Multi-dimensional entanglement generation with multi-core optical fibers

Trends in photonic quantum information follow closely the technical progress in classical optics and telecommunications. In this regard, advances in multiplexing optical communications channels have also been pursued for the generation of multi-dimensional quantum states (qudits), since their use is advantageous for several quantum information tasks. One current path leading in this direction is through the use of space-division multiplexing multi-core optical fibers, which provides a new platform for efficiently controlling path-encoded qudit states. Here we report on a parametric down-conversion source of entangled qudits that is fully based on (and therefore compatible with) state-of-the-art multi-core fiber technology. The source design uses modern multi-core fiber beam splitters to prepare the pump laser beam as well as measure the generated entangled state, achieving high spectral brightness while providing a stable architecture. In addition, it can be readily used with any core geometry, which is crucial since widespread standards for multi-core fibers in telecommunications have yet to be established. Our source represents an important step towards the compatibility of quantum communications with the next-generation optical networks.Comment: 9 pages, 7 figure

Filtration–UV irradiation as an option for mitigating the risk of microbiologically influenced corrosion of subsea construction alloys in seawater

The effect of filtration-UV irradiation of seawater on the biofilm activity on several offshore structural alloys was evaluated in a continuous flow system over 90 days. Biofilms ennobled the electrode potential by +400–500 mV within a few days of exposure to raw untreated seawater. Filtration-UV irradiation of the seawater delayed the ennoblement of the steels for up to 40 days and lowered localized corrosion rates in susceptible alloys. Ennobling biofilms were composed of microbial cells, diatoms and extracellular polymeric substances and the bacterial community in biofilms was affected by both the alloy composition and seawater treatment

The RAD project

Prosodic analysis of audio descriptions in the VIW corpus in Catalan / María Machuca (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona), Anna Matamala (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Antonio Ríos (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona) ; Localisation guidelines for translating AD from Spanish into Chinese: a first proposal / Yuchen Liu (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona), Irene Tor-Carroggio (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona), Sara Rovira-Esteva (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona), Helena Casas-Tost (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona) ; A comprehensive approach to opera audio description / Irene Hermosa-Ramírez (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona). Chair and general project presentation: Carme Mangiron (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

Outbreak of swine influenza in Argentina reveals a non-contemporary human H3N2 virus highly transmissible among pigs

Sporadic outbreaks of human H3N2 influenza A virus (IAV) infections in swine populations have been reported in Asia, Europe and North America since 1970. In South America, serological surveys in pigs indicate that IAVs of the H3 and H1 subtypes are currently in circulation; however, neither virus isolation nor characterization has been reported. In November 2008, an outbreak of respiratory disease in pigs consistent with swine influenza virus (SIV) infection was detected in Argentina. The current study describes the clinical epidemiology, pathology, and molecular and biological characteristics of the virus. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the virus isolate shared nucleotide identities of 96-98% with H3N2 IAVs that circulated in humans from 2000 to 2003. Antigenically, sera from experimentally inoculated animals cross-reacted mainly with noncontemporary human-origin H3N2 influenza viruses. In an experimental infection in a commercial swine breed, the virus was of low virulence but was transmitted efficiently to contact pigs and caused severe disease when an infected animal acquired a secondary bacterial infection. This is the first report of a wholly human H3N2 IAV associated with clinical disease in pigs in South America. These studies highlight the importance of two-way transmission of IAVs and SIVs between pigs and humans, and call for enhanced influenza surveillance in the pig population worldwide.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

Internacionalización de la obra del artista Octavio Torres: Affordable Art Fair New York

Octavio Torres es un talentoso escultor nacido en Guadalajara, Jalisco el 10 de octubre de 1974. Escultor egresado de la escuela de artes plásticas del centro universitario de arte, arquitectura y diseño de la Universidad de Guadalajara años de 1994 - 1999. También egresó como restaurador de bienes muebles en la escuela de conservación y restauración de los años 2005-2010. Octavio cuenta con una especialización en conservación de monumentos de piedra hecha en Argentina y un diplomado en historia del arte mexicano. Las exposiciones más destacadas de Octavio han sido en el museo del premio nacional de cerámica en Tlaquepaque, Jalisco. Participó en Gallery Weekend en la Ciudad de México con una exposición titulada “Motor de impulso” y también participó en el Bienal de las Artes en la Habana, Cuba. Uno de los objetivos de Octavio es poder aumentar el número de espectadores, así como poder generar más contactos para comercializar un número mayor de esculturas. Los objetivos de Octavio son concretos y alcanzables ya que la feria nos da un amplio repertorio de contactos y puede lograr un alcance bastante grande con todas las personas que se encuentran viendo las obras. Lo que se busca es que Octavio pueda tener pedidos a futuro de personas interesadas en sus esculturas. Estamos seguros que su cartera de clientes va a crecer, desde personas que quieren las piezas para su hogar o personas que quieren sus piezas para hoteles o negocios.ITESO, A.C

SMART-QUAL: a dashboard for quality measurement in higher education institutions

Purpose – The paper aims to define a dashboard of indicators to assess the quality performance of higher education institutions (HEI). The instrument is termed SMART-QUAL. Design/methodology/approach –Two sources were used in order to explore potential indicators. In the first step, information disclosed in official websites or institutional documentation of 36 selected HEIs was analyzed. This first step also included in depth structured high managers’ interviews. A total of 223 indicators emerged. In a second step, recent specialized literature was revised searching for indicators, capturing additional 302 indicators. Findings – Each one of the 525 total indicators was classified according to some attributes and distributed into 94 intermediate groups. These groups feed a debugging, prioritization and selection process, which ended up in the SMART-QUAL instrument: a set of 56 key performance indicators, which are grouped in 15 standards, and, in turn, classified into the 3 HEI missions. A basic model and an extended model are also proposed. Originality/value – The paper provides a useful measure of quality performance of HEIs, showing a holistic view to monitor HEI quality from three fundamental missions. This instrument might assist HEI managers for both assessing and benchmarking purposes. The paper ends with recommendations for university managers and public administration authorities