Envy and Agricultural Innovation: An Experimental Case Study from Ethiopia

CSAE working paper WPS/2011-0

Rapid optimization of working parameters of microwave-driven multi-level qubits for minimal gate leakage

We propose an effective method to optimize the working parameters (WPs) of microwave-driven quantum logical gates implemented with multi-level physical qubits. We show that by treating transitions between each pair of levels independently, intrinsic gate errors due primarily to population leakage to undesired states can be estimated accurately from spectroscopic properties of the qubits and minimized by choosing appropriate WPs. The validity and efficiency of the approach are demonstrated by applying it to optimize the WPs of two coupled rf SQUID flux qubits for controlled-NOT (CNOT) operation. The result of this independent transition approximation (ITA) is in good agreement with that of dynamic method (DM). Furthermore, the ratio of the speed of ITA to that of DM scales exponentially as 2^n when the number of qubits n increases.Comment: 4pages, 3 figure

Comparative Study on the Chronic Vascular Responses Induced by Regular Versus Occasional Waterpipe Smoke Inhalation in Mice

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Waterpipe smoke (WPS) is the second most prevalent form of smoking in the world. There are ample evidences about the vascular alterations caused by regular WPS (Reg-WPS). Nonetheless, comparison of the chronic vascular response induced by regular versus occasional WPS (Occ-WPS) exposure is very scarce. METHODS: We investigated, in BALB/c mice, the effects of Occ-WPS (30 minutes/day, 1 day/week) versus Reg-WPS (30 minutes/day, 5 days/week) for 6 months on thrombogenicity and platelet aggregation in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, various markers of endothelial integrity, inflammation and oxidative stress were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and colorimetric assay. Control mice were exposed to air. RESULTS: Our results showed that either Occ-WPS or Reg-WPS exposure shortened the thrombotic time in pial microvessels in vivo. Moreover, in pial venules, this effect was more marked in Reg-WPS group (-47%) compared with Occ-WPS (-34%). Similarly, exposure to either Occ-WPS or Reg-WPS reduced the prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time. Platelet count was increased only in Reg-WPS exposure. Exposure to either Occ-WPS or Reg-WPS induced platelet aggregation in vitro. In addition, there was a statistically significant difference between Occ-WPS and Reg-WPS groups in platelet count and aggregation. Plasma concentration of tissue factor (+98%), P-selectin (+14%) and E-selectin (+16%) were significantly increased in Occ-WPS group compared with air exposed group. Likewise, compared with air group Reg-WPS caused an increase in concentration of tissue factor (+193%), P-selectin (+21%) and E-selectin (+42%). Nevertheless, only Reg-WPS induced a decrease (-38%) in the plasma concentration of tissue plasminogen activator. Notably, our results showed a statistically significant difference between Occ-WPS and Reg-WPS groups in the concentration of tissue factor. Erythrocyte numbers, hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit and lactate dehydrogenase activity were augmented only in Reg-WPS group compared with either control or Occ-WPS groups. Likewise, only Reg-WPS induced an increase in proinflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β compared with either control or Occ-WPS groups. However, markers of oxidative stress including 8-isoprostane and total antioxidants were enhanced in both Occ-WPS and Reg-WPS compared with control group. CONCLUSION: Our data confirm the vascular toxicity of the chronic Reg-WPS exposure and shows that even occasional chronic exposure to WPS caused thrombosis, platelet aggregation, endothelial alterations and oxidative stress. The latter findings are an additional cause of concern about the long-term toxicity of occasional waterpipe smoking

Insight into organic education

This paper summarizes the research project iPOPY, emphasising main results from all WPs. NB the page numbers in the enclosed pdf file (28-30) are wrong

Rawatan larut resapan menggunakan penjerap media komposit karbon teraktif, zeolit, batu kapur dan enapcemar sisa kertas

Kajian ini dijalankan bagi meneroka potensi WPS dan LS untuk menggantikan sebahagian AC dan ZEO dalam penghasilan media komposit baharu. Nisbah optimum AC-WPS (media hidrofobik) adalah 2:2, manakala ZEO-LS (media hidrofilik) adalah 25:15. Nisbah optimum 4:4 media hidrofobik-hidrofilik dipilih berdasarkan ciri-ciri penjerapan NH3-N dan COD, dan 30 % OPC telah digunakan sebagai bahan pengikat. Media komposit ZELPA telah dihasilkan dan pencirian sifat fizikal-kimia dilakukan. ZELPA digunakan dalam kajian isoterma penjerapan NH3-N, COD dan warna pada keadaan optimum pH 7, kelajuan goncangan 200 rpm, saiz partikel 1.18-2.36 mm dan masa sentuhan 120 minit. Setelah ujian kelompok dilaksanakan, ujikaji isoterma penjerapan dan kinetik penjerapan dilakukan. Kapasiti penjerapan untuk kesemua parameter (dalam mg/g) masing-masing 27.55, 48.08 dan 34.48. Kajian perbandingan menunjukkan keupayaan penjerapan ZELPA terhadap NH3-N dan COD adalah lebih baik daripada ZEO dan AC, dan setanding dengan AC bagi penjerapan warna. Kajian kinetik penjerapan mendapati ZELPA mengikuti hampir kesemua model yang dikaji iaitu pseudo tertib pertama dan kedua, Elovich dan pembauran intra-partikel. Kajian penjerapan turus dengan menggunakan model EBCT menunjukkan penyingkiran sebanyak 99 % untuk NH3-N dan 98 % untuk COD dan warna. Kapasiti bolos dan masa tepu didapati makin berkurangan dengan berlakunya peningkatan terhadap kadar aliran. Didapati data uji kaji lebih mematuhi Model Thomas dan Yoon-Nelson berbanding Adams-Bohart. ZELPA boleh digunakan semula selepas menjalani ujikaji regenerasi dengan larutan 0.5 M NaCl pada pH 11-12 (dilaras dengan 1 M NaOH). Dengan kapasiti penjerapan untuk NH3-N, COD dan warna (dalam mg/L) masing-masing 32.26, 38.76 dan 31.95. Gabungan media alternatif WPS dan LS menunjukkan impak positif dalam penjerapan larut resapan. Penggunaan WPS dalam teknologi penjerapan secara tidak langsung berupaya menangani masalah pelupusan sisa kertas yang tidak boleh dikitar semula