A switchable controlled-NOT gate in a spin-chain NMR quantum computer

A method of switching a controlled-NOT gate in a solid-stae NMR quantum computer is presented. Qubits of I=1/2 nuclear spins are placed periodically along a quantum spin chain (1-D antiferromagnet) having a singlet ground state with a finite spin gap to the lowest excited state caused by some quantum effect. Irradiation of a microwave tuned to the spin gap energy excites a packet of triplet magnons at a specific part of the chain where control and target qubits are involved. The packet switches on the Suhl-Nakamura interaction between the qubits, which serves as a controlled NOT gate. The qubit initialization is achieved by a qubit initializer consisting of semiconducting sheets attached to the spin chain, where spin polarizations created by the optical pumping method in the semiconductors are transferred to the spin chain. The scheme allows us to separate the initialization process from the computation, so that one can optimize the computation part without being restricted by the initialization scheme, which provides us with a wide selection of materials for a quantum computer.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figure

Cultural trauma, counter-narratives, and dialogical intellectuals: the works of Murakami Haruki and Mori Tatsuya in the context of the Aum affair

In this article, we offer a new conceptualization of intellectuals as carriers of cultural trauma through a case study of the Aum Affair, a series of crimes and terrorist attacks committed by the Japanese new religious movement Aum Shinrikyō. In understanding the performative roles intellectuals play in trauma construction, we offer a new dichotomy between “authoritative intellectuals,” who draw on their privileged parcours and status to impose a distinct trauma narrative, and “dialogical intellectuals,” who engage with local actors dialogically to produce polyphonic and open-ended trauma narratives. We identify three dimensions of dialogical intellectual action: firstly, the intellectuals may be involved in dialogue with local participants; secondly, the intellectual products themselves may be dialogical in content; and thirdly, there might be a concerted effort on the part of the intellectuals to record and to disseminate dialogue between local participants. In the context of the Aum Affair, we analyze the works of Murakami Haruki and Mori Tatsuya as dialogical intellectuals while they sought, with the help of local actors’ experiences, to challenge and to alter the orthodox trauma narrative of Aum Shinrikyō as exclusively a social evil external to Japanese society and an enemy to be excluded from it. Towards the end of the article, we discuss the broader significance of this case study and suggest that in light of recent societal and technological developments, the role and scope of dialogical intellectuals as carriers of trauma are changing and possibly expanding

Superconducting pairing symmetry on the extended Hubbard model in the presence of the Rashba-type spin-orbit coupling

In order to study the pairing symmetry in non-centrosymmetric superconductors, we solve the linearized Eliashberg's equation on the two-dimensional extended Hubbard model in the presence of the Rashba-type spin-orbit coupling (RSOC) within the random phase approximation. In the presence of the RSOC, three types of pairing symmetries appear in the phase diagram with respect to the on-site Coulomb repulsion U and off-site one V. Each of pairing symmetries is admixture of spin-singlet and -triplet ones. On the basis of analytical study, it is found that the admixture of spin-singlet and -triplet components depends on not only the predominant pairing symmetry but also dispersion relation and pairing interaction.Comment: 11 pages, 12 figure

Specific, sensitive and rapid detection of human plasmodium knowlesi infection by loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) in blood samples

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The emergence of <it>Plasmodium knowlesi </it>in humans, which is in many cases misdiagnosed by microscopy as <it>Plasmodium malariae </it>due to the morphological similarity has contributed to the needs of detection and differentiation of malaria parasites. At present, nested PCR targeted on <it>Plasmodium </it>ssrRNA genes has been described as the most sensitive and specific method for Plasmodium detection. However, this method is costly and requires trained personnel for its implementation. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), a novel nucleic acid amplification method was developed for the clinical detection of <it>P. knowlesi</it>. The sensitivity and specificity of LAMP was evaluated in comparison to the results obtained via microscopic examination and nested PCR.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>LAMP assay was developed based on <it>P. knowlesi </it>genetic material targeting the apical membrane antigen-1 (AMA-1) gene. The method uses six primers that recognize eight regions of the target DNA and it amplifies DNA within an hour under isothermal conditions (65°C) in a water-bath.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>LAMP is highly sensitive with the detection limit as low as ten copies for AMA-1. LAMP detected malaria parasites in all confirm cases (n = 13) of <it>P. knowlesi </it>infection (sensitivity, 100%) and none of the negative samples (specificity, 100%) within an hour. LAMP demonstrated higher sensitivity compared to nested PCR by successfully detecting a sample with very low parasitaemia (< 0.01%).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>With continuous efforts in the optimization of this assay, LAMP may provide a simple and reliable test for detecting <it>P. knowlesi </it>malaria parasites in areas where malaria is prevalent.</p

Influence of secondary neutrons induced by proton radiotherapy for cancer patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Although proton radiotherapy is a promising new approach for cancer patients, functional interference is a concern for patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs). The purpose of this study was to clarify the influence of secondary neutrons induced by proton radiotherapy on ICDs.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The experimental set-up simulated proton radiotherapy for a patient with an ICD. Four new ICDs were placed 0.3 cm laterally and 3 cm distally outside the radiation field in order to evaluate the influence of secondary neutrons. The cumulative in-field radiation dose was 107 Gy over 10 sessions of irradiation with a dose rate of 2 Gy/min and a field size of 10 × 10 cm². After each radiation fraction, interference with the ICD by the therapy was analyzed by an ICD programmer. The dose distributions of secondary neutrons were estimated by Monte-Carlo simulation.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The frequency of the power-on reset, the most serious soft error where the programmed pacing mode changes temporarily to a safety back-up mode, was 1 per approximately 50 Gy. The total number of soft errors logged in all devices was 29, which was a rate of 1 soft error per approximately 15 Gy. No permanent device malfunctions were detected. The calculated dose of secondary neutrons per 1 Gy proton dose in the phantom was approximately 1.3-8.9 mSv/Gy.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>With the present experimental settings, the probability was approximately 1 power-on reset per 50 Gy, which was below the dose level (60-80 Gy) generally used in proton radiotherapy. Further quantitative analysis in various settings is needed to establish guidelines regarding proton radiotherapy for cancer patients with ICDs.</p

Expression analysis of secreted and cell surface genes of five transformed human cell lines and derivative xenograft tumors

BACKGROUND: Since the early stages of tumorigenesis involve adhesion, escape from immune surveillance, vascularization and angiogenesis, we devised a strategy to study the expression profiles of all publicly known and putative secreted and cell surface genes. We designed a custom oligonucleotide microarray containing probes for 3531 secreted and cell surface genes to study 5 diverse human transformed cell lines and their derivative xenograft tumors. The origins of these human cell lines were lung (A549), breast (MDA MB-231), colon (HCT-116), ovarian (SK-OV-3) and prostate (PC3) carcinomas. RESULTS: Three different analyses were performed: (1) A PCA-based linear discriminant analysis identified a 54 gene profile characteristic of all tumors, (2) Application of MANOVA (Pcorr < .05) to tumor data revealed a larger set of 149 differentially expressed genes. (3) After MANOVA was performed on data from individual tumors, a comparison of differential genes amongst all tumor types revealed 12 common differential genes. Seven of the 12 genes were identified by all three analytical methods. These included late angiogenic, morphogenic and extracellular matrix genes such as ANGPTL4, COL1A1, GP2, GPR57, LAMB3, PCDHB9 and PTGER3. The differential expression of ANGPTL4 and COL1A1 and other genes was confirmed by quantitative PCR. CONCLUSION: Overall, a comparison of the three analyses revealed an expression pattern indicative of late angiogenic processes. These results show that a xenograft model using multiple cell lines of diverse tissue origin can identify common tumorigenic cell surface or secreted molecules that may be important biomarker and therapeutic discoveries

Tissue factor expression as a possible determinant of thromboembolism in ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer, and clear cell carcinoma in particular, reportedly increases the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). However, the mechanisms remain unclear. Tissue factor (TF) supposedly represents a major factor in the procoagulant activities of cancer cells. The present study examined the involvement of TF expression in VTE for patients with ovarian cancer. Subjects comprised 32 consecutive patients (mean age 49.8 years) with histologically confirmed ovarian cancer. Presence of VTE was examined using a combination of clinical features, D-dimer levels and venous ultrasonography. Immunohistochemical analysis was used to evaluate TF expression into 4 degrees. Venous thromboembolism was identified in 10 of the 32 patients (31%), including five of the 11 patients with clear cell carcinoma. Tissue factor expression was detected in cancer tissues from 24 patients and displayed significant correlations with VTE development (P=0.0003), D-dimer concentration (P=0.003) and clear cell carcinoma (P<0.05). Multivariate analysis identified TF expression as an independent predictive factor of VTE development (P<0.05). Tissue factor (TF) expression is a possible determinant of VTE development in ovarian cancer. In particular, clear cell carcinoma may produce excessive levels of TF and is more likely to develop VTE

Suppression of grasshopper sound production by nitric oxide-releasing neurons of the central complex

The central complex of acridid grasshoppers integrates sensory information pertinent to reproduction-related acoustic communication. Activation of nitric oxide (NO)/cyclic GMP-signaling by injection of NO donors into the central complex of restrained Chorthippus biguttulus females suppresses muscarine-stimulated sound production. In contrast, sound production is released by aminoguanidine (AG)-mediated inhibition of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in the central body, suggesting a basal release of NO that suppresses singing in this situation. Using anti-citrulline immunocytochemistry to detect recent NO production, subtypes of columnar neurons with somata located in the pars intercerebralis and tangential neurons with somata in the ventro-median protocerebrum were distinctly labeled. Their arborizations in the central body upper division overlap with expression patterns for NOS and with the site of injection where NO donors suppress sound production. Systemic application of AG increases the responsiveness of unrestrained females to male calling songs. Identical treatment with the NOS inhibitor that increased male song-stimulated sound production in females induced a marked reduction of citrulline accumulation in central complex columnar and tangential neurons. We conclude that behavioral situations that are unfavorable for sound production (like being restrained) activate NOS-expressing central body neurons to release NO and elevate the behavioral threshold for sound production in female grasshoppers

Sex-related differences in presentation, treatment, and outcomes of Asian patients with atrial fibrillation: a report from the prospective APHRS-AF Registry

We aimed to investigate the sex-related differences in the clinical course of patients with Atrial Fibrillation (AF) enrolled in the Asia–Pacific-Heart-Rhythm-Society Registry. Logistic regression was utilized to investigate the relationship between sex and oral anticoagulant, rhythm control strategies and the 1-year chance to maintain sinus rhythm. Cox-regression was utilized to assess the 1-year risk of all-cause, and cardiovascular death, thromboembolic events, acute coronary syndrome, heart failure, and major bleeding. In the whole cohort (4121 patients, 69 ± 12&nbsp;years,34.3% female), females had different cardiovascular risk factors, clinical manifestations, and disease perceptions than men, with more advanced age (72 ± 11 vs 67 ± 12&nbsp;years, p &lt; 0.001) and dyslipidemia (36.7% vs 41.7%, p = 0.002). Coronary artery disease was more prevalent in males (21.1% vs 16.1%, p &lt; 0.001) as well as the use of antiplatelet drugs. Females had a higher use of oral anticoagulant (84.9% vs 81.3%, p = 0.004) but this difference was non-significant after adjustment for confounders. On multivariable analyses, females were less often treated with rhythm control strategies (Odds Ratio [OR] 0.44,95% Confidence Interval [CI] 0.38–0.51) and were less likely to maintain sinus rhythm (OR 0.27, 95% CI 0.22–0.34) compared to males. Cox-regressions analysis showed no sex-related differences for the risk of death, cardiovascular, and bleeding. The clinical management of Asian AF patients should consider several sex-related differences