Invariant information and quantum state estimation

The invariant information introduced by Brukner and Zeilinger, Phys. Rev. Lett. 83, 3354 (1999), is reconsidered from the point of view of quantum state estimation. We show that it is directly related to the mean error of the standard reconstruction from the measurement of a complete set of mutually complementary observables. We give its generalization in terms of the Fisher information. Provided that the optimum reconstruction is adopted, the corresponding quantity loses its invariant character.Comment: 4 pages, no figure

Building an Integrated Enhanced Virtual Research Environment Metadata Catalogue

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to boost multidisciplinary research by the building of an integrated catalogue or research assets metadata. Such an integrated catalogue should enable researchers to solve problems or analyse phenomena that require a view across several scientific domains. Design/methodology/approach There are two main approaches for integrating metadata catalogues provided by different e-science research infrastructures (e-RIs): centralised and distributed. The authors decided to implement a central metadata catalogue that describes, provides access to and records actions on the assets of a number of e-RIs participating in the system. The authors chose the CERIF data model for description of assets available via the integrated catalogue. Analysis of popular metadata formats used in e-RIs has been conducted, and mappings between popular formats and the CERIF data model have been defined using an XML-based tool for description and automatic execution of mappings. Findings An integrated catalogue of research assets metadata has been created. Metadata from e-RIs supporting Dublin Core, ISO 19139, DCAT-AP, EPOS-DCAT-AP, OIL-E and CKAN formats can be integrated into the catalogue. Metadata are stored in CERIF RDF in the integrated catalogue. A web portal for searching this catalogue has been implemented. Research limitations/implications Only five formats are supported at this moment. However, description of mappings between other source formats and the target CERIF format can be defined in the future using the 3M tool, an XML-based tool for describing X3ML mappings that can then be automatically executed on XML metadata records. The approach and best practices described in this paper can thus be applied in future mappings between other metadata formats. Practical implications The integrated catalogue is a part of the eVRE prototype, which is a result of the VRE4EIC H2020 project. Social implications The integrated catalogue should boost the performance of multi-disciplinary research; thus it has the potential to enhance the practice of data science and so contribute to an increasingly knowledge-based society. Originality/value A novel approach for creation of the integrated catalogue has been defined and implemented. The approach includes definition of mappings between various formats. Defined mappings are effective and shareable.Published929-9514IT. Banche datiJCR Journa

Synchronizing inventory and transport within supply chain management

The problem considers synchronized optimization of inventory and transport, and focuses on producer-distributor relations. Particular attention is paid to developing a mathematical model and an optimization problem that can be used to minimize the overall distribution cost by an appropriate placement of warehouses and cross-docking points. Solutions to this problem are explored using genetic algorithms and ideas from graph/network theory. Note: there are three separate reports contained within the uploaded .pdf file

Critical manifold of an oscillatory reaction model with more than one fast variable

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Evaluation study of cobalt(II) and strontium(II) sorption-desorption behavior for selection of soil remediation technology

Sorption-desorption properties of cobalt(II) and strontium(II) ions were studied using a soil sample from the vicinity of the Serbian radioactive waste processing and interim storage facilities. The mobility of the cations in the soil was evaluated and compared with the intention to facilitate the selection of optimal remediation strategy in case of accidental soil contamination with radioactive cobalt-60 and strontium-90 isotopes. A systematic sorption study was performed through a series of batch experiments at different aging times, cation concentrations and pH. Kinetics experiments revealed that sorbed amounts of cobalt(II) continuously increased with contact time until quasi-equilibrium was reached, while initial fast strontium( II) sorption was followed by a desorption step. Based on the shapes of the sorption isotherms and calculated sorption parameters, it was concluded that cobalt(II) sorbed more selectively and strongly than strontium(II). Sequential extraction showed that, regardless of the initial content of contaminants in the soil and the aging time, high amounts of both cations were bonded to relatively mobile fractions: strontium(II) in the exchangeable, while cobalt( II) in the carbonate and ferromanganese oxide fraction. Strontium(II) was readily desorbed in acidic, calcium(II) and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid-containing media, whereas complexing agents such as citric and tartaric acids at low pH were more effective reagents for cobalt(II) desorption. The results from the present study indicate that chemical extraction can be considered as remediation option for strontium(II)- and cobalt(II)-contaminated soil

Evaluation of the effects of treatment factors on the properties of bio-apatite materials

Animal bones have been studied as a resource of low-crystalline apatite for immobilization of toxic heavy metals. Chemical and thermal treatments can be applied for selective removal of bone organic constituents. In this study, the impact of different treatment factors was determined by experimental design methodology, and comparison of the estimated effects was performed in order to optimize the treatment conditions. Fractional factorial design with five variables at two levels was applied for factors screening. The type of chemical reagent (H2O2 or NaOH), its concentration (0.1 or 2 mol/L), reaction temperature (20 or 60 degrees C), contact time (1 or 3 h) and sample annealing (without or at 400 degrees C) were considered as process variables. Structural properties of bone sorbents, loss of ignition, point of zero charge, surface functional groups, specific surface area, chemical composition, and Cd2+ sorption efficiency, were selected as system responses. Samples significantly differed in respect to the organic phase content and composition, thus mechanisms of Cd2+ sorption were complex. Statistical analysis has revealed that, between all studied factors, temperature treatment was the most important for sorbents increased specific surface area, porosity and cation sorption. Furthermore, NaOH was more effective than H2O2, while the effects produced by variation of other factors were less pronounced. The highest proportion of bio-apatite with desired low crystallinity and high specific surface area was achieved by synergetic effects of chemical treatment with NaOH and thermal treatment at 400 degrees C

Building an Integrated Enhanced Virtual Research Environment Metadata Catalogue

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to boost multidisciplinary research by the building of an integrated catalogue or research assets metadata. Such an integrated catalogue should enable researchers to solve problems or analyse phenomena that require a view across several scientific domains. Design/methodology/approach There are two main approaches for integrating metadata catalogues provided by different e-science research infrastructures (e-RIs): centralised and distributed. The authors decided to implement a central metadata catalogue that describes, provides access to and records actions on the assets of a number of e-RIs participating in the system. The authors chose the CERIF data model for description of assets available via the integrated catalogue. Analysis of popular metadata formats used in e-RIs has been conducted, and mappings between popular formats and the CERIF data model have been defined using an XML-based tool for description and automatic execution of mappings. Findings An integrated catalogue of research assets metadata has been created. Metadata from e-RIs supporting Dublin Core, ISO 19139, DCAT-AP, EPOS-DCAT-AP, OIL-E and CKAN formats can be integrated into the catalogue. Metadata are stored in CERIF RDF in the integrated catalogue. A web portal for searching this catalogue has been implemented. Research limitations/implications Only five formats are supported at this moment. However, description of mappings between other source formats and the target CERIF format can be defined in the future using the 3M tool, an XML-based tool for describing X3ML mappings that can then be automatically executed on XML metadata records. The approach and best practices described in this paper can thus be applied in future mappings between other metadata formats. Practical implications The integrated catalogue is a part of the eVRE prototype, which is a result of the VRE4EIC H2020 project. Social implications The integrated catalogue should boost the performance of multi-disciplinary research; thus it has the potential to enhance the practice of data science and so contribute to an increasingly knowledge-based society. Originality/value A novel approach for creation of the integrated catalogue has been defined and implemented. The approach includes definition of mappings between various formats. Defined mappings are effective and shareable

Study of factors affecting Ni2+ immobilization efficiency by temperature activated red mud

The waste red mud, remaining in remarkable quantities after the digestion of bauxite ores following the Bayer process, contains number of voluble minerals with excellent sorption properties towards aqueous heavy metals. Heating at 600 degrees C was found to be a favorable treatment for revalorization of rinsed red mud into an efficient Ni2+ sorbent (RBRM600). As potential practical application of RBRM600 for Ni2+ accumulation greatly depends on the solution composition and pH, the influence of these vital process variables was considered in this study. The initial pH rise from 2 to 3.5 caused the most evident increase in the amounts of Ni2+ removed: furthermore, the effect was more obvious for lower initial sorbate concentrations. Conversely, changes of the solution pH between 3.5 and 8 did not have a significant influence on the sorption. The increase of initial cation concentration caused the increase of the sorbed amount. following Langmuir isotherm model. The calculated maximum sorption capacity of 27.54 mg/g demonstrated capacity increase of approximately 20% in respect to inactivated rinsed red mud. Coexisting cations inhibited Ni2+ removal in the following order: Cu2+ GT Pb2+ GT = Zn2+ GT Cd2+ GT GT Ca2+, whereas the presence of Na+ and K+ did not affect the process. The investigated anions caused decrease of Ni2+ removal efficiency in the order: EDTA GT chromate GT acetate GT sulphate, however, fluoride slightly improved sorption. Low desorption of Ni2+ in various media showed that the heavy metal cations are tightly bound to RBRM600 surface, thus disposal or reuse of spent sorbent should be considered. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved