Experimental Direct Quantum Fidelity Learning via a Data-Driven Approach.

Fidelity estimation is an important technique for evaluating prepared quantum states in noisy quantum devices. A recent theoretical work proposed a frugal approach called neural quantum fidelity estimation (NQFE) [X. Zhang et al.

The establishment of a multiplex fluorescent polymerase chain reaction coupled with capillary electrophoresis analysis technology enables the simultaneous detection of 16 genotypes of human papillomavirus.

Background: The detection and accurate genotyping of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is critical for preventing and effectively treating cervical cancer.

Methods: A multiplex fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (PCR) coupled with a capillary electrophoresis method was developed for the simultaneous detection of the 16 most prevalent HPV genotypes. Twenty-five pairs of primers were ultimately selected to ensure that both E and L regions of nine HPV genotypes, as well as the E regions of seven HPV genotypes could be accurately amplified.

Development of an automated, high-throughput SARS-CoV-2 neutralization assay based on a pseudotyped virus using a vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) vector.

The global outbreak of COVID-19 has caused a severe threat to human health; therefore, simple, high-throughput neutralization assays are desirable for developing vaccines and drugs against COVID-19. In this study, a high-titre SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus was successfully packaged by truncating the C-terminus of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein by 21 amino acids and infecting 293 T cells that had been stably transfected with the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor and furin (named AF cells), to establish a simple, high-throughput, and automated 384-well plate neutralization assay. The method was optimized for cell amount, virus inoculation, incubation time, and detection time.

Immunogenicity and safety of two novel human papillomavirus 4- and 9-valent vaccines in Chinese women aged 20-45 years: A randomized, blinded, controlled with Gardasil (type 6/11/16/18), phase III non-inferiority clinical trial.

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infections were the main cause of anogenital cancers and warts. HPV 6/11/16/18 vaccines provide protection against the high-risk types of HPV responsible for 70% of cervical cancers and 90% of genital warts. This randomized, blinded, non-inferiority phase III trial was to determine whether immunogenicity and tolerability would be non-inferior among women after receiving two novel 4- and 9-valent HPV vaccines (4vHPV, HPV 6/11/16/18; 9vHPV, HPV 6/11/16/18/31/33/45/52/58) compared with those receiving Gardasil 4 (4-valent).

Magnetic metal-organic frameworks as adsorbents for the detection of azo pigments in food matrices.

Azo pigments with azo functional groups (-NN-) are commonly used in foods. Through rational design, here we report synthesis of a novel magnetic metal-organic framework (MOF-545) and the use of FeO@MOF-545 for the selective separation of azo pigments from beverages. We find that FeO@MOF-545 exhibits excellent adsorption/removal capacities for new coccine (NC, 459 mg g) and lemon yellow (LY, 476 mg g) individually.

[One-step rapid enrichment and detection of malachite green in aquaculture water based on metal-organic framework hydrogel].

Malachite green is a triphenylmethane compound, which has a good effect on disease prevention and control in the breeding of aquatic products, but it is a prohibited drug because it is detrimental to human health. Owing to the low content of target malachite green and complex components in the actual sample, simultaneously achieving good enrichment, high sensitivity, convenience, and rapidity detecting is difficult. Metal-organic framework (MOF) has a multidimensional network structure, good stability, and large specific surface area, and has broad application prospects in adsorption.

pH-responsive magnetic artificial melanin with tunable aggregation-induced stronger magnetism for rapid remediation of plastic fragments.

The global occurrence of plastic fragment pollutants in water resources has raised concerns about food safety, drinking water security, and long-term ecological impacts worldwide. The different chemical nature, the persistence, and the smaller size make micro-plastics accumulators for toxins that pose a potential threat to human health. Generally, the smaller the size of the plastic fragments is, the more difficult it is to remove them from the aquatic environment.

Mutation of SlARC6 leads to tissue-specific defects in chloroplast development in tomato.

The proliferation and development of chloroplasts are important for maintaining the normal chloroplast population in plant tissues. Most studies have focused on chloroplast maintenance in leaves. In this study, we identified a spontaneous mutation in a tomato mutant named suffulta (su), in which the stems appeared albinic while the leaves remained normal.

Functional comparison of SARS-CoV-2 with closely related pangolin and bat coronaviruses.

The origin and intermediate host for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is yet to be determined. Coronaviruses found to be closely related to SARS-CoV-2 include RaTG13 derived from bat and two clusters (PCoV-GD and PCoV-GX) of coronaviruses identified in pangolin. Here, we studied the infectivity and antigenicity patterns of SARS-CoV-2 and the three related coronaviruses.

SARS-CoV-2 501Y.V2 variants lack higher infectivity but do have immune escape.

The 501Y.V2 variants of SARS-CoV-2 containing multiple mutations in spike are now dominant in South Africa and are rapidly spreading to other countries. Here, experiments with 18 pseudotyped viruses showed that the 501Y.

Quantification of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody by a pseudotyped virus-based assay.

Pseudotyped viruses are useful virological tools because of their safety and versatility. On the basis of a vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) pseudotyped virus production system, we developed a pseudotyped virus-based neutralization assay against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in biosafety level 2 facilities. Compared with the binding antibody test, the neutralization assay could discriminate the protective agents from the antibody family.

The Impact of Mutations in SARS-CoV-2 Spike on Viral Infectivity and Antigenicity.

The spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 has been undergoing mutations and is highly glycosylated. It is critically important to investigate the biological significance of these mutations. Here, we investigated 80 variants and 26 glycosylation site modifications for the infectivity and reactivity to a panel of neutralizing antibodies and sera from convalescent patients.

Establishment and validation of a pseudovirus neutralization assay for SARS-CoV-2.

Pseudoviruses are useful virological tools because of their safety and versatility, especially for emerging and re-emerging viruses. Due to its high pathogenicity and infectivity and the lack of effective vaccines and therapeutics, live SARS-CoV-2 has to be handled under biosafety level 3 conditions, which has hindered the development of vaccines and therapeutics. Based on a VSV pseudovirus production system, a pseudovirus-based neutralization assay has been developed for evaluating neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in biosafety level 2 facilities.

Spatiotemporal cytoskeleton organizations determine morphogenesis of multicellular trichomes in tomato.

Plant trichomes originate from epidermal cell, forming protective structure from abiotic and biotic stresses. Different from the unicellular trichome in Arabidopsis, tomato trichomes are multicellular structure and can be classified into seven different types based on cell number, shape and the presence of glandular cells. Despite the importance of tomato trichomes in insect resistance, our understanding of the tomato trichome morphogenesis remains elusive.

Spatial Expression and Functional Analysis of Casparian Strip Regulatory Genes in Endodermis Reveals the Conserved Mechanism in Tomato.

Casparian strip (CS) is an impregnation of endodermal cell wall, forming an apoplastic diffusion barrier which forces the symplastic and selective transport of nutrients across endodermis. This extracellular structure can be found in the roots of all higher plants and is thought to provide the protection of vascular tissues. In , a genetic toolbox regulating the formation of Casparian strips has emerged recently.

Building information modelling review with potential applications in tunnel engineering of China.

Building information modelling (BIM) can be applied to tunnel engineering to address a number of problems, including complex structure, extensive design, long construction cycle and increased security risks. To promote the development of tunnel engineering in China, this paper combines actual cases, including the Xingu mountain tunnel and the Shigu Mountain tunnel, to systematically analyse BIM applications in tunnel engineering in China. The results indicate that BIM technology in tunnel engineering is currently mainly applied during the design stage rather than during construction and operation stages.