[Azath Vitr (D'ivers]

'researchers have used an IBM quantum computer to explore an overlooked area of physics, and have challenged 100-year-old notions about information at the quantum level.

The rules of quantum physics[...] use mathematical operators called Hermitian Hamiltonians. Hermitian operators have underpinned quantum physics for nearly 100 years, but recently, theorists have realized that it is possible to extend its fundamental equations to the use of Hermitian operators that are not Hermitian. The new equations describe a universe with its own peculiar set of rules: For example, by looking in the mirror and reversing the direction of time, you should see the same version of you as in the actual world. In their new paper, a team of researchers [...] used a quantum computer to create a toy universe that behaves according to these new rules.

The researchers made qubits, the part of the quantum computer that carries out calculations, behave according to the new rules of non-Hermitian quantum mechanics. They demonstrated experimentally a couple of exciting results that are forbidden by regular Hermitian quantum mechanics. [...] applying operations to the qubits did not conserve quantum information—a behavior so fundamental to standard quantum theory that it results in currently unsolved problems like Stephen Hawking's black hole information paradox. [...]

Entanglement is a type of correlation that appears between qubits, as if they have a magic connection that makes them behave in sync with each other. [...] Under regular quantum physics, it is not possible to alter the degree of entanglement between two particles by tampering with one of the particles on its own. However, in non-Hermitian quantum mechanics, the researchers were able to alter the level of entanglement of the qubits by manipulating just one of them, a result that is expressly off-limits in regular quantum physics.

"The exciting thing about these results is that quantum computers are now developed enough to start using them for testing unconventional ideas that have been only mathematical so far," said Sorin Paraoanu. "With the present work, Einstein's 'spooky action at a distance' becomes even spookier. And although we understand very well what is going on, it still gives you the shivers."

[...] Several novel optical or microwave-based devices developed in recent times do seem to behave according to the new rules. The present work opens the way to simulating these devices on quantum computers.'

https://phys.org/new...cs-quantum.html

An expert on computational linear algebra told me iirc that the applications of quantum computing to linear algebra problems would be severely limited by the restriction to Hermitian operators. So without that restriction....

This post has been edited by Azath Vitr (D'ivers: 15 February 2021 - 08:04 PM

[Malankazooie]

Experiences and how we process them are relative aren't they. Yesterday, shoveling snow while still overcast and some snowflakes still falling and temps -10 °F it was absolutely miserably cold. Like dangerously so. Cut to today, temp is 0 °F, only 10 degree difference, but it is sunny and it feels almost tropical.

[Malankazooie]

Awww yuuur! Time to break out the winter shorts! Over night lows gonna be above zero for the first time since last Thursday. Also, I don't know if you guys are into the fun snow and ice car hi jinks and get your car fishtailing and sideways up a lonely street, but I've been having a blast with the conditions. Safety first of course, and only when no other vehicles are on the street.

Help Me Jack Pepsi!

[Azath Vitr (D'ivers]

'Scientists have used cutting-edge research in quantum computation and quantum technology to pioneer a radical new approach to determining how our Universe works at its most fundamental level.

[...]

"For more than a hundred years, physicists have struggled to determine how the two foundational theories of science, quantum theory and general relativity, which respectively describe microscopic and macroscopic phenomena, are unified into a single overarching theory of nature.

During this time, they have come up with two fundamentally contrasting approaches, called 'quantum gravity' and 'classical gravity'. However, a complete lack of experimental evidence means that physicists do not know which approach the overarching theory actually takes, our research provides an experimental approach to solving this."

[...] a way to test experimentally that there is quantum not classical gravity. The suggested experiment would involve cooling billions of atoms in a millimeter-sized spherical trap to extremely low temperatures such that they enter a new phase of matter, called a Bose-Einstein condensate, and start to behave like a single large, quantum atom. A magnetic field is then applied to this "atom" so that it feels only its own gravitational pull. With this all in place, if the single gravitating atom demonstrates the key ingredient needed for quantum computation, which is curiously associated with "negative probability," nature must take the quantum gravity approach.

This proposed experiment uses current technology, involves just a single quantum system, the gravitating "atom," and does not rely on assumptions concerning the locality of the interaction, making it simpler than previous approaches and potentially expediating the delivery of the first experimental test of quantum gravity. Physicists would then, after more than a hundred years of research, finally have information on the true overarching, fundamental theory of nature.

Dr. Marios Christodoulou, from the University of Hong Kong who was part of the collaboration, added: "This research is particularly exciting as the experiment proposed would also connect with the more philosophical idea that the universe is behaving as an immense quantum computer that is calculating itself, by demonstrating that quantum fluctuations of spacetime are a vast natural resource for quantum computation."'

https://phys.org/new...s-universe.html

[Azath Vitr (D'ivers]

'Light that kills bacteria: Alternative to antibiotics

The World Health Organisation is convinced that one of the greatest threats to humanity is the rapidly growing resistance of bacteria to antibiotics due to their uncontrolled use. One Russian scientific project[...] offers a possible solution to this problem.

Scientists believe that one solution to this global challenge could be the development of antibacterial photodynamic therapy (aPDT). According to numerous studies, pathogens cannot develop resistance to this type of treatment.

The antimicrobial effect of aPDT is based on the use of special substances, photosensitisers, which are injected into the body and irradiated with light using a special emitter in the course of treatment. The resulting light energy is transmitted to oxygen molecules and transforms them into an active form that fights the infection.

[...] synthetic polycationic bacteriochlorins as photosensitisers. Unlike most antibiotics that target only one type of bacteria, these compounds have a universal effect in aPDT treatment. Scientists believe that this will eliminate the need to identify the type of bacterial threat in clinical practice, thereby saving time and resources.

According to the WHO's guidelines, any drug that reduces the number of active pathogen cells by at least 103 times is considered to be an effective antibacterial agent. [...] the bacteriochlorins they use exceed this figure by at least 10 times.

[...]

First of all, this efficiency is achieved due to the potent ability of bacteriochlorins to absorb light and subsequently transfer energy to the oxygen present in the body. The rapid destruction of bacteria is ensured by the effect of the active form of oxygen "charged" with energy from the photosensitiser.

[...] bacteriochlorins effectively absorb light in the near-infrared range. The scientists explained that this region of the spectrum contains the so-called "transparency window of biological tissues," meaning that light of this wavelength can penetrate much deeper into the tissues of the body.

[...] ""The experiments showed high efficiency of bacteriochlorins against strains of antibiotic-resistant bacteria [...] This greatly increases our chances of success in real clinical trials," [...]

"These compounds can already be used at the current stage of testing for technical purposes—for example, for effective surface disinfection in hospitals. We hope to subsequently develop a medicinal product based on bacteriochlorins for use in human and veterinary medicine"'

https://phys.org/new...ntibiotics.html

This post has been edited by Azath Vitr (D'ivers: 18 February 2021 - 03:42 AM

[Macros]

No love for Mars???

[Mezla PigDog]

We watched the live NASA feed. Woo hoo. Loved the tension while they waited to hear it had survived the landing. I never know which way I want these things to go - the scientific achievement of success and excitement for what comes next or the excruciating viewing of peoples professional hopes being crushed in real time?

[Macros]

Now have WiFi in the workshop.
No more same 2 downloaded playlists playing on repeat when I'm working!

[Tsundoku]

Just got back from an excellent evening hanging out with Lucifer's Heaven, Shiara, Silencer, Razjinsar and a bunch of others for Lucy's birthday.



Shit - I just realised no photos were taken. Sorry.

This post has been edited by Tsundoku: 20 February 2021 - 03:16 PM

[Mezla PigDog]

Tsundoku, on 20 February 2021 - 03:16 PM, said:

Just got back from an excellent evening hanging out with Lucifer's Heaven, Shiara, Silencer, Razjinsar and a bunch of others for Lucy's birthday.



Shit - I just realised no photos were taken. Sorry.

Glad to infer that if you had an excellent evening then they are all generally all good!

[Macros]

Jealous that you can hang out with anyone let alone Lucy and co!


Fucking Boris

[Macros]

Our first kitchen cabinet doors are sitting ready for sanding and painting.
Against much advice I decided to make the doors myself.
We turned it into a hot date weekend, so we have all the wood cut and ready and the first 4 doors assembled. Wifey had great fun helping out and made two of the doors pretty much from scratch on her own with guidance from me.

[Malankazooie]

[Azath Vitr (D'ivers]

'First US Stamp by Alaska Native Person Spotlights Tlingit Lore



The Tlingit nation (meaning "People of the Tides" in the Tlingit language) [...]

[...] Tlingit and Athabascan artist Rico Lanáat' Worl [...]


Though Raven appears in many Tlingit stories, the stamp's image features the Trickster-spirit within a field of gold stars, holding a round sun in his beak, referring to a specific tale. [...] Worl translates the story as "Raven and the Box of Daylight," the Tlingit iteration of the light-bringing story that pervades the mythologies of many cultures.

"It is a story that is a gateway for learning about Tlingit culture for a broad audience, for a national audience," Worl said[...]

"[…] Raven is all black on a white background. His feathers are kind of stretched out backwards. He's got a hand — a human-shaped hand kind of jutting out from one part of his body, indicating that moment of transformation. Raven is in a moment where he's stealing some stars from this clan leader, and he's kind of bringing stars out to the world to share with the world, to share with everyone in the world."'

https://hyperallergi...s-tlingit-lore/

[Maark Abbott]

Macros, on 21 February 2021 - 11:56 AM, said:

Jealous that you can hang out with anyone let alone Lucy and co!


Fucking Boris

All this purported talk of a lifted lockdown by June odd and I just... don't believe it. I have zero faith that anything tangible will change.

[Macros]

The wanker promised people a normal christmas when numbers were eerily similar to now, look how that panned out.

Mans an utter gobshite and untrustworthy

[Malankazooie]

Watching highlights of USA WNT in the SheBelieves Cup against Canada and Brazil. Like legit, third stringers on the team could start for these other teams. Who is close to America in talent? France? Germany?

[amphibian]

Now? France and Germany. Brazil usually bubbles up with a talent or two as good or better than the US has, but not a full team's worth. Same for Canada.

Japan for a few years (when they won the Olympics) had a full team that was full of extremely smart players who were supremely conditioned and a few had physical talents close to what the US had on the field. The US has often had a huge physical advantage over the other squads, which allows them to roll up other teams. They can be beat by a technically superior squad like Japan, but the physical gap can't be too big or it's just not possible to move the ball around fast enough to get the US out of position.

[Maark Abbott]

Macros, on 19 February 2021 - 11:41 AM, said:

Now have WiFi in the workshop.

A door has been manufactured.

[Malankazooie]

Tired, fatigued eyes. A vigorous eye rub hits the spot. Gotta be careful though, too much of that can lead to cataracts. Or is that just a myth?