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Grover adaptive search (GAS) is a quantum exhaustive search algorithm designed to solve binary optimization problems. In this article, we propose higher order binary formulations that can simultaneously reduce the numbers of qubits and gates required for GAS. Specifically, we consider two novel strategies: one that reduces the number of gates through polynomial factorization, and the other that halves the order of the objective function, subsequently decreasing circuit runtime and implementation cost. Our analysis demonstrates that the proposed higher order formulations improve the convergence performance of GAS by reducing both the search space size and the number of quantum gates. Our strategies are also beneficial for general combinatorial optimization problems using one-hot encoding.

In this article, we propose a novel method of formulating an NP-hard wireless channel assignment problem as a higher-order unconstrained binary optimization (HUBO), where the Grover adaptive search (GAS) is used to provide a quadratic speedup for solving the problem. The conventional method relies on a one-hot encoding of the channel indices, resulting in a quadratic formulation. By contrast, we conceive ascending and descending binary encodings of the channel indices, construct a specific quantum circuit, and derive the exact numbers of qubits and gates required by GAS. Our analysis clarifies that the proposed HUBO formulation significantly reduces the number of qubits and the query complexity compared with the conventional quadratic formulation. This advantage is achieved at the cost of an increased number of quantum gates, which we demonstrate can be reduced by our proposed descending binary encoding.

Objective Quadriceps weakness is considered the primary determinant of gait function after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, many patients have shown a gap in improvement trends between gait function and quadriceps strength in clinical situations. Factors other than quadriceps strength in the recovery of gait function after TKA may be essential factors. Because muscle power is a more influential determinant of gait function than muscle strength, the maximum knee extension velocity without external load may be a critical parameter of gait function in patients with TKA. This study aimed to identify the importance of knee extension velocity in determining the gait function early after TKA by comparing the quadriceps strength. Methods This prospective observational study was conducted in four acute care hospitals. Patients scheduled for unilateral TKA were recruited (n = 186; age, 75.9 ± 6.6 years; 43 males and 143 females). Knee extension velocity was defined as the angular velocity of knee extension without external load as quickly as possible in a seated position. Bilateral knee function (knee extension velocity and quadriceps strength), lateral knee function (pain and range of motion), and gait function (gait speed and Timed Up and Go test (TUG)) were evaluated before and at 2 and 3 weeks after TKA. Results Both bilateral knee extension velocities and bilateral quadriceps strengths were significantly correlated with gait function. The knee extension velocity on the operation side was the strongest predictor of gait function at all time points in multiple regression analysis. Conclusion These findings identified knee extension velocity on the operation side to be a more influential determinant of gait function than impairments in quadriceps strength. Therefore, training that focuses on knee extension velocity may be recommended as part of the rehabilitation program in the early postoperative period following TKA. Trial registration UMIN Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN-CTR) UMIN000020036.

Cheese whey (CW) can be an excellent carbon source for polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA)-producing bacteria. Most studies have used CW, which contains high amounts of lactose, however, there are no reports using raw CW, which has a relatively low amount of lactose. Therefore, in the present study, PHA production was evaluated in a two-stage process using the CW that contains low amounts of lactose. In first stage, the carbon source existing in CW was converted into acetic acid using the bacteria, Acetobacter pasteurianus C1, which was isolated from food waste. In the second stage, acetic acid produced in the first stage was converted into PHA using the bacteria, Bacillus sp. CYR-1. Under the condition of without the pretreatment of CW, acetic acid produced from CW was diluted at different folds and used for the production of PHA. Strain CYR-1 incubated with 10-fold diluted CW containing 5.7 g/L of acetic acid showed the higher PHA production (240.6 mg/L), whereas strain CYR-1 incubated with four-fold diluted CW containing 12.3 g/L of acetic acid showed 126 mg/L of PHA. After removing the excess protein present in CW, PHA production was further enhanced by 3.26 times (411 mg/L) at a four-fold dilution containing 11.3 g/L of acetic acid. Based on Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analyses, it was confirmed that the PHA produced from the two-stage process is poly-β-hydroxybutyrate (PHB). All bands appearing in the FT-IR spectrum and the chemical shifts of NMR nearly matched with those of standard PHB. Based on these studies, we concluded that a two-stage process using Acetobacter pasteurianus C1 and Bacillus sp. CYR-1 would be applicable for the production of PHB using CW containing a low amount of lactose.

OBJECTIVE:Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is aimed mainly at reducing pain and restoring mobility. However, mobility deficits can persist even longer than 1 year. The trunk function and movement velocity of any region have been recently recognized to be critical for determining mobility in older people. Therefore, the main goal of this quasi-randomized trial is to clarify the effectiveness of a novel training method, the seated side tapping (SST) training, for improving mobility by focusing on movement velocity of trunk function in the short term after TKA. METHODS:SST training consists of side trunk movements repeated as quickly as possible in a seated position. All participants after TKA were randomly assigned to the SST training group (n = 37) or control training group (n = 38). The participants in the SST group performed SST training plus the standard rehabilitation program 5 days per week for 3 weeks after TKA, while the control group performed only the standard rehabilitation programs. The primary outcome was the effect of SST training on mobility, indicated by gait speed and the timed up and go test (TUG) time. Measurements were performed before and 1, 2, and 3 weeks after surgery. RESULTS:At all-time points, the patients in the SST group showed significantly better mobility, despite that knee function, represented by muscle strength, range of motion, and degree of pain at the knee joint, was similar in both groups. The difference in gait speed between the groups was >0.1 m/s at all time points, which is clinically significant. CONCLUSION:SST training significantly improved patients' mobility within 3 weeks after TKA, despite that no additional benefit was observed in knee function. The findings in this study indicate that SST training may be considered as a part of the rehabilitation program after TKA, although further evaluation of its long-term effectiveness is needed. TRIAL REGISTRATION:University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN-CTR; UMIN000027909).

The Na+-pumping NADH-ubiquinone (UQ) oxidoreductase (Na+-NQR) is present in the respiratory chain of many pathogenic bacteria and is thought to be a promising antibiotic target. Whereas many details of Na+-NQR structure and function are known, the mechanisms of action of potent inhibitors is not well-understood; elucidating the mechanisms would not only advance drug design strategies but might also provide insights on a terminal electron transfer from riboflavin to UQ. To this end, we performed photoaffinity labeling experiments using photoreactive derivatives of two known inhibitors, aurachin and korormicin, on isolated Vibrio cholerae Na+-NQR. The inhibitors labeled the cytoplasmic surface domain of the NqrB subunit including a protruding N-terminal stretch, which may be critical to regulate the UQ reaction in the adjacent NqrA subunit. The labeling was blocked by short-chain UQs such as ubiquinone-2. The photolabile group (2-aryl-5-carboxytetrazole (ACT)) of these inhibitors reacts with nucleophilic amino acids, so we tested mutations of nucleophilic residues in the labeled region of NqrB, such as Asp49 and Asp52 (to Ala), and observed moderate decreases in labeling yields, suggesting that these residues are involved in the interaction with ACT. We conclude that the inhibitors interfere with the UQ reaction in two ways: the first is blocking structural rearrangements at the cytoplasmic interface between NqrA and NqrB, and the second is the direct obstruction of UQ binding at this interfacial area. Unusual competitive behavior between the photoreactive inhibitors and various competitors corroborates our previous proposition that there may be two inhibitor binding sites in Na+-NQR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Many studies have shown that muscle power (power = velocity x strength) is a critical determinant of physical tasks, such as gait and sit to stand, in older adults. However, it is still unclear whether velocity or strength has a stronger effect on physical tasks. This study aimed to examine the relative importance of velocity and strength components in determining inter-individual differences in gait and sit-to-stand tasks. Methods: The participants were 43 female older adults who were residing in geriatric health service facilities (mean age 87.4 years). We measured participants' gait speed, sit-to-stand ability using the five-times sit-to-stand test, movement velocity of knee extension, and quadriceps strength. Results: Gait speed was significantly associated with movement velocity (r = 0.38; p = 0.013), but there was no significant association with quadriceps strength. Movement velocity was selected as the independent variable for gait speed in multiple regression analysis. The five-times sit-to-stand test result was not significantly associated with movement velocity, but it was significantly associated with quadriceps strength (r = -0.50; p = 0.016). Quadriceps strength was selected as the independent variable for sit to stand in multiple regression analysis. Conclusions: The results suggest that the relative importance of velocity and strength components varies depending on the physical task. These differences may be attributed to the intensity of the physical task. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]