Long-distance entanglement-based quantum key distribution over optical fiber

We report the first entanglement-based quantum key distribution (QKD) experiment over a 100-km optical fiber. We used superconducting single photon detectors based on NbN nanowires that provide high-speed single photon detection for the 1.5-µm telecom band, an efficient entangled photon pair source that consists of a fiber coupled periodically poled lithium niobate waveguide and ultra low loss filters, and planar lightwave circuit Mach-Zehnder interferometers (MZIs) with ultra stable operation. These characteristics enabled us to perform an entanglement-based QKD experiment over a 100-km optical fiber. In the experiment, which lasted approximately 8 hours, we successfully generated a 16 kbit sifted key with a quantum bit error rate of 6.9 % at a rate of 0.59 bits per second, from which we were able to distill a 3.9 kbit secure key

Network optimization for enhanced resilience of urban heat island measurements

The urban heat island is a well-known phenomenon that impacts a wide variety of city operations. With greater availability of cheap meteorological sensors, it is possible to measure the spatial patterns of urban atmospheric characteristics with greater resolution. To develop robust and resilient networks, recognizing sensors may malfunction, it is important to know when measurement points are providing additional information and also the minimum number of sensors needed to provide spatial information for particular applications. Here we consider the example of temperature data, and the urban heat island, through analysis of a network of sensors in the Tokyo metropolitan area (Extended METROS). The effect of reducing observation points from an existing meteorological measurement network is considered, using random sampling and sampling with clustering. The results indicated the sampling with hierarchical clustering can yield similar temperature patterns with up to a 30% reduction in measurement sites in Tokyo. The methods presented have broader utility in evaluating the robustness and resilience of existing urban temperature networks and in how networks can be enhanced by new mobile and open data sources

Correlation between synthesis of ?2-macroglobulin in hepatocytes and changes in serum cytokine levels in rats after infl ammatory stimulation

The time course of ?2-macroglobulin (?2M) synthesis in rat liver was investigated using immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, correlations between synthesis of ?2M in hepatocytes and interleukin (IL)-6 and cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant-1 (CINC-1), which are considered to contribute to the production of ?2M, were evaluated. The presence of ?2M in the liver was investigated by immunohistochemistry, and serum levels of ?2M, IL-6 and CINC-1 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. ?2M was not detected in the liver before injection of turpentine oil. ?2M was detected throughout the liver at 12 hours after injection of turpentine oil, when high serum levels of IL-6 and CINC-1 were observed. ?2M was distributed mainly around the central vein of the liver at 36 hours. Only small amounts of ?2M were detected in the liver at 48 hours, when peak serum levels of ?2M were observed. Synthesis of ?2M in hepatocytes peaked long before peak ?2M serum levels were seen. In conclusion, ?2M was considered to be synthesized in response to stimulation by IL-6 and CINC-1

Performance of various quantum key distribution systems using 1.55 um up-conversion single-photon detectors

We compare the performance of various quantum key distribution (QKD) systems using a novel single-photon detector, which combines frequency up-conversion in a periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) waveguide and a silicon avalanche photodiode (APD). The comparison is based on the secure communication rate as a function of distance for three QKD protocols: the Bennett-Brassard 1984 (BB84), the Bennett, Brassard, and Mermin 1992 (BBM92), and the coherent differential phase shift keying (DPSK). We show that the up-conversion detector allows for higher communication rates and longer communication distances than the commonly used InGaAs/InP APD for all the three QKD protocols.Comment: 9 pages, 9 figure

Scaling Relations of Viscous Fingers in Anisotropic Hele-Shaw Cells

Viscous fingers in a channel with surface tension anisotropy are numerically studied. Scaling relations between the tip velocity v, the tip radius and the pressure gradient are investigated for two kinds of boundary conditions of pressure, when v is sufficiently large. The power-law relations for the anisotropic viscous fingers are compared with two-dimensional dendritic growth. The exponents of the power-law relations are theoretically evaluated.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

Agro-climate tools for a new climate-smart agriculture

The way we produce food must adapt to a variable and changing climate. And key to achieving this is to improve the link between climate information and agricultural practices, especially those of smallholder farmers in developing countries. ‘Agro-climate tools’ do just that and some are introduced here

Classification of KPZQ and BDP models by multiaffine analysis

We argue differences between the Kardar-Parisi-Zhang with Quenched disorder (KPZQ) and the Ballistic Deposition with Power-law noise (BDP) models, using the multiaffine analysis method. The KPZQ and the BDP models show mono-affinity and multiaffinity, respectively. This difference results from the different distribution types of neighbor-height differences in growth paths. Exponential and power-law distributions are observed in the KPZQ and the BDP, respectively. In addition, we point out the difference of profiles directly, i.e., although the surface profiles of both models and the growth path of the BDP model are rough, the growth path of the KPZQ model is smooth.Comment: 11 pages, 6 figure

Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus (NDI): Clinical, Laboratory and Genetic Characterization of Five Brazilian Patients

INTRODUCTION: Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus is characterized by a lack of response in the distal nephron to the antidiuretic hormone arginine vasopressin. Manifestations include polyuria, polydipsia, hyposthenuria, recurrent episodes of dehydration and fever and growth failure. Most cases are caused by mutations in the AVPR2 gene. The mutant receptors are trapped intracellularly. METHOD: We studied five boys using clinical, laboratory and molecular data. The mean age at diagnosis was 14.6 months (range 6 to 24) and 12.2 years (7.8 to 19) after the follow-up period. The mean period of follow-up was 132.2 ± 50.9 months. RESULTS: The geometric means of the z-scores of weight and stature were -4.5 and -3.6, respectively, at diagnosis. At the last medical appointment, the z-scores of weight and stature were -0.3 and -0.9, respectively. Three patients were diagnosed with ureterohydronephrosis and exhibited increased post-void urine volume. Mutations in the AVPR2 gene were found in all patients, and the carrier status was confirmed in four of five cases. Two unrelated children presented identical mutations (S167L) in arginine vasopressin R2. Two of the patients had a mutation that has already been described in other Brazilian families (R337X), and one patient showed a de novo mutation (Y128D) in arginine vasopressin R2, since his mother's molecular analysis was normal. The recurrence risk for this family was significantly reduced. CONCLUSION: This study reports the clinical and laboratory characterization of Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus and reiterates the importance of the genetic basis that underlies the disease diagnosis and genetic counseling