103 research outputs found
Precision characterisation of two-qubit Hamiltonians via entanglement mapping
We show that the general Heisenberg Hamiltonian with non-uniform couplings
can be characterised by mapping the entanglement it generates as a function of
time. Identification of the Hamiltonian in this way is possible as the
coefficients of each operator control the oscillation frequencies of the
entanglement function. The number of measurements required to achieve a given
precision in the Hamiltonian parameters is determined and an efficient
measurement strategy designed. We derive the relationship between the number of
measurements, the resulting precision and the ultimate discrete error
probability generated by a systematic mis-characterisation, when implementing
two-qubit gates for quantum computing.Comment: 6 Pages, 3 figure
Aurora kinases are expressed in medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) and their inhibition suppresses in vitro growth and tumorigenicity of the MTC derived cell line TT
International audienceBACKGROUND: The Aurora kinase family members, Aurora-A, -B and -C, are involved in the regulation of mitosis, and alterations in their expression are associated with cell malignant transformation. To date no information on the expression of these proteins in medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) are available. We here investigated the expression of the Aurora kinases in human MTC tissues and their potential use as therapeutic targets. METHODS: The expression of the Aurora kinases in 26 MTC tissues at different TNM stages was analyzed at the mRNA level by quantitative RT-PCR. We then evaluated the effects of the Aurora kinase inhibitor MK-0457 on the MTC derived TT cell line proliferation, apoptosis, soft agar colony formation, cell cycle and ploidy. RESULTS: The results showed the absence of correlation between tumor tissue levels of any Aurora kinase and tumor stage indicating the lack of prognostic value for these proteins. Treatment with MK-0457 inhibited TT cell proliferation in a time- and dose-dependent manner with IC50 = 49.8 ± 6.6 nM, as well as Aurora kinases phosphorylation of substrates relevant to the mitotic progression. Time-lapse experiments demonstrated that MK-0457-treated cells entered mitosis but were unable to complete it. Cytofluorimetric analysis confirmed that MK-0457 induced accumulation of cells with ≥ 4N DNA content without inducing apoptosis. Finally, MK-0457 prevented the capability of the TT cells to form colonies in soft agar. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate that Aurora kinases inhibition hampered growth and tumorigenicity of TT cells, suggesting its potential therapeutic value for MTC treatment
Cardiovascular disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: results from the QUEST-RA study
Glucocorticoids and endothelial function in inflammatory diseases: focus on rheumatoid arthritis
Endothelial dysfunction and diabetes: roles of hyperglycemia, impaired insulin signaling and obesity
Minimum Wages and Youth Employment: Evidence from the Finnish Retail Trade Sector
Following an agreement between the trade unions and the employer organisations, Finnish employers could pay less than the existing minimum wage for young workers between 1993 and 1995. We examine the effects of these minimum wage exceptions by comparing the changes in wages and employment of the groups whose minimum wages were reduced with simultaneous changes among slightly older workers for whom the minimum wage regulation was still binding. Our analysis is based on the payroll record data and minimum wage agreements from the retail trade sector over the period 1990-2005. We discover that average wages in the eligible group declined only modestly despite the fact that the excess supply of labour during high unemployment should make it relatively easy to attract workers even with low wages. The minimum wage exceptions had no positive effects on employment
Impact of inactivity and exercise on the vasculature in humans
The effects of inactivity and exercise training on established and novel cardiovascular risk factors are relatively modest and do not account for the impact of inactivity and exercise on vascular risk. We examine evidence that inactivity and exercise have direct effects on both vasculature function and structure in humans. Physical deconditioning is associated with enhanced vasoconstrictor tone and has profound and rapid effects on arterial remodelling in both large and smaller arteries. Evidence for an effect of deconditioning on vasodilator function is less consistent. Studies of the impact of exercise training suggest that both functional and structural remodelling adaptations occur and that the magnitude and time-course of these changes depends upon training duration and intensity and the vessel beds involved. Inactivity and exercise have direct “vascular deconditioning and conditioning” effects which likely modify cardiovascular risk
Locally Adaptive Frames in the Roto-Translation Group and Their Applications in Medical Imaging
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