Sixfold Way of Traversable Wormholes in the Sachdev-Ye-Kitaev Model.

In the infrared limit, a nearly anti-de Sitter spacetime in two dimensions (AdS_{2}) perturbed by a weak double trace deformation and a two-site (q>2)-body Sachdev-Ye-Kitaev (SYK) model with N Majoranas and a weak 2r-body intersite coupling share the same near-conformal dynamics described by a traversable wormhole. We exploit this relation to propose a symmetry classification of traversable wormholes depending on N, q, and r, with q>2r, and confirm it by a level statistics analysis using exact diagonalization techniques. Intriguingly, a time-reversed state never results in a new state, so only six universality classes occur-A, AI, BDI, CI, C, and D-and different symmetry sectors of the model may belong to distinct universality classes.

La Educación Física desde la Educación para el Desarrollo Sostenible

La Educación Física está presente en los currículos de los sistemas educativos en casi todos los países y reporta reconocidos beneficios a la educación integral de los estudiantes, pues en las visiones actuales está al servicio del desarrollo humano; sin embargo, los enfoques de enseñanza-aprendizaje predominantes obvian los postulados fundamentales de la Educación para el Desarrollo Sostenible y enfatizan solo en la dimensión ambiental. De ahí que este artículo tuvo como objetivo realizar una aproximación a la relación entre la Educación Física y la Educación para el Desarrollo Sostenible, desde las diferentes tendencias, las aportaciones a los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible y el vínculo competencial entre ambas. Se empleó el análisis documental, en particular el análisis de contenido, en función de conformar la estructura interna de la información desde la inferencia, a partir de datos no cuantificables y se emplearon métodos complementarios como el análisis, la síntesis, deducción-inducción, el análisis histórico lógico y la educación comparada. Entre los resultados obtenidos estuvieron la determinación de una nueva tendencia de la Educación Física, asociada a la Educación para el Desarrollo Sostenible, se identificó el marco legal que fundamenta la relación entre ambas áreas, se determinaron las concepciones de la Educación Física, desde la Educación para el Desarrollo Sostenible y se encontraron metas específicas, potencialmente pedagógicas de los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible que vinculan las competencias entre ellas.

A Educação Física está presente nos currículos dos sistemas educacionais de quase todos os países e traz benefícios reconhecidos à formação integral dos alunos, pois nas visões atuais está a serviço do desenvolvimento humano; Contudo, as abordagens de ensino-aprendizagem predominantes ignoram os postulados fundamentais da Educação para o Desenvolvimento Sustentável e enfatizam apenas a dimensão ambiental. Assim, este artigo teve como objetivo fazer uma abordagem sobre a relação entre Educação Física e Educação para o Desenvolvimento Sustentável, a partir das diferentes tendências, das contribuições para os Objetivos de Desenvolvimento Sustentável e do vínculo de competências entre ambas. Utilizou-se a análise documental, em especial a análise de conteúdo, para formar a estrutura interna das informações oriundas da inferência, com base em dados não quantificáveis, e foram utilizados métodos complementares como análise, síntese, dedução-indução, análise histórica lógica e comparativa. Educação. Entre os resultados obtidos estiveram a determinação de uma nova tendência na Educação Física, associada à Educação para o Desenvolvimento Sustentável, foi identificado o quadro legal que fundamenta a relação entre ambas as áreas, foram determinadas as concepções de Educação Física, desde a Educação para o Desenvolvimento Sustentável e específicas, foram encontradas metas potencialmente pedagógicas dos Objetivos de Desenvolvimento Sustentável que vinculam as competências entre eles.

Physical Education is present in the curricula of educational systems in almost all countries and brings recognized benefits to the comprehensive education of students, since in current visions it is at the service of human development; however, the predominant teaching-learning approaches ignore the fundamental postulates of Education for Sustainable Development and emphasize only the environmental dimension. Hence, this article aimed to make an approach to the relationship between Physical Education and Education for Sustainable Development, from the different trends, the contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals and the competency link between both. Documentary analysis was applied, in particular content analysis, in order to form the internal structure of the information from inference, based on non-quantifiable data and complementary methods were used such as analysis, synthesis, deduction-induction, historical analysis logic and comparative education. Among the results obtained were the determination of a new trend in Physical Education, associated with Education for Sustainable Development, the legal framework that bases the relationship between both areas was identified, the conceptions of Physical Education were determined, from Education for Sustainable Development and specific, potentially pedagogical goals of the Sustainable Development Goals were found that link the competencies between them.

Tuning Superinductors by Quantum Coherence Effects for Enhancing Quantum Computing.

Research on spatially inhomogeneous weakly coupled superconductors has recently received a boost of interest because of the experimental observation of a dramatic enhancement of the kinetic inductance with relatively low losses. Here, we study the kinetic inductance and the quality factor of a strongly disordered, weakly coupled superconducting thin film. We employ a gauge-invariant random-phase approximation capable of describing collective excitations and other fluctuations. In line with the experimental findings, we have found that in the range of frequencies of interest, and for sufficiently low temperatures, an exponential increase of the kinetic inductance with disorder coexists with a still large quality factor of ∼10^{4}. More interestingly, on the metallic side of the superconductor-insulator transition, we have identified a range of frequencies and temperatures, T∼0.1T_{c}, where quantum coherence effects induce a broad statistical distribution of the quality factor with an average value that increases with disorder. We expect these findings to further stimulate experimental research on the design and optimization of superinductors for a better performance and miniaturization of quantum devices such as qubit circuits and microwave detectors.

Dominance of Replica Off-Diagonal Configurations and Phase Transitions in a PT Symmetric Sachdev-Ye-Kitaev Model.

We show that, after ensemble averaging, the low temperature phase of a conjugate pair of uncoupled, quantum chaotic, non-Hermitian systems such as the Sachdev-Ye-Kitaev (SYK) model or the Ginibre ensemble of random matrices is dominated by saddle points that couple replicas and conjugate replicas. This results in a nearly flat free energy that terminates in a first-order phase transition. In the case of the SYK model, we show explicitly that the spectrum of the effective replica theory has a gap. These features are strikingly similar to those induced by wormholes in the gravity path integral which suggests a close relation between both configurations. For a nonchaotic SYK, the results are qualitatively different: the spectrum is gapless in the low temperature phase and there is an infinite number of second order phase transitions unrelated to the restoration of replica symmetry.

Effects of a Novel Infant Formula on Weight Gain, Body Composition, Safety and Tolerability to Infants: The INNOVA 2020 Study.

Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for the first six months of life to promote adequate infant growth and development, and to reduce infant morbidity and mortality. However, whenever some mothers are not able to breastfeed their infants, infant formulas mimicking human milk are needed, and the safety and efficacy of each formula should be tested. Here, we report the results of a multicenter, randomized, blinded, controlled clinical trial that aimed to evaluate a novel starting formula on weight gain and body composition of infants up to 6 and 12 months, as well as safety and tolerability. For the intervention period, infants were divided into three groups: group 1 received formula 1 (Nutribén® Innova 1 (Alter Farmacia S.A., Madrid, Spain) or INN (n = 70)), with a lower amount of protein, a lower casein to whey protein ratio by increasing the content of α-lactalbumin, and a double amount of docosahexaenoic acid/arachidonic acid than the standard formula; it also contained a thermally inactivated postbiotic (Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis, BPL1TM HT). Group 2 received the standard formula or formula 2 (Nutriben® Natal (Alter Farmacia S.A., Madrid, Spain) or STD (n = 70)) and the third group was exclusively breastfed for exploratory analysis and used as a reference (BFD group (n = 70)). During the study, visits were made at 21 days and 2, 4, 6, and 12 months of age. Weight gain was higher in both formula groups than in the BFD group at 6 and 12 months, whereas no differences were found between STD and INN groups either at 6 or at 12 months. Likewise, body mass index was higher in infants fed the two formulas compared with the BFD group. Regarding body composition, length, head circumference and tricipital/subscapular skinfolds were alike between groups. The INN formula was considered safe as weight gain and body composition were within the normal limits, according to WHO standards. The BFD group exhibited more liquid consistency in the stools compared to both formula groups. All groups showed similar digestive tolerance and infant behavior. However, a higher frequency of gastrointestinal symptoms was reported by the STD formula group (n = 291), followed by the INN formula (n = 282), and the BFD groups (n = 227). There were fewer respiratory, thoracic, and mediastinal disorders among BFD children. Additionally, infants receiving the INN formula experienced significantly fewer general disorders and disturbances than those receiving the STD formula. Indeed, atopic dermatitis, bronchitis, and bronchiolitis were significantly more prevalent among infants who were fed the STD formula compared to those fed the INN formula or breastfed. To evaluate whether there were significant differences between formula treatments, beyond growth parameters, it would seem necessary to examine more precise health biomarkers and to carry out long-term longitudinal studies.

Chaotic-Integrable Transition in the Sachdev-Ye-Kitaev Model.

Quantum chaos is one of the distinctive features of the Sachdev-Ye-Kitaev (SYK) model, N Majorana fermions in 0+1 dimensions with infinite-range two-body interactions, which is attracting a lot of interest as a toy model for holography. Here we show analytically and numerically that a generalized SYK model with an additional one-body infinite-range random interaction, which is a relevant perturbation in the infrared, is still quantum chaotic and retains most of its holographic features for a fixed value of the perturbation and sufficiently high temperature. However, a chaotic-integrable transition, characterized by the vanishing of the Lyapunov exponent and spectral correlations given by Poisson statistics, occurs at a temperature that depends on the strength of the perturbation. We speculate about the gravity dual of this transition.

Monitorización neurofisiológica intraoperatoria en España: inicios, situación actual y perspectivas de futuro / Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring in Spain: its beginnings, current situation and future prospects

La monitorización neurofisiológica intraoperatoria (MNIO) es hoy en día una herramienta más dentro del quirófano que busca evitar secuelas neurológicas derivadas del acto quirúrgico. Nuestro objetivo, desde la Asociación de Monitorización Intraquirúrgica Neurofisiológica Española (AMINE), en colaboración con la Sociedad Española de Neurofisiología Clínica (SENFC) y el Grupo de Trabajo de MNIO de la SENFC, ha sido recopilar datos para conocer la situación actual de la MNIO en España por hospitales, comunidades autónomas y ciudades autónomas de Ceuta y Melilla, las opiniones de los especialistas en neurofisiología clínica involucrados en este tema y las perspectivas de futuro. La recopilación de los datos se ha realizado durante el período de noviembre de 2015 a mayo de 2016 mediante contacto telefónico o correo electrónico con especialistas de neurofisiología clínica del Sistema Nacional de Salud, y mediante una encuesta vía informática en la que también participaron algunos centros sanitarios privados. Con los datos obtenidos consideramos desde la perspectiva de la AMINE y la SENFC que el campo de la medicina que abarca la MNIO en estos momentos es muy amplio y seguirá creciendo. Por eso, se precisa un mayor número de especialistas en neurofisiología clínica, así como una mayor formación específica dentro de la especialidad, que implica incrementar el período formativo actual de los médicos internos residentes en función a competencias debido al incremento de las técnicas/procedimientos, así como su complejidad

Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) is nowadays another tool within the operating room that seeks to avoid neurological sequels derived from the surgical act. The Spanish Neurophysiological Intra-Surgical Monitoring Association (AMINE) in collaboration with the Spanish Society of Clinical Neurophysiology (SENFC), and the IONM Working Group of the SENFC has been collecting data in order to know the current situation of the IONM in Spain by hospitals, autonomous communities including the autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla, the opinions of the specialists in clinical neurophysiology involved in this topic and further forecasts regarding IONM. The data was gathered from November 2015 to May 2016 through telephone contact and/or email with specialists in clinical neurophysiology of the public National Health System, and through a computerized survey that also includes private healthcare centers. With the data obtained, from the perspective of AMINE and the SENFC we consider that nowadays the field of medicine covered by IONM is considerably large and it is foreseen that it will continue to grow. Therefore, a greater number of specialists in Clinical Neurophysiology will be required, as well as the need for specific training within the specialty that involves increasing the training period of MIRs based on competencies due to the increase in techniques/procedures, as well as its complexity

An Interoperable System toward Cardiac Risk Stratification from ECG Monitoring.

Many indices have been proposed for cardiovascular risk stratification from electrocardiogram signal processing, still with limited use in clinical practice. We created a system integrating the clinical definition of cardiac risk subdomains from ECGs and the use of diverse signal processing techniques. Three subdomains were defined from the joint analysis of the technical and clinical viewpoints. One subdomain was devoted to demographic and clinical data. The other two subdomains were intended to obtain widely defined risk indices from ECG monitoring: a simple-domain (heart rate turbulence (HRT)), and a complex-domain (heart rate variability (HRV)). Data provided by the three subdomains allowed for the generation of alerts with different intensity and nature, as well as for the grouping and scrutinization of patients according to the established processing and risk-thresholding criteria. The implemented system was tested by connecting data from real-world in-hospital electronic health records and ECG monitoring by considering standards for syntactic (HL7 messages) and semantic interoperability (archetypes based on CEN/ISO EN13606 and SNOMED-CT). The system was able to provide risk indices and to generate alerts in the health records to support decision-making. Overall, the system allows for the agile interaction of research and clinical practice in the Holter-ECG-based cardiac risk domain.

Relationship between central behavioral effects and peripheral sympathetic neurotransmission functionality during acute cocaine withdrawal syndrome in adult rats.

BACKGROUND: Acute cocaine withdrawal syndrome (ACWS) is characterized as a set of organic alterations triggered by abrupt discontinuation of chronic cocaine consumption, usually occurring at 24-40 hours after withdrawal. However, little is known about the relationship between central and peripheral sympathetic neurotransmission during ACWS. OBJECTIVE AND METHODS: We investigated the mechanisms involved in central and peripheral sympathetic neurotransmission and how ACWS affects the sympathetic functionality. Cocaine was administered twice daily for 5 days in Wistar rats (at least 5 in each group): on the first and second day, 15 mg/kg/i.p.; third day, 20 mg/kg/i.p.; and finally in the last two days, 30 mg/kg/i.p. Subsequently, at 1, 24, 48 and 120 h after cocaine administration the following experiments were done: (i) at the central level, behavioral tests of open-field and elevated plus maze; and (ii) at the peripheral level, tests of catecholamine release, function of α2-adrenergic receptors (α2-ARs), imidazoline receptors (I(1,2)-Rs), L-type voltage-gated (Ca(v1.2)) Ca(2+) channels and α1-ARs. RESULTS: During ACWS, rats showed hypolocomotion and exacerbation of anxiogenic-effects 24 h after cocaine withdrawal. Likewise, a decrease in the catecholamine release and activity of α2-ARs/I(1,2)-Rs at 24-48 h after cocaine withdrawal was observed. A decrease in Ca(v1.2) channels and α1-ARs function at 48 h after cocaine withdrawal was observed. CONCLUSIONS: The relationship of central and peripheral sympathetic neurotransmission during ACWS possibly due to a failure in activation and/or inactivation of presynaptic α2-ARs/I(1,2)-Rs, may offer a potential target for attenuating ACWS.

Structural and theoretical studies on rhodium and iridium complexes with 5-nitrosopyrimidines. Effects on the proteolytic regulatory enzymes of the renin-angiotensin system in human tumoral brain cells.

The reactions of [RhCl(CO)(PPh3)2], [RhCl(CO)2]2 and [IrCl(CO)(PPh3)2] with different 5-nitrosopyrimidines afforded sixteen complexes which have been structurally characterized by elemental analysis, IR and NMR ((1)H and (13)C) spectral methods and luminescence spectroscopy. The crystal and molecular structures of [Rh(III)Cl(VIOH-1)2(PPh3)], [Rh(III)Cl(DVIOH-1)2(PPh3)] and [Rh(II)(DVIOH-1)2(PPh3)2] have been established from single crystal x-ray structure analyses. The three complexes are six-coordinated with both violurato ligands into an equatorial N5,O4-bidentate fashion, but with different mutually arrangements. Theoretical studies were driven on the molecular structure of [Rh(III)Cl(VIOH-1)2(PPh3)] to assess the nature of the metal-ligand interaction as well as the foundations of the cis-trans (3L-2L) isomerism. An assortment of density functional (SOGGA11-X, B1LYP, B3LYP, B3LYP-D3 and wB97XD) has been used, all of them leading to a similar description of the target system. Thus, a topological analysis of the electronic density within AIM scheme and the study of the Mulliken charges yield a metal-ligand link of ionic character. Likewise, it has been proved that the cis-trans isomerism is mainly founded on that metal-ligand interaction with the relativistic effects playing a significant role. Although most of the compounds showed low direct toxicity against the human cell lines NB69 (neuroblastoma) and U373-MG (astroglioma), they differently modify in several ways the renin-angiotensin system (RAS)-regulating proteolytic regulatory enzymes aminopeptidase A (APA), aminopeptidase N (APN) and insulin-regulated aminopeptidase (IRAP). Therefore, these complexes could exert antitumor activity against both brain tumor types, acting through the paracrine regulating system mediated by tissue RAS rather than exerting a direct cytotoxic effect on tumor cells.

[Prevalence of nutritional risk evaluated with NRS-2002 in Mexican oncology population]. / Prevalencia de riesgo de desnutrición evaluada con NRS-2002 en Población Oncológica Mexicana.

OBJECTIVE: Hospitalized patients have high risk of malnutrition, specially those with cancer. There are some screening tools that lead to the detection of malnutrition in hospitalized patients, as Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS-2002), which we used in Mexican population with cancer at the moment of hospital admission to determine the prevalence of malnutrition risk, and to determine as well as the best predictive item to measuring nutritional risk in our population. METHODOLOGY: Nutritional status in cancer patients with NRS 2002 during hospital admission was assessed. To the analysis of variable non statistical parametric tests, student-t test, Pearson and Spearman test, as well as ANOVA test were used. To determine the best item for predicting nutritional risk in Mexican population with cancer, a logistic regression test was applied. RESULTS: Of our population, 50.2% of were classified as patients in nutritional risk at hospital admission. Gender, age, normal levels of IMC lower than 20.5, food intake, weight loss and hematological cancer were associated with nutritional risk (p < 0.05). The best model of logistic regression for predicting nutritional risk were the same used by NRS-2002 questionnaire (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Malnutrition prevalence is high in cancer patients and NRS-2002 is a reliable tool for predicting nutritional risk in Mexican population with cancer.

OBJETIVOS: Los pacientes hospitalizados tienen un riesgo alto desnutrición, especialmente aquellos con cáncer. Existen herramientas que evalúan el estado nutricional en pacientes hospitalizados como el Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS-2002), el cual usamos en el presente trabajo en población mexicana con cáncer durante su hospitalización, para determinar la prevalencia de riesgo de desnutrición y los factores del NRS 2002 que más se asocian al riesgo nutricional. MÉTODOS: Se evaluó el estado nutricional de pacientes con cáncer con el tamizaje NRS-2002, durante su ingreso hospitalario. Se utilizó pruebas estadísticas no paramétricas, la prueba t de student, correlación de Pearson y Spearman, y ANOVA para contrastar las variables que se asocien con riesgo nutricional y por medio de modelos de regresión logística se determinó los ítems del cuestionario de mejor predicción de riesgo de desnutrición en población oncológica mexicana. RESULTADOS: El riesgo nutricional se presentó en el 50,2% de los pacientes durante su ingreso hospitalario. Los factores que más se asocia al riesgo nutricional fueron género, edad, niveles de IMC menores a 20,5, pérdida de peso e ingesta de alimentos y el cáncer hematológico (p < 0,05). El modelo que mejor predijo la presencia de riesgo de desnutrición en nuestra población fueron las mismas variables categorizadas que utiliza la presente encuesta de tamizaje NRS-2002 (p < 0,05). CONCLUSIONES: La prevalencia de desnutrición en el paciente con cáncer es alta y el NRS-2002 es una herramienta confiable en la predicción de riesgo de desnutrición en población oncológica mexicana.

Dissipation in a simple model of a topological Josephson junction.

The topological features of low-dimensional superconductors have created a lot of excitement recently because of their broad range of applications in quantum information and their potential to reveal novel phases of quantum matter. A potential problem for practical applications is the presence of phase slips that break phase coherence. Dissipation in nontopological superconductors suppresses phase slips and can restore long-range order. Here, we investigate the role of dissipation in a topological Josephson junction. We show that the combined effects of topology and dissipation keep phase and antiphase slips strongly correlated so that the device is superconducting even under conditions where a nontopological device would be resistive. The resistive transition occurs at a critical value of the dissipation that is 4 times smaller than that expected for a conventional Josephson junction. We propose that this difference could be employed as a robust experimental signature of topological superconductivity.

Prevalencia de riesgo de desnutrición evaluada con NRS-2002 en población oncológica mexicana / Prevalence of nutritional risk evaluated with NRS-2002 in Mexican oncology population

Objetivos: Los pacientes hospitalizados tienen un riesgo alto desnutrición, especialmente aquellos con cáncer. Existen herramientas que evalúan el estado nutricional en pacientes hospitalizados como el Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS-2002), el cual usamos en el presente trabajo en población mexicana con cáncer durante su hospitalización, para determinar la prevalencia de riesgo de desnutrición y los factores del NRS 2002 que más se asocian al riesgo nutricional. Métodos: Se evaluó el estado nutricional de pacientes con cáncer con el tamizaje NRS-2002, durante su ingreso hospitalario. Se utilizó pruebas estadísticas no paramétricas, la prueba t de student, correlación de Pearson y Spearman, y ANOVA para contrastar las variables que se asocien con riesgo nutricional y por medio de modelos de regresión logística se determinó los ítems del cuestionario de mejor predicción de riesgo de desnutrición en población oncológica mexicana. Resultados: El riesgo nutricional se presentó en el 50,2% de los pacientes durante su ingreso hospitalario. Los factores que más se asocia al riesgo nutricional fueron género, edad, niveles de IMC menores a 20,5, pérdida de peso e ingesta de alimentos y el cáncer hematológico (p < 0,05). El modelo que mejor predijo la presencia de riesgo de desnutrición en nuestra población fueron las mismas variables categorizadas que utiliza la presente encuesta de tamizaje NRS-2002 (p < 0,05). Conclusiones: La prevalencia de desnutrición en el paciente con cáncer es alta y el NRS-2002 es una herramienta confiable en la predicción de riesgo de desnutrición en población oncológica mexicana (AU)

Objective: Hospitalized patients have high risk of malnutrition, specially those with cancer. There are some screening tools that lead to the detection of malnutrition in hospitalized patients, as Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS-2002), which we used in Mexican population with cancer at the moment of hospital admission to determine the prevalence of malnutrition risk, and to determine as well as the best predictive item to measuring nutritional risk in our population. Methodology: Nutritional status in cancer patients with NRS 2002 during hospital admission was assessed. To the analysis of variable non statistical parametric tests, student-t test, Pearson and Spearman test, as well as ANOVA test were used. To determine the best item for predicting nutritional risk in Mexican population with cancer, a logistic regression test was applied. Results: Of our population, 50.2% of were classified as patients in nutritional risk at hospital admission. Gender, age, normal levels of IMC lower than 20.5, food intake, weight loss and hematological cancer were associated with nutritional risk (p < 0.05). The best model of logistic regression for predicting nutritional risk were the same used by NRS-2002 questionnaire (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Malnutrition prevalence is high in cancer patients and NRS-2002 is a reliable tool for predicting nutritional risk in Mexican population with cancer (AU)

Antiproliferative effects of palladium(II) complexes of 5-nitrosopyrimidines and interactions with the proteolytic regulatory enzymes of the renin-angiotensin system in tumoral brain cells.

Seventeen new palladium(II) complexes of general formulaes PdCl2L, PdCl(LH-1)(solvent) and PdCl2(PPh3)2L containing pyrimidine ligands derived from 6-amino-5-nitrosouracil and violuric acid have been prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, IR and NMR ((1)H and (13)C) methods and, two of them, PdCl(DANUH-1)(CH3CN)]·½H2O and [PdCl(2MeOANUH-1)(CH3CN)] by X-ray single-crystal diffraction (DANU: 6-amino-1,3-dimethyl-5-nitrosouracil; 2MeOANU: 6-amino-2-methoxy-5-nitroso-3H-pyrimidin-4-one). The coordination environment around palladium is nearly square planar in the two compounds with different supramolecular arrangements. Crystallographic and spectral data are consistent with a bidentate coordination mode through N5 and O4 atoms when the ligands act in neutral form and N5 and N6 atoms in the monodeprotonated ones. The cytotoxicity of the complexes against human neuroblastoma (NB69) and human glioma (U373-MG) cell lines has been tested showing a considerable antiproliferative activity. Also, the study of the effects of palladium(II) complexes on the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) regulating proteolytic regulatory enzymes aminopeptidase A (APA), aminopeptidase N (APN) and insulin-regulated aminopeptidase (IRAP) shows a strong dependence on the compound tested and the tumoral cell type, also affecting different catalytic routes; the compounds affect in a different way the activities of enzymes of the RAS system, changing their functional roles as initiators of cell proliferation in tumors as autocrine/paracrine mediators.

A potential antitumor agent, (6-amino-1-methyl-5-nitrosouracilato-N3)-triphenylphosphine-gold(I): structural studies and in vivo biological effects against experimental glioma.

The synthesis and molecular and supramolecular structures of the compound (6-amino-1-methyl-5-nitrosouracilato-N3)-triphenylphosphine-gold(I) with interesting abilities to inhibit tumor growth in an animal model of experimental glioma are reported. Thus, its antitumor properties, effects on both enzyme and non-enzyme antioxidant defense systems and the response of several biochemical biomarkers have been analyzed. After seven days of treatment, the gold compound decreased the tumor growth to ca. one-tenth and reduced oxidative stress biomarkers (thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) and protein oxidation levels) compared to animals treated with the vehicle. Also, gold compound maintained non-enzyme antioxidant defense systems as in non-tumor animals and increased enzyme antioxidant defenses, such as superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities, and decreased catalase activity. Analysis of serum levels of electrolytes, nitrogenous compounds, glucose, lipids, total protein, albumin, transaminases and alkaline phosphatase indicated that gold compound treatment showed few adverse effects, while effectively inhibiting tumor growth through mechanisms that involved endogenous antioxidant defenses.

Quantum quenches in disordered systems: approach to thermal equilibrium without a typical relaxation time.

We study spectral properties and the dynamics after a quench of one-dimensional spinless fermions with short-range interactions and long-range random hopping. We show that a sufficiently fast decay of the hopping term promotes localization effects at finite temperature, which prevents thermalization even if the classical motion is chaotic. For slower decays, we find that thermalization does occur. However, within this model, the latter regime falls in an unexpected universality class, namely, observables exhibit a power-law (as opposed to an exponential) approach to their thermal expectation values.

Theoretical description of the superconducting state of nanostructures at intermediate temperatures: a combined treatment of collective modes and fluctuations.

A rigorous treatment of the combined effect of thermal and quantum fluctuations in a zero-dimensional superconductor is considered one of the most relevant and still-unsolved problems in the theory of nanoscale superconductors. In this Letter, we notice that the divergences that plagued previous calculations are avoided by identifying and treating nonperturbatively a low-energy collective mode. In this way, we obtain for the first time closed expressions for the partition function and the superconducting order parameter which include both types of fluctuation and are valid at any temperature and to leading order in δ/Δ(0), where δ is the mean level spacing and Δ(0) is the bulk energy gap. Our results pave the way for a quantitative description of superconductivity in nanostructures at finite temperature and pairing in hot nuclei.

Observation of shell effects in superconducting nanoparticles of Sn.

In a zero-dimensional superconductor, quantum size effects (QSE) not only set the limit to superconductivity, but are also at the heart of new phenomena such as shell effects, which have been predicted to result in large enhancements of the superconducting energy gap. Here, we experimentally demonstrate these QSE through measurements on single, isolated Pb and Sn nanoparticles. In both systems superconductivity is ultimately quenched at sizes governed by the dominance of the quantum fluctuations of the order parameter. However, before the destruction of superconductivity, in Sn nanoparticles we observe giant oscillations in the superconducting energy gap with particle size leading to enhancements as large as 60%. These oscillations are the first experimental proof of coherent shell effects in nanoscale superconductors. Contrarily, we observe no such oscillations in the gap for Pb nanoparticles, which is ascribed to the suppression of shell effects for shorter coherence lengths. Our study paves the way to exploit QSE in boosting superconductivity in low-dimensional systems.