108 research outputs found
Imaging stray magnetic field of individual ferromagnetic nanotubes
We use a scanning nanometer-scale superconducting quantum interference device
to map the stray magnetic field produced by individual ferromagnetic nanotubes
(FNTs) as a function of applied magnetic field. The images are taken as each
FNT is led through magnetic reversal and are compared with micromagnetic
simulations, which correspond to specific magnetization configurations. In
magnetic fields applied perpendicular to the FNT long axis, their magnetization
appears to reverse through vortex states, i.e.\ configurations with vortex end
domains or -- in the case of a sufficiently short FNT -- with a single global
vortex. Geometrical imperfections in the samples and the resulting distortion
of idealized mangetization configurations influence the measured stray-field
patterns.Comment: 14 pages, 4 figure
Observation of vortex-nucleated magnetization reversal in individual ferromagnetic nanotubes
The reversal of a uniform axial magnetization in a ferromagnetic nanotube
(FNT) has been predicted to nucleate and propagate through vortex domains
forming at the ends. In dynamic cantilever magnetometry measurements of
individual FNTs, we identify the entry of these vortices as a function of
applied magnetic field and show that they mark the nucleation of magnetization
reversal. We find that the entry field depends sensitively on the angle between
the end surface of the FNT and the applied field. Micromagnetic simulations
substantiate the experimental results and highlight the importance of the ends
in determining the reversal process. The control over end vortex formation
enabled by our findings is promising for the production of FNTs with tailored
reversal properties.Comment: 20 pages, 13 figure
Imaging magnetic vortex configurations in ferromagnetic nanotubes
We image the remnant magnetization configurations of CoFeB and permalloy
nanotubes (NTs) using x-ray magnetic circular dichroism photo-emission electron
microscopy. The images provide direct evidence for flux-closure configurations,
including a global vortex state, in which magnetization points
circumferentially around the NT axis. Furthermore, micromagnetic simulations
predict and measurements confirm that vortex states can be programmed as the
equilibrium remnant magnetization configurations by reducing the NT aspect
ratio.Comment: 14 pages, 4 figures, link to supplementary informatio
Tax Policy and CO2 Emissions - An Econometric Analysis of the German Automobile Market
An ensemble of structures of Burkholderia pseudomallei 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate-dependent phosphoglycerate mutase
An ensemble of crystal structures are reported for 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate-dependent phosphoglycerate mutase from B. pseudomallei. The structures include two vanadate complexes, revealing the structure of a close analogue of the transition state for phosphate transfer
Identification of Attractive Drug Targets in Neglected-Disease Pathogens Using an In Silico Approach
In cell-based drug development, researchers attempt to create drugs that kill a pathogen without necessarily understanding the details of how the drugs work. In contrast, target-based drug development entails the search for compounds that act on a specific intracellular target—often a protein known or suspected to be required for survival of the pathogen. The latter approach to drug development has been facilitated greatly by the sequencing of many pathogen genomes and the incorporation of genome data into user-friendly databases. The present paper shows how the database TDRtargets.org can identify proteins that might be considered good drug targets for diseases such as African sleeping sickness, Chagas disease, parasitic worm infections, tuberculosis, and malaria. These proteins may score highly in searches of the database because they are dissimilar to human proteins, are structurally similar to other “druggable” proteins, have functions that are easy to measure, and/or fulfill other criteria. Researchers can use the lists of high-scoring proteins as a basis for deciding which potential drug targets to pursue experimentally
Inactivation of Staphylococcal Phenol Soluble Modulins by Serum Lipoprotein Particles
Staphylococcus aureus virulence has been associated with the production of phenol soluble modulins (PSM). PSM are known to activate, attract and lyse neutrophils. However, the functional characterizations were generally performed in the absence of human serum. Here, we demonstrate that human serum can inhibit all the previously-described activities of PSM. We observed that serum can fully block both the cell lysis and FPR2 activation of neutrophils. We show a direct interaction between PSM and serum lipoproteins in human serum and whole blood. Subsequent analysis using purified high, low, and very low density lipoproteins (HDL, LDL, and VLDL) revealed that they indeed neutralize PSM. The lipoprotein HDL showed highest binding and antagonizing capacity for PSM. Furthermore, we show potential intracellular production of PSM by S. aureus upon phagocytosis by neutrophils, which opens a new area for exploration of the intracellular lytic capacity of PSM. Collectively, our data show that in a serum environment the function of PSM as important extracellular toxins should be reconsidered
Functional Amyloids Composed of Phenol Soluble Modulins Stabilize Staphylococcus aureus Biofilms
Staphylococcus aureus is an opportunistic pathogen that colonizes the skin and mucosal surfaces of mammals. Persistent staphylococcal infections often involve surface-associated communities called biofilms. Here we report the discovery of a novel extracellular fibril structure that promotes S. aureus biofilm integrity. Biochemical and genetic analysis has revealed that these fibers have amyloid-like properties and consist of small peptides called phenol soluble modulins (PSMs). Mutants unable to produce PSMs were susceptible to biofilm disassembly by matrix degrading enzymes and mechanical stress. Previous work has associated PSMs with biofilm disassembly, and we present data showing that soluble PSM peptides disperse biofilms while polymerized peptides do not. This work suggests the PSMs' aggregation into amyloid fibers modulates their biological activity and role in biofilms
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