244 research outputs found
probabilistic representations for the solution of higher order differential equations
A probabilistic representation for the solution of the partial differential equation(∂/∂t)u(t,x)=−αΔ2u(t,x),α∈ℂ, is constructed in terms of the expectation with respect to the measure associated to a complex-valued stochastic process
Bell inequality violation by entangled single photon states generated from a laser, a LED or a Halogen lamp
In single-particle or intraparticle entanglement, two degrees of freedom of a
single particle, e.g., momentum and polarization of a single photon, are
entangled. Single-particle entanglement (SPE) provides a source of non
classical correlations which can be exploited both in quantum communication
protocols and in experimental tests of noncontextuality based on the
Kochen-Specker theorem. Furthermore, SPE is robust under decoherence phenomena.
Here, we show that single-particle entangled states of single photons can be
produced from attenuated sources of light, even classical ones. To
experimentally certify the entanglement, we perform a Bell test, observing a
violation of the Clauser, Horne, Shimony and Holt (CHSH) inequality. On the one
hand, we show that this entanglement can be achieved even in a classical light
beam, provided that first-order coherence is maintained between the degrees of
freedom involved in the entanglement. On the other hand, we prove that filtered
and attenuated light sources provide a flux of independent SPE photons that,
from a statistical point of view, are indistinguishable from those generated by
a single photon source. This has important consequences, since it demonstrates
that cheap, compact, and low power entangled photon sources can be used for a
range of quantum technology applications
On the Observables Describing a Quantum Reference Frame
A reference frame F is described by the element g of the Poincare' group P
which connects F with a given fixed frame F_0. If F is a quantum frame, defined
by a physical object following the laws of quantum physics, the parameters of g
have to be considered as quantum observables. However, these observables are
not compatible and some of them, namely the coordinates of the origin of F,
cannot be represented by self-adjoint operators. Both these difficulties can be
overcome by considering a positive-operator-valued measure (POVM) on P,
covariant with respect to the left translations of the group, namely a
covariance system. We develop a construction procedure for this kind of
mathematical structure. The formalism is also used to discuss the quantum
observables measured with respect to a quantum reference frame.Comment: 23 pages, no figure
A Rigorous Approach to the Feynman-Vernon Influence Functional and its Applications. I
A rigorous representation of the Feynman-Vernon influence functional used to describe open quantum systems is given, based on the theory of infinite dimensional oscillatory integrals. An application to the case of the density matrices describing the Caldeira-Leggett model of two quantum systems with a quadratic interaction is treated
Approximation of Feynman path integrals with non-smooth potentials
We study the convergence in of the time slicing approximation of
Feynman path integrals under low regularity assumptions on the potential.
Inspired by the custom in Physics and Chemistry, the approximate propagators
considered here arise from a series expansion of the action. The results are
ultimately based on function spaces, tools and strategies which are typical of
Harmonic and Time-frequency analysis.Comment: 18 page
Plasma levels of oxidative stress markers, before and after BoNT/A Treatment, in chronic migraine
The pathophysiological mechanisms of migraine transformation are debated. Modifications of plasma oxidative stress biomarkers have been described in chronic migraine. OnabotulintoxinA (BoNT/A) treatment, approved for chronic migraine prophylaxis, possibly reduces pain neurotransmitters release and oxidative stress products. Aims of our study were to investigate differences in the levels of selected plasmatic oxidative stress biomarkers (Advanced Oxidation Protein Products (AOPP), Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP), Thiolic Groups (SH)) comparing chronic migraineurs (CM) and healthy controls (HC). We also explored possible clinical and biochemical modifications in the CM group after six months of treatment with BoNT/A. At the baseline, we found higher values of AOPP (p < 0.001), and lower values of SH (p < 0.001) and FRAP (p = 0.005) in the CM group. At the six-month follow-up we found a reduction of AOPP (p < 0.001) and an increase of FRAP (p < 0.001) and SH (p = 0.023) within the CM group. BoNT/A treatment improved migraine symptoms in the CM group. We confirmed previous reports of imbalanced antioxidant mechanisms in chronic migraine showing lower antioxidant capacities in patients than controls. BoNT/A improved the levels of plasma oxidative stress biomarkers and confirmed its role as an effective prophylactic treatment for CM. Other studies should investigate the potential antioxidant properties of BoNT/A treatment
MUNICÍPIO RESILIENTE EM AFOGAMENTO
De acordo com a Organização Mundial da Saúde, afogamento é uma grave ameaça negligenciada à saúde pública, sendo que morrem em média 372.000 pessoas por ano em todo o mundo; 40 pessoas a cada hora do dia. No Brasil quase 1 milhão de pessoas se afogam e 5.700 morrem por afogamento a cada ano, sendo mais de 75% em rios, lagos e represas onde não existe nenhuma supervisão de guarda-vidas. Tendo em vista esta trágica realidade, é fundamental criar mecanismos de resiliência para estes locais, tendo como atores centrais os municípios, de forma a melhor efetivarem a gestão de riscos de afogamento em suas áreas geográficas
Events in a Non-Commutative Space-Time
We treat the events determined by a quantum physical state in a
noncommutative space-time, generalizing the analogous treatment in the usual
Minkowski space-time based on positive-operator-valued measures (POVMs). We
consider in detail the model proposed by Snyder in 1947 and calculate the POVMs
defined on the real line that describe the measurement of a single coordinate.
The approximate joint measurement of all the four space-time coordinates is
described in terms of a generalized Wigner function (GWF). We derive lower
bounds for the dispersion of the coordinate observables and discuss the
covariance of the model under the Poincare' group. The unusual transformation
law of the coordinates under space-time translations is interpreted as a
failure of the absolute character of the concept of space-time coincidence. The
model shows that a minimal length is compatible with Lorents covariance.Comment: 13 pages, revtex. Introductory part shortened and some arguments made
more clea
Silent Ureteral Stones: Impact on Kidney Function-Can Treatment of Silent Ureteral Stones Preserve Kidney Function?
OBJECTIVE To report our experience with silent ureteral stones and expose their true influence on renal function. METHODS We analyzed 506 patients who had undergone ureterolithotripsy from January 2005 to May 2010. Silent ureteral stones were calculi found in the absence of any specific or subjective ureteral stone-related symptoms. Of the 506 patients, 27 (5.3%) met these criteria (global cohort). All patients were assessed postoperatively with dimercaptosuccinic acid scintigraphy (DMSA). A difference in relative kidney function of >10% was considered abnormal. Pre- and postoperative comparative DMSA analyses were electively obtained for 9 patients (kidney function cohort). A t test was used to assess the numeric variables, and the chi-square test or Fisher's exact test was used for categorical variables. Two-tailed P < .05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS Stones were diagnosed by radiologic abdominal evaluation for nonurologic diseases in 40% and after previous nephrolithiasis treatment in 33%. The primary therapy was ureterolithotripsy in 88%. The mean follow-up time was 23 months. The overall ureteral stone-free rate after 1 and 2 procedures was 96% and 100%, respectively. In the global cohort, the mean pre- and postoperative serum creatinine levels were similar (P = .39), and the mean postoperative function on DMSA was 31%. In the kidney function cohort, no difference was found between the pre-and postoperative DMSA findings (22% +/- 12.1% vs 20% +/- 11.8%; P = .83) and serum creatinine (0.8 +/- 0.13 mg/dL vs 1.0 +/- 0.21 mg/dL; P = .45). CONCLUSION Silent ureteral stones are associated with decreased kidney function present at the diagnosis. Hydronephrosis tends to diminish after stone removal, and kidney function remains unaltered. UROLOGY 79: 304-309, 2012. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc
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