Quantum Entanglement and Networking with Spin-Optomechanics

Non-relativistic quantum mechanics have proven to be a significant framework to understand the non-classical behaviour of light and the microcosmos. Perhaps, one of the first technological revolutions within quantum theory came with the invention of the transistor, whereby a purely quantum mechanical description was required. Currently, another outstanding revolution is taking place in a crossroad where information science meets quantum mechanics (this being the quantum information field). Such an area of work contemplates both the fascinating theoretical aspect of quantum correlations, as well as implementations towards quantum tasks performed by a universal quantum computer; tasks that cannot be realised (or they are hard to implement) within the classical domain. This Thesis is devoted to study the dynamics of quantum entanglement in spin-optomechanics systems. In particular, we explore the quantum stabilization of quantum entanglement, a quantum concentration scheme in opto-mechanics and an interfacing of matter and light towards quantum networking applications. Additionally, we also investigate theoretical aspects of quantum correlations within thermal environments, as well as the topical area of quantum sudden transitions. In Chapter 1, we provide a brief summary of quantum information and of the quantum optics framework to cover elementary concepts and techniques used subsequently in this work. Subsequently, in Chapter 2 we present the stabilization of quantum entanglement in a non-linear qubit-oscillator system. The inclusion of a modest nonlinearity gives three results, i) the loss of periodicity of the system, ii) the occurrence of quadrature squeezing appearing for a short time, and iii) the quantum entanglement reaches higher values in contrast to the case without non-linearity. In Chapter 3, a technique to concentrate/distill a two-mode vacuum state in optomechanics via unsharp measurements is presented. Here, one of the optical modes is injected into a cavity at first, and thereafter, it is nonlinearly coupled to a mechanical oscillator. Afterwards, the position of the oscillator is measured using pulsed optomechanics and homodyne detection. The results show that this measurement can conditionally increase the initial entanglement. Next, in Chapter 4, stimulated by optomechanical transducers and quantum networking, a light-matter system is constructed where a qubit is coupled to a cavity mode mediated through a mechanical oscillator. The qubit-oscillator conditionally displaced Hamiltonian and the oscillator-cavity radiation-pressure interaction generate a maximal qubit-cavity entanglement. Additionally, we consider the case in which the cavity mode is coupled to a waveguide, numerical calculations show a promising qubit-fibre entanglement under a weak matter-light coupling. For the quantum network case, we coupled a generic qubit in the first node to a second qubit-cavity distant Jaynes-Cummings system coupled through an optical fibre, where qubit-qubit correlations can be achieved in the quantum open systems scenario. In Chapter 5, we study the evolution of an open quantum system within the Born-Markov microscopic master equation (MME). Essentially, two distant two-level atoms are trapped in fibre-coupled cavities. Under the approximation of one-excitation allowed in the atom-cavity-fibre basis, we can obtain quantum correlations induced by thermal fluctuations from the environments. Lastly, in Chapter 6, we bring together previously elements explored in this Thesis. The system is a hybrid atomic-mechanical system formed from two remote qubits interacting with individual harmonic oscillators. This system, as in Chapter 4, explores interesting applications in quantum networking schemes. The two qubits are initially prepared in a Bell-diagonal state, and consequently the two-qubit correlations exhibit few interesting effects such as freezing, sudden changes and revivals in the evolution of the quantum entropic discord. To conclude, I summarize my findings in Chapter 7

Synthesis and characterization of a novel organic nitrate NDHP: Role of xanthine oxidoreductase-mediated nitric oxide formation

In this report, we describe the synthesis and characterization of 1,3-bis(hexyloxy)propan-2-yl nitrate (NDHP), a novel organic mono nitrate. Using purified xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR), chemiluminescence and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, we found that XOR catalyzes nitric oxide (NO) generation from NDHP under anaerobic conditions, and that thiols are not involved or required in this process. Further mechanistic studies revealed that NDHP could be reduced to NO at both the FAD and the molybdenum sites of XOR, but that the FAD site required an unoccupied molybdenum site. Conversely, the molybdenum site was able to reduce NDHP independently of an active FAD site. Moreover, using isolated vessels in a myograph, we demonstrate that NDHP dilates pre-constricted mesenteric arteries from rats and mice. These effects were diminished when XOR was blocked using the selective inhibitor febuxostat. Finally, we demonstrate that NDHP, in contrast to glyceryl trinitrate (GTN), is not subject to development of tolerance in isolated mesenteric arteries.</p

Medicinal animals used in ethnoveterinary practices of the 'Cariri Paraibano', NE Brazil

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Zootherapy is important in various socio-cultural environments, and innumerous examples of the use of animal derived remedies can currently be found in many urban, semi-urban and more remote localities in all parts of the world, particularly in developing countries. However, although a number of ethnobiological inventories concerning the use of medicinal animals in human health care have been compiled in Brazil in recent years, zootherapeutic practices in ethnoveterinary medicine (EVM) are poorly described and neglected in favor of human ethnomedicine. In this sense, the purpose of this study was to describe the local zootherapeutic practices in ethnoveterinary medicine of semi-arid of NE Brazil (Caatinga biome) and to contribute to future research about the validation of the effects and side effects of these animal products</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The information obtained through semi-structured interviews was complemented by free interviews and informal conversations. A total of 67 people were interviewed (53 men and 14 women) about the use and commercialization of medicinal animals. To determine the relative importance of each local known species, their use-values (UV) were calculated. Diversity of species utilized was compared, between localities, using rarefaction curves and diversity estimate (Chao2)</p> <p>Results and Conclusions</p> <p>A total of 44 animal species (37 vertebrates and 7 invertebrates), distributed among 6 taxonomic categories were found to be used to treat 30 different ailments in livestock and pets. The results of our surveys revealed a rich traditional knowledge of local residents about the use of animals in traditional veterinary medicine. Although it is gradually being discontinued, the perceived efficacy, economic and geographic accessibility were main reasons for popularity of zootherapy in studied areas.</p

A922 Sequential measurement of 1 hour creatinine clearance (1-CRCL) in critically ill patients at risk of acute kidney injury (AKI)

Meeting abstrac

Effects of alirocumab on types of myocardial infarction: insights from the ODYSSEY OUTCOMES trial

Aims  The third Universal Definition of Myocardial Infarction (MI) Task Force classified MIs into five types: Type 1, spontaneous; Type 2, related to oxygen supply/demand imbalance; Type 3, fatal without ascertainment of cardiac biomarkers; Type 4, related to percutaneous coronary intervention; and Type 5, related to coronary artery bypass surgery. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) reduction with statins and proprotein convertase subtilisin–kexin Type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors reduces risk of MI, but less is known about effects on types of MI. ODYSSEY OUTCOMES compared the PCSK9 inhibitor alirocumab with placebo in 18 924 patients with recent acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and elevated LDL-C (≥1.8 mmol/L) despite intensive statin therapy. In a pre-specified analysis, we assessed the effects of alirocumab on types of MI. Methods and results  Median follow-up was 2.8 years. Myocardial infarction types were prospectively adjudicated and classified. Of 1860 total MIs, 1223 (65.8%) were adjudicated as Type 1, 386 (20.8%) as Type 2, and 244 (13.1%) as Type 4. Few events were Type 3 (n = 2) or Type 5 (n = 5). Alirocumab reduced first MIs [hazard ratio (HR) 0.85, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.77–0.95; P = 0.003], with reductions in both Type 1 (HR 0.87, 95% CI 0.77–0.99; P = 0.032) and Type 2 (0.77, 0.61–0.97; P = 0.025), but not Type 4 MI. Conclusion  After ACS, alirocumab added to intensive statin therapy favourably impacted on Type 1 and 2 MIs. The data indicate for the first time that a lipid-lowering therapy can attenuate the risk of Type 2 MI. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol reduction below levels achievable with statins is an effective preventive strategy for both MI types.For complete list of authors see http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehz299</p