Assisted optimal state discrimination without entanglement

A fundamental problem in quantum information is to explore the roles of different quantum correlations in a quantum information procedure. Recent work [Phys. Rev. Lett., 107 (2011) 080401] shows that the protocol for assisted optimal state discrimination (AOSD) may be implemented successfully without entanglement, but with another correlation, quantum dissonance. However, both the original work and the extension to discrimination of $d$ states [Phys. Rev. A, 85 (2012) 022328] have only proved that entanglement can be absent in the case with equal a \emph{priori} probabilities. By improving the protocol in [Sci. Rep., 3 (2013) 2134], we investigate this topic in a simple case to discriminate three nonorthogonal states of a qutrit, with positive real overlaps. In our procedure, the entanglement between the qutrit and an auxiliary qubit is found to be completely unnecessary. This result shows that the quantum dissonance may play as a key role in optimal state discrimination assisted by a qubit for more general cases.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures. Accepted by EPL. We extended the protocol for assisted optimal state discrimination to the case with positive real overlaps, and presented a proof for the absence of entanglemen

Spectroscopic Observation and Analysis of HII regions in M33 with MMT: Temperatures and Oxygen Abundances

The spectra of 413 star-forming (or HII) regions in M33 (NGC 598) were observed by using the multifiber spectrograph of Hectospec at the 6.5-m Multiple Mirror Telescope (MMT). By using this homogeneous spectra sample, we measured the intensities of emission lines and some physical parameters, such as electron temperatures, electron densities, and metallicities. Oxygen abundances were derived via the direct method (when available) and two empirical strong-line methods, namely, O3N2 and N2. In the high-metallicity end, oxygen abundances derived from O3N2 calibration were higher than those derived from N2 index, indicating an inconsistency between O3N2 and N2 calibrations. We presented a detailed analysis of the spatial distribution of gas-phase oxygen abundances in M33 and confirmed the existence of the axisymmetric global metallicity distribution widely assumed in literature. Local variations were also observed and subsequently associated with spiral structures to provide evidence of radial migration driven by arms. Our O/H gradient fitted out to 1.1 $R_{25}$ resulted in slopes of $-0.17\pm0.03$, $-0.19\pm0.01$, and $-0.16\pm0.17$ dex $R_{25}^{-1}$ utilizing abundances from O3N2, N2 diagnostics, and direct method, respectively.Comment: Accepted for publication in Ap

Multiwavelength stellar polarimetry of the filamentary cloud IC5146. I. Dust properties

We present optical and near-infrared stellar polarization observations toward the dark filamentary clouds associated with IC5146. The data allow us to investigate the dust properties (this paper) and the magnetic field structure (Paper II). A total of 2022 background stars were detected in the Rc, i¢, H, and/or K bands to AV 25 mag. The ratio of the polarization percentage at different wavelengths provides an estimate of lmax, the wavelength of the peak polarization, which is an indicator of the small-size cutoff of the grain size distribution. The grain size distribution seems to significantly change at AV ~ 3 mag, where both the average and dispersion of P P R H c decrease. In addition, we found lmax ~ 0.6 0.9 – μm for AV > 2.5 mag, which is larger than the ∼0.55 μm in the general interstellar medium (ISM), suggesting that grain growth has already started in low-AV regions. Our data also reveal that polarization efficiency (PE º P A l V ) decreases with AV as a power law in the Rc, i¢, and K bands with indices of −0.71 ± 0.10, −1.23 ± 0.10, and −0.53 ± 0.09. However, H-band data show a power index change; the PE varies with AV steeply (index of −0.95 ± 0.30) when AV < 2.88 0.67 mag, but softly (index of −0.25 ± 0.06) for greater AV values. The soft decay of PE in high-AV regions is consistent with the radiative alignment torque model, suggesting that our data trace the magnetic field to AV ~ 20 mag. Furthermore, the breakpoint found in the H band is similar to that for AV, where we found the P P R H c dispersion significantly decreased. Therefore, the flat PE–AV in high-AV regions implies that the power-index changes result from additional grain growth.We acknowledge support from the Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences and Lulin Observatory concerning the data collected using AIMPOL and TRIPOL. This research was conducted in part using the Mimir instrument, jointly developed at Boston University and Lowell Observatory and supported by NASA, NSF, and the W.M. Keck Foundation. This work and the analysis software for Mimir data were developed under NSF grants AST 06-07500, 09-07790, and 14-12269 to Boston University. We thank Brian Taylor, Tao-Chung Ching, and Lauren Cashman for their help in the smooth operations of Mimir observations. This research has made use of the Herchel Science Archive (HSA), and the data are based on the observations performed with the ESA Herschel. Space Observatory (Pilbratt et al. 2010). J.W.W., S.P.L., and C.E. are grateful for the support from the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) of Taiwan through grants NSC 99-2923-M-008-002-MY3, NSC 101-2119-M-007-004, MOST 102-2119-M-007-004-MY3, 105-2119-M-007-022-MY3, and 105-2119-M-007-024. (NASA; NSF; W.M. Keck Foundation; AST 06-07500 - NSF; 09-07790 - NSF; 14-12269 - NSF; NSC 99-2923-M-008-002-MY3 - Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) of Taiwan; NSC 101-2119-M-007-004 - Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) of Taiwan; MOST 102-2119-M-007-004-MY3 - Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) of Taiwan; 105-2119-M-007-022-MY3 - Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) of Taiwan; 105-2119-M-007-024 - Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) of Taiwan

Screening and Identification of APOC1 as a Novel Potential Biomarker for Differentiate of Mycoplasma pneumoniae in Children

Background: Although mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) is a common cause of community-acquired pneumonia in children, the currently used diagnostic methods are not optimal. Proteomics is increasingly being used to study the biomarkers of infectious diseases. Methods: Label-free quantitative proteomics and liquid chromatography-mass/mass spectrometry were used to analyze the fold change of protein expression in plasma of children with MP pneumonia (MPP), infectious disease control (IDC), and healthy control (HC) groups. Selected proteins that can distinguish MPP from HC and IDC were further validated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Results: After multivariate analyses, 27 potential plasma biomarkers were identified to be expressed differently among child MPP, HC, and IDC groups. Among these proteins, SERPINA3, APOC1, ANXA6, KNTC1, and CFLAR were selected for ELISA verification. SERPINA3, APOC1, and CFLAR levels were significantly different among the three groups and the ratios were consistent with the trends of proteomics results. A comparison of MPP patients and HC showed APOC1 had the largest area under the curve (AUC) of 0.853, with 77.6% sensitivity and 81.1% specificity. When APOC1 levels were compared between MPP and IDC patients, it also showed a relatively high AUC of 0.882, with 77.6% sensitivity and 88.3% specificity. Conclusion: APOC1 is a potential biomarker for the rapid and noninvasive diagnosis of MPP in children. The present finding may offer new insights into the pathogenesis and biomarker selection of MPP in children

Primary prevention for risk factors of ischemic stroke with Baduanjin exercise intervention in the community elder population: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Stroke is a major cause of death and disability in the world, and the prevalence of stroke tends to increase with age. Despite advances in acute care and secondary preventive strategies, primary prevention should play the most significant role in the reduction of the burden of stroke. As an important component of traditional Chinese Qigong, Baduanjin exercise is a simple, safe exercise, especially suitable for older adults. However, current evidence is insufficient to inform the use of Baduanjin exercise in the prevention of stroke. The aim of this trail is to systematically evaluate the prevention effect of Baduanjin exercise on ischemic stroke in the community elder population with high risk factors. METHODS: A total of 170 eligible participants from the community elder population will be randomly allocated into the Baduanjin exercise group and usual physical activity control group in a 1:1 ratio. Besides usual physical activity, participants in the Baduanjin exercise group will accept a 12-week Baduanjin exercise training with a frequency of five days a week and 40 minutes a day. Primary and secondary outcomes will be measured at baseline, 13 weeks (at end of intervention) and 25 weeks (after additional 12-week follow-up period). DISCUSSION: This study will be the randomized trial to evaluate the effectiveness of Baduanjin exercise for primary prevention of stroke in community elder population with high risk factors of stroke. The results of this trial will help to establish the optimal approach for primary prevention of stroke. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR-TRC-13003588. Registration date: 24 July, 2013

Selection and environmental adaptation along a path to speciation in the Tibetan frog Nanorana parkeri.

Tibetan frogs, Nanorana parkeri, are differentiated genetically but not morphologically along geographical and elevational gradients in a challenging environment, presenting a unique opportunity to investigate processes leading to speciation. Analyses of whole genomes of 63 frogs reveal population structuring and historical demography, characterized by highly restricted gene flow in a narrow geographic zone lying between matrilines West (W) and East (E). A population found only along a single tributary of the Yalu Zangbu River has the mitogenome only of E, whereas nuclear genes of W comprise 89-95% of the nuclear genome. Selection accounts for 579 broadly scattered, highly divergent regions (HDRs) of the genome, which involve 365 genes. These genes fall into 51 gene ontology (GO) functional classes, 14 of which are likely to be important in driving reproductive isolation. GO enrichment analyses of E reveal many overrepresented functional categories associated with adaptation to high elevations, including blood circulation, response to hypoxia, and UV radiation. Four genes, including DNAJC8 in the brain, TNNC1 and ADORA1 in the heart, and LAMB3 in the lung, differ in levels of expression between low- and high-elevation populations. High-altitude adaptation plays an important role in maintaining and driving continuing divergence and reproductive isolation. Use of total genomes enabled recognition of selection and adaptation in and between populations, as well as documentation of evolution along a stepped cline toward speciation