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Recent studies demonstrated that perforated pit membranes (i.e., pit membranes with a large opening in their central portion) are commonly present between wood fibers in core eudicots. It is unclear whether this type of pit membranes might also occur in ancestral angiosperms. Therefore, structure of interfiber pit membranes was examined by field-emission scanning electron microscopy in nine species representing seven families that are located at more ancestral position than core eudicots. We found perforated pit membranes in three of the nine species. Our observations indicate that perforated pit membranes are relatively common even in ancestral groups of angiosperms. In the non-perforated pit membranes of the other six species, we found a range of structural variations. Thin-walled pit membranes without apparent intercellular layers were always found in three of the six species and the porosity of sheet-like pit membranes differed among the three species. Unlike the thin-walled pit membranes, interfiber pit membranes of Buxus microphylla var. japonica were thick-walled with obvious intercellular layers, and in Schisandra chinensis, we often observed torus-bearing pit membranes. Such variations in layered structure of pit membranes and homoplastic occurrence of torus-bearing pit membranes have not yet been reported for ancestral angiosperms. Our observations indicate that the structure of interfiber pit membranes might be more complicated than previous studies might suggest.

A dye injection method was used to elucidate the xylem water-conducting pathways of 34 broadleaved evergreen trees growing in southern Japan: two semi-ring-porous, 26 diffuse-porous, five radial-porous and one non-vessel species. The large earlywood vessels in semi-ring-porous species have a water transport function in only the outermost annual ring, as in deciduous ring-porous species. On the other hand, the small vessels in semi-ring-porous species maintain the water transport function in many outer annual rings. For the other xylem-type species, the many vessels in many outer annual rings have a water transport function. In diffuse-porous species, we categorized the water-conducting pattern within the annual rings into two types: d1 type, where water travels through vessels in the whole region; and d2 type, where water travels mainly through the earlywood vessels. The pattern in radial-porous species is similar to that in the d1 type; the pattern in non-vessels species is similar to that in the d2 type. The vessel diameter in radial-porous species is similar to that of the earlywood vessels of semi-ring-porous species. These results suggest that the conduit diameter size is only one of many factors determining the water-conducting pathways of broadleaved evergreen species.

Effects of sika deer (Cervus nippon) and dwarf bamboo (“sasa;” Sasamorpha borealis) on seedling emergence and survival were investigated in cool-temperate mixed forests in the Kyushu mountain range, Japan. We compared the effects of sika deer between two sites with different sika deer densities. One site (no-sasa forest) has sparse cover of S. borealis and a high density of sika deer, and the other site (sasa forest) has dense cover of S. borealis with a low density of sika deer. In the no-sasa forest, more seedlings emerged and the survival rate of the seedlings was higher compared with the sasa forest. Compared with the sasa forest, the canopy in the no-sasa forest was more open, the organic layer was shallower and drier, the mean daily soil temperature was higher, and soil temperature fluctuated more widely. Those environmental parameters did not differ between unfenced and fenced plots. The comparison between the sasa and no-sasa forests suggested that removal of S. borealis by sika deer had an indirect positive effect on seedling emergence and survival. However, the fenced-plot experiments indicated that sika deer inhibited seedling emergence and survival. These contradictory conclusions could result from the much larger negative effects of S. borealis on seedling emergence and survival compared with the effects of sika deer browsing.

The amount of water stored in the stem introduces uncertainty when estimating diurnal whole-tree transpiration (ET) and canopy stomatal conductance (GC) using sap flow measured at the base of the stem (Q). Thus, to examine how ET can be calculated from Q, we obtained ET using sap flow and stem water content measurements and a whole-tree water balance equation, and compared it with Q. In this study, we measured sap flows in 33-year-old individual trees of Cryptomeria japonica D. Don and Chamaecyparis obtusa Endl. using constant-heat sap flow probes. Sap flows were measured at several depths at the base of the stem, and at the upper trunk as a surrogate of ET. Stem water contents were measured at three vertical positions on the trunk using amplitude-domain reflectometry (ADR) sensors. We also measured sapwood volumes of the study trees. Using simultaneous sap flow and stem water content measurements along the tree stem, we confirmed that stem water storage has impacts on the transpiration stream. These include sap flow lags along the tree heights and an enhanced peak of transpiration from stem sap flow. These results enabled us to calculate the correct ET by multiplying Q by 1·18 and shifting its time series forward by 30 min. The ET value was then used to calculate GC for both tree species. The factor of 1·18 is based on the fact that at noon, the value of ET was higher than that of Q, due to the prolonged Q during the evening. Establishing the time lag was relatively simple and was determined by comparing Q and vapor pressure deficit. The multiplier is more challenging to ascertain due to the difficulty in obtaining ET correctly. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The interspecific variation of dye ascent in the stems of 44 broadleaved deciduous species growing in Japan was studied using freeze-dried samples after dye injection. The dye ascending pattern differed both within and between ring-porous and diffuse-porous species. In large earlywood vessels of all ring-porous species, the dye ascended only in the outermost annual ring, and the inner annual rings had lost their water transport function. The dye ascending pattern within the inner annual rings in the ring-porous species was categorized into three types: i) the dye ascended both in the many latewood vessels throughout the latewood and small earlywood vessels; ii) the dye ascended in the many vessels throughout the latewood; and iii) the dye ascended mainly in the late latewood vessels. In diffuse-porous species, the dye ascending pattern within the annual rings also was categorized into three types: i) the dye ascended throughout the annual rings; ii) the dye ascended mainly in the earlywood vessels; and iii) the dye ascended mainly in the latewood vessels. Xylem water distribution was also examined by cryo-SEM in three ring-porous and three diffuse-porous species that had different dye ascending patterns. The water distribution pattern within annual rings was correlated with the dye ascending pattern except for one diffuseporous species (Salix gracilistyla). In this case, water was distributed in the whole region of the annual rings although dye was mainly distributed in the earlywood. These results showed that the functional area of water transport within annual rings differed among ring-porous species and diffuse-porous species.

Measurements of the average current and its fluctuations (noise) have been powerful tools to study the quantumtransport in mesoscopic systems. Recently it became possible to measure the probability distribution of current, ‘full counting statistics’ (FCS), by using quantum point-contact charge-detectors. Motivated by recent experiments, we developed the FCS theory for the joint probability distribution of the current and the electron number inside quantum dots (QDs). We show that a non-Gaussian exponential distribution appears when there is no dot state close to the lead chemical potentials. We show that the measurement of the joint probability distribution of current and electron number would reveal nontrivial correlations, which reflect the asymmetry of tunnel barriers.We also show that for increasing strength of tunneling, the quantum fluctuations of charge qualitatively change the probability distribution of the electron number. (© 2007 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Measurements of the average current and its fluctuation (noise) have been powerful tools to study the quantum transport in mesoscopic systems. Recently it became possible to measure the higher moment of the current probability distribution and moreover, the current distribution itself (‘full counting statistics’ (FCS)) by using quantum point-contact charge-detectors. Motivated by recent experiments, we evaluate the FCS for the probability distribution of electron number inside a quantum dot (QD). We show that a non-Gaussian exponential distribution appears when there is no dot state close to the lead chemical potentials. We propose the measurement of the joint probability distribution of current through the QD and electron number inside the QD, which reveals correlations between the two observables and reflects the asymmetry of tunnel barriers. We also show that for increasing strength of tunneling, the quantum fluctuations qualitatively change the probability distribution of the electron number.

We report our recent study on the full counting statistics (FCS) of transport through a molecular quantum dot magnet. Our analysis is theoretical, and its range of validity is restricted here to the incoherent tunneling regime. One of the original points is our Hamiltonian describing a single-level quantum dot, magnetically coupled to an additional local spin, the latter representing the total molecular spin s . We assume that the system is in the strong Coulomb blockade regime, i.e., double occupancy on the dot is forbidden. The master equation approach to FCS is applied to derive a generating function yielding the FCS of charge and current. In the master equation approach, Clebsch–Gordan coefficients appear in the transition probabilities, whereas the derivation of generating function reduces to solving the eigenvalue problem of a modified master equation with counting fields. The latter needs de facto only the eigenstate which collapses smoothly to the zero-eigenvalue stationary state in the limit of vanishing counting fields. Our main discovery is that in our problem with arbitrary spin s, some quartic relations among Clebsch–Gordan coefficients allow us to identify the desired eigenspace without solving the whole problem. Thus the FCS generating function is derived analytically and exactly in the framework of master equation approach. By considering more specific cases, some contour plots of the joint charge–current probability distribution function are obtained numerically.

To estimate whole-tree water use when employing sap flow measurements, integration of the sap flux density (F d) over the sapwood area is needed. Accordingly, it is necessary to obtain information on the characteristics of stem water transportation such as spatial variations in F d and the active xylem area in the stem cross-section. Although evergreen oak trees with radial-porous wood represent a major component of secondary forests in western Japan, detailed information on their stem water transportation characteristics remains unclear. In the present study, we used the heat dissipation method (Granier method) to conduct measurements of azimuthal and radial variations in the F d of Quercus glauca Thunb. ex Murray, a representative evergreen broad-leaved tree in western Japan. Further, by analyzing the anatomy of the xylem structure, we examined why F d varies spatially in the stem cross-section. By using a dye solution injected into a radial hole bored into the tree trunk, we confirmed that the entire stem is hydroactive. We also compared the spatial variations in F d and water conductivity per xylem area (K s) which were estimated by using the observed vessel diameters and their density over the stem cross-section and Hagen–Poiseuille’s law. Azimuthal and radial variations in F d reached about 60 and 50% of the maximum values, respectively, and could be explained by spatial variation in K s. As a result, we obtained statistical parameters describing the spatial variation in F d in Q. glauca and determined that whole-tree water use estimated from measurements in one direction had at most ±20% potential errors for studied trees.

To elucidate the water-conducting pathways in living trees by the dye injection method, suitable sample preparation procedures are needed. We evaluated quantitatively the properties and concentrations of three dyes (acid fuchsin, basic fuchsin and safranin) widely used for this purpose, and determined the optimal conditions required to avoid artifacts after dye injection into the sap stream of Pieris japonica D. Don. Among the dyes tested, an aqueous solution of acid fuchsin at a concentration of 0.1% or more was the most useful for delineating water movement. In non-transpiring stem segments, the vertical movement of acid fuchsin by capillarity and diffusion from the dye injection site was limited. However, acid fuchsin moved rapidly in the horizontal direction by capillarity and diffusion, and most xylem cells were stained within 2 h. A delay of more than 2 h between dye injection and examination of the tissues greatly reduces the precision of the method. Use of the dye injection method without appropriate, well-defined experimental procedures may give rise to misleading information about the functional water-conducting pathway in living trees.

We calculate the R\'enyi entropy of a positive integer order $M$ for a reduced density matrix of a single-level quantum dot connected to left and right leads. We exploit a $2 \times 2$ modified Keldysh Green function matrix obtained by the discrete Fourier transform of a $2 M \times 2M$ multi-contour Keldysh Green function matrix. A moment generating function of self-information is deduced from the analytic continuation of $M$ to the complex plane. We calculate the probability distribution of self-information and find that, within the Hartree approximation, the on-site Coulomb interaction affects rare events and modifies a bound of the probability distribution. A simple equality, from which an upper bound of the average, i.e., the entanglement entropy, would be inferred, is presented. For noninteracting electrons, the entanglement entropy is expressed with current cumulants of the full-counting statistics of electron transport., Comment: 15 pages, 8 figures

Theoretical conditions to excite self-oscillation in a spin torque oscillator consisting of a perpendicularly magnetized free layer and an in-plane magnetized pinned layer are investigated by analytically solving the Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equation. The analytical relation between the current and oscillation frequency is derived. It is found that a large amplitude oscillation can be excited by applying a small field pointing to the direction anti-parallel to the magnetization of the pinned layer. The validity of the analytical results is confirmed by comparing with numerical simulation, showing good agreement especially in a low current region., 8 pages, 3 figures

VK: Low Temperature Laboratory We study a model which can describe a superconducting single-electron transistor or a double quantum dot coupled to a transmission-line oscillator. In both cases the degree of freedom is given by a charged particle, which couples strongly to the electromagnetic environment or phonons. We consider the case where a lasing condition is established and study the dependence of the average photon number in the resonator on the spectral function of the electromagnetic environment. We focus on three important cases: a strongly coupled environment with a small cutoff frequency, a structured environment peaked at a specific frequency, and 1/f noise. We find that the electromagnetic environment can have a substantial impact on the photon creation. Resonance peaks are in general broadened and additional resonances can appear.

Recent experiments have demonstrated the efficacy of chiral helically shaped molecules in polarizing the scattered electron spin, an effect termed as chiral-induced spin selectivity (CISS). Here we solve a simple tight-binding model for electron transport through a single helical molecule, with spin-orbit interactions on the bonds along the helix. Quantum interference is introduced via additional electron hopping between neighboring sites in the direction of the helix axis. When the helix is connected to two one-dimensional single-mode leads, time-reversal symmetry prevents spin polarization of the outgoing electrons. One possible way to retrieve such a polarization is to allow leakage of electrons from the helix to the environment, via additional outgoing leads. Technically, the leakage generates complex site self-energies, which break unitarity. As a result, the electron waves in the helix become evanescent, with different decay lengths for different spin polarizations, yielding a net spin polarization of the outgoing electrons, which increases with the length of the helix (as observed experimentally). A maximal polarization can be measured at a finite angle away from the helix axis., Comment: 12 pages, 5 figures

Of all plant materials used to cover the roofs of traditional Japanese buildings, Japanese cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa) bark, hiwada, has the longest service life and has been used from ancient times. However, wood and bark properties after hiwada harvest have not been evaluated in detail. We studied whether decortication for hiwada production in winter affected xylem and phloem formation. Decorticated trees still preserved all inner bark and part of the outer bark, and both decorticated and control trees had similar annual ring structures at all stem heights in the xylem and phloem. In both xylem and inner bark, no significant difference in ring width at any stem height was found between annual rings before and after decortication. Thus, this study revealed that the decortication of bark for hiwada production does not affect the formation of xylem and the inner and outer bark if decortication is carried out by highly skilled workers in winter.

This is the first report to ascertain potassium location in black heartwood of sugi (Cryptomeria japonica). The objective of this study was to understand the distribution of potassium in sugi black heartwood in connection with anatomical morphology. Scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-EDXA) was used to investigate the distribution of inorganic elements, especially potassium. In black heartwood, potassium was detected in all tissues (tracheids, ray parenchyma, and axial parenchyma), but its concentrations were different in each xylem tissue. Potassium was particularly accumulated in the droplets in axial parenchyma cells. In addition, calcium was also detected in all tissues. Phosphorus sometimes existed in the granules in ray parenchyma cells. From optical microscopy, the axial parenchyma cells were observed to be arranged in a tangential direction on transverse section and the droplets in these cells were distributed in areas of high ash and green moisture content. For red heartwood, potassium detected by SEM-EDXA was far lower in all tissues than in the black heartwood, while the trend for calcium was the converse. Potassium in axial parenchyma cells was more abundant in black heartwood than in typical pale red heartwood.

To scale sap flux density ( F d ) measurements of individual trees to stand level transpiration ( E ), the mean stand F d ( J S ) is among the most important factors, because E is frequently estimated as a product of J S and stand sapwood area. Major uncertainties in J S estimations are caused by tree-to-tree and radial variations in F d . Thus, by using the Monte Carlo sampling technique with original tree-to-tree F d data measured at several depths, we examined how many trees and radial depths need to be sampled for calculation of appropriate J S . In this study, F d was measured in 14 mature Japanese cedar ( Cryptomeria japonica ) trees at several radial depths, 0–2, 2–4 and 4–6 cm, using Granier-type sensors. The results revealed that the potential error in J S with the largest available sample size was not stable even though radial profiles in F d for all sample trees were measured. They also showed that to consider radial variation in F d it might be necessary to sample at least six trees, but not necessarily more than this. The results imply that, for E estimations, there is more tree-to-tree variation in F d than in radial variation in F d .

To visualize water-conduction pathways in living trees, we introduced aqueous solutions of safranin and acid fuchsin into stems of Populus sieboldii Miquel. To examine the spread of each dye in the trees, we compared several techniques for preparing tissue for light microscopy. Acid fuchsin was distributed more rapidly and more widely than safranin, reflecting differences between the dye molecules in state of ionization. We prepared some sections without allowing the dye to redissolve after it had been stabilized by freeze-drying. In these sections, the dye was observed in vessels and in some of the adjacent ray parenchyma cells. Other sections were prepared without stabilizing the dye. In these sections, acid fuchsin in the sap stream left cell walls unstained, whereas safranin stained wood fibers in the vicinity of vessels, as well as the vessels themselves, provided that the sections were mounted in glycerin, which dissolves safranin. Although stained with safranin, the wood fibers contained no water. The results indicate that stabilization of the introduced dye and subsequent preparation of tissues under conditions that avoid dye resolublilization allow accurate visualization of water-conduction pathways at the cellular level.

Estimations of stand sapwood area (AS_stand) are among the most critical factors for determining stand transpiration (E) using sap flux measurements. AS_stand is generally estimated using stem diameter (DBH) data measured for all trees in a stand and an allometric equation that describes the relationship between DBH and sapwood area (AS_tree) based on available allometric data. To examine the errors in E that are generated when using the allometric equation with a small sample size, the Monte Carlo sampling technique was used with an original allometric data set. In this study, all trees (921 Cryptomeria japonica and 1226 Chamaecyparis obtusa) in the studied stands provided the original allometric data (DBH and AS_tree). Monte Carlo simulations allow the number of sample trees required for an appropriate E estimate to be derived. The results revealed that potential errors in the E estimate were almost stable with a sample size of over 20 for both Cr. japonica and Ch. obtusa. This implies that at least, but not more than, 20 trees are necessary for the allometric equation when estimating E for both species. # 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Cell behavior in the cambium and developing xylem of 3-year-old Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don.) trees, during and after an 11-day suspension of irrigation, was analyzed. Leaf xylem pressure potential and tangential strain of the stem surface were monitored throughout the experiment. Anatomical features and numbers of developing tracheids and cambial cells were observed in four trees, sampled on Days 0, 4, 8 and 11 after irrigation was suspended. Daytime xylem pressure potential decreased to -1.9 MPa on Day 7 and remained the same until irrigation was resumed on Day 11. The transverse dimensions of the tracheids, which began to form secondary walls, began to decrease on Day 4. The number of cells in the cambial zone and cell expansion zone decreased abruptly on Day 8. Tangentially aligned developing tracheids with collapsed cell walls were observed in samples harvested on Days 8 and 11. Secondary wall formation was recognized in these tracheids. After the resumption of irrigation, xylem pressure potential recovered rapidly to the same value as before the suspension of irrigation. Tangential strain increased within 30 min after the resumption of irrigation, and continued to increase until the onset of light the next day. Eighteen days after the resumption of irrigation, anatomical features of cells in the cambium and cell-expansion zone were similar to those observed before suspension of irrigation.

Absorption properties of extracellular matrix (ECM) were investigated for carbon negative-ion-implanted polymers of polystyrene (PS), polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and poly-lactic acid (PLA) to estimate cell attachment properties of the modified surface without cell culture. Carbon negative ions were implanted to these polymers at 10 keV with a dose of 10 14 –10 16 ions/cm 2 . Implanted samples were dipped in a culture medium including serum for 2 h at 37 °C. After the samples were rinsed with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and with pure water and then dried, nitrogen atoms absorbed on the surface were investigated by XPS. The molecular structure of many kinds of extracellular matrix proteins contains nitrogen atoms; polymers of PS, PDMS and PLA do not include nitrogen. Therefore, we can evaluate the absorption properties of ECM by the nitrogen atoms absorbed on the surface. The nitrogen content increased after ion implantation for these polymers: from 5.5 to 8% for PS; from 1 to 5% for PDMS; and from 6 to 8.3% PLA. The contact angle for C-implanted PS and PDMS decreased with increasing ion dose, and corresponded well with the absorption properties of the extracellular matrix. However, the contact angle for PLA did not significantly change after ion implantation. Thus, the absorption properties of ECM represent another measure for the estimation of cell-attachment properties.

We theoretically investigate the coefficient of performance (COP) of a mesoscopic thermoelectric refrigerator realized by using a tunnel junction. We analyze the influence of particle and heat current fluctuations on the COP out of the equilibrium regime. We calculate the average COP by using full counting statistics and find that it depends on the measurement time $\tau$. The deviation from the macroscopic COP value can be expressed with the Skellam distribution at all times. This result enables us to improve the Gaussian approximation valid within the linear response regime, which cannot predict the average COP in the limit of $\tau \to 0$. We illustrate the time dependence of the average COP and find that in the short-time regime, the average COP possesses a minimum. In order to confirm the physical consistency far from equilibrium, we propose checking the correlation coefficient between the particle and the heat currents in addition to the positivity of the entropy production rate., Comment: 12 pages, 5 figures. The paper was expanded

We present magnetization, specific heat, and $^{27}\mathrm{Al}$ NMR investigations on ${\mathrm{YbFe}}_{2}{\mathrm{Al}}_{10}$ over a wide range in temperature and magnetic field. The magnetic susceptibility at low temperatures is strongly enhanced at weak magnetic fields, accompanied by a $\mathrm{ln}({T}_{0}/T)$ divergence of the low-$T$ specific heat coefficient in zero field, which indicates a ground state of correlated electrons. From our hard-x-ray photoemission spectroscopy study, the Yb valence at 50 K is evaluated to be 2.38. The system displays valence fluctuating behavior in the low to intermediate temperature range, whereas above 400 K, ${\mathrm{Yb}}^{3+}$ carries a full and stable moment, and Fe carries a moment of about $3.1{\ensuremath{\mu}}_{B}$. The enhanced value of the Sommerfeld-Wilson ratio and the dynamic scaling of the spin-lattice relaxation rate divided by $T[^{27}(1/{T}_{1}T)]$ with static susceptibility suggests admixed ferromagnetic correlations. $^{27}(1/{T}_{1}T)$ simultaneously tracks the valence fluctuations from the $4f$ Yb ions in the high temperature range and field dependent antiferromagnetic correlations among partially Kondo screened Fe $3d$ moments at low temperature; the latter evolve out of an Yb $4f$ admixed conduction band.

In the context of fluctuation relations, we study the distribution of energy dissipated by a driven two-level system. Incorporating an energy counting field into the well known spin-boson model enables us to calculate the distribution function of the amount of energy exchanged between the system and the bath. We also derive the conditional distribution functions of the energy exchanged with the bath for particular initial and/or final states of the two-level system. We confirm the symmetry of the conditional distribution function expected from the theory of fluctuation relations. We also find that the conditional distribution functions acquire considerable quantum corrections at times shorter or of the order of the dephasing time. Our findings can be tested using solid-state qubits., Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures

It was recently reported that cutting artefacts occur in some species when branches under tension are cut, even under water. We used non-destructive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to investigate the change in xylem water distribution at the cellular level in Vitis coignetiae standing stems before and after relaxing tension. Less than 3% of vessels were cavitated when stems under tension were cut under water at a position shorter than the maximum vessel length (MVL) from the MRI point, in three of four plants. The vessel contents remained at their original status, and cutting artefact vessel cavitation declined to1% when stems were cut at a position farther than the MVL from the MRI point. Water infiltration into the originally cavitated vessels after cutting the stem, i.e. vessel refilling, was found in1% of vessels independent of cutting position on three of nine plants. The results indicate that both vessel cavitation and refilling occur in xylem tissue under tension following stem cutting, but its frequency is quite small, and artefacts can be minimized altogether if the distance between the monitoring position and the cutting point is longer than the MVL.

We analyze the full-counting statistics of the electric heat current flowing in a two-terminal quantum conductor whose temperature is probed by a third electrode ("probe electrode"). In particular we demonstrate that the cumulant-generating function obeys the fluctuation theorem in the presence of a constant magnetic field. The analysis is based on the scattering matrix of the three-terminal junction (comprising of the two electronic terminals and the probe electrode), and a separation of time scales: it is assumed that the rapid charge transfer across the conductor and the rapid relaxation of the electrons inside the probe electrode give rise to much slower energy fluctuations in the latter. This separation allows for a stochastic treatment of the probe dynamics, and the reduction of the three-terminal setup to an effective two-terminal one. Expressions for the lowest nonlinear transport coefficients, e.g., the linear-response heat-current noise and the second nonlinear thermal conductance, are obtained and explicitly shown to preserve the symmetry of the fluctuation theorem for the two-terminal conductor. The derivation of our expressions which is based on the transport coefficients of the three-terminal system explicitly satisfying the fluctuation theorem, requires the full calculations of vertex corrections., 16 pages, 7 figures

The electronic structure of IrO2 has been investigated using hard x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and density-functional theory. Excellent agreement is observed between theory and experiment. We show that the electronic structure of IrO2 involves crystal field splitting of the iridium 5d orbitals in a distorted octahedral field. The behavior of IrO2 closely follows the theoretical predictions of Goodenough for conductive rutile-structured oxides [J. B. Goodenough, J. Solid State Chem. 3, 490 (1971)]. Strong satellites associated with the core lines are ascribed to final state screening effects. A simple plasmon model for the satellites applicable to many other metallic oxides appears to be not valid for IrO2.

We consider a reversal of the magnetic moment of a nano-magnet by the fluctuating spin-torque induced by a non-equilibrium current of electron spins. This is an example of the problem of the escape of a particle from a metastable state subjected to a fluctuating non-conservative force. The spin-torque is the non-conservative force and its fluctuations are beyond the description of the fluctuation-dissipation theorem. We estimate the joint probability distribution of work done by the spin torque and the Joule heat generated by the current, which satisfies the fluctuation theorem for a small engine. We predict a threshold voltage above which the spin-torque shot noise induces probabilistic switching events and below which such events are blocked. We adopt the theory of the full-counting statistics under the adiabatic pumping of spin angular momentum. This enables us to account for the backaction effect, which is crucial to maintain consistency with the fluctuation theorem., Comment: 8 pages, 3 figures

Based on the fluctuation theorem of a small engine, we present a description of the stochastic dynamics of a mesoscopic system. We apply it to the problem of the escape of a particle from a metastable state subjected to a fluctuating nonconservative force, which is beyond the description of the fluctuation-dissipation theorem. As an example, we consider a reversal of a small magnetic moment by fluctuating spin-torque. The joint probability distribution of input heat and output work is derived from the full-counting statistics under adiabatic pumping. We predict a threshold voltage above which the spin-torque shot noise induces probabilistic switching events, and below which such events are blocked.

The protocol of freeze stabilization and cryopreparation techniques to examine the distribution of water in living tree stems by X-ray imaging and cryo-scanning electron microscopy have been developed and described. The brief procedures are as follows. Firstly, a portion of transpiring stem is frozen in the standing state with liquid nitrogen to stabilize the water that is present in the conducting tissue. After filling with liquid nitrogen, discs are then collected from the frozen portion of the stem and stored in liquid nitrogen. In a low-temperature room, the samples for X-ray imaging are sectioned with a fine handsaw, and trimmed sample blokes for cryo-scanning electron microscopy are cleanly planed using a sliding microtome. Finally, the frozen sections are irradiated in a soft X-ray apparatus, and the small blocks are examined in cryo-scanning electron microscope after freeze-etching and metal coating.

The current dependence of the spin torque switching rate in a thermally activated region of an in-plane magnetized system was studied. The logarithm of the switching rate depended nonlinearly on current in the high-current region, I_{c} < I < I_{c}^{*}, where I_{c} and I_{c}^{*} are critical currents distinguishing the stability of the magnetization. We also found that the attempt frequency had a minimum around I_{c}, and that the attempt frequency at I_{c} was three orders of magnitude smaller than that at zero current, contrary to the assumption in previous analyses of experiments that it remains constant., 7 pages, 4 figures

The protocol of freeze stabilization and cryopreparation techniques to examine the distribution of water in living tree stems by X-ray imaging and cryo-scanning electron microscopy have been developed and described. The brief procedures are as follows. Firstly, a portion of transpiring stem is frozen in the standing state with liquid nitrogen to stabilize the water that is present in the conducting tissue. After filling with liquid nitrogen, discs are then collected from the frozen portion of the stem and stored in liquid nitrogen. In a low-temperature room, the samples for X-ray imaging are sectioned with a fine handsaw, and trimmed sample blokes for cryo-scanning electron microscopy are cleanly planed using a sliding microtome. Finally, the frozen sections are irradiated in a soft X-ray apparatus, and the small blocks are examined in cryo-scanning electron microscope after freeze-etching and metal coating.

We investigate the dynamical quantum fluctuation effect on an Andreev current through an ultrasmall superconductor in the Coulomb blockade regime. We calculate the current using a phenomenological gauge invariant model and the real-time path-integral method. We choose a special gauge which absorbs the scalar potential to convert the phase of a superconductor as a dynamical variable. A zero-energy phase fluctuation of the superconductor suppresses the Andreev current at low bias voltage. This suppression is expected to be observed in samples with large level spacing and small charging energy which allow the coexistence of a large quantum fluctuation and Andreev reflection process.

For an examination of the progression of cavitation in large-diameter earlywood vessels of a deciduous ring-porous tree, potted saplings of Fraxinus mandshurica var japonica Maxim. were frozen and then thawed. The changes in the amount and distribution of water in the lumina of the current year's earlywood vessels during the course of the freezing and thawing were visualized by cryo-scanning electron microscopy. When samples were frozen, most of the current year's earlywood vessels were filled with water. After the subsequent thawing, the percentage of cavitated current-year earlywood vessels gradually increased with time. All of the current year's earlywood vessels were cavitated within 24 h, and only limited amounts of water remained in the lumina of earlywood vessels. Similar cavitation of earlywood vessels was observed after thawing of frozen, excised stem pieces. In contrast, many vessels of the current year's latewood retained water in the lumina during freezing and thawing. These observations indicate that the cavitation of the current year's earlywood vessels is not produced during freezing but progresses during rewarming after freezing in F. mandshurica var japonica.

We calculate the tunnel magneto-resistance (TMR) ratio by employing the Keldysh formalism. The barrier height dependence of TMR has a minimum whose origin is different from that of Slonczewski's theory. The TMR decreases and saturates with increasing film thickness. When the barrier is low and thick, the barrier height dependence of modulated density of states in the electrodes is dominant to the behavior of TMR. In this case the TMR increases with increasing bias voltage. When the barrier is high and thin, the barrier height dependence of damping factor through the insulating film is dominant to the behavior of TMR. In this case the TMR decreases greatly with increasing bias voltage. The temperature dependence is small below the temperature where electrons can hop over the barrier. As the barrier becomes high, the TMR becomes weakly temperature dependent, and the bias dependence becomes large.

We study the Kondo effect in a quantum dot or a single molecule coupled to ferromagnetic leads. Spin-dependent quantum charge fluctuations in the dot induce the lifting of the spin degeneracy of the dot. It leads to the dot's level spin splitting observed in the nonequilibrium transport as a splitting of a zero-bias anomaly in the differential conductance. We discuss basic properties of this effect and its temperature dependence using numerical renormalization group technique. Recent experimental results fit well to our theoretical consideration.

We examine the Ruderman–Kittel–Kasuya–Yosida (RKKY) interaction between two local spins embedded in an Aharonov–Bohm (AB) ring. The flux-dependent RKKY interaction dominates the transport properties for both ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic coupling. For ferromagnetic coupling, the amplitude of AB oscillations is enhanced by Kondo correlations and for antiferromagnetic coupling the phase of AB oscillations is shifted by π .

We study the full-counting statistics of charges transmitted through a single-level quantum dot weakly coupled to a local Einstein phonon which causes fluctuations in the dot energy. An analytic expression for the cumulant generating function, accurate up to second order in the electron-phonon coupling and valid for finite voltages and temperatures, is obtained in the extended wide-band limit. The result accounts for nonequilibrium phonon distributions induced by the source-drain bias voltage, and concomitantly satisfies the fluctuation theorem. Extending the counting field to the complex plane, we investigate the locations of possible singularities of the cumulant generating function, and exploit them to identify regimes in which the electron transfer is affected differently by the coupling to the phonons. Within a large-deviation analysis, we find a kink in the probability distribution, analogous to a first-order phase transition in thermodynamics, which would be a unique hallmark of the electron-phonon correlations. This kink reflects the fact that although inelastic scattering by the phonons once the voltage exceeds their frequency can scatter electrons opposite to the bias, this will never generate current flowing against the bias at zero temperature, in accordance with the fluctuation theorem., Published version. 18 pages, 11 figures

Seasonal changes in the distribution of water in the outer growth rings of Fraxinus mandshurica var.japonica were visualised by cryo-scanning electron microscopy using samples in which water was freeze-fixed in the living trunk . During the growing season from mid-May to late-July when formation ofxylem progressed steadily, all cell lumina of the newly forming xylem elements were filled with water. From August to October, water was lost from the lumina of wood fibres in the current-year xylem. Loss of water from wood fibres began in August at the initial zone of the earlywood, and progressed toward the cambial zone. By November, water had disappeared from the lumina of current-year earlywood vessels, and water reappeared in the lumina of earlywood fibres around the currentyear earlywood vessels. Our results indicate that cavitation in lumina of current-year earlywood vessels occurred during the period from October to November.

The current dependence of the exponent of the spin torque switching rate of an in-plane magnetized system was investigated by solving the Fokker-Planck equation with low temperature and small damping and current approximations. We derived the analytical expressions of the critical currents, I_{c} and I_{c}^{*}. At I_{c}, the initial state parallel to the easy axis becomes unstable, while at I_{c}^{*} (\simeq 1.27 I_{c}) the switching occurs without the thermal fluctuation. The current dependence of the exponent of the switching rate is well described by (1-I/I_{c}^{*})^{b}, where the value of the exponent b is approximately unity for I < I_{c}, while b rapidly increases up to 2.2 with increasing current for I_{c} < I < I_{c}^{*}. The linear dependence for I < I_{c} agrees with the other works, while the nonlinear dependence for I_{c} < I < I_{c}^{*} was newly found by the present work. The nonlinear dependence is important for analysis of the experimental results, because most experiments are performed in the current region of I_{c} < I < I_{c}^{*}., 10 pages, 8 figures

• Premise of the study: Intercellular spaces along ray parenchyma (ISRP) are common in many conifer xylems, but their function is uncertain because the in-situ structural network among ISRP, ray parenchyma, and tracheids has not been evaluated. Analysis of water distribution in ISRP from sapwood to heartwood is needed to elucidate the function of ISRP in sapwood, intermediate wood, and heartwood.• Methods: We used cryo-scanning electron microscopy, x-ray photography, and water content measurement in xylem to analyze the presence of liquids in ISRP, ray parenchyma, and tracheids from sapwood to heartwood in Cryptomeria japonica (Cupressaceae).• Key results: In sapwood, almost all ISRP were empty. “Cingulate-cavitated regions”, which lose water along the tangential direction within one annual ring, formed in the earlywood tracheids, and their frequency increased toward the inner annual rings, whereas ray parenchyma cells were alive and not involved in the partial cavitation. In intermediate wood, almost all ISRP and earlywood tracheids and many of the ray cells were empty, and only some latewood tracheids retained liquid in their lumina. The ISRP were connected with tracheids via gas-filled ray parenchyma cells.• Conclusions: The ISRP work as a pathway of gas for aspiration of ray parenchyma cells in sapwood. On the other hand, the occurrence of a gas network between ISRP, ray parenchyma, and tracheids facilitates cavitation of tracheids, resulting in the generation of low-moisture, intermediate wood.

We propose a setup for a quantitative test of the quantum fluctuation theorem. It consists of a quantum conductor, driven by an external voltage source, and a classical inductor-capacitor circuit. The work done on the system by the voltage source can be expressed by the classical degrees of freedom of the LC circuit, which are measurable by conventional techniques. In this way the circuit acts as a classical detector to perform measurements of the quantum conductor. We prove that this definition is consistent with the work fluctuation theorem. The system under consideration is effectively described by a Langevin equation with non-Gaussian white noise. Our analysis extends the proof of the fluctuation theorem to this situation., Comment: 8 pages, 3 figures

We studied the spin torque switching of the single free layer in the thermally activated region by numerically solving the Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equation. We found that the temperature dependence of the switching time of the in-plane magnetized system is nonlinear, which means $b \neq 1$. Here, $b$ is the exponent of the current term in the switching rate formula and has been widely assumed to be unity. This result enables us to evaluate the thermal stability of spintronics devices., 3 pages, 4 figures

We present a low-temperature experimental test of the fluctuation theorem for electron transport through a double quantum dot. The rare entropy-consuming system trajectories are detected in the form of single charges flowing against the source-drain bias by using time-resolved charge detection with a quantum point contact. We find that these trajectories appear with a frequency that agrees with the theoretical predictions even under strong nonequilibrium conditions, when the finite bandwidth of the charge detection is taken into account., Physical Review X, 2 (1), ISSN:2160-3308

Reactive volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are known to affect atmospheric chemistry. Biogenic VOCs (BVOCs) have a significant impact on regional air quality due to their large emission rates and high reactivities. Diterpenes (most particularly, kaur-16-ene) were detected in all of the 205 enclosure air samples collected over multiple seasons at two different sites from Cryptomeria japonica and Chamaecyparis obtusa trees, the dominant coniferous trees in Japan,. The emission rate of kaur-16-ene, was determined to be from 0.01 to 7.1 μg dwg−1 h−1 (average: 0.61 μg dwg−1 h−1) employing branch enclosure measurements using adsorbent sampling followed by solid phase–liquid extraction techniques. The emission rate was comparable to that of monoterpenes, which is known major BVOC emissions, collected from the same branches. In addition, total emission of kaur-16-ene at 30 °C was estimated to exceed that of total anthropogenic VOC emissions.

We study single-electron transport through a double quantum dot (DQD) monitored by a capacitively coupled quantum point-contact (QPC) electrometer. We derive the full counting statistics for the coupled DQD - QPC system and obtain the joint probability distribution of the charges transferred through the DQD and the QPC consistent with the fluctuation theorem (FT). The system can be described by a master equation with tunneling rates depending of the counting fields and satisfying a generalized local detailed-balance relation. Furthermore, we derive universal relations between the non-linear corrections to the current and noise, which can be verified in experiment., Comment: 12 pages, 3 figures. Published version

Reactive volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are known to affect atmospheric chemistry, especially biogenic VOCs (BVOCs) which have a significant impact on regional air quality due to their large emission rates and high reactivities. Diterpenes (Kaur-16-ene and a diterpene likely to be Hibaene) were detected in all of the 205 enclosure air samples collected over multiple seasons at two different sites from Cryptomeria japonica and Chamaecyparis obtusa trees, the dominant coniferous trees in Japan. The emission rate of Kaur-16-ene, was determined to be from 0.01 to 7.1 μg dwg−1 h−1 (average: 0.61 μg dwg−1 h−1) by branch enclosure measurements and solid phase – liquid extraction techniques. The emission rate was an order of magnitude higher than that of monoterpenes which are known to comprise a major portion of total BVOC emissions. In addition, total emission of Kaur-16-ene at 30 °C was estimated to be comparable to that of total anthropogenic VOC emissions. To our knowledge, this is the first report of volatile diterpene emissions from trees.

Mesoscopic systems provide us a unique experimental stage to address non-equilibrium quantum statistical physics. By using a simple tunneling model, we describe the electron exchange process via a quantum coherent conductor between two reservoirs, which yields the fluctuation theorem (FT) in mesoscopic transport. We experimentally show that such a treatment is semi-quantitatively validated in the current and noise measurement in an Aharonov-Bohm ring. The experimental proof of the microreversibility assumed in the derivation of FT is presented., 7 pages, 5 figures

We study the photon generation in a transmission line oscillator coupled to a driven qubit in the presence of a dissipative electromagnetic environment. It has been demonstrated previously that a population inversion in the qubit may lead to a lasing state of the oscillator. Here we show that the circuit can also exhibit the effect of "lasing without inversion". This is possible since the coupling to the dissipative environment enhances photon emission as compared to absorption, similar to the recoil effect which was predicted for atomic systems. While the recoil effect is very weak, and so far elusive, the effect described here should be observable with present circuits. We analyze the requirements for the system parameters and environment., Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures