Frozen and Invariant Quantum Discord under Local Dephasing Noise

In this chapter, we intend to explore and review some remarkable dynamical properties of quantum discord under various different open quantum system models. Specifically, our discussion will include several concepts connected to the phenomena of time invariant and frozen quantum discord. Furthermore, we will elaborate on the relation of these two phenomena to the non-Markovian features of the open system dynamics and to the usage of dynamical decoupling protocols.Comment: 29 pages, 8 figure

Positive Aspects of the Current Brazilian Insolvency System and the Figure of the Trustee Committed to the Results of the Process

[abstract]This study seeks to demonstrate the evolution of the Brazilian insolvency system after the effectiveness of Law 11.101/2005, inspired by the North American Law, which brought the figure of the trustee, auxiliary body of the court, as inspector, facilitator, driver, responsible for the good interface between debtor and creditor and, mainly, by the achievement of the social and economic benefits protected by the special legislation.The World Bank’s “Doing Business” statistical reports show that after the advent of the new legislation (Law 11.101/2005), the rate of recovery of credits in Brazil made a significant leap from a negligible 0.02% for each dollar to 25.80% in 2015, the highest percentage reached by the country, with a reduction in 2016, 2017 and 2018 (22.40%, 15,80% and 12,70%), as the severe crisis in Brazil over the last three years has meant that numbers lost strength.In the recently presented World Bank “Doing Business” report, Brazil is in 80th position among countries in terms of insolvency resolution, reaching a percentage of 47,46%, with an average term for creditors to recover their 4-year credits. The same work points out some of the difficulties of the Brazilian system, among which is that of starting a business (bureaucracy), in which Brazil qualifies in position no. 176 and, in 184st, when assessing the imputed taxes, in relation to the others countries (out of 190 countries analyzed).Such introduction is necessary only to demonstrate the distance of the Brazilian economy and its insolvency system in relation to developed countries, especially the United States of America, against which the current Brazilian insolvency law was inspired.In the resolution ranking of “Doing Business” insolvency proceedings, the United States is in 3th position, only behind countries like Japan and Finland, followed by Germany and South Korea, with a credit recovery rate of 82,10% in relation to every dollar borrowed, an average time for lenders to recover their 1 year-loans. Notwithstanding Brazil’s modest performance against the 190 other world economies analyzed, a reasonable improvement has been observed in the aforementioned ranking after the effectiveness of the current insolvency legislation, which sought to ensure greater effectiveness and transparency for both the corporate reorganization process (Judicial Reorganization), and for bankruptcy, the one in which the assets of the company are collected and settled to pay the remaining liabilities

Accessible quantification of multiparticle entanglement

Entanglement is a key ingredient for quantum technologies and a fundamental signature of quantumness in a broad range of phenomena encompassing many-body physics, thermodynamics, cosmology and life sciences. For arbitrary multiparticle systems, entanglement quantification typically involves nontrivial optimisation problems, and it may require demanding tomographical techniques. Here, we develop an experimentally feasible approach to the evaluation of geometric measures of multiparticle entanglement. Our framework provides analytical results for particular classes of mixed states of N qubits, and computable lower bounds to global, partial, or genuine multiparticle entanglement of any general state. For global and partial entanglement, useful bounds are obtained with minimum effort, requiring local measurements in just three settings for any N. For genuine entanglement, a number of measurements scaling linearly with N are required. We demonstrate the power of our approach to estimate and quantify different types of multiparticle entanglement in a variety of N-qubit states useful for uantum information processing and recently engineered in laboratories with quantum optics and trapped ion setups

A cross-sectional study evaluating the exercise discussion with oncologist during cancer consultation: the CONNECT study

Background: Evidence demonstrates that physical exercise confers several psycho-physical benefits on patients with cancer. This study aims to investigate the role of oncologists in exercise promotion. Patients and methods: A multicenter, cross-sectional study was conducted by distributing an anonymous, self-administered questionnaire to patients with cancer. The questionnaire enclosed demographic, health, and exercise variables. The exercise-related questions included in the study used the Godin-Shephard Leisure-Time Physical Activity Questionnaire to measure the amount of physical exercise. In addition, the survey gathered information on whether exercise was discussed with patients, and whether oncologists followed the assess, advise, reinforce, and refer (AARR) process regarding exercise. The survey also asked if patients preferred that exercise be discussed during their consultations. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were applied. Results: With a response rate of 75%, a total of 549 patients completed the survey. Regarding the exercise discussion, 38% of patients stated that their oncologist initiated an exercise discussion, 14% started the discussion themselves, and 48% said that the issue was not considered. Overall, 35% of patients reported that the oncologist assessed their exercise level, 22% and 42% received advice or reinforcement to increase their exercise, respectively, and 10% were referred to a dedicated service. Regarding preferences, 72% of patients thought that the oncologists should initiate an exercise discussion, 2% that only patients should start the discussion, and 26% thought that the issue should not be discussed. Similarly, 74% of patients are willing to receive the exercise assessment, 59% and 75% the advice and reinforcement to increase their exercise, and 46% to be referred to an exercise service. Conclusions: Although exercise promotion rates are low, patients are willing to receive exercise information. Dedicated strategies should be developed to support oncologists in promoting exercise to their patients

Italian survey on the clinical management of non-small cell lung cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic: A lesson for the second wave

This study investigated the clinical management of non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients during the first wave of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in Italy. A 29-questions survey was sent to 95 Italian thoracic oncologists, with 77 % of them declaring significant changes in the outpatients management and treatment. The results of this survey pointed out a significant delay of lung cancer diagnosis along with a relevant reduction of patients’ accrual within clinical trials. Telemedicine emerged as a valid support for patient-healthcare interactions. Therapeutic indications followed the guidelines for adjuvant chemotherapy and concurrent chemo-radiation. Clinical indications to first-line therapies were largely confirmed, while major changes regarded the selection of second line treatment options as well as the management of elderly population. This work may represent a valid source of information to improve the clinical management of NSCLC patients during second wave of COVID-19 pandemic