Search Results (63)

Quantum computing has the potential to transform modern computation by offering exponential advantages in areas such as cryptography, optimization, and intelligent data processing. To effectively realize these advantages, particularly in fault-tolerant and Noisy Intermediate-Scale Quantum (NISQ) environments, quantum circuits must be both resource-efficient and error-resilient. This paper presents a novel Binary-Coded Decimal (BCD) to Excess-3 code converter designed exclusively using the Clifford+T gate set, which is widely supported by fault-tolerant quantum hardware. The proposed design eliminates conventional 4-bit reversible adder-based implementations and instead employs an optimized logic structure based on Clifford+T-decomposed Peres gates. By leveraging Temporary Logical-AND gates and CNOT operations, the circuit achieves reduced T-count, circuit depth, and quantum cost as key metrics in fault-tolerant quantum computation. Functional correctness is verified through IBM Qiskit, Version 2.1 simulations for all valid BCD inputs. The proposed converter serves as a scalable and hardware-compatible arithmetic building block for resource-aware and AI-oriented quantum architectures. Full article

A number of published studies suggest that HIV infection accelerates epigenetic ageing. The main aim of this study was to ascertain if HIV infection is an independent factor leading to DNA hypomethylation and accelerating epigenetic ageing in men successfully treated with integrase inhibitor (INSTI)-based combined antiretroviral therapy (cART). Forty-eight (48) men living with HIV receiving INSTI-based cART and fifty (50) uninfected men in the control group were included. All participants filled out a questionnaire probing into lifestyle factors. Global and site-specific DNA methylation and expression of methyltransferase genes were examined in all participants. As well, all patients underwent basic laboratory blood tests. The results were analysed using statistical and machine learning methods. We found a strong association between HIV infection and global DNA hypomethylation as well as significant association with higher expression of the methyltransferase gene DNMT1. However, there was no association with DNA methylation levels of CNOT2, DPP6, FOXG1 and NPTX2 genes or expression levels of DNMT3a and DNMT3b. The results confirm that in men successfully treated with INSTI-based cART, HIV infection is an independent factor causing global DNA hypomethylation and increased DNMT1 expression and thus accelerating epigenetic ageing. Full article

Pseudo-entropy is a complex-valued generalization of entanglement entropy defined on non-Hermitian transition operators and induced by post-selection. We present a simulation-based protocol for detecting nonclassicality and coherent errors in quantum circuits using this pseudo-entropy measure $\check{S}$, focusing on its imaginary part $\Im \check{S}$ as a diagnostic tool. Our method enables resource-efficient classification of phase-coherent errors, such as those from miscalibrated CNOT gates, even under realistic noise conditions. By quantifying the transition between classical-like and quantum-like behavior through threshold analysis, we provide theoretical benchmarks for error classification that can inform hardware calibration strategies. Numerical simulations demonstrate that 55% of the parameter space remains classified as classical-like (below classification thresholds) at hardware-calibrated sensitivity levels, with statistical significance confirmed through rigorous sensitivity analysis. Robustness to noise and comparison with standard entropy-based methods are demonstrated in a simulation. While hardware validation remains necessary, this work bridges theoretical concepts of nonclassicality with practical quantum error classification frameworks, providing a foundation for experimental quantum computing applications. Full article

The human Ccr4–Not complex is a central regulator of post-transcriptional gene regulation, impacting on translation and mRNA degradation. In mRNA degradation, Ccr4–Not participates in the shortening of the mRNA poly(A)-tail via two catalytic subunits. The Caf1 nuclease is encoded by the highly similar paralogues CNOT7 or CNOT8. In addition to its poly(A)-specific ribonuclease activity, this subunit also provides a structural role by binding Ccr4, the second catalytic nuclease subunit encoded by the paralogues CNOT6 or CNOT6L. To facilitate investigations into the roles of the Caf1 subunit, and to complement genetic tools, we set out to identify inhibitors of the enzymatic activity of Caf1/CNOT7. To this end, we screened a library of 10,880 chemically diverse, drug-like compounds using a fluorescence-based biochemical assay. This effort led to the discovery of 15 inhibitors of Caf1/CNOT7 with biochemical IC₅₀ values below 25 μM. Molecular docking was performed to explore potential binding modes of these compounds. The compounds reported here may be useful to differentiate between catalytic and non-catalytic roles of Caf1/CNOT7. In addition, they may be valuable starting points for the development of more potent inhibitors of the Caf1/CNOT7 poly(A)-selective ribonuclease. Full article

This paper presents a semi-quantum secret sharing (SQSS) protocol based on three-particle W states, designed for efficient and secure secret sharing in quantum-resource-constrained scenarios. In the protocol, a fully quantum-capable sender encodes binary secrets using W, while receivers with limited quantum capabilities reconstruct the secret through collaborative Z basis measurements and classical communication, ensuring no single participant can obtain the complete information independently. The protocol employs a four-state decoy photon technique ($\left\{\right|0⟩,|1⟩,|+⟩,|-⟩\}$) and position randomization, combined with photon number splitting (PNS) and wavelength filtering (WF) technologies, to resist intercept–resend, entanglement–measurement, and double controlled-NOT(CNOT) attacks. Theoretical analysis shows that the detection probability of intercept–resend attacks increases exponentially with the number of decoy photons (approaching 1). For entanglement–measurement attacks, any illegal operation by an attacker introduces detectable quantum state disturbances. Double CNOT attacks are rendered ineffective by the untraceability of particle positions and mixed-basis strategies. Leveraging the robust entanglement of W states, the protocol proves that the mutual information between secret bits and single-participant measurement results is strictly zero, ensuring lossless reconstruction only through authorized collaboration. Full article

Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) represent a heterogeneous group of diseases with a variety of clinical presentations related to different genetic, epigenetic, and environmental etiologies. Numerous pathogenic variants have been identified by comprehensive genetic approaches such as next-generation sequencing and chromosomal microarray analyses. This study included eleven pediatric patients with NDDs who were referred to our Molecular Medicine (MM) unit for further diagnostic workup. Whole exome sequencing (WES) was performed, and data were analyzed as part of a contracted service with the National Genomic Center and iBioScience LTD. Likely pathogenic single nucleotide variants in genes DDX3X c.869C>A, p.S290* and CNOT1 c.920delG, p.G307Afs*32 in two patients, and pathogenic copy number variants in the 16p11.2 (16:29,690,418-30,200,285)x3 and 16p12.1-p11.2 (16:27,078,317-29,001,333)x3 regions in a third patient with NDDs were identified. In a fourth patient, the c.6839A>G, p.Gln2280Arg variant of uncertain significance was found in the NIPBL gene. Altogether, our study has revealed four novel variants in genes previously linked to NDDs. Identification of genetic causes of NDDs not only promotes establishing a more precise diagnosis and improves our understanding of disease pathogenesis but may also provide better means for developing preventive measures for the recurrence of this serious condition. Full article

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have been a successful tool for identifying quantitative trait loci (QTL) for economically important traits in dairy cows. However, the availability of QTLs linked to phenotypic traits is limited in the literature. In this study, we used GWAS, haplotype association, and fine-mapping analyses to identify candidate variants associated with milk production, health, and reproductive traits in 380 Chinese Holstein cattle from Southern China using whole-genome sequence data. GWAS identified 91 genome-wide significant signals that were annotated to 63 genes associated with milk production, health, and reproductive traits in dairy cattle. Haplotype association analysis further revealed that eight GWAS signals within three QTLs were associated with milk production and health traits of cows. Fine-mapping analysis revealed that 3 GWAS signals (6_92530313_G_A, 10_17185230_G_A, and 10_17209112_T_G) were the potential causal variants. Several candidate genes, including ANKS1B, IL17RD, CNOT6L, AOC1, and TLE3, have been confirmed to be associated with milk production, health, and reproductive traits in dairy cows. These findings significantly contribute to unraveling the genetic basis of economically important traits in Holstein cattle. Full article

This article presents a new approach to the problem of transforming one quantum state into another. It is shown that an $r$-qubit superposition $|\mathit{x}⟩$ can be obtained from another $r$-qubit superposition $|\mathit{y}⟩$, by using only ${(2}^r-1)$ rotations, each presented by one controlled rotation gate. The quantum superpositions with real amplitudes are considered. The traditional two-stage approach $U_y^{-1}{U}_x:|\mathit{x}⟩\to |{0⟩}^{\oplus r}\to |\mathit{y}⟩$ requires twice as many rotations. Here, both transformations to the conventual basis state, $U_x: |\mathit{x}⟩\to |{0⟩}^{\oplus r}$ and $U_y: |\mathit{y}⟩\to |{0⟩}^{\oplus r}$, use ${(2}^r-1)$ rotations each on two binary planes, and many of these rotations require additional sets of CNOTs to be represented as 1- or 2-qubit-controlled gates. The proposed method is based on the concept of the discrete signal-induced heap transform (DsiHT) which is unitary and generated by a vector and a set of angular equations with given parameters. The quantum analog of this transform is described. The main characteristic of the DsiHT is the path of processing the data. It is shown that there exist such fast paths that allow for effective computing of the DsiHT, which leads to the simple quantum circuits for state preparation and transformation. Examples of such paths are given and quantum circuits for preparation and transformation of 2-, 3-, and 4-qubits are described in detail. CNOT gates are not used, but only controlled gates of elementary rotations around the $y$-axis. It is shown that the transformation and, in particular, only rotation gates with control qubits are required for initialization of 2-, 3-, and 4-qubits. The quantum circuits are simple and have a recursive form, which makes them easy to implement for arbitrary $r$-qubit superposition, with $r\ge 2.$ This approach significantly reduces the complexity of quantum state transformations, paving the way for more efficient quantum algorithms and practical implementations on near-term quantum devices. Full article

CNOT2, a central component of the CCR4-NOT transcription complex subunit 2, plays a pivotal role in the regulation of gene expression and metabolism. CNOT2 is involved in various cellular processes, including transcriptional regulation, mRNA deadenylation, and the modulation of mRNA stability. CNOT2 specifically contributes to the structural integrity and enzymatic activity of the CCR4-NOT complex with transcription factors and RNA-binding proteins. Recent studies have elucidated its involvement in cellular differentiation, immune response modulation, and the maintenance of genomic stability. Abnormal regulation of CNOT2 has been implicated in a spectrum of pathological conditions, including oncogenesis, neurodegenerative disorders, and metabolic dysfunctions. This review comprehensively examines the interplay between CNOT2 and p53, elucidating their collaborative and antagonistic interactions in various cellular contexts. CNOT2 is primarily involved in transcriptional regulation, mRNA deadenylation, and the modulation of mRNA stability, thereby influencing diverse biological processes such as cell proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation. Conversely, p53 is renowned for its role in maintaining genomic integrity, inducing cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and senescence in response to cellular stress and DNA damage. Emerging evidence suggests that CNOT2 can modulate p53 activity through multiple mechanisms, including the regulation of p53 mRNA stability and the modulation of p53 target gene expression. The dysregulation of CNOT2 and p53 interactions has been implicated in the pathogenesis and progression of various cancers, highlighting their potential as therapeutic targets. Additionally, CNOT2 regulates c-Myc, a well-known oncogene, in cancer cells. This review shows the essential roles of CNOT2 in maintaining cancer cellular homeostasis and explores its interactions within the CCR4-NOT complex that influence transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation. Furthermore, we investigate the potential of CNOT2 as a biomarker and therapeutic target across various disease states, highlighting its significance in disease progression and treatment responsiveness. Full article

Metastatic breast cancer (BC) spread underscores the need for novel prognostic biomarkers. This study investigated CCR4-NOT Transcription Complex Subunit 7 (CNOT7) and leukocyte-associated immunoglobulin-like receptor-1 (LAIR-1) in BC progression and natural killer (NK) cell resistance. In the current study, 90 female BC patients (46 non-metastatic, 44 metastatic) were analyzed. CNOT7 and LAIR-1 protein levels were measured in serum via ELISA and CNOT7 expression in tissue by immunohistochemistry (IHC). In silico tools explored related pathways. Computational analyses, including in silico bioinformatics and molecular docking, explored gene functions, interactions, and ligand binding to CNOT7 and LAIR-1. CNOT7 serum levels were significantly elevated in metastatic patients (mean 4.710) versus non-metastatic patients (mean 3.229, p < 0.0001). Conversely, LAIR-1 serum levels were significantly lower in metastatic (mean 56.779) versus non-metastatic patients (mean 67.544, p < 0.0001). High CNOT7 was found in 50% (45/90) of cases, correlating with higher tumor grade, hormone receptor negativity, and increased lymph node involvement. Elevated CNOT7 and lower LAIR-1 levels were associated with worse overall survival. Pathway analysis linked CNOT7 to the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. Computational findings elucidated CNOT7′s cellular roles, gene/protein interaction networks for LAIR-1/CNOT7, and distinct ligand binding profiles. High CNOT7 levels are associated with advanced BC stages and poor clinical outcomes, which suggests its utility as a prognostic biomarker. The inverse relationship between CNOT7 and LAIR-1 provides mechanistic insights into BC progression and immune evasion, further supported by in silico investigations. Full article

In the noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) era, as the scale of existing quantum hardware continues to expand, the demand for effective methods to schedule quantum gates and minimize the number of operations has become increasingly urgent. To address this demand, the Quantum Firefly Algorithm (QFA) has been designed by incorporating quantum information into the traditional firefly algorithm. This integration enables fireflies to explore multiple positions simultaneously, thereby increasing search space coverage and utilizing quantum tunneling effects to escape local optima. Through wave function evolution and collapse mechanisms described by the Schrödinger equation, a balance between exploring new solutions and exploiting known solutions is achieved by the QFA. Additionally, random perturbation steps are incorporated into the algorithm to enhance search diversity and prevent the algorithm from being trapped in local optima. In quantum circuit scheduling problems, the QFA optimizes quantum gate operation sequences by evaluating the fitness of scheduling schemes, reducing circuit depth and movement operations, while improving parallelism. Experimental results demonstrate that, compared to traditional algorithms, the QFA reduces SWAP gates by an average of 44% and CNOT gates by an average of 16%. When compared to modern algorithms, it reduces SWAP gates by an average of 7% and CNOT gates by an average of 12%. Full article

Substitution boxes (S-Boxes) function as essential nonlinear elements in contemporary cryptographic systems, offering robust protection against cryptanalytic attacks. This study presents a novel technique for generating compact 8-bit S-Boxes based on multiplication in the Galois Field $GF\left(2^4\right)$. The goal of this method is to create S-Boxes with low hardware implementation cost while ensuring cryptographic properties. Experimental results indicate that the suggested S-Boxes achieve a nonlinearity value of 112, matching the AES S-Box. They also maintain other cryptographic properties, such as the Bit Independence Criterion (BIC), the Strict Avalanche Criterion (SAC), Differential Approximation Probability, and Linear Approximation Probability, within acceptable security thresholds. Notably, compared to existing studies, the proposed S-Box architecture demonstrates enhanced hardware efficiency, significantly reducing resource utilization in implementations. Specifically, the implementation cost of the S-Box consists of 31 XOR gates, 32 two-input AND gates, 6 two-input OR gates, and 2 MUX21s. Moreover, this work provides a thorough assessment of the S-Box, covering cryptographic properties, side channel attacks, and implementation aspects. Furthermore, the study estimates the quantum resource requirements for implementing the S-Box, including an analysis of CNOT, Toffoli, and NOT gate counts. Full article

With the rapid development of quantum communication technologies, controlled double-direction cyclic (CDDC) quantum communication has become an important research direction. However, how to choose an appropriate quantum state as a channel to achieve double-direction cyclic (DDC) quantum communication for multi-particle entangled states remains an unresolved challenge. This study aims to address this issue by constructing a suitable quantum channel and investigating the DDC quantum communication of two-particle states. Initially, we create a 25-particle entangled state using Hadamard and controlled-NOT (CNOT) gates, and provide its corresponding quantum circuit implementation. Based on this entangled state as a quantum channel, we propose two new four-party CDDC schemes, applied to quantum teleportation (QT) and remote state preparation (RSP), respectively. In both schemes, each communicating party can synchronously transmit two different arbitrary two-particle states to the other parties under supervisory control, achieving controlled quantum cyclic communication in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions. Additionally, the presented two schemes of four-party CDDC quantum communication are extended to situations where $n>3$ communicating parties. In each proposed scheme, we provide universal analytical formulas for the local operations of the sender, supervisor, and receiver, demonstrating that the success probability of each scheme can reach 100%. These schemes only require specific two-particle projective measurements, single-particle von Neumann measurements, and Pauli gate operations, all of which can be implemented with current technologies. We have also evaluated the inherent efficiency, security, and control capabilities of the proposed schemes. In comparison to earlier methods, the results demonstrate that our schemes perform exceptionally well. This study provides a theoretical foundation for bidirectional controlled quantum communication of multi-particle states, aiming to enhance security and capacity while meeting the diverse needs of future network scenarios. Full article

CNOT1, a key scaffold in the CCR4-NOT complex, plays a critical role in mRNA decay, particularly in the regulation of inflammatory responses through its interaction with tristetraprolin. A fragment of the middle part of CNOT1 (residues 800–999) is an example of an α-helical HEAT-like repeat domain. The HEAT motif is an evolutionarily conserved motif present in scaffolding and transport proteins across a wide range of organisms. Using hydrogen/deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDX MS), a method that has not been widely explored in the context of HEAT repeats, we analysed the structural dynamics of wild-type CNOT1(800–999) and its two double point mutants (E893A/Y900A, E893Q/Y900H) to find the individual contributions of these CNOT1 residues to the molecular recognition of tristetraprolin (TTP). Our results show that the differences in the interactions of CNOT1(800–999) variants with the TTP peptide fragment are due to the absence of the critical residues resulting from point mutations and not due to the perturbation of the protein structure. Nevertheless, the HDX MS was able to detect slight local changes in structural dynamics induced by protein point mutations, which are usually neglected in studies of intermolecular interactions. Full article

RNA-binding motif 22 (RBM22) is an RNA-binding protein involved in gene regulation, with the capacity to bind DNA and function as a transcription factor for various target genes. Recent studies demonstrated that RBM22 depletion affects cell viability and proliferation of glioblastoma and breast cancer cells. However, the role of RBM22 in colon cancer and the molecular mechanisms underlying its tumor-suppressive function remain largely unclear. In this study, we demonstrate that RBM22 induces apoptosis and suppresses colon cancer cell viability and proliferation by modulating c-Myc expression. Furthermore, RBM22 knockdown reduces c-Myc stability. Therefore, our findings suggest that RBM22 depletion regulates cancer cell proliferation and induces apoptosis via the c-Myc pathway. Full article