3,418 research outputs found
Optimized generation of spatial qudits by using a pure phase spatial light modulator
We present a method for preparing arbitrary pure states of spatial qudits,
namely, D-dimensional (D > 2) quantum systems carrying information in the
transverse momentum and position of single photons. For this purpose, a set of
D slits with complex transmission are displayed on a spatial light modulator
(SLM). In a recent work we have shown a method that requires a single
phase-only SLM to control independently the complex coefficients which define
the quantum state of dimension D. The amplitude information was codified by
introducing phase gratings inside each slit and the phase value of the complex
transmission was added to the phase gratings. After a spatial filtering process
we obtained in the image plane the desired qudit state. Although this method
has proven to be a good alternative to compact the previously reported
architectures, it presents some features that could be improved. In this paper
we present an alternative scheme to codify the required phase values that
minimizes the effects of temporal phase fluctuations associated to the SLM
where the codification is carried on. In this scheme the amplitudes are set by
appropriate phase gratings addressed at the SLM while the relative phases are
obtained by a lateral displacement of these phase gratings. We show that this
method improves the quality of the prepared state and provides very high
fidelities of preparation for any state. An additional advantage of this scheme
is that a complete 2\pi modulation is obtained by shifting the grating by one
period, and hence the encoding is not limited by the phase modulation range
achieved by the SLM. Numerical simulations, that take into account the phase
fluctuations, show high fidelities for thousands of qubit states covering the
whole Bloch sphere surface. Similar analysis are performed for qudits with D =
3 and D = 7.Comment: 12 pages, 7 figure
A model of hyphal tip growth involving microtubule-based transport
We propose a simple model for mass transport within a fungal hypha and its
subsequent growth. Inspired by the role of microtubule-transported vesicles, we
embody the internal dynamics of mass inside a hypha with mutually excluding
particles progressing stochastically along a growing one-dimensional lattice.
The connection between long range transport of materials for growth, and the
resulting extension of the hyphal tip has not previously been addressed in the
modelling literature. We derive and analyse mean-field equations for the model
and present a phase diagram of its steady state behaviour, which we compare to
simulations. We discuss our results in the context of the filamentous fungus,
Neurospora crassa.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figure
Constant light exposure in mice potentiates ethanol consumption and preference and disrupts circadian locomotor activity rhythms
Stock assessment of Australian east coast sea mullet (Mugil cephalus) with data to December 2020
Australian east coast sea mullet (Mugil cephalus) are a predominantly commercially caught species. Sea mullet occur as one continuous stock (population) off the Australian east coast.
This is the third stock assessment of the Australian east coast stock. The assessment implemented a two-sex population model fit to age and length data, constructed within the Stock Synthesis modelling framework.
The model incorporated data spanning the period 1899 to 2020 including commercial harvests (1899–2020), and length and age data (1990–2020).
Eight model scenarios were run, covering a range of modelling assumptions. Base case (preferred) scenario results suggested that biomass has shown an overall decline since 1980 to 37% unfished biomass in 2021 (31–43% range across scenarios).
The harvest consistent with a biomass ratio of 50%, the Harvest Strategy target, was estimated at 4801 t (4357–5054 t range across scenarios). The recommended harvest in 2021 for all regions is 2541 t (1254–3632 t range across scenarios) to return to 50%
Assessing the effects of the first 2 years of industry-led badger culling in England on the incidence of bovine tuberculosis in cattle in 2013–2015
Culling badgers to control the transmission of bovine tuberculosis (TB) between this wildlife reservoir and cattle has been widely debated. Industry-led culling began in Somerset and Gloucestershire between August and November 2013 to reduce local badger populations. Industry-led culling is not designed to be a randomised and controlled trial of the impact of culling on cattle incidence. Nevertheless, it is important to monitor the effects of the culling and, taking the study limitations into account, perform a cautious evaluation of the impacts. A standardised method for selecting areas matched to culling areas in factors found to affect cattle TB risk has been developed to evaluate the impact of badger culling on cattle TB incidence. The association between cattle TB incidence and badger culling in the first two years has been assessed. Descriptive analyses without controlling for confounding showed no association between culling and TB incidence for Somerset, or for either of the buffer areas for the first two years since culling began. A weak association was observed in Gloucestershire for Year 1 only. Multivariable analysis adjusting for confounding factors showed that reductions in TB incidence were associated with culling in the first two years in both the Somerset and Gloucestershire intervention areas when compared to areas with no culling (IRR: 0.79, 95%CI: 0.72-0.87, p<0.001 and IRR: 0.42, 95%CI: 0.34-0.51, p<0.001 respectively). An increase in incidence was associated with culling in the 2 km buffer surrounding the Somerset intervention area (IRR: 1.38, 95%CI: 1.09-1.75, p=0.008), but not in Gloucestershire (IRR: 0.91, 95%CI: 0.77-1.07, p=0.243). As only two intervention areas with two years’ of data are available for analysis, and the biological cause-effect relationship behind the statistical associations is difficult to determine, it would be unwise to use these findings to develop generalisable inferences about the effectiveness of the policy at present
Maximum-confidence discrimination among symmetric qudit states
We study the maximum-confidence (MC) measurement strategy for discriminating
among nonorthogonal symmetric qudit states. Restricting to linearly dependent
and equally likely pure states, we find the optimal positive operator valued
measure (POVM) that maximizes our confidence in identifying each state in the
set and minimizes the probability of obtaining inconclusive results. The
physical realization of this POVM is completely determined and it is shown that
after an inconclusive outcome, the input states may be mapped into a new set of
equiprobable symmetric states, restricted, however, to a subspace of the
original qudit Hilbert space. By applying the MC measurement again onto this
new set, we can still gain some information about the input states, although
with less confidence than before. This leads us to introduce the concept of
"sequential maximum-confidence" (SMC) measurements, where the optimized MC
strategy is iterated in as many stages as allowed by the input set, until no
further information can be extracted from an inconclusive result. Within each
stage of this measurement our confidence in identifying the input states is the
highest possible, although it decreases from one stage to the next. In
addition, the more stages we accomplish within the maximum allowed, the higher
will be the probability of correct identification. We will discuss an explicit
example of the optimal SMC measurement applied in the discrimination among four
symmetric qutrit states and propose an optical network to implement it.Comment: 14 pages, 4 figures. Published versio
Auto-driven Photo Elicitation Interviews in Research with Children: Ethical and Practical Considerations
Children can sometimes find it difficult to articulate their experiences if they have to rely solely on words. Giving children the opportunity to use arts-based research approaches can support their participation in research and create a bridge that enables them to express their perspectives and feelings. This paper focuses on the ethical and practical considerations when using photo elicitation interviews (PEI) in research with children. The discussion and examples provided are drawn from an international study that used auto-driven PEI, where photographs are taken by children themselves, to explore children’s experiences of living with a chronic condition and the impact condition management may have on their everyday lives. In this paper we critically explore the issues arising from our use of PEI including children’s participation and engagement, balancing power and control, and keeping children safe. The main areas of focus for the paper are how PEI provided a means of shifting control; how setting photographic boundaries influenced our PEI study with children; and how we addressed risks associated with the method. Our experience shows that PEI is an engaging and valuable research method, providing a powerful medium for obtaining rich data with children. However, PEI is challenging and it requires researchers to conscientiously address ethical and practical aspects that extend beyond those inherent to standard (words-alone) interviews
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