We investigate the conditions to entangle two qubits interacting with local environments driven by a continuous-variable correlated field. We find the conditions to transfer the entanglement from the driving field to the qubits both in dynamical and steady-state cases. We see how the quantum correlations initially present in the driving field play a critical role in the entanglement-transfer process. The system we treat is general enough to be adapted to different physical setups.

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We present a phase-imaging technique to quantitatively study the three-dimensional structure of cells. The method, based on the simultaneous dual-wavelength digital holography, allows for higher axial range at which the unambiguous phase imaging can be performed. The technique is capable of nanometer axial resolution. The noise level, which increases as a result of using two wavelengths, is then reduced to the level of a single wavelength. The method compares favorably to software unwrapping, as the technique does not produce non-existent phase steps. Curvature mismatch between the reference and object beams is numerically compensated. The 3D images of SKOV-3 ovarian cancer cells are presented.

Liver allograft recipients may develop a hyperdynamic circulation and cardiac electrophysiologic abnormalities. The incidence of severe ventricular arrhythmias in liver allograft recipients during pulmonary artery (PA) catheterization was determined. One hundred five liver allograft recipients were studied prospectively; 5 of the patients with preexisting valvular heart disease, ischemic heart disease, or arrhythmias were excluded. Severe ventricular arrhythmia, defined as 3 or more consecutive ventricular premature beats occurring at a rate of Ͼ100 per minute, was observed in 37.0% of the patients during insertion of the catheter and in 25.0% of the patients during removal of the catheter. Two patients developed ventricular tachycardia, and 2 developed ventricular fibrillation; the arrhythmias in these 4 patients did not respond to appropriate pharmacological treatment but resolved promptly after removal of the PA catheter. The catheter transit time from the right ventricle to the pulmonary capillary wedge position was longer in patients with severe ventricular arrhythmia than in those without this arrhythmia (91.6 Ϯ 103. Liver transplantation is commonly associated with the administration of large volumes of fluid and massive hemorrhaging; predisposing factors include abnormalities of blood coagulation, the presence of numerous collateral vessels, and prolonged periods of surgery. Patients with end-stage chronic liver disease have a hyperdynamic circulation, features of which include increased cardiac output, tachycardia, and decreased systemic vascular resistance (SVR). These changes are associated with extensive arteriovenous communications and release of systemic vasodilators, such as glucagon, nitric oxide, ferritin, and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide. 1 Severe pulmonary hypertension or intrapulmonary arteriovenous shunts also occur in such patients. 2 Severe pulmonary hypertension is a contraindication to liver transplantation. Assessments of ventricular function are required throughout this procedure. Accordingly, in most centers, a pulmonary artery (PA) catheter is inserted routinely to evaluate cardiac function. The development of arrhythmias during the insertion of a PA catheter in patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery has been reported 3,4 (Fig. 1). However, the incidence of arrhythmias and hemodynamic changes in relation to the placement of a PA catheter in liver allograft recipients is unknown. Our experience with such patients suggests that the development of an arrhythmia commonly occurs during the insertion and removal of the catheter. The aim of this study was to examine prospectively arrhythmias and hemodynamic changes associated with PA catheterization in liver allograft recipients and to investigate possible factors responsible for these complications. PATIENTS AND METHODSThis study was approved by the local institutional review board on human studies; informed consent was