Geometrically Local Quantum and Classical Codes from Subdivision

A geometrically local quantum code is an error correcting code situated within $\mathbb{R}^D$, where the checks only act on qubits within a fixed spatial distance. The main question is: What is the optimal dimension and distance for a geometrically local code? This question was recently answered by Portnoy which constructed codes with optimal dimension and distance up to polylogs. This paper extends Portnoy's work by constructing a code which additionally has an optimal energy barrier up to polylogs. The key ingredient is a simpler code construction obtained by subdividing the balanced product codes. We also discuss applications to classical codes

An operator extension of weak monotonicity

Let $S(\rho)$ be the von Neumann entropy of a density matrix $\rho$. Weak monotonicity asserts that $S(\rho_{AB}) - S(\rho_A) + S(\rho_{BC}) - S(\rho_C)\geq 0$ for any tripartite density matrix $\rho_{ABC}$, a fact that is equivalent to the strong subadditivity of entropy. We prove an operator inequality, which, upon taking an expectation value with respect to the state $\rho_{ABC}$, reduces to the weak monotonicity inequality. Generalizations of this inequality to the one involving two independent density matrices, as well as their R\'enyi-generalizations, are also presented

EFFECTS OF EIGHT-WEEK WHOLE-BODY VIBRATION TRAINING ON POSTURAL STABILITY IN ELDERLY ADULTS

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of an eight-week whole-body vibration training (WBVT) on postural stability (PS) in elderly people. Twenty-two elderly people with normal ability of movement were randomized into the WBVT group (WBVTG, 13 elders), and the control group (CG, 9 elders). The WBVTG underwent WBV training for 8 weeks. The CG did not take any physical training. The PS performance was evaluated by the Biodex Balance System to measure the overall (O), anterior-posterior (AP), and medial-lateral (ML) stability at level 2 (unstable) and level 8 (stable). One-way ANCOVA were used for statistical analysis, with =0.05. Results showed that after training, the WBVG significantly improved the O, AP, and ML stability performance at level 2, and also the O and ML stability performance at level 8

Seismic analysis of the condensate storage tank in a nuclear power plant

Following the nuclear power plant accident in Fukushima Japan, seismic capacity evaluation has become a crucial issue in combination building safety. Condensate storage tanks are designed to supplies water to the condensate transfer pumps, the control rod drive hydraulic system pumps, and the condenser makeup. A separate connection to the condensate storage tank is used to supply water for the high pressure coolant injection system, reactor core isolation cooling system, and core spray system pumps. A condensate storage tank is defined as a seismic class I structure, playing the important role of providing flow to the operational system and the required static head for the suction of the condensate transfer pumps and the normal supply pump. According to the latest nuclear safety requirements, soil structure interaction must be considered in all seismic analyses. This study aims to rebuild the computer model of condensate storage tanks in Taiwan using the SAP 2000 program in conjunction with the lumped mass stick model and to evaluate the soil structure interaction by employing the SASSI 2000 program. The differences between the results with the soil structure interaction and spring model are compared via natural frequency and response spectrum curves. This computer model enables engineers to rapidly evaluate the safety margin of condensate storage tank following the occurrence of earthquakes or tsunamis

VI-Band Follow-Up Observations of Ultra-Long-Period Cepheid Candidates in M31

The ultra-long period Cepheids (ULPCs) are classical Cepheids with pulsation periods exceeding $\approx 80$ days. The intrinsic brightness of ULPCs are ~1 to ~3 mag brighter than their shorter period counterparts. This makes them attractive in future distance scale work to derive distances beyond the limit set by the shorter period Cepheids. We have initiated a program to search for ULPCs in M31, using the single-band data taken from the Palomar Transient Factory, and identified eight possible candidates. In this work, we presented the VI-band follow-up observations of these eight candidates. Based on our VI-band light curves of these candidates and their locations in the color-magnitude diagram and the Period-Wesenheit diagram, we verify two candidates as being truly ULPCs. The six other candidates are most likely other kinds of long-period variables. With the two confirmed M31 ULPCs, we tested the applicability of ULPCs in distance scale work by deriving the distance modulus of M31. It was found to be $\mu_{M31,ULPC}=24.30\pm0.76$ mag. The large error in the derived distance modulus, together with the large intrinsic dispersion of the Period-Wesenheit (PW) relation and the small number of ULPCs in a given host galaxy, means that the question of the suitability of ULPCs as standard candles is still open. Further work is needed to enlarge the sample of calibrating ULPCs and reduce the intrinsic dispersion of the PW relation before re-considering ULPCs as suitable distance indicators.Comment: 13 pages, with 14 Figures and 4 Tables (one online table). AJ accepte

Spatially resolved MaNGA observations of the host galaxy of superluminous supernova 2017egm

Superluminous supernovae (SLSNe) are found predominantly in dwarf galaxies, indicating that their progenitors have a low metallicity. However, the most nearby SLSN to date, SN 2017egm, occurred in the spiral galaxy NGC 3191, which has a relatively high stellar mass and correspondingly high metallicity. In this paper, we present detailed analysis of the nearby environment of SN 2017egm using MaNGA IFU data, which provides spectral data on kiloparsec scales. From the velocity map we find no evidence that SN 2017egm occurred within some intervening satellite galaxy, and at the SN position most metallicity diagnostics yield a solar and above solar metallicity (12 + log (O/H) = 8.8-9.1). Additionally we measure a small H-alpha equivalent width (EW) at the SN position of just 34 Angs, which is one of the lowest EWs measured at any SLSN or Gamma-Ray Burst position, and indicative of the progenitor star being comparatively old. We also compare the observed properties of NGC 3191 with other SLSN host galaxies. The solar-metallicity environment at the position of SN 2017egm presents a challenge to our theoretical understanding, and our spatially resolved spectral analysis provides further constraints on the progenitors of SLSNe.Comment: Accepted version in ApJ Letter. Thank you for useful comment

Proteomic analysis of rhein-induced cyt: ER stress mediates cell death in breast cancer cells

Rhein is a natural product purified from herbal plants such as Rheum palmatum, which has been shown to have anti-angiogenesis and anti-tumor metastasis properties. However, the biological effects of rhein on the behavior of breast cancers are not completely elucidated. To evaluate whether rhein might be useful in the treatment of breast cancer and its cytotoxic mechanism, we analyzed the impact of rhein treatment on differential protein expression as well as redox regulation in a non-invasive breast cancer cell line, MCF-7, and an invasive breast cancer cell line, MDA-MB-231, using lysine- and cysteine-labeling two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE) combined with MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometry. This proteomic study revealed that 73 proteins were significantly changed in protein expression; while 9 proteins were significantly altered in thiol reactivity in both MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. The results also demonstrated that rhein-induced cytotoxicity in breast cancer cells mostly involves dysregulation of cytoskeleton regulation, protein folding, the glycolysis pathway and transcription control. A further study also indicated that rhein promotes misfolding of cellular proteins as well as unbalancing of the cellular redox status leading to ER-stress. Our work shows that the current proteomic strategy offers a high-through-put platform to study the molecular mechanisms of rhein-induced cytotoxicity in breast cancer cells. The identified differentially expressed proteins might be further evaluated as potential targets in breast cancer therapy

Detection of genetic and epigenetic DNA markers in urine for the early detection of primary and recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma

Poster presented at American Association of the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) meeting in San Francisco California. Objective: Develop a urine test using a panel of select genetic and epigenetic markers for the early detection of primary and recurrent HCC. Introduction: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) or liver cancer is an aggressive disease and one of the fastest growing cancers by incidence in the United States. Early detection is the key for effective treatment of HCC as the 5-year survival rate is 26% in early stage HCC as compared to only 2% when found after spreading to distant organs. The current marker, alpha-feto protein (AFP) and its fucosylated glycoform, L3, are of limited value with only 40-60% sensitivity.https://jdc.jefferson.edu/gastrohepposters/1000/thumbnail.jp