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Background Damage to the adult central nervous system often leads to long-term disruptions in function due to the limited capacity for neurological recovery. The central nervous system of the Mediterranean field cricket, Gryllus bimaculatus , shows an unusual capacity for compensatory plasticity, most obviously in the auditory system and the cercal escape system. In both systems, unilateral sensory disruption leads the central circuitry to compensate by forming and/or strengthening connections with the contralateral sensory organ. While this compensatory plasticity in the auditory system relies on robust dendritic sprouting and novel synapse formation, the compensatory plasticity in the cercal escape circuitry shows little obvious dendritic sprouting and instead may rely on shifts in excitatory and inhibitory synaptic strength. Results In order to better understand what types of molecular pathways might underlie this compensatory shift in the cercal system, we used a multiple k-mer approach to assemble a terminal ganglion transcriptome that included ganglia collected one, three, and 7 days after unilateral cercal ablation in adult, male animals. We performed differential expression analysis using EdgeR and DESeq2 and examined Gene Ontologies to identify candidates potentially involved in this plasticity. Enriched GO terms included those related to the ubiquitin-proteosome protein degradation system, chromatin-mediated transcriptional pathways, and the GTPase-related signaling system. Conclusion Further exploration of these GO terms will provide a clearer picture of the processes involved in compensatory recovery of the cercal escape system in the cricket and can be compared and contrasted with the distinct pathways that have been identified upon deafferentation of the auditory system in this same animal.

Quantum annealers use quantum fluctuations to escape local minima and find low-energy configurations of a physical system. Strong evidence for superiority of quantum annealing (QA) has come from comparing QA implemented through quantum Monte Carlo (QMC) simulations to classical annealing. Motivated by recent experiments, we revisit the question of when quantum speedup may be expected. Although a better scaling is seen for QA in two-dimensional Ising spin glasses, this advantage is due to time discretization artifacts and measurements that are not possible on a physical quantum annealer. Simulations in the physically relevant continuous time limit, on the other hand, do not show superiority. Our results imply that care must be taken when using QMC simulations to assess the potential for quantum speedup.

The Solar Wind Ion Analyzer (SWIA) on the MAVEN mission will measure the solar wind ion flows around Mars, both in the upstream solar wind and in the magneto-sheath and tail regions inside the bow shock. The solar wind flux provides one of the key energy inputs that can drive atmospheric escape from the Martian system, as well as in part controlling the structure of the magnetosphere through which non-thermal ion escape must take place. SWIA measurements contribute to the top level MAVEN goals of characterizing the upper atmosphere and the processes that operate there, and parameterizing the escape of atmospheric gases to extrapolate the total loss to space throughout Mars’ history. To accomplish these goals, SWIA utilizes a toroidal energy analyzer with electrostatic deflectors to provide a broad 360 ∘ ×90 ∘ field of view on a 3-axis spacecraft, with a mechanical attenuator to enable a very high dynamic range. SWIA provides high cadence measurements of ion velocity distributions with high energy resolution (14.5 %) and angular resolution (3.75 ∘ ×4.5 ∘ in the sunward direction, 22.5 ∘ ×22.5 ∘ elsewhere), and a broad energy range of 5 eV to 25 keV. Onboard computation of bulk moments and energy spectra enable measurements of the basic properties of the solar wind at 0.25 Hz.

Quantum many-body scarring (QMBS) is a recently discovered form of weak ergodicity breaking in strongly interacting quantum systems, which presents opportunities for mitigating thermalization-induced decoherence in quantum information processing applications. However, the existing experimental realizations of QMBS are based on systems with specific kinetic constrains. Here we experimentally realize a distinct kind of QMBS by approximately decoupling a part of the many-body Hilbert space in the computational basis. Utilizing a programmable superconducting processor with 30 qubits and tunable couplings, we realize Hilbert space scarring in a non-constrained model in different geometries, including a linear chain and quasi-one-dimensional comb geometry. By reconstructing the full quantum state through quantum state tomography on four-qubit subsystems, we provide strong evidence for QMBS states by measuring qubit population dynamics, quantum fidelity and entanglement entropy after a quench from initial unentangled states. Our experimental findings broaden the realm of scarring mechanisms and identify correlations in QMBS states for quantum technology applications.Many-body quantum systems that escape thermalization are promising candidates for quantum information applications. A weak-ergodicity-breaking mechanism—quantum scarring—has now been observed with superconducting qubits in unconstrained models.

The development of space launch systems requires rigorous testing and validation of safety mechanisms to ensure the protection of human life and mission-critical assets. One such safety mechanism is the Active Launch Escape/Abort System (ALEAS), designed to swiftly extract crew and spacecraft from a malfunctioning launch vehicle. To evaluate the performance of ALEAS, wind tunnel testing is indispensable. This paper presents the development of a specialized Jets Rig tailored for wind tunnel testing of an ALEAS model. The primary objectives of this research activity include the design, construction, and validation of a Jets Rig that can accurately simulate the propulsion dynamics of an ALEAS system within a wind tunnel environment. The Jets Rig incorporates a special instrumentation and control systems to replicate the complex operational conditions experienced during a launch abort scenario. By achieving this, it enables a comprehensive assessment of ALEAS performance, including thrust duration and plume interaction effects, among others. Key aspects of this study encompass the aerodynamic and structural considerations involved in designing the Jets Rig, the integration of high-fidelity sensors and data acquisition systems, and the development of advanced computational models for predictive analysis. Additionally, the research explores the challenges and solutions associated with the scalability of the Jets Rig to accommodate varying scales of ALEAS models. The findings from this project hold significant implications for advancing the safety and reliability of crewed space missions. A comprehensive understanding of ALEAS performance in a wind tunnel setting allows for the refinement of design parameters, algorithms, and the enhancement of abort system efficiency. Ultimately, the successful development of this dedicated Jets Rig contributes to the broader mission of ensuring the safe exploration of space and the protection of human life in the challenging and dynamic environment of space launch.

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is a potent damage-associated molecular pattern that, if it reaches the cytoplasm or extracellular milieu, triggers innate immune pathways. mtDNA signaling has been implicated in a wide range of diseases; however, the mechanisms of mtDNA release are unclear, and the process has not been observed in real time thus far. McArthur et al. used live-cell lattice light-sheet microscopy to look at mtDNA release during intrinsic apoptosis. Activation of the pro-death proteins BAK and BAX resulted in the formation of large macro-pores in the mitochondrial outer membrane. These massive holes caused the inner mitochondrial membrane to balloon out into the cytoplasm, resulting in mitochondrial herniation. This process allowed the contents of the mitochondrial matrix, including mtDNA, to escape into the cytoplasm. Science , this issue p. eaao6047 Mitochondrial DNA is released from mitochondria in apoptotic cells as a result of BAK/BAX-induced mitochondrial herniation. Mitochondrial apoptosis is mediated by BAK and BAX, two proteins that induce mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization, leading to cytochrome c release and activation of apoptotic caspases. In the absence of active caspases, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) triggers the innate immune cGAS/STING pathway, causing dying cells to secrete type I interferon. How cGAS gains access to mtDNA remains unclear. We used live-cell lattice light-sheet microscopy to examine the mitochondrial network in mouse embryonic fibroblasts. We found that after BAK/BAX activation and cytochrome c loss, the mitochondrial network broke down and large BAK/BAX pores appeared in the outer membrane. These BAK/BAX macropores allowed the inner mitochondrial membrane to herniate into the cytosol, carrying with it mitochondrial matrix components, including the mitochondrial genome. Apoptotic caspases did not prevent herniation but dismantled the dying cell to suppress mtDNA-induced innate immune signaling.

The roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans exhibits robust escape behavior in response to rapidly rising temperature. The behavior lasts for a few seconds, shows history dependence, involves both sensory and motor systems, and is too complicated to model mechanistically using currently available knowledge. Instead we model the process phenomenologically, and we use the Sir Isaac dynamical inference platform to infer the model in a fully automated fashion directly from experimental data. The inferred model requires incorporation of an unobserved dynamical variable and is biologically interpretable. The model makes accurate predictions about the dynamics of the worm behavior, and it can be used to characterize the functional logic of the dynamical system underlying the escape response. This work illustrates the power of modern artificial intelligence to aid in discovery of accurate and interpretable models of complex natural systems.

Chaotic dynamical systems may be characterised by a positive Lyapunov exponent, which measures the exponential rate of separation of nearby trajectories. However in a wide range of so-called weakly chaotic systems, the separation of nearby trajectories is sub-exponential, for example stretched exponential, in time; and therefore in such cases the Lyapunov exponent vanishes. When a hole is introduced in chaotic systems, the Lyapunov exponent on the system’s fractal repeller can be related to the generation of entropy and the escape rate from the system via the escape rate formalism, but no suitable generalisation exists to weakly chaotic systems. In this work we show that in a paradigmatic one-dimensional weakly chaotic iterated map, the Pomeau-Manneville map, the generation of generalised Lyapunov stretching is completely suppressed in the presence of a hole. These results are shown based on numerical evidence, and explained with a fully analytic stochastic model.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore various in-flight crew escape options of a prototype transport aircraft and finalize the option offering safest crew egress for different combinations of contingencies and flight conditions. Design/methodology/approach Various egress options were explored through simulation in a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software using aircraft 3D CAD model and scalable digital mannequins. For this, certain important contingencies which best describe the extreme aircraft behaviour were identified. Crew escape options, which have least external interference in expected egress trajectory, were selected. Several test simulations representing each feasible combination of contingency, escape option and flight condition were simulated. The option which offers safe crew escape in each test case is deemed to be the safest egress option for the test aircraft. Findings Among five options explored, crew escape through forward ventral hatch provided the safest crew escape for all test cases. The selected option was validated for robustness with additional test cases modelling different anthropometric characteristics of 5th and 50th percentile pilot populations with different postures. Originality/value In-flight validation of safe crew escape option is infeasible by actual trial. Exploration of safe crew options for required number of test cases by any analytical method or by wind tunnels tests is tedious, time consuming and extremely expensive. On the other hand, exploration of safest crew option by CFD, besides being first of its kind, provides convenient option to configure, test and validate different test cases with unmatched benefits in time, cost and simplicity.

We present a magnetic sensor with energy resolution per bandwidth ER < ħ. We show how a 87Rb single-domain spinor Bose–Einstein condensate, detected by nondestructive Faraday rotation probing, achieves single-shot low-frequency magnetic sensitivity of 72(8) fT measuring a volume V = 1,091(30) μm³ for 3.5 s, and thus, ER = 0.075(16)ħ. We measure experimentally the condensate volume, spin coherence time, and readout noise and use phase space methods, backed by three-dimensional mean-field simulations, to compute the spin noise. Contributions to the spin noise include one-body and three-body losses and shearing of the projection noise distribution, due to competition of ferromagnetic contact interactions and quadratic Zeeman shifts. Nonetheless, the fully coherent nature of the single-domain, ultracold two-body interactions allows the system to escape the coherence vs. density trade-off that imposes an energy resolution limit on traditional spin precession sensors. We predict that other Bose-condensed alkalis, especially the antiferromagnetic 23Na, can further improve the energy resolution of this method.