188 research outputs found
Pinning of quantized vortices in helium drop by dopant atoms and molecules
Using a density functional method, we investigate the properties of liquid
4He droplets doped with atoms (Ne and Xe) and molecules (SF_6 and HCN). We
consider the case of droplets having a quantized vortex pinned to the dopant. A
liquid drop formula is proposed that accurately describes the total energy of
the complex and allows one to extrapolate the density functional results to
large N. For a given impurity, we find that the formation of a
dopant+vortex+4He_N complex is energetically favored below a critical size
N_cr. Our result support the possibility to observe quantized vortices in
helium droplets by means of spectroscopic techniques.Comment: Typeset using Revtex, 3 pages and 5 figures (4 Postscript, 1 jpeg
Static spectroscopy of a dense superfluid
Dense Bose superfluids, as HeII, differ from dilute ones by the existence of
a roton minimum in their excitation spectrum. It is known that this roton
minimum is qualitatively responsible for density oscillations close to any
singularity, such as vortex cores, or close to solid boundaries. We show that
the period of these oscillations, and their exponential decrease with the
distance to the singularity, are fully determined by the position and the width
of the roton minimum. Only an overall amplitude factor and a phase shift are
shown to depend on the details of the interaction potential. Reciprocally, it
allows for determining the characteristics of this roton minimum from static
"observations" of a disturbed ground state, in cases where the dynamics is not
easily accessible. We focus on the vortex example. Our analysis further shows
why the energy of these oscillations is negligible compared to the kinetic
energy, which limits their influence on the vortex dynamics, except for high
curvatures.Comment: 14 pages, 4 figures, extended version, published in J. Low Temp. Phy
A report on the nonlinear squeezed states and their non-classical properties of a generalized isotonic oscillator
We construct nonlinear squeezed states of a generalized isotonic oscillator
potential. We demonstrate the non-existence of dual counterpart of nonlinear
squeezed states in this system. We investigate statistical properties exhibited
by the squeezed states, in particular Mandel's parameter, second-order
correlation function, photon number distributions and parameter in
detail. We also examine the quadrature and amplitude-squared squeezing effects.
Finally, we derive expression for the -parameterized quasi-probability
distribution function of these states. All these information about the system
are new to the literature.Comment: Accepted for publication in J. Phys. A: Math. Theo
Nonlocal density functionals and the linear response of the homogeneous electron gas
The known and usable truly nonlocal functionals for exchange-correlation
energy of the inhomogeneous electron gas are the ADA (average density
approximation) and the WDA (weighted density approximation). ADA, by design,
yields the correct linear response function of the uniform electron gas. WDA is
constructed so that it is exact in the limit of one-electron systems. We derive
an expression for the linear response of the uniform gas in the WDA, and
calculate it for several flavors of WDA. We then compare the results with the
Monte-Carlo data on the exchange-correlation local field correction, and
identify the weak points of conventional WDA in the homogeneous limit. We
suggest how the WDA can be modified to improve the response function. The
resulting approximation is a good one in both opposite limits, and should be
useful for practical nonlocal density functional calculations.Comment: 4 pages, two eps figures embedde
Lack of phenotypic and evolutionary cross-resistance against parasitoids and pathogens in Drosophila melanogaster
BackgroundWhen organisms are attacked by multiple natural enemies, the evolution of a resistance mechanism to one natural enemy will be influenced by the degree of cross-resistance to another natural enemy. Cross-resistance can be positive, when a resistance mechanism against one natural enemy also offers resistance to another; or negative, in the form of a trade-off, when an increase in resistance against one natural enemy results in a decrease in resistance against another. Using Drosophila melanogaster, an important model system for the evolution of invertebrate immunity, we test for the existence of cross-resistance against parasites and pathogens, at both a phenotypic and evolutionary level.MethodsWe used a field strain of D. melanogaster to test whether surviving parasitism by the parasitoid Asobara tabida has an effect on the resistance against Beauveria bassiana, an entomopathogenic fungus; and whether infection with the microsporidian Tubulinosema kingi has an effect on the resistance against A. tabida. We used lines selected for increased resistance to A. tabida to test whether increased parasitoid resistance has an effect on resistance against B. bassiana and T. kingi. We used lines selected for increased tolerance against B. bassiana to test whether increased fungal resistance has an effect on resistance against A. tabida.Results/ConclusionsWe found no positive cross-resistance or trade-offs in the resistance to parasites and pathogens. This is an important finding, given the use of D. melanogaster as a model system for the evolution of invertebrate immunity. The lack of any cross-resistance to parasites and pathogens, at both the phenotypic and the evolutionary level, suggests that evolution of resistance against one class of natural enemies is largely independent of evolution of resistance against the other
Alternative splicing of the Anopheles gambiae Dscam gene in diverse Plasmodium falciparum infections
Background: In insects, including Anopheles mosquitoes, Dscam (Down syndrome cell adhesion molecule) appears to be involved in phagocytosis of pathogens, and shows pathogen-specific splice-form expression between divergent pathogen (or parasite) types (e.g. between bacteria and Plasmodium or between Plasmodium berghei and Plasmodium falciparum). Here, data are presented from the first study of Dscam expression in response to genetic diversity within a parasite species. Methods: In independent field and laboratory studies, a measure of Dscam splice-form diversity was compared between mosquitoes fed on blood that was free of P. falciparum to mosquitoes exposed to either single or mixed genotype infections of P. falciparum. Results: Significant increases in Anopheles gambiae Dscam (AgDscam) receptor diversity were observed in parasite-exposed mosquitoes, but only weak evidence that AgDscam diversity rises further upon exposure to mixed genotype parasite infections was found. Finally, a cluster of AgDscam exon 4 variants that become especially common during Plasmodium invasion was identified. Conclusions: While the data clearly indicate that AgDscam diversity increases with P. falciparum exposure, they do not suggest that AgDscam diversity rises further in response to increased parasite diversit
Ambient air pollution exposure and full-term birth weight in California
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Studies have identified relationships between air pollution and birth weight, but have been inconsistent in identifying individual pollutants inversely associated with birth weight or elucidating susceptibility of the fetus by trimester of exposure. We examined effects of prenatal ambient pollution exposure on average birth weight and risk of low birth weight in full-term births.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We estimated average ambient air pollutant concentrations throughout pregnancy in the neighborhoods of women who delivered term singleton live births between 1996 and 2006 in California. We adjusted effect estimates of air pollutants on birth weight for infant characteristics, maternal characteristics, neighborhood socioeconomic factors, and year and season of birth.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>3,545,177 singleton births had monitoring for at least one air pollutant within a 10 km radius of the tract or ZIP Code of the mother's residence. In multivariate models, pollutants were associated with decreased birth weight; -5.4 grams (95% confidence interval -6.8 g, -4.1 g) per ppm carbon monoxide, -9.0 g (-9.6 g, -8.4 g) per pphm nitrogen dioxide, -5.7 g (-6.6 g, -4.9 g) per pphm ozone, -7.7 g (-7.9 g, -6.6 g) per 10 <it>μ</it>g/m<sup>3 </sup>particulate matter under 10 μm, -12.8 g (-14.3 g, -11.3 g) per 10 <it>μ</it>g/m<sup>3 </sup>particulate matter under 2.5 μm, and -9.3 g (-10.7 g, -7.9 g) per 10 <it>μ</it>g/m<sup>3 </sup>of coarse particulate matter. With the exception of carbon monoxide, estimates were largely unchanged after controlling for co-pollutants. Effect estimates for the third trimester largely reflect the results seen from full pregnancy exposure estimates; greater variation in results is seen in effect estimates specific to the first and second trimesters.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This study indicates that maternal exposure to ambient air pollution results in modestly lower infant birth weight. A small decline in birth weight is unlikely to have clinical relevance for individual infants, and there is debate about whether a small shift in the population distribution of birth weight has broader health implications. However, the ubiquity of air pollution exposures, the responsiveness of pollutant levels to regulation, and the fact that the highest pollution levels in California are lower than those regularly experienced in other countries suggest that precautionary efforts to reduce pollutants may be beneficial for infant health from a population perspective.</p
The genomes of two key bumblebee species with primitive eusocial organization
Background: The shift from solitary to social behavior is one of the major evolutionary transitions. Primitively eusocial bumblebees are uniquely placed to illuminate the evolution of highly eusocial insect societies. Bumblebees are also invaluable natural and agricultural pollinators, and there is widespread concern over recent population declines in some species. High-quality genomic data will inform key aspects of bumblebee biology, including susceptibility to implicated population viability threats. Results: We report the high quality draft genome sequences of Bombus terrestris and Bombus impatiens, two ecologically dominant bumblebees and widely utilized study species. Comparing these new genomes to those of the highly eusocial honeybee Apis mellifera and other Hymenoptera, we identify deeply conserved similarities, as well as novelties key to the biology of these organisms. Some honeybee genome features thought to underpin advanced eusociality are also present in bumblebees, indicating an earlier evolution in the bee lineage. Xenobiotic detoxification and immune genes are similarly depauperate in bumblebees and honeybees, and multiple categories of genes linked to social organization, including development and behavior, show high conservation. Key differences identified include a bias in bumblebee chemoreception towards gustation from olfaction, and striking differences in microRNAs, potentially responsible for gene regulation underlying social and other traits. Conclusions: These two bumblebee genomes provide a foundation for post-genomic research on these key pollinators and insect societies. Overall, gene repertoires suggest that the route to advanced eusociality in bees was mediated by many small changes in many genes and processes, and not by notable expansion or depauperation
Alternative Complement Activity in the Egg Cytosol of Amphioxus Branchiostoma belcheri: Evidence for the Defense Role of Maternal Complement Components
Background: The eggs in most invertebrates are fertilized externally, and therefore their resulting embryos are exposed to an environment full of microbes, many of which are pathogens capable of killing other organisms. How the developing embryos of invertebrates defend themselves against pathogenic attacks is an intriguing question to biologists, and remains largely unknown. Methodology/Principal Findings: Here we clearly demonstrated that the egg cytosol prepared from the newly fertilized eggs of amphioxus Branchiostoma belcheri, an invertebrate chordate, was able to inhibit the growth of both the Gramnegative bacterium Vibrio anguillarum and the Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus. All findings point to that it is the complement system operating via the alternative pathway that is attributable to the bacteriostatic activity. Conclusions/Significance: This appears to be the first report providing the evidence for the functional role of the maternal complement components in the eggs of invertebrate species, paving the way for the study of maternal immunity in other invertebrate organisms whose eggs are fertilized in vitro. It also supports the notion that the early developing embryo
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