A subKelvin scanning probe microscope for the electronic spectroscopy of an individual nano-device

We present a combined scanning force and tunneling microscope working in a dilution refrigerator that is optimized for the study of individual electronic nano-devices. This apparatus is equipped with commercial piezo-electric positioners enabling the displacement of a sample below the probe over several hundred microns at very low temperature, without excessive heating. Atomic force microscopy based on a tuning fork resonator probe is used for cryogenic precise alignment of the tip with an individual device. We demonstrate the local tunneling spectroscopy of a hybrid Josephson junction as a function of its current bias

Learned Anomaly Detection with Terahertz Radiation in Inline Process Monitoring

Terahertz tomographic imaging as well as machine learning tasks represent two emerging felds in the area of nondestructive testing. Detecting outliers in measurements that are caused by defects is the main challenge in inline process monitoring. An efcient inline control enables to intervene directly during the manufacturing process and, consequently, to reduce product discard. We focus on plastics and ceramics, for which terahertz radiation is perfectly suited because of its characteristics, and propose a density based technique to automatically detect anomalies in the measured radiation data. The algorithm relies on a classifcation method based on machine learning. For a verifcation, supervised data are generated by a measuring system that approximates an inline process. The experimental results show that the use of terahertz radiation, combined with the classifcation algorithm, has great potential for a real inline manufacturing process. In a further investigation additional data are simulated to enlarge the data set, especially the variety of defects. We model the propagation of terahertz radiation by means of the Eikonal equation

Structure and spacing of cellulose microfibrils in woody cell walls of dicots

The structure of cellulose microfibrils in situ in wood from the dicotyledonous (hardwood) species cherry and birch, and the vascular tissue from sunflower stems, was examined by wide-angle X-ray and neutron scattering (WAXS and WANS) and small-angle neutron scattering (SANS). Deuteration of accessible cellulose chains followed by WANS showed that these chains were packed at similar spacings to crystalline cellulose, consistent with their inclusion in the microfibril dimensions and with a location at the surface of the microfibrils. Using the Scherrer equation and correcting for considerable lateral disorder, the microfibril dimensions of cherry, birch and sunflower microfibrils perpendicular to the [200] crystal plane were estimated as 3.0, 3.4 and 3.3 nm respectively. The lateral dimensions in other directions were more difficult to correct for disorder but appeared to be 3 nm or less. However for cherry and sunflower, the microfibril spacing estimated by SANS was about 4 nm and was insensitive to the presence of moisture. If the microfibril width was 3 nm as estimated by WAXS, the SANS spacing suggests that a non-cellulosic polymer segment might in places separate the aggregated cellulose microfibrils

Comprehensive study on gluten composition and baking quality of winter wheat

Background and Objectives Protein and gluten content and composition are important for the baking quality of wheat flours. Our aim was to provide a comprehensive characterization of 82 wheat flours to analyze the influence of protein composition on rheological and baking quality parameters. Findings Protein composition, starch gelatinization behavior, as well as rheological (microfarinograph, gluten aggregation, extensibility), and baking parameters were determined. The correlation matrix showed no significant correlations between gluten composition and loaf volume. Parameters of the gluten aggregation test allowed a prediction of gluten, gliadin, and glutenin content with an absolute root mean square error of cross validation of 7.5, 6.0, and 3.2 mg/g, respectively, using partial least squares regression. Starch gelatinization temperature had an effect on gluten aggregation. Conclusions The gluten aggregation test was suitable to predict gluten, gliadin, and glutenin content. The lack of correlations between protein composition and loaf volume indicates that baking quality is the result of a complex combination of different parameters. Significance and Novelty Our study is the first to comprehensively analyze 82 wheat flours, especially in terms of gluten composition. We show that flour blends can reach excellent baking quality even if quality indicators like crude protein or extensibility are comparatively low

The Role of Formylpeptide Receptors, C5a Receptors, and Cytosolic-Free Calcium in Neutrophil Priming

Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) exposed to chemoattractants or cytokines change their functional capacity. The effect of endotoxin-activated serum as a priming agent on humanPMNL was tested. PretreatmentofPMNL with endotoxin-activated serum increased their oxidative burst in response to formylpeptide (FMLP) (P<.02)and CSa (P<.05). Priming for membrane depolarization was observed in PMNL preincubated with either endotoxin-activated serum, low concentrations of purified C5a, or endotoxin but not with decomplemented plasma. Primed PMNL had an increased number of FMLP but not C5a receptors as compared with control PMNL. The "resting” cytosolic freecalcium was increased in primed PMNL (P<.02). Intracellular calcium buffering abolished the priming effect of endotoxin-activated serum. Thus, endotoxin-activated serum can prime cellular responsiveness for membrane depolarization and superoxide production in response to FMLP and to C5a. Priming may be due to an increased resting cytosolic-free calciu

Implementing cervical cancer screening guidelines at a community health center: A quality improvement project

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HIV-1 Rev oligomerization is not obligatory in the presence of an extra basic domain

BACKGROUND: The HIV-1 Rev regulatory protein binds as an oligomeric complex to viral RNA mediating nuclear export of incompletely spliced and non-spliced viral mRNAs encoding the viral structural proteins. However, the biological significance of the obligatory complex formation of Rev upon the viral RNA is unclear. RESULTS: The activity of various fusion proteins based on the negative oligomerization-defect Rev mutant M4 was tested using Rev dependent reporter constructs. An artificial M4 mutant dimer and an M4 mutant containing an extra basic domain from the HTLV-I Rex protein exhibited nearly full activity when compared to wild type Rev. CONCLUSION: Rev dimerization appears to be required to expose free basic domains whilst the Rev oligomeric complex remains bound to viral RNA via other basic domains