13,025 research outputs found
Normal form decomposition for Gaussian-to-Gaussian superoperators
In this paper we explore the set of linear maps sending the set of quantum
Gaussian states into itself. These maps are in general not positive, a feature
which can be exploited as a test to check whether a given quantum state belongs
to the convex hull of Gaussian states (if one of the considered maps sends it
into a non positive operator, the above state is certified not to belong to the
set). Generalizing a result known to be valid under the assumption of complete
positivity, we provide a characterization of these Gaussian-to-Gaussian (not
necessarily positive) superoperators in terms of their action on the
characteristic function of the inputs. For the special case of one-mode
mappings we also show that any Gaussian-to-Gaussian superoperator can be
expressed as a concatenation of a phase-space dilatation, followed by the
action of a completely positive Gaussian channel, possibly composed with a
transposition. While a similar decomposition is shown to fail in the multi-mode
scenario, we prove that it still holds at least under the further hypothesis of
homogeneous action on the covariance matrix
The squashed entanglement of the noiseless quantum Gaussian attenuator and amplifier
We determine the maximum squashed entanglement achievable between sender and
receiver of the noiseless quantum Gaussian attenuators and amplifiers and we
prove that it is achieved sending half of an infinitely squeezed two-mode
vacuum state. The key ingredient of the proof is a lower bound to the squashed
entanglement of the quantum Gaussian states obtained applying a two-mode
squeezing operation to a quantum thermal Gaussian state tensored with the
vacuum state. This is the first lower bound to the squashed entanglement of a
quantum Gaussian state and opens the way to determine the squashed entanglement
of all quantum Gaussian channels. Moreover, we determine the classical squashed
entanglement of the quantum Gaussian states above and show that it is strictly
larger than their squashed entanglement. This is the first time that the
classical squashed entanglement of a mixed quantum Gaussian state is
determined
A cost-benefit analysis of tunnel investment and tolling alternatives in Antwerp
A proposal has been made to build a new tunnel under the Scheldt river near the centre of Antwerp in
order to relieve traffic congestion on the ring road and in an existing tunnel. The new tunnel is expected
to cost more than €1 billion, and tolls have been suggested to help finance construction and to manage
demand. This paper conducts a preliminary cost-benefit analysis of a new tunnel and three alternative
tolling schemes, and compares them with a do-nothing scenario and an option to toll the existing tunnel
without building a new one. The two tunnels are treated as imperfect substitutes, and a multi-year
accounting framework is adopted that accounts for emissions, accidents and noise externalities, road
damage, revenues accruing to the national and regional governments from existing transport user charges,
and the salvage value of the new tunnel. With the base-case parameter values it is found that building the
tunnel is worthwhile with all three tolling regimes and yields a higher benefit than not building the tunnel
and tolling the old one. Nevertheless, the net benefit from building the tunnel differs appreciably between
tolling regimes, and it is sensitive to the value assumed for the marginal cost of public funds
Stochastic dynamics beyond the weak coupling limit: thermalization
We discuss the structure and asymptotic long-time properties of coupled
equations for the moments of a Brownian particle's momentum derived
microscopically beyond the lowest approximation in the weak coupling parameter.
Generalized fluctuation-dissipation relations are derived and shown to ensure
convergence to thermal equilibrium at any order of perturbation theory.Comment: 6+ page
Collective Decoherence of Nuclear Spin Clusters
The problem of dipole-dipole decoherence of nuclear spins is considered for
strongly entangled spin cluster. Our results show that its dynamics can be
described as the decoherence due to interaction with a composite bath
consisting of fully correlated and uncorrelated parts. The correlated term
causes the slower decay of coherence at larger times. The decoherence rate
scales up as a square root of the number of spins giving the linear scaling of
the resulting error. Our theory is consistent with recent experiment reported
in decoherence of correlated spin clusters.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure
Mitophagy contributes to endothelial adaptation to simulated microgravity
Exposure to real or simulated microgravity is sensed as a stress by mammalian cells, which activate a complex adaptive response. In human primary endothelial cells, we have recently shown the sequential intervention of various stress proteins which are crucial to prevent apoptosis and maintain cell function. We here demonstrate that mitophagy contributes to endothelial adaptation to gravitational unloading. After 4 and 10 d of exposure to simulated microgravity in the rotating wall vessel, the amount of BCL2 interacting protein 3, a marker of mitophagy, is increased and, in parallel, mitochondrial content, oxygen consumption, and maximal respiratory capacity are reduced, suggesting the acquisition of a thrifty phenotype to meet the novel metabolic challenges generated by gravitational unloading. Moreover, we suggest that microgravity induced-disorganization of the actin cytoskeleton triggers mitophagy, thus creating a connection between cytoskeletal dynamics and mitochondrial content upon gravitational unloading
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