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Sharing information coherently between nodes of a quantum network is fundamental to distributed quantum information processing. In this scheme, the computation is divided into subroutines and performed on several smaller quantum registers that are connected by classical and quantum channels 1 . A direct quantum channel, which connects nodes deterministically rather than probabilistically, achieves larger entanglement rates between nodes and is advantageous for distributed fault-tolerant quantum computation 2 . Here we implement deterministic state-transfer and entanglement protocols between two superconducting qubits fabricated on separate chips. Superconducting circuits 3 constitute a universal quantum node 4 that is capable of sending, receiving, storing and processing quantum information 5 – 8 . Our implementation is based on an all-microwave cavity-assisted Raman process 9 , which entangles or transfers the qubit state of a transmon-type artificial atom 10 with a time-symmetric itinerant single photon. We transfer qubit states by absorbing these itinerant photons at the receiving node, with a probability of 98.1 ± 0.1 per cent, achieving a transfer-process fidelity of 80.02 ± 0.07 per cent for a protocol duration of only 180 nanoseconds. We also prepare remote entanglement on demand with a fidelity as high as 78.9 ± 0.1 per cent at a rate of 50 kilohertz. Our results are in excellent agreement with numerical simulations based on a master-equation description of the system. This deterministic protocol has the potential to be used for quantum computing distributed across different nodes of a cryogenic network. Deterministic quantum state transfer and entanglement generation is demonstrated between superconducting qubits on distant chips using single photons.

A robust cryogenic infrastructure in form of a wired, thermally optimized dilution refrigerator is essential for solid-state based quantum processors. Here, we engineer a cryogenic setup, which minimizes passive and active heat loads, while guaranteeing rapid qubit control and readout. We review design criteria for qubit drive lines, flux lines, and output lines used in typical experiments with superconducting circuits and describe each type of line in detail. The passive heat load of stainless steel and NbTi coaxial cables and the active load due to signal dissipation are measured, validating our robust and extensible concept for thermal anchoring of attenuators, cables, and other microwave components. Our results are important for managing the heat budget of future large-scale quantum computers based on superconducting circuits.

Plant species exhibiting polymorphisms with respect to flower color are widespread. Our understanding of the selection pressures that may maintain these color polymorphisms has primarily been confined to one set of organisms-pollinators. Yet, selection on flower color may also be driven by other agents, such as herbivores, especially in cases where pollinators and herbivores are using the same or correlated traits to select plants. A wealth of studies have documented pollinator preference for anthocyanin-recessive color morphs (A-; yellow and white flowers) of wild radish, Raphanus sativus, over anthocyanin-dominant morphs (A +; pink and bronze flowers); yet, differences in pollination alone do not explain the maintenance of the flower color polymorphism. Here, we ask whether variation in flower color in R. sativus influences the preference and performance of herbivores for A- flower color morphs vs. A+ flower color morphs in four types of herbivores (generalist and specialist Lepidoptera, slugs, aphids, and thrips). We found that all herbivores except for aphids and thrips preferred flowering A- color morphs compared to A+ morphs of R. sativus. Furthermore, all herbivores except larvae of specialist and generalist Lepidoptera performed better on A- color morphs. Differences in plant secondary chemistry may play a role in differential herbivore preference and performance on the anthocyanin flower color morphs. Chemical analyses of leaf secondary compounds (indole glucosinolates) revealed that A+ color morphs produced higher concentrations of indole glucosinolates than A- morphs in the presence of herbivore damage. Therefore, herbivores may exhibit lower preference for A+ color morphs, and these morphs may support lower herbivore performance because they are heavily defended once damaged. This is the first study, to our knowledge, to document differential preference and performance of herbivores for different flower color morphs. Previous studies have shown that increased herbivore damage can have profound negative direct and indirect effects on the reproduction of R. sativus. The data presented here suggest that differential preference and performance of herbivores for R. sativus color morphs may counter selection on flower color exerted by pollinators.

A field survey of the southeastern United States showed that Pheidole obscurithorax Naves, an ant introduced from South America, inhabits a 80-km-wide band along the coast between Mobile, Alabama, and Tallahassee, Florida, and is continuing to increase its range. In Tallahassee P. obscurithorax is rapidly spreading, and its nest density increased by a factor of 6.4 over a two-year period. Evidence suggests that P. obscurithorax has spread gradually by natural means. It coexists with the fire ant Solenopsis invicta Buren, appears to be part of a largely exotic community of ants that are tolerant of highly disturbed habitats, and seems to have little negative effect on the ant communities that it invades.

There have been many investigations of body image in cases of anorexia nervosa in adolescent females. However, there has been limited research with normal adolescent girls who happen to be overweight. In this study, 27 girls found to be obese (at least 20 percent above average body weight for age, sex and height) among 203 girls in home economics classes of four suburban high schools were compared to 20 girls seeking help for their obesity on an outpatient basis in hospital-affiliated programs for weight reduction in a nearby city. The two groups were assessed and compared regarding body image factors. The clinical subjects showed a significantly greater difference in their selection of outline drawings of the female figure perceived to represent their actual as compared to ideal body sizes. No significant difference was found in articulation of body concept as revealed in human figure drawings judged according to Witkin's Articulation of Body Concept (ABC) Scale, and in the mean number of uncomplimentary adjectives used to describe present appearance. However, the difference between the mean scores of the two groups in the latter two variables, when submitted to t tests, were shown to approach significance (.017 less than p less than .05).

Problem. Female adolescents are subject to fad diets, advertising, and peer influence that stress thinness. They are also more subject than their male counterparts to anorexia nervosa and obesity. Research has shown that the latter conditions may produce alterations in body image. Some research has been done on the desired weight of normal adolescent females, but little has been done on the relationship of desired amount of weight loss to other variables. To determine the relationships of desired body weight, body image, and perceived desirability of weight control methods of adolescent girls, descriptive data was collected in this investigation and subjected to statistical analyses. Subjects and Instrumentation. The subjects were 203 adolescent females in home economics classes in several high schools within 50 miles of the Greater Philadelphia area and 20 obese adolescent females in weight reduction sessions held on an outpatient basis under the supervision of clinicians associated respectively with four different Philadelphia hospitals. Instrumentation included five outline drawings of the female figure (20% underweight to 20% overweight), a spring-type scale, Witkin's Articulation of Body Concept (ABC) Scale, and a questionnaire. Research Design and Statistics. The investigation was a field study of intact groups. The variables were attribute variables, i.e., the body image of each subject, her actual body weight, desired body weight, and perception of the relative desirability of methods of achieving weight reduction. Instrumentation was selected to investigate these variables and compile descriptive data. It was hypothesized that female adolescents desire to weigh less than actual weight and that the desired amount of weight loss correlates positively with the perceived desirability of fad type diets. Hypotheses were also formulated to investigate the relation of desired amount of weight loss and body image. A chi-square test was used to compare the observed frequencies and expected frequencies of subjects who desired to weigh less than actual weight and subjects who desired weight gain or maintenance: t tests were used to determine the relationship of desired amount of weight loss to body image and the perceived desirability of fad type diets. Results. The chi-square test revealed that a significantly high percentage (83%) of the high school girls investigated wished to lose weight. A t test revealed that subjects who wished to lose a greater amount of weight, at least 10% of actual body weight, perceived fad type diets as significantly more desirable than did subjects wishing a lesser percentage of weight loss. The former group also showed a significantly larger difference, or mean discrepancy score, when selecting two outline drawings of the female figure perceived to most resemble their actual and ideal body sizes. No significant difference was, found between the two groups in the number of negative, or uncomplimentary, adjectives used to describe present appearance or in articulation of body concept as measured by Witkin's ABC Scale. T tests revealed that the obese girls from the clinical setting and the obese girls found in the high school group showed no significant difference in articulation of body concept or in the number of negative adjectives used to describe appearance. A significant difference was revealed in the two obese groups in the discrepancy of selections of outline figures representing actual and ideal body size, with the clinical girls showing the larger difference.

Key Points Adult pancreatic acinar cells show high plasticity that enables a change in their differentiation commitment Acinar-to-ductal metaplasia (ADM) is a mechanism needed for regeneration after inflammation or injury ADM is a result of epigenetic silencing of markers of acinar cell identity, activation of drivers of acinar cell dedifferentiation or loss of acinar cell organization ADM is driven by intrinsic and extrinsic signalling ADM in the presence of oncogenic KRAS signalling is irreversible and leads to a duct-like cell type that forms pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia Pancreatic acinar cells show high plasticity and can undergo acinar-to-ductal metaplasia, which might be an initiating event for pancreatic cancer. Here, the determinants of acinar cell plasticity are discussed, as well as signalling events that drive acinar-to-ductal metaplasia and their contribution to oncogenesis. Acinar cells in the adult pancreas show high plasticity and can undergo transdifferentiation to a progenitor-like cell type with ductal characteristics. This process, termed acinar-to-ductal metaplasia (ADM), is an important feature facilitating pancreas regeneration after injury. Data from animal models show that cells that undergo ADM in response to oncogenic signalling are precursors for pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia lesions, which can further progress to pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). As human pancreatic adenocarcinoma is often diagnosed at a stage of metastatic disease, understanding the processes that lead to its initiation is important for the discovery of markers for early detection, as well as options that enable an early intervention. Here, the critical determinants of acinar cell plasticity are discussed, in addition to the intracellular and extracellular signalling events that drive acinar cell metaplasia and their contribution to development of PDAC.

Within the last decades, plant-based diets have received increasing interest for their potential benefits to human and environmental health. The concept of plant-based diet, however, varies widely in its definition. Current definitions range from the exclusion of all animal products to diets that include meat, fish, and dairy in varying quantities. Therefore, the main objectives of this review were twofold: (a) to investigate how researchers use the term plant-based diet in nutrition intervention studies and (b) what types of food a plant-based diet may include. Searching two databases, we found that the term “plant-based diet” evokes varying ideas to researchers and clinicians. Fifty percent of the retrieved studies that included a plant-based dietary intervention completely proscribed animal products and used the term plant-based diet interchangeably with a vegan diet. In contrast, an ~33% of trials included dairy products and 20% of dietary interventions emphasized a semi-vegetarian dietary pattern. Based on specific examples, we point out how the usage of the umbrella term “plant-based diet” may cause significant ambiguity. We often encountered incomplete descriptions of plant-based dietary interventions, which makes comparison and reproducibility of studies difficult. As a consequence, we urge others to use the term “plant-based diet” only in conjunction with a detailed dietary description. To facilitate this process, we provide a template of a standardized plant-based intervention reporting checklist. Finally, the present review also highlights the urgent need for a consensus definition of the term plant-based diet and its content.

Population genomic analyses of high-altitude humans and other vertebrates have identified numerous candidate genes for hypoxia adaptation, and the physiological pathways implicated by such analyses suggest testable hypotheses about underlying mechanisms. Studies of highland natives that integrate genomic data with experimental measures of physiological performance capacities and subordinate traits are revealing associations between genotypes (e.g., hypoxia-inducible factor gene variants) and hypoxia-responsive phenotypes. The subsequent search for causal mechanisms is complicated by the fact that observed genotypic associations with hypoxia-induced phenotypes may reflect second-order consequences of selection-mediated changes in other (unmeasured) traits that are coupled with the focal trait via feedback regulation. Manipulative experiments to decipher circuits of feedback control and patterns of phenotypic integration can help identify causal relationships that underlie observed genotype–phenotype associations. Such experiments are critical for correct inferences about phenotypic targets of selection and mechanisms of adaptation.

During development of pancreatic cancer macrophage-mediated inflammatory processes and the formation of cancerous lesions are tightly connected. Based on insight from mouse models we provide an overview on the functions of classically-activated pro-inflammatory and alternatively-activated anti-inflammatory macrophages in the initiation and progression of pancreatic cancer. We highlight their roles in earliest events of tumor initiation such as acinar-to-ductal metaplasia (ADM), organization of the fibrotic lesion microenvironment, and growth of low-grade (LG) lesions. We then discuss their roles as tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) in progression to high-grade (HG) lesions with a cancerous invasive phenotype and an immunosuppressive microenvironment. Another focus is on how targeting these macrophage populations can affect immunosuppression, fibrosis and responses to chemotherapy, and eventually how this knowledge could be used for novel therapy approaches for patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA).