Modular quantum computing architectures are a promising alternative to monolithic QPU (Quantum Processing Unit) designs for scaling up quantum devices. They refer to a set of interconnected QPUs or cores consisting of tightly coupled quantum bits that can communicate via quantum-coherent and classical links. In multi-core architectures, it is crucial to minimize the amount of communication between cores when executing an algorithm. Therefore, mapping a quantum circuit onto a modular architecture involves finding an optimal assignment of logical qubits (qubits in the quantum circuit) to different cores with the aim to minimize the number of expensive inter-core operations while adhering to given hardware constraints. In this paper, we propose for the first time a Quadratic Unconstrained Binary Optimization (QUBO) technique to encode the problem and the solution for both qubit allocation and inter-core communication costs in binary decision variables. To this end, the quantum circuit is split into slices, and qubit assignment is formulated as a graph partitioning problem for each circuit slice. The costly inter-core communication is reduced by penalizing inter-core qubit communications. The final solution is obtained by minimizing the overall cost across all circuit slices. To evaluate the effectiveness of our approach, we conduct a detailed analysis using a representative set of benchmarks having a high number of qubits on two different multi-core architectures. Our method showed promising results and performed exceptionally well with very dense and highly-parallelized circuits that require on average 0.78 inter-core communications per two-qubit gate.

Tropical semiring has proven successful in several research areas, including optimal control, bioinformatics, discrete event systems, and decision problems. Previous studies have applied a matrix two-factorization algorithm based on the tropical semiring to investigate bipartite and tripartite networks. Tri-factorization algorithms based on standard linear algebra are used to solve tasks such as data fusion, co-clustering, matrix completion, community detection, and more. However, there is currently no tropical matrix tri-factorization approach that would allow for the analysis of multipartite networks with many parts. To address this, we propose the triFastSTMF algorithm, which performs tri-factorization over the tropical semiring. We applied it to analyze a four-partition network structure and recover the edge lengths of the network. We show that triFastSTMF performs similarly to Fast-NMTF in terms of approximation and prediction performance when fitted on the whole network. When trained on a specific subnetwork and used to predict the entire network, triFastSTMF outperforms Fast-NMTF by several orders of magnitude smaller error. The robustness of triFastSTMF is due to tropical operations, which are less prone to predict large values compared to standard operations.

In this study, it was performed identification and quantification of flavonoids (apigenin, chrysin, hesperetin, kaempferol, luteolin, naringenin, and quercetin) and flavonoid glycosides (rutin and vitexin) in total 49 samples of five different honey types from Bosnia and Herzegovina: meadow honey (MH, 22 samples), forest (FH, 10), acacia (AH, 7), chestnut (CH, 5), and heather honey (HH, 5). Additionally, evaluation of correlations between FC and total hydrophilic antioxidant score (antioxidant activity against both: ROO· + OH·) in supernatants (s) and in bulk (noncentrifuged) solution (b) of these honey types was performed. Moreover, correlations between flavonoids content (FC) and previously reported antioxidant activity against both peroxyl and hydroxyl free radicals (AC(ROO·) and AC(OH·)) for the same honey samples was examined. High performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detector (HPLC-DAD) and isocratic elution mode was used as method of analysis. Flavonoids were extracted by solid phase extraction (SPE). The average contents of three flavonoids (chrysin, naringenin, and luteolin) in MH were statistically higher than in AH (p**<0.01). Also, the average content of naringenin in FH was statistically higher than in CH (p*<0.05). We observed a high (positive) linear correlation between FC and AC(ROO·) in s of four honey types (FH, AH, HH, CH) (R2=0.920). If we correlate FC and AC(ROO·)s of three honey types (FH, AH, HH), linearity is very high (R2=0.968), and for FH, AH, CH linearity is complete. The correlation between FC and AC(ROO·) in b of the same honey types is similar, but lower. The correlation does not exist between FC and AC(OH·) neither in s nor in b of five or four honey types, but for FC to both (AC(OH·)s and AC(OH·)b) of three honey types (FH, AH, CH), linearity is moderate (R2=0.732 and R2=0.696, respectively). Keywords: antioxidant activity, correlations, flavonoids, honey, HPLC-DAD.

Background Severe complicated intra-abdominal sepsis (SCIAS) has an increasing incidence with mortality rates over 80% in some settings. Mortality typically results from disruption of the gastrointestinal tract, progressive and self-perpetuating bio-mediator generation, systemic inflammation, and multiple organ failure. A further therapeutic option may be open abdomen (OA) management with negative peritoneal pressure therapy (NPPT) to remove inflammatory ascites and attenuate the systemic damage from SCIAS, although there are definite risks of leaving the abdomen open whenever it might possibly be closed. This potential therapeutic paradigm is the rationale being assessed in the Closed Or Open after Laparotomy (COOL trial) ( https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03163095 ). Initially, the COOL trial received Industry sponsorship; however, this funding mandated the use of a specific trademarked and expensive NPPT device in half of the patients allocated to the intervention (open) arm. In August 2022, the 3 M/Acelity Corporation without consultation but within the terms of the contract canceled the financial support of the trial. Although creating financial difficulty, there is now no restriction on specific NPPT devices and removing a cost-prohibitive intervention creates an opportunity to expand the COOL trial to a truly global basis. This document describes the evolution of the COOL trial, with a focus on future opportunities for global growth of the study. Methods The COOL trial is the largest prospective randomized controlled trial examining the random allocation of SCIAS patients intra-operatively to either formal closure of the fascia or the use of the OA with an application of an NPPT dressing. Patients are eligible if they have free uncontained intraperitoneal contamination and physiologic derangements exemplified by septic shock OR severely adverse predicted clinical outcomes. The primary outcome is intended to definitively inform global practice by conclusively evaluating 90-day survival. Initial recruitment has been lower than hoped but satisfactory, and the COOL steering committee and trial investigators intend with increased global support to continue enrollment until recruitment ensures a definitive answer. Discussion OA is mandated in many cases of SCIAS such as the risk of abdominal compartment syndrome associated with closure, or a planned second look as for example part of “damage control”; however, improved source control (locally and systemically) is the most uncertain indication for an OA. The COOL trial seeks to expand potential sites and proceed with the evaluation of NPPT agnostic to device, to properly examine the hypothesis that this treatment attenuates systemic damage and improves survival. This approach will not affect internal validity and should improve the external validity of any observed results of the intervention. Trial registration : National Institutes of Health ( https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03163095 ).

Total creatine concentration in the skeletal muscle and brain of long COVID patients were significantly lower when compared to the reference values for the general population, as measured with proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy at 1.5-T in vastus medialis muscle, thalamus, and three bilateral cerebral locations across the white and gray matter.

The ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and the influenza epidemics have revived the interest in understanding how these highly contagious enveloped viruses respond to alterations in the physicochemical properties of their microenvironment. By understanding the mechanisms and conditions by which viruses exploit the pH environment of the host cell during endocytosis, we can gain a better understanding of how they respond to pH-regulated anti-viral therapies but also pH-induced changes in extracellular environments. This review provides a detailed explanation of the pH-dependent viral structural changes preceding and initiating viral disassembly during endocytosis for influenza A (IAV) and SARS coronaviruses. Drawing upon extensive literature from the last few decades and latest research, I analyze and compare the circumstances in which IAV and SARS-coronavirus can undertake endocytotic pathways that are pH-dependent. While there are similarities in the pH-regulated patterns leading to fusion, the mechanisms and pH activation differ. In terms of fusion activity, the measured activation pH values for IAV, across all subtypes and species, vary between approximately 5.0 to 6.0, while SARS-coronavirus necessitates a lower pH of 6.0 or less. The main difference between the pH-dependent endocytic pathways is that the SARS-coronavirus, unlike IAV, require the presence of specific pH-sensitive enzymes (cathepsin L) during endosomal transport. Conversely, the conformational changes in the IAV virus under acidic conditions in endosomes occur due to the specific envelope glycoprotein residues and envelope protein ion channels (viroporins) getting protonated by H+ ions. Despite extensive research over several decades, comprehending the pH-triggered conformational alterations of viruses still poses a significant challenge. The precise mechanisms of protonation mechanisms of certain during endosomal transport for both viruses remain incompletely understood. In absence of evidence, further research is needed.

Association of advanced age, neoplastic disease and immunocompromission (IC) may lead to surgical emergencies. Few data exist about this topic. Present study reports the preliminary data from the WIRES-T trial about patients managed for colorectal neoplastic emergencies in immunocompromised patients. The required data were taken from a prospective observational international register. The study was approved by the Ethical Committee with approval n. 17575; ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03643718. 839 patients were collected; 753 (80.7%) with mild–moderate IC and 86 (10.3%) with severe. Median age was 71.9 years and 73 years, respectively, in the two groups. The causes of mild–moderate IC were reported such malignancy (753–100%), diabetes (103–13.7%), malnutrition (26–3.5%) and uremia (1–0.1%), while severe IC causes were steroids treatment (14–16.3%); neutropenia (7–8.1%), malignancy on chemotherapy (71–82.6%). Preoperative risk classification were reported as follow: mild–moderate: ASA 1–14 (1.9%); ASA 2–202 (26.8%); ASA 3–341 (45.3%); ASA 4–84 (11.2%); ASA 5–7 (0.9%); severe group: ASA 1-1 patient (1.2%); ASA 2–16 patients (18.6%); ASA 3–41 patients (47.7%); ASA 4–19 patients (22.1%); ASA 5–3 patients (3.5%); lastly, ASA score was unavailable for 105 cases (13.9%) in mild–moderate group and in 6 cases (6.9%) in severe group. All the patients enrolled underwent urgent/emergency surgery Damage control approach with open abdomen was adopted in 18 patients. Mortality was 5.1% and 12.8%, respectively, in mild–moderate and severe groups. Long-term survival data: in mild–moderate disease-free survival (median, IQR) is 28 (10–91) and in severe IC, it is 21 (10–94). Overall survival (median, IQR) is 44 (18–99) and 26 (20–90) in mild–moderate and severe, respectively; the same is for post-progression survival (median, IQR) 29 (16–81) and 28, respectively. Univariate and multivariate analyses showed as the only factor influencing mortality in mild–moderate and severe IC is the ASA score. Colorectal neoplastic emergencies in immunocompromised patients are more frequent in elderly. Sigmoid and right colon are the most involved. Emergency surgery is at higher risk of complication and mortality; however, management in dedicated emergency surgery units is necessary to reduce disease burden and to optimize results by combining oncological and acute care principles. This approach may improve outcomes to obtain clinical advantages for patients like those observed in elective scenario. Lastly, damage control approach seems feasible and safe in selected patients.

Abstract The main non-microbial cause of quality deterioration in lipid-containing food is lipid oxidation, the process in which, simplifying, unsaturated fatty acids react with molecular oxygen via a free radical mechanism. The use of substances with antioxidant properties during the manufacturing process can minimize the extent of lipid oxidation. This research aimed to determine the effect of selected essential oils on the quality and oxidative stability of sunflower oils. Sunflower oils were obtained by refining and cold-pressing and their quality and oxidative stability were studied during the different storage conditions: 20 °C and 5 °C at dark and with light exposure. Obtained results suggested that the antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of essential oils can positively affect the oxidative stability and consequently the quality of sunflower oils during storage, and implicate with further application of essential oils in the edible vegetable oil industry.

This study presents a case report of an inflammatory dentigerous cyst of tooth #35, associated with its previously endodontically treated deciduous predecessor. Cystic lesion growth caused impaction of the second premolar, displacing it closer to the lower border of the mandible. The lesion represents a typical dentigerous cyst that possibly arises in association with periapical inflammation of a deciduous molar involving the follicle of the premolars. This report highlights the inflammatory etiology of dentigerous cysts, which mainly occur in mixed dentition. A 12-year-old patient was referred to Oral Surgery Department regarding a sizeable radiolucent lesion in the unerupted mandibular second premolar region, detected on an Orthopantomagram (OPG) X-ray. A non-vital primary predecessor had been endodontically treated at least one year before an examination, with a control OPG X-ray showing no signs of pathology at the time. The patient did not report any symptoms. Clinical examination revealed an egg-like tumefaction of the alveolar bone in the left premolar region of the mandible. Cone-beam computed tomography analysis showed a sizeable translucent lesion surrounding the crown of the impacted tooth. The lesion was enucleated in its entirety, along with the impacted premolar, under local anesthesia. Clinical findings combined with radiographic and microscopic examinations confirmed the diagnosis of an inflammatory dentigerous cyst. The seventeen month follow-up revealed good bone healing. This case presented a rare complication of endodontic treatment of deciduous teeth and informed on possible complications of endodontic therapy in deciduous teeth, emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis of cysts in preventing extraction of permanent teeth.

The biogeography of European forests presents many interesting case studies, as inferred from phylogeography, contemporary population genetics, and distribution modelling of saproxylic species. Here, we pose four main hypotheses: (i) the phylogeographic paradigm known for temperate species in Europe is also applicable for saproxylic taxa; (ii) current expansion is occurring only in some genetic lineages; (iii) genetic diversity decreases from east to west, reflecting differences in forest naturalness and management; and (iv) climatic changes will force a northward range shift.

Urban railway tracks are the primary modes of transportation in many cities worldwide. Track vehicles mostly use DC from overhead lines, and rails are used as return conductors. Because it is challenging to fully insulate the rail and ensure high rail-to-ground resistance, current leaks from the rail to the lower part of the track. This current is referred to as stray current. To determine the detrimental effects of stray current on the rail and fastening system components, we performed a laboratory simulation of the stray current on four real-scale samples of the entire rail with all fastening components. The difference among these four samples was the type of fastening system used. Tests were performed under dry condition and at different water levels. After testing, the samples were visually inspected. Under dry conditions, corrosion occurred on the elements in contact with the concrete, and under immersed conditions, the current leaked from all components of the fastening system directly into the water, causing harmful local deterioration. The characteristics of the fastening systems are defined to satisfy other parameters, but not to prevent stray currents and ensure high rail-to-ground resistance. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the effects of stray current on the rail and fastening system and to prove the importance of providing adequate drainage of the track and using a fastening system that is insulated and does not allow the current to leak from the rail.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of cultivar and covering with nonwoven agrotextile on vegetative growth parameters and the productivity value of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.). A field experiment was conducted during the 2018 growing season, at the experimental field of the Biotechnical Faculty in Ljubljana (46° 04′ N latitude; 14° 31′ E longitude, 305 m above sea level). The soil was gravel clay with a pH of 6.7, and a soil depth of 40–60 cm. The research involved the following Slovenian cultivars of sweet potatoes: Lučka, Janja, and Martina. Distance between rows was 1.2 m, while in-row distance was 1.4 m. The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with plots arranged factorially and replicated four times. The seedlings were planted on 20 May. A half of the plots were covered with polypropylene nonwoven textile (17 g/m2). The uncovered half of the plots served as control plots. The recommended cultural practices were performed as needed during the experiment. The temperature under the covers was on average 5.5 °C higher than in the unprotected area. The crops were harvested 132 days after planting. Covering significantly and positively affected vegetative growth – that is the height of the vines, leaf number, leaf area index, and haulm dry weight. In contrast, the nonwoven polypropylene cover had no significant effect on the number of branches per crop. The use of agrotextile significantly increased tuber length and diameter, tuber number, tuber weight, and total yield in comparison with traditional cultivation with no plant cover. Statistical analysis showed that cv. Janja had the significantly higher yield (7.49 t/ha) compared to cv. Lučka (6.68 t/ha) and cv. Martina (6.16 t/ha).