Generating entanglement between microwave photons and qubits in multiple cavities coupled by a superconducting qutrit

We discuss how to generate entangled coherent states of four \textrm{microwave} resonators \textrm{(a.k.a. cavities)} coupled by a superconducting qubit. We also show \textrm{that} a GHZ state of four superconducting qubits embedded in four different resonators \textrm{can be created with this scheme}. In principle, \textrm{the proposed method} can be extended to create an entangled coherent state of $n$ resonators and to prepare a Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger (GHZ) state of $n$ qubits distributed over $n$ cavities in a quantum network. In addition, it is noted that four resonators coupled by a coupler qubit may be used as a basic circuit block to build a two-dimensional quantum network, which is useful for scalable quantum information processing.Comment: 13 pages, 7 figure

Generating Bell states and NN-partite WW states of long-distance qubits in superconducting waveguide QED

We show how to generate Bell states and $N$-partite $W$ states of long-distance superconducting (SC) qubits in a SC waveguide quantum electrodynamical (QED) system, where SC qubits are coupled to an open microwave transmission line. In the two-qubit case, the Bell state of two long-distance qubits can be a dark state of the system by choosing appropriate system parameters. If one proper microwave pulse drives one of two qubits, the two qubits will evolve from their ground states to a Bell state. Further, we extend this scheme to the multi-qubit case. We show that $W$ states of $N$ long-distance qubits can also be generated. Because both the Bell and $W$ states are decoupled from the waveguide (i.e., dark states of the system), they are steady and have very long lifetimes in the ideal case without decoherence of qubits. In contrast to the ideal case, the presence of decoherence of qubits limits the lifetimes of the Bell and $W$ states. Our study provides a novel scheme for generating Bell states and $N$-partite $W$ states in SC waveguide QED, which can be used to entangle long-distance nodes in waveguide quantum networks.Comment: 12 pages, 9 figure

Docosahexaenoic acid has influence on action potentials and transient outward potassium currents of ventricular myocytes

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>There are many reports about the anti-arrhythmic effects of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, however, the mechanisms are still not completely delineated. The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics of action potentials and transient outward potassium currents (I_to) of Sprague-Dawley rat ventricular myocytes and the effects of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on action potentials and I_to.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The calcium-tolerant rat ventricular myocytes were isolated by enzyme digestion. Action potentials and I_toof epicardial, mid-cardial and endocardial ventricular myocytes were recorded by whole-cell patch clamp technique.</p> <p>Results</p> <p><b>1.</b> Action potential durations (APDs) were prolonged from epicardial to endocardial ventricular myocytes (<it>P </it>< 0.05). <b>2.</b> I_tocurrent densities were decreased from epicardial to endocardial ventricular myocytes, which were 59.50 ± 15.99 pA/pF, 29.15 ± 5.53 pA/pF, and 12.29 ± 3.62 pA/pF, respectively at +70 mV test potential (<it>P </it>< 0.05). <b>3.</b> APDs were gradually prolonged with the increase of DHA concentrations from 1 μmol/L to 100 μmol/L, however, APDs changes were not significant as DHA concentrations were in the range of 0 μmol/L to 1 μmol/L. <b>4.</b> I_tocurrents were gradually reduced with the increase of DHA concentrations from 1 μmol/L to 100 μmol/L, and its half-inhibited concentration was 5.3 μmol/L. The results showed that there were regional differences in the distribution of action potentials and I_toin rat epicardial, mid-cardial and endocardial ventricular myocytes. APDs were prolonged and I_tocurrent densities were gradually reduced with the increase of DHA concentrations.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The anti-arrhythmia mechanisms of DHA are complex, however, the effects of DHA on action potentials and I_tomay be one of the important causes.</p

Effect of Ginkgo biloba extract on the expressions of Cox-2 and GST-Pi in rats with hepatocellular carcinoma risk

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common and aggressive cancers worldwide, and the pathogenesis is very complicated at present. There is rare effective therapeutic measure, and the novel therapeutic strategies are urgently required to improve clinical outcome. Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb) is reported to be with an anti-cancer activity. Objectives: This study was performed to explore the effect of EGb on expressions of cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) and glutathione S-transferase Pi (GST-Pi) in the pathogenesis of HCC risk. Methods: 120 Wistar rats were divided into three groups at random: normal control group (control group), HCC risk group without treatment (HCC risk group), HCC risk group treated with EGb (EGb group); n=40, respectively. The HCC risk in rat was induced by aflatoxin B1 injection. At the end of 13-week, 33-week, 53-week and 73-week, 10 rats in each group were killed and the relevant samples were collected. Results: The mRNA and protein expressions of Cox-2 and GST-Pi were measured by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemical analysis and western-blot. When compared with those in control group in 73-week, the mRNA and protein expressions of GST-Pi in EGb group were weakened than those in HCC risk group in 73-week. However, the mRNA and protein expressions of Cox-2 in HCC risk group were increased than that of control group, and there was no statistical difference for mRNA and protein expressions of Cox-2 between HCC risk group and EGb group. Conclusion: EGb can regulate the expression of GST-Pi, but it can’t take an effect on the Cox-2 expression in the liver of HCC risk rats.Keywords: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb); Cox-2; GST-PiAfrican Health sciences Vol 14 No. 1 March 201

Shape and structure controlling of calcium oxalate crystals by a combination of additives in the process of biomineralization

The origin of complex hierarchical superstructures of biomaterials and their unique self-assembly mechanisms of formation are important in biological systems and have attracted considerable attention. In the present study, we investigated the morphological changes of calcium oxalate (CaO(x)) crystals induced by additives including chiral aspartic acid, sodium citrate, Mg(2+), casein and combinations of these molecules. The morphology and structure of CaO(x) were identified with the use of various techniques. The morphogenesis of CaO(x) crystals were significantly affected by chiral aspartic acid, sodium citrate or Mg(2+). However, they only formed calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM). It was observed that the chiral aspartic acid, sodium citrate and casein adhered to the surface of the crystals. The adherence of Mg(2+) to crystals was not evident. Casein significantly affected the formation of COM and calcium oxalate dihydrate (COD). The ratio of different CaO(x) crystal forms is associated with the casein concentration. In combination with Mg(2+) or citrate ions, casein showed improved formation of COD. The present study mimics biomineralization with a simple chemical approach and provides insight into the complicated system of CaO(x) biomineralization as well as facilitates the understanding of urinary stone treatment

Growth Hormone Therapy Benefits Pituitary Stalk Interruption Syndrome Patients with Short Stature: A Retrospective Study of 75 Han Chinese

Objective. We aim to investigate the long-term benefits of growth hormone (GH) therapy in short stature adolescents and adults with pituitary stalk interruption syndrome (PSIS), which would be beneficial for future clinical applications. Design and Methods. In this study, initial height, final height, total height gain, and GH treatment history were retrospectively investigated in 75 Chinese PSIS patients. We compared height gain between the GH treated cohort and untreated cohort and explored the impact of different GH therapy duration on height gain. Results. For GH treated patients, their final height (SDS) increased from -1.99±1.91 (−6.93~2.80) at bone age (BA) of 11.2 (5.0~17.0) years to -1.47±1.64 (−7.82~1.05) at BA of 16.6 (8.0~18.0) years (P=0.016). And GH treated patients had more height gain than the untreated patients (P<0.05). There was a significant difference between the different GH therapy duration groups (P=0.001): GH 0 versus GH 3, P=0.000; GH 1 versus GH 3, P=0.028; GH 2 versus GH 3, P=0.044. Conclusion. Adult Chinese PSIS patients with short stature benefited the most from at least 12 months of GH therapy. Although patient diagnosis age was lagged behind in the developing countries, GH treatment was still effective for them and resulted in a higher final height and more height gain