Constructing optimal entanglement witnesses. II

We provide a class of optimal nondecomposable entanglement witnesses for 4N x 4N composite quantum systems or, equivalently, a new construction of nondecomposable positive maps in the algebra of 4N x 4N complex matrices. This construction provides natural generalization of the Robertson map. It is shown that their structural physical approximations give rise to entanglement breaking channels.Comment: 6 page

Sold a dream: An experimental test of the predictions of the Elaboration Likelihood Model of Persuasion in a predatory student lending scenario

Understanding why consumers fall prey to fraud and scams is a critically important area of research. Yet few comprehensive models of fraud victimization exist. The Elaboration Likelihood Model of Persuasion (ELM; Petty & Cacioppo, 1986) is a possible exception (e.g., Rusch, 1999; Langenderfer & Shimp, 2001; Lea et al., 2009), but the predictions of ELM remain to be empirically tested in a fraud-related decision context. Here, four experiments testing the predictions of ELM in a predatory student lending scenario are presented. Although results only partially supported the predictions of ELM, it is suggested that ELM can continue to serve as a useful framework to better understand consumers’ vulnerability to fraud. With 44 million student loan borrowers in the U.S. today owing a collective $1.48 trillion, it is critical that research continues to focus on better understanding disadvantageous decision-making in this context

An Investigation of Foreign Language Use as a Protectant against Loss Aversion

Keysar et al. (2012) suggested that bilingual speakers might be less loss averse when interacting in their non-native, rather than native, language. Diminished loss aversion would likely protect homebuyers against predatory lending, as loss aversive tendencies often lead to non-normative decision-making. Thus, it is possible that speaking a foreign language can act as a protective factor for bilingual consumers and potential homebuyers. Two experiments investigated this possibility. Experiment 1 utilized the Asian Disease problem (Kahneman & Tversky, 1979) in a survey to examine whether bilingual participants would choose different values and comparison words to describe gains and losses depending on whether they were interacting in Spanish, their native language, or English, their non-native language. Based on the results of experiment 1, it was hypothesized in experiment 2 that the present interaction of language and frame might be dependent upon the consideration of certain (larger) numeric values. Experiment 2 therefore utilized increased numeric values in its survey questions to address this possibility. Although no significant interaction was found, the results of experiment 2 provide supplementary evidence for the use of English, the present participants’ foreign language, as a protective factor for bilingual individuals. Considering the number of bilingual consumers in the United States, many of whom are likely to use English when seeking a home loan, mortgage counseling, or financial planning, these findings have critically important implications

Evidence that the caudal portion of the neural tube develops by cavitation of a neural cord in the caudal eminence of human embryos

The formation of the secondary neural tube was traced in serial sections of human embryos of developmental stages 13 to 17 (32-41 days after fertilisation). It was found that the secondary neural tube formation begins with cavitation of the neural cord. The minute cavities are seen in embryos at stages 13 and 15. At stages 16 and 17 the numerous cavities coalesce to form a single central canal

Modification of the Cu-ETP copper surface layer with chromium by physical vapor deposition (PvD) and diffusion annealing

In the study, an attempt was made to increase durability of copper by creating a surface layer saturated or supersaturated with chromium only in the area of the highest thermo-mechanical loads during the welding process. There was developed a two-stage technological process, consisting of: application of chrome coating of the thickness approx. 1 µm on the Cu-ETP copper surface using the PVD method, and then performing the process of its diffusion by annealing at a temperature of 950°C in the vacuum. As a result, a diffusion CuCr layer with a thickness of approx. 20 µm was obtained, with hardness of approx. 120 HV0,01

Modification of the Cu-ETP copper surface layer with chromium by physical vapor deposition (PvD) and diffusion annealing

In the study, an attempt was made to increase durability of copper by creating a surface layer saturated or supersaturated with chromium only in the area of the highest thermo-mechanical loads during the welding process. There was developed a two-stage technological process, consisting of: application of chrome coating of the thickness approx. 1 µm on the Cu-ETP copper surface using the PVD method, and then performing the process of its diffusion by annealing at a temperature of 950°C in the vacuum. As a result, a diffusion CuCr layer with a thickness of approx. 20 µm was obtained, with hardness of approx. 120 HV0,01

Constructing new optimal entanglement witnesses

We provide a new class of indecomposable entanglement witnesses. In 4 x 4 case it reproduces the well know Breuer-Hall witness. We prove that these new witnesses are optimal and atomic, i.e. they are able to detect the "weakest" quantum entanglement encoded into states with positive partial transposition (PPT). Equivalently, we provide a new construction of indecomposable atomic maps in the algebra of 2k x 2k complex matrices. It is shown that their structural physical approximations give rise to entanglement breaking channels. This result supports recent conjecture by Korbicz et. al.Comment: 9 page

White communicating rami in human embryos at the end of the fifth week

White communicating rami were traced in 8 human embryos of developmental stages 14 and 15 (aged 33 and 36 postovulatory days, respectively). In embryos at stage 14 the white communicating rami were found in the spinal nerves T1 to T9. In embryos at stage 15 the white communicating rami were present at the spinal cord levels T1 to L3. (Folia Morphol 2010; 69, 2: 75-77