Exchange and correlation as a functional of the local density of states

A functional $E_{xc}[\rho(\r,\epsilon)]$ is presented, in which the exchange and correlation energy of an electron gas depends on the local density of occupied states. A simple local parametrization scheme is proposed, entirely from first principles, based on the decomposition of the exchange-correlation hole in scattering states of different relative energies. In its practical Kohn-Sham-like form, the single-electron orbitals become the independent variables, and an explicit formula for the functional derivative is obtained.Comment: 5 pages. Expanded version. Will appear in Phys. Rev.

The design, construction, and commissioning of the KATRIN experiment

The KArlsruhe TRItium Neutrino (KATRIN) experiment, which aims to make a direct and model-independent determination of the absolute neutrino mass scale, is a complex experiment with many components. More than 15 years ago, we published a technical design report (TDR) [1] to describe the hardware design and requirements to achieve our sensitivity goal of 0.2 eV at 90% C.L. on the neutrino mass. Since then there has been considerable progress, culminating in the publication of first neutrino mass results with the entire beamline operating [2]. In this paper, we document the current state of all completed beamline components (as of the first neutrino mass measurement campaign), demonstrate our ability to reliably and stably control them over long times, and present details on their respective commissioning campaigns

TRY plant trait database – enhanced coverage and open access

Plant traits—the morphological, anatomical, physiological, biochemical and phenological characteristics of plants—determine how plants respond to environmental factors, affect other trophic levels, and influence ecosystem properties and their benefits and detriments to people. Plant trait data thus represent the basis for a vast area of research spanning from evolutionary biology, community and functional ecology, to biodiversity conservation, ecosystem and landscape management, restoration, biogeography and earth system modelling. Since its foundation in 2007, the TRY database of plant traits has grown continuously. It now provides unprecedented data coverage under an open access data policy and is the main plant trait database used by the research community worldwide. Increasingly, the TRY database also supports new frontiers of trait‐based plant research, including the identification of data gaps and the subsequent mobilization or measurement of new data. To support this development, in this article we evaluate the extent of the trait data compiled in TRY and analyse emerging patterns of data coverage and representativeness. Best species coverage is achieved for categorical traits—almost complete coverage for ‘plant growth form’. However, most traits relevant for ecology and vegetation modelling are characterized by continuous intraspecific variation and trait–environmental relationships. These traits have to be measured on individual plants in their respective environment. Despite unprecedented data coverage, we observe a humbling lack of completeness and representativeness of these continuous traits in many aspects. We, therefore, conclude that reducing data gaps and biases in the TRY database remains a key challenge and requires a coordinated approach to data mobilization and trait measurements. This can only be achieved in collaboration with other initiatives

Focal-plane detector system for the KATRIN experiment

The focal-plane detector system for the KArlsruhe TRItium Neutrino (KATRIN) experiment consists of a multi-pixel silicon p-i-n-diode array, custom readout electronics, two superconducting solenoid magnets, an ultra high-vacuum system, a high-vacuum system, calibration and monitoring devices, a scintillating veto, and a custom data-acquisition system. It is designed to detect the low-energy electrons selected by the KATRIN main spectrometer. We describe the system and summarize its performance after its final installation.Comment: 28 pages. Two figures revised for clarity. Final version published in Nucl. Inst. Meth.

Metastasis tumor-associated protein 2 enhances metastatic behavior and is associated with poor outcomes in estrogen receptor-negative breast cancer.

Metastasis remains a major clinical problem in breast cancer. One family of genes previously linked with metastasis is the metastasis tumor associated (MTA) family, with members MTA1 enhancing and MTA3 inhibiting cancer metastasis. We have previously found that MTA2 enhances anchorage-independent growth in estrogen receptor α (ERα) breast cancers, and, in combination with other genes, performed as a predictive biomarker in ERα-positive breast cancer. We therefore hypothesized that MTA2 enhances breast cancer progression. To test this, cell growth, soft-agar colony formation, migration, and in vivo metastasis were examined in MTA2-overexpressing and vector control transfected ERα-negative breast cancer cells. Pathways regulating cell-cell interaction, adhesion, and signaling through the Rho pathway were also investigated. Effects of the inhibition of the Rho pathway using a Rho Kinase (ROCK) inhibitor were assessed in soft agar colony formation and motility assays in MTA2-overexpressing cells. MTA2 expression was associated with poor prognostic markers, and levels of MTA2 were associated with increased risk of early recurrence in retrospective analyses. MTA2 overexpression was associated with enhanced metastasis, and pathways regulating cell-cell interactions in vitro and in vivo. Most critically, MTA2-enhanced motility could be blocked by inhibiting Rho pathway signaling. We present the novel finding that MTA2 defined a subset of ERα-negative patients with a particularly poor outcome