1,569 research outputs found
Electronic structure of the candidate 2D Dirac semimetal SrMnSb2: a combined experimental and theoretical study
SrMnSb is suggested to be a magnetic topological semimetal. It contains
square, 2D Sb planes with non-symmorphic crystal symmetries that could protect
band crossings, offering the possibility of a quasi-2D, robust Dirac semi-metal
in the form of a stable, bulk (3D) crystal. Here, we report a combined and
comprehensive experimental and theoretical investigation of the electronic
structure of SrMnSb, including the first ARPES data on this compound.
SrMnSb possesses a small Fermi surface originating from highly 2D, sharp
and linearly dispersing bands (the Y-states) around the (0,/a)-point in
-space. The ARPES Fermi surface agrees perfectly with that from
bulk-sensitive Shubnikov de Haas data from the same crystals, proving the
Ystates to be responsible for electrical conductivity in SrMnSb. DFT and
tight binding (TB) methods are used to model the electronic states, and both
show good agreement with the ARPES data. Despite the great promise of the
latter, both theory approaches show the Y-states to be gapped above E,
suggesting trivial topology. Subsequent analysis within both theory approaches
shows the Berry phase to be zero, indicating the non-topological character of
the transport in SrMnSb, a conclusion backed up by the analysis of the
quantum oscillation data from our crystals.Comment: 26 pages, 10 figures, revised submission to SciPost after including
changes requested by referees. All referee reports are open and can be viewed
here: https://scipost.org/submissions/1711.07165v2
A robust system for RNA interference in the chicken using a modified microRNA operon
AbstractRNA interference (RNAi) provides an effective method to silence gene expression and investigate gene function. However, RNAi tools for the chicken embryo have largely been adapted from vectors designed for mammalian cells. Here we present plasmid and retroviral RNAi vectors specifically designed for optimal gene silencing in chicken cells. The vectors use a chicken U6 promoter to express RNAs modelled on microRNA30, which are embedded within chicken microRNA operon sequences to ensure optimal Drosha and Dicer processing of transcripts. The chicken U6 promoter works significantly better than promoters of mammalian origin and in combination with a microRNA operon expression cassette (MOEC), achieves up to 90% silencing of target genes. By using a MOEC, we show that it is also possible to simultaneously silence two genes with a single vector. The vectors express either RFP or GFP markers, allowing simple in vivo tracking of vector delivery. Using these plasmids, we demonstrate effective silencing of Pax3, Pax6, Nkx2.1, Nkx2.2, Notch1 and Shh in discrete regions of the chicken embryonic nervous system. The efficiency and ease of use of this RNAi system paves the way for large-scale genetic screens in the chicken embryo
Adsorption Geometry Determines Catalytic Selectivity in Highly Chemoselective Hydrogenation of Crotonaldehyde on Ag(111)
The extremely sharp transition between molecular and ionized gas in the Horsehead nebula
(Abridged) Massive stars can determine the evolution of molecular clouds with
their strong ultraviolet (UV) radiation fields. Moreover, UV radiation is
relevant in setting the thermal gas pressure in star-forming clouds, whose
influence can extend from the rims of molecular clouds to entire star-forming
galaxies. Probing the fundamental structure of nearby molecular clouds is
therefore crucial to understand how massive stars shape their surrounding
medium and how fast molecular clouds are destroyed, specifically at their
UV-illuminated edges, where models predict an intermediate zone of neutral
atomic gas between the molecular cloud and the surrounding ionized gas whose
size is directly related to the exposed physical conditions. We present the
highest angular resolution (~", corresponding to au) and
velocity-resolved images of the molecular gas emission in the Horsehead nebula,
using CO J=3-2 and HCO J=4-3 observations with ALMA. We find that CO and
HCO are present at the edge of the cloud, very close to the ionization
(H/H) and dissociation fronts (H/H), suggesting a very thin layer of
neutral atomic gas (< au) and a small amount of CO-dark gas
( mag) for stellar UV illumination conditions typical of
molecular clouds in the Milky Way. The new ALMA observations reveal a web of
molecular gas filaments with an estimated thermal gas pressure of
K cm, and the presence of a
steep density gradient at the cloud edge that can be well explained by
stationary isobaric PDR models with pressures consistent with our estimations.
However, in the HII region and PDR interface, we find , suggesting the gas is slightly compressed. Therefore,
dynamical effects cannot be completely ruled out and even higher angular
observations will be needed to unveil their role.Comment: 15 pages, 1 table, 9 figures; Accepted for publication in A&
All-sky search for time-integrated neutrino emission from astrophysical sources with 7 years of IceCube data
Since the recent detection of an astrophysical flux of high energy neutrinos,
the question of its origin has not yet fully been answered. Much of what is
known about this flux comes from a small event sample of high neutrino purity,
good energy resolution, but large angular uncertainties. In searches for
point-like sources, on the other hand, the best performance is given by using
large statistics and good angular reconstructions. Track-like muon events
produced in neutrino interactions satisfy these requirements. We present here
the results of searches for point-like sources with neutrinos using data
acquired by the IceCube detector over seven years from 2008--2015. The
discovery potential of the analysis in the northern sky is now significantly
below , on average
lower than the sensitivity of the previously published analysis of four
years exposure. No significant clustering of neutrinos above background
expectation was observed, and implications for prominent neutrino source
candidates are discussed.Comment: 19 pages, 17 figures, 3 tables; ; submitted to The Astrophysical
Journa
The IceCube Neutrino Observatory: Instrumentation and Online Systems
The IceCube Neutrino Observatory is a cubic-kilometer-scale high-energy
neutrino detector built into the ice at the South Pole. Construction of
IceCube, the largest neutrino detector built to date, was completed in 2011 and
enabled the discovery of high-energy astrophysical neutrinos. We describe here
the design, production, and calibration of the IceCube digital optical module
(DOM), the cable systems, computing hardware, and our methodology for drilling
and deployment. We also describe the online triggering and data filtering
systems that select candidate neutrino and cosmic ray events for analysis. Due
to a rigorous pre-deployment protocol, 98.4% of the DOMs in the deep ice are
operating and collecting data. IceCube routinely achieves a detector uptime of
99% by emphasizing software stability and monitoring. Detector operations have
been stable since construction was completed, and the detector is expected to
operate at least until the end of the next decade.Comment: 83 pages, 50 figures; updated with minor changes from journal review
and proofin
Neutrinos and Cosmic Rays Observed by IceCube
The core mission of the IceCube Neutrino observatory is to study the origin
and propagation of cosmic rays. IceCube, with its surface component IceTop,
observes multiple signatures to accomplish this mission. Most important are the
astrophysical neutrinos that are produced in interactions of cosmic rays, close
to their sources and in interstellar space. IceCube is the first instrument
that measures the properties of this astrophysical neutrino flux, and
constrains its origin. In addition, the spectrum, composition and anisotropy of
the local cosmic-ray flux are obtained from measurements of atmospheric muons
and showers. Here we provide an overview of recent findings from the analysis
of IceCube data, and their implications on our understanding of cosmic rays.Comment: Review article, to appear in Advances in Space Research, special
issue "Origins of Cosmic Rays
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