Thermo-statistics of irreversible processes: a Boltzmann-Gibbs-style ensemble formalism

The area of Physics indicated in the title is nowadays of quite relevant interest, not only from the purely scientific point of view, but specially for its applied aspects associated to the present-time point-first-technologies. A particular research trend in the theory of irreversible processes, which are evolving in time in systems arbitrarily departed from equilibrium, is here briefly described. It consists in the construction of a Gibbs-style nonequilibrium ensemble formalism. The derivation of a nonequilibrium statistical operator is described (the variational approach of Predictive Statistical Mechanics is used). The main questions involved are presented and applications are briefly mentioned.97106Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES

Optimal photonic indistinguishability tests in multimode networks

Particle indistinguishability is at the heart of quantum statistics that regulates fundamental phenomena such as the electronic band structure of solids, Bose-Einstein condensation and superconductivity. Moreover, it is necessary in practical applications such as linear optical quantum computation and simulation, in particular for Boson Sampling devices. It is thus crucial to develop tools to certify genuine multiphoton interference between multiple sources. Here we show that so-called Sylvester interferometers are near-optimal for the task of discriminating the behaviors of distinguishable and indistinguishable photons. We report the first implementations of integrated Sylvester interferometers with 4 and 8 modes with an efficient, scalable and reliable 3D-architecture. We perform two-photon interference experiments capable of identifying indistinguishable photon behaviour with a Bayesian approach using very small data sets. Furthermore, we employ experimentally this new device for the assessment of scattershot Boson Sampling. These results open the way to the application of Sylvester interferometers for the optimal assessment of multiphoton interference experiments.Comment: 9+10 pages, 6+6 figures, added supplementary material, completed and updated bibliograph

A eficácia normativa dos direitos humanos no contexto internacional

A presente pesquisa tem, como objetivo geral, a análise da eficácia dos direitos humanos no contexto internacional sob o prisma normativo. Investiga as diferentes correntes que tratam de sua posição hierárquica normativa e, especialmente, analisa a possibilidade de aplicação da corrente que pugna pela supra constitucionalidade dos direitos humanos no âmbito dos mais diversos sistemas jurídicos estatais. Assim, especificamente, verifica se é legítima e adequada a defesa de uma posição supraconstitucional dos direitos do homem e, em caso positivo, quais os fundamentos que embasam uma posição hierárquica superior desta categoria jurídica. Para isso, desenvolve, preliminarmente, o tema da afirmação histórica dos direitos humanos e os principais problemas relacionados à eficácia destes direitos. A seguir, examina a legitimidade dos direitos do homem, analisando os argumentos favoráveis e contrários, de acordo com as perspectivas filosóficas, jurídicas e políticas. Após, estuda a questão da relação entre o direito internacional com o direito interno, abrangendo o fundamento de validade dos sistemas jurídicos e, especialmente, a relação existente entre os tratados internacionais e os sistemas jurídicos dos Estados. Por fim, investiga o problema da superioridade normativa dos direitos essenciais do homem, com especial ênfase para a análise das diferentes teses acerca da posição hierárquica destes direitos e para o exame crítico do posicionamento adotado com a exposição dos principais argumentos bem como do contributo geral deste entendimento para todas as sociedades políticas.The present research has, as a general objective, the analysis of the effectiveness of human rights in the international context under the normative prism. It investigates the different currents that deal with its normative hierarchical position and, in particular, analyzes the possibility of applying the current that strives for the supraconstitutionality of human rights within the most diverse state legal systems. Thus, specifically, it verifies whether the defense of a supraconstitutional position of human rights is legitimate and adequate and, if so, what are the foundations that support a higher hierarchical position in this legal category. For this, it preliminarily develops the theme of the historical affirmation of human rights and the main problems related to the effectiveness of these rights. Next, it examines the legitimacy of human rights, analyzing the arguments for and against, according to philosophical, legal and political perspectives. Then, it studies the question of the relationship between international law and domestic law, covering the foundation of the validity of legal systems and, especially, the relationship between international treaties and the legal systems of States. Finally, it investigates the problem of normative superiority of essential human rights, with special emphasis on the analysis of the different theses about the hierarchical position of these rights and for the critical examination of the position adopted with the presentation of the main arguments as well as the general contribution of this understanding for all political societie