The technological appeal of multiferroics is the ability to control magnetism with electric field. For devices to be useful, such control must be achieved at room temperature. The only single-phase ...multiferroic material exhibiting unambiguous magnetoelectric coupling at room temperature is BiFeO3 (refs 4 and 5). Its weak ferromagnetism arises from the canting of the antiferromagnetically aligned spins by the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya (DM) interaction. Prior theory considered the symmetry of the thermodynamic ground state and concluded that direct 180-degree switching of the DM vector by the ferroelectric polarization was forbidden. Instead, we examined the kinetics of the switching process, something not considered previously in theoretical work. Here we show a deterministic reversal of the DM vector and canted moment using an electric field at room temperature. First-principles calculations reveal that the switching kinetics favours a two-step switching process. In each step the DM vector and polarization are coupled and 180-degree deterministic switching of magnetization hence becomes possible, in agreement with experimental observation. We exploit this switching to demonstrate energy-efficient control of a spin-valve device at room temperature. The energy per unit area required is approximately an order of magnitude less than that needed for spin-transfer torque switching. Given that the DM interaction is fundamental to single-phase multiferroics and magnetoelectrics, our results suggest ways to engineer magnetoelectric switching and tailor technologically pertinent functionality for nanometre-scale, low-energy-consumption, non-volatile magnetoelectronics.
Ghrelin, a stomach-derived orexigenic hormone, has stimulated great interest as a potential target for obesity control. Pharmacological evidence indicates that ghrelin’s effects on food intake are ...mediated by neuropeptide Y (NPY) and agouti-related protein (AgRP) in the central nervous system. These include intracerebroventricular application of antibodies to neutralize NPY and AgRP, and the application of an NPY Y1 receptor antagonist, which blocks some of the orexigenic effects of ghrelin. Here we describe treatment of Agrp−/−;Npy−/− and Mc3r−/−;Mc4r−/− double knockout mice as well as Npy−/− and Agrp−/− single knockout mice with either ghrelin or an orally active nonpeptide ghrelin agonist. The data demonstrate that NPY and AgRP are required for the orexigenic effects of ghrelin, as well as the involvement of the melanocortin pathway in ghrelin signaling. Our results outline a functional interaction between the NPY and AgRP pathways. Although deletion of either NPY or AgRP caused only a modest or nondetectable effect, ablation of both ligands completely abolished the orexigenic action of ghrelin. Our results establish an in vivo orexigenic function for NPY and AgRP, mediating the effect of ghrelin.
We present a revised and complete optical afterglow light curve of the binary neutron star merger GW170817, enabled by deep Hubble Space Telescope (HST) F606W observations at 584 days post-merger, ...which provide a robust optical template. The light curve spans 110-362 days, and is fully consistent with emission from a relativistic structured jet viewed off-axis, as previously indicated by radio and X-ray data. Combined with contemporaneous radio and X-ray observations, we find no spectral evolution, with a weighted average spectral index of 〈 β 〉 = − 0.583 0.013 , demonstrating that no synchrotron break frequencies evolve between the radio and X-ray bands over these timescales. We find that an extrapolation of the post-peak temporal slope of GW170817 to the luminosities of cosmological short gamma-ray bursts matches their observed jet break times, suggesting that their explosion properties are similar, and that the primary difference in GW170817 is viewing angle. Additionally, we place a deep limit on the luminosity and mass of an underlying globular cluster (GC) of L 6.7 × 103 L , or M 1.3 × 104 M , at least 4 standard deviations below the peak of the GC mass function of the host galaxy, NGC 4993. This limit provides a direct and strong constraint that GW170817 did not form and merge in a GC. As highlighted here, HST (and soon the James Webb Space Telescope) enables critical observations of the optical emission from neutron star merger jets and outflows.
We present simultaneous observations of aurorae at Jupiter from the Hubble Space Telescope and Hisaki, in combination with the in situ measurements of magnetic field, particles, and radio waves from ...the Juno Spacecraft in the outer magnetosphere, from ~ 80RJ to 60RJ during 17 to 22 March 2017. Two cycles of accumulation and release of magnetic flux, named magnetic loading/unloading, were identified during this period, which correlate well with electron energization and auroral intensifications. Magnetic reconnection events are identified during both the loading and unloading periods, indicating that reconnection and unloading are independent processes. These results show that the dynamics in the middle magnetosphere are coupled with auroral variability.
Key Points
Accumulation and release of magnetic flux in the middle Jovian magnetosphere modulate auroral intensifications
Magnetic reconnection process occurs independently of Jupiter's global loading and unloading of magnetic flux
We provide direct evidence that unloading of magnetic flux causes enhancements of auroral kilometric emissions
Recently, remarkable advances have been made in coupling a number of high-Q modes of nano-mechanical systems to high-finesse optical cavities, with the goal of reaching regimes in which quantum ...behavior can be observed and leveraged toward new applications. To reach this regime, the coupling between these systems and their thermal environments must be minimized. Here we propose a novel approach to this problem, in which optically levitating a nano-mechanical system can greatly reduce its thermal contact, while simultaneously eliminating dissipation arising from clamping. Through the long coherence times allowed, this approach potentially opens the door to ground-state cooling and coherent manipulation of a single mesoscopic mechanical system or entanglement generation between spatially separate systems, even in room-temperature environments. As an example, we show that these goals should be achievable when the mechanical mode consists of the center-of-mass motion of a levitated nanosphere.
The ionized upper layer of Saturn's atmosphere, its ionosphere, provides a closure of currents mediated by the magnetic field to other electrically charged regions (for example, rings) and hosts ...ion-molecule chemistry. In 2017, the Cassini spacecraft passed inside the planet's rings, allowing in situ measurements of the ionosphere. The Radio and Plasma Wave Science instrument detected a cold, dense, and dynamic ionosphere at Saturn that interacts with the rings. Plasma densities reached up to 1000 cubic centimeters, and electron temperatures were below 1160 kelvin near closest approach. The density varied between orbits by up to two orders of magnitude. Saturn's A- and B-rings cast a shadow on the planet that reduced ionization in the upper atmosphere, causing a north-south asymmetry.
Insect herbivores depend on their host plants to acquire macro- and micronutrients. Here we asked how a specialist herbivore and damaging maize pest, the western corn rootworm, finds and accesses ...plant-derived micronutrients. We show that the root-feeding larvae use complexes between iron and benzoxazinoid secondary metabolites to identify maize as a host, to forage within the maize root system, and to increase their growth. Maize plants use these same benzoxazinoids for protection against generalist herbivores and, as shown here, for iron uptake. We identify an iron transporter that allows the corn rootworm to benefit from complexes between iron and benzoxazinoids. Thus, foraging for an essential plant-derived complex between a micronutrient and a secondary metabolite shapes the interaction between maize and a specialist herbivore.
In this study, we examined the effects of the following eight experimental diets, which varied in fructo oligosaccharides (FOS), mannan oligosaccharides (MOS) and Bacillus clausii concentrations, on ...the Japanese flounder: control diet (no FOS, MOS and B. clausii), diet F (5 g kg−1 FOS), diet M (5 g kg−1 MOS), diet FM (2.5 g kg−1 FOS + 2.5 g kg−1 MOS), diet B (107 cells g−1B. clausii), diet FB (5 g kg−1 FOS + 107 cells g−1B. clausii), diet MB (5 g kg−1 MOS + 107 cells g−1B. clausii) and diet FMB (2.5 g kg−1 FOS + 2.5 g kg−1 MOS + 107 cells g−1B. clausii). Japanese flounder, initially weighing an average of 21 g, were distributed into 24 net cages at a stocking density of 20 fish per cage. Each diet was hand‐fed to three groups of fish twice daily for 56 days. The weight gain rate (WGR) in fish fed diets B, MB and FMB were significantly higher than in fish fed the control diet, where the fish fed diet FMB had the highest WGR. Fish fed any of the diets, except diets F and B, exhibited better feed conversion ratio than those fed the control diet. Diets MB and FMB significantly elevated intestinal protease activity compared with the control diet, but only the diet FMB promoted amylase activity. Feeding diets FB and FMB increased body protein deposition; additionally, feeding diets B, MB and FMB significantly reduced body lipid deposition. Lysozyme (LSZ) activity was significantly higher in fish fed diets B, FB, MB and FMB than in fish fed the control diet. All diets, except diet M, decreased triglyceride (TG) levels compared to the control diet. Low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in fish fed diets F, FB and FMB were significantly lower than in fish fed the control diet. Without exception, no diets affected feeding rate, condition factor, body moisture, ash contents, phagocytic activity of leucocytes or cholesterol or high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Our results suggest that diets supplemented with FOS, MOS and B. clausii improved growth performance and health benefits of the Japanese flounder more than other diets or the control diet.
It has been known for many years that Saturn emits intense radio emissions at kilometer wavelengths and that this radiation is modulated by the rotation of the planet at a rate that varies slowly on ...time scales of years. Recently it has been shown that the radio emission consists of two components that have different rotational modulation rates, one emitted from the northern auroral region and the other emitted from the southern auroral region. In this paper we show using radio measurements from the Cassini spacecraft that the rotational modulation rates of the northern and southern components reversed near Saturn's recent equinox, which occurred on 11 August 2009. We show that a similar reversal was also observed by the Ulysses spacecraft near the previous equinox, which occurred on 19 November 1995. The solar control implied by these reversals has important implications on how Saturn's rotation is coupled into the magnetosphere.
In addition to maintaining the GenBank® nucleic acid sequence database, the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) provides analysis and retrieval resources for the data in GenBank and ...other biological data made available through the NCBI Website. NCBI resources include Entrez, the Entrez Programming Utilities, MyNCBI, PubMed, PubMed Central (PMC), Gene, the NCBI Taxonomy Browser, BLAST, BLAST Link (BLink), Primer-BLAST, COBALT, Splign, RefSeq, UniGene, HomoloGene, ProtEST, dbMHC, dbSNP, dbVar, Epigenomics, Genome and related tools, the Map Viewer, Model Maker, Evidence Viewer, Trace Archive, Sequence Read Archive, BioProject, BioSample, Retroviral Genotyping Tools, HIV-1/Human Protein Interaction Database, Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), Probe, Online Mendelian Inheritance in Animals (OMIA), the Molecular Modeling Database (MMDB), the Conserved Domain Database (CDD), the Conserved Domain Architecture Retrieval Tool (CDART), Biosystems, Protein Clusters and the PubChem suite of small molecule databases. Augmenting many of the Web applications are custom implementations of the BLAST program optimized to search specialized data sets. All of these resources can be accessed through the NCBI home page at www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
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