13,026 research outputs found
Simultaneous measurement of multiple parameters of a subwavelength structure based on the weak value formalism
A mathematical extension of the weak value formalism to the simultaneous
measurement of multiple parameters is presented in the context of an optical
focused vector beam scatterometry experiment. In this example, preselection and
postselection are achieved via spatially-varying polarization control, which
can be tailored to optimize the sensitivity to parameter variations. Initial
experiments for the two-parameter case demonstrate that this method can be used
to measure physical parameters with resolutions at least 1000 times smaller
than the wavelength of illumination
Resonance Raman Characterization of the Peroxo and Hydroperoxo Intermediates in Cytochrome P450
Resonance Raman (RR) studies of intermediates generated by cryoreduction of the oxyferrous complex of the D251N mutant of cytochrome P450cam (CYP101) are reported. Owing to the fact that proton delivery to the active site is hindered in this mutant, the unprotonated peroxo-ferric intermediate is observed as the primary species after radiolytic reduction of the oxy-complex in frozen solutions at 77 K. In as much as previous EPR and ENDOR studies have shown that annealing of this species to ∼180 K results in protonation of the distal oxygen atom to form the hydroperoxo intermediate, this system has been exploited to permit direct RR interrogation of the changes in the Fe−O and O−O bonds caused by the reduction and subsequent protonation. Our results show that the ν(O−O) mode decreases from a superoxo-like frequency near ∼1130 cm−1 to 792 cm−1 upon reduction. The latter frequency, as well as its lack of sensitivity to H/D exchange, is consistent with heme-bound peroxide formulation. This species also exhibits a ν(Fe−O) mode, the 553 cm−1 frequency of which is higher than that observed for the nonreduced oxy P450 precursor (537 cm−1), implying a strengthened Fe−O linkage upon reduction. Upon subsequent protonation, the resulting Fe−O−OH fragment exhibits a lowered ν(O−O) mode at 774 cm−1, whereas the ν(Fe−O) increases to 564 cm−1. Both modes exhibit a downshift upon H/D exchange, as expected for a hydroperoxo-ferric formulation. These experimental RR data are compared with those previously acquired for the wild-type protein, and the shifts observed upon reduction and subsequent protonation are discussed with reference to theoretical predictions
The amino acid sensitive TOR pathway from yeast to mammals
AbstractThe target of rapamycin (TOR) is an ancient effector of cell growth that integrates signals from growth factors and nutrients. Two downstream effectors of mammalian TOR, the translational components S6K1 and 4EBP1, are commonly used as reporters of mTOR activity. The conical signaling cascade initiated by growth factors is mediated by PI3K, PKB, TSC1/2 and Rheb. However, the process through which nutrients, i.e., amino acids, activate mTOR remains largely unknown. Evidence exists for both an intracellular and/or a membrane bound sensor for amino acid mediated mTOR activation. Research in eukaryotic models, has implicated amino acid transporters as nutrient sensors. This review describes recent advances in nutrient signaling that impinge on mTOR and its targets including hVps34, class III PI3K, a transducer of nutrient availability to mTOR
Security of high-dimensional quantum key distribution protocols using Franson interferometers
Franson interferometers are increasingly being proposed as a means of
securing high-dimensional energy-time entanglement-based quantum key
distribution (QKD) systems. Heuristic arguments have been proposed that purport
to demonstrate the security of these schemes. We show, however, that such
systems are vulnerable to attacks that localize the photons to several
temporally separate locations. This demonstrates that a single pair of Franson
interferometers is not a practical approach to securing high-dimensional
energy-time entanglement based QKD. This observations leads us to investigate
the security of modified Franson-based-protocols, where Alice and Bob have two
or more Franson interferometers. We show that such setups can improve the
sensitivity against attacks that localize the photons to multiple temporal
locations. While our results do not constituting a full security proof, they do
show that a single pair of Franson interferometers is not secure and that
multiple such interferometers could be a promising candidate for experimentally
realizable high-dimensional QKD.Comment: 14 pages (single column format
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