Biomedical subjects

D Hessinger

Publications and source records attributed to D Hessinger.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2000

Magic-angle sample spinning electron paramagnetic resonance--instrumentation, performance, and limitations.

An electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) setup for line narrowing experiments with fast sample spinning at variable angles between the rotation axis and the static magnetic field is described and applied in the magic-angle sample spinning (MAS) EPR experiment at X-band frequencies (9.5 GHz). Sample spinning speeds up to 17 kHz at temperatures down to 200 K can be achieved with rotors of 4-mm outer and 2.5-mm inner diameter without severe losses in microwave amplitude compared to standard pulse EPR probeheads. A phase cycle is introduced that provides pure absorption MAS EPR spectra and allows one to distinguish between positive and negative frequency offsets (pseudo-quadrature detection). Possible broadening mechanisms in MAS EPR spectra are discussed. It is demonstrated both by theory and by experiment that the MAS EPR experiment requires excitation bandwidths that are comparable to the total spectral width, since otherwise destructive interference between contributions of spins with similar resonance offsets suppresses the signal. Experimental observations on the E(1) center in gamma-irradiated silica glass and on the SO(-)(3) radical in gamma-irradiated sulfamic acid are reported.

Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy↗

PubMed2000

Independent ion migration in suspensions of strongly interacting charged colloidal spheres

We report on systematic measurements of the low-frequency conductivity sigma in aqueous suspensions of highly charged colloidal spheres. Sample preparation in a closed tubing system results in precisely controlled number densities of 10(16) m-3 < or = n < or = 10(19) m-3 (packing fractions of 10(-7) < or = phi < or = 10(-2)) and electrolyte concentrations of 10 < or = c < or = 10(-3) mol l-1. Due to long-range Coulomb repulsion, some of the systems show a pronounced fluid or crystalline order. Under deionized conditions we find sigma to depend linearly on the packing fraction with no detectable influence of the phase transitions. Further, at constant packing fraction sigma increases sublinearly with the increasing number of dissociable surface groups N. As a function of c the conductivity shows pronounced differences depending on the kind of electrolyte used. We propose a simple yet powerful model based on the independent migration of all species present and the additivity of the respective conductivity contributions. It takes account of small ion macro-ion interactions in terms of an effectively transported charge. The model successfully describes our qualitatively complex experimental observations. It further facilitates quantitative estimates of sigma over a wide range of particle and experimental parameters.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1994

ANTAGONISTIC FREQUENCY TUNING OF HAIR BUNDLES BY DIFFERENT CHEMORECEPTORS REGULATES NEMATOCYST DISCHARGE

Sea anemones capture prey by discharging nematocysts into them. Chemical and mechanical cues identify suitable prey to sensory receptor systems on the anemone. Conjugated N-acetylated sugars from prey bind to chemoreceptors on cnidocyte/supporting cell complexes to tune hair bundles on the complexes to lower frequencies matching prey movements. The hair bundles regulate discharge of microbasic p-mastigophore nematocysts into vibrating targets. Provided that proline receptors are activated after those for N-acetylated sugars, nematocyst discharge is tuned to much higher frequencies. Thus, anemone hair bundles are tuned to either higher or lower frequencies by antagonistic chemoreceptors. Chemoreceptors for proline can adapt to 10(-8) mol l-1 proline and yet respond to increases in proline concentration of less than 10(-15) mol l-1. Under these conditions, too few molecules of proline are added to activate chemoreceptors on all responding cnidocyte/supporting cell complexes. Evidence indicates that the extreme sensitivity of anemones to proline may be attributed, in part, to intercellular communication.

Journal Article↗