Quasiparticle tunnel electroresistance in superconducting junctions

The term tunnel electroresistance (TER) denotes a fast, non-volatile, reversible resistance switching triggered by voltage pulses in ferroelectric tunnel junctions. It is explained by subtle mechanisms connected to the voltage-induced reversal of the ferroelectric polarization. Here we demonstrate that effects functionally indistinguishable from the TER can be produced in a simpler junction scheme—a direct contact between a metal and an oxide—through a different mechanism: a reversible redox reaction that modifies the oxide’s ground-state. This is shown in junctions based on a cuprate superconductor, whose ground-state is sensitive to the oxygen stoichiometry and can be tracked in operando via changes in the conductance spectra. Furthermore, we find that electrochemistry is the governing mechanism even if a ferroelectric is placed between the metal and the oxide. Finally, we extend the concept of electroresistance to the tunnelling of superconducting quasiparticles, for which the switching effects are much stronger than for normal electrons. Besides providing crucial understanding, our results provide a basis for non-volatile Josephson memory devices.

The non-volatile switching of tunnel electroresistance in ferroelectric junctions provides the basis for memory and neuromorphic computing devices. Rouco et al. show tunnel electroresistance in superconductor-based junctions that arises from a redox rather than ferroelectric mechanism and is enhanced by superconductivity.

Extraction and validation of a new set of CMS pythia8 tunes from underlying-event measurements

New sets of CMS underlying-event parameters ("tunes") are presented for the pythia8 event generator. These tunes use the NNPDF3.1 parton distribution functions (PDFs) at leading (LO), next-to-leading (NLO), or next-to-next-to-leading (NNLO) orders in perturbative quantum chromodynamics, and the strong coupling evolution at LO or NLO. Measurements of charged-particle multiplicity and transverse momentum densities at various hadron collision energies are fit simultaneously to determine the parameters of the tunes. Comparisons of the predictions of the new tunes are provided for observables sensitive to the event shapes at LEP, global underlying event, soft multiparton interactions, and double-parton scattering contributions. In addition, comparisons are made for observables measured in various specific processes, such as multijet, Drell-Yan, and top quark-antiquark pair production including jet substructure observables. The simulation of the underlying event provided by the new tunes is interfaced to a higher-order matrix-element calculation. For the first time, predictions from pythia8 obtained with tunes based on NLO or NNLO PDFs are shown to reliably describe minimum-bias and underlying-event data with a similar level of agreement to predictions from tunes using LO PDF sets.

Expression and functional role of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) in placenta during different stages of pregnancy in water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

The objective of this study was to document the expression and functional role of BMPs in the placental (caruncle; CAR, cotyledon; COT) during different stages of pregnancy in water buffalo. Samples collected from Early pregnancy 1 (EP1); Early pregnancy 2 (EP2), Mid pregnancy (MP), Late pregnancy (LP) while the third stage of oestrus cycle (NP) was taken as control. Also, the synergistic role of BMP4/BMP7 or combination on mRNA expression of vWF, PCNA, StAR, CYP11A1, 3βHSD, and BAX were studied in trophoblast cells cultured (TCC) during an early stage. The qPCR and immunoblotting studies revealed that BMP2, BMPR1A, BMPR1B, and BMPR2 mRNA level was significantly (p < 0.05) upregulated during early pregnancy in COTs while in CARs it was significantly upregulated (p < 0.05) during all the stages of pregnancy.BMP4 mRNA level was significantly upregulated (p < 0.05) during early pregnancy in COTs as well as in CARs. BMP6 expression was significantly upregulated (p < 0.05) during early and late stages of pregnancy. BMP7 mRNA level was upregulated (p < 0.05) during the late stage of pregnancy in COTs. At 100 ng/ml, the BMP4 maximally stimulated the transcripts of StAR, CYP11A1, and 3βHSD while BMP7 maximally stimulated the transcripts of 3βHSD that paralleled with P4 accretion in the media (P < 0.05). BMP4 as well as BMP7 upregulated the transcripts of PCNA, vWF, and downregulated BAX in the TCC (P < 0.05). In conclusion, BMPs are expressed in a regulated manner with stage-specific differences in the placenta and promotes the angiogenesis, proliferation, cell survivability, and steroidogenesis thereby regulating placental function in an autocrine/paracrine manner in water buffalo.

A case report and review of the literature of Bouveret syndrome

Bouveret syndrome is a rare variant of gallstone ileus causing gastric outlet obstruction. It results from the formation of either a cholecystoduodenal or a cholecystogastric fistula and subsequent migration of gallstone into the duodenum or pylorus of stomach, causing obstruction. The first case was reported by Leon Bouveret in 1896. We report a case illustrating the rarity and severity of this condition, together with a review of the literature of the different methods of endoscopic and surgical treatment.

Intra-Arterial Verapamil Treatment in Oral Therapy-Refractory Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome

Reversible vasoconstriction syndrome is a complex of clinical symptoms and angiographic findings, which, while having a mostly benign clinical course, has clinical and imaging overlap with more serious disorders such as vasculitis and aneurysmal SAH and itself includes a minority of patients with fulminant vasoconstriction resulting in severe intracranial complications. Endovascular options for patients with refractory reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome include intra-arterial vasodilator infusion similar to therapy for patients with vasospasm after SAH. To date, only case reports and 1 small series have discussed the utility of intra-arterial vasodilators for the treatment of reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome. We report an additional series of 11 medically refractory cases of presumed or proved reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome successfully treated with intra-arterial verapamil infusion. Furthermore, we propose that the reversal of vasoconstriction, as seen on angiography, could fulfill a diagnostic criterion.

Expression and functional role of fibroblast growth factors (FGF) in placenta during different stages of pregnancy in water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

The present study documented the expression and functional role of Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) family and their receptors (Fibroblast growth factor receptor, FGFRs) in placenta (Cotyledon; COT, Caruncle; CAR) during different stages of pregnancy in water buffalo. Samples were collected from Early pregnancy 1 (EP1); Early pregnancy 2 (EP2); Mid pregnancy (MP) and Late pregnancy (LP) while diestrus stage of oestrus cycle (NP) was taken as control. In addition, modulatory role of FGF2 on mRNA expression of von Willebrand factor (vWF), Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), cytochrome P450 cholesterol side-chain cleavage (CYP11A1), 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3βHSD) and BCL2 Associated X (BAX) were studied in cultured trophoblast cells (TCC), obtained from EP2. Real-time PCR (qPCR), Western blot, and immunohistochemistry were applied to investigate mRNA and protein expressions, and the localization of examined factors whereas, P4 secretion was assessed by RIA. The mRNA and protein expression of FGFs and its receptors were maximum (P < 0.05) during EP (EP1 and EP2) in COT. However, FGFR1 and FGFR4 were upregulated (P < 0.05) during EP2 and MP in COT. Similarly, the mRNA and protein expression of FGFs and its receptors were upregulated (P < 0.05) during all stages of pregnancy in CAR. FGF family members were localized in the cytoplasm of trophoblast cells as well as in fetal blood vessels. At 100 ng/ml dosage, FGF2 stimulated the transcript of vWF maximally (P < 0.05). P4 secretion in trophoblast cells treated with FGF2 was maximum with the highest dose at 72 h. These findings corroborate that FGF acts locally in the trophoblast cells to modulate steroid hormone viz. progesterone synthesis, promote angiogenesis and favors cell survivability indicating that this factor may play an essential role in the regulation of placental formation and function in buffalo.

Measurements of triple-differential cross sections for inclusive isolated-photon+jet events in p p collisions at s = 8 TeV

Measurements are presented of the triple-differential cross section for inclusive isolated-photon+jet events in p p collisions ats = 8 TeV as a function of photon transverse momentum ( p T γ ), photon pseudorapidity ( η γ ), and jet pseudorapidity ( η jet ). The data correspond to an integrated luminosity of 19.7 fb - 1 that probe a broad range of the available phase space, for| η γ | < 1.44 and1.57 < | η γ | < 2.50 ,| η jet | < 2.5 , 40 < p T γ < 1000 GeV , and jet transverse momentum, p T jet , > 25GeV . The measurements are compared to next-to-leading order perturbative quantum chromodynamics calculations, which reproduce the data within uncertainties.

Search for new physics in top quark production in dilepton final states in proton-proton collisions at s = 13 TeV

A search for new physics in top quark production is performed in proton-proton collisions at 13 TeV . The data set corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 35.9 fb - 1 collected in 2016 with the CMS detector. Events with two opposite-sign isolated leptons (electrons or muons), and b quark jets in the final state are selected. The search is sensitive to new physics in top quark pair production and in single top quark production in association with a W boson. No significant deviation from the standard model expectation is observed. Results are interpreted in the framework of effective field theory and constraints on the relevant effective couplings are set, one at a time, using a dedicated multivariate analysis. This analysis differs from previous searches for new physics in the top quark sector by explicitly separating t W from t t ¯  events and exploiting the specific sensitivity of the t W process to new physics.

Alpha lipoic acid supplementation ameliorates the wrath of simulated tropical heat and humidity stress in male Murrah buffaloes

A supplement which ameliorates temperature-humidity menace in food producing livestock is a prerequisite to develop climate smart agricultural packages. A study was conducted to investigate the heat stress ameliorative efficacy of alpha lipoic acid (ALA) in male Murrah water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis). Eighteen animals (293.61 ± 4.66Kg Bwt) were randomly allocated into three groups (n = 6); NHSC (non-heat-stressed control), HS (heat-stressed) and HSLA (heat-stressed-supplemented with ALA@32 mg/kg Bwt orally) based on the temperature humidity index (THI) and ALA supplementation. HS and HSLA were exposed to simulated heat challenge in a climatically controlled chamber (40 °C) for 21 consecutive days, 6 h daily. Physiological responses viz. Respiration rate (RR), Pulse rate (PR) and Rectal temperature (RT) were recorded daily before and after heat exposure. Blood samples were collected at the end of heat exposure on days 1, 6, 11, 16, and 21 and on day 28 (7th day post exposure which is considered as recovery) for peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) separation, followed by RNA and Protein extraction for Real time quantitative PCR and Western blot analysis respectively, of heat shock proteins (HSPs). Two-way repeated measure ANOVA was performed between groups at different experimental periods. RR (post exposure) in HS and HSLA was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than NHSC from day 1 onwards but HSLA varied significantly from the HS 8th day onwards. Post exposure RT and PR in both HS and HSLA varied (P < 0.05) from NHSC throughout the study; but between HS and HSLA, RT significantly varied on initial 2 days and last 6 days (from days 16 to 21). HSP70 mRNA expression significantly up regulated in high THI groups with respect to the low THI group throughout the experimental period. During chronic stress (days 16 and 21) HSP70 significantly (P < 0.05) increased in HS but not in HSLA (P > 0.05) with respect to NHSC. ALA supplementation up-regulates and sustains (P < 0.05) the expression of HSP90 in HSLA in comparison to the HS and NHSC. HSP105 expression was significantly up-regulated (P < 0.05) in HS on days 16 and 21 (during long-term exposure) but only on day 21 (P < 0.05) in HSLA. HSP70, HSP90, and HSP105 protein expression dynamics were akin to the mRNA transcript data between the study groups. In conclusion, supplementing ALA ameliorates the deleterious effect of heat stress as reflected by improved physiological and cellular responses. ALA supplementation improved cellular antioxidant status and sustained otherwise easily decaying heat shock responses which concertedly hasten the baton change from a limited window of thermo tolerance to long run acclimatization.

LEARNet: Dynamic Imaging Network for Micro Expression Recognition

Unlike prevalent facial expressions, micro expressions have subtle, involuntary muscle movements which are short-lived in nature. These minute muscle movements reflect true emotions of a person. Due to the short duration and low intensity, these micro-expressions are very difficult to perceive and interpret correctly. In this paper, we propose the dynamic representation of micro-expressions to preserve facial movement information of a video in a single frame. We also propose a Lateral Accretive Hybrid Network (LEARNet) to capture micro-level features of an expression in the facial region. The LEARNet refines the salient expression features in accretive manner by incorporating accretion layers (AL) in the network. The response of the AL holds the hybrid feature maps generated by prior laterally connected convolution layers. Moreover, LEARNet architecture incorporates the cross decoupled relationship between convolution layers which helps in preserving the tiny but influential facial muscle change information. The visual responses of the proposed LEARNet depict the effectiveness of the system by preserving both high- and micro-level edge features of facial expression. The effectiveness of the proposed LEARNet is evaluated on four benchmark datasets: CASME-I, CASME-II, CAS(ME)'2 and SMIC. The experimental results after investigation show a significant improvement of 4.03%, 1.90%, 1.79% and 2.82% as compared with ResNet on CASME-I, CASME-II, CAS(ME)'2 and SMIC datasets respectively.

Gap suppression at a Lifshitz transition in a multi-condensate superconductor

In multi-orbital materials, superconductivity can exhibit several coupled condensates. In this context, quantum confinement in two-dimensional superconducting oxide interfaces offers new degrees of freedom to engineer the band structure and selectively control the occupancy of 3d orbitals by electrostatic doping. Here, we use resonant microwave transport to extract the superfluid stiffness of the (110)-oriented LaAlO₃/SrTiO₃ interface in the entire phase diagram. We provide evidence of a transition from single-condensate to two-condensate superconductivity driven by continuous and reversible electrostatic doping, which we relate to the Lifshitz transition between 3d bands based on numerical simulations of the quantum well. We find that the superconducting gap is suppressed while the second band is populated, challenging Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer theory. We ascribe this behaviour to the existence of superconducting order parameters with opposite signs in the two condensates due to repulsive coupling. Our findings offer an innovative perspective on the possibility to tune and control multiple-orbital physics in superconducting interfaces.

Measurement of exclusive ρ 770 0 photoproduction in ultraperipheral pPb collisions at s NN = 5.02 Te

Exclusiveρ 770 0 photoproduction is measured for the first time in ultraperipheral pPb collisions ats NN = 5.02 Te with the CMS detector. The cross section σ ( γ p → ρ 770 0 p ) is 11.0 ± 1.4 (stat) ± 1.0 (syst) μ b at ⟨ W γ p ⟩ = 92.6 Ge for photon-proton centre-of-mass energies W γ p between 29 and 213 Ge . The differential cross section d σ / d | t | is measured in the interval0.025 < | t | < 1 Ge 2 as a function of W γ p , where t is the squared four-momentum transfer at the proton vertex. The results are compared with previous measurements and theoretical predictions. The measured cross section σ ( γ p → ρ 770 0 p ) has a power-law dependence on the photon-proton centre-of-mass, consistent with electron-proton collision measurements performed at HERA. The W γ p dependence of the exponential slope of the differential cross section d σ / d | t | is also measured.

Chorea as unusual complication of fungicide poisoning

Chorea is a rare manifestation of poisoning. We report an index case of a young woman who developed generalized chorea following propiconazole toxin ingestion. As large series on neurological complications of toxic compounds are difficult to be compiled, it is of interest to report our experience. This report adds one more compound to the increasing list of toxic chorea.