65 research outputs found
Quantum storage of entangled photons at telecom wavelengths in a crystal
The quantum internet -- in synergy with the internet that we use today --
promises an enabling platform for next-generation information processing,
including exponentially speed-up distributed computation, secure communication,
and high-precision metrology. The key ingredients for realizing such a global
network are the distribution and storage of quantum entanglement. As quantum
networks are likely to be based on existing fibre networks, telecom-wavelength
entangled photons and corresponding quantum memories are of central interest.
Recently, ions have been identified as a promising
candidate for an efficient, broadband quantum memory at telecom wavelength.
However, to date, no storage of entangled photons, the crucial step of quantum
memory using these ions, has been reported. Here, we demonstrate the storage
and recall of the entangled state of two telecom photons generated from an
integrated photonic chip based on silicon nitride. Combining the natural narrow
linewidth of the entangled photons and long storage time of ions, we achieve storage time of 400 ns, more than one order of
magnitude longer than in previous works. Successful storage of entanglement in
the crystal is certified by a violation of an entanglement witness by more than
12 standard deviations (-0.161 0.012) at 400 ns storage time. These
results pave the way for realizing quantum networks based on solid-state
devices.Comment: 15 pages, 11 figure
Development of PCR-based markers associated with powdery mildew resistance using bulked segregant analysis (BSA-seq) in melon
Powdery mildew (PM) is a fungus that causes disease in both the field and the greenhouse. Utilizing resistant cultivars is the most effective approach of disease management. To develop insertion-deletion (InDel) markers associated to this trait, the whole genomes of the PM resistant line M17050 (P1) and the PM-susceptible line 28-1-1 (P2) were sequenced. A total of 1 200 InDels, with an average of 100 markers per chromosome, were arbitrarily chosen from the sequencing data for experimental validation. One hundred InDel markers were ultimately selected due to their informative genetic bands. Further, an F2 segregating population of melons generated from these two parents was inoculated by the PM pathogen. Based on bulk segregant analysis (BSA) using these 100 InDel markers, the powdery mildew resistance was associated with the genomic region LVpm12.1 on the melon chromosome 12. This region overlapped the previously described quantitative trait locus (QTL)-hotspot area carrying multiple PM-resistance QTLs. Moreover, conventional QTL mapping analysis was done, which located LVpm12.1 in the region between 22.72 and 23.34 Mb, where three highly polymorphic InDel markers MInDel89, MInDel92, and MInDel93 were detected. Therefore, these markers could be used to track this resistance locus in melon while the lines carrying this locus could be employed in PM melon resistance breeding programs after validation tests
Different Effects of Total Bilirubin on 90-Day Mortality in Hospitalized Patients With Cirrhosis and Advanced Fibrosis: A Quantitative Analysis
Introduction: Total bilirubin (TB) is a major prognosis predictor representing liver failure in patients with acute on chronic liver failure (ACLF). However, the cutoff value of TB for liver failure and whether the same cutoff could be applied in both cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic patients remain controversial. There is a need to obtain the quantitative correlation between TB and short-term mortality via evidence-based methods, which is critical in establishing solid ACLF diagnostic criteria.Methods: Patients hospitalized with cirrhosis or advanced fibrosis (FIB-4 > 1.45) were studied. TB and other variables were measured at baseline. The primary outcome was 90-day transplantation-free mortality. Multi-variable Cox proportional hazard model was used to present the independent risk of mortality due to TB. Generalized additive model and second derivate (acceleration) were used to plot the âTB-mortality correlation curves.â The mathematical (maximum acceleration) and clinical (adjusted 28-day transplantation-free mortality rate reaching 15%) TB cutoffs for liver failure were both calculated.Results: Among the 3,532 included patients, the number of patients with cirrhosis and advanced fibrosis were 2,592 and 940, respectively, of which cumulative 90-day mortality were 16.6% (430/2592) and 7.4% (70/940), respectively. Any increase of TB was found the independent risk factor of mortality in cirrhotic patients, while only TB >12 mg/dL independently increased the risk of mortality in patients with advanced fibrosis. In cirrhotic patients, the mathematical TB cutoff for liver failure is 14.2 mg/dL, with 23.3% (605/2592) patients exceeding it, corresponding to 13.3 and 25.0% adjusted 28- and 90-day mortality rate, respectively. The clinical TB cutoff for is 18.1 mg/dL, with 18.2% (471/2592) patients exceeding it. In patients with advanced fibrosis, the mathematical TB cutoff is 12.1 mg/dL, 33.1% (311/940) patients exceeding it, corresponding to 2.9 and 8.0% adjusted 28- and 90-day mortality rate, respectively; the clinical TB cutoff was 36.0 mg/dL, 1.3% (12/940) patients above it.Conclusion: This study clearly demonstrated the significantly different impact of TB on 90-day mortality in patients with cirrhosis and advanced fibrosis, proving that liver failure can be determined by TB alone in cirrhosis but not in advanced fibrosis. The proposed TB cutoffs for liver failure provides solid support for the establishment of ACLF diagnostic criteria
Finishing the euchromatic sequence of the human genome
The sequence of the human genome encodes the genetic instructions for human physiology, as well as rich information about human evolution. In 2001, the International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium reported a draft sequence of the euchromatic portion of the human genome. Since then, the international collaboration has worked to convert this draft into a genome sequence with high accuracy and nearly complete coverage. Here, we report the result of this finishing process. The current genome sequence (Build 35) contains 2.85 billion nucleotides interrupted by only 341 gaps. It covers âŒ99% of the euchromatic genome and is accurate to an error rate of âŒ1 event per 100,000 bases. Many of the remaining euchromatic gaps are associated with segmental duplications and will require focused work with new methods. The near-complete sequence, the first for a vertebrate, greatly improves the precision of biological analyses of the human genome including studies of gene number, birth and death. Notably, the human enome seems to encode only 20,000-25,000 protein-coding genes. The genome sequence reported here should serve as a firm foundation for biomedical research in the decades ahead
Retrospective evaluation of whole exome and genome mutation calls in 746 cancer samples
Funder: NCI U24CA211006Abstract: The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) curated consensus somatic mutation calls using whole exome sequencing (WES) and whole genome sequencing (WGS), respectively. Here, as part of the ICGC/TCGA Pan-Cancer Analysis of Whole Genomes (PCAWG) Consortium, which aggregated whole genome sequencing data from 2,658 cancers across 38 tumour types, we compare WES and WGS side-by-side from 746 TCGA samples, finding that ~80% of mutations overlap in covered exonic regions. We estimate that low variant allele fraction (VAF < 15%) and clonal heterogeneity contribute up to 68% of private WGS mutations and 71% of private WES mutations. We observe that ~30% of private WGS mutations trace to mutations identified by a single variant caller in WES consensus efforts. WGS captures both ~50% more variation in exonic regions and un-observed mutations in loci with variable GC-content. Together, our analysis highlights technological divergences between two reproducible somatic variant detection efforts
A Research Review on Effect of eWOM
With the development of the electronic commerce, the electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) has become important reference information of the consumer shopping. EWOM has attracted considerable interest from researchers in the past decade. There are plenty of academics who looked into what factors play the important roles in effect of eWOM. In this paper, a research review is conducted and an integrated framework is proposed on effects of eWOM. The effects of eWOM are influenced by the characteristics, communicators, and other factors. The characteristics of eWOM include the source, the volume and the valence. The communicators of eWOM refer to the sender, the receiver and the relationship between them. In addition, dispersion and consistency, persistence and observability, anonymity and deception, and community engagement are related factors for effect of eWOM
Multiple cutaneous carcinoma arising from arsenic-containing traditional Chinese medicine in a patient with psoriasis: A case report
Background: Arsenic exposure is closely related to keratosis and cutaneous carcinoma, but a few studies have focused on patients with psoriasis presenting carcinoma after long-term medication of arsenic-containing traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Case description: We presented a psoriasis patient showing multiple cutaneous carcinoma arising from arsenic containing TCM. A 60-year-old gentleman with psoriasis for nearly 30 years presented to our department with severe keratosis in hands, trunk and feet. He received oral administration of realgar (with As4S4 as the major component) for at least 15 years. There were keratotic plaques, ulcer and exudate in the middle finger and forefinger of left hand, and middle finger, forefinger and ring finger of the right hand. Moreover, brown papule was seen in right sole, together with keratotic plaques and ulcer in the left heel. Pathological analysis revealed basal cell carcinoma (BCC) in the anterior chest, right hand and right foot, Bowen disease in left hand and right hand, as well as squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) in right hand. Conclusion: This is a rare arsenic-exposure psoriasis patient showed coexistence of Bowen disease in left hand and right hand, BCC in the thoracic site, right hand and right foot, as well as SCC in right hand
Impact of Wedge Parameters on Ultrasonic Lamb Wave Liquid-Level Sensor
The ultrasonic Lamb wave detection principle can realize the noncontact measurement of liquid level in closed containers. When designing an ultrasonic Lamb wave sensor, it is vital to thoroughly study and select the optimal wedge size at the front of the sensor. In this paper, firstly, we select the best working mode of Lamb waves according to their propagation dispersion curve in aluminum alloy, and we obtain the best angle of wedge through experiments. Secondly, we study the impact of the size of the wedge block on the results, and we obtain the selection method of wedge block parameters. The evaluations show that, when the frequencyâthickness product is 3 MHz·mm, the Lamb waves work in the A1 mode, and the experimental effect is the best. At this time, the incident angle of the ultrasonic wave is 27.39°. The wedge thickness should be designed to avoid the near-field area of the ultrasonic field, and we should choose the length as odd multiples of 1/4 wavelength. The rules obtained from the experiment can effectively select the best working mode for ultrasonic Lamb waves, while also providing a basis for the design of the wedge block size in a Lamb wave sensor
Quality and Dependability of ChatGPT and DingXiangYuan Forums for Remote Orthopedic Consultations: Comparative Analysis
BackgroundThe widespread use of artificial intelligence, such as ChatGPT (OpenAI), is transforming sectors, including health care, while separate advancements of the internet have enabled platforms such as Chinaâs DingXiangYuan to offer remote medical services.
ObjectiveThis study evaluates ChatGPT-4âs responses against those of professional health care providers in telemedicine, assessing artificial intelligenceâs capability to support the surge in remote medical consultations and its impact on health care delivery.
MethodsWe sourced remote orthopedic consultations from âDoctor DingXiang,â with responses from its certified physicians as the control and ChatGPTâs responses as the experimental group. In all, 3 blindfolded, experienced orthopedic surgeons assessed responses against 7 criteria: âlogical reasoning,â âinternal information,â âexternal information,â âguiding function,â âtherapeutic effect,â âmedical knowledge popularization education,â and âoverall satisfaction.â We used Fleiss Îș to measure agreement among multiple raters.
ResultsInitially, consultation records for a cumulative count of 8 maladies (equivalent to 800 cases) were gathered. We ultimately included 73 consultation records by May 2023, following primary and rescreening, in which no communication records containing private information, images, or voice messages were transmitted. After statistical scoring, we discovered that ChatGPTâs âinternal informationâ score (mean 4.61, SD 0.52 points vs mean 4.66, SD 0.49 points; P=.43) and âtherapeutic effectâ score (mean 4.43, SD 0.75 points vs mean 4.55, SD 0.62 points; P=.32) were lower than those of the control group, but the differences were not statistically significant. ChatGPT showed better performance with a higher âlogical reasoningâ score (mean 4.81, SD 0.36 points vs mean 4.75, SD 0.39 points; P=.38), âexternal informationâ score (mean 4.06, SD 0.72 points vs mean 3.92, SD 0.77 points; P=.25), and âguiding functionâ score (mean 4.73, SD 0.51 points vs mean 4.72, SD 0.54 points; P=.96), although the differences were not statistically significant. Meanwhile, the âmedical knowledge popularization educationâ score of ChatGPT was better than that of the control group (mean 4.49, SD 0.67 points vs mean 3.87, SD 1.01 points; P<.001), and the difference was statistically significant. In terms of âoverall satisfaction,â the difference was not statistically significant between the groups (mean 8.35, SD 1.38 points vs mean 8.37, SD 1.24 points; P=.92). According to how Fleiss Îș values were interpreted, 6 of the control groupâs score points were classified as displaying âfair agreementâ (P<.001), and 1 was classified as showing âsubstantial agreementâ (P<.001). In the experimental group, 3 points were classified as indicating âfair agreement,â while 4 suggested âmoderate agreementâ (P<.001).
ConclusionsChatGPT-4 matches the expertise found in DingXiangYuan forumsâ paid consultations, excelling particularly in scientific education. It presents a promising alternative for remote health advice. For health care professionals, it could act as an aid in patient education, while patients may use it as a convenient tool for health inquiries
Exploring acupuncture as a treatment for insomnia in perimenopausal women with stable angina pectoris: A protocol for a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.
BackgroundInsomnia has emerged as a major public health issue jeopardizing human wellbeing. Furthermore, insomnia and angina arise concomitantly and exert reciprocal effects. Multiple studies suggest that perimenopausal females are more prone to experiencing both angina and insomnia, consequently substantially compromising their quality of life.Credible evidence suggests that acupuncture exerts a beneficial impact in alleviating insomnia. Nevertheless, the exhaustive investigation into the potential of acupuncture for mitigating insomnia co-occurring with stable angina in perimenopausal females remains a realm yet to be traversed in the realm of randomized controlled trials. Hence, the primary intent of this research protocol was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety profile of acupuncture when administered to perimenopausal subjects grappling with concomitant conditions of stable angina and insomnia.MethodsThis study entails a single-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. A total of 110 patients exhibiting insomnia concomitant with stable angina in the perimenopausal period will be enlisted and randomized to either acupuncture or sham acupuncture. Participants in both arms will undergo 30-minute sessions thrice weekly over a 12-week intervention period, with a 12-week maximum follow-up. The primary outcome measure is the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI). Secondary outcomes encompass the Health-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire (SF-36), Dosage of sleeping pills, SAP-associated evaluations, including C-reactive protein (CRP), lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2), cardiac fatty acid-binding protein levels (C-FABP), and the Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ). Additionally, the study includes assessments using the Hamilton Depression Inventory (HAMD) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7). Primary and secondary outcomes will be evaluated at baseline, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks (upon completion of the intervention), and at an additional 12-week follow-up. Any adverse events will be rigorously classified and characterized with respect to time of onset and abatement, therapeutic interventions implemented, impact on the primary morbidity, and regression.DiscussionThe current study is poised to furnish pivotal clinical data on the utility of acupuncture for stable angina with concomitant insomnia in perimenopausal women, with the findings to be propagated through academic conferences and peer-reviewed publications.Clinical trial registrationThai Clinical Trials Registry: TCTR20221121001. Registered 19 November 2022
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