A Derivation of Moment Evolution Equations for Linear Open Quantum Systems

Given a linear open quantum system which is described by a Lindblad master equation, we detail the calculation of the moment evolution equations from this master equation. We stress that the moment evolution equations are well-known, but their explicit derivation from the master equation cannot be found in the literature to the best of our knowledge, and so we provide this derivation for the interested reader

Flesh parasites of fish from central Philippine waters

In April 1990, 488 marine fish, belonging to 30 species from central Philippine waters, were investigated macroscopically for the occurrence of parasites in their flesh and for anisakid nematodes in their body cavity. Twenty-four fish were found to be infected by 1 of 4 different types of parasites. Unidentified Microspora were found in 4 host species from different families. Plerocercoids of the trypanorhynchid cestode Otobothrium penetrans occurred in the flesh of hemirhamphids and belonids only. Adult nematodes of the genus Philometra were found in the garfish Tylosurus crocodilus. The only parasite found which might be transferable to warm-blooded animals was the L-III stage of Anisakis sp. from the body cavity and the muscle of Muraenesox cinereus. The risk of human infections by parasites through consumption of raw marine fish in the central Philippines therefore is considered to be low

Detection of Vacuum Birefringence with Intense Laser Pulses

We propose a novel technique that promises hope of being the first to directly detect a polarization in the quantum electrodynamic (QED) vacuum. The technique is based upon the use of ultra-short pulses of light circulating in low dispersion optical resonators. We show that the technique circumvents the need for large scale liquid helium cooled magnets, and more importantly avoids the experimental pitfalls that plague existing experiments that make use of these magnets. Likely improvements in the performance of optics and lasers would result in the ability to observe vacuum polarization in an experiment of only a few hours duration.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figur

Frequent export of pig slurry for outside storage reduced methane but not ammonia emissions in cold and warm seasons

Manure management is a significant source of methane (CH4) and ammonia (NH3), and there is an urgent need for strategies to reduce these emissions. More frequent export of manure for outside storage can lower gaseous emissions from housing facilities, but the longer residence time may then increase emissions during outside storage. This study examined CH4 and NH3 emissions from liquid pig manure (pig slurry) removed from the in-house slurry collection pits at three different frequencies, i.e., three times per week (T2.3), once per week (T7), or once after 40 days (T40, reference). The slurry from treatments T2.3 and T7 was transferred for outside storage weekly over four weeks, and slurry from treatment T40 once after 40 days, in connection with summer and winter production cycles with growing-finishing pigs. The slurry was stored in pilot-scale storage tanks with solid cover and continuous ventilation. Compared to T40, the treatments T2.3 and T7 increased CH4 emissions during outside storage, but in-house emissions were reduced even more, and the net effects on total CH4 emissions from manure management (housing unit and outside storage) were reductions of 18–41% in summer and 53–83% in winter. The frequent slurry export for outside storage led to more NH3 emissions, except for the treatment T2.3, which has slurry funnel inserts beneath the slatted floor. Measurements of in-vitro CH4 production rates suggested that shorter residence time for slurry in pig houses delayed the development of active methanogenic populations, and that this contributed to the reduction of CH4 emissions.publishedVersio