Quantum-dot-spin single-photon interface

Using background-free detection of spin-state-dependent resonance fluorescence from a single-electron charged quantum dot with an efficiency of 0:1%, we realize a single spin-photon interface where the detection of a scattered photon with 300 picosecond time resolution projects the quantum dot spin to a definite spin eigenstate with fidelity exceeding 99%. The bunching of resonantly scattered photons reveals information about electron spin dynamics. High-fidelity fast spin-state initialization heralded by a single photon enables the realization of quantum information processing tasks such as non-deterministic distant spin entanglement. Given that we could suppress the measurement back-action to well below the natural spin-flip rate, realization of a quantum non-demolition measurement of a single spin could be achieved by increasing the fluorescence collection efficiency by a factor exceeding 20 using a photonic nanostructure

Evaluation of the relationship between stylohyoid complex morphology and maxillary/mandibular position using cone beam computed tomography

Background: The aim of this study was to examine the morphologic features of the stylohyoid complex (SHC) and its relation to maxillomandibular position using three-dimensional cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. Materials and methods: CBCT images from 157 individuals (74 females, 83 males) were analysed in this study. SHC length, width, and sagittal and transverse angles were measured. The subjects were grouped as skeletal class I, II, and III in order to determine the relative positions of the maxilla and mandible in the sagittal plane and as hypodivergent, normodivergent, and hyperdivergent according to the vertical rotation of the mandible in relation to the skull base. Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis H tests were used for statistical analysis. Results: Mean SHC length was 23.56 ± 8.05 mm on the right side and 22.0 ± 6.51 mm on the left; mean SHC width was 3.31 ± 1.40 mm on the right and 2.93 ± 1.30 mm on the left. Mean sagittal angle was 27.43 ± 6.75° on the right side, 27.70 ± 6.51° on the left; mean transverse angle was 70.39 ± 4.59° on the right side and 71.79 ± 4.99° on the left. The only significant difference based on skeletal classification was greater SHC length among males compared to females in the class III group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: No significant relationship was observed between SHC morphology and position of the maxilla or mandible. However, the gender difference observed among class III subjects suggests that SHC morphology may be affected by craniofacial morphology. Maxillofacial surgeons should investigate this anatomical landmark variation before surgical interventions involving this region, such as temporomandibular joint procedures

Dijital ve Geleneksel Oyun Oynayan Çocukların Değer Algılarının Karşılaştırılması: Türk ve İngiliz Örneklemleri

The present study examined the value perceptions of Turkish and British children according to various variables and determined to what extent traditional and videogame genres preferred by children predict their value perceptions, dominant case design, one of the mixed research designs, was used. While the quantitative approach was mainly used in the research, the qualitative approach was used as a supporter. The data collection process of the study lasted for two academic years. In the first year, the study was conducted with 243 primary school students studying in Nottingham (England). In the following year it was conducted with 267 primary school students studying in Ankara (Turkey). A total of 510 primary school students with ages ranging from 9-11 years were recruited for the study. Data were collected using the “Personal Information Form” and “Moral Dilemma Stories Inventory for Children”. Both were developed in English and then adapted into Turkish. It was found that, in both sample, girls’ value perception scores were significantly higher than boys’ scores. Videogames primarily produced for entertainment were the most preferred games by Turkish and British children while educational and serious videogames were the least preferred. Traditional games in sports (soccer, cricket, etc.) were preferred more by British children, while traditional action games (dodgeball, playing tag etc.) were preferred more by Turkish children. It was found that action-adventure and role-playing videogames predicted children’s value perception negatively, and simulation and puzzle videogame genres predicted children’s value perceptions positively. Furthermore, movement-based traditional games (sports, action) predicted children’s value perceptions positively, while traditional competitive (racing) games predicted children’s value perceptions negatively.Türk ve İngiliz çocukların değer algılarını çeşitli değişkenlere göre incelemeyi ve çocuklar tarafından tercih edilen geleneksel ve dijital oyun türlerinin onların değer algılarını ne düzeyde yordadığını belirlemeyi amaçlayan bu araştırmada karma araştırma desenlerinden baskın durum deseninden faydalanılmıştır. Araştırmada nicel yaklaşım ağırlıklı olarak kullanılırken nitel yaklaşım destekleyici görevi görmüştür. Araştırmanın veri toplama süreci iki akademik yıl sürmüştür. İlk yıl Nottingham’da yer alan ilkokullarda öğrenim gören 243 öğrenci ile ikinci yıl ise Ankara’da bulunan ilkokullarda öğrenim gören 267 öğrenci ile çalışılmıştır. Araştırma 9-11 yaş grubu toplam 510 ilkokul öğrencisi ile yürütülmüştür. Araştırma verileri İngilizce olarak geliştirilen ve daha sonra Türkçeye uyarlaması yapılan “Kişisel Bilgiler Formu” ile “Çocuklar İçin Ahlaki İkilem Hikâyeleri Envanteri” aracılığıyla toplanmıştır. Araştırma sonucunda her iki örneklem grubunda yer alan kız çocukların değer algı puanlarının erkek çocukların puanlarından anlamlı olarak daha yüksek olduğu bulunmuştur. Hem Türk hem de İngiliz çocukları en fazla eğlence amaçlı üretilen dijital oyunları, en az ise eğitsel veya beceri öğretimi (ciddi) amaçlı üretilen dijital oyunları tercih ettiklerini belirtmişlerdir. Spor türündeki (futbol, kriket vb.) geleneksel oyunlar İngiliz çocukları tarafından, aksiyon türündeki (yakan top, ebelemece oyunu vb.) oyunlar ise Türk çocukları tarafından daha fazla tercih edilmiştir. Aksiyon-macera ve rol yapma türündeki dijital oyunların çocukların değer algılarını negatif yönde, simülasyon ve puzzle türündeki dijital oyunların ise pozitif yönde yordadığı belirlenmiştir. Bunun yanında hareket temelli geleneksel oyunların (spor, aksiyon) çocukların değer algılarını pozitif yönde, rekabet içerikli yarış oyunlarının ise negatif yönde yordadığı belirlenmiştir

Effect of finishing on performance characteristics of woven and warp-knitted terry fabrics

The influence of some finishing processes has been studied on the performance characteristics of woven and warp-knitted terry fabrics with open-end pile warp. Terry fabrics of similar structural parameters have been produced by weaving or warp knitting and then subjected to finishing processes which are commonly applied by the textile industry. Samples are extracted at different stages of the finishing processes. Water absorption behavior, structural parameters, and mechanical properties are evaluated and the results are compared by statistical analysis of the obtained data. It is observed that compared to greige terry fabrics, the finishing treatment increases basis weight and dimensional stability due to shrinkage occurred with relaxation, water absorption rate due to the removal of size and other hydrophobic substances, and elongation ratio because of the elimination of size film during pretreatment processing. Woven terry fabrics give higher strength values and warp-knitted terry fabrics show higher elongation

Role of ZIP14 (SLC39A14) gene histidine rich regions in neural tube defects

Neural tube defects (NTDs) comprise a group of congenital malformations that includes spina bifida, anencephaly, meningomyelocele and encephalocele. Reports have implicated zinc deficiency as one of the causative factors of NTDs. Both environmental and genetic factors are involved in the etiology of NTDs. Inadequate folate intake and nutritional deficiency are important environmental risk factors. The aim of this study was to determine the relation of a zinc related gene ZRT and IRT like protein 14 (ZIP14) and neural tube defects in Turkish patients. The case control study included seventy Turkish mothers who gave birth to NTD infants. Two hundred and thirty-nine healthy controls were consecutively selected without any congenital defects or familial NTD history. Following DNA extraction, PCR, SSCP and DNA sequencing analysis of exons of the ZIP14 gene were performed. Our data revealed that no relation of neural tube defects and ZIP14 was detected in Turkish NTD patients. Zinc deficiency have been reported as a risk factor for Turkish population and other possible zinc related gene defects may have importance.Keywords: Neural tube defects (NTDs); Zinc; ZIP1

STATISTICAL INFERENCE FOR GEOMETRIC PROCESS WITH THE GENERALIZED RAYLEIGH DISTRIBUTION

In the present paper, statistical inference problem is considered for the geometric process (GP) by assuming the distribution of the first arrival time is generalized Rayleigh with the parameters $\alpha$ and $\lambda$. We use the maximum likelihood method for obtaining the ratio parameter of the GP and distributional parameters of the generalized Rayleigh distribution. By a series of Monte-Carlo simulations evaluated through the different samples of sizes small, moderate and large, we also compare the estimation performances of the maximum likelihood estimators with the other estimators available in the literature such as modified moment, modified L-moment, and modified least squares. Furthermore, we present two real-life dataset analyzes to show the modeling behavior of GP with generalized Rayleigh distribution

Improved metabolic control in tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), responsive phenylketonuria with sapropterin administered in two divided doses vs. a single daily dose

Background: Phenylketonuria (PKU) often requires a lifelong phenylalanine (Phe)-restricted diet. Introduction of 6R-tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) has made a huge difference in the diets of patients with PKU. BH4 is the co-factor of the enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) and improves PAH activity and, thus, Phe tolerance in the diet. A limited number of published studies suggest a pharmacodynamic profile of BH4 more suitable to be administered in divided daily doses. / Methods: After a 72-h BH4 loading test, sapropterin was initiated in 50 responsive patients. This case-control study was conducted by administering the same daily dose of sapropterin in group 1 (n=24) as a customary single dose or in two divided doses in group 2 (n=26) over 1 year. / Results: Mean daily consumption of Phe increased significantly after the first year of BH4 treatment in group 2 compared to group 1 (p<0.05). At the end of the first year of treatment with BH4, another dramatic difference observed between the two groups was the ability to transition to a Phe-free diet. Eight patients from group 2 and two from group 1 could quit dietary restriction. / Conclusions: When given in two divided daily doses, BH4 was more efficacious than a single daily dose in increasing daily Phe consumption, Phe tolerance and the ability to transition to a Phe-unrestricted diet at the end of the first year of treatment

Pathways of bond topology transitions at the interface of silicon nanocrystals and amorphous silica matrix

The interface chemistry of silicon nanocrystals (NCs) embedded in amorphous oxide matrix is studied through molecular dynamics simulations with the chemical environment described by the reactive force field model. Our results indicate that the Si NC-oxide interface is more involved than the previously proposed schemes which were based on solely simple bridge or double bonds. We identify different types of three-coordinated oxygen complexes, previously not noted. The abundance and the charge distribution of each oxygen complex is determined as a function of the NC size as well as the transitions among them. The oxidation at the surface of NC induces tensile strain to Si-Si bonds which become significant only around the interface, while the inner core remains unstrained. Unlike many earlier reports on the interface structure, we do not observe any double bonds. Furthermore, our simulations and analysis reveal that the interface bond topology evolves among different oxygen bridges through these three-coordinated oxygen complexes.Comment: 5 pages 6 figures 1 tabl

SIMULTANEOUS ROUTING AND LOADING METHOD FOR MILK-RUN USING HYBRID GENETIC SEARCH ALGORITHM

Milk-run methodology is proposed to manage the procurement of orders from suppliers. The heuristic solution methods in the literature generally apply stepwise approach to route and load the vehicles. In this study we propose a hybrid genetic local search algorithm which simultaneous solves vehicle routing and order loading problems. This is the main contribution of the study. We consider volume and weight capacities (multi capacitated) of different types of transportation vehicles (heterogeneous fleet). Because of high adaptability and easy utilization, genetic algorithms are the most preferred approach of meta-heuristics. The chromosome structure of the proposed genetic algorithm is constituted by random numbers to eliminate infeasibility. The best chromosome of each generation is improved using local search method during the algorithm runs. We applied the algorithm to a real manufacturing company that produces welding robots and other process automation equipment. The results showed the effectiveness of the algorithm