Estimating quantum chromatic numbers

We develop further the new versions of quantum chromatic numbers of graphs introduced by the first and fourth authors. We prove that the problem of computation of the commuting quantum chromatic number of a graph is solvable by an SDP algorithm and describe an hierarchy of variants of the commuting quantum chromatic number which converge to it. We introduce the tracial rank of a graph, a parameter that gives a lower bound for the commuting quantum chromatic number and parallels the projective rank, and prove that it is multiplicative. We describe the tracial rank, the projective rank and the fractional chromatic numbers in a unified manner that clarifies their connection with the commuting quantum chromatic number, the quantum chromatic number and the classical chromatic number, respectively. Finally, we present a new SDP algorithm that yields a parameter larger than the Lov\'asz number and is yet a lower bound for the tracial rank of the graph. We determine the precise value of the tracial rank of an odd cycle.Comment: 34 pages; v2 has improved presentation based after referees' comments, published versio

Entanglement requirements for implementing bipartite unitary operations

We prove, using a new method based on map-state duality, lower bounds on entanglement resources needed to deterministically implement a bipartite unitary using separable (SEP) operations, which include LOCC (local operations and classical communication) as a particular case. It is known that the Schmidt rank of an entangled pure state resource cannot be less than the Schmidt rank of the unitary. We prove that if these ranks are equal the resource must be uniformly (maximally) entangled: equal nonzero Schmidt coefficients. Higher rank resources can have less entanglement: we have found numerical examples of Schmidt rank 2 unitaries which can be deterministically implemented, by either SEP or LOCC, using an entangled resource of two qutrits with less than one ebit of entanglement.Comment: 7 pages Revte

Rollenspiel

Das Rollenspiel als Erhebungsmethode in der qualitativen Sozialforschung bietet, verbunden mit dem Auswertungsverfahren der tiefenhermeneutischen Textinterpretation, die Möglichkeit, kollektiv unbewusste Prozesse in Gruppen in ihrem Bedeutungsgehalt für die den Interaktionen zugrunde liegenden Muster zu erkennen und zu verstehen. Gruppendynamische Prozesse werden erfasst und das rollenspezifische Handeln der Gruppenteilnehmenden bezogen auf das jeweilige Erfahrungsfeld analysiert. In dem Beitrag werden die Durchführung der Rollenspiele sowie deren Dokumentation und die Auswertung der in den Rollenspielen erhobenen Daten vorgestellt, insbesondere anhand konkreter Anwendungsbeispiele die Dokumentations- und Auswertungsschritte praxisorientiert dargelegt und Limitationen der Einsatzes von Rollenspielen diskutiert

Activation of TGF-β-induced non-Smad signaling pathways during Th17 differentiation

Although transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) has been shown to positively regulate the development of murine T helper type 17 (Th17) cells, which of the intracellular signaling pathways are involved is controversial. We examined Smad-dependent and -independent signaling molecules downstream of the TGF-β receptor (TGFβR) involved in Th17 differentiation of naive murine CD4(+)CD62L(+) T cells. During Th17 differentiation of wild-type T cells, Smad2/3 was phosphorylated, indicating activation of the canonical Smad pathway. T cells lacking TGFβRII did not differentiate into Th17, whereas T cells treated with a TGFβRI kinase inhibitor (SB-431542) or overexpression of inhibitory Smad7 retained a low amount of Th17 polarization despite absent Smad2/3 phosphorylation. Using protein antibody arrays we found an increase of expression and phosphorylation of the following Smad-independent signaling molecules in Th17-polarized wild-type T cells: AKT1(Tyr474), AKT2 (Ser474), ERK1-p44/42 MAPK(Tyr204), mTOR(Thr2446), p38 MAPK(Thr180), Rac1/cdc42(Ser71), SAPK/JNK(Tyr185) and SP1(Thr739). Pharmacological inhibition of AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling with rapamycin or LY294002 decreased Th17 differentiation of wild-type T cells, and completely abolished interleukin-17 production in T cells with overexpression of Smad7. Rapamycin and LY294002 also decreased induced regulatory T cell differentiation, but only had minor additive effects to Smad7 overexpression. Finally, inhibitors of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) blocked in vitro polarization of Th17 cells. Our data show that Smad-dependent and -independent intracellular pathways contribute to murine Th17 differentiation

Efeito do extrato hidroalcoólico de Aroeira (Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi) na cicatrização de anastomoses colônicas: estudo experimental em ratos Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi and it's influence in the healing process of colonic anastomosis: experimental study in rats

INTRODUÇÃO: A cicatrização é evento biológico complexo envolvendo inflamação, quimiotaxia, proliferação celular, diferenciação e remodelação. Na medicina popular brasileira, utiliza-se a Aroeira para tratar as mais diversas situações patológicas No Estado do Maranhão - Brasil, a Aroeira é extensivamente utilizada no tratamento de afecções do aparelho respiratório, digestivo e ginecológico. As anastomoses intestinais sempre foram motivo de preocupação para cirurgiões e constituem, até hoje assunto polêmico e repleto de controvérsias. Entre as causas de insucesso da anastomose intestinal destacam-se as fístulas e deiscências. OBJETIVO: Avaliar o efeito do extrato hidroalcoólico de Aroeira (Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi) no processo de cicatrização de anastomoses colônicas em ratos. MÉTODOS: Foram utilizados 40 ratos da linhagem Wistar divididos em dois grupos (grupo Aroeira e grupo controle), aleatoriamente, composto de 20 animais cada, de acordo com o tratamento recebido (extrato da Aroeira ou solução salina a 0,9%) após a anastomose, e subdividiu-se cada grupo em dois subgrupos (C3 e C7 e A3 e A7,) de acordo com o dia de eutanásia (ao 3º e 7º dias). As variáveis utilizadas para mensuração foram: análise macroscópica, microscópica e tensiométrica. As interações entre os grupos foram analisadas pelo teste não-paramétrico de Mann-Whitney. RESULTADOS: Quanto ao grau de adesão, não foi observado diferença significativa entre os grupos Aroeira e controle tanto no 3º quanto no 7º dia. Quando se comparam os subgrupos do ponto de vista microscópico no 3º dia, a diferença entre o grupo que recebeu o extrato da Aroeira e o grupo controle foi significativa nas variáveis congestão (p = 0,005), polimorfonucleares (p = 0,034), mononucleares (p = 0,023), proliferação fibroblástica (p = 0,023) e na fase de cicatrização (p = 0,001). Na análise do 7º dia, todas as variáveis da análise microscópica foram significativas o que levou a 100% dos ratos do grupo Aroeira apresentarem inflamação crônica contra 20% do grupo controle. Em relação ao teste de pressão de ruptura, não houve diferença estatisticamente significante entre os grupos controle e Aroeira. CONCLUSÃO: Observou-se efeito favorável da Aroeira, a nível microscópico, no processo de cicatrização de anastomoses de cólon.<br>INTRODUCTION: The healing is a complex biological event that involves inflammation, chemotaxis, cells proliferation, differentiation and remodelation. In Brazilian popular medicine, the "Aroeira" is used to treat different situations The anastomotic healing is always a preoccupation among surgeons. The fail in intestinal anastomosis leads to fistulas and dehiscences. PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of the hidroalcoholic extract of Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi (brazilian peppertree) in the healing of colonic anastomosis. METHODS: Forty Wistar rats were randomly divided in two groups (Aroeira and control), each one with 20 animals, according to the treatment received after the anastomosis (Aroeira extract or saline solution 0,9%) and each group was divided in two subgroups (C3 and C7 and A3 and A7,) according to the euthanasia day (at 3rd and at 7th). The macroscopic, microscopic and bursting pressure measurements were performed. To evaluate the groups, the non-parametric test of Mann-Whitney was applied. RESULTS: In the macroscopic aspects, there was no significant difference between the Aroeira and the control group, both at the 3rd and the 7th days. When compared the subgroups of microscopic analysis at the 3rd day, the difference between the Aroeira and the control group was significant in the variables congestion (p = 0,005), polymorphonuclears (p = 0,034), mononuclears (p = 0,023), fibroblastic proliferation (p = 0,023) and at the healing stage (p = 0,001). At the 7th day analysis, the difference between the Aroeira and the control group was significant in all the variables of microscopic analysis. No significant differences were found in the bursting pressure. CONCLUSION: It was observed a favorable effect of Aroeira, at microscopic level, in the healing process of colonic anastomosis

The devil is in the details: Genomics of transmissible cancers in Tasmanian devils - Fig 2

<p>Karyotypes of a normal female Tasmanian devil (top) with a representative karyotype of DFT1 (middle) and DFT2 (bottom). Karyotypes of the Tasmanian devil and DFT1 follow [<a href="http://www.plospathogens.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.ppat.1007098#ppat.1007098.ref019" target="_blank">19</a>]; this arrangement differs from [<a href="http://www.plospathogens.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.ppat.1007098#ppat.1007098.ref010" target="_blank">10</a>] in respect to Chromosomes 1 and 2, in which the positions are reversed. Colors in rearranged/fragmented chromosomes indicate the chromosome from which the material originated in the normal devil karyotype. M1–M5 indicate marker chromosomes resulting from fragmentation of Chromosome 1 and fusion with Chromosomes 5 and 1 in DFT1. Asterisks indicate those chromosomes/markers that have been observed to vary among karyotyped strains of DFT1. DFT2 originated from a male devil and thus possesses a Y chromosome. While one copy of Chromosome 6 has been inserted into the pericentric region of Chromosome 1, the limited available karyotypes of DFT2 thus far suggest it is otherwise relatively undifferentiated from the normal devil karyotype. DFT, devil facial tumor.</p