The sudden change phenomenon of quantum discord

Even if the parameters determining a system's state are varied smoothly, the behavior of quantum correlations alike to quantum discord, and of its classical counterparts, can be very peculiar, with the appearance of non-analyticities in its rate of change. Here we review this sudden change phenomenon (SCP) discussing some important points related to it: Its uncovering, interpretations, and experimental verifications, its use in the context of the emergence of the pointer basis in a quantum measurement process, its appearance and universality under Markovian and non-Markovian dynamics, its theoretical and experimental investigation in some other physical scenarios, and the related phenomenon of double sudden change of trace distance discord. Several open questions are identified, and we envisage that in answering them we will gain significant further insight about the relation between the SCP and the symmetry-geometric aspects of the quantum state space.Comment: Lectures on General Quantum Correlations and their Applications, F. F. Fanchini, D. O. Soares Pinto, and G. Adesso (Eds.), Springer (2017), pp 309-33

A time predefined variable depth search for nurse rostering

This paper presents a variable depth search for the nurse rostering problem. The algorithm works by chaining together single neighbourhood swaps into more effective compound moves. It achieves this by using heuristics to decide whether to continue extending a chain and which candidates to examine as the next potential link in the chain. Because end users vary in how long they are willing to wait for solutions, a particular goal of this research was to create an algorithm that accepts a user specified computational time limit and uses it effectively. When compared against previously published approaches the results show that the algorithm is very competitive

Prise en charge du prolapsus gestationnel en post partum. À propos d’un cas et revue de la littérature

Le prolapsus gestationnel est une pathologie rare de la grossesse, multiples facteurs sont incriminés. Il est révélé par une gêne fonctionnelle, le diagnostic est clinique. Elle est souvent diagnostiquée en 3ème trimestre de la grossesse.Le traitement est souvent conservateur. Nous rapportons un cas de prolapsus gestationnel diagnostiqué en post partum et pris en charge à notre formation

Surface Optical Waves at Air/Metal Interfaces: Surface Plasmon Polaritons

The surface plasmon resonance (SPR) phenomenon has been known for nearly five decades now; since then this method has made great advances in terms of instrumentation development and applications, and it still attracts researchers because of certain subtle issues that could benefit from it mainly detection and analysis of chemical and biochemical substances in different areas including medicine, environmental monitoring, biotechnology and drug and food monitoring. Our interest is focused on the use of this technique for studying thin coating and some application in nanophotonics. In this paper, we discuss the configuration of surface plasmons at air/metal interface by Atenuated total reflection (ATR) technique in the Kretchman configuration, and we present preliminary experimental results on surface plasmons at a Ag/air interface that we obtained in our laboratory.The surface plasmon resonance (SPR) phenomenon has been known for nearly five decades now; since then this method has made great advances in terms of instrumentation development and applications, and it still attracts researchers because of certain subtle issues that could benefit from it mainly detection and analysis of chemical and biochemical substances in different areas including medicine, environmental monitoring, biotechnology and drug and food monitoring. Our interest is focused on the use of this technique for studying thin coating and some application in nanophotonics. In this paper, we discuss the configuration of surface plasmons at air/metal interface by Atenuated total reflection (ATR) technique in the Kretchman configuration, and we present preliminary experimental results on surface plasmons at a Ag/air interface that we obtained in our laboratory

Zircon U-Pb geochronology and geochemistry of Cambrian magmatism in the Coastal Block (Oued Rhebar volcanic complex, Moroccan Meseta): Implications for the geodynamic evolutionary model of North-Gondwana

U-Pb dating (SHRIMP) of magmatic zircons from an intermediate-mafic agglomerate of the Oued Rhebar Volcanic Complex (Coastal Block, Western Meseta) yielded a weighted mean age of 507 ± 5 Ma. The obtained middle Cambrian age (Series 3, Stage 5) seems to be the best estimate for the crystallization of the ORVC volcanic rock, providing a maximum depositional age for the overlying Bouznika volcanosedimentary Formation. The ORVC rock is representative of middle Cambrian crust generation in North-Gondwana, but contains Ediacaran (ca. 546-542 Ma) and early Cambrian (ca. 536-526 Ma) inherited zircon which might be derived from recycling of older continental crust. This geochemistry study corroborates the existence of calcalkaline rhyolites, basaltic andesites and andesites in the ORVC rocks, but also of the existence, albeit to a lesser volume, of tholeiitic basalt. The relative higher volume of calc-alkaline compared to tholeiitic signature might reflect, in some extent, contamination of depleted mantle-derived magmas by the upper continental crust, as has been proposed for the origin of the same age rift-related igneous rocks from North-Gondwana, as the Iberian correlatives

VOLVULUS DU SIGMOIDE ET POST-PARTUM

The sigmoid volvulus during pregnancy is very rare and difficult to diagnose. It is often responsible for the mortality of the parturient and of the fetus. We report a case of sigmoid volvulus with postnatal complications. A multiparous woman aged 45, was admitted with a bowel obstruction and generalized abdominal spasm at 3 days postpartum. A laparotomy examination revealed a dolichocolon complicated by a sigmoid volvulus undergoing necrosis, with the presence of some pseudomembranes. Sigmoidectomy with proximal colostomy was performed according to Hartmann, following which the restoration of continuity was secured within two months. Sigmoid volvulus complicating pregnancy is a rare occurrence with a reserved maternal-fetal prognosis, the diagnosis should be suspected with the appearance of persistent abdominal pain associated with an occlusive syndrome. Urgent surgical intervention is required to reduce as far as possible fetomaternal morbidity and mortality.Le volvulus du sigmoïde au cours de la grossesse est très rare et difficile à diagnostiquer. Elle peut s’accompagner d’une mortalité maternelle et fœtale importante. Nous rapportons un cas de volvulus du sigmoïde compliquant les suites de couches. Une multipare de 45 ans, s'est présentée avec un syndrome occlusif et défense abdominale généralisée à J3 du post-partum. Une laparotomie exploratrice a mis en évidence un dolichocôlon compliqué par un volvulus du sigmoïde nécrosé, avec présence de quelques fausses membranes. Une résection sigmoïdienne avec colostomie proximale selon Hartmann a été pratiquée, le rétablissement de la continuité a été réalisé deux mois plus tard. Le volvulus du sigmoïde compliquant la grossesse est une entité rare avec un pronostic materno-fœtal réservé, le diagnostic doit être suspecté devant une douleur abdominale persistante associée à un syndrome occlusif. L’intervention chirurgicale s’impose en urgence pour réduire, au maximum, la morbidité et la mortalité maternofoetale

Structural, optical, and electrical properties of Yb-doped ZnO thin films prepared by spray pyrolysis method

Yb-doped ZnO thin films were prepared on glass substrates by spray pyrolysis technique in order to investigate the insertion of Yb ions in the ZnO matrix and the related optical properties of the films. The molar ratio of Yb in the spray solution was varied in the range of 0-5 at. %. X-ray diffraction patterns showed that the undoped and Yb-doped ZnO films exhibit the hexagonal wurtzite crystal structure with a preferential orientation along [002] direction. No secondary phase is observed in Yb-doped ZnO films. All films exhibit a transmittance between 75 and 90% in the visible range with a sharp absorption onset about 375 nm corresponding to the fundamental absorption edge at 3.3 eV. The photoluminescence measurements show a clear luminescence band at 980 nm that is characteristic of Yb(3+) transition between the electronic levels (2)F(5/2) and (2)F(7/2). This is an experimental evidence for an efficient energy transfer from ZnO matrix to Yb(3+). Hall effect measurements showed low resistivities and high carrier mobilities which makes these films of interest to photovoltaic devices.This work is supported by the program interdisciplinaire énergie du CNRS Grant No. PE10-2.1.2-2