Quantum probes for the cutoff frequency of Ohmic environments

Quantum probing consists of suitably exploiting a simple, small, and controllable quantum system to characterize a larger and more complex system. Here, we address the estimation of the cutoff frequency of the Ohmic spectral density of a harmonic reservoir by quantum probes. To this aim, we address the use of single-qubit and two-qubit systems and different kinds of coupling with the bath of oscillators. We assess the estimation precision by the quantum Fisher information of the sole quantum probe as well as the corresponding quantum signal-to-noise ratio. We prove that, for most of the values of the Ohmicity parameter, a simple probe such as a single qubit is already optimal for the precise estimation of the cutoff frequency. Indeed for those values, upon considering a two-qubit probe either in a Bell or in separable state, we do not find improvement to the estimation precision. However, we also showed that there exist few conditions where employing two qubits in a Bell state interacting with a common bath is more suitable for precisely estimating the cutoff frequency.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figures, 1 tabl

Extreme bendability of DNA double helix due to bending asymmetry

Experimental data of the DNA cyclization (J-factor) at short length scales, as a way to study the elastic behavior of tightly bent DNA, exceed the theoretical expectation based on the wormlike chain (WLC) model by several orders of magnitude. Here, we propose that asymmetric bending rigidity of the double helix in the groove direction can be responsible for extreme bendability of DNA at short length scales and it also facilitates DNA loop formation at these lengths. To account for the bending asymmetry, we consider the asymmetric elastic rod (AER) model which has been introduced and parametrized in an earlier study (B. Eslami-Mossallam and M. Ejtehadi, Phys. Rev. E 80, 011919 (2009)). Exploiting a coarse grained representation of DNA molecule at base pair (bp) level, and using the Monte Carlo simulation method in combination with the umbrella sampling technique, we calculate the loop formation probability of DNA in the AER model. We show that, for DNA molecule has a larger J-factor compared to the WLC model which is in excellent agreement with recent experimental data.Comment: 8 pages, 9 figure

Responses of onion growth and yield to different planting dates and land management practices

Received: September 10th, 2021 ; Accepted: November 3rd, 2021 ; Published: November 15th, 2021 ; Correspondence: [email protected] varieties of onion (Allium cepa L.) are believed to be well adopted to agroecological conditions of their respective growing region but their lower productivity is a concern to be addressed. The variety ‘Safid e Paisaye’ was selected for this investigation due to its long storability and higher market demand. The present study was carried out at Agriculture Research Farm of Kabul University to study the influence of land management practices and planting dates on growth and yield of onion. Different agronomic traits including number of leaves per plant, leaf length, leaf area per plant, leaf area index, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), maturity period, marketable yield and total yield were studied in these trials. The recorded data were statistically analysed with R software. The planting dates had significant influence on growth and yield of onions. At 90 days after sowing, the highest number of leaves per plant (7.18), leaf length (30.07 cm), leaf area per plant (277.43 cm2 ), leaf area index (0.93) and NDVI (0.29) were recorded for the first planting date (10th May). Similarly, the longest maturity period (176.44 days) and highest marketable yield (37.01 t ha-1 ) and total yield (40.08 t ha-1 ) were also observed under the first planting date. Land management practices did not have significant effect on growth and maturity period of onions. However, the marketable yield was influenced by tillage depth and land preparation. The deep tillage and flatbed recorded highest marketable yield of 38.58 t ha-1 and 26.9 t ha-1 , respectively. The results of the study indicate that, early planting was more appropriate to get vigorous and high yielding onions. The deep ploughed flatbeds were appropriate to get higher marketable yield of onions

Accounting for the tongue-and-groove effect using a robust direct aperture optimization approach

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/98733/1/MPH001266.pd

A Quantum-mechanical description of ion motion within the confining potentials of voltage gated ion channels

Voltage gated channel proteins cooperate in the transmission of membrane potentials between nerve cells. With the recent progress in atomic-scaled biological chemistry it has now become established that these channel proteins provide highly correlated atomic environments that may maintain electronic coherences even at warm temperatures. Here we demonstrate solutions of the Schr\"{o}dinger equation that represent the interaction of a single potassium ion within the surrounding carbonyl dipoles in the Berneche-Roux model of the bacterial \textit{KcsA} model channel. We show that, depending on the surrounding carbonyl derived potentials, alkali ions can become highly delocalized in the filter region of proteins at warm temperatures. We provide estimations about the temporal evolution of the kinetic energy of ions depending on their interaction with other ions, their location within the oxygen cage of the proteins filter region and depending on different oscillation frequencies of the surrounding carbonyl groups. Our results provide the first evidence that quantum mechanical properties are needed to explain a fundamental biological property such as ion-selectivity in trans-membrane ion-currents and the effect on gating kinetics and shaping of classical conductances in electrically excitable cells.Comment: 12 pages, 8 figure

Numerical Modeling of Bistun Rock Slope Behavior in Grouting Using Discrete Element Method

The discrete element method is an established method for considering discontinuous deformation behavior of joint systems. This paper provides a description of this algorithm used to model coupled hydraulic and mechanical effects of joints on rock mass behavior. The paper also describes Bistun rock slope stability analysis using empirical (SMR) and numerical (D.E.) methods. The behavior of the rock slope and rock blocks containing Bistun epigraph in grouting and groundwater flow has successfully simulated using UDEC (Universal Distinct Element Code) program. Finally, results have been presented and discussed on slope stability condition and grouting pressure

Investigation on genetic structure of cobia (Rachycentron canadum) using microsatellite markers

The genetic diversity of Cobia, Rachycentron canadum populations in the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea were assessed using microsatellite technique. We removed about 3-5g of pectoral and dorsal fin tissue from 184 samples in winter 2006 and spring 2007, and stored it in pure ethylic alcohol (96%). Polymerase chain reactions (PCR) were conducted on the target DNA using 10 paired microsatellite primers. The dendrogram was constructed and drawn using MEGA software package version 4. Based on the analysis of molecular variance, the highest Fst (0.063) was observed when comparing specimens from Dayer Port and Pozm zones. Significant differences (P<0.01) were not observed between R5t recorded for the specimens studied in the same region but were observed between RSA recorded for different regions. The dendrogram of genetic distance showed two major clusters: the Bushehr and Dayer populations were in one cluster, and the remaining four populations in the other. The second cluster was further separated into two sub-clusters: the Lengeh and Bandar Abbas populations composed one cluster and the Pozm and the Beris populations were in the other cluster. The present study showed that at least three different populations of R. canadum are living in the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea. The populations include Bushehr, Bandar Abbas and Chabahar populations

A randomized controlled clinical trial evaluating quality of life when using a simple acupressure protocol in women with primary dysmenorrhea

Objective: To evaluate a simple acupressure protocol in LIV3 and LI4 acupoints in women with primary dysmenorrhea. Methods: This paper reports a randomized, single blinded clinical trial. 90 young women with dysmenorrhea were recruited to three groups to receive 20 minutes acupressure every day in either LIV3 or LI4, or placebo points. Acupressure was timed five days before menstruation for three successive menstrual cycles. On menstruation, each participant completed the Wong Baker faces pain scale, and the quality of life short form -12 (QOL SF-12). Results: Intensity and duration of pain between the three groups in the second and third cycles during the intervention (p<0.05) differed significantly. Significant differences were seen in all domains of QOL except for mental health (p=0.4), general health (p=0.7) and mental subscale component (p=0.12) in the second cycle, and mental health (p=0.9), and mental subscale component (p=0.14) in the third cycle. Conclusion: Performing the simple acupressure protocol is an effective method to decrease the intensity and duration of dysmenorrhea, and improve the QOL. Key words: Dysmenorrhea, acupressure, quality of life Registration ID in IRCT: IRCT2016052428038N