Linearly independent pure-state decomposition and quantum state discrimination

We put the pure-state decomposition mathematical property of a mixed state to a physical test. We begin by characterizing all the possible decompositions of a rank-two mixed state by means of the complex overlap between two involved states. The physical test proposes a scheme of quantum state recognition of one of the two linearly independent states which arise from the decomposition. We find that the two states associated with the balanced pure-state decomposition have the smaller overlap modulus and therefore the smallest probability of being discriminated conclusively, while in the nonconclusive scheme they have the highest probability of having an error. In addition, we design an experimental scheme which allows to discriminate conclusively and optimally two nonorthogonal states prepared with different a priori probabilities. Thus, we propose a physical implementation for this linearly independent pure-state decomposition and state discrimination test by using twin photons generated in the process of spontaneous parametric down conversion. The information-state is encoded in one photon polarization state whereas the second single-photon is used for heralded detection.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figures, Submitted to Phys. Rev.

Pasado, presente y futuro del búfalo en Argentina

El búfalo comenzó a ser introducido al país a comienzo el siglo XX, mediante la importación razas Mediterránea, Murrah y Jafarabadi. En la actualidad la población bubalina alcanzó las de 87.711 cabezas y se encuentran distribuidas en 20 de las 23 provincias que componen el territorio nacional. El 80 % de la población de búfalos se encuentran en el nordeste argentino. Siendo las provincias de Formosa y Corrientes las que cuentan con la mayores poblaciones bubalinas. Existen en el país 8 millones de hectáreas aptas para soportar una carga de 4 millones de búfalos.The buffalo began to be introduced to the country in the early twentieth century, by importing Mediterranean, Murrah and Jafarabadi breeds. Today buffalo population reached 87.711 heads, which are distributed in 20 out of the 23 provinces that conforms the country. The 80% of the population of buffaloes is found in northeastern region, being the provinces of Formosa and Corrientes those with the largest buffalo population. The country has 8 million hectares suitable to withstand a load of 4 million buffaloes.Fil: Crudeli, G. A.. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Cs.veterinarias; ArgentinaFil: Patiño, E. M.. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Cs.veterinarias; ArgentinaFil: Maldonado Vargas, P.. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Cs.veterinarias; ArgentinaFil: Konrad, José Luis. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Cs.veterinarias; Argentin

Equilibration of Concentrated Hard Sphere Fluids

We report a systematic molecular dynamics study of the isochoric equilibration of hard-sphere fluids in their metastable regime close to the glass transition. The thermalization process starts with the system prepared in a non-equilibrium state with the desired final volume fraction {\phi} but with a prescribed non-equilibrium static structure factor S_0(k; {\phi}). The evolution of the {\alpha}- relaxation time {\tau}{\alpha} (k) and long-time self-diffusion coefficient DL as a function of the evolution time tw is then monitored for an array of volume fractions. For a given waiting time the plot of {\tau}{\alpha} (k; {\phi}, tw) as a function of {\phi} exhibits two regimes corresponding to samples that have fully equilibrated within this waiting time ({\phi} \leq {\phi}(c) (tw)), and to samples for which equilibration is not yet complete ({\phi} \geq {\phi}(c) (tw)). The crossover volume fraction {\phi}(c) (tw) increases with tw but seems to saturate to a value {\phi}(a) \equiv {\phi}(c) (tw \rightarrow \infty) \approx 0.582. We also find that the waiting time t^(eq)_w({\phi}) required to equilibrate a system grows faster than the corresponding equilibrium relaxation time, t^(eq)({\phi}) \approx 0.27 \times [{\tau}{\alpha} (k; {\phi})]^1.43, and that both characteristic times increase strongly as {\phi} approaches {\phi}^(a), thus suggesting that the measurement of equilibrium properties at and above {\phi}(a) is experimentally impossible

Control of Thickness of PEDOT Electrodeposits on Glass/ITO Electrodes from Organic Solutions and its Use as Anode in Organic Solar Cells

AbstractPoly-ethylendioxythiophene (PEDOT) was electropolymerized from the monomer EDOT in acetonitrile (ACN) containing Bu4N+ClO4-, BF4- or PF6- ions as supporting electrolyte. The electrode used was transparent electrodes (Glass/ITO) in order to generate the anode of an organic solar cell (OSC). Potentiodynamic and potentiostatic electropolymerization techniques were used to make the conducting polymer deposits (E-PEDOT), which were obtained as a thin film onto the ITO surface. It was possible to control the thickness of the electrodeposited films in the range of 15 to 200nm measured by AFM. With the thinner films (until 100nm), it was observed that its absorbance at 700nm was linearly dependent with their thickness and it was possible to obtain an equation that was used to measure the films thickness of future experiments. The E-PEDOT films were successfully used for constructing OSC's and the efficiency values found were equivalent or slightly superior to those found with the classical PEDOT:PSS anode

Adaptation of urban uses of environmental characteristics: A case study of La Safor, Valencia, Spain

[EN] In the 1990s a methodology was developed to apply the concept of land aptitude to urban plans. This methodology was based on the concepts of capacity and vulnerability in the face of different urban uses (e.g. residential use, industrial use and strategic facilities). The methodology was implemented thanks to geographical information systems (GIS) mapping of available cartography. In recent years, the available cartography has increased in quantity and in spatial resolution. Also, urban planning and environmental legislation have evolved. In this study, we propose a methodological update to incorporate all these changes. The updated methodology is applied to La Safor (Valencia, Spain), which is a region composed of 31 municipalities. La Safor is a model case study because of its characteristics that makes it representative of both coastal and inner areas. Our results point out the need to incorporate legal constraints to the methodology. Including climate adaptation is also essential for strategic urbanism and to accomplish environmental requirements. The methodology presented can be defined as an integrated assessment tool necessary for sustainable development and minimizing environmental risks.Altur Grau, VJ.; Aguilar-Maldonado, JA.; Sebastiá-Frasquet, M.; Miralles García, JL. (2019). Adaptation of urban uses of environmental characteristics: A case study of La Safor, Valencia, Spain. WIT Transactions on Ecology and the Environment (Online). 238:187-198. https://doi.org/10.2495/SC190171S18719823

Estimación del riesgo en un portafolio de activos

This paper introduces the use of extreme value theory (EVT) and copula for the estimation of value at risk (VaR) for a three asset portfolio representative of the Colombian market. Returns on risk factors are adjusted by ARMA GARCH models and innovations for each of them are modeled by Pareto’s generalized distribution in order to estimate one-day volatility. Copulas are built on the assumption that innovations follow an empirical marginal distribution so as to represent the dependence structure among risk factors. Performance tests for a series of three month VaR estimations show that modeling volatility and dependence through the use of these theories result more appropriate than those based on normality assumptions.Este trabajo introduce el uso de la teoría de valor extremo (EVT) y cópulas para la estimación del valor en riesgo (VaR). Se considera como aplicación a un portafolio compuesto por tres activos representativos del mercado colombiano. Los retornos de los factores de riesgo de los activos se ajustan mediante los modelos ARMA GARCH. Para cada factor de riesgo se modelan las innovaciones a través de la distribución generalizada de Pareto, para la estimación de la volatilidad a un día.De otro lado, las cópulas son construídas asumiendo que las innovaciones siguen una distribución marginal empíricacon el objetivo de caracterizar la estructura de dependencia entre los factores de riesgo.Las pruebas de desempeño del valor en riesgo calculado para tres meses, muestran que modelar la volatilidad y dependencia a través de dichas metodologías esmás apropiado que bajo metodologías basadas en el supuesto de normalidad

Indicaciones Límite de las Fracturas de Húmero con Clavo Endomedular Cerrojado

El tratamiento de las fracturas diafisarias del húmero ha entrado en controversia en los últimos años, como lo refleja la literatura internacional. La problemática aumenta cuando se trata de fracturas diafisarias límites que alcanzan la zona metafisaria superior e inferior. En un intento de mejora terapéutica este grupo de autores ha testado un clavo cerrojado para el húmero diseñado por Seidel. El promedio de seguimiento ha sido de 12 meses con un mínimo de 6 meses. El número de casos evaluados ha sido 6. Siguiendo la cotación de Stewart, 4 de los seis pacientes obtuvieron resultados buenos o excelentes. Todos los pacientes consolidaron sus fracturas en un período de tiempo normal, entre 3 y 5 meses, con una media de 4 meses, 4 de los seis pacientes no se inmovilizaron con yeso en ningún momento. La bondad y sencillez del método hace augurar buenos resultados en otros grupos ampliando sus indicaciones.Treatment of dyaphyseal fractures of the humerus has been the source of considerable controversy in recent years. The problem increases in dimension when one is dealing with limiting diaphyseal fractures that invole the upper and lower metaphyseal zone. In an attempt to improve the therapy of this circunstance, the members of this research team have tested a locking nail for the humerus designed by Seidel. The mean follow-up time has been 12 months, with a minimum of six months. The number of cases evaluated was 6. According to the scale of Stewart, four of the cases obtained good or excellent results. All the patients consolidated their fractures within a normal period of time -between 3 and 5 months-, with a mean of 4 months. Four of the 6 patients wer e not immobilized with paster at any time. The goodness and simplicity of the method are suggestive of promising results in other groups by broadening its indications

Salmon Aquaculture and Antimicrobial Resistance in the Marine Environment

Antimicrobials used in salmon aquaculture pass into the marine environment. This could have negative impacts on marine environmental biodiversity, and on terrestrial animal and human health as a result of selection for bacteria containing antimicrobial resistance genes. We therefore measured the numbers of culturable bacteria and antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in marine sediments in the Calbuco Archipelago, Chile, over 12-month period at a salmon aquaculture site approximately 20 m from a salmon farm and at a control site 8 km distant without observable aquaculture activities. Three antimicrobials extensively used in Chilean salmon aquaculture (oxytetracycline, oxolinic acid, and florfenicol) were studied. Although none of these antimicrobials was detected in sediments from either site, traces of flumequine, a fluoroquinolone antimicrobial also widely used in Chile, were present in sediments from both sites during this period. There were significant increases in bacterial numbers and antimicrobial-resistant fractions to oxytetracycline, oxolinic acid, and florfenicol in sediments from the aquaculture site compared to those from the control site. Interestingly, there were similar numbers of presumably plasmid-mediated resistance genes for oxytetracycline, oxolinic acid and florfenicol in unselected marine bacteria isolated from both aquaculture and control sites. These preliminary findings in one location may suggest that the current use of large amounts of antimicrobials in Chilean aquaculture has the potential to select for antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in marine sediments

A double-deletion method to quantifying incremental binding energies in proteins from experiment. Example of a destabilizing hydrogen bonding pair

The contribution of a specific hydrogen bond in apoflavodoxin to protein stability is investigated by combining theory, experiment and simulation. Although hydrogen bonds are major determinants of protein structure and function, their contribution to protein stability is still unclear and widely debated. The best method so far devised to estimate the contribution of side-chain interactions to protein stability is double-mutant-cycle analysis, but the interaction energies so derived are not identical to incremental binding energies (the energies quantifying net contributions of two interacting groups to protein stability). Here we introduce double-deletion analysis of isolated residue pairs as a means to precisely quantify incremental binding. The method is exemplified by studying a surface-exposed hydrogen bond in a model protein (Asp96/Asn128 in apoflavodoxin). Combined substitution of these residues by alanines slightly destabilizes the protein, due to a decrease in hydrophobic surface burial. Subtraction of this effect, however, clearly indicates that the hydrogen-bonded groups in fact destabilize the native conformation. In addition, Molecular Dynamics simulations and classic double-mutant-cycle analysis explain quantitatively that, due to frustration, the hydrogen bond must form in the native structure because, when the two groups get approximated upon folding their binding becomes favorable. We would like to remark two facts: that this is the first time the contribution of a specific hydrogen bond to protein stability has been measured from experiment, and that more hydrogen bonds need to be analyzed in order to draw general conclusions on protein hydrogen bonds energetics. To that end, the double deletion method should be of help.Comment: 41 pages, To appear in Biophysical Journal (in press