727 research outputs found
Nanomechanical properties of few-layer graphene membranes
We have measured the mechanical properties of few-layer graphene and graphite
flakes that are suspended over circular holes. The spatial profile of the
flake's spring constant is measured with an atomic force microscope. The
bending rigidity of and the tension in the membranes are extracted by fitting a
continuum model to the data. For flakes down to eight graphene layers, both
parameters show a strong thickness-dependence. We predict fundamental resonance
frequencies of these nanodrums in the GHz range based on the measured bending
rigidity and tension.Comment: 9 pages, 3 figures, This article has been accepted by Appl. Phys.
Lett. After it is published, it will be found at http://apl.aip.org
Discrete-time quadrature feedback cooling of a radio-frequency mechanical resonator
We have employed a feedback cooling scheme, which combines high-frequency
mixing with digital signal processing. The frequency and damping rate of a 2
MHz micromechanical resonator embedded in a dc SQUID are adjusted with the
feedback, and active cooling to a temperature of 14.3 mK is demonstrated. This
technique can be applied to GHz resonators and allows for flexible control
strategies.Comment: To appear in Appl. Phys. Let
Nonlinear modal interactions in clamped-clamped mechanical resonators
A theoretical and experimental investigation is presented on the intermodal
coupling between the flexural vibration modes of a single clamped-clamped beam.
Nonlinear coupling allows an arbitrary flexural mode to be used as a
self-detector for the amplitude of another mode, presenting a method to measure
the energy stored in a specific resonance mode. Experimentally observed complex
nonlinear dynamics of the coupled modes are quantitatively captured by a model
which couples the modes via the beam extension; the same mechanism is
responsible for the well-known Duffing nonlinearity in clamped-clamped beams.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure
Tunable backaction of a dc SQUID on an integrated micromechanical resonator
We have measured the backaction of a dc superconducting quantum interference
device (SQUID) position detector on an integrated 1 MHz flexural resonator. The
frequency and quality factor of the micromechanical resonator can be tuned with
bias current and applied magnetic flux. The backaction is caused by the Lorentz
force due to the change in circulating current when the resonator displaces.
The experimental features are reproduced by numerical calculations using the
resistively and capacitively shunted junction (RCSJ) model.Comment: Submitted to Phys. Rev. Let
Polyphasic re-examination of Debaryomyces hansenii strains and reinstatement of D. hansenii, D. fabryi and D. subglobosus
The type species of the genus Debaryomyces, Debaryomyces hansenii, is a highly heterogeneous species. It has been isolated from a large diversity of natural sources including fruit, air, water, soil, but most frequently from processed food products. The species delineation of this yeast species urgently needs clarification. The heterogeneity in taxonomic characteristics has resulted in the description of varieties linked to D. hansenii. The aim of this study was to re-examine and classify D. hansenii using a polyphasic approach. A total of 65 D.
hansenii isolates were examined, 57 representing the variety hansenii and nine the variety fabryi. The selection of strains for DNA reassociation and phylogenetic analysis was based on polymerase chain reaction mediated fingerprints using four mini- and microsatellite-specific primers. The discriminating power of growth at 35 Ā°C and 37 Ā°C was re-examined and ascospore production was observed. DNA reassociations and phylogenetic analyses were performed on selected isolates from each of the clusters obtained from the DNA fingerprint analyses. The data indicated the presence of three distinct species within the D. hansenii group, which were represented by type strains of former species and that are proposed to be reinstated: D. hansenii (CBS 767T = MUCL 49680T), D. fabryi (CBS 789T = MUCL 49731T) and D. subglobosus (CBS 792T = MUCL 49732T)
Interleukin 7 as interleukin 9 drives phytohemagglutinin-activated T cells through several cell cycles; no synergism between interleukin 7, interleukin 9 and interleukin 4
The effects of the interlenkins IL-7 and IL-9 on cell cycle progression were investigated by conventional [3H]thymidine incorporation and by the bivariate BrdU/Hoechst technique. 8oth ILĀ· 7 and IL-9 drive phytohemagglutinin-activated T cells through more than one cell cycle, but IL-7 wasmorepotent on cell cycle progression than IL-9. Neither synergistic nor inhibitory effects were seen between various combinations of the lymphokines IL-7, IL-9 and IL-4 compared to each lymphokine alone. When T cells are activated with phytohemagglutinin for 3 days, all or most IL-4 responsive cells respond to IL-7 as weil, whereas only a part of IL-7 responders are IL-4 responders. In contrast, when T cells are activated with phytohemagglutinin for 7 days, the quantitative data of the cell cycle distribution soggest that the population of IL-7 responders is at least an overlapping, if not a real subset of the population of the IL-4 responders
Strong coupling between single-electron tunneling and nano-mechanical motion
Nanoscale resonators that oscillate at high frequencies are useful in many
measurement applications. We studied a high-quality mechanical resonator made
from a suspended carbon nanotube driven into motion by applying a periodic
radio frequency potential using a nearby antenna. Single-electron charge
fluctuations created periodic modulations of the mechanical resonance
frequency. A quality factor exceeding 10^5 allows the detection of a shift in
resonance frequency caused by the addition of a single-electron charge on the
nanotube. Additional evidence for the strong coupling of mechanical motion and
electron tunneling is provided by an energy transfer to the electrons causing
mechanical damping and unusual nonlinear behavior. We also discovered that a
direct current through the nanotube spontaneously drives the mechanical
resonator, exerting a force that is coherent with the high-frequency resonant
mechanical motion.Comment: Main text 12 pages, 4 Figures, Supplement 13 pages, 6 Figure
Paraneoplastic pemphigus
Paraneoplastic pemphigus is a rare but severe potentially fatal autoimmune disease characterized by severe stomatitis and a variety of cutaneous manifestations in association with an underlying neoplasia. Pulmonary involvement may also occur. The pathogenesis involves the production of autoantibodies against desmogleins, plakins and the protease inhibitor alpha-2 macroglobuline like-1, but T-cell mediated autoimmunity is also thought to play a role. Diagnosis usually relies on the demonstration of a specific subset of circulating autoantibodies in patient serum, although in a small subset of patients these autoantibodies might be absent. Due to it's rarity, there are no guidelines for the treatment of PNP. The general approach includes a variety of immunosuppressive agents and treatment of the underlying neoplasia. Despite treatment, paraneoplastic pemphigus has high mortality rates, often due to sepsis, respiratory failure or progression of the underlying malignancy.</p
Deposition of cellular fibronectin and desorption of human serum albumin during adhesion and spreading of human endothelial cells on polymers
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