Machine-learning based noise characterization and correction on neutral atoms NISQ devices

Neutral atoms devices represent a promising technology that uses optical tweezers to geometrically arrange atoms and modulated laser pulses to control the quantum states. A neutral atoms Noisy Intermediate Scale Quantum (NISQ) device is developed by Pasqal with rubidium atoms that will allow to work with up to 100 qubits. All NISQ devices are affected by noise that have an impact on the computations results. Therefore it is important to better understand and characterize the noise sources and possibly to correct them. Here, two approaches are proposed to characterize and correct noise parameters on neutral atoms NISQ devices. In particular the focus is on Pasqal devices and Machine Learning (ML) techniques are adopted to pursue those objectives. To characterize the noise parameters, several ML models are trained, using as input only the measurements of the final quantum state of the atoms, to predict laser intensity fluctuation and waist, temperature and false positive and negative measurement rate. Moreover, an analysis is provided with the scaling on the number of atoms in the system and on the number of measurements used as input. Also, we compare on real data the values predicted with ML with the a priori estimated parameters. Finally, a Reinforcement Learning (RL) framework is employed to design a pulse in order to correct the effect of the noise in the measurements. It is expected that the analysis performed in this work will be useful for a better understanding of the quantum dynamic in neutral atoms devices and for the widespread adoption of this class of NISQ devices.Comment: 11 pages, 5 figures, 3 table

Effect of rootstock on growth, yield and fruit characteristics in cv 'Bianca' pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) trees

This paper, following preliminary field evaluation trials started in 1993, reports a study on the effect of eight different in vitro-propagated clonal rootstocks (P. atlantica and P. integerrima) and one seedling rootstock (P. terebinthus) on the vegetative and productive behaviour of pistachio cultivar 'Bianca'. The trees, budded in 1991, were grown using standard cultural practices for dry-land farming in a sandy clay loam soil, located inland in Sicily. On average, clones of P. integerrima (I-6 and I-2) were the most vigorous rootstocks. Clones of P. atlantica had intermediate vigour. Rootstock significantly affect yield but not fruit weight, kernel to nut ratio, splitting and blanking percentages. The highest yield efficiencies were observed with I-4 and A-3 and A-5, whereas the lowest were obtained with I-6 and I-2 and A-8. Nut shape was significantly affected by the rootstock. Slight differences in leaf mineral content were observed among the tested graft combinations

Division for Endocrine and Minimally Invasive Surgery Department of Human Pathology in Adulthood and Childhood “G. Barresi”, University of Messina

The visual identification of the nerve is still today the standard technique in thyroid surgery. Although the systematic use of the intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) of the NLR has not demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in NLR lesions yet, IONM has been conclusive in the case of complex anatomy (re-operation, voluminous goiter, thyroid carcinoma) and in functional integrity of the NLR. The application of the IONM allowed to reconsider the two-phase thyroidectomy procedure in order to prevent bilateral lesions to the NLR. This method makes it possible to evaluate the possibility of proceeding safely to the completion of total thyroidectomy after resection of the dominant lobe and to decide, if necessary, to delay the resection of the second lobe at a later time, as in the case of injury or dysfunction of the NLR after lobectomy. The systematic application of IONM may lead the surgeon to modify the operative strategy in the presence of LOS from the NLR ensuring an almost zero incidence of bilateral paralysis of the NLR.It is necessary to define specific application guidelines, for the management of problems related to employment as in tumor pathology

“Dovetail” gastric resection: a novel model in the treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumors

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common malignant subepithelial lesions of the gastrointestinal tract. The prognosis of this disease is associated with the tumor size and mitotic index. The standard treatment of a GIST without metastasis is surgical resection. The stomach is the most frequent site of the disease and many technical solutions have recently been proposed as shown also by the dramatic increase in publications on this field. There are many studies that suggest laparoscopy may be an acceptable surgical treatment option compared to open surgery for gastric GIST. However, open surgery assumes great importance in large tumors located in difficult to access locations. Here, we present a case involving a 60-year-old man who was diagnosed with gastric antrum GIST, according to a preoperative examination and postoperative pathology. Then, the patient successfully underwent an atypical gastric resection. We proposed a novel surgical technique to be considered in case of gastric benign disease or GIST localized at the gastric antrum

Instruções futuras para cirurgia transroal endoscópica de tireoide.

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Which surgery needs to be used in the Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma?

Surgery for thyroid carcinoma involves a complex decision-making process and technical skills, both related to the experience of the endocrinologist and surgeon. Based on a stratified risk approach for the management of differentiated thyroid carcinoma, therapeutic decisions can now be divided into active surveillance or immediate surgery, e.g. hemithyroidectomy with isthmectomy, total thyroidectomy, or thyroidectomy and locoregional lymphadenectomy. Total thyroidectomy is a surgery associated with high rates of healing and has been considered the gold standard for years. However, thyroid lobectomy, in selected cases, is now recognized as equally oncologically effective and is associated with decreased morbidity in appropriately selected patients. The morbidity of the prophylactic lymphadenectomy of the central compartment is significant in terms of transient and permanent hypocalcaemia. This led to a less aggressive prophylactic surgical approach in the recent guidelines of the American Thyroid Association of 2015.  Re-operations in the central or lateral compartment can be difficult and lead to an increased risk to the patient. Therefore, it is important to perform an optimal initial operation in every patient with thyroid cancer. Consideration should be given to addressing patients with high-risk characteristics (N1 clinical disease, locally invasive disease) to experienced surgeons, both for oncologic completeness and for significant impact on clinical outcomes and complication rates

Synthesis and cytotoxic activity evaluation of 2,3-thiazolidin-4-one derivatives on human breast cancer cell lines

It is well known that resveratrol (RSV) displayed cancer-preventing and anticancer properties but its clinical application is limited because of a low bioavailability and a rapid clearance from the circulation. Aim of this work was to synthesize pharmacologically active resveratrol analogs with an enhanced structural rigidity and bioavailability. In particular, we have synthesized a library of 2,3-thiazolidin-4-one derivatives in which a thiazolidinone nucleus connects two aromatic rings. Some of these compounds showed strong inhibitory effects on breast cancer cell growth. Our results indicate that some of thiazolidin-based resveratrol derivatives may become a new potent alternative tool for the treatment of human breast cancer

Synthesis and biological evaluation of new N-alkylcarbazole derivatives as STAT3 inhibitors: preliminary study

The signalling pathway of Janus tyrosine Kinases-Signal Transducers and Activators of Transcription (JAKSTAT) is activated by a number of cytokines, hormones (GH, erythropoietin and prolactin), and growth factors. JAK-STAT signalling is involved in regulation of cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. These activities are due to different members of JAK-STAT family consisting of: JAK1, JAK2, JAK3, Tyk2 and STAT1, STAT2, STAT3, STAT4, STAT5a, STAT5b, STAT6. Recent studies suggest a key role for STAT family proteins, in particular for STAT3, in selectively inducing and maintaining a pro-carcinogenic inflammatory microenvironment, that promote tumour cells transformation. Moreover, a striking correlation between cancer development/progression and STAT3 persistent activation exists, probably due to STAT3 promoting of the pro-oncogenic inflammatory pathways, like NF-kB, IL-6 and JAK family kinases. Recent study demonstrated that carbazoles can inhibit STAT3 mediated transcription. From these evidences, STAT3 represents a therapeutic target, so we have synthesized a new set of N-alkylcarbazole derivatives substituted in positions 2, 4 and 6, to evaluate their activity on STAT3. Some of these compounds showed an interesting activity as STAT3 selective inhibitors; in particular, compounds 9a 9b and 9c revealed to inhibit the STAT3 activation for the 50%, 90% and 95%, respectively

Can Clinical and Surgical Parameters Be Combined to Predict How Long It Will Take a Tibia Fracture to Heal? A Prospective Multicentre Observational Study: The FRACTING Study

Background. Healing of tibia fractures occurs over a wide time range of months, with a number of risk factors contributing to prolonged healing. In this prospective, multicentre, observational study, we investigated the capability of FRACTING (tibia FRACTure prediction healING days) score, calculated soon after tibia fracture treatment, to predict healing time. Methods. The study included 363 patients. Information on patient health, fracture morphology, and surgical treatment adopted were combined to calculate the FRACTING score. Fractures were considered healed when the patient was able to fully weight-bear without pain. Results. 319 fractures (88%) healed within 12 months from treatment. Forty-four fractures healed after 12 months or underwent a second surgery. FRACTING score positively correlated with days to healing: r = 0.63 (p < 0.0001). Average score value was 7.3 \ub1 2.5; ROC analysis showed strong reliability of the score in separating patients healing before versus after 6 months: AUC = 0.823. Conclusions. This study shows that the FRACTING score can be employed both to predict months needed for fracture healing and to identify immediately after treatment patients at risk of prolonged healing. In patients with high score values, new pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatments to enhance osteogenesis could be tested selectively, which may finally result in reduced disability time and health cost savings