Speeding up and slowing down the relaxation of a qubit by optimal control

We consider a two-level quantum system prepared in an arbitrary initial state and relaxing to a steady state due to the action of a Markovian dissipative channel. We study how optimal control can be used for speeding up or slowing down the relaxation towards the fixed point of the dynamics. We analytically derive the optimal relaxation times for different quantum channels in the ideal ansatz of unconstrained quantum control (a magnetic field of infinite strength). We also analyze the situation in which the control Hamiltonian is bounded by a finite threshold. As byproducts of our analysis we find that: (i) if the qubit is initially in a thermal state hotter than the environmental bath, quantum control cannot speed up its natural cooling rate; (ii) if the qubit is initially in a thermal state colder than the bath, it can reach the fixed point of the dynamics in finite time if a strong control field is applied; (iii) in the presence of unconstrained quantum control it is possible to keep the evolved state indefinitely and arbitrarily close to special initial states which are far away from the fixed points of the dynamics.Comment: 11 pages, 6 figure

All-for-One and One-For-All: Deep learning-based feature fusion for Synthetic Speech Detection

Recent advances in deep learning and computer vision have made the synthesis and counterfeiting of multimedia content more accessible than ever, leading to possible threats and dangers from malicious users. In the audio field, we are witnessing the growth of speech deepfake generation techniques, which solicit the development of synthetic speech detection algorithms to counter possible mischievous uses such as frauds or identity thefts. In this paper, we consider three different feature sets proposed in the literature for the synthetic speech detection task and present a model that fuses them, achieving overall better performances with respect to the state-of-the-art solutions. The system was tested on different scenarios and datasets to prove its robustness to anti-forensic attacks and its generalization capabilities.Comment: Accepted at ECML-PKDD 2023 Workshop "Deep Learning and Multimedia Forensics. Combating fake media and misinformation

Test platform for electronic control units of high-performance safety-critical multi actuator systems

In this paper we are mostly concerned with the problem of testing electronic control units of synchronized electric power actuators. This task is particularly complex for safety critical applications, where it is crucial that the control system properly reacts in response to the faults, that are hard to reproduce and verify. A cost-effective flexible and reconfigurable test platform is proposed, discussing its architecture and implementation. The proposed system facilitates the phase of definition and development of the electronic control unit, allowing the interfacing towards both hydraulic and electromechanical actuators, and having a high flexibility as regards the I/O signals. Some results, obtained during the laboratory test activity, are also presented

Effect of proliferating cell nuclear antigen ubiquitination and chromatin structure on the dynamic properties of the Y-family DNA polymerases

Y-family DNA polymerases carry out translesion synthesis past damaged DNA. DNA polymerases (pol) η and ι are usually uniformly distributed through the nucleus but accumulate in replication foci during S phase. DNA-damaging treatments result in an increase in S phase cells containing polymerase foci. Using photobleaching techniques, we show that polη is highly mobile in human fibroblasts. Even when localized in replication foci, it is only transiently immobilized. Although ubiquitination of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) is not required for the localization of polη in foci, it results in an increased residence time in foci. polι is even more mobile than polη, both when uniformly distributed and when localized in foci. Kinetic modeling suggests that both polη and polι diffuse through the cell but that they are transiently immobilized for ∼150 ms, with a larger proportion of polη than polι immobilized at any time. Treatment of cells with DRAQ5, which results in temporary opening of the chromatin structure, causes a dramatic immobilization of polη but not polι. Our data are consistent with a model in which the polymerases are transiently probing the DNA/chromatin. When DNA is exposed at replication forks, the polymerase residence times increase, and this is further facilitated by the ubiquitination of PCNA

Novel 1,3-thiazolidin-4-one derivatives as promising anti-Candida agents endowed with anti-oxidant and chelating properties

Pursuing our recent outcomes regarding the antifungal activity of N-substituted 1,3-thiazolidin-4-ones, we synthesized thirty-six new derivatives introducing aliphatic, cycloaliphatic and heteroaromatic moieties at N1-hydrazine connected with C2 position of the thiazolidinone nucleus and functionalizing the lactam nitrogen with differently substituted (NO2, NH2, Cl and F) benzyl groups. These compounds were tested to evaluate their minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against several clinical Candida spp. with respect to topical and systemic reference drugs (clotrimazole, fluconazole, ketoconazole, mi- conazole, tioconazole, amphotericin B). Moreover, anti-oxidant properties were also evaluated by using different protocols including free radical scavenging (DPPH and ABTS), reducing power (CUPRAC and FRAP), metal chelating and phosphomolybdenum assays. Moreover, for the most active derivatives we assessed the toxicity (CC50) against Hep2 human cells in order to characterize them as multi-target agents for fungal infections

Influence of the live cell DNA marker DRAQ5 on chromatin-associated processes

In the last decade, live cell fluorescence microscopy experiments have revolutionized cellular and molecular biology, enabling the localization of proteins within cellular compartments to be analysed and to determine kinetic parameters of enzymatic reactions in living nuclei to be measured. Recently, in vivo DNA labelling by DNA-stains such as DRAQ5, has provided the opportunity to measure kinetic reactions of GFP-fused proteins in targeted areas of the nucleus with different chromatin compaction levels. To verify the suitability of combining DRAQ5-staining with protein dynamic measurements, we have tested the cellular consequences of DRAQ5 DNA intercalation. We show that DRAQ5 intercalation rapidly modifies both the localization and the mobility properties of several DNA-binding proteins such as histones, DNA repair, replication and transcription factors, by stimulating a release of these proteins from their substrate. Most importantly, the effect of DRAQ5 on the mobility of essential cellular enzymes results in a potent inhibition of the corresponding cellular functions. From these observations, we suggest that great caution must be used when interpreting live cell data obtained using DRAQ5

O PROCESSO DE CONSTRUÇÃO DO PLANEJAMENTO ESTRATÉGICO: ESTUDO DE CASO DO DEPARTAMENTO DE PSICOLOGIA DA UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DE SANTA CATARINA

O artigo tem por objetivo descrever o processo de construção do planejamento estratégico do Departamento de Psicologia da Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina. Busca analisar as ações propostas para definição do alinhamento estratégico, integrado com a realidade interna e externa do meio educacional. Este trabalho foi realizado por meio de pesquisa documental, descritiva, com uma abordagem qualitativa, além de estudo de caso na UFSC. Os procedimentos utilizados para compreensão e pesquisa do tema em foco foram: análise de documentos, de um relato e aplicação de questionário. Os resultados mostram que o processo de planejamento necessita de uma dinâmica contínua de esforços coletivos, por parte dos membros do Departamento de Psicologia, passando por processos de aprendizagem, mudanças e desenvolvimento organizacional. No entanto, a pesquisa realizada demonstrou, também, que é possível aliar esforços para minimizar os impactos das fragilidades desse órgão, bem como potencializar suas competências e gerar bons resultados

Measurements for non-intrusive load monitoring through machine learning approaches

The topic of non-intrusive load monitoring (NILM) has seen a significant increase in research interest over the past decade, which has led to a significant increase in the performance of these systems. Nowadays, NILM systems are used in numerous applications, in particular by energy companies that provide users with an advanced management service of different consumption. These systems are mainly based on artificial intelligence algorithms that allow the disaggregation of energy by processing the absorbed power signal over more or less long time intervals (generally from fractions of an hour up to 24 h). Less attention was paid to the search for solutions that allow non-intrusive monitoring of the load in (almost) real time, that is, systems that make it possible to determine the variations in loads in extremely short times (seconds or fractions of a second). This paper proposes possible approaches for non-intrusive load monitoring systems operating in real time, analysing them from the point of view of measurement. The measurement and post-processing techniques used are illustrated and the results discussed. In addition, the work discusses the use of the results obtained to train machine learning algorithms that allow you to convert the measurement results into useful information for the user

2017 User Workshop of the Copernicus Emergency Management Service – Summary Report

This report summarises the User Workshop of the Copernicus Emergency Management Service (EMS) – Mapping component which was held on 20-21 June 2017 at the Joint Research Centre (JRC) in Ispra, Italy. The User Workshop is the annual forum at which users, service providers, the Commission and other stakeholders exchange views and experiences of the Copernicus EMS - Mapping component. It was attended by 50 participants from across Europe, of whom eighteen were users of this service component. The focus of the User Workshop was on the two on-demand Mapping services - i.e. “Rapid Mapping” and “Risk and Recovery Mapping” - which provide geo-spatial information in support to all phases of disaster management. The information is mainly derived from satellite imagery and complemented by available ancillary data. During the first day of the Workshop, the focus was on providing insights in the technical and scientific capacity of the “Risk & Recovery” Mapping service, which delivers maps and analysis in support of disaster risk reduction, preparedness and prevention, recovery and reconstruction. The aim of this part of the Workshop was to increase awareness of this service module, which is less known than the “Rapid Mapping” service - the “24/7” (i.e. always on) service supporting emergency response operations. Users were invited to present their experience with both service modules, while a live demo of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), was made, in order to show the potential of these platforms in the context of the fast provision of airborne imagery in an emergency situation. The second day of the Workshop addressed the evolution of Copernicus EMS - Mapping. Two Horizon 2020 projects were introduced and discussed: while iREACT (http://www.i-react.eu/) looks at exploiting advanced cyber technologies for disaster management, E2mC (https://www.e2mc-project.eu/) focuses on exploiting social data and crowdsourcing for use in Rapid Mapping. Other evolution-related topics addressed were links with the two Copernicus EMS Early Warning Systems (i.e. the European Flood Awareness System and the European Forest Fire Information System), product dissemination and potential new products. All topics were further discussed in groups. As every year, the discussions at the User Workshop are summarised and processed by the JRC, with a view to guiding the overall evolution of the service. The workshop agenda and presentations are available at: http://emergency.copernicus.eu/mapping/ems/copernicus-ems-mapping-user-workshop-2017JRC.E.1-Disaster Risk Managemen

Mechanisms of endothelial cell dysfunction in cystic fibrosis

Although cystic fibrosis (CF) patients exhibit signs of endothelial perturbation, the functions of the cystic fibrosis conductance regulator (CFTR) in vascular endothelial cells (EC) are poorly defined. We sought to uncover biological activities of endothelial CFTR, relevant for vascular homeostasis and inflammation. We examined cells from human umbilical cords (HUVEC) and pulmonary artery isolated from non-cystic fibrosis (PAEC) and CF human lungs (CF-PAEC), under static conditions or physiological shear. CFTR activity, clearly detected in HUVEC and PAEC, was markedly reduced in CF-PAEC. CFTR blockade increased endothelial permeability to macromolecules and reduced trans‑endothelial electrical resistance (TEER). Consistent with this, CF-PAEC displayed lower TEER compared to PAEC. Under shear, CFTR blockade reduced VE-cadherin and p120 catenin membrane expression and triggered the formation of paxillin- and vinculin-enriched membrane blebs that evolved in shrinking of the cell body and disruption of cell-cell contacts. These changes were accompanied by enhanced release of microvesicles, which displayed reduced capability to stimulate proliferation in recipient EC. CFTR blockade also suppressed insulin-induced NO generation by EC, likely by inhibiting eNOS and AKT phosphorylation, whereas it enhanced IL-8 release. Remarkably, phosphodiesterase inhibitors in combination with a β2 adrenergic receptor agonist corrected functional and morphological changes triggered by CFTR dysfunction in EC. Our results uncover regulatory functions of CFTR in EC, suggesting a physiological role of CFTR in the maintenance EC homeostasis and its involvement in pathogenetic aspects of CF. Moreover, our findings open avenues for novel pharmacology to control endothelial dysfunction and its consequences in CF