Quantum search with certainty based on modified Grover algorithms: optimum choice of parameters

In the original Grover algorithm, an exact or almost exact search such that the success probability is unity or infinitesimally close to unity is possible only for certain values of the fraction λ =  M/N where M is the number of marked items that are stored in an unsorted database of N items. There are various modified algorithms with an adjustable phase or phases such that an exact search can be done for any value of λ by means of a finite number of Grover-type operations. Among them, the algorithm proposed by Long is the simplest in the sense that it has only one adjustable phase and that the phase can be obtained in a closed form. We show that other more general algorithms with additional phases are not more efficient than Long’s version with a single phase.     

Trends in standardization on multimedia communications

The authors describe the activities of telecommunication and information standardization organizations, such as the ITU-T, ISO/IEC JTC1, and ISO/IEC related to multimedia communications. Achievements of the related fora and consortia, such as the ATM Forum, IETF, and DAVIC, which play important roles in standardizing multimedia applications, are also described     

Sol-gel synthesis of high-humidity-sensitive amorphous P2O5-TiO2 films

Abstracts are not published in this journal This revised version was published online in November 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Preparation of super-hydrophobic surface on biodegradable polymer by transcribing microscopic pattern of water-repellent leaf

Super-hydrophobic surface has been prepared onto biodegradable polymer by a combination of transcribing microscopic structure of a water-repellent leaf and a chemical treatment. An aroid leaf has been chosen for the preparation of the super-hydrophobic surface since the leaf has concavity microscopic structure, which is easy to handle for a material use. The microscopic pattern was transcribed onto poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) sheet by using replica method, then it was further treated by soaking in a mixture of acetone/methanol solution. The resultant PCL having the microscopic concavity pattern showed high water contact angle of 148° and also showed antibacterial property for filamentous fungi.     

Molecular structure of La3+-induced methanol dehydrogenase-like protein in Methylobacterium radiotolerans

La(3+) and not Ca(2+) increases methanol dehydrogenase (MDH) activity in Methylobacterium radiotolerans NBRC15690. La(3+)- and Ca(2+)-MDH-like proteins were found to be homodimeric (α(2)) and heterotetrameric (α(2)β(2)), respectively. N-terminal amino acid sequences of these proteins revealed that La(3+)- and Ca(2+)-MDH-like proteins were encoded by xoxF and mxaFI, respectively.     

Acid resistance and verocytotoxin productivity of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7 exposed to microwave

Abstract: We examined the acid resistance and verocytotoxin (VT) productivity of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7 irradiated by microwave with a domestic microwave oven and a commercial microwave radiator equipped with a thermo‐regulator. When the cell suspension (5 mL) chilled at 0 °C was treated with a domestic microwave oven at weak power (2.45 GHz, 100 W) for 60 s, the living cell number was reduced by 2 orders (final temperature, about 65 °C). The surviving cells showed lower acid resistance and VT productivity than nonirradiated cells. To examine the nonthermal effect of microwave on acid resistance and VT productivity, the cells in Luria‐Bertani medium were intermittently irradiated to keep the culture temperature at 37 °C with the microwave radiator (2.45 GHz, 0.6 W/mL). The intermittent radiation slightly reduced the acid resistance, but clearly suppressed the VT productivity. Microwave oven is probably useful for reducing not only the living cell number but also the acid resistance and VT productivity of EHEC O157:H7.     

A case of neurologic type of Wilson's disease with increased aluminum in liver: comparative study with histological findings to metal contents in the liver

Histological findings and metal contents in the liver were studied in a patient with neurologic type of Wilson's disease. Copper and aluminum contents in the biopsied liver of the patient with Wilson's disease were measured simultaneously by neutron activation analysis at Research Reactor Institute, Kyoto University. Four cases of adult cirrhosis were selected as the control for cirrhosis and five cases of adult liver as the control for neurologically normal. The biopsied liver showed markedly increase in the copper content (814.4 micrograms/g: dry weight) and extremely high content of aluminum (479.4 micrograms/g: dry weight), compared to those of the controls. On the other hand, macroscopically no cirrhosis was observed and the characteristic appearances of macronodular cirrhosis failed to detect histologically. Interestingly the fibrosis or inflammation of the liver was seen faintly. It is likely that toxic metals in the liver such as aluminum, copper and manganese might be implicated in the pathogenesis of neurologic type of Wilson's disease.     

Temperature Dependence of Local Structure of Rb3C60 Superconductor

EXAFS studies on Rb₃C₆₀ are made as a function of temperature from 6K to 300 K. It is found that the distance r_Rb-c and the second, third and fourth cumulant terms of Debye-Waller factors, σ(2), σ_c(3) and σ_c(4), show the anomalous behavior near T_c.