Programmable time-multiplexed squeezed light source

One of the leading approaches to large-scale quantum information processing (QIP) is the continuous-variable (CV) scheme based on time multiplexing (TM). As a fundamental building block for this approach, quantum light sources to sequentially produce time-multiplexed squeezed-light pulses are required; however, conventional CV TM experiments have used fixed light sources that can only output the squeezed pulses with the same squeezing levels and phases. We here demonstrate a programmable time-multiplexed squeezed light source that can generate sequential squeezed pulses with various squeezing levels and phases at a time interval below 100 ns. The generation pattern can be arbitrarily chosen by software without changing its hardware configuration. This is enabled by using a waveguide optical parametric amplifier and modulating its continuous pump light. Our light source will implement various large-scale CV QIP tasks.Comment: 14 pages, 7 figure

Indigo plant improves serum lipid profiles

We investigated the effects of Polygonum tinctorium Lour (PTL), a plant commonly known as indigo, on biological parameters in an animal model of high-fat diet-induced obesity. Wistar rats fed a high-fat diet and treated with PTL showed lower serum levels of triglycerides and total cholesterol levels and a higher serum levels of HDL cholesterol than those in Wistar rats fed a high-fat diet without PTL treatment. The weight of mesenteric fat in PTL-treated rats was decreased compared to that in control rats not treated with PTL. In addition, energy metabolic rate in the dark period, but not in the light period, in PTL-treated rats was higher than that in control rats. Although a significant difference was not observed, body weight in PTL-treated rats tended to be decreased compared to that in control rats. The results show that PTL improves serum lipid profiles in Wistar rats with high-fat diet-induced obesity

現在の英語カリキュラムと新入生の学習者ビリーフに基づく発展的提案

In order to provide students with good teaching, the curriculum needs to be reviewed and revised periodically. Even minor changes can be of benefit. To prepare a better curriculum for students, teachers should know students’ needs and wants. In this report, the present English curriculum at Okayama Prefectural University is described. The present curriculum aims to improve students’ four skills: listening, reading, speaking, and writing in addition to increasing vocabulary and grammar knowledge. Then, the results of a survey on 2018 first-year students’ beliefs regarding learning English are reported. Students’ beliefs include attitude toward English learning, motivation, anxiety, and expectation. Last, based on the results of the survey, the strengths and weaknesses of the present curriculum are discussed.平成30年度に実施された英語カリキュラムを説明し、平成30年度入学生の入学直後の学習者ビリーフ（学習への期待、意欲、不安など）を調査した。調査の結果、3つの学部から構成される岡山県立大学は、学部ごとに、学習者ビリーフが大きく異なることが明らかになった。語学教育推進室は、全学を対象とした統一英語カリキュラムを実施しているが、学部ごとに、学生のニーズに合わせた英語カリキュラムを工夫していく必要がある

Skeletal muscle mass and vitamin D

A clearer understanding of skeletal muscle mass (SMM) in middle-aged and elderly individuals is important for maintaining functionality. In the present study, age-related changes in SMM, the threshold of SMM with walking difficulty, intestinal nutrient absorption rate, and various serum factors were examined in Japanese populations of different ages. We used 24-h creatinine excretion as a measure of total body SMM. Age-related decreases in SMM, intestinal nutrient absorption rates, and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations were significantly higher in women than in men. The cut-off values for SMM (kg), its percentage of total body weight (BW), the SMM index [SMMI] (Kg / m2), and creatinine height index (CHI) (%) in elderly individuals with walking difficulty were approximately 8-10 kg, 17-20% of BW, 3.9-4.6 kg / m2, and 44%, respectively. Serum 25(OH)D concentrations were closely associated with SMM (kg, % of BW, kg / m2) and CHI (%) as well as the intestinal absorption rates of nitrogen (%) and phosphorus (%) in women, but not in men. The present results demonstrate that vitamin D is an important metabolic factor in skeletal muscle, and contributes to the optimal management of skeletal muscle and the prevention of sarcopenia