1,438 research outputs found
Energy Down Conversion between Classical Electromagnetic Fields via a Quantum Mechanical SQUID Ring
We consider the interaction of a quantum mechanical SQUID ring with a
classical resonator (a parallel tank circuit). In our model we assume that
the evolution of the ring maintains its quantum mechanical nature, even though
the circuit to which it is coupled is treated classically. We show that when
the SQUID ring is driven by a classical monochromatic microwave source, energy
can be transferred between this input and the tank circuit, even when the
frequency ratio between them is very large. Essentially, these calculations
deal with the coupling between a single macroscopic quantum object (the SQUID
ring) and a classical circuit measurement device where due account is taken of
the non-perturbative behaviour of the ring and the concomitant non-linear
interaction of the ring with this device.Comment: 7 pages, 6 figure
Arrays of Cooper Pair Boxes Coupled to a Superconducting Reservoir: `Superradiance' and `Revival.'
We consider an array of Cooper Pair Boxes, each of which is coupled to a
superconducting reservoir by a capacitive tunnel junction. We discuss two
effects that probe not just the quantum nature of the islands, but also of the
superconducting reservoir coupled to them. These are analogues to the
well-known quantum optical effects `superradiance,' and `revival.' When revival
is extended to multiple systems, we find that `entanglement revival' can also
be observed. In order to study the above effects, we utilise a highly
simplified model for these systems in which all the single-electron energy
eigenvalues are set to be the same (the strong coupling limit), as are the
charging energies of the Cooper Pair Boxes, allowing the whole system to be
represented by two large coupled quantum spins. Although this simplification is
drastic, the model retains the main features necessary to capture the phenomena
of interest. Given the progress in superconducting box experiments over recent
years, it is possible that experiments to investigate both of these interesting
quantum coherent phenomena could be performed in the forseeable future.Comment: 23 pages, 5 figures Clarifications made as recommended by refere
Single atom quantum walk with 1D optical superlattices
A proposal for the implementation of quantum walks using cold atom technology
is presented. It consists of one atom trapped in time varying optical
superlattices. The required elements are presented in detail including the
preparation procedure, the manipulation required for the quantum walk evolution
and the final measurement. These procedures can be, in principle, implemented
with present technology.Comment: 6 pages, 7 figure
Decay-accelerating factor expression in the rat kidney is restricted to the apical surface of podocytes
Decay-accelerating factor expression in the rat kidney is restricted to the apical surface of podocytes.BackgroundDecay-accelerating factor (DAF) has inhibitory activity toward complement C3 and C5 convertases. DAF is present in human glomeruli and on cultured human glomerular visceral epithelial cells (GEC). We studied the distribution and function of rat DAF.MethodsFunction-neutralizing antibodies (Abs) were raised against DAF. The distribution of DAF in vivo was determined by immunoelectron microscopy. Functional studies were performed in cultured GEC and following IV injection of anti-DAF Abs into rats.ResultsDAF was present exclusively on the apical surfaces of GEC, and was not present on the basal surfaces of GEC, nor other glomerular or kidney cells. DAF was functionally active on cultured GEC, and served to limit complement activation in concert with CD59, an inhibitor of C5b-9 formation. Upon injection into normal rats, anti-DAF F(ab′)2 Abs bound to GEC in vivo, yet there was no evidence for complement activation and animals did not develop abnormal albuminuria. Anti-megalin complement-activating IgG Abs were “planted” on GEC, which activated complement as evidenced by the presence of C3d on GEC. Attempts to inhibit DAF function with anti-DAF Abs did not affect the quantity of complement activation by these anti-megalin Abs, nor did it lead to development of abnormal albuminuria. In contrast, in the puromycin aminonucleoside model of GEC injury and proteinuria, anti-DAF Abs slowed the recovery from renal failure that occurs in this model.ConclusionIn cultured rat GEC, DAF is an effective complement regulator. In vivo, DAF is present on GEC apical surfaces. Yet, it appears that DAF is not essential to prevent complement activation from occurring under normal circumstances and in those cases in which complement-activating Abs are present on the basal surfaces of GEC in vivo. However, in proteinuric conditions, DAF appears to be protective to GEC
Quantum trajectories for Brownian motion
We present the stochastic Schroedinger equation for the dynamics of a quantum
particle coupled to a high temperature environment and apply it the dynamics of
a driven, damped, nonlinear quantum oscillator. Apart from an initial slip on
the environmental memory time scale, in the mean, our result recovers the
solution of the known non-Lindblad quantum Brownian motion master equation. A
remarkable feature of our approach is its localization property: individual
quantum trajectories remain localized wave packets for all times, even for the
classically chaotic system considered here, the localization being stronger the
smaller .Comment: 4 pages, 3 eps figure
Open system dynamics with non-Markovian quantum trajectories
A non-Markovian stochastic Schroedinger equation for a quantum system coupled
to an environment of harmonic oscillators is presented. Its solutions, when
averaged over the noise, reproduce the standard reduced density operator
without any approximation. We illustrate the power of this approach with
several examples, including exponentially decaying bath correlations and
extreme non-Markovian cases, where the `environment' consists of only a single
oscillator. The latter case shows the decay and revival of a `Schroedinger cat'
state. For strong coupling to a dissipative environment with memory, the
asymptotic state can be reached in a finite time. Our description of open
systems is compatible with different positions of the `Heisenberg cut' between
system and environment.Comment: 4 pages RevTeX, 3 figure
Can inorganic elements affect herpesvirus infections in European eels?
SHORT RESEARCH AND DISCUSSION ARTICLEIn combination, pollution and pathogens represent a serious threat to the health of European eels that has been increasingly
recognized. Thus, the impact of contaminants, cadmium, lead,mercury, and selenium, on anguillid herpesvirus 1 infection inwild
European eels has been evaluated. Despite the small sample size, results indicate that selenium and mercury concentrations may
compromise the European eel immune system as herpesvirus infection was more prevalent in specimens with higher Hg and Se
hepatic concentrations.Versión del editor2,65
Understanding the dynamics of Toll-like Receptor 5 response to flagellin and its regulation by estradiol
© 2017 The Author(s). Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are major players of the innate immune system. Once activated, they trigger a signalling cascade that leads to NF-ΰ B translocation from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. Single cell analysis shows that NF-ΰ B signalling dynamics are a critical determinant of transcriptional regulation. Moreover, the outcome of innate immune response is also affected by the cross-talk between TLRs and estrogen signalling. Here, we characterized the dynamics of TLR5 signalling, responsible for the recognition of flagellated bacteria, and those changes induced by estradiol in its signalling at the single cell level. TLR5 activation in MCF7 cells induced a single and sustained NF-k B translocation into the nucleus that resulted in high NF-k B transcription activity. The overall magnitude of NF-k B transcription activity was not influenced by the duration of the stimulus. No significant changes are observed in the dynamics of NF-k B translocation to the nucleus when MCF7 cells are incubated with estradiol. However, estradiol significantly decreased NF-k B transcriptional activity while increasing TLR5-mediated AP-1 transcription. The effect of estradiol on transcriptional activity was dependent on the estrogen receptor activated. This fine tuning seems to occur mainly in the nucleus at the transcription level rather than affecting the translocation of the NF-k B transcription factor
Balancing mcr-1 expression and bacterial survival is a delicate equilibrium between essential cellular defence mechanisms
MCR-1 is a lipid A modifying enzyme that confers resistance to the antibiotic colistin. Here, we analyse the impact of MCR-1 expression on E. coli morphology, fitness, competitiveness, immune stimulation and virulence. Increased expression of mcr-1 results in decreased growth rate, cell viability, competitive ability and significant degradation in cell membrane and cytoplasmic structures, compared to expression of catalytically inactive MCR-1 (E246A) or MCR-1 soluble component. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) extracted from mcr-1 strains induces lower production of IL-6 and TNF, when compared to control LPS. Compared to their parent strains, high-level colistin resistance mutants (HLCRMs) show reduced fitness (relative fitness is 0.41–0.78) and highly attenuated virulence in a Galleria mellonella infection model. Furthermore, HLCRMs are more susceptible to most antibiotics than their respective parent strains. Our results show that the bacterium is challenged to find a delicate equilibrium between expression of MCR-1-mediated colistin resistance and minimalizing toxicity and thus ensuring cell survival
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