Gaining confidence on the correct realization of arbitrary quantum computations

We present verification protocols to gain confidence in the correct performance of the realization of an arbitrary universal quantum computation. The derivation of the protocols is based on the fact that matchgate computations, which are classically efficiently simulable, become universal if supplemented with additional resources. We combine tools from weak simulation, randomized compiling, and classical statistics to derive verification circuits. These circuits have the property that (i) they strongly resemble the original circuit and (ii) cannot only be classically efficiently simulated in the ideal, i.e. error free, scenario, but also in the realistic situation where errors are present. In fact, in one of the protocols we apply exactly the same circuit as in the original computation, however, to a slightly modified input state.Comment: 17 pages, 8 figure

Biologisierungs- und Sozialisierungsprozesse am Beispiel von Frühgeborenen. Ein Zwischenbericht über die soziale und biologische Beeinflussung individueller Entwicklungs- und Bildungsverläufe in entwicklungspsychologisch-bildungssoziologischer Perspektive

Die Analyse der Bildungskarrieren und Entwicklungsverläufe Frühgeborener bietet sich an, um zu prüfen, inwieweit Befunde der Bildungs(ungleichheits)forschung einerseits durch die Forschung zu Frühgeborenen bestätigt, ergänzt oder modifiziert werden, und inwieweit andererseits jene Befunde die der Frühgeborenenforschung inspirieren, ergänzen und erhellen können – denn Frühgeborene werden hinsichtlich ihrer Bildungskarrieren eindeutig benachteiligt. Da Frühgeborene zahlreich und quer durch alle gesellschaftlichen Milieus und Schichten (wenn auch nicht in gleichem Ausmaß) anzutreffen und dennoch bisher in der Bildungsforschung „unbekannte Wesen“ geblieben sind, kann eine solche Analyse prüfen, inwieweit Mechanismen der (Re-)Produktion von Bildungsungleichheit womöglich komplexer und stärker in andere gesellschaftlichen Regeln und Mechanismen eingebettet sein können als bislang angenommen – das heißt, ob das Ausmaß ihrer Verbreitung, Unbemerktheit und „Härte“ vielleicht größer ist als angenommen. Wird diese Analyse interdisziplinär durchgeführt, so wäre es vielleicht möglich, genauer zu studieren, wie biologische und soziale Einflussfaktoren zusammen-, wechsel- und gegeneinander wirken, durch welche konkreten Praktiken sie Entwicklungs- und Bildungsprozesse von Frühgeborenen beeinflussen und wie gesellschaftliche Makroverhältnisse, institutionelle Meso-Regelungsstrukturen und interaktionale Mikropraktiken dabei ineinander greifen. Im vorliegenden Beitrag diskutieren wir diese Fragestellungen unter dem Gesichtspunkt von Diagnosen, die sozial verursachte Hemmungen der Entwicklung und Bildung Frühgeborener entweder fälschlich auf biologische Ursachen zurückführen (dies bezeichnet der Begriff „Biologisierung“ im Titel unseres Beitrags) oder, anders herum, biologische Ursachen verkennen und fälschlicherweise sozialen Ursachen zuschreiben („Sozialisierung“ im Titel)

Expression Profiling of Single Mammalian Cells – Small is Beautiful

Increasingly mRNA expression patterns established using a variety of molecular technologies such as cDNA microarrays, SAGE and cDNA display are being used to identify potential regulatory genes and as a means of providing valuable insights into the biological status of the starting sample. Until recently, the application of these techniques has been limited to mRNA isolated from millions or, at very best, several thousand cells thereby restricting the study of small samples and complex tissues. To overcome this limitation a variety of amplification approaches have been developed which are capable of broadly evaluating mRNA expression patterns in single cells. This review will describe approaches that have been employed to examine global gene expression patterns either in small numbers of cells or, wherever possible, in actual isolated single cells. The first half of the review will summarize the technical aspects of methods developed for single-cell analysis and the latter half of the review will describe the areas of biological research that have benefited from single-cell expression analysis

Nuclear Molecular Imaging Strategies in Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy

Immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy (ICT) is a new treatment strategy developed for the treatment of cancer. ICT inhibits pathways known to downregulate the innate immune response to cancer cells. These drugs have been shown to be effective in the treatment of a variety of cancers, including metastatic melanoma and lung cancer. Challenges in response evaluation of patients in ICT have risen as immune related side effects and immune cell infiltration may be confused with progressive disease. Furthermore, the timing of the evaluation scan may be challenged by relatively slow responses. To overcome this, new response criteria for evaluating these patients with morphologic imaging have been proposed. The aim of this paper is to review and discuss the current evidence for the use of molecular imaging, e.g., PET/CT (Positron Emission Tomography/Computer Tomography) with 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucoes (FDG) as an alternative imaging method for monitoring patients undergoing ICT. Following the currently available evidence, this review will primarily focus on patients with malignant melanoma

Decrease in pulmonary function and oxygenation after lung resection

Respiratory deficits are common following curative intent lung cancer surgery and may reduce the patient's ability to be physically active. We evaluated the influence of surgery on pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength and physical performance after lung resection. Pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength (maximal inspiratory/expiratory pressure) and 6-min walk test (6MWT) were assessed pre-operatively, 2 weeks post-operatively and 6 months post-operatively in 80 patients (age 68±9 years). Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery was performed in 58% of cases. Two weeks post-operatively, we found a significant decline in pulmonary function (forced vital capacity −0.6±0.6 L and forced expiratory volume in 1 s −0.43±0.4 L; both p<0.0001), 6MWT (−37.6±74.8 m; p<0.0001) and oxygenation (−2.9±4.7 units; p<0.001), while maximal inspiratory and maximal expiratory pressure were unaffected. At 6 months post-operatively, pulmonary function and oxygenation remained significantly decreased (p<0.001), whereas 6MWT was recovered. We conclude that lung resection has a significant short- and long-term impact on pulmonary function and oxygenation, but not on respiratory muscle strength. Future research should focus on mechanisms negatively influencing post-operative pulmonary function other than impaired respiratory muscle strength

Обеспечение пожаровзрывобезопасности и защита от чрезвычайных ситуаций особо опасных производств на территории Бурятии

Проведён аналитический обзор информации, знакомство с правовыми нормами и требованиями к пожарной безопасности на особо опасном объекте, велась разработка мероприятий по обеспечению пожарной безопасности на объекте, аналитический обзор современных методов пожаротушения на объекте.An analytical review of information, familiarity with the legal norms and requirements for fire safety at a particularly hazardous facility, the development of measures to ensure fire safety at the site, an analytical review of modern firefighting methods at the site

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) as salvage treatment for pulmonary Echinococcus granulosus infection with acute cyst rupture

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been used successfully for the treatment of patients with respiratory failure due to severe infections. Although rare, parasites can also cause severe pulmonary disease. Tapeworms of the genus Echinococcus give rise to the development of cystic structures in the liver, lungs, and other organs. Acute cyst rupture leads to potentially life-threatening infection, and affected patients may deteriorate rapidly. The case of a young woman from Bulgaria who was admitted to hospital with severe dyspnoea, progressive chest pain, and haemoptysis is described. Computed tomography of the chest was pathognomonic for cystic echinococcosis with acute cyst rupture. Following deterioration on mechanical ventilation, she was cannulated for veno-venous ECMO. The patient's condition improved considerably, and she was weaned successfully from ECMO and mechanical ventilation. Following lobectomy of the affected left lower lobe, the patient was discharged home in good condition. This appears to be the first report of the successful use of ECMO as salvage treatment for a severe manifestation of a helminthic disease. Due to recent migration to Western Europe, the number of patients presenting with respiratory failure due to pulmonary echinococcosis with cyst rupture is likely to increase

CXCL13 and CXCL9 CSF Levels in Central Nervous System Lymphoma-Diagnostic, Therapeutic, and Prognostic Relevance

Background: Diagnostic delay and neurologic deterioration are still a problem for the treatment of rapidly progressing CNS lymphoma (CNSL); there is an unmet need for a diagnostic test with a high diagnostic yield and limited risk, minimizing the time to the initiation of effective treatment. Methods: In this prospective monocentric study, we analyzed the utility of CXCL13 and CXCL9 as diagnostic, therapeutic and prognostic biomarkers for CNSL. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from 155 consecutive patients admitted with brain lesions of various origins was collected. Levels of CXCL13 and CXCL9 were analyzed by ELISA. Additionally, CSF was analyzed during CNSL disease course (relapse, remission, progress) in 17 patients. Results: CXCL13 and CXCL9 CSF levels were significantly increased in patients with CNSL compared to control patients with lesions of other origin. Using logistic regression and a minimal-p-value approach, a cut-off value of 80 pg/ml for CXCL13 shows high sensitivity (90.7%) and specificity (90.1%) for the diagnosis of active CNSL. CXCL9 at a cut-off value of 84 pg/ml is less sensitive (61.5%) and specific (87.1%). Both cytokines correlate with the clinical course and response to therapy. Conclusions: Our results confirm the excellent diagnostic potential of CXCL13 and introduce CXCL9 as a novel albeit less powerful marker for PCNSL

Circulating cell free DNA during definitive chemo-radiotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer patients - initial observations.

BACKGROUND: The overall aim was to investigate the change over time in circulating cell free DNA (cfDNA) in patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) undergoing concurrent chemo-radiotherapy. Furthermore, to assess the possibility of detecting circulating cell free tumor DNA (ctDNA) using shallow whole genome sequencing (sWGS) and size selection. METHODS: Ten patients were included in a two-phase study. The first four patients had blood samples taken prior to a radiation therapy (RT) dose fraction and at 30 minutes, 1 hour and 2 hours after RT to estimate the short-term dynamics of cfDNA concentration after irradiation. The remaining six patients had one blood sample taken on six treatment days 30 minutes post treatment to measure cfDNA levels. Presence of ctDNA as indicated by chromosomal aberrations was investigated using sWGS. The sensitivity of this method was further enhanced using in silico size selection. RESULTS: cfDNA concentration from baseline to 120 min after therapy was stable within 95% tolerance limits of +/- 2 ng/ml cfDNA. Changes in cfDNA were observed during therapy with an apparent qualitative difference between adenocarcinoma (average increase of 0.69 ng/ml) and squamous cell carcinoma (average increase of 4.0 ng/ml). Tumor shrinkage on daily cone beam computer tomography scans during radiotherapy did not correlate with changes in concentration of cfDNA. CONCLUSION: Concentrations of cfDNA remain stable during the first 2 hours after an RT fraction. However, based on the sWGS profiles, ctDNA represented only a minor fraction of cfDNA in this group of patients. The detection sensitivity of genomic alterations in ctDNA strongly increases by applying size selection