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Tumor necrosis factor-alpha regulates the expression of inducible costimulator receptor ligand on CD34+ progenitor cells during differentiation into antigen presenting cells
The inducible costimulator receptor (ICOS) is a third member of the CD28 receptor family that regulates T cell activation and function. ICOS binds to a newly identified ligand on antigen presenting cells different from the CD152 ligands CD80 and CD86. We used soluble ICOSIg and a newly developed murine anti-human ICOS ligand (ICOSL) monoclonal antibody to further characterize the ICOSL during ontogeny of antigen presenting cells. In a previous study, we found that ICOSL is expressed on monocytes, dendritic cells, and B cells. To define when ICOSL is first expressed on myeloid antigen presenting cells, we examined ICOSL expression on CD34 cells in bone marrow. We found that CD34bright cells regardless of their myeloid commitment were ICOSL , whereas ICOSL was first expressed when CD34 expression diminished and the myeloid marker CD33 appeared
Temperature dependence of the nitrogen-vacancy magnetic resonance in diamond
The temperature dependence of the magnetic resonance spectra of
nitrogen-vacancy (NV-) ensembles in the range of 280-330 K was studied. Four
samples prepared under different conditions were studied with NV-
concentrations ranging from 10 ppb to 15 ppm. For all of these samples, the
axial zero-field splitting (ZFS) parameter, D, was found to vary significantly
with temperature, T, as dD/dT = -74.2(7) kHz/K. The transverse ZFS parameter,
E, was non-zero (between 4 and 11 MHz) in all samples, and exhibited a
temperature dependence of dE/(EdT) = -1.4(3) x 10^(-4) K^(-1). The results
might be accounted for by considering local thermal expansion. The observation
of the temperature dependence of the ZFS parameters presents a significant
challenge for room-temperature diamond magnetometers and may ultimately limit
their bandwidth and sensitivity.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures, 1 tabl
Spin-exchange relaxation free magnetometry with Cs vapor
We describe a Cs atomic magnetometer operating in the spin-exchange
relaxation-free (SERF) regime. With a vapor cell temperature of
we achieve intrinsic magnetic resonance widths corresponding to an electron spin-relaxation rate of when the spin-exchange rate is . We
also observe an interesting narrowing effect due to diffusion. Signal-to-noise
measurements yield a sensitivity of about .
Based on photon shot noise, we project a sensitivity of . A theoretical optimization of the magnetometer indicates
sensitivities on the order of should be achievable in a
volume. Because Cs has a higher saturated vapor pressure than
other alkali metals, SERF magnetometers using Cs atoms are particularly
attractive in applications requiring lower temperatures.Comment: 8 pages, 6 figures. submitted to PR
Gyroscopes based on nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond
We propose solid-state gyroscopes based on ensembles of negatively charged
nitrogen-vacancy () centers in diamond. In one scheme, rotation of
the nitrogen-vacancy symmetry axis will induce Berry phase shifts in the electronic ground-state coherences proportional to the solid angle
subtended by the symmetry axis. We estimate sensitivity in the range of
in a 1 sensor volume using
a simple Ramsey sequence. Incorporating dynamical decoupling to suppress
dipolar relaxation may yield sensitivity at the level of . With a modified Ramsey scheme, Berry phase shifts in the
hyperfine sublevels would be employed. The projected sensitivity
is in the range of , however the smaller
gyromagnetic ratio reduces sensitivity to magnetic-field noise by several
orders of magnitude. Reaching would represent
an order of magnitude improvement over other compact, solid-state gyroscope
technologies.Comment: 3 figures, 5 page
Physical properties of thermoelectric zinc antimonide using first-principles calculations
We report first principles calculations of the structural, electronic,
elastic and vibrational properties of the semiconducting orthorhombic ZnSb
compound. We study also the intrinsic point defects in order to eventually
improve the thermoelectric properties of this already very promising
thermoelectric material. Concerning the electronic properties, in addition to
the band structure, we show that the Zn (Sb) crystallographically equivalent
atoms are not exactly equivalent from the electronic point of view. Lattice
dynamics, elastic and thermodynamic properties are found to be in good
agreement with experiments and they confirm the non equivalency of the zinc and
antimony atoms from the vibrational point of view. The calculated elastic
properties show a relatively weak anisotropy and the hardest direction is the y
direction. We observe the presence of low energy modes involving both Zn and Sb
atoms at about 5-6 meV, similarly to what has been found in Zn4Sb3 and we
suggest that the interactions of these modes with acoustic phonons could
explain the relatively low thermal conductivity of ZnSb. Zinc vacancies are the
most stable defects and this explains the intrinsic p-type conductivity of
ZnSb.Comment: 33 pages, 8 figure
Orientation-to-alignment conversion and spin squeezing
The relationship between orientation-to-alignment conversion (a form of
atomic polarization evolution induced by an electric field) and the phenomenon
of spin squeezing is demonstrated. A "stretched" state of an atom or molecule
with maximum angular-momentum projection along the quantization axis possesses
orientation and is a quantum-mechanical minimum-uncertainty state, where the
product of the equal uncertainties of the angular-momentum projections on two
orthogonal directions transverse to the quantization axis is the minimum
allowed by the uncertainty relation. Application of an electric field for a
short time induces orientation-to-alignment conversion and produces a
spin-squeezed state, in which the quantum state essentially remains a
minimum-uncertainty state, but the uncertainties of the angular-momentum
projections on the orthogonal directions are unequal. This property can be
visualized using the angular-momentum probability surfaces, where the radius of
the surface is given by the probability of measuring the maximum
angular-momentum projection in that direction. Brief remarks are also given
concerning collective-spin squeezing and quantum nondemolition measurements.Comment: 7 pages, 6 figure
Engaging stakeholders in research to address water-energy-food (WEF) nexus challenges
The water–energy–food (WEF) nexus has become a popular, and potentially powerful, frame through which to analyse interactions and interdependencies between these three systems. Though the case for transdisciplinary research in this space has been made, the extent of stakeholder engagement in research remains limited with stakeholders most commonly incorporated in research as end-users. Yet, stakeholders interact with nexus issues in a variety of ways, consequently there is much that collaboration might offer to develop nexus research and enhance its application. This paper outlines four aspects of nexus research and considers the value and potential challenges for transdisciplinary research in each. We focus on assessing and visualising nexus systems; understanding governance and capacity building; the importance of scale; and the implications of future change. The paper then proceeds to describe a novel mixed-method study that deeply integrates stakeholder knowledge with insights from multiple disciplines. We argue that mixed-method research designs—in this case orientated around a number of cases studies—are best suited to understanding and addressing real-world nexus challenges, with their inevitable complex, non-linear system characteristics. Moreover, integrating multiple forms of knowledge in the manner described in this paper enables research to assess the potential for, and processes of, scaling-up innovations in the nexus space, to contribute insights to policy and decision making
Optimising mopane worm (<i>Gonimbrasia belina</i>) processing for improved nutritional and microbial quality
Mopane worms (Gonimbrasia belina) is an important source of food and contribute to the nutrition of people who consume them. However, the traditional processing methods may have detrimental effects on the nutritional value and should also guarantee microbial quality. In this study, the nutritional composition and microbial quality of mopane worms processed under different boiling time (0-20 min) and drying temperature (40-60 °C) conditions were investigated and optimised using response surface methodology. An increase in the boiling time at the lowest drying temperature resulted in an increase in protein content and reduction in coliform counts. The optimum conditions of boiling for 20 min and drying at 40 °C resulted in mopane worms with a protein content of 49.4% DW and coliform counts <1.5 log cfu/g. In addition, high concentrations of crude fibre (13.6% DW) and fat (20.2% DW), as well as Fe (19.0 mg/100 g) and Zn (17.9 mg/100 g) were also recorded. A decrease in the total bacterial count, Escherichia coli and yeasts and moulds at the boiling time ≥20 min irrespective of the drying temperature suggested that exposure to heat reduced the microbial growth and contamination. Reduction of the mopane worms’ moisture content (<7%) due to drying further slowed down the rate of microbial growth. The optimal processing conditions (boiling for 20 min and drying at 40 °C) are recommended for pretreatment of mopane worms prior to further processing into various products
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