Macroscopic quantum coherence in spinor condensates confined in an anisotropic potential

We investigate the macroscopic quantum coherence of a spin-1 Rb condensate confined in an anisotropic potential. Under the single-mode approximation, we show that the system can be modeled as a biaxial quantum magnet due to the interplay between the magnetic dipole-dipole interaction and the anisotropic potential. By applying a magnetic field along the hard-axis, we show that the tunneling splitting oscillates as a function of the field strength. We also propose an experimental scheme to detect the oscillatory behavior of the tunneling splitting by employing the Landau-Zener tunneling.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

Combination of Chinese herbal medicine and conventional western medicine for coronavirus disease 2019: a systematic review and meta-analysis

ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) plus conventional western medicine (CWM) in comparison with CWM against COVID-19.MethodsWe searched eight electronic databases and three trial registers spanning from January 1, 2020 to May 18, 2023. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the effectiveness and safety of CHM plus CWM and CWM against COVID-19 in our study. The Cochrane Risk of Bias tool 2.0 (RoB2) was applied to evaluate the methodological quality of the included RCTs. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system was employed to assess the certainty of evidence. Statistical analysis was implemented in R version 4.1.2.ResultsOur study included 50 RCTs involving 11,624 patients. In comparison with sole CWM, CHM plus CWM against COVID-19 significantly enhanced clinical effective rate (RR = 1.18, 95% CI [1.13, 1.22]), improved chest image (RR = 1.19, 95% CI [1.11, 1.28]), inhibited clinical deterioration (RR = 0.45, 95% CI [0.33, 0.60]), lowered mortality (RR = 0.53, 95% CI [0.40, 0.70]), and reduced the total score of TCM syndrome (SMD = −1.24, 95% CI [−1.82, −0.66]). SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid conversion time (MD = −2.66, 95% CI [−3.88, −1.44]), duration of hospitalization (MD = −2.36, 95% CI [−3.89, −0.82]), and clinical symptom (fever, cough, fatigue, and shortness of breath) recovery times were shorter in CHM plus CWM groups than in CWM groups. Further, CHM plus CWM treatment was more conducive for some laboratory indicators returning to normal levels. No statistical difference was found in the incidence of total adverse reactions between the two groups (RR = 0.97, 95% CI [0.88, 1.07]). We assessed the risk of bias for 246 outcomes, and categorized 55 into “low risk”, 151 into “some concerns”, and 40 into “high risk”. Overall, the certainty of the evidence ranged from moderate to very low.ConclusionsPotentially, CHM listed in this study, as an adjunctive therapy, combining with CWM is an effective and safe therapy mode for COVID-19. However, more high-quality RCTs are needed to draw more accurate conclusions.Clinical trial registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=293963

AI (r)evolution -- where are we heading? Thoughts about the future of music and sound technologies in the era of deep learning

Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies such as deep learning are evolving very quickly bringing many changes to our everyday lives. To explore the future impact and potential of AI in the field of music and sound technologies a doctoral day was held between Queen Mary University of London (QMUL, UK) and Sciences et Technologies de la Musique et du Son (STMS, France). Prompt questions about current trends in AI and music were generated by academics from QMUL and STMS. Students from the two institutions then debated these questions. This report presents a summary of the student debates on the topics of: Data, Impact, and the Environment; Responsible Innovation and Creative Practice; Creativity and Bias; and From Tools to the Singularity. The students represent the future generation of AI and music researchers. The academics represent the incumbent establishment. The student debates reported here capture visions, dreams, concerns, uncertainties, and contentious issues for the future of AI and music as the establishment is rightfully challenged by the next generation