Among optogenetic tools, channelrhodopsins, the light gated ion channels of the plasma membrane from green algae, play the most important role. Properties like channel selectivity, timing parameters or color can be influenced by the exchange of selected amino acids. Although widely used, in the field of neurosciences for example, there is still little known about their photocycles and the mecha...

In this program statistical analysis of ultrasonically determined parameters was used to identify the features of acoustic wave propagation in adhesively bonded structures which could be used to determine adhesive bond strength. The parameters associated with the interaction of ultrasonic waves with the adhesive-aluminum interfaces and adhesive interlayer which were investigated included bondli...

Spectroscopic properties of pure and impurity-activated alkaline-earth sulfides as studied by optical and magnetic resonance techniques are reviewed.

A three-part strategy has been developed to study molecular interactions in biological systems at the atomic level. First, isotopically labeled carotenoids and retinoids are prepared by organic total synthetic schemes with labels at predetermined atomic positions and combinations of positions. Subsequently, the labeled compounds are incorporated in the biological system. Finally, the system is ...

The spectroscopic analysis of large biomolecules is important in applications such as biomedical diagnostics and pathogen detection, and spectroscopic techniques can detect such molecules at the nanogram level or lower. However, spectroscopic techniques have not been able to probe the structure of large biomolecules with similar levels of sensitivity. Here, we show that superchiral electromagne...

Background The determination of metals in different types of food and beverages samples has drawn significant attention due to several reasons with the most important one being the nutritional and toxic effects of these elements or their compounds. The knowledge of certain elements content in wines/fruit wines is of special interest due to their toxicity in case of excessive intake and also the...

We propose to use low-cost optics equipment in order to (1) generate a Hertzsprung-Russell diagram for the 24 brightest stars visible in Beaumont, (2) analyze the polarization of stellar and solar light and the effect a telescope's optics have on these measurements, and (3) analyze the absorption spectrum due to Earth’s atmosphere on the Sun’s blackbody radiation spectrum.

Raman spectroscopy can provide highly specific chemical fingerprints of inorganic and organic materials and is therefore expected to play a significant role in interplanetary missions, especially for the search for life elsewhere in our solar system. A major challenge will be the unambiguous detection of low levels of biomarkers on a mineral background. In addition, these biomarkers may not be ...

The analysis of human breath has been driven to new heights and has great potential to impact our society in the area of medical science. Breath analysis is promising as non-invasive, simple and point-of-care clinical measurements to reduce the medical burden caused by invasive, time-consuming and expensive clinical devices. Spectroscopic techniques for breath analysis can offer information to ...