Energetics and quantumness of Fano coherence generation.

In a multi-level quantum system Fano coherences stand for the formation of quantum coherences due to the interaction with the continuum of modes characterizing an incoherent process. In this paper we propose a V-type three-level quantum system on which we certify the presence of genuinely quantum traits underlying the generation of Fano coherences. We do this by determining work conditions that allows for the loss of positivity of the Kirkwood-Dirac quasiprobability distribution of the stochastic energy changes within the discrete system.

Efficient room-temperature molecular single-photon sources for quantum key distribution.

Quantum key distribution (QKD) allows the distribution of cryptographic keys between multiple users in an information-theoretic secure way, exploiting quantum physics. While current QKD systems are mainly based on attenuated laser pulses, deterministic single-photon sources could give concrete advantages in terms of secret key rate (SKR) and security owing to the negligible probability of multi-photon events. Here, we introduce and demonstrate a proof-of-concept QKD system exploiting a molecule-based single-photon source operating at room temperature and emitting at 785 nm.

Bladder Mucosal Graft Vaginoplasty: A Case Report.

Background: Female vaginoplasty reconstruction, by choice, is usually performed with adjacent tissue. However in some clinical conditions such as high urogenital confluence sinus, cloacal malformation with extreme vaginal hypoplasia, local tissue may not be available. When vaginal replacement is performed in pediatric patients intestinal segments is preferred to non-operative procedures that require continuative dilations.

Self-Assembled Nanocrystals of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Show Photostable Single-Photon Emission.

Quantum technologies could largely benefit from the control of quantum emitters in sub-micrometric size crystals. These are naturally prone to integration in hybrid devices, including heterostructures and complex photonic devices. Currently available quantum emitters in nanocrystals suffer from spectral instability, preventing their use as single-photon sources for most quantum optics operations.

Reading the phase of a Raman excitation with a multi-state atomic interferometer.

Atomic memories for flying photonic qubits are an essential ingredient for many applications like e.g. quantum repeaters.

Squeezing a thermal mechanical oscillator by stabilized parametric effect on the optical spring.

We report the confinement of an optomechanical micro-oscillator in a squeezed thermal state, obtained by parametric modulation of the optical spring. We propose and implement an experimental scheme based on parametric feedback control of the oscillator, which stabilizes the amplified quadrature while leaving the orthogonal one unaffected. This technique allows us to surpass the -3  dB limit in the noise reduction, associated with parametric resonance, with a best experimental result of -7.

Experimental realization of quantum zeno dynamics.

It is generally impossible to probe a quantum system without disturbing it. However, it is possible to exploit the back action of quantum measurements and strong couplings to tailor and protect the coherent evolution of a quantum system. This is a profound and counterintuitive phenomenon known as quantum Zeno dynamics.

Classical signature of ponderomotive squeezing in a suspended mirror resonator.

The radiation pressure coupling between a low-mass moving mirror and an incident light field has been experimentally studied in a high-finesse Fabry-Perot cavity. Using classical intensity noise in order to mimic radiation pressure quantum fluctuations, the physics of ponderomotive squeezing comes into play as a result of the opto-mechanical correlations between the field quadratures. The same scheme can be used to probe ponderomotive squeezing at the quantum level, thus opening new routes in quantum optics and high sensitivity measurement experiments.

Coherent scattering of a multiphoton quantum superposition by a mirror BEC.

We present the proposition of an experiment in which the multiphoton quantum superposition consisting of N approximately 10{5} particles generated by a quantum-injected optical parametric amplifier, seeded by a single-photon belonging to an Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen entangled pair, is made to interact with a mirror-Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) shaped as a Bragg interference structure. The overall process will realize a macroscopic quantum superposition involving a microscopic single-photon state of polarization entangled with the coherent macroscopic transfer of momentum to the BEC structure, acting in spacelike separated distant places.

Quantum many particle systems in ring-shaped optical lattices.

In the present work we demonstrate how to realize a 1D closed optical lattice experimentally, including a tunable boundary phase twist. The latter may induce "persistent currents" visible by studying the atoms' momentum distribution. We show how important phenomena in 1D physics can be studied by physical realization of systems of trapped atoms in ring-shaped optical lattices.

Needle perforation of the bowel in childhood.

Accidental ingestion of foreign bodies occurs frequently in childhood. The majority of them are passed spontaneously, and conservative management generally is recommended for foreign bodies in the stomach and duodenum. However, in some cases, operative intervention should be considered to prevent undesirable complications, such as intestinal perforation.

Optically induced lensing effect on a Bose-Einstein condensate expanding in a moving lattice.

We report the experimental observation of a lensing effect on a Bose-Einstein condensate expanding in a moving 1D optical lattice. The effect of the periodic potential can be described by an effective mass dependent on the condensate quasimomentum. By changing the velocity of the atoms in the frame of the optical lattice, we induce a focusing of the condensate along the lattice direction.

Polarization qubit phase gate in driven atomic media.

We present here an all-optical scheme for the experimental realization of a quantum phase gate. It is based on the polarization degree of freedom of two traveling single-photon wave packets and exploits giant Kerr nonlinearities that can be attained in coherently driven ultracold atomic media.

Collective excitations of a trapped Bose-Einstein condensate in the presence of a 1D optical lattice.

We study low-lying collective modes of an elongated 87Rb condensate produced in a 3D magnetic harmonic trap with the addition of a 1D periodic potential which is provided by a laser standing wave along the axial direction. While the transverse breathing mode remains unperturbed, quadrupole and dipole oscillations along the optical lattice are strongly modified. Precise measurements of the collective mode frequencies at different heights of the optical barriers provide a stringent test of the theoretical model recently introduced [M.

[Microproteinuria as a marker of renal damage in children].

Background: Elevated urinary levels of microproteinuria or renal enzyme have shown to be associated with renal injury. Data collected in children with vesico-ureteral reflux (VUR) or hydronephrosis have been evaluated to identify a means of predicting renal damage.

Methods: Levels of urinary microproteinuria (N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase, aminoalanina peptidase, lisozyme, beta(2)-microglobulin) were evaluated with immunoassay in catheterized or voided urine.

[Predicting factors of vesicoureteral evolution in children].

Background: Despite the large number of children with reflux, management among urologists is still controversial. One of the most debated aspects is the choice between observation treatment or surgical treatment.

Methods: We assessed the natural course of children with vesico-ureteral reflux in the period 1990-1995, to correlate factors and identify patients with high risk of renal damage.

[Urodynamic evaluation in children with enuresis].

We performed an urodynamic study in enuretic children to evaluate the relationship between urodinamic findings and symptoms. We studied 175 patients, with age from 5 to 12 years, who presented with nocturnal enuresis: 45 monosymptomatic and 130 polysymptomatic (in association with urinary urgency, urge incontinence, etc.).

Esophageal achalasia and hypertrophic pyloric stenosis associated with a phytobezoar in an adolescent.

Esophageal achalasia is an uncommon condition in children. The authors report on a 14-year-old girl who showed a very unusual association of cardiospasm and hypertrophic pyloric stenosis with a gastric phytobezoar.

[Treatment of complications in hypospadias surgery: modern advancement].

Background: With today's improved surgical techniques, complications in hypospadias surgery are seen less often, especially in distal form (1-5%). However, in proximal or complex hypospadias complications rate varied between 15 and 57%. Corrective surgery is mandatory in maior complications (urethrocutaneous fistulas, persistent chorde, urethral strictures, superficial skin separation).

Expansion of a coherent array of Bose-Einstein condensates.

We investigate the properties of a coherent array containing about 200 Bose-Einstein condensates produced in a far detuned 1D optical lattice. The density profile of the gas, imaged after releasing the trap, provides information about the coherence of the ground-state wave function. The measured atomic distribution is characterized by interference peaks.

Superresolution of pulsed multiphoton Raman transitions.

We have investigated higher order multiphoton Raman resonances with two pulsed optical frequencies. Multiphoton transfer with up to 50 photons is observed with milliwatts of laser power. We demonstrate that the spectral width of the multiphoton resonances can be far below the Fourier transform linewidth of the driving optical pulses.

Josephson junction arrays with Bose-Einstein condensates.

We report on the direct observation of an oscillating atomic current in a one-dimensional array of Josephson junctions realized with an atomic Bose-Einstein condensate. The array is created by a laser standing wave, with the condensates trapped in the valleys of the periodic potential and weakly coupled by the interwell barriers. The coherence of multiple tunneling between adjacent wells is continuously probed by atomic interference.

Superfluid and dissipative dynamics of a Bose-Einstein condensate in a periodic optical potential.

We create Bose-Einstein condensates of 87Rb in a static magnetic trap with a superimposed blue-detuned 1D optical lattice. By displacing the magnetic trap center we are able to control the condensate evolution. We observe a change in the frequency of the center-of-mass oscillation in the harmonic trapping potential, in analogy with an increase in effective mass.

Ovarian cysts in newborns.

Before the introduction of ultrasonography (US), ovarian cysts in newborns were thought to be rare. With the extended use of real-time US, prenatal detection has increased. There is still considerable controversy regarding the best treatment of these neonatal findings.

Temperature-selective trapping of atoms in a dark state by means of quantum interference.

We present a novel type of dark spontaneous-force optical trap. The trap is based on a velocity-selective inhibition of repumping light absorption produced by electromagnetically induced transparency. Accumulation of cold cesium atoms in a dark state is observed.