. No se detectaron diferencias significativas en el rendimiento y peso de 1000 semillas entre los tratamientos durante la campaña 2008/2009. Para las campañas 2009/2010 y 2010/2011, el tratamiento azoxistrobina + cyproconazole en R5 se diferenció del testigo en el rendimiento; en peso de 1000 semillas, trifloxistrobin + cyproconazole (R3) y azoxistrobina + cyproconazole (R3 y R5) se diferenciaron estadísticamente del testigo en la campaña 2009/2010, pero no se observaron diferencias para la campaña 2010/2011. En conclusión, la aplicación de fungicidas disminuyó los porcentajes de patógenos en la semilla, mejoró la emergencia radicular e incrementó los rendimientos de los cultivos, confirmando que existen ingredientes activos eficaces para el manejo de dichas patologías.Diseases may severely restrain soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] production, especially when crops are grown under management systems and environmental conditions that favor the development and spread of pathogens. This paper reports the results of field trials which were conducted throughout four growing seasons, in order to evaluate the efficiency of different active ingredients and application timings in controlling diseases that affect soybean aerial parts, especially the late-season disease complex and Asian soybean rust. The trials were planted with A 8000 RG, a soybean cultivar from maturity group VIII, in Puesto del Medio, Burruyacú (Tucumán province), and were assessed during the 2007/2008, 2008/2009, 2009/2010 and 2010/2011 growing seasons. Evaluated active ingredients were flutriafol, pyraclostrobin + epoxiconazole, trifloxystrobin + cyproconazole, azoxystrobin + cyproconazole, picoxystrobin + cyproconazole, metominostrobin + tebuconazole, carbendazim + tebuconazole and cyproconazole + difenoconazole. Treatments were applied at R3, R5 or R3+R5 phenological states. Parameters assessed were: disease severity (at R6), foliar persistence (at early R7), crop yield (kg/ha), 1000-seed weight (g), seed emergence and seed infection (%). In the 2007/2008 season, all treatments were superior to the untreated control for disease control, crop yield, and 1000-seed weight. No statistically significant differences were found among treatments for yield and 1000-seed weight in the 2008/2009 season, whereas in the 2009/2010 and 2010/2011 seasons the only treatment that differed from the control in crop yield was the azoxystrobin + cyproconazole mix at R5. The trifloxystrobin + cyproconazole (at R3) and azoxystrobin + cyproconazole treatments (both at R3 and R5) differed from the control as regards 1000-seed weight in the 2009/2010 season, but no statistically significant differences were found among treatments in relation to this parameter in the 2010/2011 season. Fungicide applications generally decreased seed fungal infection, improved root emergence and increased crop yield, confirming that there are efficient active ingredients for the management of these diseases.Fil: Ploper, Leonardo Daniel. Gobierno de Tucumán. Ministerio de Desarrollo Productivo. Estación Experimental Agroindustrial Obispo Colombres; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Tucumán. Instituto de Tecnología Agroindustrial del Noroeste Argentino; Argentina; ArgentinaFil: González, Victoria. Gobierno de Tucumán. Ministerio de Desarrollo Productivo. Estación Experimental Agroindustrial Obispo Colombres; ArgentinaFil: Reznikov, Sebastian. Gobierno de Tucumán. Ministerio de Desarrollo Productivo. Estación Experimental Agroindustrial Obispo Colombres; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Tucumán. Instituto de Tecnología Agroindustrial del Noroeste Argentino; Argentina; ArgentinaFil: Hecker, Luis. Gobierno de Tucumán. Ministerio de Desarrollo Productivo. Estación Experimental Agroindustrial Obispo Colombres; ArgentinaFil: de Lisi, Vicente. Gobierno de Tucumán. Ministerio de Desarrollo Productivo. Estación Experimental Agroindustrial Obispo Colombres; ArgentinaFil: Henríquez, Diego D.. Gobierno de Tucumán. Ministerio de Desarrollo Productivo. Estación Experimental Agroindustrial Obispo Colombres; ArgentinaFil: Stegmayer, Carlos A.. Gobierno de Tucumán. Ministerio de Desarrollo Productivo. Estación Experimental Agroindustrial Obispo Colombres; ArgentinaFil: Devani, Mario R.. Gobierno de Tucumán. Ministerio de Desarrollo Productivo. Estación Experimental Agroindustrial Obispo Colombres; Argentin

Rectal atresia and rectal stenosis:the ARM-Net Consortium experience

Purpose: To assess the number, characteristics, and functional short-, and midterm outcomes of patients with rectal atresia (RA) and stenosis (RS) in the ARM-Net registry. Methods: Patients with RA/RS were retrieved from the ARM-Net registry. Patient characteristics, associated anomalies, surgical approach, and functional bowel outcomes at 1 and 5-year follow-up were assessed. Results: The ARM-Net registry included 2619 patients, of whom 36 (1.3%) had RA/RS. Median age at follow-up was 7.0 years (IQR 2.3–9.0). Twenty-three patients (63.9%, RA n = 13, RS n = 10) had additional anomalies. PSARP was the most performed reconstructive surgery for both RA (n = 9) and RS (n = 6) patients. At 1-year follow-up, 11/24 patients with known data (45.8%, RA n = 5, RS n = 6) were constipated, of whom 9 required stool softeners and/or laxatives. At 5-year follow-up, 8/9 patients with known data (88.9%, RA n = 4, RS n = 4) were constipated, all requiring laxatives and/or enema. Conclusion: RA and RS are rare types of ARM, representing 1.3% of patients in the ARM-Net registry. Additional anomalies were present in majority of patients. Different surgical approaches were performed as reconstructive treatment, with constipation occurring in 46% and 89% of the patients at 1 and 5-year follow-up. However, accurate evaluation of long-term functional outcomes remains challenging.</p

Lack of Correlation between Liver Tests Abnormalities and Trabectedin Efficacy in the Treatment of Soft Tissue Sarcoma: A Retrospective Study

Elevation in liver transaminases is common in patients treated with the marine antitumor agent trabectedin. However, the impact of trabectedin-related transaminase elevations on treatment outcomes is unclear. This retrospective study investigated the correlation between liver tests abnormalities and treatment outcomes in patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic soft tissue sarcomas (STS) treated with trabectedin 1.5 mg/m2 once every 3 weeks at three reference centers in Italy. The effect of grade 3/4 elevations in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) or aspartate aminotransferase (AST) during the first two cycles and at any time during trabectedin treatment on progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed. Liver tests abnormalities during the first two cycles of chemotherapy or at any time during trabectedin treatment did not significantly affect PFS or OS. Nor were survival outcomes significantly different in the subgroups of patients with or without ALT/AST increases or with ALT/AST elevations ≥15 × the upper limit of normal (ULN) versus those with ALT/AST elevation <15 × ULN. Although liver tests abnormalities are common in patients treated with trabectedin, elevations in ALT and AST are usually transient, occur during the first two cycles of treatment, and do not appear to affect survival

Manual Physiotherapy Combined with Pelvic Floor Training in Women Suffering from Stress Urinary Incontinence and Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain: A Preliminary Study

Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) represents one of the most common subtypes of urinary incontinence (UI) reported by women. Studies have shown an association of SUI with nonspecific low back pain (NSLBP). The primary aim of the present study was to explore the long-term effects of a combined treatment of manual techniques and pelvic floor muscle (PFM) training in women suffering from SUI associated with NSLBP. The secondary aim was to evaluate which manual approach combined with PFM rehabilitation is more effective in improving symptoms related to SUI and in reducing pain perception related to NSLBP. Twenty-six patients suffering from SUI associated with chronic NSLBP were randomly assigned to one of two groups: the postural rehabilitation group (PRg) or the spinal mobilization group (SMg). Both groups performed a manual approach combined with PFM rehabilitation. All patients were evaluated before the treatment (T0), after 10 sessions (T1) and after 30 days from the end of the treatment (T2). The results showed an improvement in both groups in all of the investigated outcomes. Combining manual therapy and PFM training within the same therapy session may be useful for improving both SUI and NSLBP and increasing the quality of life of women suffering from SUI associated with NSLBP

Near-infrared observations of galaxies in Pisces-Perseus. V. On the origin of bulges

We investigate the scaling relations of bulge and disk structural parameters for a sample of 108 disk galaxies.Structural parameters are obtained from 2D bulge/disk decomposition of H-band images.Bulges are modelled with a generalized exponential (Sersic) with variable shape index n. We find that bulge effective scalelength and luminosity increase with increasing n, but disk properties are independent of bulge shape. As Hubble type T increases, bulges become less luminous and their mean effective surface brightness gets fainter; disks shows a similar, but much weaker, trend. When bulge parameters are compared with disk ones, they are tightly correlated for n=1 bulges. The correlations gradually worsen with increasing n such that n=4 bulges appear virtually independent of their disks. The Kormendy relation, surf. brightness vs. effect. radius, is shown to depend on bulge shape; the two parameters are tightly correlated in n=4 bulges, and increasingly less so as n decreases; disks are well correlated .Bulge-to-disk size ratios are independent of Hubble type, but smaller for exponential bulges. Strongly barred SB galaxies with exponential bulges are more luminous than their unbarred counterparts. Exponential bulges appear to be closely related to their underlying disks, while bulges with higher n values are less so. We interpret our results as being most consistent with a secular evolutionary scenario, in which dissipative processes in the disk are responsible for building up the bulges in most spirals.Comment: 18 pages, 12 figures, 1 table, A&A in pres