Experimental realization of free-space continuous-variable quantum key distribution based on fiber Sagnac interferometer.

The Gaussian-modulated coherent state (GMCS) is a well-known continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CV-QKD) protocol that is robust to incoherent background noise and can effectively suppress ambient light in free space. However, it is difficult to implement this protocol in free space using existing polarization coding schemes. In this Letter, we propose a polarization coding structure based on a self-compensating fiber Sagnac interferometer, which can reduce the required modulation voltage by two orders of magnitude and achieve fast and arbitrary polarization modulation, and experimentally demonstrate polarization coding-based GMCS CV-QKD for, it is believed, the first time.

Quantum key distribution integrating with ultra-high-power classical optical communications based on ultra-low-loss fiber.

The demand for the integration of quantum key distribution (QKD) and classical optical communication in the same optical fiber medium greatly increases as fiber resources and the flexibility of practical applications are taken into consideration. To satisfy the needs of the mass deployment of ultra-high power required for classical optical networks integrating QKD, we implement the discrete variable quantum key distribution (DV-QKD) under up to 25 dBm launch power from classical channels over 75 km on an ultra-low-loss (ULL) fiber by combining a finite-key security analysis method with the noise model of classical signals. To the best of our knowledge, this is the highest power launched by classical signals on the coexistence of DV-QKD and classical communication.

Coexistence of quantum key distribution and optical transport network based on standard single-mode fiber at high launch power.

There is an increasing demand for multiplexing of quantum key distribution with optical communications in single fiber in consideration of high costs and practical applications in the metropolitan optical network. Here, we realize the integration of quantum key distribution and an optical transport network of 80 Gbps classical data at 15 dBm launch power over 50 km of the widely used standard (G.652 Recommendation of the International Telecom Union Telecom Standardization Sector) telecom fiber.

[miRNA-101 inhibits the expression of the enhancer of zeste homolog 2 in androgen-independent prostate cancer LNCaP cell line].

Objective: To investigate the effect of miRNA-101 on the expression of the enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EXH2) in human androgen-independent prostated cancer LNCaP cells.

Methods: We divided LNCaP cells into a blank control, a negative control, and a miRNA-l01 transfection group, constructed the vector by transfecting synthetic miRNA-101 mimics into the LNCaP cells, and evaluated the efficiency of transfection by fluorescence microscopy. Then we determined the expression level of EZH2 mRNA by qRT-PCR in the three groups of cells and that of the EZH2 protein in the negative control and transfection groups by Western blot.

RPL1, a gene involved in epigenetic processes regulates phenotypic plasticity in rice.

Organisms can adjust their phenotype in response to changing environmental conditions. This phenomenon is termed phenotypic plasticity. Despite its ubiquitous occurrence, there has been very little study on the molecular mechanism of phenotypic plasticity.

A major QTL, Ghd8, plays pleiotropic roles in regulating grain productivity, plant height, and heading date in rice.

Rice yield and heading date are two distinct traits controlled by quantitative trait loci (QTLs). The dissection of molecular mechanisms underlying rice yield traits is important for developing high-yielding rice varieties. Here, we report the cloning and characterization of Ghd8, a major QTL with pleiotropic effects on grain yield, heading date, and plant height.

Genome-wide association studies of 14 agronomic traits in rice landraces.

Uncovering the genetic basis of agronomic traits in crop landraces that have adapted to various agro-climatic conditions is important to world food security. Here we have identified ∼ 3.6 million SNPs by sequencing 517 rice landraces and constructed a high-density haplotype map of the rice genome using a novel data-imputation method.

Evaluation of seven function-known candidate genes for their effects on improving drought resistance of transgenic rice under field conditions.

Many stress responsive genes have been reported with an effect on improving stress resistance in model plants under greenhouse conditions. Towards identification of genes for drought resistance breeding, seven well documented genes (CBF3, SOS2, NCED2, NPK1, LOS5, ZAT10, and NHX1) in stress resistance were selected in this study and transformed into rice cultivar Zhonghua 11 under the control of constitutive promoter Actin1 and stress-inducible promoter of a rice HVA22 homolog, and transgenic rice were tested for drought resistance under field conditions. A total of 1598 independent transgenic T0 plants were generated.

[A new method for EST clustering].

We developed an EST (expressed sequence tag) clustering method, ESTClustering, to generate high-quality unique expressed sequence based on large-scale EST sequencing. The method uses consensus sequences to sequence analyze with megablast and assemble each cluster with phrap in clustering process. The clustering strategy can efficiently identify gene family and alternate splicing forms of expressed sequences.

[Mapping QTLs for horizontal resistance to sheath blight in an elite rice restorer line, Minghui 63].

This study was conducted with a recombinant inbred line (RILs) population consisting of 240 recombination lines, derived from an elite combination, Zhenshan 97B x Minghui 63. The RILs and their parents were grown in a randomized complete design with two replications in the years of 1999 and 2000. Sheath blight response ratings for the population and their parents were identified by an improved method of inoculation, which was carried out with short woody toothpicks incubated with a Rhizoctonia solani strain, RH-9, and inserted the third sheath in the late tillering/green ring stage of growth.