Time resolved pattern evolution in a large aperture laser

We have measured quasi-instantaneous transverse patterns in a broad aperture laser. Non-ordered patterns yielding to boundary determined regular structures in progressive time-integrated recording are observed. The linear analysis and numerical integration of the full Maxwell-Bloch equations allow us to interpret the features of the experiment. We show that this system being far from threshold cannot be fully understood with a perturbative model.Comment: 7 pages, 5 GIF figures . To be published in Phys. Rev. Let

Krotov: A Python implementation of Krotov's method for quantum optimal control

We present a new open-source Python package, krotov, implementing the quantum optimal control method of that name. It allows to determine time-dependent external fields for a wide range of quantum control problems, including state-to-state transfer, quantum gate implementation and optimization towards an arbitrary perfect entangler. Krotov's method compares to other gradient-based optimization methods such as gradient-ascent and guarantees monotonic convergence for approximately time-continuous control fields. The user-friendly interface allows for combination with other Python packages, and thus high-level customization

Graph test of controllability in qubit arrays: A systematic way to determine the minimum number of external controls

The ability to implement any desired quantum logic gate on a quantum processing unit is equivalent to evolution-operator controllability of the qubits. Conversely, controllability analysis can be used to minimize the resources, i.e., the number of external controls and qubit-qubit couplings, required for universal quantum computing. Standard controllability analysis, consisting in the construction of the dynamical Lie algebra, is, however, impractical already for a comparatively small number of qubits. Here, we show how to leverage an alternative approach, based on a graph representation of the Hamiltonian, to determine controllability of arrays of coupled qubits. We provide a complete computational framework and exemplify it for arrays of five qubits, inspired by the ibmq_quito architecture. We find that the number of controls can be reduced from five to one for complex qubit-qubit couplings and to two for standard qubit-qubit couplings.Comment: 18 pages, 7 figures, 3 tables, 3 algorithm

Quasi-Objective Eddy Visualization from Sparse Drifter Data

We employ a recently developed single-trajectory Lagrangian diagnostic tool, the trajectory rotation average $(\mathrm{\overline{TRA}})$, to visualize oceanic vortices (or eddies) from sparse drifter data. We apply the $\mathrm{\overline{TRA}}$ to two drifter data sets that cover various oceanographic scales: the Grand Lagrangian Deployment (GLAD) and the Global Drifter Program (GDP). Based on the $\mathrm{\overline{TRA}}$, we develop a general algorithm that extracts approximate eddy boundaries. We find that the $\mathrm{\overline{TRA}}$ outperforms other available single-trajectory-based eddy detection methodologies on sparse drifter data and identifies eddies on scales that are unresolved by satellite-altimetry

A Through-Life Cost Analysis Model to Support Investment Decision-Making in Concentrated Solar Power Projects

This research paper aims to propose a through-life cost analysis model for estimating the profitability of renewable concentrated solar power (CSP) technologies. The financial outputs of the model include net present value (NPV) and benefit-cost ratio (BCR) of the project, internal rate of return (IRR) and discounted payback period (DPBP) of the investment, and levelized cost of energy (LCoE) from the CSP technology. The meteorological data for a specific location in the city of Tucson in Arizona is collected from a network of automated weather stations, and the NREL System Advisor Model (SAM) is applied to simulate hourly energy output of the CSP plant. An Excel spreadsheet tool is designed to calculate, in a bottom-up approach, the financial metrics required for approval of CSP projects. The model is tested on a 50MW parabolic trough CSP plant and the results show an annual energy production of 456,351,232 kWh, NPV of over $64 million and LCoE of 0.16$/kWh. Finally, a sensitivity analysis is performed to identify the factors which have the most significant effect on the economic performance of CSP technologies. The proposed model can provide valuable guidance to support the strategic planning and investment decision-making in CSP projects

A Standardized Protocol for Stereotaxic Intrahippocampal Administration of Kainic Acid Combined with Electroencephalographic Seizure Monitoring in Mice

Lack of scientific reproducibility is a growing concern and weak experimental practices may contribute to irreproducibility. Here, we describe an optimized and versatile protocol for stereotaxic intrahippocampal administration of Kainic Acid (KA) in mice with a C57Bl6 background. In this protocol, KA administration is combined with in vivo recording of neuronal activity with wired and wireless setups. Following our protocol, KA administration results in a robust dose-dependent induction of low-level epileptiform activity or Status Epilepticus (SE) and induces previously characterized hallmarks of seizure-associated pathology. The procedure consists of three main steps: Craniotomy, stereotaxic administration of KA, and placement of recording electrodes in intrahippocampal, and subdural locations. This protocol offers extended possibilities compared to the systemic administration of KA, as it allows the researcher to accurately regulate the local dose of KA and resulting seizure activity, and permits the use and study of convulsive and non-convulsive KA doses, resulting in higher reproducibility and lower inter-individual variability and mortality rates. Caution should be taken when translating this procedure to different strains of mice as inter-strain sensitivity to KA has been described before. The procedure can be performed in ~1 h by a trained researcher, while intrahippocampal administration of KA without placing recording electrodes can be done in 25 min, and can be easily adapted to the titrated intrahippocampal administration of other drugs

Barley β-glucan accelerates wound healing by favoring migration versus proliferation of human dermal fibroblasts

β-Glucans are considered candidates for the medication in different human pathologies. In this work, we have purified β-glucan from a selected barley line and tested their effects in primary human dermal fibroblasts. Unexpectedly, we have observed that this compound promoted a short-transitory proliferation arrest at 24 h after its addition on the medium. We have determined that this transitory arrest was dependent on the cell-cycle regulator protein Retinoblastoma. Moreover, dermal fibroblasts increase their migration capacities at 24 h after barley β-glucan addition. Also, we have described that barley β-glucan strongly reduced the ability of fibroblasts to attach and to spread on cell plates. Our data indicates that barley β-glucan signal induces an early response in HDF cells favoring migration versus proliferation. This feature is consistent with our observation that the topical addition of our barley β-glucan in vivo accelerates the wound closure in mouse skin

Tectonosedimentary evolution of the Coastal Cordillera and Central Depression of south-Central Chile (36°30′-42°S)

The forearc of south-central Chile (36°30′-42°S) is characterized by the presence of a Coastal Cordillera and a low lying area known as the Central Depression. The origin of these morphostructural units has been largely debated. They have been ascribed to different ages between the Cretaceous and the Pliocene, and tectonic causes that involve extensional or contractional deformation and have been related to Andean evolution or accretionary processes in the forearc. To investigate the geologic evolution of the Coastal Cordillera and Central Depression in the cited area, we based on stratigraphy, sedimentology, geochronology (U[sbnd]Pb, LA-ICP-MS), structural geology, and geomorphology. Our studies, which are based on our own data and a thorough bibliographic review, indicate the following sequence of events in the tectono-sedimentary evolution of the forearc of south-central Chile during the late Cenozoic. The area was subjected to extensional tectonics caused by slab rollback during the Oligocene-early Miocene, resulting in the genesis of a series of basins filled with volcanic, continental, and marine deposits that extended from the present Chilean coast to the retroac. The extensional basins were tectonically inverted during the late Early-Late Miocene, and most of the forearc became a positive relief that was subjected to fluvial erosion. The West Andean Thrust, a major reverse west verging fault in the limit between the Central Depression and the Andean Cordillera, caused significant uplift of the western flank of the Andes. This triggered flexural subsidence and the accumulation of coarse-grained deposits in the forearc during the Pliocene-Pleistocene. The sudden increase of sediment flux to the trench during this period caused a change from non-accretion or subduction erosion to accretion in the margin of south-central Chile. Progressive growth of the accretionary wedge gave birth to a forearc high, the Coastal Cordillera, which was uplifted in the last 2 Ma. Some forearc areas placed above subducted oceanic fracture zones did not experience uplift during this period due to the significant transport of fluid that inhibited the deformation of the accretionary wedge. Our studies show that the late Cenozoic tectono-sedimentary evolution of the forearc in the study area is complex and involves different processes related to Andean evolution in the first stage and accretionary processes acting exclusively in the forearc in a second stage. The Coastal Cordillera and the Central Depression of south-central Chile were developed in the last 2 Ma and are much younger than classically considered.Fil: Encinas, A.. Universidad de Concepción; ChileFil: Sagripanti, Lucía. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Estudios Andinos "Don Pablo Groeber". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Estudios Andinos "Don Pablo Groeber"; ArgentinaFil: Rodríguez, M.P.. Universidad de Atacama.; ChileFil: Orts, Darío Leandro. Universidad Nacional de Río Negro; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigación en Paleobiología y Geología; ArgentinaFil: Anavalón, A.. Universidad de Concepción; ChileFil: Giroux, P.. Universidad de Concepción; ChileFil: Otero, J.. Universidad Austral de Chile; ChileFil: Echaurren Gonzalez, Andres. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Provincia de Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales; ArgentinaFil: Zambrano, P.. Universidad Andrés Bello; ChileFil: Valencia, V.. Washington State University; Estados Unido