Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm in Non-Markovian Quantum Systems

Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm(QAOA) is a promising quantum algorithm that can demonstrate quantum supremacy. The performance of QAOA on noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) devices degrades due to decoherence. In this paper, we present a framework for running QAOA on non-Markovian quantum systems which are represented by an augmented system model. In this model, a non-Markovian environment is modelled as an ancillary system driven by quantum white noises and the corresponding principal system is the computational unit for the algorithm. With this model, we mathematically formulates QAOA as piecewise control of the augmented system. To reduce the effect of non-Markovian decoherence, the above basic algorithm is modified for obtaining an efficient depth by a proximal gradient descent algorithm. Finally, in an example of the Max-Cut problem, we find non-Markovianity can help to achieve a good performance of QAOA, which is characterized by an exploration rate.Comment: 13 pages, 7 figure

Local to Global: A Distributed Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm for Pseudo-Boolean Optimization Problems

With the rapid advancement of quantum computing, Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm (QAOA) is considered as a promising candidate to demonstrate quantum supremacy, which exponentially solves a class of Quadratic Unconstrained Binary Optimization (QUBO) problems. However, limited qubit availability and restricted coherence time challenge QAOA to solve large-scale pseudo-Boolean problems on currently available Near-term Intermediate Scale Quantum (NISQ) devices. In this paper, we propose a distributed QAOA which can solve a general pseudo-Boolean problem by converting it to a simplified Ising model. Different from existing distributed QAOAs' assuming that local solutions are part of a global one, which is not often the case, we introduce community detection using Louvian algorithm to partition the graph where subgraphs are further compressed by community representation and merged into a higher level subgraph. Recursively and backwards, local solutions of lower level subgraphs are updated by heuristics from solutions of higher level subgraphs. Compared with existing methods, our algorithm incorporates global heuristics into local solutions such that our algorithm is proven to achieve a higher approximation ratio and outperforms across different graph configurations. Also, ablation studies validate the effectiveness of each component in our method.Comment: 12 pages, 6 figure

Exploring Reionization-Era Quasars IV: Discovery of Six New z≳6.5z \gtrsim 6.5 Quasars with DES, VHS and unWISE Photometry

This is the fourth paper in a series of publications aiming at discovering quasars at the epoch of reionization. In this paper, we expand our search for $z\sim 7$ quasars to the footprint of the Dark Energy Survey (DES) Data Release One (DR1), covering $\sim 5000$ deg$^2$ of new area. We select $z\sim 7$ quasar candidates using deep optical, near-infrared (near-IR) and mid-IR photometric data from the DES DR1, the VISTA Hemisphere Survey (VHS), the VISTA Kilo-degree Infrared Galaxy (VIKING) survey, the UKIRT InfraRed Deep Sky Surveys -- Large Area Survey (ULAS) and the unblurred coadds from the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explore ($WISE$) images (unWISE). The inclusion of DES and unWISE photometry allows the search to reach $\sim$ 1 magnitude fainter, comparing to our $z \gtrsim 6.5$ quasar survey in the northern sky (Wang et al. 2018). We report the initial discovery and spectroscopic confirmation of six new luminous quasars at $z>6.4$, including an object at $z=7.02$, the fourth quasar yet known at $z>7$, from a small fraction of candidates observed thus far. Based on the recent measurement of $z \sim 6.7$ quasar luminosity function using the quasar sample from our survey in the northern sky, we estimate that there will be $\gtrsim$ 55 quasars at $z > 6.5$ at $M_{1450} < -24.5$ in the full DES footprint.Comment: 8 pages, 3 figures, submitted to A

Gut microbiome profiles may be related to atypical antipsychotic associated overweight in Asian children with psychiatric disorder: a preliminary study

ObjectiveAtypical antipsychotics (APs) modify the gut microbiome, and weight gain in response to AP could be mediated by the gut microbiome. Thus, the present study aimed to explore the changes in the gut bacterial microbiome in AP-exposed children with obesity.MethodsTo rule out the confounder of AP indication, the gut bacterial microbiome was compared between healthy controls (Con) and AP-exposed individuals with overweight (APO) or normal weight (APN). Fifty-seven AP-treated outpatients (21 APO and 36 APN) and 25 Con were included in this cross-sectional microbiota study.ResultsAP users, regardless of body mass index, exhibited decreased microbial richness and diversity and a distinct metagenomic composition compared to the Con. Although no differences in the microbiota structure were observed between APO and APN groups, the APO group was characterised by a higher abundance of Megamonas and Lachnospira. Additionally, the differences in the microbial functions were observed between APO and APN groups.ConclusionsThe gut bacterial microbiota of APO children revealed taxonomic and functional differences compared to Con and APN. Further studies are needed to verify these findings and to explore the temporal and causal relationships between these variables

1,2-Bis(4-nitro­benzo­yl)hydrazine

The title mol­ecule, C14H10N4O6, crystallizes with one half-mol­ecule in the asymmetric unit; the mid-point of the N—N bond lies on an inversion centre. The nitro and amide groups are twisted with respect to the benzene ring, making dihedral angles of 14.6 (5) and 31.1 (5)°, respectively. In the crystal structure, mol­ecules are linked through N—H⋯O hydrogen bonding between the imino and carbonyl groups

Octane-1,8-diyldipyridinium dibromide dihydrate

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C18H26N2 2+·2Br−·2H2O, consists of one-half of the organic cation, one Br− anion and one water mol­ecule. The organic cation is situated on a centre of inversion. The dihedral angle between the pyridine ring and the plane of the central linkage is 59.3 (1)°. The cations, anions and water mol­ecules are linked via O—H⋯Br, C—H⋯Br and C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming a three-dimensional framework