Optimal state for keeping reference frames aligned and the Platonic solids

The optimal N qubit states featuring highest sensitivity to small misalignment of cartesian reference frames are found using the Quantum Cramer-Rao bound. It is shown that the optimal states are supported on the symmetric subspace and hence are mathematically equivalent to a single spin J=N/2. Majorana representation of spin states is used to reveal a beautiful connection between the states optimal for aligning reference frames and the platonic solids

The implications of industry 4.0 for the auditing profession

The technological development resulting from Industry 4.0 is also affecting the auditing profession. If on the one hand the new technological components of Industry 4.0 demonstrate how their implementation can facilitate the auditor's work and improve the decision-making process in business management, on the other hand they require new skills and knowledge to the professional exercise Thus, the objective of this study in a real work context - fieldwork - is to analyze the impact of the new technologies of Industry 4.0 in the Auditing profession. With this work, it was possible to understand that the digital transformation and the use of the new technologies provided by Industry 4.0, besides serving as an aid to management and to the auditing professional, do not replace man, in his social, sentimental, and thought relations, crucial aspects for the profession of Auditor.publishe

Observables have no value: a no-go theorem for position and momentum observables

A very simple illustration of the Bell-Kochen-Specker contradiction is presented using continuous observables in infinite dimensional Hilbert space. It is shown that the assumption of the \emph{existence} of putative values for position and momentum observables for one single particle is incompatible with quantum mechanics.Comment: 6 pages, 1 Latex figure small corrections, refference and comments adde

Kochen-Specker Theorem for Finite Precision Spin One Measurements

Unsharp spin 1 observables arise from the fact that a residual uncertainty about the actual orientation of the measurement device remains. If the uncertainty is below a certain level, and if the distribution of measurement errors is covariant under rotations, a Kochen-Specker theorem for the unsharp spin observables follows: There are finite sets of directions such that not all the unsharp spin observables in these directions can consistently be assigned approximate truth-values in a non-contextual way.Comment: 4 page

Multiqubit symmetric states with high geometric entanglement

We propose a detailed study of the geometric entanglement properties of pure symmetric N-qubit states, focusing more particularly on the identification of symmetric states with a high geometric entanglement and how their entanglement behaves asymptotically for large N. We show that much higher geometric entanglement with improved asymptotical behavior can be obtained in comparison with the highly entangled balanced Dicke states studied previously. We also derive an upper bound for the geometric measure of entanglement of symmetric states. The connection with the quantumness of a state is discussed

Drastic reduction in density of Blattella germanica and Periplaneta americana cockroaches after the application of fenitrothion and lindane in Dema, Zimbabwe

Field studies were conducted in villages near the peri urban Dema area, Seke district, Zimbabwe, in order to understand the effect of the insecticides fenitrothion and lindane on Periplaneta americana and Blattella germanica cockroaches. A total of 63, 72 and 71 rooms were used for control, fenitrothion and lindane respectively. The mean density per room for P. americana before spraying was 43.5, 42.7 and 44.1 for the control, fenitrothion and lindane respectively. The mean density per room for B. germanica before spraying was 51.4, 50.2 and 47.1 for the control, fenitrothion and lindane respectively. A reduction in population density of P. americana was 3.2%, 83.8% and 99.3% in the control, fenitrothion and lindane rooms respectively. A reduction in population density of B. germanica was 87.8% and 82.8% in fenitrothion and lindane rooms respectively. An increase of 9.9% in the control rooms was observed. The majority of P. americana cockroaches died one month post spray with fenitrothion killing 78.2% and lindane 37.4% of all cockroach collections. However, the number of dead B. germanica cockroaches was almost of the same order for fenitrothion (71.9%) and lindane (74.5%). The residual effect of fenitrothion was 3 months on both cockroach nymph species and that of lindane was 1 month. In conclusion, both fenitrothion and lindane had impact on cockroach density, and fenitrothion showed a residual effect of 3 months

Knock down and insecticidal activity of the plants Tagetes minuta, Lippia javanica, Lantana camara, Tagetes erecta and Eucalyptus grandis on Anopheles arabiensis mosquitoes

The knock down and insecticidal effects of the plants Tagetes minuta, Lippia javanica, Lantana camara, Tagetes erecta and Eucalyptus grandis were evaluated against Anopheles arabiensis mosquitoes in thatched round huts in Mumurwi village. Leaves from these plants were smouldered in order to provide mosquito repellent smoke. Complete knock down was provided 40 minutes after mosquitoes were exposed to smoke of T. erecta, 60 minutes to smoke of T. minuta and E. grandis and 120 minutes to smoke of L. javanica. Complete knock down of mosquitoes could not be provided by L. camara within the 140-minute exposure period. The KT50 (time required to knock down 50% of the mosquitoes) values were 24.985 minutes (T. minuta), 34.473 minutes (T. erecta), 59.119 minutes (L. javanica), 59.828 minutes (L. camara) and 25.245 minutes (E. grandis). The KT90 (time required to knock down 90% of the mosquitoes) values were 48.060 minutes (T. minuta), 50.169 minutes (T. erecta), 178.341 minutes (L. javanica), 140.220 minutes (L. camara) and 47.998 minutes (E. grandis). Mortality rates 24h after exposure were 40% (T. minuta), 100% (T. erecta), 75% (L. javanica), 90% (L. camara) and 100% (E. grandis). In conclusion, smoke from the plants T. erecta, T. minuta and E. grandis had very fast knock down rates with T. erecta, L. camara and E. grandis killing over 90% of the An. arabiensis mosquitoes. Plant smoke is important in mosquito control

Evaluating the benefits of incorporating traditional birth attendants in HIV Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission service delivery in Lilongwe, Malawi

The objective of our intervention was to examine the benefits of incorporating traditional birth attendants (TBA) in HIV Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) service delivery. We developed a training curriculum for TBAs related to PMTCT and current TBA roles in Malawi. Fourteen TBAs and seven TBA assistants serving 4 urban health centre catchment areas were assessed, trained and supervised. Focus group discussions with the TBAs were conducted after implementation of the program. From March 2008 to August 2009, a total of 4017 pregnant women visited TBAs, out of which 2133 (53.1%) were directly referred to health facilities and 1,884 (46.9%) women delivered at TBAs and subsequently referred. 168 HIV positive women were identified by TBAs. Of these, 86/168 (51.2%) women received nevirapine and 46/168 (27.4%) HIV exposed infants received nevirapine. The challenges in providing PMTCT services included lack of transportation for referrals and absence of a reporting system to confirm the woman’s arrival at the health center. Non-disclosure of HIV status by patients to the TBAs resulted in inability to assist nevirapine uptake. TBAs, when trained and well-supervised, can supplement efforts to provide PMTCT services in communities. (Afr J Reprod Health 2014; 18[1]: 27-34).Keywords: Traditional Birth Attendants, PMTCT, Malaw