Spiniform phase-encoded metagratings entangling arbitrary rational-order orbital angular momentum

Quantum entanglements between integer-order and fractional-order orbital angular momentums (OAMs) have been previously discussed. However, the entangled nature of arbitrary rational-order OAM has long been considered a myth due to the absence of an effective strategy for generating arbitrary rational-order OAM beams. Therefore, we report a single metadevice comprising a bilaterally symmetric grating with an aperture, creating optical beams with dynamically controllable OAM values that are continuously varying over a rational range. Due to its encoded spiniform phase, this novel metagrating enables the production of an average OAM that can be increased without a theoretical limit by embracing distributed singularities, which differs significantly from the classic method of stacking phase singularities using fork gratings. This new method makes it possible to probe the unexplored niche of quantum entanglement between arbitrarily defined OAMs in light, which could lead to the complex manipulation of microparticles, high-dimensional quantum entanglement and optical communication. We show that quantum coincidence based on rational-order OAM-superposition states could give rise to low cross-talks between two different states that have no significant overlap in their spiral spectra. Additionally, future applications in quantum communication and optical micromanipulation may be found

Observation of quantum fingerprinting beating the classical limit

Quantum communication has historically been at the forefront of advancements, from fundamental tests of quantum physics to utilizing the quantum-mechanical properties of physical systems for practical applications. In the field of communication complexity, quantum communication allows the advantage of an exponential reduction in the information transmitted over classical communication to accomplish distributed computational tasks. However, to date, demonstrating this advantage in a practical setting continues to be a central challenge. Here, we report an experimental demonstration of a quantum fingerprinting protocol that for the first time surpasses the ultimate classical limit to transmitted information. Ultra-low noise superconducting single-photon detectors and a stable fibre-based Sagnac interferometer are used to implement a quantum fingerprinting system that is capable of transmitting less information than the classical proven lower bound over 20 km standard telecom fibre for input sizes of up to two Gbits. The results pave the way for experimentally exploring the advanced features of quantum communication and open a new window of opportunity for research in communication complexity and testing the foundations of physics.Comment: 19 pages, 4 figure

Integrated Analysis Reveals That Long Non-Coding RNA TUBA4B Can Be Used as a Prognostic Biomarker in Various Cancers

Background/Aims: Recent studies have reported the importance of tubulin alpha 4b (TUBA4B), a long non-coding RNA, in the development of several cancers; however, studies on its clinical significance are rare. In the present meta-analysis, we investigated whether TUBA4B can be used as a prognostic biomarker in human cancers. Methods: A comprehensive search was performed in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Gene Expression Omnibus databases. Hazard ratios from individual studies were calculated and pooled using a random-effects or fix-effects model. The pooled hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to evaluate the value of TUBA4B. The expression of TUBA4B was evaluated in lung cancer tissue arrays by fluorescence in situ hybridization assay. Additionally, a sensitivity analysis and Begg’s test were conducted. Results: We found that TUBA4B was significantly correlated with overall survival (OS) (HR = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.16–1.52, P=0.000), disease-free survival (DFS; HR = 1.25, 95% CI: 1.06–1.48, P=0.007), and recurrence-free survival (RFS; HR = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.26–1.60, P=0.000). In addition, TUBA4B was a risk factor for lung cancer (HR = 1.24, 95% CI: 1.03–1.49, P=0.021), colon cancer (HR = 1.67, 95% CI: 1.02–2.74, P=0.042), breast cancer (HR = 1.52, 95% CI: 1.10–2.12, P=0.012), and ovarian cancer (HR = 1.67, 95% CI: 1.18–2.36, P=0.004). Moreover, LncRNA-TUBA4B was significantly lower expression in tumor tissues than normal lung tissues (P< 0.001). The expression of lncRNA-TUBA4B was decreased with the progression of lung cancer stage. A subgroup meta-analysis based on data resource, sample size, region, patient numbers, and tumor type was further performed. Our studies revealed that tumor tissues with low levels of TUBA4B was significantly associated with short OS, DFS, and RFS in cancer patients. Conclusion: The present findings suggest that TUBA4B can be a novel biomarker for the prognosis of various cancers

Measurement-device-independent quantum key distribution over untrustful metropolitan network

Quantum cryptography holds the promise to establish an information-theoretically secure global network. All field tests of metropolitan-scale quantum networks to date are based on trusted relays. The security critically relies on the accountability of the trusted relays, which will break down if the relay is dishonest or compromised. Here, we construct a measurement-device-independent quantum key distribution (MDIQKD) network in a star topology over a 200 square kilometers metropolitan area, which is secure against untrustful relays and against all detection attacks. In the field test, our system continuously runs through one week with a secure key rate ten times larger than previous result. Our results demonstrate that the MDIQKD network, combining the best of both worlds --- security and practicality, constitutes an appealing solution to secure metropolitan communications.Comment: 17 pages, 4 figure

Risk of Pneumonitis and Pneumonia Associated With Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors for Solid Tumors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the risk of pneumonitis and pneumonia associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) for solid tumors.Methods: The following keywords were used in searching the Embase and PubMed database: pneumonitis, pneumonia, and immune checkpoint inhibitors. The data was analyzed by using the R software and Metafor package.Results: Among 3,436 studies, 23 randomized clinical trials (RCTs) met our selection criteria which included data from 12,876 patients. Compared with chemotherapy, PD-1 inhibitors showed significant increase in grade 1-5 and grade 3-5 pneumonitis (RR, 5.17, 95% CI: 2.82–9.47, p < 0.001; RR, 4.14, 95% CI: 1.82–9.42, p < 0.001), but not in pneumonia. PD-L1 inhibitors showed significant increase in grade 1-5 pneumonitis and pneumonia (RR, 3.25, 95% CI: 1.61–6.57, p < 0.001; RR, 2.11, 95% CI: 1.20–3.70, p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in any grade pneumonitis and pneumonia in cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA4) inhibitors subgroup. Programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) inhibitor (nivolumab and pembrolizumab) both showed significant increase in grade 1-5 pneumonitis, and pembrolizumab specially tended to increase grade 3-5 pneumonitis. (RR, 5.64 95% CI: 1.94–16.38, p < 0.001). Compared with PD-1 inhibitor (nivolumab) or CTLA-4 inhibitor (ipilimumab) monotherapy, PD-1 inhibitor, and CTLA-4 inhibitor (nivolumab plus ipilimumab) combination therapies showed significant increase in grade 1-5 and grade 3-5 pneumonitis (RR 3.47, 95%CI:1.76–6.83, p < 0.001; RR 3.48, 95%CI: 1.10–11.02, p < 0.001).Conclusions: PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors treatment could increase the risk of all-grade pneumonitis. CTLA4 inhibitor ipilimumab treatment alone could not increase the risk of pneumonitis but could augment the risk of pneumonitis in PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor treated patients. There was no significant increase in the risk of pneumonia after either PD-1/PDL-1inhibitor or CTLA4 inhibitor treatment alone or in combination

Efficient removal of Cd(II) from aqueous solution by pinecone biochar: Sorption performance and governing mechanisms

Cadmium (Cd) is one of the most harmful and widespread environmental pollutants. Despite decades-long research efforts, the remediation of water contaminated by Cd has remained a significant challenge. A novel carbon material, pinecone biochar, was previously hypothesized to be a promising adsorbent for Cd, while so far, it has received little attention. This study evaluated the sorption capacity of pinecone biochar through isotherm experiments. Based on Langmuir model, the adsorption maximum for Cd(II) was up to 92.7 mg g−1. The mechanism of Cd(II) adsorption on pinecone biochar was also explored through both thermodynamic and kinetics adsorption experiments, as well as both solution and solid-phase microstructure characterization. The solid-solution partitioning behaviour of Cd(II) fitted best with the Tόth model while the adsorption process followed a pseudo-second-order rate, suggesting that the Cd(II) adsorption on the pinecone biochar was mainly a chemisorption process. Microstructure characteristics and mechanism analysis further suggested that coprecipitation and surface complexation were the main mechanisms of Cd adsorption by biochar. Coprecipitation occurred mainly through the forms of Cd(OH)2 and CdCO3. Our results demonstrated that pinecone biochar was an efficient adsorbent which holds a huge potential for Cd(II) removal from aqueous solution