1,791 research outputs found
Palliative care: promoting general practice participation
Specialist palliative care services and services involved in the pre-palliative phase of a patient’s disease must accept GPs as an integral part of the care tea
Anomalous double peak structure in Nb/Ni superconductor/ferromagnet tunneling DOS
We have experimentally investigated the density of states (DOS) in Nb/Ni
(S/F) bilayers as a function of Ni thickness, . Our thinnest samples show
the usual DOS peak at , whereas intermediate-thickness samples
have an anomalous ``double-peak'' structure. For thicker samples ( nm), we see an ``inverted'' DOS which has previously only been reported in
superconductor/weak-ferromagnet structures. We analyze the data using the
self-consistent non-linear Usadel equation and find that we are able to
quantitatively fit the features at if we include a large amount
of spin-orbit scattering in the model. Interestingly, we are unable to
reproduce the sub-gap structure through the addition of any parameter(s).
Therefore, the observed anomalous sub-gap structure represents new physics
beyond that contained in the present Usadel theory.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure
Random insertion of GFP into the cAMP-dependent protein kinase regulatory subunit from Dictyostelium discoideum
The green fluorescent protein (GFP) is currently being used for diverse cellular biology approaches, mainly as a protein tag or to monitor gene expression. Recently it has been shown that GFP can also be used to monitor the activation of second messenger pathways by the use of fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between two different GFP mutants fused to a Ca2+ sensor. We show here that GFP fusions can also be used to obtain information on regions essential for protein function. As FRET requires the two GFPs to be very close, N- or C-terminal fusion proteins will not generally produce FRET between two interacting proteins. In order to increase the probability of FRET, we decided to study the effect of random insertion of two GFP mutants into a protein of interest. We describe here a methodology for random insertion of GFP into the cAMP-dependent protein kinase regulatory subunit using a bacterial expression vector. The selection and analysis of 120 green fluorescent colonies revealed that the insertions were distributed throughout the R coding region. 14 R/GFP fusion proteins were partially purified and characterized for cAMP binding, fluorescence and ability to inhibit PKA catalytic activity. This study reveals that GFP insertion only moderately disturbed the overall folding of the protein or the proper folding of another domain of the protein, as tested by cAMP binding capacity. Furthermore, three R subunits out of 14, which harbour a GFP inserted in the cAMP binding site B, inhibit PKA catalytic subunit in a cAMP-dependent manner. Random insertion of GFP within the R subunit sets the path to develop two-component FRET with the C subuni
Experiments towards quantum information with trapped Calcium ions
Ground state cooling and coherent manipulation of ions in an rf-(Paul) trap
is the prerequisite for quantum information experiments with trapped ions. With
resolved sideband cooling on the optical S1/2 - D5/2 quadrupole transition we
have cooled one and two 40Ca+ ions to the ground state of vibration with up to
99.9% probability. With a novel cooling scheme utilizing electromagnetically
induced transparency on the S1/2 - P1/2 manifold we have achieved simultaneous
ground state cooling of two motional sidebands 1.7 MHz apart. Starting from the
motional ground state we have demonstrated coherent quantum state manipulation
on the S1/2 - D5/2 quadrupole transition at 729 nm. Up to 30 Rabi oscillations
within 1.4 ms have been observed in the motional ground state and in the n=1
Fock state. In the linear quadrupole rf-trap with 700 kHz trap frequency along
the symmetry axis (2 MHz in radial direction) the minimum ion spacing is more
than 5 micron for up to 4 ions. We are able to cool two ions to the ground
state in the trap and individually address the ions with laser pulses through a
special optical addressing channel.Comment: Proceedings of the ICAP 2000, Firenz
Influence of age on operative mortality and long‐term survival after lung resection for bronchogenic carcinoma
RhoB regulates cell migration through altered focal adhesion dynamics
The Rho GTPase RhoB has been shown to affect cell migration, but how it does this is not clear. Here we show that cells depleted of RhoB by RNAi are rounded and have defects in Rac-mediated spreading and lamellipodium extension, although they have active membrane ruffling around the periphery. Depletion of the exchange factor GEF-H1 induces a similar phenotype. RhoB-depleted cells migrate faster, but less persistently in a chemotactic gradient, and frequently round up during migration. RhoB-depleted cells have similar numbers of focal adhesions to control cells during spreading and migration, but show more diffuse and patchy contact with the substratum. They have lower levels of surface β1 integrin, and β1 integrin activity is reduced in actin-rich protrusions. We propose that RhoB contributes to directional cell migration by regulating β1 integrin surface levels and activity, thereby stabilizing lamellipodial protrusions
Feasibility of therapeutic pneumoperitoneum in a large animal model using a microvaporisator
Background: Multimodal therapy is used increasingly in advanced gastrointestinal tumors. Potential benefits of using an intraoperative adjuvant therapy during laparoscopy for cancer have been documented in animal studies. The aim of this study was to develop a device that could deliver such an intraoperative drug therapy. Methods: We developed a micropump suitable for minimally invasive surgery procedures that allowed microdroplets of therapeutic substance to be distributed into the pneumoperitoneum (CO2), creating a "therapeutic pneumoperitoneum.” A closed-loop control system regulates drug delivery according to the gas flow. In vitro, the micropump is able to aerosolize various aqueous and ethanol solutions, including cytostatic and bacteriostatic drugs and adhesionmodulating agents. The size of the microdroplets has been optimized to prevent visual artifacts. Results: The micropump was tested in an animal model (pig). The system was inserted into a 5-mm trocar. After insufflation of a 12-mm CO2 pneumoperitoneum, laparoscopic sigmoid colon resections could be performed with no special difficulties. No fog developed, and no systemrelated complication was observed. At autopsy, the active principle was distributed to all exposed peritoneal surfaces. Conclusions: As opposed to conventional peritoneal washing, therapeutic pneumoperitoneum reaches the entire peritoneal surface, allowing an optimal drug distribution. Drug diffusion into the tissues is enhanced by the intraperitoneal pressure. Precise determination of the instantaneous and total drug quantity is possible. Therefore, this drug delivery system has several advantages over conventional irrigation. Its potential domains of application are locoregional cancer therapy, prevention of port-site recurrences, immunomodulation, analgesia, peritonitis, and prevention of postoperative adhesion
A white-light trap for Bose-Einstein condensates
We propose a novel method for trapping Bose-condensed atoms using a
white-light interference fringe. Confinement frequencies of tens of kHz can be
achieved in conjunction with trap depths of only a few micro-K. We estimate
that lifetimes on the order of 10 s can be achieved for small numbers of atoms.
The tight confinement and shallow depth permit tunneling processes to be used
for studying interaction effects and for applications in quantum information.Comment: 10 pages with 3 figure
Life Cycle of Multi Technology Machine Tools – Modularization and Integral Design
AbstractFor reasons of high flexibility but still maximum productivity, machine tools integrating various production technologies have recently received particular attention. Combining and integrating multiple manufacturing techniques into one single system in early stages of the product emergence process is challenging. To keep the effort for implementation to a minimum, an initiation already in the concept phase is being actively pursued. Design guidelines are currently investigated based on the examination of different technology combinations.This approach focuses on systematic conceptual design for such hybrid machine technologies. Product architectures are used to describe the modularity and create a specific delimitation for standardization. Reference product architectures for Multi Technology Machine Tools (MTMT) carry high potential for saving expenses in product development. The main emphasis is on technology and system integration. A technological similarity assessment of the single processes involved forms the basis of this approach to assure potential for synergies. Monetary aspects in early stages of product development are considered. Based on the analysis a generic system model is connected with general product architectures for MTMT.The method introduced is validated by a Multi-Technology Machining Centre with two simultaneously usable workspaces integrating a milling spindle and two laser processing units. The research undertaken is part of the Cluster of Excellence “Integrative Production Technology for High-Wage Countries” and has been funded by German Research Foundation (DFG)
Ground state cooling, quantum state engineering and study of decoherence of ions in Paul traps
We investigate single ions of in Paul traps for quantum
information processing. Superpositions of the S electronic ground state
and the metastable D state are used to implement a qubit. Laser light
on the S D transition is used for the
manipulation of the ion's quantum state. We apply sideband cooling to the ion
and reach the ground state of vibration with up to 99.9% probability. Starting
from this Fock state , we demonstrate coherent quantum state
manipulation. A large number of Rabi oscillations and a ms-coherence time is
observed. Motional heating is measured to be as low as one vibrational quantum
in 190 ms. We also report on ground state cooling of two ions.Comment: 12 pages, 6 figures. submitted to Journal of Modern Optics, Special
Issue on Quantum Optics: Kuehtai 200
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