4,220 research outputs found
Positional information, positional error, and read-out precision in morphogenesis: a mathematical framework
The concept of positional information is central to our understanding of how
cells in a multicellular structure determine their developmental fates.
Nevertheless, positional information has neither been defined mathematically
nor quantified in a principled way. Here we provide an information-theoretic
definition in the context of developmental gene expression patterns and examine
which features of expression patterns increase or decrease positional
information. We connect positional information with the concept of positional
error and develop tools to directly measure information and error from
experimental data. We illustrate our framework for the case of gap gene
expression patterns in the early Drosophila embryo and show how information
that is distributed among only four genes is sufficient to determine
developmental fates with single cell resolution. Our approach can be
generalized to a variety of different model systems; procedures and examples
are discussed in detail
Suppression of material transfer at contacting surfaces: The effect of adsorbates on Al/TiN and Cu/diamond interfaces from first-principles calculations
The effect of monolayers of oxygen (O) and hydrogen (H) on the possibility of
material transfer at aluminium/titanium nitride (Al/TiN) and copper/diamond
(Cu/C) interfaces, respectively, were investigated within the
framework of density functional theory (DFT). To this end the approach,
contact, and subsequent separation of two atomically flat surfaces consisting
of the aforementioned pairs of materials were simulated. These calculations
were performed for the clean as well as oxygenated and hydrogenated Al and
C surfaces, respectively. Various contact configurations were
considered by studying several lateral arrangements of the involved surfaces at
the interface. Material transfer is typically possible at interfaces between
the investigated clean surfaces; however, the addition of O to the Al and H to
the C surfaces was found to hinder material transfer. This
passivation occurs because of a significant reduction of the adhesion energy at
the examined interfaces, which can be explained by the distinct bonding
situations.Comment: 27 pages, 8 figure
MgB2 radio-frequency superconducting quantum interference device prepared by atomic force microscope lithography
A new method of preparation of radio-frequency superconducting quantum
interference devices on MgB2 thin films is presented. The variable-thickness
bridge was prepared by a combination of optical lithography and of the
scratching by an atomic force microscope. The critical current of the
nanobridge was 0.35 uA at 4.2 K. Non-contact measurements of the current-phase
characteristics and of the critical current vs. temperature have been
investigated on our structures.Comment: RevTeX4. Accepted in Appl. Phys. Let
The changing UV and X-ray properties of the Of?p star CPD -28 2561
The Of?p star CPD -28 2561 was monitored at high energies with XMM-Newton and
HST. In X-rays, this magnetic oblique rotator displays bright and hard emission
that varies by ~55% with rotational phase. These changes occur in phase with
optical variations, as expected for magnetically confined winds; there are two
maxima and two minima in X-rays during the 73d rotational period of CPD -28
2561. However, contrary to previously studied cases, no significant hardness
variation is detected between minima and maxima, with the exception of the
second minimum which is slightly distinct from the first one. In the UV domain,
broad-band fluxes remain stable while line profiles display large variations.
Stronger absorptions at low velocities are observed when the magnetic equator
is seen edge-on, which can be reproduced by a detailed 3D model. However, a
difference in absorption at high velocities in the CIV and NV lines is also
detected for the two phases where the confined wind is seen nearly pole-on.
This suggests the presence of strong asymmetries about the magnetic equator,
mostly in the free-flowing wind (rather than in the confined dynamical
magnetosphere).Comment: 14 pages, 11 figures, accepted for publication by MNRA
Challenges for Malaria Elimination in Zanzibar: Pyrethroid Resistance in Malaria Vectors and Poor Performance of Long-Lasting Insecticide Nets.
Long-lasting insecticide treated nets (LLINs) and indoor residual house spraying (IRS) are the main interventions for the control of malaria vectors in Zanzibar. The aim of the present study was to assess the susceptibility status of malaria vectors against the insecticides used for LLINs and IRS and to determine the durability and efficacy of LLINs on the island. Mosquitoes were sampled from Pemba and Unguja islands in 2010--2011 for use in WHO susceptibility tests. One hundred and fifty LLINs were collected from households on Unguja, their physical state was recorded and then tested for efficacy as well as total insecticide content. Species identification revealed that over 90% of the Anopheles gambiae complex was An. arabiensis with a small number of An. gambiae s.s. and An. merus being present. Susceptibility tests showed that An. arabiensis on Pemba was resistant to the pyrethroids used for LLINs and IRS. Mosquitoes from Unguja Island, however, were fully susceptible to all pyrethroids tested. A physical examination of 150 LLINs showed that two thirds were damaged after only three years in use. All used nets had a significantly lower (p < 0.001) mean permethrin concentration of 791.6 mg/m2 compared with 944.2 mg/m2 for new ones. Their efficacy decreased significantly against both susceptible An. gambiae s.s. colony mosquitoes and wild-type mosquitoes from Pemba after just six washes (p < 0.001). The sustainability of the gains achieved in malaria control in Zanzibar is seriously threatened by the resistance of malaria vectors to pyrethroids and the short-lived efficacy of LLINs. This study has revealed that even in relatively well-resourced and logistically manageable places like Zanzibar, malaria elimination is going to be difficult to achieve with the current control measures
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