Torsion pendulum revisited

We present an analysis of the motion of a simple torsion pendulum and we describe how, with straightforward extensions to the usual basic dynamical model, we succeed in explaining some unexpected features we found in our data, like the modulation of the torsion mode at a higher frequency and the frequency splitting of the swinging motion. Comparison with observed values yields estimates for the misalignment angles and other parameters of the model.     

Quantifying the sorting efficiency of self-propelled run-and-tumble swimmers by geometrical ratchets

Suitable asymmetric microstructures can be used to control the direction of motion in microorganism populations. This rectification process makes it possible to accumulate swimmers in a region of space or to sort different swimmers. Here we study numerically how the separation process depends on the specific motility strategies of the microorganisms involved. Crucial properties such as the separation efficiency and the separation time for two bacterial strains are precisely defined and evaluated. In particular, the sorting of two bacterial populations inoculated in a box consisting of a series of chambers separated by columns of asymmetric obstacles is investigated. We show how the sorting efficiency is enhanced by these obstacles and conclude that this kind of sorting can be efficiently used even when the involved populations differ only in one aspect of their swimming strategy.     

Synthesis,characterization, and cytotoxicity of glutathione-PEG-iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles

Recently, increasing interest is spent on the synthesis of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles, followed by their characterization and evaluation of cytotoxicity towards tumorigenic cell lines. In this work, magnetite (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles were synthesized by the polyol method and coated with polyethylene glycol (PEG) and glutathione (GSH), leading to the formation of PEG-Fe₃O₄ and GSH-PEG-Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. The nanoparticles were characterized by state-of-the-art techniques: dynamic light scattering (DLS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetic measurements. PEG-Fe₃O₄ and GSH-PEG-Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles have crystallite sizes of 10 and 5 nm, respectively, indicating compression in crystalline lattice upon addition of GSH on the nanoparticle surface. Both nanoparticles presented superparamagnetic behavior at room temperature, and AFM images revealed the regular spherical shape of the nanomaterials and the absence of particle aggregation. The average hydrodynamic sizes of PEG-Fe₃O₄ and GSH-PEG-Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were 69 ± 37 and 124 nm ± 75 nm, respectively. The cytotoxicity of both nanoparticles was screened towards human prostatic carcinoma cells (PC-3). The results demonstrated a decrease in PC-3 viability upon treatment with PEG-Fe₃O₄ or GSH-PEG-Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles in a concentration-dependent manner. However, the cytotoxicity was not time-dependent. Due to the superparamagnetic behavior of PEG-Fe₃O₄ or GSH-PEG-Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles, upon the application of an external magnetic field, those nanoparticles can be guided to the target site yielding local toxic effects to tumor cells with minimal side effects to normal tissues, highlighting the promising uses of iron oxide nanoparticles in biomedical applications.     

Modeling rectification effects in mesoscopic superconducting devices

We study thermal fluctuations and capacitive effects on small Josephson Junction Rings (JJR) that mimics the rectification phenomena recently observed in triangular shaped mesoscopic superconductors, due to the superposition of the field induced persistent current with the bias current. At finite temperature we predicted that the amplitude of the rectified signal depends strongly on the current contacts configuration on the JJR, in coincidence with experiments. In addition, we analyze the range of parameters where a closed loop of capacitive junctions is an appropriate model to explain the experimental observations. We conclude that the closed loop of weak links, a JJR, is a simple, robust and good model to explain the observed voltage rectification effects on mesoscopic superconducting samples for a wide range of temperature.     

Dynamics of fluid mixtures in nanospaces

A multicomponent extension of our recent theory of simple fluids [U. M. B. Marconi and S. Melchionna, J. Chem. Phys. 131, 014105 (2009)] is proposed to describe miscible and immiscible liquid mixtures under inhomogeneous, nonsteady conditions typical of confined fluid flows. We first derive from a microscopic level the evolution equations of the phase space distribution function of each component in terms of a set of self-consistent fields, representing both body forces and viscous forces (forces dependent on the density distributions in the fluid and on the velocity distributions). Second, we numerically solve the resulting governing equations by means of the lattice Boltzmann method, whose implementation contains novel features with respect to existing approaches. Our model incorporates hydrodynamic flow, diffusion, surface tension, and the possibility for global and local viscosity variations. We validate our model by studying the bulk viscosity dependence of the mixture on concentration, packing fraction, and size ratio. Finally, we consider inhomogeneous systems and study the dynamics of mixtures in slits of molecular thickness and relate structural and flow properties.     

Free radicals formed by addition of antimalaric artemisinin (Qinghaosu,QHS) to human serum: an ESR-spin trapping investigation

The antimalaric drug artemisinin (QHS) is believed to operate through a mechanism initiated with the cleavage of its endoperoxidic bond induced by transition metal ions. An ESR investigation of the reaction of QHS with human serum in the presence of two spin trapping agents has led to the detection of spin adducts of carbon-centred radicals. Experiments carried out replacing the human serum with iron(II) salts led to the observation of the same spin adducts, thus supporting previous suggestions that alsoin vivo the drug operatesvia a radical-based mechanism. UV irradiation of QHS also led to the trapping of transient free radicals.     

Reactions Between AIRCl2 and Ti (OR)4 and Activity in Diolefin Polymerization

Through the use of a Ti(OR′)₄-AlRCl₂ catalyst system, high 1,4-cis isoprene polymers and crystalline 1,4-trans polybutadiene are obtained. Neither monomer is polymerized at a Al/Ti mole ratio of less than 4. The maximum activity and stereospecificity for isoprene is observed at Al/Ti = 4. For 1,4-trans butadiene polymers the activity increases progressively with increasing Al/Ti ratio. The investigations carried out on this catalyst system show that at a AI/Ti mole ratio of 4 the formation of crystalline β-TiCl₃ takes place, while at lower ratios insoluble chloro-alkoxide derivatives of Ti^III with different compositions separate. Soluble complexes containing aluminium and titanium are initially formed before precipitation occurs. Chemical data and investigations by IR and NMR spectroscopy indicate exchange reactions between Al-Cl, Al-R, and Ti-OR groups, together with reduction of the transition metal. A reaction mechanism and a hypothesis on the nature of the active catalyst are given.     

Temperature-dependent dynamics of water confined in nafion membranes

We performed a neutron scattering study to investigate the dynamical behavior of water absorbed in Nafion at low hydration level as a function of temperature in the range 200-300 K. To single out the spectral contribution of the confined water, the measurements were done on samples hydrated with both H(2)O and D(2)O. Due to the strong incoherent scattering cross section of hydrogen atoms with respect to deuterium, in the difference spectra, the contribution from the Nafion membrane is subtracted out and the signal originates essentially from protons in the liquid phase. The main quantities we extracted as a function of the momentum transfer are the elastic incoherent structure factor (EISF) and the line width of the quasielastic component. Their trend suggests that the motion of hydrogen atoms can be schematized as a random jumping inside a confining region, which can be related to the boundaries of the space where water molecules move in the cluster they form around the sulfonic acid site. Through the calculated EISF, we obtained information on the size of such a region, which increases up to 260 K and then attains a constant value. Above this temperature, the number of water protons that are dynamically activated in the accessible time window increases with a faster rate. The jump diffusion dynamics is characterized by a typical jumping time which is stable at 5.3 ps up to approximately 260 K and then gradually decreases. The ensemble of the findings indicates that, within the limits of the energy resolution of the present experiment, water absorbed in the Nafion membrane undergoes a dynamical transition at around 260 K. We discuss the possible relationship of this dynamical onset with the behavior of the electrical conductivity of the membrane as a function of the temperature.