Unextendible Maximally Entangled Bases in Cpd⊗Cqd\mathbb{C}^{pd}\otimes \mathbb{C}^{qd}

The construction of unextendible maximally entangled bases is tightly related to quantum information processing like local state discrimination. We put forward two constructions of UMEBs in $\mathbb {C}^{pd}\otimes \mathbb {C}^{qd}$($p\leq q$) based on the constructions of UMEBs in $\mathbb {C}^{d}\otimes \mathbb {C}^{d}$ and in $\mathbb {C}^{p}\otimes \mathbb {C}^{q}$, which generalizes the results in [Phys. Rev. A. 94, 052302 (2016)] by two approaches. Two different 48-member UMEBs in $\mathbb {C}^{6}\otimes \mathbb {C}^{9}$ have been constructed in detail

Deterministic versus probabilistic quantum information masking

We investigate quantum information masking for arbitrary dimensional quantum states. We show that mutually orthogonal quantum states can always be served for deterministic masking of quantum information. We further construct a probabilistic masking machine for linearly independent states. It is shown that a set of d dimensional states, $\{ |a_1 \rangle_A, |t a_2 \rangle_A, \dots, |a_n \rangle_A \}$, $n \leq d$, can be probabilistically masked by a general unitary-reduction operation if they are linearly independent. The maximal successful probability of probabilistic masking is analyzed and derived for the case of two initial states.Comment: 5 pages, 1 figure

Systemic lupus erythematosus with initial presentation of empyematous pleural effusion in an elderly male patient: A diagnostic challenge

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) poses great difficulty in making an early diagnosis in elderly males, often presenting with atypical manifestations. Acute onset of empyematous pleural effusion has rarely been seen. Herein, we report a 66-year-old man with SLE presenting with rapid progression of bilateral pleural effusion. Diagnostic thoracocentesis disclosed neutrophil-predominant exudates and chest computed tomography revealed multiple loculated pleural effusions. Nevertheless, optimal antibiotic therapy plus surgical decortication of the pleura did not improve his condition. The diagnosis of SLE was readily established after LE cells were accidentally found in the pleural effusion. Large amounts of pleural effusion subsided soon after high dose corticosteroid therapy

The first symbiotic stars from the LAMOST survey

Symbiotic stars are interacting binary systems with the longest orbital periods. They are typically formed by a white dwarf, a red giant and a nebula. These objects are natural astrophysical laboratories for studying the evolution of binaries. Current estimates of the population of Milky Way symbiotic stars vary from 3000 up to 400000. However, the current census is less than 300. The Large sky Area Multi-Object fiber Spectroscopic Telescope (LAMOST) survey can obtain hundreds of thousands of stellar spectra per year, providing a good opportunity to search for new symbiotic stars. In this work we detect 4 of such binaries among 4,147,802 spectra released by the LAMOST, of which two are new identifications. The first is LAMOST J12280490-014825.7, considered to be an S-type halo symbiotic star. The second is LAMOST J202629.80+423652.0, a D-type symbiotic star

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles mediated 131I-hVEGF siRNA inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma tumor growth in nude mice

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a primary liver tumor and is the most difficult human malignancy to treat. In this study, we sought to develop an integrative approach in which real-time tumor monitoring, gene therapy, and internal radiotherapy can be performed simultaneously. This was achieved through targeting HCC with superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIOs) carrying small interfering RNA with radiolabled iodine 131 ((131)I) against the human vascular endothelial growth factor (hVEGF). METHODS: hVEGF siRNA was labeled with (131)I by the Bolton-Hunter method and conjugated to SilenceMag, a type of SPIOs. (131)I-hVEGF siRNA/SilenceMag was then subcutaneously injected into nude mice with HCC tumors exposed to an external magnetic field (EMF). The biodistribution and cytotoxicity of (131)I-hVEGF siRNA/SilenceMag was assessed by SPECT (Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography) and MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) studies and blood kinetics analysis. The body weight and tumor size of nude mice bearing HCC were measured daily for the 4-week duration of the experiment. RESULTS: (131)I-hVEGF siRNA/SilenceMag was successfully labeled; with a satisfactory radiochemical purity (>80%) and biological activity in vitro. External application of an EMF successfully attracted and retained more (131)I-hVEGF siRNA/SilenceMag in HCC tumors as shown by SPECT, MRI and biodistribution studies. The tumors treated with (131)I-hVEGF siRNA/SilenceMag grew nearly 50% slower in the presence of EMF than those without EMF and the control. Immunohistochemical assay confirmed that the tumor targeted by (131)I-hVEGF siRNA/SilenceMag guided by an EMF had a lower VEGF protein level compared to that without EMF exposure and the control. CONCLUSIONS: EMF-guided (131)I-hVEGF siRNA/SilenceMag exhibited an antitumor effect. The synergic therapy of (131)I-hVEGF siRNA/SilenceMag might be a promising future treatment option against HCC with the dual functional properties of tumor therapy and imaging