Partner bereavement and risk of chronic urticaria, alopecia areata and vitiligo:cohort studies in the UK and Denmark

The pathogeneses of skin diseases are not fully understood. Psychological stress has been proposed to be associated with skin diseases, but the epidemiological evidence is limited [1, 2]. We have recently reported the associations between partner bereavement (an extreme life stressor) and psoriasis, atopic eczema and melanoma [3, 4]. In this study, we further investigated whether partner bereavement was associated with urticaria, alopecia areata, or vitiligo

Numerical renormalization group study of the 1D t-J model

The one-dimensional (1D) $t-J$ model is investigated using the density matrix renormalization group (DMRG) method. We report for the first time a generalization of the DMRG method to the case of arbitrary band filling and prove a theorem with respect to the reduced density matrix that accelerates the numerical computation. Lastly, using the extended DMRG method, we present the ground state electron momentum distribution, spin and charge correlation functions. The $3k_F$ anomaly of the momentum distribution function first discussed by Ogata and Shiba is shown to disappear as $J$ increases. We also argue that there exists a density-independent $J_c$ beyond which the system becomes an electron solid.Comment: Wrong set of figures were put in the orginal submissio

Efficient scheme for one-way quantum computing in thermal cavities

We propose a practical scheme for one-way quantum computing based on efficient generation of 2D cluster state in thermal cavities. We achieve a controlled-phase gate that is neither sensitive to cavity decay nor to thermal field by adding a strong classical field to the two-level atoms. We show that a 2D cluster state can be generated directly by making every two atoms collide in an array of cavities, with numerically calculated parameters and appropriate operation sequence that can be easily achieved in practical Cavity QED experiments. Based on a generated cluster state in Box$^{(4)}$ configuration, we then implement Grover's search algorithm for four database elements in a very simple way as an example of one-way quantum computing.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figure

Minimal model for aeolian sand dunes

We present a minimal model for the formation and migration of aeolian sand dunes. It combines a perturbative description of the turbulent wind velocity field above the dune with a continuum saltation model that allows for saturation transients in the sand flux. The latter are shown to provide the characteristic length scale. The model can explain the origin of important features of dunes, such as the formation of a slip face, the broken scale invariance, and the existence of a minimum dune size. It also predicts the longitudinal shape and aspect ratio of dunes and heaps, their migration velocity and shape relaxation dynamics. Although the minimal model employs non-local expressions for the wind shear stress as well as for the sand flux, it is simple enough to serve as a very efficient tool for analytical and numerical investigations and to open up the way to simulations of large scale desert topographies.Comment: 19 pages, 22 figure

Structure of aluminum atomic chains

First-principles density functional calculations reveal that aluminum can form planar chains in zigzag and ladder structures. The most stable one has equilateral triangular geometry with four nearest neighbors; the other stable zigzag structure has wide bond angle and allows for two nearest neighbors. An intermediary structure has the ladder geometry and is formed by two strands. All these planar geometries are, however, more favored energetically than the linear chain. We found that by going from bulk to a chain the character of bonding changes and acquires directionality. The conductance of zigzag and linear chains is 4e^2/h under ideal ballistic conditions.Comment: modified detailed version, one new structure added, 4 figures, modified figure1, 1 tabl

Geographical and temporal distribution of SARS-CoV-2 clades in the WHO European Region, January to June 2020

We show the distribution of SARS-CoV-2 genetic clades over time and between countries and outline potential genomic surveillance objectives. We applied three available genomic nomenclature systems for SARS-CoV-2 to all sequence data from the WHO European Region available during the COVID-19 pandemic until 10 July 2020. We highlight the importance of real-time sequencing and data dissemination in a pandemic situation. We provide a comparison of the nomenclatures and lay a foundation for future European genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2.Peer reviewe

A meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies identifies multiple longevity genes

Human longevity is heritable, but genome-wide association (GWA) studies have had limited success. Here, we perform two meta-analyses of GWA studies of a rigorous longevity phenotype definition including 11,262/3484 cases surviving at or beyond the age corresponding to the 90th/99th survival percentile, respectively, and 25,483 controls whose age at death or at last contact was at or below the age corresponding to the 60th survival percentile. Consistent with previous reports, rs429358 (apolipoprotein E (ApoE) ε4) is associated with lower odds of surviving to the 90th and 99th percentile age, while rs7412 (ApoE ε2) shows the opposite. Moreover, rs7676745, located near GPR78, associates with lower odds of surviving to the 90th percentile age. Gene-level association analysis reveals a role for tissue-specific expression of multiple genes in longevity. Finally, genetic correlation of the longevity GWA results with that of several disease-related phenotypes points to a shared genetic architecture between health and longevity