Coherent Generation of Photo-Thermo-Acoustic Wave from Graphene Sheets.

Many remarkable properties of graphene are derived from its large energy window for Dirac-like electronic states and have been explored for applications in electronics and photonics. In addition, strong electron-phonon interaction in graphene has led to efficient photo-thermo energy conversions, which has been harnessed for energy applications. By combining the wavelength independent absorption property and the efficient photo-thermo energy conversion, here we report a new type of applications in sound wave generation underlined by a photo-thermo-acoustic energy conversion mechanism. Most significantly, by utilizing ultrafast optical pulses, we demonstrate the ability to control the phase of sound waves generated by the photo-thermal-acoustic process. Our finding paves the way for new types of applications for graphene, such as remote non-contact speakers, optical-switching acoustic devices, etc.

Serum lipid abnormalities are not associated with apoB 3' VNTR polymorphism in nephrotic children.

Apolipoprotein B (apoB) gene 3' variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) is highly variable, and therefore can be an informative marker for associative analysis of lipid metabolism. This is the first report focusing on a possible association of apoB VNTR polymorphism with nephrotic hyperlipidemia. Genomic DNA was extracted from 500 children with primary nephrotic syndrome (PNS) and 500 healthy controls. The apoB genotype was determined by PCR analysis. Allele size distribution followed a unimodal curve, with the main peak at the hypervariable element 35 (HVE35); the most prevalent genotype was HVE35/35 in both control and PNS children. The genotype and allele distributions of apoB variants in PNS children were not significantly different from controls. There was significant variation in serum lipid profiles among different genotypes in control children. Individuals with the long (L) allele exhibited significantly higher total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and apoB levels than those with the medium (M) or short (S) allele; consequently, M/L carriers had significantly higher total cholesterol, LDL-C and apoB concentrations than did S/S, S/M, S/L, or M/M carriers. However, in PNS children, no significant differences in serum lipid levels were observed among individuals with different genotypes and alleles of apoB 3' VNTR. We conclude that hyperlipidemia in nephrotic children is not associated with apoB 3' VNTR polymorphism.