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The interplay of superconductivity with non-trivial spin textures is promising for the engineering of non-Abelian Majorana quasiparticles. Spin–orbit coupling is crucial for the topological protection of Majorana modes as it forbids other trivial excitations at low energy but is typically intrinsic to the material1–7. Here, we show that coupling to a magnetic texture can induce both a strong spin–orbit coupling of 1.1 meV and a Zeeman effect in a carbon nanotube. Both of these features are revealed through oscillations of superconductivity-induced subgap states under a change in the magnetic texture. Furthermore, we find a robust zero-energy state—the hallmark of devices hosting localized Majorana modes—at zero magnetic field. Our findings are generalizable to any low-dimensional conductor, and future work could include microwave spectroscopy and braiding operations, which are at the heart of modern schemes for topological quantum computation.

Semiconductor quantum dots are an attractive platform for the realisation of quantum processors. To achieve long-range coupling between them, quantum dots have been integrated into microwave cavities. However, it has been shown that their coherence is then reduced compared to their cavity-free implementations. Here, we manipulate the quantum states of a suspended carbon nanotube double quantum dot with ferromagnetic contacts embedded in a microwave cavity. By performing quantum manipulations via the cavity photons, we demonstrate coherence times of the order of 1.3 μ s, two orders of magnitude larger than those measured so far in any carbon quantum circuit and one order of magnitude larger than silicon-based quantum dots in comparable environment. This holds promise for carbon as a host material for spin qubits in circuit quantum electrodynamics. Carbon nanotubes are promising hosts for spin qubits, however existing demonstrations show limited coherence times. Here the authors report quantum states in a carbon-nanotube-based circuit driven solely by cavity photons and exhibiting a coherence time of about 1.3 μ s.

Microwave cavities have been widely used to investigate the behavior of closed few-level systems. Here, we show that they also represent a powerful probe for the dynamics of charge transfer between a discrete electronic level and fermionic continua. We have combined experiment and theory for a carbon nanotube quantum dot coupled to normal metal and superconducting contacts. In equilibrium conditions, where our device behaves as an effective quantum dot-normal metal junction, we approach a universal photon dissipation regime governed by a quantum charge relaxation effect. We observe how photon dissipation is modified when the dot admittance turns from capacitive to inductive. When the fermionic reservoirs are voltage biased, the dot can even cause photon emission due to inelastic tunneling to/from a Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer peak in the density of states of the superconducting contact. We can model these numerous effects quantitatively in terms of the charge susceptibility of the quantum dot circuit. This validates an approach that could be used to study a wide class of mesoscopic QED devices.

The control of light-matter interaction at the most elementary level has become an important resource for quantum technologies. Implementing such interfaces in the THz range remains an outstanding problem. Here, we couple a single electron trapped in a carbon nanotube quantum dot to a THz resonator. The resulting light-matter interaction reaches the deep strong coupling regime that induces a THz energy gap in the carbon nanotube solely by the vacuum fluctuations of the THz resonator. This is directly confirmed by transport measurements. Such a phenomenon which is the exact counterpart of inhibition of spontaneous emission in atomic physics opens the path to the readout of non-classical states of light using electrical current. This would be a particularly useful resource and perspective for THz quantum optics. Strong light-matter coupling has been realized at the level of single atoms and photons throughout most of the electromagnetic spectrum, except for the THz range. Here, the authors report a THz-scale transport gap, induced by vacuum fluctuations in carbon nanotube quantum dot through the deep strong coupling of a single electron to a THz resonator.

The first case of COVID-19 in South America occurred in Brazil on February 25, 2020. By July 20, 2020, there were 2,118,646 confirmed cases and 80,120 confirmed deaths. To assist with the development of preventive measures and targeted interventions to combat the pandemic in Brazil, we present a geographic study to detect “active” and “emerging” space–time clusters of COVID-19. We document the relationship between relative risk of COVID-19 and mortality, inequality, socioeconomic vulnerability variables. We used the prospective space–time scan statistic to detect daily COVID-19 clusters and examine the relative risk between February 25–June 7, 2020, and February 25–July 20, 2020, in 5570 Brazilian municipalities. We apply a Generalized Linear Model (GLM) to assess whether mortality rate, GINI index, and social inequality are predictors for the relative risk of each cluster. We detected 7 “active” clusters in the first time period, being one in the north, two in the northeast, two in the southeast, one in the south, and one in the capital of Brazil. In the second period, we found 9 clusters with RR > 1 located in all Brazilian regions. The results obtained through the GLM showed that there is a significant positive correlation between the predictor variables in relation to the relative risk of COVID-19. Given the presence of spatial autocorrelation in the GLM residuals, a spatial lag model was conducted that revealed that spatial effects, and both GINI index and mortality rate were strong predictors in the increase in COVID-19 relative risk in Brazil. Our research can be utilized to improve COVID-19 response and planning in all Brazilian states. The results from this study are particularly salient to public health, as they can guide targeted intervention measures, lowering the magnitude and spread of COVID-19. They can also improve resource allocation such as tests and vaccines (when available) by informing key public health officials about the highest risk areas of COVID-19.

In a quantum dot in the Kondo regime, electrical charges are effectively frozen, but the quantum dot remains electrically conducting owing to strong electron–electron correlations. Conduction from a frozen charge A central theme in condensed matter physics is the understanding of many-body electron–electron interactions, and nanoscale devices enable us to study the underlying principles at the single-electron level. Matthieu Desjardins et al . reveal a remarkable electron–electron interaction effect by examining a carbon nanotube quantum dot placed within a microwave circuit. They tune the quantum dot to the Kondo regime—an archetype of strong electronic correlations—and use combined electronic and microwave measurements to show that, even though electrical charges are effectively frozen because tunnelling of electrons into the dot is not possible, the dot remains electronically conducting. This is due to the strong Kondo correlations. The authors suggest that their measurement platform could be a useful tool for probing charge dynamics in a range of other correlated systems. The ability to control electronic states at the nanoscale has contributed to our modern understanding of condensed matter. In particular, quantum dot circuits represent model systems for the study of strong electronic correlations, epitomized by the Kondo effect 1 , 2 , 3 . We use circuit quantum electrodynamics architectures to study the internal degrees of freedom of this many-body phenomenon. Specifically, we couple a quantum dot to a high-quality-factor microwave cavity to measure with exceptional sensitivity the dot’s electronic compressibility, that is, its ability to accommodate charges. Because electronic compressibility corresponds solely to the charge response of the electronic system, it is not equivalent to the conductance, which generally involves other degrees of freedom such as spin. Here, by performing dual conductance and compressibility measurements in the Kondo regime, we uncover directly the charge dynamics of this peculiar mechanism of electron transfer. The Kondo resonance, visible in transport measurements, is found to be ‘transparent’ to microwave photons trapped in the high-quality cavity, thereby revealing that (in such a many-body resonance) finite conduction is achieved from a charge frozen by Coulomb interaction. This freezing of charge dynamics 4 , 5 , 6 is in contrast to the physics of a free electron gas. We anticipate that the tools of cavity quantum electrodynamics could be used in other types of mesoscopic circuits with many-body correlations 7 , 8 , providing a model system in which to perform quantum simulation of fermion–boson problems.

Obesity results from a caloric imbalance between energy intake, absorption and expenditure. In both rodents and humans, diet-induced thermogenesis contributes to energy expenditure and involves the activation of brown adipose tissue (BAT). We hypothesize that environmental toxicants commonly used as food additives or pesticides might reduce BAT thermogenesis through suppression of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) and this may contribute to the development of obesity. Using a step-wise screening approach, we discover that the organophosphate insecticide chlorpyrifos suppresses UCP1 and mitochondrial respiration in BAT at concentrations as low as 1 pM. In mice housed at thermoneutrality and fed a high-fat diet, chlorpyrifos impairs BAT mitochondrial function and diet-induced thermogenesis, promoting greater obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and insulin resistance. This is associated with reductions in cAMP; activation of p38MAPK and AMPK; protein kinases critical for maintaining UCP1 and mitophagy, respectively in BAT. These data indicate that the commonly used pesticide chlorpyrifos, suppresses diet-induced thermogenesis and the activation of BAT, suggesting its use may contribute to the obesity epidemic. Chlorpyrifos is a widely-used pesticide and a common residue on vegetables and fruits. Here the authors show that at non-neurotoxic doses, chlorpyrifos reduces energy expenditure, by inhibiting diet induced thermogenesis, and promotes obesity and insulin resistance.

Compared to non-Indigenous communities, American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) people are inequitably impacted by HIV, yet few data are available on barriers to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use in this population. This study sought to examine PrEP knowledge, attitudes, and perceived barriers to use among AI/AN people in the United States. A cross-sectional, online survey was administered from January-May 2023 to respondents ≥ 16 years of age who identified as AI/AN. The survey assessed sociodemographic characteristics, PrEP knowledge, attitudes towards PrEP, and experiences with and barriers to PrEP use. Sociodemographic correlates of PrEP knowledge and attitudes were identified using bivariable and multivariable regression models. The survey enrolled 403 participants and 354 (87.8%) completed all questions. Respondents had relatively low PrEP knowledge (mean score 4.0 of 9, standard deviation [SD] 3.0). Few (7%) had ever used PrEP. Mean scores on the stigma scales were 2.1 of 5 for stigmatizing PrEP attitudes (SD 0.7), 2.4 of 5 for anticipated stigma (SD 0.56), and 3.0 of 5 for perceived stigma (SD 0.38). Among non-users, 43.1% were not sure if they would be able to get a PrEP prescription if they desired, and 2.7% believed they would not be able to get one. The most common perceived barriers were not knowing where to get PrEP (54.7%) and concerns around discomfort, judgement, and privacy at the health facility (27.3%). In adjusted models, living on tribal/reservation lands was significantly associated with lower PrEP knowledge, higher stigmatizing attitudes, and higher anticipated stigma, and lower PrEP knowledge was associated with higher stigmatizing attitudes and anticipated stigma. Age, gender identity, sexual orientation, urban residence, and strength of connection to indigenous culture were also significantly correlated with one or more outcomes. Our findings underscore the need for widespread sensitization about PrEP in Indigenous communities and for strategies to improve PrEP access and reduce stigma from providers and community members.

Obesity is linked with insulin resistance and is characterized by excessive accumulation of adipose tissue due to chronic energy imbalance. Increasing thermogenic brown and beige adipose tissue futile cycling may be an important strategy to increase energy expenditure in obesity, however, brown adipose tissue metabolic activity is lower with obesity. Herein, we report that the exposure of mice to thermoneutrality promotes the infiltration of white adipose tissue with mast cells that are highly enriched with tryptophan hydroxylase 1 (Tph1), the rate limiting enzyme regulating peripheral serotonin synthesis. Engraftment of mast cell-deficient mice with Tph1 −/− mast cells or selective mast cell deletion of Tph1 enhances uncoupling protein 1 (Ucp1) expression in white adipose tissue and protects mice from developing obesity and insulin resistance. These data suggest that therapies aimed at inhibiting mast cell Tph1 may represent a therapeutic approach for the treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes. Serotonin inhibits adipose tissue thermogenesis. Here the authors show that obese mice housed in thermoneutrality have increased mast cell serotonin synthesis, and that inhibiting this pathway through deletion of mast cell Tph1 increases white adipose tissue browning and protects against diet-induced obesity, insulin resistance and liver steatosis.

The Chesapeake Bay is one of the most widely studied bodies of water in the United States and around the world. Routine monitoring of water quality indicators (e.g., salinity) relies on fixed sampling stations throughout the Bay. Utilizing this rich monitoring data, various methods produce surface predictions of water quality indicators to further characterize the health of the Bay as well as to support wildlife and human health research studies. Bayesian approaches for geostatistical modelling are becoming increasingly popular and can be preferred over frequentist approaches because full and exact inference can be computed, along with more accurate characterization of uncertainty. Traditional geostatistical prediction methods assume a Euclidean distance between two points when characterizing spatial dependence as a function of distance. However, Euclidean approaches may not be appropriate in estuarine environments when water-land boundaries are crossed during the modelling process. In this study, we compare stationary and barrier INLA geostatistical models with a classic kriging geostatistical model to predict salinity in the Chesapeake Bay during 4 months in 2019. Cross-validation is conducted for each approach to evaluate model performance based on prediction accuracy and precision. The results provide evidence that the two Bayesian-based models outperformed ordinary kriging, especially when examining prediction accuracy (most notably in the tributaries). We also suggest that the non-Euclidean model accounts for the appropriate water-based distances between sampling locations and is likely better at characterizing the uncertainty. However, more complex bodies of water may better showcase the capabilities and efficacy of the physical barrier INLA model.