Information Processing Tasks Research Articles

Robust and high-fidelity nondestructive Rydberg parity meter

In this paper, we propose a robust and high-fidelity scheme to construct a nondestructive Rydberg parity meter by optimized inverse engineering, after which we can know the parity information of the bipartite state without destroying it, implying that the output bipartite state can be further used in the rest quantum information processing tasks. Specifically speaking, we build a model with two systematic Rydberg atoms and one auxiliary Rydberg atom and control them by utilizing optimized inverse engineering against systematic error. Also, since the accumulated time for the Rydberg atoms simultaneously being in Rydberg states is minimized, the mechanical effect and the further possible ionization are almost avoided. Moreover, numerical simulation shows that the present scheme is robust against the systematic error, the dephasing, and the thermal noise, demonstrating feasibility in the experiment.

Effects Of Acute Caffeine Ingestion Following A Period Of Sleep Loss On Cognitive And Physical Performance: A Systematic Review And Meta-analysis

PURPOSE: This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the impact of acute caffeine consumption on cognitive and physical performance in sleep deprived/restricted individuals. METHODS: Electronic databases were searched for studies measuring cognitive and/or physical performance following sleep restriction (≤6h sleep within 24h) or deprivation (≥24h wakefulness) under control (placebo) and intervention (caffeine) conditions. Studies were included if performance was assessed within 6h of caffeine consumption. Individual effect estimates (EEs) were calculated as Hedges’ g for independent groups. Random effects meta-analyses were performed to determine intervention efficacy. Statistical significance was attained if the 95% CI did not include zero. Multiple meta-regression analysis was conducted to determine effects of caffeine dose and period of wakefulness on the magnitude of the effect. RESULTS: 36 publications providing 250 EEs were included. Caffeine improved performance on reaction time tasks (12 EEs; g=1.11; 95% CI: 0.75-1.47) and both response time (44 EEs; g=0.86; 95% CI: 0.53-0.83) and accuracy (27 EEs; g=0.68; 95% CI: 0.48-0.88) on attention tasks. The magnitude of the effect increased as caffeine dose increased, but was not influenced by the period of wakefulness for either task. Caffeine improved executive function (38 EEs; g=0.35; 95% CI: 0.15-0.55) and the magnitude of the effect increased as caffeine dose increased (p=0.007) and period of wakefulness decreased (p=0.021). Caffeine also improved response time (20 EEs; g=1.95; 95% CI: 1.39-2.52) and accuracy (34 EEs; g=0.43; 95% CI: 0.30-0.55) on information processing tasks, but neither caffeine dose (p=0.785) nor period of wakefulness (p=0.373) influenced the magnitude of the effect. No other performance outcomes were appropriate for meta-analysis. However, studies typically indicated a benefit of caffeine on memory (25 EEs), crystallized intelligence (11 EEs) and physical (39 EEs) performance. CONCLUSION: Caffeine is an effective counter-measure to the cognitive and physical impairments associated with sleep loss.

The Effect Of Brief Mindfulness Intervention As Adjuvant Of Fluid Intake On Athletes’ Cognitive Function

PURPOSE: The present study investigated the effect of combined fluid intake and brief mindfulness intervention (MBI) in a simulative half-time break of soccer competition on athletes’ cognitive function. METHODS: In a 3 (treatments) × 2 (times) double-blinded cross-over design, fourteen male athletes (age: 24.3±3.7 yr, height: 173.8±4.5 cm, weight: 68.3±5.1 kg, VO2max: 47.0±4.4 ml/kg/min) received three treatments (Control: non-carbohydrate (CHO) electrolyte solution + traveling introduction audio; CHO: CHO-electrolyte solution + travelling introduction audio; and CHO_M: CHO-electrolyte solution + MBI) in a simulative half-time break. Cognitive function performance (assessed by Stroop Test, Corsi Block Test, Rapid Visual Information processing task (RVIP)), mindfulness level, blood glucose and lactic, rating of perceived exertion was tested at different time points during the trial. RESULTS: Major findings include: (1) CHO_M trial obtained a better score in post Stroop colour test when compared with Control trial (CHO_M vs. Control: 17813.87 + 3706.98 vs. 22990.43 + 6665.36; p = .04); (2) a significant interactive effect was observed on the performance of Corsi block test (p = .03). Specifically, the reaction time decreased from pre-trial to post-trial in CHO_M and Control trials (pre vs. post: 826.88 + 384.67 vs. 667.49 + 331.56 ms, p < .01 for CHO_M; pre vs. post: 1085.43 + 388.51 vs. 798.36 + 253.28 ms; p < .01 for Control), but not in CHO trial (pre vs. post: 832.68 + 296.37 vs. 810.11 + 347.70 ms, p = .66); (3) CHO trial spent less time on missing numbers in post RVIP test than the other two trials (Control vs. CHO vs. CHO_M: 5939.57 + 2100.27 vs. 3316.79 + 2716.73 vs. 6201.43 + 4013.58 ms; p = .03), given that their performance in pre-test were statistically the same (p = .13). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, a positive effect of the combined fluid intake and brief MBI on athlete’s cognitive function was revealed, while both positive and negative effect was revealed for fluid intake only.

Alpha frequency rTMS modulates theta lagged nonlinear connectivity in dorsal attention network

Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) is a key structure in dorsal attention network (DAN) that facilitates sustained attention by modulating activity in task related and unrelated regions of the brain. Alpha and theta frequency bands enhance connectivity among different parts of the attention network and these connections are facilitated by long-range nonlinear connectivity in theta and alpha frequency bands. This study is an investigation of the behavioral and electrophysiological effects of alpha and theta frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) over RDLPFC. 20 healthy participants were randomly assigned to two groups of theta (n = 11, f = 6 Hz) and alpha (n = 9, f = 10 Hz) rTMS. Electroencephalogram (EEG) was recorded before and after each session while resting and performing tasks. Current source density (CSD) and functional connectivity (FC) in DAN and default mode network (DMN) and their correlations with rapid visual information processing task (RVIP) scores were calculated . Alpha frequency rTMS resulted in significant changes in RVIP scores. Active theta rTMS caused an increase in CSD in Postcentral gyrus and active alpha rTMS resulted in significant CSD changes in inferior parietal lobule (IPL). Theta lagged nonlinear connectivity was mudulated by alpha rTMSand FC changes were observed in DAN and DMN. Positive correlations were observed between DAN regions and RVIP scores in the alpha rTMS group. Increased activity in theta frequency band in left aPFC and left DLPFC correlated positively with higher total hits in RVIP. This study showed for the first time that theta and alpha frequency rTMS are able to modulate FC in DAN and DMN in a way that results in better performance in a sustained attention task.

Quantum mutual information and quantumness vectors for multiqubit systems

We introduce a new information theoretic measure of quantum correlations for multiparticle systems. We use a form of multivariate mutual information—the interaction information—and generalize it to multiparticle quantum systems. There are a number of different possible generalizations. We consider two of them. One of them is related to the notion of quantum discord and the other to the concept of quantum dissension. This new measure, called dissension vector, is a set of numbers—quantumness vector. This can be thought of as a fine-grained measure, as opposed to measures that quantify some average quantum properties of a system. These quantities quantify/characterize the correlations present in multiparticle states. We consider some multiqubit states and find that these quantities are responsive to different aspects of quantumness and correlations present in a state. We find that different dissension vectors can track the correlations (both classical and quantum) or quantumness only. As physical applications, we find that these vectors might be useful in several information processing tasks. We consider the role of dissension vectors—(a) in deciding the security of BB84 protocol against an eavesdropper and (b) in determining the possible role of correlations in the performance of Grover search algorithm. Specially, in the Grover search algorithm, we find that dissension vectors can detect the correlations and show the maximum correlations when one expects.

Learning Scan Paths of Eye Movement in Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Eye tracking studies have demonstrated deficits in attention in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) for a range of different social attention-based tasks. Here we examined social attention skills in a large sample of ASD participants (n = 120), using eye tracking data from a social information processing task, and compared them with a typically developing (TD) group (n = 35). Assuming eye movement parameters are random variables generated by an underlying stochastic process, we modeled the fixation sequences of participants in ASD and TD groups with a Hidden Markov Model. The Regions of Interests (ROIs), modeled as hidden states, corresponded to the true ROIs with a prediction accuracy of >90% for each group. The transition between ROIs revealed bias towards a specific area in the scene in ASD group, which deviated from the TD group. Objective time-dynamic measures of gaze patterns can potentially serve as useful endpoints in ASD diagnosis. Clinical Trial Registration: NCT02299700.

Powering DNA strand-displacement reactions with a continuous flow reactor

Living systems require a sustained supply of energy and nutrients to survive. These nutrients are ingested, transformed into low-energy waste products, and excreted. In contrast, synthetic DNA strand-displacement reactions typically run within closed systems provided with a finite initial supply of reactants. Once the reactants are consumed, all net reactions halt and the system ceases to function. Here we run DNA strand-displacement reactions in a continuous flow reactor, infusing fresh reactants and withdrawing waste, enabling the system to dynamically update its outputs in response to changing inputs. Running DNA strand-displacement reactions inside of continuous flow reactors allows the system to be re-used for multiple rounds of computation, which could enable the execution of more elaborate information processing tasks, including single-rail negation and sequential logic circuits.

A biomorphic neuroprocessor based on a composite memristor-diode crossbar

A concept of biomorphic neuroprocessor that implements hardware spiking neural network for traditional tasks of information processing and can simulate operation of brain cortical column or its fragment is proposed. The key units of hardware neural network are memory and logic matrices, previously developed on the basis of composite memristor-diode crossbar. These matrices provide high element integration and energy efficiency compared to known neuroprocessors and individual matrices. Such efficiency is achieved by application of mixed analog-digital computations, including those that use memristors integrated in composite memristor-diode crossbars. Neuron electrical model was constructed on the basis of these matrices and the Hodgkin-Huxley biomorphic model for neuron membrane. Unlike existing neural networks with synapses based on discrete memristors, the generation of new association was demonstrated in memristor-diode crossbar by SPICE modeling of associative self-learning processes. The adaptation procedure for biomorphic neural network program to neuroprocessor hardware is defined. In essence, presented neuroprocessor is a prototype of new generation computers with artificial intelligence.

Teleporting quantum information encoded in fermionic modes

Quantum teleportation is considered a basic primitive in many quantum information processing tasks and has been experimentally confirmed in various photonic and matter-based setups. Here, we consider teleportation of quantum information encoded in modes of a fermionic field. In fermionic systems, superselection rules lead to a more differentiated picture of entanglement and teleportation. In particular, one is forced to distinguish between single-mode entanglement swapping, and qubit teleportation with or without authentication via Bell inequality violation, as we discuss here in detail. We focus on systems subject to parity superselection where the particle number is not fixed, and contrast them with systems constrained by particle number superselection which are relevant for possible practical implementations. Finally, we analyze the consequences for the operational interpretation of fermionic mode entanglement and examine the usefulness of so-called mixed maximally entangled states for teleportation.

Attention-enhancing effects of propranolol and synergistic effects with nicotine.

Nicotine increases the output of every major neurotransmitter. In previous studies designed to identify the secondary neurotransmitter systems mediating nicotine's attention-enhancing effects in a rat model, the β-adrenoceptor antagonist propranolol blocked these effects. The present study was designed to test whether this mechanism held true in humans, thus guiding development of novel nicotinic agonists for cognitive enhancement. Twenty-six nonsmokers completed a nicotine (7 mg/24 h transdermally) x propranolol (40 mg p.o., body weight-adjusted) interaction study. Over four test days, each participant received double-placebo, nicotine only, propranolol only, and nicotine plus propranolol in randomized sequence before cognitive testing. No drug effects were seen in a visuospatial attention task. In the Rapid Visual Information Processing Task, performed in two 15-min blocks, neither drug alone significantly affected hit rate, but both drugs combined acted synergistically to alleviate its decrement over time in the first block and displayed additive beneficial effects in the second. In a change detection task, propranolol enhanced accuracy and reduced reaction time independent of nicotine presence. Propranolol also enhanced subjective self-reports of vigor. Overall, the findings were contrary to those hypothesized. Propranolol displayed beneficial effects on cognition, especially on sustaining performance over time. β-adrenoceptor activation by nicotine-induced noradrenaline release appeared to limit performance-enhancing effects of nicotine, because they were unmasked by β-adrenoceptor antagonism. The results suggest that cognitive effects of changes in β-adrenoceptor tone are context-dependent; contrary to rodent paradigms, human cognitive paradigms require no physical orienting in space but prolonged periods of remaining stationary while sustaining predictable processing demands.

Experimental observation of Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen steering via entanglement detection

The Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen (EPR) steering is an intermediate quantum nonlocality between entanglement and Bell nonlocality, which plays an important role in quantum information processing tasks. In the past few years, the investigations concerning EPR steering have been demonstrated in a series of experiments. However, these studies rely on the relevant steering inequalities and the choices of measurement settings. Here, we experimentally verify the EPR steering via entanglement detection without using any steering inequality and measurement setting. By constructing two new states from a two-qubit target state, we observe the EPR steering by detecting the entanglement of these new states. The results show that the entanglement of the newly constructed states can be regarded as a new kind of steering witness for target states. Compared to the results of Xiao et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 118, 140404 (2017)], we find that the ability of detecting EPR steering in our scenario is stronger than two-setting projective measurements, which can observe more steerable states. Hence, our demonstrations can deepen the understanding of the connection between the EPR steering and entanglement.

Efficient verification of quantum processes

Quantum processes, such as quantum circuits, quantum memories, and quantum channels, are essential ingredients in almost all quantum information processing tasks. However, the characterization of these processes remains a daunting task due to the exponentially increasing amount of resources required by traditional methods. Here, by first proposing the concept of quantum process verification, we establish two efficient and practical protocols for verifying quantum processes which can provide an exponential improvement over the standard quantum process tomography and a quadratic improvement over the method of direct fidelity estimation. The efficacy of our protocols is illustrated with the verification of various quantum gates as well as the processes of well-known quantum circuits. Moreover, our protocols are readily applicable with current experimental techniques since only local measurements are required. In addition, we show that our protocols for verifying quantum processes can be easily adapted to verify quantum measurements.

Fast achievement of quantum state transfer and distributed quantum entanglement by dressed states**Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 11804308).

We propose schemes to realize quantum state transfer and prepare quantum entanglement in coupled cavity and cavity–fiber–cavity systems, respectively, by using the dressed state method. We first give the expression of pulses shape by using dressed states and then find a group of Gaussian pulses that are easy to realize in experiment to replace the ideal pulses by curve fitting. We also study the influence of some parameters fluctuation, atomic spontaneous emission, and photon leakage on fidelity. The results show that our schemes have good robustness. Because the atoms are trapped in different cavities, it is easy to perform different operations on different atoms. The proposed schemes have the potential applications in dressed states for distributed quantum information processing tasks.

Verification of high-dimensional entanglement generated in quantum interference

Entanglement and quantum interference are key ingredients in a variety of quantum information processing tasks. Harnessing the generation and characterization of entanglement in high-dimensional state spaces is a necessary prerequisite towards practical quantum protocols. Here, we use quantum interference on a beam splitter to engineer hyperentanglement in polarization and discrete frequency degrees of freedom (DOF). We show how independent measurements of polarization and frequency DOF allow for the verification of high-dimensional entanglement in the combined state space. These results may indicate new paths towards practical exploitation of entanglement stored in multiple degrees of freedom, in particular in the context of high-dimensional quantum information processing protocols.

Quantifying the resource content of quantum channels: An operational approach

We propose a general method to operationally quantify the resourcefulness of quantum channels via channel discrimination, an important information processing task. A main result is that the maximum success probability of distinguishing a given channel from the set of free channels by free probe states is exactly characterized by the resource generating power, i.e. the maximum amount of resource produced by the action of the channel, given by the trace distance to the set of free states. We apply this framework to the resource theory of quantum coherence, as an informative example. The general results can also be easily applied to other resource theories such as entanglement, magic states, and asymmetry.

Carbohydrate mouth rinse has no effects on behavioral or neuroelectric indices of cognition

Rinsing the mouth with a carbohydrate solution has been suggested as a means to enhance aspects of both physical and cognitive performance. However, evidence in support of these assertions is relatively weak. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a carbohydrate mouth rinse solution on motor speed, inhibition, and sustained attention as indexed by both behavioral and neuroelectric measures. Using a double-blind, placebo-controlled, within-subjects crossover design, 50 college-aged young adults performed a battery of cognitive tasks both before and after rinsing their mouth for 10 s with 20 mL of either a carbohydrate mouth rinse solution or a sensory-matched placebo control solution. A simple tapping task was used as a measure of motor speed, a modified Eriksen flanker task was used to index inhibition, and a rapid visual information processing task was used as a measure of sustained attention. Participants demonstrated longer reaction times in the Flanker task after rinsing their mouths with the carbohydrate mouth rinse, relative to pretest. No differences in reaction time were observed for the placebo control condition. P3 latency in the Flanker task as an index of attentional processing speed was shorter at posttest than at pretest in the placebo control – but not the carbohydrate mouth rinse – condition. These results suggest that despite claims of cognitive enhancement, carbohydrate mouth rinses do not appear to alter motor speed, inhibition, or sustained attention as compared to a placebo control in non-physically-fatigued college-aged adults.

Multiple-image encryption and hiding with an optical diffractive neural network

A cascaded phase-only mask architecture (or an optical diffractive neural network) can be employed for different optical information processing tasks such as pattern recognition, orbital angular momentum (OAM) mode conversion, image salience detection and image encryption. However, for optical encryption and watermarking applications, such a system usually cannot process multiple pairs of input images and output images simultaneously. In our proposed scheme, multiple input images can be simultaneously fed to an optical diffractive neural network (DNN) system and each corresponding output image will be displayed in a non-overlap sub-region in the output imaging plane. Each input image undergoes a different optical transform in an independent channel within the same system. The multiple cascaded phase masks in the system can be effectively optimized by a wavefront matching algorithm. Similar to recent optical pattern recognition and mode conversion works, the orthogonality property is employed to design a multiplexed DNN.

Continuous-time quantum-walk spatial search on the Bollobás scale-free network

The scale-free property emerges in various real-world networks and is an essential property that characterizes the dynamics or features of such networks. In this work, we investigate the effect of this scale-free property on a quantum information processing task of finding a marked node in the network, known as the quantum spatial search. We analyze the quantum spatial search algorithm using a continuous-time quantum walk on the Bollob\'as network, and we evaluate the time $T$ to localize the quantum walker on the marked node starting from an unbiased initial state. Our main finding is that $T$ is determined by the global structure around the marked node, while some local information of the marked node, such as the degree, does not identify $T$. We discuss this by examining the correlation between $T$ and some centrality measures of the network, and we show that the closeness centrality of the marked node is highly correlated with $T$. We also characterize the distribution of $T$ by marking different nodes in the network, which displays a multimode log-normal distribution. Especially on the Bollob\'as network, $T$ is a few orders of magnitude shorter depending on whether the marked node is adjacent to the largest degree hub node. However, as $T$ depends on the property of the marked node, one requires some amount of prior knowledge about such a property of the marked node in order to identify the optimal time to measure the quantum walker and achieve a fast search. These results indicate that the existence of the hub node in the scale-free network plays a crucial role in the quantum spatial search.

Complex index assessment of operator's reliability in the control room

AbstractOperator's reliability in control room (CR) is largely influenced by the design of CR elements (control desk, display panel), compliance between the operator and these elements and influence of work environment on operator's work. Therefore, the methodological approach described in this paper was based on multidisciplinary research of human factors (operator's information processing task, motoric and logical task, human error, monotony, overload, stress); workplace (adjustment of workplace to anthropometrical and physiological characteristics of the operator), and indoor environment factors (illumination, brightness, noise level, air temperature, relative humidity, and air velocity). By using results of this research, we determined the values and positions of indicators of operator's reliability in the CR for monitoring and control of soybean oil hexane extraction process in Bioprotein factory. These indicators are then ranked by importance using the paired comparison method. Finally, a complex index of operator's reliability was determined. The index represents the degree of operator's suitability for the performance of a specific task. This research determines quantitative parameters for evaluating the reliability of operator's activities in CR. Those parameters could be used to detect omissions in operator's activities influenced by inadequate ergonomic design of CR elements and negative impacts of a CR environment.

User-specified random sampling of quantum channels and its applications

Random samples of quantum channels have many applications in quantum information processing tasks. Due to the Choi--Jamio\l{}kowski isomorphism, there is a well-known correspondence between channels and states, and one can imagine adapting \emph{state} sampling methods to sample quantum channels. Here, we discuss such an adaptation, using the Hamiltonian Monte Carlo method, a well-known classical method capable of producing high quality samples from arbitrary, user-specified distributions. Its implementation requires an exact parameterization of the space of quantum channels, with no superfluous parameters and no constraints. We construct such a parameterization, and demonstrate its use in three common channel sampling applications.