Deterministic Controlled-NOT gate for single-photon two-qubit quantum logic

We demonstrate a robust implementation of a deterministic linear-optical Controlled-NOT (CNOT) gate for single-photon two-qubit quantum logic. A polarization Sagnac interferometer with an embedded 45$^{\circ}$-oriented dove prism is used to enable the polarization control qubit to act on the momentum (spatial) target qubit of the same photon. The CNOT gate requires no active stabilization because the two spatial modes share a common path, and it is used to entangle the polarization and momentum qubits.Comment: 10 pages, 4 figures. Typos corrected, referee comments and correction

The Ecoremed protocol for an integrated agronomic approach to characterization and remediation of contaminated soils

Definition of a site as contaminated: Problems related to agricultural soils Massimo Fagnano.......... pp. 1-5 Geography of soil contamination for characterization and precision remediation of potentially contaminated sites Giuliano Langella, Antonietta Agrillo, Angelo Basile, Roberto De Mascellis, Piero Manna, Pierpaolo Moretti, Florindo Antonio Mileti, Fabio Terribile, Simona Vingiani.......... pp. 6-15 Assessing the bioavailability of potentially toxic elements in soil: A proposed approach Claudia Rocco, Diana Agrelli, Maria Tafuro, Antonio Giandonato Caporale, Paola Adamo.......... pp. 16-22 Use of the native vascular flora for risk assessment and management of an industrial contaminated soil Donato Visconti, Nunzio Fiorentino, Adriano Stinca, Ida Di Mola, Massimo Fagnano.......... pp. 23-33 Assisted phytoremediation for restoring soil fertility in contaminated and degraded land Nunzio Fiorentino, Mauro Mori, Vincenzo Cenvinzo, Luigi Giuseppe Duri, Laura Gioia, Donato Visconti, Massimo Fagnano.......... pp. 34-44 Bioassays for evaluation of sanitary risks from food crops cultivated in potentially contaminated sites Luigi Giuseppe Duri, Nunzio Fiorentino, Eugenio Cozzolino, Lucia Ottaiano, Diana Agrelli Massimo Fagnano.......... pp. 45-52 Responses of bacterial community structure and diversity to soil eco-friendly bioremediation treatments of two multi-contaminated fields Valeria Ventorino, Vincenza Faraco, Ida Romano, Olimpia Pepe.......... pp. 53-58 Monitoring and modelling the role of phytoremediation to mitigate non-point source cadmium pollution and groundwater contamination at field scale Mario Palladino, Paolo Nasta, Alessandra Capolupo, Nunzio Romano.......... pp. 59-6

Agronomic approaches for the remediation of contaminated soils

Contaminated soils can only be efficiently managed if proper procedures are adopted for evaluating the risks due to contamination as well as the actual volume of contaminated soil [...

Agronomic approaches for characterization, remediation, and monitoring of contaminated sites

With a view to conserving or improving soil ecosystem services, environment-friendly techniques, such as bio- and phytoremediation, can effectively be used for the characterization, risk assessment, and remediation of contaminated agricultural sites. Polyannual vegetation (meadows, poplar, and cane stands) is widely considered the most efficient tool for remediation (extraction of bioavailable fraction of contaminants), for undertaking safety measures (reducing the mobility of contaminants towards other environmental compartments), and for restoring the ecosystem services of contaminated agricultural sites (biomass production, groundwater protection, C storage, landscape quality improvement, and cultural and educational services). The roles of agronomic approaches will be reviewed by focusing on the various steps in the whole remediation process: (i) detailed environmental characterization; (ii) phytoremediation for reducing risks for the environment and human health; (iii) agronomic management for improving efficiency of phytoremediation; and (iv) biomass recycling in the win-win perspective of the circular economy

Planning for residential ‘value’? London’s densification policies and impacts

This paper considers the agency and influence of planning processes and densification policies on urban landscapes in London. Urban transformation through residential densification can bring opportunities for real estate development, combined with longer term investment and financial gains for local authorities through planning gain. However, the measurements and indicators used to define density and its impacts could be better understood both objectively and subjectively through the lens of an extended notion of ‘value’. Such experiences of density can be viewed bluntly as positive or negative. This research investigates nuanced dimensions of density and adopts a primarily qualitative approach, reflecting on relevant literature and wider policy context through a discourse analysis relating to densification in London. The idea of elements of ‘value’ is explored and evaluated in ongoing developments through a detailed case study of Nine Elms, London. Quantitative data on the residential real estate market is used to illustrate investment flows. Conclusions consider best practice policy recommendations in relation to understandings of ‘value’

Biofuel production with castor bean: A win-win strategy for marginal land

The urgency to reduce resource depletion and waste production is expected to lead to an economy based on renewable resources. Biofuels, for instance, are a great green alternative to fossil fuel, but they are currently derived from edible vegetable oils such as soybean, palm, and sunflower. Concerns have been raised about the social-economic implication and ecological impacts of biodiesel production. Cultivating new lands as biodiesel feedstock rather than food supply, with the consequent increase in food prices, leads to so-called indirect land-use change (ILUC). Establishing bioenergy crops with phytoremediation ability on contaminated soils offers multiple benefits such as improving soil properties and ecosystem services, decreasing soil erosion, and diminishing the dispersion of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) into the environment. Castor bean is an unpalatable, high-biomass plant, and it has been widely demonstrated to possess phytoremediation capability for several PTEs. Castor bean can grow on marginal lands not suitable for food crops, has multiple uses as a raw material, and is already used in biodiesel production. These characteristics make it perfect for sustainable biodiesel production. Linking biofuel production with environmental remediation can be considered a win-win strategy

Two-photon coincident-frequency-entanglement via extended phase matching

We demonstrate a new class of frequency-entangled states generated via spontaneous parametric down-conversion under extended phase matching conditions. Biphoton entanglement with coincident signal and idler frequencies is observed over a broad bandwidth in periodically poled KTiOPO$_4$. We demonstrate high visibility in Hong-Ou-Mandel interferometric measurements under pulsed pumping without spectral filtering, which indicates excellent frequency indistinguishability between the down-converted photons. The coincident-frequency entanglement source is useful for quantum information processing and quantum measurement applications.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, submitted to PR

Massive stellar systems: observational challenges and perspectives in the E-ELT era

We introduce the empirical framework concerning optical and near-infrared (NIR) photometry of crowded stellar fields. In particular, we address the impact that linear detectors and analytical PSF played in improving the accuracy and the precision of multi-band color-magnitude diagrams (CMDs). We focus our attention on recent findings based on deep NIR images collected with Adaptive Optics (AO) systems at the 8-10m class telescopes and discuss pros and cons of the different approaches. We also discuss the estimate of the absolute age of globular clusters using a well defined knee along the lower main sequence. We mention the role which the current AO-assisted instruments will have in addressing longstanding astrophysical problems of the Galactic center. Finally, we outline the role of first generation of E-ELT instruments upon photometry and spectroscopy of crowded stellar fields