Light Monopoles, Electric Vortices and Instantons

The physics of the bare Seiberg-Witten action, without supersymmetric partners, is considered in the framework of standard Quantum Field Theory. The topological analysis related to the solutions of the Seiberg-Witten equations is performed and the phase structure of the model is analysed.Comment: 9 pages, late

Classification and treatment of angioedema without wheals: A spanish delphi consensus

Introduction Problems in the defnition and classifcation of angioedema, leading to difculties in its diagnosis and treatment, have been identifed; therefore, an improvement in the current classifcation of angioedema is required. Objective The aim of this study was to propose a practical classifcation of angioedema without wheals that helps to establish a diferential diagnosis and take appropriate therapeutic decisions. Methods An initial proposal of classifcation of angioedema without wheals was agreed by a scientifc committee of experts and was subsequently validated by a panel of experts by means of consensus based on the Delphi methodology. Forty-fve items on the classifcation, diagnosis, and treatment of angioedema without wheals were proposed for the survey. Results Most items (93.8%) were agreed after two rounds. All panelists agreed with the proposed classifcation, as well as with most of the clinical and treatment characteristics. The angioedema without wheals classifcation established three groups: histamine-mediated, bradykinin-mediated, and unknown mechanism angioedema. The clinical characteristics of the proposed types of angioedema were also agreed, except for the allergic histamine-mediated and unknown mechanism angioedema, which generated debate. Regarding treatments, although there was broad agreement with the proposed items, a lack of knowledge about some treatments in this pathology was observed. Conclusion The proposed classifcation of angioedema without wheals was accepted with a high degree of agreement; however, knowledge of available treatments needs to be increased and the defnition of angioedema of unknown mechanism needs to be improved

Expert Review and Consensus on the Treat-to-Target Management of Hereditary Angioedema: From Scientific Evidence to Clinical Practice

Background: Hereditary angioedema with C1 inhibitor deficiency (HAE-C1INH) is a rare disease characterized by swelling episodes. It affects quality of life (QOL) and can be fatal when the upper airways are involved. Treatment is individualized, with therapeutic options including on-demand treatment (ODT) and short- and long-term prophylaxis (STP, LTP). However, available guidelines are not always clear about the selection of treatment, the goals of treatment, or how achievement of these goals is assessed. Objective: To review available evidence for the management of HAE-C1INH and build a Spanish expert consensus to steer management towards a treat-to-target approach, while addressing some of the less clear aspects of the Spanish guidelines. Methods: We reviewed the literature on the treat-to-target management of HAE-C1INH, focusing on treatment selection and goals and the tools available to assess whether the goals have been achieved. We discussed the literature based on clinical experience and drew up 45 statements on undefined management aspects. A panel of 53 HAE experts validated the statements through a 2-round Delphi process. Results: The goals for ODT and STP are to minimize the morbidity and mortality of attacks and to prevent attacks caused by known triggers, respectively, while the main goal of LTP is to decrease the rate, severity, and duration of attacks. Furthermore, when prescribing, clinicians should consider the reduction in adverse effects, while increasing patient QOL and satisfaction. Appropriate instruments for assessing achievement of treatment goals are also indicated. Conclusions: We provide recommendations on previously unclear aspects of HAE-C1INH management with ODT, STP, and LTP, focusing on clinical and patient-oriented goals

Phases of dual superconductivity and confinement in softly broken N=2 supersymmetric Yang-Mills theories

We study the electric flux tubes that undertake color confinement in N=2 supersymmetric Yang-Mills theories softly broken down to N=1 by perturbing with the first two Casimir operators. The relevant Abelian Higgs model is not the standard one due to the presence of an off-diagonal coupling among different magnetic U(1) factors. We perform a preliminary study of this model at a qualitative level. BPS vortices are explicitely obtained for particular values of the soft breaking parameters. Generically however, even in the ultrastrong scaling limit, vortices are not critical but live in a "hybrid" type II phase. Also, ratios among string tensions are seen to follow no simple pattern. We examine the situation at the half Higgsed vacua and find evidence for solutions with the behaviour of superconducting strings. In some cases they are solutions to BPS equations.Comment: 15 pages, 1 figure, revtex; v2: typos corrected, final versio

Tunneling dynamics in exactly-solvable models with triple-well potentials

Inspired by new trends in atomtronics, cold atoms devices and Bose-Einstein condensate dynamics, we apply a general technique of N=4 extended Supersymmetric Quantum Mechanics to isospectral Hamiltonians with triple-well potentials, i.e. symmetric and asymmetric. Expressions of quantum-mechanical propagators, which take into account all states of the spectrum, are obtained, within the N = 4 SQM approach, in the closed form. For the initial Hamiltonian of a harmonic oscillator, we obtain the explicit expressions of potentials, wavefunctions and propagators. The obtained results are applied to tunneling dynamics of localized states in triple-well potentials and for studying its features. In particular, we observe a Josephson-type tunneling transition of a wave packet, the effect of its partial trapping and a non-monotonic dependence of tunneling dynamics on the shape of a three-well potential. We investigate, among others, the possibility of controlling tunneling transport by changing parameters of the central well, and we briefly discuss potential applications of this aspect to atomtronic devices.Comment: Latex, 28 pages, 7 Figs, 2 Tables; minor presentation changes, journal versio

Consensus statement on the diagnosis, management, and treatment of angioedema mediated by Bradykinin. Part. II: treatment, follow-up, and special situations

Background: There are no previous Spanish guidelines or consensus statements on bradykinin-induced angioedema. Aim: To draft a consensus statement on the management and treatment of angioedema mediated by bradykinin in light of currently available scientifi c evidence and the experience of experts. This statement will serve as a guideline to health professionals. Methods: The consensus was led by the Spanish Study Group on Bradykinin-Induced Angioedema, a working group of the Spanish Society of Allergology and Clinical Immunology. A review was conducted of scientifi c papers on different types of bradykinin-induced angioedema (hereditary and acquired angioedema due to C1 inhibitor defi ciency, hereditary angioedema related to estrogens, angioedema induced by angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors). Several discussion meetings were held to reach the consensus. Results: Treatment approaches are discussed, and the consensus reached is described. Specifi c situations are addressed, namely, pregnancy, contraception, travelling, blood donation, and organ transplantation. Conclusions: A review of and consensus on treatment of bradykinin-induced angioedema is presentedIntroducción: No existen guías previas españolas sobre el manejo del angioedema mediado por bradicinina. Objetivos: Alcanzar un consenso sobre el manejo y tratamiento del angioedema mediado por bradicinina a la luz de la evidencia científi ca disponible y la experiencia de los expertos, que sirva como guía para los profesionales de la salud. Métodos: SGBA/GEAB, un grupo de trabajo de la SEAIC dirigió el consenso. Se realizó una revisión de los documentos científi cos publicados sobre los diferentes tipos de angioedema mediado por bradicinina [angioedema hereditario o adquirido por defi ciencia de inhibidor de la C1 esterasa, angioedema hereditario relacionado con estrógenos (AEH tipo III, AEH-FXII), angioedema inducido por IECA (inhibidores del enzima convertidor de angiotensina]. Hubo varias reuniones del SGBA/GEAB para alcanzar el consenso. Resultados: Se revisan y discuten los diferentes tratamientos disponibles y se describe el consenso alcanzado. Se abordan situaciones específi cas (embarazo, anticoncepción, viajes, hemodonación, trasplante de órganos). Conclusiones: Se presenta una revisión del tratamiento del angioedema mediado por bradicinina y un consenso sobre su tratamiento en EspañaDr. Teresa Caballero is a researcher with the Hospital La Paz Health Research Institute (IdiPaz) program for promoting research activities (2009