Pulsed laser deposition growth of Fe3O4 on III–V semiconductors for spin injection

We report on the growth of thin layers of Fe3O4 on GaAs and InAs by pulsed laser deposition. It is found that Fe3O4 grows epitaxially on InAs at a temperature of 350 °C. X-ray photoelecton spectroscopy (XPS) studies of the interface show little if any interface reaction resulting in a clean epitaxial interface. In contrast, Fe3O4 grows in columnar fashion on GaAs, oriented with respect to the growth direction but with random orientation in the plane of the substrate. In this case XPS analysis showed much more evidence of interface reactions, which may contribute to the random-in-plane growth

Fractional Chemotaxis Diffusion Equations

We introduce mesoscopic and macroscopic model equations of chemotaxis with anomalous subdiffusion for modelling chemically directed transport of biological organisms in changing chemical environments with diffusion hindered by traps or macro-molecular crowding. The mesoscopic models are formulated using Continuous Time Random Walk master equations and the macroscopic models are formulated with fractional order differential equations. Different models are proposed depending on the timing of the chemotactic forcing. Generalizations of the models to include linear reaction dynamics are also derived. Finally a Monte Carlo method for simulating anomalous subdiffusion with chemotaxis is introduced and simulation results are compared with numerical solutions of the model equations. The model equations developed here could be used to replace Keller-Segel type equations in biological systems with transport hindered by traps, macro-molecular crowding or other obstacles.Comment: 25page

Time evolution of the reaction front in a subdiffusive system

Using the quasistatic approximation, we show that in a subdiffusion--reaction system the reaction front $x_{f}$ evolves in time according to the formula $x_{f} \sim t^{\alpha/2}$, with $\alpha$ being the subdiffusion parameter. The result is derived for the system where the subdiffusion coefficients of reactants differ from each other. It includes the case of one static reactant. As an application of our results, we compare the time evolution of reaction front extracted from experimental data with the theoretical formula and we find that the transport process of organic acid particles in the tooth enamel is subdiffusive.Comment: 18 pages, 3 figure

Cyclic hypoxia exposure accelerates the progression of amoebic gill disease

Amoebic gill disease (AGD), caused by the amoeba Neoparamoeba perurans, has led to considerable economic losses in every major Atlantic salmon producing country, and is increasing in frequency. The most serious infections occur during summer and autumn, when temperatures are high and poor dissolved oxygen (DO) conditions are most common. Here, we tested if exposure to cyclic hypoxia at DO saturations of 40–60% altered the course of infection with N. perurans compared to normoxic controls maintained at ≥90% DO saturation. Although hypoxia exposure did not increase initial susceptibility to N. perurans, it accelerated progression of the disease. By 7 days post-inoculation, amoeba counts estimated from qPCR analysis were 1.7 times higher in the hypoxic treatment than in normoxic controls, and cumulative mortalities were twice as high (16 ± 4% and 8 ± 2%), respectively. At 10 days post-inoculation, however, there were no differences between amoeba counts in the hypoxic and normoxic treatments, nor in the percentage of filaments with AGD lesions (control = 74 ± 2.8%, hypoxic = 69 ± 3.3%), or number of lamellae per lesion (control = 30 ± 0.9%, hypoxic = 27.9 ± 0.9%) as determined by histological examination. Cumulative mortalities at the termination of the experiment were similarly high in both treatments (hypoxic = 60 ± 2%, normoxic = 53 ± 11%). These results reveal that exposure to cyclic hypoxia in a diel pattern, equivalent to what salmon are exposed to in marine aquaculture cages, accelerated the progression of AGD in post-smolts

Non-Markovian Levy diffusion in nonhomogeneous media

We study the diffusion equation with a position-dependent, power-law diffusion coefficient. The equation possesses the Riesz-Weyl fractional operator and includes a memory kernel. It is solved in the diffusion limit of small wave numbers. Two kernels are considered in detail: the exponential kernel, for which the problem resolves itself to the telegrapher's equation, and the power-law one. The resulting distributions have the form of the L\'evy process for any kernel. The renormalized fractional moment is introduced to compare different cases with respect to the diffusion properties of the system.Comment: 7 pages, 2 figure

Measuring subdiffusion parameters

We propose a method to extract from experimental data the subdiffusion parameter $\alpha$ and subdiffusion coefficient $D_\alpha$ which are defined by means of the relation $=2D_\alpha/\Gamma(1+\alpha) t^\alpha$ where $$ denotes a mean square displacement of a random walker starting from $x=0$ at the initial time $t=0$. The method exploits a membrane system where a substance of interest is transported in a solvent from one vessel to another across a thin membrane which plays here only an auxiliary role. Using such a system, we experimentally study a diffusion of glucose and sucrose in a gel solvent. We find a fully analytic solution of the fractional subdiffusion equation with the initial and boundary conditions representing the system under study. Confronting the experimental data with the derived formulas, we show a subdiffusive character of the sugar transport in gel solvent. We precisely determine the parameter $\alpha$, which is smaller than 1, and the subdiffusion coefficient $D_\alpha$.Comment: 17 pages, 9 figures, revised, to appear in Phys. Rev.

Squeezed States and Hermite polynomials in a Complex Variable

Following the lines of the recent paper of J.-P. Gazeau and F. H. Szafraniec [J. Phys. A: Math. Theor. 44, 495201 (2011)], we construct here three types of coherent states, related to the Hermite polynomials in a complex variable which are orthogonal with respect to a non-rotationally invariant measure. We investigate relations between these coherent states and obtain the relationship between them and the squeezed states of quantum optics. We also obtain a second realization of the canonical coherent states in the Bargmann space of analytic functions, in terms of a squeezed basis. All this is done in the flavor of the classical approach of V. Bargmann [Commun. Pur. Appl. Math. 14, 187 (1961)].Comment: 15 page

Elastically and Plastically Foldable Electrothermal Micro‐Origami for Controllable and Rapid Shape Morphing

Integrating origami principles within traditional microfabrication methods can produce shape morphing microscale metamaterials and 3D systems with complex geometries and programmable mechanical properties. However, available micro‐origami systems usually have slow folding speeds, provide few active degrees of freedom, rely on environmental stimuli for actuation, and allow for either elastic or plastic folding but not both. This work introduces an integrated fabrication–design–actuation methodology of an electrothermal micro‐origami system that addresses the above‐mentioned challenges. Controllable and localized Joule heating from electrothermal actuator arrays enables rapid, large‐angle, and reversible elastic folding, while overheating can achieve plastic folding to reprogram the static 3D geometry. Because the proposed micro‐origami do not rely on an environmental stimulus for actuation, they can function in different atmospheric environments and perform controllable multi‐degrees‐of‐freedom shape morphing, allowing them to achieve complex motions and advanced functions. Combining the elastic and plastic folding enables these micro‐origami to first fold plastically into a desired geometry and then fold elastically to perform a function or for enhanced shape morphing. The proposed origami systems are suitable for creating medical devices, metamaterials, and microrobots, where rapid folding and enhanced control are desired.An elastically and plastically foldable micro‐origami is developed and tested to create controllable and functional 3D shape morphing systems with multiple active degrees of freedom. The work demonstrates a versatile design–fabrication–actuation method to achieve rapid folding, enhanced control, and function in different atmospheric environments, enabling applications in microrobots, medical devices, and metamaterials.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/163442/2/adfm202003741.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/163442/1/adfm202003741-sup-0001-SuppMat.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/163442/3/adfm202003741_am.pd

Homeless drug users' awareness and risk perception of peer "Take Home Naloxone" use – a qualitative study

BACKGROUND Peer use of take home naloxone has the potential to reduce drug related deaths. There appears to be a paucity of research amongst homeless drug users on the topic. This study explores the acceptability and potential risk of peer use of naloxone amongst homeless drug users. From the findings the most feasible model for future treatment provision is suggested. METHODS In depth face-to-face interviews conducted in one primary care centre and two voluntary organisation centres providing services to homeless drug users in a large UK cosmopolitan city. Interviews recorded, transcribed and analysed thematically by framework techniques. RESULTS Homeless people recognise signs of a heroin overdose and many are prepared to take responsibility to give naloxone, providing prior training and support is provided. Previous reports of the theoretical potential for abuse and malicious use may have been overplayed. CONCLUSION There is insufficient evidence to recommend providing "over the counter" take home naloxone" to UK homeless injecting drug users. However a programme of peer use of take home naloxone amongst homeless drug users could be feasible providing prior training is provided. Peer education within a health promotion framework will optimise success as current professionally led health promotion initiatives are failing to have a positive impact amongst homeless drug users

Stationarity-conservation laws for certain linear fractional differential equations

The Leibniz rule for fractional Riemann-Liouville derivative is studied in algebra of functions defined by Laplace convolution. This algebra and the derived Leibniz rule are used in construction of explicit form of stationary-conserved currents for linear fractional differential equations. The examples of the fractional diffusion in 1+1 and the fractional diffusion in d+1 dimensions are discussed in detail. The results are generalized to the mixed fractional-differential and mixed sequential fractional-differential systems for which the stationarity-conservation laws are obtained. The derived currents are used in construction of stationary nonlocal charges.Comment: 28 page