Multilayer ion trap technology for scalable quantum computing and quantum simulation

We present a novel ion trap fabrication method enabling the realization of multilayer ion traps scalable to an in principle arbitrary number of metal-dielectric levels. We benchmark our method by fabricating a multilayer ion trap with integrated three-dimensional microwave circuitry. We demonstrate ion trapping and microwave control of the hyperfine states of a laser cooled 9Be+ ion held at a distance of 35 above the trap surface. This method can be used to implement large-scale ion trap arrays for scalable quantum information processing and quantum simulation

Micro-RNA networks in T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia reflect T-cell activation and shape DNA damage response and survival pathways

T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia (T-PLL) is a poor-prognostic mature T-cell malignancy. It typically presents with exponentially rising lymphocyte counts, splenomegaly, and bone marrow infiltration. Effective treatment options are scarce and a better understanding of T-PLL's pathogenesis is desirable. Activation of the TCL1 proto-oncogene and loss-of-function perturbations of the tumor suppressor ATM are T-PLL's genomic hallmarks. The leukemic cell reveals a phenotype of active T-cell receptor (TCR) signaling and aberrant DNA-damage responses. Regulatory networks based on the profile of micro-RNAs (miRs) have not been described for T-PLL. In a combined approach of small-RNA and transcriptome sequencing in 46 clinically and moleculary well-characterized T-PLL, we identified a global T-PLL-specific miR expression profile that involves 34 significantly deregulated miR species. This pattern strikingly resembled miR-ome signatures of TCR-activated T-cells. By integrating these T-PLL miR profiles with transcriptome data, we uncovered regulatory networks associated with cell survival signaling and DNA-damage response pathways. Despite a miR-ome that discerned leukemic from normal T-cells, there were also robust subsets of T-PLL defined by a small set of specific miRs. Most prominently, miR-141 and the miR-200c-cluster separated cases into two major subgroups. Furthermore, increased expression of miR-223-3p as well as reduced expression of miR-21 and the miR-29 cluster were associated with more activated T-cell phenotypes and more aggressive disease presentations. Based on the implicated pathobiological role of these miR deregulations, targeting strategies around their effectors appear worth pursuing. We also established a combinatorial miR-based overall survival score for T-PLL (miROS-T-PLL), that might improve current clinical stratifications

Spectrum of gluten-related disorders: consensus on new nomenclature and classification

A decade ago celiac disease was considered extremely rare outside Europe and, therefore, was almost completely ignored by health care professionals. In only 10 years, key milestones have moved celiac disease from obscurity into the popular spotlight worldwide. Now we are observing another interesting phenomenon that is generating great confusion among health care professionals. The number of individuals embracing a gluten-free diet (GFD) appears much higher than the projected number of celiac disease patients, fueling a global market of gluten-free products approaching $2.5 billion (US) in global sales in 2010. This trend is supported by the notion that, along with celiac disease, other conditions related to the ingestion of gluten have emerged as health care concerns. This review will summarize our current knowledge about the three main forms of gluten reactions: allergic (wheat allergy), autoimmune (celiac disease, dermatitis herpetiformis and gluten ataxia) and possibly immune-mediated (gluten sensitivity), and also outline pathogenic, clinical and epidemiological differences and propose new nomenclature and classifications

ELA 1.0 - A framework for life-cycle impact assessment developed by the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft. Part A. The conceptual framework

The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft has sponsored the development of a conceptual and flexible, computer aided tool to perform the impact assessment within LCA (life cycle assessment) for technical products and processses. The developed general framework "Ela 1.0" (environmental loads analysis) consists of four elements the selection of appropriate impact categories, the categorization of emissions and wastes leaving the systems, as well as of resource and energy consumption, the characterization and an analysis of the results of the impact assessment. The latter compares the product-based emissions with the total of emissions of a region such as Germany, the EU or OECD countries. The framework Ela 1.0 considers the enviromnental categories: global warming, ozone depletion, resource and energy consumption, wastes, eutrophication (including COD and BOD as measured parameters), acidification, ecotoxicity, ozone formation and human toxicity. The latter categories are handled by listing of precurs ors for ozone formation, and by listing of emissions scored accrding to their human hazard potential. The options, possibilities and invitations of the conceptual framework are presented in part A of a series of publications