2,369 research outputs found

    Thermodynamic fingerprints of non-Markovianity in a system of coupled superconducting qubits

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    The exploitation and characterization of memory effects arising from the interaction between system and environment is a key prerequisite for quantum reservoir engineering beyond the standard Markovian limit. In this paper we investigate a prototype of non-Markovian dynamics experimentally implementable with superconducting qubits. We rigorously quantify non-Markovianity highlighting the effects of the environmental temperature on the Markovian to non-Markovian crossover. We investigate how memory effects influence, and specifically suppress, the ability to perform work on the driven qubit. We show that the average work performed on the qubit can be used as a diagnostic tool to detect the presence or absence of memory effects.Comment: 9 page

    Beautiful Baryons from Lattice QCD

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    We perform a lattice study of heavy baryons, containing one (Λb\Lambda_b) or two bb-quarks (Ξb\Xi_b). Using the quenched approximation we obtain for the mass of Λb\Lambda_b MΛb=5.728±0.144±0.018GeV. M_{\Lambda_b}= 5.728 \pm 0.144 \pm 0.018 {\rm GeV}. The mass splitting between the Λb\Lambda_b and the B-meson is found to increase by about 20\% if the light quark mass is varied from the chiral limit to the strange quark mass.Comment: 11 pages, Figures obtained upon request from [email protected]

    Human chorionic gonadotropin isoforms in the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy

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    This paper has set the scene for re-defining clinical chemistry data for the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy. Indeed it has proved some assumptions on hCG levels to be false. Professor Iles was/is the principal investigator on these studies

    Ion-Exchanged Waveguides in Glass Doped with PbS Quantum Dots

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    The lowest-loss (≤1 dB/cm) ion-exchanged waveguides in glass doped with PbS quantum dots are presented. Near-field mode profile and refractive index profile using the refracted near-field technique were measured for these waveguides. We demonstrate that the optical properties of this glass unchanged during the ion-exchange process

    CHEMICAL APPROACHES FOR IMPROVING DRUG DELIVERY OF KNOWN ANTICANCER COMPOUNDS

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    Different classes of squalene conjugates have been prepared: the first one containing a disulfide bond that, in the presence of glutathione, is able to trigger the release of a drug unit, the second one containing a tripepidyl sequence selectively cleaved by plasmin and also able to release a drug unit, the last one containinf a fluorescein 5(6)isothiocyanate unit. These compounds are able to self-assemble in water and can improve the delivery of active drugs to tumor tissues and can be helpful in the understanding of nanoparticle cellular uptake

    Heavy-light baryonic mass splittings from the lattice

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    We present lattice estimates of the mass of the heavy-light baryons Λb\Lambda_b and Ξb\Xi_b obtained using propagating heavy quarks. For Λb\Lambda_b our result is MΛb=5.728±0.144±0.018M_{\Lambda_b}=5.728 \pm 0.144 \pm 0.018 GeV, after extrapolation to the continuum limit and in the quenched approximation.Comment: 3 pages postscript, Contribution to Lattice'9

    Phantom-based lumbar spine experimental investigation and validation of a multibody model

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    The study of the biomechanics of the human spine is not yet developed extensively. Recent developments in this field have heightened the need for observing the spine from a comprehensive perspective to understand the complex biomechanical patterns, which underlie the kinematic and dynamic responses of this multiple-joint column. Within this frame of exigence, a joint study embracing experimental tests and multibody modelling was designed. This study provides novel insights to the segmental contribution profiles in flexion and extension, analysing different forms of sagittal-plane angles. Moreover, the validation of the multibody model contributes to defining the key aspects for a consistent spine modelling as well as it introduces the basis for simulating pathological conditions and post-orthopaedic surgical outcomes

    Diagnosis of centrocestus formosanus infection in zebrafish (Danio rerio) in Italy: A window to a new globalization-derived invasive microorganism

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    Centrocestus formosanus is a digenetic trematode with a complex life cycle, involving invertebrate and vertebrate hosts, humans included. In particular, it causes gill lesions and mortality in freshwater fish species, and gastrointestinal symptoms in infected humans. Here, we describe the occurrence of C. formosanus infection in zebrafish imported in Italy and propose a newly designed species-specific primer pair to ameliorate the diagnostic investigations for C. formosanus. Gill arches of 30 zebrafish were examined for the presence of encysted metacercariae under a stereomicroscope and processed through molecular analyses targeting the ribosomal internal transcribed sequence 2 (ITS2). Although C. formosanus distribution was originally restricted to Asia, it has been subsequently reported in new countries, revealing itself as an invasive species and raising important concerns for biodiversity, economy, scientific research, as well as animal and public health. Given the crucial role played by the ornamental fish industry in spreading this parasite, there is an urgent need for control measures to prevent the introduction and establishment of C. formosanus in non-endemic areas, including Europe. We also suggest developing new strategies in microbiology and epidemiology to better explore this new globalization-derived invasive species
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