New Method of Calculating a Multiplication by using the Generalized Bernstein-Vazirani Algorithm

We present a new method of more speedily calculating a multiplication by using the generalized Bernstein-Vazirani algorithm and many parallel quantum systems. Given the set of real values \(\{a_{1},a_{2},a_{3},\ldots ,a_{N}\}\) and a function \(g:\textbf {R}\rightarrow \{0,1\}\), we shall determine the following values \(\{g(a_{1}),g(a_{2}),g(a_{3}),\ldots , g(a_{N})\}\) simultaneously. The speed of determining the values is shown to outperform the classical case by a factor of \(N\). Next, we consider it as a number in binary representation; M₁ = (g(a₁),g(a₂),g(a₃),…,g(a _N )). By using \(M\) parallel quantum systems, we have \(M\) numbers in binary representation, simultaneously. The speed of obtaining the \(M\) numbers is shown to outperform the classical case by a factor of \(M\). Finally, we calculate the product; \( M_{1}\times M_{2}\times \cdots \times M_{M}. \) The speed of obtaining the product is shown to outperform the classical case by a factor of N × M.     

Retinal Photodamage Mediated by All‐trans‐retinal†

Accumulation of all‐trans‐retinal (all‐trans‐RAL), reactive vitamin A aldehyde, is one of the key factors in initiating retinal photodamage. This photodamage is characterized by progressive retinal cell death evoked by light exposure in both an acute and chronic fashion. Photoactivated rhodopsin releases all‐trans‐RAL, which is subsequently transported by ATP‐binding cassette transporter 4 and reduced to all‐trans‐retinol by all‐trans‐retinol dehydrogenases located in photoreceptor cells. Any interruptions in the clearing of all‐trans‐RAL in the photoreceptors can cause an accumulation of this reactive aldehyde and its toxic condensation products. This accumulation may result in the manifestation of retinal dystrophy including human retinal degenerative diseases such as Stargardt’s disease and age‐related macular degeneration. Herein, we discuss the mechanisms of all‐trans‐RAL clearance in photoreceptor cells by sequential enzymatic reactions, the visual (retinoid) cycle, and potential molecular pathways of retinal photodamage. We also review recent imaging technologies to monitor retinal health status as well as novel therapeutic strategies preventing all‐trans‐RAL‐associated retinal photodamage.     

Application of Probe Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry (PESI-MS) to Clinical Diagnosis: Solvent Effect on Lipid Analysis

We have examined several combinations of solvents with the aim of optimizing the ionization conditions for molecular diagnosis of malignant tumours by PESI-MS. Although the best conditions may depend on the actual species in the sample, the optimal conditions for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) were achieved by using alcohols. PESI-MS successfully delineated the differential expression of phospholipids (PCs) and triacylglycerols (TAGs) in noncancerous and RCC tissues by using these solvent systems. This study paves the way for the application of PESI-MS in medical samples.     

Thin boron nitride nanotubes with unusual large inner diameters

BN nanotubes, displaying the characteristics of few concentric layers (2–6 layers) but unusual large inner diameters (ranging from 8 to more than 10 nm), are synthesized by a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method on -Al₂O₃ micrometer-range particles. The inner diameters are at least 5 nm larger than the previously reported BN nanotubes of similar layers. Some BN nanotubes are observed to be filled with B–N–O-based amorphous materials. Crystalline core fillings (in the form of boron carbide nanorods) were also discovered. The discussions suggested that the CVD growth behavior of BN nanotubes may be closely dependent on the underlying substrates, which may be helpful to the possible rational synthesis of BN nanotubes.     

Triflumizole as a Novel Lead Compound for Strigolactone Biosynthesis Inhibitor

Strigolactones (SLs) are carotenoid-derived plant hormones involved in the development of various plants. SLs also stimulate seed germination of the root parasitic plants, Striga spp. and Orobanche spp., which reduce crop yield. Therefore, regulating SL biosynthesis may lessen the damage of root parasitic plants. Biosynthetic inhibitors effectively control biological processes by targeted regulation of biologically active compounds. In addition, biosynthetic inhibitors regulate endogenous levels in developmental stage- and tissue-specific manners. To date, although some chemicals have been found as SL biosynthesis inhibitor, these are derived from only three lead chemicals. In this study, to find a novel lead chemical for SL biosynthesis inhibitor, 27 nitrogen-containing heterocyclic derivatives were screened for inhibition of SL biosynthesis. Triflumizole most effectively reduced the levels of rice SL, 4-deoxyorobanchol (4DO), in root exudates. In addition, triflumizole inhibited endogenous 4DO biosynthesis in rice roots by inhibiting the enzymatic activity of Os900, a rice enzyme that converts the SL intermediate carlactone to 4DO. A Striga germination assay revealed that triflumizole-treated rice displayed a reduced level of germination stimulation for Striga. These results identify triflumizole as a novel lead compound for inhibition of SL biosynthesis.     

Structure of monardaein,a bis-malonylated anthocyanin isolated from golden balm, monarda didyma

Structure of monardaein was determined to be 3-0-(6-0-$\text{trans}$-p-coumaryl-β-D-glucopyranosyl)-5-O- (4,6-di-O-malonyl-β-D-glucopyranosyl) pelargonidin (1).     

Quasi-Debye response of ion-hopping conduction at lowest frequencies

On the basis of the relaxation mode theory, quasi-Debye response in the dynamic conductivity by hopping ions is theoretically investigated in three-dimensional random lattices with a uniform distribution of activation energies. It is shown at lowest frequencies that the dynamic conductivity is approximately given by σ(ω)∼σ(0)+A″ω^s″, s″=2−n, where n is a non-integer exponent originated from the mode diffusion length and density of states. The numerical analyses give rise to some values of s″<2, for example s″∼1.5, which behaves as s″→2 with increasing temperature.     

A chart for estimating the distance attenuation of flanking sound passing through open windows in the exterior wall of adjoining rooms and its experimental verification

Sound transmission between adjoining rooms is often influenced by a flanking sound passing through open windows placed in the exterior wall of the two rooms. It is important to predict such flanking sound propagation when considering the sound insulation between the adjoining rooms. In this paper, a chart for estimating the distance attenuation of the flanking sound, which is obtained from analysis using the boundary integral equation method, is first provided. Next, 1:10 scale model experiments are carried out. The experimental results are in good agreement with the chart, the effectiveness of the chart thus being verified.     

Synthesis of poly(dipeptide)s on the surface of functional micelle and reversed micelle

Amphiphilic active 4-dodecanoyl-2-nitrophenyl esters of dipeptide containing β-alanine ( 1 – 5 ) were prepared and their polycondensation was studied in detail. The critical micelle concentrations of the active esters 1 – 5 were determined in water by the dye method and the apparent mean aggregation number of reversed micelles formed by model compound 6 was determined by the osmotic method. The results of polycondensation can be explained by assuming that aggregations such as micelle and reversed micelle play an important role in polycondensation. The obtained new poly(dipeptide)s were examined by IR, ¹H NMR, x-ray diffraction, and circular dichroism spectra.