Surface-sensitive NMR in optically pumped semiconductors

We present a scheme of surface-sensitive nuclear magnetic resonance in optically pumped semiconductors, where an NMR signal from a part of the surface of a bulk compound semiconductor is detected apart from the bulk signal. It utilizes optically oriented nuclei with a long spin-lattice relaxation time as a polarization reservoir for the second (target) nuclei to be detected. It provides a basis for the nuclear spin polarizer [IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond. 14, 1635 (2004)], which is a polarization reservoir at a surface of the optically pumped semiconductor that polarizes nuclear spins in a target material in contact through the nanostructured interfaces.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figure

Optical pumping NMR in the compensated semiconductor InP:Fe

The optical pumping NMR effect in the compensated semiconductor InP:Fe has been investigated in terms of the dependences of photon energy (E_p), helicity (sigma+-), and exposure time (tau_L) of infrared lights. The {31}P and {115}In signal enhancements show large sigma+- asymmetries and anomalous oscillations as a function of E_p. We find that (i) the oscillation period as a function of E_p is similar for {31}P and {115}In and almost field independent in spite of significant reduction of the enhancement in higher fields. (ii) A characteristic time for buildup of the {31}P polarization under the light exposure shows strong E_p-dependence, but is almost independent of sigma+-. (iii) The buildup times for {31}P and {115}In are of the same order (10^3 s), although the spin-lattice relaxation times (T_1) are different by more than three orders of magnitude between them. The results are discussed in terms of (1) discrete energy spectra due to donor-acceptor pairs (DAPs) in compensated semiconductors, and (2) interplay between {31}P and dipolar ordered indium nuclei, which are optically induced.Comment: 8 pages, 6 figures, submitted to Physical Review

Fecal microbiota transplantation prevents Candida albicans from colonizing the gastrointestinal tract

Gut microbes symbiotically colonize the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, interacting with each other and their host to maintain GI tract homeostasis. Recent reports have shown that gut microbes help protect the gut from colonization by pathogenic microbes. Here, we report that commensal microbes prevent colonization of the GI tract by the pathogenic fungus, Candida albicans. Wild‐type specific pathogen‐free (SPF) mice are resistant to C. albicans colonization of the GI tract. However, administering certain antibiotics to SPF mice enables C. albicans colonization. Quantitative kinetics of commensal bacteria are inversely correlated with the number of C. albicans in the gut. Here, we provide further evidence that transplantation of fecal microbiota is effective in preventing Candida colonization of the GI tract. These data demonstrate the importance of commensal bacteria as a barrier for the GI tract surface and highlight the potential clinical applications of commensal bacteria in preventing pathogenic fungal infections.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/149500/1/mim12680_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/149500/2/mim12680.pd

Common and rare genetic variants predisposing females to unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss

Sonehara K., Yano Y., Naito T., et al. Common and rare genetic variants predisposing females to unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss. Nature communications 15, 5744 (2024); https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-49993-5.Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is a major reproductive health issue with multifactorial causes, affecting 2.6% of all pregnancies worldwide. Nearly half of the RPL cases lack clinically identifiable causes (e.g., antiphospholipid syndrome, uterine anomalies, and parental chromosomal abnormalities), referred to as unexplained RPL (uRPL). Here, we perform a genome-wide association study focusing on uRPL in 1,728 cases and 24,315 female controls of Japanese ancestry. We detect significant associations in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) region at 6p21 (lead variant=rs9263738; P = 1.4 × 10-10; odds ratio [OR] = 1.51 [95% CI: 1.33-1.72]; risk allele frequency = 0.871). The MHC associations are fine-mapped to the classical HLA alleles, HLA-C*12:02, HLA-B*52:01, and HLA-DRB1*15:02 (P = 1.1 × 10-10, 1.5 × 10-10, and 1.2 × 10-9, respectively), which constitute a population-specific common long-range haplotype with a protective effect (P = 2.8 × 10-10; OR = 0.65 [95% CI: 0.57-0.75]; haplotype frequency=0.108). Genome-wide copy-number variation (CNV) calling demonstrates rare predicted loss-of-function (pLoF) variants of the cadherin-11 gene (CDH11) conferring the risk of uRPL (P = 1.3 × 10-4; OR = 3.29 [95% CI: 1.78-5.76]). Our study highlights the importance of reproductive immunology and rare variants in the uRPL etiology

A switchable controlled-NOT gate in a spin-chain NMR quantum computer

A method of switching a controlled-NOT gate in a solid-stae NMR quantum computer is presented. Qubits of I=1/2 nuclear spins are placed periodically along a quantum spin chain (1-D antiferromagnet) having a singlet ground state with a finite spin gap to the lowest excited state caused by some quantum effect. Irradiation of a microwave tuned to the spin gap energy excites a packet of triplet magnons at a specific part of the chain where control and target qubits are involved. The packet switches on the Suhl-Nakamura interaction between the qubits, which serves as a controlled NOT gate. The qubit initialization is achieved by a qubit initializer consisting of semiconducting sheets attached to the spin chain, where spin polarizations created by the optical pumping method in the semiconductors are transferred to the spin chain. The scheme allows us to separate the initialization process from the computation, so that one can optimize the computation part without being restricted by the initialization scheme, which provides us with a wide selection of materials for a quantum computer.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figure

Analysis of bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide-doped paramagnetic graphite intercalation compound using F-19 very fast magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance

F atoms bonding to paramagnetic/conductive graphene layers in accepter-type graphite intercalation compounds (GICs) are analyzed using very fast magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance, which is applied for the first time on F-19 nuclei to investigate paramagnetic materials. In the bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide(TFSI)-doped GIC, C-F bonds between fluorine atoms and graphene layers conform to a weak bonding of F to the graphene sheets. TFSI anions intercalated in the GIC do not show overall molecular motion; even at room temperature only the CF3 groups rotate

NMR study for electrochemically inserted Na in hard carbon electrode of sodium ion battery

The state of sodium inserted in the hard carbon electrode of a sodium ion battery having practical cyclability was investigated using solid state 23Na NMR. The spectra of carbon samples charged (reduced) above 50 mAh g−1 showed clear three components. Two peaks at 9.9 ppm and 5.2 ppm were ascribed to reversible sodium stored between disordered graphene sheets in hard carbon because the shift of the peaks was invariable with changing strength of external magnetic field. One broad signal at about −9 to −16 ppm was assigned to sodium in heterogeneously distributed closed nanopores in hard carbon. Low temperature 23Na static and magic angle spinning NMR spectra didn't split or shift whereas the spectral pattern of 7Li NMR for lithium-inserted hard carbon changes depending on the temperature. This strongly suggests that the exchange of sodium atoms between different sites in hard carbon is slow. These studies show that sodium doesn't form quasi-metallic clusters in closed nanopores of hard carbon although sodium assembles at nanopores while the cell is electrochemically charged