540 research outputs found
Development of a Next-Generation NIL Library in Arabidopsis Thaliana for Dissecting Complex Traits
The identification of the loci and specific alleles underlying variation in quantitative traits is an important goal for evolutionary biologists and breeders. Despite major advancements in genomics technology, moving from QTL to causal alleles remains a major challenge in genetics research. Near-isogenic lines are the ideal raw material for QTL validation, refinement of QTL location and, ultimately, gene discovery. Results: In this study, a population of 75 Arabidopsis thaliana near-isogenic lines was developed from an existing recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from a cross between physiologically divergent accessions Kas-1 and Tsu-1. First, a novel algorithm was developed to utilize genome-wide marker data in selecting RILs fully isogenic to Kas-1 for a single chromosome. Seven such RILs were used in 2 generations of crossing to Tsu-1 to create BC1 seed. BC1 plants were genotyped with SSR markers so that lines could be selected that carried Kas-1 introgressions, resulting in a population carrying chromosomal introgressions spanning the genome. BC1 lines were genotyped with 48 genome-wide SSRs to identify lines with a targeted Kas-1 introgression and the fewest genomic introgressions elsewhere. 75 such lines were selected and genotyped at an additional 41 SNP loci and another 930 tags using 2b-RAD genotyping by sequencing. The final population carried an average of 1.35 homozygous and 2.49 heterozygous introgressions per line with average introgression sizes of 5.32 and 5.16 Mb, respectively. In a simple case study, we demonstrate the advantage of maintaining heterozygotes in our library whereby fine-mapping efforts are conducted simply by self-pollination. Crossovers in the heterozygous interval during this single selfing generation break the introgression into smaller, homozygous fragments (sub-NILs). Additionally, we utilize a homozygous NIL for validation of a QTL underlying stomatal conductance, a low heritability trait. Conclusions: The present results introduce a new and valuable resource to the Brassicaceae research community that enables rapid fine-mapping of candidate loci in parallel with QTL validation. These attributes along with dense marker coverage and genome-wide chromosomal introgressions make this population an ideal starting point for discovery of genes underlying important complex traits of agricultural and ecological significance.NSF DEB-1022196, DEB-0618302, DEB-0618347, IOS-09221457Integrative Biolog
Contrasting xylem vessel constraints on hydraulic conductivity between native and non-native woody understory species
We examined the hydraulic properties of 82 native and non-native woody species common to forests of Eastern North America, including several congeneric groups, representing a range of anatomical wood types. We observed smaller conduit diameters with greater frequency in non-native species, corresponding to lower calculated potential vulnerability to cavitation index. Non-native species exhibited higher vessel-grouping in metaxylem compared with native species, however, solitary vessels were more prevalent in secondary xylem. Higher frequency of solitary vessels in secondary xylem was related to a lower potential vulnerability index. We found no relationship between anatomical characteristics of xylem, origin of species and hydraulic conductivity, indicating that non-native species did not exhibit advantageous hydraulic efficiency over native species. Our results confer anatomical advantages for non-native species under the potential for cavitation due to freezing, perhaps permitting extended growing seasons
Digital literacy linked to engagement and psychological benefits among breast cancer survivors in Internet-based peer support groups
© 2019 John Wiley & Sons Ltd Objective: Internet-based peer support groups (ISGs) represent an innovative, scalable approach to addressing information and support needs of cancer survivors. However, this innovation may not benefit survivors equally due to population variance in digital literacy. This study examined how digital literacy influences level of engagement in and psychological benefits from participating in ISGs for breast cancer (N = 183). Methods: Secondary analysis of data from a randomised trial of ISGs that included behavioural measures of engagement, subjective ratings and psychological distress symptoms. Results: Digital literacy was positively related to education level (p =.005). Relative to women with high digital literacy, those with lower digital literacy were more likely to report difficulties using the ISG and to value the user's guide and facilitator assistance (all p's <.05). Digital literacy was negatively correlated with computer anxiety pre-intervention, distress before and after online chat during the intervention and post-intervention depressive symptoms (all p's <.05). Conclusion: Low digital literacy is associated with computer anxiety and barriers to ISG use, as well as distress during and after ISG use. Digital literacy must be taken into account when designing or delivering innovative digital interventions for cancer survivors
Evaporation of a packet of quantized vorticity
A recent experiment has confirmed the existence of quantized turbulence in
superfluid He3-B and suggested that turbulence is inhomogenous and spreads away
from the region around the vibrating wire where it is created. To interpret the
experiment we study numerically the diffusion of a packet of quantized vortex
lines which is initially confined inside a small region of space. We find that
reconnections fragment the packet into a gas of small vortex loops which fly
away. We determine the time scale of the process and find that it is in order
of magnitude agreement with the experiment.Comment: figure 1a,b,c and d, figure2, figure
Optical interconnect with densely integrated plasmonic modulator and germanium photodetector arrays
We demonstrate the first chip-to-chip interconnect utilizing a densely integrated plasmonic Mach-Zehnder modulator array operating at 3 x 10 Gbit/s. A multicore fiber provides a compact optical interface, while the receiver consists of germanium photodetectors
Dynamics of Quantum Phase Transition in an Array of Josephson Junctions
We study the dynamics of the Mott insulator-superfluid quantum phase
transition in a periodic 1D array of Josephson junctions. We show that crossing
the critical point diabatically i.e. at a finite rate with a quench time
induces finite quantum fluctuations of the current around the loop
proportional to . This scaling could be experimentally verified
with in array of weakly coupled Bose-Einstein condensates or superconducting
grains.Comment: 4 pages in RevTex, 3 .eps figures; 2 references added; accepted for
publication in Phys.Rev.Let
Spontaneous symmetry breaking in a quenched ferromagnetic spinor Bose condensate
A central goal in condensed matter and modern atomic physics is the
exploration of many-body quantum phases and the universal characteristics of
quantum phase transitions in so far as they differ from those established for
thermal phase transitions. Compared with condensed-matter systems, atomic gases
are more precisely constructed and also provide the unique opportunity to
explore quantum dynamics far from equilibrium. Here we identify a second-order
quantum phase transition in a gaseous spinor Bose-Einstein condensate, a
quantum fluid in which superfluidity and magnetism, both associated with
symmetry breaking, are simultaneously realized. Rb spinor condensates
were rapidly quenched across this transition to a ferromagnetic state and
probed using in-situ magnetization imaging to observe spontaneous symmetry
breaking through the formation of spin textures, ferromagnetic domains and
domain walls. The observation of topological defects produced by this symmetry
breaking, identified as polar-core spin-vortices containing non-zero spin
current but no net mass current, represents the first phase-sensitive in-situ
detection of vortices in a gaseous superfluid.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figure
Testing the Kibble-Zurek Scenario with Annular Josephson Tunnel Junctions
In parallel with Kibble's description of the onset of phase transitions in
the early universe, Zurek has provided a simple picture for the onset of phase
transitions in condensed matter systems, strongly supported by agreement with
experiments in He3. In this letter we show how experiments with annular
Josephson tunnel Junctions can and do provide further support for this
scenario.Comment: Revised version with correct formula for the Swihart velocity. The
results are qualitatively the same as with the previous version but differ
quantitatively. 4 pages, RevTe
Charge Delocalization in Self-Assembled Mixed-Valence Aromatic Cation Radicals
The spontaneous assembly of aromatic cation radicals (D+•) with their neutral counterpart (D) affords dimer cation radicals (D2+•). The intermolecular dimeric cation radicals are readily characterized by the appearance of an intervalence charge-resonance transition in the NIR region of their electronic spectra and by ESR spectroscopy. The X-ray crystal structure analysis and DFT calculations of a representative dimer cation radical (i.e., the octamethylbiphenylene dimer cation radical) have established that a hole (or single positive charge) is completely delocalized over both aromatic moieties. The energetics and the geometrical considerations for the formation of dimer cation radicals is deliberated with the aid of a series of cyclophane-like bichromophoric donors with drastically varied interplanar angles between the cofacially arranged aryl moieties. X-ray crystallography of a number of mixed-valence cation radicals derived from monochromophoric benzenoid donors established that they generally assemble in 1D stacks in the solid state. However, the use of polychromophoric intervalence cation radicals, where a single charge is effectively delocalized among all of the chromophores, can lead to higher-order assemblies with potential applications in long-range charge transport. As a proof of concept, we show that a single charge in the cation radical of a triptycene derivative is evenly distributed on all three benzenoid rings and this triptycene cation radical forms a 2D electronically coupled assembly, as established by X-ray crystallography
Defect Formation and Critical Dynamics in the Early Universe
We study the nonequilibrium dynamics leading to the formation of topological
defects in a symmetry-breaking phase transition of a quantum scalar field with
\lambda\Phi^4 self-interaction in a spatially flat, radiation-dominated
Friedmann-Robertson-Walker Universe. The quantum field is initially in a
finite-temperature symmetry-restored state and the phase transition develops as
the Universe expands and cools. We present a first-principles, microscopic
approach in which the nonperturbative, nonequilibrium dynamics of the quantum
field is derived from the two-loop, two-particle-irreducible closed-time-path
effective action. We numerically solve the dynamical equations for the
two-point function and we identify signatures of topological defects in the
infrared portion of the momentum-space power spectrum. We find that the density
of topological defects formed after the phase transition scales as a power law
with the expansion rate of the Universe. We calculate the equilibrium critical
exponents of the correlation length and relaxation time for this model and show
that the power law exponent of the defect density, for both overdamped and
underdamped evolution, is in good agreement with the "freeze-out" scenario of
Zurek. We introduce an analytic dynamical model, valid near the critical point,
that exhibits the same power law scaling of the defect density with the quench
rate. By incorporating the realistic quench of the expanding Universe, our
approach illuminates the dynamical mechanisms important for topological defect
formation. The observed power law scaling of the defect density with the quench
rate, observered here in a quantum field theory context, provides evidence for
the "freeze-out" scenario in three spatial dimensions.Comment: 31 pages, RevTex, 8 figures in EPS forma
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