State Carving in a Chirally-Coupled Atom-Nanophotonic Cavity

Coherent quantum control of multiqubit systems represents one of the challenging tasks in quantum science and quantum technology. Here we theoretically investigate the reflectivity spectrum in an atom-nanophotonic cavity with collective nonreciprocal couplings. In the strong-coupling regime with a high cooperativity, we theoretically predict distinct on-resonance spectral dips owing to destructive interferences of chiral couplings. Due to the well-separated multiple dips in the spectrum, a contrasted reflectivity suggests a new control knob over the desired entangled state preparation. We propose to utilize such atom-nanophotonic cavity to quantum engineer the atomic internal states via photon-mediated dipole-dipole interactions and the chirality of decay channels, where the atomic Bell state and W states for arbitrary number of atoms can be tailored and heralded by state carving in the single-photon reflection spectrum. Our results pave the way toward quantum engineering of multiqubit states and offer new opportunities for coherent and scalable multipartite entanglement transport in atoms coupled to nanophotonic devices.Comment: 5 figure

Generating scalable graph states in an atom-nanophotonic interface

Scalable graph states are essential for measurement-based quantum computation and many entanglement-assisted applications in quantum technologies. Generation of these multipartite entangled states requires a controllable and efficient quantum device with delicate design of generation protocol. Here we propose to prepare high-fidelity and scalable graph states in one and two dimensions, which can be tailored in an atom-nanophotonic cavity via state carving technique. We propose a systematic protocol to carve out unwanted state components, which facilitates scalable graph states generations via adiabatic transport of a definite number of atoms in optical tweezers. An analysis of state fidelity is also presented, and the state preparation probability can be optimized via multiqubit state carvings and sequential single-photon probes. Our results showcase the capability of an atom-nanophotonic interface for creating graph states and pave the way toward novel problem-specific applications using scalable high-dimensional graph states with stationary qubits.Comment: 5 figures with supplemental materia

Prevalence, correlates and impact of pain and cramps in anti-MAG neuropathy:a multicentre European study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The frequency of pain and cramps is uncertain in anti-myelin associated glycoprotein antibody (anti-MAG) neuropathy. Whether these symptoms may affect function/quality of life is unknown. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of the prevalence, correlates and impact of pain, pain subtypes and cramps, their severity, frequency and anatomical distribution was performed for 55 clinically stable patients with anti-MAG neuropathy. RESULTS: Pain of any type was reported by 80% of subjects. The most common subtype was paraesthesiae and dysaesthesiae (70%). Cramps were reported by >60% of patients, with lower limb cramps in all and upper limb cramps in about 20%. Cramps affected daily activities in >30% of these subjects, sleep in 60%, ability to exercise in >30%. Total pain score correlated with several Short Form 36 health-related quality of life (SF-36 HR-QoL) measures (P < 0.05), with Inflammatory Rasch-built Overall Disability Scale (I-RODS) (P = 0.006) and 10-m timed walk (P = 0.019). An independent association was ascertained with I-RODS (P = 0.002). Different pain subtypes showed multiple associations with SF-36 HR-QoL measures and/or functional scales. Upper limb cramps had multiple SF-36 HR-QoL functional correlates, with an independent association with the Overall Neuropathy Limitation Score (ONLS) (P = 0.004). Cramp severity correlated with ONLS (P = 0.04) and I-RODS (P = 0.028) and inversely with level of physiotherapy input (P = 0.009). Cramp frequency was associated with tremor score (P = 0.004) and multiple SF-36 HR-QoL subsections. CONCLUSIONS: Neuropathic pain and cramps may affect function and quality of life in anti-MAG neuropathy. Optimizing treatments of these symptoms, including by adequate levels of physiotherapy, may be beneficial in affected patients and requires further research

MRI scans significantly change target coverage decisions in radical radiotherapy for prostate cancer

INTRODUCTION: Conventional clinical staging for prostate cancer has many limitations. This study evaluates the impact of adding MRI scans to conventional clinical staging for guiding decisions about radiotherapy target coverage. METHODS: This was a retrospective review of 115 patients who were treated between February 2002 and September 2005 with radical radiotherapy for prostate cancer. All patients had MRI scans approximately 2 weeks before the initiation of radiotherapy. The T stage was assessed by both conventional clinical methods (cT-staging) as well as by MRI (mT-staging). The radiotherapy target volumes were determined first based on cT-staging and then taking the additional mT staging into account. The number of times extracapsular extension or seminal vesicle invasion was incorporated into target volumes was quantified based on both cT-staging and the additional mT-staging. RESULTS: Extracapsular extension was incorporated into target volumes significantly more often with the addition of mT-staging (46 patients (40%) ) compared with cT-staging alone (37 patients (32%) ) (P = 0.002). Seminal vesicle invasion was incorporated into target volumes significantly more often with the addition of mT-staging (21 patients (18%) ) compared with cT-staging alone (three patients (3%) ) (P < 0.001). A total of 23 patients (20%) had changes to their target coverage based on the mT-staging. CONCLUSIONS: MRI scans can significantly change decisions about target coverage in radical radiotherapy for prostate cancer.Joe H. Chang, Daryl Lim Joon, Brandon T. Nguyen, Chee-Yan Hiew, Stephen Esler, David Angus, Michael Chao, Morikatsu Wada, George Quong, and Vincent Kho

Synthesis, characterization, and catalytic activity of sulfonated carbon-based catalysts derived from rubber tree leaves and pulp and paper mill waste

Sulfonated carbon-based catalysts derived from rubber tree leaves, and pulp and paper mill waste were synthesized and characterized. Three types of catalyst synthesized were sulfonated rubber tree leaves (S-RTL), pyrolysed sludge char (P-SC) and sulfonated sludge char (S-SC). Sulfonated rubber tree leaves (S-RTL) and sulfonated sludge char (S-SC) were prepared through pyrolysis followed by functionalization via sulfonation process whereas, P- SC was only pyrolyzed without sulfonation. The characterization results indicated sulfonic acids, hydroxyl, and carboxyl moieties were detected in S-RTL and S-SC, but no sulfonic acid was detected in P-SC. Total acidity test showed S-RTL had the highest value followed by S-SC and P-SC. The thermal stability of S-RTL and S-SC were up to 230oC as the loss was associated with the decomposition of sulfonic acid group, whereas, P-SC showed higher stability than the S-RTL and S-SC. Morphology analysis showed that S-RTL consisted of an amorphous carbon structure, and a crystalline structure for P-SC and S-SC. Furthermore, traces of metal components were also detected on all of the catalysts. The catalyst catalytic activity was tested through esterification of oleic acid with methanol. The results showed that the reaction using S-RTL catalyst produced the highest conversion (99.9%) followed by P-SC (88.4%) and lastly S-SC (82.7%). The synthesized catalysts showed high potential to be used in biodiesel production

Association of Body Mass Index and Extreme Obesity With Long-Term Outcomes Following Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Background: Previous studies have reported a protective effect of obesity compared with normal body mass index (BMI) in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, it is unclear whether this effect extends to the extremely obese. In this large multicenter registry‐based study, we sought to examine the relationship between BMI and long‐term clinical outcomes following PCI, and in particular to evaluate the association between extreme obesity and long‐term survival after PCI. Methods and Results: This cohort study included 25 413 patients who underwent PCI between January 1, 2005 and June 30, 2017, who were prospectively enrolled in the Melbourne Interventional Group registry. Patients were stratified by World Health Organization–defined BMI categories. The primary end point was National Death Index–linked mortality. The median length of follow‐up was 4.4 years (interquartile range 2.0‐7.6 years). Of the study cohort, 24.8% had normal BMI (18.5‐24.9 kg/m2), and 3.3% were extremely obese (BMI ≥40 kg/m2). Patients with greater degrees of obesity were younger and included a higher proportion of diabetics (P<0.001). After adjustment for age and comorbidities, a J‐shaped association was observed between different BMI categories and adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for long‐term mortality (normal BMI, HR 1.00 [ref]; overweight, HR 0.85, 95% CI 0.78‐0.93, P<0.001; mild obesity, HR 0.85, 95% CI 0.76‐0.94, P=0.002; moderate obesity, HR 0.95, 95% CI 0.80‐1.12, P=0.54; extreme obesity HR 1.33, 95% CI 1.07‐1.65, P=0.01). Conclusions: An obesity paradox is still apparent in contemporary practice, with elevated BMI up to 35 kg/m2 associated with reduced long‐term mortality after PCI. However, this protective effect appears not to extend to patients with extreme obesity

Diffusion-weighted MRI, (11)C-choline PET and (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET for predicting the Gleason score in prostate carcinoma

Objectives To evaluate the accuracy of transrectal ultrasoundguided (TRUS) biopsy, diffusion-weighted (DW) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ¹¹C-choline (CHOL) positron emission tomography (PET), and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET in predicting the prostatectomy Gleason risk (GR). Methods The study included 21 patients who underwent TRUS biopsy and multi-technique imaging before radical prostatectomy. Values from five different tests (TRUS biopsy, DW MRI, CHOL PET, FDG PET, and combined DW MRI/ CHOL PET) were correlated with the prostatectomy GR using Spearman’s ρ. Tests that were found to have significant correlations were used to classify patients into GR groups. Results The following tests had significant correlations with prostatectomy GR: TRUS biopsy (ρ=0.617, P =0.003), DW MRI (ρ=–0.601, P =0.004), and combined DW MRI/CHOL PET (ρ=–0.623, P =0.003). CHOL PET alone and FDG PET only had weak correlations. The correct GR classification rates were 67 % with TRUS biopsy, 67 % with DW MRI, and 76 % with combined DW MRI/CHOL PET. Conclusions DW MRI and combined DW MRI/CHOL PET have significant correlations and high rates of correct classification of the prostatectomy GR, the strength and accuracy of which are comparable with TRUS biopsy. Key Points • Accurate determination of the Gleason score is essential for prostate cancer management. • DW MRI ± CHOL PET correlated significantly with prostatectomy Gleason score. • These correlations are similar to that between TRUS biopsy and prostatectomyJoe H. Chang, Daryl Lim Joon, Sze Ting Lee, Chee-Yan Hiew, Stephen Esler, Sylvia J. Gong, Morikatsu Wada, David Clouston, Richard O, Sullivan, Yin P. Goh, Henri Tochon-Danguy, J. Gordon Chan, Damien Bolton, Andrew M. Scott, Vincent Khoo, Ian D. Davi

Comparison of [(11)C]choline positron emission tomography with T2- and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging for delineating malignant intraprostatic lesions

Purpose: To compare the accuracy of ¹¹C-choline (CHOL) positron emission tomography (PET) with the combination of T2-weighted (T2W) and diffusion-weighted (DW) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for delineating malignant intraprostatic lesions (IPLs) for guiding focal therapies and to investigate factors predicting the accuracy of CHOL-PET. Methods and Materials: This study included 21 patients who underwent CHOL-PET and T2W-/DW-MRI prior to radical prostatectomy. Two observers manually delineated IPL contours for each scan, and automatic IPL contours were generated on CHOL-PET based on varying proportions of the maximum standardized uptake value (SUV). IPLs identified on prostatectomy specimens defined the reference standard contours. The imaging-based contours were compared with the reference standard contours using Dice similarity coefficient (DSC), sensitivity and specificity. Factors that could potentially predict the DSC of the best contouring method were analyzed using linear models. Results: The best automatic contouring method, SUV60, had similar correlations (DSC 0.59) with the manual PET contours (DSC 0.52, P=0.127) and significantly better correlations than the manual MRI contours (DSC 0.37, P<0.001). The sensitivity and specificity values were 72% and 71% for SUV60; 53% and 86% for PET manual contouring; and 28% and 92% for MRI manual contouring. The tumor volume and transition zone pattern could independently predict the accuracy of CHOL-PET. Conclusions: CHOL-PET is superior to the combination of T2W- and DW-MRI for delineating IPLs. The accuracy of CHOL-PET is insufficient for gland-sparing focal therapies, 3 however may be accurate enough for focal boost therapies. The transition zone pattern is a new classification that may predict for how well CHOL-PET delineates IPLs.Joe H. Chang, Daryl Lim Joon, Ian D. Davis, Sze Ting Lee, Chee-Yan Hiew, Stephen Esler, Sylvia J. Gong, Morikatsu Wada, David Clouston, Richard O'Sullivan, Yin P. Goh, Damien Bolton, Andrew M. Scott, Vincent Kho

Bornean Pygmy Elephant habitat usage of natural salt licks in Segaliud Lokan Forest Reserve

Bornean pygmy elephant (Elephas maximus borneensis) is crucial in the forests ecosystem as it plays a vital role as a forest engineer. As such, it is crucial to conduct more research to contribute to the conservation of this species. This study examined the pygmy elephant usage of natural salt lick in Segaliud Lokan Forest Reserve (SLFR), also known as FMU19B. Salt lick is vital to maintain wildlife health. This study investigated the elephant's visitation frequency and examined its activity pattern in the natural salt lick area. A camera trap survey was conducted from November 2019 till August 2020. Four natural salt licks (C50SL, C56SL, C59SL and C60SL), and three non-salt licks (C50NSL, C56NSL, and C59&C60NSL) was selected. The data were analysed using descriptive and statistical analysis. The results show a higher visitation frequency at the salt lick area than the non-salt lick area (p<0.01). The salt lick at C59 was the most frequently visited by the elephant. The activity pattern displayed by the Bornean pygmy elephant shows a higher degree of nocturnal activity (73.3%). This information is essential for the timber concession forest managers to design the conservation work for the species in balancing with the timber extraction activity