The fixed point property for multivalued nonexpansive mappings

We show some properties concerning geometrical constants of Banach spaces which imply the existence of fixed points for multivalued nonexpansive mappings and we study the relationship between these properties.     

Circadian synchrony in networks of protein rhythm driven neurons

The interaction between gene activation and cellular activity has recently emerged as a critical aspect of brain behavior, but the dynamics of networks incorporating these interactions are poorly understood. An interesting phenomena arises when the genetic activation oscillates endogenously and a network of such cells synchronize to a coherent rhythm, such as is the case with the suprachiasmatic nucleus. To explain this synchronization, we propose a model in which a mRNA/protein expression cycle drives neurons electrical activity, and synaptic activation shifts the phase of the protein rhythm. Using lattice networks, we demonstrate that these interactions are sufficient to generate coherent oscillation. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity 12: 67–72, 2006     

Chemical compositions of extracts of organic matter of schungite rock form Zazhogino Deposit of Karelian Transonega region

The organic matter of schungite rock from the Zazhogino Deposit of Karelian Transonega region was extracted in the sequential mode. The extract composition was determined by several modern physicochemical methods.     

4-(Isoindolin-5-yl)amino-4-oxobutyryl-β-alkoxyphenyl-β-alanines, new RGDF mimetics. Synthesis, affinity to fibrinogen receptors, antiaggregatory properties, and their correlation with the hydrophobicity

A new series of RGDF mimetics, derivatives of 4-(isoindolin-5-yl)amino-4-oxobutanoic acid, was synthesized. The compounds obtained inhibit efficiently the thrombocytes aggregation in experiments in vitro; their biological targets are fibrinogen receptors. The antiaggregatory activity and the affinity correlate with the hydrophobicity of the compounds.     

Preparation and mechanical properties of layers made of recombinant spider silk proteins and silk from silk worm

Layers of recombinant spider silks and native silks from silk worms were prepared by spin-coating and casting of various solutions. FT-IR spectra were recorded to investigate the influence of the different mechanical stress occurring during the preparation of the silk layers. The solubility of the recombinant spider silk proteins SO1-ELP, C16, AQ24NR3, and of the silk fibroin from Bombyx mori were investigated in hexafluorisopropanol, ionic liquids and concentrated salt solutions. The morphology and thickness of the layers were determined by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) or with a profilometer. The mechanical behaviour was investigated by acoustic impedance analysis by using a quartz crystal microbalance (QCMB) as well as by microindentation. The density of silk layers (d<300 nm) was determined based on AFM and QCMB measurements. At silk layers thicker than 300 nm significant changes of the half-band-half width can be correlated with increasing energy dissipation. Microhardness measurements demonstrate that recombinant spider silk and sericine-free Bombyx mori silk layers achieve higher elastic penetration modules E_EP and Martens hardness values H_M than those of polyethylenterephthalate (PET) and polyetherimide (PEI) foils.     

Fabrication of magnetic composite nanofibers of poly(ε-caprolactone) with FePt nanoparticles by coaxial electrospinning

In this article, composite nanofibers of poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) with iron–platinum (FePt) nanoparticles were successfully fabricated via coaxial electrospinning. The structure and morphology of FePt/PCL composite nanofibers were observed using transmission electron microscope and scanning electron microscope, respectively. The magnetic behavior of FePt/PCL composite nanofibers was investigated by alternating gradient magnetometer at room temperature.     

Nanoparticle composites: FePt with wide-band-gap semiconductor

We present a simple way to synthesize FePt and ZnO (wide-band-gap semiconductor) nanoparticle composites. The FePt nanoparticles were fabricated using the method reported by Sun et al. By controlling the heating rate, 3 nm FePt nanoparticles were synthesized. Well-dispersed FePt and ZnO nanoparticle composites were prepared by further adding zinc acetate and oleyl amine into the 3 nm FePt nanoparticle dispersion. By controlling the molar ratio of the FePt and zinc acetate, FePt and ZnO nanoparticle composites with different FePt particle fractions were obtained. The intensity of photo luminescence spectra of the nanoparticle composites increases very much with decreasing FePt particle fraction, whereas the peak position shifts a little. After annealing at 550 °C for half an hour, the nanoparticle composites become magnetically hard or semi-hard with coercivity much dependent on the FePt particle volume fraction. The coercivity of the composites increases with annealing temperature. The composites hold the promise of applications in new generation recording and/or optical devices.     

Micromagnetic analysis of transition noise for high-density perpendicular recording

In this paper, specific issues related to high-density perpendicular magnetic recording processes, such as transition noise properties and cross-track correlation lengths, were investigated with the help of micromagnetic analysis. The effects of media parameters were taken into consideration, including intergranular exchange coupling, and exchange distribution, irregular grain shapes, magnetization saturation distribution, and anisotropy distribution. The micromagnetic simulation results showed that the effect of anisotropy distribution on transition noise is more significant than magnetization saturation distribution, and it is crucial to reduce this effect to achieve a high signal-to-noise ratio. Additionally, a new method to further estimate the partial erasure threshold was proposed to approximate the partial erasure effects, and the relation between the microtrack jitter and total track jitter was investigated.     

Magneto resistance due to domain wall scattering and magneto size effect of thin Ni and Co films at low temperatures

Nickel and cobalt films illustrate alternative Bloch lines with cap switches. The strip magnetic domains become zigzag and bubbling cells for Ni and Co films, respectively, under an external field of 1.5 T. The magnetoresistances (MR) for currents parallel (CIW) to the domain walls is 15% less than those of the perpendicular (CPW) case. We also studied the magneto size effect by applying the magnetic field normal to the surface, from which the Sondheimer oscillation appears attributing to periodic striking of the surface for electrons traveling in circular motion on a plane canting to the surface. The experiments can be expressed by the magneto size effect inherited with very small specularity parameters.     

The HITRAP project at GSI: trapping and cooling of highly-charged ions in a Penning trap

A decelerator will be installed at GSI in order to provide and study heavy nuclei without or with only few electrons at very low energies or even at rest. Highly-charged ions will be produced by stripping at relativistic energies. After electron cooling and deceleration in the Experimental Storage Ring (ESR) the ions are ejected out of the storage ring at 4 MeV/u and further decelerated in a combination of linear accelerator structures operated in reverse. Finally, they are injected into a Penning trap where the ions are cooled to 4 K by electron cooling in combination with resistive cooling. From here, the ions can be transferred in a quasi DC or in a pulsed mode to different experimental setups. This article describes the technical concepts of this project focused on the Penning trap.