Teleportation of nonclassical wave packets of light

We report on the experimental quantum teleportation of strongly nonclassical wave packets of light. To perform this full quantum operation while preserving and retrieving the fragile nonclassicality of the input state, we have developed a broadband, zero-dispersion teleportation apparatus that works in conjunction with time-resolved state preparation equipment. Our approach brings within experimental reach a whole new set of hybrid protocols involving discrete- and continuous-variable techniques in quantum information processing for optical sciences.     

Temperature characteristics in seed germination and growth of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Zostera japonica</Emphasis> Ascherson &; Graebner from Ago Bay,Mie Prefecture,central Japan

The optimal water temperature in seed germination and the upper critical water temperature in seedling growth were determined for Zostera japonica collected from Ago Bay, Japan. The relationship between the seed germination rates and seed storage period (0, 30, and 60 days) at 0°C was also examined. The optimal water temperature in seed germination was in the range 15–20°C regardless of the storage period, in which germination rates were up to 14%. Seedlings, grown from seeds up to 10 cm in total length, were cultured for 1 week at various water temperatures to measure their relative growth rates. The optimal water temperature in early growth was in the range 20–25°C; relative growth rates ranged from 3.8 to 4.2%. Seedlings could survive up to a water temperature of 29°C, but most seedlings withered at 30 or 35°C. The optimal water temperatures for seed germination and seedling growth were related to the seasonal changes of water temperature in the sampling site. Although seedlings were hardly observed in Ago Bay in summer, Z. japonica might extend its distribution as far as where the summer water temperature is lower than 29°C.     

Displacement above the hypocenter of the 2011 Tohoku-Oki earthquake

The moment magnitude (M(w)) = 9.0 2011 Tohoku-Oki mega-thrust earthquake occurred off the coast of northeastern Japan. Combining Global Positioning System (GPS) and acoustic data, we detected very large sea-floor movements associated with this event directly above the focal region. An area with more than 20 meters of horizontal displacement, that is, four times larger than those detected on land, stretches several tens of kilometers long along the trench; the largest amount reaches about 24 meters toward east-southeast just above the hypocenter. Furthermore, nearly 3 meters of vertical uplift occurred, contrary to observed terrestrial subsidence.     

The organic acid profiles in the feces of pigs at Brachyspira hyodysenteriae- or B. pilosicoli-positive farms

We observed a significant difference in the organic acid profile of diarrheal feces between pigs infected with and free from pathogenic spirochetes. Diarrhea and loose feces were collected from growing pigs, held at 15 different commercial farms. A total of 106 samples were measured for organic acid concentration by HPLC and were checked for the presence of B. hyodysenteriae and B. pilosicoli by PCR. B. hyodysenteriae was detected in 3 samples collected from one farm. B. pilosicoli was detected in 5 samples collected from another farm. Lower concentrations of iso-butyrate and iso-valerate were likely associated with development of pathogenic spirochete infection.     

Molecular mapping for seedling cold tolerance QTLs in rice

The quantitative trait loci(QTLs)for cold tolerance relative characters were identified with microsatellite markers.Ten QTLs located on chromosome1,3,4,5,6,8,9,11(two)and 12were detected for seedling height at different low temperature.Only 2 of these were detected at the same locus at four environments.1 was significant at three environments.6 were significant at two environments and 1 was significant at one environment.Seven QTLs located on chromosome 1(two),2(two),5,6,8were found for ow temperature chlorosis resistance and five QTLs located on chromosome 3,4,7,8,11resistant to chilling injury.The amount of variation explained by indivdual QTL ranged from 4.85%to 49.34%,There was no linkage relationship among the three characters.which indicates seediling cold tolerance is a complex character and is controlled by different QTLs.     

Orangutan cultures and the evolution of material culture

Geographic variation in some aspects of chimpanzee behavior has been interpreted as evidence for culture. Here we document similar geographic variation in orangutan behaviors. Moreover, as expected under a cultural interpretation, we find a correlation between geographic distance and cultural difference, a correlation between the abundance of opportunities for social learning and the size of the local cultural repertoire, and no effect of habitat on the content of culture. Hence, great-ape cultures exist, and may have done so for at least 14 million years.     

Fine mapping of quantitative trait loci affecting organ weights by mouse intersubspecific subcongenic strain analysis

The genetic architecture of organ weights is not well understood. In this study, we fine‐mapped quantitative trait loci (QTLs) affecting organ weights by characterizing six intersubspecific subcongenic mouse strains with overlapping and non‐overlapping genomic regions on chromosome 2 derived from wild Mus musculus castaneus. QTLs for heart, lung, spleen and kidney weights were revealed on a 6.38‐Mb genomic region between two microsatellite markers, D2Mit323 and D2Mit472. Effects of the castaneus alleles at the organ weight QTLs were all opposite in direction to a body weight QTL previously mapped to the same genomic region. In addition, new QTLs for lung and kidney weights were revealed on a different 3.57‐Mb region between D2Mit205 and D2Mit182. Their effects were dependent on that of another body weight QTL previously mapped to that genomic region. The organ weight QTLs revealed were all duplicated in independent analyses with F₂ intercross populations between subcongenic strains carrying these QTLs and their background strain. The findings suggested that organ weights are not exclusively regulated by genetic loci that commonly influence overall body weight and rather that there are loci contributing to the growth of specific organs only.     

Drought-induced root plasticity of two upland NERICA varieties under conditions with contrasting soil depth characteristics

To identify differences in root plasticity patterns of two upland New Rice for Africa (NERICA) varieties, NERICA 1 and 4, in response to drought under conditions with contrasting soil profile characteristics, soil moisture gradients were imposed using a sloping bed system with depths ranging 30–65 cm and a line-source sprinkler system with a uniformly shallow soil layer of 20 cm depth. Varietal differences in shoot and root growths were identified only under moderate drought conditions, 11–18% v/v soil moisture content. Further, under moderate drought soil conditions where roots could penetrate into the deep soil layer, deep root development was greater in NERICA 4 than in NERICA 1, which contributed to maintaining dry matter production. However, under soil conditions with underground impediment to deep root development, higher shoot dry weight was noted for NERICA 1 than for NERICA 4 at 11–18% v/v soil moisture content, which was attributed to increased lateral root development in the shallow soil layer in NERICA 1. Enhanced lateral root development in the 0–20-cm soil layer was identified in NERICA 1 even under soil conditions without an impediment to deep root development; however, this did not contribute to maintaining dry matter production in upland rice. Thus, we show different root developmental traits associated with drought avoidance in the two NERICA varieties, and that desirable root traits for upland rice cultivation vary depending on the target soil environment, such as the distribution of soil moisture and root penetration resistance.     

Matrix-metalloproteinases-2 and -9 production in bovine endometrial cell culture

In vitro cell culture is a convenient tool for studying cellular mechanisms. In the present study, production of matrix-metalloproteinases (MMPs) in bovine endometrial (containing both epithelial and stromal cells) monolayer cells was examined. Blastocysts attached to the endometrial cells in a monolayer culture were examined for their effects on MMP-2 production. Initial attachment of blastocysts to the monolayer inhibited MMP-2 production by endometrial cells. But once trophoblast cells began to migrate into the endometrial cell layer, MMP-2 production increased, and at the same time MMP-9 production also became evident in the medium. In order to understand how blastocysts affected MMP-2 production, we examined the effect of progesterone, estradiol, insulin-like growth factors (IGFs), tumor necrosis factors (TNFs), and interferon-tau (IFN-tau) supplementation. It was IFN-tau that inhibited the production of MMP-2. In addition, progesterone at a lower dose appeared to inhibit MMP-2 production. Both TNF-alpha and TNF-beta strongly stimulated the production of MMP-2 and MMP-9, whereas IGFs had no effect. Based on these findings, it appears that conceptus has the capacity to inhibit MMP activity.     

Acidity neutralization mechanism in a forested watershed in Central Japan

The contributions of cation exchange and mineral weathering to the neutralization of acidity in the Jingahata watershed in central Japan were estimated through a laboratory weathering experiment and runoff chemistry measurements. The laboratory experiment was conducted in a stirred-flow reactor for a whole soil sample collected from the C horizon in the watershed. The concentration ratios of base cations (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, K⁺ and Na⁺) to Si (BC/Si) released during the steady-state stage of the laboratory experiment were in good agreement with the ratios of the net flux of base cations to the flux of Si in the streamwater (BC _{N ET}/Si _L).This result suggests that the acidity in the watershed is neutralized primarily by mineral weathering without causing a net loss of base cations from exchange sites. The alkalinity/acidity balance estimated for the watershed shows that the total weathering rate of base cations is approximately 3.26 keq ha^?1 yr^?1. Weathering of plagioclase (An₄₁) contributes 83% of the total weathering rate. The dominant acidity source is CO₂ released within the soil horizons, accounting for roughly 85% of the total acidity flux (3.20 keq ha^?1 yr^?1). This high internal production of acidity suppresses the relative importance of atmospheric acidity inputs (0.3 keq ha^?1 yr^?1).