Low-Frequency Quantum Sensing

低周波信号の新規高感度量子センシング手法を開発 --NV量子センサを用いた核磁気共鳴（NMR）世界最小線幅を実証--. 京都大学プレスリリース. 2022-11-01.Exquisite sensitivities are a prominent advantage of quantum sensors. Ramsey sequences allow precise measurement of direct current fields, while Hahn-echo-like sequences measure alternating current fields. However, the latter are restrained for use with high-frequency fields (above approximately 1kHz) due to finite coherence times, leaving less-sensitive noncoherent methods for the low-frequency range. In this paper, we propose to bridge the gap with a fitting-based algorithm with a frequency-independent sensitivity to coherently measure low-frequency fields. As the algorithm benefits from coherence-based measurements, its demonstration with a single nitrogen-vacancy center gives a sensitivity of 9.4nT Hz⁻⁰.⁵ for frequencies below about 0.6kHz down to near-constant fields. To inspect the potential in various scenarios, we apply the algorithm at a background field of tens of nTs, and we measure low-frequency signals via synchronization

Reading and writing charge on graphene devices

We use a combination of charge writing and scanning gate microscopy to map and modify the local charge neutrality point of graphene field-effect devices. We give a demonstration of the technique by writing remote charge in a thin dielectric layer over the graphene-metal interface and detecting the resulting shift in local charge neutrality point. We perform electrostatic simulations to characterize the gating effect of a realistic scanning probe tip on a graphene bilayer and find a good agreement with the experimental results

Long-term radiological and histological outcomes following selective internal radiation therapy to liver metastases from breast cancer.

Liver metastasis from breast cancer is associated with poor prognosis and is a major cause of early morbidity and mortality. When liver resection is not feasible, minimally invasive directed therapies are considered to attempt to prolong survival. Selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) with yttrium-90 microspheres is a liver-directed therapy that can improve local control of liver metastases from colorectal cancer. We present a case of a patient with a ductal breast adenocarcinoma, who developed liver and bone metastasis despite extensive treatment with systemic chemotherapies. Following SIRT to the liver, after an initial response, the patient ultimately progressed in the liver after 7 months. Liver tumor histology obtained 20 months after the SIRT intervention demonstrated the presence of the resin microspheres in situ. This case report demonstrates the long-term control that may be achieved with SIRT to treat liver metastases from breast cancer that is refractory to previous chemotherapies, and the presence of microspheres in situ long-term

Dutch Oncology COVID-19 consortium:Outcome of COVID-19 in patients with cancer in a nationwide cohort study

Aim of the study: Patients with cancer might have an increased risk for severe outcome of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). To identify risk factors associated with a worse outcome of COVID-19, a nationwide registry was developed for patients with cancer and COVID-19. Methods: This observational cohort study has been designed as a quality of care registry and is executed by the Dutch Oncology COVID-19 Consortium (DOCC), a nationwide collaboration of oncology physicians in the Netherlands. A questionnaire has been developed to collect pseudonymised patient data on patients' characteristics, cancer diagnosis and treatment. All patients with COVID-19 and a cancer diagnosis or treatment in the past 5 years are eligible. Results: Between March 27th and May 4th, 442 patients were registered. For this first analysis, 351 patients were included of whom 114 patients died. In multivariable analyses, age ≥65 years (p < 0.001), male gender (p = 0.035), prior or other malignancy (p = 0.045) and active diagnosis of haematological malignancy (p = 0.046) or lung cancer (p = 0.003) were independent risk factors for a fatal outcome of COVID-19. In a subgroup analysis of patients with active malignancy, the risk for a fatal outcome was mainly determined by tumour type (haematological malignancy or lung cancer) and age (≥65 years). Conclusion: The findings in this registry indicate that patients with a haematological malignancy or lung cancer have an increased risk of a worse outcome of COVID-19. During the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, these vulnerable patients should avoid exposure to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, whereas treatment adjustments and prioritising vaccination, when available, should also be considered

Ultra-long coherence times amongst room-temperature solid-state spins

単一NVダイヤモンド量子センサで世界最高感度を実現 --合成n型ダイヤモンドにより室温での世界最長T2--. 京都大学プレスリリース. 2019-09-02.Ultra-sensitive sensors from impure diamonds. 京都大学プレスリリース. 2019-09-26.Solid-state single spins are promising resources for quantum sensing, quantum-information processing and quantum networks, because they are compatible with scalable quantum-device engineering. However, the extension of their coherence times proves challenging. Although enrichment of the spin-zero 12C and 28Si isotopes drastically reduces spin-bath decoherence in diamond and silicon, the solid-state environment provides deleterious interactions between the electron spin and the remaining spins of its surrounding. Here we demonstrate, contrary to widespread belief, that an impurity-doped (phosphorus) n-type single-crystal diamond realises remarkably long spin-coherence times. Single electron spins show the longest inhomogeneous spin-dephasing time (T∗2≈1.5 ms) and Hahn-echo spin-coherence time (T2 ≈ 2.4 ms) ever observed in room-temperature solid-state systems, leading to the best sensitivities. The extension of coherence times in diamond semiconductor may allow for new applications in quantum technology

Long-term radiological and histological outcomes following selective internal radiation therapy to liver metastases from breast cancer

Liver metastasis from breast cancer is associated with poor prognosis and is a major cause of early morbidity and mortality. When liver resection is not feasible, minimally invasive directed therapies are considered to attempt to prolong survival. Selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) with yttrium-90 microspheres is a liver-directed therapy that can improve local control of liver metastases from colorectal cancer. We present a case of a patient with a ductal breast adenocarcinoma, who developed liver and bone metastasis despite extensive treatment with systemic chemotherapies. Following SIRT to the liver, after an initial response, the patient ultimately progressed in the liver after 7 months. Liver tumor histology obtained 20 months after the SIRT intervention demonstrated the presence of the resin microspheres in situ. This case report demonstrates the long-term control that may be achieved with SIRT to treat liver metastases from breast cancer that is refractory to previous chemotherapies, and the presence of microspheres in situ long-term

Research data supporting "Direct Imaging of Coherent Quantum Transport in Graphene Heterojunctions"

Origin file containing raw data for LW13854This work was supported by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council [grant number EP/L020963/1. EPSR

Data for "Direct imaging of coherent quantum transport in graphene p-n-p junctions"

Origin file containing the raw numerical data for figures. The Origin file contains a worksheet for each figure with the x and y axis labelled in each case.This work was supported by the EPSRC [grant number RG73138]

First-in-human phase I study of the bromodomain and extraterminal motif inhibitor BAY 1238097: emerging pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic relationship and early termination due to unexpected toxicity

Background: Bromodomain and extraterminal motif (BET) protein inhibition is a promising cancer treatment strategy, notably for targeting MYC- or BRD4-driven diseases. A first-in-human study investigated the safety, pharmacokinetics, maximum tolerated dose and recommended phase II dose of the BET inhibitor BAY 1238097 in patients with advanced malignancies. Material and methods: In this phase I, open-label, non-randomised, multicentre study, patients with cytologically or histologically confirmed advanced refractory malignancies received oral BAY 1238097 twice weekly in 21-day cycles using an adaptive dose-escalation design at a starting dose of 10 mg/week. Model-based dose–response analysis was performed to guide dose escalation. Safety, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and tumour response were evaluated. Results: Eight patients were enrolled at three dose levels (10 mg/week, n = 3; 40 mg/week, n = 3; 80 mg/week, n = 2). Both patients receiving 80 mg/week had dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) (grade 3 vomiting, grade 3 headache and grade 2/3 back pain). The most common adverse events were nausea, vomiting, headache, back pain and fatigue. Pharmacokinetic analysis indicated a linear dose response with increasing dose. Two patients displayed prolonged stable disease; no responses were observed. Biomarker evaluation of MYC and HEXIM1 expression demonstrated an emerging pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic relationship, with a trend towards decreased MYC and increased HEXIM1 expression in response to treatment. Conclusion: The study was prematurely terminated because of the occurrence of DLTs at a dose below targeted drug exposure. Pharmacokinetic modelling indicated that an alternate dosing schedule whereby DLTs could be avoided while reaching efficacious exposure was not feasible. Registration number: NCT02369029