198 research outputs found

    Entanglement of spin waves among four quantum memories

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    Quantum networks are composed of quantum nodes that interact coherently by way of quantum channels and open a broad frontier of scientific opportunities. For example, a quantum network can serve as a `web' for connecting quantum processors for computation and communication, as well as a `simulator' for enabling investigations of quantum critical phenomena arising from interactions among the nodes mediated by the channels. The physical realization of quantum networks generically requires dynamical systems capable of generating and storing entangled states among multiple quantum memories, and of efficiently transferring stored entanglement into quantum channels for distribution across the network. While such capabilities have been demonstrated for diverse bipartite systems (i.e., N=2 quantum systems), entangled states with N > 2 have heretofore not been achieved for quantum interconnects that coherently `clock' multipartite entanglement stored in quantum memories to quantum channels. Here, we demonstrate high-fidelity measurement-induced entanglement stored in four atomic memories; user-controlled, coherent transfer of atomic entanglement to four photonic quantum channels; and the characterization of the full quadripartite entanglement by way of quantum uncertainty relations. Our work thereby provides an important tool for the distribution of multipartite entanglement across quantum networks.Comment: 4 figure

    Effects of spoilage on nitrogen and carbon stable isotopes signatures of the clam Ruditapes decussatus

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    Fish and seafood products are highly susceptible to post-mortem spoilage due to autolytic reactions at start, then microbiological activity and eventually oxidative reactions. Chemical and microbiological parameters are usually used to assess quality and make decisions for protecting public health, but they lack precision in defining which spoilage pathway is occurring at each moment. The objective of this work was to assess the effects of spoilage reactions on nitrogen and carbon stable isotopes in the grooved carpet shell clam, Ruditapes decussatus, and compare them to biochemical indicators of seafood deterioration, in order to better understand the relations between the different spoilage pathways during commercial storage conditions. Clams were kept in a refrigerator at 5 ºC, to simulate normal commercial storage conditions, and sampled in the beginning of the experiment, and after eight, ten and twelve days. Moisture, condition index, percentage edibility, total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), pH, nitrogen and carbon percentages and stable isotopes were determined for each sampling moment. Stable isotope analyses were performed using a Costech Elemental Analyzer (ECS 4010) coupled to a ThermoFinnigan Delta V Advantage. Stable isotopes analysis, especially for nitrogen, proved to be a good tool for the study of clam deterioration. Nitrogen stable isotopes results showed a relation with other spoilage indicators, such as pH and TVB-N, and allowed identifying spoilage specific pathways, such as amino acids decarboxylation and production of volatile nitrogen compounds.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

    Inequalities in public water supply fluoridation in Brazil: An ecological study

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    Background. The literature is scarce on the social and geographic inequalities in the access to and implementation of the fluoridation of public water supplies. This study adds knowledge to the Brazilian experience of the chronic privation of water and wastewater policies, access to potable water and fluoridation in the country. Thus, the aim of this study was to verify possible inequalities in the population's access to fluoridated drinking water in 246 Brazilian municipalities. Methods. The information on the process of water fluoridation in the municipalities and in the macro region in which each municipality is located was obtained from the national epidemiological survey which was concluded in 2003. The data relating to the human development index at municipal level (HDI-M) and access to mains water came from the Brazilian Human Development Atlas, whilst the size of the population was obtained from a governmental source. The Fisher exact test (P < 0.05) was employed to identify significant associations between the explanatory variables and their ability to predict the principal outcomes of interest to this study, namely the presence or absence of the water fluoridation process in the municipalities as well as the length of time during which this measure has been implemented. Linear regression was used to observe the associations between the relevant variables in a multivariate environment. Results. The results clearly showed that there is a relationship between municipalities with larger populations, located in more socio-economically advantaged regions and with better HDI-M, and where fluoridation is both present and has been implemented for a longer period of time (started before 1990). Conclusion. The findings suggest that the aim of treating water with fluoride may not be being adequately achieved, requiring more effective strategies so that access to this measure can be expanded equitably.81Hart, J.T., The inverse care law (1971) Lancet, 1 (7696), pp. 405-12. , 4100731Victora, C.G., Vaughan, J.P., Barros, F.C., Silva, A.C., Tomasi, E., Explaining trends in inequities: Evidence from Brazilian child health studies (2000) Lancet, 356 (9235), pp. 1093-98. , 10.1016/S0140-6736(00)02741-0 11009159Basting, R.T., Pereira, A.C., Meneghim, M.C., Evaluation of dental caries prevalence in students from Piracicaba, SP, Brazil, after 25 years of fluoridation of the public water supply (1997) Rev Odontol Univ São Paulo, 11 (4), pp. 287-92. , 10.1590/S0103-06631997000400010Lawrence, H.P., Sheiham, A., Caries progression in 12 to 16-year-old schoolchildren in fluoridated and fluoride-deficient areas in Brazil (1997) Community Dent Oral Epidemiol, 25 (6), pp. 402-11. , 10.1111/j.1600-0528.1997.tb01730.x 9429812Pereira, A.C., Mialhe, F.L., Bianchini, F.L.C., Prevalence of caries and dental floozies in scholars from cities with different fluoride concentrations in drinking water (2001) Rev Bras Odontol Sade Coletiva, 2 (1), pp. 34-9For Disease Control, C., Prevention, Achievementsin Public Health, 1900-1999: Fluoridation of drinking water to prevent dental caries (1999) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 48 (41), pp. 933-40For Disease Control, C., Prevention, Ten great public health achievements -United Sates, 1900-1999 (1999) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 48 (12), pp. 241-3. , 10220250American Health Organization, P., XV Directing Council of the Pan American Health Organization - Resolutions, 1964, , http://www.paho.org/English/GOV/CD/ftcd_15.htm(2003) The World Oral Health Report 2003, , http://www.who.int/oral_health, Geneva: WHOMcDonagh, M.S., Whiting, P.F., Wilson, P.M., Sutton, A.J., Chestnutt, I., Cooper, J., Misso, K., Kleijnen, J., Systematic review of water fluoridation (2000) BMJ, 321 (7265), pp. 855-9. , 11021861 10.1136/bmj.321.7265.855Bratthall, D., Hänsel-Petersson, G., Sundberg, H., Reasons for the caries decline: What do the experts believe? (1996) Eur J Oral Sci, 104 (4 PART 2), pp. 416-22. , 10.1111/j.1600-0722.1996.tb00104.x 8930592Narvai, P.C., Dental caries and fluorine: A twentieth century relation (2000) Cinc Sade Coletiva, 5 (2), pp. 381-92. , 10.1590/S1413-81232000000200011Peres, M.A., Fernandes, L.S., Peres, K.G., Inequality of water fluoridation in Southern Brazil - The inverse equity hypothesis revisited (2004) Soc Sci Med, 58 (6), pp. 1181-9. , 10.1016/S0277-9536(03)00289-2 14723912Peres, M.A., Antunes, J.L.F., Peres, K.G., Is water fluoridation effective in reducing inequalities in dental caries distribution in developing countries? (2006) Sozial und Präventiv Medizin, 51 (5), pp. 1-9Peres, K.G., Bastos, J.R., Mrdo, L., Relationship between severity of dental caries and social and behavioral factors in children (2000) Rev Saude Publica, 34 (4), pp. 402-8. , 10973161Maltz, M., Barbachan Silva, E.B., Relationship between caries, gingivitis and fluorosis and the socioeconomic status among school children (2001) Rev Saude Publica, 35 (2), pp. 170-6. , 11359204Moysés, S.J., Desigualdades em Sade Bucal e Desenvolvimento Humano: Um ensaio em preto, branco e alguns tons de cinza (2001) Rev Bras Odontol Sade Coletiva, 1 (1), pp. 7-17Patussi, M.P., Marcenes, W., Croucher, R., Sheiham, A., Social deprivation, income inequality, social cohesion and dental caries in Brazilian school children (2001) Soc Sci Med, 53 (7), pp. 915-25. , 10.1016/S0277-9536(00)00391-9 11522137Antunes, J.L.F., Frazão, P., Narvai, P.C., Bispo, C.M., Pegoretti, T., Spatial analysis to identify differentials in dental needs by area-based measures (2002) Community Dent Oral Epidemiol, 30 (2), pp. 133-42. , 10.1034/j.1600-0528.2002.300207.x 12000354Peres, M.A., Peres, K.G., Antunes, J.L.F., Junqueira, S.R., Frazão, P., Narvai, P.C., The association between socioeconomic development at the town level and the distribution of dental caries in Brazilian children (2003) Rev Panam Salud Publica, 14 (3), pp. 149-57. , 10.1590/S1020-49892003000800001 14653902Antunes, J.L.F., Narvai, P.C., Nugent, Z.J., Measuring inequalities in the distribution of dental caries (2004) Community Dent Oral Epidemiol, 32 (1), pp. 41-8. , 10.1111/j.1600-0528.2004.00125.x 14961839Antunes, J.L.F., Peres, M.A., De Campos Mello, T.R., Waldman, E.A., Multilevel assessment of determinants of dental caries experience in Brazil (2006) Community Dent Oral Epidemiol, 34 (2), pp. 146-152. , 10.1111/j.1600-0528.2006.00274.x 16515679Narvai, P.C., Frazão, P., Roncalli, A.G., Antunes, J.L.F., Dental caries in Brazil: Decline, polarization, inequality and social exclusion (2006) Rev Panam Salud Publica, 19 (6), pp. 385-93. , 10.1590/S1020-49892006000600004 16968593Projeto, S.B., Brasil, Condiçes de sade bucal da população brasileira 2002-2003. Resultados principais (2004) Brasília-DF: Ministério da Sade, Secretaria de Atenção Sade, Departamento de Atenção Básica, Coordenação Nacional de Sade BucalCarmichael, C.L., Rugg-Gunn, A.J., French, A.D., Cranage, J.D., The effect of fluoridation upon the relationship between caries experience and social class in 5-year-old children in Newcastle and Northumberland in 1987 (1980) Br Dent J, 149 (6), pp. 163-7. , 10.1038/sj.bdj.4804479 6931610Bradnock, G., Marchment, M.D., Anderson, R.J., Social background, fluoridation and caries experience in 5-year-old population in the West Midlands (1984) Br Denl J, 156 (4), pp. 127-31. , 10.1038/sj.bdj.4805287 6584119Jones, C.M., Taylor, G.O., Whittle, J.G., Evans, D., Trotter, D.P., Water fluoridation, tooth decay in 5 years olds, and social deprivation measured by the Jarman score: Analysis of data from British dental surveys (1997) BMJ, 315 (7107), pp. 514-17. , 9329305Riley, J.C., Lennon, M.A., Ellwood, R.P., The effect of water fluoridation and social inequalities on dental caries in 5-year-old children (1999) Int Dent J, 28 (2), pp. 300-5. , 10342695Congresso Nacional, Brasil., Lei Federal no. de 19/09/1990 (1990) Diário Oficial da União 20 Set, p. 18055Morgenstern, H., Ecological studies (1998) Modern Epidemiology, pp. 459-80. , Baltimore: Lippincot Williamns & Wilkins Rothman K, Greenland S(2000) Informaçes de Sade: População Residente, , http://w3.datasus.gov.br/datasus/datasus.php?area= 359A1B379C6D0E0F359G23HIJd6L26M0N&VInclude=./site/infsaude.php, Departamento de Informática do Sistema nico de Sade (DATASUS)(2003) Atlas Do Desenvolvimento Humano No Brasil, Versão 1.0.0, , Programa das Naçes Unidas para o Desenvolvimento Brasília: PNUDLallo, R., Myburgh, N.G., Hobdell, M.H., Dental caries, socio-economic development and national oral health profiles (1999) Int Dent J, 49, pp. 196-202. , 10858754Baldani, M.H., Narvai, P.C., Antunes, J.L.F., Cárie dentária e condiçes scio-econômicas no Estado do Paraná, Brasil, 1996 (2002) Cad Sade Pblica, 18 (3), pp. 755-63. , 10.1590/S0102-311X2002000300024Qizilbash, M., On the Measurement of Human Development (2002) UNDP, , http://hdr.undp.org/docs/training/oxford/presentations/ Qizilbash_HDIcritique.pdfBurt, B.A., Fluoridation and social equity (2002) J Public Health Dent, 62 (4), pp. 195-200. , 10.1111/j.1752-7325.2002.tb03445.x 12474623For Disease Control, C., Prevention, Recommendation focusing fluoride to prevent and control dental caries in the United States (2001) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 50 (14), pp. 1-42Griffin, S.O., Jones, K., Tomar, S.L., An economic evaluation of community water fluoridation (2001) J Public Health Dent, 61 (2), pp. 78-86. , 10.1111/j.1752-7325.2001.tb03370.x 11474918Bleicher, L., Frota, F.H.S., Fluoretação da água: Uma questão de política pblica - O caso do Estado do Ceará (2006) Cin Sade Coletiva, 11 (1), pp. 71-8Frias, A.C., Narvai, P.C., Arajo, M.E., Zilbovicius, C., Antunes, J.L.F., Custo da fluoretação das águas de abastecimento pblico, estudo de caso -Município de São Paulo, Brasil, período de 1985-2003 (2006) Cad Sade Pblica, 22 (6), pp. 1237-46. , 10.1590/S0102-311X2006000600013Congresso Nacional, Brasil., (1974) Lei Federal No. 6.050, 3, p. 107. , Brasília: Departamento de Imprensa Nacional Atos do Poder Legislativo. 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    Myofascial trigger points in cluster headache patients: a case series

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    Active myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) have been found to contribute to chronic tension-type headache and migraine. The purpose of this case series was to examine if active trigger points (TrPs) provoking cluster-type referred pain could be found in cluster headache patients and, if so, to evaluate the effectiveness of active TrPs anaesthetic injections both in the acute and preventive headache's treatment. Twelve patients, 4 experiencing episodic and 8 chronic cluster headache, were studied. TrPs were found in all of them. Abortive infiltrations could be done in 2 episodic and 4 chronic patients, and preemptive infiltrations could be done in 2 episodic and 5 chronic patients, both kind of interventions being successful in 5 (83.3%) and in 6 (85.7%) of the cases respectively. When combined with prophylactic drug therapy, injections were associated with significant improvement in 7 of the 8 chronic cluster patients. Our data suggest that peripheral sensitization may play a role in cluster headache pathophysiology and that first neuron afferent blockade can be useful in cluster headache management

    Identification of actinomycetes from plant rhizospheric soils with inhibitory activity against Colletotrichum spp., the causative agent of anthracnose disease

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    <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Colletotrichum </it>is one of the most widespread and important genus of plant pathogenic fungi worldwide. Various species of <it>Colletotrichum </it>are the causative agents of anthracnose disease in plants, which is a severe problem to agricultural crops particularly in Thailand. These phytopathogens are usually controlled using chemicals; however, the use of these agents can lead to environmental pollution. Potential non-chemical control strategies for anthracnose disease include the use of bacteria capable of producing anti-fungal compounds such as actinomycetes spp., that comprise a large group of filamentous, Gram positive bacteria from soil. The aim of this study was to isolate actinomycetes capable of inhibiting the growth of <it>Colletotrichum </it>spp, and to analyze the diversity of actinomycetes from plant rhizospheric soil.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 304 actinomycetes were isolated and tested for their inhibitory activity against <it>Colletotrichum gloeosporioides </it>strains DoA d0762 and DoA c1060 and <it>Colletotrichum capsici </it>strain DoA c1511 which cause anthracnose disease as well as the non-pathogenic <it>Saccharomyces cerevisiae </it>strain IFO 10217. Most isolates (222 out of 304, 73.0%) were active against at least one indicator fungus or yeast. Fifty four (17.8%) were active against three anthracnose fungi and 17 (5.6%) could inhibit the growth of all three fungi and <it>S. cerevisiae </it>used in the test. Detailed analysis on 30 selected isolates from an orchard at Chanthaburi using the comparison of 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that most of the isolates (87%) belong to the genus <it>Streptomyces </it>sp., while one each belongs to <it>Saccharopolyspora </it>(strain SB-2) and <it>Nocardiopsis </it>(strain CM-2) and two to <it>Nocardia </it>(strains BP-3 and LK-1). Strains LC-1, LC-4, JF-1, SC-1 and MG-1 exerted high inhibitory activity against all three anthracnose fungi and yeast. In addition, the organic solvent extracts prepared from these five strains inhibited conidial growth of the three indicator fungi. Preliminary analysis of crude extracts by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) indicated that the sample from strain JF-1 may contain a novel compound. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that this strain is closely related to <it>Streptomyces cavurensis </it>NRRL 2740 with 99.8% DNA homology of 16S rRNA gene (500 bp).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The present study suggests that rhizospheric soil is an attractive source for the discovery of a large number of actinomycetes with activity against <it>Colletotrichum </it>spp. An interesting strain (JF-1) with high inhibitory activity has the potential to produce a new compound that may be useful in the control of <it>Colletotrichum </it>spp.</p

    New approaches to high-resolution mapping of marine vertical structures

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    Vertical walls in marine environments can harbour high biodiversity and provide natural protection from bottom-trawling activities. However, traditional mapping techniques are usually restricted to down-looking approaches which cannot adequately replicate their 3D structure. We combined sideways-looking multibeam echosounder (MBES) data from an AUV, forward-looking MBES data from ROVs and ROV-acquired videos to examine walls from Rockall Bank and Whittard Canyon, Northeast Atlantic. High-resolution 3D point clouds were extracted from each sonar dataset and structure from motion photogrammetry (SfM) was applied to recreate 3D representations of video transects along the walls. With these reconstructions, it was possible to interact with extensive sections of video footage and precisely position individuals. Terrain variables were derived on scales comparable to those experienced by megabenthic individuals. These were used to show differences in environmental conditions between observed and background locations as well as explain spatial patterns in ecological characteristics. In addition, since the SfM 3D reconstructions retained colours, they were employed to separate and quantify live coral colonies versus dead framework. The combination of these new technologies allows us, for the first time, to map the physical 3D structure of previously inaccessible habitats and demonstrates the complexity and importance of vertical structures

    Hypolithic and soil microbial community assembly along an aridity gradient in the Namib Desert

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    The Namib Dessert is considered the oldest desert in the world and hyperarid for the last 5 million years. However, the environmental buffering provided by quartz and other translucent rocks supports extensive hypolithic microbial communities. In this study, open soil and hypolithic microbial communities have been investigated along an East–West transect characterized by an inverse fog-rainfall gradient. Multivariate analysis showed that structurally different microbial communities occur in soil and in hypolithic zones. Using variation partitioning, we found that hypolithic communities exhibited a fog-related distribution as indicated by the significant East– West clustering. Sodium content was also an important environmental factor affecting the composition of both soil and hypolithic microbial communities. Finally, although null models for patterns in microbial communities were not supported by experimental data, the amount of unexplained variation (68–97 %) suggests that stochastic processes also play a role in the assembly of such communities in the Namib Desert.Web of Scienc

    The Hubbard model within the equations of motion approach

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    The Hubbard model has a special role in Condensed Matter Theory as it is considered as the simplest Hamiltonian model one can write in order to describe anomalous physical properties of some class of real materials. Unfortunately, this model is not exactly solved except for some limits and therefore one should resort to analytical methods, like the Equations of Motion Approach, or to numerical techniques in order to attain a description of its relevant features in the whole range of physical parameters (interaction, filling and temperature). In this manuscript, the Composite Operator Method, which exploits the above mentioned analytical technique, is presented and systematically applied in order to get information about the behavior of all relevant properties of the model (local, thermodynamic, single- and two- particle ones) in comparison with many other analytical techniques, the above cited known limits and numerical simulations. Within this approach, the Hubbard model is shown to be also capable to describe some anomalous behaviors of the cuprate superconductors.Comment: 232 pages, more than 300 figures, more than 500 reference
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