Polarization entangled state measurement on a chip

The emerging strategy to overcome the limitations of bulk quantum optics consists of taking advantage of the robustness and compactness achievable by the integrated waveguide technology. Here we report the realization of a directional coupler, fabricated by femtosecond laser waveguide writing, acting as an integrated beam splitter able to support polarization encoded qubits. This maskless and single step technique allows to realize circular transverse waveguide profiles able to support the propagation of Gaussian modes with any polarization state. Using this device, we demonstrate the quantum interference with polarization entangled states and singlet state projection.Comment: Revtex, 5+2 pages (with supplementary information), 4+1 figure

2D equivalent linear analysis for the seismic vulnerability evaluation of multi-propped retaining structures

The evaluation of the seismic behaviour of underground structures represents one of the most actual seismic geotechnical and structural engineering research topics about the study of the complex phenomena of soil-structural interaction. In the last decades, different types of simplified and numerical approaches have been developed for the correct analysis of the seismic vulnerability of these important infrastructures and a series of laboratory tests for the seismic behaviour characterization of the soils (resonant column test, etc.) and of the coupled soil-structure system (centrifuge test, etc.) have been conducted, especially after the recent strong earthquakes where the underground structures have been subjected to significant damages. In the same way, in the last few years, the International Codes are beginning to pay attention to the concepts of the seismic design of these structures. Despite the significant development of knowledge, described above, still remain open several uncertainties of the correct reproduction of the underground structures behaviour under seismic load. In this paper, the evaluation of the seismic behaviour of a multi-propped retaining structure was conducted, considering the soil-structure interaction effects. The results of the 2D equivalent linear analysis are analysed in terms of bending moment acting on the concrete retaining walls.L‘évaluation du comportement sismique des structures souterraines représentent un des sujets de recherche les plus courants sismique, géotechnique et de construction, qui concerne l‘étude du phénomène complexe de l‘interaction sol-structure. Pendant les dernières décennies, différents types d‘approches simples et numeriques ont été développés pour une analyse exacte de la vulnérabilité sismique de ces infrastructures importantes et encore une série de tests de laboratoire pour la caractérisation du comportement sismique du sols (test de colonne résonnante etc.) et du système couplé du sol-structure (test de centrifugation etc.) ont été menées, après le fort tremblement de terre où les structures souterraines ont subi des dommages importants. De la même manière, pendant les dèrnieres années, les Codes Internationales ont commencé a prêter plus d‘attention aux concepts de désign sismique de ces structures. Malgré la considèrable connaissance, décrit ci-dessus, il y a quand même de l‘incertitude sur la correcte reproduction du comportement des structures sous charge sismique. Dans cet article, il a été mené l‘evaluation du comportement sismique des structures de soutenement multi-etayé, considérant que les effets de l‘interaction sol-structure. Les resultats de l‘analyse linéaire 2D equivalente sont analysées en termes de moment de flexion agissant sur les murs de soutènement en béton

Environmental performances in green labels for hotels – a critical review

The global attention towards climate change has led national governments and the international community to the definition of plans aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in all economic sectors. Recently, attention has focused also on the tourism sector, and especially on the lodging industry, which consumes high amounts of resources and energy to satisfy guests expectations in terms of offered services and comfort conditions. In this sector, eco-certifications or green labels are spreading, perceived as useful marketing tools to communicate the hoteliers’ environmental efforts to consumers, who are becoming more and more sensitive to ecological matters. However, the wide offer of green labels and the lack of appropriate information are contributing to increase costumers’ confusion and perception of real “green”. The present paper focuses its attention on a set of currently available tools to evaluate the environmental performances of hotels, in order to enquire if and to which extent they are able to inform about the sustainability of accommodation structures. Starting from the wide number of certification schemes available on the market, 19 multi-attribute, third-party green labels were compared, aiming to explore the role that energy efficiency measures play in the certification procedure

The advantages of fly ash use in concrete structures

In this paper the use of fly ash for particular High Strength Concrete (HSC) realizations is investigated. The use of fly ash as a partial replacement of Portland cement in HSC seems a valid solution in particular for a sustainable construction design, considering the interesting HSC performances (in terms of strength and durability) and the economic aspects (in terms of waste material's reuse from industrial process). Fly ashes have been employed in the past especially for underground structures. Nowadays, their use is under evaluation also for elevation structures. In this paper, the most important technical regulations about the use of fly ash for the concrete mix design are discussed. The increase of the mechanical resistance, the better protection against chemical agents attacks and freezing - thawing cycles using fly ashes are also show. Moreover, in comparison to the fresh concrete, the benefits related to the minor water/cement (w/c) ratio are presented, in the same workability conditions. Additional considerations are carried out about the hydration process: the mixture produces less heat for the lowering of the C3A and C3S percentages using fly ash. Finally, a greater concrete impermeability obtained using fly ash, due to the presence of a lower hydrolysis content, which leads to an increment of the cement paste porosity, has been evidenced. All of mentioned benefits shows the fly ash use in the High Strength Concrete (HSC) is a valid solution against many problems interested negatively the concrete mix - design and the mix - production

The use of fly ash in high strength concrete mix design

In this paper the use of fly ash for particular High Strength Concrete (HSC) realizations is investigated. The use of fly ash as a partial replacement of Portland cement in HSC seems a valid solution in particular for a sustainable construction design, considering the interesting HSC performances and the economic aspects. Obviously the advantages demonstrated for the underground constructions can be also evaluated for the structures in elevation. In this paper the most important technical regulations about the use of fly ash for the concrete mix design are discussed and it’s shown the increase of the mechanical resistance and the better protection against the chemical agents attacks and against the freezing and thawing cycles using fly ash. Moreover, in comparison to the fresh concrete, it’s presented the benefits related to the minor ratio water/cement (defined by w/c) in the same conditions of workability. Additional considerations are carried out about the hydration process: the mixture produces less heat for the lowering of the C3A and C3S percentages using fly ash. Finally, a greater concrete impermeability obtained using fly ash, due to the presence of a lower hydrolysis content, which leads to an increment of the cement paste porosity, has been evidence

Discrete transverse superconducting modes in nano-cylinders

Spatial variation in the superconducting order parameter becomes significant when the system is confined at dimensions well below the typical superconducting coherence length. Motivated by recent experimental success in growing single-crystal metallic nanorods, we study quantum confinement effects on superconductivity in a cylindrical nanowire in the clean limit. For large diameters, where the transverse level spacing is smaller than superconducting order parameter, the usual approximations of Ginzburg-Landau theory are recovered. However, under external magnetic field the order parameter develops a spatial variation much stronger than that predicted by Ginzburg-Landau theory, and gapless superconductivity is obtained above a certain field strength. At small diameters, the discrete nature of the transverse modes produces significant spatial variations in the order parameter with increased average magnitude and multiple shoulders in the magnetic response.Comment: 10 pages, 8 figure

Exploitation of dynamic simulation to investigate the effectiveness of the Smart Readiness Indicator: application to the Energy Center building of Turin

To achieve the energy and emissions reduction goals for the building sector, actions are needed to improve energy efficiency and occupants’ wellbeing. To increase the uptake of smart technologies and the awareness upon their benefits, in line with the smart building revolution that is starting, the EPBD recast introduced the Smart Readiness Indicator (SRI) as a tool to evaluate the capability of buildings to easily adapt to both energy systems and occupants’ needs. However, there is a growing interest in studying the SRI features in terms of performance assessment, and, thus, dynamic simulation models can be exploited to better analyze its points of strength and weakness. The Energy Center building of Turin was chosen as case study. By means of EnergyPlus modeling, the current situation was simulated, as well as different scenarios of energy management and control, evaluating to what extent these actions can influence the overall SRI assessment. The analysis allowed to deepen and comment on the effectiveness of the SRI of being a real tool of building behavior assessment, able to link the indicator itself with the energy needs of the building and to understand if and how the indicator is sensible to energy needs variations

Oral Supplementation With Sucrosomial Ferric Pyrophosphate Plus L-Ascorbic Acid to Ameliorate the Martial Status: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Altered martial indices before orthopedic surgery are associated with higher rates of complications and greatly affect the patient's functional ability. Oral supplements can optimize the preoperative martial status, with clinical efficacy and the patient's tolerability being highly dependent on the pharmaceutical formula. Patients undergoing elective hip/knee arthroplasty were randomized to be supplemented with a 30-day oral therapy of sucrosomial ferric pyrophosphate plus L-ascorbic acid. The tolerability was 2.7% among treated patients. Adjustments for confounding factors, such as iron absorption influencers, showed a relevant response limited to older patients ( 65 65 years old), whose uncharacterized Hb loss was averted upon treatment with iron formula. Older patients with no support lost -2.8 \ub1 5.1%, while the intervention group gained +0.7 \ub1 4.6% of circulating hemoglobin from baseline (p = 0.019). Gastrointestinal diseases, medications, and possible dietary factors could affect the efficacy of iron supplements. Future opportunities may consider to couple ferric pyrophosphate with other nutrients, to pay attention in avoiding absorption disruptors, or to implement interventions to obtain an earlier martial status optimization at the population level