ABSTRACT
The experimental implementation of selective quantum process tomography (SQPT) involves computing individual elements of the process matrix with the help of a special set of states called quantum 2-design states. However, the number of experimental settings required to prepare input states from quantum 2-design states to selectively and precisely compute a desired element of the process matrix is still high, and hence constructing the corresponding unitary operations in the lab is a daunting task. In order to reduce the experimental complexity, we mathematically reformulated the standard SQPT problem, which we term the modified SQPT (MSQPT) method. We designed the generalized quantum circuit to prepare the required set of input states and formulated an efficient measurement strategy aimed at minimizing the experimental cost of SQPT. We experimentally demonstrated the MSQPT protocol on the IBM QX2 cloud quantum processor and selectively characterized various two- and three-qubit quantum gates.
ABSTRACT
The use of chitosan as an alternative for fungicides has received more attention worldwide. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate in vitro and in vivo antifungal activity of chitosan against Fusarium solani causing root rot in fenugreek. Chitosan treatments ranged from 0.1 to 2gL-1 were tested against F. solani on to potato dextrose agar and in potato dextrose broth. The results revealed that increase in concentrations of chitosan significantly reduced growth, dried biomass, sporulation and spore germination of F. solani. The hyphal swellings and distortion of F. solani mycelia were induced by chitosan. Fenugreek seeds treated with chitosan at 2 gL-1 and 0.5 gL-1 showed reduced F. solani infection and increased seed germination, respectively. In pot and field studies, fenugreek seeds treated with chitosan at 2.0 gL-1 greatly reduced root rot disease severity and also enhanced yield parameters. The activity of defence enzymes, such as chitinase, ß-1, 3-glucanase and total phenol were increased in chitosan treated in fenugreek plants. This increased activity offered protection to fenugreek plants against F. solani to a greater extent. The results showed that chitosan could be used as inducer of defense response and has the potential of controlling fenugreek root rot disease.
ABSTRACT
A pyrene-based colorimetric chemosensor 1-(pyren-1-yl)-N,N-bis-(pyridine-2-ylmethyl)methanamine (1) was synthesised for selective detection of Cu (II) and Fe (III) over the other metal cations Ni2+, Mg2+, Cd2+, Hg2+, Na+, K+, Ca2+, Co2+, Cr3+, Pb2+ and Zn2+. The significant changes in UV-vis absorption band of receptor 1 and the emergence of 660nm band in presence of Cu2+ ion indicates the selective binding of Cu2+ ion as compared to other metal cations which could easily be identified from the naked eye strong colour change. Job plots suggest a 1:1 and 2:1 stoichiometric binding of Cu2+ and Fe3+, respectively, which was evidenced by ESI-MS analysis. Chemosensor 1 explores a cost-effective and selective colorimetric sensor for naked eye detection of trace amount of Cu2+ and Fe3+ ions in presence of other metal cations.
