Stages in tropoelastin coalescence during synthetic elastin hydrogel formation

Synthetic human tropoelastin was chemically cross-linked to form elastic hydrogel-like structures in vitro. Discrete stages were identified during elastic hydrogel formation by cross-linking tropoelastin with bis(sulfosuccinimidyl) suberate at a range of protein concentrations during this process. In the early stages of this process, particles with the same dimensions as tropoelastin were seen. As hydrogel formation progressed, monomer width fibres were also observed. Overall, four distinct stages were identified: (1) tropoelastin monomers form discrete particles in the order of 200 nm diameter, (2) these particles merge to form larger spheres, (3) spheres coalesce into open linked networks, (4) coalesced spheres consolidate to form a porous structure to give synthetic elastin hydrogels.     

Sound segregation based on temporal envelope structure and binaural cues

The ability to segregate two spectrally and temporally overlapping signals based on differences in temporal envelope structure and binaural cues was investigated. Signals were a harmonic tone complex (HTC) with 20 Hz fundamental frequency and a bandpass noise (BPN). Both signals had interaural differences of the same absolute value, but with opposite signs to establish lateralization to different sides of the medial plane, such that their combination yielded two different spatial configurations. As an indication for segregation ability, threshold interaural time and level differences were measured for discrimination between these spatial configurations. Discrimination based on interaural level differences was good, although absolute thresholds depended on signal bandwidth and center frequency. Discrimination based on interaural time differences required the signals' temporal envelope structures to be sufficiently different. Long-term interaural cross-correlation patterns or long-term averaged patterns after equalization-cancellation of the combined signals did not provide information for the discrimination. The binaural system must, therefore, have been capable of processing changes in interaural time differences within the period of the harmonic tone complex, suggesting that monaural information from the temporal envelopes influences the use of binaural information in the perceptual organization of signal components.     

Real-time animal functional magnetic resonance imaging and its application to neuropharmacological studies

In pharmacological magnetic resonance imaging (phMRI) with anesthetized animals, there is usually only a single time window to observe the dynamic signal change to an acute drug administration since subsequent drug injections are likely to result in altered response properties (e.g., tolerance). Unlike the block-design experiments in which fMRI signal can be elicited with multiple repetitions of a task, these single-event experiments require stable baseline in order to reliably identify drug-induced signal changes. Such factors as subject motion, scanner instability and/or alterations in physiological conditions of the anesthetized animal could confound the baseline signal. The unique feature of such functional MRI (fMRI) studies necessitates a technique that is able to monitor MRI signal in a real-time fashion and to interactively control certain experimental procedures. In the present study, an approach for real-time MRI on a Bruker scanner is presented. The custom software runs on the console computer in parallel with the scanner imaging software, and no additional hardware is required. The utility of this technique is demonstrated in manganese-enhanced MRI (MEMRI) with acute cocaine challenge, in which temporary disruption of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a critical step for MEMRI experiments. With the aid of real-time MRI, we were able to assess the outcome of BBB disruption following bolus injection of hyperosmolar mannitol in a near real-time fashion prior to drug administration, improving experimental success rate. It is also shown that this technique can be applied to monitor baseline physiological conditions in conventional fMRI experiments using blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) contrast, further demonstrating the versatility of this technique.     

Closure effects in delaminated graphite epoxy laminate under compression

Flaws in composite laminates may result in a severe loss of static and dynamic strength. Such flaws may be inherent or gained by misadventure. The extent of this loss can be influenced by several factors including loading, laminate stacking sequence, lamina properties, flaw size and damage type.In this study, the free-edge delamination of a laminated composite under compression loading is investigated. Computational, analytical and experimental tests are performed on a graphite/epoxy laminate AS4/3501-6 containing near surface edge defects and the crack opening behaviour is investigated.The computational analysis consists of a three dimensional finite element model where the plies can be catered for individually and interply delamination modelled. In the experimental investigations, a delamination is simulated by inserting teflon film at appropriate locations during the lay-up process.     

Does a generic connection depend continuously on its curvature?

For a principal bundle with semi-simple structure group over a smooth four-dimensional base manifold, the set of connections (gauge potentials)A which are uniquely determined by their curvature (field or field strength)F is generic in the set of all potentials, endowed with the WhitneyC ^∞ topology. However, the operator taking each such fieldF to its potentialA is not continuous. Partial negative results are given concerning the existence of a smaller generic set on which this operator is continuous.     

Phases of the infinite U Hubbard model on square lattices

We apply the density matrix renormalization group to study the phase diagram of the infinite U Hubbard model on 2- to 6-leg ladders. Where the results are largely insensitive to the ladder width, we consider the results representative of the 2D square lattice. We find a fully polarized ferromagnetic Fermi liquid phase when n, the density of electrons per site, is in the range 1>n?0.800. For n=3/4 we find an unexpected insulating checkerboard phase with coexisting bond-density order with 4 sites per unit cell and block-spin antiferromagnetic order with 8 sites per unit cell. For 3/4>n, all ladders with width >2 have unpolarized ground states.     

Construction of fiber-optic bundle light-collection systems and calculations of collection efficiency

This paper describes the position-sensitive light-collection system that we use in our fast-beam laser experiments. The collection system consists of fiber-optic bundles whose facets are arranged to accept light emitted from a beam of fluorescent atoms. The flexibility of the fiber bundles allows their use in scanning collection systems with precise position sensitivity. We describe calculations of geometrical collection efficiency using a numerical integration scheme and compare the results with measurements. We also compare the collection efficiencies of the different fiber bundle arrangements that we used as our apparatus evolved with the implementation of various improvements.     

The millimeter wave rotational spectrum of pyruvic acid

The rotational spectrum of pyruvic acid has been investigated for the first time in the millimeter-wave region, at 160-314 GHz, and also in supersonic expansion, at 10-17.4 GHz. The analysis of the broadband spectra recorded in this work was carried out with the newly developed AABS software package for Assignment and Analysis of Broadband Spectra, and precise spectroscopic constants are reported for the ground state, the first excited state of the low-frequency skeletal torsional mode ν₂₄, and the first excited state of the methyl torsional mode ν₂₃. Limited results have also been obtained for several higher excited states. The dataset for the ground state currently exceeds 1500 lines and for both the A and E internal rotor sublevels spans the complete range of values of K_a at the mid values of J for the measured transitions. The results were analysed with three freely available computer programs employing different strategies for dealing with internal rotation and a comparative discussion of their merits is made.     

Kuramoto model of coupled oscillators with positive and negative coupling parameters: an example of conformist and contrarian oscillators

We consider a generalization of the Kuramoto model in which the oscillators are coupled to the mean field with random signs. Oscillators with positive coupling are "conformists"; they are attracted to the mean field and tend to synchronize with it. Oscillators with negative coupling are "contrarians"; they are repelled by the mean field and prefer a phase diametrically opposed to it. The model is simple and exactly solvable, yet some of its behavior is surprising. Along with the stationary states one might have expected (a desynchronized state, and a partially-synchronized state, with conformists and contrarians locked in antiphase), it also displays a traveling wave, in which the mean field oscillates at a frequency different from the population's mean natural frequency.     

n-Type GaAs/AlGaAs heterostructure detector with a 3.2 THz threshold frequency

Terahertz detection using the free-carrier absorption requires a small internal work function of the order of a few millielectron volts. A threshold frequency of 3.2 THz (93 microm or approximately 13 meV work function) is demonstrated by using a 1 x 10(18) cm(-3) Si-doped GaAs emitter and an undoped Al(0.04)Ga(0.96)As barrier structure. The peak responsivity of 6.5 A/W, detectivity of 5.5 x 10(8) Jones, and quantum efficiency of 19% were obtained at 7.1 THz under a bias field of 0.7 kV/cm at 6 K, while the detector spectral response range spans from 3.2 to 30 THz.