Probing macroscopic realism via Ramsey correlation measurements.

We describe a new and experimentally feasible protocol for performing fundamental tests of quantum mechanics with massive objects. In our approach, a single two-level system is used to probe the motion of a nanomechanical resonator via multiple Ramsey interference measurements. This scheme enables the measurement of modular variables of macroscopic continuous-variable systems; we show that correlations thereof violate a Leggett-Garg inequality and can be applied for tests of quantum contextuality. Our method can be implemented with a variety of different solid-state or photonic qubit-resonator systems, and it provides a clear experimental signature to distinguish the predictions of quantum mechanics from those of other alternative theories at a macroscopic scale.

Heat transport through lattices of quantum harmonic oscillators in arbitrary dimensions.

In d-dimensional lattices of coupled quantum harmonic oscillators, we analyze the heat current caused by two thermal baths of different temperatures, which are coupled to opposite ends of the lattice, with a focus on the validity of Fourier's law of heat conduction. We provide analytical solutions of the heat current through the quantum system in the nonequilibrium steady state using the rotating-wave approximation and bath interactions described by a master equation of Lindblad form. The influence of local dephasing in the transition of ballistic to diffusive transport is investigated.

Effect of vitamins A and E on blood plasma vitamin status and daily body mass gain of different fat-tailed sheep breeds.

Ninety ram lambs of three Iranian fat-tailed sheep breeds including the Shal breed (age: 4-6 months) in one experiment and the Sanjabi and Bakhtiari breeds (6-9 months) in another experiment were assigned to five groups of 5-7 lambs each to receive a basal diet plus different levels of vitamins A and E supplementation. The groups received 0, 50 or 100 IU vitamin A/kg body mass (b.m.) and 0, 15 or 30 IU vitamin E/kg of diet. In the vitamin A groups a constant level of 15 IU vitamin E and in the vitamin E groups a constant level of 50 IU vitamin A supplementation was provided. Blood plasma samples were taken at the beginning and at the end of the experiments and the concentrations of vitamins A and E were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Vitamin A supplementation of the highest level (100 IU/kg b.m.) significantly increased the retinol content of the blood plasma in the Shal (P < 0.01) and Bakhtiari (P < 0.05) breeds. The mild increase of retinol concentration in the Sanjabi breed was not significant (P > 0.05). Vitamin A supplementation greatly decreased the alpha-tocopherol content of the blood plasma in all three breeds (P < 0.01). It increased the average daily body mass gain of lambs of the Shal breed (P < 0.01) but decreased that of Bakhtiari lambs (P < 0.05). Supplementation of vitamin E mildly decreased the retinol content of the blood plasma in all the breeds and the decrease was statistically significant (P < 0.05) for the Shal breed at the highest dose level. Vitamin E supplementation greatly increased the alpha-tocopherol concentration of the blood plasma in all the breeds (P < 0.01-0.001). It decreased the average daily body mass gain of the Shal breed (P < 0.001) but improved it in the two other breeds. That increase was statistically significant (P < 0.05) in the Bakhtiari breed. It was concluded that the Shal breed gave a better response to vitamin A supplementation while the Sanjabi and Bakhtiari breeds to vitamin E. This indicates that fat-tailed breeds have dissimilar requirements for vitamins A and E supplementation. A higher level of vitamin E intake is required for raising the alpha-tocopherol content of the blood plasma above the level critical for sheep (0.8 microgram/ml).

Seasonal variation in the concentration of vitamins A and E in the blood plasma of fat-tailed sheep.

Six non-pregnant ewes and 6 rams (age: 3-4 years) of an Iranian fat-tailed sheep breed (Shal) were used. Blood samples were collected monthly for 12 months, and the concentrations of retinol and alpha-tocopherol were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). A limited ration of standard composition was fed throughout the year. The ration was supplemented with 25-32 IU alpha-tocopherol/animal/day. Vitamin A concentrations in the blood plasma of ewes were lower in the spring (442 +/- 9 micrograms/L) and summer (452 +/- 7 micrograms/L) and higher in the autumn (467 +/- 5 micrograms/L). In the rams, the plasma concentration of vitamin A was the lowest in the spring (436 +/- 6 micrograms/L) and the highest in the summer (471 +/- 5 micrograms/L). A seasonal comparison did not show statistical differences between consecutive seasons for the ewes (P > 0.05). The differences were significant between winter and spring (P < 0.05) and spring and summer (P < 0.001) for the rams. The blood plasma concentration of vitamin E was 1.21 +/- 0.05, 1.04 +/- 0.05, 1.24 +/- 0.05 and 1.24 +/- 0.08, mg/L in spring, summer, autumn and winter, respectively, for the ewes and 1.24 +/- 0.05, 1.11 +/- 0.06, 1.09 +/- 0.04 and 1.38 +/- 0.07 mg/L in spring, summer, autumn and winter, respectively, for the rams. The values were significantly different between spring and summer (P < 0.05) and summer and autumn (P < 0.01) for the ewes. In rams, the values obtained in autumn also showed a significant difference (P < 0.001) from those found in winter. Differences between values found in other seasons were not significant (P > 0.05). The retinol and alpha-tocopherol concentrations of the blood plasma were highly similar in the two sexes. The concentrations of retinol in the summer (P < 0.01) and alpha-tocopherol in the autumn (P < 0.05) showed significant differences between the two sexes. The results show that the concentrations of vitamins A and E are relatively constant in the blood plasma of fat-tailed sheep kept on a standardised feed. However, some differences due to the influence of season and sex were observed.

Unusual presentation of hydatid disease.

Hydatid disease is endemic in most areas in Iran where sheep are raised, and diagnosis is fairly easy in a majority of cases. However, this fairly common disease may become very difficult and even impossible to diagnose. The most important factor in diagnosing hydatid disease is the awareness of its possibility. The striking clinical resemblance between hydatid disease and malignant diseases of some organs makes the correct diagnosis essential. In countries where this disease is endemic, any growing mass or tumor should arouse suspicion of hydatid disease.