Quantum battery charging by non-equilibrium steady-state currents

We present an analysis of the availability and maximum extractable work of quantum batteries in the presence of charge and/or heat steady-state currents. Quantum batteries are modelled as non-interacting open quantum systems (mesoscopic systems) strongly coupled to two thermal and particle reservoirs within the framework of non-equilibrium Green's function theory in a steady-state regime. We found that the battery can be charged manifestly by a steady-state charge current compared to heat one, especially, in an off-resonant transport regime. It allows us to reliably access the performance of the quantum batteries in the high bias-charging regime.Comment: new Refs. adde

Determining Signalling Nodes for Apoptosis by a Genetic High-Throughput Screen

With the ever-increasing information emerging from the various sequencing and gene annotation projects, there is an urgent need to elucidate the cellular functions of the newly discovered genes. The genetically regulated cell suicide of apoptosis is especially suitable for such endeavours as it is governed by a vast number of factors.We have set up a high-throughput screen in 96-well microtiter plates for genes that induce apoptosis upon their individual transfection into human cells. Upon screening approximately 100,000 cDNA clones we determined 74 genes that initiate this cellular suicide programme. A thorough bioinformatics analysis of these genes revealed that 91% are novel apoptosis regulators. Careful sequence analysis and functional annotation showed that the apoptosis factors exhibit a distinct functional distribution that distinguishes the cell death process from other signalling pathways. While only a minority of classic signal transducers were determined, a substantial number of the genes fall into the transporter- and enzyme-category. The apoptosis factors are distributed throughout all cellular organelles and many signalling circuits, but one distinct signalling pathway connects at least some of the isolated genes. Comparisons with microarray data suggest that several genes are dysregulated in specific types of cancers and degenerative diseases.Many unknown genes for cell death were revealed through our screen, supporting the enormous complexity of cell death regulation. Our results will serve as a repository for other researchers working with genomics data related to apoptosis or for those seeking to reveal novel signalling pathways for cell suicide