The Quantum Internet

Quantum networks offer a unifying set of opportunities and challenges across exciting intellectual and technical frontiers, including for quantum computation, communication, and metrology. The realization of quantum networks composed of many nodes and channels requires new scientific capabilities for the generation and characterization of quantum coherence and entanglement. Fundamental to this endeavor are quantum interconnects that convert quantum states from one physical system to those of another in a reversible fashion. Such quantum connectivity for networks can be achieved by optical interactions of single photons and atoms, thereby enabling entanglement distribution and quantum teleportation between nodes.Comment: 15 pages, 6 figures Higher resolution versions of the figures can be downloaded from the following link: http://www.its.caltech.edu/~hjkimble/QNet-figures-high-resolutio

Structural analysis on mutation residues and interfacial water molecules for human TIM disease understanding

10.1186/1471-2105-14-S16-S11BMC Bioinformatics14SUPPL16-BBMI

Homology modeling and molecular dynamics simulations of MUC1-9/H-2Kb complex suggest novel binding interactions

International audienceHuman MUC1 is over-expressed in human adenocarcinomas and has been used as a target for immunotherapy studies. The 9-mer MUC1-9 peptide has been identified as one of the peptides which binds to murine MHC class I H-2K. The structure of MUC1-9 in complex with H-2K has been modeled and simulated with classical molecular dynamics, based on the x-ray structure of the SEV9 peptide/H-2K complex. Two independent trajectories with the solvated complex (10 ns in length) were produced. Approximately 12 hydrogen bonds were identified during both trajectories to contribute to peptide/MHC complex, as well as 1-2 water mediated hydrogen bonds. Stability of the complex was also confirmed by buried surface area analysis, although the corresponding values were about 20% lower than those of the original x-ray structure. Interestingly, a bulged conformation of the peptide's central region, partially characterized as a -turn, was found exposed form the binding groove. In addition, P1 and P9 residues remained bound in the A and F binding pockets, even though there was a suggestion that P9 was more flexible. The complex lacked numerous water mediated hydrogen bonds that were present in the reference peptide x-ray structure. Moreover, local displacements of residues Asp4, Thr5 and Pro9 resulted in loss of some key interactions with the MHC molecule. This might explain the reduced affinity of the MUC1-9 peptide, relatively to SEV9, for the MHC class I H-2K

Upaya Meningkatkan Hasil Belajar Peserta Didik melalui Model Pembelajaran Kooperatif Tipe TGT (Teams Games Tournament) Berbasis Permainan Kartu pada Mata Pelajaran Matematika Materi Bilangan Berpangkat Dua di Kelas IV-A SD N 064023 Medan Tuntungan

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui penerapan model pembelajaran kooperatif tipe TGT berbasis permainan kartu dalam meningkatkan hasil belajar peserta didik pada subtopik bilangan berpangkat dua di mata pelajaran matematika kelas IV-A SDN 064023 Medan Tuntungan. Jenis penelitian ini adalah PTK adalah penelitian tindakan (action research) yang dilakukan dengan tujuan memperbaiki mutu praktik pembelajaran di kelasnya yang terdiri dari empat langkah yaitu: (1) perencanaan, (2) pelaksaan, (3) pengamatan dan (4) refleksi. Subjek penelitian ini adalah siswa kelas IV-A SD Fase C yang berjumlah 25 orang. Teknik pengumpulan data dilakukan dengan observasi dan tes. Analisis data yang digunakan adalah kualitatif dan kuantitatif. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa penerapan model pembelajaran kooperatif tipe TGT berbasis permainan kartu efektif dalam meningkatkan hasil belajar peserta didik pada materi bilangan berpangkat dua. Pada Siklus I, meskipun ada peningkatan hasil belajar, hanya 50% siswa yang tuntas, sementara pada Siklus II, semua peserta didik (100%) berhasil mencapai ketuntasan dengan rata-rata nilai yang lebih tinggi. Hal ini menunjukkan bahwa model pembelajaran kooperatif tipe TGT berbasis permainan kartu mampu meningkatkan keterlibatan dan pemahaman siswa terhadap mata pelajaran matematika kelas IV-A SDN 064023 Medan Tuntungan

Stability mechanisms of a thermophilic laccase probed by molecular dynamics.

Laccases are highly stable, industrially important enzymes capable of oxidizing a large range of substrates. Causes for their stability are, as for other proteins, poorly understood. In this work, multiple-seed molecular dynamics (MD) was applied to a Trametes versicolor laccase in response to variable ionic strengths, temperatures, and glycosylation status. Near-physiological conditions provided excellent agreement with the crystal structure (average RMSD ∼0.92 Å) and residual agreement with experimental B-factors. The persistence of backbone hydrogen bonds was identified as a key descriptor of structural response to environment, whereas solvent-accessibility, radius of gyration, and fluctuations were only locally relevant. Backbone hydrogen bonds decreased systematically with temperature in all simulations (∼9 per 50 K), probing structural changes associated with enthalpy-entropy compensation. Approaching T opt (∼350 K) from 300 K, this change correlated with a beginning "unzipping" of critical β-sheets. 0 M ionic strength triggered partial denucleation of the C-terminal (known experimentally to be sensitive) at 400 K, suggesting a general salt stabilization effect. In contrast, F(-) (but not Cl(-)) specifically impaired secondary structure by formation of strong hydrogen bonds with backbone NH, providing a mechanism for experimentally observed small anion destabilization, potentially remedied by site-directed mutagenesis at critical intrusion sites. N-glycosylation was found to support structural integrity by increasing persistent backbone hydrogen bonds by ∼4 across simulations, mainly via prevention of F(-) intrusion. Hydrogen-bond loss in distinct loop regions and ends of critical β-sheets suggest potential strategies for laboratory optimization of these industrially important enzymes

High caseload of childhood tuberculosis in hospitals on Java Island, Indonesia: a cross sectional study

Background Childhood tuberculosis (TB) has been neglected in the fight against TB. Despite implementation of Directly Observed Treatment Shortcourse (DOTS) program in public and private hospitals in Indonesia since 2000, the burden of childhood TB in hospitals was largely unknown. The goals of this study were to document the caseload and types of childhood TB in the 0-4 and 5-14 year age groups diagnosed in DOTS hospitals on Java Island, Indonesia. Methods Cross-sectional study of TB cases recorded in inpatient and outpatient registers of 32 hospitals. Cases were analyzed by hospital characteristics, age groups, and types of TB. The number of cases reported in the outpatient unit was compared with that recorded in the TB register. Results Of 5,877 TB cases in the inpatient unit and 15,694 in the outpatient unit, 11% (648) and 27% (4,173) respectively were children. Most of the childhood TB cases were under five years old (56% and 53% in the inpatient and outpatient clinics respectively). The proportion of smear positive TB was twice as high in the inpatient compared to the outpatient units (15.6% vs 8.1%). Extra-pulmonary TB accounted for 15% and 6% of TB cases in inpatient and outpatient clinics respectively. Among children recorded in hospitals only 1.6% were reported to the National TB Program. Conclusion In response to the high caseload and gross under-reporting of childhood TB cases, the National TB Program should give higher priority for childhood TB case management in designated DOTS hospitals. In addition, an international guidance on childhood TB recording and reporting and improved diagnostics and standardized classification is require

Effect of a Fatty Acid Additive on the Kinetic Friction and Stiction of Confined Liquid Lubricants

Apresentamos neste texto parte das produções de pesquisa que acompanhou a construção de corpos inseridos num Centro de Atenção Psicossocial para Álcool e outras Drogas, em cidade do nordeste brasileiro, focando de modo mais acentuado em arranjos de masculinidades. Especial atenção é dada à tensão entre normalização de corpos e tentativas de (re)existências. A argumentação se desenvolve no campo da saúde pública, em particular o da saúde mental, e alicerçada nos estudos de gênero e sexualidade. A produção de dados se valeu de observações registradas em diário de campo, acompanhamento itinerante, composição de um coletivo de pesquisa, entrevistas, grupos focais em que, dentre outras coisas, se discutia trechos de diários de campo, rodas de conversa e oficinas com profissionais e usuári*s. A aposta metodológica foi a de forjar um modo de narrar coletivo que agenciasse experimentação e desaprendizagens corporais, junto a modos de produzir cuidado em saúde e de fazer pesquisa.Apresentamos neste texto parte das produções de pesquisa que acompanhou a construção de corpos inseridos num Centro de Atenção Psicossocial para Álcool e outras Drogas, em cidade do nordeste brasileiro, focando de modo mais acentuado em arranjos de masculinidades. Especial atenção é dada à tensão entre normalização de corpos e tentativas de (re)existências. A argumentação se desenvolve no campo da saúde pública, em particular o da saúde mental, e alicerçada nos estudos de gênero e sexualidade. A produção de dados se valeu de observações registradas em diário de campo, acompanhamento itinerante, composição de um coletivo de pesquisa, entrevistas, grupos focais em que, dentre outras coisas, se discutia trechos de diários de campo, rodas de conversa e oficinas com profissionais e usuári*s. A aposta metodológica foi a de forjar um modo de narrar coletivo que agenciasse experimentação e desaprendizagens corporais, junto a modos de produzir cuidado em saúde e de fazer pesquisa.Apresentamos neste texto parte das produções de pesquisa que acompanhou a construção de corpos inseridos num Centro de Atenção Psicossocial para Álcool e outras Drogas, em cidade do nordeste brasileiro, focando de modo mais acentuado em arranjos de masculinidades. Especial atenção é dada à tensão entre normalização de corpos e tentativas de (re)existências. A argumentação se desenvolve no campo da saúde pública, em particular o da saúde mental, e alicerçada nos estudos de gênero e sexualidade. A produção de dados se valeu de observações registradas em diário de campo, acompanhamento itinerante, composição de um coletivo de pesquisa, entrevistas, grupos focais em que, dentre outras coisas, se discutia trechos de diários de campo, rodas de conversa e oficinas com profissionais e usuári*s. A aposta metodológica foi a de forjar um modo de narrar coletivo que agenciasse experimentação e desaprendizagens corporais, junto a modos de produzir cuidado em saúde e de fazer pesquisa.Apresentamos neste texto parte das produções de pesquisa que acompanhou a construção de corpos inseridos num Centro de Atenção Psicossocial para Álcool e outras Drogas, em cidade do nordeste brasileiro, focando de modo mais acentuado em arranjos de masculinidades. Especial atenção é dada à tensão entre normalização de corpos e tentativas de (re)existências. A argumentação se desenvolve no campo da saúde pública, em particular o da saúde mental, e alicerçada nos estudos de gênero e sexualidade. A produção de dados se valeu de observações registradas em diário de campo, acompanhamento itinerante, composição de um coletivo de pesquisa, entrevistas, grupos focais em que, dentre outras coisas, se discutia trechos de diários de campo, rodas de conversa e oficinas com profissionais e usuári*s. A aposta metodológica foi a de forjar um modo de narrar coletivo que agenciasse experimentação e desaprendizagens corporais, junto a modos de produzir cuidado em saúde e de fazer pesquisa.Apresentamos neste texto parte das produções de pesquisa que acompanhou a construção de corpos inseridos num Centro de Atenção Psicossocial para Álcool e outras Drogas, em cidade do nordeste brasileiro, focando de modo mais acentuado em arranjos de masculinidades. Especial atenção é dada à tensão entre normalização de corpos e tentativas de (re)existências. A argumentação se desenvolve no campo da saúde pública, em particular o da saúde mental, e alicerçada nos estudos de gênero e sexualidade. A produção de dados se valeu de observações registradas em diário de campo, acompanhamento itinerante, composição de um coletivo de pesquisa, entrevistas, grupos focais em que, dentre outras coisas, se discutia trechos de diários de campo, rodas de conversa e oficinas com profissionais e usuári*s. A aposta metodológica foi a de forjar um modo de narrar coletivo que agenciasse experimentação e desaprendizagens corporais, junto a modos de produzir cuidado em saúde e de fazer pesquisa.Apresentamos neste texto parte das produções de pesquisa que acompanhou a construção de corpos inseridos num Centro de Atenção Psicossocial para Álcool e outras Drogas, em cidade do nordeste brasileiro, focando de modo mais acentuado em arranjos de masculinidades. Especial atenção é dada à tensão entre normalização de corpos e tentativas de (re)existências. A argumentação se desenvolve no campo da saúde pública, em particular o da saúde mental, e alicerçada nos estudos de gênero e sexualidade. A produção de dados se valeu de observações registradas em diário de campo, acompanhamento itinerante, composição de um coletivo de pesquisa, entrevistas, grupos focais em que, dentre outras coisas, se discutia trechos de diários de campo, rodas de conversa e oficinas com profissionais e usuári*s. A aposta metodológica foi a de forjar um modo de narrar coletivo que agenciasse experimentação e desaprendizagens corporais, junto a modos de produzir cuidado em saúde e de fazer pesquisa.The paper presents part of the research productions that accompanied the construction of bodies inserted in a Psychosocial Care Center for Alcohol and Other Drugs (CAPS-AD) of a city in the northern region of Brasil, focusing more sharply on masculinities arrangements. Special attention is given to the tension between normalized bodies and attempts at resistance and (re) exist. The argument is in the field of public health, particularly mental health, and rooted in gender and sexuality studies. The data production methodology made use of observations recorded in a diary, itinerant follow-up of a collective of research, interviews, focus groups where, among other things, was discussed diary topics, conversation circles and workshops. The attempt was to produce a way of collective narrating strategy, combining up experience and body (un)learn well as ways of producing health care and doing research

Hyperon Photoproduction in the Nucleon Resonance Region

Cross-sections and recoil polarizations for the reactions gamma + p --> K^+ + Lambda and gamma + p --> K^+ + Sigma^0 have been measured with high statistics and with good angular coverage for center-of-mass energies between 1.6 and 2.3 GeV. In the K^+Lambda channel we confirm a structure near W=1.9 GeV at backward kaon angles, but our data shows a more complex s- and u- channel resonance structure than previously seen. This structure is present at forward and backward angles but not central angles, and its position and width change with angle, indicating that more than one resonance is playing a role. Rising back-angle cross sections at higher energies and large positive polarization at backward angles are consistent with sizable s- or u-channel contributions. None of the model calculations we present can consistently explain these aspects of the data.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, submitted to Physical Review Letter

Subcellular optogenetic inhibition of G proteins generates signaling gradients and cell migration

Cells sense gradients of extracellular cues and generate polarized responses such as cell migration and neurite initiation. There is static information on the intracellular signaling molecules involved in these responses, but how they dynamically orchestrate polarized cell behaviors is not well understood. A limitation has been the lack of methods to exert spatial and temporal control over specific signaling molecules inside a living cell. Here we introduce optogenetic tools that act downstream of native G protein–coupled receptor (GPCRs) and provide direct control over the activity of endogenous heterotrimeric G protein subunits. Light-triggered recruitment of a truncated regulator of G protein signaling (RGS) protein or a Gβγ-sequestering domain to a selected region on the plasma membrane results in localized inhibition of G protein signaling. In immune cells exposed to spatially uniform chemoattractants, these optogenetic tools allow us to create reversible gradients of signaling activity. Migratory responses generated by this approach show that a gradient of active G protein αi and βγ subunits is sufficient to generate directed cell migration. They also provide the most direct evidence so for a global inhibition pathway triggered by Gi signaling in directional sensing and adaptation. These optogenetic tools can be applied to interrogate the mechanistic basis of other GPCR-modulated cellular functions

Sequencing and timing of strategic responses after industry disruption: evidence from post-deregulation competition in the U.S. railroad industry

This paper examines the sequencing and timing of firms’ strategic responses after significant industry disruption. We show that it is not the single strategic choice or response per se, but the sequencing and patterns of consecutive strategic responses that drive a firm’s adaptation and survival in the aftermath of a shift in the industry. We find that firms’ renewal efforts involved differential adaptability in finding balance at the juxtaposition of responding to demand-side pressures and choosing a path of new capability acquisition efficiently. Our study underscores the importance of taking a sequencing approach to studying strategic responses to industry disruption