Polyoxometalates for Nonvolatile Memory Applications

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Dependence of the 0.5(2e2/h) conductance plateau on the aspect ratio of InAs quantum point contacts with in-plane side gates

The observation of a 0.5 conductance plateau in asymmetrically biased quantum point contacts with in-plane side gates has been attributed to the onset of spin-polarized current through these structures. For InAs quantum point contacts with the same width but longer channel length, there is roughly a fourfold increase in the range of common sweep voltage applied to the side gates over which the 0.5 conductance plateau is observed when the QPC aspect ratio (ratio of length over width of the narrow portion of the structure) is increased by a factor 3. Non-equilibrium Green s function simulations indicate that the increase in the size of the 0.5 conductance plateau is due to an increased importance, over a larger range of common sweep voltage, of the effects of electron-electron interactions in QPC devices with larger aspect ratio. The use of asymmetrically biased QPCs with in-plane side gates and large aspect ratio could therefore pave the way to build robust spin injectors and detectors for the successful implementation of spin field effect transistorsComment: 30 pages, 9 figure

Synthesis And Characterization Of Graphene Oxide –Polyoxometalate Composite Material For Device Applications

Polyoxometalates (POMs) consisting of clusters of d-block transition metals and oxygen atoms represent an important class of water soluble polynuclear nanomaterial. The tuneable size, structure and elemental composition of POM draws considerable attention for the development of functional composite materials of desired chemical and electronic properties.[1] Graphene can be the promising support for POMs due to its low band gap energy and fast electron transport properties. These properties of grapheme facilitates transport of electrons of POMs rapidly and effectively.[2] In the present investigation, graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) have been used as a support for POM-graphene composites for semiconductor, hydrogen production applications.[2] The deposition of POM on graphene oxide sheets were carried out through electron transfer interaction and electrostatic interaction between POM and GO sheets. ...

Maintaining friendships in early stage dementia: Factors to consider

Friendships and the importance of social connectiveness play a critical role in aging well, regardless of gender, race, social class, or impairment. Yet, dementia takes its toll on social relationships, and many friends withdraw and ‘disappear’, because they can no longer bear to see the changes that are taking place in their diagnosed friend. The dementia care literature documents this abandonment; however, this study examines the opposite occurrence. In order to understand more clearly the role of long-term friendships and how such friendships remain and continue, despite the diagnosis of dementia, this qualitative study examines in depth eight people in the early stages of dementia who have been able to maintain strong friendships despite the diagnosis. Factors that seem to play important roles are: (1) the importance of the friendships, (2) factors affecting the quality of the relationships, (3) mutually beneficial relationships, (4) core values, (5) acceptance and disclosure, and (6) recognition of strengths and understanding of limitations

Perspectives on the Trypanosoma cruzi-host cell receptor interaction

Chagas disease is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. The critical initial event is the interaction of the trypomastigote form of the parasite with host receptors. This review highlights recent observations concerning these interactions. Some of the key receptors considered are those for thromboxane, bradykinin, and for the nerve growth factor TrKA. Other important receptors such as galectin-3, thrombospondin, and laminin are also discussed. Investigation into the molecular biology and cell biology of host receptors for T. cruzi may provide novel therapeutic targets

Dynamical Study of the Delta Excitation in N(e,e' pi) Reactions

The dynamical model developed in [Phys. Rev. C 54, 2660 (1996)] has been applied to investigate the pion electroproduction reactions on the nucleon. It is found that the model can describe to a very large extent the recent data of p(e,e' pi^0) reaction from Jefferson Laboratory and MIT-Bates. The extracted magnetic dipole(M1), electric dipole(E2), and Coulomb(C2) strengths of the gamma N -> Delta transition are presented. It is found that the C2/M1 ratio drops significantly with Q^2 and reaches about -13% at Q^2=4 (GeV/c)^2, while the E2/M1 ratio remains close to the value \sim -3 % at the Q^2=0 photon point. The determined M1 transition form factor drops faster than the usual dipole form factor of the proton. We also find that the non-resonant interactions can dress the gamma N -> Delta vertex to enhance strongly its strength at low Q^2, but much less at high Q^2. Predictions are presented for future experimental tests. Possible developments of the model are discussed.Comment: 39 pages,17 figures, with RevTeX, to be submitted Phys. Rev.

ApoSense: a novel technology for functional molecular imaging of cell death in models of acute renal tubular necrosis

Purpose: Acute renal tubular necrosis (ATN), a common cause of acute renal failure, is a dynamic, rapidly evolving clinical condition associated with apoptotic and necrotic tubular cell death. Its early identification is critical, but current detection methods relying upon clinical assessment, such as kidney biopsy and functional assays, are insufficient. We have developed a family of small molecule compounds, ApoSense, that is capable, upon systemic administration, of selectively targeting and accumulating within apoptotic/necrotic cells and is suitable for attachment of different markers for clinical imaging. The purpose of this study was to test the applicability of these molecules as a diagnostic imaging agent for the detection of renal tubular cell injury following renal ischemia. Methods: Using both fluorescent and radiolabeled derivatives of one of the ApoSense compounds, didansyl cystine, we evaluated cell death in three experimental, clinically relevant animal models of ATN: renal ischemia/reperfusion, radiocontrast-induced distal tubular necrosis, and cecal ligature and perforation-induced sepsis. Results: ApoSense showed high sensitivity and specificity in targeting injured renal tubular epithelial cells in vivo in all three models used. Uptake of ApoSense in the ischemic kidney was higher than in the non-ischemic one, and the specificity of ApoSense targeting was demonstrated by its localization to regions of apoptotic/necrotic cell death, detected morphologically and by TUNEL staining. Conclusion: ApoSense technology should have significant clinical utility for real-time, noninvasive detection of renal parenchymal damage of various types and evaluation of its distribution and magnitude; it may facilitate the assessment of efficacy of therapeutic interventions in a broad spectrum of disease states