Ion-Based Quantum Sensor for Optical Cavity Photon Numbers

We dispersively couple a single trapped ion to an optical cavity to extract information about the cavity photon-number distribution in a nondestructive way. The photon-number-dependent ac Stark shift experienced by the ion is measured via Ramsey spectroscopy. We use these measurements first to obtain the ion-cavity interaction strength. Next, we reconstruct the cavity photon-number distribution for coherent states and for a state with mixed thermal-coherent statistics, finding overlaps above 99% with the calibrated states.11Nsciescopu

The arrhythmogenic calmodulin mutation D129G dysregulates cell growth, calmodulin-dependent kinase II activity, and cardiac function in zebrafish

Calmodulin (CaM) is a Ca(2+) binding protein modulating multiple targets, several of which are associated with cardiac pathophysiology. Recently, CaM mutations were linked to heart arrhythmia. CaM is crucial for cell growth and viability, yet the effect of the arrhythmogenic CaM mutations on cell viability, as well as heart rhythm, remains unknown, and only a few targets with relevance for heart physiology have been analyzed for their response to mutant CaM. We show that the arrhythmia-associated CaM mutants support growth and viability of DT40 cells in the absence of WT CaM except for the long QT syndrome mutant CaM D129G. Of the six CaM mutants tested (N53I, F89L, D95V, N97S, D129G, and F141L), three showed a decreased activation of Ca(2+)/CaM-dependent kinase II, most prominently the D129G CaM mutation, which was incapable of stimulating Thr(286) autophosphorylation. Furthermore, the CaM D129G mutation led to bradycardia in zebrafish and an arrhythmic phenotype in a subset of the analyzed zebrafish

Effect of anti-hail nets on Cydia pomonella behavior in apple orchards

Over the last 10 years, the use of nets to protect pome fruit from hailstorms has increased. In this study, we investigated the effect of these nets on the behavior of the codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), a major pest of apple, Malus domestica Borkh. (Rosaceae). Experiments were carried out in net-covered and uncovered apple orchards treated with conventional insecticides. The number of codling moth males caught in pheromone- and virgin female-baited traps was significantly reduced in net-covered compared to uncovered plots. In addition, inhibition of mating by the net was demonstrated by significant reductions in mating of tethered virgin females. Fruit injury was consistently lower in net-covered plots vs. uncovered plots. Because of the reductions in male trap catch, the reduced female mating frequency, and the lower level of damage, we conclude that flat anti-hail nets have a disruptive effect on the reproductive behavior of the codling moth

Atividade isoenzimática em plantas de trigo infectadas com o vírus SBWMV Isoenzymatic activity in wheat plants infected by virus SBWMV

O objetivo deste trabalho foi elucidar a atividade e a expressão isoenzimática das esterases, das peroxidases e das aspartato aminotransferases em função da infecção de plantas de trigo pelo Soil-borne wheat mosaic virus (SBWMV). Foram analisadas, aos 45 dias após a emergência, quatro cultivares e uma linhagem de trigo, com diferentes níveis de resistência ao SBWMV: BRS Guabiju, BRS 194, BRS 179, BR 23 e PF 980524. De modo geral, ocorreram diferenças qualitativas e quantitativas intra e interpopulacional, quando comparadas plantas assintomáticas e sintomáticas ao SBWMV. Para o sistema esterase, nove padrões de bandas foram determinados e para peroxidase e aspartato aminotransferase foram detectados três padrões de bandas, para ambas as condições. Padrões eletroforéticos foram observados para plantas infectadas, quando comparadas com as não infectadas, destacando-se a atividade da esterase, o que permitiu identificar com maior precisão o estado metabólico e diferenciado das células.<br>The aim of this work was to elucidate the effect of the Soil-borne wheat mosaic virus (SBWMV) on the activity and on the isoenzymatic expression of esterases, peroxidases, and aspartate aminotranferases in wheat plants. Biochemical analyses were carried out for four cultivars and one line of wheat, 45 days after emergence with different levels of resistance to SBWMV: BRS Guabiju, BRS 194, BRS 179, BR 23 and PF 980524. In general, intra and interpopulation differences in quality and quantity were detected, when comparing plants with and without symptoms of SBWMV. Nine band patterns were determined in both situations for esterase. To peroxidase and aspartato aminotransferase, three band patterns were detected for both conditions. Eletrophoretic patterns of SBWMV infected plants were observed, when compared with noninfected ones, notably for esterase, which provides a more precise identification of cell metabolic condition