939 research outputs found
Scaling of entanglement at quantum phase transition for two-dimensional array of quantum dots
With Hubbard model, the entanglement scaling behavior in a two-dimensional
itinerant system is investigated. It has been found that, on the two sides of
the critical point denoting an inherent quantum phase transition (QPT), the
entanglement follows different scalings with the size just as an order
parameter does. This fact reveals the subtle role played by the entanglement in
QPT as a fungible physical resource
Modeling the X-ray - UV Correlations in NGC 7469
We model the correlated X-ray - UV observations of NGC 7469, for which well
sampled data in both these bands have been obtained recently in a
multiwavelength monitoring campaign. To this end we derive the transfer
function in wavelength \ls and time lag \t, for reprocessing hard (X-ray)
photons from a point source to softer ones (UV-optical) by an infinite plane
(representing a cool, thin accretion disk) located at a given distance below
the X-ray source, under the assumption that the X-ray flux is absorbed and
emitted locally by the disk as a black body of temperature appropriate to the
incident flux. Using the observed X-ray light curve as input we have computed
the expected continuum UV emission as a function of time at several wavelengths
(\l \l 1315 \AA, \l \l 6962 \AA, \l \l 15000 \AA, \l \l 30000 \AA) assuming
that the X-ray source is located one \sc radius above the disk plane, with the
mass of the black hole and the latitude angle of the observer
relative to the disk plane as free parameters. We have searched the parameter
space of black hole masses and observer azimuthal angles but we were unable to
reproduce UV light curves which would resemble, even remotely, those observed.
We also explored whether particular combinations of the values of these
parameters could lead to light curves whose statistical properties (i.e. the
autocorrelation and cross correlation functions) would match those
corresponding to the observed UV light curve at \l \l 1315 \AA. Even though we
considered black hole masses as large as M no such match was
possible. Our results indicate that some of the fundamental assumptions of this
model will have to be modified to obtain even approximate agreement between the
observed and model X-ray - UV light curves.Comment: 16 pages, 13 figures, ApJ in pres
Defining childhood severe falciparum malaria for intervention studies.
Background Clinical trials of interventions designed to prevent severe falciparum malaria in children require a clear endpoint. The internationally accepted definition of severe malaria is sensitive, and appropriate for clinical purposes. However, this definition includes individuals with severe nonmalarial disease and coincident parasitaemia, so may lack specificity in vaccine trials. Although there is no âgold standardâ individual test for severe malaria, malaria-attributable fractions (MAFs) can be estimated among groups of children using a logistic model, which we use to test the suitability of various case definitions as trial endpoints. Methods and Findings A total of 4,583 blood samples were taken from well children in cross-sectional surveys and from 1,361 children admitted to a Kenyan District hospital with severe disease. Among children under 2 y old with severe disease and over 2,500 parasites per microliter of blood, the MAFs were above 85% in moderate- and low-transmission areas, but only 61% in a high-transmission area. HIV and malnutrition were not associated with reduced MAFs, but gastroenteritis with severe dehydration (defined by reduced skin turgor), lower respiratory tract infection (clinician's final diagnosis), meningitis (on cerebrospinal fluid [CSF] examination), and bacteraemia were associated with reduced MAFs. The overall MAF was 85% (95% confidence interval [CI] 83.8%â86.1%) without excluding these conditions, 89% (95% CI 88.4%â90.2%) after exclusions, and 95% (95% CI 94.0%â95.5%) when a threshold of 2,500 parasites/ÎŒl was also applied. Applying a threshold and exclusion criteria reduced sensitivity to 80% (95% CI 77%â83%). Conclusions The specificity of a case definition for severe malaria is improved by applying a parasite density threshold and by excluding children with meningitis, lower respiratory tract infection (clinician's diagnosis), bacteraemia, and gastroenteritis with severe dehydration, but not by excluding children with HIV or malnutrition
Decoherence in a Josephson junction qubit
The zero-voltage state of a Josephson junction biased with constant current
consists of a set of metastable quantum energy levels. We probe the spacings of
these levels by using microwave spectroscopy to enhance the escape rate to the
voltage state. The widths of the resonances give a measurement of the coherence
time of the two states involved in the transitions. We observe a decoherence
time shorter than that expected from dissipation alone in resonantly isolated
20 um x 5 um Al/AlOx/Al junctions at 60 mK. The data is well fit by a model
including dephasing effects of both low-frequency current noise and the escape
rate to the continuum voltage states. We discuss implications for quantum
computation using current-biased Josephson junction qubits, including the
minimum number of levels needed in the well to obtain an acceptable error limit
per gate.Comment: 4 pages, 6 figure
Mediated tunable coupling of flux qubits
It is sketched how a monostable rf- or dc-SQUID can mediate an inductive
coupling between two adjacent flux qubits. The nontrivial dependence of the
SQUID's susceptibility on external flux makes it possible to continuously tune
the induced coupling from antiferromagnetic (AF) to ferromagnetic (FM). In
particular, for suitable parameters, the induced FM coupling can be
sufficiently large to overcome any possible direct AF inductive coupling
between the qubits.
The main features follow from a classical analysis of the multi-qubit
potential. A fully quantum treatment yields similar results, but with a
modified expression for the SQUID susceptibility.
Since the latter is exact, it can also be used to evaluate the
susceptibility--or, equivalently, energy-level curvature--of an isolated
rf-SQUID for larger shielding and at degenerate flux bias, i.e., a (bistable)
qubit. The result is compared to the standard two-level (pseudospin) treatment
of the anticrossing, and the ensuing conclusions are verified numerically.Comment: REVTeX 4, 16 pp., 4 EPS figures. N.B.: "Alec" is my first, and
"Maassen van den Brink" my family name. v2: major expansion and rewriting,
new title and co-author; to appear in New Journal of Physics special issue
(R. Fazio, ed.
Geometrical dependence of low frequency noise in superconducting flux qubits
A general method for directly measuring the low-frequency flux noise (below
10 Hz) in compound Josephson junction superconducting flux qubits has been used
to study a series of 85 devices of varying design. The variation in flux noise
across sets of qubits with identical designs was observed to be small. However,
the levels of flux noise systematically varied between qubit designs with
strong dependence upon qubit wiring length and wiring width. Furthermore,
qubits fabricated above a superconducting ground plane yielded lower noise than
qubits without such a layer. These results support the hypothesis that
localized magnetic impurities in the vicinity of the qubit wiring are a key
source of low frequency flux noise in superconducting devices.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figure
Antimicrobial and micronutrient interventions for the management of infants under 6 months of age identified with severe malnutrition: a literature review.
BACKGROUND: Infants under 6 months (U6M) contribute a significant proportion of the burden and mortality of severe malnutrition globally. Evidence of underlying aetiology in this population is sparse, but it is known that the group includes ex-preterm and low birthweight (LBW) infants. They represent a unique population given their dependence on breastmilk or a safe, secure alternative. Nutrition agencies and health providers struggle to make programming decisions on which interventions should be provided to this group based upon the 2013 WHO Guidelines for the 'Management of Severe Acute Malnutrition in Infants and Young Children' since there are no published interventional trial data focussed on this population. Interim guidance for this group might be informed by evidence of safety and efficacy in adjacent population groups. METHODOLOGY: A narrative literature review was performed of systematic reviews, meta-analyses and randomised controlled trials of antimicrobial and micronutrient interventions (antibiotics, deworming, vitamin A, vitamin D, iron, zinc, folic acid and oral rehydration solution (ORS) for malnutrition) across the population groups of low birthweight/preterm infants, infants under 6 months, infants and children over 6 months with acute malnutrition or through supplementation to breastfeeding mothers. Outcomes of interest were safety and efficacy, in terms of mortality and morbidity. RESULTS: Ninety-four articles were identified for inclusion within this review. None of these studied interventions exclusively in severely malnourished infants U6M. 64% reported on the safety of studied interventions. Significant heterogeneity was identified in definitions of study populations, interventions provided, and outcomes studied. The evidence for efficacy and safety across population groups is reviewed and presented for the interventions listed. CONCLUSIONS: The direct evidence base for medical interventions for severely malnourished infants U6M is sparse. Our review identifies a specific need for accurate micronutrient profiling and interventional studies of micronutrients and oral fluid management of diarrhoea amongst infants U6M meeting anthropometric criteria for severe malnutrition. Indirect evidence presented in this review may help shape interim policy and programming decisions as well as the future research agenda for the management of infants U6M identified as malnourished
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