Experimental multiparameter quantum metrology in adaptive regime

Relevant metrological scenarios involve the simultaneous estimation of multiple parameters. The fundamental ingredient to achieve quantum-enhanced performances is based on the use of appropriately tailored quantum probes. However, reaching the ultimate resolution allowed by physical laws requires non trivial estimation strategies both from a theoretical and a practical point of view. A crucial tool for this purpose is the application of adaptive learning techniques. Indeed, adaptive strategies provide a flexible approach to obtain optimal parameter-independent performances, and optimize convergence to the fundamental bounds with limited amount of resources. Here, we combine on the same platform quantum-enhanced multiparameter estimation attaining the corresponding quantum limit and adaptive techniques. We demonstrate the simultaneous estimation of three optical phases in a programmable integrated photonic circuit, in the limited resource regime. The obtained results show the possibility of successfully combining different fundamental methodologies towards transition to quantum sensors applications

Antegrade selective cerebral perfusion in patients with "bovine aortic arch": is it easier?

[No abstract available

A spatial multi-scale fluorescence microscopy toolbox discloses entry checkpoints of SARS-CoV-2 variants in Vero E6 cells

: We exploited a multi-scale microscopy imaging toolbox to address some major issues related to SARS-CoV-2 interactions with host cells. Our approach harnesses both conventional and super-resolution fluorescence microscopy and easily matches the spatial scale of single-virus/cell checkpoints. After its validation through the characterization of infected cells and virus morphology, we leveraged this toolbox to reveal subtle issues related to the entry phase of SARS-CoV-2 variants in Vero E6 cells. Our results show that in Vero E6 cells the B.1.1.7 strain (aka Alpha Variant of Concern) is associated with much faster kinetics of endocytic uptake compared to its ancestor B.1.177. Given the cell-entry scenario dominated by the endosomal "late pathway", the faster internalization of B.1.1.7 could be directly related to the N501Y mutation in the S protein, which is known to strengthen the binding of Spike receptor binding domain with ACE2. Remarkably, we also directly observed the central role of clathrin as a mediator of endocytosis in the late pathway of entry. In keeping with the clathrin-mediated endocytosis, we highlighted the non-raft membrane localization of ACE2. Overall, we believe that our fluorescence microscopy-based approach represents a fertile strategy to investigate the molecular features of SARS-CoV-2 interactions with cells

Adaptive space-time-frequency coding schemes for MIMO OFDM

In this paper, some novel results on adaptive space-time-frequency (STF) coding schemes for multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) OFDM systems are illustrated. Such schemes result from the concatenation of conventional channel codes with orthogonal space-time block codes (STBCs). In the proposed channel codes, adaptivity can be implemented by adjusting the constellation/energy of the inner STBC code on a subcarrier by subcarrier basis via a space-frequency water-filling procedure and/or modifying some parameters, like the code rate and codeword size, of the outer code. Numerical results show that, in a MIMO OFDM systems with one or two receive antennas, using Alamouti's STBC, and without outer coding, STBC adaptivity can yield an appreciable energy gain over an unloaded system operating at the some data rate. The use of an additional outer code can provide a further substantial gain, at least for high signal-to-noise ratios

A comparison of inner coding options for adaptive MIMO OFDM systems

Some novel results concerning adaptive space-time-frequency coding schemes for MIMO OFDM systems are illustrated. In the proposed concatenated schemes, a conventional convolutional encoder is followed by a bit-wise interleaver and an inner orthogonal space-time encoder in order to exploit the space/frequency diversity provided by the frequency selective MIMO channel. Adaptivity can be implemented by adjusting the constellation size on a subcarrier by subcarrier basis by means of standard bit/energy-loading algorithms for SISO channels. An extension of the transmit selection diversity (TSD) technique for the two transmit/receive antenna scenario is also considered as an alternative to the inner ST code

Deep Renovation of the European building stock adopting Plug-and-Play solutions

The building sector has been identified as one of the key sectors to achieve the 20/20/20 targets of the European Union in consideration to the fact that buildings count for 40% of the EU\u2019s energy consumption, 36% of its CO2 emissions and 55% of its electricity consumption. Ninety percent of the existing building stock in Europe was built before 1990 and have reached the age for renovation. Therefor exist an urgent need for a significant improvement of energy efficiency through \u2018Deep renovation\u2019. Deep renovation is defined by the EU-Energy Efficiency Directive 2012/27/EU as refurbishment technical interventions which should address cost-effective deep renovations reducing the final energy consumption of a building by a significant percentage compared with the pre-renovation levels leading to a very high energy performance. The paper introduces the innovative methodology (4M - Mapping, Modelling, Making and Monitoring) and techniques regarding the \u2018Deep renovation\u2019 of the European building stock promoted by the P2ENDURE project funded by the European Union\u2019s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program grant number 723391. The project goal is to apply and monitor, on specific demo-cases, cost-effectiveness and energy efficiency renovating strategies proposing Plug-and-Play (PnP) solutions in consideration of fast on-site assembly, user-friendliness, reduction of construction errors. The prefab PnP technologies proposed regards building and MEP-HVAC components and are supported by Building Information Modelling to overcome the main barriers of deep renovation inside the building process

Deep Renovation of the European building stock adopting Plug-and-Play solutions

The building sector has been identified as one of the key sectors to achieve the 20/20/20 targets of the European Union in consideration to the fact that buildings count for 40% of the EU’s energy consumption, 36% of its CO2 emissions and 55% of its electricity consumption. Ninety percent of the existing building stock in Europe was built before 1990 and have reached the age for renovation. Therefor exist an urgent need for a significant improvement of energy efficiency through ‘Deep renovation’. Deep renovation is defined by the EU-Energy Efficiency Directive 2012/27/EU as refurbishment technical interventions which should address cost-effective deep renovations reducing the final energy consumption of a building by a significant percentage compared with the pre-renovation levels leading to a very high energy performance. The paper introduces the innovative methodology (4M - Mapping, Modelling, Making and Monitoring) and techniques regarding the ‘Deep renovation’ of the European building stock promoted by the P2ENDURE project funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program grant number 723391. The project goal is to apply and monitor, on specific demo-cases, cost-effectiveness and energy efficiency renovating strategies proposing Plug-and-Play (PnP) solutions in consideration of fast on-site assembly, user-friendliness, reduction of construction errors. The prefab PnP technologies proposed regards building and MEP-HVAC components and are supported by Building Information Modelling to overcome the main barriers of deep renovation inside the building process

Day-Ahead Hourly Forecasting of Power Generation from Photovoltaic Plants

The ability to accurately forecast power generation from renewable sources is nowadays recognised as a fundamental skill to improve the operation of power systems. Despite the general interest of the power community in this topic, it is not always simple to compare different forecasting methodologies, and infer the impact of single components in providing accurate predictions. In this paper we extensively compare simple forecasting methodologies with more sophisticated ones over 32 photovoltaic plants of different size and technology over a whole year. Also, we try to evaluate the impact of weather forecasts on the prediction of PV power generation