Fast and secure key distribution using mesoscopic coherent states of light

This work shows how two parties A and B can securely share sequences of random bits at optical speeds. A and B possess true-random physical sources and exchange random bits by using a random sequence received to cipher the following one to be sent. A starting shared secret key is used and the method can be described as an unlimited one-time-pad extender. It is demonstrated that the minimum probability of error in signal determination by the eavesdropper can be set arbitrarily close to the pure guessing level. Being based on the $M$-ry encryption protocol this method also allows for optical amplification without security degradation, offering practical advantages over the BB84 protocol for key distribution.Comment: 11 pages and 4 figures. This version updates the one published in PRA 68, 052307 (2003). Minor changes were made in the text and one section on Mutual Information was adde

Application of computational fluid dynamics differential model coupled with human thermal comfort integral model in ventilated indoor spaces

In this study the coupling of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) differential and human thermal comfort (HTC) integral numerical models is developed and used. The HTC integral numerical model evaluates the thermal comfort in non-uniform environments, while the CFD differential numerical model evaluates the airflow inside the virtual chamber and around the manikins. The numerical simulation, using upper crossed ventilation and made in winter conditions, is applied inside a virtual chamber equipped with two seated manikins, one desk and two seats. In this simulation the numerical airflow values, obtained with two different computational grid discretization with one and two manikins, are compared with experimental measurements. Copyright © 2011 by IPAC'11/EPS-AG

Labrys portucalensis F11 efficiently degrades Di-(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A vector model for error propagation

A simple vector model for error propagation, which is entirely equivalent to the conventional statistical approach, is discussed. It offers considerable insight into the nature of error propagation while, at the same time, readily demonstrating the significance of uncertainty correlations. This model is well suited to the analysis of error for sets of neutron-induced reaction cross sections. 7 refs., 1 fig

Eletroencephalogram and anticonceptional drugs

An electroencephalogram was made in 28 women who had been using oral anticonceptional for at least three menstrual cycles and had no neurological or psychiatric complaint. The electroencephalogram was abnormal in 7 (25%). No slowness of the sleep spindle was found in any of the cases.Após comentários sobre a literatura, os autores apresentam o material composto de 28 pacientes sem queixa neurológica ou psiquiátrica, que estavam fazendo uso de anticoncepcional oral, e nas quais foi realizado um eletrencefalograma. Este se mostrou anormal em 7 (25%). As anormalidades foram predominantemente paroxísticas e difusas. Em nenhum caso foi encontrada lentificação do fuso do sono.Escola Paulista de Medicina Departamentos de Neurologia-Neurocirurgia e de Toco-GinecologiaUNIFESP, EPM, Depto.s de Neurologia-Neurocirurgia e de Toco-GinecologiaSciEL

The Use of Nasal Dilator Strips as a Placebo for Trials Evaluating Continuous Positive Airway Pressure

Objectives: The aim of the current study was to compare the objective and subjective effects of continuous positive airway pressure to the use of nasal dilator strips in patients with acromegaly and moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea. Methods: We studied 12 patients with acromegaly and moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (male/females = 8/4, age = 52$\pm$8 ys, body mass index = 33.5$\pm$4.6 Kg/m$^2$, apnea–hypopnea index = 38$\pm$14 events/h) who had been included in a randomized, crossover study to receive three months of treatment with continuous positive airway pressure and nasal dilator strips. All patients were evaluated at study entry and at the end of each treatment by polysomnography, and Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and treatment satisfaction questionnaires. Results: The apnea–hypopnea index values decreased significantly with continuous positive airway pressure treatment but did not change with the use of nasal dilator strips. All of the subjective symptoms improved with both treatments, but these improvements were significantly greater with continuous positive airway pressure than with the nasal dilator strips. Conclusion: The use of nasal dilator strips had a much smaller effect on the severity of obstructive sleep apnea in patients with acromegaly and moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in comparison to the use of continuous positive airway pressure. Moreover, the improvement in several subjective parameters without any significant objective improvement in obstructive sleep apnea resulting from the use of nasal dilator strips is compatible with a placebo effect

Ruminal Prevotella spp. May Play an Important Role in the Conversion of Plant Lignans into Human Health Beneficial Antioxidants

Secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG), the most abundant lignan in flaxseed, is metabolized by the ruminal microbiota into enterolignans, which are strong antioxidants. Enterolactone (EL), the main mammalian enterolignan produced in the rumen, is transferred into physiological fluids, with potentially human health benefits with respect to menopausal symptoms, hormone-dependent cancers, cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis and diabetes. However, no information exists to our knowledge on bacterial taxa that play a role in converting plant lignans into EL in ruminants. In order to investigate this, eight rumen cannulated cows were used in a double 4×4 Latin square design and fed with four treatments: control with no flax meal (FM), or 5%, 10% and 15% FM (on a dry matter basis). Concentration of EL in the rumen increased linearly with increasing FM inclusion. Total rumen bacterial 16S rRNA concentration obtained using Q-PCR did not differ among treatments. PCR-T-RFLP based dendrograms revealed no global clustering based on diet indicating between animal variation. PCR-DGGE showed a clustering by diet effect within four cows that had similar basal ruminal microbiota. DNA extracted from bands present following feeding 15% FM and absent with no FM supplementation were sequenced and it showed that many genera, in particular Prevotella spp., contributed to the metabolism of lignans. A subsequent in vitro study using selected pure cultures of ruminal bacteria incubated with SDG indicated that 11 ruminal bacteria were able to convert SDG into secoisolariciresinol (SECO), with Prevotella spp. being the main converters. These data suggest that Prevotella spp. is one genus playing an important role in the conversion of plant lignans to human health beneficial antioxidants in the rumen