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

Rights and Remedies Post eBay v. MercExchange - Deep Waters Stirred

eBay confirms the adage that good things often come in small packages. The court concisely focused on the inherent requirements of discretionary equitable relief in the use of injunctive remedies. The opinion informed that categorical presumptions based on presumed incidents of property rights did not satisfy the requirements of appropriate discretionary consideration. The four prongs of the requisite test restated for issuance of an injunction imposed the burden of proof on the plaintiff and all four factors which follow be deliberated by the court: (1) a finding of irreparable injury, (2) a finding of inadequate remedy at law for compensation, (3) a balancing of relative hardships between the parties, and (4) a finding that a permanent injunction not disserve the public interest. These threshold questions appear simple and direct. What specific incidents of rights constitute irreparable harm to justify an injunction? What is an adequate remedy at law? How does one measure value and adequacy of compensation? What are appropriate valuation methodologies? What factors will be considered in determination of relative harms to the parties? What is the meaning of disserve the public? Is this an antonym to public benefit? Who bears the burden of alleging and proving detriment? Should it be left to the parties or the court? Should third parties representing the public interest have standing on these limited matters? Distinct from the immediacy of these questions, but permeating all sections of this paper are issues focusing on the mystique of that simple why. Why did the court make the distinction between rights and remedies at this juncture and in this case? Why did they unanimously focus on the discretionary elements and requirements of judicial relief?. Is this potentially a line in the sand drawn by the court based on their constitutional obligations under separation of powers? Why was the opinion of the court written by a solitary Justice with two concurrences, each representing observable penchants from prior case alignments? Does this open the door in the context of remedies to future considerations of balance between private rights and public interests? There are seemingly endless questions suggested by the eBay decision. The purpose is to acknowledge these questions, appreciating that only the future has the potential to clarify and resolve