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Quantum teleportation exemplifies how the transmission of quantum information starkly differs from that of classical information and serves as a key protocol for quantum communication and quantum computing. While an ideal teleportation protocol requires noiseless quantum channels to share a pure maximally entangled state, the reality is that shared entanglement is often severely degraded due to various decoherence mechanisms. Although the quantum noise induced by the decoherence is indeed a major obstacle to realizing a near-term quantum network or processor with a limited number of qubits, the methodologies considered thus far to address this issue are resource-intensive. Here, we demonstrate a protocol that allows optimal quantum teleportation via noisy quantum channels without additional qubit resources. By analyzing teleportation in the framework of generalized quantum measurement, we optimize the teleportation protocol for noisy quantum channels. In particular, we experimentally demonstrate that our protocol enables to teleport an unknown qubit even via a single copy of an entangled state under strong decoherence that would otherwise preclude any quantum operation. Our work provides a useful methodology for practically coping with decoherence with a limited number of qubits and paves the way for realizing noisy intermediate-scale quantum computing and quantum communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the common conceptions of nature, typically derived from the experiences with classical systems, is that attributes of the matter coexist with the substance. In the quantum regime, however, the quantum particle itself and its physical property may be in spatial separation, known as the quantum Cheshire cat effect. While there have been several reports to date on the observation of the quantum Cheshire cat effect, all such experiments are based on first-order interferometry and destructive projection measurement, thus allowing simple interpretation due to measurement-induced disturbance and also subject to trivial interpretation based on classical waves. In this work, we report an experimental observation of the quantum Cheshire cat effect with noninvasive weak quantum measurement as originally proposed. The use of the weak-measurement probe has allowed us to identify the location of the single photon and that of the disembodied polarization state in a quantum interferometer. The weak-measurement probe based on two-photon interference makes our observation unable to be explained by classical physics. We furthermore elucidate the quantum Cheshire cat effect as quantum interference of the transition amplitudes for the photon and the polarization state which are directly obtained from the measurement outcomes or the weak values. Our work not only reveals the true quantum nature of Cheshire cat effect but also sheds light on a comprehensive understanding for the counter-intuitive quantum phenomena. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: When gastric mesenchymal tumors (GMTs) measuring 2–5 cm in size are found, whether to undergo further treatment or not is controversial. Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) is useful for the evaluation of malignant potential of GMTs, but has limitations, such as subjective interpretation of EUS images. Therefore, we aimed to develop a scoring system based on the digital image analysis of EUS images to predict gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). Methods: We included 103 patients with histopathologically proven GIST, leiomyoma or schwannoma on surgically resected specimen who underwent EUS examination between January 2007 and June 2018. After standardization of the EUS images, brightness values, including the mean (Tmean), indicative of echogenicity, and the standard deviation (TSD), indicative of heterogeneity, in the tumors were analyzed. Results: Age, Tmean, and TSD were significantly higher in GISTs than in non-GISTs. The sensitivity and specificity were almost optimized for differentiating GISTs from non-GISTs when the critical values of age, Tmean, and TSD were 57.5 years, 67.0, and 25.6, respectively. A GIST-predicting scoring system was created by assigning 3 points for Tmean ≥ 67, 2 points for age ≥ 58 years, and 1 point for TSD ≥ 26. When GMTs with 3 points or more were diagnosed as GISTs, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the scoring system were 86.5%, 75.9%, and 83.5%, respectively. Conclusions: The scoring system based on the information of digital image analysis is useful in predicting GISTs in case of GMTs that are 2–5 cm in size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we implemented the MAC-based RTL module for inverse DCT in H.264/AVC to improve applicability, to reduce processing time and utilize resources. The paper highlights design of FU architecture, its interconnection topology, regular formula of inverse DCT and array processor mapping as well as MAC-based RTL module constructing. Multi-directional FUA and FPGA were presented along with an evaluated performance and simulation result. Hence, the paper encompasses design of single FU that was verified with the performance test at maximum frequency 200 MHz; the designed 4-by-4 FUA operates over 100 MHz. The proposed multi-directional FU can be extended to n-by-n FUA that functionality can be extended to next video coding standard (H.265/HEVC). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Decoherence, often caused by unavoidable coupling with the environment, leads to degradation of quantum coherence. For a multipartite quantum system, decoherence leads to degradation of entanglement and, in certain cases, entanglement sudden death. Tackling decoherence, thus, is a critical issue faced in quantum information, as entanglement is a vital resource for many quantum information applications including quantum computing, quantum cryptography, quantum teleportation and quantum metrology. Here, we propose and demonstrate a scheme to protect entanglement from decoherence. Our entanglement protection scheme makes use of the quantum measurement itself for actively battling against decoherence and it can effectively circumvent even entanglement sudden death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among the various types of fuel cells, the polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) is one of the prospective power sources for automotive applications, stationary cogeneration systems, and mobile electronic devices. The PEFC is very sensitive to the high temperature environment inside the fuel cell, and non-uniform temperature distribution reduces its performance. In this study, the performance of cooling plates for the PEFC was investigated by using three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics with commercial software. Six cooling plates were designed with different channel configurations. Models 1 and 4 had typical serpentine and parallel configurations, respectively. Models 2 and 3 had modified serpentine structures from Model 1, while Models 5 and 6 had modified parallel structures from Model 4. Models 1 and 2 showed relatively high temperatures around the outlet and the inlet area of the channel, respectively. Cooling performance of Models 4 and 5 was lower than that of Model 6 due to non-uniform fluid flow and temperature distributions. Models 3 and 6 showed higher cooling performance than serpentine type models and parallel type models, respectively. The performance of Model 3 was superior to that of Model 6 with respect to the control of the maximum surface temperature and uniformity. The thermal performance of Model 3 improved over Model 6 with the increase of heat flux. However, the pressure drop of Model 3 was higher than that of Model 6 because Model 3 had relatively high flow velocity through its channel and greater number of bends than Model 6. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An entangled pair of photons (1 and 2) are emitted in opposite directions. A narrow slit is placed in the path of photon 1 to provide the precise knowledge of its position on the y-axis and this also determines the precise y-position of its twin, photon 2, due to quantum entanglement. Is photon 2 going to experience a greater uncertainty in momentum, that is, a greater Δpy because of the precise knowledge of its position y? The experimental data show Δy Δ py < h for photon 2. Can this recent realization of the thought experiment of Karl Popper signal a violation of the uncertainty principle? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The efficiency of an anchor plate placed during orthognathic surgery via minimal presurgical orthodontic treatment was evaluated by analyzing the mandibular relapse rate and dental changes., Methods: The subjects included nine patients with Class III malocclusion who had bilateral sagittal split osteotomy at the Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Department of Dentistry in Ajou University Hospital, after minimal presurgical orthodontic treatment. During orthognathic surgery, anchor plates were placed at both maxillary buttresses. The anchor plates were used to move maxillary teeth backward and for maximum anchorage of Class III elastics to minimize mandibular relapse during the postoperative orthodontic treatment. The lateral cephalometric X-ray was taken preoperatively (T0), postoperatively (T1), and one year after the surgery (T2). Seven measurements (distance from Pogonion to line Nasion-Nasion perpendicular [Pog-N Per.], angle of line B point-Nasion and Nasion-Sella [SNB], angle of line maxilla 1 root-maxilla 1 crown and Nasion-Sella [U1 to SN], distance from maxilla 1 crown to line A point-Nasion [U1 to NA], overbite, overjet, and interincisal angle) were taken. Measurements at T0 to T1 and T1 to T2 were compared and differences tested by standard statistical methods., Results: The mean skeletal change was posterior movement by 13.87±4.95 mm based on pogonion from T0 to T1, and anterior movement by 1.54±2.18 mm from T1 to T2, showing relapse of about 10.2%. There were significant changes from T0 to T1 for both Pog-N Per. and SNB (P <0.05). However, there were no statistically significant changes from T1 to T2 for both Pog-N Per. and SNB. U1 to NA that represents the anterior-posterior changes of maxillary incisor did not differ from T0 to T1, yet there was a significant change from T1 to T2 (P <0.05)., Conclusion: This study found that the anchor plate minimizes mandibular relapse and moves the maxillary teeth backward during the postoperative orthodontic treatment. Thus, we conclude that the anchor plate is clinically very useful.