Charge of a quasiparticle in a superconductor

Non-linear charge transport in SIS Josephson junctions has a unique signature in the shuttled charge quantum between the two superconductors. In the zero-bias limit Cooper pairs, each with twice the electron charge, carry the Josephson current. An applied bias $V_{SD}$ leads to multiple Andreev reflections (MAR), which in the limit of weak tunneling probability should lead to integer multiples of the electron charge $ne$ traversing the junction, with $n$ integer larger than $2{\Delta}/eV_{SD}$ and ${\Delta}$ the superconducting order parameter. Exceptionally, just above the gap, $eV_{SD}>2{\Delta}$, with Andreev reflections suppressed, one would expect the current to be carried by partitioned quasiparticles; each with energy dependent charge, being a superposition of an electron and a hole. Employing shot noise measurements in an SIS junction induced in an InAs nanowire (with noise proportional to the partitioned charge), we first observed quantization of the partitioned charge $q=e^*/e=n$, with $n=1-4$; thus reaffirming the validity of our charge interpretation. Concentrating next on the bias region $eV_{SD}{\approx}2{\Delta}$, we found a reproducible and clear dip in the extracted charge to $q{\approx}0.6$, which, after excluding other possibilities, we attribute to the partitioned quasiparticle charge. Such dip is supported by numerical simulations of our SIS structure

Osteoporosis in Postmenopausal Women

Abstract Background: Osteoporosis is a skeletal system disease that causes bone fragility due to low bone mineral density (BMD). BMD decreases with age and lack of estrogen production. Thus, post-menopausal women are prone to osteoporosis and have an elevated risk of bone fractures. Non-pharmaceutical interventions have the potential to increase BMD and lower osteoporosis patients\u27 risk for bone fractures. Objective: To compare published evidence on the effects of vitamin D, calcium supplements, and performing weight-bearing exercises in increasing BMD and lowering the risk for bone fractures among post-menopausal women. Methods: In accordance with PRISMA guidelines. we conducted a systematic search of Pubmed, Cochrane Library, and the National Center for Biotechnology Information for relevant published studies using the keywords post-menopausal women, osteoporosis, bone mineral density, calcium, and vitamin D supplements, and weight-bearing exercises. We included peer-reviewed studies that had post-menopausal women as their targeted population, published in English-language from 2012-2022, had vitamin D and calcium supplements, and/or weight-bearing exercise interventions, as their measurable outcomes as increased BMD and/or decreased fracture. Results: Fourteen articles were included in this review. Findings indicated weight-bearing exercises are effective in increasing BMD in post-menopausal women. There is inconclusive evidence on the effectiveness of calcium and vitamin D supplements increasing BMD in post-menopausal women. Conclusion: The findings revealed that weight-bearing exercises are effective for post-menopausal women to increase their BMD and lower their risk for bone fractures. However, evidence on the effects of calcium and vitamin D supplements on BMD is contested

Non-local Supercurrent of Quartets in a Three-Terminal Josephson Junction

We report an observation of a new, non dissipative and non local supercurrent, carried by quartets; each consisting of four entangled electrons. The supercurrent is a result of a novel Andreev bound state (ABS), formed among three superconducting terminals. While in a two-terminal Josephson junction the usual ABS, and thus the DC Josephson current, exist only in equilibrium, in the present realization the ABS exists also in the strongly nonlinear regime (biased terminals). The presence of supercurrent carried by quartets was established by performing non-local conductance and cross-correlation of current fluctuations measurements, in different devices made of aluminum-InAs nanowire junctions. An extensive and detailed theoretical study is intertwined with the experimental results

Caries Experience among Adults Exposed to Low to Moderate Doses of Ionizing Radiation in Childhood – The Tinea Capitis Cohort

While the impact of therapeutic levels of ionizing radiation during childhood on dental defects has been documented, the possible effect of low doses on dental health is unknown. The study aims were to assess the association between childhood exposure to low-moderate doses of therapeutic radiation and caries experience among a cohort of adults 50 years following the exposure.The analysis was based on a sample of 253 irradiated (in the treatment of Tinea Capitis) and 162 non-irradiated subjects. The DMFT (Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth) index was assessed during a clinical dental examination and questions regarding dental care services utilization, oral hygiene behavior, current self-perceived mouth dryness, socio-demographic parameters and health behavior variables were obtained through a face to face interview.An ordered multivariate logistic regression model was used to assess the association of the main independent variable (irradiation status) and other relevant independent variables on the increase in DMFT.Mean caries experience levels (DMFT) were 18.6+7.5 for irradiated subjects compared to 16.4+7.2 for the non-irradiated (p=0.002). Controlling for gender, age, education, income, smoking, dental visit in the last year and brushing teeth behavior, irradiation was associated with a 72% increased risk for higher DMFT level (95% CI 1.19-2.50). A quantification of the risk by dose absorbed in the salivary gland and in the thyroid gland showed adjusted ORs of 2.21 per 1Gy (95% CI 1.40-3.50) and 1.05 per 1cGy (95% CI 1.01-1.09), respectively.Childhood exposure to ionizing radiation (0.2-0.4Gy) might be associated with late outcomes of dental health. In line with the guidelines of the American Dental Association, these results call for caution when using dental radiographs

Fitting the Forum to the Fuss While Seeking the Truth: Lessons from Judicial Reforms in Italy

Published in cooperation with the American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolutio

Brassinolide interacts with auxin and ethylene in the root gravitropic response of maize ( Zea mays )

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/72956/1/j.0031-9317.2004.00356.x.pd

Single cell dissection of plasma cell heterogeneity in symptomatic and asymptomatic myeloma

Multiple myeloma, a plasma cell malignancy, is the second most common blood cancer. Despite extensive research, disease heterogeneity is poorly characterized, hampering efforts for early diagnosis and improved treatments. Here, we apply single cell RNA sequencing to study the heterogeneity of 40 individuals along the multiple myeloma progression spectrum, including 11 healthy controls, demonstrating high interindividual variability that can be explained by expression of known multiple myeloma drivers and additional putative factors. We identify extensive subclonal structures for 10 of 29 individuals with multiple myeloma. In asymptomatic individuals with early disease and in those with minimal residual disease post-treatment, we detect rare tumor plasma cells with molecular characteristics similar to those of active myeloma, with possible implications for personalized therapies. Single cell analysis of rare circulating tumor cells allows for accurate liquid biopsy and detection of malignant plasma cells, which reflect bone marrow disease. Our work establishes single cell RNA sequencing for dissecting blood malignancies and devising detailed molecular characterization of tumor cells in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients