Quantum dynamics of molecular multiphoton excitation in intense laser and static electric fields: Floquet theory, quasienergy spectra, and application to the HF molecule

This is the published version, also available here: http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.444219.The multiphoton excitationdynamics of vibration‐rotation states in diatomic molecules in intense laser and static electric fields is investigated. The Floquet matrix method is used to calculate the quasienergy and multiphoton absorptionspectra of the HF molecule as functions of field strengths and frequency. Nonlinear effects such as power broadening, dynamic Stark shift, Autler–Townes multiplet splitting, hole burning, and S‐hump behaviors, etc., are observed and discussed in terms of quasienergy diagrams. Many of the salient features in the spectral line shapes may be qualitatively understood in terms of an analytical three‐level model. The addition of a dc electric field removes the restriction of the rotational dipole selection rule and causes significant intermixing of the bare molecular vibrator states. Due to the greater number of strongly coupled nearby states in the dc field, nonlinear effects such as those mentioned above appear at a much lower ac field strength than they would in the absence of the dc field. The introduction of an external dc field, therefore, strongly enhances the multiphoton excitation probabilities and results in a much richer spectrum

Adenovirus Encoding Human Platelet-Derived Growth Factor-B Delivered to Alveolar Bone Defects Exhibits Safety and Biodistribution Profiles Favorable for Clinical Use

Abstract Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) gene therapy offers promise for tissue engineering of tooth-supporting alveolar bone defects. To date, limited information exists regarding the safety profile and systemic biodistribution of PDGF gene therapy vectors when delivered locally to periodontal osseous defects. The aim of this preclinical study was to determine the safety profile of adenovirus encoding the PDGF-B gene (AdPDGF-B) delivered in a collagen matrix to periodontal lesions. Standardized alveolar bone defects were created in rats, followed by delivery of matrix alone or containing AdPDGF-B at 5.5-108 or 5.5-109 plaque-forming units/ml. The regenerative response was confirmed histologically. Gross clinical observations, hematology, and blood chemistries were monitored to evaluate systemic involvement. Bioluminescence and quantitative polymerase chain reaction were used to assess vector biodistribution. No significant histopathological changes were noted during the investigation. Minor alterations in specific hematological and blood chemistries were seen; however, most parameters were within the normal range for all groups. Bioluminescence analysis revealed vector distribution at the axillary lymph nodes during the first 2 weeks with subsequent return to baseline levels. AdPDGF-B was well contained within the localized osseous defect area without viremia or distant organ involvement. These results indicate that AdPDGF-B delivered in a collagen matrix exhibits acceptable safety profiles for possible use in human clinical studies.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/78106/1/hum.2008.114.pd

Lattice instabilities of cubic NiTi from first principles

The phonon dispersion relation of NiTi in the simple cubic B2 structure is computed using first-principles density-functional perturbation theory with pseudopotentials and a plane-wave basis set. Lattice instabilities are observed to occur across nearly the entire Brillouin zone, excluding three interpenetrating tubes of stability along the (001) directions and small spheres of stability centered at R. The strongest instability is that of the doubly degenerate M5' mode. The atomic displacements of one of the eigenvectors of this mode generate a good approximation to the observed B19' ground-state structure.Comment: 11 pages, 3 figure