Purification-based metric to measure the distance between quantum states and processes

In this work we study the properties of an purification-based entropic metric for measuring the distance between both quantum states and quantum processes. This metric is defined as the square root of the entropy of the average of two purifications of mixed quantum states which maximize the overlap between the purified states. We analyze this metric and show that it satisfies many appealing properties, which suggest this metric is an interesting proposal for theoretical and experimental applications of quantum information.Comment: 11 pages, 2 figures. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:quant-ph/0408063, arXiv:1107.1732 by other author

Perceptions of Athletic Trainers about the Climate for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ+) Athletes

Background: There is little research done in the environment that the athletic trainer works professionally. It is expected that the findings of this study will contribute toward the dialogue around the importance of inclusion and acceptance of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender athlete in a traditional hostile space. Purpose: The purpose is to explore the climate for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender athletes in the collegiate setting\u27s athletic training facility. Methods: 96 certified athletic trainers were surveyed via email using the Campus Climate survey modified for the sports setting. The survey had 62 items across three sections: demographics, the climate, and policy and procedures. Data Analysis: Means and standard deviations were computed for all items on the survey. Means between respondent groups were analyzed using independent samples t-test. Independent variables for t-tests were gender (sex assigned at birth), sexual orientation, and the ATs\u27 perception if they consider themselves an ally or not/unsure. Open-ended response areas were combined and compared between answers. Answers were then transformed into different themes. Results: The heteronormative climate depends on the individual working within the climate, from perceptions of ATs working within the collegiate setting gender (p\u3c0.05), sexual orientation (p\u3c0.05), and if the ATs identified as an ally (p\u3c0.05) of means to examine if the athletic climate is inclusive. Open-ended responses were split into three different themes. Themes were harassment/concerns, advocacy for LGBTQ+, and confusion on questions. Conclusion: The athletic training climate is an area that needs more research regarding LGBTQ+ issues and care. The research used with the Campus Climate survey is a step in the right direction for the overall climate for LGBTQ+ individuals. Athletic trainers need to be well informed on inclusion policy and procedures to create a safe environment. Keywords: Athletic Training, Diversity, Sports Climate, Student-athlete

Classification and Visualization of Neural Patterns Using Subspace Analysis Statistical Methods

The size and complexity of neural data is increasing at a dramatic pace due to rapid advances in experimental technologies. As a result, the data analysis techniques are shifting their focus from single-units to neural populations. The goal is to investigate complex temporal and spatial patterns, as well as to present the results in an intuitive way, allowing for detection and monitoring of relevant neural patterns

Effects of Synaptic Connectivity Inhomogeneities for Propagation of Activity in Neural Tissue

We extended our previous models that exhibit constant speed traveling waves to investigate how the presence of these inhomogeneities affects the relationship between the speed of the activity propagation and its acceleration. We determine that the estimates from homogenization theory do not accurately capture the conditions for propagation failure

New copy number variants discovered in patients with obesity and intellectual disability

Iuliu Hatieganu University of medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaIntroduction. Intellectual disability (ID) is a neurodevelopment disease characterized by intellectual and adaptive impairment, defined by intelligence quotient (IQ) under 70 and can be affirmed after the age of 6. Until this age, the retard is named development delay (DD). This condition is found in 2-3% of individuals in general population, and 50% of these cases are associated with other clinical features, like pediatric obesity. The genomic study using microarray chromosomal techniques revealed in about 20% of intellectual disability patients a genetic cause of copy number variants (CNVs) type, duplication or deletion, but there is a lack of data about CNVs found in patients with ID/DD associated with obesity. Aim of the study. To find CNVs that could be responsible for the ID/DD associated with obesity phenotype, in 36 Romanian pediatric patients, recruited from the Clinical Emergency Hospital for Children, Cluj-Napoca, Romania. Materials and methods. We used SNP array technique, Infinum OmniExpress 24V1.2 in order to detect CNVs. Data analysis was made using Genome Studio, and the interpretation of the data was performed using UCSC data base (Decipher, ClinVar, Omim and Gene Reviews). Results. We found relevant genetic alterations in 15 patients (42%). Several of them presented deletions and duplications that were described before in international databases, but potential pathogen CNVs not described before were also detected. Therefore, we describe a deletion inside KANSL1, the gene responsive for Koolen-De Vries syndrome, a small deletion in OTC gene, a 8p23.1 duplication in BLK gene and also a patient that presented two uniparental disomies, for chromosome 7 and 13. Conclusions. In this research, we found that 42% of the patients with obesity and intellectual deficiency were carriers of pathogenic genetic abnormalities that can explain their symptoms. Although some of the patients presented classical variants described in literature, some of our findings are variants that were not previously described or were described in very few cases

Mentorship Attributes Necessary for Athletic Training: A Delphi Study

Please enjoy Volume 6, Issue 1 of the JSMAHS. In this issue, you will find Professional, Graduate, and Undergraduate research abstracts, and case reports. This research was funded by an OATA Research Grant. Thank you for viewing this 6th Annual OATA Special Edition

Biophysical characterization of class II major histocompatibility complex (MHCII) molecules

Thesis (Ph.D.) University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2020Class II Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHCII) molecules are transmembrane glycoproteins expressed on the surface of antigen-presenting cells (APCs). APCs engulf pathogens and digest pathogenic proteins into peptides, which are loaded onto MHCII in the MHCII compartment (MIIC) to form peptide-MHCII complexes (pMHCII). These pMHCII are then presented to CD4+ T cells on the surface of APCs to trigger an antigen-specific immune response against the pathogens. HLA-DM (DM), a non-classical MHCII molecule, plays an essential role in generating kinetically stable pMHCII complexes which are presented to CD4+ T cells. When a few peptides among the pool of the peptide repertoire can generate the efficient CD4+ T cell response, such peptides are known as immunodominant. The selection of immunodominant epitopes is essential to generate effective vaccines against pathogens. The mechanism behind immunodominant epitope selection is not clearly understood. My work is focused on investigating various factors that help in the selection of immunodominant epitopes. For this purpose, peptides derived from H1N1 influenza hemagglutinin protein with known CD4+ T cell responses have been used. We investigated the role of DM-associated binding affinity in the selection of immunodominant epitopes. Our analysis showed that the presence of DM significantly reduces the binding affinity of the peptides with low CD4+ T cell response and inclusion of DM-associated IC50 in training MHCII algorithms may improve the binding prediction. Previous studies have shown that there is an alternate antigen presentation depending on antigen protein properties. Here, we showed that the immunodominant epitope presentation is dependent on the pH and length of the peptides. To study the MHCII in its native form, we assembled full-length MHCII in a known synthetic membrane model known as nanodiscs. We noted that, based on the lipid composition, assembly of the MHCII differs. Preliminary binding studies with this tool showed that there might be a difference in the binding based on the type of the nanodisc. Collectively, our results showed that the immunodominant epitope selection is a complex process that is driven by various biochemical features.INBRE and Department of Biochemistr

Evaluation of Target Search Efficiency for Neurons During Developmental Growth

In this work we investigated how branching and pruning influence the probability of successfully connecting to neurons located at different locations away from the initiation point, under the assumption that the neuron has finite growth resources. We find out that balanced branching and pruning, and the distance to target are essential in determining the optimal growth parameters