Single-charge transistor based on the charge-phase duality of a superconducting nanowire circuit.

We propose a transistorlike circuit including two serially connected segments of a narrow superconducting nanowire joint by a wider segment with a capacitively coupled gate in between. This circuit is made of amorphous NbSi film and embedded in a network of on-chip Cr microresistors ensuring a sufficiently high external electromagnetic impedance. Assuming a virtual regime of quantum phase slips (QPS) in two narrow segments of the wire, leading to quantum interference of voltages on these segments, this circuit is dual to the dc SQUID.

Quantum phase slip phenomenon in ultra-narrow superconducting nanorings.

The smaller the system, typically - the higher is the impact of fluctuations. In narrow superconducting wires sufficiently close to the critical temperature T(c) thermal fluctuations are responsible for the experimentally observable finite resistance. Quite recently it became possible to fabricate sub-10 nm superconducting structures, where the finite resistivity was reported within the whole range of experimentally obtainable temperatures.

Ion beam shaping and downsizing of nanostructures.

We report a new approach for progressive and well-controlled downsizing of nanostructures below the 10 nm scale. A low energetic ion beam (Ar(+)) is used for gentle surface erosion, progressively shrinking the dimensions with ∼1 nm accuracy. The method enables shaping of the nanostructure geometry and polishing of the surface.

Normalization of vasoactive changes in preeclampsia precedes clinical recovery.

Objective: The objective of this study is to compare the serum levels of fibronectin, nitric oxide (NO), cyclic guanosine-monophosphate, endothelin-1, and 6-keto-prostaglandin-F 1alpha in women with and without preeclampsia before and after delivery.

Methods: We studied 20 singleton pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia, and 20 women undergoing elective cesarean delivery were selected as controls. The normalization of circulating concentrations of maternal plasma NO, cyclic guanosine-monophosphate, fibronectin, endothelin-1, thromboxane-B 2 and renin, and urinary 6-keto-prostaglandin-F 1alpha after delivery was evaluated.

Effects of mobile phone radiation on X-ray-induced tumorigenesis in mice.

The increased use of mobile phones has raised the question of possible health effects of such devices, particularly the risk of cancer. It seems unlikely that the low-level radiofrequency (RF) radiation emitted by them would damage DNA directly, but its ability to act as a tumor promoter is less well characterized. In the current study, we evaluated the effect of low-level RF radiation on the development of cancer initiated in mice by ionizing radiation.