We show that the states generated by a three-mode spontaneous parametric down-conversion (SPDC) interaction Hamiltonian possess tripartite entanglement of a different nature to other paradigmatic ...three-mode entangled states generated by the combination of two-mode SPDC interactions. While two-mode SPDC generates Gaussian states whose entanglement can be characterized by standard criteria based on two-mode quantum correlations, these criteria fail to capture the entanglement generated by three-mode SPDC. We use criteria built from three-mode correlation functions to show that the class of states recently generated in a superconducting-circuit implementation of three-mode SPDC ideally have tripartite entanglement, contrary to recent claims in the literature. These criteria are suitable for triple SPDC but we show that they fail to detect tripartite entanglement in other states which are known to possess it, which illustrates the existence of two fundamentally different notions of tripartite entanglement in three-mode continuous-variable systems.
We show experimentally that a dc-biased Josephson junction in series with two microwave resonators emits entangled beams of microwaves leaking out of the resonators. In the absence of a stationary ...phase reference for characterizing the entanglement of the outgoing beams, we measure second-order coherence functions to prove the entanglement. The experimental results are found in quantitative agreement with theory, proving that the low-frequency noise of the dc bias is the main limitation for the coherence time of the entangled beams. This agreement allows us to evaluate the entropy of entanglement of the resonators, estimate the entanglement flux at their output, and to identify the improvements that could bring this device closer to a useful bright source of entangled microwaves for quantum-technological applications.
Bipolar disorder (BD) is characterized by mood swings between manic and depressive states. The etiology and pathogenesis of BD is unclear, but many of the affected cognitive domains, as well as ...neuroanatomical abnormalities, resemble symptoms and signs of small vessel disease. In small vessel disease, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) markers reflecting damages in different cell types and subcellular structures of the brain have been established. Hence, we hypothesized that CSF markers related to small vessel disease may also be applicable as biomarkers for BD. To investigate this hypothesis, we sampled CSF from 133 patients with BD and 86 healthy controls. The concentrations of neurofilament light chain (NF-L), myelin basic protein (MBP), S100B, and heart-type fatty acid binding protein (H-FABP) were measured in CSF and analyzed in relation to diagnosis, clinical characteristics, and ongoing medications. Hereby we found an elevation of the marker of subcortical axonal damage, NF-L, in bipolar subjects. We also identified positive associations between NF-L and treatment with atypical antipsychotics, MBP and lamotrigine, and H-FABP and lithium. These findings indicate axonal damage as an underlying neuropathological component of bipolar disorder, although the clinical value of elevated NF-L remains to be validated in follow-up studies. The associations between current medications and CSF brain injury markers might aid in the understanding of both therapeutic and adverse effects of these drugs.
Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most frequent cause of dementia, is escalating as a global epidemic, and so far, there is neither cure nor treatment to alter its progression. The most important feature ...of the disease is neuronal death and loss of cognitive functions, caused probably from several pathological processes in the brain. The main neuropathological features of AD are widely described as amyloid beta (Aβ) plaques and neurofibrillary tangles of the aggregated protein tau, which contribute to the disease. Nevertheless, AD brains suffer from a variety of alterations in function, such as energy metabolism, inflammation and synaptic activity. The latest decades have seen an explosion of genes and molecules that can be employed as targets aiming to improve brain physiology, which can result in preventive strategies for AD. Moreover, therapeutics using these targets can help AD brains to sustain function during the development of AD pathology. Here, we review broadly recent information for potential targets that can modify AD through diverse pharmacological and nonpharmacological approaches including gene therapy. We propose that AD could be tackled not only using combination therapies including Aβ and tau, but also considering insulin and cholesterol metabolism, vascular function, synaptic plasticity, epigenetics, neurovascular junction and blood–brain barrier targets that have been studied recently. We also make a case for the role of gut microbiota in AD. Our hope is to promote the continuing research of diverse targets affecting AD and promote diverse targeting as a near‐future strategy.
The oxidation behaviour of the uncoated ferritic Fe-22Cr steel Sanergy HT is compared with an 640 nm Co coated version of the same material. The materials have been subject to corrosion and Cr ...volatilization measurements in air for up to 3000 h at 850 °C. Oxidation tests have been carried out both isothermal and discontinuously. The volatilization measurements were carried out using a recently developed denuder technique, which allows to quantify Cr evaporation in a time resolved manner. The oxidation process is studied from very initial phases (>15 s) to long term behaviour (3000 h). The formed oxide scales are analysed by XRD, SEM/EDX as well as TEM/EDX.
The results show that both materials form an oxide scale with an inner layer of Cr2O3 and a spinel layer on top. In the case of the uncoated material, the spinel layer is of (Cr,Mn)3O4 type while in the presence of a Co coating a (Co,Mn,Fe)3O4 is formed. The Cr evaporation measurements show that despite the fact that the Co coating is very thin (640 nm) it effectively blocks Cr evaporation for at least 3000 h. This is in line with TEM analysis showing that after 3000 h there is only a low Cr content in the outer oxide scale. This long term stability indicates the suitability of the coated material as solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) interconnect.
▸ Continuous Cr evaporation measurement for 3000 h. ▸ 640 nm Co coating showing no sign of degradation over 3000 h. ▸ Detailed TEM analysis of oxide scale/coating development from 15 s to 3000 h.
Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) make up a large fraction of mammalian genomes and are thought to contribute to human disease, including brain disorders. In the brain, aberrant activation of ERVs is a ...potential trigger for an inflammatory response, but mechanistic insight into this phenomenon remains lacking. Using CRISPR/Cas9‐based gene disruption of the epigenetic co‐repressor protein Trim28, we found a dynamic H3K9me3‐dependent regulation of ERVs in proliferating neural progenitor cells (NPCs), but not in adult neurons. In vivo deletion of Trim28 in cortical NPCs during mouse brain development resulted in viable offspring expressing high levels of ERVs in excitatory neurons in the adult brain. Neuronal ERV expression was linked to activated microglia and the presence of ERV‐derived proteins in aggregate‐like structures. This study demonstrates that brain development is a critical period for the silencing of ERVs and provides causal in vivo evidence demonstrating that transcriptional activation of ERV in neurons results in an inflammatory response.
SYNOPSIS
Developmental silencing of ERVs is crucial for their maintained repression in the adult brain. Disrupted ERV silencing resulted in both cell‐intrinsic and cell‐extrinsic effects as well as an inflammatory response.
CRISPR‐based deletion of the epigenetic co‐repressor protein Trim28 in neural progenitor cells results in upregulation of a large number of ERVs.
Neuronal Trim28 CRISPR‐KO in the adult brain had no effect on ERV expression.
Cre‐induced loss of Trim28 in neural cells during brain development resulted in ERV expression in the adult brain.
Dysregulation of ERVs in neural cells of the adult brain results in an inflammatory response.
Deletion of epigenetic co‐repressor Trim28 aberrantly upregulates endogenous retroviruses (ERV), resulting in microglia activation and the expression of ERV‐derived proteins in adult mouse brains.
We study the effects of relativistic motion on quantum teleportation and propose a realizable experiment where our results can be tested. We compute bounds on the optimal fidelity of teleportation ...when one of the observers undergoes nonuniform motion for a finite time. The upper bound to the optimal fidelity is degraded due to the observer's motion. However, we discuss how this degradation can be corrected. These effects are observable for experimental parameters that are within reach of cutting-edge superconducting technology.
•Effect of temperature on the atmospheric corrosion of 99.97%Mg and the alloy AM50 is studied.•The atmospheric corrosion of AM50 shows a strong positive correlation with temperature.•In contrast, ...99.97%Mg did not exhibit such temperature dependency.•The temperature dependence of the atmospheric corrosion of alloy AM50 is attributed to Al content.•A non-crystalline corrosion product and an unknown compound were found at sub-zero temperature.
The effect of temperature on the NaCl-induced atmospheric corrosion of the Mg–Al alloy AM50 has been investigated in the laboratory. The corroded samples were analyzed gravimetrically and by SEM, EDX, XRD, and FTIR. The atmospheric corrosion of 99.97% Mg was also studied for reference. While the NaCl-induced atmospheric corrosion of AM50 is strongly reduced with decreasing temperature, 99.97% Mg does not exhibit such a trend. The temperature dependence of the atmospheric corrosion of alloy AM50 is attributed to the aluminum content in the alloy. Several crystalline magnesium hydroxy carbonates formed at 4 and 22°C but were absent at −4°C.
Light triggered drug delivery systems offer attractive possibilities for sophisticated therapy, providing both temporal and spatial control of drug release. We have developed light triggered ...liposomes with clinically approved indocyanine green (ICG) as the light sensitizing compound. Amphiphilic ICG can be localized in different compartments of the liposomes, but the effect of its presence, on both triggered release and long term stability, has not been studied. In this work, we report that ICG localization has a significant effect on the properties of the liposomes. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) coating of the liposomes leads to binding and stabilization of the ICG molecules on the surface of the lipid bilayer. This formulation showed both good storage stability in buffer solution (at +4–37 °C) and adequate stability in serum and vitreous (at +37 °C). The combination of ICG within the lipid bilayer and PEG coating lead to poor stability at elevated temperatures of +22 °C and + 37 °C. The mechanisms of the increased instability due to ICG insertion in the lipid bilayer was elucidated with molecular dynamics simulations. Significant PEG insertion into the bilayer was induced in the presence of ICG in the lipid bilayer. Finally, feasibility of freeze-drying as a long term storage method for the ICG liposomes was demonstrated. Overall, this is the first detailed study on the interactions of lipid bilayer, light sensitizer (ICG) and PEG coating on the liposome stability. The localization of the light triggering agent significantly alters the structure of the liposomes and it is important to consider these aspects in triggered drug delivery system design.
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In this work, we theoretically analyze a circuit quantum electrodynamics design where propagating quantum microwaves interact with a single artificial atom, a single Cooper-pair box. In particular, ...we derive a master equation in the so-called transmon regime, including coherent drives. Inspired by recent experiments, we then apply the master equation to describe the dynamics in both a two-level and a three-level approximation of the atom. In the two-level case, we also discuss how to measure photon antibunching in the reflected field and how it is affected by finite temperature and finite detection bandwidth.
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