304 research outputs found
Magnetic Excitations in La2CuO4 probed by Indirect Resonant Inelastic X-ray Scattering
Recent experiments on LaCuO suggest that indirect resonant inelastic
X-ray scattering (RIXS) might provide a probe for transversal spin dynamics. We
present in detail a systematic expansion of the relevant magnetic RIXS cross
section by using the ultrashort core-hole lifetime (UCL) approximation. We
compute the scattering intensity and its momentum dependence in leading order
of the UCL expansion. The scattering is due to two-magnon processes and is
calculated within a linear spin-wave expansion of the Heisenberg spin model for
this compound, including longer range and cyclic spin interactions. We observe
that the latter terms in the Hamiltonian enhance the first moment of the
spectrum if they strengthen the antiferromagnetic ordering. The theoretical
spectra agree very well with experimental data, including the observation that
scattering intensity vanishes for the transferred momenta and
. We show that at finite temperature there is an
additional single-magnon contribution to the scattering with a spectral weight
proportional to . We also compute the leading corrections to the UCL
approximation and find them to be small, putting the UCL results on a solid
basis. All this univocally points to the conclusion that the observed low
temperature RIXS intensity in LaCuO is due to two-magnon scattering.Comment: 11 pages, 13 figures, Phys. Rev. B 77, 134428 (2008) (v4: corrected
figs 7
Integration of metabolomics, lipidomics and clinical data using a machine learning method
Optical detection of single non-absorbing molecules using the surface plasmon of a gold nanorod
Current optical detection schemes for single molecules require light
absorption, either to produce fluorescence or direct absorption signals. This
severely limits the range of molecules that can be detected, because most
molecules are purely refractive. Metal nanoparticles or dielectric resonators
detect non-absorbing molecules by a resonance shift in response to a local
perturbation of the refractive index, but neither has reached single-protein
sensitivity. The most sensitive plasmon sensors to date detect single molecules
only when the plasmon shift is amplified by a highly polarizable label or by a
localized precipitation reaction on the particle's surface. Without
amplification, the sensitivity only allows for the statistical detection of
single molecules. Here we demonstrate plasmonic detection of single molecules
in realtime, without the need for labeling or amplification. We monitor the
plasmon resonance of a single gold nanorod with a sensitive photothermal assay
and achieve a ~ 700-fold increase in sensitivity compared to state-of-the-art
plasmon sensors. We find that the sensitivity of the sensor is intrinsically
limited due to spectral diffusion of the SPR. We believe this is the first
optical technique that detects single molecules purely by their refractive
index, without any need for photon absorption by the molecule. The small size,
bio-compatibility and straightforward surface chemistry of gold nanorods may
open the way to the selective and local detection of purely refractive proteins
in live cells
Simulations of convectively-driven density currents in the Atlas region using a regional model: Impacts on dust emission and sensitivity to horizontal resolution and convection schemes
During the SAMUM field campaign in southern Morocco in May and June 2006 density currents generated by evaporative cooling after convective precipitation were frequently observed at the Sahara side of the Atlas Mountain chain. The associated strong surface cold-air outflow during such events has been observed to lead to dust mobilization in the foothills. Here a regional model system is used to simulate a density current case on 3 June 2006 and the subsequent dust emission. The model studies are performed with different parameterization schemes for convection, and with different horizontal model grid resolutions to examine to which extent the model system can be used for reproducing dust emissions in this region. The effect of increasing the horizontal model grid resolution from 14 km to 2.8 km on the strength on the density currents and thus on dust emission is smaller than the differences due to different convection parameterization schemes in this case study. While the results in reproducing the observed density current at the Atlas Mountain varied with different convection parameterizations, the most realistic representation of the density current is obtained at 2.8 km grid resolution at which no parameterization of deep convection is needed
Rare variants implicate NMDA receptor signaling and cerebellar gene networks in risk for bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder is an often-severe mental health condition characterized by alternation between extreme mood states of mania and depression. Despite strong heritability and the recent identification of 64 common variant risk loci of small effect, pathophysiological mechanisms remain unknown. Here, we analyzed genome sequences from 41 multiply-affected pedigrees and identified variants in 741 genes with nominally significant linkage or association with bipolar disorder. These 741 genes overlapped known risk genes for neurodevelopmental disorders and clustered within gene networks enriched for synaptic and nuclear functions. The top variant in this analysis - prioritized by statistical association, predicted deleteriousness, and network centrality - was a missense variant in the gene encoding D-amino acid oxidase (DAOG131V). Heterologous expression of DAOG131V in human cells resulted in decreased DAO protein abundance and enzymatic activity. In a knock-in mouse model of DAOG131, DaoG130V/+, we similarly found decreased DAO protein abundance in hindbrain regions, as well as enhanced stress susceptibility and blunted behavioral responses to pharmacological inhibition of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs). RNA sequencing of cerebellar tissue revealed that DaoG130V resulted in decreased expression of two gene networks that are enriched for synaptic functions and for genes expressed, respectively, in Purkinje neurons or granule neurons. These gene networks were also down-regulated in the cerebellum of patients with bipolar disorder compared to healthy controls and were enriched for additional rare variants associated with bipolar disorder risk. These findings implicate dysregulation of NMDAR signaling and of gene expression in cerebellar neurons in bipolar disorder pathophysiology and provide insight into its genetic architecture
IPT9, a cis-zeatin cytokinin biosynthesis gene, promotes root growth
Cytokinin and auxin are plant hormones that coordinate many aspects of plant development. Their interactions in plant underground growth are well established, occurring at the levels of metabolism, signaling, and transport. Unlike many plant hormone classes, cytokinins are represented by more than one active molecule. Multiple mutant lines, blocking specific parts of cytokinin biosynthetic pathways, have enabled research in plants with deficiencies in specific cytokinin-types. While most of these mutants have confirmed the impeding effect of cytokinin on root growth, the ipt29 double mutant instead surprisingly exhibits reduced primary root length compared to the wild type. This mutant is impaired in cis-zeatin (cZ) production, a cytokinin-type that had been considered inactive in the past. Here we have further investigated the intriguing ipt29 root phenotype, opposite to known cytokinin functions, and the (bio)activity of cZ. Our data suggest that despite the ipt29 short-root phenotype, cZ application has a negative impact on primary root growth and can activate a cytokinin response in the stele. Grafting experiments revealed that the root phenotype of ipt29 depends mainly on local signaling which does not relate directly to cytokinin levels. Notably, ipt29 displayed increased auxin levels in the root tissue. Moreover, analyses of the differential contributions of ipt2 and ipt9 to the ipt29 short-root phenotype demonstrated that, despite its deficiency on cZ levels, ipt2 does not show any root phenotype or auxin homeostasis variation, while ipt9 mutants were indistinguishable from ipt29. We conclude that IPT9 functions may go beyond cZ biosynthesis, directly or indirectly, implicating effects on auxin homeostasis and therefore influencing plant growth
Exploring factors that influence the spread and sustainability of a dysphagia innovation: an instrumental case study
Background: Swallowing difficulties challenge patient safety due to the increased risk of malnutrition, dehydration
and aspiration pneumonia. A theoretically driven study was undertaken to examine the spread and sustainability of
a locally developed innovation that involved using the Inter-Professional Dysphagia Framework to structure
education for the workforce. A conceptual framework with 3 spread strategies (hierarchical control, participatory
adaptation and facilitated evolution) was blended with a processual approach to sustaining organisational change.
The aim was to understand the processes, mechanism and outcomes associated with the spread and sustainability
of this safety initiative.
Methods: An instrumental case study, prospectively tracked a dysphagia innovation for 34 months (April 2011
to January 2014) in a large health care organisation in England. A train-the-trainer intervention (as participatory
adaptation) was deployed on care pathways for stroke and fractured neck of femur. Data were collected at the
organisational and clinical level through interviews (n = 30) and document review. The coding frame combined
the processual approach with the spread mechanisms. Pre-determined outcomes included the number of staff
trained about dysphagia and impact related to changes in practice.
Results: The features and processes associated with hierarchical control and participatory adaptation were
identified. Leadership, critical junctures, temporality and making the innovation routine were aspects of hierarchical
control. Participatory adaptation was evident on the care pathways through stakeholder responses, workload and
resource pressures. Six of the 25 ward based trainers cascaded the dysphagia training. The expected outcomes
were achieved when the top-down mandate (hierarchical control) was supplemented by local engagement and
support (participatory adaptation).
Conclusions: Frameworks for spread and sustainability were combined to create a âsmall theoryâ that described
the interventions, the processes and desired outcomes a priori. This novel methodological approach confirmed
what is known about spread and sustainability, highlighted the particularity of change and offered new insights
into the factors associated with hierarchical control and participatory adaptation. The findings illustrate the dualities
of organisational change as universal and context specific; as particular and amendable to theoretical generalisation.
Appreciating these dualities may contribute to understanding why many innovations fail to become routine
The barriers and facilitators influencing the sustainability of hospital-based interventions: a systematic review
Acknowledgements University of Stirling for providing financial support for open access costs Funding This review was funded by the Chief Scientist Office, grant number GCA/17/26. JC, PC and EAD are employed by the Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professions Research Unit, which is funded by the Chief Scientist Office in Scotland.Peer reviewedPublisher PD
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