Complexity of decoupling and time-reversal for n spins with pair-interactions: Arrow of time in quantum control

Well-known Nuclear Magnetic Resonance experiments show that the time evolution according to (truncated) dipole-dipole interactions between n spins can be inverted by simple pulse sequences. Independent of n, the reversed evolution is only two times slower than the original one. Here we consider more general spin-spin couplings with long range. We prove that some are considerably more complex to invert since the number of required time steps and the slow-down of the reversed evolutions are necessarily of the order n. Furthermore, the spins have to be addressed separately. We show for which values of the coupling parameters the phase transition between simple and complex time-reversal schemes occurs.Comment: Completely rewritten, new lower bounds on the number of time steps, applications and references adde

Quantum cellular automata quantum computing with endohedral fullerenes

We present a scheme to perform universal quantum computation using global addressing techniques as applied to a physical system of endohedrally doped fullerenes. The system consists of an ABAB linear array of Group V endohedrally doped fullerenes. Each molecule spin site consists of a nuclear spin coupled via a Hyperfine interaction to an electron spin. The electron spin of each molecule is in a quartet ground state $S=3/2$. Neighboring molecular electron spins are coupled via a magnetic dipole interaction. We find that an all-electron construction of a quantum cellular automata is frustrated due to the degeneracy of the electronic transitions. However, we can construct a quantum celluar automata quantum computing architecture using these molecules by encoding the quantum information on the nuclear spins while using the electron spins as a local bus. We deduce the NMR and ESR pulses required to execute the basic cellular automata operation and obtain a rough figure of merit for the the number of gate operations per decoherence time. We find that this figure of merit compares well with other physical quantum computer proposals. We argue that the proposed architecture meets well the first four DiVincenzo criteria and we outline various routes towards meeting the fifth criteria: qubit readout.Comment: 16 pages, Latex, 5 figures, See http://planck.thphys.may.ie/QIPDDF/ submitted to Phys. Rev.

Changes in articular cartilage after meniscectomy and meniscus replacement using a biodegradable porous polymer implant

Purpose: To evaluate the long-term effects of implantation of a biodegradable polymer meniscus implant on articular cartilage degeneration and compare this to articular cartilage degeneration after meniscectomy. Methods: Porous polymer polycaprolacton-based polyurethane meniscus implants were implanted for 6 or 24 months in the lateral compartment of Beagle dog knees. Contralateral knees were meniscectomized, or left intact and served as controls. Articular cartilage degeneration was evaluated in detail using India ink staining, routine histology, immunochemistry for denatured (Col2-¾M) and cleaved (Col2-¾Cshort) type II collagen, Mankin’s grading system, and cartilage thickness measurements. Results: Histologically, fibrillation and substantial immunohistochemical staining for both denatured and cleaved type II collagen were found in all three treatment groups. The cartilage of the three groups showed identical degradation patterns. In the 24 months implant group, degradation appeared to be more severe when compared to the 6 months implant group and meniscectomy group. Significantly more cartilage damage (India ink staining, Mankin’s grading system, and cartilage thickness measurements) was found in the 24 months implant group compared to the 6 months implant group and meniscectomy group. Conclusion: Degradation of the cartilage matrix was the result of both mechanical overloading as well as localized cell-mediated degradation. The degeneration patterns were highly variable between animals. Clinical application of a porous polymer implant for total meniscus replacement is not supported by this study.

Universal Facility Location

In the Universal Facility Location problem we are given a set of demand points and a set of facilities

Suinocultura no Estado de Goiás: aplicação de um modelo de localização

Esta pesquisa teve como principal objetivo a análise da distribuição mais eficiente de granjas suinícolas no Estado de Goiás. O modelo de localização desenvolvido envolveu uma estrutura de programação inteira mista. Os fatores considerados para o objetivo do estudo foram os custos de transporte de grãos (milho e soja) até a granja, o custo de transporte de suínos até o abatedouro e o custo de transporte de carcaça de suíno até o mercado consumidor. Definiu-se como mercado consumidor o próprio Estado de Goiás, o Distrito Federal e os municípios de São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro e Belo Horizonte. Além disso, determinou-se também as ofertas de milho e soja de cada microrregião do Estado de Goiás, e o consumo per capita nacional de carne suína. Considerou-se três cenários, envolvendo níveis distintos de consumo per capita, sendo um o atual e os outros dois determinados de acordo com as perspectivas do setor.<br>The main purpose of this research work was to analyse the most efficient spatial distribution of pig production units in the state of Goiás. The model developed required a mixed integer programming structure. The factors considered in the model were: the grain transportation cost (corn and soybeans) from the source to the production unit, the cost of transporting the animals from the production unit to slaughterhouses and the carcass transportation cost from the slaughterhouse to retailers. The consumption market was spatialy defined as comprising the state of Goiás, the Distrito Federal and the counties of São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Belo Horizonte. Moreover, it was determined the supplies of corn and soybeans for each microregion in the state of Goiás and the national per capita pork consumption. Three scenarios, showing different per capita consumption levels, were considered. One of these is the current per capita consumption level and the two other were determined according to sector perspectives