Quantumness and memory of one qubit in a dissipative cavity under classical control

Hybrid quantum–classical systems constitute a promising architecture for useful control strategies of quantum systems by means of a classical device. Here we provide a comprehensive study of the dynamics of various manifestations of quantumness with memory effects, identified by non-Markovianity, for a qubit controlled by a classical field and embedded in a leaky cavity. We consider both Leggett–Garg inequality and quantum witness as experimentally-friendly indicators of quantumness, also studying the geometric phase of the evolved (noisy) quantum state. We show that, under resonant qubit-classical field interaction, a stronger coupling to the classical control leads to enhancement of quantumness despite a disappearance of non-Markovianity. Differently, increasing the qubit-field detuning (out-of-resonance) reduces the nonclassical behavior of the qubit while recovering non-Markovian features. We then find that the qubit geometric phase can be remarkably preserved irrespective of the cavity spectral width via strong coupling to the classical field. The controllable interaction with the classical field inhibits the effective time-dependent decay rate of the open qubit. These results supply practical insights towards a classical harnessing of quantum properties in a quantum information scenari

Fingerprinting the contribution of quarrying to fine‐grained bed sediment in a mountainous catchment, Iran

The contribution of quarrying in the context of multiple catchment sources of finegrained sediment has rarely been investigated. This study assessed the relative importance of quarrying as a sediment source alongside rangeland surface soils and channel banks in a mountainous catchment in northern Tehran, Iran, using fingerprinting. Eight geochemical tracers were measured on 24 potential sediment source samples and four fine‐grained sediment samples. Statistical analysis to select three different composite fingerprints for discriminating the potential sediment sources comprised: (a) the Kruskal–Wallis H test (KW‐H), (b) a combination of KW‐H and discriminant function analysis (DFA), and (c) a combination of KW‐H and principal components and classification analysis (PCCA). A Bayesian unmixing model was used to apportion sediment source contributions using the three composite fingerprints. Using the KW‐H composite signature, the respective relative contributions (with uncertainty ranges) from channel banks, rangeland surface soils, and quarrying were estimated as 28.4% (10.9–46.8), 15.1% (6.6–22.7), and 56.6% (38.3–74.2), compared with 35.4% (11.9–60.1), 13.4% (4.1–22.2), and 51.3% (26.5–74.3) using a composite signature selected using a combination of KW‐H and DFA, or 20.7% (3.9–41.7), 17.2% (4.4–29.9), and 61.4% (44–78.8) using a fingerprint selected using KW‐H and PCCA. The different composite signatures therefore all consistently suggested that quarrying is the dominant source of the fine‐grained sediment samples. Potential mitigation measures targeting this land use include closure to permit revegetation to reduce exposure of bare surfaces to sediment mobilization. Limitations and uncertainties associated with this preliminary investigation are briefly discussed

Understanding Lateritic Ore Agglomeration Behaviour as a Precursor to Enhanced Heap Leaching

Although nickel (Ni) laterite ores constitute the majority of Ni mineralization resource world-wide, in contrast to Ni sulphides, their processing via conventional beneficiation (e.g. multi-gravity and flotation) and hydrometallurgical routes is intractable as they are predominantly low grade and complex, both mineralogically and chemically. Due to their physico-chemical character-istics, low grade lateritic ores require more aggressive but costly chemical and hydrometallurgical techniques (e.g., leaching in high pressurized tanks) for value metal (Ni and Co) extraction. Processing such ores through cost-competitive heap (4-10 m high) leaching as an alternative, requires successful agglomeration of the feed into robust and porous granules. To date, produc-ing of granules with desirable attributes poses a major geotechnical challenge to industry. In the present work, we investigate agglomeration behaviour of siliceous goethite Ni laterite ore and selected oxides and clay minerals (hematite, quartz and kao-linite) which constitute the predominant host gangue phases of typical low grade Ni laterite ores. Fundamental knowledge and understanding of the agglomeration mechanisms and kinetics which are essential for producing robust real ore granules, and pivotal to the subsequent heap leaching process, are gleaned. Isothermal, batch agglomeration tests involving 30 and 44 % w/w sulphuric acid solution as a binder indicated that 5 – 40 mm granules of differing roughness and morphologies were produced in 8-14 min. The results showed feed characteristics (e.g., mineralogy and particle size distribution) and binder content (15-25 wt.%) dependent agglomeration behaviour. Slow agglomerate nucleation and growth were displayed by the kaolinite clay min-eral whilst the oxides exhibited faster agglomeration kinetics. Siliceous goethite feed ore fine/coarse ratio, H2SO4 binder dosage and acid content, product drying temperature and aging conditions, all showed significant impact on agglomeration mecha-nisms (e.g., particle wetting, nucleation and growth processes) and granule attributes (e.g., size and strength). Agglomerates strength increased with increasing fine/coarse particle ratio

A Systematic Review of the US Graduate Programs in Business Analytics

This research responds to a growing interest among higher education institutes in creating programs to train data-savvy managers. The paper explores the current landscape of business analytics education in the United States. The aim is to understand how higher education institutes respond to the growing demand for analysts and professionals with quantitative skills. By conducting a systematic review of more than 190 graduate programs, this paper provides a detailed snapshot of the current status of the programs related to training data-savvy managers. Benchmarks are provided for higher education decision-makers to guide the design of graduate programs for training managers, who will need to rely heavily on data analysis in their decision-making

Glutaraldehyde-crosslinking for improved copper absorption selectivity and chemical stability of polyethyleneimine coatings

Nano-thin coatings of glutaraldehyde (GA)-crosslinked polyethyleneimine (PEI) are extremely selective and effective in binding copper from seawater. Here it was demonstrated that GA-PEI performs significantly different from PEI. The copper-selectivity of self-assembled PEI coatings on silicon substrates was greatly improved by GA-crosslinking. After submersion in artificial seawater containing 200 ppb copper and equimolar amounts of 11 competing ions only copper and trace amounts of Zn were detected in the GA-crosslinked coatings, while for non-crosslinked PEI there was about 30% Zn present relative to copper. The coatings were demonstrated to be highly stable under acidic conditions and retained their copper-binding selectivity after repeated cycles of binding and acid-mediated elution. After self-assembly of the GA-crosslinked coating on mesoporous diatomaceous earth particles, significant amounts of copper could be extracted from 200 ppb in artificial seawater and eluted under acidic pH

Fruit set and seed traits affected by N-phenyl-phetalamic acid in four grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) cultivars

Grapes are an important horticultural crop that is popularly consumed in a variety of different forms; the fruit is eaten in at its immature stage, as ripe fruit and dried as raisins and vine leaves are also consumed. Therefore any research on ways to improve production of Iranian grapes in terms of quality and quantity is valuable. The main purpose of this study was to test the use of Phenyl Phetalamic Acid (PPA) to improve fruit set and quality. The experiment was designed as a factorial for four grapevine cultivars; 'Razeghi', 'Askari', 'Sefidaly' and 'Rishbaba' and three concentrations of PPA (0, 500, 1000 mg∙L-1). Treatments were arranged in a completely randomized design with three replications. The experiment was done in the Kashmar vineyard (Khorasan Razavi province) during 2010 spring. PPA treatment was applied by foliar spraying at the stage of 50 % anthesis. Results showed that PPA levels had a significant effect on evaluated cluster traits (weight, length and number) and berry (number, weight, length and diameter). Fruit set index (number of berries per cluster) was 263.11 for 'Sefidaly' followed by 113, 109.89 and 76.11 for 'Askari', 'Razeghi' and 'Rishbaba', respectively. 'Askari' and 'Razeghi' cultivars showed similar and insignificant reactions but their difference was significant compared to 'Rishbaba'. The effect was significant for interactions of traits for cluster, berry and seed except for number of berries per cluster. Based on these results, cluster characters were significantly and positively affected by PPA treatment at the concentration of 1000 mg∙L-1. This concentration increased fruit set by 26.2 % compared to the control in all cultivars except for Askari. The PPA concentration 500 mg∙L-1, observed as the most effective treatment for improved berry characters, provided its non-significant difference with 1000 mg∙L-1. Seed number per berry decreased significantly in 'Askari' and 'Rishbaba' at 500 mg∙L-1, which was considered positive in terms of quality. In summary, results determined that PPA had a positive effect on fruit as an auxin synergist. These improved berry characteristics are hypothesized to occur through a decrease in the dominance of apical buds that would allow more metabolites to be directed to development of fruit clusters, although further research is required.

Investigating the importance of recreational roads as a sediment source in a mountainous catchment using a fingerprinting procedure with different multivariate statistical techniques and a Bayesian un-mixing model

Road construction associated with land development generally increases erosion and sediment yields. Construction of unpaved roads has the potential to alter hydro-sedimentological behavior and catchment sediment source dynamics and, to date, this has largely been investigated in forested environments. The objective of this study, therefore, was to assess the relative importance of unpaved recreational roads as a sediment source alongside hillslope surface soils and stream channel banks in a non-forested mountainous catchment in northern Tehran, Iran, using a fingerprinting procedure. Eleven geochemical tracers were measured on 27 samples collected to characterise the sediment sources and five suspended sediment samples collected at the study catchment outlet. The statistical analysis employed to select three different composite fingerprints for discriminating the sediment sources comprised: (1) the Kruskal–Wallis H test (KW-H), (2) a combination of KW-H and discriminant function analysis (DFA), and (3) a combination of KW-H and principal components & classification analysis (PCCA). A Bayesian un-mixing model was used to ascribe sediment source contributions using the three composite fingerprints. Using the KW-H composite signature, the respective relative contributions (with uncertainty ranges) from recreational roads, hillslope surface soils and channel banks were estimated as 64.5% (57.7–73.1), 1.1% (0.1–4.9), and 33.9% 24.9–41.0), compared to 55.3% (45.5–68.5), 1.9% (0.1–7.9)and 42.1% (27.8–52.4) using a composite signature selected using a combination of KW-H and DFA, or 82.0% (69.7–93.8), 8.2% (0.7–22.7) and 7.3% (0.7–21.0) using a fingerprint selected using KW-H and PCCA. The root mean square difference between the apportionment results using the fingerprints identified on the basis of the three different statistical approaches ranged from 5.5% to 25.7%, highlighting the sensitivity of source estimates to the tracers used. Regardless, the different composite signatures all suggested that unpaved recreational roads were the dominant source of the suspended sediment samples, underscoring the need for mitigation measures targeting these anthropogenic features of the catchment system, including closure to permit re-vegetation, surface ripping and/or mulching to improve infiltration or gravel re-surfacing to reduce exposure of bare surfaces to sediment mobilisation

A soil quality index for evaluation of degradation under land use and soil erosion categories in a small mountainous catchment, Iran

Soil erosion and land use type have long been viewed as being particularly important drivers of soil degradation. The objectives of this study, therefore, were to select a new soil quality index (SQI) which varies significantly with land use/soil erosion,and to evaluate the new SQI using expert opinion. In total, 18 soil physical, chemical, and biochemical properties (indicators) were measured on 56 soil samples collected from four land use/soil erosion categories (rangeland/surface erosion, rangeland/subsurface erosion, cultivated land/surface erosion and dry-farming land/surface erosion). Principal component and classification analysis (PCCA)identified five PCs that explained 77.7% of the variation in soil properties with the biochemical PC varying significantly with land use/soil erosion. General discriminant analysis (GDA) selected urease and clay as the most sensitive properties distinguishing the land use/soil erosion categories.The GDA canonical scores for the new SQI were significantly correlated with expert opinion soil surface summed scores (for soil movement, surface litter, pedestalling, rills and flow pattern) derived using the U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management (BLM) method. A forward stepwise general regression model revealed that the new SQI values were explained by soil movement, surface litter, and the summed values of the soil surface factors. Overall, this study confirmed that soil quality in the study area in Iran is controlle

Unhealthy lifestyles and ischaemic electrocardiographic abnormalities: the Persian Gulf Healthy Heart Study

We assessed prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors, ischaemic heart disease (IHD) and unhealthy lifestyles in 3723 participants aged ≥ 25 years in the northern Persian Gulf region; 96.0% had ≥ 1 cardiovascular risk factor. Over 60% had unhealthy body weight, only 8.3% ate the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables, 70.6% were physically inactive and 19.0% were current smokers. Prevalence of electrocardiogram (ECG) with evidence of IHD was 12.7%. Present or past smoking and truncal obesity were independently associated with IHD ECGs in men, and past or present smoking and obesity in women. Hypertension and diabetes were independently associated with increased risk of IHD EC

Analysis of Cases inWhich a Biopsy Specimen Is Positive and an Excised Lesion Is Negative for Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer

Nonmelanoma skin cancers (NMSCs), including squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and basal cell carcinoma (BCC), are the most common types of cancer with the fastest-growing treatment costs in the United States.1 Standard treatment requires biopsy for histologic confirmation, followed by excision. Oftentimes, no residual carcinoma is detected, implying spontaneous clearance at rates reported to vary from 24% to 76%.2- 5 These types of lesions have been investigated by others2- 5 and are not fully understood. Our study aims to determine the lesion and patient characteristics that would most strongly predict a histologically negative result for an excised lesion after a biopsy specimen had positive margins