d-outcome measurement for a nonlocality test

For the purpose of a nonlocality test, we propose a general correlation observable of two parties by utilizing local d- outcome measurements with SU(d) transformations and classical communications. Generic symmetries of the SU(d) transformations and correlation observables are found for the test of nonlocality. It is shown that these symmetries dramatically reduce the number of numerical variables, which is important for numerical analysis of nonlocality. A linear combination of the correlation observables, which is reduced to the Clauser- Home-Shimony-Holt (CHSH) Bell's inequality for two outcome measurements, leads to the Collins-Gisin-Linden-Massar-Popescu (CGLMP) nonlocality test for d-outcome measurement. As a system to be tested for its nonlocality, we investigate a continuous- variable (CV) entangled state with d measurement outcomes. It allows the comparison of nonlocality based on different numbers of measurement outcomes on one physical system. In our example of the CV state, we find that a pure entangled state of any degree violates Bell's inequality for d(greater than or equal to2) measurement outcomes when the observables are of SU(d) transformations.

Quantum nonlocality for a mixed entangled coherent state

Quantum nonlocality is tested for an entangled coherent state, interacting with a dissipative environment. A pure entangled coherent state violates Bell's inequality regardless of its coherent amplitude. The higher the initial nonlocality, the more rapidly quantum nonlocality is lost. The entangled coherent state can also be investigated in the framework of 2x2 Hilbert space. The quantum nonlocality persists longer in 2x2 Hilbert space. When it decoheres it is found that the entangled coherent state fails the nonlocality test, which contrasts with the fact that the decohered entangled state is always entangled.

Enhanced dynamical entanglement transfer with multiple qubits

We present two strategies to enhance the dynamical entanglement transfer from continuous-variable (CV) to finite-dimensional systems by employing multiple qubits. First, we consider the entanglement transfer to a composite finite-dimensional system of many qubits simultaneously interacting with a bipartite CV field. We show that, considering realistic conditions in the generation of CV entanglement, a small number of qubits resonantly coupled to the CV system are sufficient for an almost complete dynamical transfer of the entanglement. Our analysis also sheds further light on the transition between the microscopic and macroscopic behaviors of composite finite-dimensional systems coupled to bosonic fields (like atomic clouds interacting with light). Furthermore, we present a protocol based on sequential interactions of the CV system with some ancillary qubit systems and on subsequent measurements, allowing us to probabilistically convert CV entanglement into "almost-perfect" Bell pairs of two qubits. Our proposals are suited for realizations in various experimental settings, ranging from cavity-QED to cavity-integrated superconducting devices.

The (in)visible scar. Representation of the body in blogs by women with breast cancer

In this paper we analyze the representation of the body in blogs by women with breast cancer. Taking into account both texts and images, we study the representation of the body on the basis of the body problems proposed by Frank (1995): control, body-relatedness, other-relatedness and desire. In the blogs studied we find a desiring and dyadic body, which is understood as part of a network of affection and care. The diagnosis of cancer can generate both dissociation, when the body is experienced as a threat, and association, a wish to be connected to it. In relation to control, a clear will of predictability is observed but traces of assumption of contingency also appear.

Effect of eucaloric high- and low-sucrose diets with identical macronutrient profile on insulin resistance and vascular risk - A randomized controlled trial

The long-term impact of dietary carbohydrate type, in particular sucrose, on insulin resistance and the development of diabetes and atherosclerosis is not established. Current guidelines for the healthy population advise restriction of sucrose intake. We investigated the effect of high- versus low-sucrose diet (25 vs. 10%, respectively, of total energy intake) in 13 healthy subjects aged 33 +/- 3 years (mean +/- SE), BMI 26.6 +/- 0.9 kg/m(2), in a randomized crossover design with sequential 6-week dietary interventions separated by a 4-week washout. Weight maintenance, eucaloric diets with identical macronutrient profiles and fiber content were designed. All food was weighed and distributed. Insulin action was assessed using a two-step euglycemic clamp; glycemic profiles were assessed by the continuous glucose monitoring system and vascular compliance by pulse-wave analysis. There was no change in weight across the study. Peripheral glucose uptake and suppression of endogenous glucose production were similar after each diet. Glycemic profiles and measures of vascular compliance did not change. A rise in total and LDL cholesterol was observed. In this study, a high-sucrose intake as part of an eucaloric, weight-maintaining diet had no detrimental effect on insulin sensitivity, glycemic profiles, or measures of vascular compliance in healthy nondiabetic subjects.

Determining the electronic structure and chemical potentials of molecules in solution

A simulation scheme is proposed for determining the excess chemical potential of a substance in solution. First, a Monte Carlo simulation is performed with classical models for solute and solvent molecules. A representative sample of these configurations is then used in a hybrid quantum/classical (QM/MM) calculation, where the solute is treated quantum-mechanically, and the average electronic structure is used to construct an improved classical model. This procedure is iterated to self-consistency in the classical model, which in practice is attained in one or two steps, depending on the quality of the initial guess. The excess free energy of the molecule within the QM/MM approach is determined relative to the classical model using thermodynamic perturbation theory with a cumulant expansion. The procedure provides a method of constructing classical point charge models appropriate for the solution and gives a measure of the importance of solvent fluctuations.

Ab initio simulation of charged slabs at constant chemical potential

We present a practical scheme for performing ab initio supercell calculations of charged slabs at constant electron chemical potential mu, rather than at constant number of electrons N-e. To this end, we define the chemical potential relative to a plane (or "reference electrode") at a finite distance from the slab (the distance should reflect the particular geometry of the situation being modeled). To avoid a net charge in the supercell, and thus make possible a standard supercell calculation, we restore the electroneutrality of the periodically repeated unit by means of a compensating charge, whose contribution to the total energy and potential is subtracted afterwards. The "constant mu" mode enables one to perform supercell calculation on slabs, where the slab is kept at a fixed potential relative to the reference electrode. We expect this to be useful in modeling many experimental situations, especially in electro-chemistry. (C) 2001 American Institute of Physics.

Solvation effects on equilibria: Triazoles and N-methyl piperidinol

We have performed calculations of the solvation effects on a number of equilibrium constants in water using a recently proposed hybrid quantum classical scheme in which the liquid environment is modelled using classical solvent molecules and the solute electronic structure is computed using modern quantum chemical methods. The liquid phase space is sampled from a fully classical simulation. We find that solvation effects on both triazole tautomeric equilibrium constants and piperidinol conformational equilibrium constants can be interpreted in terms of subtle differences in the local environment which can be seen in probability densities and radial distribution functions. Lower level calculations were performed for comparison and we conclude that the solvation thermodynamics can be predicted from a good classical model of solvent and solute molecules, but the implicit models that we tried are less successful.

Solvation Structure and Transport of Acidic Protons in Ionic Liquids: A First-principles Simulation Study

Ab initio simulations of a single molecule of HCl in liquid dimethyl imidazolium chloride [dmim][Cl] show that the acidic proton exists as a symmetric, linear ClHCl- species. Details of the solvation structure around this molecule are given. The proton-transfer process was investigated by applying a force along the antisymmetric stretch coordinate until the molecule broke. Changes in the free energy and local solvation structure during this process were investigated. In the reaction mechanism identified, a free chloride approaches the proton from the side. As the original ClHCl- distorts and the incoming chloride forms a new bond to the proton, one of the original chlorine atoms is expelled and a new linear molecule is formed.

Molecular electrostatic properties of ions in an ionic liquid

We have analysed the electronic wave functions from an ab initio simulation of the ionic liquid (room temperature molten salt) dimethyl imidazolium chloride ([dmim][Cl] or [C1mim][Cl]) using localized Wannier orbitals. This allows us to assign electron density to individual ions. The probability distributions of the ionic dipole moments for an isolated ion and for ions in solution are compared. The liquid environment is found to polarize the cation by about 0.7 D and to increase the amplitude of the fluctuations in the dipole moments of both cation and anion. The relative changes in nuclear and electronic contributions are shown. The implications for classical force fields are discussed.