Violation of Bell's inequality for phase singular beams

We have considered optical beams with phase singularity and experimentally verified that these beams, although being classical, have properties of two mode entanglement in quantum states. We have observed the violation of Bell's inequality for continuous variables using the Wigner distribution function (WDF) proposed by Chowdhury et al. [Phys. Rev. A \textbf{88}, 013830 (2013)]. Our experiment establishes a new form of Bell's inequality in terms of the WDF which can be used for classical as well as quantum systems.Comment: 7 pages, 9 figures and 1 tabl

Hall-Petch strengthening of the constrained metallic binder in WC-Co cemented carbides: Experimental assessment by means of massive nanoindentation and statistical analysis

WC–Co cemented carbides are geometrically complex composites constituted for two interpenetrating networks of the constitutive ceramic and metal phases. Accordingly, assessment of microstructural effects on the local mechanical properties of each phase is a challenging task, especially for the metallic binder. In this work, it is attempted by combining massive nanoindentation, statistical analysis, and implementation of a thin film model for deconvolution of the intrinsic hardness and flow stress of the metallic phase. Plotting of yield stress values as a function of the binder mean free path results in a Hall-Petch strengthening relationship with a slope (ky) of 0.98 MPa m1/2. This value points out the effectiveness of WC–Co phase boundaries as strong obstacles to slip propagation; and thus, for toughening of the brittle phase (WC) by means of crack-bridging ductile (Co) reinforcement.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Closing the GAP in Antimicrobial Resistance Policy in Benin and Burkina Faso

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global concern that is geographically unevenly distributed, with low- and middle-income countries and African countries suffering in particular. The World Health Organization (WHO) Global Action Plan (GAP) for antimicrobial resistance identified five key objectives that aim to ensure the continued treatment and prevention of infectious diseases with the use of antibiotics. Countries signatory to the WHO GAP are expected to develop their own national action plans (NAPs) based on the global model. How low-income countries are able to achieve the GAP objectives is not well understood. This paper analyzes the progress of two West African countries in achieving the GAP targets, Benin and Burkina Faso, countries among the lowest bracket in the World Development Index. We present qualitative data from interviews and focus group discussions with local policy-makers, nurses, doctors, animal breeders, veterinarians, and laboratory researchers, supported by participant observations and surveys within rural communities. The analysis is organized according to the five WHO GAP objectives to show the countries' challenges in fulfilling them. The analysis shows that there are shortcomings in all of the WHO GAP areas in the two countries, making it a compounded and multifactorial problem-a stacking of lacks. In such contexts, calibrating a society toward AMR resilience/prevention requires overall development and attention to interdependencies. Active local research and policy communities with international, sustained financial support are essential for achieving the targets. IMPORTANCE The burden of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is unequally distributed across the globe. Low-income countries face a more severe AMR situation and have fewer means to solve the problem. This paper brings out the voices of local experts, policy-makers, and members of the community in Benin and Burkina Faso across human health, animal health, and food production sectors, where the majority of antibiotic use is concentrated. We describe the difficulties that they face in implementing global action plans, targets set by the World Health Organization, for securing antibiotics and preventing the spread of antimicrobial resistance. This paper argues that the various deficits in implementation are stacked, multisectoral, and compounded. We highlight the role of active local scientists and policy-maker networks in setting priorities to address the AMR problem; however, their activities need technical and financial support from international partners.Peer reviewe

Historia de pérdidas y sintomatología depresiva.

En la literatura científica se ha dado importancia a la relación existente entre las pérdidas, la muerte de un ser querido y la depresión. Objetivos. Identificar la prevalencia de las pérdidas de seres queridos y otros tipos de pérdidas, la percepción de los participantes de haberse adaptado satisfactoriamente o no a cada una de las pérdidas y la relación que dichas pérdidas y su posible superación tienen con la sintomatología depresiva. Método. Utilizando el Inventario de Historia de Pérdidas (IHP) y el BDI-II se evaluó una muestra comunitaria incidental de 288 participantes. Resultados. El 42,71% de la muestra mencionó alguna pérdida que consideraba no haber superado. Se encontró que la intensidad de los síntomas correlacionaba con el número total de pérdidas, con el número de pérdidas de ser querido no superadas y con las pérdidas no superadas de otra índole. Conclusiones. Sería conveniente explorar la historia de pérdidas tanto de participantes en estudios de investigación como de los pacientes que se atienden ya desde el primer contacto, dado que las pérdidas pueden ser un factor de predisposición en la presentación de sintomatología diversa, y un aspecto a considerar en la planificación del tratamiento. El IHP es un instrumento breve y adecuado que cumple con ese propósito

Los hormigones con polímeros en la construcción: propiedades y aplicaciones

The use of resins in construction is not a new phenomenon although even nowadays they are little understood by the user. This is made even more obvious in concretes y with resins in which these are yet another constituent material of concrete. The aim of the present article is to show those types of concretes with resins which exist in the construction field, pointing out those properties which give it advantages in determined types of applications (Repairs, prefabricated buildings, and others). This article is trying briefly to provide the technician with an understanding of these materials and to show him/her the suitable fields of application where they are competitive.Las resinas en la construcción son conocidas desde hace años si bien aún hoy en día resultan poco comprendidas para el usuario. Esto se hace aún más patente en los hormigones con resinas, en las que éstas son un material constituyente más del hormigón. El presente artículo tiene por objeto mostrar los tipos de hormigones con resinas existentes en el campo de la construcción señalando las propiedades que le confieren unas ventajas frente a determinados tipos de aplicaciones (reparaciones, prefabricados, otras). Con este artículo se pretende, de forma sucinta, facilitar al técnico la comprensión de estos materiales así como mostrarle los campos idóneos de aplicación donde son competitivos

Unexpected differences between thermal and photoinitiated cationic curing of a diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A modified with a multiarm star poly(styrene)-b-poly(ε-caprolactone) polymer

The effect of adding a multiarm star poly(styrene)-b-poly(ε-caprolactone) polymer on the cationic thermal and photoinitiated curing of diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A was studied. This star-polymer decelerated the thermal curing of diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A and modified the final structure of the epoxy matrix. The photocuring was influenced significantly by the addition of the multiarm star. When the proportion of this modifier added was 5%, much more time was necessary for complete photocuring (160 min at 40ºC). In the presence of 10% of modifier, the degree of photocuring reached was very low (0.196 at 120°C). A subsequent thermal post-curing was necessary to cure completely the system. During photocuring in presence of poly(styrene)-b-poly(ε-caprolactone), the formation of dormant species, which are reactivated when the temperature increases, takes places. The kinetics of the thermal curing and the photocuring was analyzed using an isoconversional method due to the complexity of the reactive process. Applying this method, it has been confirmed the dependence of activation energy on the degree of conversion. The fracture morphology analyzed by scanning electron microscopy exhibited a second phase originated during photocuring by the presence of the modifier