Entropy and Quantum Kolmogorov Complexity: A Quantum Brudno's Theorem

In classical information theory, entropy rate and Kolmogorov complexity per symbol are related by a theorem of Brudno. In this paper, we prove a quantum version of this theorem, connecting the von Neumann entropy rate and two notions of quantum Kolmogorov complexity, both based on the shortest qubit descriptions of qubit strings that, run by a universal quantum Turing machine, reproduce them as outputs.Comment: 26 pages, no figures. Reference to publication added: published in the Communications in Mathematical Physics (http://www.springerlink.com/content/1432-0916/

Track A Basic Science

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/138319/1/jia218438.pd

Efficacite de la bitherapie raltegravir-etravirine chez les immunodeprimes au VIH

Objectif: Evaluer l’efficacité de l’association raltégravir-étravirine dans une stratégie de simplification thérapeutique de la prise en charge du virus de l’immunodéficience humaine (VIH).Méthodologie: Nous avons réalisé une étude pilote sur une période de 6 mois dans le service de Médecine interne du Centre hospitalo-universitaire de la Pitié-Salpêtrière. Elle était constituée de patients infectés par le VIH et suivis sous traitement avec comme critère d’inclusion tous les patients VIH sous thérapie raltégravir- étravirine depuis au moins 3 mois.Résultats: Dix patients ont été inclus dans notre étude sur une file active de 711 patients. L’âge médian était de 46 ans avec un intervalle inter quartile (IQR) entre (41-55). Le sex ratio était de 1,5. La durée médiane du traitement antirétroviral (ARV) avant le changement de protocole était de 14 ans avec un IQR (9-17).Suivi virologique : Avant la bithérapie 50% (n=5) avait une charge virale indétectable, 40% (n=4) avaient moins de 100 copies et 10% (n=1) avait plus de 1000 copies. Le suivi médian était de 6 mois avec 100 % de charge virale (CV) indétectable à la fin du suivi. L’efficacité thérapeutique a été assez rapide et maintenu chez tous les patients sauf un seul qui avait moins de 100 copies à 3 mois puis indétectable au 6e mois.Conclusion: La stratégie de simplification thérapeutique semble être efficace car : aucun échec virologique n’a été observé au cours du suivi de 6 mois.Mots clés: Efficacité, VIH, C.H.U de la Pitié-SalpêtrièreEnglish Title: Efficacy of dual therapy raltegravir-etravirine duo in immunocompromised HIVEnglish AbstractObjective: To evaluate the efficacy of raltegravir-etravirine combination in a therapeutic strategy for simplifying the management of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).Methods: We conducted a pilot study over a period of 6 months in the Internal Medicine Department of the University Hospital Pitié-salpetière. It consisted of patients with HIV infection and monitored under treatment as inclusion criteria all HIV patients on étravirine raltégravir- therapy for at least 3 months.Results: Ten patients were included in our study on an active line of 711 patients. The median age was 46 years with an inter-quartile range (IQR) between (41-55). The sex  ratio was 1.5. The median duration of antiretroviral (ARV) treatment before the protocol change was 14 years with an IQR (9-17). Virological monitoring: Before combination therapy 50% (n = 5) had an undetectable viral load, 40% (n = 4) were less than 100 copies and 10% (n = 1) had more than 1000 copies. Median follow-up was 6 months with 100% viral load (VL) undetectable at the end of follow-up. Therapeutic efficacy was fast enough and maintained in all patients except one who was less than 100 copies at 3 months and at 6 months undetectable.Conclusion: The therapeutic simplification strategy appears to be effective because: no virologic failure were observed during follow-up of 6 months.Keywords: Efficacy, HIV, CHU Pitié-Salpêtrièr

Integrated approach to facilitate stakeholder participation in the control of endemic diseases of livestock: The case of peste des petits ruminants in Mali

In Mali, small ruminants (SRs) are an important means for enhanced livelihood through income generation, especially for women and youth. Unfortunately, opportunities for livestock farmers to tap into these resources for economic growth are hindered by high burden of endemic diseases such as peste des petits ruminants (PPR). A key component for the control of PPR is vaccination of SRs. However, low participation of farmers to vaccination was identified by stakeholders of the livestock value chains as a key constraint to successful vaccination programs. This study was implemented in the framework of a project which aimed at improving the domestic ruminant livestock value chains in Mali by upscaling proven interventions in animal health, feeds and feeding and livestock marketing. The objectives of the study were to review the context of livestock vaccination in Mali and evaluate the impact of innovation platforms (IP) as a means for engaging stakeholders in the vaccination process. Desk review, key informant interviews (KII) and net-mapping were used to understand the context of livestock vaccination, while vaccination coverage and sero-monitoring together with group interviews were used to measure the impact of the intervention. IPs were created in 24 communes in three regions: 15 IPs in Sikasso, 4 IPs in Mopti and 5 IPs in Timbuktu. They developed work plans and implemented activities focusing on improving interaction among key vaccine chain delivery stakeholders such as farmers, private veterinarians, vaccine manufacturers, local leaders and public veterinary services; involving them in the planning, implementation and evaluation of vaccination programs and fostering knowledge sharing, communication and capacity building. After 2 years of implementation of IPs, vaccination coverage for SRs increased significantly in target communes. During the first year, seroprevalence rate for PPR increased from 57% (CI95: 54–60%) at baseline to 70% (CI95: 67–73%) post-vaccination in Sikasso region, while in Mopti region, seroprevalence increased from 51% (CI95: 47–55%) at baseline to 57% (CI85: 53–61%) post-vaccination. Stakeholder engagement in the vaccination process through facilitated IPs was successful in fostering participation of farmers to vaccination. However, a sustainable vaccination strategy for Mali would benefit from consolidating the IP model, supported by Government investment to strengthen and adjust the underlying public-private-partnership

Complications macro-angiopathiques du diabete a l’hopital du Mali de Bamako

Introduction-objectif: Le diabète est un facteur de risque cardiovasculaire (FRCV) majeur, responsable de complications cardiovasculaires dont la  prise en charge est complexe. L’objectif de l’étude est d’évaluer les  complications macro-angiopathiques du diabète.Patients et Méthodes: Etude transversale, descriptive et analytique de 18 mois, concernant les patients diabétiques (type 1 avec 5 ans d’évolution et type 2).Résultats: Nous avons colligé 275 patients diabétiques. L’âge moyen de nos patients était de 59 ans. Le sex ratio était de 0,82. Le diabète était de type 2 chez 93,09% des patients. La durée moyenne d’évolution du diabète était de 6 ans. L’HbA1c était supérieure à 7% chez 51,64% des patients. 77,46% avaient au minimum 2 FRCV associés au diabète. La dyslipidémie était le FRCV le plus fréquent associé au diabète (51,27%). Quatre-vingt-trois (83) patients sur 275 avaient au moins une  macroangiopathie (fréquence hospitalière de 30,18%). L’artériopathie oblitérante des membres inférieurs (AOMI) était présente chez 49 patients, l’accident vasculaire cérébral (AVC) chez 28 patients et la coronaropathie chez 17 patients. Nous avons noté un lien statistiquement significatif entre durée d’évolution du diabète, et deux complications macro-angiopathiques (AOMI p:0,001 et AVC p:0,05). Le mauvais équilibre glycémique et le nombre de FRCV étaient corrélés aux complications macroangiopathiques (AOMI, AVC, coronaropathie) de façon significative avec p<0,05.Conclusion: Le diabète est une maladie métabolique responsable de complications macro-angiopathiques. Sa prise en charge précoce ainsi qu’une correction des autres FRCV permettent d’éviter ou de ralentir ces complications.Mots clés : Diabète, Macro-angiopathies, Hôpital Du Mali.  Macrovascular complications of diabetes at the hôpital du Mali of Bamako Introduction-Aim: Diabete is a major risk cardiovascular factor (FRCV). It is a chronic disease responsible of cardiovascular complications with a complex management. The objective of the study is to evaluate the macrovascular complications of diabetes.Patients and methods: It is a cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study of 18 months, concerning diabetic patients (type 1 with 5 years of evolution and type 2).Results: We collected 275 diabetics patients. Mean age of our patients was 59 years. Sex ratio was 0.82. Diabetes was type 2 in 93.09%. Mean duration of diabetes was 6 years. HBA1C was greater than 7% in 51.64%. 77.46% had at least 2 cardiovascular risk factors associated with diabetes. Dyslipidemia was the most common cardiovascular risk factors associated with diabetes (51.27%). 83 of 275 patients had at least one macrovascular complication (hospital frequency of 30.18%). Peripheral artery disease (PAD) was present in 49 patients, stroke in 28 patients, and coronary artery disease in 17 patients. We noted a statistically significant link between the duration of diabetes, and two macrovascular complications (PAD p: 0.001 and stroke p: 0.05). The poor glycemic balance and number of  cardiovascular risk factors were correlated with macrovascular complications (AOMI, stroke, coronary artery disease) significantly with p < 0.05.Conclusion: Diabetes is a metabolic disease responsible of macrovascular complications. Early care and correction of other cardiovascular risk factors can prevent or slow these complications.Keywords: Diabetes, Macrovascular complications, Hôpital Du Mal

A phase II study of the sterilising activities of ofloxacin, gatifloxacin and moxifloxacin in pulmonary tuberculosis

SETTING: Current treatment for pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) might be shortened by the incorporation of fluoroquinolones (FQs). OBJECTIVES: A Phase II study aimed to assess the sterilising activities of three novel regimens containing FQs before a Phase III trial of a 4-month regimen containing gatifloxacin (GFX). DESIGN: A total of 217 newly diagnosed smear-positive patients were randomly allocated to one of four regimens: isoniazid (INH), pyrazinamide and rifampicin (RMP) with either ethambutol, GFX, moxifloxacin (MFX) or ofloxacin (OFX) for 2 months. At the end of the study, RMP and INH were given for 4 months. The rates of elimination of Mycobacterium tuberculosis were compared in the regimens using non-linear mixed effects modelling of the serial sputum colony counts (SSCC) during the first 8 weeks. RESULTS: After adjustment for covariates, MFX substitution appeared superior during the early phase of a biexponential fall in colony counts, but significant and similar acceleration of bacillary elimination during the late phase occurred with both GFX and MFX (P = 0.002). Substitution of OFX had no effect. These findings were supported by estimates of time to conversion, using Cox regression, but there were no significant differences in proportions culture-negative at 8 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: GFX and MFX improve the sterilising activity of regimens and might shorten treatment; their progression into Phase III trials therefore seems warranted. © 2008 The Union.Articl