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A phase-slip flux qubit, exactly dual to a charge qubit, is composed of a superconducting loop interrupted by a phase-slip junction. We propose a tunable phase-slip flux qubit by replacing the phase-slip junction with a charge-related superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) consisting of two phase-slip junctions connected in series with a superconducting island. This charge-SQUID acts as an effective phase-slip junction controlled by the applied gate voltage and can be used to tune the energy-level splitting of the qubit. In addition, we show that a large inductance inserted in the loop can reduce the inductance energy and consequently suppress the dominating flux noise of the phase-slip flux qubit. This enhanced phase-slip flux qubit is exactly dual to a transmon qubit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To investigate the effects of angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) telmisartan on the expression and distribution of protein kinase C (PKC)-α in the kidneys of diabetic mice. Methods: Diabetic mice were induced with streptozotocin and a group of them were randomly selected for treatment with telmisartan. After 6 weeks, the expression and localization of PKC-α in the renal cortex, and the outer and inner medulla were assessed by immunohistochemistry and semiquantitative Western blotting. In addition, expressions of PKC-α, transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in glomeruli were measured by semiquantitative immunohistochemistry. Results: Diabetic and normal mice showed similar distributions of PKC-α in the kidneys. The expression of PKC-α was found in glomeruli, epithelial cells of proximal tubules, and medullary-collecting duct, while not in the medullary and cortical thick ascending limb, and was different in the epithelial cells of proximal tubules of diabetic nephropathy (DN) mice, PKC-α was mostly translocated from the basement membrane to the apical membrane, whereas it was largely translocated from the apical membrane to the basement membrane in epithelial cells of the inner medullary-collecting duct. Western blotting detected increased expression of PKC-α in the renal cortex and outer medulla, but not in the inner medulla of DN mice. Enhanced expressions of PKC-α, TGF-β1, and VEGF were shown in the glomeruli of DN mice, where PKC-α exhibited a correlation to VEGF, but no correlation to TGF-β1. ARB telmisartan attenuated alterations of PKC-α as mentioned earlier in the DN mice. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that PKC-α may play a role in the pathogenesis of DN, and that the nephroprotective effects of ARB telmisartan may be partly associated with its influence on PKC-α. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To study the potential pathological role of endogenous angiopoietins in daunorubicin-induced progressive glomerulosclerosis in rats. Methods: Seventy male Wistar rats were allocated randomly into a daunorubicin group (DRB; n=40) or a control group ( n=30). The rats in the DRB group were injected with DRB (15 mg/kg), in their tails. Subsequently, at intervals of 1,2,4,6,8, and 12 weeks, 5 male Wistar rats in each group were chosen randomly for 24 h urinary protein quantitative measurements (24 h UPQM), and determination of plasma tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), angiopoietin-1 (Ang1), and angiopoietin-2 (Ang2) levels. Kidney sections were examined by electron microscopy, Periodic Acid Schiff (PAS) staining, immunohistochemical staining and in situ hybridization histochemistry. Results: As glomerulosclerosis progressed in the DRB group, expression of Ang1 mRNA and protein in glomeruli decreased and expression of TNF-α protein, Ang2 mRNA and protein in glomeruli increased. Expression of Ang1 mRNA and protein in glomeruli were negatively correlated with 24 h UPQM, Fn protein expression, and mean area of extracellular matrix (MAECM). In comparison, expression of Ang2 mRNA and protein in glomeruli were positively correlated with 24 h UPQM, Fn protein expression and MAECM; furthermore, there was a positive correlation between plasma Ang2 and 24 h UPQM. Plasma TNF-α and expression of TNF-α in glomeruli were positively correlated with expression of Ang2 mRNA and protein in glomeruli. There was a negative correlation between Ang1 protein expression and Ang2 protein expression in glomeruli. Conclusion: During DRB-induced glomerulosclerosis, podocyte injury led to a shift in the balance of Ang1 and Ang2 in glomeruli. Increased TNF-α in plasma and glomeruli may upregulate Ang2 expression in glomeruli. Elevated Ang2 in both plasma and glomeruli may mediate protein permeability through the glomerular filtration barrier. Moreover, local expression of Ang2 may facilitate the progress of glomerulosclerosis by upregulating a component expression of extracellular matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A monolithic MEMS triaxial accelerometer based on piezoelectric lead zirconate titanate (PZT) thin films with highly symmetric quad-beams and a seismic mass, has been designed and simulated. Theoretical and numerical models for this structure are presented. The dynamic response and the trade-off between several design considerations are discussed. Static and modal simulations with FEM (Finite Element Method) simulator have been performed to analyze the mechanical response. It shows that the sensitivities of the three axes ( X , Y , Z ) are respectively 27, 27, and 29 mv/g, and there is almost no transverse sensitivity for the accelerometer. Also, the device is expected to have good temperature performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dynamical decoupling is widely used in many quantum computing systems to combat decoherence. In a practical superconducting quantum system, imperfections can plague decoupling performance. In this work, imperfections in a superconducting qubit and its control system are modeled via modified Hamiltonian and collapse operator. A master equation simulation is carried out on the qubit under 1/f environment noise spectrum. The average dephasing rate of qubit is extracted to characterize the impact of different imperfections on the decoupling from dephasing. We find that the precision of pulse position, on–off ratio, and filtering effect are most critical. Bounded pulses have weaker impact, while variation in pulse width and qubit relaxation are insignificant. Consequently, alternative decoupling protocols, jitter mitigation, cascaded mixers, and pulse shaping can be conducive to the performance of decoupling. This work may assist the analysis and optimization of dynamical decoupling on noisy superconducting quantum systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the implementation of qubit–qubit coupling in a three-dimensional (3D) cavity, using the exchange of virtual photons, to realize logical operations. We measure single photon and multi-photon transitions in this qubit–qubit coupling system and obtain its energy avoided-crossing spectrum. With ac-Stark effect, fast control of the qubits is achieved to tune the effective coupling on and off and the state-swap gate is successfully constructed. Moreover, using two-photon transition between the ground state and doubly excited states, a kind of two-photon Rabi-like oscillation is observed. A quarter period of this oscillation corresponds to the logical gate , which is used for generating Bell states. and are the foundations of future preparation of two-qubit Bell states and realization of CNOT gate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) amplifier is widely used in the field of weak signal detection for its low input impedance, low noise, and low power consumption. In this paper, the SQUIDs with identical junctions and the series SQUIDs with different junctions were successfully fabricated. The Nb/Al-AlOx/Nb trilayer and input Nb coils were prepared by asputtering equipment. The SQUID devices were prepared by a sputtering and the lift-off method. Investigations by AFM, OM and SEM revealed the morphology and roughness of the Nb films and Nb/Al-AlOx/Nb trilayer. In addition, the current–voltage characteristics of the SQUID devices with identical junction and different junction areas were measured at 2.5 K in the He3 refrigerator. The results show that the SQUID modulation depth is obviously affected by the junction area. The modulation depth obviously increases with the increase of the junction area in a certain range. It is found that the series SQUID with identical junction area has a transimpedance gain of 58 Ω approximately. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new type of superconductive true random number generator (TRNG) based on a negative-inductance superconducting quantum interference device (nSQUID) is proposed. The entropy harnessed to generate random numbers comes from the phenomenon of symmetry breaking in the nSQUID. The experimental circuit is fabricated by the Nb-based lift-off process. Low-temperature tests of the circuit verify the basic function of the proposed TRNG. The frequency characteristics of the TRNG have been analyzed by simulation. The generation rate of random numbers is expected to achieve hundreds of megahertz to tens of gigahertz. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing the detection efficiency (DE) is a hot issue in the development of the superconducting nanowire single photon detector (SNSPD). In this work, a cavity-integrated structure coupled to the SNSPD is used to enhance the light absorption of nanowire. Ultra-thin Nb films are successfully prepared by magnetron sputtering, which are used to fabricate Nb/Al SNSPD with the curve of 100 nm and the square area of 4 × 4 μm2 by sputtering and the lift-off method. To characterize the optical and electrical performance of the cavity-integrated SNSPD, a reliable cryogenic research system is built up based on a He3 system. To satisfy the need of light coupling, a packaging structure with collimator is conducted. Both DE and the dark count rates increase with lb. It is also found that the DE of SNSPD with cavities can be up to 0.17% at the temperature of 0.7K under the infrared light of 1550 nm, which is obviously higher than that of the SNSPD directly fabricated upon silicon without any cavity structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We observe the Autler—Townes splitting effect in a Δ-type quantum three-level system, using the lowest three levels of a SQUID-type Al/AlOx/Al transmon qubit embedded in a three-dimensional copper microwave cavity. A control tone at different strengths is applied in resonance with the transition between the first and second excited states, while the spectra between each of them and the ground state are probed by another microwave tone. The experimental result shows the difference between the two spectra, and fits well with the Lindblad master equation model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]