Experimental detection of qubit-ququart pseudo-bound entanglement using three nuclear spins

In this work, we experimentally created and characterized a class of qubit-ququart PPT (positive under partial transpose) entangled states using three nuclear spins on an nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) quantum information processor. Entanglement detection and characterization for systems with a Hilbert space dimension $\ge 2?3$ is nontrivial since there are states in such systems which are both PPT as well as entangled. The experimental detection scheme that we devised for the detection of qubit-ququart PPT entanglement was based on the measurement of three Pauli operators with high precision, and is a key ingredient of the protocol in detecting entanglement. The family of PPT-entangled states considered in the current study are incoherent mixtures of five pure states. All the five states were prepared with high fidelities and the resulting PPT entangled states were prepared with mean fidelity ≥ 0.95. The entanglement thus detected was validated by carrying out full quantum state tomography (QST).     

Investigation of antiplasmodial efficacy of lupeol and ursolic acid isolated from Ficus benjamina leaves extract

Abstract

This study emphasizes on the investigation of antiplasmodial activity of triterpenoids isolated from Ficus benjamina leaves. An unsaponified fraction of petroleum ether extract of plant leaves was subjected to silica gel column chromatography which led to the isolation of two known triterpenoids; namely ursolic acid and lupeol. These compounds were evaluated for antiplasmodial activity by schizont maturation inhibition assay using 3D7 Plasmodium strains. Both, ursolic acid and lupeol were found to exhibit significant antiplasmodial effect with an IC₅₀ value of 18?µg/ml and 3.8?µg/ml, respectively. This study further confirms the traditional role of Ficus benjamina plant in the treatment of malaria which may be attributed to ursolic acid and lupeol.     

Copper(I) Derivative of Pyridine-3-carbaldehyde-N-ethylthiosemicarbazone and Triphenylphosphine—First Case of Crystal Structure Study

The synthesis and crystal structure of pyridine-3-carbaldehyde-N-ethylthiosemicarbazone (3-pytscH-NHEt) 1, and its Cu^I complex of stoichiometry, [CuCl(3-pytscH-NHEt)(PPh₃)₂] 2, studied using single crystal X-ray crystallography, are reported in this paper. Crystal data: 1, monoclinic, P2₁/n, a?=?6.6322(3), b?=?21.1200(8), c?=?7.2989(3) Å; β?=?91.883(4), T?=?173(2), R factor?=?0.0457; 2: triclinic, P-1, a?=?19.3600(5), b?=?20.6241(6), c?=?23.8015(6) Å,α?=?92.647(2), β?=?104.388(2), γ?=?114.377(3), R factor?=?0.0662. The thio-ligand, as a neutral entity, is coordinating to Cu through its S donor atom in complex 2. It has exhibited an unusual feature of forming four independent molecules (A, B, C, D) in the unit cell, with minor differences in the bond angles / distances / torsion angles. The geometry of each molecule of 2 is distorted tetrahedral. Crystal packing, as well as Infrared, electronic absorption and proton NMR spectroscopic studies, are also reported. Copper compound 2 represents the first example of a structurally studied copper coordination compound of 3-pyridyl based thiosemicarbazones.

Graphical Abstract

Copper(I) chloride with pyridine-3-carbaldehyde-N-ethylthiosemicarbazone and PPh₃ in CH₃CN yielded a copper compound, 2 (Green-Cl, blue-N; aqua-Cu, orange-S, magneta-P).

     

Measurement of effective atomic number and Rayleigh-to-Compton cross-section ratio for 145 keV gamma photons

The effective atomic numbers of composites and Rayleigh-to-Compton cross-section ratio of elements, in the range 6 ≤ Z ≤ 82 for 145 keV gamma photons, are determined experimentally. An HPGe (high purity germanium) semiconductor detector is placed, at scattering angle of 90°, to record the spectra originating from interactions of incident gamma photons with the target under investigations. The intensity ratio of Rayleigh-to-Compton scattered peaks, corrected for photo-peak efficiency of gamma detector and absorption of photons in the target and air column, is plotted as a function of atomic number and a best fit-curve is constituted. From this fit-curve, the respective effective atomic numbers of the scientific samples are determined. The measured values of cross-section ratio increases non-linearly with increase in atomic number and are found to agree with theoretical predictions based upon non-relativistic form factor, relativistic form factor, modified form factor and S-matrix theory.     

Zinc ferrite nanoparticles as MRI contrast agents

Mixed spinel hydrophobic ZnxFe1-xO x Fe2O3 (up to x = 0.34) nanoparticles encapsulated in polymeric micelles exhibited increased T2 relaxivity and sensitivity of detection over clinically used Feridex.     

Non-destructive evaluation of scientific and biological samples by scattering of 145 keV gamma rays

The objective of present experiment is to assign effective atomic number (Z_eff) to samples of scientific interest (oxides of lanthanoids, also called rare earths, and alloys of lead and tin of known composition) and to measure stable iodine content of tissue (biological sample). An HPGe semiconductor detector, placed at 70° to the incident beam, detects gamma photons scattered from the sample under investigation. The experiment is performed on various elements with atomic number satisfying, 6 ≤ Z ≤ 82, for 145 keV incident photons. The intensity ratio of Rayleigh to Compton scattered peaks, corrected for photo-peak efficiency of gamma detector and absorption of photons in the sample and air, is plotted as a function of atomic number and constituted a fit curve. From this fit curve, the respective effective atomic numbers of the scientific samples are determined. The agreement of measured values of Z_eff with theoretical calculations is found to be quite satisfactory. The measured intensity ratio from phantom (KI solutions, simulating thyroid content of stable iodine) varies linearly with KI concentration and provides stable iodine content of tissue.     

Quantum ω-Automata over Infinite Words and Their Relationships

Inspired by the results of finite automata working on infinite words, we studied the quantum ω-automata with Büchi, Muller, Rabin and Streett acceptance condition. Quantum finite automata play a pivotal part in quantum information and computational theory. Investigation of the power of quantum finite automata over infinite words is a natural goal. We have investigated the classes of quantum ω-automata from two aspects: the language recognition and their closure properties. It has been shown that quantum Muller automaton is more dominant than quantum Büchi automaton. Furthermore, we have demonstrated the languages recognized by one-way quantum finite automata with different quantum acceptance conditions. Finally, we have proved the closure properties of quantum ω-automata.

     

Decay Analysis of Ge Isotopes Formed in Reactions Induced by Tightly and Loosely Bound Projectiles

The dynamical cluster-decay model (DCM) is employed to investigate the decay of ^68,70Ge^* compound nuclei formed respectively via tightly (⁴He) and loosely (⁶He) bound projectiles, using ⁶⁴Zn target. The study is carried out over a wide energy range (E_c.m.~5 MeV to 16 MeV) by including the quadrupole deformations (β2i) and optimum orientations (θ_i^opt) of the decaying fragments. The fusion cross-sections, obtained by adding various evaporation channels show nice agreement with the experimental data for ⁴He+⁶⁴Zn reaction. The contribution from competing compound inelastic scattering channel is also analyzed particularly for ⁶⁸Ge^* nucleus at above barrier energies. On the other hand, the decrement in the fusion cross-sections of ⁷⁰Ge^* nuclear system is addressed by presuming that ⁶⁵Zn ER is formed via two different modes:(i) the αn evaporation of ⁷⁰Ge^* nucleus, and (ii) 1n-evaporation of ⁶⁶Zn^* nuclear system, formed via breakup and 2n-transfer channels due to halo structure of the ⁶He projectile. Besides this, the suppression in 2np evaporation cross-sections suggests the contribution of another breakup and transfer process of ⁶He i.e. ⁴He+⁶⁴Zn. The contribution of breakup+transfer channels for ⁶He+⁶⁴Zn reaction is duly addressed by applying relevant energy corrections due to the breakup of " ⁶He" projectile into 2n and ⁴He. In addition to this, the barrier lowering, angular momentum and energy dependence effects are also explored in view of the dynamics of chosen reactions.     

Metallurgy in a beaker: nanoparticle toolkit for the rapid low-temperature solution synthesis of functional multimetallic solid-state materials

Intermetallic compounds and alloys are traditionally synthesized by heating mixtures of metal powders to high temperatures for long periods of time. A low-temperature solution-based alternative has been developed, and this strategy exploits the enhanced reactivity of nanoparticles and the nanometer diffusion distances afforded by binary nanocomposite precursors. Prereduced metal nanoparticles are combined in known ratios, and they form nanomodulated composites that rapidly transform into intermetallics and alloys upon heating at low temperatures. The approach is general in terms of accessible compositions, structures, and morphologies. Multiple compounds in the same binary system can be readily accessed; e.g., AuCu, AuCu3, Au3Cu, and the AuCu-II superlattice are all accessible in the Au-Cu system. This concept can be extended to other binary systems, including the intermetallics FePt3, CoPt, CuPt, and Cu3Pt and the alloys Ag-Pt, Au-Pd, and Ni-Pt. The ternary intermetallic Ag2Pd3S can also be rapidly synthesized at low temperatures from a nanocomposite precursor comprised of Ag2S and Pd nanoparticles. Using this low-temperature solution-based approach, a variety of morphologically diverse nanomaterials are accessible: surface-confined thin films (planar and nonplanar supports), free-standing monoliths, nanomesh materials, inverse opals, and dense gram-scale nanocrystalline powders of intermetallic AuCu. Importantly, the multimetallic materials synthesized using this approach are functional, yielding a room-temperature Fe-Pt ferromagnet, a superconducting sample of Ag2Pd3S (Tc = 1.10 K), and a AuPd4 alloy that selectively catalyzes the formation of H2O2 from H2 and O2. Such flexibility in the synthesis and processing of functional intermetallic and alloy materials is unprecedented.