Terahertz radiation driven chiral edge currents in graphene.

We observe photocurrents induced in single-layer graphene samples by illumination of the graphene edges with circularly polarized terahertz radiation at normal incidence. The photocurrent flows along the sample edges and forms a vortex. Its winding direction reverses by switching the light helicity from left to right handed. We demonstrate that the photocurrent stems from the sample edges, which reduce the spatial symmetry and result in an asymmetric scattering of carriers driven by the radiation electric field. The developed theory based on Boltzmann's kinetic equation is in a good agreement with the experiment. We show that the edge photocurrents can be applied for determination of the conductivity type and the momentum scattering time of the charge carriers in the graphene edge vicinity.

Dynamic Hall effect driven by circularly polarized light in a graphene layer.

We report the observation of the circular ac Hall effect where the current is solely driven by the crossed ac electric and magnetic fields of circularly polarized radiation. Illuminating an unbiased monolayer sheet of graphene with circularly polarized terahertz radiation at room temperature generates--under oblique incidence--an electric current perpendicular to the plane of incidence, whose sign is reversed by switching the radiation helicity. Alike the classical dc Hall effect, the voltage is caused by crossed E and B fields which are, however rotating with the light's frequency.

Pulmonary fluid extraction and osmotic conductance, sigmaK, measured in vivo.

The change in aortic blood density in an in vivo rabbit preparation was measured to assess fluid movement at the pulmonary capillaries caused by infusion of hypertonic solution (NaCl, urea, glucose, sucrose, or raffinose in isotonic saline) into the vena cava over 20 s. The hypertonic disturbance increased the plasma osmotic pressure by

Magnetic quantum ratchet effect in Si-MOSFETs.

We report on the observation of magnetic quantum ratchet effect in metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect-transistors on silicon surface (Si-MOSFETs). We show that the excitation of an unbiased transistor by ac electric field of terahertz radiation at normal incidence leads to a direct electric current between the source and drain contacts if the transistor is subjected to an in-plane magnetic field. The current rises linearly with the magnetic field strength and quadratically with the ac electric field amplitude. It depends on the polarization state of the ac field and can be induced by both linearly and circularly polarized radiation. We present the quasi-classical and quantum theories of the observed effect and show that the current originates from the Lorentz force acting upon carriers in asymmetric inversion channels of the transistors.

Genetic deletion of the mitochondrial phosphate carrier desensitizes the mitochondrial permeability transition pore and causes cardiomyopathy.

The mitochondrial phosphate carrier (PiC) is critical for ATP synthesis by serving as the primary means for mitochondrial phosphate import across the inner membrane. In addition to its role in energy production, PiC is hypothesized to have a role in cell death as either a component or a regulator of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) complex. Here, we have generated a mouse model with inducible and cardiac-specific deletion of the Slc25a3 gene (PiC protein). Loss of PiC protein did not prevent MPTP opening, suggesting it is not a direct pore-forming component of this complex. However, Slc25a3 deletion in the heart blunted MPTP opening in response to Ca(2+) challenge and led to a greater Ca(2+) uptake capacity. This desensitization of MPTP opening due to loss or reduction in PiC protein attenuated cardiac ischemic-reperfusion injury, as well as partially protected cells in culture from Ca(2+) overload induced death. Intriguingly, deletion of the Slc25a3 gene from the heart long-term resulted in profound hypertrophy with ventricular dilation and depressed cardiac function, all features that reflect the cardiomyopathy observed in humans with mutations in SLC25A3. Together, these results demonstrate that although the PiC is not a direct component of the MPTP, it can regulate its activity, suggesting a novel therapeutic target for reducing necrotic cell death. In addition, mice lacking Slc25a3 in the heart serve as a novel model of metabolic, mitochondrial-driven cardiomyopathy.

Magnetic quantum ratchet effect in graphene.

A periodically driven system with spatial asymmetry can exhibit a directed motion facilitated by thermal or quantum fluctuations. This so-called ratchet effect has fascinating ramifications in engineering and natural sciences. Graphene is nominally a symmetric system. Driven by a periodic electric field, no directed electric current should flow. However, if the graphene has lost its spatial symmetry due to its substrate or adatoms, an electronic ratchet motion can arise. We report an experimental demonstration of such an electronic ratchet in graphene layers, proving the underlying spatial asymmetry. The orbital asymmetry of the Dirac fermions is induced by an in-plane magnetic field, whereas the periodic driving comes from terahertz radiation. The resulting magnetic quantum ratchet transforms the a.c. power into a d.c. current, extracting work from the out-of-equilibrium electrons driven by undirected periodic forces. The observation of ratchet transport in this purest possible two-dimensional system indicates that the orbital effects may appear and be substantial in other two-dimensional crystals such as boron nitride, molybdenum dichalcogenides and related heterostructures. The measurable orbital effects in the presence of an in-plane magnetic field provide strong evidence for the existence of structure inversion asymmetry in graphene.

Orbital photogalvanic effects in quantum-confined structures.

We report on the circular and linear photogalvanic effects caused by free-carrier absorption of terahertz radiation in electron channels on (001)-oriented and miscut silicon surfaces. The photocurrent behaviour upon variation of the radiation polarization state, wavelength, gate voltage, and temperature is studied. We present the microscopic and phenomenological theory of the photogalvanic effects, which describes well the experimental results. In particular, it is demonstrated that the circular (photon-helicity sensitive) photocurrent in silicon-based structures is of pure orbital nature originating from the quantum interference of different pathways contributing to the absorption of monochromatic radiation.

Modeling the myocardial dilution curve of a pure intravascular indicator.

The dispersion and dilution of contrast medium through the myocardial vasculature is examined first with a serial model comprised of arterial, capillary, and venous components in series to determine their time-concentration curves (TCC) and the myocardial dilution curve (MDC). Analysis of general characteristics shows that the first moment of the MDC, adjusted for that of the aortic TCC and mean transit time (MTT) from the aorta to the first intramyocardial artery, is one-half the MTT of the myocardial vasculature and that the ratio of the area of the MDC and aortic TCC is the fractional myocardial blood volume (MBV). The use of known coronary vascular morphometry and a set of transport functions indicates that the temporal change in MDC is primarily controlled by the MTT. An analysis of several models with heterogeneous flow distributions justifies the procedures to calculate MTT and MBV from the measured MDC. Compared with previously described models, the present model is more general and provides a physical basis for the effects of flow dispersion and heterogeneity on the characteristics of the MDC.