Competition between pairing and ferromagnetic instabilities in ultracold Fermi gases near Feshbach resonances

We study the quench dynamics of a two-component ultracold Fermi gas from the weak into the strong interaction regime, where the short time dynamics are governed by the exponential growth rate of unstable collective modes. We obtain an effective interaction that takes into account both Pauli blocking and the energy dependence of the scattering amplitude near a Feshbach resonance. Using this interaction we analyze the competing instabilities towards Stoner ferromagnetism and pairing.     

Integrated optical temporal Fourier transformer based on a chirped Bragg grating waveguide

We experimentally demonstrate the first integrated temporal Fourier transformer based on a linearly chirped Bragg grating waveguide written in silica glass with a femtosecond laser. The operation is based on mapping the energy spectrum of the input optical signal to the output temporal waveform by making use of first-order chromatic dispersion. The device operates in reflection, has a bandwidth of 10 nm, and can be used for incident temporal waveforms as long as 20 ps. Experimental results, obtained through both temporal oscilloscope traces and Fourier transform spectral interferometry, display a successful Fourier transformation of in-phase and out-of-phase pairs of input optical pulses, and demonstrate the correct functionality of the device for both amplitude and phase of the temporal output.     

Application of Robust Optimization to the Sawmill Planning Problem

Optimization models have been used to support decision making in the forest industry for a long time. However, several of those models are deterministic and do not address the variability that is present in some of the data. Robust Optimization is a methodology which can deal with the uncertainty or variability in optimization problems by computing a solution which is feasible for all possible scenarios of the data within a given uncertainty set. This paper presents the application of the Robust Optimization Methodology to a Sawmill Planning Problem. In the particular case of this problem, variability is assumed in the yield coefficients associated to the cutting patterns used. The main results show that the loss in the function objective value (the “Price of Robustness”), due to computing robust solutions, is not excessive. Moreover, the computed solutions remain feasible for a large proportion of randomly generated scenarios, and tend to preserve the structure of the nominal solution. We believe that these results provide an application area for Robust Optimization in which several source of uncertainty are present.     

Tetronic acids and derivatives. Part XI . Structure of coupling products of tetronic acids with benzenediazonium sulfate

¹³C Nmr, ¹H nmr and ir parameters of coupling products of tetronic acids (4-hydroxy-5H-furan-2-ones) with benzene diazonium sulfate are only consistent with a phenylhydrazone formulation with an almost equal ratio of the syn and anti configurations. These results contrast with those of coupling products of acyclic 3-ketoesters, existing mainly as anti tautomers, and more sharply with the 3-parabromophenylhydrazone of L-dehydro ascorbic acid, which is exclusively syn.     

A fluorescence polarisation molecular imprint sorbent assay for 2,4-D: a non-separation pseudo-immunoassay

The first pseudo-immunoassay which employs a molecularly imprinted receptor and a fluorescent probe, and quantifies the bound analyte directly using the fluorescence anisotropy of the polymer-probe-analyte suspension, is described.     

Oxalate films and red stains on Carrara marble

The analytical studies carried out during two different diagnostic surveys, respectively in 1983 and 2003, offered the opportunity to control decay phenomena development on stones facing Certosa of Pavia (Italy). Calcium oxalate films and red stains, present on Carrara marble surface, have been particularly focused; these are the only decay phenomena which apparently have remained unchanged during a period of twenty years. More sensitive and in-depth analytical studies (FTIR equipped with diamond cell, GC-MS, SEM-EDS and optical microscopy) achieved a better knowledge about their composition. Results allowed a critical evaluation of the role of oxalate films on the external marble surface and to suggest new hypotheses about the formation of red stains.     

Correlation of the Solubilizing Abilities of 1-Butyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidinium Tris(pentafluoroethyl)trifluorophosphate, 1-Butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium Triflate and 1-Methoxyethyl-1-methylmorpholinium Tris(pentafluoroethyl)trifluorophosphate

Chromatographic retention data were measured for a wide range of organic solutes on 1-butyl-1-methylpyrolidinium tris(pentafluoroethyl)trifluorophosphate ([BMPyrr]⁺[FAP]^?), 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium triflate, ([BMPyrr]⁺[Trif]^?), and 1-methoxyethyl-1-methylmorpholinium tris(pentafluoroethyl)trifluorophosphate, ([MeoeMMorp]⁺[FAP]^?), stationary phases at (323, 353 and 383) K. The measured retention factors were combined with published infinite dilution activity coefficient and gas-to-water partition coefficient data to yield gas-to-anhydrous ionic liquid (IL) and water-to-anhydrous IL partition coefficients. The three sets of partition coefficients were analyzed using the Abraham model. The derived Abraham model correlations describe the observed gas-to-IL (log₁₀ K) and water-to-IL (log₁₀ P) partition coefficient data to within average standard deviations of about 0.11 and 0.15 log₁₀ units, respectively.     

Measuring hearing in the harbor seal (Phoca vitulina): comparison of behavioral and auditory brainstem response techniques

Auditory brainstem response (ABR) and standard behavioral methods were compared by measuring in-air audiograms for an adult female harbor seal (Phoca vitulina). Behavioral audiograms were obtained using two techniques: the method of constant stimuli and the staircase method. Sensitivity was tested from 0.250 to 30 kHz. The seal showed good sensitivity from 6 to 12 kHz [best sensitivity 8.1 dB (re 20 microPa2 x s) RMS at 8 kHz]. The staircase method yielded thresholds that were lower by 10 dB on average than the method of constant stimuli. ABRs were recorded at 2, 4, 8, 16, and 22 kHz and showed a similar best range (8-16 kHz). ABR thresholds averaged 5.7 dB higher than behavioral thresholds at 2, 4, and 8 kHz. ABRs were at least 7 dB lower at 16 kHz, and approximately 3 dB higher at 22 kHz. The better sensitivity of ABRs at higher frequencies could have reflected differences in the seal's behavior during ABR testing and/or bandwidth characteristics of test stimuli. These results agree with comparisons of ABR and behavioral methods performed in other recent studies and indicate that ABR methods represent a good alternative for estimating hearing range and sensitivity in pinnipeds, particularly when time is a critical factor and animals are untrained.