Validation of Viola wittrockiana

Der Name Viola wittrockiana GAMS (Garten-Stiefmütterchen) war bisher nicht gültig publiziert, trotz anders lautender Angabe im Index Kewensis. In der vorliegenden Veröffentlichung erfolgen Validierung und Typisierung des seit langem eingebürgerten Namens.Contrary to the information in the Index Kewensis the name Viola wittrockiana GAMS (Garden Pansy) has hitherto not been validly published. Therefore we will provide a validation and typification of this commonly used name here

Effect of canine hyperimmune plasma on TNFα and inflammatory cell levels in a lipopolysaccharide-mediated rat air pouch model of inflammation

The purpose of this study was to test the effect of canine hyperimmune frozen plasma (HFP), which is known to contain elevated levels of soluble TNFα receptor 1 (sTNFR1), on TNFα and inflammatory cell levels in a LPS-mediated rat air pouch model of inflammation. There appears to be a correlation between elevated levels of sTNFR1 and depression of TNFα and neutrophil levels in the pouch fluid of HFP dosed rats (r = -0.73, P < 0.0001). The data suggest that canine HFP, which has been demonstrated to contain elevated levels of sTNFR1 compared with FFP, has a direct effect on depressing TNFα levels and neutrophil sequestration in the rat air pouch model of inflammation. These data suggest that HFP may be worthy of further investigation to determine whether such preparations have a therapeutic potential for treatment of acute inflammatory diseases in which TNFα is implicated

Theoretical efficient high capacity Quantum Key Distribution Scheme

A theoretical quantum key distribution scheme using EPR pairs is presented. This scheme is efficient in that it uses all EPR pairs in distributing the key except those chosen for checking eavesdroppers. The high capacity is achieved because each EPR pair carries 2 bits of key code.Comment: 3 pages and 1 figure, to appear in Physical Review

Tailoring Single and Multiphoton Probabilities of a Single Photon On-Demand Source

As typically implemented, single photon sources cannot be made to produce single photons with high probability, while simultaneously suppressing the probability of yielding two or more photons. Because of this, single photon sources cannot really produce single photons on demand. We describe a multiplexed system that allows the probabilities of producing one and more photons to be adjusted independently, enabling a much better approximation of a source of single photons on demand.Comment: 4 pages, LaTex, 2 figures, twocolumn and RevTex Style for PR

Structure of microbial communities in Sphagnum peatlands and effect of atmospheric carbon dioxide enrichment

Little is known about the structure of microbial communities in Sphagnum peatlands, and the potential effects of the increasing atmospheric C02 concentration on these communities are not known. We analyzed the structure of microbial communities in five Sphagnum-dominated peatlands across Europe and their response to C02 enrichment using miniFACE systems. After three growing seasons, Sphagnum samples were analyzed for heterotrophic bacteria, cyanobacteria, microalgae, heterotrophic flagellates, ciliates, testate amoebae, fungi, nematodes, and rotifers. Heterotrophic organisms dominated the microbial communities and together represented 78% to 97% of the total microbial biomass. Testate amoebae dominated the protozoan biomass. A canonical correspondence analysis revealed a significant correlation between the microbial community data and four environmental variables (Na+, DOC, water table depth, and DIN), reflecting continentality, hydrology, and nitrogen deposition gradients. Carbon dioxide enrichment modified the structure of microbial communities, but total microbial biomass was unaffected. The biomass of heterotrophic bacteria increased by 48%, and the biomass of testate amoebae decreased by 13%. These results contrast with the absence of overall effect on methane production or on the vegetation, but are in line with an increased below-ground vascular plant biomass at the same sites. We interpret the increase in bacterial biomass as a response to a C02-induced enhancement of Sphagnum exudation. The causes for the decrease of testate amoebae are unclear but could indicate a top-down rather than a bottom-up control on their densit

Practical free-space quantum key distribution over 1 km

A working free-space quantum key distribution (QKD) system has been developed and tested over an outdoor optical path of ~1 km at Los Alamos National Laboratory under nighttime conditions. Results show that QKD can provide secure real-time key distribution between parties who have a need to communicate secretly. Finally, we examine the feasibility of surface to satellite QKD.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures, 2 tables. Submitted to Physics Review Letters, May 199

Quantum key distribution without alternative measurements

Entanglement swapping between Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen (EPR) pairs can be used to generate the same sequence of random bits in two remote places. A quantum key distribution protocol based on this idea is described. The scheme exhibits the following features. (a) It does not require that Alice and Bob choose between alternative measurements, therefore improving the rate of generated bits by transmitted qubit. (b) It allows Alice and Bob to generate a key of arbitrary length using a single quantum system (three EPR pairs), instead of a long sequence of them. (c) Detecting Eve requires the comparison of fewer bits. (d) Entanglement is an essential ingredient. The scheme assumes reliable measurements of the Bell operator.Comment: REVTeX, 5 pages, 2 figures. Published version with some comment