Compact micromachined infrared bandpass filters for planetary spectroscopy

The future needs of space-based, observational planetary and astronomy missions include low mass and small volume radiometric instruments that can operate in high-radiation and low-temperature environments. Here, we focus on a central spectroscopic component, the bandpass filter. We model the bandpass response of the filters to target the wavelength of the resonance peaks at 20, 40, and 60 μm and report good agreement between the modeled and measured response. We present a technique of using standard micromachining processes for semiconductor fabrication to make compact, free-standing, resonant, metal mesh filter arrays with silicon support frames. The process can be customized to include multiple detector array architectures, and the silicon frame provides lightweight mechanical support with low form factor.     

Switching through intermediate states seen in a single nickel nanorod by cantilever magnetometry

In-plane to out-of-plane magnetization switching in a single nickel nanorod affixed to an attonewton-sensitivity cantilever was studied at cryogenic temperatures. We observe multiple sharp, simultaneous transitions in cantilever frequency, dissipation, and frequency jitter associated with magnetic switching through distinct intermediate states. These findings suggest a new route for detecting magnetic fields at the nanoscale.     

Enhancing cancer therapeutics using size-optimized magnetic fluid hyperthermia

Magnetic fluid hyperthermia (MFH) employs heat dissipation from magnetic nanoparticles to elicit a therapeutic outcome in tumor sites, which results in either cell death (>42?°C) or damage (<42 °C) depending on the localized rise in temperature. We investigated the therapeutic effect of MFH in immortalized T lymphocyte (Jurkat) cells using monodisperse magnetite (Fe(3)O(4)) nanoparticles (MNPs) synthesized in organic solvents and subsequently transferred to aqueous phase using a biocompatible amphiphilic polymer. Monodisperse MNPs, ～16 nm diameter, show maximum heating efficiency, or specific loss power (watts/g Fe(3)O(4)) in a 373 kHz alternating magnetic field. Our in vitro results, for 15 min of heating, show that only 40% of cells survive for a relatively low dose (490 μg Fe/ml) of these size-optimized MNPs, compared to 80% and 90% survival fraction for 12 and 13 nm MNPs at 600 μg Fe/ml. The significant decrease in cell viability due to MNP-induced hyperthermia from only size-optimized nanoparticles demonstrates the central idea of tailoring size for a specific frequency in order to intrinsically improve the therapeutic potency of MFH by optimizing both dose and time of application.     

Analysis of strain transfer of six-layer surface-bonded fiber Bragg gratings

A theoretical analysis of strain transfer of six-layer surface-bonded fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) subjected to uniform axial stress is presented. The proposed six-layer structure consists of optical fiber, protective coating, adhesive layer, substrate layer, outer adhesive layer, and host material, which is different from the four-layer case of common acknowledgement. A theoretical formula of strain transfer rate from host material to optical fiber is established to provide an accurate theoretical prediction. On the basis of the theoretical analysis, influence parameters of the middle layers that affect the average strain transfer rate of the six-layer surface-bonded FBG are discussed. After the parametric study, a selection scheme of sensor parameters for numerical validation, which makes the average strain transfer rate approach unity, is determined. Good agreement is observed between numerical results and theoretical predictions. In the end, the six-layer model is extended to the general situation of multiple substrate layers, which lays a theoretical groundwork for the research and design of surface-bonded FBGs with substrate layers in the future.     

Nanometer-thin solid-state nanopores by cold ion beam sculpting

Recent work on protein nanopores indicates that single molecule characterization (including DNA sequencing) is possible when the length of the nanopore constriction is about a nanometer. Solid-state nanopores offer advantages in stability and tunability, but a scalable method for creating nanometer-thin solid-state pores has yet to be demonstrated. Here we demonstrate that solid-state nanopores with nanometer-thin constrictions can be produced by "cold ion beam sculpting," an original method that is broadly applicable to many materials, is easily scalable, and requires only modest instrumentation.     

Integrated fiber optic incoherent broadband cavity enhanced absorption spectroscopy detector for near-IR absorption measurements of nanoliter samples

An integrated fiber-optic sensor is described that uses incoherent broadband cavity enhanced absorption spectroscopy for sensitive detection of aqueous samples in nanoliter volumes. Absorption was measured in a 100 μm gap between the ends of two short segments of multimode graded-index fiber that were integrated into a capillary using a precision machined V-grooved fixture that allowed for passive fiber alignment. The other ends of the fibers were coated with dielectric mirrors to form a 9.5 cm optical resonator. Light from a fiber-coupled superluminescent diode was directly coupled into one end of the cavity, and transmission was measured using a fiber-coupled silicon photodiode. Dilute aqueous solutions of near infrared dye were used to determine the minimum detectable absorption change of 2.4×10(-4) under experimental conditions in which pressure fluctuations limited performance. We also determined that the absolute minimum detectable absorption change would be 1.6×10(-5) for conditions of constant pressure in which absorption measurement is limited by electronic and optical noise. Tolerance requirements for alignment are also presented.     

Dual-gated bilayer graphene hot-electron bolometer

Graphene is an attractive material for use in optical detectors because it absorbs light from mid-infrared to ultraviolet wavelengths with nearly equal strength. Graphene is particularly well suited for bolometers-devices that detect temperature-induced changes in electrical conductivity caused by the absorption of light-because its small electron heat capacity and weak electron-phonon coupling lead to large light-induced changes in electron temperature. Here, we demonstrate a hot-electron bolometer made of bilayer graphene that is dual-gated to create a tunable bandgap and electron-temperature-dependent conductivity. The bolometer exhibits a noise-equivalent power (33?fW?Hz(-1/2) at 5?K) that is several times lower, and intrinsic speed (>1?GHz at 10?K) three to five orders of magnitude higher than commercial silicon bolometers and superconducting transition-edge sensors at similar temperatures.     

Temperature and bacterial profile of post chill poultry carcasses stored in processing combo held at room temperature

Post chill whole poultry carcasses from a commercial processing plant were stored in a processing combo at room temperature (70 °F/21 °C) for 54 h to mimic the scenario of temperature abuse before further processing. Temperature data were collected in 1-min intervals and averaged each hour by 9 temperature data loggers. Two linear regressions were developed for the combo and internal breast temperature and slopes were nearly identical. Microbial data was collected by performing whole bird carcass rinses that were enumerated for aerobic plate count (APC), Enterobacteriaceae, Escherichia coli, and total coliform. Samples were collected from the chiller chute at time zero for initial bacterial counts. Carcass sampling continued once the internal breast temperature achieved 45 °F (7 °C 10 h) and continued every 2 h until the final internal breast temperature was 63 °F (17 °C 54 h). Linear regressions were developed for the first 26 h, which exhibited no statistically significant growth except for Enterobacteriaceae. A 2nd linear regression (28 to 54 h) exhibited significant growth for all analyses. Overall, APC increased from a log(10) colony forming unit (CFU)/mL count of 2.86 to 7.02, Enterobacteriaceae increased from 0.66 to 6.64, coliform increased from 0.72 to 4.81, and E. coli increased from 0.53 to 4.45. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis was performed to detect changes in the bacterial populations, which indicated 95% similarity within sampled groups, but the overall percent similarity among samples collected over 54 h was 8%. From the data, microbial growth demonstrates a period of 26 h for minimal growth; therefore, the product could be further processed rather than designated as waste.     

Modulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta and gamma transcripts in swine endometrial tissue during early gestation

Recent evidence points to a role for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) delta and gamma in embryo implantation and survival. In this study, we report the porcine PPARdelta complete coding sequence and mRNA abundance of PPARdelta, PPARgamma1 and gamma2, angiopoietin-like protein 4 (ANGPTL4) and adipocyte determination and differentiation-dependent factor 1 (ADD1) genes in the pregnant sow endometrium. Real-time PCR analysis was used to study the effect of parity (Yorkshire-Landrace multiparous (YL) and nulliparous (YLn)), site of endometrial tissue sampling (between and at embryo attachment sites) in crossbred DurocxYorkshire-Landrace (DYL) sows and stages of pregnancy (non-pregnant, day 15 and day 25 after mating) in Meishan-Landrace (ML) on mRNA levels. Parity effects were observed for PPARdelta, ANGPTL4, and ADD1, with higher mRNA levels in YL than YLn sows. In DYL sows, lower mRNA levels were present at attachment sites compared to between attachment sites for PPARdelta, PPARgamma1, and ANGPTL4. Finally, day 15 pregnant ML sows had lower PPARdelta mRNA levels compared to day 15 cycling ML sows. A significant increase of PPARgamma1 mRNA levels was found on day 25 pregnant ML and DYL sows relative to day 15 ML or DYL pregnant sows. PPARdelta and gamma immunostaining was detected in endometrial tissue of day 15 cycling sows, day 15 and 25 pregnant sows and epithelial cells of day 25 embryos. Collectively, our results suggest a role for PPARdelta, PPARgamma1, and ANGPTL4, but not PPARgamma2, during the peri-implantation period in pregnant sows.     

Anti-Müllerian hormone: a new marker for ovarian function

Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is a member of the transforming growth factor beta family of growth and differentiation factors. In the ovary, AMH has an inhibitory effect on primordial follicle recruitment as well as on the responsiveness of growing follicles to follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). The ovary-specific expression pattern in granulosa cells of growing nonselected follicles makes AMH an ideal marker for the size of the ovarian follicle pool. This review summarizes recent findings concerning AMH and its role as a marker for the quantitative aspect of ovarian reserve as well as ovarian dysfunction.