1,910 research outputs found
Observation of Entanglement-Dependent Two-Particle Holonomic Phase
Holonomic phases---geometric and topological---have long been an intriguing
aspect of physics. They are ubiquitous, ranging from observations in particle
physics to applications in fault tolerant quantum computing. However, their
exploration in particles sharing genuine quantum correlations lack in
observations. Here we experimentally demonstrate the holonomic phase of two
entangled-photons evolving locally, which nevertheless gives rise to an
entanglement-dependent phase. We observe its transition from geometric to
topological as the entanglement between the particles is tuned from zero to
maximal, and find this phase to behave more resilient to evolution changes with
increasing entanglement. Furthermore, we theoretically show that holonomic
phases can directly quantify the amount of quantum correlations between the two
particles. Our results open up a new avenue for observations of holonomic
phenomena in multi-particle entangled quantum systems.Comment: 8 pages, 6 figure
Are there functional consequences of a reduction in selenium intake in UK subjects?
Dietary Se levels in the UK have fallen over the last 20 years and recent surveys indicate that average Se intakes are 30-40 microg/d, which is well below the current UK reference nutrient intake for adult men (75 microg/d) or women (60 microg/d). Functional consequences of this decline have not been recognised, although epidemiological data suggest it may contribute to increased risk of infections and incidence of some cancers. Previous data have indicated that biochemical changes in Se-dependent proteins occur in otherwise healthy UK subjects given small Se supplements. The current studies have focused on the effect of small Se supplements on the immune response since there is evidence of specific interactions between Se intake and viral replication, and since the potential anti-cancer effects of Se may be mediated by non-antioxidant effects of Se such as changes in immune function. Data indicate that subjects given small Se supplements (50 or 100 microg Se/d) have changes in the activity of Se-dependent enzymes and evidence of improved immune function and clearance of an administered live attenuated virus in the form of poliovirus vaccine. Responses of individual subjects to Se supplements are variable, and current work is evaluating potential explanations for this variability, including genetic variability and pre-existing Se status
Reasoning with comparative moral judgements: an argument for Moral Bayesianism
The paper discusses the notion of reasoning with comparative moral judgements
(i.e judgements of the form “act a is morally superior to act b”) from the point of view of several meta-ethical positions. Using a simple formal result, it is argued that only a version of moral cognitivism that is committed to the claim that moral beliefs come in degrees can give a normatively plausible account of such reasoning. Some implications of accepting such a version of moral cognitivism are discussed
Entanglement-free certification of entangling gates
Not all quantum protocols require entanglement to outperform their classical
alternatives. The nonclassical correlations that lead to this quantum advantage
are conjectured to be captured by quantum discord. Here we demonstrate that
discord can be explicitly used as a resource: certifying untrusted entangling
gates without generating entanglement at any stage. We implement our protocol
in the single-photon regime, and show its success in the presence of high
levels of noise and imperfect gate operations. Our technique offers a practical
method for benchmarking entangling gates in physical architectures in which
only highly-mixed states are available.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figure
The charged beam dumps for the international linear collider
The baseline configuration of the International Linear Collider requires 2
beam dumps per interaction region, each rated to 18MW of beam power, together
with additional beam dumps for tuning purposes and machine protection. The
baseline design uses high pressure moving water dumps, first developed for the
SLC and used in the TESLA design, although a gas based dump is also being
considered. In this paper we discuss the progress made by the international
community on both physics and engineering studies for the beam dumps.Comment: Presented at European Particle Accelerator Conference (EPAC 06),
Edinburgh, Scotland, 26-30 Jun 200
Experimental simulation of closed timelike curves
Closed timelike curves are among the most controversial features of modern physics. As legitimate solutions to Einstein's field equations, they allow for time travel, which instinctively seems paradoxical. However, in the quantum regime these paradoxes can be resolved, leaving closed timelike curves consistent with relativity. The study of these systems therefore provides valuable insight into nonlinearities and the emergence of causal structures in quantum mechanics-essential for any formulation of a quantum theory of gravity. Here we experimentally simulate the nonlinear behaviour of a qubit interacting unitarily with an older version of itself, addressing some of the fascinating effects that arise in systems traversing a closed timelike curve. These include perfect discrimination of non-orthogonal states and, most intriguingly, the ability to distinguish nominally equivalent ways of preparing pure quantum states. Finally, we examine the dependence of these effects on the initial qubit state, the form of the unitary interaction and the influence of decoherence
Neural correlates of visuospatial working memory in the ‘at-risk mental state’
Background. Impaired spatial working memory (SWM) is a robust feature of schizophrenia and has been linked to
the risk of developing psychosis in people with an at-risk mental state (ARMS). We used functional magnetic
resonance imaging (fMRI) to examine the neural substrate of SWM in the ARMS and in patients who had just
developed schizophrenia.
Method. fMRI was used to study 17 patients with an ARMS, 10 patients with a first episode of psychosis and 15 agematched
healthy comparison subjects. The blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) response was measured while
subjects performed an object–location paired-associate memory task, with experimental manipulation of mnemonic
load.
Results. In all groups, increasing mnemonic load was associated with activation in the medial frontal and medial
posterior parietal cortex. Significant between-group differences in activation were evident in a cluster spanning the
medial frontal cortex and right precuneus, with the ARMS groups showing less activation than controls but greater
activation than first-episode psychosis (FEP) patients. These group differences were more evident at the most
demanding levels of the task than at the easy level. In all groups, task performance improved with repetition of the
conditions. However, there was a significant group difference in the response of the right precuneus across repeated
trials, with an attenuation of activation in controls but increased activation in FEP and little change in the ARMS.
Conclusions. Abnormal neural activity in the medial frontal cortex and posterior parietal cortex during an SWM task
may be a neural correlate of increased vulnerability to psychosis
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