Error Mitigation and Quantum-Assisted Simulation in the Error Corrected Regime.

A standard approach to quantum computing is based on the idea of promoting a classically simulable and fault-tolerant set of operations to a universal set by the addition of "magic" quantum states. In this context, we develop a general framework to discuss the value of the available, nonideal magic resources, relative to those ideally required. We single out a quantity, the quantum-assisted robustness of magic (QROM), which measures the overhead of simulating the ideal resource with the nonideal ones through quasiprobability-based methods.

Ptychographic X-ray CT characterization of the osteocyte lacuno-canalicular network in a male rat's glucocorticoid induced osteoporosis model.

Ptychographic X-ray computed tomography (PXCT) is a quantitative imaging modality that non-destructively maps the 3D electron density inside an object with tens of nanometers spatial resolution. This method provides unique access to the morphology and structure of the osteocyte lacuno-canalicular network (LCN) and nanoscale density of the tissue in the vicinity of an osteocyte lacuna. Herein, we applied PXCT to characterize the lacunae and LCN in a male Wistar rat model of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIO).

Association of body composition and eating behavior in the normal weight obese syndrome.

Aim: Our aim was to identify psychological and behavioral characteristics of women affected by normal weight obese (NWO) syndrome.

Methods: Anthropometric, body composition, eating behavior and physical activity were evaluated in 79 women.

Results: 48.

Early systemic sclerosis: analysis of the disease course in patients with marker autoantibody and/or capillaroscopic positivity.

Objective: To investigate whether patients affected by 1 of the 3 subsets of early systemic sclerosis (SSc; scleroderma), i.e., subset I, Raynaud's phenomenon with SSc marker autoantibodies and typical capillaroscopic findings; subset II, autoantibody positive only; and subset III, capillaroscopy positive only and not satisfying the 2013 American College of Rheumatology (ACR)/European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) classification criteria for SSc at admission, differ from each other in the time to satisfy the criteria.

Early systemic sclerosis: marker autoantibodies and videocapillaroscopy patterns are each associated with distinct clinical, functional and cellular activation markers.

Introduction: Early systemic sclerosis (SSc) is characterized by Raynaud's phenomenon together with scleroderma marker autoantibodies and/or a scleroderma pattern at capillaroscopy and no other distinctive feature of SSc. Patients presenting with marker autoantibodies plus a capillaroscopic scleroderma pattern seem to evolve into definite SSc more frequently than patients with either feature. Whether early SSc patients with only marker autoantibodies or capillaroscopic positivity differ in any aspect at presentation is unclear.

Genetic factors increase fecundity in female maternal relatives of bisexual men as in homosexuals.

Introduction: Recent studies on male homosexuals showed increased fecundity of maternal female relatives of homosexual probands, compared to those of heterosexual controls. We have suggested that these data could be explained by the transmission, in the maternal line, of an X-linked genetic factor that promotes androphilic behavior in females and homosexuality in males.

Aim: Our original studies were on relatives of male subjects who declared themselves to be exclusively homosexual.

[Granulomatous amebic encephalitis caused by Balamuthia mandrillaris. First case diagnosed in Chile].

The case of a 7 month-old baby boy is presented, with a history of several weeks of evolution of personality changes, convulsions and fever. While he was hospitalized, the brain image study showed multifocal cavity lesions, which varied from millimeters to 4 cm of diameter, not producing mass effect. Their biopsy revealed necrotizing encephalitis.

Increased free malondialdehyde concentrations in smokers normalise with a mixed fruit and vegetable juice concentrate: a pilot study.

Background: Cigarette smoking, a cardiovascular risk factor leading to oxygen free radical formation, is involved in the development of serious pathological conditions. On the other hand, a healthy diet and adequate supplementation can help prevent many diseases. The aim of our study was to evaluate in healthy light smokers the effects of supplementation with mixed fruit and vegetable juice powder concentrate on homocysteine metabolism and oxidative status.

Effects of combined dietary supplementation on oxidative and inflammatory status in dyslipidemic subjects.

Background And Aim: Dyslipidemia is one of the main risk factors for atherosclerosis, usually the underlying cause of cardiovascular diseases which are the major cause of morbidity and mortality in developed countries. The aim of this study was to assess the effects and the advantages of a combined dietary supplementation with PUFA n-3, vitamin E, niacin and gamma-oryzanol on lipid profile, inflammatory status and oxidative balance.

Methods And Results: Fifty-seven dyslipidemic volunteers were randomly assigned to receive: placebo (group A, 19 subjects); PUFA n-3 and vitamin E (group B, 18 subjects); the same as B plus gamma-oryzanol and niacin (group C, 20 subjects).

Photodegradation of organic compounds adsorbed in porous mineral layers: determination of quantum yields.

Photodegradation is a key process in governing the residence time and fate of many agrochemicals in top soils. However, the basic knowledge of the photolytic transformation reactions of organic chemicals on soil surfaces is still very poor, particularly regarding the quantum yield. In this work we developed a relatively simple model for the quantification of direct photodegradation processes on porous media on the basis of the Kubelka-Munk model for radiative transfer.

Determination of molar absorption coefficients of organic compounds adsorbed in porous media.

The kinetics of direct photochemical transformations of organic compounds in light absorbing and scattering media has been sparsely investigated. This is mostly due to the experimental difficulties to assess the major parameters: light intensity in porous media, the reaction quantum yield and the molar absorption coefficient of the adsorbed compound, epsilon(i) (lambda). Here, we propose a method for the determination of the molar absorption coefficient of compounds adsorbed to air-dry surfaces using the Kubelka-Munk model for the description of radiative transfer.

Erythrocyte ferritin concentration: analytical performance of the immunoenzymatic IMx-Ferritin (Abbott) assay.

Together with serum ferritin, erythrocyte ferritincan be a valuable diagnostic tool for evaluating the degree of impaired iron metabolism in different diseases. We collected peripheral blood samples from 64 subjects (22 healthy volunteers, 20 patients with hereditary hemochromatosis, and 22 patients on regular hemodialysis with secondary anemia) to evaluate whether an immunoenzymatic method generally used for serum ferritin can also be used to determine erythrocyte ferritin levels under various conditions of body iron status. Serum and erythrocyte ferritin levels were assayed in parallel using a microparticle enzyme immunoassay (MEIA) IMx-Ferritin kit and an IMx analyzer.

Surveillance of infections acquired in intensive care: usefulness in clinical practice.

Nosocomial infection surveillance is common in the USA and in some European countries but in Italy few hospitals use it. In order to evaluate its usefulness in clinical practice we performed a one year prospective epidemiological study that included 178 patients, admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) for more than 48 h. Median ICU stay was 16 days.

Acute megakaryocytic leukemia in essential thrombocythemia: an unusual evolution?

Essential thrombocythemia (ET) is a chronic myeloproliferative disorder that can rarely undergo leukemic transformation either in treated (3-7%) or untreated patients (1%). Evolution to myeloblastic or myelomonoblastic acute leukemia is commonly described in the literature, whereas lymphatic and megakaryocytic forms are considered unusual. Here, we report three cases of acute megakaryocytic leukemia (LMA-M7) among 11 acute leukemic transformations observed in our series of 321 ET patients.

Factors predicting response to splenectomy in adult patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.

Background And Objectives: Splenectomy is the treatment of choice in the majority of patients affected by idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura refractory to corticosteroid therapy, but it is not free from early and late complications. As the available literature does not seem to contain any precise indications concerning possible factors predicting the response to splenectomy, the aim of this retrospective study of 65 splenectomized patients was to attempt to identify potentially predictive clinical or laboratory parameters.

Design And Methods: For the purposes of statistical analysis, the patients were divided into two groups: the first included those with a complete (platelets > 100x10(9)/L) or partial response (platelets 50-100 x10(9)/L) to splenectomy; the second, the non-responders (platelets < 50x10(9)/L).

Rhabdomyolytic acute renal failure in cardiac surgery. A clinical case.

Objective: Authors describe 1 case of rhabdomyolytic acute renal failure as a complication of Cardiopulmonary bypass.

Experimental Design: Case report.

Setting: Department of Cardiac Surgery.

Evidence of clonal progression in a case of Richter syndrome.

Background: The debate continues as to whether Richter syndrome should be defined as non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) because of a more malignant clone of neoplastic cells superimposed on preexisting chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or as the chance occurrence of two unrelated tumors. The cellular characteristics of the neoplastic clone involved in the CLL phase and the subsequent NHL were investigated in a patient in whom Richter syndrome developed.

Methods: Cell analysis was performed with immunofluorescence, histologic analysis, DNA extraction, and Southern blot analysis.

Evidence of gene flow between Sulawesi macaques.

A pilot field study was conducted in Sulawesi (Indonesia) to assess the status of macaque populations on the island. Wild and captive animals were sampled, mainly in border areas between presumed different species. The five species investigated were Macaca maurus, M.