Description: We propose a method to improve the performance of two entanglement-based continuous-variable quantum key distribution protocols using noiseless linear amplifiers. The two entanglement-based schemes consist of an entanglement distribution protocol with an untrusted source and an entanglement swapping protocol with an untrusted relay. Simulation results show that the noiseless linear amplifiers can improve the performance of these two protocols, in terms of maximal transmission distances, when we consider small amounts of entanglement, as typical in realistic setups.

Description: Author(s): Ying Chen, Ming Gong, Yu-Hong Lei, Ning Li, Jian Liang, Chuan Liu, Jin-Long Liu, Yong-Fu Liu, Yu-Bin Liu, Zhaofeng Liu, Jian-Ping Ma, Zhan-Lin Wang, and Jian-Bo Zhang (CLQCD Collaboration) In this paper, low-energy scattering of the ( D * D ¯ * ) ± meson system is studied within Lüscher’s finite-size formalism using N f = 2 twisted-mass gauge field configurations. With three different pion mass values, the s -wave threshold scattering parameters—namely the scattering length a 0 and the effective … [Phys. Rev. D 92, 054507] Published Mon Sep 21, 2015

Description: Sustainable watershed management (SWM) can be achieved through recognition and reflection upon the values of citizens. Collaborative governance consisting of citizens is crucial for successful SWM. Collaborative governance definitely requires an active participatory decision-making process that reflects citizens’ preferences. Citizen preference also tends to substantially change with life pattern and life quality. These shifts can be caused by slight variations in both social priorities and personal preferences for SWM. Therefore, collaborative water governance must be frequently renewed in response to citizens’ values through the participatory framework. The An’yang Stream in South Korea is generally regarded as a representative urban stream restoration case that has been successfully led by collaborative governance. By conducting individual surveys with citizens on-site, this study addresses how citizens’ preferences of the stream’s management have changed between 2005 and 2015. In addition, this study used three quantitative hydrologic vulnerability indices: potential flood damage (PFD), potential streamflow depletion (PSD), and potential water quality deterioration (PWQD). They can spatially quantify citizen preference using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), which can systematically derive citizens’ subjective relative-weighted preferences. In the end, this study identified critical differences in priorities in regard to vulnerable areas between in 2005 and in 2015.

Description: Author(s): Ting Chen, Ying Chen, Ming Gong, Yu-Hong Lei, Ning Li, Chuan Liu, Yu-Bin Liu, Zhao-Feng Liu, Jian-Ping Ma, Zhan-Lin Wang, and Jian-Bo Zhang (CLQCD Collaboration) In this exploratory lattice study, low-energy near threshold scattering of the ( D ¯ 1 D * ) ± meson system is analyzed using lattice QCD with N f = 2 twisted mass fermion configurations. Both s-wave ( J P = 0 − ) and p-wave ( J P = 1 + ) channels are investigated. It is found that the interaction between the two charmed… [Phys. Rev. D 93, 114501] Published Wed Jun 01, 2016

Description: Author(s): Fang-Yu Hong, Huiqin Qian, Jing-Li Fu, Zhi-Yan Zhu, and Li-zhen Jiang We describe a scheme that enables a strong coherent coupling between a topological qubit and the quantized motion of a magnetized nanomechanical resonator. This coupling is achieved by attaching an array of magnetic tips to a namomechanical resonator under a quantum phase controller which coherently... [Phys. Rev. A 87, 032339] Published Fri Mar 29, 2013

Description: Sustainability, Vol. 9, Pages 1959: Inventory Analysis and Social Life Cycle Assessment of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Waste-to-Energy Incineration in Taiwan Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su9111959 Authors: Yu-Tsang Lu Yuh-Ming Lee Chien-Yu Hong Waste-to-energy (WtE) incineration technology is widely used to solve the energy supply, greenhouse gas emissions, and waste generation problems in urban areas. In Taiwan, there are new laws and regulations that would affect greenhouse gas management of WtE incineration plants. This research aims to identify or raise key issues to be promoted for WtE incineration plants due to existing management systems and complex issues mixed with GHG, energy, and solid waste treatment. This study utilizes inventory analysis and social LCA (SLCA) approach on GHG management of WtE incineration plants in Taiwan to systematically identify materiality issues to be promoted. According to the results of materiality analysis for SLCA, this study generalizes four stakeholders, nine subcategories, and their 15 inventory indicators; and concludes that, among assessment results of 15 inventory indicators, three indicators are at a high level, four at a medium level, and eight at a low level. In total, 12 materiality issues are recognized. This study suggests WtE incineration plants should consider the following materiality issues with respect to priority: a systematic database and calculation methods, the goal and criteria of the laws and regulations, technology development toward circular economy and promotion activity or opportunity for local community and organization level.

Description: Energies, Vol. 10, Pages 1997: Digital-Control-Based Approximation of Optimal Wave Disturbances Attenuation for Nonlinear Offshore Platforms Energies doi: 10.3390/en10121997 Authors: Xiao-Fang Zhong Yu-Hong Sun Shi-Yuan Han Jin Zhou Dong Wang The irregular wave disturbance attenuation problem for jacket-type offshore platforms involving the nonlinear characteristics is studied. The main contribution is that a digital-control-based approximation of optimal wave disturbances attenuation controller (AOWDAC) is proposed based on iteration control theory, which consists of a feedback item of offshore state, a feedforward item of wave force and a nonlinear compensated component with iterative sequences. More specifically, by discussing the discrete model of nonlinear offshore platform subject to wave forces generated from the Joint North Sea Wave Project (JONSWAP) wave spectrum and linearized wave theory, the original wave disturbances attenuation problem is formulated as the nonlinear two-point-boundary-value (TPBV) problem. By introducing two vector sequences of system states and nonlinear compensated item, the solution of introduced nonlinear TPBV problem is obtained. Then, a numerical algorithm is designed to realize the feasibility of AOWDAC based on the deviation of performance index between the adjacent iteration processes. Finally, applied the proposed AOWDAC to a jacket-type offshore platform in Bohai Bay, the vibration amplitudes of the displacement and the velocity, and the required energy consumption can be reduced significantly.

Description: Atmosphere, Vol. 8, Pages 248: Numerical Study on the Generation and Transport of Spume Droplets in Wind over Breaking Waves Atmosphere doi: 10.3390/atmos8120248 Authors: Shuai Tang Zixuan Yang Caixi Liu Yu-Hong Dong Lian Shen Sea spray droplets play an important role in the momentum, heat and mass transfer in the marine atmospheric boundary layer. We have developed a new direct numerical simulation method to study the generation and transport mechanisms of spume droplets by wind blowing over breaking waves, with the wave breaking process taken into account explicitly. In this new computational framework, the air and water are simulated as a coherent system on fixed Eulerian grid with the density and viscosity varying with the fluid phase. The air-water interface is captured accurately using a coupled level-set and volume-of-fluid method. The trajectories of sea spray droplets are tracked using a Lagrangian particle-tracking method. The generation of droplets is captured by comparing the fluid particle velocity of water and the phase speed of the wave surface. From the simulation data, we obtain for the first time a detailed description of the instantaneous distribution of droplets at different stages of wave breaking. Furthermore, the time histories of the droplet number and its generation and disappearance rates are analyzed. Simulation cases with different parameters are performed to study the effects of wave age and wave steepness. The flow and droplet fields obtained from simulation provided a detailed physical picture of the problem of interest. It is found that plunging breakers generate more droplets than spilling breakers. Droplets are generated near the wave crest at young and intermediate wave ages, but at old wave ages, droplets are generated both near and behind the wave crest. It is also elucidated that the large-scale spanwise vortex induced by the wave plunging event plays an important role in suspending droplets. Our simulation result of the vertical profile of sea spray concentration is consistent with laboratory measurement reported in the literature.

Description: Author(s): Fang-Yu Hong, Yang Xiang, W. H. Tang, Zhi-Yan Zhu, Li-zhen Jiang, and Liang-neng Wu [Phys. Rev. A 85, 012309] Published Tue Jan 10, 2012

Description: A high Q-factor (quality-factor) spiral inductor fabricated by the CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) process and a post-process was investigated. The spiral inductor is manufactured on a silicon substrate. A post-process is used to remove the underlying silicon substrate in order to reduce the substrate loss and to enhance the Q-factor of the inductor. The post-process adopts RIE (reactive ion etching) to etch the sacrificial oxide layer, and then TMAH (tetramethylammonium hydroxide) is employed to remove the silicon substrate for obtaining the suspended spiral inductor. The advantage of this post-processing method is its compatibility with the CMOS process. The performance of the spiral inductor is measured by an Agilent 8510C network analyzer and a Cascade probe station. Experimental results show that the Q-factor and inductance of the spiral inductor are 15 at 15 GHz and 1.8 nH at 1 GHz, respectively.