Random Delayed-Choice Quantum Eraser via Two-Photon Imaging

We report on a delayed-choice quantum eraser experiment based on a two-photon imaging scheme using entangled photon pairs. After the detection of a photon which passed through a double-slit, a random delayed choice is made to erase or not erase the which-path information by the measurement of its distant entangled twin; the particle-like and wave-like behavior of the photon are then recorded simultaneously and respectively by only one set of joint detection devices. The present eraser takes advantage of two-photon imaging. The complete which-path information of a photon is transferred to its distant entangled twin through a "ghost" image. The choice is made on the Fourier transform plane of the ghost image between reading "complete information" or "partial information" of the double-path.Comment: European Physical Journal D (in press

A nonlocal curve flow in centro-affine geometry

In this paper, the isoperimetric inequality in centro-affine plane geometry is obtained. We also investigate the long-term behavior of an invariant plane curve flow, whose evolution process can be expressed as a second-order nonlinear parabolic equation with respect to centro-affine curvature. The forward and backward limits in time are discussed, which shows that a closed convex embedded curve may converge to an ellipse when evolving according to this flow

Identification and functional characterisation of the promoter of the calcium sensor gene CBL1 from the xerophyte Ammopiptanthus mongolicus

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>CBL1 </it>is a calcium sensor that regulates drought, cold and salt signals in <it>Arabidopsis</it>. Overexpression of <it>CBL1 </it>gene in <it>Arabidopsis </it>and in <it>Ammopiptanthus mongolicus </it>showed different tolerant activities. We are interested in understanding the molecular mechanism of the upstream region of the <it>CBL1 </it>gene of <it>A. mongolicus </it>(<it>AmCBL1</it>). We investigated and characterized the promoter of the <it>AmCBL1 </it>gene, for promoters play a very important role in regulating gene expression in eukaryotes.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A 1683-bp 5' flanking region was isolated from <it>A. mongolicus</it>. The sequence was identified as <it>AmCBL1 </it>promoter. Analysis of the promoter sequence indicated a 690-bp intron and some basic cis-acting elements were related to various environmental stresses and plant hormones. To identify the functional region of the <it>AmCBL1 </it>promoter, five plant expression vectors fused with the GUS (β-glucuronidase) gene, driven by series deleted fragments of <it>AmCBL1 </it>promoter at different lengths from -1659, -1414, -1048, -296 to -167 bp relative to the transcriptional start site were constructed and transformed into <it>Nicotiana tabacum </it>L. cv. 89. Functional properties of each promoter segment were examined by GUS staining and fluorescence quantitative analyses using at least three single-copy PCR-positive plants of transgenic tobacco, treated with various environmental stresses and plant hormones for different times. We demonstrated that the <it>AmCBL1 </it>promoter was a vascular-specific and multiple-stress-inducible promoter. Our results further imply that the promoter fragment B1S3 possessed sufficient essential cis-acting elements, accounting for vascular-specific and stress-induced expression patterns. It may also indicate that for response to some stresses certain cis-elements are required in tissues outside the region of the B1S3 construct.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>To help resolve uncertainties about the upstream regulatory mechanism of the <it>CBL1 </it>gene in desert plants, we suggest that the function of the <it>AmCBL1 </it>promoter, particularly under conditions of abiotic stress, to be examined for possible usefulness in molecular breeding. Regardless of the outcome, the allocation and relative quantification of the GUS-fusion <it>AmCBL1 </it>promoter segments at transcriptional levels in different tissues under various stresses across separate promoter segments suggests that the <it>AmCBL1 </it>promoter is a phloem-specific and multiple-stress-inducible promoter. These data coupled with the ongoing <it>AmCBL1 </it>5' UTR intron analyses provide a solid foundation for their future use in molecular breeding as new promoters of stress-resistance genes from desert plants.</p

IJTC2011-61050 MODELING OF EDDY CURRENT LOSS FOR MAGNETIC THRUST BEARINGS

ABSTRACT In this paper, an analytical model for calculating eddy current loss in magnetic thrust bearings (MTBs) is presented. The surface magnetic field intensity, considering the skin effect of eddy current, is varying with the frequency and can be calculated by effective reluctance method. The magnetic field distribution and eddy current loss can be obtained from it. Finally, the validity of the model is verified by the finite element method (FEM) simulation and experimental results. INTRODUCTION With contact-free rotors, active magnetic bearings (AMBs) usually have much lower losses than rolling bearings or oil bearing

Solving k

Coverage problem is a critical issue in wireless sensor networks for security applications. The k-barrier coverage is an effective measure to ensure robustness. In this paper, we formulate the k-barrier coverage problem as a constrained optimization problem and introduce the energy constraint of sensor node to prolong the lifetime of the k-barrier coverage. A novel hybrid particle swarm optimization and gravitational search algorithm (PGSA) is proposed to solve this problem. The proposed PGSA adopts a k-barrier coverage generation strategy based on probability and integrates the exploitation ability in particle swarm optimization to update the velocity and enhance the global search capability and introduce the boundary mutation strategy of an agent to increase the population diversity and search accuracy. Extensive simulations are conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed algorithm

The role of the neutrophil Fcγ receptor I (CD64) index in diagnosing spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in cirrhotic patients

SummaryObjectiveTo investigate the role of the neutrophil Fcγ receptor I (CD64) index in the diagnosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) in cirrhotic patients.MethodsA total of 123 cirrhotic patients with ascites who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were enrolled in this study. Ascites and blood samples were collected; the polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) count, bacterial culture, and related laboratory tests were performed. The CD64 index was determined for each sample using flow cytometry.ResultsThe neutrophil CD64 index results were significantly higher in cirrhotic patients with SBP than in those without SBP (p<0.001). There was a positive correlation between the neutrophil CD64 index and the PMN count in ascites. In the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis, the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.894 (95% confidence interval 0.823–0.964, p<0.001). The optimal cut-off value for the neutrophil CD64 index was 2.02. The sensitivity and specificity of the neutrophil CD64 index for cirrhotic patients with SBP were 80.49% and 93.90%, respectively. The elevated neutrophil CD64 index was down-regulated by antibiotic therapy (p=0.002).ConclusionsThe neutrophil CD64 index could be used as a sensitive and specific indicator for the diagnosis of SBP in cirrhotic patients with ascites and is also modulated by antibiotic therapy

Mycoplasma genitalium Lipoproteins Induce Human Monocytic Cell Expression of Proinflammatory Cytokines and Apoptosis by Activating Nuclear Factor κB

This study was designed to investigate the molecular mechanisms responsible for the induction of proinflammatory cytokines gene expression and apoptosis in human monocytic cell line THP-1 stimulated by lipoproteins (LPs) prepared from Mycoplasma genitalium. Cultured cells were stimulated with M. genitalium LP to analyze the production of proinflammatory cytokines and expression of their mRNA by ELISA and RT-PCR, respectively. Cell apoptosis was also detected by Annexin V-FITC-propidium iodide (PI) staining and acridine orange (AO)-ethidium bromide (EB) staining. The DNA-binding activity of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) was assessed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). Results showed that LP stimulated THP-1 cells to produce tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and IL-6 in a dose-dependent manner. The mRNA levels were also upregulated in response to LP stimulation. LPs were also found to increase the DNA-binding activity of NF-κB, a possible mechanism for the induction of cytokine mRNA expression and the cell apoptosis. These effects were abrogated by PDTC, an inhibitor of NF-κB. Our results indicate that M. genitalium-derived LP may be an important etiological factor of certain diseases due to the ability of LP to produce proinflammatory cytokines and induction of apoptosis, which is probably mediated through the activation of NF-κB