Electromechanical Quantum Simulators

Digital quantum simulators are among the most appealing applications of a quantum computer. Here we propose a universal, scalable, and integrated quantum computing platform based on tunable nonlinear electromechanical nano-oscillators. It is shown that very high operational fidelities for single and two qubits gates can be achieved in a minimal architecture, where qubits are encoded in the anharmonic vibrational modes of mechanical nanoresonators, whose effective coupling is mediated by virtual fluctuations of an intermediate superconducting artificial atom. An effective scheme to induce large single-phonon nonlinearities in nano-electromechanical devices is explicitly discussed, thus opening the route to experimental investigation in this direction. Finally, we explicitly show the very high fidelities that can be reached for the digital quantum simulation of model Hamiltonians, by using realistic experimental parameters in state-of-the art devices, and considering the transverse field Ising model as a paradigmatic example.Comment: 14 pages, 8 figure

Fetal and early neonatal interleukin-6 response

In 1998, a systemic fetal cytokine response, defined as a plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6) value above 11 pg/mL, was reported to be a major independent risk factor for the subsequent development of neonatal morbid events even after adjustments for gestational age and other confounders. Since then, the body of literature investigating the use of blood concentrations of IL-6 as a hallmark of the fetal inflammatory response syndrome (FIRS), a diagnostic marker of early-onset neonatal sepsis (EONS) and a risk predictor of white matter injury (WMI), has grown rapidly. In this article, we critically review: IL-6 biological functions; current evidence on the association between IL-6, preterm birth, FIRS and EONS; IL-6 reference intervals and dynamics in the early neonatal period; IL-6 response during the immediate postnatal period and perinatal confounders; accuracy and completeness of IL-6 diagnostic studies for EONS (according to the Standards for Reporting of Diagnostic Accuracy statement); and recent breakthroughs in the association between fetal blood IL-6, EONS, and WMI

Comparing different approaches to define shading control threshold via a new automatic building simulation platform

Active shading systems are essential to prevent heat gains in buildings and reduce the risk of overheating phenomena. The control logic must avoid overheating while allowing solar gains during heating hours. In general, smart control is based on a temperature and/or solar irradiation threshold; however, innovative informatics tools now allow optimising these thresholds based on specific building and climate characteristics. The paper presents a new building energy dynamic simulation platform used here to define optimal shading control thresholds for free-running and mechanically cooled spaces. Several shading control approaches are applied and compared, considering fixed hourly schedules, controls based on standard thresholds, and optimised thresholds with the tool. The analysis is performed considering the sole summer. The approach shows how the developed platform and the proposed methodology can optimise shading control thresholds, considering the specific building characteristics and the local climate conditions, consequently reducing energy needs or thermal discomfort conditions

Impact of different thermal zone data simplification for model calibration on monitored-simulated performance gaps

The paper analyses the impact of different simplification approaches for model verification purposes considering a reference demo case of a municipality school located in Torre Pellice (Italy), which has been monitored with room detail since April 2021. The target variable of the calibration process is the indoor air temperature: firstly, results validity is checked on an unoccupied free-running period; secondly, occupied standard behaviours and adapted to real-use ones are adopted to test the simplification choices impact on indoor thermal comfort indicators (e.g. the Adaptive Comfort Model). Several model simplification actions on both building-level construction and zoning approaches are considered. Results of this demo case demonstrate the usability of simplified models, which can be adopted instead of more detailed and time-consuming full models for performance gap detections and other analyses

Acute respiratory diseases: a study on health inequalities

Apresentam-se as desigualdades em saúde valendo-se das doenças respiratórias agudas na infância na área de abrangência de um centro de saúde na cidade de São Paulo, Brasil, para subsidiar o planejamento local de ações de promoção da saúde. O trabalho se fundamentou em estudos ecológicos que utilizam a área geográfica como unidade de análise, permitindo a comparação de indicadores de saúde e sócio-econômicos mediante dados censitários. Foram construídos indicadores de "inserção social" e de "qualidade do domicílio", gerando o "índice potencial de exposição" que reflete as condições de risco para o adoecimento por agravos respiratórios. O tratamento estatístico incluiu o agrupamento pela técnica de cluster. Foram identificados quatro grupos sociais homogêneos nas condições de risco para as doenças respiratórias agudas. Os grupos III e IV - com as piores condições sócio-econômicas - mostraram diferenciais importantes em relação aos grupos I e II. Os diferenciais de mortes por pneumonia encontrados, sugerem iniqüidades em saúde. Os resultados permitiram a localização geográfica de maior e menor concentração das carências relativas às condições de vida e a comparação entre os setores censitários para o reconhecimento de necessidades distintas, que subsidiem propostas para a articulação intersetorial.This article discusses health inequalities based on acute childhood respiratory diseases in the coverage area of a health center in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, to help plan local health promotion activities. The work was based on ecological studies using the geographic area as the unit of analysis, allowing a comparison of health and socioeconomic indicators based on census data. Indicators were constructed for "social inclusion" and "housing quality", generating the "potential exposure index", which reflects the respiratory disease risk conditions. Statistical treatment included grouping according to the cluster technique. Four homogenous social groups were identified in terms of risk conditions for acute respiratory diseases. Groups III and IV, with the worst socioeconomic conditions, showed important differences in comparison to groups I and II. The differences in mortality from pneumonia suggest important health inequalities. The results allow the geographic localization of the highest and lowest concentration of needs in terms of living conditions and the comparison of census tracts for recognizing distinct needs, thus supporting proposals for inter-sector collaboration.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP

Deep intrauterine insemination in sow: results of a field trial

RiassuntoTraditional insemination techniques in pigs depose a high number of spermatozoa (2 to 3x109 spermatozoa) in a large volume of liquid (80-100 ml) into the cervix channel. The dose can be reduced markedly deposing it directly into the uterine horn. Previous studies showed that fertility rate and litter size were not significantly different with 5 or 15x107 spermatozoa in 10 ml into the uterus. The goal of this study was to determine the on-farm application and the reproductive performance of the deep intrauterine insemination (Firflex® probe, MAGAPOR, Spain) in sows. Experiments were conducted under field conditions in 4 commercial pig farms in the North of Italy (September 2003 and March 2004). A total of 166 crossbred multiparous sows were randomly selected after weaning and assigned to one of the following groups: Group 1 – traditional insemination with 3x109 sperm./dose, two insemination per oestrus (n=94) and Group 2 – deep intrauterine insemination with 15x107 sperm./dose, one insemination pe..