Decoding Schemes for Foliated Sparse Quantum Error Correcting Codes

Foliated quantum codes are a resource for fault-tolerant measurement-based quantum error correction for quantum repeaters and for quantum computation. They represent a general approach to integrating a range of possible quantum error correcting codes into larger fault-tolerant networks. Here we present an efficient heuristic decoding scheme for foliated quantum codes, based on message passing between primal and dual code 'sheets'. We test this decoder on two different families of sparse quantum error correcting code: turbo codes and bicycle codes, and show reasonably high numerical performance thresholds. We also present a construction schedule for building such code states.Comment: 23 pages, 15 figures, accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.

Current developments in toxicological research on arsenic

There is a plethora of recent publications on all aspects relevant to the toxicology of arsenic (As). Over centuries exposures to arsenic continue to be a major public health problem in many countries. In particular, the occurrence of high As concentrations in groundwater of Southeast Asia receives now much attention. Therefore, arsenic is a high-priority matter for toxicological research. Key exposure to As are (traditional) medicines, combustion of As-rich coal, presence of As in groundwater, and pollution due to mining activities. As-induced cardiovascular disorders and carcinogenesis present themselves as a major research focus. The high priority of this issue is now recognized politically in a number of countries, research funds have been made available. Also experimental research on toxicokinetics and toxicodynamics and on modes of toxic action is moving very rapidly. The matter is of high regulatory concern, and effective preventive measures are required in a number of countries

The influence of glutathione S-transferases M1 and M3 on the development of bladder cancer

Problem: Cigarette smoking is the most important risk factor of transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder. The effect of the glutathione S- transferases M1 (GSTM1) and M3 (GSTM3) on the influence of this risk factor was investigated. Methods: A total of 293 bladder cancer patients from Dortmund and Wittenberg as well as 176 surgical patients without any malignancy from Dortmund were genotyped for GSTM1 und GSTM3 according to standard PCR/RFLP methods. Smoking habits were also qualified by a standardized interview. Results: The percentage of GSTM1 negative cases was 63 % in the entire bladder cancer patient group compared to 50 % in the control group. GSTM3*A/*A genotype was 76 % in the entire group of bladder cancer cases and 74 % in controls. Smokers and ex-smokers were overrepresented in the bladder cancer patient group. A significant association between smoking status and GSTM1 or GSTM3 genotype could not be revealed. Conclusion: The elevated percentage of GSTM1 negative bladder cancer cases shows the important effect of this polymorphic enzyme on the development of bladder cancer. In contrast to some other studies, an influence of GSTM1 on the risk due to cigarette smoking could not be observed. --Bladder cancer,glutathione S-transferase M1,glutathione S-transferase M3,smoking

Extremely long latency time of hepatic angiosarcoma in a vinyl chloride autoclave worker

Vinyl chloride is a human carcinogen. The characteristic tumour is the hepatic angiosarcoma, first observed in the 1970s in vinyl/polyvinyl chloride workers, especially in polymerization autoclave workers. Recent epidemiological studies demonstrate a dependence of the tumour incidence on both the duration and cumulative quantity of exposure. However, there is only limited data concerning the possible tumour latency times. Here, a case of hepatic angiosarcoma is presented that had been exposed to vinyl chloride in a very typical way as autoclave worker between 1957 and 1965. The patient was incidentally diagnosed with hepatic angiosarcoma in April 2008. Thus, the tumour latency time, from the beginning of occupational vinyl chloride exposure to clinical diagnosis, was 51 years. This underlines the importance of a continuing medical surveillance of workers exposed to vinyl chloride, at times before its carcinogenicity was recognized and regulatory action could be taken

Technical innovation changes standard radiographic protocols in veterinary medicine: is it necessary to obtain two dorsoproximal-palmarodistal oblique views of the equine foot when using computerised radiography systems?

Since the 1950s, veterinary practitioners have included two separate dorsoproximal–palmarodistal oblique (DPr–PaDiO) radiographs as part of a standard series of the equine foot. One image is obtained to visualise the distal phalanx and the other to visualise the navicular bone. However, rapid development of computed radiography and digital radiography and their post-processing capabilities could mean that this practice is no longer required. The aim of this study was to determine differences in perceived image quality between DPr–PaDiO radiographs that were acquired with a computerised radiography system with exposures, centring and collimation recommended for the navicular bone versus images acquired for the distal phalanx but were subsequently manipulated post-acquisition to highlight the navicular bone. Thirty images were presented to four clinicians for quality assessment and graded using a 1–3 scale (1=textbook quality, 2=diagnostic quality, 3=non-diagnostic image). No significant difference in diagnostic quality was found between the original navicular bone images and the manipulated distal phalanx images. This finding suggests that a single DPr–PaDiO image of the distal phalanx is sufficient for an equine foot radiographic series, with appropriate post-processing and manipulation. This change in protocol will result in reduced radiographic study time and decreased patient/personnel radiation exposure

Estimation of N-acetyltransferase 2 haplotypes

N-Acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) genotyping may result in a considerable percentage in several ambiguous allele combinations. PHASE 2.1 is a statistical program which is designed to estimate the probability of different allele combinations. We have investigated haplotypes of 2088 subjects genotyped for NAT2 according to standard PCR/RFLP methods. In 856 out of 2088 cases the genotype was clearly defined by PCR/RFLP only. In many of the remaining cases the program clearly defined the most probable allele combination: In the case of *5A/*6C, *5B/*6A the probability for *5B/*6A is 99% whereas the alternative allele combination *5A/*6C can be neglected. Other combinations cannot be allocated with a comparable high probability. For example the allele combination *5A/*5C, *5B/*5D provides for *5A/*5C a probability of 69% whereas the estimation for *5B/*5D allele is only 31%. In the two most often observed constellations in our data [(*12A/*5B, *12C/*5C); (*12A/*6A, *12B/*6B, *4/*6C)] the probability of allele combination was ascertained as follows: *12A/*5B, 98%; *12C/*5C, 1.4% and *12A/*6A, 82%; *4/*6C, 17%; *12B/*6B, 0%. The estimation of the NAT2 haplotype is important because the assignment of the NAT2 alleles *12A, *12B or *13 as a rapid or slow genotype has been discussed controversially. Otherwise the classification of alleles in subjects which are not showing a clearly allocation can result in a rapid or slow acetylation state. This assignment has an important role in survey of bladder cancer cases in the scope of occupational exposure with aromatic amines. --PHASE 2.1,NAT2 genotyping,single nucleotide polymorphism

Verifying timestamps of occultation observation systems

We describe an image timestamp verification system to determine the exposure timing characteristics and continuity of images made by an imaging camera and recorder, with reference to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). The original use was to verify the timestamps of stellar occultation recording systems, but the system is applicable to lunar flashes, planetary transits, sprite recording, or any area where reliable timestamps are required. The system offers good temporal resolution (down to 2 msec, referred to UTC) and provides exposure duration and interframe dead time information. The system uses inexpensive, off-the- shelf components, requires minimal assembly and requires no high-voltage components or connections. We also describe an application to load FITS (and other format) image files, which can decode the verification image timestamp. Source code, wiring diagrams and built applications are provided to aid the construction and use of the device.Comment: 10 pages, 7 figures, accepted to Publications of the Astronomical Society of Australia (PASA