150 research outputs found
Stabilizing entanglement autonomously between two superconducting qubits
Quantum error-correction codes would protect an arbitrary state of a
multi-qubit register against decoherence-induced errors, but their
implementation is an outstanding challenge for the development of large-scale
quantum computers. A first step is to stabilize a non-equilibrium state of a
simple quantum system such as a qubit or a cavity mode in the presence of
decoherence. Several groups have recently accomplished this goal using
measurement-based feedback schemes. A next step is to prepare and stabilize a
state of a composite system. Here we demonstrate the stabilization of an
entangled Bell state of a quantum register of two superconducting qubits for an
arbitrary time. Our result is achieved by an autonomous feedback scheme which
combines continuous drives along with a specifically engineered coupling
between the two-qubit register and a dissipative reservoir. Similar autonomous
feedback techniques have recently been used for qubit reset and the
stabilization of a single qubit state, as well as for creating and stabilizing
states of multipartite quantum systems. Unlike conventional, measurement-based
schemes, an autonomous approach counter-intuitively uses engineered dissipation
to fight decoherence, obviating the need for a complicated external feedback
loop to correct errors, simplifying implementation. Instead the feedback loop
is built into the Hamiltonian such that the steady state of the system in the
presence of drives and dissipation is a Bell state, an essential building-block
state for quantum information processing. Such autonomous schemes, broadly
applicable to a variety of physical systems as demonstrated by a concurrent
publication with trapped ion qubits, will be an essential tool for the
implementation of quantum-error correction.Comment: 39 pages, 7 figure
Agonist-Directed Desensitization of the β2-Adrenergic Receptor
The β2-adrenergic receptor (β2AR) agonists with reduced tachyphylaxis may offer new therapeutic agents with improved tolerance profile. However, receptor desensitization assays are often inferred at the single signaling molecule level, thus ligand-directed desensitization is poorly understood. Here we report a label-free biosensor whole cell assay with microfluidics to determine ligand-directed desensitization of the β2AR. Together with mechanistic deconvolution using small molecule inhibitors, the receptor desensitization and resensitization patterns under the short-term agonist exposure manifested the long-acting agonism of salmeterol, and differentiated the mechanisms of agonist-directed desensitization between a full agonist epinephrine and a partial agonist pindolol. This study reveals the cellular mechanisms of agonist-selective β2AR desensitization at the whole cell level
Speed has an effect on multiple-object tracking independently of the number of close encounters between targets and distractors
Multiple-object tracking (MOT) studies have shown that tracking ability declines as object speed increases. However, this might be attributed solely to the increased number of times that target and distractor objects usually pass close to each other (“close encounters”) when speed is increased, resulting in more target–distractor confusions. The present study investigates whether speed itself affects MOT ability by using displays in which the number of close encounters is held constant across speeds. Observers viewed several pairs of disks, and each pair rotated about the pair’s midpoint and, also, about the center of the display at varying speeds. Results showed that even with the number of close encounters held constant across speeds, increased speed impairs tracking performance, and the effect of speed is greater when the number of targets to be tracked is large. Moreover, neither the effect of number of distractors nor the effect of target–distractor distance was dependent on speed, when speed was isolated from the typical concomitant increase in close encounters. These results imply that increased speed does not impair tracking solely by increasing close encounters. Rather, they support the view that speed affects MOT capacity by requiring more attentional resources to track at higher speeds
Metabolism-dependent bioaccumulation of uranium by Rhodosporidium toruloides isolated from the flooding water of a former uranium mine
Remediation of former uranium mining sites represents one of the biggest challenges worldwide
that have to be solved in this century. During the last years, the search of alternative
strategies involving environmentally sustainable treatments has started. Bioremediation,
the use of microorganisms to clean up polluted sites in the environment, is considered one
the best alternative. By means of culture-dependent methods, we isolated an indigenous
yeast strain, KS5 (Rhodosporidium toruloides), directly from the flooding water of a former
uranium mining site and investigated its interactions with uranium. Our results highlight
distinct adaptive mechanisms towards high uranium concentrations on the one hand, and
complex interaction mechanisms on the other. The cells of the strain KS5 exhibit high a
uranium tolerance, being able to grow at 6 mM, and also a high ability to accumulate this
radionuclide (350 mg uranium/g dry biomass, 48 h). The removal of uranium by KS5 displays
a temperature- and cell viability-dependent process, indicating that metabolic activity
could be involved. By STEM (scanning transmission electron microscopy) investigations,
we observed that uranium was removed by two mechanisms, active bioaccumulation and
inactive biosorption. This study highlights the potential of KS5 as a representative of indigenous
species within the flooding water of a former uranium mine, which may play a key role
in bioremediation of uranium contaminated sites.This work was supported by the
Bundesministerium fĂĽr Bildung und Forschung
grand nÂş 02NUK030F (TransAqua). Further support
took place by the ERDF-co-financed Grants
CGL2012-36505 and 315 CGL2014-59616R,
Ministerio de Ciencia e InnovaciĂłn, Spain
Pedicle screw-rod fixation: a feasible treatment for dogs with severe degenerative lumbosacral stenosis
Comment letters to the National Commission on Commission on Fraudulent Financial Reporting, 1987 (Treadway Commission) Vol. 2
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/aicpa_sop/1662/thumbnail.jp
Cross-cultural dataset for the evolution of religion and morality project
A considerable body of research cross-culturally examines the evolution of religious traditions, beliefs and behaviors. The bulk of this research, however, draws from coded qualitative ethnographies rather than from standardized methods specifically designed to measure religious beliefs and behaviors. Psychological data sets that examine religious thought and behavior in controlled conditions tend to be disproportionately sampled from student populations. Some cross-national databases employ standardized methods at the individual level, but are primarily focused on fully market integrated, state-level societies. The Evolution of Religion and Morality Project sought to generate a data set that systematically probed individual level measures sampling across a wider range of human populations. The set includes data from behavioral economic experiments and detailed surveys of demographics, religious beliefs and practices, material security, and intergroup perceptions. This paper describes the methods and variables, briefly introduces the sites and sampling techniques, notes inconsistencies across sites, and provides some basic reporting for the data set
Assessing the Psychosocial Impact of the ICD: A National Survey of Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Health Care Providers
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