The superlight axion and neutrino masses

Zeitschrift für Physik C Particles and Fields - It is argued that the Peccei—QuinnU(1) PQ symmetry, needed to solve the strong CP-problem, and the localB−L symmetry of weak...     

Zero differential resistance of a two-dimensional electron gas in a one-dimensional periodic potential at high filling factors

The nonlinear magnetotransport of a two-dimensional (2D) electron gas in one-dimensional lateral superlattices based on a selectively doped GaAs/AlAs heterostructure is studied. The one-dimensional potential modulation of the 2D electron gas is performed by means of a series of metallic strips formed on the surface of a heterostructure with the use of electron beam lithography and a lift-off process. The dependence of the differential resistance r_xx on the magnetic field B < 1.5T in superlattices with the period a = 400 nm at a temperature of T = 4.2 K is investigated. It is found that electronic states with r_xx ≈ 0 appear in one-dimensional lateral superlattices in crossed electric and magnetic fields. It is shown that states with r_xx ≈ 0 in 2D electronic systems with one-dimensional periodic modulation arise at the minima of commensurability oscillations of the magnetoresistance.     

Self-assembled monolayers containing terminal mono-, bis-, and tris-nitrilotriacetic acid groups: characterization and application

We have undertaken a structural and functional study of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) formed on gold from a series of alkylthiol compounds containing terminal multivalent chelators (MCHs) composed of mono-, bis-, and tris-nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) moieties. SAMs were formed from single-component solutions of the mono-, bis-, and tris-NTA compounds, as well as from mixtures with a tri(ethylene glycol)-terminated alkylthiol (EG(3)). Contact angle goniometry, null ellipsometry, and infrared spectroscopy were used to explore the structural characteristics of the MCH SAMs. Ellipsometric measurements show that the amount of the MCH groups on surfaces increases with increasing mol % of the MCH thiols in the loading solution up to about 80 mol %. We also conclude that mixed SAMs, prepared in the solution composition regime 0-30 mol % of the MCH thiols, consist of a densely packed alkyl layer, an amorphous ethylene glycol layer, and an outermost layer of MCH groups exposed toward the ambient. Above 30 mol %, a significant degree of disorder is observed in the SAMs. Finally, functional evaluation of the three MCH SAMs prepared at 0-30 mol% reveals a consistent increase in binding strength with increasing multivalency. The tris-NTA SAM, in particular, is enabled for stable and functional immobilization of a His6-tagged extracellular receptor subunit, even at low chelator surface concentrations, which makes it suitable for applications when a low surface density of capturing sites is desirable, e.g., in kinetic analyses.     

X-Shaped polyphilics: liquid crystal honeycombs with single-molecule walls

X-Shaped ternary five-block molecules, composed of a rigid p-terphenyl core, two terminal glycerol groups and two flexible n-alkyl or semiperfluorinated chains fixed laterally to opposite sides of the terphenyl moiety, form liquid crystalline phases built up of honeycomb-like arrays of polygonal cylinders, where the rod-like aromatic cores form cylinder walls with a thickness equal to the width of a single molecule.     

Spin-trapping of oxygen free radicals in chemical and biological systems: new traps, radicals and possibilities

The choice of the spin-trap that is to be applied in any EPR study represents the crossroad between a comprehensive investigation and an "ordinary" quantification of production of radicals. So, the scope of our study was to compare the performance of different spin-traps for qualitative analysis of radical-generating systems, and their ability to recognize previously unnoticed radicals. In addition, we present a brief account of the difficulties involved in the detection of oxygen-centered radicals in chemical and biological systems accompanied by the rationale for using the EPR spin-trapping technique in quantitative studies of such reactive species. Certain technical aspects of EPR experiments related to efficient trapping of free radicals in biochemical systems are also discussed. As an example we present here results obtained using EPR spectroscopy and the spin-trap DEPMPO, which show that the Fenton reaction, as well as various biological systems generate a previously unappreciated hydrogen (*H) atom.