Power-law entanglement spectrum in many-body localized phases

The entanglement spectrum of the reduced density matrix contains information beyond the von Neumann entropy and provides unique insights into exotic orders or critical behavior of quantum systems. Here, we show that strongly disordered systems in the many-body localized phase have power-law entanglement spectra, arising from the presence of extensively many local integrals of motion. The power-law entanglement spectrum distinguishes many-body localized systems from ergodic systems, as well as from ground states of gapped integrable models or free systems in the vicinity of scale-invariant critical points. We confirm our results using large-scale exact diagonalization. In addition, we develop a matrix-product state algorithm which allows us to access the eigenstates of large systems close to the localization transition, and discuss general implications of our results for variational studies of highly excited eigenstates in many-body localized systems

CRISPR/Cas9 cleavage of viral DNA efficiently suppresses hepatitis B virus

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is prevalent, deadly, and seldom cured due to the persistence of viral episomal DNA (cccDNA) in infected cells. Newly developed genome engineering tools may offer the ability to directly cleave viral DNA, thereby promoting viral clearance. Here, we show that the CRISPR/Cas9 system can specifically target and cleave conserved regions in the HBV genome, resulting in robust suppression of viral gene expression and replication. Upon sustained expression of Cas9 and appropriately chosen guide RNAs, we demonstrate cleavage of cccDNA by Cas9 and a dramatic reduction in both cccDNA and other parameters of viral gene expression and replication. Thus, we show that directly targeting viral episomal DNA is a novel therapeutic approach to control the virus and possibly cure patients.United States. National Institutes of Health (DK085713)National Cancer Institute (U.S.) (P30-CA14051)National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (P30-ES002109)United States. National Institutes of Health (1K08DK101754

Identification of genetic polymorphisms in MC4R and GPX5 genes in the autochthonous Greek black pig breed

The importance of local breeds as genetic reservoirs of valuable genetic variation is well established and the evaluation of the genetic structure of autochthonous pig breeds is very important for conservation of local pig breeds and preservation of diversity. Although local farm animal breeds are important for the maintenance of genetic diversity, most of them are now in danger of extinc­tion. The autochthonous Greek black pig breed, which was raised locally and is well known for the high quality of its meat, is the only traditional indigenous pig breed reared in Greece and is able to adapt to different and harsh environmental conditions. Recent studies have reported that gene polymorphisms in melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) and glutathione peroxidase 5 (GPX5) genes are associated with litter size in pig and can be used as genetic markers in gene assisted selection programs for the improvement of reproductive performance. The objective of this study was to investigate the existence of these polymorphisms in the autochthonous Greek black pig breed. One hundred sixty pigs raised in Greece were included in the study. DNA was extracted and genotyping was performed using RFLP - PCR. The molecular results revealed that for MC4R, genotype GG had a frequency of 0.37, GA 0.44 and AA 0.19, while the frequency of allele G was 0.56 and of A 0.44. For GPX5, genotype AA had a frequency of 0.19, AB 0.41 and BB 0.40, with frequencies of alleles A and B being 0.43 and 0.57, respectively. These data revealed that all genotypes of the two genes were present in the investigated population, indicating that these genes could be used for Marker-assisted selection programmes for the genetic improvement of reproductive characteristics of this breed

CHEMICAL AND MINERALOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF CLAYS FROM PELOPONNESE (S. GREECE) AND THEIR EVALUATION FOR UTILIZATION IN CERAMICS INDUSTRY

Mineral constituents, particle size and chemistry of ceramic raw materials may control the way ceramic products are formed and fired. Three compound (combined mixtures of 20 raw samples) clay samples from Chanakia area, Pelloponnese (S. Greece), were mineralogically and chemically investigated and their utilization as raw materials for the ceramic industry was evaluated. These samples come from different clay formations, they have red, blue and green colors and constitute the raw materials for a local brick plant. Particle size distribution analysis showed that the percentage of clay size fraction (d<2μm) ranges from 28.3 to 36.3 wt.%. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the main mineral constituents are quartz, micas, feldspars (plagioclases, orthoclase), calcite (except the red - clay) and clay minerals (discrete illite, mixed - layered illite/smectite, chlorite and traces of smectite and vermiculite). Projection of their bulk chemistry on some triangular discrimination diagrams has aided us to evaluate their suitability for ceramics production, namely majiolica (earthenware), cottoforte, gres and bricks were evaluated. In conclusion, all the studied materials are proved unsuitable for high quality ceramic products. Specifically, the blue and green clays were found suitable for earthenware ceramics as are high porosity building bricks, roofing tiles and similar products, while the red clay is appropriate for gres ceramics as are the low porosity tiles and bricks

Initiating antiretrovirals during tuberculosis treatment: a drug safety review

Introduction: Integrating HIV and tuberculosis (TB) treatment can reduce mortality substantially. Practical barriers to treatment integration still exist and include safety concerns related to concomitant drug use because of drug interactions and additive toxicities. Altered therapeutic concentrations may influence the chances of treatment success or toxicity. Areas covered: The available data on drug-drug interactions between the rifamycin class of anti-mycobacterials and the non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor and the protease inhibitor classes of antiretrovirals are discussed with recommendations for integrated use. Additive drug toxicities, the impact of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) and the latest data on survival benefits of integrating treatment are elucidated. Expert opinion: Deferring treatment of HIV to avoid drug interactions with TB treatment or the occurrence of IRIS is not necessary. In the integrated management of TB-HIV co-infection, rational drug combinations aimed at reducing toxicities while effecting TB cure and suppressing HIV viral load are possible

MINERAL CHEMISTRY AND FORMATION OF AWARUITE AND HEAZLEWOODITE IN THE XEROLIVADO CHROME MINE, VOURINOS, GREECE

Ο σερπεντινίτης μεταξύ των χρωμιτικών σωμάτων 4 και 5 στο μεταλλείο Ξερολίβαδο (Βούρινος, Ελλάδα) περιέχει σποραδικούς πολύ μικρούς κόκκους (<20μm) αβαρουίτη (Fe0,91Cu0,06Co0,03Ni3), χεζλεγουδίτη (Ni2,91Fe0,06S2), μαγνητίτη και Co-πεντλανδίτη (Ni3,79Fe2,98Co2,38S8). Ο ολιβίνης περιέχει 0,40 %κβ NiO και 6,91 %κβ FeO, ενώ ο σερπεντίνης 0,18 %κβ NiO και 3,02 %κβ FeO. Η περιεκτικότητα Co του αβαρουίτη είναι 1,31 %κβ και του χεζλεγουδίτη 0,12 %κβ. Ο χεζλεγουδίτης είναι ένα προϊόν της αναγωγής του πρωταρχικού Co-πεντλανδίτη, που προκύπτει από τη σερπεντινίωση του υπερβασικού πετρώματος. Το περιεχόμενο Ni στον αβαρουίτη προέρχεται τόσο από τον ολιβίνη και από τον Co-πεντλανδίτη. Το αναγωγικό περιβάλλον που προκύπτει από τη σερπεντινίωση και η χαμηλή μερική πίεση του θείου, ευνοούν τον σχηματισμό αβαρουίτη, χεζλεγουδίτη και μαγνητίτηThe Serpentinite between the chromite bodies 4 and 5 of Xerolivado mine (Vourinos, Greece), contains sparsely very small grains (<20μm) of awaruite (Fe0.91Cu0.06Co0.03Ni3), heazlewoodite (Ni2.91Fe0.06S2), magnetite and Co pentlandite (Ni3.79Fe2.98Co2.38S8). The olivine contains 0.40 wt% NiO and 6.91 wt% FeO, while the serpentine 0.18 wt% NiO and 3.02 wt% FeO. The Co-content of awaruite is 1.31 wt% and that of heazlewoodite 0.12 wt%. Heazlewoodite is a product of the primary Co-pentlandite reduction, resulting from the serpentinization of the ultramafic rock. The Ni content of awaruite is derived both from olivine and from Co-pentlandite. The reducing environment resulting from serpentinization and the low sulphur fugacity, favour the formation of awaruite, heazlewoodite and magnetite

The Hepatitis B Virus Ribonuclease H Is Sensitive to Inhibitors of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Ribonuclease H and Integrase Enzymes

Nucleos(t)ide analog therapy blocks DNA synthesis by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) reverse transcriptase and can control the infection, but treatment is life-long and has high costs and unpredictable long-term side effects. The profound suppression of HBV by the nucleos(t)ide analogs and their ability to cure some patients indicates that they can push HBV to the brink of extinction. Consequently, more patients could be cured by suppressing HBV replication further using a new drug in combination with the nucleos(t)ide analogs. The HBV ribonuclease H (RNAseH) is a logical drug target because it is the second of only two viral enzymes that are essential for viral replication, but it has not been exploited, primarily because it is very difficult to produce active enzyme. To address this difficulty, we expressed HBV genotype D and H RNAseHs in E. coli and enriched the enzymes by nickel-affinity chromatography. HBV RNAseH activity in the enriched lysates was characterized in preparation for drug screening. Twenty-one candidate HBV RNAseH inhibitors were identified using chemical structure-activity analyses based on inhibitors of the HIV RNAseH and integrase. Twelve anti-RNAseH and anti-integrase compounds inhibited the HBV RNAseH at 10 μM, the best compounds had low micromolar IC50 values against the RNAseH, and one compound inhibited HBV replication in tissue culture at 10 μM. Recombinant HBV genotype D RNAseH was more sensitive to inhibition than genotype H. This study demonstrates that recombinant HBV RNAseH suitable for low-throughput antiviral drug screening has been produced. The high percentage of compounds developed against the HIV RNAseH and integrase that were active against the HBV RNAseH indicates that the extensive drug design efforts against these HIV enzymes can guide anti-HBV RNAseH drug discovery. Finally, differential inhibition of HBV genotype D and H RNAseHs indicates that viral genetic variability will be a factor during drug development. © 2013 Tavis et al