Static and dynamic properties of vortices in anisotropic magnetic disks

We investigate the effect of the magnetic anisotropy ($K_z$) on the static and dynamic properties of magnetic vortices in small disks. Our micromagnetic calculations reveal that for a range of $K_z$ there is an enlargement of the vortex core. We analyze the influence of $K_z$ on the dynamics of the vortex core magnetization reversal under the excitation of a pulsed field. The presence of $K_z$, which leads to better resolved vortex structures, allows us to discuss in more details the role played by the in-plane and perpendicular components of the gyrotropic field during the vortex-antivortex nucleation and annihilation.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Dynamics of Dynamin during Clathrin Mediated Endocytosis in PC12 Cells

Members of the dynamin super-family of GTPases are involved in disparate cellular pathways. Dynamin1 and dynamin2 have been implicated in clathrin-mediated endocytosis. While some models suggest that dynamin functions specifically at the point of vesicle fission, evidence also exists for a role prior to fission during vesicle formation and it is unknown if there is a role for dynamin after vesicle fission. Although dynamin2 is ubiquitously expressed, dynamin1 is restricted to the nervous system. These two structurally similar endocytic accessory proteins have not been studied in cells that endogenously express both.The present study quantitatively assesses the dynamics of dynamin1 and dynamin2 during clathrin-mediated endocytosis in PC12 cells, which endogenously express both proteins. Both dynamin isoforms co-localized with clathrin and showed sharp increases in fluorescence intensity immediately prior to internalization of the nascent clathrin-coated vesicle. The fluorescence intensity of both proteins then decreased with two time constants. The slower time constant closely matched the time constant for the decrease of clathrin intensity and likely represents vesicle movement away from the membrane. The faster rate may reflect release of dynamin at the neck of nascent vesicle following GTP hydrolysis.This study analyses the role of dynamin in clathrin-mediated endocytosis in a model for cellular neuroscience and these results may provide direct evidence for the existence of two populations of dynamin associated with nascent clathrin-coated vesicles

SNX4 in Complex with Clathrin and Dynein: Implications for Endosome Movement

BACKGROUND:Sorting nexins (SNXs) constitute a family of proteins classified by their phosphatidylinositol (PI) binding Phox homology (PX) domain. Some members regulate intracellular trafficking. We have here investigated mechanisms underlying SNX4 mediated endosome to Golgi transport. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS:We show that SNX4 forms complexes with clathrin and dynein. The interactions were inhibited by wortmannin, a PI3-kinase inhibitor, suggesting that they form when SNX4 is associated with PI(3)P on endosomes. We further localized the clathrin interacting site on SNX4 to a clathrin box variant. A short peptide containing this motif was sufficient to pull down both clathrin and dynein. Knockdown studies demonstrated that clathrin is not required for the SNX4/dynein interaction. Moreover, clathrin knockdown led to increased Golgi transport of the toxin ricin, as well as redistribution of endosomes. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE:We discuss the possibility of clathrin serving as a regulator of SNX4-dependent transport. Upon clathrin release, dynein may bind SNX4 and mediate retrograde movement

Anti-apoptotic treatments prevent cartilage degradation after acute trauma to human ankle cartilage

SummaryObjectivesTo investigate the effect of anti-apoptotic agents on cartilage degradation after a single impact to ankle cartilage.DesignTen human normal tali were impacted with the impulse of 1Ns generating peak forces in the range of 600N using a 4mm diameter indenter. Eight millimeter cartilage plugs containing the 4mm diameter impacted core and a 4mm adjacent ring were removed and cultured with or without P188 surfactant (8mg/ml), caspase-3 (10uM), or caspase-9 (2uM) inhibitors for 48h. Results were assessed in the superficial and middle-deep layers immediately after injury at day 0 and at 2, 7 and 14 days after injury by live/dead cell and Tunel assays and by histology with Safranin O/fast green staining.ResultsA single impact to human articular cartilage ex vivo resulted in cell death, cartilage degeneration, and radial progression of apoptosis to the areas immediately adjacent to the impact. The P188 was more effective in preventing cell death than the inhibitors of caspases. It reduced cell death by more than 2-fold (P<0.05) in the core and by about 30% in the ring in comparison with the impacted untreated control at all time points. P188 also prevented radial expansion of apoptosis in the ring region especially in the first 7 days post-impaction (7.5% Tunel-positive cells vs 46% in the untreated control; P<0.01). Inhibitors of caspase-3 or -9 were effective in reducing cell death in the impacted core only at early time points, but were ineffective in doing so in the ring. Mankin score was significantly improved in the P188 and caspase-3 treated groups.ConclusionsEarly intervention with the P188 and caspase-3 inhibitor may have therapeutic potential in the treatment of cartilage defects immediately after injury

Zero- and one-dimensional magnetic traps for quasi-particles

We investigate the possibility of trapping quasi-particles possessing spin degree of freedom in hybrid structures. The hybrid system we are considering here is composed of a semi-magnetic quantum well placed a few nanometers below a ferromagnetic micromagnet. We are interested in two different micromagnet shapes: cylindrical (micro-disk) and rectangular geometry. We show that in the case of a micro-disk, the spin object is localized in all three directions and therefore zero-dimensional states are created, and in the case of an elongated rectangular micromagnet, the quasi-particles can move freely in one direction, hence one-dimensional states are formed. After calculating profiles of the magnetic field produced by the micromagnets, we analyze in detail the possible light absorption spectrum for different micromagnet thicknesses, and different distances between the micromagnet and the semimagnetic quantum well. We find that the discrete spectrum of the localized states can be detected via spatially-resolved low temperature optical measurement.Comment: 15 pages, 9 figure

Magnetic effects in sulfur-decorated graphene

The interaction between two different materials can present novel phenomena that are quite different from the physical properties observed when each material stands alone. Strong electronic correlations, such as magnetism and superconductivity, can be produced as the result of enhanced Coulomb interactions between electrons. Two-dimensional materials are powerful candidates to search for the novel phenomena because of the easiness of arranging them and modifying their properties accordingly. In this work, we report magnetic effects of graphene, a prototypical non-magnetic two-dimensional semi-metal, in the proximity with sulfur, a diamagnetic insulator. In contrast to the well-defined metallic behaviour of clean graphene, an energy gap develops at the Fermi energy for the graphene/sulfur compound with decreasing temperature. This is accompanied by a steep increase of the resistance, a sign change of the slope in the magneto-resistance between high and low fields, and magnetic hysteresis. A possible origin of the observed electronic and magnetic responses is discussed in terms of the onset of low-temperature magnetic ordering. These results provide intriguing insights on the search for novel quantum phases in graphene-based compounds.Comment: 6 pages and 5 figure