Realizing quantum computation with semiconductor spin qubits requires large-scale integration of quantum dots (QDs). In large-scale gate-defined QD arrays, adjusting the physical parameters such as electrochemical potentials and tunnel couplings becomes increasingly complicated due to crosstalk arising from capacitive couplings between the gate electrodes and QDs. To compensate for this crosstalk, virtual gates were developed to enable independent control of QD-array parameters. Constructing virtual gates requires determining and frequently updating the cross-capacitance matrix that maps the gate voltage effects on physical parameters. However, as the number of QDs increases, manual extraction of cross-capacitance matrix becomes increasingly time-consuming, posing a significant scalability challenge. To address this challenge, we introduce a convolutional neural network (CNN)-assisted framework that automates the construction of virtual gates. Using a double QD as a testbed, our automated framework accurately extracts the cross-capacitance matrix and constructs virtual gates, providing a key step toward scalable virtual-gate control of large QD arrays.
As demonstrated, heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback (HRVB) is effective in managing chronic conditions. However, reviews specifically addressing HRVB effects on cardiac autonomic dysfunction in patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are lacking. We evaluated HRVB effects on autonomic, hemodynamic, and psychological outcomes in such patients. This systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) searched MEDLINE, CINAHL, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Igaku Chuo Zasshi from inception to April 2025. We included RCTs on HRVB in CVD populations and excluded those without HRV, clinical, or psychological outcomes. Two reviewers independently screened, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias using Cochrane RoB 2 tool. Random-effects models were applied to HRV indices, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and psychological outcomes. From 2402 records, 13 RCTs (965 participants; 795 analyzed) were included. HRVB significantly improved the standard deviation of NN interval; low-frequency (LF) and logLF increased, high-frequency (HF) and logHF showed no significant changes. Both systolic (mean difference [MD] = − 3.08, 95
Background: Recent studies have focused on oral frailty and hypofunction, and their relationship with swallowing function and dysphagia. These play especially important roles in patients with dysphagia in medical-dental cooperation at acute hospitals. Objective: This study aimed to assess oral frailty, in terms of nutritional intake by evaluating oral and swallowing functions simultaneously, in patients consulting at an acute hospital. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Center for Dysphagia of Tohoku University Hospital and involved a comprehensive survey of 183 patients. Their oral function and oral status were evaluated, which included factors such as poor oral hygiene, oral dryness, tongue-lip motor function, tongue pressure, and masticatory performance. Additionally, swallowing status was evaluated using various methods, including a questionnaire related to swallowing, Hyodo-Komagane score, modified water-swallowing, and repetitive saliva swallowing tests. This thorough approach ensured the validity and reliability of our findings.Results Approximately 60% of patients had head and neck tumours, degenerative diseases, and muscular diseases. Therefore, a high prevalence of oral hypofunction was observed. Furthermore, since 41.5% of patients had limited tongue movement, a characteristic correlation existed between the oral diadochokinesis and Hyodo-Komagane score. Conclusion: These results suggest that oral dryness score, oral diadochokinesis, and tongue pressure are associated with oral hypofunction and dysphagia. Additionally, patients with hypofunction and decreased tongue pressure may have hypopharyngeal residuals. The medical-dental cooperation in an acute hospital allows for the simultaneous assessment of oral and swallowing functions. This suggests a potential to contribute to the practice of safe oral intake and appropriate rehabilitation.
Acute viral hepatitis is characterized by excessive inflammatory and antiviral immune responses that contribute to liver injury. Polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid [poly(I:C)], a synthetic analog of viral double-stranded RNA, is widely used to mimic virus-induced acute liver damage. Increasing evidence indicates that immunomodulatory probiotics (immunobiotics) can influence immune responses beyond the gut and exert beneficial effects in extraintestinal tissues like the liver. In this study, we evaluated the protective effects of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum CRL1506 and a surface-modified ΔdltD mutant strain in a murine model of poly(I:C)-induced acute liver injury. Oral administration of the wild-type CRL1506 strain significantly reduced serum transaminase levels and attenuated histopathological liver damage following a poly(I:C) challenge, whereas the mutant strain failed to confer protection. The protective effect induced by the CRL1506 strain was associated with a marked modulation of hepatic inflammatory mediators, including a reduction in proinflammatory cytokines, and improvements of antiviral factors and regulatory cytokines. This modulation of the liver cytokine profile was not achieved by the ΔdltD mutant strain, highlighting the role of lipoteichoic acid in the regulation of the immune system. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that L. plantarum CRL1506 confers protection against virus-like acute liver injury by fine-tuning inflammatory and antiviral immune pathways and highlight the relevance of bacterial surface configuration in mediating its immunobiotic and hepatoprotective effects. This study underlines the potential of immunobiotic strains as functional dietary interventions to mitigate acute liver inflammation triggered by viral components.
