Nonequilibrium dynamics of spin-boson models from phase space methods

An accurate description of the nonequilibrium dynamics of systems with coupled spin and bosonic degrees of freedom remains theoretically challenging, especially for large system sizes and in higher than one dimension. Phase space methods such as the Truncated Wigner Approximation (TWA) have the advantage of being easily scalable and applicable to arbitrary dimensions. In this work we adapt the TWA to generic spin-boson models by making use of recently developed algorithms for discrete phase spaces [Schachenmayer, PRX 5, 011022 (2015)]. Furthermore we go beyond the standard TWA approximation by applying a scheme based on the Bogoliubov-Born-Green-Kirkwood-Yvon (BBGKY) hierarchy of equations [Pucci, PRB 93, 174302 (2016)] to our coupled spin-boson model. This allows in principle to study how systematically adding higher order corrections improves the convergence of the method. To test various levels of approximation we study an exactly solvable spin-boson model which is particularly relevant for trapped-ion arrays. Using TWA and its BBGKY extension we accurately reproduce the time evolution of a number of one- and two-point correlation functions in several dimensions and for arbitrary number of bosonic modes.Comment: 10+5 pages, 5 figure

UN MODELLO ALLE DIFFERENZE FINITE DI UN PANNELLO FOTOVOLTAICO ACCOPPIATO A MATERIALE A CAMBIAMENTO DI FASE

La diffusione commerciale dei dispositivi fotovoltaici presenta negli ultimi anni un trend di crescita significativa a livello internazionale. Numerose ricerche sono state svolte al fine di incrementare l\u2019efficienza di conversione elettrica dei pannelli fotovoltaici e tra le soluzioni indagate \ue8 stato sperimentato l\u2019impiego di materiali a cambiamento di fase (MCF) per ridurre i picchi di temperatura di funzionamento. Nel lavoro \ue8 stato sviluppato un algoritmo di calcolo in grado di fornire l\u2019andamento temporale della temperatura di un pannello fotovoltaico accoppiato a materiale a cambiamento di fase (Sistema PV-MCF). La determinazione della distribuzione di temperature che interessano un sistema PV-MCF \ue8 stata affrontata con il metodo delle differenze finite in geometria monodimensionale. Sono state definite le equazioni di conservazione dell\u2019energia per ogni punto nodale in cui \ue8 stato discretizzato il sistema fisico, differenziandole per i nodi \u201cinterni\u201d e per i nodi \u201csuperficiali\u201d. Le equazioni alle differenze finite sono state formulate esplicitamente rispetto alla variabile temporale e sono state codificate in un apposito software. Il confronto con alcune soluzioni analitiche largamente impiegate nella bibliografia di settore ha permesso di verificare la correttezza e la validit\ue0 dell\u2019approccio sviluppato

Newborn body perception: sensitivity to spatial congruency

Studies on adults have demonstrated that the perception our own body can be manipulated by varying both temporal and spatial properties of multisensory information. While human newborns are capable of detecting the temporal synchrony of visuo-tactile body-related cues, it remains unknown whether they also utilise spatial information for body perception. Twenty newborns were presented with a video of an infant's face touched with a paintbrush, while their own face was touched either in the spatially congruent, or an incongruent, location. We found that newborns show a visual preference for spatially congruent synchronous events, supporting the view that newborns have a rudimentary sense of their own body

Healthcare Associated Infections. educational intervention by "Adult Learning" in an Italian teaching hospital

An educational intervention for HAI prevention based on a combination of training, motivation and subsequent application in the current clinical practice in an Italian teaching hospital

Praticare l'urbanistica. Traiettorie tra innovazione sociale e pianificazione

In un tempo di crisi molteplici e interconnesse, la città e i suoi spazi sono il campo in cui si misurano diverse posizioni e linguaggi, che riflettono la complessità e colgono condizioni radicalmente cambiate nel definirsi delle questioni urbane e territoriali. Tra le “parole nuove” che meglio interpretano questa tendenza, “innovazione sociale” racchiude con maggiore ampiezza significati, orientamenti, prospettive che sottintendono in qualche misura una presa di distanza o una volontà di cambiamento rispetto a pratiche tradizionalmente patrimonio dell’urbanistica. La comprensione delle reciproche influenze fra il “concetto-ombrello” di innovazione sociale e gli strumenti e le pratiche propri dell’urbanistica rappresenta l’orizzonte di questo lavoro, che trae le premesse sia dal confronto con le più recenti riflessioni maturate nel campo degli studi urbani, che dall’esperienza didattica e di ricerca delle autrici. La città di Bologna rappresenta in questo contesto un terreno comune di riflessione e sperimentazione sulla reciproca distanza tra il concetto ampio di innovazione sociale e la pratica dell’urbanistica. È attraverso le esperienze condotte sul campo che le autrici tentano di definire la portata operativa dell’innovazione sociale rispetto alla pianificazione urbanistica, e un possibile contributo per fronteggiare le crisi che stiamo attraversando, provare a trasformare la disciplina urbanistica e immaginare nuove figure professionali all’opera nelle città

Molecular Recognition of Metal Complexes by DNA: A Comparative Study of the Interactions of the Parent Complexes [PtCl(TERPY)]Cl and [AuCl(TERPY)]Cl (2) with Double Stranded DNA

The interactions of the parent complexes [AuCl(Terpy)]Cl2 and [PtCl(Terpy)]Cl with DNA were analysed by various physicochemical methods. Surprisingly, these metal complexes produce different interaction patterns with DNA in spite of their profound structural similarity. Indeed, important modifications are detected in the characteristic UV-Vis bands of [PtCl(Terpy)]Cl upon addition of ct-DNA, while the spectrum of [AuCl(Terpy)]Cl2 is almost unaffected. Gel electrophoresis studies confirm these findings: [PtCl(Terpy)]Cl — but not [AuCl(Terpy)]Cl2 — retards significantly the mobility of the supercoiled form of the pHV14 plasmid after a short incubation time. Ultrafiltration studies indicate that the affinity of [PtCl(Terpy)]Cl for ct-DNA is significantly greater than that of [AuCl(Terpy)]Cl2. On the other hand, both [AuCl(Terpy)]Cl2 and [PtCl(Terpy)]Cl induce important changes in the CD spectrum of ct-DNA, at high concentration, and increase its Tm value. Remarkably, the analysed metal-complex/DNA interaction patterns depend critically on the incubation times. We propose that [PtCl(Terpy)]Cl quickly intercalates DNA; then, formation of coordinative bonds progressively takes place with time. At variance, [AuCl(Terpy)]Cl2 first interacts electrostatically with the DNA surface, with subsequent slow formation of some coordinative bonds

Nitrogen fertilization management in no-tillage maize with different witer crops.

The nitrogen (N) utilization by maize grown in a no-tillage system is dependent on the quality of the preceding crop residues, which may promote differences in N fertilization efficiency with respect to time. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the nutritional state, dry matter production and grain yield of maize grown in a clayey soil (Typic Acrustox) under a no-tillage system. The split-plot experimental design was set up in randomized complete blocks with three replications, in which the main plot was treated with different N application strategies and the split-plots were planted with winter crops (soybean and maize). The fertilizer strategies (rate: 120 kg ha-1 of N) used were as follows: (0 ? 0), (20 ? 100), (60 ? 60), (120 ? 0) and (0 ? 120), with the first number corresponding to the rate of N (kg ha-1) applied before planting and the second number corresponding to the top dressing rate (V4-5 stage). Nitrogen fertilization raised the N content (in shoots and leaves) and maize yield (in the shoot dry matter and grain). The maize grown after soybean had both greater N concentrations and production (dry matter and grain) relative to the maize grown after maize. Applying 120 kg ha-1 N did not significantly affect the evaluated variables, regardless of the winter crop