Equivalence Checking of Quantum Finite-State Machines

In this paper, we introduce the model of quantum Mealy machines and study the equivalence checking and minimisation problems of them. Two efficient algorithms are developed for checking equivalence of two states in the same machine and for checking equivalence of two machines. They are applied in experiments of equivalence checking of quantum circuits. Moreover, it is shown that the minimisation problem is proved to be in \textbf{PSPACE}

Population genetic structure and demographic history of small yellow croaker, Larimichthys polyactis (Bleeker, 1877), from coastal waters of China

Small yellow croaker, Larimichthys polyactis (Bleeker, 1877), a commercially important benthopelagic fish, is widely distributed in the Bohai, Yellow and East China Seas. To evaluate the population genetic structure and demographic history of L. polyactis, we sequenced the complete mitochondrial deoxyribonucleic acid (mtDNA) control region (798 to 801 bp) in 127 individuals sampled from seven localities throughout its distribution region in China. A total of 136 polymorphic sites were detected, which defined 125 haplotypes. High haplotype diversity (1.000 ± 0.013 to 1.000 ± 0.034) and moderate nucleotide diversity (0.0112 ± 0.0061 to 0.0141 ± 0.0075) were detected in the species. The neighbor-joining tree of haplotypes was assigned into two closely related clades, but did not appear to have any geographic genealogic structure. Hierarchical molecular variance analysis (AMOVA), pair wise FST comparisons and the nearest-neighbor statistic (Snn) showed no significant genetic differences among populations in the Bohai, Yellow and East China Seas. The demographic history of L. polyactis was examined by using neutrality tests and mismatch distribution analysis, which revealed that the species had undergone a Pleistocene population expansion. The results based on the complete mtDNA control region sequences analysis indicate that within its distribution range, L. polyactis constituted a panmictic mtDNA gene pool. Factors such as dispersal capacity, ocean currents and insufficient evolution time could be responsible for the lack of population genetic differentiation in L. polyactis.Keywords: Larimichthys polyactis, mitochondrial control region, population genetic structure, demographi

Semiconducting nonperovskite ferroelectric oxynitride designed ab initio

Recent discovery of HfO2-based and nitride-based ferroelectrics that are compatible to the semiconductor manufacturing process have revitalized the field of ferroelectric-based nanoelectronics. Guided by a simple design principle of charge compensation and density functional theory calculations, we discover HfO2-like mixed-anion materials, TaON and NbON, can crystallize in the polar Pca21 phase with a strong thermodynamic driving force to adopt anion ordering spontaneously. Both oxynitrides possess large remnant polarization, low switching barriers, and unconventional negative piezoelectric effect, making them promising piezoelectrics and ferroelectrics. Distinct from HfO2 that has a wide band gap, both TaON and NbON can absorb visible light and have high charge carrier mobilities, suitable for ferroelectric photovoltaic and photocatalytic applications. This new class of multifunctional nonperovskite oxynitride containing economical and environmentally benign elements offer a platform to design and optimize high-performing ferroelectric semiconductors for integrated systems

Growth of PrCo2 single crystals with a Boron Nitride crucible

Single crystals of PrCo2 have been grown from flux starting from Pr0.44Co0.56 that was synthesized by arc melting of stoichiometric mixtures of the elements. The Pr0.44Co0.56 ingot was loaded in a Boron Nitride (BN) crucible and sealed inside a quartz tube under vacuum. The quartz ampoule was heated to 1203 K, and then slowly cooled down to 923 K at a rate of 2 K/h. The obtained crystals have octahedral shapes and are of cubic C15 Laves phase structure confirmed by room temperature powder and single-crystal x-ray diffraction measurements. Magnetic susceptibility data show the Curie temperature TC = 46.7 K. The experimental value of saturation magnetization Ms = 3.2 μB/f.u is consistent with our theoretical calculations

Polar Intermetallics Pr5Co2Ge3 and Pr7Co2Ge4 with Planar Hydrocarbon‐Like Metal Clusters

Planar hydrocarbon‐like metal clusters may foster new insights linking organic molecules with conjugated π–π bonding interactions and inorganic structures in terms of their bonding characteristics. However, such clusters are uncommon in polar intermetallics. Herein, we report two polar intermetallic phases, Pr5Co2Ge3 and Pr7Co2Ge4, both of which feature such planar metal clusters, namely, ethylene‐like [Co2Ge4] clusters plus the concatenated forms and polyacene‐like [Co2Ge2]n ribbons in Pr5Co2Ge3, and 1,2,4,5‐tetramethylbenzene‐like [Co4Ge6] cluster in Pr7Co2Ge4. Just as in the related planar organic structures, these metal–metalloid species are dominated by covalent bonding interactions. Both compounds magnetically order at low temperature with net ferromagnetic components: Pr5Co2Ge3 through a series of transitions below 150 K and Pr7Co2Ge4 through a single ferromagnetic transition at 19 K. Spin‐polarized electronic structure calculations for Pr7Co2Ge4 reveal strong spin‐orbit coupling within Pr and considerable magnetic contributions from Co atoms. This work suggests that similar structural chemistry can emerge for other rare‐earth/late‐transition‐metal/main‐group systems

InstructCoder: Empowering Language Models for Code Editing

Code editing encompasses a variety of pragmatic tasks that developers deal with daily. Despite its relevance and practical usefulness, automatic code editing remains an underexplored area in the evolution of deep learning models, partly due to data scarcity. In this work, we explore the use of large language models (LLMs) to edit code based on user instructions, covering a broad range of implicit tasks such as comment insertion, code optimization, and code refactoring. To facilitate this, we introduce InstructCoder, the first dataset designed to adapt LLMs for general-purpose code editing, containing highdiversity code-editing tasks. It consists of over 114,000 instruction-input-output triplets and covers multiple distinct code editing scenarios. The dataset is systematically expanded through an iterative process that commences with code editing data sourced from GitHub commits as seed tasks. Seed and generated tasks are used subsequently to prompt ChatGPT for more task data. Our experiments demonstrate that open-source LLMs fine-tuned on InstructCoder can edit code correctly based on users' instructions most of the time, exhibiting unprecedented code-editing performance levels. Such results suggest that proficient instruction-finetuning can lead to significant amelioration in code editing abilities. The dataset and the source code are available at https://github.com/qishenghu/CodeInstruct

Neuroprotective effects of etanercept on diabetic retinopathy via regulation of the TNF-α/NF-κB signaling pathway

Purpose: To study the influence of etanercept on diabetic retinopathy in rats via tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α)/nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) signaling pathway. Methods: Thirty-six Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into normal, model and etanercept groups. The expression of Caspase-3 was determined by immunohistochemistry, while the relative protein and mRNA expression levels of TNF-α and NF-κB were determined by Western blotting and quantitative polymerase chain reaction, respectively. Besides, the contents of TNF-α and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) were evaluated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), while cell apoptosis was assessed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL). Results: Immunohistochemical studies showed that the mean optical density of tissues positive for caspase-3 in both the model and etanercept groups were significantly higher than in the normal group (p < 0.05), while the mean optical density in the etanercept group was significantly lower than that in the model group (p < 0.05). The protein expression levels of TNF-α and NF-κB in the etanercept group were significantly lower than those in the model group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, mRNA expressions of TNF-α and NF-κB declined in the etanercept group (p < 0.05); in addition, TNF-α, and IL-1β levels in the etanercept group were lower than in the model group (p < 0.05). Cell apoptosis in the etanercept group was also lower than in the model group. Conclusion: Etanercept suppresses TNF-α/NF-κB signaling pathway thereby repressing inflammation and cell apoptosis in diabetic retinopathy rats. Therefore, etenercept’s neuroprotective effect may potentially be useful in developing a suitable therapy for diabetic neuropathy