69 research outputs found
Time bound of atomic adiabatic evolution in the accelerated optical lattice
The accelerated optical lattice has emerged as a valuable technique for the
investigation of quantum transport physics and has found widespread application
in quantum sensing, including atomic gravimeters and atomic gyroscopes. In our
study, we focus on the adiabatic evolution of ultra-cold atoms within an
accelerated optical lattice. Specifically, we derive a time bound that delimits
the duration of atomic adiabatic evolution in the oscillating system under
consideration. To experimentally substantiate the theoretical predictions,
precise measurements to instantaneous band populations were conducted within a
one-dimensional accelerated optical lattice, encompassing systematic variations
in both lattice's depths and accelerations. The obtained experimental results
demonstrate a quantitatively consistent correspondence with the anticipated
theoretical expressions. Afterwards, the atomic velocity distributions are also
measured to compare with the time bound. This research offers a quantitative
framework for the selection of parameters that ensure atom trapped throughout
the acceleration process. Moreover, it contributes an experimental criterion by
which to assess the adequacy of adiabatic conditions in an oscillating system,
thereby augmenting the current understanding of these systems from a
theoretical perspective
Combustion characteristics of oxymethylene dimethyl ether-diesel blends:An experimental investigation using a constant-volume combustion chamber
The combustion characteristics of oxymethylene dimethyl ether (OMEx) and its blends with diesel have been investigated using a multi-hole injector in a constant-volume combustion chamber. The results show OMEx addition can reduce the ignition delay, especially when blends of more than 50 vol% are used, at low chamber temperature. Two individual heat-release peaks are observed for OMEx during premixed combustion at 750 K, due to a pronounced low-temperature heat-release phase. The chamber temperature of 800 K can be regarded as a transition point for the behavior of burn duration as well as maximum ROHR peak, mostly caused by combustion regime transition from premixed- to diffusion combustion. It appears that there is an approximate linear relation between maximum ROHR peak and the time at which this peak occurs with injection pressure. The ignition delay of OMEx is almost insensitive to a decrease in ambient oxygen concentration. And the premixed ROHR profile, due to its high oxygen content, is very similar and only ignition delay and burn duration increase slightly. Additionally, comparisons of natural luminosity results for OMEx and diesel indicate that OMEx produces near-zero soot values. Luminosity is expected to be caused by chemiluminescence alone, which increases with injection pressure
Atomic Ramsey interferometry with S- and D-band in a triangular optical lattice
Ramsey interferometers have wide applications in science and engineering.
Compared with the traditional interferometer based on internal states, the
interferometer with external quantum states has advantages in some applications
for quantum simulation and precision measurement. Here, we develop a Ramsey
interferometry with Bloch states in S- and D-band of a triangular optical
lattice for the first time. The key to realizing this interferometer in
two-dimensionally coupled lattice is that we use the shortcut method to
construct pulse. We observe clear Ramsey fringes and analyze the
decoherence mechanism of fringes. Further, we design an echo pulse
between S- and D-band, which significantly improves the coherence time. This
Ramsey interferometer in the dimensionally coupled lattice has potential
applications in the quantum simulations of topological physics, frustrated
effects, and motional qubits manipulation
SARS-CoV-2 delta (B.1.617.2) spike protein adjuvanted with Alum-3M-052 enhances antibody production and neutralization ability
BackgroundOptimizing adjuvant is one of the critical methods to improve the vaccine. 3M-052, a novel TLR7/8 agonist which was designed for slow dissemination at the injection site, has a potential as adjuvant, but its performance as a vaccine adjuvant for SARS-CoV-2 (B.1.617.2) spike protein has not been studied. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of Alum-3M-052 as an adjuvant to improve mice serum antibody titers and pseudovirus neutralization efficiency.MethodFemale Balb/c mice were immunized 3 times at day 0, 7 and 21 intramuscularly with SARS-CoV-2 (B.1.617.2) spike protein and adjuvant (Alum or Alum-3M-052). Mice serum was collected weekly since day 7. Antibody titers of mice serum anti-SARS-CoV-2 (B.1.617.2) IgG and IgM were detected by ELISA. Inhibition rates of mice serum blocking SARS-CoV-2 (B.1.617.2) spike protein binding to ACE2 were detected by SARS-CoV-2 (B.1.617.2) Inhibitor Screening Kit. Neutralization efficiencies of mice serum against both SARS-CoV-2 (BA.2.12.1) pseudovirus and SARS-CoV-2 (B.1.617.2) pseudovirus were detected by pseudovirus neutralizing assay.ResultSerum of mice immunized by SARS-CoV-2 (B.1.617.2) spike protein adjuvanted with Alum-3M-052 had highest antibody titers and higher neutralization efficiency against both SARS-CoV-2 (BA.2.12.1) pseudovirus and SARS-CoV-2 (B.1.617.2) pseudovirus. Besides, neutralization efficiency of anti-SARS-CoV-2 (B.1.617.2) spike protein antibody against SARS-CoV-2 (BA.2.12.1) pseudovirus was lower than that of SARS-CoV-2 (B.1.617.2) pseudovirus.ConclusionAlum-3M-052 rapidly increased the titer of anti-SARS-CoV-2 (B.1.617.2) spike protein neutralizing antibodies and enhanced the neutralization ability against pseudoviruses and variants. This study provided evidence for the application of Alum-3M-052 as an adjuvant in COVID-19 vaccines production
Quantum simulation of topological zero modes on a 41-qubit superconducting processor
Quantum simulation of different exotic topological phases of quantum matter
on a noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) processor is attracting growing
interest. Here, we develop a one-dimensional 43-qubit superconducting quantum
processor, named as Chuang-tzu, to simulate and characterize emergent
topological states. By engineering diagonal
Aubry-Andr-Harper (AAH) models, we experimentally
demonstrate the Hofstadter butterfly energy spectrum. Using Floquet
engineering, we verify the existence of the topological zero modes in the
commensurate off-diagonal AAH models, which have never been experimentally
realized before. Remarkably, the qubit number over 40 in our quantum processor
is large enough to capture the substantial topological features of a quantum
system from its complex band structure, including Dirac points, the energy
gap's closing, the difference between even and odd number of sites, and the
distinction between edge and bulk states. Our results establish a versatile
hybrid quantum simulation approach to exploring quantum topological systems in
the NISQ era.Comment: Main text: 6 pages, 4 figures; Supplementary: 16 pages, 14 figure
USP21 negatively regulates antiviral response by acting as a RIG-I deubiquitinase
Lys63-linked polyubiquitination of RIG-I is essential in antiviral immune defense, yet the molecular mechanism that negatively regulates this critical step is poorly understood. Here, we report that USP21 acts as a novel negative regulator in antiviral responses through its ability to bind to and deubiquitinate RIG-I. Overexpression of USP21 inhibited RNA virus–induced RIG-I polyubiquitination and RIG-I–mediated interferon (IFN) signaling, whereas deletion of USP21 resulted in elevated RIG-I polyubiquitination, IRF3 phosphorylation, IFN-α/β production, and antiviral responses in MEFs in response to RNA virus infection. USP21 also restricted antiviral responses in peritoneal macrophages (PMs) and bone marrow–derived dendritic cells (BMDCs). USP21-deficient mice spontaneously developed splenomegaly and were more resistant to VSV infection with elevated production of IFNs. Chimeric mice with USP21-deficient hematopoietic cells developed virus-induced splenomegaly and were more resistant to VSV infection. Functional comparison of three deubiquitinases (USP21, A20, and CYLD) demonstrated that USP21 acts as a bona fide RIG-I deubiquitinase to down-regulate antiviral response independent of the A20 ubiquitin-editing complex. Our studies identify a previously unrecognized role for USP21 in the negative regulation of antiviral response through deubiquitinating RIG-I
A multifunctional display based on photo-responsive perovskite light-emitting diodes
Current display screens are typically only used for information display, but can have a range of different sensors integrated into them for functions such as touch control, ambient light sensing and fingerprint sensing. Photo-responsive light-emitting diodes (LEDs), which can display information and respond to light excitation, could be used to develop future ultra-thin and large screen-to-body ratio screens. However, photo-response is difficult to achieve with conventional display technologies. Here, we report a multifunctional display that uses photo-responsive metal halide perovskite LEDs as pixels. The perovskite LED display can be simultaneously used as a touch screen, ambient light sensor and image sensor (including for fingerprint drawing) without integrating any additional sensors. The light-to-electricity conversion efficiency of the pixels also allow the display to act as a photovoltaic device that can charge the equipment
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