Control of Coulomb blockade in a mesoscopic Josephson junction using single electron tunneling

We study a circuit where a mesoscopic Josephson junction (JJ) is embedded in an environment consisting of a large bias resistor and a normal metal - superconductor tunnel junction (NIS). The effective Coulomb blockade of the JJ can be controlled by the tunneling current through the NIS junction leading to transistor-like characteristics. We show using phase correlation theory and numerical simulations that substantial current gain with low current noise ($i_{n}\lesssim 1$ fA/$\sqrt{\text{Hz}}$) and noise temperature ($\lesssim$ 0.1 K) can be achieved. Good agreement between our numerical simulations and experimental results is obtained.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, RevTE

Description of self-synchronization effects in distributed Josephson junction arrays using harmonic analysis and power balance

Power generation and synchronisation in Josephson junction arrays have attracted attention for a long time. This stems from fundamental interest in nonlinear coupled systems as well as from potential in practical applications. In this paper we study the case of an array of junctions coupled to a distributed transmission line either driven by an external microwave or in a self-oscillating mode. We simplify the theoretical treatment in terms of harmonic analysis and power balance. We apply the model to explain the large operation margins of SNS- and SINIS-junction arrays. We show the validity of the approach by comparing with experiments and simulations with self-oscillating es-SIS junction arrays.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure

GLP 1 retseptori agonisti liraglutiidi neuroprotektiivne toime Wolframi sündroomi roti mudelis

Väitekirja elektrooniline versioon ei sisalda publikatsiooneWolframi sündroom on haruldane autosomaalse retsessiivse pärandumismustriga haigus, mida põhjustab Wfs1 geeni poolt kodeeritud Wolframiini valgu düsfunktsioon. Wolframi sündroomi esimene sümptom on insuliinist sõltuv diabeet ning sellele järgnevad nägemisnärvi atroofia, magediabeet ja neuroloogilised komplikatsioonid. Insuliinist sõltuv diabeet on kontrollitav insuliini asendusraviga, seega on Wolframi sündroomiga patsientidele enim muret valmistav neurodegeneratsioon, millel puudub ravi. Seepärast on oluline välja töötada neuroprotektiivseid ravimeetodeid, mis oleksid võimelised aeglustama haiguse kulgu ja seeläbi pikendama Wolframi sündroomiga patsientide eluiga. Wolframiini valgu düsfunktsioonist põhjustatud Wolframi sündroomi uurimiseks on meie uurimisrühm loonud Wfs1 KO roti, kelle Wfs1 geeni viies kodeeriv ekson on deleteeritud. Antud doktoritöö eesmärk oli iseloomustada Wfs1 KO roti fenotüüpi, eesmärgiga kasutada seda uute ravistrateegiate väljatöötamisel. Antud töös pöörati erilist tähelepanu Wolframi sündroomiga seotud neurodegeneratsioonile, mida on insuliinist sõltuva diabeediga võrreldes vähe uuritud. Käesolevas doktoritöös selgus, et Wfs1 KO rottidel tekkisid Wolframi sündroomi peamised sümptomid: insuliinist sõltuv diabeet ja neurodegeneratsioon. See näitab, et Wfs1 KO rott on tõepoolest Wolframi sündroomi loommudel ja seda saab kasutada Wolframi sündroomi ravistrateegiate testimiseks. Diabeedivastane ravim liraglutiid kaitses Wfs1 KO rotte glükoositalumatuse tekke eest. Lisaks vähendas ravi liraglutiidiga neuropõletikku oliivituumades, ER-stressi ja neuronite ruumala suurenemist (neuronal swelling). Lisaks oli BDNF-i mimeetikul 7,8-dihüdroksüflavoonil (7,8-DHF) põletikuvastastane toime hipokampusele ja säilitas kognitiivse funktsiooni Wfs1 KO loomadel, kuigi 7,8-DHF-il diabeedivastast toimet ei tuvastatud. Seetõttu võib ravi liraglutiidiga, või liraglutiidi ja 7,8-DHF-i koosmanustamine Wolframi sündroomiga patsientidel olla paljutõotavaks ravistrateegiaks. Prekliinilistest uuringutest inspireerituna on alustatud kliinilist uuringut liraglutiidiga, seega selgitavad edasised uuringud välja liraglutiidi toime Wolframi sündroomiga patsientidele.Wolfram syndrome is a rare hereditary disorder that is caused by biallelic mutations in the WFS1 gene, from which WFS1 (Wolframin) protein is encoded. Wolfram syndrome starts with diabetes mellitus followed by optic nerve atrophy and neurodegeneration. As no effective therapy is available, drug repurposing could be the best therapeutic option because the drugs are already approved and thereby reach patients faster. GLP-1 receptor agonists are used for the treatment of diabetes mellitus and have neuroprotective properties in addition to glucose-lowering effects. Hence, they could also have a potential therapeutic effect for the main symptoms of Wolfram syndrome. In addition to GLP-1 receptor agonists, the neurotrophic factor, such as BDNF mimetic 7,8-dihydroxyflavone (7,8-DHF), has not been studied in connection with Wolfram syndrome. In vivo investigations for drug repurposing would not be possible without well-characterized animal models. Therefore, our research group has created Wfs1 KO rats with an exon 5 disruption. The aim of this dissertation is (i) to evaluate the symptoms of Wolfram syndrome in Wfs1 KO rats and (ii) to use it to test novel treatment strategies for Wolfram syndrome with an emphasis on neurodegeneration. The current thesis demonstrates that Wfs1 KO rats developed the main symptoms of Wolfram syndrome: diabetes mellitus and neurodegeneration. This indicates that the Wfs1 KO rat is indeed a Wolfram syndrome animal model, and it can be used to test treatment strategies for Wolfram syndrome. The anti-diabetic drug liraglutide protected Wfs1 KO rats against development of glucose intolerance. Moreover, liraglutide treatment had a neuroprotective effect in the olive nucleus, as measured by decreased neuroinflammation, ER stress and neuronal swelling. Additionally, BDNF mimetic 7,8-DHF had an anti-inflammatory effect on the hippocampus and maintained cognitive function in Wfs1 KO animals. However, an anti-diabetic effect of 7,8-DHF was not detected. Therefore, liraglutide treatment alone or co-treatment with liraglutide and 7,8-DHF could be promising treatment strategies for Wolfram syndrome patients. Inspired by preclinical studies, a liraglutide clinical trial has been initiated, and further investigations will clarify the effect of liraglutide in Wolfram syndrome patientshttps://www.ester.ee/record=b544988

The Cognitive Atlas: Employing Interaction Design Processes to Facilitate Collaborative Ontology Creation

The Cognitive Atlas is a collaborative knowledge-building project that aims to develop an ontology that characterizes the current conceptual framework among researchers in cognitive science and neuroscience. The project objectives from the beginning focused on usability, simplicity, and utility for end users. Support for Semantic Web technologies was also a priority in order to support interoperability with other neuroscience projects and knowledge bases. Current off-the-shelf semantic web or semantic wiki technologies, however, do not often lend themselves to simple user interaction designs for non-technical researchers and practitioners; the abstract nature and complexity of these systems acts as point of friction for user interaction, inhibiting usability and utility. Instead, we take an alternate interaction design approach driven by user centered design processes rather than a base set of semantic technologies. This paper reviews the initial two rounds of design and development of the Cognitive Atlas system, including interactive design decisions and their implementation as guided by current industry practices for the development of complex interactive systems

Preface

Non peer reviewe

Labor violations and discrimination in the Clark County outcall entertainment industry

Researchers who insist that sexual exploitation is intrinsic to sex work have deflected attention from two key issues facing sex workers: labor violations and prejudice. The purpose of this study is to investigate unethical labor practices and institutional sexism, racism, and classism in the Clark County outcall entertainment ( escort ) industry. To analyze these issues from a sex radical feminist perspective, I spent 820 hours engaged in covert participant observation while working as an appointment setter at two major outcall entertainment agencies in Clark County; Much of the abuse that outcall entertainers in Las Vegas encounter could be eliminated by enforcing existing labor regulations. Other industry-specific problems could be solved with the repeal of repressive anti-prostitution laws. Unfortunately, combating racism, classism, sexism and whore stigma in the sex industry will require social change, as these issues are not restricted to the industry, but can be found in all areas of society

Fibroblast Growth Factor 21, Adiponectin, and Irisin as Markers of Unfavorable Metabolic Features in 12-Year-Old Children

Context: Among cytokines, fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), adiponectin (Adn), and irisin have been considered potential biomarkers for insulin sensitivity (IS). Objective: We evaluated whether serum FGF21, Adn, and irisin associate with markers of IS and serum lipids in 12-year-old children. Design, Participants, and Main Outcome Measures: This cohort study included 192 12-year-old children (109 girls). Seventy-eight of them had been born appropriate for gestational age (AGA), 70 small for gestational age (SGA), and 44 from preeclamptic pregnancies (PREs) as AGA. Fasting serum FGF21, Adn, irisin, lipids, inflammatory markers, and IS markers were measured. Quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) was calculated. Results: The means of serum FGF21, high molecular weight (HMW) Adn, and irisin did not differ between the sexes or between the SGA, AGA, and PRE children. In the whole study population, FGF21 associated positively with irisin and uric acid and negatively with leptin and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). HMW Adn associated positively with total Adn, HDL-C, leptin, and SHBG. Apart from FGF21, irisin associated positively with insulin, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, y-glutamyltransferase, and triglycerides, and negatively with QUICKI, SHBG, and IGF binding protein-1. In multivariate regression analyses, irisin predicted lower IS and HMW Adn predicted higher HDL-C body mass index-independently, whereas FGF21 had no independent contribution to IS or lipid variables. Conclusion: In 12-year-old children, serum irisin was associated with markers reflecting reduced IS. HMW Adn predicted HDL-C, whereas FGF21 did not contribute to IS or lipid parameters in multivariate regression analyses. Copyright (C) 2019 Endocrine SocietyPeer reviewe

Serum IL-1 Receptor Antagonist Concentrations Associate With Unfavorable Metabolic Features in 12-Year-Old Children

Context: Elevated IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) concentrations are associated with obesity, insulin resistance, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in adults. Objective: To determine if serum IL-1Ra and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels are associated with markers of reduced insulin sensitivity (IS) and serum lipids in 12-year-old children. Design and Participants: Of 191 children (n = 109 girls), 78 were categorized as having had birth weight and length appropriate for gestational age (AGA), 69 were small for gestational age, and 44 were AGA and from preeclamptic pregnancies. Serum markers of low-grade inflammation, IS, and lipids were measured. Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index (QUICKI) was calculated. Results: Mean serum IL-1Ra levels did not differ between the sexes or among the gestational categories. Children in the highest IL-1Ra tertile had lower QUICKI, IGF-binding protein-1, SHBG, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol values; and higher body mass index (BMI), waist circumference to height ratio (WHtR), and serum insulin, hs-CRP, leptin, and triglyceride concentrations than those in the lowest IL-1Ra tertile. Logistic regression analysis showed higher serum hs-CRP and leptin levels, and WHtR were associated with high serum IL-1Ra levels. IL-1Ra concentration could be used to discriminate the children with lowest IS (area under the curve, 0.68; P <0.001); hs-CRP level could not. Conclusion: Children with the highest IL-1Ra levels had lower IS, higher hs-CRP levels and BMI, and a less favorable lipid profile than those with the lowest IL-1Ra levels, suggesting that high IL-1Ra concentrations may be associated with increased CVD risk in 12-year-old children. Copyright (C) 2018 Endocrine SocietyPeer reviewe

Erinevate rünnakutegevuste efektiivsus võrkpallis

http://tartu.ester.ee/record=b2655602~S1*es