413 research outputs found
An untapped potential for imaging of peripheral osteomyelitis in paediatrics using [ <sup>18</sup> F]FDG PET/CT —the inference from a juvenile porcine model
Abstract Purpose To examine parameters affecting the detection of osteomyelitis (OM) by [18F]FDG PET/CT and to reduce tracer activity in a pig model. Background [18F]FDG PET/CT is recommended for the diagnosis of OM in the axial skeleton of adults. In children, OM has a tendency to become chronic or recurrent, especially in low-income countries. Early diagnosis and initiation of therapy are therefore essential. We have previously demonstrated that [18F]FDG PET/CT is promising in juvenile Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) OM of peripheral bones in a pig model, not failing even small lesions. When using imaging in children, radiation exposure should be balanced against fast diagnostics in the individual case. Methods Twenty juvenile pigs were inoculated with S. aureus. One week after inoculation, the pigs were [18F]FDG PET/CT scanned. PET list-mode acquired data of a subgroup were retrospectively processed in order to simulate and examine the image quality obtainable with an injected activity of 132 MBq, 44 MBq, 13.2 MBq, and 4.4 MBq, respectively. Results All lesions were detected by [18F]FDG PET and CT. Some lesions were very small (0.01 cm3), and others were larger (4.18 cm3). SUVmax was higher when sequesters (p = 0.023) and fistulas were formed (p < 0.0001). The simulated data demonstrated that it was possible to reduce the activity to 4.4 MBq without compromising image quality in pigs. Conclusions [18F]FDG PET/CT localized even small OM lesions in peripheral bones. It was possible to reduce the injected activity considerably without compromising image quality, impacting the applicability of PET/CT in peripheral OM in children
Heralded quantum entanglement between two crystals
Quantum networks require the crucial ability to entangle quantum nodes. A
prominent example is the quantum repeater which allows overcoming the distance
barrier of direct transmission of single photons, provided remote quantum
memories can be entangled in a heralded fashion. Here we report the observation
of heralded entanglement between two ensembles of rare-earth-ions doped into
separate crystals. A heralded single photon is sent through a 50/50
beamsplitter, creating a single-photon entangled state delocalized between two
spatial modes. The quantum state of each mode is subsequently mapped onto a
crystal, leading to an entangled state consisting of a single collective
excitation delocalized between two crystals. This entanglement is revealed by
mapping it back to optical modes and by estimating the concurrence of the
retrieved light state. Our results highlight the potential of rare-earth-ions
doped crystals for entangled quantum nodes and bring quantum networks based on
solid-state resources one step closer.Comment: 10 pages, 5 figure
Towards an eficient atomic frequency comb quantum memory
We present an efficient photon-echo experiment based on atomic frequency
combs [Phys. Rev. A 79, 052329 (2009)]. Echoes containing an energy of up to
35% of that of the input pulse are observed in a Pr3+-doped Y2SiO5 crystal.
This material allows for the precise spectral holeburning needed to make a
sharp and highly absorbing comb structure. We compare our results with a simple
theoretical model with satisfactory agreement. Our results show that atomic
frequency combs has the potential for high-efficiency storage of single photons
as required in future long-distance communication based on quantum repeaters.Comment: 10 pages, 5 figure
Device-independent quantum key distribution secure against collective attacks
Device-independent quantum key distribution (DIQKD) represents a relaxation
of the security assumptions made in usual quantum key distribution (QKD). As in
usual QKD, the security of DIQKD follows from the laws of quantum physics, but
contrary to usual QKD, it does not rely on any assumptions about the internal
working of the quantum devices used in the protocol. We present here in detail
the security proof for a DIQKD protocol introduced in [Phys. Rev. Lett. 98,
230501 (2008)]. This proof exploits the full structure of quantum theory (as
opposed to other proofs that exploit the no-signalling principle only), but
only holds again collective attacks, where the eavesdropper is assumed to act
on the quantum systems of the honest parties independently and identically at
each round of the protocol (although she can act coherently on her systems at
any time). The security of any DIQKD protocol necessarily relies on the
violation of a Bell inequality. We discuss the issue of loopholes in Bell
experiments in this context.Comment: 25 pages, 3 figure
Towards high-speed optical quantum memories
Quantum memories, capable of controllably storing and releasing a photon, are
a crucial component for quantum computers and quantum communications. So far,
quantum memories have operated with bandwidths that limit data rates to MHz.
Here we report the coherent storage and retrieval of sub-nanosecond low
intensity light pulses with spectral bandwidths exceeding 1 GHz in cesium
vapor. The novel memory interaction takes place via a far off-resonant
two-photon transition in which the memory bandwidth is dynamically generated by
a strong control field. This allows for an increase in data rates by a factor
of almost 1000 compared to existing quantum memories. The memory works with a
total efficiency of 15% and its coherence is demonstrated by directly
interfering the stored and retrieved pulses. Coherence times in hot atomic
vapors are on the order of microsecond - the expected storage time limit for
this memory.Comment: 13 pages, 5 figure
A solid state light-matter interface at the single photon level
Coherent and reversible mapping of quantum information between light and
matter is an important experimental challenge in quantum information science.
In particular, it is a decisive milestone for the implementation of quantum
networks and quantum repeaters. So far, quantum interfaces between light and
atoms have been demonstrated with atomic gases, and with single trapped atoms
in cavities. Here we demonstrate the coherent and reversible mapping of a light
field with less than one photon per pulse onto an ensemble of 10 millions atoms
naturally trapped in a solid. This is achieved by coherently absorbing the
light field in a suitably prepared solid state atomic medium. The state of the
light is mapped onto collective atomic excitations on an optical transition and
stored for a pre-programmed time up of to 1 mu s before being released in a
well defined spatio-temporal mode as a result of a collective interference. The
coherence of the process is verified by performing an interference experiment
with two stored weak pulses with a variable phase relation. Visibilities of
more than 95% are obtained, which demonstrates the high coherence of the
mapping process at the single photon level. In addition, we show experimentally
that our interface allows one to store and retrieve light fields in multiple
temporal modes. Our results represent the first observation of collective
enhancement at the single photon level in a solid and open the way to multimode
solid state quantum memories as a promising alternative to atomic gases.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figures, version submitted on June 27 200
Photonic quantum state transfer between a cold atomic gas and a crystal
Interfacing fundamentally different quantum systems is key to build future
hybrid quantum networks. Such heterogeneous networks offer superior
capabilities compared to their homogeneous counterparts as they merge
individual advantages of disparate quantum nodes in a single network
architecture. However, only very few investigations on optical
hybrid-interconnections have been carried out due to the high fundamental and
technological challenges, which involve e.g. wavelength and bandwidth matching
of the interfacing photons. Here we report the first optical quantum
interconnection between two disparate matter quantum systems with photon
storage capabilities. We show that a quantum state can be faithfully
transferred between a cold atomic ensemble and a rare-earth doped crystal via a
single photon at telecommunication wavelength, using cascaded quantum frequency
conversion. We first demonstrate that quantum correlations between a photon and
a single collective spin excitation in the cold atomic ensemble can be
transferred onto the solid-state system. We also show that single-photon
time-bin qubits generated in the cold atomic ensemble can be converted, stored
and retrieved from the crystal with a conditional qubit fidelity of more than
. Our results open prospects to optically connect quantum nodes with
different capabilities and represent an important step towards the realization
of large-scale hybrid quantum networks
Ultrastructural pathology of primary ciliary dyskinesia: report about 125 cases in Germany
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a rare genetically induced disorder of cilia inducing mainly respiratory diseases. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis of ciliary ultrastructure is classically used for diagnosis. We report our experience of TEM investigations in a large series of patients.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>TEM analysis performed of 742 biopsies from patients with suspected PCD was reviewed retrospectively. Ultrastructural defects were analysized further in 125 cases with changes typical for PCD.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In 18.1% of patients diagnosis of PCD was made because of morphological alterations, in 68.2% secondary changes were seen. In 13.7% material was not feasible for analysis. Mostly defects of dynein arms were detected in PCD (96.8%). In particular defects of the inner arms (51.2%) and combined dynein defects (37.6%) were found. Total loss of dynein arms was dominant. Only in 3.2% deficiencies of central structures were found alone. Associated situs inversus or dextracardia was reported clinically in 21.4%.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>TEM analysis is possible in most patients and a useful tool for diagnosis of PCD. Functional and genetic analysis should be done additionally. Registers should be installed to collect all available informations and push further research.</p
Proof-of-Concept of Real-World Quantum Key Distribution with Quantum Frames
We propose and experimentally investigate a fibre-based quantum key
distribution system, which employs polarization qubits encoded into faint laser
pulses. As a novel feature, it allows sending of classical framing information
via sequences of strong laser pulses that precede the quantum data. This allows
synchronization, sender and receiver identification, and compensation of
time-varying birefringence in the communication channel. In addition, this
method also provides a platform to communicate implementation specific
information such as encoding and protocol in view of future optical quantum
networks. Furthermore, we report on our current effort to develop high-rate
error correction.Comment: 25 pages, 14 figures, 4 table
Population specificity of the DNAI1 gene mutation spectrum in primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD)
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Mutations in the <it>DNAI1 </it>gene, encoding a component of outer dynein arms of the ciliary apparatus, are the second most important genetic cause of primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), the genetically heterogeneous recessive disorder with the prevalence of ~1/20,000. The estimates of the <it>DNAI1 </it>involvement in PCD pathogenesis differ among the reported studies, ranging from 4% to 10%.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The coding sequence of <it>DNAI1 </it>was screened (SSCP analysis and direct sequencing) in a group of PCD patients (157 families, 185 affected individuals), the first ever studied large cohort of PCD patients of Slavic origin (mostly Polish); multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) analysis was performed in a subset of ~80 families.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Three previously reported mutations (IVS1+2-3insT, L513P and A538T) and two novel missense substitutions (C388Y and G515S) were identified in 12 families (i.e. ~8% of non-related Polish PCD patients). The structure of background SNP haplotypes indicated common origin of each of the two most frequent mutations, IVS1+2-3insT and A538T. MLPA analysis did not reveal any significant differences between patients and control samples. The Polish cohort was compared with all the previously studied PCD groups (a total of 487 families): IVS1+2-3insT remained the most prevalent pathogenetic change in <it>DNAI1 </it>(54% of the mutations identified worldwide), and the increased global prevalence of A538T (14%) was due to the contribution of the Polish cohort.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The worldwide involvement of <it>DNAI1 </it>mutations in PCD pathogenesis in families not preselected for ODA defects ranges from 7 to 10%; this global estimate as well as the mutation profile differs in specific populations. Analysis of the background SNP haplotypes suggests that the increased frequency of chromosomes carrying A538T mutations in Polish patients may reflects local (Polish or Slavic) founder effect. Results of the MLPA analysis indicate that no large exonic deletions are involved in PCD pathogenesis.</p
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