1,687 research outputs found

    Linear plasmon dispersion in single-wall carbon nanotubes and the collective excitation spectrum of graphene

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    We have measured a strictly linear pi-plasmon dispersion along the axis of individualized single wall carbon nanotubes, which is completely different from plasmon dispersions of graphite or bundled single wall carbon nanotubes. Comparative ab initio studies on graphene based systems allow us to reproduce the different dispersions. This suggests that individualized nanotubes provide viable experimental access to collective electronic excitations of graphene, and it validates the use of graphene to understand electronic excitations of carbon nanotubes. In particular, the calculations reveal that local field effects (LFE) cause a mixing of electronic transitions, including the 'Dirac cone', resulting in the observed linear dispersion

    Establishment of a robust single axis of cell polarity by coupling multiple positive feedback loops

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    Establishment of cell polarity-or symmetry breaking-relies on local accumulation of polarity regulators. Although simple positive feedback is sufficient to drive symmetry breaking, it is highly sensitive to stochastic fluctuations typical for living cells. Here, by integrating mathematical modelling with quantitative experimental validations, we show that in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae a combination of actin- and guanine nucleotide dissociation inhibitor-dependent recycling of the central polarity regulator Cdc42 is needed to establish robust cell polarity at a single site during yeast budding. The guanine nucleotide dissociation inhibitor pathway consistently generates a single-polarization site, but requires Cdc42 to cycle rapidly between its active and inactive form, and is therefore sensitive to perturbations of the GTPase cycle. Conversely, actin-mediated recycling of Cdc42 induces robust symmetry breaking but cannot restrict polarization to a single site. Our results demonstrate how cells optimize symmetry breaking through coupling between multiple feedback loops

    Dielectric functions and collective excitations in MgB_2

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    The frequency- and momentum-dependent dielectric function ϵ(q,ω)\epsilon{(\bf q,\omega)} as well as the energy loss function Im[-ϵ1(q,ω)\epsilon^{-1}{(\bf q,\omega)}\protect{]} are calculated for intermetallic superconductor MgB2MgB_2 by using two {\it ab initio} methods: the plane-wave pseudopotential method and the tight-binding version of the LMTO method. We find two plasmon modes dispersing at energies 2\sim 2-8 eV and 18\sim 18-22 eV. The high energy plasmon results from a free electron like plasmon mode while the low energy collective excitation has its origin in a peculiar character of the band structure. Both plasmon modes demonstrate clearly anisotropic behaviour of both the peak position and the peak width. In particular, the low energy collective excitation has practically zero width in the direction perpendicular to boron layers and broadens in other directions.Comment: 3 pages with 10 postscript figures. Submitted to PRB on May 14 200

    In-Situ Infrared Transmission Study of Rb- and K-Doped Fullerenes

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    We have measured the four IR active C60C_{60} molecular vibrations in MxC60M_{x}C_{60} (M=K,Rb)(M = K, Rb) as a function of doping xx. We observe discontinuous changes in the vibrational spectra showing four distinct phases (presumably x=0,3,4x = 0, 3, 4, and 6). The 1427cm11427cm^{-1} and 576cm1576cm^{-1} modes show the largest changes shifting downward in frequency in four steps as the doping increases. Several new very weak modes are visible in the x=6x=6 phase and are possibly Raman modes becoming weakly optically active. We present quantitative fits of the data and calculate the electron-phonon coupling of the 1427cm11427cm^{-1} IR mode.Comment: 3 pages, Figure 1 included, 3 more figures available by request. REVTEX v3.0 IRC60DO

    A protein interaction atlas for the nuclear receptors: properties and quality of a hub-based dimerisation network

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    BACKGROUND: The nuclear receptors are a large family of eukaryotic transcription factors that constitute major pharmacological targets. They exert their combinatorial control through homotypic heterodimerisation. Elucidation of this dimerisation network is vital in order to understand the complex dynamics and potential cross-talk involved. RESULTS: Phylogeny, protein-protein interactions, protein-DNA interactions and gene expression data have been integrated to provide a comprehensive and up-to-date description of the topology and properties of the nuclear receptor interaction network in humans. We discriminate between DNA-binding and non-DNA-binding dimers, and provide a comprehensive interaction map, that identifies potential cross-talk between the various pathways of nuclear receptors. CONCLUSION: We infer that the topology of this network is hub-based, and much more connected than previously thought. The hub-based topology of the network and the wide tissue expression pattern of NRs create a highly competitive environment for the common heterodimerising partners. Furthermore, a significant number of negative feedback loops is present, with the hub protein SHP [NR0B2] playing a major role. We also compare the evolution, topology and properties of the nuclear receptor network with the hub-based dimerisation network of the bHLH transcription factors in order to identify both unique themes and ubiquitous properties in gene regulation. In terms of methodology, we conclude that such a comprehensive picture can only be assembled by semi-automated text-mining, manual curation and integration of data from various sources

    Infrared spectra of one- and two-dimensional fullerene polymer structures: RbC60 and rhombohedral C-60

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    We compare the infrared spectra of two types of fullerene polymers: the linear-chain RbC60 and the two-dimensional pressure-polymerized rhombohedral C-60. Both the splitting of the F-1u modes and the structure of newly activated Lines are in agreement with fully ordered structures of molecular symmetry D-2h and D-3d, respectively

    Resonant Coupling in the Heteronuclear Alkali Dimers for Direct Photoassociative Formation of X(0,0) Ultracold Molecules

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    Promising pathways for photoassociative formation of ultracold heteronuclear alkali metal dimers in their lowest rovibronic levels (denoted X(0,0)) are examined using high quality ab initio calculations of potential energy curves currently available. A promising pathway for KRb, involving the resonant coupling of the 21Π2 ^1\Pi and 11Π1 ^1\Pi states just below the lowest excited asymptote (K(4s4s)+Rb(5p1/25p_{1/2})), is found to occur also for RbCs and less promisingly for KCs as well. The resonant coupling of the 31Σ+3 ^1 \Sigma ^+ and 11Π1 ^1\Pi states, also just below the lowest excited asymptote, is found to be promising for LiNa, LiK, LiRb, and less promising for LiCs and KCs. Direct photoassociation to the 11Π1 ^1\Pi state near dissociation appears promising in the final dimers, NaK, NaRb, and NaCs, although detuning more than 100 cm1^{-1} below the lowest excited asymptote may be required.Comment: 20 pages, 12 figures, Submitted to Journal of Physical Chemistry

    Cerebral near-infrared spectroscopy monitoring versus treatment as usual for extremely preterm infants : a protocol for the SafeBoosC randomised clinical phase III trial

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    Background: Cerebral oxygenation monitoring may reduce the risk of death and neurologic complications in extremely preterm infants, but no such effects have yet been demonstrated in preterm infants in sufficiently powered randomised clinical trials. The objective of the SafeBoosC III trial is to investigate the benefits and harms of treatment based on near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) monitoring compared with treatment as usual for extremely preterm infants. Methods/design: SafeBoosC III is an investigator-initiated, multinational, randomised, pragmatic phase III clinical trial. Inclusion criteria will be infants born below 28 weeks postmenstrual age and parental informed consent (unless the site is using 'opt-out' or deferred consent). Exclusion criteria will be no parental informed consent (or if 'opt-out' is used, lack of a record that clinical staff have explained the trial and the 'opt-out' consent process to parents and/or a record of the parents' decision to opt-out in the infant's clinical file); decision not to provide full life support; and no possibility to initiate cerebral NIRS oximetry within 6 h after birth. Participants will be randomised 1:1 into either the experimental or control group. Participants in the experimental group will be monitored during the first 72 h of life with a cerebral NIRS oximeter. Cerebral hypoxia will be treated according to an evidence-based treatment guideline. Participants in the control group will not undergo cerebral oxygenation monitoring and will receive treatment as usual. Each participant will be followed up at 36 weeks postmenstrual age. The primary outcome will be a composite of either death or severe brain injury detected on any of the serial cranial ultrasound scans that are routinely performed in these infants up to 36 weeks postmenstrual age. Severe brain injury will be assessed by a person blinded to group allocation. To detect a 22% relative risk difference between the experimental and control group, we intend to randomise a cohort of 1600 infants. Discussion: Treatment guided by cerebral NIRS oximetry has the potential to decrease the risk of death or survival with severe brain injury in preterm infants. There is an urgent need to assess the clinical effects of NIRS monitoring among preterm neonates. Trial registration: ClinicalTrial.gov, NCT03770741. Registered 10 December 2018
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