184 research outputs found
Preparation of Knill-Laflamme-Milburn states using tunable controlled phase gate
A specific class of partially entangled states known as
Knill-Laflamme-Milburn states (or KLM states) has been proved to be useful in
relation to quantum information processing [Knill et al., Nature 409, 46
(2001)]. Although the usage of such states is widely investigated, considerably
less effort has been invested into experimentally accessible preparation
schemes. This paper discusses the possibility to employ a tunable controlled
phase gate to generate an arbitrary Knill-Laflamme-Milburn state. In the first
part, the idea of using the controlled phase gate is explained on the case of
two-qubit KLM states. Optimization of the proposed scheme is then discussed for
the framework of linear optics. Subsequent generalization of the scheme to
arbitrary n-qubit KLM state is derived in the second part of this paper.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, accepted in Journal of Physics
Mesoscopic superpositions of vibronic collective states of N trapped ions
We propose a scalable procedure to generate entangled superpositions of
motional coherent states and electronic states in N trapped ions. Beyond their
fundamental importance, these states may be of interest for quantum information
processing and may be used in experimental studies of decoherence.Comment: Final version, as published in Physical Review Letters. See also
further developments and applications in quant-ph/020207
Light spin-1/2 or spin-0 Dark Matter particles
We recall and precise how light spin-0 particles could be acceptable Dark
Matter candidates, and extend this analysis to spin-1/2 particles. We evaluate
the (rather large) annihilation cross sections required, and show how they may
be induced by a new light neutral spin-1 boson U. If this one is vectorially
coupled to matter particles, the (spin-1/2 or spin-0) Dark Matter annihilation
cross section into e+e- automatically includes a v_dm^2 suppression factor at
threshold, as desirable to avoid an excessive production of gamma rays from
residual Dark Matter annihilations. We also relate Dark Matter annihilations
with production cross sections in e+e- scatterings. Annihilation cross sections
of spin-1/2 and spin-0 Dark Matter particles are given by exactly the same
expressions. Just as for spin-0, light spin-1/2 Dark Matter particles
annihilating into e+e- could be responsible for the bright 511 keV gamma ray
line observed by INTEGRAL from the galactic bulge.Comment: 10 page
Spin Transport in a Quantum Wire
We study the effect of electron-electron backscattering interactions on spin
transport in a quantum wire. Even if these interactions have no significant
effect on charge transport, they strongly influence the transport of spin. We
use the quantum Boltzmann equation in the collision approximation to derive
equations of motion for spin current and magnetization. In the limit of small
perturbations from equilibrium, we explain the existence of `precessional' and
`diffusive' behaviors. We also discuss the low-temperature non-linear decay of
an uniform spin current outside the hydrodynamic regime.Comment: 10 pages, 5 figures, REVTE
Coherent state quantization of a particle in de Sitter space
We present a coherent state quantization of the dynamics of a relativistic
test particle on a one-sheet hyperboloid embedded in a three-dimensional
Minkowski space. The group SO_0(1,2) is considered to be the symmetry group of
the system. Our procedure relies on the choice of coherent states of the motion
on a circle. The coherent state realization of the principal series
representation of SO_0(1,2) seems to be a new result.Comment: Journal of Physics A: Mathematical and General, vol. 37, in pres
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Hybridization and Selective Release of DNA Microarrays
DNA microarrays contain sequence specific probes arrayed in distinct spots numbering from 10,000 to over 1,000,000, depending on the platform. This tremendous degree of multiplexing gives microarrays great potential for environmental background sampling, broad-spectrum clinical monitoring, and continuous biological threat detection. In practice, their use in these applications is not common due to limited information content, long processing times, and high cost. The work focused on characterizing the phenomena of microarray hybridization and selective release that will allow these limitations to be addressed. This will revolutionize the ways that microarrays can be used for LLNL's Global Security missions. The goals of this project were two-fold: automated faster hybridizations and selective release of hybridized features. The first study area involves hybridization kinetics and mass-transfer effects. the standard hybridization protocol uses an overnight incubation to achieve the best possible signal for any sample type, as well as for convenience in manual processing. There is potential to significantly shorten this time based on better understanding and control of the rate-limiting processes and knowledge of the progress of the hybridization. In the hybridization work, a custom microarray flow cell was used to manipulate the chemical and thermal environment of the array and autonomously image the changes over time during hybridization. The second study area is selective release. Microarrays easily generate hybridization patterns and signatures, but there is still an unmet need for methodologies enabling rapid and selective analysis of these patterns and signatures. Detailed analysis of individual spots by subsequent sequencing could potentially yield significant information for rapidly mutating and emerging (or deliberately engineered) pathogens. In the selective release work, optical energy deposition with coherent light quickly provides the thermal energy to single spots to release hybridized DNA. This work leverages LLNL expertise in optics, microfluids, and bioinformatics
Detection of codon 12 K- ras mutations in non-neoplastic mucosa from bronchial carina in patients with lung adenocarcinomas
K- ras activation by point mutation in codon 12 has been reported in lung adenocarcinomas in various models of experimental lung tumours induced by chemical carcinogens. The hypothesis of the presence of cells containing K- ras mutation in non neoplastic bronchial carina, the main site of impaction of airborne contaminants, was investigated by evaluating concurrent lung tumour and non-neoplastic proximal bronchial carinae from 19 patients with lung adenocarcinomas. The restriction fragment length polymorphism enriched PCR method used can detect one mutant allele among 103normal alleles. A mutation was detected in 42% of lung adenocarcinoma samples. No mutation was detected in either tumour or bronchial carinae in nine patients (47%). K- ras mutation was detected in the lung tumour but not in bronchial carinae in four patients (21%), in both the lung tumour and bronchial carinae in four other patients (21%). In two patients (11%), K- ras mutation was detected in at least one bronchial carina, but not in the lung tumour. Mutations of codon 12, confirmed by sequencing analysis of ten samples, were G to T transversion, mostly TGT and GTT in bronchial carinae and lung tumours. Our data show that activated K- ras by point mutation can be present in non-neoplastic bronchial carina mucosa even when no mutation is detected in tumour samples. © 2000 Cancer Research Campaig
Scalar field "mini--MACHOs": a new explanation for galactic dark matter
We examine the possibility that galactic halos are collisionless ensembles of
scalar field ``massive compact halo objects'' (MACHOs). Using mass constraints
from MACHO microlensing and from theoretical arguments on halos made up of
massive black holes, as well as demanding also that scalar MACHO ensambles of
all scales do not exhibit gravothermal instability (as required by consistency
with observations of LSB galaxies), we obtain the range: m\alt 10^{-7}
M_\odot or 30 M_\odot\alt m\alt 100 M_\odot. The rather narrow mass range of
large MACHOs seems to indicate that the ensambles we are suggesting should be
probably made up of scalar MACHOs in the low mass range (``mini--MACHOs''). The
proposed model allows one to consider a non--baryonic and non--thermal
fundamental nature of dark matter, while at the same time keeping the same
phenomenology of the CDM paradigm.Comment: 5 pages, 1 eps figure. RevTex 4 style. To appear in Physical Review
Chronic Maternal Depression Is Associated with Reduced Weight Gain in Latino Infants from Birth to 2 Years of Age
BACKGROUND: Latino children are at increased risk for mirconutrient deficiencies and problems of overweight and obesity. Exposures in pregnancy and early postpartum may impact future growth trajectories. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the relationship between prenatal and postnatal maternal depressive symptoms experienced in pregnancy and infant growth from birth to 2 years of age in a cohort of Latino infants. METHODS: We recruited pregnant Latina mothers at two San Francisco hospitals and followed their healthy infants to 24 months of age. At 6, 12 and 24 months of age, infants were weighed and measured. Maternal depressive symptoms were assessed prenatally and at 4-6 weeks postpartum. Women who had high depressive symptoms at both time periods were defined as having chronic depression. Logistic mixed models were applied to compare growth curves and risk for overweight and underweight based on exposure to maternal depression. RESULTS: We followed 181 infants to 24 months. At 12 and 24 months, respectively, 27.4% and 40.5% were overweight, and 5.6% and 2.2% were underweight. Exposure to chronic maternal depression was associated with underweight (OR = 12.12, 95%CI 1.86-78.78) and with reduced weight gain in the first 2 years of life (Coef = -0.48, 95% CI -0.94-0.01) compared with unexposed infants or infants exposed to episodic depression (depression at one time point). Exposure to chronic depression was also associated with reduced risk for overweight in the first 2 years of life (OR 0.28, 95%CI 0.03-0.92). CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to chronic maternal depression in the pre- and postnatal period was associated with reduced weight gain in the first two years of life and greater risk for failure to thrive, in comparison with unexposed infants or those exposed episodically. The infants of mothers with chronic depression may need additional nutritional monitoring and intervention
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