Enhanced quantum phase synchronization of a laser-driven qubit under non-Markovian dynamics

In this paper, we demonstrate transient dynamics of Husimi Q-representation to visualize and characterize the phase synchronization behavior of a two-level system (qubit) driven by a laser field in both the Markov and non-Markov regime. In the Markov regime, phase preference of the qubit goes away in the long time limit, whereas the long-time phase localization persists in the non-Markovian regime. We also plot the maximum of the shifted phase distribution in two different ways: (a) by varying the detuning and laser drive strength, and (b) by varying the system-bath coupling and laser drive strength. Signature of quantum phase synchronization viz. the Arnold tongue is demonstrated through the maximal value of the shifted phase distribution. The phase synchronization is observed inside the tongue region while the region outside the tongue is desynchronized. The synchronization regions are determined by various system-environment parameters and the qubit phase synchronization is shown to be enhanced in the non-Markov regime.Comment: 6 figure

Decoherence-free subspace and disentanglement dynamics for two qubits in a common non-Markovian squeezed reservoir

We study the non-Markovian entanglement dynamics of two qubits in a common squeezed bath. We see remarkable difference between the non-Markovian entanglement dynamics with its Markovian counterpart. We show that a non-Markovian decoherence free state is also decoherence free in the Markovian regime, but all the Markovian decoherence free states are not necessarily decoherence free in the non-Markovian domain. We extend our calculation from squeezed vacuum bath to squeezed thermal bath, where we see the effect of finite bath temperatures on the entanglement dynamics.Comment: To appear in Phys. Rev. A (8 pages

Imputation of Rainfall Data Using the Sine Cosine Function Fitting Neural Network

Missing rainfall data have reduced the quality of hydrological data analysis because they are the essential input for hydrological modeling. Much research has focused on rainfall data imputation. However, the compatibility of precipitation (rainfall) and non-precipitation (meteorology) as input data has received less attention. First, we propose a novel pre-processing mechanism for non-precipitation data by using principal component analysis (PCA). Before the imputation, PCA is used to extract the most relevant features from the meteorological data. The final output of the PCA is combined with the rainfall data from the nearest neighbor gauging stations and then used as the input to the neural network for missing data imputation. Second, a sine cosine algorithm is presented to optimize neural network for infilling the missing rainfall data. The proposed sine cosine function fitting neural network (SC-FITNET) was compared with the sine cosine feedforward neural network (SCFFNN), feedforward neural network (FFNN) and long short-term memory (LSTM) approaches. The results showed that the proposed SC-FITNET outperformed LSTM, SC-FFNN and FFNN imputation in terms of mean absolute error (MAE), root mean square error (RMSE) and correlation coefficient (R), with an average accuracy of 90.9%. This study revealed that as the percentage of missingness increased, the precision of the four imputation methods reduced. In addition, this study also revealed that PCA has potential in pre-processing meteorological data into an understandable format for the missing data imputation

Social Media and 21st-Century Child and Youth Care Practice

The exponential growth of online information and communication technologies such as texting and social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat have opened up new possibilities for child and youth care (CYC) practitioners to engage with children, youth, and families. Yet very little is known about the therapeutic use of these technologies as a direct CYC practice method. Hence, this qualitative, course-based research project aimed to explore the use of social media as a therapeutic practice by CYC students at MacEwan University. The Instagram social networking site was used to collect data. A thematic analysis identified four overarching themes: (a) a relationship, engagement, and communication building tool, (b) a source of support and information, (c) a creative space for self-expression, and (d) a safe place. The results of this course-based study indicate that CYC students use social media responsibly in their work with children, youth, and families. The use of social media appears to have a positive impact and beneficial use in CYC as long as it is utilized and maintained in a professional manner. More research into social media is, however, required to help CYC practitioners keep pace with information and communication technologies and become well-informed about their use and misuse

Mental health experiences and coping strategies of BAME care workers who worked in nursing and residential care homes during the COVID-19 pandemic in Luton, England.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic intensified the risk factors for poor mental health among care workers in the UK. However, there is inadequate evidence on the mental health impact of COVID-19 on Black, Asian, and minority ethnic (BAME) care workers in particular. This study seeks to explore the mental health experiences and coping strategies of BAME care workers who worked in nursing and residential care homes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: This is a qualitative study conducted between February and May, 2021 in Luton, England. A sample of n=15 care workers from BAME backgrounds working in nursing and residential care homes was recruited purposively using the snowball sampling technique. In-depth interviews were conducted around topics such as views on COVID-19, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health, and coping during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data from the interviews were analysed using the Framework Analysis Approach. Results: The COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on the participants’ mental health as they experienced stress, depression, anxiety, trauma, and paranoia. The majority of the participants explained that they managed their mental health by belief in God and religious practices, keeping themselves busy doing activities they were passionate about, following government guidelines on the prevention of COVID-19, seeing the service users happy and some participants managed through support that was offered by the government. However, some participants did not have any support for their mental health. Conclusion: Issues such as increased workload associated with COVID-19 restrictions engendered mental health problems among BAME care workers, however, the workload only further increased during the pandemic, but the health and social care sector was already affected by heavy workload due to staff shortages and this needs to be addressed through increasing their wages to encourage more people to work in the health and social care sector. In addition, some BAME care workers never received any support for their mental health during the pandemic. Hence, integrating mental health services such as counseling, supportive psychotherapy and recreational therapies in care homes could help to support the mental health of care workers in the COVID-19 era

The views of traditional healers on health-seeking behaviour for malaria treatment: a qualitative study in Makurdi, Nigeria

Background: There is a dearth of evidence reporting the role of traditional healers in health-seeking behaviours for Malaria treatment in Nigeria. The existing evidence base presents empirical research from the viewpoint of healthcare providers such as doctors, nurses and pharmacists on factors influencing delays in treatment-seeking for Malaria. Understanding the perspectives of traditional healers is also essential in formulating appropriate treatment policies that capture the health needs of the communities they serve and promote prompt and effective health-seeking behaviours for Malaria treatment in Nigeria. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the views of traditional healers on their perceptions and attitudes towards delays in health-seeking behaviours for Malaria treatment in Makurdi, Nigeria. Methods: A qualitative interpretative research design was used. Seven semi-structured interviews were conducted with traditional healers. Four traditional healers were based in the Northern bank region of Makurdi, and three were in the Southern bank. Data were analysed using a framework analysis approach. Results: The main themes that emerged from the interviews were: perceptions of the effectiveness and safety of traditional vs. allopathic treatments; views about malaria risk factors, severity and treatment; access to hospitals and cost of allopathic treatment; and competition between traditional healers and healthcare providers. Conclusion: Traditional healers are important Malaria treatment providers in Nigeria, and they contribute significantly to influencing the health-seeking behaviours, choices and decisions of people towards non-use and/or delay of biomedical treatment services for Malaria treatment in Nigeria. Malaria policy should recognise the important role that traditional healers play in health-seeking behaviour and develop and deliver community-based targeted interventions to prevent delays in health-seeking for Malaria. Keywords: Traditional healers; Delay in health-seeking; Malaria treatment; Makurdi (North-Central); Nigeri