95 research outputs found
Signatures of cosmic tau-neutrinos
The importance and signatures of cosmic tau--(anti)neutrinos have been
studied for upward-- and downward--going and hadronic shower
event rates relevant for present and future underground water or ice detectors,
utilizing the unique and reliable ultrasmall-- predictions of the dynamical
(radiative) parton model. The upward--going event rates
calculated just from cosmic fluxes are sizeably
enhanced by taking into account cosmic fluxes
and their associated fluxes as well. The coupled transport
equations for the upward--going flux traversing
the Earth imply an enhancement of the attenuated and regenerated
flux typically around GeV with respect
to the initial cosmic flux. This enhancement turns out to be smaller than
obtained so far, in particular for flatter initial cosmic fluxes behaving like
. Downward--going events and in particular the
background--free and unique hadronic `double bang' and `lollipop' events allow
to test downward--going cosmic fluxes up to
about GeV.Comment: 32 pages, 6 figures; Added reference
A SEPT1-based scaffold is required for Golgi integrity and function
Compartmentalization of membrane transport and signaling processes is of pivotal importance to eukaryotic cell function. While plasma membrane compartmentalization and dynamics are well known to depend on the scaffolding function of septin GTPases, the roles of septins at intracellular membranes have remained largely elusive. Here, we show that the structural and functional integrity of the Golgi depends on its association with a septin 1 (SEPT1)-based scaffold, which promotes local microtubule nucleation and positioning of the Golgi. SEPT1 function depends on the Golgi matrix protein GM130 (also known as GOLGA2) and on centrosomal proteins, including CEP170 and components of γ-tubulin ring complex (γ-Turc), to facilitate the perinuclear concentration of Golgi membranes. Accordingly, SEPT1 depletion triggers a massive fragmentation of the Golgi ribbon, thereby compromising anterograde membrane traffic at the level of the Golgi
Quantum Andreev Oscillations in normal-superconducting-normal nanostructures
We show that the voltage drop of specially prepared
normal-superconducting-normal nanostructures show quantum Andreev oscillations
as a function of magnetic field or input current. These oscillations are due to
the interference of the electron wave function between the normal parts of the
structure that act as reflective interfaces, i.e. our devices behave as a
Fabry-Perot interferometer for conduction electrons. The observed oscillations
and field periods are well explained by theory.Comment: 5 pages and 4 figure
Ultrafast quantum key distribution using fully parallelized quantum channels
The field of quantum information processing offers secure communication
protected by the laws of quantum mechanics and is on the verge of finding wider
application for information transfer of sensitive data. To overcome the
obstacle of inadequate cost-efficiency, extensive research is being done on the
many components required for high data throughput using quantum key
distribution (QKD). Aiming for an application-oriented solution, we report on
the realization of a multichannel QKD system for plug-and-play high-bandwidth
secure communication at telecom wavelength. For this purpose, a rack-sized
multichannel superconducting nanowire single photon detector (SNSPD) system, as
well as a highly parallelized time-correlated single photon counting (TCSPC)
unit have been developed and linked to an FPGA-controlled QKD evaluation setup
allowing for continuous operation and achieving high secret key rates using a
coherent-one-way protocol.Comment: 13 pages, 6 figure
The ScaleX campaign: scale-crossing land-surface and boundary layer processes in the TERENO-preAlpine observatory
Increased proteasome activator 28 gamma (PA28γ) levels are unspecific but correlate with disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis
New perspectives on interdisciplinary earth science at the Dead Sea: The DESERVE project
The Dead Sea region has faced substantial environmental challenges in recent decades, including water resource scarcity, ~ 1 m annual decreases in the water level, sinkhole development, ascending-brine freshwater pollution, and seismic disturbance risks. Natural processes are significantly affected by human interference as well as by climate change and tectonic developments over the long term. To get a deep understanding of processes and their interactions, innovative scientific approaches that integrate disciplinary research and education are required. The research project DESERVE (Helmholtz Virtual Institute Dead Sea Research Venue) addresses these challenges in an interdisciplinary approach that includes geophysics, hydrology, and meteorology. The project is implemented by a consortium of scientific institutions in neighboring countries of the Dead Sea (Israel, Jordan, Palestine Territories) and participating German Helmholtz Centres (KIT, GFZ, UFZ). A new monitoring network of meteorological, hydrological, and seismic/geodynamic stations has been established, and extensive field research and numerical simulations have been undertaken. For the first time, innovative measurement and modeling techniques have been applied to the extreme conditions of the Dead Sea and its surroundings. The preliminary results show the potential of these methods. First time ever performed eddy covariance measurements give insight into the governing factors of Dead Sea evaporation. High-resolution bathymetric investigations reveal a strong correlation between submarine springs and neo-tectonic patterns. Based on detailed studies of stratigraphy and borehole information, the extension of the subsurface drainage basin of the Dead Sea is now reliably estimated. Originality has been achieved in monitoring flash floods in an arid basin at its outlet and simultaneously in tributaries, supplemented by spatio-temporal rainfall data. Low-altitude, high resolution photogrammetry, allied to satellite image analysis and to geophysical surveys (e.g. shear-wave reflections) has enabled a more detailed characterization of sinkhole morphology and temporal development and the possible subsurface controls thereon. All the above listed efforts and scientific results take place with the interdisciplinary education of young scientists. They are invited to attend joint thematic workshops and winter schools as well as to participate in field experiments
Microbial and Chemical Characterization of Underwater Fresh Water Springs in the Dead Sea
Due to its extreme salinity and high Mg concentration the Dead Sea is characterized by a very low density of cells most of which are Archaea. We discovered several underwater fresh to brackish water springs in the Dead Sea harboring dense microbial communities. We provide the first characterization of these communities, discuss their possible origin, hydrochemical environment, energetic resources and the putative biogeochemical pathways they are mediating. Pyrosequencing of the 16S rRNA gene and community fingerprinting methods showed that the spring community originates from the Dead Sea sediments and not from the aquifer. Furthermore, it suggested that there is a dense Archaeal community in the shoreline pore water of the lake. Sequences of bacterial sulfate reducers, nitrifiers iron oxidizers and iron reducers were identified as well. Analysis of white and green biofilms suggested that sulfide oxidation through chemolitotrophy and phototrophy is highly significant. Hyperspectral analysis showed a tight association between abundant green sulfur bacteria and cyanobacteria in the green biofilms. Together, our findings show that the Dead Sea floor harbors diverse microbial communities, part of which is not known from other hypersaline environments. Analysis of the water’s chemistry shows evidence of microbial activity along the path and suggests that the springs supply nitrogen, phosphorus and organic matter to the microbial communities in the Dead Sea. The underwater springs are a newly recognized water source for the Dead Sea. Their input of microorganisms and nutrients needs to be considered in the assessment of possible impact of dilution events of the lake surface waters, such as those that will occur in the future due to the intended establishment of the Red Sea−Dead Sea water conduit
The Digital MIQE Guidelines Update: Minimum Information for Publication of Quantitative Digital PCR Experiments for 2020
Digital PCR (dPCR) has developed considerably since the publication of the Minimum Information for Publication of Digital PCR Experiments (dMIQE) guidelines in 2013, with advances in instrumentation, software, applications, and our understanding of its technological potential. Yet these developments also have associated challenges; data analysis steps, including threshold setting, can be difficult and preanalytical steps required to purify, concentrate, and modify nucleic acids can lead to measurement error. To assist independent corroboration of conclusions, comprehensive disclosure of all relevant experimental details is required. To support the community and reflect the growing use of dPCR, we present an update to dMIQE, dMIQE2020, including a simplified dMIQE table format to assist researchers in providing key experimental information and understanding of the associated experimental process. Adoption of dMIQE2020 by the scientific community will assist in standardizing experimental protocols, maximize efficient utilization of resources, and further enhance the impact of this powerful technology
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