Spin transfer nano-oscillators (STNOs) are nanoscale devices which are promising candidates for onchip microwave signal sources. For application purposes, they are expected to be nano-sized, to have broad working frequency, narrow spectral linewidth, high output power and low power consumption. In this paper, we demonstrate by micromagnetic simulation that magnetic skyrmions, topologically stable nanoscale magnetization configurations, can be excited into oscillation by a spin-polarized current. Thus, we propose a new kind of STNO using magnetic skyrmions. It is found that the working frequency of this oscillator can range from nearly 0 Hz to gigahertz. The linewidth can be smaller than 1 MHz. Furthermore, this device can work at a current density magnitude as small as 10 8 A m −2 , and it is also expected to improve the output power. Our studies may contribute to the development of skyrmion-based microwave generators. IntroductionSkyrmions are topologically protected objects with particle-like properties that play an important role in many different contexts, such as liquid crystals [1], quantum Hall magnets [2], Bose-Einstein condensates [3], etc. Recently, with the development of observation technology, particularly in the domain of neutron scattering [4], spin-polarized scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) [5], Lorentz force microscopy [6-8], and electron holography [9], skyrmions have been observed in bulk ferromagnetic crystals, thin films and nanowires. The spin texture of magnetic skyrmions is a stable configuration that, in most systems, results from a balance between the ferromagnetic exchange coupling, the Zeeman energy from the applied field and the chiral interaction, known as the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction (DMI) [10][11][12]. The DMI is induced because of the lack of, or breaking of, inversion symmetry in the magnetic structure, either due to the non-centrosymmetric crystal lattice or to the interfaces between different materials [8].Magnetic skyrmions were originally discovered in bulk ferromagnets lacking inversion symmetry, such as MnSi [13], FeGe [7,14], Fe 0.5 Co 0.5 Si [15] and other B20 transition metal compounds [16]. Then they were observed in thin films and nanowires of similar materials [9,17,18], and recently, in the multiferroic insulator Cu 2 OSeO 3 [19]. In addition, a more stable two-dimensional skyrmion crystal has been created artificially by nanopatterning [20] and a spontaneous skyrmion ground state has been created in Co/Ru/Co multilayer nanodisks without the DMI (the competition of the exchange energy, demagnetization energy and uniaxial anisotropy energy acts similar to the DMI) by a numerical approach [21]. Meanwhile, an effective method was reported to nucleate or annihilate isolated skyrmions experimentally by using STM at one monolayer of Fe grown in Ir(111) [22].It was recently realized that the magnetic skyrmions not only have mathematical beauty but can also be used as spintronic devices. Recent research has demonstrated that magnetic skyrmions have great potentia...

Despite the evident success of using a multivalent approach to increase efficacy of targeted delivery, a clear understanding of how multiple ligands behave collectively to influence the uptake of nanoparticle cell-targeting agents has not been reached. Although when present in large quantity, multivalent ligands can increase binding avidities to cells, it is also conceivable, that the manner in which these ligands are presented to the cell may have a significant effect on uptake. Here we examine this parameter using a linear dendritic polymer construct that enabled us to pattern the surfaces of nanoparticles with variable sized ligand clusters in different spatial arrangements. We demonstrate for the first time the clear impact of folate presentation on intracellular uptake both in vitro and in vivo. The findings presented here suggest that the nature of ligand presentation on a nanoparticle surface may play an important role in drug targeting; the results suggest potential impact for other targeting moieties and provide a framework for further refinement of future multivalent targeting strategies.

Self-collected specimens offer women in remote communities an acceptable and sensitive alternative method of testing for STIs. The low sensitivity of N gonorrhoeae PCR of urine specimens may reflect poor transport and storage conditions, which we have shown can be improved by freezing urine specimens and reducing transport delays.

Instrumentation for high-throughput analysis of single cells by capillary electrophoresis is described. A flow-based interface that uses electroosmotic flow (EOF) provides continuous injection of intact cells through an introduction capillary into a cell lysis junction and migration of the resulting cell lysate through a separation capillary for analysis. Specifically, two capillaries were coupled together with 5-mm-long Teflon tubing to create a approximately 5-microm gap, and the junction was immersed in a buffer reservoir. High voltage was applied across both capillaries so that cells were continuously pumped into the first capillary by EOF. Individual cells were lysed on-column at the junction without detergents, presumably owing to mechanical disruption caused by a dramatic change in flow properties at the gap. After each cell was lysed at the junction, the major proteins hemoglobin and carbonic anhydrase were separated by capillary electrophoresis and the resultant analyte zones were detected by laser-induced native fluorescence using 275-nm excitation. The detection limits of hemoglobin and carbonic anhydrase were 37 and 1.6 amol, respectively, which correlate well with the literature. The instrumentation was evaluated with intact red blood cells. The averaged time for complete analysis (i.e., continuous injection, lysis, separation, and detection) of one human erythrocyte was less than 4 min with this capillary-based setup. Moreover, this instrumentation simplifies the introduction of individual, intact cells without the use of a microscope.

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M genitalium was less common than C trachomatis and N gonorrhoeae in MSM attending male-only saunas and was most often detected as an asymptomatic rectal or a urethral infection but was absent from the pharynx. To inform STI screening strategies in MSM, more data are needed to understand how common M genitalium infection is in urethral and non-urethral sites in MSM, and how it contributes to clinical symptoms.

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This study demonstrates opa-based target can be used as an accurate and rapid PCR assay for the detection of N gonorrhoeae in clinical specimens.