Resource Evaluation of Quantum Linear Systems Algorithm for Application to Electromagnetic Scattering Problems

Current limitations in quantum computing technology does not allow for very large applications of quantum algorithms, and it is the nature of quantum algorithms not only to be able to solve problems of interest much more quickly than classical means but also to do so with less resources which makes them so promising! One such problem of interest is the application of the Quantum Linear Systems Algorithm, along with a few other subroutines, to the calculation of an electromagnetic scattering cross-section via finite element methods. This work composes a resource analysis of the algorithm as well as required subroutines and details the primary contributors to the resources involved as well as methods to decrease these resource requirements

Resistance to cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in ae3-/- mice, deficient in the AE3 Cl-/HCO3- exchanger

Background: Cardiac hypertrophy is central to the etiology of heart failure. Understanding the molecular pathways promoting cardiac hypertrophy may identify new targets for therapeutic intervention. Sodium-proton exchanger (NHE1) activity and expression levels in the heart are elevated in many models of hypertrophy through protein kinase C (PKC)/MAPK/ERK/p90RSK pathway stimulation. Sustained NHE1 activity, however, requires an acid-loading pathway. Evidence suggests that the Cl-/HCO3- exchanger, AE3, provides this acid load. Here we explored the role of AE3 in the hypertrophic growth cascade of cardiomyocytes.Methods: AE3-deficient (ae3-/-) mice were compared to wildtype (WT) littermates to examine the role of AE3 protein in the development of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Mouse hearts were assessed by echocardiography. As well, responses of cultured cardiomyocytes to hypertrophic stimuli were measured. pH regulation capacity of ae3-/- and WT cardiomyocytes was assessed in cultured cells loaded with the pH-sensitive dye, BCECF-AM.Results: ae3-/- mice were indistinguishable from wild type (WT) mice in terms of cardiovascular performance. Stimulation of ae3-/- cardiomyocytes with hypertrophic agonists did not increase cardiac growth or reactivate the fetal gene program. ae3-/- mice are thus protected from pro-hypertrophic stimulation. Steady state intracellular pH (pHi) in ae3-/- cardiomyocytes was not significantly different from WT, but the rate of recovery of pHi from imposed alkalosis was significantly slower in ae3-/- cardiomyocytes.Conclusions: These data reveal the importance of AE3-mediated Cl-/HCO3- exchange in cardiovascular pH regulation and the development of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Pharmacological antagonism of AE3 is an attractive approach in the treatment of cardiac hypertrophy.Centro de Investigaciones Cardiovasculare

A test of trophic cascade theory: fish and benthic assemblages across a predator density gradient on coral reefs

Removal of predators is often hypothesized to alter community structure through trophic cascades. However, despite recent advances in our understanding of trophic cascades, evidence is often circumstantial on coral reefs because fishing pressure frequently co-varies with other anthropogenic effects, such as fishing for herbivorous fishes and changes in water quality due to pollution. Australia’s outer Great Barrier Reef (GBR) has experienced fishing-induced declines of apex predators and mesopredators, but pollution and targeting of herbivorous fishes are minimal. Here, we quantify fish and benthic assemblages across a fishing-induced predator density gradient on the outer GBR, including apex predators and mesopredators to herbivores and benthic assemblages, to test for evidence of trophic cascades and alternative hypotheses to trophic cascade theory. Using structural equation models, we found no cascading effects from apex predators to lower trophic levels: a loss of apex predators did not lead to higher levels of mesopredators, and this did not suppress mobile herbivores and drive algal proliferation. Likewise, we found no effects of mesopredators on lower trophic levels: a decline of mesopredators was not associated with higher abundances of algae-farming damselfishes and algae-dominated reefs. These findings indicate that top-down forces on coral reefs are weak, at least on the outer GBR. We conclude that predator-mediated trophic cascades are probably the exception rather than the rule in complex ecosystems such as the outer GBR

Resistance to cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in ae3-/- mice, deficient in the AE3 Cl-/HCO3- exchanger

Background: Cardiac hypertrophy is central to the etiology of heart failure. Understanding the molecular pathways promoting cardiac hypertrophy may identify new targets for therapeutic intervention. Sodium-proton exchanger (NHE1) activity and expression levels in the heart are elevated in many models of hypertrophy through protein kinase C (PKC)/MAPK/ERK/p90RSK pathway stimulation. Sustained NHE1 activity, however, requires an acid-loading pathway. Evidence suggests that the Cl-/HCO3- exchanger, AE3, provides this acid load. Here we explored the role of AE3 in the hypertrophic growth cascade of cardiomyocytes.Methods: AE3-deficient (ae3-/-) mice were compared to wildtype (WT) littermates to examine the role of AE3 protein in the development of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Mouse hearts were assessed by echocardiography. As well, responses of cultured cardiomyocytes to hypertrophic stimuli were measured. pH regulation capacity of ae3-/- and WT cardiomyocytes was assessed in cultured cells loaded with the pH-sensitive dye, BCECF-AM.Results: ae3-/- mice were indistinguishable from wild type (WT) mice in terms of cardiovascular performance. Stimulation of ae3-/- cardiomyocytes with hypertrophic agonists did not increase cardiac growth or reactivate the fetal gene program. ae3-/- mice are thus protected from pro-hypertrophic stimulation. Steady state intracellular pH (pHi) in ae3-/- cardiomyocytes was not significantly different from WT, but the rate of recovery of pHi from imposed alkalosis was significantly slower in ae3-/- cardiomyocytes.Conclusions: These data reveal the importance of AE3-mediated Cl-/HCO3- exchange in cardiovascular pH regulation and the development of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Pharmacological antagonism of AE3 is an attractive approach in the treatment of cardiac hypertrophy.Centro de Investigaciones Cardiovasculare

Characterising the discharge cycle of CaCl 2 and LiNO 3 hydrated salts within a vermiculite composite scaffold for thermochemical storage

Transpired solar collectors (TSC) are an efficient means of building heating but due to the demand/use mismatch their capabilities are maximised when paired with a suitable storage technology. The Hydration and/dehydration of inorganic salts provides an appropriate energy storage medium which is compatible with the air temperature provided by a conventional TSC (<70 °C). The study reports on technical appraisal of materials which are compatible with building scale energy storage installations. Two salts (CaCl2, and LiNO3) were impregnated into porous vermiculite to form a salt in matrix (SIM). Their performance during the discharge portion of the cycle at high packing density was examined using a laboratory scale reactor. Reactor and exit temperature increases were considerably lower than those predicted from first principles. Peak reactor temperature rises of only 14 °C were observed with a reduction in temperature output from this initial peak over 60 hours. Poor salt utilization resulting from deliquescence near the reactor inlet was identified as being the source of the reduced performance. Changes in reactor size, orientation and cycling between input periods of moist and dry air did not improve reactor performance. The investigation has identified that moist air transit through the packed SIM reactor column is limited to approximately 100 mm from the air inlet. This has implications for reactor design and the operation of any practical building scale installation. Predictions of building scale energy storage capabilities based on simple scaling of laboratory test considerably under estimate the volume and complexity of equipment required

The status of GEO 600

The GEO 600 laser interferometer with 600m armlength is part of a worldwide network of gravitational wave detectors. GEO 600 is unique in having advanced multiple pendulum suspensions with a monolithic last stage and in employing a signal recycled optical design. This paper describes the recent commissioning of the interferometer and its operation in signal recycled mode

A Bayesian analysis of pentaquark signals from CLAS data

We examine the results of two measurements by the CLAS collaboration, one of which claimed evidence for a $\Theta^{+}$ pentaquark, whilst the other found no such evidence. The unique feature of these two experiments was that they were performed with the same experimental setup. Using a Bayesian analysis we find that the results of the two experiments are in fact compatible with each other, but that the first measurement did not contain sufficient information to determine unambiguously the existence of a $\Theta^{+}$. Further, we suggest a means by which the existence of a new candidate particle can be tested in a rigorous manner.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure

First measurement of direct f0(980)f_0(980) photoproduction on the proton

We report on the results of the first measurement of exclusive $f_0(980)$ meson photoproduction on protons for $E_\gamma=3.0 - 3.8$ GeV and $-t = 0.4-1.0$ GeV$^2$. Data were collected with the CLAS detector at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility. The resonance was detected via its decay in the $\pi^+ \pi^-$ channel by performing a partial wave analysis of the reaction $\gamma p \to p \pi^+ \pi^-$. Clear evidence of the $f_0(980)$ meson was found in the interference between $P$ and $S$ waves at $M_{\pi^+ \pi^-}\sim 1$ GeV. The $S$-wave differential cross section integrated in the mass range of the $f_0(980)$ was found to be a factor of 50 smaller than the cross section for the $\rho$ meson. This is the first time the $f_0(980)$ meson has been measured in a photoproduction experiment