Demonstrating quantum algorithm acceleration with NMR quantum computer

In general, a quantum circuit is constructed with elementary gates, such as one-qubit gates and CNOT gates. It is possible, however, to speed up the execution time of a given circuit by merging those elementary gates together into larger modules, such that the desired unitary matrix expressing the algorithm is directly implemented. We demonstrate this by taking the two-qubit Grover's algorithm implemented in NMR quantum computation, whose pseudopure state is generated by cyclic permutations of the state populations. This is the first exact time-optimal solution, to our knowledge, obtained for a self-contained quantum algorithm.Comment: 6 pages, revtex, 1 table, experimental details added, 1 figure adde

Anti-allergic activity of Glycopeptide isolated from Perilla frutescens BRITTON

The anti-allergic activity of Perilla glycopeptide (Pe-GP) isolated from dried Perilla frutescens BRH-TON leaves was investigated. Pe-GP was found to be effective in inhibiting histamine release from IgE-sensitized rat peritoneal mast cells induced by a specific antigen. The histamine release induced by several substances such as concanavalin A, compound 48/80, mastoparan, and ionophore A23187, was also found to be inhibited by Pe-OP. These results suggest that Pe-GP mainly interrupts a pathway of histamine release after calcium influx. Anti-allergic activity of Pe-GP was investigated by ear-swelling response in mice that had been passively sensitized with IgE via intravenous injection. Pe-GP, injected intraperitoneally before exposure to the antigen, was found to inhibit the allergic response in a dosedependent manner (5-100 mg/kg). Pe-GP shows promise as an anti-allergic substance for medical use as well as in health foods. シソ(Perilla frutescens B_)葉熱水抽出液から分離精製されたシソ糖ペプチド(Pe-GP,6kDa)の抗アレルギー活性を検討した。Pe-GPは,ラット腹腔内より単離してIgEで感作したマスト細胞において,特異抗原で刺激したときに誘発されるヒスタミン遊離反応を抑制した。同様にPe-GPはconcanavalin A,compound48/80,mastoparan,ionophore A23187などの誘発するヒスタミン遊離反応も抑制した。これらの結果からPe-GPはヒスタミン遊離機構のうちカルシウム動員以降の経路を主として抑えると考えられる。Pe-GPの生体内における抗アレルギー活性は,IgEを静注して受動感作したマウスの耳介浮腫反応により検討した。抗原塗布前にあらかじめ腹腔内に投与しておくと,Pe-GPは5-100mg/mlの範囲で濃度依存的に浮腫を抑制し抗アレルギー活性を示した。Pe-GPの抗アレルギー活性を有する医薬品としての開発が,健康食品と同様,期待される

PPV-type π-conjugated polymers based on hypervalent tin(IV)-fused azobenzene complexes showing near-infrared absorption and emission

We demonstrate near-infrared (NIR) absorptive and emissive poly(p-phenylene vinylene) (PPV)-type π-conjugated polymers based on hypervalent tin-fused azobenzene (TAz) complexes. Taking advantage of the inherent narrow-energy gap of TAz complexes originating from the three-center four-electron (3c-4e) bond and nitrogen–tin (N–Sn) coordination, the synthesized polymers, TAz-PPVs, showed absorption, and emission in wavelength regions of >750 and 810 nm in diluted solution, respectively. From the experimental and theoretical investigations, the elevation of the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and the reduction of the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) were simultaneously shown to be caused by the extension of π-conjugation. The effective conjugation length was calculated to be n > 10 (n: degree of polymerization), and the value was comparable to conventional PPV systems. Through this research, we revealed that π-conjugated systems including hypervalent bonds were able to expand π-conjugation. According to the concept of “element blocks”, the development of heteroatom-containing narrow-energy-gap monomers should be a novel approach for the construction of new NIR-absorptive and emissive bland materials

Vapochromic films of pi-conjugated polymers based on coordination and desorption at hypervalent tin(iv)-fused azobenzene compounds

We report the synthesis and vapochromic behaviors of film materials consisting of hypervalent tin-containing π-conjugated polymers. We prepared copolymers with brominated tin-fused azobenzenes and modified fluorene having tetraethylene glycol as a side chain. The synthesized polymers showed good film-formability and high affinity with coordinating solvent molecules such as dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). In particular, we discovered distinct color changes from blue to purple when exposed to DMSO vapor. It was revealed that color changes should originate from reversible alteration of the coordination-number between five and six of hypervalent tin(IV) in the azobenzene compounds involved in the main-chain conjugation. Moreover, we also observed that binding constants between tin and coordinating solvents could be influenced by two substitutions on the tin atom and subsequently modulated responsivity of vapochromism in films by altering the type of substituent. Furthermore, the color-change behaviors can be estimated by quantum calculations with density functional theory. We demonstrate not only that hypervalent tin can work as a switching unit for modulating the electronic structures of π-conjugated polymers triggered by solvent coordination but also that vapochromic behaviors in films can be predicted by estimating the affinity between hypervalent tin and solvent molecules with theoretical calculations

Associations of CT evaluations of antigravity muscles, emphysema and airway disease with longitudinal outcomes in patients with COPD

Multiple CT indices are associated with disease progression and mortality in patients with COPD, but which indices have the strongest association remain unestablished. This longitudinal 10-year observational study (n=247) showed that the emphysema severity on CT is more closely associated with the progression of airflow limitation and that a reduction in the cross-sectional area of erector spinae muscles (ESMCSA) on CT is more closely associated with mortality than the other CT indices, independent of patient demographics and pulmonary function. ESMCSA is a useful CT index that is more closely associated with long-term mortality than emphysema and airway disease in patients with COPD

Low serum free light chain is associated with risk of COPD exacerbation

Background: Most exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are triggered by respiratory tract infections. Adaptive immunity via antibody production is important in preventing infections. Impaired antibody production is reported to be associated with an increased risk of exacerbations of COPD. In the present study, we elucidated whether reduced free light chains (FLCs), which are excessive amounts of light chains produced during antibody synthesis and can be used to estimate systemic antibody production, may be a promising biomarker to predict the risk of exacerbations of COPD. Methods: We enrolled stable male patients with COPD and prospectively observed them for 2 years. At baseline, serum combined FLC (cFLC; sum of kappa and lambda values) and pulmonary function were evaluated. Exacerbation was defined as a worsening of symptoms requiring treatments with antibiotics, corticosteroids or both. Results: 63 patients with stable COPD were enrolled (72.8±8.1 years, GOLD A/B/C/D=24/28/6/5), and 51 patients completed the 2-year follow-up. Serum cFLC was 31.1 mg·L−1 on average and ranged widely (1.4 to 89.9 mg·L−1). The patients with low cFLC (below the mean−sd, n=6) experienced a significantly shorter time to the first exacerbation of COPD (p<0.0001 by the log-rank test). A multivariate Cox proportional hazard model, including the COPD assessment test score, % predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1 % pred), and number of previous exacerbations demonstrated that low cFLC and low FEV1 % pred were independently and significantly correlated with the risk for exacerbations of COPD. Conclusion: Low cFLC may be a B-cell-associated novel biomarker associated with risk of COPD exacerbation

Disproportionally Impaired Diffusion Capacity Relative to Airflow Limitation in COPD

Forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV₁) is a standard physiological index of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but reflects emphysema and vascular abnormalities less sensitively than diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (D_LCO). This study tested whether a disproportionally impaired D_LCO relative to FEV₁ (FEV₁ z-score>-3 and D_LCO z-score≤-3) is a common functional COPD phenotype associated with distinct clinical and structural features and the prognosis of two cohorts. The cross-sectional analyses of the Korea COPD Subgroup Study (KOCOSS) cohort (multicenter study in Korea) included 743 males with COPD whose D_LCO was available. The cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses of the Kyoto University Cohort (single-center study in Japan) included 195 males with COPD who were prospectively followed for 10 years. A disproportionally impaired D_LCO relative to FEV₁ was observed in 29% and 31% of patients in the KOCOSS and Kyoto University cohorts, respectively. In the multivariable analysis, the disproportionally impaired D_LCO was associated with worse symptoms, shorter 6-minute walking distance, paraseptal and centrilobular emphysema on computed tomography, and reduced arterial oxygen and carbon dioxide pressures compared to the reference (FEV₁ z-score>-3 and D_LCO z-score>-3). In the multivariable Cox proportional hazard model, a higher long-term mortality was observed in the disproportionally impaired D_LCO group than in the reference group (hazard ratio [95% confidence interval] = 3.09 [1.52–6.29]) and similar to the D_LCO z-score≤-3 and FEV₁ z-score≤-3 group. The disproportionally impaired D_LCO relative to FEV₁ is common and associated with increased symptoms, emphysema, arterial blood gas abnormalities, and increased long-term mortality in patients with COPD

COPD患者における脊柱起立筋群の定量的解析：胸部CTで評価する新たな予後関連因子

Originally Published in: Kazuya Tanimura, Susumu Sato, Yoshinori Fuseya, Koichi Hasegawa, Kiyoshi Uemasu, Atsuyasu Sato, Tsuyoshi Oguma, Toyohiro Hirai, Michiaki Mishima and Shigeo Muro. Quantitative Assessment of Erector Spinae Muscles in Patients with COPD: Novel Chest CT-derived Index for Prognosis. Annals of the American Thoracic Society. [Year];[Volume]:[Pages]. DOI: [Number] Copyright© 2015 by the American Thoracic Society The final publication is available at http://www.atsjournals.org/journal/annalsats/京都大学0048新制・課程博士博士(医学)甲第19621号医博第4128号新制||医||1015(附属図書館)32657京都大学大学院医学研究科医学専攻(主査)教授 福原 俊一, 教授 今中 雄一, 教授 松田 秀一学位規則第4条第1項該当Doctor of Medical ScienceKyoto UniversityDFA