Entanglement of Two Quantum Dots with Azimuthal Angle Difference in Plasmonic Waveguide System

We investigate the properties of entanglement between two quantum dots (QDs) with an azimuthal angle difference in two different plasmonic waveguide systems where a cavity coupled to the QDs is included or not. The real space formalism and the concurrence are used in solving the eigenvalue equation and calculating the entanglement, respectively. We analyze the influence of azimuthal angle difference on the entanglement and propose several effective ways to achieve high entanglement by adjusting the detuning, the QD-cavity coupling strength, and so on. Moreover, comparing the entanglement in the two models, we demonstrate that the addition of cavity can improve the entanglement of two QDs.

     

Quantum Entanglement and Spin Control in Silicon Nanocrystal

Selective coherence control and electrically mediated exchange coupling of single electron spin between triplet and singlet states using numerically derived optimal control of proton pulses is demonstrated. We obtained spatial confinement below size of the Bohr radius for proton spin chain FWHM. Precise manipulation of individual spins and polarization of electron spin states are analyzed via proton induced emission and controlled population of energy shells in pure ²⁹Si nanocrystal. Entangled quantum states of channeled proton trajectories are mapped in transverse and angular phase space of ²⁹Si axial channel alignment in order to avoid transversal excitations. Proton density and proton energy as impact parameter functions are characterized in single particle density matrix via discretization of diagonal and nearest off-diagonal elements. We combined high field and low densities (1 MeV/92 nm) to create inseparable quantum state by superimposing the hyperpolarizationed proton spin chain with electron spin of ²⁹Si. Quantum discretization of density of states (DOS) was performed by the Monte Carlo simulation method using numerical solutions of proton equations of motion. Distribution of gaussian coherent states is obtained by continuous modulation of individual spin phase and amplitude. Obtained results allow precise engineering and faithful mapping of spin states. This would provide the effective quantum key distribution (QKD) and transmission of quantum information over remote distances between quantum memory centers for scalable quantum communication network. Furthermore, obtained results give insights in application of channeled protons subatomic microscopy as a complete versatile scanning-probe system capable of both quantum engineering of charged particle states and characterization of quantum states below diffraction limit linear and in-depth resolution.PACS numbers: 03.65.Ud, 03.67.Bg, 61.85.+p, 67.30.hj     

Interparticle Coupling Effects of Two Quantum Dots System on the Transport Properties of a Single Plasmon

Plasmonics - Transport properties of a single plasmon interacting with two quantum dots (QDs) system coupled to one-dimensional surface plasmonic waveguide are investigated theoretically via the...     

Functional Analysis of Casein Kinase 1 in a Minimal Circadian System

The Earth’s rotation has driven the evolution of cellular circadian clocks to facilitate anticipation of the solar cycle. Some evidence for timekeeping mechanism conserved from early unicellular life through to modern organisms was recently identified, but the components of this oscillator are currently unknown. Although very few clock components appear to be shared across higher species, Casein Kinase 1 (CK1) is known to affect timekeeping across metazoans and fungi, but has not previously been implicated in the circadian clock in the plant kingdom. We now show that modulation of CK1 function lengthens circadian rhythms in Ostreococcus tauri , a unicellular marine algal species at the base of the green lineage, separated from humans by ~1.5 billion years of evolution. CK1 contributes to timekeeping in a phase-dependent manner, indicating clock-mediated gating of CK1 activity. Label-free proteomic analyses upon overexpression as well as inhibition revealed CK1-responsive phosphorylation events on a set of target proteins, including highly conserved potentially clock-relevant cellular regulator proteins. These results have major implications for our understanding of cellular timekeeping and can inform future studies in any circadian organism.     

Quantum Two Player Game in Thermal Environment

A two-player quantum game is considered in the presence of thermal decoherence. It is shown how the thermal environment modeled in terms of rigorous Davies approach affects payoffs of the players. The conditions for either beneficial or pernicious effect of decoherence are identified. The general considerations are exemplified by the quantum version of Prisoner Dilemma.     

Three-Dimensional Self-Gravito-Acoustic Solitary Waves in a Degenerate Quantum Plasma System

Plasma Physics Reports - Three-dimensional self-gravito-acoustic solitary waves (SGASWs) in a general (but realistic) self-gravitating degenerate quantum plasma media consisting of heavy...     

Gain-Assisted Magneto-Optical Rotation in a Four-Level Quantum System Near a Plasmonic Nanostructure

We propose and theoretically demonstrate a mechanism to achieve a gain-assisted magneto optical rotation (MOR) of a linearly polarized probe beam in a double V–type closed-loop atomic system. The quantum system is considered to be placed in the proximity of a plasmonic nanostructure which can produce quantum interference between decay channels of the quantum system. We also apply a linearly polarized control beam and a microwave beam to the system. It is shown that manipulating the intensity of the microwave beam and relative phase of the applied beams results in well-optimizing optical properties of the system where by proper choice of these parameters the atomic medium becomes birefringent gain media. Induced birefringence can be reinforced by increasing the intensity of the magnetic field and quantum interference coefficient. It is found, compared with the absence of the plasmonic nanostructure, the presence of the plasmonic nanostructure causes the gain-assisted MOR to occur at much smaller magnetic field. Hence, we propose that such a gain-assisted MOR can have potential application in detecting quantum interference effect.     

Question 9: Quantum Self-Assembly and Photoinduced Electron Tunneling in Photosynthetic Systems of Artificial Minimal Living Cells

Natural and artificial living cells and their substructures are self-assembling, due to electron correlation interactions among biological and water molecules, which lead to attractive dispersion forces and hydrogen bonds. Dispersion forces are weak intermolecular forces that arise from the attractive force between quantum multipoles. A hydrogen bond is a special type of quantum attractive interaction that exists between an electronegative atom and a hydrogen atom bonded to another electronegative atom; and this hydrogen atom exist in two quantum states. The best method to simulate these dispersion forces and hydrogen bonds is to perform quantum mechanical non-local density functional potential calculations of artificial minimal living cells consisting of around 1,000 atoms. The cell systems studied are based on peptide nucleic acid and are 3.0–4.2 nm in diameter. The electron tunneling and associated light absorption of the most intense transitions, as calculated by the time dependent density functional theory method, differs from spectroscopic experiments by only 0.2–0.3 nm, which is within the value of experiment errors. This agreement implies that the quantum mechanically self-assembled structures of artificial minimal living cells very closely approximate realistic ones.     

Systematic Analysis in Caenorhabditis elegans Reveals that the Spindle Checkpoint Is Composed of Two Largely Independent Branches

Kinetochores use the spindle checkpoint to delay anaphase onset until all chromosomes have formed bipolar attachments to spindle microtubules. Here, we use controlled monopolar spindle formation to systematically define the requirements for spindle checkpoint signaling in the Caenorhabditis elegans embryo. The results, when interpreted in light of kinetochore assembly epistasis analysis, indicate that checkpoint activation is coordinately directed by the NDC-80 complex, the Rod/Zwilch/Zw10 complex, and BUB-1—three components independently targeted to the outer kinetochore by the scaffold protein KNL-1. These components orchestrate the integration of a core Mad1^MDF-1/Mad2^MDF-2-based signal, with a largely independent Mad3^SAN-1/BUB-3 pathway. Evidence for independence comes from the fact that subtly elevating Mad2^MDF-2 levels bypasses the requirement for BUB-3 and Mad3^SAN-1 in kinetochore-dependent checkpoint activation. Mad3^SAN-1 does not accumulate at unattached kinetochores and BUB-3 kinetochore localization is independent of Mad2^MDF-2. We discuss the rationale for a bipartite checkpoint mechanism in which a core Mad1^MDF-1/Mad2^MDF-2 signal generated at kinetochores is integrated with a separate cytoplasmic Mad3^SAN-1/BUB-3–based pathway.     

From Never Born Proteins to Minimal Living Cells: Two Projects in Synthetic Biology

The Never Born Proteins (NBPs) and the Minimal Cell projects are two currently developed research lines belonging to the field of synthetic biology. The first deals with the investigation of structural and functional properties of de novo proteins with random sequences, selected and isolated using phage display methods. The minimal cell is the simplest cellular construct which displays living properties, such as self-maintenance, self-reproduction and evolvability. The semi-synthetic approach to minimal cells involves the use of extant genes and proteins in order to build a supramolecular construct based on lipid vesicles. Results and outlooks on these two research lines are shortly discussed, mainly focusing on their relevance to the origin of life studies. Presented at: National Workshop on Astrobiology: Search for Life in the Solar System, Capri, Italy 26 to 28 October, 2005.     

Encapsulation of Nucleic Acids into Giant Unilamellar Vesicles by Freeze-Thaw: a Way Protocells May Form

Protocells are believed to consist of a lipid membrane and encapsulated nucleic acid. As the lipid membrane is impermeable to macromolecules like nucleic acids, the processes by which nucleic acids become encapsulated inside lipid membrane compartments are still unknown. In this paper, a freeze-thaw method was modified and applied to giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in mixed solution resulting in the efficient encapsulation of 6.4 kb plasmid DNA and similar length linear DNA into GUVs. The mechanism of encapsulation was followed by observing the effect of freeze-thaw temperatures on GUV morphological change, DNA encapsulation and ice crystal formation, and analyzing their correlation. Following ice crystal formation, the shape of spherical GUVs was altered and membrane integrity was damaged and this was found to be a necessary condition for encapsulation. Heating alone had no effects on DNA encapsulation, but was helpful for restoring the spherical shape and membrane integrity of GUVs damaged during freezing. These results suggested that freeze-thaw could promote the encapsulation of DNA into GUVs by a mechanism: the vesicle membrane was breached by ice crystal formation during freezing, DNA entered into damaged GUVs through these membrane gaps and was encapsulated after the membrane was resealed during the thawing process. The process described herein therefore describes a simple way for the encapsulation of nucleic acids and potentially other macromolecules into lipid vesicles, a process by which early protocells might have formed.     

重组葡激酶和水蛭素融合蛋白的血栓靶向性机制

为解释以凝血因子Xa(FXa)的识别序列为连接肽的葡激酶和水蛭素的融合蛋白(命名为SFH)在体内的强溶栓和低出血的特征,研究分析了SFH的两个血栓靶向性作用机理.首先采用ELISA和免疫组化的方法在体外分析了由水蛭素游离的C末端赋予的SFH对血栓的靶向性,结果显示SFH对凝血酶和富含凝血酶的血栓具有更高的亲和力.为阐明SFH抗凝活性在血栓部位的靶向性释放,构建表达了仅在水蛭素N末端连接FXa识别序列的水蛭素衍生物(命名为FH).体外试验结果表明完整的FH无抗凝活性,在体内FH可以发挥抗栓作用,且出血副作用较低,这些结果说明FXa的识别序列可以封闭水蛭素的抗凝活性,在体内FH可以由于FXa的成功裂解而释放其抗凝活性,且其抗凝活性可能仅局限于血栓局部.这就间接说明了SFH的抗凝活性可以在血栓局部进行靶向性释放.以上两个血栓靶向性作用机理是SFH在体内发挥更高溶栓效率和降低出血副作用的重要机制.     

Origin of the Directed Movement of Protocells in the Early Stages of the Evolution of Life

The origin of the directed motion of protocells during the early stages of evolution was discussed. The expenditures for movement, space orientation, and reception of information about the environment were taken into consideration, and it was shown that directed movement is evolutionarily advantageous in the following cases: when opposite gradients of different resources (for example, matter and energy) are great enough and when there is a rapid change in environmental parameters. It was also shown that the advantage of directed movement strategies depends greatly on how information about the environment is obtained by a protocell.     

串联填充管式反应系统中高浓度乙醇连续发酵

在一套由搅拌罐和管式反应器串联而成的组合式反应系统中,利用酿酒酵母进行连续发酵生产高浓度乙醇。后续管式反应器内通过装填聚氨酯颗粒和木块对酵母细胞进行吸附固定化,在乙醇抑制造成细胞活性大幅降低的情况下,通过大幅提高细胞浓度保证发酵效率,在稀释速率0.02h^-1和280g/L葡萄糖的条件下,系统的终点乙醇浓度为15.4 % (v/v)。研究表明在一定稀释速率之下,应该通过增加反应器的级数来降低稀释速率,以达到提高终点乙醇浓度,如简单地降低进料速率则可能增加整个系统所受的乙醇抑制,对提高终点乙醇浓度效果不显著。     

Minimal surface as a model of beta-sheets

The purpose of this article is to present arguments based on experimental data that the beta-sheet structures in proteins are the result of the tendency to minimize surface areas. Thus, we propose the model that all beta-sheet structures are almost minimal surfaces, namely, their mean curvatures are nearly zero. To support this model, we chose 1740 disjoint beta-sheets with less than 10 strands from the all beta-protein class in a nonredundant 40% Structural Classification of Proteins (SCOP) database and applied the least-squares method to fit the minimal surface catenoid (and in some rare cases, the plane) to the beta-sheet structures. The fitting errors were extremely small: The error of 1729 beta-sheets with catenoid minimal surface is 0.90 +/- 0.55 A and the error of the remaining 11 flat sheets with the plane is 0.64 +/- 0.46 A. The fact that the commonly used models for some beta-sheet surfaces (i.e., the hyperboloid and strophoid) have very small mean curvatures (< 0.05) supports our model. Moreover, we showed that this model also includes the isotropically stressed configuration model proposed by Salemme, in which the intrastrand tendency of the individual chains to twist or coil is in equilibrium with the tendency of the interstrand hydrogen bonding to resist twisting of the sheet as a whole. As an application we used our model to quantify the two principal independent modes in the flexibility of beta-sheets, that is, the bending parameter of beta-sheets and the inclined angle of beta-strands in a sheet.     

双CSTR耦合系统中乙醇发酵过程中的分岔研究

本文首次运用现代分岔理论方法,研究了双CSTR耦合系统中乙醇发酵过程中的多定态和振荡现象．计算结果表明,当入口糖浓度大于某值时,多定态普遍存在．同时振荡受到底物浓度S_0、两耦合反应器的体积比V_(12)及稀释率D的影响.同单CSTR相比,双CSTR加强了反应深度,并通过适当改变V_(12),产率可大大提高.     

自絮凝酵母SPSC01在组合反应器系统中酒精连续发酵的研究

建立了一套由四级磁力搅拌发酵罐串联组成、总有效容积4000mL的小型组合生物反应器系统 ,其中一级罐作为种子培养罐。以脱胚脱皮玉米粉双酶法制备的糖化液为种子培养基和发酵底物 ,进行了自絮凝颗粒酵母酒精连续发酵的研究。种子罐培养基还原糖浓度为100g L ,添加 (NH₄)₂HPO₄ 和KH₂PO₄ 各 20g L ,以0.017h^-1 的恒定稀释速率流加 ,并溢流至后续酒精发酵系统。发酵底物初始还原糖浓度 220g/L ,添加 (NH₄)₂HPO₄ 15g/L和KH₂PO₄2 5g/L ,流加至第一级发酵罐 ,稀释速率分别为 0.017、0.025、0.033、0.040和0.05 0h^-1。实验数据表明 ,自絮凝颗粒酵母在各发酵罐中呈部分固定化状态 ,在稀释速率0.040h^-1 条件下 ,发酵系统呈一定的振荡行为 ,其他四个稀释速率实验组均能够达拟稳态。当稀释速率不超过 0 0 33h^-1 ,流出末级发酵罐的发酵液中酒精浓度可以达到 12 % (V/V)以上 ,残还原糖和残总糖分别在 0 11%和 0 35 % h^-1,流出末级发酵罐的发酵液中酒精浓度可以达到12%（V/V）以上,残还原糖和残总糖分别在0.11%和0.35%（W/V）以下。在稀释速率为0.033h^-1时,计算发酵系统酒精的设备生产强度指标为3.32（g·L^-1·h^-1）,与游离酵母细胞传统酒精发酵工艺相比,增加约1倍。