194 research outputs found
Trapping time statistics and efficiency of transport of optical excitations in dendrimers
We theoretically study the trapping time distribution and the efficiency of
the excitation energy transport in dendritic systems. Trapping of excitations,
created at the periphery of the dendrimer, on a trap located at its core, is
used as a probe of the efficiency of the energy transport across the dendrimer.
The transport process is treated as incoherent hopping of excitations between
nearest-neighbor dendrimer units and is described using a rate equation. We
account for radiative and non-radiative decay of the excitations while
diffusing across the dendrimer. We derive exact expressions for the Laplace
transform of the trapping time distribution and the efficiency of trapping and
analyze those for various realizations of the energy bias, number of dendrimer
generations, and relative rates for decay and hopping. We show that the
essential parameter that governs the trapping efficiency, is the product of the
on-site excitation decay rate and the trapping time (mean first passage time)
in the absence of decay.Comment: 26 pages, 6 figure
Decoherence of Excitons in Multichromophore Systems: Thermal Line Broadening and Destruction of Superradiant Emission
We study the temperature-dependent dephasing rate of excitons in chains of
chromophores, accounting for scattering on static disorder as well as acoustic
phonons in the host matrix. From this we find a powerlaw temperature dependence
of the absorption line width, in excellent quantitative agreement with
experiments on dye aggregates. We also propose a relation between the line
width and the exciton coherence length imposed by the phonons. The results
indicate that the much debated steep rise of the fluorescence lifetime of
pseudo-isocyanine aggregates above 40 K results from the fact that this
coherence length drops below the localization length imposed by static
disorder.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figure
Thermal broadening of the J-band in disordered linear molecular aggregates: A theoretical study
We theoretically study the temperature dependence of the J-band width in
disordered linear molecular aggregates, caused by dephasing of the exciton
states due to scattering on vibrations of the host matrix. In particular, we
consider inelastic one- and two-phonon scattering between different exciton
states (energy-relaxation-induced dephasing), as well as elastic two-phonon
scattering of the excitons (pure dephasing). The exciton states follow from
numerical diagonalization of a Frenkel Hamiltonian with diagonal disorder; the
scattering rates between them are obtained using the Fermi Golden Rule. A
Debye-like model for the one- and two-phonon spectral densities is used in the
calculations. We find that, owing to the disorder, the dephasing rates of the
individual exciton states are distributed over a wide range of values. We also
demonstrate that the dominant channel of two-phonon scattering is not the
elastic one, as is often tacitly assumed, but rather comes from a similar
two-phonon inelastic scattering process. In order to study the temperature
dependence of the J-band width, we simulate the absorption spectrum, accounting
for the dephasing induced broadening of the exciton states. We find a power-law
(T^p) temperature scaling of the effective homogeneous width, with an exponent
p that depends on the shape of the spectral density of host vibrations. In
particular, for a Debye model of vibrations, we find p ~ 4, which is in good
agreement with experimental data on J-aggregates of pseudoisocyanine [J. Phys.
Chem. A 101, 7977 (1997)].Comment: 14 pages, 7 figure
The J- and H-bands of dye aggregate spectra: Analysis of the coherent exciton scattering (CES) approximation
The validity of the CES approximation is investigated by comparison with
direct diagonalisation of a model vibronic Hamiltonian of identical
monomers interacting electronically. Even for quite short aggregates (N\gtrsim
6) the CES approximation is shown to give results in agreement with direct
diagonalisation, for all coupling strengths, except that of intermediate
positive coupling (the H-band region). However, previously excellent agreement
of CES calculations and measured spectra in the H-band region was obtained [A.
Eisfeld, J. S. Briggs, Chem. Phys. 324, 376]. This is shown to arise from use
of the measured monomer spectrum which includes implicitly dissipative effects
not present in the model calculation
The labyrinth of life-styles
Abstract The increasing complexity of multi-cultural society has given rise to the thought that traditional (demographic and socio-economic) variables are no longer sufficient to substantiate policy development and planning in the housing sector. The concept of life-style is presumed to add to the description and prediction of the demand side, thus enabling housing strategies that are consistent with more dynamic and differentiated preferences. The usefulness of life-styles for policy development was studied in a literature review, in particular of research in the Netherlands. The study shows that the current significance of the concept is doubtful for various reasons: the indefiniteness of life-styles; the static and simplified view of society that is often presented, which is partly caused by the methods used; the uncertain relation to types of residential environment; and the unproven necessity of using life-styles alongside or as a substitute for more traditional variables. Recommendations are offered for future research on this subject
Ichthyosis follicularis, alopecia, and photophobia (IFAP) syndrome
The IFAP syndrome is a rare X-linked genetic disorder reported in nearly 40 patients. It is characterized by the triad of Ichthyosis Follicularis, Alopecia, and Photophobia from birth. Other features such as short stature, intellectual disability, and seizures may develop in the first few years of life. Skin histopathology is non-specific and consists of dilated hair follicles with keratin plugs extending above the surface of the skin, decreased or absent sebaceous glands, and decreased desmosomes in number and size. The disorder results from mutations in the MBTPS2 gene that impairs cholesterol homeostasis and the ability to cope with endoplasmic reticulum stress. Follicular hyperkeratosis can be treated using topical keratolytics, emollients and urea preparations. A moderate response to acitretin therapy has been noted in some patients. Intensive lubrication of the ocular surface is essential. Life expectancy in patients with IFAP syndrome can vary from death in the neonatal period to normal surviving. Cardiopulmonary complications remain the major cause of death
The metabolic landscape in chronic rotator cuff tear reveals tissue-region-specific signatures
Background Degeneration of shoulder muscle tissues often result in tearing, causing pain, disability and loss of independence. Differential muscle involvement patterns have been reported in tears of shoulder muscles, yet the molecules involved in this pathology are poorly understood. The spatial distribution of biomolecules across the affected tissue can be accurately obtained with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI). The goal of this pilot study was to decipher the metabolic landscape across shoulder muscle tissues and to identify signatures of degenerated muscles in chronic conditions. Methods Paired biopsies of two rotator cuff muscles, torn infraspinatus and intact teres minor, together with an intact shoulder muscle, the deltoid, were collected during an open tendon transfer surgery. Five patients, average age 65.2 +/- 3.8 years, were selected for spatial metabolic profiling using high-spatial resolution (MALDI-TOF) and high-mass resolution (MALDI-FTICR) MSI in negative or positive ion mode. Metabolic signatures were identified using data-driven analysis. Verifications of spatial localization for selected metabolic signatures were carried out using antibody immunohistology. Results Data-driven analysis revealed major metabolic differences between intact and degenerated regions across all muscles. The area of degenerated regions, encompassed of fat, inflammation and fibrosis, significantly increased in both rotator cuff muscles, teres minor (27.9%) and infraspinatus (22.8%), compared with the deltoid (8.7%). The intact regions were characterized by 49 features, among which lipids were recognized. Several of the identified lipids were specifically enriched in certain myofiber types. Degenerated regions were specifically marked by the presence of 37 features. Heme was the most abundant metabolite in degenerated regions, whereas Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), which catabolizes heme, was found in intact regions. Higher HO-1 levels correlated with lower heme accumulation. Conclusions Degenerated regions are distinguished from intact regions by their metabolome profile. A muscle-specific metabolome profile was not identified. The area of tissue degeneration significantly differs between the three examined muscles. Higher HO-1 levels in intact regions concurred with lower heme levels in degenerated regions. Moreover, HO-1 levels discriminated between dysfunctional and functional rotator cuff muscles. Additionally, the enrichment of specific lipids in certain myofiber types suggests that lipid metabolism differs between myofiber types. The signature metabolites can open options to develop personalized treatments for chronic shoulder muscles degeneration.Functional Genomics of Muscle, Nerve and Brain Disorder
Notitie Denktank Overlijdensschade. Nieuwe richting benadering en berekening overlijdensschade
In 2009 is een werkgroep onder de naam Denktank Overlijdensschade gestart met het bestuderen van een ander, aan de huidige tijd aangepast model voor de berekening van overlijdensschade. Doelstelling was te komen tot een, ook voor nabestaanden, transparantie systematiek welke recht doet aan de vorderingsgerechtigdheid van de nabestaanden. In 2014 heeft de Denktank Overlijdensschade haar werkzaamheden voltooid met het opleveren van een nieuwe rekenmethodiek. In deze Notitie wordt beschreven hoe de Denktank tot deze nieuwe benadering van het berekenen van overlijdensschade is gekomen, welke onderzoeken daaraan ten grondslag liggen en wat de uiteindelijke rekenregel is, die nu voorgesteld wordt. Kern van de nieuwe methodiek is het uitgangspunt dat het gezin als economische eenheid wordt beschouwd, voor Ă©n na het overlijden
Denktank Overlijdensschade: nieuwe richting benadering en berekening overlijdensschade
De denktank overlijdensschade is ontstaan, omdat de rekenmethodiek voor overlijdensschade niet uit te leggen is aan nabestaanden en geen recht doet aan de maatschappelijke ontwikkelingen. Diverse professionals besloten niet langer slechts te ageren tegen de bestaande situatie, maar er werkelijk wat aan te doen. Dit heeft geresulteerd in een conceptnotitie âNieuwe richting benadering en berekening overlijdensschadeâ. In dit artikel wordt deze notitie kort besproken
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