Reaction rate calculation with time-dependent invariant manifolds

The identification of trajectories that contribute to the reaction rate is the crucial dynamical ingredient in any classical chemical reactivity calculation. This problem often requires a full scale numerical simulation of the dynamics, in particular if the reactive system is exposed to the influence of a heat bath. As an efficient alternative, we propose here to compute invariant surfaces in the phase space of the reactive system that separate reactive from nonreactive trajectories. The location of these invariant manifolds depends both on time and on the realization of the driving force exerted by the bath. These manifolds allow the identification of reactive trajectories simply from their initial conditions, without the need of any further simulation. In this paper, we show how these invariant manifolds can be calculated, and used in a formally exact reaction rate calculation based on perturbation theory for any multidimensional potential coupled to a noisy environment

Flopping-mode electric dipole spin resonance

Traditional approaches to controlling single spins in quantum dots require the generation of large electromagnetic fields to drive many Rabi oscillations within the spin coherence time. We demonstrate "flopping-mode" electric dipole spin resonance, where an electron is electrically driven in a Si/SiGe double quantum dot in the presence of a large magnetic field gradient. At zero detuning, charge delocalization across the double quantum dot enhances coupling to the drive field and enables low power electric dipole spin resonance. Through dispersive measurements of the single electron spin state, we demonstrate a nearly three order of magnitude improvement in driving efficiency using flopping-mode resonance, which should facilitate low power spin control in quantum dot arrays

A young stellar environment for the superluminous supernova PTF12dam

The progenitors of super luminous supernovae (SLSNe) are still a mystery. Hydrogen-poor SLSN hosts are often highly star-forming dwarf galaxies and the majority belongs to the class of extreme emission line galaxies hosting young and highly star-forming stellar populations. Here we present a resolved long-slit study of the host of the hydrogen-poor SLSN PTF12dam probing the kpc environment of the SN site to determine the age of the progenitor. The galaxy is a "tadpole" with uniform properties and the SN occurred in a star-forming region in the head of the tadpole. The galaxy experienced a recent star-burst superimposed on an underlying old stellar population. We measure a very young stellar population at the SN site with an age of ~3 Myr and a metallicity of 12+log(O/H)=8.0 at the SN site but do not observe any WR features. The progenitor of PTF12dam must have been a massive star of at least 60 M_solar and one of the first stars exploding as a SN in this extremely young starburst.Comment: submitted to MNRAS letters. 5 pages, 3 figures, supplementary material: 2 figures, 2 table

Optimization techniques in respiratory control system models

One of the most complex physiological systems whose modeling is still an open study is the respiratory control system where different models have been proposed based on the criterion of minimizing the work of breathing (WOB). The aim of this study is twofold: to compare two known models of the respiratory control system which set the breathing pattern based on quantifying the respiratory work; and to assess the influence of using direct-search or evolutionary optimization algorithms on adjustment of model parameters. This study was carried out using experimental data from a group of healthy volunteers under CO2 incremental inhalation, which were used to adjust the model parameters and to evaluate how much the equations of WOB follow a real breathing pattern. This breathing pattern was characterized by the following variables: tidal volume, inspiratory and expiratory time duration and total minute ventilation. Different optimization algorithms were considered to determine the most appropriate model from physiological viewpoint. Algorithms were used for a double optimization: firstly, to minimize the WOB and secondly to adjust model parameters. The performance of optimization algorithms was also evaluated in terms of convergence rate, solution accuracy and precision. Results showed strong differences in the performance of optimization algorithms according to constraints and topological features of the function to be optimized. In breathing pattern optimization, the sequential quadratic programming technique (SQP) showed the best performance and convergence speed when respiratory work was low. In addition, SQP allowed to implement multiple non-linear constraints through mathematical expressions in the easiest way. Regarding parameter adjustment of the model to experimental data, the evolutionary strategy with covariance matrix and adaptation (CMA-ES) provided the best quality solutions with fast convergence and the best accuracy and precision in both models. CMAES reached the best adjustment because of its good performance on noise and multi-peaked fitness functions. Although one of the studied models has been much more commonly used to simulate respiratory response to CO2 inhalation, results showed that an alternative model has a more appropriate cost function to minimize WOB from a physiological viewpoint according to experimental data.Postprint (author's final draft

MIMO LTE Vehicular Antennas on 3D Printed Cylindrical Forms

A multi-band antenna suitable for Long-term Evolution (LTE) is shaped around a 3D printed cylindrical form, and arranged in a MIMO configuration. The antenna is based on a planar wideband monopole radiator with an additional resonator for the LTE700 frequency band. Conforming the antenna onto a cylindrical shape reduces its length while keeping performance. It also reduces the space used by the MIMO antenna system. Furthermore, the plastic cylinder improves the mechanical strength of the supporting substrate for the radiating element. The aim is to study the potential of additive manufacturing (AM) of substrates for the development of conformal vehicular antenna. Two antennas have been fabricated, one etched on a copper clad Mylar substrate, and a second painted directly onto the cylindrical form. The two antennas have been measured and the results are compared. Two copper based antennas have been tested in a MIMO configuration. The antennas successfully operate at all LTE and mobile frequency bands. Finite different time domain simulations compare well with measurements

An extended formalism for preferential attachment in heterogeneous complex networks

In this paper we present a framework for the extension of the preferential attachment (PA) model to heterogeneous complex networks. We define a class of heterogeneous PA models, where node properties are described by fixed states in an arbitrary metric space, and introduce an affinity function that biases the attachment probabilities of links. We perform an analytical study of the stationary degree distributions in heterogeneous PA networks. We show that their degree densities exhibit a richer scaling behavior than their homogeneous counterparts, and that the power law scaling in the degree distribution is robust in presence of heterogeneity

Mode Combinations and International Operations: Theoretical Issues and an Empirical Investigation

An enduring characteristic of extant literature on foreign operation modes is its discrete choice approach, where companies are assumed to choose one among a small number of distinctive alternatives. • In this paper, detailed information about the operations of six Norwegian companies in three key markets (China, UK and USA) is used as the basis for an exploration of the extent to which, and how and why, companies combine clearly different foreign operation modes. We examine their use of foreign operation mode combinations within given value activities as well as within given countries. • The study reveals that companies tend to combine modes of operation; thereby producing unique foreign operation mode “packages” for given activities and/or countries, and that the packages are liable to be modified over time – providing a potentially important optional path for international expansion. • The data show considerable variation across cases; ranging from extensive use of mode combinations to a singular focus on a specific mode of operation. The study contributes to a refinement of our understanding of the path of internationalisation, and throws up a number of awkward theoretical questions about the process