Quantum authentication of classical messages

Although key distribution is arguably the most studied context on which to apply quantum cryptographic techniques, message authentication, i.e., certifying the identity of the message originator and the integrity of the message sent, can also benefit from the use of quantum resources. Classically, message authentication can be performed by techniques based on hash functions. However, the security of the resulting protocols depends on the selection of appropriate hash functions, and on the use of long authentication keys. In this paper we propose a quantum authentication procedure that, making use of just one qubit as the authentication key, allows the authentication of binary classical messages in a secure manner.Comment: LaTeX, 6 page

An exercise on developing an ontology-epistemology about schizophrenia and neuroanatomy

This paper describes preliminary ideas on formalizing some concepts of neuroanatomy into ontological and epistemological terms. We envisage the application of this ontology on the assimilation of facts about medical knowledge about neuroimages from schizophrenic patients

Weak and strong typicality in quantum systems

We study the properties of mixed states obtained from eigenstates of many-body lattice Hamiltonians after tracing out part of the lattice. Two scenarios emerge for generic systems: (i) the diagonal entropy becomes equivalent to the thermodynamic entropy when a few sites are traced out (weak typicality); and (ii) the von Neumann (entanglement) entropy becomes equivalent to the thermodynamic entropy when a large fraction of the lattice is traced out (strong typicality). Remarkably, the results for few-body observables obtained with the reduced, diagonal, and canonical density matrices are very similar to each other, no matter which fraction of the lattice is traced out. Hence, for all physical quantities studied here, the results in the diagonal ensemble match the thermal predictions.Comment: 6 pages, 7 figures, as publishe

On the P-representable subset of all bipartite Gaussian separable states

P-representability is a necessary and sufficient condition for separability of bipartite Gaussian states only for the special subset of states whose covariance matrix are $Sp(2,R)\otimes Sp(2,R)$ locally invariant. Although this special class of states can be reached by a convenient $Sp(2,R)\otimes Sp(2,R)$ transformation over an arbitrary covariance matrix, it represents a loss of generality, avoiding inference of many general aspects of separability of bipartite Gaussian states.Comment: Final version with new results added. Slightly more detailed than the accepted manuscript (to appear in Phys. Rev. A

A study of the importance of vocal energy on classical singing

This essay studies the importance of vocal energy on the performance of classical singing. For this study a research was made based on both watching and performing in vocal masterclasses in New York city and in vocal summer festivals in Canada, United States of America, France and Portugal, where I identified common misunderstanding concepts regarding energy versus tension. These findings were sustained by consulting bibliography on vocal pedagogy, confirming that it frequently happens to singers. To address this problem, I formulated a method based on bibliography and on the discussion with vocal experts and applied it to individual singers of different performance levels and backgrounds. The results were revelatory on a clearer vocal timbre, a deeper musicality and a richer vocal performance