An expectation value expansion of Hermitian operators in a discrete Hilbert space

We discuss a real-valued expansion of any Hermitian operator defined in a Hilbert space of finite dimension N, where N is a prime number, or an integer power of a prime. The expansion has a direct interpretation in terms of the operator expectation values for a set of complementary bases. The expansion can be said to be the complement of the discrete Wigner function. We expect the expansion to be of use in quantum information applications since qubits typically are represented by a discrete, and finite-dimensional physical system of dimension N=2^p, where p is the number of qubits involved. As a particular example we use the expansion to prove that an intermediate measurement basis (a Breidbart basis) cannot be found if the Hilbert space dimension is 3 or 4.Comment: A mild update. In particular, I. D. Ivanovic's earlier derivation of the expansion is properly acknowledged. 16 pages, one PS figure, 1 table, written in RevTe

Unexpectedly large mass loss during the thermal pulse cycle of the red giant R Sculptoris!

The asymptotic giant branch star R Sculptoris is surrounded by a detached shell of dust and gas. The shell originates from a thermal pulse during which the star undergoes a brief period of increased mass loss. It has hitherto been impossible to constrain observationally the timescales and mass-loss properties during and after a thermal pulse - parameters that determine the lifetime on the asymptotic giant branch and the amount of elements returned by the star. Here we report observations of CO emission from the circumstellar envelope and shell around R Sculptoris with an angular resolution of 1.3 arcsec. What was hitherto thought to be only a thin, spherical shell with a clumpy structure, is revealed to contain a spiral structure. Spiral structures associated with circumstellar envelopes have been seen previously, from which it was concluded that the systems must be binaries. Using the data, combined with hydrodynamic simulations, we conclude that R Sculptoris is a binary system that underwent a thermal pulse approximately 1800 years ago, lasting approximately 200 years. About 0.003 Msun of mass was ejected at a velocity of 14.3 km s-1 and at a rate approximately 30 times higher than the prepulse mass-loss rate. This shows that approximately 3 times more mass is returned to the interstellar medium during and immediately after a pulse than previously thought.Comment: Accepted by Natur

Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of propolis collected from some localities of Western Algeria

The chemical analysis and antibacterial activity of propolis collected from some parts of Western Algeria were investigated. The ethanolic extracts of propolis (EEP) were evaluated for further investigation. The major constituents in EEP were identified by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis. All EEP samples were active against Gram positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus), but no activity was found against Gram negative bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli). The mean diameters of growth inhibition of the EEP ranged between 8.05 and 21.4 mm. The propolis extract obtained from Sidi bel Abbés (SFS-SBA) was more active than other samples as well as showed unique HPLC profile. These results support the idea that propolis can be a promising natural food preservative in food industry and alternative candidate for management of bacterial infections caused by drug-resistant microorganisms

A SIMPLE METHOD FOR DETERMINATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF IMIDAZOLINONE HERBICIDE (IMAZAPYR/IMAZAPIC) RESIDUES IN CLEARFIELD® RICE SOIL

A study was conducted to evaluate residues of imidazolinone (IMI) in soil. Samples were taken from three Clearfield® rice fields as IMI which have been used for six years. IMI herbicides (imazapic/imazapyr) were widely used in Clearfield® rice soils. To date, few studies are available on the residues of these herbicides, especially in the context of Malaysian soil. Therefore, for this purpose, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with UV detection was performed using a Zorbax stable bond C18 (4.6× 250 mm, 5 µm) column, with two mobile phases. The average percentage recovery for imazapyr and imazapic varied from 76%-107% and 71-77%, with 0.1-5 µg/ml fortification level, respectively. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were found to be 1.05 and 4.09 for imazapic and 0.171 and 0.511 µg/ml for imazapyr respectively, in the top 15 cm. In the extracted soil sample, it was 0.19 µg/ml for imazapic and 0.04 µg/ml for imazapyr, respectively. Based on this study, a pre-harvest period of 40-60 day is suggested for rice crops after IMI application

Midwave infrared InAs/GaSb superlattice photodiode with a dopant-free p–n junction

Midwave infrared (MWIR) InAs/GaSb superlattice (SL) photodiode with a dopant-free p–n junction was fabricated by molecular beam epitaxy on GaSb substrate. Depending on the thickness ratio between InAs and GaSb layers in the SL period, the residual background carriers of this adjustable material can be either n-type or p-type. Using this flexibility in residual doping of the SL material, the p–n junction of the device is made with different non-intentionally doped (nid) SL structures. The SL photodiode processed shows a cut-off wavelength at 4.65 μm at 77 K, residual carrier concentration equal to 1.75 × 1015 cm−3, dark current density as low as 2.8 × 10−8 A/cm2 at 50 mV reverse bias and R0A product as high as 2 × 106 Ω cm2. The results obtained demonstrate the possibility to fabricate a SL pin photodiode without intentional doping the pn junction

Partial Discharge Localization Based on Received Signal Strength

Partial Discharge (PD) occurs when insulation containing defects or voids is subject to high voltages. If left untreated PD can degrade insulation until, eventually, catastrophic insulation failure occurs. The detection of PD current pulses, however, can allow incipient insulation faults to be identified, located and repaired prior to plant failure. Wireless technology has paved the path for PD detection and monitoring. Software Defined Radio (SDR) is a promising technology. Signals from two PD sources are received at six outdoors locations using an SDR USRP N200 which is connected to a laptop. PD sources, thereafter, are localized based on received signal strengths

Augmenting forearm crutches with wireless sensors for lower limb rehabilitation

Forearm crutches are frequently used in the rehabilitation of an injury to the lower limb. The recovery rate is improved if the patient correctly applies a certain fraction of their body weight (specified by a clinician) through the axis of the crutch, referred to as partial weight bearing (PWB). Incorrect weight bearing has been shown to result in an extended recovery period or even cause further damage to the limb. There is currently no minimally invasive tool for long-term monitoring of a patient's PWB in a home environment. This paper describes the research and development of an instrumented forearm crutch that has been developed to wirelessly and autonomously monitor a patient's weight bearing over the full period of their recovery, including its potential use in a home environment. A pair of standard forearm crutches are augmented with low-cost off-the-shelf wireless sensor nodes and electronic components to provide indicative measurements of the applied weight, crutch tilt and hand position on the grip. Data are wirelessly transmitted between crutches and to a remote computer (where they are processed and visualized in LabVIEW), and the patient receives biofeedback by means of an audible signal when they put too much or too little weight through the crutch. The initial results obtained highlight the capability of the instrumented crutch to support physiotherapists and patients in monitoring usage

A Survey of Air-to-Ground Propagation Channel Modeling for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

In recent years, there has been a dramatic increase in the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), particularly for small UAVs, due to their affordable prices, ease of availability, and ease of operability. Existing and future applications of UAVs include remote surveillance and monitoring, relief operations, package delivery, and communication backhaul infrastructure. Additionally, UAVs are envisioned as an important component of 5G wireless technology and beyond. The unique application scenarios for UAVs necessitate accurate air-to-ground (AG) propagation channel models for designing and evaluating UAV communication links for control/non-payload as well as payload data transmissions. These AG propagation models have not been investigated in detail when compared to terrestrial propagation models. In this paper, a comprehensive survey is provided on available AG channel measurement campaigns, large and small scale fading channel models, their limitations, and future research directions for UAV communication scenarios

Quantum Key Distribution using Multilevel Encoding: Security Analysis

We present security proofs for a protocol for Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) based on encoding in finite high-dimensional Hilbert spaces. This protocol is an extension of Bennett's and Brassard's basic protocol from two bases, two state encoding to a multi bases, multi state encoding. We analyze the mutual information between the legitimate parties and the eavesdropper, and the error rate, as function of the dimension of the Hilbert space, while considering optimal incoherent and coherent eavesdropping attacks. We obtain the upper limit for the legitimate party error rate to ensure unconditional security when the eavesdropper uses incoherent and coherent eavesdropping strategies. We have also consider realistic noise caused by detector's noise.Comment: 8 pages, 3 figures, REVTe

Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Spinodal Decomposition in Three-Dimensional Binary Fluids

Using large-scale molecular dynamics simulations of a two-component Lennard-Jones model in three dimensions, we show that the late-time dynamics of spinodal decomposition in concentrated binary fluids reaches a viscous scaling regime with a growth exponent $n=1$, in agreement with experiments and a theoretical analysis for viscous growth.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure