2,082 research outputs found
A first experimental test of de Broglie-Bohm theory against standard quantum mechanics
De Broglie - Bohm (dBB) theory is a deterministic theory, built for
reproducing almost all Quantum Mechanics (QM) predictions, where position plays
the role of a hidden variable. It was recently shown that different coincidence
patterns are predicted by QM and dBB when a double slit experiment is realised
under specific conditions and, therefore, an experiment can test the two
theories. In this letter we present the first realisation of such a double slit
experiment by using correlated photons produced in type I Parametric Down
Conversion. Our results confirm QM contradicting dBB predictions
Probability for Primordial Black Holes in Multidimensional Universe with Nonlinear Scalar Curvature Terms
We investigate multi-dimensional universe with nonlinear scalar curvature
terms to evaluate the probability of creation of primordial black holes. For
this we obtain Euclidean instanton solution in two different topologies: (a)
- topology which does not accommodate primordial black holes and (b)
-topology which accommodates a pair of black holes. The
probability for quantum creation of an inflationary universe with a pair of
black holes has been evaluated assuming a gravitational action which is
described by a polynomial function of scalar curvature with or without a
cosmological constant () using the framework of semiclassical
approximation of Hartle-Hawking boundary conditions. We discuss here a class of
new gravitational instantons solution in the -theory which are relevant
for cosmological model building.Comment: 18 pages, no figure. accepted in Phys. Rev.
Measurement of Respiratory Chain Enzyme Activity in Human Renal Biopsy Specimens
Background: Mitochondrial disorders can present as kidney disease in children and be difficult to diagnose. Measurement of mitochondrial function in kidney tissue may help diagnosis. This study was to assess the feasibility of obtaining renal samples and analysing them for respiratory chain enzyme activity.
Methods: The subjects were children undergoing a routine diagnostic renal biopsy, in whom a clinical condition of renal inflammation, scarring and primary metabolic disorder was unlikely. A fresh sample of kidney was snap frozen and later assayed for the activities of respiratory chain enzyme complexes I, II/III, and IV using spectrophotometric enzyme assay, and expressed as a ratio of citrate synthase activity.
Results: The range of respiratory chain enzyme activity for complex I was 0.161 to 0.866 (mean 0.404, SD 0.2), for complex II/III was 0.021 to 0.318 (mean 0.177, SD 0.095) and for complex IV was 0.001 to 0.025 (mean 0.015, SD 0.006). There were correlations between the different activities but not between them and the age of the children or a measure of the amount of chronic damage in the kidneys.
Conclusion: It is feasible to measure respiratory chain enzyme activity in routine renal biopsy specimens
Review of recent experimental progresses in Foundations of Quantum Mechanics and Quantum Information obtained in Parametric Down Conversion Experiments at IENGF
We review some recent experimental progresses concerning Foundations of
Quantum Mechanics and Quantum Information obtained in Quantum Optics Laboratory
"Carlo Novero" at IENGF.
More in details, after a short presentation of our polarization entangled
photons source (based on precise superposition of two Type I PDC emission) and
of the results obtained with it, we describe an innovative double slit
experiment where two degenerate photons produced by PDC are sent each to a
specific slit. Beyond representing an interesting example of relation between
visibility of interference and "welcher weg" knowledge, this configuration has
been suggested for testing de Broglie-Bohm theory against Standard Quantum
Mechanics. Our results perfectly fit SQM results, but disagree with dBB
predictions.
Then, we discuss a recent experiment addressed to clarify the issue of which
wave-particle observables are really to be considered when discussing wave
particle duality. This experiments realises the Agarwal et al. theoretical
proposal, overcoming limitations of a former experiment.
Finally, we hint to the realization of a high-intensity
high-spectral-selected PDC source to be used for quantum information studies
Geometric phase distributions for open quantum systems
In an open system, the geometric phase should be described by a distribution.
We show that a geometric phase distribution for open system dynamics is in
general ambiguous, but the imposition of reasonable physical constraints on the
environment and its coupling with the system yields a unique geometric phase
distribution that applies even for mixed states, non-unitary dynamics, and
non-cyclic evolutions.Comment: Some minor revisions, references update
Entanglement as a signature of quantum chaos
We explore the dynamics of entanglement in classically chaotic systems by
considering a multiqubit system that behaves collectively as a spin system
obeying the dynamics of the quantum kicked top. In the classical limit, the
kicked top exhibits both regular and chaotic dynamics depending on the strength
of the chaoticity parameter in the Hamiltonian. We show that the
entanglement of the multiqubit system, considered for both bipartite and
pairwise entanglement, yields a signature of quantum chaos. Whereas bipartite
entanglement is enhanced in the chaotic region, pairwise entanglement is
suppressed. Furthermore, we define a time-averaged entangling power and show
that this entangling power changes markedly as moves the system from
being predominantly regular to being predominantly chaotic, thus sharply
identifying the edge of chaos. When this entangling power is averaged over
initial states, it yields a signature of global chaos. The qualitative behavior
of this global entangling power is similar to that of the classical Lyapunov
exponent.Comment: 8 pages, 8 figure
Cation Exchange Sorption of Some Metal Ions from Aqueous Ammonium Acetate Medium: Separation of Ce(IV) from Ce(III), La(III) & Other Metal Ions
438-44
Sustainability of WASH practices: hygiene behaviour in the rural settings of Bangladesh
Hygiene behaviour is one of the most important conditions for keeping people healthy. To improve the situation in rural areas, BRAC and in collaboration with Govt. of Bangladesh, has been implementing phased water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) program in 250 sub-districts since the mid-2006. To find out the impact of WASH implementation services in rural households, the BRAC Research and Evaluation Division conducted baseline (in 2006), midline (2009) and end-line (2011) surveys in 50 upazilas (sub-districts) of the first phase. Over 26,000 households were included in the study. Data were collected through face-to-face interview and observation using pre-tested questionnaire, and were analysed using standard method. Analysis revealed an improvement in hygiene behaviour including putting cover on water jar during carrying and storing water for drinking increased across the survey periods were observed, where ultra-poor households were practicing like non-poor households at the endline- a great achievement in the service delivery system of BRAC WASH mainly for the ultra-poor households. Service delivery for improving hygiene behavior related implementation works can be sustainable if community people are involved in the process with proper training and periodic monitoring is ensured even after completion of any project
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