QPCF: higher order languages and quantum circuits

qPCF is a paradigmatic quantum programming language that ex- tends PCF with quantum circuits and a quantum co-processor. Quantum circuits are treated as classical data that can be duplicated and manipulated in flexible ways by means of a dependent type system. The co-processor is essentially a standard QRAM device, albeit we avoid to store permanently quantum states in between two co-processor's calls. Despite its quantum features, qPCF retains the classic programming approach of PCF. We introduce qPCF syntax, typing rules, and its operational semantics. We prove fundamental properties of the system, such as Preservation and Progress Theorems. Moreover, we provide some higher-order examples of circuit encoding

A Certified Study of a Reversible Programming Language

We advance in the study of the semantics of Janus, a C-like reversible programming language. Our study makes utterly explicit some backward and forward evaluation symmetries. We want to deepen mathematical knowledge about the foundations and design principles of reversible computing and programming languages. We formalize a big-step operational semantics and a denotational semantics of Janus. We show a full abstraction result between the operational and denotational semantics. Last, we certify our results by means of the proof assistant Matita

To “Sketch-a-Scratch”

A surface can be harsh and raspy, or smooth and silky, and everything in between. We are used to sense these features with our fingertips as well as with our eyes and ears: the exploration of a surface is a multisensory experience. Tools, too, are often employed in the interaction with surfaces, since they augment our manipulation capabilities. “Sketch-a-Scratch” is a tool for the multisensory exploration and sketching of surface textures. The user’s actions drive a physical sound model of real materials’ response to interactions such as scraping, rubbing or rolling. Moreover, different input signals can be converted into 2D visual surface profiles, thus enabling to experience them visually, aurally and haptically

Eco-friendly gas mixtures for Resistive Plate Chambers based on Tetrafluoropropene and Helium

Due to the recent restrictions deriving from the application of the Kyoto protocol, the main components of the gas mixtures presently used in the Resistive Plate Chambers systems of the LHC experiments will be most probably phased out of production in the coming years. Identifying possible replacements with the adequate characteristics requires an intense R&D, which was recently started, also in collaborations across the various experiments. Possible candidates have been proposed and are thoroughly investigated. Some tests on one of the most promising candidate - HFO-1234ze, an allotropic form of tetrafluoropropane- have already been reported. Here an innovative approach, based on the use of Helium, to solve the problems related to the too elevate operating voltage of HFO-1234ze based gas mixtures, is discussed and the relative first results are shown.Comment: 9 pages, 6 figures, 1 tabl

A Class of Reversible Primitive Recursive Functions

AbstractReversible computing is bi-deterministic which means that its execution is both forward and backward deterministic, i.e. next/previous computational step is uniquely determined. Various approaches exist to catch its extensional or intensional aspects and properties. We present a class RPRF of reversible functions which holds at bay intensional aspects and emphasizes the extensional side of the reversible computation by following the style of Dedekind-Robinson Primitive Recursive Functions. The class RPRF is closed by inversion, can only express bijections on integers — not only natural numbers —, and it is expressive enough to simulate Primitive Recursive Functions, of course, in an effective way

PROPRIEDADES MECÂNICAS DE RESISTÊNCIA AO CISALHAMENTO, COMPRESSIBILIDADE, PERMEABILIDADE E A CONFORMAÇÃO DO RELEVO NO SUDOESTE DO MUNICÍPIO DE SÃO PEDRO DO SUL – RS

O trabalho foi desenvolvido numa área que abrange diferentes formações geológicas, sobre as quais evoluem relevos de dissecação e acumulação. Partiu-se do pressuposto de que o relevo e a conformação das vertentes do sudoeste do município de São Pedro do Sul, RS, devem-se a natureza do material sedimentar do topo das formações que ocorrem na área (areia fina, silte, argilas de baixa a média plasticidade, argilas arenosas e argilas siltosas) e, que a relação entre a configuração da drenagem e as formas de modelado do relevo, pode ser explicada pelo comportamento das propriedades de resistência ao cisalhamento, compressibilidade e permeabilidade. O objetivo do trabalho foi contribuir para o entendimento de parâmetros que expressam a configuração da rede hidrográfica, o modelado do relevo e a conformação de vertentes em diferentes formações geológicas da Bacia do Paraná, no sudoeste do município de São Pedro do Sul, RS. Os resultados obtidos indicam que as propriedades de resistência ao cisalhamento, compressibilidade e permeabilidade, influenciam o comportamento da rede de drenagem bem como a forma do perfil das vertentes, condicionando a evolução do relevo na área sudoeste do município de São Pedro do Sul, RS. O baixo relevo e a conformação de vertentes côncavas na área correspondente a formação Sanga do Cabral, contrasta com um relevo mais pronunciado em vertentes com formas convexas, nas áreas das formações Santa Maria (TRsm) e Caturrita (TRc), indicando relação com as propriedades de resistência ao cisalhamento, compressibilidade e permeabilidade do material sedimentar dessas formações geológicas

Balanço hídrico e classificação climática de thornthwaite do bairro Camobi, Santa Maria, RS

For the human activities development, the detailed knowledge of the climatic conditions is essential. However, in many study fields there is absence of information about it. Purposing to enhance the availability ofinformation on this subject, using precipitation, temperature and evapotranspiration potential data, this paper aims to establish the water balance and the Thornthwaite climatic classification of the Camobi neighbourhood in the city of Santa Maria, RS, Brazil. The methodology used the water balance equation proposed from Thornthwaite (1948) and enhanced from Thornthwaite and Mather in 1955. It were used data in the period from 2010 and 2017 and, as reference, a soil water availability equal to 100mm. The monthly average air temperature and precipitation were 19,48ºC and 145,99mm, while the annual evapotranspiration was 880,1mm and the hydric excess 835,5mm. The yearly average precipitation was 1.752mm. In the analysed period, there was excess of water in the soil, representing 0,48 times the annual precipitation and the evapotranspiration was concentrated in the summer. It was obtained the climatic equation B3rB’3a’, that is, a humid climate, few or zero water deficiency, mesothermic and thermal efficiency concentrated in summer.Para o desenvolvimento das atividades humanas, o conhecimento detalhado das condições climáticas assume fundamental importância. Entretanto, em muitas áreas há carência de informações sobre o assunto. No sentido de aumentar a disponibilidade de informações em relação ao tema, utilizando-se dados de precipitação, temperatura e evapotranspiração potencial, o trabalho tem como objetivo estabelecer o balanço hídrico e a classificação climática de Thornthwaite do bairro Camobi no município de Santa Maria, RS. A metodologia seguiu o cálculo do balanço hídrico proposto por Thornthwaite (1948) e aperfeiçoado por Thornthwaite e Mather em 1955. Utilizaram-se dados obtidos no do período 2010 a 2017 e, como referência, a capacidade de água disponível (CAD) igual a 100 mm. A média mensal da temperatura do ar foi 19,48°C e da precipitação 145,99 mm, enquanto a evapotranspiração anual foi 880,1 mm e, 835,5 mm o excesso hídrico. A média para a precipitação anual foi 1.752 mm. No período analisado houve excesso de água no solo, representando 0,48 vezes a precipitação anual, com a evapotranspiração concentrada no verão. Foi obtida a fórmula climática B3rB’3a’, tratando-se de clima úmido, com deficiência de água pequena ou nula, mesotérmico e concentração da eficiência termal no verão

Diagrama ombrotérmico do bairro Camobi, Santa Maria, RS

For the human activities development, the detailed knowledge of the climatic conditions is essential. However, in many fields, there is a lack of information about it ant the the environmental problems became larger with the human sedentarisation. These problems occur in several places due to planning deficiency, that is, lack in the natural resources management process. In the city of Santa Maria, RS, the conditions are exacerbated due to its particular location, a transition zone between the Pampa and the Atlantic Rainforest biomes. Aiming to enlarge the information available in the climatic and ecological fields, this paper establish ombrothermic diagrams and identifies the ombric and thermical monthly curves in the Camobi Neighborhood, in the municipality of Santa Maria, RS. The methodology followed was proposed from Bagnouls and Gaussen (1963). It were used data from 2010 to 2017. The monthly mean air temperature was 19,48ºC and the monthly mean precipitation was 145,99mm. The yearly mean precipitation was 1.752mm. It is concluded that, considering the monthly mean air temperature (ºC) and pluviometric precipitation (mm), there is no dry period in the Camobi neighbourhood. However, when yearly results are considered, dry periods are identified in 2010 between March and July, in 2011 in Dezember, in 2012 in March and Juky, in 2016 in June and in 2017 in July. It is also verified that, even in the most dry years, described as years with occurance of drought, the dry period happens in small intervals, such as in 2011, 2012 and 2016.Para o desenvolvimento das atividades humanas, o conhecimento detalhado das condições climáticas assume fundamental importância. Entretanto, em muitas áreas, há carência de informações sobre o assunto e os problemas ambientais intensificaram-se com a sedentarização do homem. Tais problemas ocorrem em diversos locais devido à carência de planejamento, ou seja, por deficiências no processo de gestão dos recursos naturais. No caso da cidade de Santa Maria, RS, as condições se agravam devido a sua localização peculiar, uma zona de transição entre os biomas Pampa e Mata Atlântica. No sentido de aumentar a disponibilidade de informações em relação ao clima e ecologia, o trabalho tem como objetivo estabelecer diagramas ombrotérmicos e identificar as curvas ômbricas e térmicas mensais para o bairro Camobi no município de Santa Maria, RS. A metodologia seguiu a proposta de Bagnouls e Gaussen (1963). Utilizaram-se dados obtidos no do período 2010 a 2017. A média mensal da temperatura do ar foi 19,48°C e, a precipitação média mensal 145,99 mm. A média para a precipitação anual foi 1.752 mm. Conclui-se, ao se considerar a média dos valores mensais para a temperatura do ar (°C) e precipitação pluviométrica (mm) no período 2010-2017 que, caracteristicamente, no bairro camobi não existe período seco. Porém, ao se observar os resultados ano a ano verifica-se a ocorrência de períodos secos em 2010 para os meses de março e outubro, para 2011 no mês de dezembro, em 2012 para os meses de março e junho, em 2016 para o mês de junho e, em 2017 ocorre período seco no mês de julho. Também se observa que, mesmo nos anos mais secos, caracterizados como anos com presença de estiagem, o período seco acontece em pequenos intervalos como ocorreu, por exemplo, nos anos de 2011, 2012 e 2016.

To Sketch-a-Scratch

A surface can be harsh and raspy, or smooth and silky, and everything in between. We are used to sense these features with our fingertips as well as with our eyes and ears: the exploration of a surface is a multisensory experience. Tools, too, are often employed in the interaction with surfaces, since they augment our manipulation capabilities. “Sketch-a-Scratch” is a tool for the multisensory exploration and sketching of surface textures. The user’s actions drive a physical sound model of real materials’ response to interactions such as scraping, rubbing or rolling. Moreover, different input signals can be converted into 2D visual surface profiles, thus enabling to experience them visually, aurally and haptically

A penetration efficiency model for the optimization of solid conical microneedles’ geometry

Microneedles (MNs) are promising alternatives to pills and traditional needles as drug delivery systems due to their fast, localized, and relatively less painful administration. Filling a knowledge gap, this study investigated and optimized the most influential geometrical factors determining the penetration efficiency of MNs. The effects of height, base diameter, and tip diameter were analyzed using the finite element method, with results showing that the most influencing factor was base diameter, followed by height. Moreover, the taper angle, which is dependent on all the geometrical factors, was found to directly affect the penetration efficiency at a fixed height. An additional model was developed to relate the height and taper angle to penetration efficiency, and the results were experimentally validated by compression testing of MN array prototypes printed using two-photon photolithography. The numerical model closely predicted the experimental results, with a root mean square error of 9.35. The results of our study have the potential to aid the design of high-penetration efficiency MNs for better functionality and applicability