Quantum Steering on IBMQ

We use contemporary quantum computers to experimentally investigate quantum steering ofan open quantum system by measurements on its environment. On three IBMQ processors wedistinguish a qubit as the open system and perform pairwise interactions with multiple environmentancillas, following a collision model approach. Different measurement strategies on the ancillaslead to different state ensembles of the open system, which are reconstructed by employing statetomography. The amount of steering within the resulting assemblages is quantified with the help of asemidefinite program. We successfully observe the presence of quantum steering in our experimentalsimulations, and can discriminate the different performance qualities and noise levels of the selectedquantum devices

Spectroscopic characterization of singlet-triplet doorway states of aluminum monofluoride

Aluminum monofluoride (AlF) possesses highly favorable properties for laser cooling, both via the A1Π and a3Π states. Determining efficient pathways between the singlet and the triplet manifold of electronic states will be advantageous for future experiments at ultralow temperatures. The lowest rotational levels of the A1Π, v = 6 and b3Σ+, v = 5 states of AlF are nearly iso-energetic and interact via spin–orbit coupling. These levels thus have a strongly mixed spin-character and provide a singlet–triplet doorway. We here present a hyperfine resolved spectroscopic study of the A1Π , v = 6//b3Σ+, v = 5 perturbed system in a jet-cooled, pulsed molecular beam. From a fit to the observed energies of the hyperfine levels, the fine and hyperfine structure parameters of the coupled states and their relative energies as well as the spin–orbit interaction parameter are determined. The standard deviation of the fit is about 15 MHz. We experimentally determine the radiative lifetimes of selected hyperfine levels by time-delayed ionization, Lamb dip spectroscopy, and accurate measurements of the transition lineshapes. The measured lifetimes range between 2 and 200 ns, determined by the degree of singlet–triplet mixing for each level

Role of Dsg1-and Dsg3-Mediated Signaling in Pemphigus Autoantibody-Induced Loss of Keratinocyte Cohesion

Pemphigus is an autoimmune dermatosis in which mucocutaneous blisters are induced primarily by autoantibodies against Desmoglein (Dsg) 1 and 3. Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) usually is associated with autoantibodies against Dsg3 whereas pemphigus foliaceus (PF) patients present autoantibodies against Dsg1. Several signaling pathways were proposed to cause loss of keratinocyte adhesion. However, relevance of different signaling pathways and role of Dsg1 and 3 to trigger signaling are not fully understood. Here, we show that Ca2+ chelation reduced PV-IgG-and PF-IgG-mediated loss of HaCaT keratinocyte cohesion whereas EGFR inhibition did not inhibit effects of PF-IgG. PV-IgG activated EGFR in a Src-dependent manner whereas both PV-IgG and PF-IgG caused Ca2+ influx independent of EGFR. ERK activation was Src-dependent in response to PV-IgG but not PF-IgG. To delineate the roles of Dsg isoforms to trigger signaling pathways, Dsg3-and Dsg2-deficient HaCaT keratinocyte cell lines were generated using CRISPR/Cas9. Dsg3-but not Dsg2-deficient cells were protected against PV-IgG-induced loss of cell adhesion. Ca2+ influx and ERK activation in response to PF-IgG were preserved in both cell lines

Impact of preoperative right-ventricular function and platelet transfusion on outcome after lung transplantation

Objective: Lung transplantation has become an established treatment option for end-stage pulmonary diseases. However, outcome depends on preoperative condition and co-morbidity. Furthermore, perioperative blood-product use is known to be associated with worse outcome even in transplant surgery. We investigated the impact of poor preoperative right-ventricular function and blood-product use on outcome after lung transplantation. Methods: The medical records of 169 lung-transplant recipients from 1996 to 2006 were examined. Duration of hospital stay, hours on mechanical ventilation, duration of stay in the intensive care unit, perioperative complications, death during hospital stay, and long-term survival were recorded. These outcome parameters were analyzed regarding coherence with right-ventricular function and the perioperative administration of crystalloids, colloids, allogeneic red blood cells, fresh frozen plasma, and platelets. Results: Patients with poor preoperative right-ventricular function had a significant increase in postoperative hours on ventilation (p=0.005), intensive care stay (p=0.003), and in-hospital death (p=0.012). The hours on ventilation increased also with high intra-operative fluid administration (p=0.026). Blood-product use was associated with prolonged mechanical ventilation and intensive care stay. After multivariate analysis, transfusion of platelets (p=0.022) was an independent prognostic factor for in-hospital death. Hours of mechanical ventilation was the only independent prognostic factor for long-term mortality (p=0.014). Conclusions: Perioperative transfusion of platelets is an independent prognostic factor for perioperative mortality. Furthermore, the study indicated that poor preoperative right-ventricular function might worsen perioperatively after lung transplantation. Therefore, pre-transplant treatment of pulmonary hypertension to protract right-ventricular failure and a restrictive use of allogeneic blood products may be options to improve outcom

LBT/LUCIFER Observations of the z~2 Lensed Galaxy J0900+2234

We present rest-frame optical images and spectra of the gravitationally lensed, star-forming galaxy J0900+2234 (z=2.03). The observations were performed with the newly commissioned LUCIFER1 near-infrared instrument mounted on the Large Binocular Telescope (LBT). We fit lens models to the rest-frame optical images and find the galaxy has an intrinsic effective radius of 7.4 kpc with a lens magnification factor of about 5 for the A and B components. We also discovered a new arc belonging to another lensed high-z source galaxy, which makes this lens system a potential double Einstein ring system. Using the high S/N rest-frame optical spectra covering H+K band, we detected Hbeta, OIII, Halpha, NII and SII emission lines. Detailed physical properties of this high-z galaxy were derived. The extinction towards the ionized HII regions (E_g(B-V)) is computed from the flux ratio of Halpha and Hbeta and appears to be much higher than that towards stellar continuum (E_s(B-V)), derived from the optical and NIR broad band photometry fitting. The metallicity was estimated using N2 and O3N2 indices. It is in the range of 1/5-1/3 solar abundance, which is much lower than the typical z~2 star-forming galaxies. From the flux ratio of SII 6717 and 6732, we found that the electron number density of the HII regions in the high-z galaxy were >1000 cm^-3, consistent with other z~2 galaxies but much higher than that in local HII regions. The star-formation rate was estimated via the Halpha luminosity, after correction for the lens magnification, to be about 365\pm69 Msun/yr. Combining the FWHM of Halpha emission lines and the half-light radius, we found the dynamical mass of the lensed galaxy is 5.8\pm0.9x10^10 Msun. The gas mass is 5.1\pm1.1x10^10~Msun from the H\alpha flux surface density by using global Kennicutt-Schmidt Law, indicating a very high gas fraction of 0.79\pm0.19 in J0900+2234.Comment: 11 pages, 6 figures accepted by ApJ, revised based on referee repor

Design of the VLT-CUBES image slicers: Field re-formatters to provide two spectral resolutions

CUBES is a high efficiency spectrograph designed for a Cassegrain focus of the Very Large Telescope and is expected to be in operation in 2028. It is designed to observe point or compact sources in a spectral range from 300 to 405nm. CUBES will provide two spectral resolving powers: R≥20,000 for high resolution (HR) and R≥5,000 for low resolution (LR). This is achieved by using an image slicer for each resolution mode. The image slicers re-format a rectangular on-sky field of view of either 1.5arcsec by 10arcsec (HR) or 6arcsec by 10arcsec (LR) into six side-by-side slitlets which form the spectrograph slit. The slit dimensions are 0.19mm × 88mm for HR and 0.77mm × 88mm for LR. The on-sky and physical widths of the slicer mirrors are 0.25arcsec/0.5mm (HR) and 1arcsec/2mm (LR). The image slicers reduce the spectrograph entrance slit etendue and hence the size of the spectrograph optics without associated slit losses. Each of the proposed image slicers consists of two arrays of six spherical mirrors (slicer mirror and camera mirror arrays) which provide a straight entrance slit to the spectrograph with almost diffraction-limited optical quality. This paper presents the description of the image slicers at the end of the Phase A conceptual design, including their optical design and expected performance

Modified Blalock Taussig shunt: a not-so-simple palliative procedure

OBJECTIVES Thirty-two consecutive isolated modified Blalock Taussig (BT) shunts performed in infancy since 2004 were reviewed and analysed to identify the risk factors for shunt intervention and mortality. METHODS Sternotomy was the only approach used. Median age and weight were 10.5 (range 1-74) days and 2.9 (1.9-4.4) kg, respectively. Shunt palliation was performed for biventricular hearts (Tetralogy of Fallot/double outlet right ventricle/transposition of great arteries_ventricular septal defect_pulmonary stenosis/pulmonary atresia_ventricular septal defect/others) in 21, and univentricular hearts in 11, patients. Hypoplastic left heart syndrome patients were excluded. Two procedures required cardiopulmonary bypass. Median shunt size was 3.5 (3-4) mm and median shunt size/kg body weight was 1.2 (0.9-1.7) mm/kg. Reduction in shunt size was necessary in 5 of 32 (16%) patients. RESULTS Three of 32 (9%) patients died after 3 (1-15) days due to cardiorespiratory decompensation. Lower body weight (P = 0.04) and bigger shunt size/kg of body weight (P = 0.004) were significant risk factors for mortality. Acute shunt thrombosis was observed in 3 of 32 (9%), none leading to death. Need for cardiac decongestive therapy was associated with univentricular hearts (P < 0.001), bigger shunt size (P = 0.054) and longer hospital stay (P = 0.005). Twenty-eight patients have undergone a successful shunt takedown at a median age of 5.5 (0.5-11.9) months, without late mortality. CONCLUSIONS Palliation with a modified BT shunt continues to be indicated despite increased thrust on primary corrective surgery. Though seemingly simple, it is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Effective over-shunting and acute shunt thrombosis are the lingering problems of shunt therap

Spectroscopic characterization of the a³Π state of aluminum monofluoride

Spectroscopic studies of aluminum monofluoride (AlF) have revealed its highly favorable properties for direct laser cooling. All Q lines of the strong A1Π ← X1Σ+ transition around 227 nm are rotationally closed and thereby suitable for the main cooling cycle. The same holds for the narrow, spin-forbidden a3Π ← X1Σ+ transition around 367 nm, which has a recoil limit in the µK range. We here report on the spectroscopic characterization of the lowest rotational levels in the a3Π state of AlF for v = 0–8 using a jet-cooled, pulsed molecular beam. An accidental AC Stark shift is observed on the a3Π0, v = 4 ← X1Σ+, v = 4 band. By using time-delayed ionization for state-selective detection of the molecules in the metastable a3Π state at different points along the molecular beam, the radiative lifetime of the a3Π1, v = 0, J = 1 level is experimentally determined as τ = 1.89 ± 0.15 ms. A laser/radio frequency multiple resonance ionization scheme is employed to determine the hyperfine splittings in the a3Π1, v = 5 level. The experimentally derived hyperfine parameters are compared to the outcome of quantum chemistry calculations. A spectral line with a width of 1.27 kHz is recorded between hyperfine levels in the a3Π, v = 0 state. These measurements benchmark the electronic potential of the a3Π state and yield accurate values for the photon scattering rate and for the elements of the Franck–Condon matrix of the a3Π–X1Σ+ system

Propensity matched comparison of extrapleural pneumonectomy and pleurectomy/decortication for mesothelioma patients

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this retrospective study was to assess perioperative outcomes, overall survival and freedom from recurrence after induction chemotherapy followed by extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) or pleurectomy/decortication (P/D) in patients with mesothelioma in a propensity score matched analysis. METHODS: Between September 1999 and August 2015, 167 patients received multimodality treatment (platinum-based chemotherapy followed by EPP [n = 141] or P/D [n = 26]). We performed 2:1 propensity score matching for gender, laterality, epithelioid histological subtype and International Mesothelioma Interest Group (iMig) stage (52 EPP and 26 P/D). RESULTS: Postoperative major morbidity (48% vs 58%, P = 0.5) was similar in both groups; however, the complication profile and severity were different and favoured P/D; the 90-day mortality (8% vs 0%, P = 0.3) rate was lower in P/D although not statistically significant. Prolonged air leak (≥10 days) occurred in 15 patients (58%) undergoing P/D. The intensive care unit stay was significantly longer after EPP (P = 0.001). Freedom from recurrence was similar for both groups (EPP: median 15 months, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 10–21; P/D: 13 months, 95% CI: 11–17) (P = 0.2). Overall survival was significantly longer for patients undergoing P/D (median 32 months, 95% CI: 29–35) compared to EPP (23 months, 95% CI: 21–25) (P = 0.031), but in the P/D group many cases were censored (73%) and the follow-up time was relatively short. CONCLUSIONS: P/D and EPP seem to have similar rates of major morbidity, although the profile of complications is different and more severe after EPP. Freedom from recurrence is comparable in both groups whereas improved overall survival needs to be confirmed in a large patient group with longer follow-up

Sauberkeit in Müllbereichen. Die Rolle von Naturbildern, Infrastruktur und der Eigeninitiative von BewohnerInnen

Littering, das achtlose Wegwerfen von Müll, in Müllbereichen von Wohnhausanlagen beeinträchtigt das Wohlbefinden und verursacht hohe Kosten. Ziel der vorliegenden Studie war es, zu überprüfen, ob kostengünstige Poster von Naturbildern langfristig die Sauberkeit verbessern können. Zudem war es Ziel, den Einfluss der Infrastruktur auf die Sauberkeit sowie die Bedeutung der Eigeninitiative von BewohnerInnen, fremden Müll aufzuheben, zu untersuchen. In einem Lokalaugenschein in zehn Müllbereichen wurden mittels Beobachtung und 55 BewohnerInnen-Interviews mögliche Ursachen für Littering und 40 Ideen für Maßnahmen zur Erhöhung der Sauberkeit exploriert. Darauf aufbauend wurde ein Feldexperiment in 182 Müllbereichen durchgeführt, die vorab als besonders schmutzig identifiziert wurden. Der Effekt der Naturbilder auf die Sauberkeit im Vergleich zu einer Kontrollgruppe wurde nach einem, drei und 13 Monaten untersucht. Die Messung der Sauberkeit erfolgte anhand der Bewertung von BewohnerInnen und OrdnungsberaterInnen (OBs) sowie auf Basis von Fotos. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass die Grundsauberkeit in den Müllbereichen hoch ist, diese aber von den BewohnerInnen subjektiv als niedriger angesehen wird als die Sauberkeit, die durch die OBs oder auf Basis der Fotos festgestellt wurde. Die Ergebnisse geben außerdem Hinweise darauf, dass über die Dauer der Studie die Sauberkeit abnimmt, was im Zusammenhang mit einem Anstieg an Sperrmüll steht. Die Naturbilder haben nach einem Monat die durch die Be-wohnerInnen wahrgenommene Sauberkeit in den Müllräumen im Vergleich zur Kontrollgruppe verbessert. Für die Müllplätze zeigt sich kein Effekt. Kurz-, mittel- und langfristig über den Zeitraum von über einem Jahr ist kein Effekt der Naturbilder auf die Sauberkeit, gemessen durch OBs und Fotos, feststellbar. Weiters zeigen die Ergebnisse den starken Einfluss von infrastrukturellen Faktoren auf die Sauberkeit. In größeren Wohnhausanla-gen mit hoher Fluktuation und jungen MieterInnen ist die Sauberkeit geringer als bei kleineren Anlagen mit vielen AltmieterInnen. Außerdem ist es beispielsweise in Müllräumen schmutziger als auf Müllplätzen. Die Haustürbefragung zeigt, dass rund 35 Prozent der befragten 739 BewohnerInnen tendenziell Eigeninitiative zeigen und fremden Müll aufheben. Je höher diese Eigeninitiative, desto höher ist auch die Sauberkeit, subjektiv und gemessen durch OBs und Fotos. Der Bericht endet mit einer Diskussion von 13 Maßnahmen, die aufgrund der Ergebnisse die Sauberkeit verbessern könnten. Diese betreffen beispielweise die Fokussierung auf große Wohnhausanlagen, junge BewohnerInnen, gezielte Information zum Umgang mit Sperrmüll für (junge) BewohnerInnen, die ein- oder ausziehen, eine Generalreinigung der Müllbereiche, Errichtung von Müllplätzen im Neubau, mehr Container und Aschenbecher sowie die Stärkung der Eigeninitiative durch Maßnahmen, die soziale Normen und das Gemeinschaftsgefühl fördern