Competing coherent and dissipative dynamics close to quantum criticality

We investigate the competition of coherent and dissipative dynamics in many-body systems at continuous quantum transitions. We consider dissipative mechanisms that can be effectively described by Lindblad equations for the density matrix of the system. The interplay between the critical coherent dynamics and dissipation is addressed within a dynamic finite-size scaling framework, which allows us to identify the regime where they develop a nontrivial competition. We analyze protocols that start from critical many-body ground states and put forward general dynamic scaling behaviors involving the Hamiltonian parameters and the coupling associated with the dissipation. This scaling scenario is supported by a numerical study of the dynamic behavior of a one-dimensional lattice fermion gas undergoing a quantum Ising transition in the presence of dissipative mechanisms such as local pumping, decaying, and dephasing.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figure

Scaling properties of work fluctuations after quenches near quantum transitions

We study the scaling properties of the statistics of the work done on a generic many-body system at a quantum phase transition of any order and type, arising from quenches of a driving control parameter. For this purpose we exploit a dynamic finite-size scaling framework. Namely, we put forward the existence of a nontrivial finite-size scaling limit for the work distribution, defined as the large-size limit when appropriate scaling variables are kept fixed. The corresponding scaling behaviors are thoroughly verified by means of analytical and numerical calculations in two paradigmatic many-body systems as the quantum Ising model and the Bose–Hubbard model

Deterministic entangling gates with nonlinear quantum photonic interferometers

The quantum computing paradigm in photonics currently relies on the multi-port interference in linear optical devices, which is intrinsically based on probabilistic measurements outcome and thus non-deterministic. Devising a fully deterministic, universal, and practically achievable quantum computing platform based on integrated photonic circuits is still an open challenge. Here we propose to exploit weakly nonlinear photonic devices to implement deterministic entangling quantum gates, following the definition of dual rail photonic qubits. It is shown that a universal set of single- and two-qubit gates can be designed by a suitable concatenation of few optical interferometric elements, with optimal fidelities arbitrarily close to 100% theoretically demonstrated through a bound constrained optimization algorithm. The actual realization would require the concatenation of a few tens of elementary operations, as well as on-chip optical nonlinearities that are compatible with some of the existing quantum photonic platforms, as it is finally discussed

Effects of mineral and organic fertilization with the use of wet olive pomace on durum wheat performance

n/

Robotic Versus Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy: Pluriannual Experience in a High-Volume Center Evaluating Indications and Results

Background: Robotic adrenalectomy offers several clinical benefits if compared with laparoscopic adrenalectomy; however, its superiority is still under debate. The aim of this study was the investigation of differences between the two techniques, and a comparison when approaching right or left side adrenal lesions was further conducted. Materials and Methods: All patients undergoing laparoscopic and robotic unilateral adrenalectomy at our institution from January 2006 to December 2019 were collected and retrospectively analyzed. Statistical analysis was conducted; differences between the two cohorts were reported. Results: A total of 160 cases were included (84 patients in laparoscopic adrenalectomy-group [LA-g] 76 cases in robotic adrenalectomy-group [RA-g]). The groups were homogeneous for demographic data. No intraoperative complications were reported; mean amount of intraoperative blood loss was comparable. No cases of conversion to open surgery were required. RA-g presented a longer operative time than LA-g for right adrenalectomy (P = .05), no differences were noted for left side (P = .187). Overall morbidity was 21% for LA-g and 10.5% for RA-g (P = .087), with an inferior rate of surgical complications for RA-g (P = .024), and for robotic left adrenalectomy than robotic right procedure (P = .03). Length of hospital stay was shorter for RA-g (P = .005). Conclusions: Robotic adrenalectomy presents similar outcomes as laparoscopic approach with some benefits for selected cases. Left adrenal lesions seem to receive greater advantages from robotic technique. Large randomized controlled trials are required to determine the role of robotic adrenal surgery and if the indication can be standardized based on the laterality of adrenal procedure

Generation of induced pluripotent stem cells from a Becker muscular dystrophy patient carrying a deletion of exons 45-55 of the dystrophin gene (CCMi002BMD-A-9 ∆45-55)

Abstract Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) is a dystrophinopathy caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene on chromosome Xp21. BMD mutations result in truncated semi-functional dystrophin isoforms. Consequently, less severe clinical symptoms become apparent later in life compared to Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Dermal fibroblasts from a BMD patient were electroporated with episomal plasmids containing reprogramming factors to create the induced pluripotent stem cell line: CCMi002BMD-A-9 that showed pluripotent markers, were karyotypically normal and capable of trilineage differentiation. MLPA analyses performed on DNA extracted from CCMi002BMD-A-9 showed an in-frame deletion of exons 45 to 55 (CCMi002BMD-A-9 Δ45-55)

Derivation of the Duchenne muscular dystrophy patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cell line lacking DMD exons 49 and 50 (CCMi001DMD-A-3, ∆ 49, ∆ 50)

Abstract Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is caused by abnormalities in the dystrophin gene and is clinically characterised by childhood muscle degeneration and cardiomyopathy. We produced an induced pluripotent stem cell line from a DMD patient's dermal fibroblasts by electroporation with episomal vectors containing: hL-MYC, hLIN28, hSOX2, hKLF4, hOCT3/4. The resultant DMD iPSC line (CCMi001DMD-A-3) displayed iPSC morphology, expressed pluripotency markers, possessed trilineage differentiation potential and was karyotypically normal. MLPA analyses performed on DNA extracted from CCMi001DMD-A-3 showed a deletion of exons 49 and 50 (CCMi001DMD-A-3, ∆ 49, ∆ 50)

Evolution Strategies in Transaxillary Robotic Thyroidectomy: Considerations on the First 449 Cases Performed.

BACKGROUND: In the past 20 years, the fast spread of new surgical technologies has reached an important peak with the advent of the robotic surgery. Many studies have been run about a cosmetic desire to avoid neck scars after thyroid surgery and this has led to the development of remote access robotic thyroidectomy (RT). Among the various RT approaches, unilateral transaxillary access is one of the most widely used, reporting excellent results in terms of feasibility and patient's compliance. The mini-invasive technique demonstrated many potential shortcoming overcomes with the robotic approach. At our institution a team of 3 skilled endocrine surgeons with experience in laparoscopic and robotic procedures performed RT. Our aim is to report our 8-year single-centre robot-assisted thyroidectomy experience, by applying a gasless unilateral transaxillary approach with the so-called hybrid technique, and to demonstrate its safety and feasibility. METHODS: In the period between September 2010 and June 2018 at our institution, a total of 472 patients underwent thyroid and parathyroid transaxillary surgery. The hybrid technique was applied for all the robotic procedures. A total of 412 procedures were performed with the use of external "Modena Retractor" (CEATEC® Medizintechnik) and with 3 surgeons. According to international guidelines, our indications for robotic surgery were benign lesions with a diameter <5 cm, Graves' disease, well-differentiated thyroid cancers, and parathyroid adenomas. RESULTS: In this series, a total of 449 cases were registered. General data of patients were analyzed: gender, age, body mass index, tumor size, preoperative fine-needle aspiration examination, definitive histological examination, operative time, and postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms the application of robotic approach in thyroid surgery as a feasible technique in terms of safety and complications risk. The hybrid technique, together with a dedicated surgical team, can lead to obtaining the same outcomes of traditional anterior cervicotomic surgery, adding a scarless thyroidectomy