Evaluating restoration trajectories using DNA metabarcoding of ground-dwelling and airborne invertebrates and associated plant communities

Invertebrates are important for restoration processes as they are key drivers of many landscape‐scale ecosystem functions; including pollination, nutrient cycling and soil formation. However, invertebrates are often overlooked in restoration monitoring because they are highly diverse, poorly described, and time‐consuming to survey, and require increasingly scarce taxonomic expertise to enable identification. DNA metabarcoding is a relatively new tool for rapid survey that is able to address some of these concerns, and provide information about the taxa with which invertebrates are interacting via food webs and habitat. Here, we evaluate how invertebrate communities may be used to determine ecosystem trajectories during restoration. We collected ground‐dwelling and airborne invertebrates across chronosequences of mine‐site restoration in three ecologically disparate locations in Western Australia and identified invertebrate and plant communities using DNA metabarcoding. Ground‐dwelling invertebrates showed the clearest restoration signals, with communities becoming more similar to reference communities over time. These patterns were weaker in airborne invertebrates, which have higher dispersal abilities and therefore less local fidelity to environmental conditions. Although we detected directional changes in community composition indicative of invertebrate recovery, patterns observed were inconsistent between study locations. The inclusion of plant assays allowed identification of plant species, as well as potential food sources and habitat. We demonstrate that DNA metabarcoding of invertebrate communities can be used to evaluate restoration trajectories. Testing and incorporating new monitoring techniques such as DNA metabarcoding is critical to improving restoration outcomes.

Does the use of cardiopulmonary resuscitation feedback devices improve the quality of chest compressions performed by doctors? A prospective, randomized, cross-over simulation study

BACKGROUND

The aim of the study was to compare the quality of chest compressions (CCs) carried out with and without the use of the TrueCPR device during simulated cardiopulmonary resuscitations conducted by trainee doctors.

METHODS

The study was a prospective, randomized, cross-over simulation study. The study involved 65 trainee doctors who were tasked with performing a 2-min cycle of uninterrupted CCs under conditions of a simulated cardiopulmonary resuscitation of adults. CC were carried out in two scenarios: with and without TrueCPR chest compression support. Participants did not have experience in the use of CCs prior to this study.

RESULTS

The depth of compressions in regard to CC techniques were varied by 45 mm (IQR 43-48) for manual CC and 53 mm (IQR 51-55) for the TrueCPR device (p < 0.001). The incidence of CCs with and without TrueCPR was: 112 (IQR 103-113) vs. 129 (IQR 122-135) compressions (p = 0.002). The degree of complete chest relaxation with the TrueCPR device was 95% (IQR 76-99) and without the device, 33% (IQR 29-38) (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

In the simulation study performed, the use of the TrueCPR device resulted in a significant improvement in the quality of CCs in relation to frequency and depth of CCs and correctness of chest relaxation.

Solid-state electron spin lifetime limited by phononic vacuum modes

Longitudinal relaxation is the process by which an excited spin ensemble decays into its thermal equilibrium with the environment. In solid-state spin systems, relaxation into the phonon bath usually dominates over the coupling to the electromagnetic vacuum^1-9. In the quantum limit, the spin lifetime is determined by phononic vacuum fluctuations ¹⁰ . However, this limit was not observed in previous studies due to thermal phonon contributions^11-13 or phonon-bottleneck processes^{10, 14,15}. Here we use a dispersive detection scheme^16,17 based on cavity quantum electrodynamics^18-21 to observe this quantum limit of spin relaxation of the negatively charged nitrogen vacancy (NV^-) centre ²² in diamond. Diamond possesses high thermal conductivity even at low temperatures ²³ , which eliminates phonon-bottleneck processes. We observe exceptionally long longitudinal relaxation times T₁ of up to 8 h. To understand the fundamental mechanism of spin-phonon coupling in this system we develop a theoretical model and calculate the relaxation time ab initio. The calculations confirm that the low phononic density of states at the NV^- transition frequency enables the spin polarization to survive over macroscopic timescales.

Coherent Coupling of Remote Spin Ensembles via a Cavity Bus

We report coherent coupling between two macroscopically separated nitrogen-vacancy electron spin ensembles in a cavity quantum electrodynamics system. The coherent interaction between the distant ensembles is directly detected in the cavity transmission spectrum by observing bright and dark collective multiensemble states and an increase of the coupling strength to the cavity mode. Additionally, in the dispersive limit we show transverse ensemble-ensemble coupling via virtual photons.

A scalable architecture for quantum computation with molecular nanomagnets

A proposal for a magnetic quantum processor that consists of individual molecular spins coupled to superconducting coplanar resonators and transmission lines is carefully examined. We derive a simple magnetic quantum electrodynamics Hamiltonian to describe the underlying physics. It is shown that these hybrid devices can perform arbitrary operations on each spin qubit and induce tunable interactions between any pair of them. The combination of these two operations ensures that the processor can perform universal quantum computations. The feasibility of this proposal is critically discussed using the results of realistic calculations, based on parameters of existing devices and molecular qubits. These results show that the proposal is feasible, provided that molecules with sufficiently long coherence times can be developed and accurately integrated into specific areas of the device. This architecture has an enormous potential for scaling up quantum computation thanks to the microscopic nature of the individual constituents, the molecules, and the possibility of using their internal spin degrees of freedom.

Pseudohypacusis in children: circumstances and diagnostic strategy

OBJECTIVES

The study attempts to specify the circumstances under which we should pay attention to children's pseudohypacusis. It evaluates the methods used to detect such cases and to determine hearing thresholds, according to the uni-or bilateralism of hearing loss. The study finally deals with the future of children diagnosed with pseudohypacusis.

METHODS

The study was retrospective from January 1993 to November 2011 and prospective from December 2011 to April 2012. We included all the children between 3 and 16 years who were diagnosed with pseudohypacusis. We observed the reasons for them to consult, whether they had already been tested or had treatment, and what kind of hearing loss they displayed. All children were tested using standard pure tone audiometry and speech audiometry. Depending on the first results, other tests were conducted. They included transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOEs), auditory brainstem responses (ABR) and auditory steady state responses. Families were finally contacted by phone over April 2012 in order to let them know about their child's results.

RESULTS

Fifty-four children were included: 19 boys and 35 girls, with an average age of 10 year-old (±3). The simulated hearing loss (HL) was bilateral (36), unilateral (18), of perception (37), moderate HL (33), cophosis (5). Fifteen cases were linked to a family or personal history of hearing loss, while 27 cases were due to important events like adoption, abuse, verbal aggression, school problems. Before diagnosing a pseudohypacusis, 13 children had had imaging studies, 3 had been treated with corticosteroids, and 5 had hearing aids. Most of the time the presence of pseudohypacusis was suspected a discrepancy between speech reception and air-conduction pure tone thresholds, as shown by the medical test (answer on whispered voice). The diagnosis was confirmed by ABR or TEOEs, except in cases where clinic was obvious. Then family's patient and patient were reassured and informed. An audiological follow-up during either 6 months or 1 year was proposed, as well as a psychological consultation.

CONCLUSION

Complementary examinations have to be performed to rule out a pseudohypacusis case before suggesting an invasive or expensive treatment (surgery or hearing aids) of children.

Implementation of the Dicke lattice model in hybrid quantum system arrays

Generalized Dicke models can be implemented in hybrid quantum systems built from ensembles of nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond coupled to superconducting microwave cavities. By engineering cavity assisted Raman transitions between two spin states of the NV defect, a fully tunable model for collective light-matter interactions in the ultrastrong coupling limit can be obtained. Our analysis of the resulting nonequilibrium phases for a single cavity and for coupled cavity arrays shows that different superradiant phase transitions can be observed using existing experimental technologies, even in the presence of large inhomogeneous broadening of the spin ensemble. The phase diagram of the Dicke lattice model displays distinct features induced by dissipation, which can serve as a genuine experimental signature for phase transitions in driven open quantum systems.

Notizen: The Preparation and Structure of Lithium (R, S)-Ethylenediamine-N,N′-disuccinatocobaltate(III) Trihydrate

Crystals of LiCo[(R,S)-EDDS] • 3 H2O have been synthetized and its structure was determined by X-ray analysis. Monoclinic, α = 9.624, b = 12.788, c = 12.049 Å, β = 94.85°, space group P21/c. The crystal consists of binuclear units Co2[(R,S)-EDDS]2 2-. The central ethylenediamine chelate ring has an envelope conformation.

[Retrospective evaluation of short tympanostomy tubes efficacy in case of recurrent acute otitis media on an infant population]

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study is to appreciate the results of short-tympanostomy tubes (ST) in case of recurrent acute otitis media (AOM), and to appreciate the risk factors of recurrent AOM.

METHODS

This retrospective chart study concerns infants who had STT placement surgery forrecurrent AOM, between 2007 and 2011. Demographic data, anamnesis, efficacy and postoperative follow-up were analyzed.

RESULTS

Forty-nine children were included in the study (30 boys, 19 girls; 7 months to 2 years-old, median age 1.4 year). Two-thirds attended a day-care center, one third was an onlychild. One quarter had an anemia. Anti-Haemophilus and anti-pneumococcus vaccinations were up-to-date in 87.5%. After STT placement, 20 children (40.8%) did not present any new episode of AOM. This result did not vary with adenoidectomy. Among the ones that relapsed AOM after STT, 48.3% presented with only one episode. For two thirds of the patients, no general antibiotic treatment was necessary as long as the STT were in place. Half STT have been spontaneously expulsed between 6 and 12 months. Thirteen infants (37.1%) had new episodes of AOM after STT expulsion and 5 (38.5%) needed new tube placement.

CONCLUSION

This study confirms that day care and siblings are risk factors of recurrent AOM, but does not confirm potential role of the anemia. STT placement decreased effectively AOM recurrences, their severity and the need for antibiotics prescriptions. No residual perforation was encountered in this study.

A horizontally polarizing liquid trap enhances the tabanid-capturing efficiency of the classic canopy trap

Host-seeking female tabanid flies, that need mammalian blood for the development of their eggs, can be captured by the classic canopy trap with an elevated shiny black sphere as a luring visual target. The design of more efficient tabanid traps is important for stock-breeders to control tabanids, since these blood-sucking insects can cause severe problems for livestock, especially for horse- and cattle-keepers: reduced meat/milk production in cattle farms, horses cannot be ridden, decreased quality of hides due to biting scars. We show here that male and female tabanids can be caught by a novel, weather-proof liquid-filled black tray laid on the ground, because the strongly and horizontally polarized light reflected from the black liquid surface attracts water-seeking polarotactic tabanids. We performed field experiments to reveal the ideal elevation of the liquid trap and to compare the tabanid-capturing efficiency of three different traps: (1) the classic canopy trap, (2) the new polarization liquid trap, and (3) the combination of the two traps. In field tests, we showed that the combined trap captures 2.4-8.2 times more tabanids than the canopy trap alone. The reason for the larger efficiency of the combined trap is that it captures simultaneously the host-seeking female and the water-seeking male and female tabanids. We suggest supplementing the traditional canopy trap with the new liquid trap in order to enhance the tabanid-capturing efficiency.

Cavity QED with magnetically coupled collective spin states

We report strong coupling between an ensemble of nitrogen-vacancy center electron spins in diamond and a superconducting microwave coplanar waveguide resonator. The characteristic scaling of the collective coupling strength with the square root of the number of emitters is observed directly. Additionally, we measure hyperfine coupling to (13)C nuclear spins, which is a first step towards a nuclear ensemble quantum memory. Using the dispersive shift of the cavity resonance frequency, we measure the relaxation time of the NV center at millikelvin temperatures in a nondestructive way.

Strong magnetic coupling of an ultracold gas to a superconducting waveguide cavity

Placing an ensemble of 10;{6} ultracold atoms in the near field of a superconducting coplanar waveguide resonator with a quality factor Q approximately 10;{6}, one can achieve strong coupling between a single microwave photon in the coplanar waveguide resonator and a collective hyperfine qubit state in the ensemble with g_{eff}/2pi approximately 40 kHz larger than the cavity linewidth of kappa/2pi approximately 7 kHz. Integrated on an atomchip, such a system constitutes a hybrid quantum device, which also can be used to interconnect solid-state and atomic qubits, study and control atomic motion via the microwave field, observe microwave superradiance, build an integrated micromaser, or even cool the resonator field via the atoms.

Coupling superconducting qubits via a cavity bus

Superconducting circuits are promising candidates for constructing quantum bits (qubits) in a quantum computer; single-qubit operations are now routine, and several examples of two-qubit interactions and gates have been demonstrated. These experiments show that two nearby qubits can be readily coupled with local interactions. Performing gate operations between an arbitrary pair of distant qubits is highly desirable for any quantum computer architecture, but has not yet been demonstrated. An efficient way to achieve this goal is to couple the qubits to a 'quantum bus', which distributes quantum information among the qubits. Here we show the implementation of such a quantum bus, using microwave photons confined in a transmission line cavity, to couple two superconducting qubits on opposite sides of a chip. The interaction is mediated by the exchange of virtual rather than real photons, avoiding cavity-induced loss. Using fast control of the qubits to switch the coupling effectively on and off, we demonstrate coherent transfer of quantum states between the qubits. The cavity is also used to perform multiplexed control and measurement of the qubit states. This approach can be expanded to more than two qubits, and is an attractive architecture for quantum information processing on a chip.

Generating single microwave photons in a circuit

Microwaves have widespread use in classical communication technologies, from long-distance broadcasts to short-distance signals within a computer chip. Like all forms of light, microwaves, even those guided by the wires of an integrated circuit, consist of discrete photons. To enable quantum communication between distant parts of a quantum computer, the signals must also be quantum, consisting of single photons, for example. However, conventional sources can generate only classical light, not single photons. One way to realize a single-photon source is to collect the fluorescence of a single atom. Early experiments measured the quantum nature of continuous radiation, and further advances allowed triggered sources of photons on demand. To allow efficient photon collection, emitters are typically placed inside optical or microwave cavities, but these sources are difficult to employ for quantum communication on wires within an integrated circuit. Here we demonstrate an on-chip, on-demand single-photon source, where the microwave photons are injected into a wire with high efficiency and spectral purity. This is accomplished in a circuit quantum electrodynamics architecture, with a microwave transmission line cavity that enhances the spontaneous emission of a single superconducting qubit. When the qubit spontaneously emits, the generated photon acts as a flying qubit, transmitting the quantum information across a chip. We perform tomography of both the qubit and the emitted photons, clearly showing that both the quantum phase and amplitude are transferred during the emission. Both the average power and voltage of the photon source are characterized to verify performance of the system. This single-photon source is an important addition to a rapidly growing toolbox for quantum optics on a chip.

Resolving photon number states in a superconducting circuit

Electromagnetic signals are always composed of photons, although in the circuit domain those signals are carried as voltages and currents on wires, and the discreteness of the photon's energy is usually not evident. However, by coupling a superconducting quantum bit (qubit) to signals on a microwave transmission line, it is possible to construct an integrated circuit in which the presence or absence of even a single photon can have a dramatic effect. Such a system can be described by circuit quantum electrodynamics (QED)-the circuit equivalent of cavity QED, where photons interact with atoms or quantum dots. Previously, circuit QED devices were shown to reach the resonant strong coupling regime, where a single qubit could absorb and re-emit a single photon many times. Here we report a circuit QED experiment in the strong dispersive limit, a new regime where a single photon has a large effect on the qubit without ever being absorbed. The hallmark of this strong dispersive regime is that the qubit transition energy can be resolved into a separate spectral line for each photon number state of the microwave field. The strength of each line is a measure of the probability of finding the corresponding photon number in the cavity. This effect is used to distinguish between coherent and thermal fields, and could be used to create a photon statistics analyser. As no photons are absorbed by this process, it should be possible to generate non-classical states of light by measurement and perform qubit-photon conditional logic, the basis of a logic bus for a quantum computer.

Approaching unit visibility for control of a superconducting qubit with dispersive readout

In a Rabi oscillation experiment with a superconducting qubit we show that a visibility in the qubit excited state population of more than 95% can be attained. We perform a dispersive measurement of the qubit state by coupling the qubit non-resonantly to a transmission line resonator and probing the resonator transmission spectrum. The measurement process is well characterized and quantitatively understood. In a measurement of Ramsey fringes, the qubit coherence time is larger than 500 ns.

ac Stark shift and dephasing of a superconducting qubit strongly coupled to a cavity field

We have performed spectroscopy of a superconducting charge qubit coupled nonresonantly to a single mode of an on-chip resonator. The strong coupling induces a large ac Stark shift in the energy levels of both the qubit and the resonator. The dispersive shift of the resonator frequency is used to nondestructively determine the qubit state. Photon shot noise in the measurement field induces qubit level fluctuations leading to dephasing which is characteristic for the measurement backaction. A crossover in line shape with measurement power is observed and theoretically explained. For weak measurement a long intrinsic dephasing time of T2>200 ns of the qubit is found.

Strong coupling of a single photon to a superconducting qubit using circuit quantum electrodynamics

The interaction of matter and light is one of the fundamental processes occurring in nature, and its most elementary form is realized when a single atom interacts with a single photon. Reaching this regime has been a major focus of research in atomic physics and quantum optics for several decades and has generated the field of cavity quantum electrodynamics. Here we perform an experiment in which a superconducting two-level system, playing the role of an artificial atom, is coupled to an on-chip cavity consisting of a superconducting transmission line resonator. We show that the strong coupling regime can be attained in a solid-state system, and we experimentally observe the coherent interaction of a superconducting two-level system with a single microwave photon. The concept of circuit quantum electrodynamics opens many new possibilities for studying the strong interaction of light and matter. This system can also be exploited for quantum information processing and quantum communication and may lead to new approaches for single photon generation and detection.

Expression of beta hCG and alpha CG mRNA and hCG hormone in human decidual tissue in patients during tubal pregnancy

We recently showed that endometrial tissue produces hCG during the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle. Based on these findings, we hypothesized that the decidua should also be able to secrete hCG. We examined the decidualized endometrium of patients with extrauterine pregnancies. Decidual specimens were obtained for mRNA extraction and paraffin embedding from 24 patients that were between weeks 6-11 of tubal pregnancy. Tissues were evaluated and classified into one of three groups based on the endometrial differentiation that took place prior to conception: (A) high secretory transformation, (B) diminished transformation with restricted decidualization and (C) inferior endometrial proliferation. Decidual gland hCG secretion was demonstrated immunohistochemically and by Western blotting. Serum hCG levels were higher (P < 0.0001) in patients from group A than group C. mRNA expression of both the beta subunit (beta-hCG) and alpha subunit (alpha-CG) was determined by RT-PCR. Furthermore, the specificity of beta-hCG amplification was confirmed by restriction enzymes. beta-LH amplification was not found. Moreover, the degree of endometrial transformation and the level of decidualization was found to correlate with hCG hormone staining and beta-hCG mRNA expression. hCG protein in the decidua was present in the glands of the compact layer and in the spongy layer, and was more pronounced in previously transformed high secretory endometrium than in inferior endometrium. In conclusion, this study provides the first evidence that hCG is produced in the decidua of patients during extrauterine pregnancies and might play a possible paracrine role.

Comparison between tsetse fly synthetic diet and bovine blood on reproduction and survivorship in Tabanus nigrovittatus (Diptera: Tabanidae)

A synthetic diet, developed for tsetse flies and fed to Tabanus nigrovittatus Macquart before the 2nd gonotrophic cycle, supported complete egg maturation. T. nigrovittatus is autogenous only during the 1st cycle. Overall, 52% of females fed bovine blood and 46% fed the synthetic diet produced mature, stage 10 follicles. Of these, 76% of the blood-fed females and 65% of those fed the synthetic diet laid egg masses, all of which hatched. The median adult survivorship was 9 d for blood-fed and 8 d for those fed the synthetic diet.

Streptomyces albus G produces an antibiotic complex identical to paulomycins A and B

An antibiotic complex active against multiply resistant strains of staphylococci and other Gram-positive bacteria was isolated from cultures of Streptomyces albus G. Silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography gave two congeners with Mr values of 786 and 772, which differed by one -CH2-group. The two homologues contained an isothiocyanate group, and proved to be identical with paulomycins A and B produced by Streptomyces paulus; the FAB mass spectra, in addition, proved the same two congeners to be present in proceomycin obtained from Streptomyces alboniger.

In vitro induction of resistance to erythromycin by its metabolite

Of the metabolites isolated from urine samples of patients treated with erythromycin, the 8,9-anhydroerythromycin A 6,9-hemiketal induced in vitro resistance to the parent drug and to carbomycin in the test strain Staphylococcus aureus RN 1389.

N-Didemethyl-n-propionyl-6,9;9, 12-erythromycin A-spiroketal, a new metabolite of erythromycin ethyl succinate in man

A novel, neutral metabolite of erythromycin was isolated from the urine of a patient treated with erythromycin ethyl succinate. After separation and purification on Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography, the structure of the metabolite was deduced from spectral data to be the propionamide of the didemethylated 6,9;9, 12-spiroketal of erythromycin A.

Responses to immunization in the thymus of the adult mouse

The rate of synthesis of RNA in the thymus glands of adult mice increased after immunization with sheep red blood cells (SRBC). The specific activity of some fractions of RNA, separated first by density gradient centrifugation and then by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, was 16-fold higher on day 3 after immunization than control mice not injected. RNA synthesis in the thymus was inhibited by rabbit anti-mouse thymus serum, injected along with antigen. A material was found in RNA extracts from the thymus glands of mice immunized with SRBC which converted a small proportion of either spleen cells or peritoneal cells from nonimmunized mice to form sheep cell hemolysins. Neither extracts from the glands of nonimmunized mice nor the livers of immunized mice were active. Extracts from the thymus glands of mice immunized with rabbit red blood cells (RRBC) were inactive and activity was destroyed by ribonudease. The residual antigen content was not determined. Biologically active extracts from the thymus had a different electrophoretic mobility from active extracts from the spleen.