358 research outputs found
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Epigenetic Applications in Adverse Outcome Pathways and Chemical Risk Evaluation
Hybrid solid state qubits: the powerful role of electron spins
We review progress on the use of electron spins to store and process quantum
information, with particular focus on the ability of the electron spin to
interact with multiple quantum degrees of freedom. We examine the benefits of
hybrid quantum bits (qubits) in the solid state that are based on coupling
electron spins to nuclear spin, electron charge, optical photons, and
superconducting qubits. These benefits include the coherent storage of qubits
for times exceeding seconds, fast qubit manipulation, single qubit measurement,
and scalable methods for entangling spatially separated matter-based qubits. In
this way, the key strengths of different physical qubit implementations are
brought together, laying the foundation for practical solid-state quantum
technologies.Comment: 54 pages, 7 figure
e-Social Science and Evidence-Based Policy Assessment : Challenges and Solutions
Peer reviewedPreprin
Bi-exponential modelling of W âČ reconstitution kinetics in trained cyclists
From Springer Nature via Jisc Publications RouterHistory: received 2021-06-21, accepted 2021-12-10, registration 2021-12-11, pub-electronic 2021-12-18, online 2021-12-18, pub-print 2022-03Publication status: PublishedAbstract: Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the individual WâČ reconstitution kinetics of trained cyclists following repeated bouts of incremental ramp exercise, and to determine an optimal mathematical model to describe WâČ reconstitution. Methods: Ten trained cyclists (age 41 ± 10 years; mass 73.4 ± 9.9 kg; VËO2max 58.6 ± 7.1 mL kg minâ1) completed three incremental ramps (20 W minâ1) to the limit of tolerance with varying recovery durations (15â360 s) on 5â9 occasions. WâČ reconstitution was measured following the first and second recovery periods against which mono-exponential and bi-exponential models were compared with adjusted R2 and bias-corrected Akaike information criterion (AICc). Results: A bi-exponential model outperformed the mono-exponential model of WâČ reconstitution (AICc 30.2 versus 72.2), fitting group mean data well (adjR2 = 0.999) for the first recovery when optimised with parameters of fast component (FC) amplitude = 50.67%; slow component (SC) amplitude = 49.33%; time constant (Ï)FC = 21.5 s; ÏSC = 388 s. Following the second recovery, WâČ reconstitution reduced by 9.1 ± 7.3%, at 180 s and 8.2 ± 9.8% at 240 s resulting in an increase in the modelled ÏSC to 716 s with ÏFC unchanged. Individual bi-exponential models also fit well (adjR2 = 0.978 ± 0.017) with large individual parameter variations (FC amplitude 47.7 ± 17.8%; first recovery: (Ï)FC = 22.0 ± 11.8 s; (Ï)SC = 377 ± 100 s; second recovery: (Ï)FC = 16.3.0 ± 6.6 s; (Ï)SC = 549 ± 226 s). Conclusions: WâČ reconstitution kinetics were best described by a bi-exponential model consisting of distinct fast and slow phases. The amplitudes of the FC and SC remained unchanged with repeated bouts, with a slowing of WâČ reconstitution confined to an increase in the time constant of the slow component
Giga-Hertz quantized charge pumping in bottom gate defined InAs nanowire quantum dots
Semiconducting nanowires (NWs) are a versatile, highly tunable material
platform at the heart of many new developments in nanoscale and quantum
physics. Here, we demonstrate charge pumping, i.e., the controlled transport of
individual electrons through an InAs NW quantum dot (QD) device at frequencies
up to GHz. The QD is induced electrostatically in the NW by a series of
local bottom gates in a state of the art device geometry. A periodic modulation
of a single gate is enough to obtain a dc current proportional to the frequency
of the modulation. The dc bias, the modulation amplitude and the gate voltages
on the local gates can be used to control the number of charges conveyed per
cycle. Charge pumping in InAs NWs is relevant not only in metrology as a
current standard, but also opens up the opportunity to investigate a variety of
exotic states of matter, e.g. Majorana modes, by single electron spectroscopy
and correlation experiments.Comment: 21 page
Valley-spin blockade and spin resonance in carbon nanotubes
Manipulation and readout of spin qubits in quantum dots made in III-V
materials successfully rely on Pauli blockade that forbids transitions between
spin-triplet and spin-singlet states. Quantum dots in group IV materials have
the advantage of avoiding decoherence from the hyperfine interaction by
purifying them with only zero-spin nuclei. Complications of group IV materials
arise from the valley degeneracies in the electronic bandstructure. These lead
to complicated multiplet states even for two-electron quantum dots thereby
significantly weakening the selection rules for Pauli blockade. Only recently
have spin qubits been realized in silicon devices where the valley degeneracy
is lifted by strain and spatial confinement. In carbon nanotubes Pauli blockade
can be observed by lifting valley degeneracy through disorder. In clean
nanotubes, quantum dots have to be made ultra-small to obtain a large energy
difference between the relevant multiplet states. Here we report on
low-disorder nanotubes and demonstrate Pauli blockade based on both valley and
spin selection rules. We exploit the bandgap of the nanotube to obtain a large
level spacing and thereby a robust blockade. Single-electron spin resonance is
detected using the blockade.Comment: 31 pages including supplementary informatio
Terrain, politics, history
This article is based on the 2019 Dialogues in Human Geography plenary lecture at the Royal Geographical Society. It has four parts. The first discusses my work on territory in relation to recent work by geographers and others on the vertical, the volumetric, the voluminous, and the milieu as ways of thinking space in three-dimensions, of a fluid and dynamic earth. Second, it proposes using the concept of terrain to analyse the political materiality of territory. Third, it adds some cautions to this, through thinking about the history of the concept of terrain in geographical thought, which has tended to associate it with either physical or military geography. Finally, it suggests that this work is a way geographers might begin to respond to the challenge recently made by Bruno Latour, where he suggests that âbelonging to a territory is the phenomenon most in need of rethinking and careful redescription; learning new ways to inhabit the Earth is our biggest challengeâ. Responding to Latour continues this thinking about the relations between territory, Earth, land, and ground, and their limits
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Large variability of proanthocyanidin content and composition in sainfoin (onobrychis viciifolia)
Proanthocyanidins (PAs) in sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.) are of interest to ameliorate the sustainability of livestock production. However, sainfoin forage yield and PA concentrations, as well as their composition, require optimization. Individual plants of 27 sainfoin accessions from four continents were analyzed with LC-ESI-QqQ-MS/MS for PA concentrations and simple phenolic compounds. Large variability existed in PA concentrations (23.0â47.5 mg gâ1 leaf dry matter (DM)), share of prodelphinidins (79â96%), and mean degree of polymerization (11â14) among, but also within, accessions. PAs were mainly located in leaves (26.8 mg gâ1 DM), whereas stems had less PAs (7.8 mg gâ1 DM). Overall, high-yielding plants had lower PA leaf concentrations (R2 = 0.16, P < 0.001) and fewer leaves (R2 = 0.66, P < 0.001). However, the results show that these two trade-offs between yield and bioactive PAs can be overcome
NRF2-driven miR-125B1 and miR-29B1 transcriptional regulation controls a novel anti-apoptotic miRNA regulatory network for AML survival
Transcription factor NRF2 is an important regulator of oxidative stress. It is involved in cancer progression, and has abnormal constitutive expression in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). Posttranscriptional regulation by microRNAs (miRNAs) can affect the malignant phenotype of AML cells. In this study, we identified and characterised NRF2-regulated miRNAs in AML. An miRNA array identified miRNA expression level changes in response to NRF2 knockdown in AML cells. Further analysis of miRNAs concomitantly regulated by knockdown of the NRF2 inhibitor KEAP1 revealed the major candidate NRF2-mediated miRNAs in AML. We identified miR-125B to be upregulated and miR-29B to be downregulated by NRF2 in AML. Subsequent bioinformatic analysis identified putative NRF2 binding sites upstream of the miR-125B1 coding region and downstream of the mir-29B1 coding region. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analyses showed that NRF2 binds to these antioxidant response elements (AREs) located in the 5âČ untranslated regions of miR-125B and miR-29B. Finally, primary AML samples transfected with anti-miR-125B antagomiR or miR-29B mimic showed increased cell death responsiveness either alone or co-treated with standard AML chemotherapy. In summary, we find that NRF2 regulation of miR-125B and miR-29B acts to promote leukaemic cell survival, and their manipulation enhances AML responsiveness towards cytotoxic chemotherapeutics
Infiltration efficiency and subsurface water processes of a sustainable drainage system and consequences to flood management
With increased intensity rainfall events globally and urban expansion decreasing permeable surfaces, there is an increasing problem of urban flooding. This study aims to better understand rainfall infiltration into a Sustainable Drainage System (SuDS) permeable pavement, compared with an adjacent Green Area of made ground, in relationship to groundwater levels below both areas. Both areas were instrumented with soil water content and matric potential sensors and four shallow boreholes were instrumented with groundwater level sensors. Surface infiltration rates were measured using a doubleâring infiltrometer. Results showed that average infiltration rates of the SuDS (1,925âmm/hr) were significantly higher than the Green Area (56âmm/hr). The SuDS was well designed to transfer rainfall rapidly to the aquifer below, where groundwater levels rapidly rose within 1âhr of a 1 in 30âyear event (32.8âmm/hr). In comparison, soil compaction of the made ground Green Area decreased infiltration rates, but still enabled the majority of rainfall events to infiltrate. The aquifer below the Green Area responded more slowly, as lower matrix potentials facilitated water retention in the soil profile, slowing water draining to the aquifer. This work reiterates the importance of ensuring a 1 m separation depth between the base of the SuDS infiltration zone and aquifer depth
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