Phase diagram of a 2D Ising model within a nonextensive approach

In this work we report Monte Carlo simulations of a 2D Ising model, in which the statistics of the Metropolis algorithm is replaced by the nonextensive one. We compute the magnetization and show that phase transitions are present for $q\neq 1$. A $q -$ phase diagram (critical temperature vs. the entropic parameter $q$) is built and exhibits some interesting features, such as phases which are governed by the value of the entropic index $q$. It is shown that such phases favors some energy levels of magnetization states. It is also showed that the contribution of the Tsallis cutoff is essential to the existence of phase transitions

Slum health: diseases of neglected populations.

BackgroundUrban slums, like refugee communities, comprise a social cluster that engenders a distinct set of health problems. With 1 billion people currently estimated to live in such communities, this neglected population has become a major reservoir for a wide spectrum of health conditions that the formal health sector must deal with.DiscussionUnlike what occurs with refugee populations, the formal health sector becomes aware of the health problems of slum populations relatively late in the course of their illnesses. As such, the formal health sector inevitably deals with the severe and end-stage complications of these diseases at a substantially greater cost than what it costs to manage non-slum community populations. Because of the informal nature of slum settlements, and cultural, social, and behavioral factors unique to the slum populations, little is known about the spectrum, burden, and determinants of illnesses in these communities that give rise to these complications, especially of those diseases that are chronic but preventable. In this article, we discuss observations made in one slum community of 58,000 people in Salvador, the third largest city in Brazil, to highlight the existence of a spectrum and burden of chronic illnesses not likely to be detected by the formal sector health services until they result in complications or death. Lack of health-related data from slums could lead to inappropriate and unrealistic allocation of health care resources by the public and private providers. Similar misassumptions and misallocations are likely to exist in other nations with large urban slum populations.SummaryContinued neglect of ever-expanding urban slum populations in the world could inevitably lead to greater expenditure and diversion of health care resources to the management of end-stage complications of diseases that are preventable. A new approach to health assessment and characterization of social-cluster determinants of health in urban slums is urgently needed

Second Generation of 'Miranda Procedure' for CP Violation in Dalitz Studies of B (\& D \& \tau) Decays

The `Miranda Procedure' proposed for analyzing Dalitz plots for CP asymmetries in charged B and D decays in a model-independent manner is extended and refined. The complexity of CKM CP phenomenology through order $\lambda^6$ is needed in searches for New Dynamics (ND). Detailed analyses of three-body final states other great advantages: (i) They give us more powerful tools for deciding whether an observed CP asymmetry rep- resents the manifestation of ND and its features. (ii) Many advantages can already be obtained by the `Miranda Procedure' without construction of a detailed Dalitz plot de- scription. (iii) One studies CP asymmetries independent of production asymmetries. We illustrate the power of a second generation Miranda Procedure with examples with time integrated rates for $B_d/\bar B_d$ decays to final states $K_S\pi+\pi-$ as trial runs with comments on $B^{\pm} \to K^{\pm}\pi^+\pi^-/K^{\pm}K^+K^-$.Comment: 29 pages, 7 figure

Smoke and Mirrors: America Invents Act 2011: A Chill in the Air

Summe

The Sony Legacy: Secondary Liability Perspectives

Sony seeded the ongoing conundrum of balancing protected intellectual property rights with the potential of technologies that enhance the use of intellectual content. New technologies that enable use also remove many copy limitations. Traditional remedies against individual infringers served their purpose of compensation and deterrence. These forms of action have been weakened where the jurisdictional, monetary and administrative underpinnings of legal administration are compromised. This complex of factors is further exacerbated by the clash between conflicting ends of protecting intellectual property rights while at the same time ensuring appropriate public beneficial use. Most enabling technologies have the potential for fundamental public benefit. The very power of these technologies facilitates unlawful activity. The traditional function of law has been to compensate those who have been injured by imposing liability on the wrongdoer who, by intention or through a failure of duty or negligence, occasions the harm. The unprecedented growth in value of intellectual property rights have shifted the primary focus of promot[ing] the progress of science and [the] useful arts to the protection of exclusive rights for limited times as an end unto themselves. The use of secondary liability doctrine to overcome diminished functionality of law is appropriate when it is premised on actual infringement based on demonstrable evidence of intent, inducement, and facilitating others to infringe. Secondary liability, however, is compromised where it is used to reduce the level of care required of the right holder, or permits the right holder to externalize costs and risks of doing business. Recent secondary liability cases have raised questions as to whether the judicial process is being used as a means of enhancing market returns otherwise unjustifiable. There have been occasions where direct evidence of intent was not available and inferences were based on use of the underlying technology.\u27 The adoption of the patent law staple article of commerce is inapposite to inferences from the use of technology for copyright infringement. It diverted utilization and development of common law tort doctrine and obscured the need for transparent means of technology readiness, utility and risk assessment in the determination of present and potential uses of technology. Recent cases have not bound themselves to the limitations of this doctrine and have adopted transparent rules regarding intentional behavior and reasonable standards of care recognizing the obligation of the right holder to remain vigilant as well the technology provider to minimize infringement and maximize the public good