Quantum computation and error correction based on continuous variable cluster states

Measurement-based quantum computation with continuous variables,which realizes computation by performing measurement and feedforward of measurement results on a large scale Gaussian cluster state,provides a feasible way to implement quantum computation.Quantum error correction is an essential procedure to protect quantum information in quantum computation and quantum communication.In this review,we briefly introduce the progress of measurement-based quantum computation and quantum error correction with continuous variables based on Gaussian cluster states.We also discuss the challenges in the fault-tolerant measurement-based quantum computation with continuous variables.

Peanut aflatoxin contamination and soil Aspergillus flavus isolates in different climate regions

Peanuts are important oil and food sources worldwide and can be easily contaminated by highly toxic aflatoxins （AFs） , which often exist in peanuts and related foodstuff. In this experiment, a total of 12 A. flavus strains were isolated from soil collected from 7 cities of China and the aflatoxin con-tamination levels in peanuts in these areas were detected to find out the relationship between aflatoxin contamination level and amount of soil isolates in the same region, as well as the correlation between cli-mate type and peanut aflatoxin contamination level. In this study, we found that in high - temperature and moist areas, toxin producing strains were easier to be isolated and the aflatoxin contamination level in peanuts was higher. We also studied the association between the aflR expression determined by fluorogen- ic quantitative PCR and the aflatoxin production. The results showed all 3 atoxigenic isolates had the same cycle threshold 21. 38, suggesting that atoxigenic strains had the same expression of aflR, which was the key gene of aflatoxin production.

Introduction to the Special Issue on Recent Developments of Isogeometric Analysis and Its Applications in Structural Optimization

Isogeometric analysis(IGA),which aims at integrating CAD and CAE models,is one of the most active research topics in both computational mechanics and computer-aided geometric design.The rapidly growing interests in IGA has led to profound developments of relevant theories and applications,one of which being structural optimization.With the rapid growth of researches in IGA,this special issue contributes to highlight recent developments,challenges and opportunities of IGA and IGA-based structural design optimization,with focuses on theory development,numerical implementations and potential applications.

Therapeutic Effect of Shenling Baizhu Powder on Primary Nephrotic Syndrome Featuring Damp Abundance Due to Splenic Asthenia

[Objectives]To observe the clinical efficacy of Shenling Baizhu Powder in the treatment of primary nephrotic syndrome(PNS)featuring damp abundance due to splenic asthenia.[Methods]40 patients with PNS were randomly divided into treatment group(n=19)and control group(n=21).In the treatment group and the control group,methylprednisolone tablets were taken orally and cytoxan(CTX)was given intravenously for treatment;in the treatment group,based on oral administration of methylprednisolone tablets and intravenous drip of cytoxan(CTX),oral administration of traditional Chinese medicine(addition and subtraction of Shenling Baizhu Powder)was added.Urine routine,24-hour urinary protein,renal function and serum albumin were re-examined after 4 weeks of treatment.[Results]The total effective rate of the treatment group was significantly higher than that of the control group(89.47%vs 61.90%,P<0.05).After treatment,both groups could effectively reduce the levels of 24-hour urinary protein(P<0.05),serum creatinine(P<0.05)and urea nitrogen(P<0.05),and increase the level of serum albumin(P<0.05),but the degree of improvement in the treatment group was significantly higher than that in the control group(P<0.05),and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).[Conclusions]Methylprednisolone combined with addition and subtraction of Shenling Baizhu Powder could effectively reduce urinary protein,improve edema symptoms,shorten the course of hormone use and reduce adverse reactions in the treatment of PNS featuring damp abundance due to splenic asthenia.

The risk of mpox importation and subsequent outbreak potential in Chinese mainland: a retrospective statistical modelling study

Background The 2022-2023 mpox(monkeypox)outbreak has spread rapidly across multiple countries in the non-endemic region,mainly among men who have sex with men(MSM).In this study,we aimed to evaluate mpox's importation risk,border screening effectiveness and the risk of local outbreak in Chinese mainland.Methods We estimated the risk of mpox importation in Chinese mainland from April 14 to September 11,2022 using the number of reported mpox cases during this multi-country outbreak from Global.health and the international air-travel data from Official Aviation Guide.We constructed a probabilistic model to simulate the effectiveness of a border screening scenario during the mpox outbreak and a hypothetical scenario with less stringent quarantine requirement.And we further evaluated the mpox outbreak potential given that undetected mpox infections were introduced into men who have sex with men,considering different transmissibility,population immunity and population activity.Results We found that the reduced international air-travel volume and stringent border entry policy decreased about 94% and 69% mpox importations respectively.Under the quarantine policy,15-19% of imported infections would remain undetected.Once a case of mpox is introduced into active MSM population with almost no population immunity,the risk of triggering local transmission is estimated at 42%,and would rise to>95% with over six cases.Conclusions Our study demonstrates that the reduced international air-travel volume and stringent border entry policy during the COvID-19 pandemic reduced mpox importations prominently.However,the risk could be sub-stantially higher with the recovery of air-travel volume to pre-pandemic level.Mpox could emerge as a public health threat for Chinese mainland given its large MSM community.

Corrigendum to“Counterfactual analysis of the 2023 Omicron XBB wave in China”[Infect.Dis.Model.9(2024)195e203]

The revised funding detail is given below.“The study was supported by grants from the Key Program of the National Natural Science Foundation of China(82130093),the National Key Research and Development Program of China(grant no.2023YFC0872600),and the National Institute for Health Research(NIHR)(grant no.16/137/109)using UK aid from the UK Government to support global health research.We also acknowledge grant from Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response(20dz2260100).The views expressed in this publication are those of the author(s)and not necessarily those of the NIHR or the UK Department of Health and Social Care.”

Counterfactual analysis of the 2023 Omicron XBB wave in China

Background:China has experienced a COVID-19 wave caused by Omicron XBB variant starting in April 2023.Our aim is to conduct a retrospective analysis exploring the dynamics of the outbreak under counterfactual scenarios that combine the use of vaccines,antiviral drugs,and nonpharmaceutical interventions.Methods:We developed a mathematical model of XBB transmission in China,which has been calibrated using SARS-CoV-2 positive rates per week.Intrinsic age-specific infection-hospitalization risk,infection-ICU risk,and infection-fatality risk were used to estimate disease burdens,characterized as number of hospital admissions,ICU admissions,and deaths.Results:We estimated that in absence of behavioral change,the XBB outbreak in spring 2023 would have resulted in 0.86 billion infections(∼61%of the total population).Our counterfactual analysis shows that the synergetic effect of vaccination(70%vaccination coverage),antiviral treatment(20%receiving antiviral treatment),and moderate nonpharmaceutical interventions(20%isolation and L1 PHSMs)could reduce the number of deaths to levels close to seasonal influenza(1.17 vs.0.65 per 10,000 individuals and 5.85 vs.3.85 per 10,000 individuals aged 60+,respectively).The maximum peak prevalence of hospital and ICU admissions are estimated to be lower than the corresponding capacities(8.6 vs.10.4 per 10,000 individuals and 1.2 vs.2.1 per 10,000 individuals,respectively).Conclusion:Our findings suggest that the capacity of the Chinese healthcare system was adequate to face the Omicron XBB wave in spring 2023 but,at the same time,supports the importance of administering highly effective vaccine with long-lasting immune response,and the use of antiviral treatments.

Diagnostic performance of different specimens in detecting enterovirus A71 in children with hand,foot and mouth disease

Hand,foot and mouth disease(HFMD)is a major public health problem among children in the Asia-Pacific region.The optimal specimen for HFMD virological diagnosis remains unclear.Enterovirus A71(EV-A71)neutralizing antibody titres detected in paired sera were considered the reference standard for calculating the sensitivity,specificity,positive and negative predictive value of throat swabs,rectal swabs,stool,blood samples and cerebrospinal fluid(CSF)by RT-PCR or ELISA assay.In this study,clinical samples from 276 HFMD patients were collected for analysing the sensitivity of different kind of specimens.Our results showed that stool had the highest sensitivity(88%,95%CI:74%–96%)and agreement with the reference standard(91%).The order of diagnostic yield for EV-A71 infection was stool samplerectal swab>throat swab>blood sample>CSF sample,and using a combination of clinical samples improved sensitivity for enterovirus detection.The sensitivity of ELISA for IgM antibody detection in sterile-site specimens was significantly higher than that of RT-PCR(serum/plasma:62%vs.2%,CSF:47%vs.0%)(P<0.002).In conclusion,our results suggest that stool has the highest diagnostic yield for EV-A71-infected HFMD.If stool is unavailable,rectal swabs can be collected to achieve a similar diagnostic yield.Otherwise,throat swabs may be useful in detecting positive samples.Although IgM in blood or CSF is diagnostically accurate,it lacks sensitivity,missing 40%–50%of cases.The higher proportion of severe cases and shorter interval between onset and sampling contributed to the increase in congruency between clinical testing and the serological reference standard.

Perioperative risk factors for delayed gastric emptying after pancreaticoduodenectomy:a meta-analysis of the complications

Objective:To evaluate the correlation between the incidence of delayed gastric emptying(DGE)in pancreaticoduodenectomy(PD)and the perioperative possible risk factors.Methods:We searched PubMed,Embase,Cochrane Library,and Medline for studies describing complications related to PD from 2018 to 2022.Statistical analysis was performed using Stata/SE16.0 software.Results:In 6 retrospective studies,1 systematic review,and 1 randomized controlled trial(RCT)experiment,12,419 patients(2174 and 10,245 patients,respectively,in DGE and no delayed gastric emptying[NDGE]groups).The preoperative American Society of Anesthesiologists(ASA)score between DGE and NDGE groups(log odds ratio[OR]=0.23,95%credible interval[CI]:0.11-0.35,P<.01),operation time(mean diff.=21.87,95%CI:15.96-27.78,P<.01),estimated intraoperative blood loss(EIBL;mean diff.=70.67,95%CI:17.75-123.58,P<.05),postoperative pancreatic fistula(POPF)(log OR=0.85,95%CI:0.24-1.46,P<.05)were statistically significant.No significant differences in preoperative body mass index(BMI),preoperative biliary drain-age,and pancreatic texture were observed(P>.05).Conclusion:The incidence of DGE is significantly correlated with the operation time,preoperative ASA score,POPF,and EIBL,which suggests that the surgeon should thoroughly evaluate the patient through adequate preoperative examination before the operation.Finally,standardized practice and perfect technology are undoubtedly necessary to reduce complications.

Risk Factors Associated with the Spatiotemporal Spread of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.2 Variant—Shanghai Municipality,China,2022

Summary What is already known about this topic?Previous studies have explored the spatial transmission patterns of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)and have assessed the associated risk factors.However,none of these studies have quantitatively described the spatiotemporal transmission patterns and risk factors for Omicron BA.2 at the micro(within-city)scale.

Motion characteristics and density separation of fine coal in an inflatable-inclined liquid-solid fluidized bed

To improve the adaptability of fluidized beds for fine coal separation,a new type of liquid-solid fluidized bed was constructed,i.e.,the inflatable-inclined liquid-solid fluidized bed(IILSFB).A combination of simulation analysis and separation experiments was used to analyze the fluidization characteristics and separation performance of the IILSFB.The results showed that there was upflow and downflow in the fluidized bed.The upflow was mainly composed of water flow,followed by light and heavy particles;on the other hand,the downflow was caused by the backflow of heavy particles that settled at the inclined section.In addition,the light particles that settled at the inclined section could return to the rising water flow under the action of secondary airflow.As the water velocity,separation time,and secondary gas velocity increased,the comprehensive separation efficiency of fine coal in the fluidized bed improved,while the value decreased as the feed quantity increased.This also indicated the order of importance for these four factors,i.e.,water velocity,separation time,feed quantity,and secondary gas velocity,on fluidisation.Furthermore,the comprehensive separation efficiency of 0.1-1 mm fine coal varied significantly with various factors,while that of∼0.1 mm and 1-3 mm fine coal was always at a low value.In the latter case,the classification process of the size fraction was significantly better than the separation process in the fluidized bed.Under optimal working conditions,an IILSFB was used to separate the fine coal(0.1-1 mm).The yield of clean coal was 37.95% with an ash content of 12.11%,and the possible error was 0.085 g/cm^(3),indicating that the IILSFB had good separation performance for 0.1-1 mm fine coal.

Flow-field analysis of a continuous gas-solid separation fluidized bed equipped with a moving scraper

Continuous gas-solid separation fluidized beds are one of the most widely used practical operation units for the dry separation of coal in China,particularly in Northwest China,and they can effectively promote the efficient and clean utilization of raw coal.In a continuous gas-solid separation fluidized bed,the bed flow field is the concrete manifestation of the fluidization characteristics.However,the complexity of the flow field increases under the action of a moving scraper.In this study,a combination of computational fluid dynamics(CFD)simulations and experimental measurements was used to study the changes in the flow field of a fluidized bed.The results showed that when the scraper moved,the local flow field(mainly characterized by the movement of medium particles)near the scraper was affected not only by the common airflow or bubbles,but also by the lateral driving force of the scraper.When the scraper speed was v_(l)<6.0 cm/s,it reduced the frequency of the formation of large bubbles and alleviated the random fluctuation of the nearby particle collision stress signals,which improved the fluidization stability of the bed.Additionally,the movement of the scraper affected the global flow field.The flow field shifted to the right near the scraper,with the direction of the scraper movement,while the flow field exhibited a leftward trend on the surface of the bed,accompanied by some vortices,in the middle and lower parts of the bed.Additionally,the critical height of the area,directly affected by the scraper,increased from 52 to 54 mm with an increase in its operating speed from v_(l)=2.96 cm/s to v_(l)=4.44 cm/s,respectively.This provides a theoretical basis for further understanding the hydrodynamic characteristics of fluidized beds.

Isogeometric analysis based on geometric reconstruction models

In isogeometric analysis(IGA),the boundary representation of computer-aided design(CAD)and the tensor-product non-uniform rational B-spline structure make the analysis of three-dimensional(3D)problems with irregular geometries difficult.In this paper,an IGA method for complex models is presented by reconstructing analysis-suitable models.The CAD model is represented by boundary polygons or point cloud and is embedded into a regular background grid,and a model reconstruction method is proposed to obtain the level set function of the approximate model,which can be directly used in IGA.Three 3D examples are used to test the proposed method,and the results demonstrate that the proposed method can deal with complex engineering parts reconstructed by boundary polygons or point clouds.