Qutrit state engineering with biphotons

The novel experimental realization of three-level optical quantum systems is presented. We use the polarization state of biphotons to generate a specific sequence of states that are used in the extended version of BB84 protocol. We experimentally verify the orthogonality of the basis states and demonstrate the ability to easily switch between them. The tomography procedure is employed to reconstruct the density matrices of generated states.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures. typos correcte

Associations between nut consumption and health vary between omnivores, vegetarians, and vegans

Regular nut consumption is associated with reduced risk factors for chronic disease; however, most population-based studies lack consideration of effect modification by dietary pattern. The UK Women’s Cohort Study (UKWCS) provides an ideal opportunity to examine relationships between nut consumption and chronic disease risk factors in a large sample with diverse dietary patterns. Nut and nutrient intake from 34,831 women was estimated using a food frequency questionnaire among self-identified omnivores, vegetarians and vegans. In this cross-sectional analysis, higher nut consumption was associated with lower body weight (difference between highest and lowest consumption categories from adjusted model: 6.1kg; 95%CI: 4.7, 7.6) body mass index (BMI, 2.4 units difference; 95%CI: 1.9, 2.9), and waist circumference (2.6cm difference; 95%CI: 1.4, 3.8) (all P for linear trend < 0.001). Higher nut consumption was also associated with reduced prevalence of high cholesterol and high blood pressure; having a history of heart attack, diabetes and gallstones; and markers of diet quality (all adjusted P for linear trend ≤0.011). Higher nut consumption appeared overall to be associated with greater benefits amongst omnivores compared to vegetarians and vegans. Findings support existing literature around beneficial effects of nut consumption and suggest that benefits may be larger among omnivores. Nut promotion strategies may have the highest population impact by specifically targeting this group

Application of a high density adsorbent in expanded bed adsorption of lipase from Burkholderia pseudomallei

The application of STREAMLINE Direct HST adsorbent in expanded bed adsorption of lipase from Burkholderia pseudomallei was explored in this study. Scouting of optimum binding and elution condition was performed in batch binding mode. The addition of 0.2 M salt in acetate buffer (pH 5)during adsorption has increased the specificity and quantity of lipase binding onto the adsorbent. The addition of 0.4 M salt in phosphate buffer (pH 7) achieved the highest purification fold (2.5) in elution. The high density of the adsorbent allowed the EBA to be operated at linear velocity as high as 657 cm/h with feedstock containing 4.5% (w/v) wet biomass. The Richardson-Zaki correlation obtained for this EBA system at the presence of 4.5% (w/v) wet biomass is 5.14, a value closed to the laminar flow regime of 4.8, demonstrated that a stable bed is achieved under this operating condition. Meanwhile, a flow velocity of 343 cm/h with bed expansion of 3.2 gave highest dynamic binding capacity (4979.28 U/ml)and productivity (61.52 U/ml.min) for this EBA operation. It also demonstrated that biomass concentration up to 4.5% (w/v) wet weight showed slightly drop of sorption efficiency (0.82) compared to lower biomass concentration (0.94). Further increase of biomass concentration above 4.5% (w/v) wet weight has greatly decreased the equilibrium and dynamic capacity. Application of high density adsorbent tolerated to high density and biomass has reduced the processing time and increased theproductivity

Statistical Reconstruction of Qutrits

We discuss a procedure of measurement followed by the reproduction of the quantum state of a three-level optical system - a frequency- and spatially degenerate two-photon field. The method of statistical estimation of the quantum state based on solving the likelihood equation and analyzing the statistical properties of the obtained estimates is developed. Using the root approach of estimating quantum states, the initial two-photon state vector is reproduced from the measured fourth moments in the field . The developed approach applied to quantum states reconstruction is based on the amplitudes of mutually complementary processes. Classical algorithm of statistical estimation based on the Fisher information matrix is generalized to the case of quantum systems obeying Bohr's complementarity principle. It has been experimentally proved that biphoton-qutrit states can be reconstructed with the fidelity of 0.995-0.999 and higher.Comment: Submitted to Physical Review

Production of pyroligneous acid from lignocellulosic biomass and their effectiveness against biological attacks

Pyroligneous acid which is one of the commercial sources for acetic acid can be produced from high temperature carbonization of lignocellulosic biomass. Acetic acid can be used as a wood preservative to discourage the growth of fungal and molds. However, at higher temperature, organic compounds especially acetic acid in pyroligneous acid degraded except for some phenols. Therefore, effectiveness pyroligneous acid that pyrolysed at different temperature as fungicide and insecticide for used as wood preservative was evaluated. Pyroligneous acids were derived from rubberwood, oil palm trunk and mix hardwood heated at temperature of 300, 400 and 500°C, respectively in an airless container. The yield of pyroligneous acids was calculated and the chemical compounds of the pyroligneous acid were analysed using Fourier Transform InfraRed (FT-IR). For the efficacy of pyroligneous acid tests, rubberwood test blocks were immersed in the pyroligneous acid for 24 h at room temperature. The treated rubberwood test blocks were later tested against mold (Penicillium sp.), white rot fungus (Pycnoporous sanguineus) and subterranean termites, (Coptotermes curvignathus) according to ASTM standard method. The result shows that highest pyroligneous acid yield was found during pyrolysed of lignocellulosic biomass at temperature of 500°C. All the rubberwood test blocks treated with pyroligneous acids were effective against the mold, white rot fungi and termites. Nonetheless, the pyrolysis temperature did not affect the effectiveness of pyroligneous acids against biological agents. Conclusively, pyroligneous acids effective for discourage the growth of mold and white rot fungi as well accelerate the mortality of termites in laboratory condition

Cost analysis of psoriasis treatment modalities in Malaysian public hospitals

Psoriasis imposes a great economic burden as a result of higher expenditures for different interventions, diagnostic procedures, pharmaceuticals and loss of productivity. Less is known about the economic impact of psoriasis treatment in Asean region. The aim of this research was to calculate the costs associated with four psoriasis treatment modalities. A prospective cohort study was conducted in five hospitals involving 91 moderate to severe psoriasis patients. Costs were calculated from the societal perspective using the principle of Step Down and Activity Based Costing (ABC) within a six (6) months follow-up duration. The components of the costs borne by the provider were inpatient cost, cost of medication, laboratory investigation and radiology. Patient’s cost included out of pocket expenses, travelling cost and loss of productivity. Cost per patient per day was RM1,105.24 (inpatient) (US$315.94) and RM298.02 (outpatient) (US$85.19). Medication accounted for almost 90% (RM457,014.00) (US$130 638.45) of the total provider cost. Meanwhile, loss of productivity represented 84$47,862.80) of the total patient’s cost. Biologic treatment exhibited the highest cost which was RM342,377.00 (US$97,869.21), followed by systemic treatment (RM105,607.00) (US$30,187.99), topical treatment (RM38,280.00) (US$10,942.42) and topical phototherapy treatment (RM21,824.00) (US$6,238.44). Understanding the relationship between direct and indirect costs from both perspectives is important to accurately identify and evaluate effective treatment for psoriasis

A numerical study of heat transfer to turbulent separation nanofluid flow in an annular passage

The separation and the reattachment of nanofluid flow through a sudden expansion in an annular passage have been studied. ANSYS FLUENT was deployed to simulate the effect of separation of nanofluid flow on the local and average convection heat transfer in an annular passage. The outer tube was made of aluminium with internal diameter of 83 mm and horizontal length of 600 mm, subjected to a constant wall heat flux. The investigation was performed with varying Reynolds number ranging from 5000 to 25000, heat flux from 719 W/m2 to 2098 W/m2, and the enhancement of step heights expanding from 0 mm (d/D=1) to 18.5 mm (d/D=1.8). The increase of flow velocity results in the sudden drop of the surface temperature in proximity to the pipe entrance, followed by gradual increment of surface temperature along the pipe. The minimum surface temperature could be obtained at flow reattachment point. The position of the minimum temperature point is independent on the inlet flow velocity. In general, the average Nusselt number increases with the increase of Reynolds number

Diagnostic utility of endoscopy and biopsy in suspected acute gastrointestinal graft-versus-host disease after hematopoietic progenitor cell transplantation

Acute gastrointestinal graft-versus-host disease (GI-GVHD) after hematopoietic progenitor cell transplantation (HPCT) is a common and life-threatening complication. Endoscopic biopsy of the GI tract (GIT) is required for diagnosis. However, clear evidence to optimize this diagnostic approach is lacking, leading to variation in diagnostic sensitivity between institutions. We aimed to assess the clinical, endoscopic, and histologic findings of endoscopies performed for suspected acute GI-GVHD at our institution to better define the optimal use of this strategy. We performed a retrospective cohort study of adults who had undergone endoscopy for suspected acute GI-GVHD within 180 days after allogeneic HPCT for hematologic malignancy between 2011 and 2016. Details included symptoms at time of referral for endoscopy, type of procedure performed, macroscopic findings on endoscopy, and histologic findings after gut biopsy. Correlation was made with clinical GVHD severity scores. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were calculated and compared for each procedure. Predictors of histologic GVHD and overall survival were also compared. Of the 123 patients included, acute GI-GVHD occurred in 59 (48%). Lower endoscopy demonstrated greater sensitivity than upper endoscopy (50% versus 39%). Single upper endoscopy for upper symptoms alone had the lowest yield of GI-GVHD (14%). Combination upper and lower endoscopy demonstrated strong histologic concordance between upper and lower procedures. The addition of upper endoscopy to lower endoscopy only identified an extra 2 (4%) cases of GVHD. Advanced age and the presence of lower GIT symptoms were the only pre-endoscopy predictors of histologic GVHD on multivariate analysis. Patients with isolated upper histologic GVHD showed similar survival to patients with negative biopsies. Endoscopy and biopsy only identified 74% of those ultimately requiring treatment for acute GI-GVHD. Acute GI-GVHD remains a clinical diagnosis supported by available histologic evidence. Isolated upper GI-GVHD is rare, and in the absence of lower GIT symptoms, routine upper endoscopy does not significantly improve diagnostic yield for histologic GVHD. Overall, endoscopy and biopsy underdiagnoses 26% of clinical GI-GVHD, highlighting a need for research into novel diagnostic strategies