Semiclassical theory for small displacements

Characteristic functions contain complete information about all the moments of a classical distribution and the same holds for the Fourier transform of the Wigner function: a quantum characteristic function, or the chord function. However, knowledge of a finite number of moments does not allow for accurate determination of the chord function. For pure states this provides the overlap of the state with all its possible rigid translations (or displacements). We here present a semiclassical approximation of the chord function for large Bohr-quantized states, which is accurate right up to a caustic, beyond which the chord function becomes evanescent. It is verified to pick out blind spots, which are displacements for zero overlaps. These occur even for translations within a Planck area of the origin. We derive a simple approximation for the closest blind spots, depending on the Schroedinger covariance matrix, which is verified for Bohr-quantized states.Comment: 16 pages, 4 figures

Serum creatine kinase isoenzymes in children with osteogenesis imperfecta

This study evaluates serum creatine kinase isoenzyme activity in children with osteogenesis imperfecta to determine its usefulness as a biochemical marker during treatment with bisphosphonate. The changes of creatine kinase (CK) isoenzyme activity during and after discontinuation therapy were observed. These results could be useful in addressing over-treatment risk prevention. Introduction The brain isoenzyme of creatine kinase (CKbb) is highly expressed in mature osteoclasts during osteoclastogenesis, thus plays an important role in bone resorption. We previously identified high serum CKbb levels in 18 children with osteogenesis imperfect (OI) type 1 treated for 1 year with bisphosphonate (neridronate). In the present study, serum CK isoenzymes were evaluated in the same children with continuous versus discontinued neridronate treatment over a further 2-year follow-up period. Methods This study included 18 children with OI type 1, 12 with continued (group A) and 6 with ceased (group B) neridronate treatment. Auxological data, serum biochemical markers of bone metabolism, bone mineral density z-score, and serum total CK and isoenzyme activities were determined in both groups. Results Serum CKbb was progressively and significantly increased in group A (p < 0.004) but rapidly decreased to undetectable levels in group B. In both groups, the cardiac muscle creatine kinase isoenzyme (CKmb) showed a marked decrease, while serum C-terminal telopeptide (CTx) levels were almost unchanged. Conclusions This study provides evidence of the cumulative effect of neridronate administration in increasing serum CKbb levels and the reversible effect after its discontinuation. This approach could be employed for verifying the usefulness of serum CKbb as a biochemical marker in patients receiving prolonged bisphosphonate treatment. Moreover, the decreased serum CKmb levels suggest a systemic effect of these drugs

Are stealth scalar fields stable?

Non-gravitating (stealth) scalar fields associated with Minkowski space in scalar-tensor gravity are examined. Analytical solutions for both non-minimally coupled scalar field theory and for Brans-Dicke gravity are studied and their stability with respect to tensor perturbations is assessed using a covariant and gauge-invariant formalism developed for alternative gravity. For Brans-Dicke solutions, the stability with respect to homogeneous perturbations is also studied. There are regions of parameter space corresponding to stability and other regions corresponding to instability.Comment: 10 pages, 1 table, no figures, to appear in Phys. Rev,

Use of an artificial miniaturized enzyme in hydrogen peroxide detection by chemiluminescence

Advanced oxidation processes represent a viable alternative in water reclamation for potable reuse. Sensing methods of hydrogen peroxide are, therefore, needed to test both process progress and final quality of the produced water. Several bio-based assays have been developed so far, mainly relying on peroxidase enzymes, which have the advantage of being fast, efficient, reusable, and environmentally safe. However, their production/purification and, most of all, batch-to-batch consistency may inherently prevent their standardization. Here, we provide evidence that a synthetic de novo miniaturized designed heme-enzyme, namely Mimochrome VI*a, can be proficiently used in hydrogen peroxide assays. Furthermore, a fast and automated assay has been developed by using a lab-bench microplate reader. Under the best working conditions, the assay showed a linear response in the 10.0–120 µM range, together with a second linearity range between 120 and 500 µM for higher hydrogen peroxide concentrations. The detection limit was 4.6 µM and quantitation limits for the two datasets were 15.5 and 186 µM, respectively. In perspective, Mimochrome VI*a could be used as an active biological sensing unit in different sensor configurations

Uniform approximation for the overlap caustic of a quantum state with its translations

The semiclassical Wigner function for a Bohr-quantized energy eigenstate is known to have a caustic along the corresponding classical closed phase space curve in the case of a single degree of freedom. Its Fourier transform, the semiclassical chord function, also has a caustic along the conjugate curve defined as the locus of diameters, i.e. the maximal chords of the original curve. If the latter is convex, so is its conjugate, resulting in a simple fold caustic. The uniform approximation through this caustic, that is here derived, describes the transition undergone by the overlap of the state with its translation, from an oscillatory regime for small chords, to evanescent overlaps, rising to a maximum near the caustic. The diameter-caustic for the Wigner function is also treated.Comment: 14 pages, 9 figure

Renewable Energy Sources on the Change of Energy Matrix in Manabí Province

The exploitation, distribution, and consumption of energy have caused the greatest environmental pollution on the planet and accelerated climate change; even though it has been the promoter of the social, economic development of many generations. Contemporary man can continue to increase his social development, but looking for alternatives to energy development. The work shows a model of energy development that will guarantee the sustainability of social development in the areas of the province of Manabí where energy arrives with low quality and in other places does not exist. The objective of the work is to propose the diversification of the energy matrix from the gradual and progressive introduction of technologies based on the use of renewable resources that it has was distributed in the territory of the province. This result will allow the use of indigenous renewable resources, reduce environmental pollution, and improve the quality of life of populations based on the principle of energy sustainability

Semiclassical Evolution of Dissipative Markovian Systems

A semiclassical approximation for an evolving density operator, driven by a "closed" hamiltonian operator and "open" markovian Lindblad operators, is obtained. The theory is based on the chord function, i.e. the Fourier transform of the Wigner function. It reduces to an exact solution of the Lindblad master equation if the hamiltonian operator is a quadratic function and the Lindblad operators are linear functions of positions and momenta. Initially, the semiclassical formulae for the case of hermitian Lindblad operators are reinterpreted in terms of a (real) double phase space, generated by an appropriate classical double Hamiltonian. An extra "open" term is added to the double Hamiltonian by the non-hermitian part of the Lindblad operators in the general case of dissipative markovian evolution. The particular case of generic hamiltonian operators, but linear dissipative Lindblad operators, is studied in more detail. A Liouville-type equivariance still holds for the corresponding classical evolution in double phase, but the centre subspace, which supports the Wigner function, is compressed, along with expansion of its conjugate subspace, which supports the chord function. Decoherence narrows the relevant region of double phase space to the neighborhood of a caustic for both the Wigner function and the chord function. This difficulty is avoided by a propagator in a mixed representation, so that a further "small-chord" approximation leads to a simple generalization of the quadratic theory for evolving Wigner functions.Comment: 33 pages - accepted to J. Phys.

Risk factors for ovarian postpartum resumption in Holstein cows, under high tropical conditions

ABSTRACT Objective. To evaluate the factors associated with postpartum ovarian resumption and follicular dynamics in Holstein cows under high altitude conditions (2,600 masl). Materials and methods. Forty-five Holstein cows were studied between 14 days before and 120 days after calving. Uterine involution, follicular dynamics, serum progesterone and peripartum pathologies were evaluated; additionally, body condition (BC), calving type, milk yield, were also evaluated. According to hormonal and reproductive findings, cows were classified into two groups: early ovarian resumption (EOR) or delayed ovarian resumption (DOR). Results. The occurrence of the first follicular for EOR animals (n=31) was produced on average 9.58±3.45 days postpartum and was similar to the DOR group (n=10) [10.8±4.83 days; p>0.05)]. The first postpartum ovulation occurred at 21.55±5.90 days (EOR) and was significantly delayed (48.7±27.85 days) for DOR animals (p<0.05). Thirty-six point five percent of the cows (n=f) had normal estrus cycles (18 to 24 days), while 63.5% (n=26) showed dysciclia. The factors associated with ovarian resumption and cyclicity were the loss of BC [OR=3.3, CI 95% (1.2-13.3) (p<0.05)] and lameness [OR= 9.0, CI 95% (1.2-13.3) (p<0.05)]. Conclusions. Although the emergence of postpartum follicular waves was observed early, under the experimental conditions of this study there are factors that may affect the first ovulation favoring the occurrence of anovulatory conditions. The determinant factors were low body condition and lameness

PROCESOS COGNITIVOS Y AFECTIVOS EN LA CONDUCTA DEL CONSUMIDOR.

Se realizó el análisis de la relación existente entre los procesos cognitivos y afectivos como determinante de la conducta del consumidor en 255 estudiantes universitarios, en edades entre 20 a 35 años, 36 % fueron hombres y 64 % mujeres. El objetivo fue describir la conducta del consumidor desde los parámetros cognitivos y afectivos explicados desde la neuropsicología. Para la recopilación de información se utilizó el cuestionario de atributos múltiples de Fishbein y el Inventario de personalidad, versión IPIP (16PF-IPIP), de Goldberg. Entre las conclusiones más relevantes, se estableció que las personas que seleccionan objetos de consumo tuvieron una actitud extrovertida, con busca de estabilidad emocional, gregarismo e imaginación a la hora de elegir un producto, por otro lado, en los procesos cognitivos, afectivos y conativos, se obtuvo que el sabor o sazón es determinante a la hora de elegir un producto en 91 %. La variedad de productos satisface el gusto y preferencias a la hora de elegir un producto con el 88,6 % y el buen servicio que recibe es determinante a la hora de volver a comprar un producto en 86,7 %. Se pudo observar en la descripción de la intencionalidad de la conducta, las creencias, convicciones, presión social, que permiten realizar la evaluación de la conducta en la elección del objeto de consumo. ABSTRACT An analysis was made of the relationship between cognitive and affective processes as a determinant of consumer behavior in 255 university students, between 20 and 35 years old, 36% were men and 64% were women. The objective was to describe the behavior of the consumer from the cognitive and affective parameters explained from neuropsychology. For the collection of information, the multi-attribute questionnaire of Fishbein, and the Personality Inventory, IPIP version (16PF-IPIP), was used Goldberg. Among the most relevant conclusions, it was established that people who select consumer objects had an extroverted attitude, looking for emotional stability, gregariousness and imagination when choosing a product, on the other hand, in cognitive, affective and conative processes, it was obtained that the flavor or seasoning is decisive when choosing a product in 91%. The variety of products satisfies the taste and preferences when choosing a product with 88.6% and the good service it receives is decisive when it comes to buying a product again at 86.7%. It could be observed in the description of the intentionality of the behavior, the beliefs, convictions, social pressure, that allow to conduct the evaluation of the behavior in the choice of the object of consumption. &nbsp