Experimental Implementation of Hogg's Algorithm on a Three-Quantum-bit NMR Quantum Computer

Using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques with three-qubit sample, we have experimentally implemented the highly structured algorithm for the 1-SAT problem proposed by Hogg. A simplified temporal averaging procedure was employed to the three-qubit spin pseudo-pure state. The algorithm was completed with only a single evaluation of structure of the problem and the solutions were found with probability 100%, which outperform both unstructured quantum and the best classical search algorithm.Comment: Revtex, 14 pages and 1 table, 4 EPS figure

An interferometric complementarity experiment in a bulk Nuclear Magnetic Resonance ensemble

We have experimentally demonstrated the interferometric complementarity, which relates the distinguishability $D$ quantifying the amount of which-way (WW) information to the fringe visibility $V$ characterizing the wave feature of a quantum entity, in a bulk ensemble by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) techniques. We primarily concern on the intermediate cases: partial fringe visibility and incomplete WW information. We propose a quantitative measure of $D$ by an alternative geometric strategy and investigate the relation between $D$ and entanglement. By measuring $D$ and $V$ independently, it turns out that the duality relation $D^{2}+V^{2}=1$ holds for pure quantum states of the markers.Comment: 13 page, 5 PS figure

Standard comparison of local mental health care systems in eight European countries

Aims. There is a need of more quantitative standardised data to compare local Mental Health Systems (MHSs) across international jurisdictions. Problems related to terminological variability and commensurability in the evaluation of services hamper like-with-like comparisons and hinder the development of work in this area. This study was aimed to provide standard assessment and comparison of MHS in selected local areas in Europe, contributing to a better understanding of MHS and related allocation of resources at local level and to lessen the scarcity in standard service comparison in Europe. This study is part of the Seventh Framework programme REFINEMENT (Research on Financing Systems' Effect on the Quality of Mental Health Care in Europe) project. Methods. A total of eight study areas from European countries with different systems of care (Austria, England, Finland, France, Italy, Norway, Romania, Spain) were analysed using a standard open-access classification system (Description and Evaluation of Services for Long Term Care in Europe, DESDE-LTC). All publicly funded services universally accessible to adults (>= 18 years) with a psychiatric disorder were coded. Care availability, diversity and capacity were compared across these eight local MHS. Results. The comparison of MHS revealed more community-oriented delivery systems in the areas of England (Hampshire) and Southern European countries (Verona - Italy and Girona - Spain). Community-oriented systems with a higher proportion of hospital care were identified in Austria (Industrieviertel) and Scandinavian countries (Sor-Trondelag in Norway and Helsinki-Uusimaa in Finland), while Loiret (France) was considered as a predominantly hospital-based system. The MHS in Suceava (Romania) was still in transition to community care. Conclusions. There is a significant variation in care availability and capacity across MHS of local areas in Europe. This information is relevant for understanding the process of implementation of community-oriented mental health care in local areas. Standard comparison of care provision in local areas is important for context analysis and policy planning.Peer reviewe

Inhalation of rod-like carbon nanotubes causes unconventional allergic airway inflammation

Peer reviewe

What do women want? Women's experiences of infertility treatment

Finnish women's experiences of infertility treatment were investigated by examining their satisfaction and dissatisfaction, and their most positive and negative experiences with the treatment. Three hundred and forty four (16%) out of the 2189 women respondents to a 1994 postal survey (response rate 74%) had experienced difficulties in having a baby. Two-thirds had sought medical help, generally from private gynaecologists. Less than half of the women were satisfied with the infertility treatment, expressing less satisfaction than is generally found among health care clients. Dissatisfied women were more often 35-39 years of age, in treatment during the study period, in treatment in public clinics and not successful in having a baby. However, about one-third of the women were unsure about or did not give their opinion in regard to satisfaction. The subsequent birth of a baby was the most common reason for satisfaction. The most positive treatment experience was respectful, empathic and personal care from the doctor. Unsatisfactory encounters with health care personnel were the main reasons for dissatisfaction and were most often cited as the most negative treatment experience. This dissatisfaction could reflect relatively young and healthy women's assertive attitudes toward infertility care services in the context of the intimacy and vulnerability of childlessness.Infertile women Patient satisfaction Treatment experience Finland

Evaluation of CisBio ELISA for Chromogranin A Measurement

Background: Chromogranin A (CgA) is a nonspecific marker for the presence of neuroendocrine tumors and neuroendocrine differentiation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of the CisBio CgA ELISA. Methods: Precision, linearity, limit of blank, and recovery of the CisBio CgA ELISA were evaluated. Seventy waste serum samples obtained from the clinical laboratory at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center were analyzed by the CisBio CgA ELISA. Results were compared to those obtained from a reference laboratory that used a proprietary ELISA for serum CgA measurement. Paired waste plasma samples were also collected from 24 of these patients to assess possible differences between CgA in serum and plasma. Finally, a preliminary reference range study was performed with samples from healthy volunteers in serum (n = 60) and plasma (n = 60). Results: Within-run and between-run precision ranged from 3.0% to 5.1% and 4.8% to 12.9%, respectively. The limit of blank was 2.4 ng/mL. Recovery ranged from 88% to 102%. A statistically significant bias was observed when the CisBio CgA assay results were compared to those of a reference laboratory. Comparison of the 2 assays yielded a slope of 9.05, intercept of -18.0, and a correlation coefficient of 0.955. CgA values in serum correlated well to values measured in plasma. Conclusions: The analytical performance of the CisBio CgA ELISA was acceptable. However, CgA results are method-specific owing to lack of standardization and use of different antibodies. This lack of standardization results in several challenges for the clinical laboratory when evaluating a CgA assay

Utility of common bile duct measurement in ED point of care ultrasound: A prospective study.

BACKGROUND:Measurement of the common bile duct (CBD) is considered a fundamental component of biliary point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS), but can be technically challenging. OBJECTIVE:The primary objective of this study was to determine whether CBD diameter contributes to the diagnosis of complicated biliary pathology in emergency department (ED) patients with normal laboratory values and no abnormal biliary POCUS findings aside from cholelithiasis. METHODS:We performed a prospective, observational study of adult ED patients undergoing POCUS of the right upper quadrant (RUQ) and serum laboratory studies for suspected biliary pathology. The primary outcome was complicated biliary pathology occurring in the setting of normal laboratory values and a POCUS demonstrating the absence of gallbladder wall thickening (GWT), pericholecystic fluid (PCF) and sonographic Murphy's sign (SMS). The association between CBD dilation and complicated biliary pathology was assessed using logistic regression to control for other factors, including laboratory findings, cholelithiasis and other sonographic abnormalities. RESULTS:A total of 158 patients were included in the study. 76 (48.1%) received non-biliary diagnoses and 82 (51.9%) were diagnosed with biliary pathology. Complicated biliary pathology was diagnosed in 39 patients. Sensitivity of CBD dilation for complicated biliary pathology was 23.7% and specificity was 77.9%. CONCLUSION:Of patients diagnosed with biliary pathology, none had isolated CBD dilatation. In the absence of abnormal laboratory values and GWT, PCF or SMS on POCUS, obtaining a CBD measurement is unlikely to contribute to the evaluation of this patient population

Utility of common bile duct measurement in ED point of care ultrasound: A prospective study.

BACKGROUND:Measurement of the common bile duct (CBD) is considered a fundamental component of biliary point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS), but can be technically challenging. OBJECTIVE:The primary objective of this study was to determine whether CBD diameter contributes to the diagnosis of complicated biliary pathology in emergency department (ED) patients with normal laboratory values and no abnormal biliary POCUS findings aside from cholelithiasis. METHODS:We performed a prospective, observational study of adult ED patients undergoing POCUS of the right upper quadrant (RUQ) and serum laboratory studies for suspected biliary pathology. The primary outcome was complicated biliary pathology occurring in the setting of normal laboratory values and a POCUS demonstrating the absence of gallbladder wall thickening (GWT), pericholecystic fluid (PCF) and sonographic Murphy's sign (SMS). The association between CBD dilation and complicated biliary pathology was assessed using logistic regression to control for other factors, including laboratory findings, cholelithiasis and other sonographic abnormalities. RESULTS:A total of 158 patients were included in the study. 76 (48.1%) received non-biliary diagnoses and 82 (51.9%) were diagnosed with biliary pathology. Complicated biliary pathology was diagnosed in 39 patients. Sensitivity of CBD dilation for complicated biliary pathology was 23.7% and specificity was 77.9%. CONCLUSION:Of patients diagnosed with biliary pathology, none had isolated CBD dilatation. In the absence of abnormal laboratory values and GWT, PCF or SMS on POCUS, obtaining a CBD measurement is unlikely to contribute to the evaluation of this patient population

New Developments in NMR

Regulating protein states is considered the core function of chaperones. However, despite their importance to all major cellular processes, the conformational changes that chaperones impart on polypeptide chains are difficult to study directly due to their heterogeneous, dynamic, and multi-step nature. Here, we review recent advances towards this aim using single-molecule manipulation methods, which are rapidly revealing new mechanisms of conformational control and helping to define a different perspective on the chaperone function