Dissipative quantum control of a spin chain

A protocol is discussed for preparing a spin chain in a generic many-body state in the asymptotic limit of tailored non-unitary dynamics. The dynamics require the spectral resolution of the target state, optimized coherent pulses, engineered dissipation, and feedback. As an example, we discuss the preparation of an entangled antiferromagnetic state, and argue that the procedure can be applied to chains of trapped ions or Rydberg atoms.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

Counter Narratives

In recent years, Peruvian social anthropology has seen a rising production of audio-visual and artistic works within the discipline, ranging from written analyses that incorporate arts and crafts (Bernedo 2011; González 2011; Ulfe 2014; Del Pino and Yezer 2014) to photographic projects (Poole 2010; Figueroa 2012), nonfiction films (Dietrich 2015; Malek 2016), virtual museums and online blogs. In this article, we identify the paths visual anthropology (VA) is taking in the country in order to analyse how these forms are creatively reinventing social anthropology as an analytical and methodological field. Furthermore, we take this opportunity to discuss the valuable, but internationally unknown, works of audio-visual anthropologists in and of Peru.Ces dernières années, l'anthropologie sociale péruvienne a connu une production croissante d'œuvres audiovisuelles et artistiques au sein de la discipline, allant des analyses écrites qui incorporent les arts et métiers (Bernedo 2011 ; González 2011 ; Ulfe 2014 ; Yezer et Del Pino 2014) aux projets photographiques (Poole 2010 ; Figueroa 2012), films non fictifs (Dietrich 2015; Malek 2016), aux musées virtuels comme et aux blogs en ligne. Dans cet article, nous identifions les orientations prises par l'anthropologie visuelle (AV) dans le pays afin d'analyser comment ces formes réinventent de manière créative l'anthropologie sociale comme champ analytique et méthodologique. De plus, nous profitons de l'occasion pour discuter des travaux précieux, mais internationalement inconnus, d'anthropologues de l'audiovisuel au Pérou et du Pérou.Recientemente, la antropología social peruana ha vivido un incremento en la producción de trabajos audiovisuales y artísticos al interior de la disciplina, que van desde los análisis escritos que incorporan artes y oficios (Bernedo 2011; González 2011; Ulfe 2014; Yezer and Del Pino 2014) hasta proyectos fotográficos (Poole 2010; Figueroa 2012), películas de no-ficción (Dietrich 2015; Malek 2016), museos virtuales y blogs en línea. En este artículo, identificamos las rutas que la antropología visual está tomando en el país con el fin de analizar cómo estas formas están reinventando creativamente a la antropología social como un campo analítico y metodológico. Aún más, tomamos esta oportunidad para discutir los valiosos, pero desconocidos internacionalmente, trabajos de antropólogos audiovisuales en y sobre Perú

The Systemic Management of Advanced Melanoma in 2016

Melanoma is a common type of skin cancer with a high propensity to metastasize. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors targeting the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway and immune checkpoint blockade have recently revolutionized the management of unresectable and metastatic disease. However, acquired resistance and primary non-response to therapy require novel treatment strategies and combinations. The purpose of this review is to provide a brief and up-to-date overview on the clinical management and current trial landscape in melanoma. We summarize the most pertinent studies on BRAF/MEK inhibitors and blockade of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) and programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1). Although most agents show robust antitumor efficacy as single agents, further improvements have been achieved by the combination of both approved and developing drugs. We discuss ongoing trials and evaluate future approaches that may provide additional efficacy with less toxicity. (C) 2016 S. Karger GmbH, Freibur

An Intronic MBTPS2 Variant Results in a Splicing Defect in Horses with Brindle Coat Texture

We investigated a family of horses exhibiting irregular vertical stripes in their hair coat texture along the neck, back, hindquarters, and upper legs. This phenotype is termed "brindle" by horse breeders. We propose the term "brindle 1 (BR1)" for this specific form of brindle. In some BR1 horses the stripes were also differentially pigmented. Pedigree analyses were suggestive of a monogenic X-chromosomal semi-dominant mode of inheritance. Haplotype analyses identified a 5 Mb candidate region on chromosome X. Whole genome sequencing of 4 BR1 and 60 non-brindle horses identified 61 private variants in the critical interval, none of them located in an exon of an annotated gene. However, one of the private variants was close to an exon/intron boundary in intron 10 of the MBPTS2 gene encoding the membrane bound transcription factor peptidase, site 2 (c.1437+4T>C). Different coding variants in this gene lead to three related genodermatoses in human patients. We therefore analyzed MBPTS2 transcripts in skin and identified an aberrant transcript in a BR1 horse, which lacked the entire exon 10 and parts of exon 11. The MBPTS2:c1437+4T>C variant showed perfect co-segregation with the brindle phenotype in the investigated family and was absent from 457 control horses of diverse breeds. Altogether, our genetic data and the previous knowledge on MBTPS2 function in the skin suggest that the identified MBTPS2 intronic variant leads to partial exon skipping and causes the BR1 phenotype in horses

A sequence variant at 4p16.3 confers susceptibility to urinary bladder cancer

To access publisher full text version of this article. Please click on the hyperlink in Additional Links fieldPreviously, we reported germline DNA variants associated with risk of urinary bladder cancer (UBC) in Dutch and Icelandic subjects. Here we expanded the Icelandic sample set and tested the top 20 markers from the combined analysis in several European case-control sample sets, with a total of 4,739 cases and 45,549 controls. The T allele of rs798766 on 4p16.3 was found to associate with UBC (odds ratio = 1.24, P = 9.9 x 10(-12)). rs798766 is located in an intron of TACC3, 70 kb from FGFR3, which often harbors activating somatic mutations in low-grade, noninvasive UBC. Notably, rs798766[T] shows stronger association with low-grade and low-stage UBC than with more aggressive forms of the disease and is associated with higher risk of recurrence in low-grade stage Ta tumors. The frequency of rs798766[T] is higher in Ta tumors that carry an activating mutation in FGFR3 than in Ta tumors with wild-type FGFR3. Our results show a link between germline variants, somatic mutations of FGFR3 and risk of UBC.info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/EC/FP7/21807

Evidence for Type Ia Supernova Diversity from Ultraviolet Observations with the Hubble Space Telescope

We present ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy and photometry of four Type Ia supernovae (SNe 2004dt, 2004ef, 2005M, and 2005cf) obtained with the UV prism of the Advanced Camera for Surveys on the Hubble Space Telescope. This dataset provides unique spectral time series down to 2000 Angstrom. Significant diversity is seen in the near maximum-light spectra (~ 2000--3500 Angstrom) for this small sample. The corresponding photometric data, together with archival data from Swift Ultraviolet/Optical Telescope observations, provide further evidence of increased dispersion in the UV emission with respect to the optical. The peak luminosities measured in uvw1/F250W are found to correlate with the B-band light-curve shape parameter dm15(B), but with much larger scatter relative to the correlation in the broad-band B band (e.g., ~0.4 mag versus ~0.2 mag for those with 0.8 < dm15 < 1.7 mag). SN 2004dt is found as an outlier of this correlation (at > 3 sigma), being brighter than normal SNe Ia such as SN 2005cf by ~0.9 mag and ~2.0 mag in the uvw1/F250W and uvm2/F220W filters, respectively. We show that different progenitor metallicity or line-expansion velocities alone cannot explain such a large discrepancy. Viewing-angle effects, such as due to an asymmetric explosion, may have a significant influence on the flux emitted in the UV region. Detailed modeling is needed to disentangle and quantify the above effects.Comment: 17 pages, 13 figures, accepted by Ap

World Health Organization cardiovascular disease risk charts: revised models to estimate risk in 21 global regions

BACKGROUND: To help adapt cardiovascular disease risk prediction approaches to low-income and middle-income countries, WHO has convened an effort to develop, evaluate, and illustrate revised risk models. Here, we report the derivation, validation, and illustration of the revised WHO cardiovascular disease risk prediction charts that have been adapted to the circumstances of 21 global regions. METHODS: In this model revision initiative, we derived 10-year risk prediction models for fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular disease (ie, myocardial infarction and stroke) using individual participant data from the Emerging Risk Factors Collaboration. Models included information on age, smoking status, systolic blood pressure, history of diabetes, and total cholesterol. For derivation, we included participants aged 40-80 years without a known baseline history of cardiovascular disease, who were followed up until the first myocardial infarction, fatal coronary heart disease, or stroke event. We recalibrated models using age-specific and sex-specific incidences and risk factor values available from 21 global regions. For external validation, we analysed individual participant data from studies distinct from those used in model derivation. We illustrated models by analysing data on a further 123 743 individuals from surveys in 79 countries collected with the WHO STEPwise Approach to Surveillance. FINDINGS: Our risk model derivation involved 376 177 individuals from 85 cohorts, and 19 333 incident cardiovascular events recorded during 10 years of follow-up. The derived risk prediction models discriminated well in external validation cohorts (19 cohorts, 1 096 061 individuals, 25 950 cardiovascular disease events), with Harrell's C indices ranging from 0·685 (95% CI 0·629-0·741) to 0·833 (0·783-0·882). For a given risk factor profile, we found substantial variation across global regions in the estimated 10-year predicted risk. For example, estimated cardiovascular disease risk for a 60-year-old male smoker without diabetes and with systolic blood pressure of 140 mm Hg and total cholesterol of 5 mmol/L ranged from 11% in Andean Latin America to 30% in central Asia. When applied to data from 79 countries (mostly low-income and middle-income countries), the proportion of individuals aged 40-64 years estimated to be at greater than 20% risk ranged from less than 1% in Uganda to more than 16% in Egypt. INTERPRETATION: We have derived, calibrated, and validated new WHO risk prediction models to estimate cardiovascular disease risk in 21 Global Burden of Disease regions. The widespread use of these models could enhance the accuracy, practicability, and sustainability of efforts to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease worldwide. FUNDING: World Health Organization, British Heart Foundation (BHF), BHF Cambridge Centre for Research Excellence, UK Medical Research Council, and National Institute for Health Research