Current-driven domain wall motion in magnetic wires with asymmetric notches

Current-driven domain wall (DW) motion in magnetic wires with asymmetric notches was investigated by means of magnetic force microscopy. It was found that the critical current density necessary for the current-driven DW motion depended on the propagation direction of the DW. The DW moved more easily in the direction along which the slope of the asymmetric notch was less inclined.Comment: 11 pages, 2 figure

Propagation of a magnetic domain wall in magnetic wires with asymmetric notches

The propagation of a magnetic domain wall (DW) in a submicron magnetic wire consisting of a magnetic/nonmagnetic/magnetic trilayered structure with asymmetric notches was investigated by utilizing the giant magnetoresistance effect. The propagation direction of a DW was controlled by a pulsed local magnetic field, which nucleates the DW at one of the two ends of the wire. It was found that the depinning field of the DW from the notch depends on the propagation direction of the DW.Comment: 12 pages, 3 figure

3D Integrated Micro-solution Plasma for The Treatment of Water - Effects of Discharge Gases -

Methylene blue molecules in aqueous solution have been decomposed by using a novel 3D integratedmicro-solution plasma reactor operated with Ar and He gases. Energy efficiency for methylene-blue decompositionin the case of Ar is relatively higher than that in the case of He. This result suggests thatcheaper Ar gas has brought about superior performance in water purification. In both cases of Ar and He,methylene-blue decomposition efficiency is one order of magnitude higher than that of conventional solutionplasma

Direct Comparison of Manganese Detoxification/Efflux Proteins and Molecular Characterization of ZnT10 as a Manganese Transporter

Manganese (Mn) homeostasis involves coordinated regulation of specific proteins involved in Mn influx and efflux. However, the proteins that are involved in detoxification/efflux have not been completely resolved, nor has the basis by which they select their metal substrate. Here, we compared six proteins, which were reported to be involved in Mn detoxification/efflux, by evaluating their ability to reduce Mn toxicity in chicken DT40 cells, finding that human ZnT10 (hZnT10) was the most significant contributor. A domain swapping and substitution analysis between hZnT10 and a zinc-specific transporter hZnT1 showed that residue N43, which corresponds to the His residue constituting the potential intramembranous zinc coordination site in other ZnT transporters, is necessary to impart hZnT10's unique Mn mobilization activity; residues C52 and L242 in transmembrane domains II and V play a subtler role in controlling the metal specificity of hZnT10. Interestingly, the H->N reversion mutant in hZnT1 conferred Mn transport activity and loss of zinc transport activity. These results provide important information about Mn detoxification/efflux mechanisms in vertebrate cells as well as the molecular characterization of hZnT10 as a Mn transporter

Drugs developed to treat diabetes, liraglutide and lixisenatide, cross the blood brain barrier and enhance neurogenesis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Type 2 diabetes is a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD), most likely linked to an impairment of insulin signalling in the brain. Therefore, drugs that enhance insulin signalling may have therapeutic potential for AD. Liraglutide (Victoza) and exenatide (Byetta) are novel long-lasting analogues of the GLP-1 incretin hormone and are currently available to treat diabetes. They facilitate insulin signalling via the GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R). Numerous <it>in vitro </it>and <it>in vivo </it>studies have shown that GLP-1 analogues have a range of neuroprotective properties. GLP-1Rs are expressed in the hippocampal area of the brain an important site of adult neurogenesis and maintenance of cognition and memory formation. Therefore, if GLP-1 analogues can cross the blood brain barrier, diffuse through the brain to reach the receptors and most importantly activate them, their neuroprotective effects may be realized.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In the present study we profiled the GLP-1 receptor agonists liraglutide (Victoza) and lixisenatide (Lyxumia). We measured the kinetics of crossing the blood brain barrier (BBB), activation of the GLP-1R by measuring cAMP levels, and physiological effects in the brain on neuronal stem cell proliferation and neurogenesis. Both drugs were able to cross the BBB. Lixisenatide crossed the BBB at all doses tested (2.5, 25, or 250 nmol/kg bw ip.) when measured 30 min post-injection and at 2.5-25 nmol/kg bw ip. 3 h post-injection. Lixisenatide also enhanced neurogenesis in the brain. Liraglutide crossed the BBB at 25 and 250 nmol/kg ip. but no increase was detectable at 2.5 nmol/kg ip. 30 min post-injection, and at 250 nmol/kg ip. at 3 h post-injection. Liraglutide and lixisenatide enhanced cAMP levels in the brain, with lixisenatide being more effective.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our results suggest that these novel incretin analogues cross the BBB and show physiological activity and neurogenesis in the brain, which may be of use as a treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.</p

Functionalization of different polymers with sulfonic groups as a way to coat them with a biomimetic apatite layer

Covalent coupling of sulfonic group (–SO3H) was attempted on different polymers to evaluate efficacy of this functional group in inducing nucleation of apatite in body environment, and thereupon to design a simple biomimetic process for preparing bonelike apatite-polymer composites. Substrates of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycaprolactam (Nylon 6), high molecular weight polyethylene (HMWPE) and ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) were subjected to sulfonation by being soaked in sulfuric acid (H2SO4) or chlorosulfonic acid (ClSO3H) with different concentrations. In order to incorporate calcium ions, the sulfonated substrates were soaked in saturated solution of calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2). The treated substrates were soaked in a simulated body fluid (SBF). Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, thin-film X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy showed that the sulfonation and subsequent Ca(OH)2 treatments allowed formation of –SO3H groups binding Ca2+ ions on the surface of HMWPE and EVOH, but not on PET and Nylon 6. The HMWPE and EVOH could thus form bonelike apatite layer on their surfaces in SBF within 7 d. These results indicate that the –SO3H groups are effective for inducing apatite nucleation, and thereby that surface sulfonation of polymers are effective pre-treatment method for preparing biomimetic apatite on their surfaces

Temperature-insensitive UV-induced Bragg gratings in silica-based planar lightwave circuits on Si

A novel technique is proposed to realise temperature-insensitive Bragg gratings in silica-based lightwave circuits on Si using a bimetal plate. A wavelength shift < 0.15nm is successfully demonstrated between -40 and 80°C in the Bragg gratings written in a Mach-Zehnder interferometer

Change of tRNA identity leads to a divergent orthogonal histidyl-tRNA synthetase/tRNAHis pair

Mature tRNAHis has at its 5′-terminus an extra guanylate, designated as G−1. This is the major recognition element for histidyl-tRNA synthetase (HisRS) to permit acylation of tRNAHis with histidine. However, it was reported that tRNAHis of a subgroup of α-proteobacteria, including Caulobacter crescentus, lacks the critical G−1 residue. Here we show that recombinant C. crescentus HisRS allowed complete histidylation of a C. crescentus tRNAHis transcript (lacking G−1). The addition of G−1 did not improve aminoacylation by C. crescentus HisRS. However, mutations in the tRNAHis anticodon caused a drastic loss of in vitro histidylation, and mutations of bases A73 and U72 also reduced charging. Thus, the major recognition elements in C. crescentus tRNAHis are the anticodon, the discriminator base and U72, which are recognized by the divergent (based on sequence similarity) C. crescentus HisRS. Transplantation of these recognition elements into an Escherichia coli tRNAHis template, together with addition of base U20a, created a competent substrate for C. crescentus HisRS. These results illustrate how a conserved tRNA recognition pattern changed during evolution. The data also uncovered a divergent orthogonal HisRS/tRNAHis pair

Progressive regression of left ventricular hypertrophy two years after bariatric surgery.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a systemic disorder associated with an increase in left ventricular mass and premature death and disability from cardiovascular disease. Although bariatric surgery reverses many of the hormonal and hemodynamic derangements, the long-term collective effects on body composition and left ventricular mass have not been considered before. We hypothesized that the decrease in fat mass and lean mass after weight loss surgery is associated with a decrease in left ventricular mass. METHODS: Fifteen severely obese women (mean body mass index [BMI]: 46.7+/-1.7 kg/m(2)) with medically controlled hypertension underwent bariatric surgery. Left ventricular mass and plasma markers of systemic metabolism, together with body mass index (BMI), waist and hip circumferences, body composition (fat mass and lean mass), and resting energy expenditure were measured at 0, 3, 9, 12, and 24 months. RESULTS: Left ventricular mass continued to decrease linearly over the entire period of observation, while rates of weight loss, loss of lean mass, loss of fat mass, and resting energy expenditure all plateaued at 9 [corrected] months (P \u3c.001 for all). Parameters of systemic metabolism normalized by 9 months, and showed no further change at 24 months after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Even though parameters of obesity, including BMI and body composition, plateau, the benefits of bariatric surgery on systemic metabolism and left ventricular mass are sustained. We propose that the progressive decrease of left ventricular mass after weight loss surgery is regulated by neurohumoral factors, and may contribute to improved long-term survival

Transverse Domain Wall Profile for Spin Logic Applications

Domain wall (DW) based logic and memory devices require precise control and manipulation of DW in nanowire conduits. The topological defects of Transverse DWs (TDW) are of paramount importance as regards to the deterministic pinning and movement of DW within complex networks of conduits. In-situ control of the DW topological defects in nanowire conduits may pave the way for novel DW logic applications. In this work, we present a geometrical modulation along a nanowire conduit, which allows for the topological rectification/inversion of TDW in nanowires. This is achieved by exploiting the controlled relaxation of the TDW within an angled rectangle. Direct evidence of the logical operation is obtained via magnetic force microscopy measurement