Steady motional entanglement between two distant levitated nanoparticles.

Quantum entanglement in macroscopic systems is not only essential for practical quantum information processing, but also valuable for the study of the boundary between quantum and the classical world. However, it is very challenging to achieve the steady remote entanglement between distant macroscopic systems. We consider two distant nanoparticles, both of which are optically trapped in two cavities. Based on the coherent scattering mechanism, we find that the ultrastrong optomechanical coupling between the cavity modes and the motion of the levitated nanoparticles could be achieved. The large and steady entanglement between the filtered output cavity modes and the motion of nanoparticles can be generated if the trapping laser is under the red sideband. Then through entanglement swapping, the steady motional entanglement between the distant nanoparticles can be realized. We numerically simulate and find that the two nanoparticles with 10 km distance can be entangled for the experimentally feasible parameters, even in room temperature environments. The generated continuous variable multipartite entanglement is the key to realizing the quantum enhanced sensor network and the sensitivity beyond the standard quantum limit.

The polymorphisms of FGFR2 and MGAT5 affect the susceptibility to COPD in the Chinese people.

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by incomplete reversible airflow limitation and chronic inflammatory response lesions. This study mainly explored whether FGFR2 and MGAT5 polymorphisms affected the risk of COPD in the Chinese people. METHODS: Five variants in FGFR2 and MGAT5 were chosen and genotyped using Agena MassARRAY platform from 315 COPD patients and 314 healthy controls. The correlation of FGFR2 and MGAT5 with COPD susceptibility was evaluated with odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) via logistic regression. RESULTS: We found rs2420915 enhanced the risk of COPD, while rs6430491, rs2593704 reduced the susceptibility of COPD (p < 0.05). Rs2420915 could promote the incidence of COPD in the elderly and nonsmokers. Rs1907240 and rs2257129 also increased the susceptibility to COPD in nonsmokers (p < 0.05). MGAT5-rs2593704 played a protective role in COPD development in different subgroups (age ≤ 70, male, smokers, and individuals with BMI ≤ 24 kg/m2). Meanwhile, rs6430491 was linked with a lower risk of COPD in nonsmoking and BMI ≤ 24 kg/m2 subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that FGFR2 and MGAT5 genetic polymorphisms are correlated with the risk of COPD in the Chinese people. These data underscored the important role of FGFR2 and MGAT5 gene in the occurrence of COPD and provided new biomarkers for COPD treatment. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NA.

Molecular modelling and synthesis of a new collector O-butyl S-(1-chloroethyl)carbonodithioate for copper sulfide ore and its flotation behavior.

Based on the homology principle in advanced pharmaceutical chemistry, a new high efficiency and low toxicity collector, O-butyl S-(1-chloroethyl)carbonodithioate, was designed. By using molecular simulation technology, MS (Materials Studio) was used to build the molecular model of the collector. The molecular structure was relaxed and optimized. The process of interaction between reagent and mineral surface was simulated and the interaction energy of reagent and mineral surface was calculated by density functional theory (DFT). The interaction process of the new collector and butyl xanthate on the mineral surface and the interaction energy of these two reagents and mineral surface were compared. The molecular structure of the new collector was designed from the perspective of the difference of the interaction energy between the reagents and the mineral surface. According to the results of molecular design and modelling, the new collector was synthesized. The flotation tests of pure minerals and real ores were carried out to verify the new collector. The experimental results showed that the collector has the characteristics of low toxicity, high selectivity, moderate collecting ability and low cost, and it is more suitable for flotation of the complex and refractory copper sulfide with low grade and fine dissemination.

Li/Garnet Interface Optimization: An Overview.

Solid-state lithium batteries can improve the safety and energy density of the present liquid-electrolyte-based lithium-ion batteries. To achieve this goal, both solid electrolyte and lithium anode technology are the keys. Lithium garnet is a promising electrolyte to enable the next generation solid-state lithium batteries due to its high ionic conductivity, good chemical, and electrochemical stability, and easiness to scale up. It is relatively stable against Li metal but the poor contact area and the presence of resistive impurity or decomposition layers at the interface interfere with fast charge transfer, thereby, spiking the interfacial resistance, overpotential, local current density, and the propensity for dendrite growth. In this Review, we first summarize the recent understanding of the interfacial problems at the Li/garnet interface from both computational and experimental viewpoints while seizing the opportunity to shed light on the chemical/electrochemical stability of garnet against Li metal anode. Also, we highlight various interface optimization strategies that have been demonstrated to be effective in improving the interface performance. We conclude this Review with a few suggestions as guides for future work.