1,717 research outputs found

    A noise-immune cavity-assisted non-destructive detection for an optical lattice clock in the quantum regime

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    We present and implement a non-destructive detection scheme for the transition probability readout of an optical lattice clock. The scheme relies on a differential heterodyne measurement of the dispersive properties of lattice-trapped atoms enhanced by a high finesse cavity. By design, this scheme offers a 1st order rejection of the technical noise sources, an enhanced signal-to-noise ratio, and an homogeneous atom-cavity coupling. We theoretically show that this scheme is optimal with respect to the photon shot noise limit. We experimentally realize this detection scheme in an operational strontium optical lattice clock. The resolution is on the order of a few atoms with a photon scattering rate low enough to keep the atoms trapped after detection. This scheme opens the door to various different interrogations protocols, which reduce the frequency instability, including atom recycling, zero-dead time clocks with a fast repetition rate, and sub quantum projection noise frequency stability

    Fabrication and characterization of Ag- and Ga-doped mesoporous glass-coated scaffolds based on natural marine sponges with improved mechanical properties

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    Natural marine sponges were used as sacrificial template for the fabrication of bioactive glassbased scaffolds. After sintering at 1050 ÂșC, the resulting samples were additionally coated with a sol silicate solution containing biologically active ions (Ag and Ga), well-known for their antibacterial properties in comparison with standard scaffolds made by PU foam templates. The produced scaffolds were characterized by superior mechanical properties (maximum compressive strength of 4 MPa) and total porosity of ~80%. Direct cell culture tests performed on the uncoated and coated samples showed positive results in terms of adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells. Moreover, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion from cells in contact with scaffold dissolution products was measured after 7 and 10 days of incubation, showing promising angiogenic results for bone tissue engineering applications. The antibacterial potential of the produced samples was assessed by performing agar diffusion tests against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.EU Horizon 2020 project COACH 64255

    Insights into the structure and dynamics of lysyl oxidase propeptide, a flexible protein with numerous partners

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    Lysyl oxidase (LOX) catalyzes the oxidative deamination of lysine and hydroxylysine residues in collagens and elastin, which is the first step of the cross-linking of these extracellular matrix proteins. It is secreted as a proenzyme activated by bone morphogenetic protein-1, which releases the LOX catalytic domain and its bioactive N-terminal propeptide. We characterized the recombinant human propeptide by circular dichroism, dynamic light scattering, and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), and showed that it is elongated, monomeric, disordered and flexible (Dmax: 11.7 nm, Rg: 3.7 nm). We generated 3D models of the propeptide by coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations restrained by SAXS data, which were used for docking experiments. Furthermore, we have identified 17 new binding partners of the propeptide by label-free assays. They include four glycosaminoglycans (hyaluronan, chondroitin, dermatan and heparan sulfate), collagen I, cross-linking and proteolytic enzymes (lysyl oxidase-like 2, transglutaminase-2, matrix metalloproteinase-2), a proteoglycan (fibromodulin), one growth factor (Epidermal Growth Factor, EGF), and one membrane protein (tumor endothelial marker-8). This suggests new roles for the propeptide in EGF signaling pathway

    Generalized Warped Disk Equations

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    The manner in which warps in accretion disks evolve depends on the magnitude of the viscosity. ... See full text for complete abstract

    Controlled Longitudinal Emittance Blow-Up in the CERN PS

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    The longitudinal emittance of the bunches in the CERN PS must be increased before transition crossing to avoid beam loss due to a fast vertical instability. This controlled blow-up is essential for all high-intensity beams in the PS, including those for transfer to the LHC. The higher harmonic 200MHz RF system (six cavities) used for this blow-up has to generate a total RF voltage which, for the most demanding blow-up, is comparable to the voltage of the main RF cavities. The system is presently subject to a major upgrade and a possible reduction in the number of higher harmonic RF cavities installed is under consideration. To determine the minimum required, detailed simulations and machine development studies to optimize the longitudinal blow-up have been performed. Further options to produce the required longitudinal emittance using other RF systems are also analyzed. The results obtained for the different scenarios for the longitudinal blow-up are presented and compared in this paper

    New approach to determine the morphological and structural changes in the enamel as consequence of dental bleaching

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    Nowadays, there are a number of methods very effectives for the dental bleaching, which are typically strong oxidizing agents, as the hydrogen peroxide, applied directly to the tooth surface. After bleaching, several research studies have been carried out to evaluate the efficacy of bleaching agents on teeth, there being a great controversy concerning the techniques used and their pre-treatment requirements derived, which could alter the final results. In fact, there is a strong necessity to develop different approach to determine the real consequences of bleaching treatment by using an unchangeable and entire tooth. Herein, to evaluate the effects of 38% (p/v) hydrogen peroxide treatment onto morphological, chemical and structural features in the human enamel and dentin, environmental scanning electron microscopy, electron probe micro analyzer and X-ray diffraction techniques have been used. Although such effects have been widely investigated with several techniques, including XRD and SEM, the novelty of this study lies on the techniques and methodology used to characterize the human teeth after bleaching treatment. This approach allows carrying out the analyses without any previous pretreatment, such as powdering, dried or metal sputtering, and its study in the same tooth piece before and after bleaching, which avoids the possible intrinsic differences derived from the use of different pieces. The obtained results display that neither the structural nor the chemical features of both enamel and dentin are altered after bleaching treatment. However, the morphology of the enamel is notably altered, appearing pronounced pores which could affect to the possible bacterial colonization. These findings put an end to the controversies on the different obtained results in the literature of the bleaching effects in the enamel and set standards for future studies
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