High coherence hybrid superconducting qubit

We measure the coherence of a new superconducting qubit, the {\em low-impedance flux qubit}, finding $T_2^* \sim T_1 \sim 1.5\mu$s. It is a three-junction flux qubit, but the ratio of junction critical currents is chosen to make the qubit's potential have a single well form. The low impedance of its large shunting capacitance protects it from decoherence. This qubit has a moderate anharmonicity, whose sign is reversed compared with all other popular qubit designs. The qubit is capacitively coupled to a high-Q resonator in a $\lambda/2$ configuration, which permits the qubit's state to be read out dispersively

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci from two inbreeding bark beetle species (Coccotrypes)

We developed 14 microsatellite markers in Coccotrypes carpophagus and 14 in C. dactyliperda. These loci will be used for studying genetic structure and the level of inbreeding in populations in the Canary Islands and Madeira. As a result of long-term inbreeding, genetic variability is relatively low in these bark beetle species. We found one to five alleles per locus in 29 C. carpophagus and 41 C. dactyliperda from various localities. Eleven of the markers developed for C. carpophagus amplified in C. dactyliperda and seven of the markers developed for C. dactyliperda amplified in C. carpophagus

High folic acid consumption leads to pseudo-MTHFR deficiency, altered lipid metabolism, and liver injury in mice.

Increased consumption of folic acid is prevalent, leading to concerns about negative consequences. The effects of folic acid on the liver, the primary organ for folate metabolism, are largely unknown. Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) provides methyl donors for S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) synthesis and methylation reactions

Modilling of the production processes in order to improve its energy efficiency

У статті викладена особливість використання віртуальних моделей при проектуванні промислових підприємств, обґрунтування використання імітаційних моделей дискретного програмування, а також їх вплив на підвищення енергетичної ефективності виробничих процесів.This article describes features use of the virtual models in design of industrial enterprises, the rationale use of the simulation models of discrete programming, as well as their impact on the energy efficiency improvement of the production processes.В статье изложена особенность использования виртуальных моделей при проектировании промышленных предприятий, обоснование использования имитационных моделей дискретного программирования, а также их влияние на повышение неэффективности производственных процессов

A simple all-microwave entangling gate for fixed-frequency superconducting qubits

We demonstrate an all-microwave two-qubit gate on superconducting qubits which are fixed in frequency at optimal bias points. The gate requires no additional subcircuitry and is tunable via the amplitude of microwave irradiation on one qubit at the transition frequency of the other. We use the gate to generate entangled states with a maximal extracted concurrence of 0.88 and quantum process tomography reveals a gate fidelity of 81%

Reasoning with comparative moral judgements: an argument for Moral Bayesianism

The paper discusses the notion of reasoning with comparative moral judgements (i.e judgements of the form “act a is morally superior to act b”) from the point of view of several meta-ethical positions. Using a simple formal result, it is argued that only a version of moral cognitivism that is committed to the claim that moral beliefs come in degrees can give a normatively plausible account of such reasoning. Some implications of accepting such a version of moral cognitivism are discussed

Oscillations in continuous culture populations of Streptococcus pneumoniae: population dynamics and the evolution of clonal suicide

Agents that kill or induce suicide in the organisms that produce them or other individuals of the same genotype are intriguing puzzles for ecologists and evolutionary biologists. When those organisms are pathogenic bacteria, these suicidal toxins have the added appeal as candidates for the development of narrow spectrum antibiotics to kill the pathogens that produce them. We show that when clinical as well as laboratory strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae are maintained in continuous culture (chemostats), their densities oscillate by as much as five orders of magnitude with an apparently constant period. This dynamic, which is unanticipated for single clones of bacteria in chemostats, can be attributed to population-wide die-offs and recoveries. Using a combination of mathematical models and experiments with S. pneumoniae, we present evidence that these die-offs can be attributed to the autocatalytic production of a toxin that lyses or induces autolysis in members of the clone that produces it. This toxin, which our evidence indicates is a protein, appears to be novel; S. pneumoniae genetic constructs knocked out for lytA and other genes coding for known candidates for this agent oscillate in chemostat culture. Since this toxin lyses different strains of S. pneumoniae as well as other closely related species of Streptococcus, we propose that its ecological role is as an allelopathic agent. Using a mathematical model, we explore the conditions under which toxins that kill members of the same clone that produces them can prevent established populations from invasion by different strains of the same or other species. We postulate that the production of the toxin observed here as well as other bacteria-produced toxins that kill members of the same genotype, ‘clonal suicide’, evolved and are maintained to prevent colonization of established populations by different strains of the same and closely related species

The deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap for autologous reconstruction of large partial mastectomy defects

BACKGROUND:: Breast conservation surgery in the treatment of early stage breast cancer has become increasingly utilized as a means to avoiding mastectomy. While partial mastectomy defects (PMDs) may often be cosmetically acceptable, some cases warrant consideration of reconstructive options, and while several reconstructive options have been described in this role, a series of deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flaps has not been reported to date. METHODS:: A cohort of 18 patients undergoing PMD reconstruction with a DIEP flap were included. Patient-specific data, operation details, cosmetic results, and complication rates were assessed. Oncologic outcomes, in particular recurrence rates, were also evaluated. RESULTS:: In our series there were no cases of partial or total flap necrosis, and overall complications were low. There were two cases of wound infection (both had undergone radiotherapy), managed conservatively, and one case of reoperation due to hematoma. There were no cancer recurrences or effect on oncologic management. Cosmetic outcome was rated as high by both patients and surgeon. The results were thus comparable with other reconstructive options. CONCLUSION:: Although autologous reconstruction has an established complication rate, our results suggest that the DIEP flap may be of considerable value for delayed reconstruction of selected larger partial mastectomy defects. (c) 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. Microsurgery, 2010