Observation of novel robust edge states without bulk-boundary correspondence in non-Hermitian quantum walks

Recently, the study of non-Hermitian physics has attracted considerable attention. The modified bulk-boundary correspondence has been proposed to understand topological edge states in non-Hermitian static systems. Here we report a new experimental observation of edge states in non-Hermitian periodically driven systems. Some unconventional edge states are found not to be satisfied with the bulk-boundary correspondence when the system belongs to the broken parity-time (PT) symmetric phase. The experiments are performed in our constructed non-Hermitian light quantum walk platform with left and right boundaries, where the beams outside system boundary are blocked subtly at the end of each step. The robust properties of these edge states against to static perturbations and disorder have also been demonstrated experimentally. The finding of robust edge states in broken PT-symmetric phase inspires us to explore a robust transport channel in ubiquitously complex systems with strong dissipation

Detection of clothianidin residues in cucumber and apple juice using lateral-flow immunochromatographic assay

Clothianidin (CTA), third generation neonicotinoid insecticide that has been widely used for the long-term control of a wide variety of pests. Therefore, we developed immunochromatographic assay for the detection of CTA residues in cucumber and apple juice. The antigen HCTA-EDC-OVA and the goat anti-mouse IgG antibody were added to a nitrocellulose membrane as the test and control lines, respectively. Under optimal conditions, the cut-off limits of the semi-quantitative strip test for CTA were 1 ng/mL in 0.01 M PBS (pH 7.4), 4 ng/mL in cucumber juice, and 5 ng/mL in apple juice, and the results were obtained within 5 min. The immunochromatographic assay can be used for the sensitive, rapid, and specific on-site screening of CTA residues in cucumber and apple juice.</p

Long-lived quantum speedup based on plasmonic hot spot systems

Long-lived quantum speedup serves as a fundamental component for quantum algorithms. The quantum walk is identified as an ideal scheme to realize the long-lived quantum speedup. However, one finds that the duration of quantum speedup is very short in real systems implementing quantum walk. The speedup can last only dozens of femtoseconds in the photosynthetic light-harvesting system, which was regarded as the best candidate for quantum information processing. Here, we construct one plasmonic system with two-level molecules embodied in the hot spots of one-dimensional nanoparticle chains to realize the long-lived quantum speedup. The coherent and incoherent coupling parameters in the system are obtained by means of Green's tensor technique. Our results reveal that the duration of quantum speedup in our scheme can exceed 500 fs under strong coherent coupling conditions, which is several times larger than that in the photosynthetic light-harvesting system. Our proposal presents a competitive scheme to realize the long-lived quantum speedup, which is very beneficial for quantum algorithms

Average percent error, power, and 95% coverage probabilities obtained from the analysis of three-period, three-treatment crossover trials based on 2000 simulated datasets, unbalanced design, sequence CT₁T₂:CT₂T₁:T₁CT₂:T₁T₂C: T₂CT₁:T₂T₁C = 4:4:1:1:1:1, sample size <i>n</i> = 24, and an effect size of 0.5 for T₁ and 0 for T₂.

Average percent error, power, and 95% coverage probabilities obtained from the analysis of three-period, three-treatment crossover trials based on 2000 simulated datasets, unbalanced design, sequence CT1T2:CT2T1:T1CT2:T1T2C: T2CT1:T2T1C = 4:4:1:1:1:1, sample size n = 24, and an effect size of 0.5 for T1 and 0 for T2.</p

Average percent error, power, and 95% coverage probabilities obtained from the analysis of two-period, two-treatment crossover trials based on 2000 simulated datasets, balanced design, sequence CT:TC = 1:1, sample size <i>n</i> = 20, and effect size 0.5.

Average percent error, power, and 95% coverage probabilities obtained from the analysis of two-period, two-treatment crossover trials based on 2000 simulated datasets, balanced design, sequence CT:TC = 1:1, sample size n = 20, and effect size 0.5.</p

Average percent error, power, and 95% coverage probabilities obtained from the analysis of two-period, two-treatment crossover trials based on 2000 simulated datasets, unbalanced design, sequence CT:TC = 1:3, sample size <i>n</i> = 20, and effect size 0.5.

Average percent error, power, and 95% coverage probabilities obtained from the analysis of two-period, two-treatment crossover trials based on 2000 simulated datasets, unbalanced design, sequence CT:TC = 1:3, sample size n = 20, and effect size 0.5.</p

Variance-covariance matrices specified in generating simulation datasets for the three-period, three-treatment crossover trials.

Variance-covariance matrices specified in generating simulation datasets for the three-period, three-treatment crossover trials.</p

Table1_Comparative Study of Impacts of Typical Bio-Inspired Optimization Algorithms on Source Inversion Performance.DOCX

Accurate identification of source information (i.e., source strength and location) is crucial for the air pollution control or effective accidental response. Optimization inversion based on bio-inspired algorithms (BIOs) is an effective method for estimating source information. However, the impacts of different BIOs and the shared parameter of population size in BIOs on source inversion performance have not been revealed. Here the source inversion performance (i.e., accuracy and robustness) of six typical BIOs [i.e., bacterial foraging optimization algorithm (BFO), chicken swarm optimization algorithm (CSO), differential evolution algorithm (DE), genetic algorithm (GA), particle swarm optimization (PSO), and seeker optimization algorithm (SOA)], and their population sizes are evaluated based on the Prairie Grass dataset which covering different atmospheric conditions (i.e., Pasquill stability classes A, B, C, D, E, and F). Results indicated the population size has substantial influence on source inversion. The accuracy of all BIOs in source strength fluctuated greatly when the population size was small, whereas, tended to be stable as the population size increased. Overall, the BFO had the best accuracy with lowest deviations (74.5% for source strength and 29.7 m for location parameter x0), whereas SOA had the best robustness for all source parameters. Atmospheric conditions indicated an obvious influence on the inversion performance of the BIOs. The BFO and CSO performed the best with the lowest deviations [137.5 and 26.7% for unstable conditions (A, B, and C) and stable condition (E), respectively], all algorithms are comparable (67.4 ± 2.1%) in neutral condition (D), and BFO and CSO had the comparable performances (23.2 and 24.3%) and performed better under extremely stable condition (F). This study enhances the understanding of the factors influencing source inversion and provides a reference for the selection of appropriate bio-inspired algorithms and the reasonable setting of population size parameter for source inversion in practical environmental management.</p

Comparison of estimated treatment effects, period effects, and first-order carryover effects and their standard errors (in parentheses) given by the three GLMs (with CS and UN covariance structures) and naïve hypothesis testing procedure for real-world two-period and three-period crossover trials.

Comparison of estimated treatment effects, period effects, and first-order carryover effects and their standard errors (in parentheses) given by the three GLMs (with CS and UN covariance structures) and naïve hypothesis testing procedure for real-world two-period and three-period crossover trials.</p

Table_1_Intralobar Pulmonary Sequestration Presenting as Hemothorax Secondary to Spontaneous Pneumothorax: Case Report and Literature Review.xls

IntroductionPatients with pulmonary sequestration (PS), a rare congenital lung malformation, are mostly asymptomatic. Recurrent localized infection is a major complication, while sudden hemothorax is extremely rare. We present a case of intralobar PS presenting as hemothorax secondary to spontaneous pneumothorax and comprehensively review the relevant literature.Case ReportA 16-year-old male presented with chest pain after strenuous exercise. Chest X-ray showed a moderate pneumothorax. After admission and conservative treatment, he developed dizziness, amaurosis, and urinary incontinence. Bedside chest X-ray suggested a massive pleural effusion, and hemothorax was further identified via catheter drainage. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography was performed, and no abnormal blood vessels or leakage of contrast agent were observed. As the hemoglobin level continued to drop, exploratory thoracoscopic surgery was performed immediately. The abnormal systemic artery supplying the lung tissue was found to be ruptured; therefore, ligation of the abnormal artery with resection of the diseased lung tissue was performed. Pathological examination revealed non-specific manifestations of PS. He was followed up for 1 year without related complications.ConclusionOur case suggests that the abnormal supply vessels of PS are unstable, which may cause sudden hemothorax. Therefore, patients with PS should undergo surgery promptly after diagnosis. In patients with hemothorax, we should consider the diagnosis of PS; however, contrast-enhanced computed tomography or angiography cannot confirm the diagnosis in all cases. Surgical intervention is recommended in emergency settings.</p