Unveiling the Effect of Magnetic Noise in the Coherence of Single-Molecule Quantum Processors

Quantum bits (qubits) constitute the most elementary building-blocks of any quantum technology, where information is stored and processed in the form of quantum superpositions between discrete energy levels. In particular, the fabrication of quantum processors is a key long-term goal that will allow us conducting specific tasks much more efficiently than the most powerful classical computers can do. Motivated by recent experiments in which three addressable spin qubits are defined on a potential single-molecule quantum processor, namely the [Gd(H2O)P5W30O110]12− polyoxometalate, we investigate the decohering effect of magnetic noise on the encoded quantum information. Our state-of-the-art model, which provides more accurate results than previous estimates, show a noticeable contribution of magnetic noise in limiting the survival timescale of the qubits. Yet, our results suggest that it might not be the only dephasing mechanism at play but other mechanisms, such as lattice vibrations and physical movement of magnetic nuclei, must be considered to understand the whole decoherence process

Bridging the Gap: A Pentadic Analysis of Theresa May’s Conservative Conference Speech “Britain after Brexit: A Vision of a Global Britain”

This qualitative study of British Prime Minister Theresa May’s Conservative conference speech “Britain after Brexit: A Vision of a Global Britain” delivered in the fall of 2016 uses pentadic criticism as the basis for its analysis. This contemporary study identifies women as an underrepresented minority in the realm of politics around the world and media as a powerful channel for their portrayal. As the role of women in political leadership is more prevalent in times of crisis around the world, it is exceedingly important to understand the role that the media can play in their portrayal for both foreign and domestic audiences alike. This study reaffirms that more women in leadership within politics is needed for equitable gender representation in politics. May’s speech and her portrayal within the media for both foreign and domestic audiences show that it is possible for women to bridge the gap of gender and politics

Conditions Pertinent for Overcoming Gender Inequality in Political Leadership: A Comparative Analysis of Angela Merkel and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

This qualitative study of Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany implements a most different systems design (MDSD) as the basis for its comparative analysis. A cross-examination of Johnson Sirleaf’s and Merkel’s personal backgrounds, their leadership styles in their political careers before they became the heads of their governments, and their level of political participation in democracy or liberalization movements prior to their rise to power is conducted in this study. Key strands of feminist approaches in IR, such as liberal feminism, difference feminism, and postmodern feminism add to this study’s discourse on Johnson Sirleaf’s and Merkel’s rise to political power. The basis for this study is that women comprise an underrepresented minority in the field of politics worldwide. As women in political leadership is more prevalent in times of crisis around the world, it is exceedingly important to understand the conditions under which women political leaders may attain their country’s highest political office. More so, this study identifies some key similar conditions from which Angela Merkel and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf overcame gendered obstacles in politics to reach their country’s highest political offices

Quantum Error Correction with magnetic molecules

Quantum algorithms often assume independent spin qubits to produce trivial $|\uparrow\rangle=|0\rangle$, $|\downarrow\rangle=|1\rangle$ mappings. This can be unrealistic in many solid-state implementations with sizeable magnetic interactions. Here we show that the lower part of the spectrum of a molecule containing three exchange-coupled metal ions with $S=1/2$ and $I=1/2$ is equivalent to nine electron-nuclear qubits. We derive the relation between spin states and qubit states in reasonable parameter ranges for the rare earth $^{159}$Tb$^{3+}$ and for the transition metal Cu$^{2+}$, and study the possibility to implement Shor's Quantum Error Correction code on such a molecule. We also discuss recently developed molecular systems that could be adequate from an experimental point of view.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, 2 table

Industrializaci´on del Gas Natural Boliviano

En los ´ultimos tres a˜nos, propios y extra˜nos, gurus y laicos, han escrito sobreel tema del gas natural (GN), tan controvertido para todos los bolivianos. Pero, la mayor´ıa s´olo se refiere al gas natural transportado para ser utilizado comocombustible, mientras han sido muy pocos los que han versado sobre su utilidadpara fabricar derivados petroqu´ımicos yfertilizantes nitrogenados

El Nexo entre la Ciencia, la Tecnologfa y el Desarrollo Socioeconomico de un Pais

El reconocimiento de que el nexo entrela prosperidad economica y la Ciencia y laTecnologfa (C&T) es crucial para todos lospafses es actualmente discutido tanto en lospasillos de gobierno y en los directorios corporativos de Nueva York y Buenos Aires,de Seul y Sao Paulo, inclusive en nuestropais, Bolivia. Y no es aventurado reconocer que, sea que estemos navegando la "red"en Tokio, o manejando millones de dolaresen la bolsa de Nueva York, o estemos marcando tarjeta en la UMSS de Cochabamba,la realidad del nexo vital que existe entreel dominio del conocimiento, la innovationtecnologica y la prosperidad economica esascendente donde quiera que estemos

Teaching intervention to enhance HIV infection awareness in a biomedical science degree

The file attached to this record is the author's final peer reviewed version. The Publisher's final version can be found by following the DOI link.Condom use remains the predominant prophylactic intervention to control rates of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. However, chemoprophylactic strategies, which involve pre-exposure prophyaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophyaxis (PEP), have emerged as appropriate prevention tools to minimise and prevent future infections. Different studies have indicated that PrEP can prevent new HIV infections among men who have sex with men when used daily or event-based, and it is also effective with heterosexuals and people who inject drugs. However, appropriate education is needed as recent reports have observed a decline in adherence to PrEP over time, particularly in young adults, which will impact on the effectiveness of PrEP. Thus, we created a brief educational short intervention (3 hours) to increase the awareness of HIV with second year BMedSci Medical Science (Hons) students at De Montfort University (DMU, UK) in 2016/17 (Peña-Fernández et al., 2017). Briefly, BMedSci students tailored a community-centred intervention programme to reduce HIV infection rates following evidence-based public health methodology. 92% indicated an acquisition of knowledge for preventing HIV transmission and tools to fight this disease. However, BMedSci students also showed a lack of knowledge of preventative measures (PrEP and PEP), routes of transmission and appropriate screening. We implemented a similar teaching strategy with BSc Biomedical Science (BMS) students enrolled in the level 4 module of Basic Microbiology in 2017/18, but limited to two hours: one-hour lecture and one hour workshop in which different HIV prevention strategies were discussed and analysed by students. BMS students were also provided with an overview about the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) 90:90:90 targets in the UK (2016). In a similar way as with the BMedSci cohort, BMS students showed little awareness about PEP/PrEP, specifically knowledge about what are they/how they work, access and usage. This teaching intervention was well-received by students according to the feedback provided in the final module level feedback. BMS participants (n=27 out of 187 students) indicated that they enjoyed the session and suggested a practical session and the introduction of case studies to enhance the teaching intervention. We are developing a virtual clinical case study on HIV following recent successful experiences in the development and introduction of these novel learning strategies and have performed small modifications in the delivery of this workshop for 2018/19 to increase engagement and interaction. In conclusion, we consider that similar short education interventions that specifically target HIV chemoprophylaxis would be needed in any degree to prevent the decline in adherence to PrEP over time observed in young adults and reduce PEP/PrEP stigma and other barriers which could impede their access