Could humans recognize odor by phonon assisted tunneling?

Our sense of smell relies on sensitive, selective atomic-scale processes that occur when a scent molecule meets specific receptors in the nose. The physical mechanisms of detection are unclear: odorant shape and size are important, but experiment shows them insufficient. One novel proposal suggests receptors are actuated by inelastic electron tunneling from a donor to an acceptor mediated by the odorant, and provides critical discrimination. We test the physical viability of this mechanism using a simple but general model. With parameter values appropriate for biomolecular systems, we find the proposal consistent both with the underlying physics and with observed features of smell. This mechanism suggests a distinct paradigm for selective molecular interactions at receptors (the swipe card model): recognition and actuation involve size and shape, but also exploit other processes.     

Backward photoproduction of ϱ° and f between 2.8 GeV and 4.8 GeV

A measurement of backward photoproduction of charged pion pairs on protons is reported. The pion pair mass spectrum shows strong ?° and f production. Data are presented on the u and s dependence for ?^O and f, together with the decay polarisation for the ?^O.     

Determination of the orbital moment and crystal-field splitting in LaTiO3

Utilizing a sum rule in a spin-resolved photoelectron spectroscopic experiment with circularly polarized light, we show that the orbital moment in LaTiO3 is strongly reduced from its ionic value, both below and above the Ne el temperature. Using Ti L2,3 x-ray absorption spectroscopy as a local probe, we found that the crystal-field splitting in the t2g subshell is about 0.12-0.30 eV. This large splitting does not facilitate the formation of an orbital liquid.     

Femtosecond dynamics in ferromagnetic metals investigated with soft x-ray resonant emission

We present measurements of the magnetic circular dichroism in x-ray resonant emission in the perpendicular geometry (circularly polarized x rays at normal incidence to the magnetization) for L(2,3) the absorption region in Fe, Co, and Ni metal. The results show that spin-dependent screening of the core hole takes place within the scattering time scale, which is supported by the absence of the effect in ionic systems. This allows an assessment of the time scale for the screening process (up to a few femtoseconds). The process is almost complete within the scattering time for Fe and Co, but this is not the case for the narrow band metal Ni which shows a much slower dynamics.     

Element-selective nanosecond magnetization dynamics in magnetic heterostructures

We have developed a new original technique to study the magnetization reversal dynamics of thin films with element selectivity in the nanosecond time scale. X-ray magnetic circular dichroism measurements in pump-probe mode are carried out taking advantage of the time structure of synchrotron radiation. The dynamics of the magnetization reversal of each of the layers of complex heterostructures (like spin valves or tunnel junctions) can be probed independently. The interlayer coupling in the studied systems has been shown to play a key role in the determination of the magnetization reversal of each individual layer.     

Scale size of magnetic turbulence in tokamaks probed with 30-MeV electrons

Measurements of synchrotron radiation emitted by 30-MeV runaway electrons in the TEXTOR-94 tokamak show that the runaway population decays after switching on neutral beam injection (NBI). The decay starts only with a significant delay, which decreases with increasing NBI heating power. This delay provides direct evidence of the energy dependence of runaway confinement, which is expected if magnetic modes govern the loss of runaways. Application of the theory by Mynick and Strachan [Phys. Fluids 24, 695 (1981)] yields estimates for the "mode width" (delta) of magnetic perturbations: delta<0.5 cm in Ohmic discharges, increasing to delta = 4.4 cm for 0. 6 MW NBI.     

Layer-resolved magnetic moments in Ni/Pt multilayers

The magnetic moments in Ni/Pt multilayers are thoroughly studied by combining experimental and ab initio theoretical techniques. SQUID magnetometry probes the samples' magnetizations. X-ray magnetic circular dichroism separates the contribution of Ni and Pt and provides a layer-resolved magnetic moment profile for the whole system. The results are compared to band-structure calculations. Induced Pt magnetic moments localized mostly at the interface are revealed. No magnetically "dead" Ni layers are found. The magnetization per Ni volume is slightly enhanced compared to bulk NiPt alloys.     

An in vitro study of the use of photodynamic therapy for the treatment of natural oral plaque biofilms formed in vivo.

Seven-day oral plaque biofilms have been formed on natural enamel surfaces in vivo using a previously reported in situ device. The devices are then incubated with a cationic Zn(II) phthalocyanine photosensitizer and irradiated with white light. Confocal scanning laser microscopy (CSLM) of the biofilms shows that the photosensitizer is taken up into the biomass of the biofilm and that significant cell death is caused by photodynamic therapy (PDT). In addition, the treated biofilms are much thinner than the control samples and demonstrate a different structure from the control samples, with little evidence of channels and a less dense biomass. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of the in vivo-formed plaque biofilms reveals considerable damage to bacteria in the biofilm, vacuolation of the cytoplasm and membrane damage being clearly visible after PDT. These results clearly demonstrate the potential value of PDT in the management of oral biofilms.     

The influence of peripheral ligand bulk on nitrogen activation by three‐coordinate molybdenum complexes—A theoretical study using the ONIOM method

Electronic structure methods have been combined with the ONIOM approach to carry out a comprehensive study of the effect of ligand bulk on the activation of dinitrogen with three‐coordinate molybdenum complexes. Calculations were performed with both density functional and CCSD(T) methods. Our results show that not only is there expected destabilization of the intermediate on the pathway due to direct steric interactions of the bulky groups, but also there is significant electronic destabilization as the size of the ligand increases. This latter destabilization is due to the inability of the molecule to accommodate a rotated amide group bound to the molybdenum once the amide reaches a certain size. This destabilization also leads to a clear preference for the triplet intermediate (rather than the singlet intermediate) for bulky substituents which is in agreement with experiment. Overall, the calculated reaction profile for the bulky substituents shows a good correlation with the available experimental data. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem 2009