Parametric longitudinal coupling between a high-impedance superconducting resonator and a semiconductor quantum dot singlet-triplet spin qubit.

Coupling qubits to a superconducting resonator provides a mechanism to enable long-distance entangling operations in a quantum computer based on spins in semiconducting materials. Here, we demonstrate a controllable spin-photon coupling based on a longitudinal interaction between a spin qubit and a resonator. We show that coupling a singlet-triplet qubit to a high-impedance superconducting resonator can produce the desired longitudinal coupling when the qubit is driven near the resonator's frequency. We measure the energy splitting of the qubit as a function of the drive amplitude and frequency of a microwave signal applied near the resonator antinode, revealing pronounced effects close to the resonator frequency due to longitudinal coupling. By tuning the amplitude of the drive, we reach a regime with longitudinal coupling exceeding 1 MHz. This mechanism for qubit-resonator coupling represents a stepping stone towards producing high-fidelity two-qubit gates mediated by a superconducting resonator.

Precision measurement of electron-electron scattering in GaAs/AlGaAs using transverse magnetic focusing.

Electron-electron (e-e) interactions assume a cardinal role in solid-state physics. Quantifying the e-e scattering length is hence critical. In this paper we show that the mesoscopic phenomenon of transverse magnetic focusing (TMF) in two-dimensional electron systems forms a precise and sensitive technique to measure this length scale. Conversely we quantitatively demonstrate that e-e scattering is the predominant effect limiting TMF amplitudes in high-mobility materials. Using high-resolution kinetic simulations, we show that the TMF amplitude at a maximum decays exponentially as a function of the e-e scattering length, which leads to a ready approach to extract this length from the measured TMF amplitudes. The approach is applied to measure the temperature-dependent e-e scattering length in high-mobility GaAs/AlGaAs heterostructures. The simulations further reveal current vortices that accompany the cyclotron orbits - a collective phenomenon counterintuitive to the ballistic transport underlying a TMF setting.

Hydrodynamic and Ballistic Transport over Large Length Scales in GaAs/AlGaAs.

We study hydrodynamic and ballistic transport regimes through nonlocal resistance measurements and high-resolution kinetic simulations in a mesoscopic structure on a high-mobility two-dimensional electron system in a GaAs/AlGaAs heterostructure. We evince the existence of collective transport phenomena in both regimes and demonstrate that negative nonlocal resistances and current vortices are not exclusive to only the hydrodynamic regime. The combined experiments and simulations highlight the importance of device design, measurement schemes, and one-to-one modeling of experimental devices to demarcate various transport regimes.

Toxoplasma Serology Status and Risk of Miscarriage, A Case-Control Study among Women with A History of Spontaneous Abortion.

BACKGROUND: Toxoplasma gondii is one of the major causes of abortion in pregnant women. Most cases of abortion occur in the acute phase of infection and early pregnancy. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between spontaneous abortion and seropositive status of toxoplasmosis in women with first-time spontaneous abortion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This research is a case-control study on 240 serum samples from women experiencing spontaneous abortion for the first time as the case group, and 240 serum samples from women who had a normal delivery with no history of abortion as the control group. The level of anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgM and IgG antibodies were assessed in serum samples using ELISA. To separate the acute and chronic infections, all IgM-positive samples in both groups and IgG-positive samples of the case group were examined using IgG avidity. RESULTS: The toxoplasmosis IgM antibody was detected in 3.3% (8/240) of the case group and 0.4% (1/240) of the control group, which was a statistically significant difference between the two groups [P=0.019, odds ratio (OR)=10.266]. Of all samples 47.5% and 46.3% of the case and control groups were positive for toxoplasmosis IgG antibody, respectively. Seven out of 8 (87.5%) IgM-positive serum samples from the case group had low IgG avidity, indicating acute infections, whereas all IgG-positive sera and 1 IgM-positive serum, which was related to the control group, showed a high IgG avidity, indicating chronic infections. CONCLUSION: Maternal acute toxoplasmosis during pregnancy is raised as one of the factors that increase the chance of spontaneous abortion. The necessary health training, especially on the parasite transmission ways to women before marriage, as well as the serological test in women before and during pregnancy is recommended. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and IgG avidity assays should be performed in the medical diagnostic laboratories for accurate distinguishing of the initial infection of toxoplasmosis in the pregnant women.

An updated literature review on maternal-fetal and reproductive disorders of Toxoplasma gondii infection.

BACKGROUND: Toxoplasma gondii infection is one of the most prevalent infectious disease with worldwide distribution. Congenital toxoplasmosis is annually responsible for 1.20 million disability-adjusted life years around the world, but often it is overlooked many countries. METHODS: We performed an updated review to summarize the current researches on fetal, neonatal and maternal consequences of T. gondii infection and also adverse effects of toxoplasmosis on women reproductive organs. RESULTS: T. gondii infection could be cause of several abnormalities from hydrocephalus, microcephaly, deafness, abortion and still birth in fetal to psychomotor retardation, intellectual disability, hearing loss, slower postnatal motor development during the first year of life; and chorioretinitis, cryptogenic epilepsy and autism spectrum disorders in newborns. Moreover, this infection is related with neuropsychiatric disorders such as anxiety, schizophrenia spectrum disorders, depression, decreased weight, autoimmune thyroid diseases, self-directed violence, violent suicide attempts in mothers. This literature review emphasized that toxoplasmosis could be an important neglected factor endometritis, ovarian dysfunction, impaired folliculogenesis, ovarian and uterine atrophy, decrease in reproductive organs weight and reproductive performance in women. We reviewed role of the immunological profile such as pro-infiammatory cytokines and hormonal changes as main potential mechanisms related to this infection and development of maternal-fetal and reproductive disorders. CONCLUSION: T. gondii is associated with several brain related disorders in both mothers and newborns, and also it is cause of several abnormalities in reproductive organs. Early diagnosis and treatment of the infection could be effective to significantly improve the clinical outcome.

Possible nematic to smectic phase transition in a two-dimensional electron gas at half-filling.

Liquid crystalline phases of matter permeate nature and technology, with examples ranging from cell membranes to liquid-crystal displays. Remarkably, electronic liquid-crystal phases can exist in two-dimensional electron systems (2DES) at half Landau-level filling in the quantum Hall regime. Theory has predicted the existence of a liquid-crystal smectic phase that breaks both rotational and translational symmetries. However, previous experiments in 2DES are most consistent with an anisotropic nematic phase breaking only rotational symmetry. Here we report three transport phenomena at half-filling in ultra-low disorder 2DES: a non-monotonic temperature dependence of the sample resistance, dramatic onset of large time-dependent resistance fluctuations, and a sharp feature in the differential resistance suggestive of depinning. These data suggest that a sequence of symmetry-breaking phase transitions occurs as temperature is lowered: first a transition from an isotropic liquid to a nematic phase and finally to a liquid-crystal smectic phase.

Evaluation of murine norovirus persistence in environments relevant to food production and processing.

Human norovirus (NoV) causes outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis associated with many ready-to-eat foods, including fresh produce. Effective inactivation procedures must consider virus survival under conditions of produce production and processing. This study aimed to investigate the persistence of NoV in a variety of environments, using murine NoV (MNV) as a surrogate for NoV. MNV was incubated for up to 42 days at room temperature on stainless steel disks, on lettuce, on soil, and in potable water and titers determined by plaque assay. A 1-log reduction of MNV infectivity was observed after 29 days in water, 4 days on lettuce, 12 days on soil, and 15 days on stainless steel disks. MNV survived longer in water than in any of the other environments, indicating that drying may contribute to NoV inactivation. MNV genomes were not significantly reduced for up to 42 days, suggesting that genomic detection is not a reliable indicator of viability. Overall, our findings provide valuable information regarding the potential for NoV transmission in the food supply.

Retention of a Flowable Composite Resin in Comparison to a Conventional Resin-Based Sealant: One-year Follow-up.

OBJECTIVE: Long-term retention of pit and fissure sealants is crucial for their success. This clinical study evaluated the retention rate of a flowable composite resin (Filtek Supreme XT Flowable Restorative) compared to a conventional resin-based sealant (Concise Light Cure White Sealant) over 12 months. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty subjects aged 6 to 9 years were included in the study. Using a half-mouth design, a total of 80 first permanent molars were sealed with conventional fissure sealant on one side of the mouth and flowable composite on the contralateral side. Clinical evaluation was performed at 3, 6, and 12 months by a single blind examiner and the retention was classified as complete retention, partial loss, or total loss. RESULTS: For both materials, there was no total loss of sealants over 12 months. Partial loss of both materials was observed in one sealant after 3 months. After 6 months, 36 teeth sealed with conventional fissure sealant were intact compared with 37 sealed with a flowable composite, and after 12 months, 33 teeth sealed with conventional fissure sealant were intact compared with 35 that were sealed with a flowable composite. There were no statistically significant difference (P>0.05) between the two materials regarding the retention rate at each follow-up period. CONCLUSION: As flowable composite resulted in comparable sealant retention rates, this material could be a good choice for fissure sealant.

Soil decontamination of 2,4,6- trinitrotoluene by alfalfa (Medicago sativa).

Present study investigate the toxicity effect of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) on a terrestrial plant, alfalfa (Medicago sativa) in artificial soils. In this study, TNT toxicity assessment was performed on spiked silica with this nitroaromatic compound by determination of the percent of emergence and shoots and roots biomasses at the concentration range of 3.2-10000 mg kg(-1) Dry Weight (DW). The emergence was reduced by 22-32% after 5 days of exposure at TNT concentrations up to 100 mg kg(-1) DW; shoot and root biomasses were reduced by 48-50 and 63-74%, respectively after 30 days exposure at TNT concentrations < or = 32 mg kg(-1) DW. Concentrations higher than 100 mg kg(-1) DW can not be tolerated at all. Concentrations of TNT and its metabolites in silica, root and shoot were measured by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Analyses of TNT spiked soil extracts reveal hat during alfalfa cultivation for 30 days, TNT was partially transformed at the extent of 15-27%. This transformation decreased at higher TNT soil concentrations. TNT is taken up and metabolized by plants to its downstream derivatives.

The nature of the onset of rheumatoid arthritis: a reassessment.

A total of 300 consecutive patients referred to a tertiary-care center and fulfilling the American Rheumatism Association criteria for definite-classical rheumatoid arthritis, (with a mean disease-duration of 10.3 +/- 9 years) were studied by structured interview and medical record review. The type of onset (rapid or insidious), type of joint involved (small, medium, large or combined joints) and pattern of joint involvement (monarticular, pauciarticular or polyarticular) at onset, and the interval between the first symptom and development of established disease were determined from the interview (based on the patient's memory). The onset was rapid in 46%. Initial involvement occurred in small joints in 31%, medium joints in 16%, large joints in 28% and combined sites in 25%. The pattern of joint involvement at onset was monarticular in 21%, pauciarticular in 44% and polyarticular in 35%. The time for disease to become established was less than 1 month in 25%, 1-6 months in 35%, 6-12 months in 14% and over 1 year in 26%. The monarticular pattern of onset was associated with slower development of established disease than the other patterns of joint involvement; polyarticular disease tended to be associated with polyarticular onset; involvement of large joints was associated with pauciarticular onset.

Small joint involvement: a systematic roentgenographic study in rheumatoid arthritis.

Standard hand and foot roentgenograms from 200 consecutively hospitalised patients with definite or classical rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were read for marginal erosions by three independent observers. For each joint or group of joints analysed the degree of symmetry (S = absolute symmetry, U = unilateral, PS = partial symmetry) was determined. The total number of joints affected significantly correlated only with disease duration; symmetry of erosions and number of affected patients were not influenced by seropositivity. Metatarsophalangeal erosions (in 70%) were the most common and were classified as S in 16%, U in 21%, and PS in 63%. Metacarpophalangeal erosions (in 68%) were also common, with a symmetry pattern of S in 19%, U in 21%, and PS in 60%. Proximal finger interphalangeal erosions (in 42%) were unilateral in 42% (S in 8% and PS in 50%). The only site where symmetry was usual (90%) was the wrist, but radiocarpal and intercarpal joints were considered together. Erosions also occurred in about 16% of the finger distal interphalangeal and 28% of the great toe interphalangeal joints. In RA roentgenographic asymmetry is usual and unilateral involvement common.

Penicillamine-induced myositis. Observations and unique features in two patients and review of the literature.

Dermatomyositis developed during treatment with penicillamine in two patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Both were male without a history of penicillin allergy. Eosinophilia was present at the start of their illness, and HLA tissue typing showed the presence of HLA-DR2 in one patient. One patient was retreated with penicillamine and remained asymptomatic after three years of therapy, and the other was able to take penicillamine in a reduced dosage.

Coexistence of rheumatoid arthritis and sarcoidosis: difficulties encountered in the differential diagnosis of common manifestations.

Two patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and sarcoidosis illustrate the dilemmas posed by their coexistence in the same patient. The first patient with classical RA developed iridocyclitis, interstitial lung disease and cranial neuropathies, initially attributed to extraarticular rheumatoid disease. Subsequent lung and skin biopsy revealed many granulomas consistent with sarcoidosis whereas synovium revealed changes typical for RA. In the second patient with cutaneous and pulmonary sarcoidosis development of persistent erosive polyarthritis and a subcutaneous nodule with typical pathology permitted the diagnosis of coexistent RA. These cases emphasize that uveitis alone or multiple cranial neuropathies are not features of RA and symptomatic interstitial lung disease in patients with RA warrants further investigation.

Rheumatoid myositis. Clinical and histologic features and possible pathogenesis.

Thirty-one patients with rheumatoid arthritis were consecutively studied for evidence of muscle involvement, using muscle biopsy and electromyography. The patients were initially separated into 4 clinical categories: inactive peripheral joint disease (6 patients); active peripheral joint disease (10 patients); systemic disease and a disproportionately elevated sedimentation rate for the degree of mild synovitis (SERD) (11 patients); or elevated creatinine phosphokinase level (4 patients). In addition to routine histology, muscle tissue was examined for de novo synthesis of IgM and IgM rheumatoid factor, and by indirect immunofluorescence for the presence of immunoglobulin and complement deposits. Our results indicate that: muscle fiber necrosis occurs frequently in patients with rheumatoid arthritis; rheumatoid myositis, defined as muscle fiber necrosis and mononuclear cell infiltration, is a distinct entity and occurs particularly in patients with SERD or an elevated creatinine phosphokinase level; and only muscle from patients with rheumatoid myositis exhibited de novo synthesis of rheumatoid factor and significant quantities of IgM, indicating that local immune events may be important in the pathogenesis of this entity.

Coexistence of Reiter's syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis in a genetically susceptible individual.

A patient is presented who had features of Reiter's syndrome for 10 years before developing features of rheumatoid arthritis. Diagnostic criteria for both diseases are fulfilled, and HLA typing revealed the presence of both B27 and DR4 antigens. The coexistence of Reiter's syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis appears to have occurred in an individual genetically susceptible to both diseases.

Nonreducible rotational head tilt and atlantoaxial lateral mass collapse. Clinical and roentgenographic features in patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis.

Nonreducible rotational head tilt resulting from predominantly unilateral collapse of the lateral mass of the atlas (C1) and/or axis (C2) has been characterized in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. An identical phenomenon is reported in five patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) and in six with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Most patients had neck pain and crepitus, all had a fixed head tilt deformity, and most also had a rotational deformity. Roentgenographically, all had predominantly unilateral collapse of the lateral masses of C1 and/or C2, and the head always tilted toward the most collapsed side. The patients with JRA had polyarticular disease of long duration and generally mild neck symptoms, with only one requiring neck surgery for pain. The patients with AS tended to have proximal peripheral joint involvement and long-standing disease with more severe neck symptoms; four underwent posterior cervical fusion for intractable pain. None of the 11 patients had demonstrable neurologic deficits.

Nonreducible rotational head tilt and lateral mass collapse. A prospective study of frequency, radiographic findings, and clinical features in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Of 126 hospitalized, but otherwise unselected, patients with rheumatoid arthritis, 12 (10%) had a persisting nonreducible rotational head tilt deformity (NRRHT). These 12 were grouped with an additional 12 similar subjects, previously found to have the same condition, and all 24 were compared with the remaining 114 who did not have head tilt. Patients with NRRHT differed significantly from the others in that the former were more likely to have a destructive peripheral arthritis, headache, limited neck motion, and various cervical subluxations. All 24 subjects with NRRHT had predominately unilateral collapse of the lateral masses of the atlas and/or axis, compared with only 2 of the 114 with normal head position. The head always tilted to the side of the lateral mass collapse, which appeared to be the sole or major cause of the abnormal head position.