Frequency limits of sequential readout for sensing AC magnetic fields using nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond

The nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond have ability to sense alternating-current (AC) magnetic fields with high spatial resolution. However, the frequency range of AC sensing protocols based on dynamical decoupling (DD) sequences has not been thoroughly explored experimentally. In this work, we aimed to determine the sensitivity of ac magnetic field as a function of frequency using sequential readout method. The upper limit at high frequency is clearly determined by Rabi frequency, in line with the expected effect of finite DD-pulse width. In contrast, the lower frequency limit is primarily governed by the duration of optical repolarization rather than the decoherence time (T$_2$) of NV spins. This becomes particularly crucial when the repetition (dwell) time of the sequential readout is fixed to maintain the acquisition bandwidth. The equation we provide successfully describes the tendency in the frequency dependence. In addition, at the near-optimal frequency of 1 MHz, we reached a maximum sensitivity of 229 pT/$\sqrt{\mathrm{Hz}}$ by employing the XY4-(4) DD sequence.Comment: 7 pages, 5 figure

Synthesis and bioactivity of a conjugate composed of green tea catechins and hyaluronic acid

(-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is a green tea polyphenol that has several biological activities, including anti-cancer activity and anti-inflammation. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a naturally-occurring polysaccharide that is widely used as a biomaterial for drug delivery and tissue engineering due to its viscoelastic, biocompatible and biodegradable properties. By conjugating HA with EGCG, the resulting HA-EGCG conjugate is expected to exhibit not only the inherent properties of HA but also the bioactivities of EGCG. Toward this end, we report the synthesis of an amine-functionalized EGCG as an intermediate compound for conjugation to HA. EGCG was reacted with 2,2-diethoxyethylamine (DA) under acidic conditions, forming ethylamine-bridged EGCG dimers. The EGCG dimers were composed of four isomers, which were characterized by HPLC, high-resolution mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy. The amine-functionalized EGCG dimers were conjugated to hyaluronic acid (HA) through the formation of amide bonds. HA-EGCG conjugates demonstrated several bioactivities which were not present in unmodified HA, including resistance to hyaluronidase-mediated degradation, inhibition of cell growth and scavenging of radicals. The potential applications of HA-EGCG conjugates are discussed

Zero-frequency Bragg gap by spin-harnessed metamaterial

The Bragg gap that stops wave propagation may not be formed from zero or a very low frequency unless the periodicity of a periodic system is unrealistically large. Accordingly, the Bragg gap has been considered to be inappropriate for low frequency applications despite its broad bandwidth. Here, we report a new mechanism that allows formation of the Bragg gap starting from a nearly zero frequency. The mechanism is based on the finding that if additional spin motion is coupled with the longitudinal motion of a mass of a diatomic mechanical periodic system, the Bragg gap starting from a nearly zero frequency can be formed. The theoretical analysis shows that the effective mass and stiffness at the band gap frequencies are all positive, confirming that the formed stop band is a Bragg gap. The periodic system is realized by a spin-harnessed metamaterial which incorporates unique linkage mechanisms. The numerical and experimental validation confirmed the formation of the low-frequency Bragg gap. The zero-frequency Bragg gap is expected to open a new way to control hard-to-shield low-frequency vibration and noise

Decastronema kotori n. gen., n. comb., une cyanobactérie des tapis algaires des plates-formes carbonatées crétacées, et ses analogues modernes

Ce fossile fut décrit pour la première fois en 1959 sous le nom d'Aeolisaccus kotori RADOIČIĆ, une nouvelle espèce rapportée à un vers fossile énigmatique, Aeolisaccus ELLIOTT. En 1975, DE CASTRO reconnaissait la nature microbienne de ce fossile, une cyanobactérie très proche du genre actuel Scytonema. Cet organisme est fréquemment observé dans les séries carbonatées des plates-formes mésozoïques d'Europe méridionale. Le présent travail confirme l'interprétation de DE CASTRO. L'examen au MEB montre la remarquabe préservation de l'architecture originelle de ces fossiles et permet d'établir des rapprochements significatifs avec les nombreuses espèces modernes de Scytonema participant à l'élaboration des tapis algaires dans les zones d'estran de l'île d'Andros sur la plate-forme carbonatée des Bahamas. L'établissement des affinités taxinomiques des fossiles et la reconstitution des environnements qu'ils occupaient ont été effectués en comparant les morphologies des fossiles et de leurs analogues actuels, et en prenant également en considération leurs contextes sédimentaires respectifs. En s'appuyant sur ces comparaisons, nous concluons que ces organismes vivaient dans un milieu péritidal et qu'ils ont été enfouis, puis fossilisés en eaux peu profondes sur une plate-forme carbonatée ancienne. Nous proposons le transfert formel de ce fossile dans un nouveau genre de cyanobactéries fossiles créé pour cette occasion et nommé Decastronema n. gen. en l'honneur du Professeur Piero DE CASTRO pour sa contribution à la paléontologie.The fossil renamed here was first described in 1959 as Aeolisaccus kotori RADOIČIĆ, a new species of a problematic fossil worm, Aeolisaccus ELLIOTT. In 1975 DE CASTRO recognized the true relationships of this microbial fossil: a cyanobacterium related closely to the modern genus Scytonema. The fossil is common in the sediments of the Mesozoic carbonate platforms of southern Europe. This contribution confirmed DE CASTRO's interpretation, determined, using the high resolution of the SEM, the extent to which these fossils have preserved their original architecture, and investigated their presumed modern counterparts among the abundant mat-forming species of Scytonema on the intertidal flats of Andros Island, a part of the Bahama carbonate platform. The systematic affinities of the fossil and the environments it inhabited were reconstructed by comparing the morphology of the fossils to that of their modern counterparts, along with their respective sedimentary contexts. Based on these comparisons, we conclude that the organism lived in a peritidal environment and was buried and fossilized in the shallow waters of an ancient carbonate platform. A formal transfer of the fossil to a new genus of fossil cyanobacteria thereby designated as Decastronema gen. nov. is proposed, honoring the contribution of Prof. Piero DE CASTRO to paleontology