Inverted many-body mobility edge in a central qudit problem

Many interesting experimental systems, such as cavity QED or central spin models, involve global coupling to a single harmonic mode. Out-of-equilibrium, it remains unclear under what conditions localized phases survive such global coupling. We study energy-dependent localization in the disordered Ising model with transverse and longitudinal fields coupled globally to a $d$-level system (qudit). Strikingly, we discover an inverted mobility edge, where high energy states are localized while low energy states are delocalized. Our results are supported by shift-and-invert eigenstate targeting and Krylov time evolution up to $L=13$ and $18$ respectively. We argue for a critical energy of the localization phase transition which scales as $E_c \propto L^{1/2}$, consistent with finite size numerics. We also show evidence for a reentrant MBL phase at even lower energies despite the presence of strong effects of the central mode in this regime. Similar results should occur in the central spin-$S$ problem at large $S$ and in certain models of cavity QED

Tumor derived Microvesicles enhance cross-processing ability of clinical grade Dendritic Cells

Tumor cells release extracellular microvesicles (MVs) in the microenvironment to deliver biological signals to neighbouring cells as well as to cells in distant tissues. Tumor-derived MVs appear to play contradictory role promoting both immunosuppression and tumor growth and both evoking tumor specific immune response. Recent evidences indicate that tumor-derived MVs can positively impact Dendritic Cells (DCs) immunogenicity by reprogramming DC antigen processing machinery and intracellular signaling pathways, thus promoting anti-tumor response. DCs are considered pivot cells of the immune system due to their exclusive ability to coordinate the innate and acquired immune responses, cross-present exogenous antigens and prime naïve T cells. DCs are required for the induction and maintenance of long-lasting anti-tumor immunity and their exploitation has been extensively investigated for the design of anti-tumor vaccines. However, the clinical grade culture conditions that are required to generate DCs for therapeutic use can strongly affect their functions. Here, we investigated the immunomodulatory impact of MVs carrying the MUC1 tumor glycoantigen (MVsMUC1) as immunogen formulation on clinical grade DCs grown in X-VIVO 15 (X-DCs). Results indicated that X-DCs displayed reduced performance of the antigen processing machinery in term of diminished phagocytosis and acidification of the phagosomal compartment suggesting an altered immunogenicity of clinical grade DCs. Pulsing DCs with MVsMUC1 restored phagosomal alkalinization, triggering ROS increase. This was not observed when a soluble MUC1 protein was employed (rMUC1). Concurrently, MVsMUC1 internalization by X-DCs allowed MUC1 cross-processing. Most importantly, MVsMUC1 pulsed DCs activated IFNγ response mediated by MUC1 specific CD8+ T cells. These results strongly support the employment of tumor-derived MVs as immunogen platforms for the implementation of DC-based vaccine

Triple peptide vaccination as consolidation treatment in women affected by ovarian and breast cancer: clinical and immunological data of a phase I/II clinical trial

Vaccination with priming and expansion of tumour reacting T cells is an important therapeutic option to be used in combination with novel checkpoint inhibitors to increase the specificity of the T cell infiltrate and the efficacy of the treatment. In this phase I/II study, 14 high-risk disease-free ovarian (OC) and breast cancer (BC) patients after completion of standard therapies were vaccinated with MUC1, ErbB2 and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) HLA-A2+-restricted peptides and Montanide. Patients were subjected to 6 doses of vaccine every two weeks and a recall dose after 3 months. ECOG grade 2 toxicity was observed at the injection site. Eight out of 14 patients showed specific CD8+ T cells to at least one antigen. None of 4 patients vaccinated for compassionate use showed a CD8 activation. An OC patient who suffered from a lymph nodal recurrence, showed specific anti-ErbB2 CD8+ T cells in the bulky aortic lymph nodes suggesting homingof the activated T cells. Results confirm that peptide vaccination strategy is feasible, safe and well tolerated. In particular OC patients appear to show a higher response rate compared to BC patients. Vaccination generates a long-lasting immune response, which is strongly enhanced by recall administrations. The clinical outcome of patients enrolled in the trial appears favourable, having registered no deceased patients with a minimum follow-up of 8 years. These promising data, in line with the results of similar studies, the high compliance of patients observed and the favourable toxicity profile, support future trials of peptide vaccination in clinically disease-free patients who have completed standard treatments

Disorder induced topological phase transition in a driven Majorana chain

We study a periodically driven one dimensional Kitaev model in the presence of disorder. In the clean limit our model exhibits four topological phases corresponding to the existence or non-existence of edge modes at zero and pi quasienergy. When disorder is added, the system parameters get renormalized and the system may exhibit a topological phase transition. When starting from the Majorana $\pi$ Mode (MPM) phase, which hosts only edge Majoranas with quasienergy pi, disorder induces a transition into a neighboring phase with both pi and zero modes on the edges. We characterize the disordered system using (i) exact diagonalization (ii) Arnoldi mapping onto an effective tight binding chain and (iii) topological entanglement entropy

Tumor-derived microvesicles modulate antigen cross-processing via reactive oxygen species-mediated alkalinization of phagosomal compartment in dendritic cells

Dendritic cells (DCs) are the only antigen-presenting cells able to prime naïve T cells and cross-prime antigen-specific CD8+ T cells. Their functionality is a requirement for the induction and maintenance of long-lasting cancer immunity. Albeit intensively investigated, the in vivo mechanisms underlying efficient antigen cross-processing and presentation are not fully understood. Several pieces of evidence indicate that antigen transfer to DCs mediated by microvesicles (MVs) enhances antigen immunogenicity. This mechanism is also relevant for cross-presentation of those tumor-associated glycoproteins such as MUC1 that are blocked in HLA class II compartment when internalized by DCs as soluble molecules. Here, we present pieces of evidence that the internalization of tumor-derived MVs modulates antigen-processing machinery of DCs. Employing MVs derived from ovarian cancer ascites fluid and established tumor cell lines, we show that MV uptake modifies DC phagosomal microenvironment, triggering reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and early alkalinization. Indeed, tumor MVs carry radical species and the MV uptake by DCs counteracts the chemically mediated acidification of the phagosomal compartment. Further pieces of evidence suggest that efficacious antigen cross-priming of the MUC1 antigen carried by the tumor MVs results from the early signaling induced by MV internalization and the function of the antigen-processing machinery of DCs. These results strongly support the hypothesis that tumor-derived MVs impact antigen immunogenicity by tuning the antigen-processing machinery of DCs, besides being carrier of tumor antigens. Furthermore, these findings have important implications for the exploitation of MVs as antigenic cell-free immunogen for DC-based therapeutic strategies

Tumor-Derived Microvesicles Enhance Cross-Processing Ability of Clinical Grade Dendritic Cells

Tumor cells release extracellular microvesicles (MVs) in the microenvironment to deliver biological signals to neighboring cells as well as to cells in distant tissues. Tumor-derived MVs appear to play contradictory role promoting both immunosuppression and tumor growth and both evoking tumor specific immune response. Recent evidences indicate that tumor-derived MVs can positively impact Dendritic Cells (DCs) immunogenicity by reprogramming DC antigen processing machinery and intracellular signaling pathways, thus promoting anti-tumor response. DCs are considered pivot cells of the immune system due to their exclusive ability to coordinate the innate and acquired immune responses, cross-present exogenous antigens, and prime naïve T cells. DCs are required for the induction and maintenance of long-lasting anti-tumor immunity and their exploitation has been extensively investigated for the design of anti-tumor vaccines. However, the clinical grade culture conditions that are required to generate DCs for therapeutic use can strongly affect their functions. Here, we investigated the immunomodulatory impact of MVs carrying the MUC1 tumor glycoantigen (MVsMUC1) as immunogen formulation on clinical grade DCs grown in X-VIVO 15 (X-DCs). Results indicated that X-DCs displayed reduced performance of the antigen processing machinery in term of diminished phagocytosis and acidification of the phagosomal compartment suggesting an altered immunogenicity of clinical grade DCs. Pulsing DCs with MVsMUC1 restored phagosomal alkalinization, triggering ROS increase. This was not observed when a soluble MUC1 protein was employed (rMUC1). Concurrently, MVsMUC1 internalization by X-DCs allowed MUC1 cross-processing. Most importantly, MVsMUC1 pulsed DCs activated IFNγ response mediated by MUC1 specific CD8+ T cells. These results strongly support the employment of tumor-derived MVs as immunogen platforms for the implementation of DC-based vaccines

イスラム教におけるインフラ事業の契約マネジメントとファイナンス

京都大学0048新制・課程博士博士(工学)甲第17143号工博第3633号新制||工||1552(附属図書館)29882京都大学大学院工学研究科都市社会工学専攻(主査）教授 小林 潔司, 教授 谷口 栄一, 准教授 松島 格也学位規則第4条第1項該当Doctor of Philosophy (Engineering)Kyoto UniversityDFA

The Hakka in Modern Chinese Revolution: A Study of the Role of Hakka People in the Taiping Rebellion and Xinhai Revolution

本論文的要旨主要是從太平天國革命與辛亥革命這兩個歷史事件，來探究大量客家人參與近代中國革命的現象，並試圖找出客家人革命意識之由來。本論文的研究途徑是社會人類學的向度；研究架構上則以客家的革命意識作為核心，分析此意識之形塑、發展以及實踐。 在探索客家人革命意識之形塑上，「被邊緣化」與「被汙名化」是兩大脈絡。客家人由於身為晚來的移民族群，無法獲得良田耕種，為求生存而到處搬遷、流浪的生活方式，使其難以脫離貧窮，在經濟與社會面上瀕臨邊緣位置；又由於與主流的當地居民在資源上的競爭與衝突，而常遭主流族群汙名化為「類蠻夷」或「非漢」，客家人產生漢人認同的危機感，面臨華夏邊緣的位置。「被邊緣化」與「被汙名化」正是培養其革命意識之沃土。 在探索客家人革命意識之發展上，客家人利用各種方式逃離汙名的過程，令其革命意識逐漸成熟。一般常民的「矇混過關」；知識份子以「誇耀」的方式反駁汙名、替客家「正名」；以及藉由信仰新的宗教—基督教獲得新的身份和自信，皆為其常用手段。然而當這些方式都無法真正地翻轉客家人「被邊緣化」與「被汙名化」的困境時，革命即成為其終極手段。 在探索客家人革命意識之實踐上，太平天國是客家人的一場逃汙戰爭。天王洪秀全藉由成為拜上帝教的先知而令自己逃汙成功。東王楊秀清藉由「天父下凡」神蹟與種種稱號上的誇耀展演，而令自己逃汙成功。至於一般會眾，拜上帝教不區分族群的態度，使客家人至少在太平天國時期成功逃離族群上的汙名。而原本的貧窮狀況，也因為太平天國的「聖庫」公產制度或土地制度，使所有人在表面上都達到了平等；相對而言，已成功逃離經濟生活的困境。 而號召辛亥革命的孫中山，其一生就是一個努力想從中國社會外圍走入中國社會核心的過程。他早年數次上書提出新政建議、及其積極與中國傳統知識份子保持交流，正反映其意欲藉由這些途徑進入中國社會的上層與核心，去除其出身與教育背景所帶給他個人的汙名；去除所有與他背景相似之同志所受的汙名；消除中國境內人民被满清政府邊緣化與汙名化的現象；最終消除整個中國在國際社會中所遭受的邊緣化和汙名化。另一方面，客家菁英從晚清即開始建構的客家純漢論述，與革命派的中國知識份子在二十世紀初所建構的中國國族論述相符。兩者皆以「黃帝血統」作為定義「我族」（客家純漢論述中的客家人與中國國族論述中的漢人）的基本原則。因此客家人自然而然地會受到以排滿為號召的辛亥革命的吸引而大量參與革命。This study adopts a social anthropological approach to explore the formation, development and practice of revolutionary consciousness among the Hakka minority in modern China, focusing on the Taiping Rebellion and Xinghai Revolution. Formation of revolutionary consciousness is examined through theories of ethnic group marginalization and stigmatization. The Hakka migrants from other parts of China generally didn’t possess adequate arable land to make a decent living and thus were forced to move from place to place in search of a better life. Traditional Chinese attitude toward such migration were negative and associated it with poverty, crime and armed conflict over limited resources. These attitudes engendered a discourse which stigmatized the Hakka as “barbarian”, or at least as ethnically impure Han Chinese. This discourse created a crisis of identity among the Hakka who found themselves on the margin of Chinese society and of so called Chineseness . These two negative attributions the; stigma of not being “normal Han” and socio-economic marginalization created fertile ground for the formation of revolutionary consciousness among the Hakka. Revolutionary consciousness developed as a by-product of the process of avoiding or escaping stigma. Social practices developed as a mean to escape stigma including the “passing” (for common people), self-aggrandizement based on “pure” Hakka origin (among Hakka elites), and conversion to new religions such as Christianity which provided an alternative identity. But when these practices did not serve as adequate means of escaping marginalization and stigmatization, revolution assumed a prominent role in Hakka culture. The Taiping Rebellion is a good example of how the Hakka struggle to escape stigma led to revolutionary action. The leader of the rebellion, Hong Xiuquan, escaped ethnic stigmatization by creating a Christian sect called the “god worshipers” and declaring himself prophet and the “son of God”. Similarly Yang Xiuqing the “East King” and commander- in – chief of the Taiping rebellion, claimed to possess supernatural powers to intermediate God and people, and gave himself various self-aggrandizing titles. For Hakka common people, the rebellion and its concept of a “common treasury” provided an opportunity to escape the stigma of socio-economic marginalization by overturning the system of land ownership and wealth distribution. In the Xinhai Revolution and the life of its leader Sun Yat-sen, one finds a similar theme of Hakka striving to escape marginalization and assume a central role in mainstream Chinese society. Early in his life, Sun’s attempts to recommend reforms to Qing government officials and mainstream Chinese elites all met with failure. Revolution provided a vehicle for Sun to overcome stigmatization of his ethnic as well as economic, educational and religious background. Sun’s efforts to escape stigma played out on several level from the personal level to the comrade level, i.e., in (his interaction with those with similar backgrounds and experiences) to the national level struggle of the Hakka community within the Chinese nation and the international level struggle to overcome China’s stigma as “the sick man of Asia."&quot

The Role of Hakka People in Chinese Revolution in Modern History of China - Taking Taiping Revolution and Xinhai Revolution as Examples

本文試圖探討客家人在現代中國革命上所扮演的重要角色。主要分兩部分。第一部分廣泛討論客家與中國革命運動之關係，包括太平天國起義和辛亥革命時期的革命團體和活動；第二部分則以孫中山為主軸，除了討論其本身的客屬問題，也藉由觀察其周邊參與其革命事業之志士的籍貫身份，來析論其所設立的革命組織（以興中會和同盟會為主）、革命戰役（以惠州和黃花崗起義為主）、革命軍（以黃埔軍校為主）與客家的關係；最後亦談及也是客家人的羅福星在臺灣的抗日運動，以此作為探討孫中山辛亥革命與臺灣之關聯的切入點。The focus of this paper is about the role of Hakka people in Chinese revolution in modern history. The first part is addressing the relationship between Hakka figures and Chinese social movements and uprisings, including Taiping Revolution and some revolution groups and activities in Xinhai Revolution period. The second part is discussing Sun Yat-sen as a key factor in Chinese history. In this part, I am emphasizing on Sun Yat-sen’s Hakka identity, and also his revolutionary comrades. This part also talks about the role of Hakkas in his revolutionary organizations（mainly Xingzhong Association and Tongmeng Association）, revolutionary battles（mainly Huizhou Uprising and Huanghuagang Uprising）, and revolutionary army（mainly Huangpu Military School）. And in the end, this part also discusses the relationship of Taiwan and Chinese revolution, which is mainly regards Fuxing Luo—a Hakka ethno, and his anti Japanese action

Comparison of risk factors of cardiovascular diseases in male and female nurses

INTRODUCTION: Cardiovascular disease is one of the most important causes of mortality in the world; identifying and correcting the modifiable risk factors reduce the prevalence of coronary artery disorders. Nurses, with regard to their employment conditions, can be prone to cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to compare the risk factors of cardiovascular diseases in male and female nurses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 263 nurses from Jahrom University of Medical Sciences hospitals were enrolled in the study by convenience sampling. The data collection tool was self-report Framingham Risk Score and has two parts: first part: personal data, history of disease, history, cigarette, stress and fat disorder, alcohol consumption, diet, exercise, and average hours and second part: height, weight, body mass index (BMI), waist-to-stature ratio (WSR), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), blood pressure, triglyceride (TG), cholesterol, and fasting blood sugar. The benchmark for blood pressure was the JNC-7 guide. The Adult Treatment Panel III was the guideline. Independent t-test, Chi-square, and Mann–Whitney tests were used for data analysis. RESULTS: None of the staff reported smoking or alcohol history. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. There was no statistically significant difference between the mean of fasting blood glucose, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, TG and cholesterol, Framingham percentage, religious practices, green tea and black tea, fish, vegetables, and fast food. The data were analyzed with independent t-test, Chi-square, and Mann–Whitney tests. There was no statistically significant difference between the mean of fasting blood glucose, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, TG and cholesterol, Framingham Percentage, religious practices, green tea and black tea, fish, vegetables, and fast food and sports and walking of men and women were not observed. However, there was a statistically significant difference between women and men in indicators such as eating breakfast, family history, fruit consumption, high-density lipoprotein, BMI, WSR, and WHR. CONCLUSION: The results of the study showed that men are at higher risk for cardiovascular diseases and complications than women