Dynamics of large anisotropic spin in a sub-ohmic dissipative environment close to a quantum-phase transition

We investigate the dynamics of a large anisotropic spin whose easy-axis component is coupled to a bosonic bath with a spectral function J(\w)\propto \omega^s. Such a spin complex might be realized in a single-molecular magnet. Using the non-perturbative renormalization group, we calculate the line of quantum-phase transitions in the sub-ohmic regime ($s<1$). These quantum-phase transitions only occur for integer spin $J$. For half-integer $J$, the low temperature fixed-point is identical to the fixed-point of the spin-boson model without quantum-tunneling between the two levels. Short-time coherent oscillations in the spin decay prevail even into the localized phase in the sub-ohmic regime. The influence of the reorganization energy and the recurrence time on the decoherence in the absence of quantum-tunneling is discussed.Comment: 14 pages,7 figure

Quantum dynamics of a qubit coupled with structured bath

The dynamics of an unbiased spin-boson model with Lorentzian spectral density is investigated theoretically in terms of the perturbation theory based on a unitary transformation. The non-equilibrium correlation function $P(t)$ and susceptibility $\chi^{\prime\prime}(\omega)$ are calculated for both the off-resonance case $\Delta\lesssim 0.5\Omega$ and the on-resonance case $\Delta\sim \Omega$. The approach is checked by the Shiba's relation and the sum rule. Besides, the coherent-incoherent transition point $\alpha_c$ can be determined, which has not been demonstrated for the structured bath by previous authors up to our knowledge.Comment: 25 pages, 11 figure

Deciding observational congruence of finite-state CCS expressions by rewriting

AbstractWe propose a term rewriting approach to verify observational congruence between guarded recursive (finite-state) CCS expressions. Starting from the complete axiomatization of observational congruence for this subset of CCS, a non-terminating rewriting relation has been defined. This rewriting relation is ω-canonical over a subclass of infinite derivations, structured fair derivations, which compute all the ω-normal forms. The rewriting relation is shown to be complete with respect to the axiomatization by proving that every structured fair derivation computes a term that denotes an rτ-normal process graph. The existence of a finite representation for ω-normal forms allows the definition of a rewriting strategy that, in a finite number of rewriting steps, decides observational congruence of guarded recursive (finite-state) CCS expressions

The antiquity of hydrocephalus: the first full palaeo-neuropathological description

The Pathology Museum of the University of Florence houses a rich collection of anatomical specimens and over a hundred waxworks portraying pathological conditions occurring in the nineteenth century, when the museum was established. Clinical and autopsy findings of these cases can still be retrieved from the original museum catalogue, offering a rare opportunity for retrospective palaeo-pathological diagnostics. We present a historical case of severe hydrocephalus backed by modern-day anthropological, radiological and molecular analyses conducted on the skeleton of an 18-month-old male infant deceased in 1831. Luigi Calamai (1796-1851), a wax craftsman of La Specola workshop in Florence, was commissioned to create a life-sized wax model of the child's head, neck and upper thorax. This artwork allows us to appreciate the cranial and facial alterations determined by 30&nbsp;lb of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) accumulated within the cerebral ventricular system. Based on the autopsy report, gross malformations of the neural tube, tumours and haemorrhage could be excluded. A molecular approach proved helpful in confirming sex. We present this case as the so-far most compelling case of hydrocephalus in palaeo-pathological research

Propagation of sound in a Bose Einstein condensate in an optical lattice

We study the propagation of sound waves in a Bose-Einstein condensate trapped in a one-dimensional optical lattice. We find that the velocity of propagation of sound wavepackets decreases with increasing optical lattice depth, as predicted by the Bogoliubov theory. The strong interplay between nonlinearities and the periodicity of the external potential raise new phenomena which are not present in the uniform case. Shock waves, for instance, can propagate slower than sound waves, due to the negative curvature of the dispersion relation. Moreover, nonlinear corrections to the Bogoliubov theory appear to be important even with very small density perturbations, inducing a saturation on the amplitude of the sound signal

Somatic embryogenesis from zygotic embryos and thin cell layers (TCLs) of Brazilian oil palm (Elaeis guineensis × Elaeis oleifera)

Oil palm hybrid BRS Manicoré is important for plantations in the north of Brazil, as it is resistant to fatal yellowing and is compact. Seed germination is slow and reduced, so somatic embryogenesis is a promising alternative for its propagation. Two kinds of starting explants were used: Zygotic embryos (ZE) and thin cell layers (TCL) from the base of seedling aerial parts. Two culture medium formulae were compared (Y3 and modified MS), and several growth regulators (2,4-D, Picloram, BA, 2iP),  putrescine and activated charcoal (AC) were used during the different stages. Somatic embryos (SE) were obtained from ZE-derived embryogenic masses cultured on Y3 medium with or without 2,4-D (9 μM) + 1000 μM putrescine and 40% were converted into seedlings in the Y3 medium supplemented with 2 g.L-¹ AC and without growth regulators, under light. SE developed in 49 to 53% TCL-derived calli and 50% of them were converted into seedlings in the same conditions described for ZE calli. The yield of both processes was compared, showing the superiority of TCL explants for SE production.Key words: Y3 culture medium, clonal propagation, putrescine, thin cell layer

Phonon distributions of a single bath mode coupled to a quantum dot

The properties of an unconventional, single mode phonon bath coupled to a quantum dot, are investigated within the rotating wave approximation. The electron current through the dot induces an out of equilibrium bath, with a phonon distribution qualitatively different from the thermal one. In selected transport regimes, such a distribution is characterized by a peculiar selective population of few phonon modes and can exhibit a sub-Poissonian behavior. It is shown that such a sub-Poissonian behavior is favored by a double occupancy of the dot. The crossover from a unequilibrated to a conventional thermal bath is explored, and the limitations of the rotating wave approximation are discussed.Comment: 21 Pages, 7 figures, to appear in New Journal of Physics - Focus on Quantum Dissipation in Unconventional Environment

A new tow maneuver of a damaged boat through a swarm of autonomous sea drones

Given the huge rising interest in autonomous drone swarms to be employed in actual marine applications, the present paper explores the possibility to recover a distressed vessel by means of the other agents belonging to the swarm itself. Suitable approaches and control strategies are developed and tested to find the highest performance algorithms. Different rules are exploited to obtain a correct behaviour in terms of swarm interaction, namely collective and coordinated, and individual. An innovative feedback control strategy is adopted and demonstrated its effectiveness. Extensive simulation runs have been conducted, whose results validate the approach