Demonstration of a thick holographic Stokesmeter

A holographic Stokesmeter has the potential to be useful in high-speed polarization imaging applications. Highly polarization-sensitive gratings are an important component for this device. Using two sets of multiplexed gratings, we measured the Stokes parameters for three different polarization states of an input beam. These measured values compared well to values measured using the quarter-wave plate/linear polarizer method. This establishes the feasibility of such a Stokesmeter in its original configuration. We demonstrate further the basic mechanism behind a compact architecture for this device, requiring only a single substrate and a single imaging system, and describe a spectrally scanned polarimetric imaging system.     

Criteria for ferromagnetic–insulator–ferromagnetic tunneling

The Rowell criteria, commonly used to identify tunneling in magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJ), are scrutinized. While neither the exponential-thickness dependence of the conductivity nor fits of non-linear transport data are found to be reliable tunneling criteria, the temperature-dependent conductivity does remain a solid criterion. Based on experimental studies of the bias and temperature-dependent resistance and magnetoresistance of MTJs, with and without shorted barriers, a new set of criteria is formulated.     

In vivo and in vitro study of porcine oviductal epithelial cells, cumulus oocyte complexes and granulosa cells: a scanning electron microscopy and inverted microscopy study

The morphology and structure of porcine oviductal epithelial cells (POEC), cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) and granulosa cells (GC) were investigated in vivo and in vitro conditions using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and inverted microscopy. The POEC contained columnar ciliated cells and spherical shaped non-ciliated cells. Both non- and ciliated cells appeared either in groups or distributing among each other. However, the isolation of cells was observed after culture for 48 h. A total of 921 oocytes from 20 ovaries was isolated resulting in an average of 46 oocytes per ovary. They were round in shape, surrounded by zona pellucida with layers of cumulus cells ranging between 89.16 and 144.68 μm in size. As for COCs, they were classified into 4 types; intact-, multi-, partial-cumulus cell layers and completely denuded oocyte. Interestingly, changes in morphology of COCs with intact and multi-cumulus cell layers were observed in the in vitro study. The GCs in the follicular fluid were also round in shape and found as clusters. After culturing in in vitro for 48 h, no change in morphology was observed. The GC appeared in smaller clusters or were present as single cells and their sizes ranged from 6 to 8 μm. The results obtained from this study allow us to have a better understanding of the morphology and nature of cells under both in vivo and in vitro conditions. This information is also important for the study of their secretions and biochemical compositions, which is of great importance to the use of cells as feeder cells in in vitro fertilization in current studies.     

Finite nets of dimension d

This paper introduces the concept of a finite net of dimension d. This is a generalization of the finite net of dimension three, due to Laskar and the finite net (of dimension two) due to Bruck. An association scheme is defined on this system which is then shown to form a partially balanced incomplete block design on an association scheme with d associate classes.     

In vivo oral insulin delivery via covalent organic frameworks

With diabetes being the 7th leading cause of death worldwide, overcoming issues limiting the oral administration of insulin is of global significance. The development of imine-linked-covalent organic framework (nCOF) nanoparticles for oral insulin delivery to overcome these delivery barriers is herein reported. A gastro-resistant nCOF was prepared from layered nanosheets with insulin loaded between the nanosheet layers. The insulin-loaded nCOF exhibited insulin protection in digestive fluids in vitro as well as glucose-responsive release, and this hyperglycemia-induced release was confirmed in vivo in diabetic rats without noticeable toxic effects. This is strong evidence that nCOF-based oral insulin delivery systems could replace traditional subcutaneous injections easing insulin therapy.

We report the successful use of a gastro-resistant covalent organic framework for in vivo oral delivery of insulin.     

Immobilization of biogenic gold nanoparticles in thermally evaporated fatty acid and amine thin films

We have recently demonstrated the biological synthesis of gold nanoparticles by the reduction of aqueous chloroaurate ions by the fungus Fusarium oxysporum and with extract of geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) leaf. In this paper, we demonstrate the immobilization of biogenic gold nanoparticles in lipid thin films deposited by thermal evaporation. The charge on the gold nanoparticles synthesized by both the fungus and the geranium plant extract is used to facilitate their immobilization in both anionic and cationic lipid thin films. A rough estimate of the isoelectric point of the proteins capping the gold nanoparticles synthesized using the fungus could be made by pH-dependent microgravimetry studies of the immobilization process. An interesting size and shape selectivity in the immobilized gold nanoparticles is observed in the lipid thin films. The biogenic gold nanoparticle-lipid composite films were characterized using quartz crystal microgravimetry, UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy.     

Polymer-templated self-assembly of a 2-dimensional gold nanoparticle network

We here report on the formation of well-ordered 2D gold nanostructures at the air/water interface. Spreading a mixture of alkanethiol-capped gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and an amphiphilic poly(p-phenylene) on a water surface and compressing the mixture to a surface pressure of 40 mN/m lead to the formation of a network of well-ordered gold nanostructures. The structures are transferred horizontally (Langmuir-Sch?fer) onto a solid substrate and investigated with TEM, AFM, and X-ray reflectivity, showing a pattern that is repeating over several micrometers. AFM and X-ray reflectivity data at different surface pressures reveal that the polymer is lifting the AuNPs 1.5-2 nm in the vertical direction, away from the polymer layer, when the pressure is increased from 20 to 40 mN/m.     

Ipso-nitration of carboxylic acids using a mixture of nitronium tetrafluoroborate,base and 1-hexyl-3,4,5-trimethyl-1H-imidazolium tetrafluoroborate

An eco-friendly and a simple ipso-nitration protocol for a series of aliphatic and (hetero)aromatic carboxylic acids using nitronium tetrafluoroborate, 1-hexyl-3,4,5-trimethyl-1H-imidazolium tetrafluoroborate and base is reported. While contrasted with recently known decarboxylative ipso-nitration strategies for the preparation of nitro compounds, this protocol does not require a toxic metal catalyst and harmful volatile organic solvents. Moreover, this method is perfect for a broad range of functional groups and affords exclusively the ipso-nitrated product in moderate to good yields.     

Path number of bipartite digraphs

In this paper it is proved that the path number of the complete symmetric bipartite digraph on n and n vertices is n + 1, thereby establishing a conjecture of Chein.     

Excess volumes for binary liquid mixtures of methylethylketone with methylene chloride, 1,2-dichloroethane, trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene and cyclohexane at various temperatures

Dilatometric measurements of excess volumes V^E have been made for binary liquid mixtures of methylethylketone with methylene chloride (CH₂Cl₂), 1,2-dichloroethane (CH₂ClCH₂Cl) and tetrachloroethylene (CCl₂CCl₂) at 293.15 and 303.15 K, for mixtures of methylethylketone with trichloroethylene (CHClCCl₂) at 298.15 and 308.15 K, and for mixtures of methylethylketone with cyclohexane (c-C₆H₁₂) at 303.15 K. The values of V^E have been found to be highly positive for methylethylketone + c-C₆H₁₂, slightly positive for methylethylketone + CH₂Cl₂ and methylethylketone + CCl₂CCl₂, and slightly negative for methylethylketone + CHClCCl₂ and methylethylketone + CH₂ClCH₂Cl. The results indicate the existence of specific interactions of methylethylketone with CH₂Cl₂, CH₂ClCH₂Cl, CHClCCl₂ and CCl₂CCl₂.