Explore the vast range of titles available.

In high-dimensional quantum systems, qudits offer a richer resource than traditional two-dimensional qubits, increasing the capacity of quantum channels and enhancing the efficiency of fault-tolerant quantum computation. These advantages can be utilized to solve complex problems across various fields. In the paper, we propose a 2-qudit controlled-NOT (CNOT) gate in a 4 × 4 -dimensional space and a 3-qudit controlled-controlled-NOT (Toffoli) gate in a 4 × 4 × 4 -dimensional space, both equipped with error-heralded units. Our designs do not require auxiliary photons or extra negatively charged nitrogen-vacancy (NV − ) center, resulting in saving resources. Moreover, since the imperfect NV − -cavity interaction processes are predicted in real-time by sensitive single-photon detectors, both high-dimensional CNOT and Toffoli gates boast robust fidelities using existing technology. Furthermore, our protocols simplify circuits with error-heralded units, significantly contributing to the effectiveness of quantum information technology and paving the way for advanced high-dimensional quantum computing.

As the hyperentanglement of photon systems holds lots of remarkable applications for enhancing channel capacity with less quantum resource, the interconversion of various hyperentangled states warrants in-depth investigation and becomes a vital work for quantum information technologies. Here we realize completely mutual conversions between spatial-polarization hyperentangled Knill-Laflamme-Milburn state and hyperentangled W state for three-photon systems, resorting to hyperparallel quantum control gates and the practical nonlinear interaction of nitrogen-vacancy centers coupled with whispering-gallery-mode microresonators. The hyperparallel quantum gates, i.e., hyperparallel controlled-not and controlled-swap gates, are fundamental prerequisites for realizing interconversions of two hyperentangled states in a deterministic way. The fidelities of these conversion processes are robust and their efficiencies are also high due to fewer nonlinear interactions and errors heralded by the response of detectors, which intensify comprehending the properties of hyperentanglement.

Endothelial senescence is an important risk factor leading to atherosclerosis. The mechanism of quercetin against endothelial senescence is worth exploring. Quercetin (20 mg/kg/d) was administered to ApoE mice intragastrically to evaluate the effectiveness of quercetin on atherosclerotic lesion . , human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) were used to assess the effect of quercetin on cellular senescence induced by oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL). Transcriptome microarray and quantitative RT-PCR was conducted to study the pharmacological targets of quercetin. ApoE mice demonstrated obvious lipid deposition in arterial lumina, high level of serum sIcam-1 and IL-6, and high density of Vcam-1 and lower density of Sirt1 in aorta. Quercetin administration decreased lipid deposition in arterial lumina, serum sIcam-1, and IL-6 and Vcam-1 in aorta, while increased the density of Sirt1 in aorta of ApoE mice. , quercetin (0.3, 1, or 3 μmol/L) decreased the expression of senescence-associated β-galactosidase and improved cell morphology of HAECs. And quercetin decreased the cellular apoptosis and increased mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) in dose-dependent manner, and decreased ROS generation simultaneously. Transcriptome microarray suggested 254 differentially expressed (DE) mRNAs (110 mRNAs were upregulated and 144 mRNAs were downregulated) in HAECs after quercetin treatment (fold change > 1.5,  < 0 .05, Que Ox-LDL). GO and KEGG analysis indicated nitrogen metabolism, ECM-receptor interaction, complement, and coagulation cascades, p53 and mTOR signaling pathway were involved in the pharmacological mechanisms of quercetin against ox-LDL. Quercetin alleviated atherosclerotic lesion both and .

Understanding the genetic basis of how species respond to changing environments is essential to the conservation of species. However, the molecular mechanisms of adaptation remain largely unknown for long-lived tree species which always have large population sizes, long generation time, and extensive gene flow. Recent advances in landscape genomics can reveal the signals of adaptive selection linking genetic variations and landscape characteristics and therefore have created novel insights into tree conservation strategies. In this review article, we first summarized the methods of landscape genomics used in tree conservation and elucidated the advantages and disadvantages of these methods. We then highlighted the newly developed method “Risk of Non-adaptedness,” which can predict the genetic offset or genomic vulnerability of species via allele frequency change under multiple scenarios of climate change. Finally, we provided prospects concerning how our introduced approaches of landscape genomics can assist policymaking and improve the existing conservation strategies for tree species under the ongoing global changes.

Quercus is an economically important and phylogenetically complex genus in the family Fagaceae. Due to extensive hybridization and introgression, it is considered to be one of the most challenging plant taxa, both taxonomically and phylogenetically. Quercus aquifolioides is an evergreen sclerophyllous oak species that is endemic to, but widely distributed across, the Hengduanshan Biodiversity Hotspot in the Eastern Himalayas. Here, we compared the fully assembled chloroplast (cp) genome of Q. aquifolioides with those of three closely related species. The analysis revealed a cp genome ranging in size from 160,415 to 161,304 bp and with a typical quadripartite structure, composed of two inverted repeats (IRs) separated by a small single copy (SSC) and a large single copy (LSC) region. The genome organization, gene number, gene order, and GC content of these four Quercus cp genomes are similar to those of many angiosperm cp genomes. We also analyzed the Q. aquifolioides repeats and microsatellites. Investigating the effects of selection events on shared protein-coding genes using the Ka/Ks ratio showed that significant positive selection had acted on the atpF gene of Q. aquifolioides compared to two deciduous oak species, and that there had been significant purifying selection on the atpF gene in the chloroplast of evergreen sclerophyllous oak trees. In addition, site-specific selection analysis identified positively selected sites in 12 genes. Phylogenetic analysis based on shared protein-coding genes from 14 species defined Q. aquifolioides as belonging to sect. Heterobalanus and being closely related to Q. rubra and Q. aliena. Our findings provide valuable genetic information for use in accurately identifying species, resolving taxonomy, and reconstructing the phylogeny of the genus Quercus.

Objective To analyze the risk factors affecting psychiatric behavior and study the psychobehavioral conditions of children with epilepsy. Method We randomly selected and enrolled 294 children with epilepsy who visited and were hospitalized in the pediatric clinic of Hebei General Hospital between January 2017 and January 2022, as the study participants. We comprehensively assessed their cognitive functions using the Gesell development schedule or Wechsler Intelligence Scales. The participants were divided into the study group ( n  = 123) with cognitive impairment and the control group ( n  = 171) with normal cognitive functions, for analysis. Results There were statistically significant differences between the two groups in disease course, frequency of epilepsy, status epilepticus, and the number of antiseizure medications (ASMs) used ( P  < 0.05), while there were no statistically significant differences in age, gender, age of onset, form of onset, interictal epileptiform discharge, history of febrile convulsion, and the time from onset to initial visit ( P  > 0.05). Based on multivariate logistic regression analysis, the course of disease, frequency of onset, status epilepticus and number of ASMs used were identified as high-risk factors for cognitive impairment in children with epilepsy. Similarly, early onset, long course of disease, known etiology, and combination of multiple drugs have a negative impact on behavioral problems, school education, and social adaptability. Conclusion The course of disease, the frequency of onset, status epilepticus, and the number of ASMs used are high-risk factors for cognitive impairment in children with epilepsy, which can be prevented and controlled early. When selecting ASMs, their advantages and disadvantages should be weighed. Moreover, the availability of alternative treatment options must be considered. With the help of genomic technology, the causes of epilepsy should be identified as early as possible, and precision medicine and gene therapy for children with epilepsy should be actively developed.

Aim: Hotspots of biodiversity are often associated with areas that have undergone orogenic activity during recent geological history. Mountain uplifts are known to catalyse species radiation but their impact on evolutionarily stable taxa such as many trees remains little understood. The oak Quercus aquifolioides is endemic to yet widely distributed across the Hengduanshan Biodiversity Hotspot in the Eastern Himalayas. Here, we investigate how the region's Neogene and Quaternary history has driven the species past population dynamics and the resulting extant patterns of intraspecifk diversity. Location: Hengduanshan Biodiversity Hotspot in SW China. Methods: We sampled 58 populations throughout the species range and genotyped a total of 959 individuals at four chloroplast DNA fragments and 11 nuclear microsatellite loci. Phylogenetic reconstructions, molecular dating techniques and ancestral area reconstructions were used in combination with population genetic statistics to infer the biogeographical history of Q. aquifolioides. The phylogeographical study was complemented by a survey of fossil records and a niche modelling exercise. Results: Combined molecular and fossil evidence indicates that Q. aquifolioides descended during the late Miocene from the central Qinghai-Tibet Plateau into Tibet and the western Sichuan Plateau, and from there, into the area of highest endemism in the Hengduan Mountains sensu lato. Great apparent population stability and a haplotype 'radiation' in this area contrasted with marked extinction-recolonization dynamics and reduced population diversity in Tibet. We found evidence for extremely limited seed gene flow but extensive pollen gene flow (global FST: cpDNA = 0.98, nSSR = 0.07) with signals of asymmetric pollen dispersal from the Hengduan Mountains into Tibet. Main conclusion: Our results provide insights of unprecedented detail into the ancient biogeographical history of the Hengduanshan Biodiversity Hotspot, suggesting that past environmental changes in the region may have catalysed radiative diversifications within species much in the same way as among species.

We present an error-detected hyperparallel Toffoli (hyper-Toffoli) gate for a three-photon system based on the interface between polarized photon and cavity-nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center system. This hyper-Toffoli gate can be used to perform double Toffoli gate operations simultaneously on both the polarization and spatial-mode degrees of freedom (DoFs) of a three-photon system with a low decoherence, shorten operation time, and less quantum resources required, in compared with those on two independent three-photon systems in one DoF only. As the imperfect cavity-NV-center interactions are transformed into the detectable failures rather than infidelity based on the heralding mechanism of detectors, a near-unit fidelity of the quantum hyper-Toffoli gate can be implemented. By recycling the procedures, the efficiency of our protocol for the hyper-Toffoli gate is improved further. Meanwhile, the evaluation of gate performance with achieved experiment parameters shows that it is feasible with current experimental technology and provides a promising building block for quantum compute.

Numerous plant taxa are threatened by habitat destruction or overexploitation. To overcome these threats, new methods are urgently needed for rescuing threatened and endangered plant species. Here, we review the genetic consequences of threats to species populations. We highlight potential advantages of genome editing for mitigating negative effects caused by new pathogens and pests or climate change where other approaches have failed. We propose solutions to protect threatened plants using genome editing technology unless absolutely necessary. We further discuss the challenges associated with genome editing in plant conservation to mitigate the decline of plant diversity.