A 2D quantum walk simulation of two-particle dynamics

Multidimensional quantum walks can exhibit highly nontrivial topological structure, providing a powerful tool for simulating quantum information and transport systems. We present a flexible implementation of a two-dimensional (2D) optical quantum walk on a lattice, demonstrating a scalable quantum walk on a nontrivial graph structure. We realized a coherent quantum walk over 12 steps and 169 positions by using an optical fiber network. With our broad spectrum of quantum coins, we were able to simulate the creation of entanglement in bipartite systems with conditioned interactions. Introducing dynamic control allowed for the investigation of effects such as strong nonlinearities or two-particle scattering. Our results illustrate the potential of quantum walks as a route for simulating and understanding complex quantum systems.     

新疆伊贝母菌核病的初步研究

为摸清伊贝母菌核病在伊犁巩留县的发生规律,为开展综合防治提供依据,通过田间调查及室内分离培养等方法,确定伊贝母菌核病病原为Stromatinia rapulum (Bull) Boud,属于子囊菌亚门、盘菌纲、柔膜菌目核盘菌科、座盘菌属。病原在15～20℃条件下培养,第10天开始产生菌核,在20℃时产生的菌核数量最多。4月底至五月中旬均可发生,在低温多湿、地势低洼、排水不良的条件下极易发生。以菌丝或菌核在土壤病残体或病鳞茎上存活,成为初次侵染。     

Effect of water activity on the release characteristics and oxidative stability of D-limonene encapsulated by spray drying

The stability of encapsulated D-limonene, which was prepared by spray drying, was studied in view of the release characteristics and oxidation stability. Gum arabic, soybean water-soluble polysaccharide, or modified starch, blended with maltodextrin were used as the wall materials. The powders were stored under the conditions of 23-96% relative humidity at 50 degrees C. The release rate and the oxidation rate were closely related to the relative humidity. The relationship was not simple. Initially, the release rate and the oxidation rate increased with increasing water activity, but around the glass transition temperature, the rates decreased sharply to increase again at a further increase of water activity. The results could be explained by a change in the powder structure, where a glass capsule matrix was changed into rubbery state during storage.     

Cytokinin signaling and its inhibitor AHP6 regulate cell fate during vascular development

The cell lineages that form the transporting tissues (xylem and phloem) and the intervening pluripotent procambial tissue originate from stem cells near the root tip. We demonstrate that in Arabidopsis, cytokinin phytohormones negatively regulate protoxylem specification. AHP6, an inhibitory pseudophosphotransfer protein, counteracts cytokinin signaling, allowing protoxylem formation. Conversely, cytokinin signaling negatively regulates the spatial domain of AHP6 expression. Thus, by controlling the identity of cell lineages, the reciprocal interaction of cytokinin signaling and its spatially specific modulator regulates proliferation and differentiation of cell lineages during vascular development, demonstrating a previously unrecognized regulatory circuit underlying meristem organization.     

Independent and parallel recruitment of preexisting mechanisms underlying C₄ photosynthesis

C? photosynthesis allows increased photosynthetic efficiency because carbon dioxide (CO?) is concentrated around the key enzyme RuBisCO. Leaves of C? plants exhibit modified biochemistry, cell biology, and leaf development, but despite this complexity, C? photosynthesis has evolved independently in at least 45 lineages of plants. We found that two independent lineages of C? plant, whose last common ancestor predates the divergence of monocotyledons and dicotyledons about 180 million years ago, show conserved mechanisms controlling the expression of genes important for release of CO(2) around RuBisCO in bundle sheath (BS) cells. Orthologous genes from monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous C? species also contained conserved regulatory elements that conferred BS specificity when placed into C? species. We conclude that these conserved functional genetic elements likely facilitated the repeated evolution of C? photosynthesis.     

The HEALTHGRAIN Cereal Diversity Screen: concept, results, and prospects

One hundred and fifty bread wheat lines and 50 other lines of small-grain cereals (spelt, durum wheat, Triticum monococcum, Triticum dicoccum, oats, rye, and barley) were selected for diversity in their geographical origin, age, and characteristics. They were grown on a single site in Hungary in 2004-2005, harvested, milled, and analyzed for a range of phytochemicals (tocols, sterols, phenolic acids, folates, alkylresorcinols) and fiber components that are considered to have health benefits. Detailed analyses of these components in the different species are reported in a series of accompanying papers. The present paper discusses the comparative levels of the bioactive components in the different species, showing differences in both ranges and mean amounts. Furthermore, detailed comparisons of the bread wheat lines show that it is possible to identify lines in which high levels of phytochemicals and dietary fiber components are combined with good yield and processing quality. This means that commercially competitive lines with high levels of bioactive components are a realistic goal for plant breeders.