3,213 research outputs found
In vivo "real-time" monitoring of glucose in the brain with an amperometric enzyme-based biosensor based on gold coated tungsten (W-Au) microelectrodes
Biosensors based on Pt or Pt/Ir based needle-type microelectrodes have been successfully employed for continuous in vivo real-time brain biomonitoring of biomarkers such as glutamate and glucose. However, when implanted, these biosensors often bend, thereby damaging its surface and degrading its bioanalytical properties. In addition, downscaling of Pt and Pt/Ir needle-type biosensors, to improve the spatial resolution and decrease tissue damage, is technically challenging. In that sense, we investigated whether the use of a material with low malleability, tungsten (W), coated with a highly conductive material, gold (Au) could be as an alternative for conventional needle-type based biosensors. Therefore, we developed implantable needle-type (50 tim 0) gold coated tungsten (W-Au) amperometric microbiosensors. First, we evaluated electrochemically, the ability of W-Au microelectrodes (50 tim 0) to continuously monitor changes in H2O2. After, we functionalized, using a layer-by-layer assembly, the surface of W-Au microelectrodes. First with permselective membrane(s) (Nafion and Nafion-PPD) and after with an enzymatic hydrogel, containing an enzyme selective for glucose (glucose oxidase). Both the enzyme loading and the applied potential were optimized and the performance of functionalized W-Au microelectrodes and fully assembled biosensors was evaluated electrochemically. Additionally, the surface of bare and functionalized microelectrodes was also characterized by imaging techniques (scanning electron microscopy). In vivo experiments revealed that, W-Au based glucose biosensors, were able to accurately monitor, in real-time, changes in brain glucose in response to relevant pharmacological challenges. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved
Determination of the spin-flip time in ferromagnetic SrRuO3 from time-resolved Kerr measurements
We report time-resolved Kerr effect measurements of magnetization dynamics in
ferromagnetic SrRuO3. We observe that the demagnetization time slows
substantially at temperatures within 15K of the Curie temperature, which is ~
150K. We analyze the data with a phenomenological model that relates the
demagnetization time to the spin flip time. In agreement with our observations
the model yields a demagnetization time that is inversely proportional to T-Tc.
We also make a direct comparison of the spin flip rate and the Gilbert damping
coefficient showing that their ratio very close to kBTc, indicating a common
origin for these phenomena
Optical-Model Description of Time-Reversal Violation
A time-reversal-violating spin-correlation coefficient in the total cross
section for polarized neutrons incident on a tensor rank-2 polarized target is
calculated by assuming a time-reversal-noninvariant, parity-conserving
``five-fold" interaction in the neutron-nucleus optical potential. Results are
presented for the system for neutron incident energies
covering the range 1--20 MeV. From existing experimental bounds, a strength of
keV is deduced for the real and imaginary parts of the five-fold
term, which implies an upper bound of order on the relative -odd
strength when compared to the central real optical potential.Comment: 11 pages (Revtex
Automated analysis of inter-parameter dependencies in web APIs
Web services often impose constraintsthat restrict the way in which
two or more input parameters can be combined to form valid calls
to the service, i.e. inter-parameter dependencies. Current web API
specification languages like the OpenAPI Specification (OAS) pro vide no support for the formal description of such dependencies,
making it hardly possible to interact with the services without
human intervention. We propose specifying and automatically ana lyzing inter-parameter dependencies in web APIs. To this end, we
propose a domain-specific language to describe these dependencies,
a constraint programming-aided tool supporting their automated
analysis, and an OAS extension integrating our approach and eas ing its adoption. Together, these contributions open a new range of
possibilities in areas such as source code generation and testin
Electronic and phononic properties of cinnabar: ab initio calculations and some experimental results
We report ab initio calculations of the electronic band structure, the
corresponding optical spectra, and the phonon dispersion relations of trigonal
alpha-HgS (cinnabar). The calculated dielectric functions are compared with
unpublished optical measurements by Zallen and coworkers. The phonon dispersion
relations are used to calculate the temperature and isotopic mass dependence of
the specific heat which has been compared with experimental data obtained on
samples with the natural isotope abundances of the elements Hg and S (natural
minerals and vapor phase grown samples) and on samples prepared from isotope
enriched elements by vapor phase transport. Comparison of the calculated
vibrational frequencies with Raman and ir data is also presented. Contrary to
the case of cubic beta-HgS (metacinnabar), the spin-orbit splitting of the top
valence bands at the Gamma-point of the Brillouin zone (Delta_0) is positive,
because of a smaller admixture of 5d core electrons of Hg. Calculations of the
lattice parameters, and the pressure dependence of Delta_0 and the
corresponding direct gap E_0~2eV are also presented. The lowest absorption edge
is confirmed to be indirect.Comment: 13 pages, 15 figure
Optimized fabrication of high quality La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 thin films considering all essential characteristics
In this article, an overview of the fabrication and properties of high
quality La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 (LSMO) thin films is given. A high quality LSMO film
combines a smooth surface morphology with a large magnetization and a small
residual resistivity, while avoiding precipitates and surface segregation. In
literature, typically only a few of these issues are adressed. We therefore
present a thorough characterization of our films, which were grown by pulsed
laser deposition. The films were characterized with reflection high energy
electron diffraction, atomic force microscopy, x-ray diffraction, magnetization
and transport measurements, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and scanning
transmission electron microscopy. The films have a saturation magnetization of
4.0 {\mu}B/Mn, a Curie temperature of 350 K and a residual resistivity of 60
{\mu}{\Omega}cm. These results indicate that high quality films, combining both
large magnetization and small residual resistivity, were realized. A comparison
between different samples presented in literature shows that focussing on a
single property is insufficient for the optimization of the deposition process.
For high quality films, all properties have to be adressed. For LSMO devices,
the thin film quality is crucial for the device performance. Therefore, this
research is important for the application of LSMO in devices.Comment: Accepted for publication in Journal of Physics D - Applied Physic
A Microscopic T-Violating Optical Potential: Implications for Neutron-Transmission Experiments
We derive a T-violating P-conserving optical potential for neutron-nucleus
scattering, starting from a uniquely determined two-body -exchange
interaction with the same symmetry. We then obtain limits on the T-violating
-nucleon coupling from neutron-transmission
experiments in Ho. The limits may soon compete with those from
measurements of atomic electric-dipole moments.Comment: 8 pages, 2 uuencoded figures in separate files (replaces version sent
earlier in the day with figures attached), in RevTeX 3, submitted to PR
USTOPIA REQUIREMENTS THOUGHTS ON A USER-FRIENDLY SYSTEM FOR TRANSFORMATION OF PROGRAMS IN ABSTRACTO
Transformational programming is a program development method which is usually applied
using 'pen and paper'. Since this requires a lot of clerical work (copying expressions, con-
sistent substitution) which is tiresome and prone to error, some form of machine support is
desirable. In this paper a number of systems are described that have already been built to
this aim. Some of their shortcomings and limitations are identified. Based on experience
with program transformation and transformation systems, a long list of features is given
that would be useful in an 'utopian' transformation system. This list is presented using
an orthogonal division of the problem area. A number of problems with the realisation of
some aspects of our 'utopian' system are identified, and some areas for further research
are indicated
Temperature-dependent Raman study of CeFeAsO0.9F0.1 Superconductor: Crystal field excitations, phonons and their coupling
We report temperature-dependent Raman spectra of CeFeAsO0.9F0.1 from 4 K to
300 K in spectral range of 60 to 1800 cm-1 and interpret them using estimates
of phonon frequencies obtained from first-principles density functional
calculations. We find evidence for a strong coupling between the phonons and
crystal field excitations; in particular Ce3+ crystal field excitation at 432
cm-1 couples strongly with Eg oxygen vibration at 389 cm-1 . Below the
superconducting transition temperature, the phonon mode near 280 cm-1 shows
softening, signaling its coupling with the superconducting gap. The ratio of
the superconducting gap to Tc thus estimated to be ~ 10 suggests CeFeAsO0.9F0.1
as a strong coupling superconductor. In addition, two high frequency modes
observed at 1342 cm-1 and 1600 cm-
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