193 research outputs found
Granular size segregation in underwater sand ripples
We report an experimental study of a binary sand bed under an oscillating
water flow. The formation and evolution of ripples is observed. The appearance
of a granular segregation is shown to strongly depend on the sand bed
preparation. The initial wavelength of the mixture is measured. In the final
steady state, a segregation in volume is observed instead of a segregation at
the surface as reported before. The correlation between this phenomenon and the
fluid flow is emphasised. Finally, different ``exotic'' patterns and their
geophysical implications are presented.Comment: 8 page
A particle model of rolling grain ripples under waves
A simple model is presented for the formation of rolling grain ripples on a
flat sand bed by the oscillatory flow generated by a surface wave. An equation
of motion is derived for the individual ripples, seen as "particles", on the
otherwise flat bed. The model account for the initial apperance of the ripples,
the subsequent coarsening of the ripples and the final equilibrium state. The
model is related to physical parameters of the problem, and an analytical
approximation for the equilibrium spacing of the ripples is developed. It is
found that the spacing between the ripples scale with the square-root of the
non-dimensional shear stress (the Shields parameter) on a flat bed. The results
of the model are compared with measurements, and reasonable agreement between
the model and the measurements is demonstrated.Comment: 9 pages incl. figures. Revised versio
Dynamical models for sand ripples beneath surface waves
We introduce order parameter models for describing the dynamics of sand
ripple patterns under oscillatory flow. A crucial ingredient of these models is
the mass transport between adjacent ripples, which we obtain from detailed
numerical simulations for a range of ripple sizes. Using this mass transport
function, our models predict the existence of a stable band of wavenumbers
limited by secondary instabilities. Small ripples coarsen in our models and
this process leads to a sharply selected final wavenumber, in agreement with
experimental observations.Comment: 9 pages. Shortened version of previous submissio
A quantum spin transducer based on nano electro-mechancial resonator arrays
Implementation of quantum information processing faces the contradicting
requirements of combining excellent isolation to avoid decoherence with the
ability to control coherent interactions in a many-body quantum system. For
example, spin degrees of freedom of electrons and nuclei provide a good quantum
memory due to their weak magnetic interactions with the environment. However,
for the same reason it is difficult to achieve controlled entanglement of spins
over distances larger than tens of nanometers. Here we propose a universal
realization of a quantum data bus for electronic spin qubits where spins are
coupled to the motion of magnetized mechanical resonators via magnetic field
gradients. Provided that the mechanical system is charged, the magnetic moments
associated with spin qubits can be effectively amplified to enable a coherent
spin-spin coupling over long distances via Coulomb forces. Our approach is
applicable to a wide class of electronic spin qubits which can be localized
near the magnetized tips and can be used for the implementation of hybrid
quantum computing architectures
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Experimental validation of computerised models of clustering of platelet glycoprotein receptors that signal via tandem SH2 domain proteins
The clustering of platelet glycoprotein receptors with cytosolic YxxL and YxxM motifs, including GPVI, CLEC-2 and PEAR1, triggers activation via phosphorylation of the conserved tyrosine residues and recruitment of the tandem SH2 (Src homology 2) domain effector proteins, Syk and PI 3-kinase. We have modelled the clustering of these receptors with monovalent, divalent and tetravalent soluble ligands and with transmembrane ligands based on the law of mass action using ordinary differential equations and agent-based modelling. The models were experimentally evaluated in platelets and transfected cell lines using monovalent and multivalent ligands, including novel nanobody-based divalent and tetravalent ligands, by fluorescence correlation spectroscopy. Ligand valency, receptor number, receptor dimerisation, receptor phosphorylation and a cytosolic tandem SH2 domain protein act in synergy to drive receptor clustering. Threshold concentrations of a CLEC-2-blocking antibody and Syk inhibitor act in synergy to block platelet aggregation. This offers a strategy for countering the effect of avidity of multivalent ligands and in limiting off-target effects
Experimental validation of computerised models of clustering of platelet glycoprotein receptors that signal via tandem SH2 domain proteins
The clustering of platelet glycoprotein receptors with cytosolic YxxL and YxxM motifs, including GPVI, CLEC-2 and PEAR1, triggers activation via phosphorylation of the conserved tyrosine residues and recruitment of the tandem SH2 (Src homology 2) domain effector proteins, Syk and PI 3-kinase. We have modelled the clustering of these receptors with monovalent, divalent and tetravalent soluble ligands and with transmembrane ligands based on the law of mass action using ordinary differential equations and agent-based modelling. The models were experimentally evaluated in platelets and transfected cell lines using monovalent and multivalent ligands, including novel nanobody-based divalent and tetravalent ligands, by fluorescence correlation spectroscopy. Ligand valency, receptor number, receptor dimerisation, receptor phosphorylation and a cytosolic tandem SH2 domain protein act in synergy to drive receptor clustering. Threshold concentrations of a CLEC-2-blocking antibody and Syk inhibitor act in synergy to block platelet aggregation. This offers a strategy for countering the effect of avidity of multivalent ligands and in limiting off-target effects
An interaction map of circulating metabolites, immune gene networks, and their genetic regulation
Background: Immunometabolism plays a central role in many cardiometabolic diseases. However, a robust map of immune-related gene networks in circulating human cells, their interactions with metabolites, and their genetic control is still lacking. Here, we integrate blood transcriptomic, metabolomic, and genomic profiles from two population-based cohorts (total N = 2168), including a subset of individuals with matched multi-omic data at 7-year follow-up. Results: We identify topologically replicable gene networks enriched for diverse immune functions including cytotoxicity, viral response, B cell, platelet, neutrophil, and mast cell/basophil activity. These immune gene modules show complex patterns of association with 158 circulating metabolites, including lipoprotein subclasses, lipids, fatty acids, amino acids, small molecules, and CRP. Genome-wide scans for module expression quantitative trait loci (mQTLs) reveal five modules with mQTLs that have both cis and trans effects. The strongest mQTL is in ARHGEF3 (rs1354034) and affects a module enriched for platelet function, independent of platelet counts. Modules of mast cell/basophil and neutrophil function show temporally stable metabolite associations over 7-year follow-up, providing evidence that these modules and their constituent gene products may play central roles in metabolic inflammation. Furthermore, the strongest mQTL in ARHGEF3 also displays clear temporal stability, supporting widespread trans effects at this locus. Conclusions: This study provides a detailed map of natural variation at the blood immunometabolic interface and its genetic basis, and may facilitate subsequent studies to explain inter-individual variation in cardiometabolic disease.Peer reviewe
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