Bosonic autonomous entanglement engines with weak bath coupling are impossible

Entanglement is a fundamental feature of quantum physics and a key resource for quantum communication, computing and sensing. Entangled states are fragile and maintaining coherence is a central challenge in quantum information processing. Nevertheless, entanglement can be generated and stabilised through dissipative processes. In fact, entanglement has been shown to exist in the steady state of certain interacting quantum systems subject solely to incoherent coupling to thermal baths. This has been demonstrated in a range of bi- and multipartite settings using systems of finite dimension. Here we focus on the steady state of infinite-dimensionsional bosonic systems. Specifically, we consider any set of bosonic modes undergoing excitation-number-preserving interactions of arbitrary strength and divided between an arbitrary number of parties that each couple weakly to thermal baths at different temperatures. We show that the steady state is always separable.Comment: 10 pages, 1 figur

Physical activity, overweight and central adiposity in Swedish children and adolescents: the European Youth Heart Study

BACKGROUND: The aim of this work was to study the associations of physical activity (PA) and other factors predisposing to overweight, with overweight and central adiposity in children and adolescents. METHODS: A total of 557 Swedish children (9.5 +/- 0.3 y) and 517 adolescents (15.6 +/- 0.4 y) from the European Youth Heart Study participated in this study. Logistic regression analyses were used to examine the associations of PA, as measured by accelerometry, and other determinants (i.e. television viewing, birth weight, maternal educational level and parental overweight) with total and central adiposity. Body mass index and waist circumference cut-off values proposed by the IOTF and the Bogalusa Heart Study (i.e. waist measures for predicting risk factors clustering, hereinafter called high-risk waist circumference), respectively, were used. Fatness was estimated from skinfold thicknesses and dichotomized using the 85th sex- and age-specific percentile (high/low). RESULTS: Children and adolescents who had a low level (first tertile) of vigorous PA, were more likely to be overweight (including obesity) and to have a high-risk waist circumference, than those with a high level (third tertile) of vigorous PA. Similarly, those subjects who had a low or middle level (second tertile) of total PA were more likely to be overweight than those who had a high level of total PA. Among the PA variables, only vigorous PA was associated with high total fatness. Birth weight and television viewing, were also associated with higher odds of having a high-risk waist circumference, but these associations were attenuated once either total or vigorous PA variable was included in the model. Those subjects who had two overweight parents were more likely to be overweight and to have a high-risk waist circumference independently of PA variables, compared to those whose parents were not overweight. CONCLUSION: Low levels of total PA and especially vigorous PA may play an important role in the development of overweight and excess of central adiposity in children and adolescents, independently of a number of factors such as television viewing and birth weight. In addition, the data suggest that the association between television viewing and central fat deposition could be attenuated if enough vigorous PA is accumulated. Longitudinal and intervention studies are needed to confirm these findings.This study was supported by grants from the Stockholm County Council. FBO and JRR were supported by grants from the Consejo Superior de Deportes (109/UPB31/03, 13/UPB20/04), Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia de España (AP2003-2128, AP2004-2745), EU DG Sanco, project ALPHA (2006120), and the Margit and Folke Pehrzon Foundation

Performance-based design of road tunnel fire safety: Proposal of new Swedish framework

This paper contains a proposal of new Swedish framework for performance-based design of road tunnel fire safety derived from Swedish and European regulation. The overall purpose of the guideline is to protect life, health, property, environment, and key societal functions from fire. The guideline is structured into five key groups of requirements: #1 Proper management and organisation, #2 to limit the generation and spread of fire and smoke, #3 to provide means for safe self-evacuation, #4 to provide means and safety for the rescue service, and #5 to ensure load-bearing capacity of the construction. Each group contains a hybrid of prescriptive requirements, performance-based requirements, and acceptable solutions. Prescriptive requirements must be fulfilled, however, it is the choice of the design team to either adopt the proposed acceptable solutions, or to design alternative solutions by verifying that performance-based requirements are satisfied. For verification of performance-based requirements through risk analysis the operational, epistemic, and aleatory uncertainties are considerable. Therefore, a scenario-based risk analysis with several specified input variables and methods is recommended for verification of #3 and #5. Indispensable complements are scenario exercises, emergency exercises and similar methods that validate the design and highlight organisational aspects. The proposed design guide has been developed by the authors together with the advisory group established for the work

Estudio geológico para determinar las causas del movimiento de masas, que afecta la infraestructura del sector La Dolorosa y San Bartolo, de la Parroquia Copal

La presente investigación tuvo como objetivo realizar los estudios geológicos para determinar los factores causantes del movimiento de masas, que afectan la infraestructura del sector La Dolorosa y San Bartolo, de la parroquia Copal. Se realizó investigación de campo mediante el recorrido vial de la zona, observación directa, revisión documental sobre informes de la y fuentes para el desarrollo del marco teórico. Además, el análisis estructural sobre los cortes de las quebradas y los cortes ocasionados por la implantación de la tubería de conducción de agua del proyecto hidroeléctrico; adicionalmente, se implementó el método de Mora - Varhson (modificado) para determinar la susceptibilidad a movimientos de masas en el sector de estudio, con sus cinco variables: litología, pendiente y cobertura vegetal, como factores condicionantes; y, sismicidad y precipitación, como factores detonantes. Luego, se elaboraron los mapas temáticos como pendiente, litología, tectónico, susceptibilidad, etc. Como resultados, se estableció que, el substrato donde se asientan los centros poblados está emplazado sobre depósitos coluviales, subyaciendo a rocas de la formación Napo. Con ello, se presenta una secuencia rítmica de areniscas, limos y arcillas negras dispuestas de manera laminar centimétrica, con elevada meteorización y alto nivel de fractura. Se concluye que, el retiro de la sobrecarga tanto litológica como vegetal que cubría a la formación Napo, ha provocado un contacto directo con el ambiente, generando exceso de agua en época lluviosa y desecación que fragmenta la roca en época seca. Este retiro de sobrecarga hace que la formación Napo se transforme en una zona de acuífero abierto por donde circula libremente el agua en forma de vertientes y escorrentía, favoreciendo el movimiento de la masa del suelo. Se recomienda implementar sistemas de tablestaca en las zonas deslizadas para dar soporte al sustrato rocoso y permitir el paso y eliminación del exceso de agua.The objective of this research was to carry out geological studies in order to determine the factors causing mass movements which affect the infrastructure of the La Dolorosa and San Bartolo places from Copal parish. Field research was carried out through the road route of the area, direct observation, documentary review on reports from the sources to the development of the theoretical framework. In addition, this study developed the structural analysis on the cuts of the streams and the cuts caused by the implantation of the water conduction pipe of the hydroelectric project. Additionally, the Mora-Varhson method (modified) was implemented to determine the susceptibility to mass movements in the study place with its five variables: lithology, slope and vegetation cover as conditioning factors, and seismicity and precipitation as triggering factors. Then, thematic maps such as slope, lithology, tectonic, susceptibility, etc. were elaborated. As a result, it was established that the substratum where the populated centers are located is located on colluvium deposits underlying rocks of the Napo formation. Therefore, a rhythmic sequence of sandstones, silts and black clays is presented arranged in a centimeter laminar way with high weathering and a high level of fracture. As a conclusion, the removal of the lithological and vegetal overburden that covered the Napo formation has caused direct contact with the environment, generating excess water in the rainy season and desiccation that fragments the rock in the dry season. This removal of overload transforms the Napo formation into an open aquifer zone through which water circulates freely in the form of springs and runoff favoring the movement of the soil mass. It is recommended to implement sheet pile systems in the slipped areas to support the rocky substrate and allow the passage and removal of excess water

Association between muscular strength and mortality in men: prospective cohort study

Objective: To examine prospectively the association between muscular strength and mortality from all causes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer in men. Design: Prospective cohort study. Setting: Aerobics center longitudinal study. Participants: 8762 men aged 20-80. Main outcome measures: All cause mortality up to 31 December 2003; muscular strength, quantified by combining one repetition maximal measures for leg and bench presses and further categorised as age specific thirds of the combined strength variable; and cardiorespiratory fitness assessed by a maximal exercise test on a treadmill. Results: During an average follow-up of 18.9 years, 503 deaths occurred (145 cardiovascular disease, 199 cancer). Age adjusted death rates per 10,000 person years across incremental thirds of muscular strength were 38.9, 25.9, and 26.6 for all causes; 12.1, 7.6, and 6.6 for cardiovascular disease; and 6.1, 4.9, and 4.2 for cancer (all P Conclusion: Muscular strength is inversely and independently associated with death from all causes and cancer in men, even after adjusting for cardiorespiratory fitness and other potential confounders

Upward migration and peroral extrusion of a peritoneal shunt catheter: Case report and review of the literature

Background:Various complications after ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt surgery have been reported, but peroral extrusion of peritoneal catheter is an extremely rare complication, and only 20 cases have been reported since 1987. The pathophysiology still remains unclear and the management is challenging. Case Description:A 5-year-old boy presented with a catheter coming out of his mouth. The boy had a posterior fossa tumor surgery and had VP shunt insertion 1 year earlier. Clinical signs and imaging studies showed that the distal end of the catheter had perforated the gaster and migrated upward and extruded through the mouth. Emergency removal of the shunt and proper treatment were done and he made uneventful recovery. Conclusion:Peroral extrusion of VP shunt is extremely rare. Clinicians should be aware of this complication. With early diagnosis and proper management, the prognosis for good recovery is excellent, with only two deaths being reported in the literature. Complication of shunt extrusion is difficult to avoid, but knowing the risk factors, pathophysiology and proper management will decrease the morbidity and mortality of such cases

Selection and phenotypic characterization of a core collection of <i>Brachypodium distachyon</i> inbred lines

BACKGROUND: The model grass Brachypodium distachyon is increasingly used to study various aspects of grass biology. A large and genotypically diverse collection of B. distachyon germplasm has been assembled by the research community. The natural variation in this collection can serve as a powerful experimental tool for many areas of inquiry, including investigating biomass traits. RESULTS: We surveyed the phenotypic diversity in a large collection of inbred lines and then selected a core collection of lines for more detailed analysis with an emphasis on traits relevant to the use of grasses as biofuel and grain crops. Phenotypic characters examined included plant height, growth habit, stem density, flowering time, and seed weight. We also surveyed differences in cell wall composition using near infrared spectroscopy (NIR) and comprehensive microarray polymer profiling (CoMPP). In all cases, we observed extensive natural variation including a two-fold variation in stem density, four-fold variation in ferulic acid bound to hemicellulose, and 1.7-fold variation in seed mass. CONCLUSION: These characterizations can provide the criteria for selecting diverse lines for future investigations of the genetic basis of the observed phenotypic variation

Efectos de un programa escolar orientado a la mejora de la condición física sobre el perfil lipídico de adolescentes: estudio EDUFIT

Observational studies have reported an association among physical activity, fitness and lipid profile in youth. The purpose of this study was to analyse the effect of a school-based intervention focused on increasing the number and intensity of Physical Education (PE) sessions a week, on adolescents' lipid profile. METHODS: A 4-month group-randomized controlled trial was conducted in 67 adolescents (12-14 years-old) from South-East Spain, 2007. Three school classes were randomly allocated into control group (CG), experimental group-1 (EG1) and experimental group-2 (EG2). The CG received the usual PE in Spain (2 sessions/week), the EG1 received 4 PE sessions/week, and the EG2 received 4 PE sessions/week of high intensity. The main study outcomes were fasting levels of total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc) and triglycerides. All the analyses were adjusted for sex, sexual maturation, attendance and baseline value of the outcome studied. RESULTS: The intervention did not positively affect cardio-metabolic parameters except for LDLc, that was marginally yet significantly reduced in EG2 (-10.4 mg/dl), compared with the CG (+4.1 mg/dl) (p = 0.04); no differences were observed however for the LDLc/HDLc ratio. No significant effects were observed in EG1. DISCUSSION: Overall, a 4-month school-based physical activity intervention did not substantially influence lipid profile in adolescents. However, the results suggest that increasing both frequency and intensity of PE sessions had a modest effect on LDLc in youth. Future studies involving larger sample sizes and longer interventions should focus on the separate effects of volume and intensity of PE.Objetivos: Los estudios observacionales han notificado una asociación entre la actividad física, la forma física y el perfil lipídico en la juventud. El propósito de este estudio fue analizar el efecto de una intervención basada en la escuela centrada en aumentar el número y la intensidad de las sesiones de educación física (EF) a lo largo de la semana, en el perfil lipídico de los adolescentes. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio controlado de distribución aleatoria en 67 adolescentes (12-14 2013s) del sudeste de España, en 2007. Tres clases fueron distribuidas al azar a un grupo control (GC), un grupo experimental-1 (GE1) y un grupo experimental-2 (GE2). El GC recibió las sesiones habituales de EF en España (2 sesiones semanales), el GE1 recibió 4 sesiones de EF /semana y el GE2 recibió 4 sesiones de EF /semana de alta intensidad. Los criterios de valoración principales del estudio fueron las concentraciones en ayunas de colesterol toral, lipoproteínas de densidad elevada-colesterol (HDLc), lipoproteínas de densidad baja-colesterol (LDLc) y de triglicéridos. Se ajustaron todos los análisis para el sexo, maduración sexual, asistencia y valor basal de la variable estudiada. Resultados: La intervención no afectó de forma positiva a los parámetros cardiovasculares a excepción de las LDLc que disminuyeron marginal aunque significativamente en el GE2 (-10,4 mg/dl), en comparación del GC (+4,1 mg/dl) (p = 0,04); sin embargo, no se observaron diferencias para el cociente LDLc/HDLc ratio. No se observaron efectos significativos en el GE1. Discusión: De forma global, una intervención de actividad física basada en la escuela durante 4 meses no influyó de forma sustancial en el perfil lipídico de los adolescentes. Sin embargo, los resultados sugieren que el aumentar tanto la frecuencia como la intensidad de las sesiones de EF tiene un efecto modesto sobre las LDLc en los jóvenes. Los estudios futuros que impliquen una muestra mayor e intervenciones más duraderas deberían centrarse en los efectos separados del volumen e intensidad de la EF

Serum Calcium and 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D Level in Normal and Early Onset Pre-eclamptic Pregnant Women:A Study from Indonesia

Introduction: Pre-eclampsia is one of the most common causes of fetomaternal morbidity and mortality worldwide. This disorder is categorised into Early Onset Pre-eclampsia (EOPE) and Late-Onset Pre-eclampsia (LOPE). EOPE is usually accompanied by severe complications for both the mother and fetus, while LOPE is accompanied by relatively mild fetomaternal complications. Although the pathogenesis of EOPE is not yet fully elucidated, recent studies indicate that serum calcium and 25 Hydroxy Vitamin D (25(OH)D) levels may play a role in its pathogenesis.Aim: To find out the relationship of calcium and 25(OH)D serum levels in pregnant women with normal pregnancy and with EOPE in Indonesia.Materials and Methods: This study was a case-control study, conducted in Dr. Soetomo General Hospital from July to October 2017. A total of 36 women with EOPE and 64 women with normal pregnancy were included in this study. Inclusion criteria were pregnant women in 2nd or 3rd-trimester with BMI &gt; 18 kg/m(2). Blood sample analysis was done to measure serum calcium and 25(OH)D level. Data were expressed as Mean +/- Standard Deviation. Data distribution was analysed using Shappiro-Wilk test. Comparison of serum calcium and 25(OH)D level between groups was analysed using Independent t-test. Correlation between serum calcium and 25(OH)D level was analysed using Pearson's correlation test. The p-value ofResults: There was a significant difference in serum calcium level between case and control group (8.294 +/- 0.725 vs 8.670 +/- 0.405 mg/dL; p=0.006). In 25(OH)D level, there was no difference between both groups (16.128 +/- 7.5463 vs 17.325 +/- 6.4992 ng/mL; p=0.406). No correlation was found between calcium and 25(OH)D level (r=0.165; p=0.101).Conclusion: Calcium deficiency plays a role in the incidence of EOPE among pregnant women in Indonesia. The actual role of calcium deficiency in EOPE needs further investigation.</p