98 research outputs found
Comparison of coherence times in three dc SQUID phase qubits
We report measurements of spectroscopic linewidth and Rabi oscillations in
three thin-film dc SQUID phase qubits. One device had a single-turn Al loop,
the second had a 6-turn Nb loop, and the third was a first order gradiometer
formed from 6-turn wound and counter-wound Nb coils to provide isolation from
spatially uniform flux noise. In the 6 - 7.2 GHz range, the spectroscopic
coherence times for the gradiometer varied from 4 ns to 8 ns, about the same as
for the other devices (4 to 10 ns). The time constant for decay of Rabi
oscillations was significantly longer in the single-turn Al device (20 to 30
ns) than either of the Nb devices (10 to 15 ns). These results imply that
spatially uniform flux noise is not the main source of decoherence or
inhomogenous broadening in these devices.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figures, accepted for publication in IEEE Trans. Appl.
Supercon
Multi-level Spectroscopy of Two-Level Systems Coupled to a dc SQUID Phase Qubit
We report spectroscopic measurements of discrete two-level systems (TLSs)
coupled to a dc SQUID phase qubit with a 16 \mu\m2 area Al/AlOx/Al junction.
Applying microwaves in the 10 GHz to 11 GHz range, we found eight avoided level
crossings with splitting sizes from 10 MHz to 200 MHz and spectroscopic
lifetimes from 4 ns to 160 ns. Assuming the transitions are from the ground
state of the composite system to an excited state of the qubit or an excited
state of one of the TLS states, we fit the location and spectral width to get
the energy levels, splitting sizes and spectroscopic coherence times of the
phase qubit and TLSs. The distribution of splittings is consistent with
non-interacting individual charged ions tunneling between random locations in
the tunnel barrier and the distribution of lifetimes is consistent with the
AlOx in the junction barrier having a frequency-independent loss tangent. To
check that the charge of each TLS couples independently to the voltage across
the junction, we also measured the spectrum in the 20-22 GHz range and found
tilted avoided level crossings due to the second excited state of the junction
and states in which both the junction and a TLS were excited
Toll-Like Receptor 2 Induced Angiogenesis and Invasion Is Mediated through the Tie2 Signalling Pathway in Rheumatoid Arthritis
BACKGROUND: Angiogenesis is a critical early event in inflammatory arthritis, facilitating leukocyte migration into the synovium resulting in invasion and destruction of articular cartilage and bone. This study investigates the effect of TLR2 on angiogenesis, EC adhesion and invasion using microvascular endothelial cells and RA whole tissue synovial explants ex-vivo. METHODS: Microvascular endothelial cells (HMVEC) and RA synovial explants ex vivo were cultured with the TLR2 ligand, Pam3CSK4 (1 µg/ml). Angiopoietin 2 (Ang2), Tie2 and TLR2 expression in RA synovial tissue was assessed by immunohistology. HMVEC tube formation was assessed using Matrigel matrix assays. Ang2 was measured by ELISA. ICAM-1 cell surface expression was assessed by flow cytometry. Cell migration was assessed by wound repair scratch assays. ECM invasion, MMP-2 and -9 expression were assessed using transwell invasion chambers and zymography. To examine if the angiopoietin/Tie2 signalling pathway mediates TLR2 induced EC tube formation, invasion and migration assays were performed in the presence of a specific neutralising anti-Tie2mAb (10 ug/ml) and matched IgG isotype control Ab (10 ug/ml). RESULTS: Ang2 and Tie2 were localised to RA synovial blood vessels, and TLR2 was localised to RA synovial blood vessels, sub-lining infiltrates and the lining layer. Pam3CSK4 significantly increased angiogenic tube formation (p<0.05), and upregulated Ang2 production in HMVEC (p<0.05) and RA synovial explants (p<0.05). Pam3CSK4 induced cell surface expression of ICAM-1, from basal level of 149±54 (MFI) to 617±103 (p<0.01). TLR-2 activation induced an 8.8±2.8 fold increase in cell invasion compared to control (p<0.05). Pam3CSK4 also induced HMVEC cell migration and induced MMP-2 and -9 from RA synovial explants. Neutralisation of the Ang2 receptor, Tie2 significantly inhibited Pam3CSK4-induced EC tube formation and invasion (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: TLR2 activation promotes angiogenesis, cell adhesion and invasion, effects that are in part mediated through the Tie2 signalling pathway, key mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of RA
Prognostic Significance of Wnt-1, β-catenin and E-cadherin Expression in Advanced Colorectal Carcinoma
Wnt/β-catenin pathway plays an important role in initiation and progression of colorectal oncogenesis. The aim of this study was to determine expression and localization of E-cadherin, β-catenin and Wnt-1 proteins in colorectal tumors. Expression of β-catenin, E-cadherin and Wnt-1 was determined by immunohistochemistry on advanced colorectal cancers. Abnormal expression of E-cadherin, β-catenin, Wnt-1 was observed. Additionally, we revealed correlations between levels of studied proteins and histoclinical data. In multivariate analysis nuclear β-catenin, higher carcinoembryonic antigen serum level before treatment, female sex and tumor localized in colon or rectum were independent unfavorable prognostic factors. These findings support the hypothesis that Wnt/β-catenin pathway plays an important role in advanced colorectal carcinoma
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