Entanglement can Increase Asymptotic Rates of Zero-Error Classical Communication over Classical Channels

It is known that the number of different classical messages which can be communicated with a single use of a classical channel with zero probability of decoding error can sometimes be increased by using entanglement shared between sender and receiver. It has been an open question to determine whether entanglement can ever increase the zero-error communication rates achievable in the limit of many channel uses. In this paper we show, by explicit examples, that entanglement can indeed increase asymptotic zero-error capacity, even to the extent that it is equal to the normal capacity of the channel.     

Strawberry Juice Powders: Effect of Spray-Drying Conditions on the Microencapsulation of Bioactive Components and Physicochemical Properties

The drying of fruit juices has advantages such as easy handling of powders, reduction in volume, and preservation of the characteristics of the fruit. Thus, in this work, the effect of the spray drying conditions of strawberry juice (SJ) with maltodextrin (MX) as a carrying agent on the microencapsulation of bioactive compounds and physicochemical properties was studied. The content of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity showed higher values at low concentrations of MX, while the effect of drying temperature was negligible. The thermal characterization showed that the low molecular weight sugars in the juice decreased the glass transition temperature (Tg). The morphological analysis by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicated that at low concentrations of MX, the particles agglomerated, while at intermediate and high concentrations, the particles were observed as well separated. Through microstructural analysis by X-ray diffraction (XRD), the presence of amorphous state was confirmed in all the samples, which is beneficial for preventing chemical and biochemical reactions, and promoting the conservation of the microencapsulated bioactive compounds.     

On a model for the pedestrians-induced lateral vibrations of footbridges

We study the synchronization of the pedestrians motion with the lateral motion of slender footbridges, which attracted the attention of researchers mainly after the Millennium Bridge well known event. We consider a bridge-pedestrians model developed by Strogatz et al. To better understand some aspects of the underlying mechanical phenomena and to increase the agreement of the model results to the effective behaviour of the walkers (as observed during the Millennium Bridge’s opening day and during Arup’s tests on site) we have introduced some modifications to the model and we have performed extensive parametric investigations, supported by many numerical simulations. Our approach is therefore computational, by means of a self-made code. This permits to highlight the parameters which mainly affect the trigger and the development of the phenomenon of synchronous lateral excitation, thus allowing a good understanding of the physical event and an evaluation of the engineering reliability of the Strogatz et al. model.     

A synchrotron diffraction study of two polymorphic forms of 2,5‐bis[2‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)ethenyl]pyrazine

Two polymorphs, α and γ, of the title compound, C₂₂H₂₀N₂O₂, have been characterized by means of single‐crystal synchrotron X‐ray diffraction. In the α form, the mol­ecules pack in a herring‐bone fashion, linked via weak C—H?N intermolecular interactions (H?N 2.58 Å). In the γ form, the mol­ecules are arranged in nearly planar sheets, which form a network held together by intermolecular hydrogen bonds of the type C—H?O (H?O 2.49 Å) and C—H?N (H?N 2.50 Å). The stacking distance between the sheets is 3.40 Å.     

Unique continuation for elliptic operators with non-multiple characteristics

In this paper we prove a unique continuation theorem for elliptic operators of the formP(D)+V(x), whereP(D) has orderm≥2 and simple complex characteristics, andV(x)∈L ^n/m (R ⁿ ). To prove our main theorem we use a restriction theorem for the Fourier transform to manifolds of codimension 2.     

Contrary Statements About Mathematics

The preceding paper ‘Strong statements of analysis’by A. R. D. Mathias defends a so-called full-blooded set theorywithout full detail [3]. He again objects to a weak set theorywhich he calls ‘Mac’, in which the usual Zermelo–Fraenkelseparation scheme is required only for formulas with suitably‘restricted’ quantifiers. I had proposed that suchseparation is adequate for all standard uses of set theory inmathematics. But Mathias has not produced any counter examplesof actual mathematics which requires the use of a stronger separation.     

Synthesis, structure and reactivity of homobimetallic Rh(I) and Ir(I) complexes of s- and as-indacene-diide

The Rh(COD) and Ir(COD) homobimetallic complexes of s-indacene-diide, 2,6-dimethyl-s-indacene-diide, as-indacene-diide, and 2,7-dimethyl-as-indacene-diide have been synthesized from the di-lithium salts of the dianions and metal dimers [M(μ-Cl)L₂]₂ (M = Rh, Ir; L₂ = COD, NBD, (ethylene)₂, (CO)₂ as mixtures of syn and anti isomers. The syn/anti ratio depends on the nature of the ancillary ligands at the metal and on the s or as geometry of the bridging ligand. In the reaction of the 2,7-dimethyl-as-indacene-diide-[M(COD)]₂ species with CO, the higher reactivity of the syn isomers has been justified on the basis of a greater instability of the ground state due to steric interactions between the COD groups. Bis-η¹ metal-bonded intermediates have been identified in the carbonylation of iridium derivatives; on the other hand, the formation of the bis-η⁵ mixed complexes syn and anti-{2,7-dimethyl-as-indacene-diide-[Rh(COD)][Rh(CO)₂]} and their reactivity strongly support the existence of metal---metal interaction in the rhodium derivatives.     

Crystal Structures and Magnetic Properties of Rare-Earth Ultraphosphates, RP5O14 (R=La, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd)

The single-crystal X-ray structures of lanthanum, europium, and gadolinium ultraphosphate, RP₅O₁₄ (R=rare-earth) are reported herein [monoclinic, P2₁/c, a=8.8206(1), 8.7491(1), 8.7493(1) Å, b=9.1196(2), 8.9327(1), 8.9189(1) Å, c= 13.1714(2), 12.9768(2), 12.9717(1) Å, β=90.661(1), 90.534(1), 90.6682(3)°, respectively; Z=4; R1=0.0250, 0.0346, 0.0270, respectively]. The structures are all type (I) compounds as classified by Bagieu-Beucher and Tranqui [Bull. Soc. Fr. Miner. Cryst. 93, 505 (1970)]. The minimum R…R separations are compared with all other structural reports of lanthanide ultraphosphates. Type (I) compounds have the lowest minimum R…R separation, which decreases with atomic number and appears not to perturb the optical properties of any rare-earth ultraphosphate. In each case, R is surrounded exclusively by eight oxygen atoms that form a distorted square antiprism. A P–O network holds together the three-dimensional structure. The magnetic susceptibilities of neodymium, samarium, and gadolinium ultraphosphate as a function of temperature are also reported along with corresponding magnetization measurements. All compounds exhibit a paramagnetic response, following Curie's law except in the regions where crystal field splittings are significant.     

The dynamics of a triopoly Cournot game

This paper reconsiders the Cournot oligopoly (noncooperative) game with iso-elastic demand and constant marginal costs, one of the rare cases where the reaction functions can be derived in closed form. It focuses the case of three competitors, and so also extends the critical line method for non-invertible maps to the study of critical surfaces in 3D. By this method the various bifurcations of the attractors and their basins are studied. As a special case the restriction of the map to an invariant plane when two of the three firms are identical is focused.     

The Crystallization and Melting Processes of Poly(L-lactic acid)

A throughout investigation of crystallization and melting behavior of poly(L -lactic acid) is detailed in this contribution. Crystallization analyses, conducted in both isothermal and non-isothermal conditions, revealed the occurrence of a sudden acceleration in phase transition rate in the temperature range between 100 and 118 °C. This unusual increase, due to very high rates of spherulite growth, seems not related to morphological changes of PLLA spherulites, nor to unexpected variations in nucleation rate. DSC analyses disclosed multiple melting behavior of PLLA, depending on crystallization temperature. At low temperatures the very high crystallization rates lead to the achievement of low values of crystalline degree, with formation of small and/or defective crystals, which have a large tendency to reorganize into more stable structures during the heating scan that leads to complete fusion. The multiple melting process of PLLA was also analyzed at different heating rates.