On bit-commitment based quantum coin flipping

In this paper, we focus on a special framework for quantum coin flipping protocols,_bit-commitment based protocols_, within which almost all known protocols fit. We show a lower bound of 1/16 for the bias in any such protocol. We also analyse a sequence of multi-round protocol that tries to overcome the drawbacks of the previously proposed protocols, in order to lower the bias. We show an intricate cheating strategy for this sequence, which leads to a bias of 1/4. This indicates that a bias of 1/4 might be optimal in such protocols, and also demonstrates that a cleverer proof technique may be required to show this optimality.Comment: The lower bound shown in this paper is superceded by a result of Kitaev (personal communication, 2001

Black holes and a scalar field in an expanding universe

We consider a model of an inhomogeneous universe including a massless scalar field, where the inhomogeneity is assumed to consist of many black holes. This model can be constructed by following Lindquist and Wheeler, which has already been investigated without including scalar field to show that an averaged scale factor coincides with that of the Friedmann model. In this work we construct the inhomogeneous universe with an massless scalar field, where we assume that the averaged scale factor and scalar field are given by those of the Friedmann model including a scalar field. All of our calculations are carried out in the framework of Brans-Dicke gravity. In constructing the model of an inhomogeneous universe, we define the mass of a black hole in the Brans-Dicke expanding universe which is equivalent to ADM mass if the mass evolves adiabatically, and obtain an equation relating our mass to the averaged scalar field and scale factor. As the results we find that the mass has an adiabatic time dependence in a sufficiently late stage of the expansion of the universe, and that the time dependence is qualitatively diffenrent according to the sign of the curvature of the universe: the mass increases decelerating in the closed universe case, is constant in the flat case and decreases decelerating in the open case. It is also noted that the mass in the Einstein frame depends on time. Our results that the mass has a time dependence should be retained even in the general scalar-tensor gravitiy with a scalar field potential. Furthermore, we discuss the relation of our results to the uniqueness theorem of black hole spacetime and gravitational memory effect.Comment: 16 pages, 3 tables, 5 figure

Lung Injury Pathways: Adenosine Receptor 2B Signaling Limits Development of Ischemic Bronchiolitis Obliterans Organizing Pneumonia

Purpose/Aim of the Study: Adenosine signaling was studied in bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP) resulting from unilateral lung ischemia. Materials and Methods: Ischemia was achieved by either left main pulmonary artery or complete hilar ligation. Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats, Dahl salt sensitive (SS) rats and SS mutant rat strains containing a mutation in the A2B adenosine receptor gene (Adora2b) were studied. Adenosine concentrations were measured in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) by HPLC. A2A (A2AAR) and A2B adenosine receptor (A2BAR) mRNA and protein were quantified. Results: Twenty-four hours after unilateral PA ligation, BAL adenosine concentrations from ischemic lungs were increased relative to contralateral lungs in SD rats. A2BAR mRNA and protein concentrations were increased after PA ligation while miR27a, a negatively regulating microRNA, was decreased in ischemic lungs. A2AAR mRNA and protein concentrations remained unchanged following ischemia. A2BAR protein was increased in PA ligated lungs of SS rats after 7 days, and 4 h after complete hilar ligation in SD rats. SS-Adora2b mutants showed a greater extent of BOOP relative to SS rats, and greater inflammatory changes. Conclusion: Increased A2BAR and adenosine following unilateral lung ischemia as well as more BOOP in A2BAR mutant rats implicate a protective role for A2BAR signaling in countering ischemic lung injury

Quantum Numbers of Textured Hall Effect Quasiparticles

We propose a class of variational wave functions with slow variation in spin and charge density and simple vortex structure at infinity, which properly generalize both the Laughlin quasiparticles and baby Skyrmions. We argue that the spin of the corresponding quasiparticle has a fractional part related in a universal fashion to the properties of the bulk state, and propose a direct experimental test of this claim. We show that certain spin-singlet quantum Hall states can be understood as arising from primary polarized states by Skyrmion condensation.Comment: 13 pages, no figures, Phyzz

Production and Equilibration of the Quark-Gluon Plasma with Chromoelectric Field and Minijets

Production and equilibration of quark-gluon plasma are studied within the color flux-tube model, at the RHIC and LHC energies. Non-Abelian relativistic transport equations for quarks, antiquarks and gluons, are solved in the extended phase space which includes coordinates, momenta and color. Before the chromoelectric field is formed, hard and semihard partons are produced via minijets which provide the initial conditions necessary to solve the transport equations. The model predicts that in spite of the vast difference between the RHIC and LHC incident energies, once the local equilibrium is reached, the energy densities, the number densities and the temperatures at the two machines may not be very different from each other. The minijet input significantly alters the evolution of the deconfined matter, unless the color field is too strong. For the input parameters used here the equilibration time is estimated to be $\sim 1$ fm at RHIC and $\sim 0.5$ fm at LHC, measured from the instant when the two colliding nuclei have just passed through each other. The temperature at equilibration is found to be $\sim 250$ MeV at RHIC and $\sim 300$ MeV at LHC.Comment: version to appear in Phys. Rev. C; discussion enlarged to include comparison with other models; conclusions unchanged; 14 single-spaced pages + 8 ps figure

Specific heat and validity of quasiparticle approximation in the half-filled Landau level

We calculate the specific heat of composite fermion system in the half-filled Landau level. Two different methods are used to examine validity of the quasiparticle approximation when the two-body interaction is given by $V(q) = V_0 / q^{2-\eta}$ ($1 \le \eta \le 2$). The singular part of the specific heat is calculated from the free energy of the gauge field, which is compared with the specific heat calculated from the quasiparticle approximation via the singular self-energy correction due to the gauge field fluctuations. It turns out that two results are in general different and they coincide only for the case of the Coulomb interaction ($\eta = 1$). This result supports the fact that the quasiparticle approximation is valid only for the case of the Coulomb interaction. It is emphasized that this result is obtained by looking at a gauge-invariant quantity -- the specific heat.Comment: 8 pages, Revte

Evidence and implications for exciton dissociation in lead halide perovskites

We have employed ultrafast transient-grating and two- dimensional electronic spectroscopy to probe dynamics of photo-excited CH3NH3PbI3 thin films with 16-fs temporal resolution. We distinctly capture the 30-fs decay of excitons, weakly coupled to the phonons

Developing strategies to manage highly phosphine resistant populations of flat grain beetles in large bulk storages in Australia

Development of high level resistance to phosphine fumigant in flat grain beetles (Cryptolestes ferrugineus) in large bulk storages in Australia poses a serious threat to the biosecurity of Australian grain. The level of resistance in this species is the highest ever detected in any stored grain insect pest in Australia with a resistance factor of 875. Laboratory studies showed that at 0.5 mg/L and at 1 mg/L of phosphine 30 and 24 days are required, respectively, to attain population extinction. These doses are currently being tested in field trials for their validation. Moreover, we have developed an action plan in collaboration with project scientists and the major Australian bulk handling companies aimed at eradicating infestations of phosphine resistant flat grain beetles and preventing their spread. The key components of this plan include the use of grain protectants and sulfuryl fluoride to eliminate phosphine-resistant populations, adoption of an intensive hygiene program and monitoring of insect populations through inspection, sampling and resistance testing. Keywords: Flat grain beetle, Cryptolestes ferrugineus, Phosphine, Resistance, Fumigation protocol

Successful maternal and fetal outcome in an uncorrected case of tetralogy of fallot

Tetralogy of Fallot (ToF) is the most common congenital heart defect which is associated with systemic cyanosis. Pregnancy and delivery cause dramatic alterations in cardiovascular physiology and pregnancy in women with unrepaired TOF may have a worsening in right to left shunt with an increase of the cyanosis. This possesses an elevated risk of maternal and foetal morbidity and even mortality. We report and discuss a case of a 24 years old Primigravida with uncorrected ToF. A multidisciplinary team was involved in the management of the case with the aim to minimize maternal and foetal complications. The target of the management was to perform adequate maternal surveillance by maintaining an adequate oxygen saturation and good haemoglobin levels and perform timely foetal surveillance tests in the form of Obstetric doppler. A caesarean section was performed at 35 weeks and 5 days of gestation without any maternal or fetal complications. Without optimal obstetrical or medical management, prognosis of pregnancy in patient with uncorrected ToF is poor