Embedding quantum simulators

79 p.Quantum simulations consist in the reproduction of the dynamics of a quantum systemon a controllable platform, with the goal of capturing an interesting feature of the considered model. It is broadly believed that the advent of quantum simulators will represent a technological revolution, as they promise to solve several problems whichare considered intractable in a classical computer. Although there are strong theoretical bases confirming this claim, several aspects of quantum simulators have still to bestudied, in order to faith fully prove their feasibility. More over, the general question on which features of the considered models are simulatable is an attractive research topic,whose study would help to define the limits of a quantum simulator.In this Thesis, we develop several algorithms, which are able to catch relevant properties of the simulated quantum model. The proposed protocols follow a new concept named embedding quantum simulator, in which the simulated Schrodinger equation is mapped onto an enlarged Hilbert space in a nontrivial way. Via this embedding, weare able to retrieve, by measuring few observables, quantities that generally require full tomography in order to be evaluated. Moreover, we pay a special attention to the experimental feasibility, defining mappings which are space efficient, and do not require the implementation of challenging Hamiltonians. The presented algorithms are general,and they may be implemented in several quantum platforms, e.g. photonics, trappedions, circuit QED, among others.First, we propose a protocol which simulate the dynamics of an embedded Hamiltonian,allowing for the efficient extraction of a class of entanglement monotones. This is done using an embedding that is able to implement unphysical operations, as is the case of complex conjugation. The analysis is accompanied with a study of feasibility in a trapped-ion setup, which can be generalised to other platforms following similar computational models. Second, we propose an algorithm to measure n-time correlation functions of spinorial, fermionic, and bosonic operators, by considerably improving previous versions of the same result. We apply this protocol to the computation of magnetic susceptibilities, as well as to the simulation of Markovian and non-Markovian dissipative processes in a novel way, without the necessity of engineering any bath. All the proposed protocols are designed with a single ancillary qubit, minimising the needed experimental resources.We believe that embedding quantum simulators have a potential to become a powerful tool in the quantum simulation theory, since they pave the way for improving the flexibility of a quantum simulator in diferent experimental contexts

The impact of an extracurricular outdoor physical activity program on long-term memory in adolescent during COVID-19 pandemic

The present study examined the effects of an 8-week extracurricular outdoor physical activity program aimed to improve long-term memory performance in adolescent concerning the Covid-19 period. Participants were 40 schoolchildren (aged 16-17) who trained twice a week in aerobic exercise two hours per session, randomly assigned to participate in either an extracurricular outdoor physical activity program (EG; n = 20) or a waitlist control group (CG; n = 20). At baseline and after training we administered the Verbal Paired Associates (VPA-I) a subtest of the Wechsler Memory Scale – IV (WMS-IV, 2009), which represents one of the most widely used instruments for assessing explicit episodic memory performance. The results suggested that after 8-week aerobic exercise program students were able to increase their long-term memory, and that this capacity was more evident following physical activity that required greater cognitive involvement

Measuring Entanglement in a Photonic Embedding Quantum Simulator

Measuring entanglement is a demanding task that usually requires full tomography of a quantum system, involving a number of observables that grows exponentially with the number of parties. Recently, it was suggested that adding a single ancillary qubit would allow for the efficient measurement of concurrence, and indeed any entanglement monotone associated to antilinear operations. Here, we report on the experimental implementation of such a device---an embedding quantum simulator---in photonics, encoding the entangling dynamics of a bipartite system into a tripartite one. We show that bipartite concurrence can be efficiently extracted from the measurement of merely two observables, instead of fifteen, without full tomographic information.Comment: Updated versio

Plyometric training on sand versus grass: Effects on sprinting, jumping, agility and balance in soccer players

Soccer is an intermittent high-intensity activity requiring explosive strength and power production by the neuromuscular system. Plyometric training is recognized as an effective method for improving both sprinting and jumping ability through the stretch-shortening cycle. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of plyometric training on sand versus a grass surface on sprinting, jumping, agility, balance ability in soccer players. Sixteen adult soccer players volunteered in the study and were randomly assigned to a plyometric training group performed on sand (PS, n = 8) or on grass (PG, n = 8). Both groups performed 7 weeks of plyometric training on two separate weekly sessions lasting about 1.5 hour. Five-, 10- and 20-meters sprint test, Sargent test and standing long jump test, Illynois Agility test and Stork test were administered to assess sprinting, jumping, agility and balance ability, respectively. After 7 weeks of intervention results showed significative improvements in PS group for sprinting (p < .05), for standing long jump test (p < .05) and for balance (p < .05). Small but not significant differences were found for the other variables. A 7-week plyometric training performed on sand showed improvements on sprinting, jumping and balance respect to the same training performed on grass surface in adult soccer players

Quantum Illumination with a Hetero-Homodyne Receiver and Sequential Detection

We propose a hetero-homodyne receiver for quantum illumination (QI) target detection. Unlike prior QI receivers, it uses a cascaded positive operator-valued measurement (POVM) that does not require a quantum interaction between QI's returned radiation and its stored idler. When used without sequential detection its performance matches the 3 dB quantum advantage over optimum classical illumination (CI) that Guha and Erkmen's [Phys. Rev. A 80, 052310 (2009)] phase-conjugate and parametric amplifier receivers enjoy. When used in a sequential detection QI protocol, the hetero-homodyne receiver offers a 9 dB quantum advantage over a conventional CI radar, and a 3 dB advantage over a CI radar with sequential detection. Our work is a significant step forward toward a practical quantum radar for the microwave region, and, more generally, emphasizes the potential offered by cascaded POVMs for quantum radar.Comment: 12 pages, 5 figure

Tormentas de polvo, sequía y desertificación en el sudoeste de la provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina

The study region is one of the most endangered area from wind erosion in the country. This process, coupled with recurrent droughts in last decades and the mishandling of productive practices have generated desertification. This study presents a review of the interaction of these processes based on literature, field survey and perception of producers. Recommendations for rehabilitation are proposed. The area covers 6.5 million hectares, hosting in 2002: 550,000 people and 7,825 farms in irrigated and non-irrigated lands. Irrigated lands are devoted to agricultural production. Non-irrigated have a mixed production system (beef cattle-wheat). Mean annual rainfall in 1940-2014 was 407 mm. In 60% of these years, rainfall was below the mean. Desertification in the area is a consequence of drought and mismanagement. In wet cycles, producers increase stocking rate and wheat-sown area using the same practices of the humid pampa. As a consequence of dry cycles, land is abandonment and fields covered by sand and invasive plants. Over 20 cm of soil has blown away and sand accumulates in fences and stays suspended in the atmosphere, reaching Bahía Blanca city and up to 400 km into the Atlantic Ocean. The area requires deep structural changes in production systems and their management. Emphasis should be on sustainable management, which involves a mentality change of producers and decision makers. Recommendations were made for cleared and non-cleared lands.La región estudiada es una de las áreas más amenazadas por la erosión del viento en el país. Este proceso, junto con las sequías recurrentes en las últimas décadas y el mal manejo de las prácticas productivas han generado desertificación. Este estudio presenta una revisión de la interacción de estos procesos sobre la base de la bibliografía, el relevamiento de campo y la percepción de los productores. Propone recomendaciones para su rehabilitación. El área cubre 6,5 millones de hectáreas, albergando en 2002 a 550.000 personas y 7.825 explotaciones en tierras irrigadas y no irrigadas. Las tierras irrigadas están dedicadas a la producción agrícola. Las tierras no irrigadas poseen un sistema de producción mixto (bovinos de carne- trigo). La lluvia media anual entre los años 1940 y 2014 fue de 407 mm. En el 60% de los años del período indicado fue menor que la media. La desertificación en el área es una consecuencia de la sequía y el mal manejo. En los ciclos húmedos, los productores incrementan la carga animal y el área sembrada con trigo usando las mismas prácticas de la pampa húmeda. Más de 20 cm de suelo se ha perdido debido a la erosión eólica y la arena se acumula en los alambrados y además permanece suspendida en la atmósfera, avanzando sobre la ciudad de Bahía Blanca y hasta 400 km en el Océano Atlántico. El área requiere cambios estructurales profundos en los sistemas de producción y su manejo. El énfasis debería estar en el manejo sustentable, que involucra un cambio de mentalidad de productores y tomadores de decisiones.Fil: Abraham, Elena María. Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas Fil: Guevara, Juan Carlos. Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas Fil: Candia, Roberto Juan. Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas Fil: Soria, Nelson Darío. Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas <IADIZA

Influence of thermal parameters on microstructure of Al-Cu alloys directionally solidified

Para investigar la influencia de los parámetros de solidificación sobre la microestructura dendrítica de las aleaciones Al-Cu de diferentes concentraciones se realizaron experiencias con diferentes valores de velocidades de enfriamiento y gradientes de temperatura. La microestructura de solidificación fue estudiada comparando los espaciamientos dendríticos experimentales con los predichos por los modelos teóricos, calculando el espaciamiento dendrítico primario como una función de la composición, de la velocidad de crecimiento, el gradiente térmico y de parámetros termofísicos. El espaciamiento dendrítico secundario se calcula como una función de la velocidad de enfriamiento y del gradiente térmico, y además, del tiempo de solidificación local. Se presentan y analizan los resultados obtenidos, comparándolos con trabajos previos.In order to investigate the influence of the solidification parameters on the dendritic microstructure of Al-Cu alloys of different concentrations, experiments with different values of cooling rates and temperature gradients were performed. The solidification microstructure was studied by comparing the experimental dendritic spacing with those predicted by the theoretical models, calculating the primary dendrite spacing as a function of the composition, the growth speed, the thermal gradient and the thermophysical parameters. Secondary dendrite spacing is calculated as a function of cooling rate and the thermal gradient, and also the local solidification time. We present and analyze the results, comparing them with previous worksFil: Rodriguez, Carlos María. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Misiones; ArgentinaFil: Candia, Adriana. Universidad Nacional de Misiones; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Schvezov, Carlos Enrique. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Misiones; ArgentinaFil: Rosenberger, Mario Roberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Misiones; ArgentinaFil: Ares, Alicia Esther. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Misiones; Argentin

Modelo de configuracion de grupos y asignacion de clientes para minimizar los impactos economicos en los procesos de distribucion, recaudacion y cobranza de facturas a nivel nacional para la empresa Autopista Central S. A.

179 p.La presente memoria está orientada a la optimización de la distribución de facturas a nivel nacional para La Sociedad Concesionaria Autopista Central S.A., es decir, la optimización en la distribución de Clientes y Configuración de los Grupos para minimizar los impactos económicos en los procesos de distribución, recaudación y cobranza, permitiendo que el cliente reciba su documento de cobro a tiempo para un efectivo pago. En primer lugar, se realizó un diagnostico de la situación actual de la empresa, comenzando con la formación de los grupos de facturación y la asignación de clientes a estos grupos de facturación, luego se analizó y formalizó cada uno de los procesos y tiempos, que participan en la facturación. Al momento de construir la alternativa a evaluar, se consideró el funcionamiento actual vigente, el cual se rige por un ciclo de facturación mensual de los grupos. Para esto se construye un modelo que permita la optimización de los distintos procesos de al Facturación. Por último se presentan los resultados obtenidos al desarrollar el modelo matemático y al desarrollar el análisis de la nueva distribución de los grupos, comparando el actual desempeño con el modelado, y presentando en la proyección el ahorro de los tiempos. Finalmente se concluye con la presentación formal de los resultados y la recomendación de implementación de la nueva distribución

Proposal for a Fitness Program in the School Setting during the COVID 19 Pandemic: Effects of an 8-Week CrossFit Program on Psychophysical Well-Being in Healthy Adolescents

Background: The Italian government promoted social distancing, in which the suspension of any social event, suspension of all activities practiced in gyms, sports centers and their closure was ordered. The social distancing in the school environment and the use of strategies to limit viral infection are not very compatible with group motor activity and team sports. The aim of this study is to verify the effectiveness of a CrossFit program in order to mitigate the deficits in fitness caused by COVID-19 prevention measures and to evaluate the effects on self-efficacy in a group of young adolescents. Methodsː 30 healthy participants were randomly allocated into an intervention group (IG) that performed the 8 weeks CrossFit training program or control group (CG). Physical fitness tests (i.e., Squat, push-up, lunge, and 20 m run) and psychological measures Regulatory Emotional Self-Efficacy scale (RESE) were performed at baseline and after 8 weeks. Resultsː After 8 weeks, the intervention group showed significant improvements for all fitness tests (p &lt; 0.0001). Additionally, higher scores for the RESE negative and positive (p &lt; 0.0001) scales were found in the intervention group. No statistical differences were found in the control group except for the push up test. Conclusionsː the 8-week CrossFit intervention program could positively affect the general physical well-being and improve the emotional perceived self-efficacy in healthy adolescents. View Full-Tex