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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 19 records

Spin-squeezing-induced enhancement of the sensitivity of an atomic clock using coherent population trapping

The coherent population trapping (CPT) effect is used for making compact atomic clocks. There are two types of CPT clocks: the one in which the Raman beams are applied continuously and the one in which two CPT pulses separated by a dark period are applied (Ramsey scheme). It is obvious that the technique of spin squeezing can only be applied to the Ramsey CPT clock to enhance the sensitivity. However, it is not apparent how to adapt to the CPT clock the protocols for the microwave clock using one-axis-twist squeezing (OATS), since the Ramsey CPT clock is not trivially equivalent to the Ramsey microwave clock. In this paper, we show explicitly how to adapt two protocols using OATS, namely, the Schrödinger cat state protocol (SCSP) and the generalization thereof, and the echo squeezing protocol (ESP), to the CPT clock. The ESP magnifies the phase shift by a factor of N / e , while the SCSP magnifies the phase shift by a factor of N / 2 , making it able to achieve a higher sensitivity in the presence of excess noise.

Li, Jinyang↗

Circadian Clock genes Per2 and clock regulate steroid production, cell proliferation, and luteinizing hormone receptor transcription in ovarian granulosa cells

Highlights: {yields} Treatment with Per2 and Clock siRNAs decreased the number of granulosa cells and LHr expression. {yields}Per2 siRNA treatment did not stimulate the production of estradiol and expression of P450arom. {yields} Clock siRNA treatment inhibited the production of estradiol and expression of P450arom mRNA. {yields}Per2 and Clock siRNA treatment increased and unchanged, respectively, progesterone production in FSH-treated granulosa cells. {yields} The expression of StAR mRNA was increased by Per2 siRNA and unchanged by Clock siRNA. -- Abstract: Circadian Clock genes are associated with the estrous cycle in female animals. Treatment with Per2 and Clock siRNAs decreased the number of granulosa cells and LHr expression in follicle-stimulating hormone FSH-treated granulosa cells. Per2 siRNA treatment did not stimulate the production of estradiol and expression of P450arom, whereas Clock siRNA treatment inhibited the production of estradiol and expression of P450arom mRNA. Per2 and Clock siRNA treatment increased and unchanged, respectively, progesterone production in FSH-treated granulosa cells. Similarly, expression of StAR mRNA was increased by Per2 siRNA and unchanged by Clock siRNA. Our data provide a new insight that Per2 and Clock have different action on ovarian granulosa cell functions.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Enhancing strontium clock atom interferometry using quantum optimal control

Strontium clock atom interferometry is a promising new technology, with multiple experiments under development around the world to explore its potential for dark matter and gravitational wave detection. In these detectors, large momentum transfer using sequences of many laser pulses is necessary, and thus high-fidelity pulses are important since small errors become magnified. Quantum optimal control (QOC) is a framework for developing control pulse waveforms that achieve high fidelity and are robust against experimental imperfections. Resonant single-photon transitions using the narrow clock transition of strontium involve significantly different quantum dynamics than more established atom interferometry methods based on far-detuned two-photon Raman or Bragg transitions, which leads to new opportunities and challenges when applying QOC. Here, we study in simulation QOC pulses for strontium clock interferometry and demonstrate their advantage over basic square pulses (primitive pulses) and composite pulses in terms of robustness against multiple noise channels. In conclusion, this could improve the scale of large momentum transfer in Sr clock interferometers, paving the way to achieving these scientific goals.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Interaction and Regulation Between Lipid Mediator Phosphatidic Acid and Circadian Clock Regulators

Circadian clocks play important roles in regulating cellular metabolism, but the reciprocal effect that metabolism has on the clock is largely unknown in plants. Here we show that the central glycerolipid metabolite and lipid mediator phosphatidic acid (PA) interacts with and modulates the function of the core clock regulators LATE ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL (LHY) and CIRCADIAN CLOCK ASSOCIATED1 (CCA1) in Arabidopsis. PA reduced the ability of LHY and CCA1 to bind the promoter of their target gene TIMING OF CAB EXPRESSION1. Increased PA accumulation and inhibition of PA-producing enzymes had opposite effects on circadian clock outputs. Diurnal change in levels of several membrane phospholipid species, including PA, observed in wild-type was lost in the LHY and CCA1 double knockout mutant. Storage lipid accumulation was also affected in the clock mutants. These results indicate that the interaction of PA with the clock regulator may function as a cellular conduit to integrate the circadian clock with lipid metabolism.

bio-inspired↗

Clock model interpolation and symmetry breaking in O(2) models

The $q$-state clock model is a classical spin model that corresponds to the Ising model when $q=2$ and to the $XY$ model when $q\to\infty$. The integer-$q$ clock model has been studied extensively and has been shown to have a single phase transition when $q=2$,$3$,$4$ and two phase transitions when $q>4$.We define an extended $q$-state clock model that reduces to the ordinary $q$-state clock model when $q$ is an integer and otherwise is a continuous interpolation of the clock model to noninteger $q$. We investigate this class of clock models in 2D using Monte Carlo (MC) and tensor renormalization group (TRG) methods, and we find that the model with noninteger $q$ has a crossover and a second-order phase transition. We also define an extended-$O(2)$ model (with a parameter $\gamma$) that reduces to the $XY$ model when $\gamma=0$ and to the extended $q$-state clock model when $\gamma\to\infty$, and we begin to outline the phase diagram of this model. These models with noninteger $q$ serve as a testbed to study symmetry breaking in situations corresponding to quantum simulators where experimental parameters can be tuned continuously.

Hostetler, Leon↗

A highly miniaturized vacuum package for a trapped ion atomic clock

We report on the development of a highly miniaturized vacuum package for use in an atomic clock utilizing trapped ytterbium-171 ions. The vacuum package is approximately 1 cm{sup 3} in size and contains a linear quadrupole RF Paul ion trap, miniature neutral Yb sources, and a non-evaporable getter pump. We describe the fabrication process for making the Yb sources and assembling the vacuum package. To prepare the vacuum package for ion trapping, it was evacuated, baked at a high temperature, and then back filled with a helium buffer gas. Once appropriate vacuum conditions were achieved in the package, it was sealed with a copper pinch-off and was subsequently pumped only by the non-evaporable getter. We demonstrated ion trapping in this vacuum package and the operation of an atomic clock, stabilizing a local oscillator to the 12.6 GHz hyperfine transition of {sup 171}Y b{sup +}. The fractional frequency stability of the clock was measured to be 2 × 10{sup −11}/τ{sup 1/2}.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Hong-Ou-Mandel interference with a coexisting clock using transceivers for synchronization over deployed fiber

Interference between independently generated photons is a key step towards distributing entanglement over long distances, but it requires synchronization between the distantly-located photon sources. Synchronizing the clocks of such photon sources using coexisting two-way classical optical communications over the same fiber that transports the quantum photonic signals is a promising approach for achieving photon-photon interference over long distances, enabling entanglement distribution for quantum networking using the deployed fiber infrastructure. Here, we demonstrate photon-photon interference by observing the Hong-Ou-Mandel dip between two distantly-located sources: a weak coherent-state source obtained by attenuating the output of a laser and a heralded single-photon source. We achieve a maximum dip visibility of 0.58 +/- 0.04 when the two sources are connected via 4.3 km of deployed fiber. Dip visibilities > 0.5 are nonclassical and a first step towards achieving teleportation over the deployed fiber infrastructure. In our experiment, the classical optical communication is achieved with - 21 dBm of optical signal launch power, which is used to synchronize the clocks in the two independent, distantly-located photon sources. The impact of spontaneous Raman scattering from the classical optical signals is mitigated by appropriate choice of the quantum- and classical-channel wavelengths. All equipment used in our experiment (the photon sources and the synchronization setup) is commercially available. Finally, our experiment represents a scalable approach to enabling practical quantum networking with commercial equipment and coexistence with classical communications in optical fiber.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Clock-like mutational processes in human somatic cells

During the course of a lifetime, somatic cells acquire mutations. Different mutational processes may contribute to the mutations accumulated in a cell, with each imprinting a mutational signature on the cell's genome. Some processes generate mutations throughout life at a constant rate in all individuals, and the number of mutations in a cell attributable to these processes will be proportional to the chronological age of the person. Using mutations from 10,250 cancer genomes across 36 cancer types, we investigated clock-like mutational processes that have been operating in normal human cells. Two mutational signatures show clock-like properties. Both exhibit different mutation rates in different tissues. However, their mutation rates are not correlated, indicating that the underlying processes are subject to different biological influences. For one signature, the rate of cell division may influence its mutation rate. This paper provides the first survey of clock-like mutational processes operating in human somatic cells.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Clock Synchronization in High-end Computing Environments: A Strategy for Minimizing Clock Variance at Runtime

We present a new software-based clock synchronization scheme that provides high precision time agreement among distributed memory nodes. The technique is designed to minimize variance from a reference chimer during runtime and with minimal time-request latency. Our scheme permits initial unbounded variations in time and corrects both slow and fast chimers (clock skew). An implementation developed within the context of the MPI message passing interface is described, and time coordination measurements are presented. Among our results, the mean time variance for a set of nodes improved from 20.0 milliseconds under standard Network Time Protocol (NTP) down to 2.29 secs under our scheme.

clock synchronization↗

Epithelial cell adhesion molecule expression in hepatic stem/progenitor cells is controlled by the molecular clock system

Highlights: • We investigated clock gene effects on EpCAM-positive cell induction in hepatitis. • Hepatitis in CLOCK mutant mice was severe compared with wild-type mice. • CLOCK regulated expression of LEF, which regulated EpCAM expression. • CLOCK was important for healing hepatitis. The circadian rhythm, which regulates various body functions, is transcriptionally controlled by a series of clock gene clusters. The clock genes are related to the pathology of various kinds of diseases. Although there is evidence of serious sleep disorders in patients with chronic hepatitis, the liver regeneration mechanism under chronic hepatitis conditions and its association with the clock genes are not clear. In this study, the influence of the circadian locomotor output cycles kaput (CLOCK), which is one of the clock genes, on a 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydrocollidine (DDC)-induced hepatitis animal model was investigated. The appearance of potential hepatic stem-like cells (epithelial cell adhesion molecule [EpCAM]-positive cells) is an initial critical step in liver regeneration during chronic inflammation. The results showed a considerable number of hepatic EpCAM-positive cells in the wild-type (WT) mice 1 week after the DDC feeding. However, the number of EpCAM-positive cells in the Clock-mutant (Clk/Clk) mice decreased, and their hepatitis was worse compared with the WT mice. In addition, the expression of Epcam mRNA, which is a functional marker of potential hepatic stem-like cells, was controlled by LEF1, which was regulated by CLOCK. The results of this study will facilitate the elucidation of the liver regeneration mechanisms, including those at the molecular level, and may assist in the development of new treatment modalities in the future.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗