We have experimentally investigated the density of states (DOS) in Nb/Ni (S/F) bilayers as a function of Ni thickness, dF . Our thinnest samples show the usual DOS peak at ±∆0, whereas intermediate-thickness samples have an anomalous "double-peak" structure. For thicker samples (dF ≥ 3.5 nm), we see an "inverted" DOS which has previously only been reported in superconductor/weak-ferromagnet structures. We analyze the data using the self-consistent nonlinear Usadel equation and find that we are able to quantitatively fit the features at ±∆0 if we include a large amount of spin-orbit scattering in the model. Interestingly, we are unable to reproduce the sub-gap structure through the addition of any parameter(s). Therefore, the observed anomalous sub-gap structure represents new physics beyond that contained in the present Usadel theory.The co-existence of superconductivity and ferromagnetism was first proposed by Fulde and Ferrell [1] and Larkin and Ovchinnikov [2] more than forty years ago. While some unusual materials have since been found with both superconducting and ferromagnetic transitions (e.g. Qualitative evidence for the first two of these effects is convincing, but definitive quantitative agreement with theory has been problematic. The evidence for triplet superconductivity is less certain, although a recent report by Keizer et al [7] provides tantalizing evidence for such an effect. One reason for the difficulty in achieving quantitative agreement with theory is the proliferation of physical effects that now have been incorporated into the theory, leading to a concomitant proliferation of fitting parameters, which makes discriminating fits to limited data sets nearly impossible.In order to obtain more discriminating data sets and to further explore the SF proximity effect in the case of strong ferromagnets, we have undertaken superconducting tunneling densities of state (DOS) measurements on Nb/Ni thin-film bilayers. By varying the Ni thickness, d F , we can track the spatial evolution of the behavior of the Cooper pairs diffusing into the ferromagnet. This approach gives us much more information per sample (the entire DOS spectrum) than T c or J c measurements, and is less sensitive to variations in boundary parameters. Analyzing these results with the most complete forms of the Usadel theory available has allowed us to discriminate critically for the first time the relative importance of the various physical effects now incorporated into the theory. We find that by far the most important parameter beyond the exchange field, E ex , is the degree of spin-orbit scattering (first suggested by Demler et al [8]). In addition, we find an anomalous double-peak structure in the DOS that has not been reported previously and that we have been unable to account for theoretically.We use planar tunnel junctions of the form normalinsulator-ferromagnet-superconductor. A schematic of our sample geometry is shown in the inset of Fig. 2. The deposition of our samples and characterization of the tunnel junctions has be...

Jumbo phages, which have a genome size of more than 200 kb, have recently been reported for the first time. However, limited information is available regarding their characteristics because few jumbo phages have been isolated. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to isolate and characterize other jumbo phages. We performed comparative genomic analysis of three Erwinia phages (pEa_SNUABM_12, pEa_SNUABM_47, and pEa_SNUABM_50), each of which had a genome size of approximately 360 kb (32.5% GC content). These phages were predicted to harbor 546, 540, and 540 open reading frames with 32, 34, and 35 tRNAs, respectively. Almost all of the genes in these phages could not be functionally annotated but showed high sequence similarity with genes encoded in Serratia phage BF, a member of Eneladusvirus. The detailed comparative and phylogenetic analyses presented in this study contribute to our understanding of the diversity and evolution of Erwinia phage and the genus Eneladusvirus.

Shark meat is consumed as a food source worldwide, especially in Asian countries. However, since sharks are apex predators in the ocean food chain, they are prone to bioaccumulation of heavy metals. More than 100 million sharks are caught annually for human consumption, and the safety of shark meat cannot be overemphasized. Here, we examined heavy metal concentration in the muscle tissue of 6 shark species including 3 migratory species (Carcharhinus brachyurus, Carcharhinus obscurus, and Isurus oxyrinchus) and 3 local species (Triakis scyllium, Mustelus manazo, and Cephaloscyllium umbratile) from fish markets in Jeju Island, Republic of Korea. The concentrations of 11 heavy metals (Cr, Fe, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Cd, Sn, Sb, Pb, and Hg) and MeHg were analyzed. The result showed that the average concentrations of all metals, except for that of As, were below the regulatory maximum limits of many organizations, including the Codex standard. Hg and MeHg were significantly correlated with body length, body weight, and age, and the concentration of Hg was expected to exceed the limit in C. brachyurus with a body length or weight of over 130 cm or 25 kg, respectively. Our results indicate that shark meat can expose consumers to a high level of As and that copper sharks bigger than the predicted size should be avoided for excessive Hg. Considering these findings, a detailed guideline on consumption of meat of different shark species should be suggested based on further investigation.