Uncertainty relations: An operational approach to the error-disturbance tradeoff

The notions of error and disturbance appearing in quantum uncertainty relations are often quantified by the discrepancy of a physical quantity from its ideal value. However, these real and ideal values are not the outcomes of simultaneous measurements, and comparing the values of unmeasured observables is not necessarily meaningful according to quantum theory. To overcome these conceptual difficulties, we take a different approach and define error and disturbance in an operational manner. In particular, we formulate both in terms of the probability that one can successfully distinguish the actual measurement device from the relevant hypothetical ideal by any experimental test whatsoever. This definition itself does not rely on the formalism of quantum theory, avoiding many of the conceptual difficulties of usual definitions. We then derive new Heisenberg-type uncertainty relations for both joint measurability and the error-disturbance tradeoff for arbitrary observables of finite-dimensional systems, as well as for the case of position and momentum. Our relations may be directly applied in information processing settings, for example to infer that devices which can faithfully transmit information regarding one observable do not leak any information about conjugate observables to the environment. We also show that Englert's wave-particle duality relation [PRL 77, 2154 (1996)] can be viewed as an error-disturbance uncertainty relation.Comment: v3: title change, accepted in Quantum; v2: 29 pages, 7 figures; improved definition of measurement error. v1: 26.1 pages, 6 figures; supersedes arXiv:1402.671

Direct and dynamic detection of HIV-1 in living cells.

In basic and applied HIV research, reliable detection of viral components is crucial to monitor progression of infection. While it is routine to detect structural viral proteins in vitro for diagnostic purposes, it previously remained impossible to directly and dynamically visualize HIV in living cells without genetic modification of the virus. Here, we describe a novel fluorescent biosensor to dynamically trace HIV-1 morphogenesis in living cells. We generated a camelid single domain antibody that specifically binds the HIV-1 capsid protein (CA) at subnanomolar affinity and fused it to fluorescent proteins. The resulting fluorescent chromobody specifically recognizes the CA-harbouring HIV-1 Gag precursor protein in living cells and is applicable in various advanced light microscopy systems. Confocal live cell microscopy and super-resolution microscopy allowed detection and dynamic tracing of individual virion assemblies at the plasma membrane. The analysis of subcellular binding kinetics showed cytoplasmic antigen recognition and incorporation into virion assembly sites. Finally, we demonstrate the use of this new reporter in automated image analysis, providing a robust tool for cell-based HIV research

The INFluence of Remote monitoring on Anxiety/depRession, quality of lifE, and Device acceptance in ICD patients: a prospective, randomized, controlled, single-center trial.

Leppert F, Siebermair J, Wesemann U, et al. The INFluence of Remote monitoring on Anxiety/depRession, quality of lifE, and Device acceptance in ICD patients: a prospective, randomized, controlled, single-center trial. Clinical research in cardiology : official journal of the German Cardiac Society. 2020.BACKGROUND: Impact of telemedicine with remote patient monitoring (RPM) in implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) patients on clinical outcomes has been investigated in various clinical settings with divergent results. However, role of RPM on patient-reported-outcomes (PRO) is unclear. The INFRARED-ICD trial aimed to investigate the effect of RPM in addition to standard-of-care on PRO in a mixed ICD patient cohort.; METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients were randomized to RPM (n=92) or standard in-office-FU (n=88) serving as control group (CTL). At baseline and on a monthly basis over 1 year, study participants completed the EQ-5D questionnaire for the primary outcome Quality of Life (QoL), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the Florida Patient Acceptance Survey questionnaire for secondary outcomes. Demographic characteristics (82% men, mean age 62.3years) and PRO at baseline were not different between RPM and CTL. Primary outcome analysis showed that additional RPM was not superior to CTL with respect to QoL over 12months [+1.2 vs.+3.9 points in CTL and RPM group, respectively (p=0.24)]. Pre-specified analyses could not identify subgroups with improved QoL by the use of RPM. Neither levels of anxiety (-0.4 vs. -0.3, p=0.88), depression (+0.3 vs.±0.0, p=0.38), nor device acceptance (+1.1 vs.+1.6, p=0.20) were influenced by additional use of RPM.; CONCLUSION: The results of the present study show that PRO were not improved by RPM in addition to standard-of-care FU. Careful evaluation and planning of future trials in selected ICD patients are warranted before implementing RPM in routine practice

Increased Use and Large Variation in Strong Opioids and Metamizole (Dipyrone) for Minor and Major Musculoskeletal Injuries Between 2008 and 2018: An Analysis of a Representative Sample of Swiss Workers.

PURPOSE Musculoskeletal (MSK) injuries are a major contributing factor for chronic pain. To date, little is known how pain medication use in MSK injuries has changed over time. We assessed pain medication prescription for MSK injuries in a representative sample of Swiss workers between 2008 and 2018. METHODS Retrospective analysis of the Swiss Accident Insurance Fund (Suva) data. We calculated annual pain medication use, treatment days, and costs associated with pain medication use in minor and major MSK injuries. RESULTS In total, 1,921,382 cases with MSK injuries with ≥ 1 pain medication were analyzed. Whereas MSK injuries with ≥ 1 pain medication increased by 9.4%, we observed a larger increase in metamizole (+ 254%), strong opioids (+ 88.4%), coxibs (+ 85.8%), and paracetamol (+ 28.1%). Strong opioids were increasingly used in minor (+ 91.4%) and major (+ 88.3%) injuries. The increase in metamizole (+ 390.6%) and coxibs (+ 115.5%) was larger in minor injuries compared to major injuries (+ 238.7% and + 80.6%, respectively). Medical expenses decreased in all medications except for strong opioids where a substantial increase was observed (+ 192.4% in minor; + 34% in major injuries). CONCLUSIONS We observed a disproportionate increase in metamizole, strong opioids, coxibs, and paracetamol prescriptions even in minor MSK injuries between 2008 and 2018. Whereas treatment costs decreased for all pain medications, there was a substantial increase in strong opioids. A more liberal prescription practice of opioids conflict with current evidence-based practice recommendations and need to be addressed by physicians and policy makers

Optical Properties of Pentacene and Perfluoropentacene Thin Films

The optical properties of pentacene (PEN) and perfluoropentacene(PFP) thin films on various SiO2 substrates were studied using variable angle spectroscopic ellipsometry. Structural characterization was performed using X-ray reflectivity and atomic force microscopy. A uniaxial model with the optic axis normal to the sample surface was used to analyze the ellipsometry data. A Strong optical anisotropy was observed and enabled the direction of the transition dipole of the absorption bands to be determined. Furthermore, comparison of the optical constants of PEN and PFP thin films with the absorption spectra of the monomers in solution shows significant changes due to the crystalline environment. Relative to the monomer spectrum the HOMO-LUMO transition observed in PEN (PFP) thin film is reduced by 210 meV (280 meV). Surprisingly, a second absorption band in the PFP thin film shows a slight blueshift (40 meV) compared to the spectrum of the monomer with its transition dipole perpendicular to that of the first absorption band.Comment: 6 pages, 6 figures, submitted to J. Chem. Phy

Nanolesions induced by heavy ions in human tissues: experimental and theoretical studies

The biological effects of energetic heavy ions are attracting increasing interest for their applications in cancer therapy and protection against space radiation. The cascade of events leading to cell death or late effects starts from stochastic energy deposition on the nanometer scale and the corresponding lesions in biological molecules, primarily DNA. We have developed experimental techniques to visualize DNA nanolesions induced by heavy ions. Nanolesions appear in cells as “streaks” which can be visualized by using different DNA repair markers. We have studied the kinetics of repair of these “streaks” also with respect to the chromatin conformation. Initial steps in the modeling of the energy deposition patterns at the micrometer and nanometer scale were made with MCHIT and TRAX models, respectively

Benthic iron and phosphorus fluxes across the Peruvian oxigen minimum zone

Benthic fluxes of dissolved ferrous iron (Fe2+) and phosphate (TPO4) were quantified by in situ benthic chamber incubations and pore-water profiles along a depth transect (11°S, 80–1000 m) across the Peruvian oxygen minimum zone (OMZ). Bottom-water O2 levels were < 2 µmol L-1 down to 500-m water depth, and increased to ~40 µmol L-1 at 1000 m. Fe2+ fluxes were highest on the shallow shelf (maximum 316 mmol m-2 yr-1), moderate (15.4 mmol m-2 yr-1) between 250 m and 600 m, and negligible at deeper stations. In the persistent OMZ core, continuous reduction of Fe oxyhydroxides results in depletion of sedimentary Fe :Al ratios. TPO4 fluxes were high (maximum 292 mmol m-2 yr-1) throughout the shelf and the OMZ core in association with high organic carbon degradation rates. Ratios between organic carbon degradation and TPO4 flux indicate excess release of P over C when compared to Redfield stoichiometry. Most likely, this is caused by preferential P release from organic matter, dissolution of fish debris, and/or P release from microbial mat communities, while Fe oxyhydroxides can only be inferred as a major P source on the shallow shelf. The benthic fluxes presented here are among the highest reported from similar, oxygen-depleted environments and highlight the importance of sediments underlying anoxic water bodies as nutrient sources to the ocean. The shelf is particularly important as the periodic passage of coastal trapped waves and associated bottom-water oxygenation events can be expected to induce a transient biogeochemical environment with highly variable release of Fe2+ and TPO4

Work-Related Injuries among Insured Construction Workers Presenting to a Swiss Adult Emergency Department: A Retrospective Study (2016-2020).

Occupational injuries are one of the main causes of Emergency Department visits and represent a substantial source of disability or even death. However, the published studies and reports on construction-occupational accidents in Switzerland are limited. We aimed to investigate the epidemiology of fatal and non-fatal injuries among construction workers older than 16 years of age over a 5-year period. Data were gathered from the emergency department (ED) of Bern University Hospital. A retrospective design was chosen to allow analysis of changes in construction accidents between 2016-2020. A total of 397 patients were enrolled. Compared to studies in other countries, we also showed that the upper extremity and falling from height is the most common injured body part and mechanism of injury. Furthermore, we were able to show that the most common age group representing was 26-35 years and the second common body part injured was the head, which is a difference from studies in other countries. Wound lacerations were the most common type of injury, followed by joint distortions. By stratifying according to the season, occupational injuries among construction workers were found to be significant higher during summer and autumn. As work-related injuries among construction workers are becoming more common, prevention strategies and safety instructions must be optimized

Can Functional Capacity Tests Predict Future Work Capacity in Patients With Whiplash-Associated Disorders?

AbstractObjectiveTo determine whether functional capacity evaluation (FCE) tests predict future work capacity (WC) of patients with whiplash-associated disorders (WADs) grades I and II who did not regain full WC 6 to 12 weeks after injury.DesignProspective cohort study.SettingRehabilitation center.ParticipantsWorkers (N=267) listed on workers' compensation with grade I or II WADs 6 to 12 weeks after injury.InterventionsPatients performed 8 work-related FCE tests.Main Outcome MeasuresWC (0–100%) measured at baseline and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after testing. Correlation coefficients between FCE tests and WC were calculated. A linear mixed-model analysis was used to assess the association between FCE and future WC.ResultsMean ± SD WC increased over time from 20.8%±27.6% at baseline to 32.3%±38.4%, 51.3%±42.8%, 65.6%±42.2%, and 83.2%±35.0% at the 1-, 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-ups, respectively. Correlation coefficients between FCE tests and WC ranged from r=.06 (lifting low at 12-mo follow-up) to r=.39 (walking speed at 3mo). Strength of the correlations decreased over time. FCE tests did not predict WC at follow-up. The predictors of WC were ln (time) (β=23.74), mother language (β=5.49), WC at baseline (β=1.01), and self-reported disability (β=−.20). Two interaction terms, ln (time) × WC (β=−.19) and ln (time) × self-reported disability (β=−.21), were significant predictors of WC.ConclusionsFCE tests performed within 6 to 12 weeks after WADs injury grades I and II are associated with WC at baseline but do not predict future WC, whereas time course, mother language, WC at baseline, and self-reported disability do predict future WC. Additionally, the interaction between time course WC at baseline and self-reported disability predicted future WC

Distribution, functional impact, and origin mechanisms of copy number variation in the barley genome

BACKGROUND There is growing evidence for the prevalence of copy number variation (CNV) and its role in phenotypic variation in many eukaryotic species. Here we use array comparative genomic hybridization to explore the extent of this type of structural variation in domesticated barley cultivars and wild barleys. RESULTS A collection of 14 barley genotypes including eight cultivars and six wild barleys were used for comparative genomic hybridization. CNV affects 14.9% of all the sequences that were assessed. Higher levels of CNV diversity are present in the wild accessions relative to cultivated barley. CNVs are enriched near the ends of all chromosomes except 4H, which exhibits the lowest frequency of CNVs. CNV affects 9.5% of the coding sequences represented on the array and the genes affected by CNV are enriched for sequences annotated as disease-resistance proteins and protein kinases. Sequence-based comparisons of CNV between cultivars Barke and Morex provided evidence that DNA repair mechanisms of double-strand breaks via single-stranded annealing and synthesis-dependent strand annealing play an important role in the origin of CNV in barley. CONCLUSIONS We present the first catalog of CNVs in a diploid Triticeae species, which opens the door for future genome diversity research in a tribe that comprises the economically important cereal species wheat, barley, and rye. Our findings constitute a valuable resource for the identification of CNV affecting genes of agronomic importance. We also identify potential mechanisms that can generate variation in copy number in plant genomes.This work was financially supported by the following grants: project GABI-BARLEX, German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), #0314000 to MP, US, KFXM and NS; Triticeae Coordinated Agricultural Project, USDA-NIFA #2011-68002-30029 to GJM; and Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Plant Genome, Genetics and Breeding Program of USDA’s Cooperative State Research and Extension Service, #2009-65300- 05645 to GJM