2,404 research outputs found
Active learning of the thermodynamics-dynamics tradeoff in protein condensates
Phase-separated biomolecular condensates exhibit a wide range of dynamical
properties, which depend on the sequences of the constituent proteins and RNAs.
However, it is unclear to what extent condensate dynamics can be tuned without
also changing the thermodynamic properties that govern phase separation. Using
coarse-grained simulations of intrinsically disordered proteins, we show that
the dynamics and thermodynamics of homopolymer condensates are strongly
correlated, with increased condensate stability being coincident with low
mobilities and high viscosities. We then apply an "active learning" strategy to
identify heteropolymer sequences that break this correlation. This data-driven
approach and accompanying analysis reveal how heterogeneous amino-acid
compositions and non-uniform sequence patterning map to a range of
independently tunable dynamical and thermodynamic properties of biomolecular
condensates
Quantum feedback control of a superconducting qubit: Persistent Rabi oscillations
The act of measurement bridges the quantum and classical worlds by projecting
a superposition of possible states into a single, albeit probabilistic,
outcome. The time-scale of this "instantaneous" process can be stretched using
weak measurements so that it takes the form of a gradual random walk towards a
final state. Remarkably, the interim measurement record is sufficient to
continuously track and steer the quantum state using feedback. We monitor the
dynamics of a resonantly driven quantum two-level system -- a superconducting
quantum bit --using a near-noiseless parametric amplifier. The high-fidelity
measurement output is used to actively stabilize the phase of Rabi
oscillations, enabling them to persist indefinitely. This new functionality
shows promise for fighting decoherence and defines a path for continuous
quantum error correction.Comment: Manuscript: 5 Pages and 3 figures ; Supplementary Information: 9
pages and 3 figure
Non-Deterministic Kleene Coalgebras
In this paper, we present a systematic way of deriving (1) languages of
(generalised) regular expressions, and (2) sound and complete axiomatizations
thereof, for a wide variety of systems. This generalizes both the results of
Kleene (on regular languages and deterministic finite automata) and Milner (on
regular behaviours and finite labelled transition systems), and includes many
other systems such as Mealy and Moore machines
Measurement repeatability of 18 F-FDG PET/CT versus 18 F-FDG PET/MRI in solid tumors of the pelvis
Knowledge of the within-subject variability o
Pro-opiomelanocortin and ACTHâcortisol dissociation during pediatric cardiac surgery
In critically ill adults, high plasma cortisol in the face of low ACTH coincides with high pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) levels. Glucocorticoids further lower ACTH without affecting POMC. We hypothesized that in pediatric cardiac surgery-induced critical illness, plasma POMC is elevated, plasma ACTH transiently rises intraoperatively but becomes suppressed post-operatively, and glucocorticoid administration amplifies this phenotype. From 53 patients (0â36 months), plasma was obtained pre-operatively, intraoperatively, and on post-operative days 1 and 2. Plasma was also collected from 24 healthy children. In patients, POMC was supra-normal pre-operatively (P < 0.0001) but no longer thereafter (P > 0.05). ACTH was never high in patients. While in glucocorticoid-naive patients ACTH became suppressed by post-operative day 1 (P < 0.0001), glucocorticoid-treated patients had already suppressed ACTH intraoperatively (P †0.0001). Pre-operatively high POMC, not accompanied by increased plasma ACTH, suggests a centrally activated HPA axis with reduced pituitary processing of POMC into ACTH. Increasing systemic glucocorticoid availability with glucocorticoid treatment accelerated the suppression of plasma ACTH. Significance statement Glucocorticoids are often administered during pediatric cardiac surgery. In critically ill children, endogenous systemic glucocorticoid availability is elevated already upon ICU admission while ACTH levels are normal. This hormonal constellation suggests the presence of active feedback inhibition of ACTH. In this study, we have documented that intraoperative administration of glucocorticoids accelerates the suppression of ACTH, resulting in low plasma ACTH already upon ICU admission. Pre-operative plasma POMC, the ACTH precursor, but not ACTH, was increased. This is compatible with a centrally activated HPA axis prior to surgery in young children but reduced processing of POMC into ACTH within the pituitary. These findings suggest that glucocorticoid treatment in the context of pediatric cardiac surgery may amplify pre-existing impaired pituitary processing of the prohormone POMC.</p
Pro-opiomelanocortin and ACTHâcortisol dissociation during pediatric cardiac surgery
In critically ill adults, high plasma cortisol in the face of low ACTH coincides with high pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) levels. Glucocorticoids further lower ACTH without affecting POMC. We hypothesized that in pediatric cardiac surgery-induced critical illness, plasma POMC is elevated, plasma ACTH transiently rises intraoperatively but becomes suppressed post-operatively, and glucocorticoid administration amplifies this phenotype. From 53 patients (0â36 months), plasma was obtained pre-operatively, intraoperatively, and on post-operative days 1 and 2. Plasma was also collected from 24 healthy children. In patients, POMC was supra-normal pre-operatively (P < 0.0001) but no longer thereafter (P > 0.05). ACTH was never high in patients. While in glucocorticoid-naive patients ACTH became suppressed by post-operative day 1 (P < 0.0001), glucocorticoid-treated patients had already suppressed ACTH intraoperatively (P †0.0001). Pre-operatively high POMC, not accompanied by increased plasma ACTH, suggests a centrally activated HPA axis with reduced pituitary processing of POMC into ACTH. Increasing systemic glucocorticoid availability with glucocorticoid treatment accelerated the suppression of plasma ACTH. Significance statement Glucocorticoids are often administered during pediatric cardiac surgery. In critically ill children, endogenous systemic glucocorticoid availability is elevated already upon ICU admission while ACTH levels are normal. This hormonal constellation suggests the presence of active feedback inhibition of ACTH. In this study, we have documented that intraoperative administration of glucocorticoids accelerates the suppression of ACTH, resulting in low plasma ACTH already upon ICU admission. Pre-operative plasma POMC, the ACTH precursor, but not ACTH, was increased. This is compatible with a centrally activated HPA axis prior to surgery in young children but reduced processing of POMC into ACTH within the pituitary. These findings suggest that glucocorticoid treatment in the context of pediatric cardiac surgery may amplify pre-existing impaired pituitary processing of the prohormone POMC.</p
An off-board quantum point contact as a sensitive detector of cantilever motion
Recent advances in the fabrication of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS)
and their evolution into nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS) have allowed
researchers to measure extremely small forces, masses, and displacements. In
particular, researchers have developed position transducers with resolution
approaching the uncertainty limit set by quantum mechanics. The achievement of
such resolution has implications not only for the detection of quantum behavior
in mechanical systems, but also for a variety of other precision experiments
including the bounding of deviations from Newtonian gravity at short distances
and the measurement of single spins. Here we demonstrate the use of a quantum
point contact (QPC) as a sensitive displacement detector capable of sensing the
low-temperature thermal motion of a nearby micromechanical cantilever.
Advantages of this approach include versatility due to its off-board design,
compatibility with nanoscale oscillators, and, with further development, the
potential to achieve quantum limited displacement detection.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figure
Sex recognition by odour and variation in the uropygial gland secretion in starlings
1.âAlthough a growing body of evidence supports that olfaction based on chemical compounds emitted by birds may play a role in individual recognition, the possible role of chemical cues in sexual selection of birds has been only preliminarily studied.2.âWe investigated for the first time whether a passerine bird, the spotless starling Sturnus unicolor, was able to discriminate the sex of conspecifics by using olfactory cues and whether the size and secretion composition of the uropygial gland convey information on sex, age and reproductive status in this species.3.âWe performed a blind choice experiment during mating, and we found that starlings were able to discriminate the sex of conspecifics by using chemical cues alone. Both male and female starlings preferred male scents. Furthermore, the analysis of the chemical composition of the uropygial gland secretion by using gas chromatographyâmass spectrometry (GCâMS) revealed differences between sexes, ages and reproductive status.4.âIn conclusion, our study reveals for first time that a passerine species can discriminate the sex of conspecifics by relying on chemical cues and suggests that the uropygial gland secretion may potentially function as a chemical signal used in mate choice and/or intrasexual competition in this species.This research was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science â FEDER (CGL2008-00718) and PIE 200930I029 to J. M. AvilĂ©s and D. Parejo.The study was conducted under licence of the Junta de AndalucĂa GCâMS analyses were performed by Dr. Rafael NĂșñez at the ScientiïŹc Instrumentation Service (EEZ, CSIC) (Granada, Spain).Peer reviewe
Seismic air gun exposure during early-stage embryonic development does not negatively affect spiny lobster Jasus edwardsii larvae (Decapoda:Palinuridae)
Marine seismic surveys are used to explore for sub-seafloor oil and gas deposits. These surveys are conducted using air guns, which release compressed air to create intense sound impulses, which are repeated around every 8-12 seconds and can travel large distances in the water column. Considering the ubiquitous worldwide distribution of seismic surveys, the potential impact of exposure on marine invertebrates is poorly understood. In this study, egg-bearing female spiny lobsters (Jasus edwardsii) were exposed to signals from three air gun configurations, all of which exceeded sound exposure levels (SEL) of 185 dB re 1 ”Pa2·s. Lobsters were maintained until their eggs hatched and the larvae were then counted for fecundity, assessed for abnormal morphology using measurements of larval length and width, tested for larval competency using an established activity test and measured for energy content. Overall there were no differences in the quantity or quality of hatched larvae, indicating that the condition and development of spiny lobster embryos were not adversely affected by air gun exposure. These results suggest that embryonic spiny lobster are resilient to air gun signals and highlight the caution necessary in extrapolating results from the laboratory to real world scenarios or across life history stages
Reply to: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: a retrospective review of 1- and 2-year results. Surg Endosc 2010 (24):781â785
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