Quantum interferometry with three-dimensional geometry

Quantum interferometry uses quantum resources to improve phase estimation with respect to classical methods. Here we propose and theoretically investigate a new quantum interferometric scheme based on three-dimensional waveguide devices. These can be implemented by femtosecond laser waveguide writing, recently adopted for quantum applications. In particular, multiarm interferometers include "tritter" and "quarter" as basic elements, corresponding to the generalization of a beam splitter to a 3- and 4-port splitter, respectively. By injecting Fock states in the input ports of such interferometers, fringe patterns characterized by nonclassical visibilities are expected. This enables outperforming the quantum Fisher information obtained with classical fields in phase estimation. We also discuss the possibility of achieving the simultaneous estimation of more than one optical phase. This approach is expected to open new perspectives to quantum enhanced sensing and metrology performed in integrated photonic.Comment: 7 pages (+4 Supplementary Information), 5 figure

Two Genes on A/J Chromosome 18 Are Associated with Susceptibility to Staphylococcus aureus Infection by Combined Microarray and QTL Analyses

Although it has recently been shown that A/J mice are highly susceptible to Staphylococcus aureus sepsis as compared to C57BL/6J, the specific genes responsible for this differential phenotype are unknown. Using chromosome substitution strains (CSS), we found that loci on chromosomes 8, 11, and 18 influence susceptibility to S. aureus sepsis in A/J mice. We then used two candidate gene selection strategies to identify genes on these three chromosomes associated with S. aureus susceptibility, and targeted genes identified by both gene selection strategies. First, we used whole genome transcription profiling to identify 191 (56 on chr. 8, 100 on chr. 11, and 35 on chr. 18) genes on our three chromosomes of interest that are differentially expressed between S. aureus-infected A/J and C57BL/6J. Second, we identified two significant quantitative trait loci (QTL) for survival post-infection on chr. 18 using N2 backcross mice (F1 [C18A]×C57BL/6J). Ten genes on chr. 18 (March3, Cep120, Chmp1b, Dcp2, Dtwd2, Isoc1, Lman1, Spire1, Tnfaip8, and Seh1l) mapped to the two significant QTL regions and were also identified by the expression array selection strategy. Using real-time PCR, 6 of these 10 genes (Chmp1b, Dtwd2, Isoc1, Lman1, Tnfaip8, and Seh1l) showed significantly different expression levels between S. aureus-infected A/J and C57BL/6J. For two (Tnfaip8 and Seh1l) of these 6 genes, siRNA-mediated knockdown of gene expression in S. aureus–challenged RAW264.7 macrophages induced significant changes in the cytokine response (IL-1 β and GM-CSF) compared to negative controls. These cytokine response changes were consistent with those seen in S. aureus-challenged peritoneal macrophages from CSS 18 mice (which contain A/J chromosome 18 but are otherwise C57BL/6J), but not C57BL/6J mice. These findings suggest that two genes, Tnfaip8 and Seh1l, may contribute to susceptibility to S. aureus in A/J mice, and represent promising candidates for human genetic susceptibility studies

The Role of Repetitive Negative Thoughts in the Vulnerability for Emotional Problems in Non-Clinical Children

The current study examined the role of repetitive negative thoughts in the vulnerability for emotional problems in non-clinical children aged 8–13 years (N = 158). Children completed self-report questionnaires for assessing (1) neuroticism and behavioral inhibition as indicators of general vulnerability (2) worry and rumination which are two important manifestations of repetitive negative thoughts, and (3) emotional problems (i.e., anxiety, depression, and sleep difficulties). Results demonstrated that there were positive correlations between measures of general vulnerability, repetitive negative thoughts, and emotional problems. Further, support was found for a model in which worry and rumination acted as partial mediators in the relation between neuroticism and symptoms of anxiety and depression. In the case of sleep difficulties, no evidence was obtained for such a mediation model. In fact, data suggested that sleeping difficulties are better conceived as an epiphenomenon of high symptom levels of anxiety and depression or as a risk factor for the development of other types of psychopathology. Finally, besides neuroticism, the temperamental trait of behavioral inhibition appeared to play a unique direct role in the model predicting anxiety symptoms but not in the models predicting depressive symptoms or sleep difficulties. To conclude, the current findings seem to indicate that worry and rumination contribute to children’s vulnerability for anxiety and depression

Preconditioning-induced ischemic tolerance: a window into endogenous gearing for cerebroprotection

Ischemic tolerance defines transient resistance to lethal ischemia gained by a prior sublethal noxious stimulus (i.e., preconditioning). This adaptive response is thought to be an evolutionarily conserved defense mechanism, observed in a wide variety of species. Preconditioning confers ischemic tolerance if not in all, in most organ systems, including the heart, kidney, liver, and small intestine. Since the first landmark experimental demonstration of ischemic tolerance in the gerbil brain in early 1990's, basic scientific knowledge on the mechanisms of cerebral ischemic tolerance increased substantially. Various noxious stimuli can precondition the brain, presumably through a common mechanism, genomic reprogramming. Ischemic tolerance occurs in two temporally distinct windows. Early tolerance can be achieved within minutes, but wanes also rapidly, within hours. Delayed tolerance develops in hours and lasts for days. The main mechanism involved in early tolerance is adaptation of membrane receptors, whereas gene activation with subsequent de novo protein synthesis dominates delayed tolerance. Ischemic preconditioning is associated with robust cerebroprotection in animals. In humans, transient ischemic attacks may be the clinical correlate of preconditioning leading to ischemic tolerance. Mimicking the mechanisms of this unique endogenous protection process is therefore a potential strategy for stroke prevention. Perhaps new remedies for stroke are very close, right in our cells

Bronnen van blootstelling aan bisfenol A via voedsel in Nederland

Bisfenol A (BPA) is een chemische stof die wordt gebruikt om een transparant plastic te maken (polycarbonaat), dat onder andere wordt gebruikt in voedselverpakkingsmaterialen. Verder wordt BPA gebruikt in coatings om de kwaliteit van ingeblikt voedsel en dranken te beschermen (de witte laag aan de binnenkant van het blik). Onder andere via deze verpakkingen kan BPA in voedsel terechtkomen. Producten als kassabonnen, bouwmaterialen (verf en coatings) en medische hulpmiddelen kunnen ook BPA bevatten. Uit berekeningen van het RIVM blijkt dat de totale hoeveelheid BPA die mensen in Nederland via het voedsel binnenkrijgen zeer beperkt is. Zelfs onder de meest ongunstige omstandigheden ligt de blootstelling nog 30 keer onder de huidige tolereerbare dagelijkse inname (TDI). Het onderzoek maakt ook duidelijk dat niet één voedselbron een grote bijdrage levert, maar alle voedselbronnen afzonderlijk hun eigen individuele 'kleine' bijdragen hebben. De focus in het RIVM-onderzoek is op voedselbronnen gelegd, omdat voedsel voor de gemiddelde consument de belangrijkste bron is van blootstelling aan BPA. Dit onderzoek volgt op eerder onderzoek van het RIVM (2016) waarin aandacht gevraagd werd voor nieuwe informatie over de TDI. De European Food Safety Authority (Europese voedselveiligheidsautoriteit, EFSA) is momenteel bezig met een nieuwe beoordeling van deze gezondheidsnorm. In afwachting van dit onderzoek vroeg het ministerie van Volksgezondheid, Welzijn en Sport (VWS) het RIVM om te onderzoeken via welke bronnen mensen in Nederland het meest worden blootgesteld aan BPA en om welke hoeveelheden het daarbij gaat. Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical substance used to produce a transparent plastic (polycarbonate) that is used in food packaging materials. BPA is also used in coatings to protect the quality of canned food and drink (the white layer on the inside of the can). BPA can get into food via migration from this type of packaging. Products such as sales receipts, building materials (paint and coatings), and medical devices can also contain BPA. Calculations carried out by RIVM indicate that the total intake of BPA via food in the Netherlands is very limited. Even under the most unfavourable circumstances, the exposure would still be a factor of 30 times less than the tolerable daily intake (TDI). The study also clearly indicates that no single food source contributes largely to the exposure, but that all food sources each make their own 'small' contribution. The RIVM study was focused on food sources, because food is the main source of exposure to BPA for the average consumer. This study is a follow-up of a previous study by RIVM (2016) which drew attention to new information about the TDI of BPA. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is currently re-evaluating this health limit. Pending this study, the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS) asked RIVM to investigate which food sources contributed most to the exposure of BPA in the Netherlands, as well as the quantities involved. Ministerie van VW