Variational quantum simulation of the quantum critical regime

The quantum critical regime marks a zone in the phase diagram where quantum fluctuation around the critical point plays a significant role at finite temperatures. While it is of great physical interest, simulation of the quantum critical regime can be difficult on a classical computer due to its intrinsic complexity. In this paper, we propose a variational approach, which minimizes the variational free energy, to simulate and locate the quantum critical regime on a quantum computer. The variational quantum algorithm adopts an ansatz by performing an unitary operator on a product of a single-qubit mixed state, in which the entropy can be analytically obtained from the initial state, and thus the free energy can be accessed conveniently. With numeral simulation, we show, using the one-dimensional Kitaev model as a demonstration, the quantum critical regime can be identified by accurately evaluating the temperature crossover line. Moreover, the dependence of both the correlation length and the phase coherence time with the temperature are evaluated for the thermal states. Our work suggests a practical way as well as a first step for investigating quantum critical systems at finite temperatures on quantum devices with few qubits

Multi-mode control based on HSIC for double pendulum robot

Double pendulum robot has four equilibrium points: Down-Down, Down-Up, Up-Down, and Up-Up. Define the transfer control from one equilibrium point to another equilibrium point as acrobatic action of DPR, and there are total of 20 acrobatic actions. This paper proposes the multi-mode control algorithm based on Human Simulated Intelligent Control theory for the realization process of those acrobatic actions, which has the structure of multi sub-controllers and multi control modes. As an example, the acrobatic action from Down-Up to Up-Down is realized in simulation and real-time experiments, and the results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm

Apical Sealing Ability of Bioceramic Paste and Mineral Trioxide Aggregate Retrofillings: A Dye Leakage Study

Introduction: This study compared the apical sealing ability of a bioceramic based root canalrepair filling material (iRoot FS) with mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA). Methods and materials: Forty single-canal teeth were prepared and randomly divided into two experimental groups (n=18) and two control groups (n=2). Teeth in experimental groups were retrofilled with either MTA or iRoot FS. After setting of the retrofillings, all roots were exposed to 0.2% Rhodamine B solution for 48 h and were then washed for 12 h before longitudinal sectioning. The extent of dye penetration was measured under fluorescence microscope. Results: The mean leakage values in MTA and iRoot FS samples were 35.63 and 35.15 µm, respectively. There was no significant differences between the two materials in this regard (P=0.584). Conclusion: According to dye leakage results, iRoot FS had similar apical sealing ability to MTA and might be considered as a promising root-end filling material

Anti-Inflammatory Effect of 1,3,5,7-Tetrahydroxy-8-isoprenylxanthone Isolated from Twigs of Garcinia esculenta on Stimulated Macrophage.

Garcinia Linn. plants having rich natural xanthones and benzophenones with anti-inflammatory activity attracted a great deal of attention to discover and develop them as potential drug candidates. Through screening targeting nitric oxide accumulation in stimulated macrophage, we found that 1,3,5,7-tetrahydroxy-8-isoprenylxanthone (TIE) had potential anti-inflammatory effect. To understand how TIE elicits its anti-inflammatory activity, we uncovered that it significantly inhibits the production of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in LPS/IFNγ-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. In further study, we showed that TIE reduced the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), two key molecules responsible for the production of NO and PGE2 during inflammation progress. Additionally, TIE also suppressed the expression of inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-12, and TNF-α. TIE-led suppression in iNOS, COX-2, and cytokines production were probably the consequence of TIE’s capability to block ERK and p38MAPK signaling pathway. Moreover, TIE blocked activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) as well as NF-κB regulation of miR155 expression. Our study suggests that TIE may represent as a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of inflammatory diseases

3D Object Recognition Based on ADAPTIVE-SCALE and SPCA-ALM in Cluttered Scenes

In this paper a novel 3D object recognition method which can improve the recognition accuracy of object recognition in the cluttered scenes was proposed. The proposed method use the adaptive-scale to detect the keypoint (ASDK) of 3D object in the cluttered scenes, it use the algorithm of Sparse Principal Component Analysis Augmented Lagrangian Method (SPCA-ALM) to extract the feature of object, the algorithm of SPCA-ALM has a good performance in the high dimensional due to the Spares PCA, and the ALM can raise the speed of the SPCA. The experiment shows that the proposed method can decrease the time of 3D object recognition and improve the recognition accuracy

Apigenin inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis in human multiple myeloma cells through targeting the trinity of CK2, Cdc37 and Hsp90

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Multiple myeloma (MM) is a B-cell malignancy that is largely incurable and is characterized by the accumulation of malignant plasma cells in the bone marrow. Apigenin, a common flavonoid, has been reported to suppress proliferation in a wide variety of solid tumors and hematological cancers; however its mechanism is not well understood and its effect on MM cells has not been determined.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In this study, we investigated the effects of apigenin on MM cell lines and on primary MM cells. Cell viability assays demonstrated that apigenin exhibited cytotoxicity against both MM cell lines and primary MM cells but not against normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Together, kinase assays, immunoprecipitation and western blot analysis showed that apigenin inhibited CK2 kinase activity, decreased phosphorylation of Cdc37, disassociated the Hsp90/Cdc37/client complex and induced the degradation of multiple kinase clients, including RIP1, Src, Raf-1, Cdk4 and AKT. By depleting these kinases, apigenin suppressed both constitutive and inducible activation of STAT3, ERK, AKT and NF-κB. The treatment also downregulated the expression of the antiapoptotic proteins Mcl-1, Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, XIAP and Survivin, which ultimately induced apoptosis in MM cells. In addition, apigenin had a greater effects in depleting Hsp90 clients when used in combination with the Hsp90 inhibitor geldanamycin and the histone deacetylase inhibitor vorinostat.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our results suggest that the primary mechanisms by which apigenin kill MM cells is by targeting the trinity of CK2-Cdc37-Hsp90, and this observation reveals the therapeutic potential of apigenin in treating multiple myeloma.</p

Performance of a dipstick dye immunoassay for rapid screening of Schistosoma japonicum infection in areas of low endemicity

BACKGROUND: The dipstick dye immunoassay (DDIA), recently commercially available in the People's Republic of China (P.R. China), is a rapid and simple test to detect human antibodies against Schistosoma Japonicum. Its performance and utility for screening schistosome infection in low endemic areas is little known. We therefore carried out a cross-sectional survey in seven villages with low endemicity of schistosomiasis in P.R. China and assessed the performance and utility of DDIA for diagnosis of schistosomiasis. Stool samples were collected and examined by the Kato-Katz method and the miracidium hatching technique. Serum samples, separated from whole blood of participants, were tested by DDIA. RESULTS: 6285 individuals aged 6-65 years old participated in this study, with a prevalence of schistosomiasis of 4.20%. Using stool examination as a gold reference standard, DDIA performed with a high overall sensitivity of 91.29% (95% CI: 87.89-94.69%) and also a high negative predictive value, with a mean value of 99.29% (95% CI: 98.99-99.58%). The specificity of DDIA was only moderate (53.08%, 95% CI: 51.82-54.34%). Multivariate analysis indicated that age, occupation and history of schistosome infection were significantly associated with the false positive results of DDIA. CONCLUSIONS: DDIA is a sensitive, rapid, simple and portable diagnostic assay and can be used as a primary approach for screening schistosome infection in areas of low endemicity. However, more sensitive and specific confirmatory assays need to be developed and combined with DDIA for targeting chemotherapy accurately

Experimental demonstration of picometer level signal extraction with time-delay interferometry technique

In this work, we have built an experimental setup to simulate the clock noise transmission with two spacecrafts and two optical links, and further demonstrated the extraction of picometer level signal drowned by the large laser frequency noise and clock noise with the data post-processing method. Laser frequency noise is almost eliminated by using the idea of time-delay interferometry (TDI) to construct an equal arm interferometer. Clock asynchronism and clock jitter noise are significantly suppressed by laser sideband transmitting the clock noise using an electro-optic modulator (EOM). Experimental results show a reduction in laser frequency noise by approximately 10^5 and clock noise by 10^2, recovering a weak displacement signal with an average amplitude about 60 picometer and period 1 second. This work has achieved the principle verification of the noise reduction function of TDI technique to some extent, serving the data processing research of space-borne gravitational wave detection