59 research outputs found
Stability of Biaxial Nematic Phase for Systems with Variable Molecular Shape Anisotropy
We study the influence of fluctuations in molecular shape on the stability of
the biaxial nematic phase by generalizing the mean field model of Mulder and
Ruijgrok [Physica A {\bf 113}, 145 (1982)]. We limit ourselves to the case when
the molecular shape anisotropy, represented by the alignment tensor, is a
random variable of an annealed type. A prototype of such behavior can be found
in lyotropic systems - a mixture of potassium laurate, 1-decanol, and ,
where distribution of the micellar shape adjusts to actual equilibrium
conditions. Further examples of materials with the biaxial nematic phase, where
molecular shape is subject to fluctuations, are thermotropic materials composed
of flexible trimeric- or tetrapod-like molecular units. Our calculations show
that the Gaussian equilibrium distribution of the variables describing
molecular shape (dispersion force) anisotropy gives rise to new classes of the
phase diagrams, absent in the original model. Depending on properties of the
shape fluctuations, the stability of the biaxial nematic phase can be either
enhanced or depressed, relative to the uniaxial nematic phases. In the former
case the splitting of the Landau point into two triple points with a direct
phase transition line from isotropic to biaxial phase is observed.Comment: 18 pages containing 6 figure
Thermal phase diagrams of columnar liquid crystals
In order to understand the possible sequence of transitions from the
disordered columnar phase to the helical phase in hexa(hexylthio)triphenylene
(HHTT), we study a three-dimensional planar model with octupolar interactions
inscribed on a triangular lattice of columns. We obtain thermal phase diagrams
using a mean-field approximation and Monte Carlo simulations. These two
approaches give similar results, namely, in the quasi one-dimensional regime,
as the temperature is lowered, the columns order with a linear polarization,
whereas helical phases develop at lower temperatures. The helicity patterns of
the helical phases are determined by the exact nature of the frustration in the
system, itself related to the octupolar nature of the molecules.Comment: 12 pages, 9 figures, ReVTe
Evolution of interfaces and expansion in width
Interfaces in a model with a single, real nonconserved order parameter and
purely dissipative evolution equation are considered. We show that a systematic
perturbative approach, called the expansion in width and developed for curved
domain walls, can be generalized to the interfaces. Procedure for calculating
curvature corrections is described. We also derive formulas for local velocity
and local surface tension of the interface. As an example, evolution of
spherical interfaces is discussed, including an estimate of critical size of
small droplets.Comment: Discussion of stability of the interface is added, and the numerical
estimates of width and velocity of the interface in the liquid crystal
example are corrected. 25 pages, Latex2
Non-Isothermal Model for Nematic Spherulite Growth
A computational study of the growth of two-dimensional nematic spherulites in
an isotropic phase was performed using a Landau-de Gennes type quadrupolar
ensor order parameter model for the first-order isotropic/nematic transition of
5CB (pentyl-cyanobiphenyl). An energy balance, taking anisotropy into account,
was derived and incorporated into the time-dependent model. Growth laws were
determined for two different spherulite morphologies of the form tn, with and
without the inclusion of thermal effects. Results show that incorporation of
the thermal energy balance correctly predicts the transition of the growth law
exponent from the volume driven regime (n=1) to the thermally limited regime
(approaching n=0.5), agreeing well with experimental observations. An
interfacial nemato-dynamic model is used to gain insight into the interactions
that result in the progression of different spherulite growth regimes
Liquid crystals and their defects
These lecture notes discuss classical models of liquid crystals, and the
different ways in which defects are described according to the different
models.Comment: CIME lecture course, Cetraro, 201
Trazodone regulates neurotrophic/growth factors, mitogen-activated protein kinases and lactate release in human primary astrocytes
Background: In the central nervous system, glial cells provide metabolic and trophic support to neurons and respond to protracted stress and insults by up-regulating inflammatory processes. Reactive astrocytes and microglia are associated with the pathophysiology of neuronal injury, neurodegenerative diseases and major depression, in both animal models and human brains. Several studies have reported clear anti-inflammatory effects of anti-depressant treatment on astrocytes, especially in models of neurological disorders. Trazodone (TDZ) is a triazolopyridine derivative that is structurally unrelated to other major classes of antidepressants. Although the molecular mechanisms of TDZ in neurons have been investigated, it is unclear whether astrocytes are also a TDZ target. Methods: The effects of TDZ on human astrocytes were investigated in physiological conditions and following inflammatory insult with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and tumour necrosis factor-aα (TNF-aα). Astrocytes were assessed for their responses to pro-inflammatory mediators and cytokines, and the receptors and signalling pathways involved in TDZ-mediated effects were evaluated. Results: TDZ had no effect on cell proliferation, but it decreased pro-inflammatory mediator release and modulated trophic and transcription factor mRNA expression. Following TDZ treatment, the AKT pathway was activated, whereas extracellular signal-regulated kinase and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase were inhibited. Most importantly, a 72-h TDZ pre-treatment before inflammatory insult completely reversed the anti-proliferative effects induced by LPS-TNF-aα. The expression or the activity of inflammatory mediators, including interleukin-6, c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase and nuclear factor ΚB, were also reduced. Furthermore, TDZ affected astrocyte metabolic support to neurons by counteracting the inflammation-mediated lactate decrease. Finally, TDZ protected neuronal-like cells against neurotoxicity mediated by activated astrocytes. These effects mainly involved an activation of 5-HT1A and an antagonism at 5-HT2A/C serotonin receptors. Fluoxetine, used in parallel, showed similar final effects nevertheless it activates different receptors/intracellular pathways. Conclusions: Altogether, our results demonstrated that TDZ directly acts on astrocytes by regulating intracellular signalling pathways and increasing specific astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor expression and lactate release. TDZ may contribute to neuronal support by normalizing trophic and metabolic support during neuroinflammation, which is associated with neurological diseases, including major depression
Trazodone regulates neurotrophic/growth factors, mitogen-activated protein kinases and lactate release in human primary astrocytes
Antiferroelectric surface layers in a liquid crystal as observed by synchrotron x-ray scattering
The X-ray reflectivity form the surface of a liquid crystal with terminally polar (cyano substituted) molecules has been studied using a high-resolution triple-axis X-ray spectrometer in combination with a synchrotron source. It is demonstrated that at the surface of the smectic A1 phase a few antiferroelectric double layers develop that can be distinguished from the bulk single layer structure. A model is developed that separates the electron density in a contribution from the molecular form factor, and from the structure factor of the mono-and the bilayers, respectively. With only a few adjustable parameters it accounts for the rather complex observed reflection curve. It shows that (i) the first molecular layer has tails up rather than heads up, (ii) the smectic order parameter of the first mono- and bilayer is saturated, (iii) the antiferroelectric bilayering does decay rather abruptly and not exponentially
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