Parametric pumping at finite frequency

We report on a first principles theory for analyzing the parametric electron pump at a finite frequency. The pump is controlled by two pumping parameters with phase difference $\phi$. In the zero frequency limit, our theory predicts the well known result that the pumped current is proportional to $\sin\phi$. For the more general situation of a finite frequency, our theory predicts a non-vanishing pumped current even when the two driving forces are in phase, in agreement with the recent experimental results. We present the physical mechanism behind the nonzero pumped current at $\phi=0$, which we found to be due to photon-assisted processes

Climate warming, euxinia and carbon isotope perturbations during the Carnian (Triassic) Crisis in South China

The Carnian Humid Episode (CHE), also known as the Carnian Pluvial Event, and associated biotic changes are major enigmas of the Mesozoic record in western Tethys. We show that the CHE also occurred in eastern Tethys (South China), suggestive of a much more widespread and probably global climate perturbation. Oxygen isotope records from conodont apatite indicate a double-pulse warming event. The CHE coincided with an initial warming of 4 °C. This was followed by a transient cooling period and then a prolonged ~7 °C warming in the later Carnian (Tuvalian 2). Carbon isotope perturbations associated with the CHE of western Tethys occurred contemporaneously in South China, and mark the start of a prolonged period of carbon cycle instability that persisted until the late Carnian. The dry-wet transition during the CHE coincides with the negative carbon isotope excursion and the temperature rise, pointing to an intensification of hydrologic cycle activities due to climatic warming. While carbonate platform shutdown in western Tethys is associated with an influx of siliciclastic sediment, the eastern Tethyan carbonate platforms are overlain by deep-water anoxic facies. The transition from oxygenated to euxinic facies was via a condensed, manganiferous carbonate (MnO content up to 15.1 wt%), that records an intense Mn shuttle operating in the basin. Significant siliciclastic influx in South China only occurred after the CHE climatic changes and was probably due to foreland basin development at the onset of the Indosinian Orogeny. The mid-Carnian biotic crisis thus coincided with several phenomena associated with major extinction events: a carbonate production crisis, climate warming, δ 13 C oscillations, marine anoxia, biotic turnover and flood basalt eruptions (of the Wrangellia Large Igneous Province)

Quantization of adiabatic pumped charge in the presence of superconducting lead

We investigate the parametric electron pumping of a double barrier structure in the presence of a superconducting lead. The parametric pumping is facilitated by cyclic variation of the barrier heights $x_1$ and $x_2$ of the barriers. In the weak coupling regime, there exists a resonance line in the parameter space $(x_1,x_2)$ so that the energy of the quasi-bound state is in line with the incoming Fermi energy. Levinson et al found recently that the pumped charge for each pumping cycle is quantized with $Q=2e$ for normal structure when the pumping contour encircles the resonance line. In the presence of a superconducting lead, we find that the pumped charge is quantized with the value $2e$

Optimal quantum pump in the presence of a superconducting lead

We investigate the parametric pumping of a hybrid structure consisting of a normal quantum dot, a normal lead and a superconducting lead. Using the time dependent scattering matrix theory, we have derived a general expression for the pumped electric current and heat current. We have also derived the relationship among the instantaneous pumped heat current, electric current, and shot noise. This gives a lower bound for the pumped heat current in the hybrid system similar to that of the normal case obtained by Avron et al

Electron-hydrogen scattering in Faddeev-Merkuriev integral equation approach

Electron-hydrogen scattering is studied in the Faddeev-Merkuriev integral equation approach. The equations are solved by using the Coulomb-Sturmian separable expansion technique. We present $S$- and $P$-wave scattering and reactions cross sections up to the $H(n=4)$ threshold.Comment: 2 eps figure

Composition and structure of the RuO2(110) surface in an O2 and CO environment: implications for the catalytic formation of CO2

The phase diagram of surface structures for the model catalyst RuO2(110) in contact with a gas environment of O2 and CO is calculated by density-functional theory and atomistic thermodynamics. Adsorption of the reactants is found to depend crucially on temperature and partial pressures in the gas phase. Assuming that a catalyst surface under steady-state operation conditions is close to a constrained thermodynamic equilibrium, we are able to rationalize a number of experimental findings on the CO oxidation over RuO2(110). We also calculated reaction pathways and energy barriers. Based on the various results the importance of phase coexistence conditions is emphasized as these will lead to an enhanced dynamics at the catalyst surface. Such conditions may actuate an additional, kinetically controlled reaction mechanism on RuO2(110).Comment: 12 pages including 8 figure files. Submitted to Phys. Rev. B. Related publications can be found at http://www.fhi-berlin.mpg.de/th/paper.htm

Long-Read Assembly and Annotation of the Parasitoid Wasp <i>Muscidifurax raptorellus</i>, a Biological Control Agent for Filth Flies

The parasitoid wasp Muscidifurax raptorellus (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) is a gregarious species that has received extensive attention for its potential in biological pest control against house fly, stable fly, and other filth flies. It has a high reproductive capacity and can be reared easily. However, genome assembly is not available for M. raptorellus or any other species in this genus. Previously, we assembled a complete circular mitochondrial genome with a length of 24,717 bp. Here, we assembled and annotated a high-quality nuclear genome of M. raptorellus, using a combination of long-read (104× genome coverage) and short-read (326× genome coverage) sequencing technologies. The assembled genome size is 314 Mbp in 226 contigs, with a 97.9% BUSCO completeness score and a contig N50 of 4.67 Mb, suggesting excellent continuity of this assembly. Our assembly builds the foundation for comparative and evolutionary genomic analysis in the genus of Muscidifurax and possible future biocontrol applications

Propagation of Long-Wavelength Nonlinear Slow Sausage Waves in Stratified Magnetic Flux Tubes

The propagation of nonlinear, long-wavelength, slow sausage waves in an expanding magnetic flux tube, embedded in a non-magnetic stratified environment, is discussed. The governing equation for surface waves, which is akin to the Leibovich–Roberts equation, is derived using the method of multiple scales. The solitary wave solution of the equation is obtained numerically. The results obtained are illustrative of a solitary wave whose properties are highly dependent on the degree of stratification

Composition, structure and stability of RuO_2(110) as a function of oxygen pressure

Using density-functional theory (DFT) we calculate the Gibbs free energy to determine the lowest-energy structure of a RuO_2(110) surface in thermodynamic equilibrium with an oxygen-rich environment. The traditionally assumed stoichiometric termination is only found to be favorable at low oxygen chemical potentials, i.e. low pressures and/or high temperatures. At realistic O pressure, the surface is predicted to contain additional terminal O atoms. Although this O excess defines a so-called polar surface, we show that the prevalent ionic model, that dismisses such terminations on electrostatic grounds, is of little validity for RuO_2(110). Together with analogous results obtained previously at the (0001) surface of corundum-structured oxides, these findings on (110) rutile indicate that the stability of non-stoichiometric terminations is a more general phenomenon on transition metal oxide surfaces.Comment: 12 pages including 5 figures. Submitted to Phys. Rev. B. Related publications can be found at http://www.fhi-berlin.mpg.de/th/paper.htm

The benefits of intermittent fasting: A review of possible mechanisms on central neurological disorders

Intermittent fasting (IF) is a dietary strategy that involves alternating periods of abstention from calorie consumption with periods of ad libitum food intake and has been shown to have beneficial effects in many ways. Recent studies have shown that IF attenuates neurodegeneration and improves cognitive decline, enhances functional recovery after stroke as well as attenuates the pathological and clinical features of epilepsy in animal models. Furthermore, IF induced several molecular and cellular adaptations in neurons that overall enhanced cellular stress resistance, synaptic plasticity, and neurogenesis. In this review, the beneficial effects of IF on central neurological disorders are discussed. The information summarised in this review can be used to help contextualise existing research and better guide the development of future IF interventions