Adiabatic Quantum Computing for Multi Object Tracking

Multi-Object Tracking (MOT) is most often approached in the tracking-by-detection paradigm, where object detections are associated through time. The association step naturally leads to discrete optimization problems. As these optimization problems are often NP-hard, they can only be solved exactly for small instances on current hardware. Adiabatic quantum computing (AQC) offers a solution for this, as it has the potential to provide a considerable speedup on a range of NP-hard optimization problems in the near future. However, current MOT formulations are unsuitable for quantum computing due to their scaling properties. In this work, we therefore propose the first MOT formulation designed to be solved with AQC. We employ an Ising model that represents the quantum mechanical system implemented on the AQC. We show that our approach is competitive compared with state-of-the-art optimization-based approaches, even when using of-the-shelf integer programming solvers. Finally, we demonstrate that our MOT problem is already solvable on the current generation of real quantum computers for small examples, and analyze the properties of the measured solutions

Cytolytic T lymphocyte function is independent of growth phase and position in the mitotic cycle

We have investigated mitotic cell cycle and growth phase regulation of homogeneous cytolytic T lymphocytes (CTL). Two independently derived CTL clones were stained with the DNA-binding dye Hoechst 33342, sorted in a fluorescence-activated cell sorter according to their position in the cell cycle, and then assayed for specific lytic activity using a short-term (30 min) (51)Cr release assay. Results show that lytic activity remained unchanged throughout the cell cycle. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in the lytic activity of CTL clones growing exponentially or arrested in a plateau phase. These results demonstrate that T cell-mediated cytolysis is independent of growth phase and position in the cell cycle

Early Olfactory Involvement in Alzheimer's Disease

Background: In Alzheimer's disease (AD) the olfactory system, including the olfactory bulb, a limbic paleocortex is severely damaged. The occurrence of early olfactory deficits and the presence of senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in olfactory bulb were reported previously by a few authors. The goal of the present study was to analyze the occurrence of AD-type degenerative changes in the peripheral part of the olfactory system and to answer the question whether the frequency and severity of changes in the olfactory bulb and tract are associated with those of the cerebral cortex in AD. Material and Methods: In 110 autopsy cases several cortical areas and the olfactory bulb and tract were analyzed using histo- and immunohistochemical techniques. Based on a semiquantitative analysis of cortical senile plaques, neurofibrillary tangles and curly fibers, the 110 cases were divided into four groups: 19 cases with severe (definite AD), 14 cases with moderate, 58 cases with discrete and 19 control cases without AD-type cortical changes. Results: The number of cases with olfactory involvement was very high, more than 84% in the three groups with cortical AD-type lesions. Degenerative olfactory changes were present in all 19 definite AD cases, and in two of the 19 controls. The statistical analysis showed a significant association between the peripheral olfactory and cortical degenerative changes with respect to their frequency and severity (P<0.001). Neurofibrillary tangles and neuropil threads appear in the olfactory system as early as in entorhinal cortex. Conclusion: The results indicate a close relationship between the olfactory and cortical degenerative changes and indicate that the involvement of the olfactory bulb and tract is one of the earliest events in the degenerative process of the central nervous system in A

First update of the living European guideline (EuroGuiDerm) on atopic eczema

First update of the living European guideline (EuroGuiDerm) on atopic eczem

European Task Force on Atopic Dermatitis (ETFAD): position on vaccination of adult patients with atopic dermatitis against COVID‐19 (SARS‐CoV‐2) being treated with systemic medication and biologics

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic is caused by rapid spread of different strains of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2). The severity of infection ranges from mild, or even asymptomatic, to very severe. Signs and symptoms include fatigue, fever, exanthemas, upper respiratory illness, loss of smell and taste, pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, and multi‐organ failure. Risk factors for a severe or lethal course include age, male gender, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and immune suppression1

Risk of severe allergic reactions to COVID-19 vaccines among patients with allergic skin diseases - practical recommendations. A position statement of ETFAD with external experts.

Since the introduction of active vaccination against SARS‐CoV‐2 infection, there has been a debate about the risk of developing severe allergic or anaphylactic reactions among individuals with a history of allergy. Indeed, rare cases of severe allergic reactions have been reported in the United Kingdom and North America. By February 2021 a rate of 4,5 severe allergic reactions occurred among 1 million patients vaccinated with the mRNA‐based COVID‐19 vaccines, which is higher than the generally expected rate of severe allergic reactions to vaccinations of around 1 in 1 million

Quoi de neuf dans la prise en charge de la dermatite atopique de l’enfant et de l’adolescent ? [What's new in the management of atopic dermatitis in children and adolescents ?]

A better understanding of the atopic dermatitis (AD) pathogenesis and the need for more efficient and safer treatments in severe AD promoted the development of new therapies. Several underwent and are still undergoing clinical trials, but due to safety reasons, they include mainly adults for now. AD is however predominant in childhood with a prevalence 20 % in children compared to only 5 % in adults. Regarding the pediatric population, the new pipeline relies on two selective immunosuppressive agents, notably crisaborole (phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor) and dupilumab (IL-4 and IL-13 inhibitor). In order to strengthen the medical treatment, therapeutic patient education plays a supportive role in the global approach, allowing an optimized care. The Lausanne model of the Pediatric Dermatology Unit is described in this article