Experimental optical phase measurement approaching the exact Heisenberg limit

The use of quantum resources can provide measurement precision beyond the shot-noise limit (SNL). The task of ab initio optical phase measurement---the estimation of a completely unknown phase---has been experimentally demonstrated with precision beyond the SNL, and even scaling like the ultimate bound, the Heisenberg limit (HL), but with an overhead factor. However, existing approaches have not been able---even in principle---to achieve the best possible precision, saturating the HL exactly. Here we demonstrate a scheme to achieve true HL phase measurement, using a combination of three techniques: entanglement, multiple samplings of the phase shift, and adaptive measurement. Our experimental demonstration of the scheme uses two photonic qubits, one double passed, so that, for a successful coincidence detection, the number of photon-passes is $N=3$. We achieve a precision that is within $4\%$ of the HL, surpassing the best precision theoretically achievable with simpler techniques with $N=3$. This work represents a fundamental achievement of the ultimate limits of metrology, and the scheme can be extended to higher $N$ and other physical systems.Comment: (12 pages, 6 figures), typos correcte

Human health risk assessment due to ambient PM10 and SO2 by an air quality modeling technique

Exposure to air pollutants may be an important environmental risk factor for human health. The main objective of this study was to assess the health impacts of exposure to particulate matter of aerodynamic diameter <= 10 mu g (PM10) and to sulfur dioxide (SO2) using the AirQ2.2.3 software developed by the WHO European Center for Environment and Health. Daily concentrations of PM10 and SO2 were used to assess the health effects. With regard to the mortality, the results showed that 3.9 (95 CI: 3.3-4.5) of total, 4.2 (95 CI: 2.7-9.05) of cardiovascular, and 6.2 (95 CI: 4.2-16.9) of respiratory mortality were related to PM10 concentrations above 10 mu g/m(3), respectively. In addition, 1.7 (95 CI: 1.3-2.06) of total, 3.4 (95 CI: 0.78-5.0) of cardiovascular, and 2 (95 CI: 2.5-5.7) of respiratory death were attributed to SO2 levels higher than 10 mu g/m(3), respectively. Given these findings, urgent policy decisions are needed to reduce the death caused by air pollution, and better quantification studies are recommended. (C) 2017 Institution of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Effect of 12 weeks aerobic exercises on levels of Vaspin and Nesfatin -1 plasma in hypertensive elderly women

Background: Adipokines such as Vaspin and Nesfatin have different biological roles and may be in relation to cardiovascular and hypertension related diseases. Objective: To investigate the effects of 12 weeks aerobic exercises on plasma levels of Vaspin and Nesfatin in hypertensive elderly women. Methods: In this study, 30 elderly women with hypertension were randomly assigned to control and experiment groups. The training program included aerobic exercises which were conducted increasingly, 3 times a week for 12 weeks. Blood samples were taken before starting the exercise training and also 24 hours after the last training session. The data analyzed using the dependent and independent t-test for comparisons within and between groups. Findings: Number of control group was 15; Age 56.10±9.8 years; Systolic blood pressure 13.10±0.87mmhg; Diastolic blood pressure 7.89±0.56mmhg, number of experiment group was 15; Age: 55.10±6.08 years; Systolic blood pressure 13.28±1.36mmhg; Diastolic blood pressure 7.76±0.78mmhg. After 12 weeks significant changes in serum levels of the control group was observed, increase in Vaspin and reduction in Nesfatin but there was no significant change of the serum level in the experiment one. Conclusion: The results showed that the stimulation threshold is different in each adipokine compared to others and the 12 week aerobic exercise, has been prevented a significant increase of Vaspin or a significant reduction of Nesfatin. Keywords: Aerobic Training, Blood Pressure, Nesfatin,Vaspi

Effect of four weeks high intensity interval training versus aerobic exercise on metallothionein levels of myocardial tissue in rats

Background: Oxidative species produced during exercise can cause damages to some tissues such as kidney, liver and skeletal muscle. It seems that metallothionein plays a protective role against these actions. Objective: To assess the effect of four weeks of high intensity interval training versus aerobic exercise on metallothionein levels of myocardial tissue in healthy male rats. Methods: This experimental study was done on 36 male Wistar rats (2 months of age with an average weight of 180±20) in 2015.The rats were randomly divided into three groups: control (n=12), high intensity interval training (n=12), and aerobic training (n=12) groups. The experimental groups exercised according to the training program 5 days a week for 4 weeks. During this period, the control group did not have any training programs. One-way ANOVA was used to analyze the data. Findings: The results indicate no significant difference among the mean metallothionein in control, aerobic exercise and high intensity interval training groups. However, the amount of myocardial metallothionein increased as a result of high intensity interval training and decreased during aerobic exercise. Conclusion: It seems that the duration and intensity of exercise need to be adjusted in order to obtain better results. Keywords: Aerobic Training, HIIT, Metallothionein, Myocardial Tissu

The Effect of 12-Week Resistance Exercise on the Levels of Vaspin serum and Blood Pressure in Hypertensive Elderly Women

Introduction: Adipose tissue as a gland, secreting hormones, including Vaspsin that are associated with metabolic disorders.The aim of of the present study was to investigate the effect of 12 week resistance exercise on plasma levels of vaspin and blood pressure (BP) in hypertensive elderly women. Methods: 30 hypertensive elderly women were randomly divided into two groups: the control and experimental groups. The training program, included resistance exercises, which were conducted increasingly for 12 weeks. Blood samples from all subjects after 12 weeks and were analyzed using t-test. Results: After 12 weeks of resistance exercise, no significant differences in the serum levels of vaspin was seen in the experimental group (p=0.25),&nbsp; but in the control group, significant Increase &nbsp;in the serum levels vaspin was observed (p=0.03);&nbsp; also, significant decreases were seen in both systolic (p=0.04) and diastolic BP (p=0.002 in the experimental group but in the control group, no significant changes were obtained in systolic BP (p=0.24) and diastolic BP (p=0.43), respectively. Conclusion: 12 weeks of resistance exercise can prevent increasing trend of vaspin &nbsp;serum levels and even reduce its levels Considering the reduction in systolic and diastolic BP following 12 weeks of resistance training, it can be indicated that the changes in BP are independent of changes is vaspin levels

Effects of long-term aerobic activity on plasma levels of apelin and omentin in rats

Background: Apelin and omentin are adipose tissue-secreted hormones and affect the metabolism. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of long-term aerobic activity with different intensities on plasma levels of apelin and omentin in female rats. Methods: This experimental study was conducted on 60 Sprague-Dawley female rats (2-month-old) in laboratory affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences during 2014. Blood samples were taken from15 rats in the pre-test group to measure the variables of interest. The remaining rats were divided into three groups based on treadmill speed (12, 14, and 16m/min). After a single 45-min session of treadmill running, blood samples were taken. Data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA. Findings: The plasma levels of apelin and omentin were not significantly different between the three post-test groups. But the difference between the pre-test group and the post-test groups was statistically significant. Conclusion: With regards to the results, adipokines response (apelin and omentin) to a single-session exercise is not the same and the secretion of each one occurs at a specific intensity and duration threshold of sports activity

Air Quality and Health Risks Associated With Exposure to Particulate Matter: A Cross-Sectional Study in Khorramabad, Iran

Background: Among ambient air pollutants, particulate matter (PM) has the most undesired adverse effects on human health. Many studies have reported that there is a strong correlation between PM concentrations and hospital admissions due to chronic or acute respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Objectives: The aims of this study were to evaluate the relationship between air quality and health endpoints of PM10 in Khorramabad, Iran. Materials and Methods: The PM10 sampling was carried out with a high-volume sampler at a flow rate of 1.1-1.4 m(3)/min from January through December 2014. Meteorological data was also collected and evaluated. The total mortality and morbidity rates were calculated using the AirQ2.2.3 software model. Results: The highest concentrations of PM10 were obtained in July, with the mean concentration of 136.48 mu g/m(3). Eastern and southeastern winds are the prevailing and semi-prevailing winds in Khorramabad. The worst air quality was also observed in July. The total mortality rate during the study was estimated to be 320 persons. Conclusions: In order to diminish the health impacts of particulate matter in Khorramabad, health training for the public, especially for persons with chronic lung and heart diseases, the elderly, and children, should be conducted by health systems to encourage them to reduce their activities during dusty days