Photochemical Response of Electronically Reconfigurable Molecule-Based Switching Tunnel Junctions

Robust molecular devices may be based on the photo‐switching between spiropyran and merocyanine isomers (see Scheme). The equilibrium has been investigated in a Langmuir–Blodgett film and then succesfully sandwiched into a solid‐state tunnel junction

Reversible Metal-Insulator Transition in Ordered Metal Nanocrystal Monolayers Observed by Impedance Spectroscopy

Low frequency impedance spectroscopy was applied on a Langmuir monolayer of alkylthiol passivated 35 Å diameter silver quantum dots, as a function of interparticle separation distance. As interparticle spacing decreases below 30% of particle diameter, a reduction in interparticle charge tunneling time is observed. On further compression, the complex impedance of the films undergoes a transition from a parallel RC equivalent circuit to an inductive circuit. Optical reflectance changes in the films are consistent with the deduced metal-insulator transition

A study of concept options for the evolution of Space Station Freedom

Two conceptual evolution configurations for Space Station Freedom, a research and development configuration, and a transportation node configuration are described and analyzed. Results of pertinent analyses of mass properties, attitude control, microgravity, orbit lifetime, and reboost requirements are provided along with a description of these analyses. Also provided are brief descriptions of the elements and systems that comprise these conceptual configurations

Selective functionalization of carbon nanotube tips allowing fabrication of new classes of nanoscale sensing and manipulation tools

Embodiments in accordance with the present invention relate to techniques for the growth and attachment of single wall carbon nanotubes (SWNT), facilitating their use as robust and well-characterized tools for AFM imaging and other applications. In accordance with one embodiment, SWNTs attached to an AFM tip can function as a structural scaffold for nanoscale device fabrication on a scanning probe. Such a probe can trigger, with nanometer precision, specific biochemical reactions or conformational changes in biological systems. The consequences of such triggering can be observed in real time by single-molecule fluorescence, electrical, and/or AFM sensing. Specific embodiments in accordance with the present invention utilize sensing and manipulation of individual molecules with carbon nanotubes, coupled with single-molecule fluorescence imaging, to allow observation of spectroscopic signals in response to mechanically induced molecular changes. Biological macromolecules such as proteins or DNA can be attached to nanotubes to create highly specific single-molecule probes for investigations of intermolecular dynamics, for assembling hybrid biological and nanoscale materials, or for developing molecular electronics. In one example, electrical wiring of single redox enzymes to carbon nanotube scanning probes allows observation and electrochemical control over single enzymatic reactions by monitoring fluorescence from a redox-active cofactor or the formation of fluorescent products. Enzymes ''nanowired'' to the tips of carbon nanotubes in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, may enable extremely sensitive probing of biological stimulus-response with high spatial resolution, including product-induced signal transduction

Photochemical Response of Electronically Reconfigurable Molecule-Based Switching Tunnel Junctions

Robust molecular devices may be based on the photo‐switching between spiropyran and merocyanine isomers (see Scheme). The equilibrium has been investigated in a Langmuir–Blodgett film and then succesfully sandwiched into a solid‐state tunnel junction

Peptide-Induced Lipid Flip-Flop in Asymmetric Liposomes Measured by Small Angle Neutron Scattering

© 2019 American Chemical Society. Despite the prevalence of lipid transbilayer asymmetry in natural plasma membranes, most biomimetic model membranes studied are symmetric. Recent advances have helped to overcome the difficulties in preparing asymmetric liposomes in vitro, allowing for the examination of a larger set of relevant biophysical questions. Here, we investigate the stability of asymmetric bilayers by measuring lipid flip-flop with time-resolved small-angle neutron scattering (SANS). Asymmetric large unilamellar vesicles with inner bilayer leaflets containing predominantly 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC) and outer leaflets composed mainly of 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DMPC) displayed slow spontaneous flip-flop at 37 -C (half-time, t1/2 = 140 h). However, inclusion of peptides, namely, gramicidin, alamethicin, melittin, or pHLIP (i.e., pH-low insertion peptide), accelerated lipid flip-flop. For three of these peptides (i.e., pHLIP, alamethicin, and melittin), each of which was added externally to preformed asymmetric vesicles, we observed a completely scrambled bilayer in less than 2 h. Gramicidin, on the other hand, was preincorporated during the formation of the asymmetric liposomes and showed a time resolvable 8-fold increase in the rate of lipid asymmetry loss. These results point to a membrane surface-related (e.g., adsorption/insertion) event as the primary driver of lipid scrambling in the asymmetric model membranes of this study. We discuss the implications of membrane peptide binding, conformation, and insertion on lipid asymmetry

Shear wave elastography can assess the in-vivo nonlinear mechanical behavior of heel-pad.

This study combines non-invasive mechanical testing with finite element (FE) modelling to assess for the first time the reliability of shear wave (SW) elastography for the quantitative assessment of the in-vivo nonlinear mechanical behavior of heel-pad. The heel-pads of five volunteers were compressed using a custom-made ultrasound indentation device. Tissue deformation was assessed from B-mode ultrasound and force was measured using a load cell to calculate the force - deformation graph of the indentation test. These results were used to design subject specific FE models and to inverse engineer the tissue's hyperelastic material coefficients and its stress - strain behavior. SW speed was measured for different levels of compression (from 0% to 50% compression). SW speed for 0% compression was used to assess the initial stiffness of heel-pad (i.e. initial shear modulus, initial Young's modulus). Changes in SW speed with increasing compressive loading were used to quantify the tissue's nonlinear mechanical behavior based on the theory of acoustoelasticity. Statistical analysis of results showed significant correlation between SW-based and FE-based estimations of initial stiffness, but SW underestimated initial shear modulus by 64%(±16). A linear relationship was found between the SW-based and FE-based estimations of nonlinear behavior. The results of this study indicate that SW elastography is capable of reliably assessing differences in stiffness, but the absolute values of stiffness should be used with caution. Measuring changes in SW speed for different magnitudes of compression enables the quantification of the tissue's nonlinear behavior which can significantly enhance the diagnostic value of SW elastography. [Abstract copyright: Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Spectroscopic observations of the candidate sgB[e]/X-ray binary CI Cam

We present a compilation of spectroscopic observations of the sgB[e] star CI Cam. This includes data from before, during, and after its 1998 outburst. The object shows a rich emission line spectrum originating from circumstellar material, rendering it difficult to determine the nature of either star involved or the cause of the outburst. We collate pre-outburst data to determine the state of the system before this occurred and provide a baseline for comparison with later data. During the outburst all lines become stronger, and hydrogen and helium lines become significantly broader and asymmetric. After the outburst, spectral changes persist for at least three years, with FeII and [NII] lines still a factor of ~2 above the pre-outburst level and HeI, HeII, and NII lines suppressed by a factor of 2-10. We find that the spectral properties of CI Cam are similar to other sgB[e] stars and therefore suggest that the geometry of the circumstellar material is similar to that proposed for the other objects: a two component outflow, with a fast, hot, rarefied polar wind indistinguishable from that of a normal supergiant and a dense, cooler equatorial outflow with a much lower velocity. We suggest that CI Cam is among the hotter members of the class and is viewed nearly pole-on. The nature of the compact object and the mechanism for the outburst remain uncertain, although it is likely that the compact object is a black hole or neutron star, and that the outburst was precipitated by its passage through the equatorial material. We suggest that this prompted a burst of supercritical accretion resulting in ejection of much of the material, which was later seen as an expanding radio remnant. [Abbreviated]Comment: 25 pages including figures. Accepted for publication in A&

Populist Mobilization: A New Theoretical Approach to Populism*

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/112280/1/j.1467-9558.2011.01388.x.pd