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Sample records for zn ribbon-like domain

  1. Domain walls dynamics in the amorphous ribbon with a helical magnetic anisotropy

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Zhmetko, D.N.; Savin, V.V.; Lemish, P.V.; Troschenkov, Y.N.

    2006-01-01

    The damping mechanism for motion of domain walls, which form the sandwich structure and move from the middle plane of the ribbon to opposite surfaces during the dynamic magnetization reversal, have been investigated. The difference between the real and ideal sandwich domain structure, the actual distribution of the anisotropy easy directions through the ribbon thickness and the M-bar s deviation from local easy directions under the action of applied magnetic field have been taken into account. It was revealed that the maximum of the total damping coefficient β tot (x) near the half-way of the domain wall run is due to the influence of the magnetic stray fields. These fields have a character of irregular oscillations and are directed approximately perpendicular to the local easy direction of the ribbon layer through which the domain wall propagates. The damping coefficient β e.c. (x) determined by eddy-currents has the maximal value close to the ribbon middle and decreases linearly to zero when the domain wall approaches the ribbon surface

  2. A micromagnetic study of the oscillations of pinned domain walls in magnetic ribbons

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Alejos, Oscar [Dpto. Electricidad y Electronica, Universidad de Valladolid, 47071 Valladolid (Spain)]. E-mail: oscaral@ee.uva.es; Torres, Carlos [Dpto. Electricidad y Electronica, Universidad de Valladolid, 47071 Valladolid (Spain); Hernandez-Gomez, Pablo [Dpto. Electricidad y Electronica, Universidad de Valladolid, 47071 Valladolid (Spain); Lopez-Diaz, Luis [Dpto. Fisica Aplicada, Universidad de Salamanca, 37071 Salamanca (Spain); Torres, Luis [Dpto. Fisica Aplicada, Universidad de Salamanca, 37071 Salamanca (Spain); Martinez, Eduardo [Dpto. Ingenieria Electromecanica, Universidad de Burgos, 09001 Burgos (Spain)

    2007-09-15

    The work studies the dynamics of domain walls in magnetic ribbons with thicknesses of the order of magnitude of the permalloy exchange length (5.7 nm) by means of micromagnetic simulations. Two small defects are symmetrically placed on both edges of the ribbon, one on each edge, occupying the whole ribbon thickness. One transverse domain wall is pinned by the defects, in a head-to-head configuration. A free wall oscillation is forced by applying a static external magnetic field in the direction of the large axis until the wall reaches a new equilibrium position (elongation), and then removed. Three dynamic regimes are observed depending on the size of the cross ribbon section.

  3. A micromagnetic study of the oscillations of pinned domain walls in magnetic ribbons

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Alejos, Oscar; Torres, Carlos; Hernandez-Gomez, Pablo; Lopez-Diaz, Luis; Torres, Luis; Martinez, Eduardo

    2007-01-01

    The work studies the dynamics of domain walls in magnetic ribbons with thicknesses of the order of magnitude of the permalloy exchange length (5.7 nm) by means of micromagnetic simulations. Two small defects are symmetrically placed on both edges of the ribbon, one on each edge, occupying the whole ribbon thickness. One transverse domain wall is pinned by the defects, in a head-to-head configuration. A free wall oscillation is forced by applying a static external magnetic field in the direction of the large axis until the wall reaches a new equilibrium position (elongation), and then removed. Three dynamic regimes are observed depending on the size of the cross ribbon section

  4. The sandwich domain structure in a Fe-based amorphous ribbon with uniaxial magnetic anisotropy

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Zhmetko, D.N.; Matsura, A.V.; Troschenkov, Y.N.; Seidametov, S.V.

    2011-01-01

    The formation and motion of two domain walls parallel to the ribbon surface are discovered during its dynamic magnetic reversal. The domain walls form near by the middle plane of a ribbon and move to its opposite main surfaces with different velocities.

  5. Dynamics of sandwich domain structure in Co-based amorphous ribbons with helical magnetic anisotropy: Part I

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Zhmetko, D.N.; Zhmetko, S.D.

    2009-01-01

    The distribution of axes of easy magnetization close to a homogeneous distribution is revealed in each half-thickness of a ribbon after annealing it in a helical magnetic field. The transition from magnetic reversal of a ribbon by the displacement of two domain walls formed near a middle plane of a ribbon to magnetic reversal of a ribbon by displacement of two domain walls formed near to the main surfaces of a ribbon is found out during each half-period of a magnetic reversal.

  6. The dynamics of the asymmetric motion of domain walls of sandwich domain structure in a Fe-based amorphous ribbon

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Zhmetko, D.N., E-mail: sergey.zhmetko@gmail.com [Department of Physics, Zaporizhzhya National University, 66 Zhukovsky Street, 69063 Zaporizhzhya (Ukraine); Zhmetko, S.D. [Department of Physics, Zaporizhzhya National University, 66 Zhukovsky Street, 69063 Zaporizhzhya (Ukraine); Troschenkov, Y.N. [Institute for Magnetism, 36-b Vernadsky Boulevard, 03142 Kyiv (Ukraine); Matsura, A.V. [Department of Physics, Zaporizhzhya National University, 66 Zhukovsky Street, 69063 Zaporizhzhya (Ukraine)

    2013-08-15

    The frequency dependence of asymmetry of the domain walls velocity relative to the middle plane of amorphous ribbon is investigated. An additional pressure of the same direction acting on each domain wall caused by dependence of eddy current damping on the coordinate of the domain wall is revealed. The microscopic mechanisms of this additional pressure are considered. - Highlights: ► Additional pressure on the domain wall, caused by inhomogeneity of its damping. ► Asymmetry of the coordinate of the nucleation of domain walls and their damping. ► Connection between the components of additional pressure and its direction. ► Interaction of domain walls with the surface defects of the amorphous ribbon.

  7. The dynamics of the asymmetric motion of domain walls of sandwich domain structure in a Fe-based amorphous ribbon

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Zhmetko, D.N.; Zhmetko, S.D.; Troschenkov, Y.N.; Matsura, A.V.

    2013-01-01

    The frequency dependence of asymmetry of the domain walls velocity relative to the middle plane of amorphous ribbon is investigated. An additional pressure of the same direction acting on each domain wall caused by dependence of eddy current damping on the coordinate of the domain wall is revealed. The microscopic mechanisms of this additional pressure are considered. - Highlights: ► Additional pressure on the domain wall, caused by inhomogeneity of its damping. ► Asymmetry of the coordinate of the nucleation of domain walls and their damping. ► Connection between the components of additional pressure and its direction. ► Interaction of domain walls with the surface defects of the amorphous ribbon

  8. Preparation and Photoluminescence of ZnO Comb-Like Structure and Nanorod Arrays

    Science.gov (United States)

    Yin, Song; Chen, Yi-qing; Su, Yong; Zhou, Qing-tao

    2007-06-01

    A large quantity of Zinc oxide (ZnO) comb-like structure and high-density well-aligned ZnO nanorod arrays were prepared on silicon substrate via thermal evaporation process without any catalyst. The morphology, growth mechanism, and optical properties of the both structures were investigated using XRD, SEM, TEM and PL. The resulting comb-teeth, with a diameter about 20 nm, growing along the [0001] direction have a well-defined epitaxial relationship with the comb ribbon. The ZnO nanorod arrays have a diameter about 200 nm and length up to several micrometers growing approximately vertical to the Si substrate. A ZnO film was obtained before the nanorods growth. A growth model is proposed for interpreting the growth mechanism of comb-like zigzag-notch nanostructure. Room temperature photoluminescence measurements under excitation wavelength of 325 nm showed that the ZnO comb-like nanostructure has a weak UV emission at around 384 nm and a strong green emission around 491 nm, which correspond to a near band-edge transition and the singly ionized oxygen vacancy, respectively. In contrast, a strong and sharp UV peak and a weak green peak was obtained from the ZnO nanorod arrays.

  9. Evolutionary analysis of a novel zinc ribbon in the N-terminal region of threonine synthase.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Kaur, Gurmeet; Subramanian, Srikrishna

    2017-10-18

    Threonine synthase (TS) catalyzes the terminal reaction in the biosynthetic pathway of threonine and requires pyridoxal phosphate as a cofactor. TSs share a common catalytic domain with other fold type II PALP dependent enzymes. TSs are broadly grouped into two classes based on their sequence, quaternary structure, and enzyme regulation. We report the presence of a novel zinc ribbon domain in the N-terminal region preceding the catalytic core in TS. The zinc ribbon domain is present in TSs belonging to both classes. Our sequence analysis reveals that archaeal TSs possess all zinc chelating residues to bind a metal ion that are lacking in the structurally characterized homologs. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that TSs with an N-terminal zinc ribbon likely represents the ancestral state of the enzyme while TSs without a zinc ribbon must have diverged later in specific lineages. The zinc ribbon and its N- and C-terminal extensions are important for enzyme stability, activity and regulation. It is likely that the zinc ribbon domain is involved in higher order oligomerization or mediating interactions with other biomolecules leading to formation of larger metabolic complexes.

  10. Structure and magnetic properties of Alnico ribbons

    Science.gov (United States)

    Zhang, Ce; Li, Ying; Han, Xu-Hao; Du, Shuai-long; Sun, Ji-bing; Zhang, Ying

    2018-04-01

    Al-Ni-Co alloy has been widely applied in various industrial fields due to its excellent thermal and magnetic stability. In this paper, new Al-Ni-Co ribbons are prepared by simple processes combining melt-spinning with annealing, and their phase transition, microstructure and magnetic properties are studied. The results show that after as-spun ribbons are annealed, the grain size of ribbons increases from 1.1 ± 0.3 μm to 4.8 ± 0.8 μm, but still much smaller than that of the bulk Al-Ni-Co alloy manufactured by traditional technologies. In addition, some rod-like Al70Co20Ni10-type, Al9Co2-type and Fe2Nb-type phases are precipitated at grain boundaries; simultaneously, the distinct spinodal decomposition microstructure with periodic ingredient variation is thoroughly formed in all grains by the reaction of α → α1 + α2. Furthermore, the α1 and α2 distribute alternately like a maze, the Fe-Co-rich α1 phase holds 35.9-47.3 vol%, while the Al-Ni-rich α2 phase occupies the rest. Finally, the coercivity of annealed ribbons can reach to 485.3 ± 76.6 Oe. If the annealed ribbons are further aged at 560 °C, their Hc even increases to 738.1 ± 81.0 Oe. The coercivity mechanism is discussed by the combination of microstructure and domain structure.

  11. Megalencephaly, polymicrogyria and ribbon-like band heterotopia: A new cortical malformation.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Kobayashi, Yu; Magara, Shinichi; Okazaki, Kenichi; Komatsubara, Takao; Saitsu, Hirotomo; Matsumoto, Naomichi; Kato, Mitsuhiro; Tohyama, Jun

    2016-11-01

    Megalencephalic polymicrogyria syndromes include megalencephaly-capillary malformation and megalencephaly-polymicrogyria-polydactyly-hydrocephalus. Recent genetic studies have identified that genes in the PI3K-AKT pathway are involved in the pathogenesis of these disorders. Herein, we report a patient who presented with developmental delay, epilepsy and peculiar neuroimaging findings of megalencephaly, polymicrogyria, and symmetrical band heterotopia in the periventricular region. The heterotopias exhibited inhomogeneous signals with undulatory mixtures of gray and white matter, resembling ribbon-like heterotopia, with a predominance in the temporal to occipital regions. These neuroradiological findings were not consistent with those in known megalencephalic polymicrogyria syndromes. No genetic abnormality was identified through whole-exome sequencing. The neuroimaging findings of this patient may represent a novel cortical malformation involving megalencephaly with polymicrogyria and ribbon-like band heterotopia. Copyright © 2016 The Japanese Society of Child Neurology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  12. Large magnetic entropy change in melt-spun LaFe11.5Si1.5 ribbons

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Xie Kun; Song Xiaoping; Zhu Yaoming; Lv Weipeng; Sun Zhanbo

    2004-01-01

    The microstructure transformation and the magnetic entropy change of LaFe 11.5 Si 1.5 melt-spun ribbons were investigated. The melt-spun ribbons show a homogeneous distribution of elements, and the homogeneity develops further after 5 h annealing. XRD results show that the ribbons are composed of NaZn 13 -type LaFe 11.5 Si 1.5 compounds and an α-Fe phase. After annealing, the ribbons crystallize well in the NaZn 13 -type structure and exhibit a very large magnetic entropy change. A first-order magnetic transition is observed in the annealed ribbons, and this is believed to be the origin of the large magnetic entropy. These results suggest that NaZn 13 -type LaFe 11.5 Si 1.5 compounds with a large magnetic entropy change can be produced by melt-spinning, the annealing time can be shortened significantly and the production cost of the magnetic refrigerant will be cut down accordingly

  13. Template synthesis and characterization of nanostructured hierarchical mesoporous ribbon-like NiO as high performance electrode material for supercapacitor

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Yao, Mingming; Hu, Zhonghua; Xu, Zijie; Liu, Yafei; Liu, Peipei; Zhang, Qiang

    2015-01-01

    The ribbon-like NiO was synthesized by a hard-template method combining the calcination, using mesoporous carbon as a hard templat and guanidine hydrochloride as precipitant of weak base, respectively. The nanostructured hierarchical mesoporous ribbon-like NiO exhibits the high specific capacitance of 1260 F g −1 at the current density of 1 A g −1 , and 95% capacity retention at a current density of 10 A g −1 in a testing range of 5000 cycles. - Highlights: • Ribbon-like NiO was prepared by using mesoporous carbon as a hard template. • Typical ribbon-like NiO possesses the hierarchical mesoporous nanostructure. • High specific capacitance of 1260 F g −1 is obtained at a current density of 1 A g −1 . • Excellent electrochemical stability of 95% after 5000 charge–discharge cycles. - Abstract: In this paper, nanostructured hierarchical mesoporous ribbon-like NiO was synthesized by a hard-template method combining the calcination process. Nickel sulfate hexahydrate, guanidine hydrochloride and mesoporous carbon were used as nickel precursors, precipitant of weak base and template, respectively. The resultant NiO samples were characterized by Raman spectroscopy, energy dispersive spectrometer, X-ray diffraction, N 2 adsorption and desorption, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The electrochemical performances were evaluated by cyclic voltammetry (CV), cyclic chronopotentiometry (CP) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in 6 M KOH solution. The typical hierarchical mesoporous ribbon-like NiO shows a good electrochemical performance: a high specific capacitance of 1260 F g −1 at 1 A g −1 , 748 F g −1 at high current density of 20 A g −1 and 95% capacity retention at a current density of 10 A g −1 in a testing range of 5000 cycles

  14. Thermal Conductivity of Graphene-hBN Superlattice Ribbons.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Felix, Isaac M; Pereira, Luiz Felipe C

    2018-02-09

    Superlattices are ideal model systems for the realization and understanding of coherent (wave-like) and incoherent (particle-like) phonon thermal transport. Single layer heterostructures of graphene and hexagonal boron nitride have been produced recently with sharp edges and controlled domain sizes. In this study we employ nonequilibrium molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the thermal conductivity of superlattice nanoribbons with equal-sized domains of graphene and hexagonal boron nitride. We analyze the dependence of the conductivity with the domain sizes, and with the total length of the ribbons. We determine that the thermal conductivity reaches a minimum value of 89 W m -1 K -1 for ribbons with a superlattice period of 3.43 nm. The effective phonon mean free path is also determined and shows a minimum value of 32 nm for the same superlattice period. Our results also reveal that a crossover from coherent to incoherent phonon transport is present at room temperature for BNC nanoribbons, as the superlattice period becomes comparable to the phonon coherence length. Analyzing phonon populations relative to the smallest superlattice period, we attribute the minimum thermal conductivity to a reduction in the population of flexural phonons when the superlattice period equals 3.43 nm. The ability to manipulate thermal conductivity using superlattice-based two-dimensional materials, such as graphene-hBN nanoribbons, opens up opportunities for application in future nanostructured thermoelectric devices.

  15. The structure of SSO2064, the first representative of Pfam family PF01796, reveals a novel two-domain zinc-ribbon OB-fold architecture with a potential acyl-CoA-binding role

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Krishna, S. Sri; Aravind, L.; Bakolitsa, Constantina; Caruthers, Jonathan; Carlton, Dennis; Miller, Mitchell D.; Abdubek, Polat; Astakhova, Tamara; Axelrod, Herbert L; Chiu, Hsiu-Ju; Clayton, Thomas; Deller, Marc C.; Duan, Lian; Feuerhelm, Julie; Grant, Joanna C.; Han, Gye Won; Jaroszewski, Lukasz; Jin, Kevin K.; Klock, Heath E.; Knuth, Mark W.; Kumar, Abhinav; Marciano, David; McMullan, Daniel; Morse, Andrew T.; Nigoghossian, Edward; Okach, Linda; Reyes, Ron; Rife, Christopher L.; Bedem, Henry van den; Weekes, Dana; Xu, Qingping; Hodgson, Keith O.; Wooley, John; Elsliger, Marc-André; Deacon, Ashley M.; Godzik, Adam; Lesley, Scott A.; Wilson, Ian A.

    2010-01-01

    The crystal structure of SSO2064, the first structural representative of Pfam family PF01796 (DUF35), reveals a two-domain architecture comprising an N-terminal zinc-ribbon domain and a C-terminal OB-fold domain. Analysis of the domain architecture, operon organization and bacterial orthologs combined with the structural features of SSO2064 suggests a role involving acyl-CoA binding for this family of proteins. SSO2064 is the first structural representative of PF01796 (DUF35), a large prokaryotic family with a wide phylogenetic distribution. The structure reveals a novel two-domain architecture comprising an N-terminal, rubredoxin-like, zinc ribbon and a C-terminal, oligonucleotide/oligosaccharide-binding (OB) fold domain. Additional N-terminal helical segments may be involved in protein–protein interactions. Domain architectures, genomic context analysis and functional evidence from certain bacterial representatives of this family suggest that these proteins form a novel fatty-acid-binding component that is involved in the biosynthesis of lipids and polyketide antibiotics and that they possibly function as acyl-CoA-binding proteins. This structure has led to a re-evaluation of the DUF35 family, which has now been split into two entries in the latest Pfam release (v.24.0)

  16. Low-frequency magnetization processes in chemically etched Co-based amorphous ribbons

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Betancourt, I.; Martinez, L.A.; Valenzuela, R.

    2005-01-01

    In this report we present a study of the magnetization processes for Co-based amorphous ribbons at low frequencies (10 Hz-13 MHz) as a function of decreasing thicknesses attained by chemical etching. Reversible domain-wall bulging, characterized by initial permeability and relaxation frequency, was monitored by means of inductance measurements. The real part of inductance (proportional to initial permeability) exhibited a decreasing trend with diminishing ribbon thickness, together with an increasing tendency for the relaxation frequency. For high amplitude of the ac field (leading to domain-wall unpinning), reduced ribbon thickness showed a deleterious-enhancement effect on irreversible domain-wall displacement, which was observed for both real and imaginary inductance spectroscopic plots. Results are interpreted in terms of reduced domain-wall pinning distances resulting from thinner alloy samples

  17. Mena–GRASP65 interaction couples actin polymerization to Golgi ribbon linking

    Science.gov (United States)

    Tang, Danming; Zhang, Xiaoyan; Huang, Shijiao; Yuan, Hebao; Li, Jie; Wang, Yanzhuang

    2016-01-01

    In mammalian cells, the Golgi reassembly stacking protein 65 (GRASP65) has been implicated in both Golgi stacking and ribbon linking by forming trans-oligomers through the N-terminal GRASP domain. Because the GRASP domain is globular and relatively small, but the gaps between stacks are large and heterogeneous, it remains puzzling how GRASP65 physically links Golgi stacks into a ribbon. To explore the possibility that other proteins may help GRASP65 in ribbon linking, we used biochemical methods and identified the actin elongation factor Mena as a novel GRASP65-binding protein. Mena is recruited onto the Golgi membranes through interaction with GRASP65. Depleting Mena or disrupting actin polymerization resulted in Golgi fragmentation. In cells, Mena and actin were required for Golgi ribbon formation after nocodazole washout; in vitro, Mena and microfilaments enhanced GRASP65 oligomerization and Golgi membrane fusion. Thus Mena interacts with GRASP65 to promote local actin polymerization, which facilitates Golgi ribbon linking. PMID:26538023

  18. A Ribbon-like Structure in the Ejective Organelle of the Green Microalga Pyramimonas parkeae (Prasinophyceae) Consists of Core Histones and Polymers Containing N-acetyl-glucosamine.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Yamagishi, Takahiro; Kurihara, Akira; Kawai, Hiroshi

    2015-11-01

    The green microalga, Pyramimonas parkeae (Prasinophyceae) has an ejective organelle containing a coiled ribbon structure resembling the ejectisome in Cryptophyta. This structure is discharged from the cell by a stimulus and extends to form a tube-like structure, but the molecular components of the structure have not been identified. Tricine-SDS-PAGE analysis indicated that the ribbon-like structure of P. parkeae contains some proteins and low molecular acidic polymers. Edman degradation, LC/MS/MS analyses and immunological studies demonstrated that their proteins are core histones (H3, H2A, H2B and H4). In addition, monosaccharide composition analysis of the ribbon-like structures and degradation by lysozyme strongly indicated that the ribbon-like structure consist of β (1-4) linked polymers containing N-acetyl-glucosamine. Purified polymers and recombinant histones formed glob-like or filamentous structures. Therefore we conclude that the ribbon-like structure of P. parkeae mainly consists of a complex of core histones (H3, H2A, H2B and H4) and polymers containing N-acetyl-glucosamine, and suggest to name the ejective organelle in P. parkeae the "histrosome" to distinguish it from the ejectisome in Cryptophyta. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

  19. Flare Ribbons Approach Observed by the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph and the Solar Dynamics Observatory

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Li, Ting; Zhang, Jun; Hou, Yijun, E-mail: liting@nao.cas.cn [Key Laboratory of Solar Activity, National Astronomical Observatories, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100012 (China)

    2017-10-10

    We report flare ribbons approach (FRA) during a multiple-ribbon M-class flare on 2015 November 4 in NOAA AR 12443, obtained by the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph and the Solar Dynamics Observatory. The flare consisted of a pair of main ribbons and two pairs of secondary ribbons. The two pairs of secondary ribbons were formed later than the appearance of the main ribbons, with respective time delays of 15 and 19 minutes. The negative-polarity main ribbon spread outward faster than the first secondary ribbon with the same polarity in front of it, and thus the FRA was generated. Just before their encounter, the main ribbon was darkening drastically and its intensity decreased by about 70% in 2 minutes, implying the suppression of main-phase reconnection that produced two main ribbons. The FRA caused the deflection of the main ribbon to the direction of secondary ribbon with a deflection angle of about 60°. A post-approach arcade was formed about 2 minutes later and the downflows were detected along the new arcade with velocities of 35–40 km s{sup −1}, indicative of the magnetic restructuring during the process of FRA. We suggest that there are three topological domains with footpoints outlined by the three pairs of ribbons. Close proximity of these domains leads to deflection of the ribbons, which is in agreement with the magnetic field topology.

  20. Combined effects of vertical and lateral confinement on the magnetic properties of MnAs micro and nano-ribbons

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Steren, L. B.; Tortarolo, M. [Centro Atómico Constituyentes CNEA, 1650 San Martín (Argentina); Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, C1033AAJ Buenos Aires (Argentina); Fernandez Baldis, F.; Sirena, M. [Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, C1033AAJ Buenos Aires (Argentina); Centro Atómico Bariloche and Instituto Balseiro, CNEA, 8400 S. C. de Bariloche (Argentina); Sacchi, M.; Eddrief, M. [Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ. Paris 06, UMR 7588, INSP, 4 place Jussieu, F-75005 Paris (France); CNRS, UMR 7588, Institut des Nanosciences de Paris, 4 place Jussieu, F-75005 Paris (France); Etgens, V. H. [Fédération Lavoisier Franklin, UVSQ, 78035 Versailles Cedex (France); Santos, B.; Mentes, T. O.; Locatelli, A. [Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A., 34149 Basovizza, Trieste (Italy)

    2016-09-07

    The micromagnetic domain structure of MnAs films gave place to an intense research activity in the last few years due to its potential application in magneto-electronic devices such as domain-wall track memories and logic circuits. These applications require a full knowledge of miniaturization effects on the magnetic properties of the material. In this work, X-ray photoemission electron microscopy has been used for imaging magnetic domains in lithographically fabricated MnAs ribbons, addressing the dependence of the domain configuration on film thickness and ribbon width. Our experiments show a transition from head-on to regular stripe domains below a critical width/thickness ratio w{sub c} ≈ 6. Micromagnetic simulations suggest that this transition is correlated to the magnetic structure of the surface plane. Depending on the ribbon width and thickness, the magnetic configuration is shown to evolve from flux-closure domain structure to a state of almost homogeneous magnetization, observed for narrower ribbons. The evolution of the domain structure, magnetic fraction, and magnetization with temperature has been studied across the ferromagnetic/paramagnetic transition. Our experiments show that the magnetic configuration in ribbons exhibits higher stability to temperature variations than in as-cast films.

  1. Combined effects of vertical and lateral confinement on the magnetic properties of MnAs micro and nano-ribbons

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Steren, L. B.; Tortarolo, M.; Fernandez Baldis, F.; Sirena, M.; Sacchi, M.; Eddrief, M.; Etgens, V. H.; Santos, B.; Mentes, T. O.; Locatelli, A.

    2016-01-01

    The micromagnetic domain structure of MnAs films gave place to an intense research activity in the last few years due to its potential application in magneto-electronic devices such as domain-wall track memories and logic circuits. These applications require a full knowledge of miniaturization effects on the magnetic properties of the material. In this work, X-ray photoemission electron microscopy has been used for imaging magnetic domains in lithographically fabricated MnAs ribbons, addressing the dependence of the domain configuration on film thickness and ribbon width. Our experiments show a transition from head-on to regular stripe domains below a critical width/thickness ratio w_c ≈ 6. Micromagnetic simulations suggest that this transition is correlated to the magnetic structure of the surface plane. Depending on the ribbon width and thickness, the magnetic configuration is shown to evolve from flux-closure domain structure to a state of almost homogeneous magnetization, observed for narrower ribbons. The evolution of the domain structure, magnetic fraction, and magnetization with temperature has been studied across the ferromagnetic/paramagnetic transition. Our experiments show that the magnetic configuration in ribbons exhibits higher stability to temperature variations than in as-cast films.

  2. Ribbon curling

    Science.gov (United States)

    Juel, Anne; Prior, Chris; Moussou, Julien; Chakrabarti, Buddhapriya; Jensen, Oliver

    The procedure of curling a ribbon by running it over a sharp blade is commonly used when wrapping presents. Despite its ubiquity, a quantitative explanation of this everyday phenomenon is still lacking. We address this using experiment and theory, examining the dependence of ribbon curvature on blade curvature, the longitudinal load imposed on the ribbon and the speed of pulling. Experiments in which a ribbon is drawn steadily over a blade under a fixed load show that the ribbon curvature is generated over a restricted range of loads, the curvature/load relationship can be non-monotonic, and faster pulling (under a constant imposed load) results in less tightly curled ribbons. We develop a theoretical model that captures these features, building on the concept that the ribbon under the imposed deformation undergoes differential plastic stretching across its thickness, resulting in a permanently curved shape. The model identifies factors that optimize curling and clarifies the physical mechanisms underlying the ribbon's nonlinear response to an apparently simple deformation.

  3. Synthesis and magnetorheological characteristics of ribbon-like, polypyrrole-coated carbonyl iron suspensions under oscillatory shear

    Czech Academy of Sciences Publication Activity Database

    Mrlik, M.; Sedlačík, M.; Pavlinek, V.; Bažant, P.; Sáha, P.; Peer, Petra; Filip, Petr

    2013-01-01

    Roč. 128, č. 5 (2013), s. 2977-2982 ISSN 0021-8995 Grant - others:GA MŠk(CZ) ED2.1.00/03.0111; UTB Zlín(CZ) IGA/1/FT/11/D Institutional support: RVO:67985874 Keywords : carbonyl iron * core - shell * magnetorheological fluid * polypyrrole * viscoelasticity * ribbon-like particles Subject RIV: BK - Fluid Dynamics Impact factor: 1.640, year: 2013

  4. Synthesis and magnetorheological characteristics of ribbon-like, polypyrrole-coated carbonyl iron suspensions under oscillatory shear

    Czech Academy of Sciences Publication Activity Database

    Mrlik, M.; Sedlačík, M.; Pavlinek, V.; Bažant, P.; Sáha, P.; Peer, Petra; Filip, Petr

    2013-01-01

    Roč. 128, č. 5 (2013), s. 2977-2982 ISSN 0021-8995 Grant - others:GA MŠk(CZ) ED2.1.00/03.0111; UTB Zlín(CZ) IGA/1/FT/11/D Institutional support: RVO:67985874 Keywords : carbonyl iron * core-shell * magnetorheological fluid * polypyrrole * viscoelasticity * ribbon-like particles Subject RIV: BK - Fluid Dynamics Impact factor: 1.640, year: 2013

  5. Mena-GRASP65 interaction couples actin polymerization to Golgi ribbon linking.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Tang, Danming; Zhang, Xiaoyan; Huang, Shijiao; Yuan, Hebao; Li, Jie; Wang, Yanzhuang

    2016-01-01

    In mammalian cells, the Golgi reassembly stacking protein 65 (GRASP65) has been implicated in both Golgi stacking and ribbon linking by forming trans-oligomers through the N-terminal GRASP domain. Because the GRASP domain is globular and relatively small, but the gaps between stacks are large and heterogeneous, it remains puzzling how GRASP65 physically links Golgi stacks into a ribbon. To explore the possibility that other proteins may help GRASP65 in ribbon linking, we used biochemical methods and identified the actin elongation factor Mena as a novel GRASP65-binding protein. Mena is recruited onto the Golgi membranes through interaction with GRASP65. Depleting Mena or disrupting actin polymerization resulted in Golgi fragmentation. In cells, Mena and actin were required for Golgi ribbon formation after nocodazole washout; in vitro, Mena and microfilaments enhanced GRASP65 oligomerization and Golgi membrane fusion. Thus Mena interacts with GRASP65 to promote local actin polymerization, which facilitates Golgi ribbon linking. © 2016 Tang et al. This article is distributed by The American Society for Cell Biology under license from the author(s). Two months after publication it is available to the public under an Attribution–Noncommercial–Share Alike 3.0 Unported Creative Commons License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0).

  6. Analysis of high-n dielectronic Rydberg satellites in the spectra of Na-like Zn XX and Mg-like Zn XIX

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Fournier, K.B.; Faenov, A.Ya.; Pikuz, T.A.; Magunov, A.I.; Skobelev, I.Yu.; Flora, F.; Bollanti, S.; Di Lazzaro, P.; Murra, D.; Belyaev, V.S.; Vinogradov, V.I.; Kyrilov, A.S.; Matafonov, A.P.; Francucci, M.; Martellucci, S.; Petrocelli, G.

    2004-01-01

    We have observed spectra from highly charged zinc ions in a variety of laser-produced plasmas. Spectral features that are Na- and Mg-like satellites to high-n Rydberg transitions in the Ne-like Zn XXI spectrum are analyzed and modeled. Identifications and analysis are made by comparison with highly accurate atomic structure calculations and steady state collisional-radiative models. Each observed Zn XX and Zn XIX feature comprises up to ≅2 dozen individual transitions, these transitions are excited principally by dielectronic recombination through autoionizing levels in Na- and Mg-like Zn 19+ and Zn 18+ . We find these satellites to be ubiquitous in laser-produced plasmas formed by lasers with pulse lengths that span four orders of magnitude, from 1 ps to ≅10 ns. The diagnostic potential of these Rydberg satellite lines is demonstrated

  7. Synthesis, characterization and optical properties of sheet-like ZnO

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Liu, Changzhen; Meng, Dawei; Wu, Xiuling; Wang, Yongqian; Yu, Xiaohong; Zhang, Zhengjie; Liu, Xiaoyang

    2011-01-01

    Highlights: → Sheet-like ZnO with regular hexagon shape was synthesized with a two-step method. → Sheet-like ZnO predecessor was synthesized at low temperature in open system. → The diameter and thickness of ZnO sheet can be controlled conveniently. → This low-cost and environmentally benign approach is controllable and reproducible. → Sheet-like ZnO may have potential application in optical and electrical devices. -- Abstract: Sheet-like ZnO with regular hexagon shape and uniform diameter has been successfully synthesized through a two-step method without any metal catalyst. First, the sheet-like ZnO precursor was synthesized in a weak alkaline carbamide environment with stirring in a constant temperature water-bath by the homogeneous precipitation method, then sheet-like ZnO was obtained by calcining at 600 o C for 2 h. The structures and optical properties of sheet-like ZnO have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), photoluminescence (PL) and UV-vis-NIR spectrophotometer. The results reveal that the product is highly crystalline with hexagonal wurtzite phase and has appearance of hexagon at (0 0 0 1) plane. The HRTEM images confirm that the individual sheet-like ZnO is single crystal. The PL spectrum exhibits a narrow ultraviolet emission at 397 nm and a broad visible emission centering at 502 nm. The band gap of sheet-like ZnO is about 3.15 eV.

  8. Zn-binding AZUL domain of human ubiquitin protein ligase Ube3A

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Lemak, Alexander; Yee, Adelinda [University of Toronto, and Northeast Structural Genomics Consortium, Ontario Cancer Institute, Campbell Family Cancer Research Institute and Department of Medical Biophysics (Canada); Bezsonova, Irina, E-mail: bezsonova@uchc.edu [University of Connecticut Health Center, Department of Molecular Microbial and Structural Biology (United States); Dhe-Paganon, Sirano, E-mail: sirano.dhepaganon@utoronto.ca [University of Toronto, Structural Genomics Consortium (Canada); Arrowsmith, Cheryl H., E-mail: carrow@uhnresearch.ca [University of Toronto, and Northeast Structural Genomics Consortium, Ontario Cancer Institute, Campbell Family Cancer Research Institute and Department of Medical Biophysics (Canada)

    2011-09-15

    Ube3A (also referred to as E6AP for E6 Associated Protein) is a E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase implicated in the development of Angelman syndrome by controlling degradation of synaptic protein Arc and oncogenic papilloma virus infection by controlling degradation of p53. This article describe the solution NMR structure of the conserved N-terminal domain of human Ube3A (residues 24-87) that contains two residues (Cys44 and Arg62) found to be mutated in patients with Angelman syndrome. The structure of this domain adopts a novel Zn-binding fold we called AZUL (Amino-terminal Zn-finger of Ube3a Ligase). The AZUL domain has a helix-loop-helix architecture with a Zn ion coordinated by four Cys residues arranged in Cys-X{sub 4}-Cys-X{sub 4}-Cys-X{sub 28}-Cys motif. Three of the Zn-bound residues are located in a 23-residue long and well structured loop that connects two {alpha}-helicies.

  9. Zn-binding AZUL domain of human ubiquitin protein ligase Ube3A

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Lemak, Alexander; Yee, Adelinda; Bezsonova, Irina; Dhe-Paganon, Sirano; Arrowsmith, Cheryl H.

    2011-01-01

    Ube3A (also referred to as E6AP for E6 Associated Protein) is a E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase implicated in the development of Angelman syndrome by controlling degradation of synaptic protein Arc and oncogenic papilloma virus infection by controlling degradation of p53. This article describe the solution NMR structure of the conserved N-terminal domain of human Ube3A (residues 24-87) that contains two residues (Cys44 and Arg62) found to be mutated in patients with Angelman syndrome. The structure of this domain adopts a novel Zn-binding fold we called AZUL (Amino-terminal Zn-finger of Ube3a Ligase). The AZUL domain has a helix-loop-helix architecture with a Zn ion coordinated by four Cys residues arranged in Cys-X 4 -Cys-X 4 -Cys-X 28 -Cys motif. Three of the Zn-bound residues are located in a 23-residue long and well structured loop that connects two α-helicies.

  10. Discontinuous Galerkin Time-Domain Modeling of Graphene Nano-Ribbon Incorporating the Spatial Dispersion Effects

    KAUST Repository

    Li, Ping; Jiang, Li Jun; Bagci, Hakan

    2018-01-01

    It is well known that graphene demonstrates spatial dispersion properties, i.e., its conductivity is nonlocal and a function of spectral wave number (momentum operator) q. In this paper, to account for effects of spatial dispersion on transmission of high speed signals along graphene nano-ribbon (GNR) interconnects, a discontinuous Galerkin time-domain (DGTD) algorithm is proposed. The atomically-thick GNR is modeled using a nonlocal transparent surface impedance boundary condition (SIBC) incorporated into the DGTD scheme. Since the conductivity is a complicated function of q (and one cannot find an analytical Fourier transform pair between q and spatial differential operators), an exact time domain SIBC model cannot be derived. To overcome this problem, the conductivity is approximated by its Taylor series in spectral domain under low-q assumption. This approach permits expressing the time domain SIBC in the form of a second-order partial differential equation (PDE) in current density and electric field intensity. To permit easy incorporation of this PDE with the DGTD algorithm, three auxiliary variables, which degenerate the second-order (temporal and spatial) differential operators to first-order ones, are introduced. Regarding to the temporal dispersion effects, the auxiliary differential equation (ADE) method is utilized to eliminates the expensive temporal convolutions. To demonstrate the applicability of the proposed scheme, numerical results, which involve characterization of spatial dispersion effects on the transfer impedance matrix of GNR interconnects, are presented.

  11. Discontinuous Galerkin Time-Domain Modeling of Graphene Nano-Ribbon Incorporating the Spatial Dispersion Effects

    KAUST Repository

    Li, Ping

    2018-04-13

    It is well known that graphene demonstrates spatial dispersion properties, i.e., its conductivity is nonlocal and a function of spectral wave number (momentum operator) q. In this paper, to account for effects of spatial dispersion on transmission of high speed signals along graphene nano-ribbon (GNR) interconnects, a discontinuous Galerkin time-domain (DGTD) algorithm is proposed. The atomically-thick GNR is modeled using a nonlocal transparent surface impedance boundary condition (SIBC) incorporated into the DGTD scheme. Since the conductivity is a complicated function of q (and one cannot find an analytical Fourier transform pair between q and spatial differential operators), an exact time domain SIBC model cannot be derived. To overcome this problem, the conductivity is approximated by its Taylor series in spectral domain under low-q assumption. This approach permits expressing the time domain SIBC in the form of a second-order partial differential equation (PDE) in current density and electric field intensity. To permit easy incorporation of this PDE with the DGTD algorithm, three auxiliary variables, which degenerate the second-order (temporal and spatial) differential operators to first-order ones, are introduced. Regarding to the temporal dispersion effects, the auxiliary differential equation (ADE) method is utilized to eliminates the expensive temporal convolutions. To demonstrate the applicability of the proposed scheme, numerical results, which involve characterization of spatial dispersion effects on the transfer impedance matrix of GNR interconnects, are presented.

  12. Template-free sonochemical synthesis of flower-like ZnO nanostructures

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Yu, Huawa; Fan, Huiqing; Wang, Xin; Wang, Jing; Cheng, Pengfei; Zhang, Xiaojun

    2014-01-01

    Flower-like ZnO nanostructures have been successfully synthesized via a facile and template-free sonochemical method, using zinc acetate and potassium hydroxide as reactants only. The as-synthesized flower-like ZnO nanostructures were composed of nanorods with the width of ∼300–400 nm and the length of ∼2–3 μm. The structures, morphologies and optical properties of the as-prepared products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscopy, UV-Vis spectrophotometry and Raman-scattering spectroscopy. A plausible formation mechanism of flower-like ZnO nanostructures was studied by SEM which monitors an intermediate morphology transformation of the product at the different ultrasonic time (t=80,90,95,105, and 120 min). - Highlights: • A facile and template-free sonochemical method to fabricate flower-like ZnO nanostructures was proposed. • The flower-like ZnO nanostructures follow the ingrowth of ZnO from the matrix of Zn(OH) 2 crystals. • The flower-like ZnO nanostructures are also expected to explore their application in the field of nano-electronic devices

  13. EDTA-assisted synthesis of rose-like ZnO architectures

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Li, Zhen [Institute of Nanochemistry and Nanobiology, Shanghai University, Shanghai 201800 (China); Shanghai Applied Radiation Institute, Shanghai University, Shanghai 201800 (China); Fang, Yaoguo [Institute of Nanochemistry and Nanobiology, Shanghai University, Shanghai 201800 (China); Peng, Liwei; Wu, Minghong [Shanghai Applied Radiation Institute, Shanghai University, Shanghai 201800 (China); Pan, Dengyu

    2010-10-15

    Rose-like ZnO nanostructures were prepared by a low-temperature solution route with assistance of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium (EDTA-2Na). The morphology of ZnO nanostructures was found to change from nanowire arrays to rose- and tower-like architectures with increasing the molar ratio of EDTA-2Na/Zn{sup 2+}. Also, the shape evolution of ZnO nanostructures with time was observed from flat nanosheets to wrinkled nanosheets and to rose-like nanostructures. EDTA-2Na as a strong complexing agent was found to play a key role in the shape evolution. Photoluminescence spectra show that the rose-like ZnO architectures have more defects than the nanowire arrays. (copyright 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH and Co. KGaA, Weinheim) (orig.)

  14. Template-free sonochemical synthesis of flower-like ZnO nanostructures

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Yu, Huawa [State Key Laboratory of Solidification Processing, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi' an 710072 (China); School of Science, Xi' an Polytechnic University, Xi' an 710048 (China); Fan, Huiqing, E-mail: hqfan3@163.com [State Key Laboratory of Solidification Processing, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi' an 710072 (China); Wang, Xin [Shaanxi Province Thin Film Technology and Optical Test Open Key Laboratory, School of Photoelectrical Engineering, Xi' an Technological University, Xi' an 710032 (China); Wang, Jing [State Key Laboratory of Solidification Processing, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi' an 710072 (China); Cheng, Pengfei; Zhang, Xiaojun [School of Science, Xi' an Polytechnic University, Xi' an 710048 (China)

    2014-10-03

    Flower-like ZnO nanostructures have been successfully synthesized via a facile and template-free sonochemical method, using zinc acetate and potassium hydroxide as reactants only. The as-synthesized flower-like ZnO nanostructures were composed of nanorods with the width of ∼300–400 nm and the length of ∼2–3 μm. The structures, morphologies and optical properties of the as-prepared products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscopy, UV-Vis spectrophotometry and Raman-scattering spectroscopy. A plausible formation mechanism of flower-like ZnO nanostructures was studied by SEM which monitors an intermediate morphology transformation of the product at the different ultrasonic time (t=80,90,95,105, and 120 min). - Highlights: • A facile and template-free sonochemical method to fabricate flower-like ZnO nanostructures was proposed. • The flower-like ZnO nanostructures follow the ingrowth of ZnO from the matrix of Zn(OH){sub 2} crystals. • The flower-like ZnO nanostructures are also expected to explore their application in the field of nano-electronic devices.

  15. Ca(2+) influx and neurotransmitter release at ribbon synapses.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Cho, Soyoun; von Gersdorff, Henrique

    2012-01-01

    Ca(2+) influx through voltage-gated Ca(2+) channels triggers the release of neurotransmitters at presynaptic terminals. Some sensory receptor cells in the peripheral auditory and visual systems have specialized synapses that express an electron-dense organelle called a synaptic ribbon. Like conventional synapses, ribbon synapses exhibit SNARE-mediated exocytosis, clathrin-mediated endocytosis, and short-term plasticity. However, unlike non-ribbon synapses, voltage-gated L-type Ca(2+) channel opening at ribbon synapses triggers a form of multiquantal release that can be highly synchronous. Furthermore, ribbon synapses appear to be specialized for fast and high throughput exocytosis controlled by graded membrane potential changes. Here we will discuss some of the basic aspects of synaptic transmission at different types of ribbon synapses, and we will emphasize recent evidence that auditory and retinal ribbon synapses have marked differences. This will lead us to suggest that ribbon synapses are specialized for particular operating ranges and frequencies of stimulation. We propose that different types of ribbon synapses transfer diverse rates of sensory information by expressing a particular repertoire of critical components, and by placing them at precise and strategic locations, so that a continuous supply of primed vesicles and Ca(2+) influx leads to fast, accurate, and ongoing exocytosis. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  16. Ultrasonic synthesis of fern-like ZnO nanoleaves and their enhanced photocatalytic activity

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Ma, Qing Lan; Xiong, Rui; Zhai, Bao-gai; Huang, Yuan Ming

    2015-01-01

    Graphical abstract: - Highlights: • Fern-like ZnO nanoleaves were synthesized by ultrasonicating Zn microcrystals in water. • A fern-like ZnO nanoleaf is a self-assembly of ZnO nanoplates along one ZnO nanorod. • Fern-like ZnO nanoleaves exhibit enhanced photocatalytic activity than ZnO nanocrystals. • The branched hierarchical structures are responsible for the enhanced photocatalytic activity. - Abstract: Two-dimensional fern-like ZnO nanoleaves were synthesized by ultrasonicating zinc microcrystals in water. The morphology, crystal structure, optical property and photocatalytic activity of the fern-like ZnO nanoleaves were characterized with scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, respectively. It is found that one fern-like ZnO nanoleaf is composed of one ZnO nanorod as the central trunk and a number of ZnO nanoplates as the side branches in opposite pairs along the central ZnO nanorod. The central ZnO nanorod in the fern-like nanoleaves is about 1 μm long while the side-branching ZnO nanoplates are about 100 nm long and 20 nm wide. Further analysis has revealed that ZnO nanocrystals are the building blocks of the central ZnO nanorod and the side-branching ZnO nanoplates. Under identical conditions, fern-like ZnO nanoleaves exhibit higher photocatalytic activity in photodegrading methyl orange in aqueous solution than spherical ZnO nanocrystals. The first-order photocatalytic rate constant of the fern-like ZnO nanoleaves is about four times as large as that of the ZnO nanoparticles. The branched architecture of the hierarchical nanoleaves is suggested be responsible for the enhanced photocatalytic activity of the fern-like ZnO nanoleaves

  17. Application Potential of Nanocrystalline Ribbons Still Pending

    Science.gov (United States)

    Butvin, Pavol; Butvinová, Beata; Švec, Peter; Sitek, Jozef

    2010-09-01

    Nanocrystalline soft-magnetic ribbons promised a wide-spread practical use when introduced at the beginning of nineties. After 20 years of extensive research there are still unclear material problems which are thought to be the principal reason why these materials show but marginal use. Poorly controllable magnetic anisotropy due to spontaneous intrinsic macroscopic stress that comes from an inevitable heterogeneity of the ribbon materials is pointed to in this work. Certain stress-based mechanisms are shown to induce the unintended anisotropy in the already familiar Finemets as well as in the newer Hitperms. Hysteresis loops, domain structure and power loss is used to reveal the anisotropy consequences and particular connected but still unanswered questions are pinpointed.

  18. Elaboration of hybrid materials by templating with mineral liquid crystals stabilization of a mixed sol of YSZ nanoparticles and V2O5 ribbon-like colloids

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Guiot, C.

    2009-01-01

    The purpose of this PhD was to investigate innovative soft chemistry ways to prepare hybrid materials with ordered nano-structures. Concretely, research were conducted on the development of a hybrid material made of an yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) matrix templated by a mineral liquid crystal, namely V 2 O 5 . In aqueous solutions, vanadium oxide exhibits ribbon-like colloids of typical dimensions 1 nm x 25 nm x 500 nm, stabilized by a strong negative surface charge. Above a critical concentration, the anisotropic colloids assemble into a nematic liquid crystal, whose domains can be oriented within the same direction over a macroscopic range under a weak magnetic field. The idea is to use V 2 O 5 anisotropic colloids as a template for a hybrid material, taking advantage of their ordering behavior. Preliminary experiments revealed a strong reactivity between molecular compounds of zirconium and vanadium oxide. Therefore, the studies were directed toward the preparation of a mixed colloidal sol containing YSZ nanoparticles and vanadium oxide ribbon-like colloids, as a precursor sol for the intended hybrid material. The YSZ nanoparticles are obtained through an outstanding hydrothermal synthesis leading to a stable suspension of nanocrystalline particles of ca. 5 nm, in pure water. Providing a mixed sol of YSZ and V 2 O 5 is a key challenge for it implies the co-stabilization of two types of colloids having different shape, size and surface properties. Besides, the existence of V 2 O 5 in its ribbon-like form requires acidic conditions and very low ionic strength. The first part of this work was then dedicated to the study of electro-steric stabilization of zirconia suspension by addition of acidic poly-electrolytes. Different polymers with carboxylic and/or sulfonic acidic functions were investigated. Based on zeta potential measurements and adsorption isotherms, the influence of molecular weight and polymer charge were discussed. Among the studied polymers, poly

  19. A CIRCULAR-RIBBON SOLAR FLARE FOLLOWING AN ASYMMETRIC FILAMENT ERUPTION

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Liu, Chang; Deng, Na; Lee, Jeongwoo; Wang, Haimin [Space Weather Research Laboratory, New Jersey Institute of Technology, University Heights, Newark, NJ 07102-1982 (United States); Liu, Rui [CAS Key Laboratory of Geospace Environment, Department of Geophysics and Planetary Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026 (China); Pariat, Étienne [LESIA, Observatoire de Paris, PSL Research University, CNRS, Sorbonne Universits, UPMC Univ. Paris 06, Univ. Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, F-92190 Meudon (France); Wiegelmann, Thomas [Max-Planck-Institut für Sonnensystemforschung, Justus-von-Liebig Weg 3, D-37077 Göttingen (Germany); Liu, Yang [W. W. Hansen Experimental Physics Laboratory, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305-4085 (United States); Kleint, Lucia, E-mail: chang.liu@njit.edu [University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, Bahnhofstrasse 6, 5210 Windisch (Switzerland)

    2015-10-20

    The dynamic properties of flare ribbons and the often associated filament eruptions can provide crucial information on the flaring coronal magnetic field. This Letter analyzes the GOES-class X1.0 flare on 2014 March 29 (SOL2014-03-29T17:48), in which we found an asymmetric eruption of a sigmoidal filament and an ensuing circular flare ribbon. Initially both EUV images and a preflare nonlinear force-free field model show that the filament is embedded in magnetic fields with a fan-spine-like structure. In the first phase, which is defined by a weak but still increasing X-ray emission, the western portion of the sigmoidal filament arches upward and then remains quasi-static for about five minutes. The western fan-like and the outer spine-like fields display an ascending motion, and several associated ribbons begin to brighten. Also found is a bright EUV flow that streams down along the eastern fan-like field. In the second phase that includes the main peak of hard X-ray (HXR) emission, the filament erupts, leaving behind two major HXR sources formed around its central dip portion and a circular ribbon brightened sequentially. The expanding western fan-like field interacts intensively with the outer spine-like field, as clearly seen in running difference EUV images. We discuss these observations in favor of a scenario where the asymmetric eruption of the sigmoidal filament is initiated due to an MHD instability and further facilitated by reconnection at a quasi-null in corona; the latter is in turn enhanced by the filament eruption and subsequently produces the circular flare ribbon.

  20. Observations and Numerical Modeling of the Jovian Ribbon

    Science.gov (United States)

    Cosentino, R. G.; Simon, A.; Morales-Juberias, R.; Sayanagi, K. M.

    2015-01-01

    Multiple wavelength observations made by the Hubble Space Telescope in early 2007 show the presence of a wavy, high-contrast feature in Jupiter's atmosphere near 30 degrees North. The "Jovian Ribbon," best seen at 410 nanometers, irregularly undulates in latitude and is time-variable in appearance. A meridional intensity gradient algorithm was applied to the observations to track the Ribbon's contour. Spectral analysis of the contour revealed that the Ribbon's structure is a combination of several wavenumbers ranging from k equals 8-40. The Ribbon is a dynamic structure that has been observed to have spectral power for dominant wavenumbers which vary over a time period of one month. The presence of the Ribbon correlates with periods when the velocity of the westward jet at the same location is highest. We conducted numerical simulations to investigate the stability of westward jets of varying speed, vertical shear, and background static stability to different perturbations. A Ribbon-like morphology was best reproduced with a 35 per millisecond westward jet that decreases in amplitude for pressures greater than 700 hectopascals and a background static stability of N equals 0.005 per second perturbed by heat pulses constrained to latitudes south of 30 degrees North. Additionally, the simulated feature had wavenumbers that qualitatively matched observations and evolved throughout the simulation reproducing the Jovian Ribbon's dynamic structure.

  1. Effect of sapphire substrate nitridation on the elimination of rotation domains in ZnO epitaxial films

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Ying Minju; Du Xiaolong; Mei Zengxia; Zeng Zhaoquan; Zheng Hao; Wang Yong; Jia Jinfeng; Zhang Ze; Xue Qikun

    2004-01-01

    The rotation domain structures in ZnO films grown on sapphire substrates under different pre-treatment conditions have been investigated by in situ reflection high-energy electron diffraction and ex situ x-ray diffraction (XRD). It was found that by appropriate nitridation treatment, forming a thin AlN film on the substrate, the rotation domains in ZnO films could be completely suppressed, and a full width at half maximum of only 180 arcsec was observed in the (0 0 0 2) reflection of XRD rocking curves. The mechanisms for the elimination of rotation domains in the ZnO films are discussed

  2. Inter-ribbon tunneling in graphene: An atomistic Bardeen approach

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Van de Put, Maarten L., E-mail: maarten.vandeput@uantwerpen.be; Magnus, Wim [Department of Physics, Universiteit Antwerpen, B-2020 Antwerpen (Belgium); imec, B-3001 Heverlee (Belgium); Vandenberghe, William G.; Fischetti, Massimo V. [Department of Material Science, University of Texas at Dallas, Texas 75080 (United States); Sorée, Bart [Department of Physics, Universiteit Antwerpen, B-2020 Antwerpen (Belgium); imec, B-3001 Heverlee (Belgium); Department of Electrical Engineering, KU Leuven, B-3001 Leuven (Belgium)

    2016-06-07

    A weakly coupled system of two crossed graphene nanoribbons exhibits direct tunneling due to the overlap of the wavefunctions of both ribbons. We apply the Bardeen transfer Hamiltonian formalism, using atomistic band structure calculations to account for the effect of the atomic structure on the tunneling process. The strong quantum-size confinement of the nanoribbons is mirrored by the one-dimensional character of the electronic structure, resulting in properties that differ significantly from the case of inter-layer tunneling, where tunneling occurs between bulk two-dimensional graphene sheets. The current-voltage characteristics of the inter-ribbon tunneling structures exhibit resonance, as well as stepwise increases in current. Both features are caused by the energetic alignment of one-dimensional peaks in the density-of-states of the ribbons. Resonant tunneling occurs if the sign of the curvature of the coupled energy bands is equal, whereas a step-like increase in the current occurs if the signs are opposite. Changing the doping modulates the onset-voltage of the effects as well as their magnitude. Doping through electrostatic gating makes these structures promising for application towards steep slope switching devices. Using the atomistic empirical pseudopotentials based Bardeen transfer Hamiltonian method, inter-ribbon tunneling can be studied for the whole range of two-dimensional materials, such as transition metal dichalcogenides. The effects of resonance and of step-like increases in the current we observe in graphene ribbons are also expected in ribbons made from these alternative two-dimensional materials, because these effects are manifestations of the one-dimensional character of the density-of-states.

  3. Mössbauer and Kerr microscopy investigation of crystallization in FeCoB ribbons

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Reddy, V. Raghavendra, E-mail: varimalla@yahoo.com, E-mail: vrreddy@csr.res.in; Hussain, Zaineb; Babu, Hari [UGC DAE Consortium for Scientific Research, University Campus, Kandhwa Road, Indore-452001 India (India); Shrivastava, Namrata [School of Physics, DAVV, Khandwa Road, Indore – 452001 India (India); Gupta, Ajay [Amity Centre for Spintronic Materials, Amity University, Noida 201303.India (India)

    2016-05-23

    The present work reports the crystallization study of amorphous FeCoB ribbons using x-ray diffraction, {sup 57}Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy in transmission mode and magneto-optical Kerr (MOKE) microscopy. Annealing at 673 K is found to result in crystallization. From the Mossbauer measurements it is observed that the Fe magnetic moments are in the plane of sample for as-cast ribbon; α-FeCo, (Fe{sub 0.5}Co{sub 0.5}){sub 2}B and Fe{sub 2}B phases are formed after crystallization. MOKE microscopy revealed that wide 180° domain walls & narrow fingerprint domains are observed before crystallization and fine domains are observed after crystallization. The results are explained in terms of the presence of internal stresses and their annealing with thermal heat treatment.

  4. Manufacture of ribbon and solar cells of material of semiconductor grade

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    1980-01-01

    A method is described of producing ribbon-like substantially monocrystalline bodies of silicon or other materials of semiconductor grade suitable for use in solar cells or other semiconductor devices. A tube of the material is made and a photovoltaic junction formed in it. The tube is then divided lengthwise into a number of ribbon-like bodies. The photovoltaic junction can be formed either by diffusion or by ion-implantation. (U.K.)

  5. Wrinkles, loops, and topological defects in twisted ribbons

    Science.gov (United States)

    Chopin, Julien

    Nature abounds with elastic ribbon like shapes including double-stranded semiflexible polymers, graphene and metal oxide nanoribbons which are examples of elongated elastic structures with a strongly anisotropic cross-section. Due to this specific geometry, it is far from trivial to anticipate if a ribbon should be considered as a flat flexible filament or a narrow thin plate. We thus perform an experiment in which a thin elastic ribbon is loaded using a twisting and traction device coupled with a micro X-ray computed tomography machine allowing a full 3D shape reconstruction. A wealth of morphological behaviors can be observed including wrinkled helicoids, curled and looped configurations, and faceted ribbons. In this talk, I will show that most morphologies can be understood using a far-from-threshold approach and simple scaling arguments. Further, we find that the various shapes can be organized in a phase diagram using the twist, the tension, and the geometry of the ribbon as control parameters. Finally, I will discuss the spontaneous formation of topological defects with negatively-signed Gaussian charge at large twist and small but finite stretch.

  6. Baffles Promote Wider, Thinner Silicon Ribbons

    Science.gov (United States)

    Seidensticker, Raymond G.; Mchugh, James P.; Hundal, Rolv; Sprecace, Richard P.

    1989-01-01

    Set of baffles just below exit duct of silicon-ribbon-growing furnace reduces thermal stresses in ribbons so wider ribbons grown. Productivity of furnace increased. Diverts plume of hot gas from ribbon and allows cooler gas from top of furnace to flow around. Also shields ribbon from thermal radiation from hot growth assembly. Ribbon cooled to lower temperature before reaching cooler exit duct, avoiding abrupt drop in temperature as entering duct.

  7. Elongation of Flare Ribbons

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Qiu, Jiong; Longcope, Dana W. [Department of Physics, Montana State University, Bozeman MT (United States); Cassak, Paul A. [Department of Physics and Astronomy, West Virginia University, Morgantown WV (United States); Priest, Eric R. [School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of St. Andrews, Fife KY16 9SS, Scotland (United Kingdom)

    2017-03-20

    We present an analysis of the apparent elongation motion of flare ribbons along the polarity inversion line (PIL), as well as the shear of flare loops in several two-ribbon flares. Flare ribbons and loops spread along the PIL at a speed ranging from a few to a hundred km s{sup −1}. The shear measured from conjugate footpoints is consistent with the measurement from flare loops, and both show the decrease of shear toward a potential field as a flare evolves and ribbons and loops spread along the PIL. Flares exhibiting fast bidirectional elongation appear to have a strong shear, which may indicate a large magnetic guide field relative to the reconnection field in the coronal current sheet. We discuss how the analysis of ribbon motion could help infer properties in the corona where reconnection takes place.

  8. Synthesis, strong room-temperature PL and photocatalytic activity of ZnO/ZnWO{sub 4} rod-like nanoparticles

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Validzic, Ivana Lj., E-mail: validzic@vinca.rs [Vinca Institute of Nuclear Sciences, University of Belgrade, P.O. Box 522, 11001 Belgrade (Serbia); Savic, Tatjana D.; Krsmanovic, Radenka M.; Jovanovic, Dragana J.; Novakovic, Mirjana M.; Popovic, Maja C.; Comor, Mirjana I. [Vinca Institute of Nuclear Sciences, University of Belgrade, P.O. Box 522, 11001 Belgrade (Serbia)

    2012-05-25

    Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Novel low temperature method for the synthesis of ZnO/ZnWO{sub 4} rod-like nanoparticles. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer PL showed strong UV band peaked at 3.30 eV and a visible band at 2.71 and 2.53 eV. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Variations of the two PL bands were observed for different excitation wavelengths. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Band-gap energies of ZnO/ZnWO{sub 4} nanoparticles were found to be 3.62 and 3.21 eV. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Photocatalytic behaviour of ZnO is dependent on the formation of ZnWO{sub 4} phase. - Abstract: Zinc oxide (ZnO)/zinc tungstate (ZnWO{sub 4}) rod-like nanoparticles with diameters in the range of 6-11 nm and length of about 30 nm were synthesized by a low temperature soft solution method at 95 Degree-Sign C in the presence of non-ionic copolymer surfactant. It was found that their crystallinity was enhanced with the increase of heating time from 1 h up to 120 h. The photoluminescence (PL) measurements showed very strong, narrow UV band peaked at 3.30 eV and a broad visible band peaking at 2.71 eV with a shoulder at about 2.53 eV, for {lambda}{sub exc} < 300 nm. Quite large variations in the intensities of the two PL bands were observed for different excitation wavelengths. The intensity of the main visible band decreases with decreasing excitation energy and disappears when samples are excited {lambda} = 320 nm (E{sub exc} = 3.875 eV). We found that observed optical properties originate from ZnO phase. UV band gap PL had high intensity for all applied excitations, probably induced by ZnWO{sub 4} phase presence on the surface. In addition, two values were found for direct band-gap energy of ZnO/ZnWO{sub 4} rod-like nanoparticles 3.62 and 3.21 eV, determined from reflectance spectrum. The photocatalytic behaviour of ZnO is strongly dependent on the formation of ZnWO{sub 4} phase, of the obtained rod-like nanoparticles.

  9. The pH-sensitive structure of the C-terminal domain of voltage-gated proton channel and the thermodynamic characteristics of Zn{sup 2+} binding to this domain

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Zhao, Qing; Li, Chuanyong; Li, Shu Jie, E-mail: shujieli@nankai.edu.cn

    2015-01-02

    Highlights: • The α-helical content of the C-terminus is decreased with a pH increase. • The thermostability of the C-terminus is decreased with a pH increase. • Zn{sup 2+} binds to His{sup 244} and His{sup 266} residues within the C-terminal domain. • The binding of Zn{sup 2+} to His{sup 244} residue is an endothermic heat reaction. • The binding of Zn{sup 2+} to His{sup 266} residue is an exothermic heat reaction. - Abstract: The voltage-gated proton channel Hv1 is strongly sensitive to Zn{sup 2+}. The H{sup +} conduction is decreased at a high concentration of Zn{sup 2+} and Hv1 channel closing is slowed by the internal application of Zn{sup 2+}. Although the recent studies demonstrated that Zn{sup 2+} interacts with the intracellular C-terminal domain, the binding sites and details of the interaction remain unknown. Here, we studied the pH-dependent structural stability of the intracellular C-terminal domain of human Hv1 and showed that Zn{sup 2+} binds to His{sup 244} and His{sup 266} residues. The thermodynamics signature of Zn{sup 2+} binding to the two sites was investigated by isothermal titration calorimetry. The binding of Zn{sup 2+} to His{sup 244} (mutant H266A) and His{sup 266} (mutant H244A) were an endothermic heat reaction and an exothermic heat reaction, respectively.

  10. Hydrothermal growth and characterizations of dandelion-like ZnO nanostructures

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Kale, Rohidas B., E-mail: rb_kale@yahoo.co.in [Department of Physics, The Institute of Science, Madam Cama Road, Mumbai 400 032, (M.S.) (India); Lu, Shih-Yuan, E-mail: sylu@nthu.edu.tw [Department of Chemical Engineering, National Tsing-Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan, ROC (China)

    2013-12-05

    Highlights: •The simple, low cost, environmental benign hydrothermal method has been used to synthesize ZnO nanostructure. •The SEM images reveal the interesting 3D dandelion-like morphology of synthesized ZnO nanostructure. The SAED pattern and HRTEM study confirms that the ZnO nanorods are single crystalline. •Change in experimental conditions dramatically changes the morphologies of the synthesized ZnO. •The room temperature PL study reveals strong band edge emission along with much weaker defect related blue emission. •The reaction and growth mechanism of ZnO nanostructure is also discussed. -- Abstract: Three dimensional (3D) ZnO nanostructures have been synthesized by using a facile low-cost hydrothermal method under mild conditions. Aqueous alkaline ammonia solution of Zn(CH{sub 3}COO){sub 2} is used to grow 3D ZnO nanostructures. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) study reveals the well crystallized hexagonal structure of ZnO. SEM observations depict that the ZnO product grows in the form of nanorods united together to form 3D dandelion-like nanostructures. The elemental analysis using EDAX technique confirms the stoichiometry of the ZnO nanorods. The product exhibits special optical properties with red-shifts in optical absorption peak (376 nm) as compared with those of conventional ZnO nanorods. PL spectra show emission peak (396 nm) at the near band-edge and peak (464 nm) originated from defects states that are produced during the hydrothermal growth. TEM and SAED results reveal single crystalline structure of the synthesized product. The reaction and growth mechanisms on the morphological evolution of the ZnO nanostructures are discussed. The morphology of ZnO product is investigated by varying the reaction time, temperature, and type of complexing reagent.

  11. The structural properties of flower-like ZnO nanostructures on porous silicon

    Science.gov (United States)

    Eswar, Kevin Alvin; Suhaimi, Mohd Husairi Fadzillah; Guliling, Muliyadi; Mohamad, Maryam; Khusaimi, Zuraida; Rusop, M.; Abdullah, Saifollah

    2018-05-01

    The flower-like zinc oxide (ZnO) were successfully synthesized on porous silicon (PSi) via hydrothermal method. The characteristic of ZnO nanostructures was investigated using field emission scanning microscopy (FESEM) and X-ray diffraction (X-Ray). The FESEM images show the flower-like ZnO nanostructures composed ZnO nanoparticles. The X-ray diffraction shows that strong intensity of (100), (002) and (101) peaks. The structural analysis revealed that the peaks angles were shifted due to the stress or imperfection of the crystalline of ZnO nanostructures. The crystalline sizes in range of 42.60 to 54.09 nm were produced.

  12. Prion-Like Domains in Phagobiota

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    George Tetz

    2017-11-01

    Full Text Available Prions are molecules characterized by self-propagation, which can undergo a conformational switch leading to the creation of new prions. Prion proteins have originally been associated with the development of mammalian pathologies; however, recently they have been shown to contribute to the environmental adaptation in a variety of prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. Bacteriophages are widespread and represent the important regulators of microbiota homeostasis and have been shown to be diverse across various bacterial families. Here, we examined whether bacteriophages contain prion-like proteins and whether these prion-like protein domains are involved in the regulation of homeostasis. We used a computational algorithm, prion-like amino acid composition, to detect prion-like domains in 370,617 publicly available bacteriophage protein sequences, which resulted in the identification of 5040 putative prions. We analyzed a set of these prion-like proteins, and observed regularities in their distribution across different phage families, associated with their interactions with the bacterial host cells. We found that prion-like domains could be found across all phages of various groups of bacteria and archaea. The results obtained in this study indicate that bacteriophage prion-like proteins are predominantly involved in the interactions between bacteriophages and bacterial cell, such as those associated with the attachment and penetration of bacteriophage in the cell, and the release of the phage progeny. These data allow the identification of phage prion-like proteins as novel regulators of the interactions between bacteriophages and bacterial cells.

  13. Self-assembled ZnO agave-like nanowires and anomalous superhydrophobicity

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Yang, Y H; Li, Z Y; Wang, B; Wang, C X; Chen, D H; Yang, G W [State Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Materials and Technologies, School of Physics Science and Engineering, Zhongshan University, Guangzhou 510275 (China)

    2005-09-07

    Thin films of ZnO agave-like nanowires were prepared on amorphous carbon thin layers on silicon substrates using thermal chemical vapour transport and condensation without any metal catalysts. The unusual superhydrophobicity of the fabricated surface was measured; the water contact angle reaches 151.1 deg. On the basis of experimental and theoretical analyses, it appears likely that the biomimetic microcomposite and nanocomposite surfaces of the prepared thin films of ZnO agave-like nanowires are responsible for the excellent superhydrophobicity.

  14. Position of the IBEX ribbon as a key to understand its origin

    Science.gov (United States)

    Swaczyna, Pawel; Bzowski, Maciej; Sokół, Justyna M.; Christian, Eric R.; Funsten, Herbert O.; McComas, David J.; Schwadron, Nathan A.

    2017-04-01

    Observations of the energetic neutral atom (ENA) emission by the Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX) allow for remote sensing of the plasma properties in heliosheath. The first IBEX results revealed an unexpected arc-like enhancement of the ENA flux in the sky, dubbed the IBEX ribbon. This discovery led to formulation of more than a dozen hypotheses on its origin. The emission source region proposed in these hypotheses span the heliospheric termination shock up to a hypothetical nearby interface between the Local Interstellar Cloud and a local bay in the Local Bubble. Among these hypotheses is the concept that the ribbon is produced by the secondary ENA mechanism, operating in the outer heliosheath. The observational strategy of IBEX allows observation of the same part of the sky from the opposite sides of the Sun every six months and thus provides parallax viewing with a baseline of 2 AU. After correcting the observations for the Compton-Getting effect and for gravitational deflection and radiation pressure, we use this parallax viewing to precisely determine the apparent position of the maximum flux associated with the ribbon. We find that the ribbon peak position differs semi-annually by an angle of 0.41±0.15 deg, which we interpret as the parallax effect. This angle corresponds to a distance of 140-38+84 AU, and thus suggests that most likely the ribbon's source is located just beyond the heliopause. Comparison of the IBEX ribbon position in five energy steps of IBEX-Hi shows a systematic shift, which changes the position of the ribbon center by ˜10 deg. We find that it can be explained using an analytic model of the secondary ENA mechanism with the neutralized supersonic solar wind as the source of the primary ENAs, which are ionized in the outer heliosheath, picked up by the ambient magnetic field, and eventually re-neutralized (as originally conceived, McComas et al. 2009). We use a realistic model of the solar wind evolution dependent on heliographic

  15. Synthesis and optical properties of flower-like ZnO nanorods by thermal evaporation method

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Zheng, J.H.; Jiang, Q.; Lian, J.S.

    2011-01-01

    Flower-like ZnO nanorods have been synthesized by heating a mixture of ZnO/graphite powders using the thermal evaporation and vapor transport on Si (1 0 0) substrates without any catalyst. The structures, morphologies and optical properties of the products were characterized in detail by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), photoluminescence (PL) and Raman spectroscopy. The synthesized products consisted of large quantities of flower-like ZnO nanostructures in the form of uniform nanorods. The flower-like ZnO nanorods had high purity and well crystallized wurtzite structure, whose high crystalline quality was proved by Raman spectroscopy. The as-synthesized flower-like ZnO nanorods showed a strong ultraviolet emission at 386 nm and a weak and broad yellow-green emission in visible spectrum in its room temperature photoluminescence (PL) spectrum. In addition, the growth mechanism of the flower-like ZnO nanorods was discussed based on the reaction conditions.

  16. Catalyst-Free Synthesis of Hollow-Sphere-Like ZnO and Its Photoluminescence Property

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Junye Cheng

    2014-01-01

    Full Text Available Hollow-sphere-like ZnO was successfully prepared by a facile combustion route at 950°C, and no external catalysts or additives were introduced. The morphology and structure of the hollow-sphere-like ZnO were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD, scanning electron microscopy (SEM, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM, and energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS. The possible growth mechanism was discussed in detail. In addition, the as-obtained hollow-sphere-like ZnO exhibited a strong green emission at 518 nm and a weak UV emission at 385 nm. We believe that the hollow-sphere-like ZnO material may be a good candidate for application in optical devices and catalyst systems.

  17. Electrodeposition of Zn-doped {alpha}-nickel hydroxide with flower-like nanostructure for supercapacitors

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    You Zheng [Department of Precision Instruments and Mechanology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084 (China); Shen Kui; Wu Zhicheng [Institute for Advanced Materials and Technology, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083 (China); Wang Xiaofeng [Department of Precision Instruments and Mechanology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084 (China); Kong Xianghua, E-mail: kongxh@ustb.edu.cn [Institute for Advanced Materials and Technology, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083 (China)

    2012-08-01

    Zn-doped {alpha}-nickel hydroxide materials with flower-like nanostructures are synthesized by electrochemical deposition method. The samples are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (SEM) and electrochemical measurements. XRD spectra indicate nickel hydroxide doped with Zn is {alpha}-Ni(OH){sub 2} with excellent crystallization. The SEM observation shows that the formation of Zn-doped Ni(OH){sub 2} includes two steps: a honeycomb-like film forms on the substrate first, then flower-like particles forms on the films. The nickel hydroxide doped with 5% Zn can maintain a maximum specific capacitance of 860 F g{sup -1}, suggesting its potential application in electrochemical capacitors.

  18. Electrodeposition of Zn-doped α-nickel hydroxide with flower-like nanostructure for supercapacitors

    Science.gov (United States)

    You, Zheng; Shen, Kui; Wu, Zhicheng; Wang, Xiaofeng; Kong, Xianghua

    2012-08-01

    Zn-doped α-nickel hydroxide materials with flower-like nanostructures are synthesized by electrochemical deposition method. The samples are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (SEM) and electrochemical measurements. XRD spectra indicate nickel hydroxide doped with Zn is α-Ni(OH)2 with excellent crystallization. The SEM observation shows that the formation of Zn-doped Ni(OH)2 includes two steps: a honeycomb-like film forms on the substrate first, then flower-like particles forms on the films. The nickel hydroxide doped with 5% Zn can maintain a maximum specific capacitance of 860 F g-1, suggesting its potential application in electrochemical capacitors.

  19. Preparation and electrochemical performance of bramble-like ZnO array as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Yan, Junfeng; Wang, Gang; Wang, Hui; Zhang, Zhiyong; Ruan, Xiongfei; Zhao, Wu; Yun, Jiangni; Xu, Manzhang

    2015-01-01

    A bramble-like ZnO array with a special three-dimensional (3D) nanostructure was successfully fabricated on Zn foil through a facile two-step hydrothermal process. A possible growth mechanism of the bramble-like ZnO array was proposed. In the first step of hydrothermal process, the crystal nucleus of Zn(OH) 4 2− generated by the zinc atoms and OH − ions fold together preferentially along the positive polar (0001) to form the needle-like ZnO array. In the second step of hydrothermal process, the crystal nuclei of Zn(OH) 4 2− adjust their posture to keep their c-axes vertical to the perching sites due to the sufficient environmental force and further grow preferentially along the (0001) direction so as to form bramble-like ZnO array. The electrochemical properties of the needle- and bramble-like ZnO arrays as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries were investigated and compared. The results show that the bramble-like ZnO material exhibits much better lithium storage properties than the needle-like ZnO sample. Reasons for the enhanced electrochemical performance of the bramble-like ZnO material were investigated

  20. A worm-like trace of cathode spots on Cu-Zr-Ti amorphous ribbons

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Zhang Chengyu; Yang Zhimao; Wang Yaping; Ding Bingjun

    2003-01-01

    On Cu-Zr-Ti amorphous ribbons, a lot of worm-like traces or quasi-continuous traces of cathode spots have been clearly observed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). This kind of trace is eroded by the motion of a single spot step by step, and could not be observed on cathodes made of crystalline materials. Spot motion direction can be identified from the trace. The arc spreading velocity and spot lifetime can also be evaluated by these traces on SEM photographs, and they are 2.3 m s -1 for arc spreading velocity and (1.10 ± 0.32) μs for spot lifetime. Previously, these could only be measured using high-speed photographs. A linear relationship was found between the length of spot displacement and number of steps, which is quite different from that obtained by high-speed photographs, which fit Gaussian curves and a Rayleigh function. Possible reasons for this discrepancy are discussed

  1. The impact of processing parameters on the properties of Zn-bonded Nd–Fe–B magnets

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Kelhar, Luka, E-mail: luka.kelhar@ijs.si [Department for Nanostructured Materials, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, Ljubljana 1000 (Slovenia); Zavašnik, Janez [Centre for Electron Microscopy and Microanalysis (CEMM), Jamova cesta 39, Ljubljana 1000 (Slovenia); McGuiness, Paul; Kobe, Spomenka [Department for Nanostructured Materials, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, Ljubljana 1000 (Slovenia); Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Jamova cesta 39, Ljubljana 1000 (Slovenia)

    2016-12-01

    We report on the effect of loading factor and pressure on the density and the magnetic properties of Zn-bonded Nd–Fe–B magnets produced by pulsed-electric-current sintering (PECS). The idea behind this study is to fabricate bonded magnets with a metallic binder in order for the bonded magnet to operate at temperatures higher than 180 °C: the current upper-limit for polymer-bonded magnets. These composites are made of hard-magnetic powder in the form of melt-spun ribbons bonded with the low-melting-point metal Zn. The binder additions were varied from 10 to 30 wt%, and pressures of 50 and 500 MPa were applied. The high-pressure mode with 20 wt% Zn resulted in a 24% increase of J{sub r}, compared to the low-pressure mode. The magnetic measurements revealed a maximum remanence of 0.64 T for 10 wt% Zn, while the coercivity is largely unaffected by the processing conditions. The density of the composites was up to 7.0 g/cm{sup 3}, corresponding to 94% of the theoretical density. Compared to commercial polymer-bonded magnets, the Zn-bonded counterparts exhibit a slightly lower J{sub r}, but the coercivity is retained. We show that there is a minor diffusion of Zn into the Nd–Fe–B, forming a 1 μm thin transition layer, but it does not harm the magnetic properties. These metal-bonded Nd–Fe–B magnets are ideal for use in high-temperature automotive applications like under-the-hood sensors and other magnet-based devices that are close to the engine. - Highlights: • Fabrication of Zn-bonded Nd–Fe–B magnets by pulsed electric current sintering. • Interesting for automotive applications with temperature exceeding 180 °C. • Variations of pressure and loading factor result in higher density and remanence. • Minor diffusion of Zn binder into the MQP-B ribbons is revealed, but does not decrease the magnetic properties. • More stable magnetic properties at high-temperature due to metallic Zn-binder.

  2. Gas-Jet Meniscus Control in Ribbon Growth

    Science.gov (United States)

    Zoutendyk, J. A.; Vonroos, O.

    1983-01-01

    Gas jet used to control shape of meniscus and thus to regulate ribbon thickness in vertical silicon-ribbon growth. Gas jet also cools ribbon, increasing maximum possible pull speed for silicon, contact angle of 11 degrees plus or minus 1 degree required for constant thickness ribbon growth. Cooling effect of gas jet increases maximum possible pull speed.

  3. Optical properties and photocatalytic activities of spherical ZnO and flower-like ZnO structures synthesized by facile hydrothermal method

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Fang, Yongling [Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Catalytic Materials and Technology, School of Petrochemical Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou 213164 (China); Li, Zhongyu, E-mail: zhongyuli@mail.tsinghua.edu.cn [Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Catalytic Materials and Technology, School of Petrochemical Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou 213164 (China); Changzhou Expansion New Stuff Technology Limited Company, Changzhou 213122 (China); Jilin Institute of Chemical Technology, Jilin 132022 (China); Xu, Song [Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Catalytic Materials and Technology, School of Petrochemical Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou 213164 (China); Han, Dandan; Lu, Dayong [Jilin Institute of Chemical Technology, Jilin 132022 (China)

    2013-10-25

    Highlights: •Spherical ZnO and flower-like ZnO were prepared via a facile hydrothermal method. •The as-prepared ZnO showed high photocatalytic activity over MO degradation. •The as-prepared ZnO were well crystallized and exhibited good optical properties. -- Abstract: Spherical ZnO and flower-like ZnO were prepared by facile hydrothermal method at 180 °C and 160 °C, respectively. The as-prepared samples were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Raman spectroscopy and UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) spectra. The optical properties of as-prepared sample, such as photoluminescence (PL) spectra and Raman spectra were studied. The photocatalytic activities of the as-prepared ZnO particles were investigated by degrading the methyl orange (MO) under UV light irradiation. The photocatalytic studies showed that the organic pollutants have been almost completely degraded and mineralized after irradiation of the UV light. These results indicated that the as-prepared ZnO particles exhibited good optical properties and high photocatalytic activities.

  4. Hydrothermal synthesis of coral-like Au/ZnO catalyst and photocatalytic degradation of Orange II dye

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Chen, P.K.; Lee, G.J.; Davies, S.H.; Masten, S.J.; Amutha, R.; Wu, J.J.

    2013-01-01

    Highlights: ► Coral-like Au/ZnO was successfully prepared using green synthetic method. ► Gold nanoparticles were deposited on the ZnO structure using NaBH 4 and β-D-glucose. ► Coral-like Au/ZnO exhibited superior photocatalytic activity to degrade Orange II. - Abstract: A porous coral-like zinc oxide (c-ZnO) photocatalyst was synthesized by the hydrothermal method. The coral-like structure was obtained by precipitating Zn 4 (CO 3 )(OH) 6 ·H 2 O (ZnCH), which forms nanosheets that aggregate together to form microspheres with the coral-like structure. X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies indicate that after heating at 550 °C the ZnCH microspheres can be converted to ZnO microspheres with a morphology similar to that of ZnCH microspheres. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) shows this conversion takes place at approximately 260 °C. A simple electrostatic self-assembly method has been employed to uniformly disperse Au nanoparticles (1 wt.%) on the ZnO surface. In this procedure β-D-glucose was used to stabilize the Au nanoparticles. Scanning electron microscope images indicate that the diameter of coral-like ZnO microspheres (c-ZnO) is about 8 μm. X-ray diffraction reveals that the ZnO is highly crystalline with a wurtzite structure and the Au metallic particles have an average size of about 13 nm. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic (XPS) studies have confirmed the presence of ZnO and also showed that the Au is present in the metallic state. The photocatalytic degradation of Orange II dye, with either ultraviolet or visible light, is faster on Au/c-ZnO than on c-ZnO

  5. A novel low-temperature chemical solution route for straight and dendrite-like ZnO nanostructures

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Zhang Hui; Du Ning; Wu Jianbo; Ma, Xiangyang; Yang Deren; Zhang Xiaobin; Yang Zhiqing

    2007-01-01

    The straight and dendrite-like growths of ZnO have been completely and simply controlled by the status of ZnO seed instead of surfactant, template, oriented attachment, and ZnO buffer layer on the substrate in the chemical reaction synthesis of ZnO nanostructures. The monodisperse ZnO seeds, which are prepared by in situ quickly injecting the cool mixed zinc acetate and potassium hydrate ethanol solution into the hot matrix aqueous solution of zinc nitrate hydrate and diethylenetriamine at 95 deg. C, improve the straight growth and lots of uniform, straight, and single-crystalline ZnO nanorods with about 20-30 nm in diameter and 300 nm in length are achieved. While, the aggregated ZnO seeds, which are prepared by dropwise adding potassium hydrate ethanol solution into zinc acetate ethanol solution at 60 deg. C for 3 h, result in the dendrite-like growth and the bur-like ZnO nanostructures consisting of hundreds of nanorods with about 30-50 nm in diameter and several micrometers in length are formed. Furthermore, the approach presented here provides a simple, low-cost, environmental-friendly and high efficiency route to synthesize the high quality ZnO nanorods and bur-like ZnO nanostructures

  6. THE NATURE OF FLARE RIBBONS IN CORONAL NULL-POINT TOPOLOGY

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Masson, S.; Aulanier, G.; Pariat, E.; Schrijver, C. J.

    2009-01-01

    Flare ribbons are commonly attributed to the low-altitude impact, along the footprints of separatrices or quasi-separatrix layers (QSLs), of particle beams accelerated through magnetic reconnection. If reconnection occurs at a three-dimensional coronal magnetic null point, the footprint of the dome-shaped fan surface would map a closed circular ribbon. This paper addresses the following issues: does the entire circular ribbon brighten simultaneously, as expected because all fan field lines pass through the null point? And since the spine separatrices are singular field lines, do spine-related ribbons look like compact kernels? What can we learn from these observations about current sheet formation and magnetic reconnection in a null-point topology? The present study addresses these questions by analyzing Transition Region and Coronal Explorer and Solar and Heliospheric Observatory/Michelson Doppler Imager observations of a confined flare presenting a circular ribbon. Using a potential field extrapolation, we linked the circular shape of the ribbon with the photospheric mapping of the fan field lines originating from a coronal null point. Observations show that the flare ribbon outlining the fan lines brightens sequentially along the counterclockwise direction and that the spine-related ribbons are elongated. Using the potential field extrapolation as initial condition, we conduct a low-β resistive magnetohydrodynamics simulation of this observed event. We drive the coronal evolution by line-tied diverging boundary motions, so as to emulate the observed photospheric flow pattern associated with some magnetic flux emergence. The numerical analysis allows us to explain several observed features of the confined flare. The vorticity induced in the fan by the prescribed motions causes the spines to tear apart along the fan. This leads to formation of a thin current sheet and induces null-point reconnection. We also find that the null point and its associated topological

  7. Fabrication of hierarchical flower-like porous ZnO nanostructures from layered ZnC2O4·3Zn(OH)2 and gas sensing properties

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Cui, Jiashan; Sun, Jianbo; Liu, Xin; Li, Jinwei; Ma, Xinzhi; Chen, Tingting

    2014-01-01

    ZnO materials with porous and hierarchical flower-like structure were synthesized through mild hydrothermal and simple calcination approach, in which the flower-like layered zinc oxalate hydroxide (ZnC 2 O 4 ·3Zn(OH) 2 ) precursor was first synthesized and then calcined at 600 °C. The obtained products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopic (TEM), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) and thermogravimetric (TG) analysis. We proposed the possible growth mechanism of the material via studying the time evolution experiment results. In the process of reaction, oxalic acid as a structure-directing agent hydrolyzed and then formed primarily sheets-like intermediate ZnC 2 O 4 ·2H 2 O. Hexamethylenetetramine (HMT) as surfactant, with directional adsorption, leads to the formation of layered zinc oxalate hydroxide precursor. Furthermore, the gas sensitivity also can be characterized, whose results indicated that the synthesized materials had a preferable selectivity to ethanol gas. The fast response rate and reversible performance can be attributed to the produced greater specific surface area produced, which was caused by the porous and hierarchical flower-like structure.

  8. Fabrication of hierarchical flower-like porous ZnO nanostructures from layered ZnC2O4·3Zn(OH)2 and gas sensing properties

    Science.gov (United States)

    Cui, Jiashan; Sun, Jianbo; Liu, Xin; Li, Jinwei; Ma, Xinzhi; Chen, Tingting

    2014-07-01

    ZnO materials with porous and hierarchical flower-like structure were synthesized through mild hydrothermal and simple calcination approach, in which the flower-like layered zinc oxalate hydroxide (ZnC2O4·3Zn(OH)2) precursor was first synthesized and then calcined at 600 °C. The obtained products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopic (TEM), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) and thermogravimetric (TG) analysis. We proposed the possible growth mechanism of the material via studying the time evolution experiment results. In the process of reaction, oxalic acid as a structure-directing agent hydrolyzed and then formed primarily sheets-like intermediate ZnC2O4·2H2O. Hexamethylenetetramine (HMT) as surfactant, with directional adsorption, leads to the formation of layered zinc oxalate hydroxide precursor. Furthermore, the gas sensitivity also can be characterized, whose results indicated that the synthesized materials had a preferable selectivity to ethanol gas. The fast response rate and reversible performance can be attributed to the produced greater specific surface area produced, which was caused by the porous and hierarchical flower-like structure.

  9. Sea-Urchin-Like ZnO Nanoparticle Film for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Cheng-Wen Ma

    2015-01-01

    Full Text Available We present novel sea-urchin-like ZnO nanoparticles synthesized using a chemical solution method. Solution approaches to synthesizing ZnO nanostructures have several advantages including low growth temperatures and high potential for scaling up. We investigated the influence of reaction times on the thickness and morphology of sea-urchin-like ZnO nanoparticles, and XRD patterns show strong intensity in every direction. Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs were developed using the synthesized ZnO nanostructures as photoanodes. The DSSCs comprised a fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO glass with dense ZnO nanostructures as the working electrode, a platinized FTO glass as the counter electrode, N719-based dye, and I-/I3-liquid electrolyte. The DSSC fabricated using such nanostructures yielded a high power conversion efficiency of 1.16% with an incident photo-to-current efficiency (IPCE as high as 15.32%. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was applied to investigate the characteristics of DSSCs. An improvement in the electron transport in the ZnO photoanode was also observed.

  10. Ionic liquid-assisted synthesis of highly dispersive bowknot-like ZnO microrods for photocatalytic applications

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Zhao, Shuo; Zhang, Yiwei; Zhou, Yuming; Zhang, Chao; Sheng, Xiaoli; Fang, Jiasheng; Zhang, Mingyu; Yang, Yong

    2017-01-01

    Highlights: • Ionic liquid was used as template for dispersive bowknot-like ZnO microrods. • The bowknot-like ZnO consists of individual microrods whose size is about 1 μm. • The formation mechanism of the ZnO materials is tentatively elucidated. • The bowknot-like ZnO exhibited the high catalytic activity in the photodegradation. • Photocatalytic activity is a result of the combination of various factors. - Abstract: Here we present a facile method for the preparation of highly dispersive ZnO materials by using ionic liquid 1-methyl-3-[3′-(trimethoxysilyl) propyl] imidazolium chloride as the template. The influence of ionic liquid concentration and calcined atmosphere on the photoactivity is studied. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), N_2 gas sorption and ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The results showed that the as-fabricated ZnO materials consisted of individual microrods with self-assembled bowknot-like architecture whose size was about 1 μm. The formation mechanism of the bowknot-like ZnO materials which is based on the self-assembly of ionic liquid is tentatively elucidated. Moreover, the ZnO-2.6N sample exhibited the higher activity for the photodegradation of MB than the photodegradation of MO and RhB. Furthermore, it was found that the ZnO materials calcined under air atmosphere showed the better photocatalytic activities than that of samples calcined under nitrogen atmosphere in the degradation of methylene blue (MB) under UV irradiation. And the special structure, surface area, adsorption capability of dye, the separation rate of photogenerated electron–hole pairs and band gap had effects on the photocatalytic activity of ZnO photocatalysts. O_2·"− was the main active species for the photocatalytic degradation of MB. It is valuable to develop this facile route preparing

  11. Ionic liquid-assisted synthesis of highly dispersive bowknot-like ZnO microrods for photocatalytic applications

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Zhao, Shuo [School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Jiangsu Optoelectronic Functional Materials and Engineering Laboratory, Nanjing 211189 (China); Zhang, Yiwei, E-mail: zhangchem@seu.edu.cn [School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Jiangsu Optoelectronic Functional Materials and Engineering Laboratory, Nanjing 211189 (China); Zhou, Yuming, E-mail: ymzhou@seu.edu.cn [School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Jiangsu Optoelectronic Functional Materials and Engineering Laboratory, Nanjing 211189 (China); Zhang, Chao; Sheng, Xiaoli; Fang, Jiasheng; Zhang, Mingyu [School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Jiangsu Optoelectronic Functional Materials and Engineering Laboratory, Nanjing 211189 (China); Yang, Yong [School of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, 200 Xiao Ling Wei St, Nanjing 210094, Jiangsu (China)

    2017-04-01

    Highlights: • Ionic liquid was used as template for dispersive bowknot-like ZnO microrods. • The bowknot-like ZnO consists of individual microrods whose size is about 1 μm. • The formation mechanism of the ZnO materials is tentatively elucidated. • The bowknot-like ZnO exhibited the high catalytic activity in the photodegradation. • Photocatalytic activity is a result of the combination of various factors. - Abstract: Here we present a facile method for the preparation of highly dispersive ZnO materials by using ionic liquid 1-methyl-3-[3′-(trimethoxysilyl) propyl] imidazolium chloride as the template. The influence of ionic liquid concentration and calcined atmosphere on the photoactivity is studied. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), N{sub 2} gas sorption and ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The results showed that the as-fabricated ZnO materials consisted of individual microrods with self-assembled bowknot-like architecture whose size was about 1 μm. The formation mechanism of the bowknot-like ZnO materials which is based on the self-assembly of ionic liquid is tentatively elucidated. Moreover, the ZnO-2.6N sample exhibited the higher activity for the photodegradation of MB than the photodegradation of MO and RhB. Furthermore, it was found that the ZnO materials calcined under air atmosphere showed the better photocatalytic activities than that of samples calcined under nitrogen atmosphere in the degradation of methylene blue (MB) under UV irradiation. And the special structure, surface area, adsorption capability of dye, the separation rate of photogenerated electron–hole pairs and band gap had effects on the photocatalytic activity of ZnO photocatalysts. O{sub 2}·{sup −} was the main active species for the photocatalytic degradation of MB. It is valuable to develop this facile

  12. Controllable synthesis of periodic flower-like ZnO nanostructures on Si subwavelength grating structures

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Ko, Yeong Hwan; Leem, Jung Woo; Yu, Jae Su

    2011-01-01

    We report on the periodic well-defined flower-like zinc oxide (ZnO) nanostructures (NSs) self-assembled through a simple hydrothermal method using silicon (Si) subwavelength grating (SWG) structures. The Si SWGs serve as building blocks for constructing a two-dimensional (2D) periodic architecture to integrate the one-dimensional (1D) ZnO NSs. Various controlled morphologies of ZnO NSs with high crystallinity are obtained by changing the growth conditions. For 1D ZnO NSs integrated on periodic hexagonal Si SWG structures, the reflection characteristics are investigated in comparison with the conventional ZnO nanorod (NR) arrays. For a three-dimensional (3D) flower-like ZnO NS on Si SWGs, a relatively low total reflectance of < 8% at wavelengths of 300-1050 nm is achieved compared to the ZnO NRs on Si substrate.

  13. Numerical Simulation Of Silicon-Ribbon Growth

    Science.gov (United States)

    Woda, Ben K.; Kuo, Chin-Po; Utku, Senol; Ray, Sujit Kumar

    1987-01-01

    Mathematical model includes nonlinear effects. In development simulates growth of silicon ribbon from melt. Takes account of entire temperature and stress history of ribbon. Numerical simulations performed with new model helps in search for temperature distribution, pulling speed, and other conditions favoring growth of wide, flat, relatively defect-free silicon ribbons for solar photovoltaic cells at economically attractive, high production rates. Also applicable to materials other than silicon.

  14. Chirality effect in disordered graphene ribbon junctions

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Long Wen

    2012-01-01

    We investigate the influence of edge chirality on the electronic transport in clean or disordered graphene ribbon junctions. By using the tight-binding model and the Landauer-Büttiker formalism, the junction conductance is obtained. In the clean sample, the zero-magnetic-field junction conductance is strongly chirality-dependent in both unipolar and bipolar ribbons, whereas the high-magnetic-field conductance is either chirality-independent in the unipolar or chirality-dependent in the bipolar ribbon. Furthermore, we study the disordered sample in the presence of magnetic field and find that the junction conductance is always chirality-insensitive for both unipolar and bipolar ribbons with adequate disorders. In addition, the disorder-induced conductance plateaus can exist in all chiral bipolar ribbons provided the disorder strength is moderate. These results suggest that we can neglect the effect of edge chirality in fabricating electronic devices based on the magnetotransport in a disordered graphene ribbon. (paper)

  15. Synthesis and photoluminescence properties of comb-like CdS nanobelt/ZnO nanorod heterostructures

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Lan Changyong; Gong Jiangfeng; Liu Chunming

    2012-01-01

    Highlights: ► Comb-like CdS nanobelt/ZnO nanorod heterostructures were synthesized. ► ZnO nanorods epitaxially grew on the (1 0 0) surface of the CdS nanobelts along [1 0 0]. ► A preliminary growth mechanism was proposed. - Abstract: Comb-like CdS nanobelt/ZnO nanorod heterostructures were synthesized by a two-stage method. X-ray diffractometer, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy were used to characterize and analyze the as-synthesized products. The results demonstrate that the CdS nanobelt backbones grow along [2 1 0] and the ZnO nanorod branches epitaxially grow on the (0 0 1) surface of the CdS nanobelt with a growth direction of [0 0 1]. The as-prepared heterostructures exhibit an important feature of single-crystallinity. At room temperature, the comb-like CdS nanobelt/ZnO nanorod heterostructures show strong green emission.

  16. Cycling behaviour of sponge-like nanostructured ZnO as thin-film Li-ion battery anodes

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Garino, Nadia; Lamberti, Andrea; Gazia, Rossana; Chiodoni, Angelica; Gerbaldi, Claudio

    2014-01-01

    Highlights: • Zn is thermally oxidized in ambient air to obtain sponge-like ZnO film. • Polycrystalline, transparent, porous thin film is obtained. • Film exhibits stabile specific capacity (∼300 mAh g −1 ) after prolonged cycling. • Sponge-like ZnO film shows promising prospects as Li-ion battery anode. - Abstract: Single phase wurtzitic porous ZnO thin films are obtained by a simple two-step method, involving the sputtering deposition of a sponge-like metallic Zn layer, followed by a moderately low temperature treatment for the complete zinc oxidation. Thanks to its 3D nanostructuration, the superimposition of small branches able to grow in length almost isotropically and forming a complex topography, sponge-like ZnO can combine the fast transport properties of one dimensional material and the high surface area usually provided by nanocrystalline electrodes. When galvanostatically tested in lithium cell, after the initial decay, it can provide an almost stable specific capacity higher than 50 μAh cm −2 after prolonged cycling at estimated 0.7 C, with very high Coulombic efficiency

  17. Cycling behaviour of sponge-like nanostructured ZnO as thin-film Li-ion battery anodes

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Garino, Nadia, E-mail: nadia.garino@iit.it [Center for Space Human Robotics @Polito, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Corso Trento, 21, 10129 Turin (Italy); Lamberti, Andrea; Gazia, Rossana; Chiodoni, Angelica [Center for Space Human Robotics @Polito, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Corso Trento, 21, 10129 Turin (Italy); Gerbaldi, Claudio, E-mail: claudio.gerbaldi@polito.it [Center for Space Human Robotics @Polito, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Corso Trento, 21, 10129 Turin (Italy); GAME Lab, Department of Applied Science and Technology – DISAT, Politecnico di Torino, C.so Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Turin (Italy)

    2014-12-05

    Highlights: • Zn is thermally oxidized in ambient air to obtain sponge-like ZnO film. • Polycrystalline, transparent, porous thin film is obtained. • Film exhibits stabile specific capacity (∼300 mAh g{sup −1}) after prolonged cycling. • Sponge-like ZnO film shows promising prospects as Li-ion battery anode. - Abstract: Single phase wurtzitic porous ZnO thin films are obtained by a simple two-step method, involving the sputtering deposition of a sponge-like metallic Zn layer, followed by a moderately low temperature treatment for the complete zinc oxidation. Thanks to its 3D nanostructuration, the superimposition of small branches able to grow in length almost isotropically and forming a complex topography, sponge-like ZnO can combine the fast transport properties of one dimensional material and the high surface area usually provided by nanocrystalline electrodes. When galvanostatically tested in lithium cell, after the initial decay, it can provide an almost stable specific capacity higher than 50 μAh cm{sup −2} after prolonged cycling at estimated 0.7 C, with very high Coulombic efficiency.

  18. Effect of annealing treatment on soft magnetic properties of Fe-6.5 wt% Si wide ribbons

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Roy, R.K.; Panda, A.K.; Ghosh, M.; Mitra, A.; Ghosh, R.N.

    2009-01-01

    The 25 mm wide ribbons of Fe-6.5 wt% Si alloy have been developed by melt spinning technique, showing sufficient ductility and white silver appearance. Two magnetic transitions take place at 676 and 760 deg. C due to the formation of B2 ordered phase and A2 disordered paramagnetic phase, respectively. The saturation magnetization of the ribbon is 17.5 kG under the applied field of 12 kG. The as-cast ribbons consist of disordered A2 structure with a low volume of B2 phases while the annealed microstructure comprises a dispersion of B2 domains in the disordered A2 matrix. The alloy shows the enhancement of the soft magnetic properties with a reduction in coercivity from 150 A/m in the as-cast state to 45 A/m in the annealed condition at 850 deg. C.

  19. The Synthesis and Characterization of Peach-Like ZnO

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Kamalianfar, A.; Halim, S. A.; Navasery, M.; Din Fasih, Ud; Lim, K. P.; Chen, S. K.; Jahromi, Siamak Pilban; Zahedi, J. A. M.

    2012-01-01

    Peach-like ZnO microstructures are synthesized using vapor phase transport on MgO (001) substrates with a copper oxide (60 nm) buffer layer. The structure and morphology of the product are investigated using an x-ray diffractometer (XRD) and a field-emission scanning electron microscope. The peaches have an average diameter of 3 μm and a wurtzite structure. To study the optical properties, photoluminescence (PL) and Raman spectroscopy are employed. A strong UV emission at 380 nm in the PL spectra is observed, and a sharp and dominant peak at 437 cm −1 in the Raman spectrum can be assigned to the good crystallization of obtained product. In addition, the growth mechanism of the peach-like ZnO structure is tentatively investigated based on the EDX analysis and growth time

  20. Structure of Thermotoga maritima TM0439: implications for the mechanism of bacterial GntR transcription regulators with Zn2+-binding FCD domains

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Zheng, Meiying; Cooper, David R.; Grossoehme, Nickolas E.; Yu, Minmin; Hung, Li-Wei; Cieslik, Marcin; Derewenda, Urszula; Lesley, Scott A.; Wilson, Ian A.; Giedroc, David P.; Derewenda, Zygmunt S.

    2009-01-01

    Here, the crystal structure of TM0439, a GntR regulator with an FCD domain found in the Thermotoga maritima genome, is described. The GntR superfamily of dimeric transcription factors, with more than 6200 members encoded in bacterial genomes, are characterized by N-terminal winged-helix DNA-binding domains and diverse C-terminal regulatory domains which provide a basis for the classification of the constituent families. The largest of these families, FadR, contains nearly 3000 proteins with all-α-helical regulatory domains classified into two related Pfam families: FadR-C and FCD. Only two crystal structures of FadR-family members, those of Escherichia coli FadR protein and LldR from Corynebacterium glutamicum, have been described to date in the literature. Here, the crystal structure of TM0439, a GntR regulator with an FCD domain found in the Thermotoga maritima genome, is described. The FCD domain is similar to that of the LldR regulator and contains a buried metal-binding site. Using atomic absorption spectroscopy and Trp fluorescence, it is shown that the recombinant protein contains bound Ni 2+ ions but that it is able to bind Zn 2+ with K d < 70 nM. It is concluded that Zn 2+ is the likely physiological metal and that it may perform either structural or regulatory roles or both. Finally, the TM0439 structure is compared with two other FadR-family structures recently deposited by structural genomics consortia. The results call for a revision in the classification of the FadR family of transcription factors

  1. Band gap-engineered ZnO and Ag/ZnO by ball-milling method and their photocatalytic and Fenton-like photocatalytic activities

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Choi, Young In; Jung, Hye Jin; Shin, Weon Gyu; Sohn, Youngku

    2015-01-01

    Graphical abstract: - Highlights: • Ag/ZnO hybrid materials were prepared by a ball-milling method. • Adsorption and photocatalytic dye degradation were tested for pure RhB under visible light. • Adsorption and photocatalytic dye degradation were tested for mixed dye (MO + RhB + MB) under visible light. • Fenton-like photocatalytic activity (H 2 O 2 addition effects) was examined. - Abstract: The hybridization of ZnO with Ag has been performed extensively to increase the efficiency of ZnO in various applications, including catalysis. In this study, a wet (w) and dry (d) ball-milling method was used to hybridize Ag with ZnO nanoparticles, and their physicochemical properties were examined. Visible light absorption was enhanced and the band gap was engineered by ball-milling and Ag hybridization. Their photocatalytic activities were tested with rhodamine B (RhB) and a mixed dye (methyl orange + RhB + methylene blue) under visible light irradiation. For pure RhB, the photocatalytic activity was decreased by ball-milling and was observed in the order of ZnO(d) < Ag/ZnO(d) < ZnO(w) < Ag/ZnO(w) ≤ ZnO(ref). For the degradation of RhB and methylene blue (MB) in the mixed dye (or the simulated real contaminated water), the photocatalytic activity was observed in the order of Ag/ZnO(d) < ZnO(d) < ZnO(w) < Ag/ZnO(w) ≤ ZnO(ref). When the photodegradation tested with H 2 O 2 addition, however, the Fenton-like photocatalytic activity was reversed and the ZnO(ref) showed the poorest activity for the degradation of RhB and methylene blue (MB). In the mixed dye over all the catalysts, methyl orange (MO) was degraded most rapidly. The relative degradation rates of RhB and MB were found to be dependent on the catalyst and reaction conditions.

  2. Edge states in gated bilayer-monolayer graphene ribbons and bilayer domain walls

    Science.gov (United States)

    Mirzakhani, M.; Zarenia, M.; Peeters, F. M.

    2018-05-01

    Using the effective continuum model, the electron energy spectrum of gated bilayer graphene with a step-like region of decoupled graphene layers at the edge of the sample is studied. Different types of coupled-decoupled interfaces are considered, i.e., zigzag (ZZ) and armchair junctions, which result in significant different propagating states. Two non-valley-polarized conducting edge states are observed for ZZ type, which are mainly located around the ZZ-ended graphene layers. Additionally, we investigated both BA-BA and BA-AB domain walls in the gated bilayer graphene within the continuum approximation. Unlike the BA-BA domain wall, which exhibits gapped insulating behaviour, the domain walls surrounded by different stackings of bilayer regions feature valley-polarized edge states. Our findings are consistent with other theoretical calculations, such as from the tight-binding model and first-principles calculations, and agree with experimental observations.

  3. Preparation of cauliflower-like CdS/ZnS/ZnO nanostructure and its photoelectric properties

    Science.gov (United States)

    Liu, Zhifeng; Guo, Keying; Wang, Yun; Zheng, Xuerong; Ya, Jing; Li, Junwei; Han, Li; Liu, Zhichao; Han, Jianhua

    2014-06-01

    Cauliflower-like CdS/ZnS/ZnO nanostructure is fabricated via a simple hydrothermal method. Factors such as concentration of reaction solution, reaction temperature, as well as reaction time in the synthetic process are investigated, and the working mechanism of the nanostructure is suggested. Hydrogen generation efficiency of 4.69 % at 0.29 V versus saturated calomel electrode is achieved using synthesized nanostructure as electrode due to the improved absorption and appropriate energy gap structure, which is confirmed by enhanced absorption spectrum. The expected products have potential application in photoelectrochemical water splitting.

  4. Blue-emitting photoluminescence of rod-like and needle-like ZnO nanostructures formed by hot-water treatment of sol–gel derived coatings

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Tan, Wai Kian, E-mail: tanwaikian@cie.ignite.tut.ac.jp [Center for International Education, Toyohashi University of Technology, Aichi, Toyohashi 441-8580 (Japan); Kawamura, Go; Muto, Hiroyuki [Department of Electrical and Electronic Information Engineering, Toyohashi University of Technology, Aichi, Toyohashi 441-8580 (Japan); Abdul Razak, Khairunisak; Lockman, Zainovia [School of Materials and Mineral Resources, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Engineering Campus, Nibong Tebal, Pulau Pinang 14300 Malaysia (Malaysia); Matsuda, Atsunori, E-mail: matsuda@tut.ee.ac.jp [Center for International Education, Toyohashi University of Technology, Aichi, Toyohashi 441-8580 (Japan); Department of Electrical and Electronic Information Engineering, Toyohashi University of Technology, Aichi, Toyohashi 441-8580 (Japan)

    2015-02-15

    The morphological evolution of the zinc oxide (ZnO) nanostructures generated by hot-water treatment (HWT) of sol–gel derived coatings as a function of temperature from 30 to 90 °C was investigated. With increasing HWT temperature, the ZnO crystals evolved from nanoparticles to rod-like and needle-like nanostructures. High-resolution transmission electron microscope observations of rod-like and needle-like nanostructures generated at 60 and 90 °C indicated single crystal ZnO wurtzite structure was obtained. All the hot-water treated samples exhibited blue emission at approximately 440 nm in room temperature. The intensity of blue emission increased with higher HWT temperatures. The unique photoluminescence emission characteristic remained even after heat-treatment at 400 °C for 1 h. As the emission peak obtained in our work is approximately 440 nm (2.82 eV), the emission peak is corresponding to the electron transition from the interstitial Zn to the top of valence band. This facile formation of blue-emitting ZnO nanostructures at low-temperature can be utilized on substrate with low thermal stability for optoelectronic applications such as light emitting devices and biological fluorescence labeling. - Highlights: • Facile and novel formation of ZnO nanostructures by low temperature hot-water treatment. • No catalyst or inhibitor is used. • Evolution of ZnO nanostructures formation as a function of temperature is reported. • Dominant blue emissions are observed from the as-formed and annealed ZnO films. • Ultraviolet and visible emissions are observed for hot-water treated films.

  5. Microstructural evolution in Mg-rich Mg-Zn-Y alloys

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Biswas, T.; Ranganathan, S.; Nair, S.; Bajargan, G.

    2005-01-01

    Mg-rich Mg-Zn-Y alloys with nominal compositions Mg 97 Zn 1 Y 2 , Mg 97 Zn 2 Y 1 , Mg 92 Zn 6.5 Y 1.5 and Mg 97-x Zn 1 Y 2 Zr x have been chosen for the present study. These alloys are prepared by using sand casting mold. The sand cast alloys are remelted and subjected to copper mold casting and melt spinning techniques. The effect of cooling rate on microstructures was studied. It is observed that the size of the precipitates decreases with an increase of cooling rate. The formation of nano precipitates results in higher strength of the alloy as compared to the conventional alloys. The microstructures of melt spun ribbons are compared with RS/PM (rapidly solidified power metallurgy) Mg 97 Zn 1 Y 2 alloy, obtained from a different source. (author)

  6. Facile Synthesis of Rambutan-Like ZnO Hierarchical Hollow Microspheres with Highly Photocatalytic Activity

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Ke-Jian Ju

    2015-01-01

    Full Text Available Rambutan-like ZnO hierarchical hollow microspheres (ZnO HHMs were constructed under hydrothermal conditions, using carboxyl methyl starch (CMS as a soft template. The resulting products were characterized by using X-ray diffraction (XRD, scanning electron microscopy (SEM, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM. The experimental parameters and growth mechanism of rambutan-like ZnO HHMs were discussed in some detail. The as-prepared samples displayed improved photocatalytic activity for the degradation of rhodamine B under ultraviolet (UV irradiation.

  7. Synthesis and Characterization of Flower-Like Bundles of ZnO Nanosheets by a Surfactant-Free Hydrothermal Process

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Jijun Qiu

    2014-01-01

    Full Text Available Flower-like bundles of ZnO nanosheets have been prepared by using preheating hydrothermal process without any surfactants. The flower-like bundles consist of many thin and uniform hexagonal-structured ZnO nanosheets, with a thickness of 50 nm. The selected area electronic diffraction (SAED and high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM images indicate that the ZnO nanosheets are single crystal in nature. The growth mechanism of the flower-like bundles of ZnO nanosheets is discussed based on the morphology evolution with growth times and reaction conditions. It is believed that the formation of flower-like bundles of ZnO nanosheets is related to the shielding effect of OH− ions and the self-assembly process, which is dominated by a preheating time. Room temperature photoluminescence spectra results show that the annealing atmosphere strongly affects the visible emission band, which is sensitive to intrinsic and surface defects, especially oxygen interstitials, in flower-like bundles of ZnO nanosheets.

  8. Intercalation of diclofenac in modified Zn/Al hydrotalcite-like preparation

    Science.gov (United States)

    Heraldy, E.; Suprihatin, R. W.; Pranoto

    2016-02-01

    The intercalation of a pharmaceutically active material diclofenac into modified Zn/Al Hydrotalcite-like (Zn/Al HTlc) preparation has been investigated by the coprecipitation and ion exchange method, respectively. The synthetic materials were characterized using X- Ray Diffraction (XRD); Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FTIR); Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM); X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) and surface area analyzer. The results show that the basal spacing of the product was expanded to 11.03 A for direct synthesis and 10.68 A for indirect synthesis, suggesting that diclofenac anion was intercalated into Zn/Al HTlc and arranged in a tilted bilayer fashion and the specific surface area of material increased after the intercalation of diclofenac.

  9. Dislocation dynamics of web type silicon ribbon

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Dillon, Jr, O W; Tsai, C T; DeAngelis, R J

    1987-03-01

    Silicon ribbon grown by the dendritic web process passes through a rapidly changing thermal profile in the growth direction. This rapidly changing profile induces stresses which produce changes in the dislocation density in the ribbon. A viscoplastic material response function (Haasen-Sumino model) is used herein to calculate the stresses and the dislocation density at each point in the silicon ribbon. The residual stresses are also calculated.

  10. The influence of tetrapod-like ZnO morphology and electrolytes on energy conversion efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Lee, Chia-Hua; Chiu, Wei-Hao; Lee, Kun-Mu; Yen, Wen-Hsiang; Lin, Hsiu-Fen; Hsieh, Wen-Feng; Wu, Jenn-Ming

    2010-01-01

    Tetrapod-like ZnO nanostructures prepared by dc plasma technology were used as photoelectrodes in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Each of the tetrapod-like ZnO possesses four extended arms that offer improved electron transport properties. Tetrapod-like ZnO with short (S-ZnO) and long arms (L-ZnO) were synthesized by controlling the plasma gas flow and the input power. Between these two tetrapod-like ZnO nanopowders, the DSSCs using S-ZnO showed higher energy conversion efficiency than using L-ZnO. This is due to the resulting increase in dye adsorption and enhanced short-circuit current density, using S-ZnO. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) shows that the properties of electron transport of S-ZnO are superior to that of the L-ZnO. We investigated the effect of the redox electrolytes (I 2 ) and the additives (LiI and TBP) on the performance of the DSSCs by intensity-modulated photovoltage spectroscopy and EIS.

  11. Crystal structure of Thermotoga maritima TM0439: implications for the mechanism of bacterial GntR transcription regulators with Zn2+-binding FCD domains

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Zheng, Meiying; Cooper, David; Grossoehmerb, Nickolas; Yu, Minmin; Hung, Li-Wei; Cieslik, Murcin; Derewendaro, Urszula; Lesley, Scott; Wilson, Ian; Giedrocb, David; Derewenda, Zygmunt

    2009-06-06

    The GntR superfamily of dimeric transcription factors, with more than 6200 members encoded in bacterial genomes, are characterized by N-terminal winged helix (WH) DNA-binding domains and diverse C-terminal, regulatory domains, which provide a basis for the classification of the constituent families. The largest of these families, FadR, contains nearly 3000 proteins with all a-helical regulatory domains classified into two related Pfam families: FadR{_}C and FCD. Only two crystal structures of the FadR family members, i.e. the E. coli FadR protein and the LldR from C. glutamicum, have been described to date in literature. Here we describe the crystal structure of TM0439, a GntR regulator with an FCD domain, found in the Thermotoga maritima genome. The FCD domain is similar to that of the LldR regulator, and contains a buried metal binding site. Using atomic absorption spectroscopy and Trp fluorescence, we show that the recombinant protein contains bound Ni{sup 2+} ions, but it is able to bind Zn{sup 2+} with K{sub D} < 70 nM . We conclude that Zn{sup 2+} is the likely physiological metal, where it may perform either or both structural and regulatory roles. Finally, we compare the TM0439 structure to two other FadR family structures recently deposited by Structural Genomics consortia. The results call for a revision in the classification of the FadR family of transcription factors.

  12. Facile synthesis of highly branched jacks-like ZnO nanorods and their applications in dye-sensitized solar cells

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Sudhagar, P.; Kumar, R. Saravana; Jung, June Hyuk; Cho, Woohyung; Sathyamoorthy, R.; Won, Jongok; Kang, Yong Soo

    2011-01-01

    Graphical abstract: -- Abstract: Highly branched, jacks-like ZnO nanorods architecture were explored as a photoanode in dye-sensitized solar cells, and their photovoltaic performance was compared with that of branch-free ZnO nanorods photoanodes. The highly branched network and large pores of the jacks-like ZnO nanorods electrodes enhances the charge transport, and electrolyte penetration. Thus, the jacks-like ZnO nanorods DSSCs render a higher conversion efficiency of η = 1.82% (V oc = 0.59 V, J sc = 5.52 mA cm -2 ) than that of the branch-free ZnO nanorods electrodes (η = 1.08%, V oc = 0.49 V, J sc = 4.02 mA cm -2 ). The incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency measurements reveal that the jacks-like ZnO nanorods DSSCs exhibit higher internal quantum efficiency (∼59.1%) than do the branch-free ZnO nanorods DSSC (∼52.5%). The charge transfer resistances at the ZnO/dye/electrolyte interfaces investigated using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy showed that the jacks-like ZnO nanorods DSSC had high charge transfer resistance and a slightly longer electron lifetime, thus improving the solar-cell performance.

  13. Facile synthesis of highly branched jacks-like ZnO nanorods and their applications in dye-sensitized solar cells

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Sudhagar, P. [Center for Next Generation Dye-sensitized Solar Cells, WCU Program Department of Energy Engineering, Hanyang University, Seongdong-gu, Seoul- 133 791 (Korea, Republic of); Kumar, R. Saravana [R and D Department of Physics, Kongunadu Arts and Science College, Coimbatore 641 029, Tamilnadu (India); Jung, June Hyuk; Cho, Woohyung [Center for Next Generation Dye-sensitized Solar Cells, WCU Program Department of Energy Engineering, Hanyang University, Seongdong-gu, Seoul- 133 791 (Korea, Republic of); Sathyamoorthy, R. [R and D Department of Physics, Kongunadu Arts and Science College, Coimbatore 641 029, Tamilnadu (India); Won, Jongok [Department of Chemistry, Sejong University, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 143-747 (Korea, Republic of); Kang, Yong Soo, E-mail: kangys@hanyang.ac.kr [Center for Next Generation Dye-sensitized Solar Cells, WCU Program Department of Energy Engineering, Hanyang University, Seongdong-gu, Seoul- 133 791 (Korea, Republic of)

    2011-09-15

    Graphical abstract: -- Abstract: Highly branched, jacks-like ZnO nanorods architecture were explored as a photoanode in dye-sensitized solar cells, and their photovoltaic performance was compared with that of branch-free ZnO nanorods photoanodes. The highly branched network and large pores of the jacks-like ZnO nanorods electrodes enhances the charge transport, and electrolyte penetration. Thus, the jacks-like ZnO nanorods DSSCs render a higher conversion efficiency of {eta} = 1.82% (V{sub oc} = 0.59 V, J{sub sc} = 5.52 mA cm{sup -2}) than that of the branch-free ZnO nanorods electrodes ({eta} = 1.08%, V{sub oc} = 0.49 V, J{sub sc} = 4.02 mA cm{sup -2}). The incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency measurements reveal that the jacks-like ZnO nanorods DSSCs exhibit higher internal quantum efficiency ({approx}59.1%) than do the branch-free ZnO nanorods DSSC ({approx}52.5%). The charge transfer resistances at the ZnO/dye/electrolyte interfaces investigated using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy showed that the jacks-like ZnO nanorods DSSC had high charge transfer resistance and a slightly longer electron lifetime, thus improving the solar-cell performance.

  14. Au functionalized ZnO rose-like hierarchical structures and their enhanced NO2 sensing performance

    Science.gov (United States)

    Shingange, K.; Swart, H. C.; Mhlongo, G. H.

    2018-04-01

    Herein, we present ZnO rose-like hierarchical nanostructures employed as support to Au nanoparticles to produce Au functionalized three dimensional (3D) ZnO hierarchical nanostructures (Au/ZnO) for NO2 detection using a microwave-assisted method. Comparative analysis of NO2 sensing performance between the pristine ZnO and Au/ZnO rose-like structures at 300 °C revealed improved NO2 response and rapid response-recovery times with Au incorporation owing to a combination of high surface accessibility induced by hierarchical nanostructure design and catalytic activity of the small Au nanoparticles. Structural and optical analyses acquired from X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscope and photoluminescence spectroscopy were also performed.

  15. Band gap-engineered ZnO and Ag/ZnO by ball-milling method and their photocatalytic and Fenton-like photocatalytic activities

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Choi, Young In [School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, Gyeongbuk 38541 (Korea, Republic of); Jung, Hye Jin [Department of Mechanical Engineering, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134 (Korea, Republic of); Shin, Weon Gyu, E-mail: wgshin@cnu.ac.kr [Department of Mechanical Engineering, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134 (Korea, Republic of); Sohn, Youngku, E-mail: youngkusohn@ynu.ac.kr [School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, Gyeongbuk 38541 (Korea, Republic of)

    2015-11-30

    Graphical abstract: - Highlights: • Ag/ZnO hybrid materials were prepared by a ball-milling method. • Adsorption and photocatalytic dye degradation were tested for pure RhB under visible light. • Adsorption and photocatalytic dye degradation were tested for mixed dye (MO + RhB + MB) under visible light. • Fenton-like photocatalytic activity (H{sub 2}O{sub 2} addition effects) was examined. - Abstract: The hybridization of ZnO with Ag has been performed extensively to increase the efficiency of ZnO in various applications, including catalysis. In this study, a wet (w) and dry (d) ball-milling method was used to hybridize Ag with ZnO nanoparticles, and their physicochemical properties were examined. Visible light absorption was enhanced and the band gap was engineered by ball-milling and Ag hybridization. Their photocatalytic activities were tested with rhodamine B (RhB) and a mixed dye (methyl orange + RhB + methylene blue) under visible light irradiation. For pure RhB, the photocatalytic activity was decreased by ball-milling and was observed in the order of ZnO(d) < Ag/ZnO(d) < ZnO(w) < Ag/ZnO(w) ≤ ZnO(ref). For the degradation of RhB and methylene blue (MB) in the mixed dye (or the simulated real contaminated water), the photocatalytic activity was observed in the order of Ag/ZnO(d) < ZnO(d) < ZnO(w) < Ag/ZnO(w) ≤ ZnO(ref). When the photodegradation tested with H{sub 2}O{sub 2} addition, however, the Fenton-like photocatalytic activity was reversed and the ZnO(ref) showed the poorest activity for the degradation of RhB and methylene blue (MB). In the mixed dye over all the catalysts, methyl orange (MO) was degraded most rapidly. The relative degradation rates of RhB and MB were found to be dependent on the catalyst and reaction conditions.

  16. Graphene ribbon growth on structured silicon carbide

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Stoehr, Alexander; Link, Stefan; Starke, Ulrich [Max-Planck-Institut fuer Festkoerperforschung, Stuttgart (Germany); Baringhaus, Jens; Aprojanz, Johannes; Tegenkamp, Christoph [Institut fuer Festkoerperphysik, Leibniz Universitaet Hannover (Germany); Niu, Yuran [MAX IV Laboratory, Lund University (Sweden); present address: School of Physics and Astronomy, Cardiff University (United Kingdom); Zakharov, Alexei A. [MAX IV Laboratory, Lund University (Sweden); Chen, Chaoyu; Avila, Jose; Asensio, Maria C. [Synchrotron SOLEIL and Universite Paris-Saclay, Gif sur Yvette (France)

    2017-11-15

    Structured Silicon Carbide was proposed to be an ideal template for the production of arrays of edge specific graphene nanoribbons (GNRs), which could be used as a base material for graphene transistors. We prepared periodic arrays of nanoscaled stripe-mesas on SiC surfaces using electron beam lithography and reactive ion etching. Subsequent epitaxial graphene growth by annealing is differentiated between the basal-plane mesas and the faceting stripe walls as monitored by means of atomic force microscopy (AFM). Microscopic low energy electron diffraction (μ-LEED) revealed that the graphene ribbons on the facetted mesa side walls grow in epitaxial relation to the basal-plane graphene with an armchair orientation at the facet edges. The π-band system of the ribbons exhibits linear bands with a Dirac like shape corresponding to monolayer graphene as identified by angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES). (copyright 2017 by WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH and Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

  17. Are All Flare Ribbons Simply Connected to the Corona?

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Judge, Philip G. [High Altitude Observatory, National Center for Atmospheric Research, P.O. Box 3000, Boulder, CO 80307-3000 (United States); Paraschiv, Alin; Lacatus, Daniela; Donea, Alina [Monash Center for Astrophysics, School of Mathematical Science, Monash University, Victoria 3800 (Australia); Lindsey, Charlie, E-mail: judge@ucar.edu, E-mail: alina.donea@monash.edu, E-mail: alin.paraschiv@monash.edu, E-mail: daniela.lacatus@monash.edu, E-mail: indsey@cora.nwra.com [Northwest Research Associates, 3380 Mitchell Lane, Boulder, CO 80301 (United States)

    2017-04-01

    We consider the observational basis for the belief that flare ribbons in the chromosphere result from energy transport from the overlying corona. We study ribbons of small flares using magnetic and intensity data from the Hinode , Solar Dynamics Observatory , and IRIS missions. While most ribbons appear connected to the corona and overlie regions of significant vertical magnetic field, we examine one ribbon with no clear evidence for such connections. Evolving horizontal magnetic fields seen with Hinode suggest that reconnection with preexisting fields below the corona can explain the data. The identification of just one, albeit small, ribbon, with no apparent connection to the corona, leads us to conclude that at least two mechanisms are responsible for the heating that leads to flare ribbon emission.

  18. Highly conductive Al-doped tetra-needle-like ZnO whiskers prepared by a solid state method

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Wan Cuifeng; Tan Hairen; Jin Shengming; Yang Huaming; Tang Motang; He Jing

    2008-01-01

    Tetra-needle-like zinc oxide whiskers (T-ZnO W ) were doped with Al 3+ by a solid state method. In this study, modification conditions were thoroughly investigated to obtain low resistivity T-ZnO W , without destroying the tetra-needle-like structure. The Al-doped T-ZnO W was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transition infrared (FT-IR) spectra and electrical resistance measurement. The SEM and XRD results indicated that the tetra-needle-like structure of ZnO whiskers could be well maintained after modification and the doped (0 0 2) face was preferred. FT-IR results showed that the decrease of resistivity of Al-doped T-ZnO W resulted from formation of [AlO 4 ] configuration in T-ZnO W bulk. Experiment results showed that the annealing temperature, doping concentration and type of Al sources affected the resistivity of T-ZnO W considerably. The optimum Al-doped concentration was 7.0 at.% and the resistivity of T-ZnO W could be considerably decreased from 10 8 to 10 2 Ω cm

  19. Geothermal Technologies Program Blue Ribbon Panel Recommendations

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    none,

    2011-06-17

    The Geothermal Technologies Program assembled a geothermal Blue Ribbon Panel on March 22-23, 2011 in Albuquerque, New Mexico for a guided discussion on the future of geothermal energy in the United States and the role of the DOE Program. The Geothermal Blue Ribbon Panel Report captures the discussions and recommendations of the experts. An addendum is available here: http://www.eere.energy.gov/geothermal/pdfs/gtp_blue_ribbon_panel_report_addendum10-2011.pdf

  20. Low-temperature synthesis of rose-like ZnO nanostructures using surfactin and their photocatalytic activity.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Reddy, A Satyanarayana; Kuo, Yi-Hao; Atla, Shashi B; Chen, Chien-Yen; Chen, Chien-Cheng; Shih, Ruey-Chyuan; Chang, Young-Fo; Maity, Jyoti Prakash; Chen, How-Ji

    2011-06-01

    Rose-like ZnO nanostructures were synthesized by the precipitation method using a biosurfactant (surfactin) as a templating-agent stabilizer. The concentration of surfactin in the precursor solution significantly influenced the thickness and density of the petals in the rose-like structures, and all samples were of a wurtzite phase. The thickness of the petal was found to decrease with increasing surfactin concentration. The average thickness of the petals was found to be between 10 and 13 nm. Photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue using rose-like ZnO nanostuctures was investigated, and the morphology, density and thickness of the ZnO petals were found to influence the photodegradation activity. The samples with loosely-spread petals, or plate-like ZnO structures, brought about the strongest photodegradation in comparison with the dense rose-like structures. The greater activity of the loose-petal structures was correlated with their higher absorption in the UV region in comparison with the other samples. The ZnO samples prepared using low surfactin concentrations had higher rate constant values, i.e., 9.1 x 10(-3) min(-1), which revealed that the photodegradation of methylene blue under UV irradiation progressed by a pseudo first-order kinetic reaction.

  1. Diagrammatic documentation for ribbon computing in Microsoft Office

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Kaveh Farbeh-Tabrizi

    Full Text Available In 2007 Microsoft changed the graphical user interface of MS Office, and moved away from the long -established drop down menu approach to a ribbon graphical user interface. There have been mixed reactions to Microsoft\\'s ribbon interface. Ericson (2006 mentioned that even the experienced user might have difficulty adopting the interface, and Dostal (2010 concluded that the biggest issue with the Ribbon User Interface is to get accustomed to a redesigned user interface. Reaction to this change was negative among our new and current students. For years the students had tried to memorise how to apply the right commands in Microsoft Office applications by selecting the correct items from the dropdown menus of the WIMP (windows, icons, menus, pointer interface, and now that they were confronted with the new interface their confusion had begun to slow their progress down. The major effect in transition from the traditional WIMP interface to the Ribbon interface had created a difficulty for most students who had their original training with the older versions of MS Office software, as they were not able to locate the commands that they had learnt with the earlier versions of the MS Office in the new Ribbon interfaced version. The shrinking nature of the ribbon that would hide some commands on the ribbon when the resolution of the screen changes was also confusing for those students as they could not quickly locate the command they were looking for because the Ribbon had compacted them to save space. For both new students and also more experienced ones, the approach to learning the Ribbon Interface seemed to be difficult due to the fact that they had to memorise the hierarchy of tab names, group names and then the commands. This led us to enhance our current teaching methods to try to deal with this change.

  2. ON THE GEOMETRY OF THE IBEX RIBBON

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Sylla, Adama; Fichtner, Horst [Institut für Theoretische Physik IV, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, D-44780 Bochum (Germany)

    2015-10-01

    The Energetic Neutral Atom (ENA) full-sky maps obtained with the Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX) show an unexpected bright narrow band of increased intensity. This so-called ENA ribbon results from charge exchange of interstellar neutral atoms with protons in the outer heliosphere or beyond. Among other hypotheses it has been argued that this ribbon may be related to a neutral density enhancement, or H-wave, in the local interstellar medium. Here we quantitatively demonstrate, on the basis of an analytical model of the principal large-scale heliospheric structure, that this scenario for the ribbon formation leads to results that are fully consistent with the observed location of the ribbon in the full-sky maps at all energies detected with high-energy sensor IBEX-Hi.

  3. HOOKED FLARE RIBBONS AND FLUX-ROPE-RELATED QSL FOOTPRINTS

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Zhao, Jie; Li, Hui [Key Laboratory of Dark Matter and Space Astronomy, Purple Mountain Observatory, CAS, Nanjing 210008 (China); Gilchrist, Stuart A.; Aulanier, Guillaume; Schmieder, Brigitte; Pariat, Etienne, E-mail: nj.lihui@pmo.ac.cn [LESIA, Observatoire de Paris, PSL Research University, CNRS, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ. Paris 06, Univ. Paris-Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, 5 place Jules Janssen, F-92195 Meudon (France)

    2016-05-20

    We studied the magnetic topology of active region 12158 on 2014 September 10 and compared it with the observations before and early in the flare that begins at 17:21 UT (SOL2014-09-10T17:45:00). Our results show that the sigmoidal structure and flare ribbons of this active region observed by the Solar Dynamics Observatory /Atmospheric Imaging Assembly can be well reproduced from a Grad–Rubin nonlinear force-free field extrapolation method. Various inverse-S- and inverse-J-shaped magnetic field lines, which surround a coronal flux rope, coincide with the sigmoid as observed in different extreme-ultraviolet wavelengths, including its multithreaded curved ends. Also, the observed distribution of surface currents in the magnetic polarity where it was not prescribed is well reproduced. This validates our numerical implementation and setup of the Grad–Rubin method. The modeled double inverse-J-shaped quasi-separatrix layer (QSL) footprints match the observed flare ribbons during the rising phase of the flare, including their hooked parts. The spiral-like shape of the latter may be related to a complex pre-eruptive flux rope with more than one turn of twist, as obtained in the model. These ribbon-associated flux-rope QSL footprints are consistent with the new standard flare model in 3D, with the presence of a hyperbolic flux tube located below an inverse-teardrop-shaped coronal QSL. This is a new step forward forecasting the locations of reconnection and ribbons in solar flares and the geometrical properties of eruptive flux ropes.

  4. HOOKED FLARE RIBBONS AND FLUX-ROPE-RELATED QSL FOOTPRINTS

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Zhao, Jie; Li, Hui; Gilchrist, Stuart A.; Aulanier, Guillaume; Schmieder, Brigitte; Pariat, Etienne

    2016-01-01

    We studied the magnetic topology of active region 12158 on 2014 September 10 and compared it with the observations before and early in the flare that begins at 17:21 UT (SOL2014-09-10T17:45:00). Our results show that the sigmoidal structure and flare ribbons of this active region observed by the Solar Dynamics Observatory /Atmospheric Imaging Assembly can be well reproduced from a Grad–Rubin nonlinear force-free field extrapolation method. Various inverse-S- and inverse-J-shaped magnetic field lines, which surround a coronal flux rope, coincide with the sigmoid as observed in different extreme-ultraviolet wavelengths, including its multithreaded curved ends. Also, the observed distribution of surface currents in the magnetic polarity where it was not prescribed is well reproduced. This validates our numerical implementation and setup of the Grad–Rubin method. The modeled double inverse-J-shaped quasi-separatrix layer (QSL) footprints match the observed flare ribbons during the rising phase of the flare, including their hooked parts. The spiral-like shape of the latter may be related to a complex pre-eruptive flux rope with more than one turn of twist, as obtained in the model. These ribbon-associated flux-rope QSL footprints are consistent with the new standard flare model in 3D, with the presence of a hyperbolic flux tube located below an inverse-teardrop-shaped coronal QSL. This is a new step forward forecasting the locations of reconnection and ribbons in solar flares and the geometrical properties of eruptive flux ropes.

  5. Effects of Ag loading on structural and photocatalytic properties of flower-like ZnO microspheres

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Zhang, Xiaodong, E-mail: fatzhxd@126.com [Environment and Low-Carbon Research Center, School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093 (China); Wang, Yuxin, E-mail: wyx790914@aliyun.com [Institute of Applied Biotechnology, Taizhou Vocation & Technical College, Taizhou Zhejiang 318000 (China); Hou, Fulin; Li, Hongxin; Yang, Yang [Environment and Low-Carbon Research Center, School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093 (China); Zhang, Xinxin [Institute of Applied Biotechnology, Taizhou Vocation & Technical College, Taizhou Zhejiang 318000 (China); Yang, Yiqiong; Wang, Yin [Environment and Low-Carbon Research Center, School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093 (China)

    2017-01-01

    Highlights: • Unique flower-like Ag/ZnO spheres were synthesized by simple hydrothermal method. • Depositing with moderate Ag improved visible light response and activity. • Photoexcited electrons transfer from Ag to ZnO due to surface plasmon resonance. • Ag/ZnO was stable even after recycling many times. - Abstract: Flower-like Ag/ZnO samples were successfully fabricated via a simple and cost efficient method without surfactants. The morphologies, structural and optical properties of Ag/ZnO samples with various Ag content were investigated. The samples were systematically characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), N{sub 2} adsorption-desorption isotherm, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL). It was found that ZnO was wurtzite phase and metallic Ag particles were wrapped by ZnO nanosheets. Compared with pure metallic Ag, the binding energy of Ag 3d for the Ag/ZnO samples distinctly shifted to the lower binding energy, which was attributed to the interaction between ZnO and Ag. With the increase of Ag content, surface plasmon absorption band of Ag/ZnO samples was obviously widened; meanwhile, PL intensity was decreased. The photocatalytic performance of Ag/ZnO samples were carried out by the degradation of methylene blue (MB) solution under visible light irradiation. The deposition of a certain amount of Ag was beneficial to the improvement of photocatalytic activity. The degradation rate of the Ag/ZnO sample with Ag/Zn ratio 1/20 was greater than fourfold times faster than that of ZnO. It was suggested that photoexcited electrons transferred from Ag to ZnO due to surface plasmon resonance (SPR), which could effectively reduce the recombination of electron–hole pairs and prolong lifetime of the electron–holes pairs, promoting the degradation efficiency. The deposition of a large amount of Ag

  6. Structural, optical and photocatalytic properties of flower-like ZnO nanostructures prepared by a facile wet chemical method

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Sini Kuriakose

    2013-11-01

    Full Text Available Flower-like ZnO nanostructures were synthesized by a facile wet chemical method. Structural, optical and photocatalytic properties of these nanostructures have been studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD, scanning electron microscopy (SEM, transmission electron microscopy (TEM, photoluminescence (PL and UV–vis absorption spectroscopy. SEM and TEM studies revealed flower-like structures consisting of nanosheets, formed due to oriented attachment of ZnO nanoparticles. Flower-like ZnO structures showed enhanced photocatalytic activity towards sun-light driven photodegradation of methylene blue dye (MB as compared to ZnO nanoparticles. XRD, UV–vis absorption, PL, FTIR and TEM studies revealed the formation of Zn(OH2 surface layer on ZnO nanostructures upon ageing. We demonstrate that the formation of a passivating Zn(OH2 surface layer on the ZnO nanostructures upon ageing deteriorates their efficiency to photocatalytically degrade of MB.

  7. The ribbon microphone - an educational aid: use of a ribbon microphone to teach multi-discipline computer simulation skills

    CSIR Research Space (South Africa)

    Van Wyk, Marius

    2016-07-01

    Full Text Available The ribbon microphone serves as an excellent aid to learn computer simulation and computational skills. Simulation of this seemingly simple device is all but trivial. The ribbon microphone is an all-in-one example for simulations in acoustics...

  8. In situ observation of magnetic vortex manipulation by external fields in amorphous CeFeB ribbon

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Zuo, Shulan; Zhang, Ming; Li, Rui; Zhang, Ying; Peng, Licong; Xiong, Jiefu; Liu, Dan; Zhao, Tongyun; Hu, Fengxia; Shen, Baogen; Sun, Jirong

    2017-01-01

    In this study, we show the real-space observation of the magnetic domain configuration in amorphous Ce 14 Fe 80 B 6 ribbon using Lorentz transmission electron microscopy. Cross-tie domain walls composed of magnetic vortices (Vs) and antivortices (AVs) are observed. The evolution of Vs/AVs manipulated by temperature, in-plane magnetic field, and electrical current is clearly demonstrated. Magnetic V nucleation and annihilation in pair are observed because of the stimulus of external fields.

  9. Electrostatics-Driven Hierarchical Buckling of Charged Flexible Ribbons.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Yao, Zhenwei; Olvera de la Cruz, Monica

    2016-04-08

    We investigate the rich morphologies of an electrically charged flexible ribbon, which is a prototype for many beltlike structures in biology and nanomaterials. Long-range electrostatic repulsion is found to govern the hierarchical buckling of the ribbon from its initially flat shape to its undulated and out-of-plane twisted conformations. In this process, the screening length is the key controlling parameter, suggesting that a convenient way to manipulate the ribbon morphology is simply to change the salt concentration. We find that these shapes originate from the geometric effect of the electrostatic interaction, which fundamentally changes the metric over the ribbon surface. We also identify the basic modes by which the ribbon reshapes itself in order to lower the energy. The geometric effect of the physical interaction revealed in this Letter has implications for the shape design of extensive ribbonlike materials in nano- and biomaterials.

  10. Carbon nanotube fiber spun from wetted ribbon

    Science.gov (United States)

    Zhu, Yuntian T; Arendt, Paul; Zhang, Xiefei; Li, Qingwen; Fu, Lei; Zheng, Lianxi

    2014-04-29

    A fiber of carbon nanotubes was prepared by a wet-spinning method involving drawing carbon nanotubes away from a substantially aligned, supported array of carbon nanotubes to form a ribbon, wetting the ribbon with a liquid, and spinning a fiber from the wetted ribbon. The liquid can be a polymer solution and after forming the fiber, the polymer can be cured. The resulting fiber has a higher tensile strength and higher conductivity compared to dry-spun fibers and to wet-spun fibers prepared by other methods.

  11. Synthesis and their enhanced photoelectrochemical performance of ZnO nanoparticle-loaded CuO dandelion heterostructures under solar light

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Dong, Guanying; Du, Bin; Liu, Lei; Zhang, Weiwei; Liang, Yujie; Shi, Honglong; Wang, Wenzhong, E-mail: wzhwangmuc@163.com

    2017-03-31

    Highlights: • ZnO/CuO nanoparticle/dandelion heterostructures were fabricated for the first time. • ZnO/CuO nanoparticle/dandelion heterostructures show enhanced PEC activity. • ZnO nanoparticle loading contents have significant effect on PEC water splitting. • Interaction, charge transfer and enhanced mechanism of photocatalyst were proposed. • p-n junction drives the photoexcited charges efficient separation. - Abstract: Here we report an easy and large-scale synthesis of three-dimensional (3D) ZnO nanoparticle-loaded CuO dandelion (denoted as n-ZnO/p-CuO nanoparticle/dandelion) heterostructures and their photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting under simulated solar light illumination. CuO dandelions were fabricated by a facile and cost-effective chemical strategy, in which the ribbon-like CuO nanoplates were first formed and then assembled into dandelion-like architectures. ZnO nanoparticle-loaded CuO dandelion heterostructures were fabricated by calcining Zn(Ac){sub 2}-loaded CuO dandelions. High resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM) studies demonstrate that intimate p-n junction is built between p-CuO and n-ZnO interface. The n-ZnO/p-CuO nanoparticle/dandelion photoelectrodes exhibit significant improvement in PEC water splitting to CuO dandelion photoelectrodes. The correlation between photocurrents and different loading contents of ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) is studied in which the n-ZnO/p-CuO nanoparticle/dandelion heterostructures with loading 4.6 wt% ZnO NPs show higher photocathodic current. The efficient separation of the photogenerated electrons and holes driven by the intimate p-n junction between p-type CuO and n-type ZnO interface is mainly contributed to the enhanced photoanode current. The achieved results in the present study offer a very useful strategy for designing p-n junction photoelectrodes for efficiency and low-cost PEC cells for clean solar hydrogen production.

  12. Hierarchical ZnO microspheres built by sheet-like network: Large-scale synthesis and structurally enhanced catalytic performances

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Zhu Guoxing; Liu Yuanjun; Ji Zhenyuan; Bai Song; Shen Xiaoping; Xu Zheng

    2012-01-01

    Highlights: ► Hierarchical ZnO microspheres were prepared through a facile precursor procedure in the absence of self-assembled templates, organic additives, or matrices. ► The building blocks of microspheres, sheet-like ZnO networks, are porous mesocrystal terminated with (0 1 −1 0) crystal planes. ► The hierarchical ZnO microsphere catalyst exhibits structure-induced enhancement of catalytic performance and a strong durability. - Abstract: Large-scale novel hierarchical ZnO microspheres were fabricated by a facile precursor procedure in the absence of self-assembled templates, organic additives, or matrices. A field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) image reveals that the ZnO microspheres with diameter of 5–18 μm are built by sheet-like ZnO networks with average thickness of 40 nm and length of several microns. High resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) image indicates that the building blocks, sheet-like ZnO networks, are porous mesocrystal terminated with {0 1 −1 0} crystal planes. A potential application of the ZnO microspheres as a catalyst in the synthesis of 5-substituted 1H-tetrazoles was investigated. It was found that the hierarchical ZnO microsphere catalyst exhibits structure-induced enhancement of catalytic performance and a strong durability.

  13. Ionic liquid-assisted synthesis of highly dispersive bowknot-like ZnO microrods for photocatalytic applications

    Science.gov (United States)

    Zhao, Shuo; Zhang, Yiwei; Zhou, Yuming; Zhang, Chao; Sheng, Xiaoli; Fang, Jiasheng; Zhang, Mingyu; Yang, Yong

    2017-04-01

    Here we present a facile method for the preparation of highly dispersive ZnO materials by using ionic liquid 1-methyl-3-[3‧-(trimethoxysilyl) propyl] imidazolium chloride as the template. The influence of ionic liquid concentration and calcined atmosphere on the photoactivity is studied. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), N2 gas sorption and ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The results showed that the as-fabricated ZnO materials consisted of individual microrods with self-assembled bowknot-like architecture whose size was about 1 μm. The formation mechanism of the bowknot-like ZnO materials which is based on the self-assembly of ionic liquid is tentatively elucidated. Moreover, the ZnO-2.6N sample exhibited the higher activity for the photodegradation of MB than the photodegradation of MO and RhB. Furthermore, it was found that the ZnO materials calcined under air atmosphere showed the better photocatalytic activities than that of samples calcined under nitrogen atmosphere in the degradation of methylene blue (MB) under UV irradiation. And the special structure, surface area, adsorption capability of dye, the separation rate of photogenerated electron-hole pairs and band gap had effects on the photocatalytic activity of ZnO photocatalysts. O2rad - was the main active species for the photocatalytic degradation of MB. It is valuable to develop this facile route preparing the highly dispersive bowknot-like ZnO materials and the ZnO materials can be beneficial for environmental protection.

  14. Synthesis and room temperature photoluminescence of ZnO/CTAB ordered layered nanocomposite with flake-like architecture

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Wang, Y.D.; Zhang, S.; Ma, C.L.; Li, H.D.

    2007-01-01

    Flake-like ZnO/surfactant ordered layered nanocomposite has been synthesized by self-assembly at room temperature with the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB, CH 3 (CH 2 ) 15 N + (CH 3 ) 3 Br - ) surfactant. The procedure described in this study is attractive since it gives high yields of ordered layered nanocomposite with flake-like architecture. XRD results showed the formation of a layered structure with two layered spacings ca. 18.56 A. SEM and FT-IR spectroscopy were used to further characterize ZnO/CTAB nanolayered composite. The ZnO/CTAB-ordered layered nanocomposite exhibits the room temperature photoluminescence (RTPL) characteristics. It is inferred that the RTPL of ZnO/CTAB-layered nanocomposite might be induced by the interfacial effect between the ZnO and the surfactant

  15. Functional domains of plant chimeric calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase: regulation by autoinhibitory and visinin-like domains

    Science.gov (United States)

    Ramachandiran, S.; Takezawa, D.; Wang, W.; Poovaiah, B. W.

    1997-01-01

    A novel calcium-binding calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CCaMK) with a catalytic domain, calmodulin-binding domain, and a neural visinin-like domain was cloned and characterized from plants [Patil et al., (1995) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 92, 4797-4801; Takezawa et al. (1996) J. Biol. Chem. 271, 8126-8132]. The mechanisms of CCaMK activation by calcium and calcium/calmodulin were investigated using various deletion mutants. The use of deletion mutants of CCaMK lacking either one, two, or all three calcium-binding EF hands indicated that all three calcium-binding sites in the visinin-like domain were crucial for the full calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase activity. As each calcium-binding EF hand was deleted, there was a gradual reduction in calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase activity from 100 to 4%. Another mutant (amino acids 1-322) which lacks both the visinin-like domain containing three EF hands and the calmodulin-binding domain was constitutively active, indicating the presence of an autoinhibitory domain around the calmodulin-binding domain. By using various synthetic peptides and the constitutively active mutant, we have shown that CCaMK contains an autoinhibitory domain within the residues 322-340 which overlaps its calmodulin-binding domain. Kinetic studies with both ATP and the GS peptide substrate suggest that the autoinhibitory domain of CCaMK interacts only with the peptide substrate binding motif of the catalytic domain, but not with the ATP-binding motif.

  16. Manipulation of surface morphology of flower-like Ag/ZnO nanorods to enhance photocatalytic performance

    Science.gov (United States)

    U-thaipan, Kasira; Tedsree, Karaked

    2018-06-01

    The surface morphology of flower-like Ag/ZnO nanorod can be manipulated by adopting different synthetic routes and also loading different levels of Ag in order to alter their surface structures to achieve the maximum photocatalytic efficiency. In a single-step preparation method Ag/ZnO was prepared by heating directly a mixture of Zn2+ and Ag+ precursors in an aqueous NaOH-ethylene glycol solution, while in the two-step preparation method an intermediate of flower-shaped ZnO nanorod was obtained by a hydrothermal process before depositing Ag particles on the ZnO surfaces by chemical reduction. The structure, morphology and optical properties of the synthesized samples were characterized using TEM, SEM, XRD, DRS and PL techniques. The sample prepared by single-step method are characterized with agglomeration of Ag atoms as clusters on the surface of ZnO, whereas in the sample prepared by two-step method Ag atoms are found uniformly dispersed and deposited as discrete Ag nanoparticles on the surface of ZnO. A significant enhancement in the adsorption of visible light was evident for Ag/ZnO samples prepared by two-step method especially with low Ag content (0.5 mol%). The flower-like Ag/ZnO nanorod prepared with 0.5 mol% Ag by two-step process was found to be the most efficient photocatalyst for the degradation of phenol, which can decompose 90% of phenol within 120 min.

  17. Facile synthesis of the flower-like ternary heterostructure of Ag/ZnO encapsulating carbon spheres with enhanced photocatalytic performance

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Zhao, Xiaohua [School of Environment, Key Laboratory of Yellow River and Huai River Water Environment and Pollution Control (Ministry of Education), Henan Key Laboratory for Environmental Pollution Control, Henan Engineering Laboratory of Environmental Functional Materials and Pollution Control, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, 453007 (China); School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, 453007 (China); Su, Shuai; Wu, Guangli; Li, Caizhu [School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, 453007 (China); Qin, Zhe [School of Environment, Key Laboratory of Yellow River and Huai River Water Environment and Pollution Control (Ministry of Education), Henan Key Laboratory for Environmental Pollution Control, Henan Engineering Laboratory of Environmental Functional Materials and Pollution Control, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, 453007 (China); Lou, Xiangdong [School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, 453007 (China); Zhou, Jianguo, E-mail: zhoujgwj@163.com [School of Environment, Key Laboratory of Yellow River and Huai River Water Environment and Pollution Control (Ministry of Education), Henan Key Laboratory for Environmental Pollution Control, Henan Engineering Laboratory of Environmental Functional Materials and Pollution Control, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, 453007 (China)

    2017-06-01

    Highlights: • Flower-like Ag/ZnO encapsulating carbon spheres (Ag/ZnO@C) was synthesized. • A green facile synthesis method was used. • Ag/ZnO@C exhibited better photocatalytic performance than Ag/ZnO, ZnO@C, and ZnO. • Dye and metronidazole both can be decomposed by Ag/ZnO@C. - Abstract: To utilize sunlight more effectively in photocatalytic reactions, the flower-like ternary heterostructure of Ag/ZnO encapsulating carbon spheres (Ag/ZnO@C) was successfully synthesized by a green and facile one-pot hydrothermal method. The carbon spheres (CSs) were wrapped by ZnO nanosheets, forming flower-like microstructures, and Ag nanoparticles (Ag NPs) were deposited on the surface of the ZnO nanosheets. The Ag/ZnO@C ternary heterostructure exhibited enhanced photocatalytic activity compared to those of Ag/ZnO, ZnO@C and pure ZnO for the degradation of Reactive Black GR and metronidazole under sunlight and visible light irradiation. This was attributed to the enhanced visible light absorption and effective charge separation based on the synergistic effect of ZnO, Ag NPs, and CSs. Due to the surface plasmon resonance effect of Ag NPs and surface photosensitizing effect of CSs, Ag/ZnO@C exhibited enhanced visible light absorption. Meanwhile, Ag NPs and CSs can both act as rapid electron transfer units to improve the separation of photogenerated charge carriers in Ag/ZnO@C. The primary active species were determined, and the photocatalytic mechanism was proposed. This work demonstrates an effective way to improve the photocatalytic performance of ZnO and provides information for the facile synthesis of noble metal/ZnO@C ternary heterostructure.

  18. Formation of an 18R long-period stacking ordered structure in rapidly solidified Mg88Y8Zn4 alloy

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Garcés, Gerardo; Requena, Guillermo; Tolnai, Domonkos; Pérez, Pablo; Medina, Judit; Stark, Andreas; Schell, Norbert; Adeva, Paloma

    2016-01-01

    The formation of the long-period stacking ordered structure (LPSO) in a Mg 88 Y 8 Zn 4 (at%) ribbon produced by melt spinning was studied using high energy X-ray synchrotron radiation diffraction during in-situ isochronal heating and transmission electron microscopy. The microstructure of the rapidly solidified ribbons is characterised by fine magnesium grains with yttrium and zinc in solid solution and primary 18R LPSO-phase segregated at grain boundaries. Using differential scanning calorimetry, a strong exothermal peak was observed around 300 °C which was associated with the development of the 18R-type LPSO-phase in the magnesium grains. The apparent activation energy calculated using the Kissinger model was 125 KJmol −1 and it is related to simultaneous diffusion of Y and Zn through magnesium basal plane. - Highlights: •The formation of the LPSO phase in rapidly solidified ribbons was studied. •The formation of the 18R LPSO starts at around 300 °C. •LPSO formation have to steps: Stacking faults along basal plane and then growth of 18R structure along the c direction.

  19. Magnetic and sensitive magnetoelastic properties of Finemet nanostructured ribbon

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Pham Duc Thang; Hoang Hai Duong; Nguyen Hoang Nghi

    2009-01-01

    Soft-magnetic Fe 73.5 Cu 1 Nb 3 Si 13.5 B 9 (Finemet) ribbon has been fabricated by using melt-spinning techniques. After annealing at suitable temperature the ribbon changes from an amorphous to crystalline state which related to the formation of Fe nanocrystallites. Study on the magnetic and magnetoelastic properties of the ribbon is presented. Furthermore, based on the fabricated ribbon stress sensors are simply constructed. The sensors showed high sensitivity of 3.8 mV/MPa as well as a wide working range up to 17 MPa. These sensors are potential for practical applications such as detecting small stress and movement in civil structures.

  20. Synthesis of cauliflower-like ZnO-TiO2 composite porous film and photoelectrical properties

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Jiang Yinhua; Yan Yun; Zhang Wenli; Ni Liang; Sun Yueming; Yin Hengbo

    2011-01-01

    A series of cauliflower-like TiO 2 -ZnO composite porous films with various molar ratios of Zn/Ti were prepared by the screen printing technique on the fluorine-doped SnO 2 (FTO) conducting glasses. The composite films were characterized by field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), X-ray energy-dispersive spectrometry (EDS) and UV-vis transmittance spectrum. The results showed composite film electrode had a novel cauliflower-like morphology, which could effectively increase the dye absorption. The corresponding dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) were made by the composite film, and effects of ZnO incorporation on the photovoltaic performances of the DSCs were studied. With the Zn/Ti molar ratio not more than 3% in ZnO-TiO 2 composite film of about 5 μm-thickness, the photocurrent density (J sc ) and the solar-to-electricity conversion efficiency (η) were greatly improved compared with those of the DSC based on bare TiO 2 film of same thickness. This increases in efficiency and J sc were attributed to high electron conductivity of ZnO, the improved dye adsorption and large light transmittance of composite film.

  1. Inhibition of αIIbβ3 Ligand Binding by an αIIb Peptide that Clasps the Hybrid Domain to the βI Domain of β3.

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Wen Hwa Lee

    Full Text Available Agonist-stimulated platelet activation triggers conformational changes of integrin αIIbβ3, allowing fibrinogen binding and platelet aggregation. We have previously shown that an octapeptide, p1YMESRADR8, corresponding to amino acids 313-320 of the β-ribbon extending from the β-propeller domain of αIIb, acts as a potent inhibitor of platelet aggregation. Here we have performed in silico modelling analysis of the interaction of this peptide with αIIbβ3 in its bent and closed (not swing-out conformation and show that the peptide is able to act as a substitute for the β-ribbon by forming a clasp restraining the β3 hybrid and βI domains in a closed conformation. The involvement of species-specific residues of the β3 hybrid domain (E356 and K384 and the β1 domain (E297 as well as an intrapeptide bond (pE315-pR317 were confirmed as important for this interaction by mutagenesis studies of αIIbβ3 expressed in CHO cells and native or substituted peptide inhibitory studies on platelet functions. Furthermore, NMR data corroborate the above results. Our findings provide insight into the important functional role of the αIIb β-ribbon in preventing integrin αIIbβ3 head piece opening, and highlight a potential new therapeutic approach to prevent integrin ligand binding.

  2. Ribbons on the Cosmic Background Radiation Sky: A Powerful Test of a Baryon Symmetric Universe

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Kinney, W.H.; Kolb, E.W.; Turner, M.S.; Kolb, E.W.; Turner, M.S.; Turner, M.S.

    1997-01-01

    If the Universe consists of domains of matter and antimatter, annihilations at domain interfaces leave a distinctive imprint on the cosmic background radiation (CBR) sky. The signature is anisotropies in the form of long, thin ribbons of width θ W ∼0.1 circ , separated by angle θ L ≅1 circ (L/100h -1 Mpc) (L is the characteristic domain size) and with distortion parameter y∼10 -6 . Such a pattern could potentially be detected by the high-resolution CBR anisotropy experiments planned for the next decade, and such experiments may finally settle the question of whether or not our Hubble volume is baryon symmetric. copyright 1997 The American Physical Society

  3. Fabrication and Characterization of ZnS/Diamond-Like Carbon Core-Shell Nanowires

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Jung Han Kim

    2016-01-01

    Full Text Available We fabricated ZnS/diamond-like carbon (DLC core-shell heterostructure nanowire using a simple two-step process: the vapor-liquid-solid method combined with radio frequency plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (rf PECVD. As a core nanowire, ZnS nanowires with face-centered cubic structure were synthesized with a sputtered Au thin film, which exhibit a length and a diameter of ~10 μm and ~30–120 nm . After rf PECVD for DLC coating, The length and width of the dense ZnS/DLC core-shell nanowires were a range of ~10 μm  and 50–150 nm , respectively. In addition, ZnS/DLC core-shell nanowires were characterized with scanning transmission electron microscopy. From the results, the products have flat and uniform DLC coating layer on ZnS nanowire in spite of high residual stress induced by the high sp3 fraction. To further understanding of the DLC coating layer, Raman spectroscopy was employed with ZnS/DLC core-shell nanowires, which reveals two Raman bands at 1550 cm−1 (G peak and 1330 cm−1 (D peak. Finally, we investigated the optical properties from ultraviolet to infrared wavelength region using ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR spectrometry. Related to optical properties, ZnS/DLC core-shell nanowires exhibit relatively lower absorbance and higher IR transmittance than that of ZnS nanowires.

  4. Controllable synthesis of spindle-like ZnO nanostructures by a simple low-temperature aqueous solution route

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Lu Hongxia; Zhao Yunlong; Yu Xiujun; Chen Deliang; Zhang Liwei; Xu Hongliang; Yang Daoyuan; Wang Hailong; Zhang Rui

    2011-01-01

    Spindle-like ZnO nanostructures were successfully synthesized through direct precipitation of zinc acetate aqueous solution at 60 deg. C. Phase structure, morphology and microstructure of the products were investigated by X-ray diffraction, TG-DTA, FTIR and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). Result showed that hexagonal wurtzite structure ZnO nanostructures with about 100 nm in diameter and 100-200 nm in length were obtained. HMTA acted as a soft template in the process and played an important role in the formation of spindle-like ZnO nanostructures. Meanwhile, different morphologies were also obtained by altering synthetic temperature, additional agents and the ratios of Zn 2+ /OH - . Possible mechanism for the variations of morphology with synthesis parameters was also discussed in this paper.

  5. The crystal structure of the regulatory domain of the human sodium-driven chloride/bicarbonate exchanger.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Alvadia, Carolina M; Sommer, Theis; Bjerregaard-Andersen, Kaare; Damkier, Helle Hasager; Montrasio, Michele; Aalkjaer, Christian; Morth, J Preben

    2017-09-21

    The sodium-driven chloride/bicarbonate exchanger (NDCBE) is essential for maintaining homeostatic pH in neurons. The crystal structure at 2.8 Å resolution of the regulatory N-terminal domain of human NDCBE represents the first crystal structure of an electroneutral sodium-bicarbonate cotransporter. The crystal structure forms an equivalent dimeric interface as observed for the cytoplasmic domain of Band 3, and thus establishes that the consensus motif VTVLP is the key minimal dimerization motif. The VTVLP motif is highly conserved and likely to be the physiologically relevant interface for all other members of the SLC4 family. A novel conserved Zn 2+ -binding motif present in the N-terminal domain of NDCBE is identified and characterized in vitro. Cellular studies confirm the Zn 2+ dependent transport of two electroneutral bicarbonate transporters, NCBE and NBCn1. The Zn 2+ site is mapped to a cluster of histidines close to the conserved ETARWLKFEE motif and likely plays a role in the regulation of this important motif. The combined structural and bioinformatics analysis provides a model that predicts with additional confidence the physiologically relevant interface between the cytoplasmic domain and the transmembrane domain.

  6. C9/12 Ribbon-Like Structures in Hybrid Peptides Alternating α- and Thiazole-Based γ-Amino Acids.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Bonnel, Clément; Legrand, Baptiste; Simon, Matthieu; Martinez, Jean; Bantignies, Jean-Louis; Kang, Young Kee; Wenger, Emmanuel; Hoh, Francois; Masurier, Nicolas; Maillard, Ludovic T

    2017-12-11

    According to their restricted conformational freedom, heterocyclic γ-amino acids are usually considered to be related to Z-vinylogous γ-amino acids. In this context, oligomers alternating α-amino acids and thiazole-based γ-amino acids (ATCs) were expected to fold into a canonical 12-helical shape as described for α/γ-hybrid peptides composed of cis-α/β-unsaturated γ-amino acids. However, through a combination of X-ray crystallography, NMR spectroscopy, FTIR experiments, and DFT calculations, it was determined that the folding behavior of ATC-containing hybrid peptides is much more complex. The homochiral α/(S)-ATC sequences were unable to adopt a stable conformation, whereas the heterochiral α/(R)-ATC peptides displayed novel ribbon structures stabilized by unusual C 9/12 -bifurcated hydrogen bonds. These ribbon structures could be considered as a succession of pre-organized γ/α dipeptides and may provide the basis for designing original α-helix mimics. © 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  7. Template-free synthesis of mesoporous nanoring-like Zn-Co mixed oxides with high lithium storage performance

    Science.gov (United States)

    Lu, Lun; Gao, Yan-Li; Yang, Zhi-Zheng; Wang, Cheng; Wang, Jin-Guo; Wang, Hui-Yuan; Jiang, Qi-Chuan

    2018-04-01

    Mesoporous nanoring-like Zn-Co mixed oxides are synthesized via a simple template-free solvothermal method with a subsequent annealing process. The ring-like nanostructures with hollow interiors are formed under the complexing effects of potassium sodium tartrate. Numerous mesopores are generated after the precursor is annealed at 500 °C. When applied as anode materials, the mesoporous nanoring-like Zn-Co mixed oxides can deliver a high discharge capacity of 1102 mAh g-1 after 200 cycles at 500 mA g-1. Even when the current density is increased to 2 A g-1, the mixed oxides can still retain a reversible capacity of 761 mAh g-1. Such high cycling stability and rate capability are mainly derived from the unique mesoporous ring-like nanostructures and the synergistic effects between Zn and Co based oxides.

  8. Modeling of inter-ribbon tunneling in graphene

    OpenAIRE

    Van de Put, Maarten L.; Vandenberghe, William G.; Sorée, Bart; Magnus, Wim; Fischetti, Massimo

    2015-01-01

    The tunneling current between two crossed graphene ribbons is described invoking the empirical pseudopotential approximation and the Bardeen transfer Hamiltonian method. Results indicate that the density of states is the most important factor determining the tunneling current between small (nm) ribbons. The quasi-one dimensional nature of graphene nanoribbons is shown to result in resonant tunneling.

  9. Dosimetry of wires and single ribbons of Iridium 192; Dosimetria de alambres y ribbons individuales de Iridio-192

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Mazzucco, L.D. [Centro Medico Nuclear S.R.L. San Juan (Argentina)

    1998-12-31

    The objective of this work is in order to present in table formats the dosimetry of wires and single ribbons of Iridium with lengths 1-12 cm for each one linear source along the bisector which is perpendicular at tissue sources (water) computed for linear activity 1 mCi/cm in the case of wires, and 1 mCi/seed for ribbons. The above tables are of direct use, adaptable at particular cases so they facilitate logarithmic graphics of doses in function of the distance for interpolation and use in the treatments planning. It was shown that for two sources with identical linear activity and total length, one of the equidistant seeds at 1 cm (ribbon) and one wire on the other hand, the differences in dose rates in near positions can be about the 15% so corroborating that it is not possible to use wire tables for seeds neither vice versa. Moreover it was elaborated tables of practical direct use for dose rate in water at c Gy/hr for wires and Ribbons 1-12 cm length and from 0.5-10 cm of distance in the perpendicular bisector at the Iridium implant. (Author)

  10. Electronic and optical properties of 2D graphene-like ZnS: DFT calculations

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Lashgari, Hamed; Boochani, Arash; Shekaari, Ashkan; Solaymani, Shahram; Sartipi, Elmira; Mendi, Rohollah Taghavi

    2016-01-01

    Graphical abstract: - Highlights: • DFT has been applied to investigate the optical properties of 2D-ZnS and 3D-ZnS. • The electronic and the optical properties of 3D-ZnS and 2D-ZnS are compared. • At visible range of energies the transparency of 2D-ZnS is more than the 3D. - Abstract: Density-functional theory has been applied to investigate the electronic and optical properties of graphene-like two-dimensional ZnS in the (0001) direction of its Wurtzite phase. A comparison with 3D-ZnS has been carried out within the PBE- and EV-GGA. The electronic properties of 2D- and 3D-ZnS have been derived by the examination of the electronic band structures and density of states. The optical properties have been determined through the study of the dielectric function, reflectivity, electron loss function, refractive and extinction indices, the absorption index and optical conductivity. It is found that the transparency of 2D-ZnS is greater than the 3D over the visible range. A thorough study of the dielectric function has been performed so that the peaks and the transition bands have been specified. The electron loss function demonstrates that the plasmonic frequency for 2D- and 3D-ZnS is accrued at 11.22 and 19.93 eV within the PBE-GGA, respectively.

  11. Electronic properties and mechanical strength of β-phosphorene nano-ribbons

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Swaroop, Ram; Bhatia, Pradeep; Kumar, Ashok, E-mail: ashok@cup.ac.in [Centre for Physical Sciences, School of Basic and Applied Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, India-151001 (India)

    2016-05-06

    We have performed first principles calculations to find out the effect of mechanical strain on the electronic properties of zig-zag edged nano ribbons of β-phosphorene. It is found that electronic band-gap get opened-up to 2.61 eV by passivation of the edges of ribbons. Similarly, the mechanical strength is found to be increase from 1.75 GPa to 2.65 GPa on going from unpassivated nano ribbons to passivated ones along with the 2% increase in ultimate tensile strain. The band-gap value of passivated ribbon gets decreased to 0.43 eV on applying strain up to which the ribbon does not break. These tunable properties of β-phospherene with passivation with H-atom and applying mechanical strain offer its use in tunable nano electronics.

  12. Facile synthesis of Cu/tetrapod-like ZnO whisker compounds with enhanced photocatalytic properties

    Science.gov (United States)

    Liu, Hong; Liu, Huarong; Fan, Ximei

    2017-09-01

    Cu/tetrapod-like ZnO whisker (T-ZnOw) compounds were successfully synthesized using N2H4 \\cdot H2O as a reducing agent by a simple reduction method without any insert gas at room temperature. The crystal phase composition and morphology of the as-prepared samples were investigated by XRD, SEM and FESEM tests. The photocatalytic property of the as-prepared samples was detected by the degradation of methyl orange (MO) aqueous solution under UV irradiation. It can be found that Cu nanoparticles (CuNPs) dispersed on the surface of T-ZnOw increased with the increasing of Cu/Zn molar ratios (Cu/Zn MRs), and an octahedral structure of CuNPs was obtained when the sample was prepared with less than and equal to 7.30% Cu/Zn MR, but tended to a spherical or nanorod structure of CuNPs densely arranged on the surface of T-ZnOw, which is prepared by Cu/Zn MRs up to 22.00%. All the compounds exhibited excellent photocatalytic activity in decomposing of MO than T-ZnOw, the photocatalytic property of the samples increased with the increasing of Cu/Zn MRs up to 7.30%, while it decreases when further increasing the Cu/Zn MRs. The Schottky barrier of the Cu/T-ZnOw compound can effectively capture photoinduced electrons from the interface and enhanced the photocatalytic property of T-ZnOw.

  13. Enzymatic glucose sensor based on Au nanoparticle and plant-like ZnO film modified electrode

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Tian, Kun [Nanostructured Materials Research Laboratory, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112 (United States); Alex, Saji [Nanostructured Materials Research Laboratory, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112 (United States); Department of Chemistry, Government College for Women, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695014 (India); Siegel, Gene [Nanostructured Materials Research Laboratory, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112 (United States); Tiwari, Ashutosh, E-mail: tiwari@eng.utah.edu [Nanostructured Materials Research Laboratory, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112 (United States)

    2015-01-01

    A novel electrochemical glucose sensor was developed by employing a composite film of plant-like Zinc oxide (ZnO) and chitosan stabilized spherical gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) on which Glucose oxidaze (GOx) was immobilized. The ZnO was deposited on an indium tin oxide (ITO) coated glass and the AuNPs of average diameter of 23 nm were loaded on ZnO as the second layer. The prepared ITO/ZnO/AuNPs/GOx bioelectrode exhibited a low value of Michaelis–Menten constant of 1.70 mM indicating a good bio-matrix for GOx. The studies of electrochemical properties of the electrode using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) showed that, the presence of AuNPs provides significant enhancement of the electron transfer rate during redox reactions. The linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) shows that the ITO/ZnO/AuNPs/GOx based sensor has a high sensitivity of 3.12 μA·mM{sup −1}·cm{sup −2} in the range of 50 mg/dL to 400 mg/dL glucose concentration. The results show promising application of the gold nanoparticle modified plant-like ZnO composite bioelectrode for electrochemical sensing of glucose.

  14. Lysophosphatidic acid stimulates thrombomodulin lectin-like domain shedding in human endothelial cells

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Wu Hualin; Lin ChiIou; Huang Yuanli; Chen, Pin-Shern; Kuo, Cheng-Hsiang; Chen, Mei-Shing; Wu, G.C.-C.; Shi, G.-Y.; Yang, H.-Y.; Lee Hsinyu

    2008-01-01

    Thrombomodulin (TM) is an anticoagulant glycoprotein highly expressed on endothelial cell surfaces. Increased levels of soluble TM in circulation have been widely accepted as an indicator of endothelial damage or dysfunction. Previous studies indicated that various proinflammatory factors stimulate TM shedding in various cell types such as smooth muscle cells and epithelial cells. Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a bioactive lipid mediator present in biological fluids during endothelial damage or injury. In the present study, we first observed that LPA triggered TM shedding in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). By Cyflow analysis, we showed that the LPA-induced accessibility of antibodies to the endothelial growth factor (EGF)-like domain of TM is independent of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), while LPA-induced TM lectin-like domain shedding is MMP-dependent. Furthermore, a stable cell line expressing TM without its lectin-like domain exhibited a higher cell proliferation rate than a stable cell line expressing full-length TM. These results imply that LPA induces TM lectin-like domain shedding, which might contribute to the exposure of its EGF-like domain for EGF receptor (EGFR) binding, thereby stimulating subsequent cell proliferation. Based on our findings, we propose a novel mechanism for the exposure of TM EGF-like domain, which possibly mediates LPA-induced EGFR transactivation

  15. Synaptic ribbon. Conveyor belt or safety belt?

    Science.gov (United States)

    Parsons, T D; Sterling, P

    2003-02-06

    The synaptic ribbon in neurons that release transmitter via graded potentials has been considered as a conveyor belt that actively moves vesicles toward their release sites. But evidence has accumulated to the contrary, and it now seems plausible that the ribbon serves instead as a safety belt to tether vesicles stably in mutual contact and thus facilitate multivesicular release by compound exocytosis.

  16. Immobilization of kojic acid in ZnAl-hydrotalcite like compounds

    Science.gov (United States)

    Ambrogi, Valeria; Perioli, Luana; Nocchetti, Morena; Latterini, Loredana; Pagano, Cinzia; Massetti, Elena; Rossi, Carlo

    2012-01-01

    Kojic acid (KOJ) is a melanin synthesis inhibitor widely used as skin lightening agent in topical preparations. Unfortunately it is easily susceptible to photo-oxidation, phenomenon responsible for chemical and organoleptic modifications. The aim of this work was the intercalation of KOJ in hydrotalcite-like compounds (HTlc) in order to stabilize KOJ and to reduce its photolability. Hydrotalcite containing Zn and Al (ZnAl-HTlc) was used as host to obtain the final compound ZnAl-HTlc-KOJ. The intercalation was carried out, after many attempts, by ionic exchange mechanism by means of the strong base EtO- in anhydrous ethanol/dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) mixture as solvent in order to generate KOJ- anions. The final product was characterized by the X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), FT-IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and elemental analysis. The intercalated compound was formulated in a siliconic water free self-emulsifying ointment and the in vitro release profile was evaluated. All samples (intercalation compound and its formulation) were submitted also to spectrophotometric assays in order to evaluate the matrix protective effect towards ultraviolet rays.

  17. Structural and Electrical Properties Characterization of Sb1.52Bi0.48Te3.0 Melt-Spun Ribbons

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Viktoriia Ohorodniichuk

    2017-06-01

    Full Text Available Melt-spinning (MS has been reported as a promising tool to tailor the microstructure of bulk thermoelectric materials leading to enhanced thermoelectric performances. Here, we report on a detailed characterization of p-type Bi0.48Sb1.52Te3 ribbons produced by melt-spinning. The microstructure of the melt-spun ribbons has been studied by means of X-ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopy (TEM. The analyses indicate that the ribbons are highly-textured with a very good chemical homogeneity. TEM reveals clear differences in the microstructure at large and short-range scales between the surface that was in contact with the copper wheel and the free surface. These analyses further evidence the absence of amorphous regions in the melt-spun ribbons and the precipitation of elemental Te at the grain boundaries. Low-temperature electrical resistivity and thermopower measurements (20–300 K carried out on several randomly-selected ribbons confirm the excellent reproducibility of the MS process. However, the comparison of the transport properties of the ribbons with those of bulk polycrystalline samples of the same initial composition shows that MS leads to a more pronounced metallic character. This difference is likely tied to changes in deviations from stoichiometry due to the out-of-equilibrium conditions imposed by MS.

  18. Experimental investigation of the ribbon-array ablation process

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Li Zhenghong; Xu Rongkun; Chu Yanyun; Yang Jianlun; Xu Zeping; Ye Fan; Chen Faxin; Xue Feibiao; Ning Jiamin; Qin Yi; Meng Shijian; Hu Qingyuan; Si Fenni; Feng Jinghua; Zhang Faqiang; Chen Jinchuan; Li Linbo; Chen Dingyang; Ding Ning; Zhou Xiuwen

    2013-01-01

    Ablation processes of ribbon-array loads, as well as wire-array loads for comparison, were investigated on Qiangguang-1 accelerator. The ultraviolet framing images indicate that the ribbon-array loads have stable passages of currents, which produce axially uniform ablated plasma. The end-on x-ray framing camera observed the azimuthally modulated distribution of the early ablated ribbon-array plasma and the shrink process of the x-ray radiation region. Magnetic probes measured the total and precursor currents of ribbon-array and wire-array loads, and there exists no evident difference between the precursor currents of the two types of loads. The proportion of the precursor current to the total current is 15% to 20%, and the start time of the precursor current is about 25 ns later than that of the total current. The melting time of the load material is about 16 ns, when the inward drift velocity of the ablated plasma is taken to be 1.5 × 10 7 cm/s.

  19. Synthesis of cauliflower-like ZnO-TiO{sub 2} composite porous film and photoelectrical properties

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Jiang Yinhua, E-mail: jyinhua@126.com [School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013 (China) and School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189 (China); Yan Yun; Zhang Wenli; Ni Liang [School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013 (China); Sun Yueming [School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189 (China); Yin Hengbo [School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013 (China)

    2011-05-15

    A series of cauliflower-like TiO{sub 2}-ZnO composite porous films with various molar ratios of Zn/Ti were prepared by the screen printing technique on the fluorine-doped SnO{sub 2} (FTO) conducting glasses. The composite films were characterized by field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), X-ray energy-dispersive spectrometry (EDS) and UV-vis transmittance spectrum. The results showed composite film electrode had a novel cauliflower-like morphology, which could effectively increase the dye absorption. The corresponding dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) were made by the composite film, and effects of ZnO incorporation on the photovoltaic performances of the DSCs were studied. With the Zn/Ti molar ratio not more than 3% in ZnO-TiO{sub 2} composite film of about 5 {mu}m-thickness, the photocurrent density (J{sub sc}) and the solar-to-electricity conversion efficiency ({eta}) were greatly improved compared with those of the DSC based on bare TiO{sub 2} film of same thickness. This increases in efficiency and J{sub sc} were attributed to high electron conductivity of ZnO, the improved dye adsorption and large light transmittance of composite film.

  20. Nanostructure and magnetic properties of Ni-substituted finemet ribbons

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Iturriza, N.; Fernandez, L.; Ipatov, M.; Vara, G.; Pierna, A.R.; Val, J.J. del; Chizhik, A.; Gonzalez, J.

    2007-01-01

    Magnetic anisotropy has been induced during the nanocrystallization process of Ni-rich amorphous ferromagnetic (Finemet) ribbons by means of the application of a constant stress during the annealing process. Magnetization measurements have evidenced the anisotropy of the treated samples. The main goal of this work was the analysis of the treated ribbons using X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Transmission Electronic Microscopy (TEM) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). AFM measurements revealed in all the cases a strong nanocrystallisation of the surface without evidences of amorphous matrix, which contrast with XRD and TEM measurements that have shown a high content of amorphous phase in the bulk of the ribbons. Magneto-optical Kerr effect measurements show much higher coercive field values than in the bulk, indicating a complex magnetic behavior for the surface of the ribbons

  1. Facile synthesis of Zn-doped SnO{sub 2} dendrite-built hierarchical cube-like architectures and their application in lithium storage

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Jia, Tiekun, E-mail: tiekunjia@126.com [Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Luoyang Institute of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471023 (China); Chen, Jian [Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Luoyang Institute of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471023 (China); Deng, Zhao [State Key Lab of Materials Synthesis and Processing, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070 (China); Fu, Fang; Zhao, Junwei; Wang, Xiaofeng [Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Luoyang Institute of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471023 (China); Long, Fei [School of Materials Science and Engineering, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin 541004 (China)

    2014-11-15

    Highlights: • Novel Zn-doped SnO{sub 2} dendrite-built hierarchical cube-like architectures were synthesized via a facile hydrothermal approach without surfactant. • The Zn-doped SnO{sub 2} dendrite-built hierarchical cube-like architectures were assembled by pronounced needle-like nanorod truncks with highly ordered needle-like nanorod branches. • The as-obtained Zn-doped SnO{sub 2} sample exhibited good electrochemical property. - Abstract: Zn-doped SnO{sub 2} dendrite-built hierarchical cube-like architectures were successfully synthesized by a facile hydrothermal approach without the use of any surfactants or templates. The as-prepared samples were characterized by the X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and Raman spectroscopy. The observation of FESEM and HRTEM showed that Zn-doped SnO{sub 2} hierarchical cube-like architectures were composed of numerous oriented dendrites. Each dendrite is assembled by a pronounced trunk with highly ordered branches distributing on the both sides. The as-prepared Zn-doped SnO{sub 2} dendrite-built hierarchical cube-like architectures were used as anode materials for Li-ion battery, and a stable capacity of 488.3 mA h g{sup −1} was achieved after 50 cycles. The results of electrochemical measurements indicated that the as-prepared Zn-doped SnO{sub 2} dendrite-built hierarchical cube-like architectures have potential application in Li-ion battery.

  2. Blue Ribbon Panel Report

    Science.gov (United States)

    An NCI Cancer Currents blog by the NCI acting director thanking the cancer community for contributing to the Cancer Moonshot Blue Ribbon Panel report, which was presented to the National Cancer Advisory Board on September 7.

  3. Magnetoimpedance studies on urine treated Co{sub 66}Ni{sub 7}Si{sub 7}B{sub 20} ribbons

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Kotagiri, Ganesh [Advanced Magnetic Materials Laboratory, Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036 (India); Markandeyulu, G., E-mail: mark@iitm.ac.in [Advanced Magnetic Materials Laboratory, Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036 (India); Doble, Mukesh; Nandakumar, V. [Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036 (India)

    2015-11-15

    of RTAUP, probably due to the larger surface anisotropy due to rapid deterioration of the surface of the RTAU than in RTAUP. Asymmetry in MI profiles of RTAU, RTAUP and RTHMU was observed and is attributed to the non-uniform etching of the surface of the ribbons leading to pinning of the domain wall motion. - Highlights: • Magnetoimpedance of artificial urine treated ribbons presented. • Magnetoimpedance decreased with time of incubation in urine. • Magnetoimpedance of human urine treated ribbons increased with time of incubation. • Magnetization of ribbons decreased upon treating with artificial urine. • Magnetization of ribbons increased upon treating with human urine.

  4. The fabrication and photocatalytic performances of flower-like Ag nanoparticles/ZnO nanosheets-assembled microspheres

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Deng, Quan; Tang, Haibin; Liu, Gang; Song, Xiaoping; Xu, Guoping; Li, Qian; Ng, Dickon H.L.; Wang, Guozhong

    2015-01-01

    Graphical abstract: - Highlights: • ZnO nanosheets-assembled microspheres (ZnOs) were prepared. • Ag nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) were decorated onto the whole surface of the ZnOs. • The Ag-NPs/ZnOs composite showed enhanced photocatalytic performance to MB and MO. • Cyclic voltammetry and impedance spectra revealed enhanced charge transportation. - Abstract: A new micro/nanostructure photocatalyst, Ag nanoparticles decorated ZnO nanosheets-assembled microspheres (Ag-NPs/ZnOs), was synthesised by a two-step method. The flower-like micron-sized ZnO spheres assembled with ∼25 nm thick ZnO nanosheets were initially fabricated via a facile solvothermal method. Then, highly dispersed Ag nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) with dimension ranging from 15 to 50 nm were anchored onto the surface of the each ZnO nanosheet by the Sn(II) ion activation method. The as-prepared Ag-NPs/ZnOs demonstrated enhanced photocatalytic performance in eliminating methylene blue and methyl orange aqueous solutions under UV irradiation, showing twice faster reaction rate than the bare ZnOs. The enhanced photocatalytic activity was due to the suppression of electron/hole pair recombination and the acceleration of surface charge transfer induced by the highly dispersive Ag-NPs, which was further demonstrated by the cyclic voltammetry and impedance spectra measurements

  5. Zn-Fe-CNTs catalytic in situ generation of H2O2 for Fenton-like degradation of sulfamethoxazole.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Liu, Yong; Fan, Qin; Wang, Jianlong

    2018-01-15

    A novel Fenton-like catalyst (Zn-Fe-CNTs) capable of converting O 2 to H 2 O 2 and further to OH was prepared through infiltration fusion method followed by chemical replacement in argon atmosphere. The catalyst was characterized by SEM, EDS, TEM, XRD and XPS. The reaction between Zn-Fe-CNTs and O 2 in aqueous solution could generate H 2 O 2 in situ, which was further transferred to OH. The Fenton-like degradation of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) using Zn-Fe-CNTs as catalyst was evaluated. The results indicated that Zn-Fe-CNTs had a coral porous structure with a BET area of 51.67m 2 /g, exhibiting excellent adsorption capacity for SMX, which enhanced its degradation. The particles of Zn 0 and Fe 0 /Fe 2 O 3 were observed on the surface of Zn-Fe-CNTs. The mixture of Zn 0 and CNTs could reduce O 2 into H 2 O 2 by micro-electrolysis and Fe 0 /Fe 2 O 3 could catalyze in-situ generation of H 2 O 2 to produce OH through Fenton-like process. When initial pH=1.5, T=25°C, O 2 flow rate=400mL/min, Zn-Fe-CNTs=0.6g/L, SMX=25mg/L and reaction time=10min, the removal efficiency of SMX and TOC was 100% and 51.3%, respectively. The intermediates were detected and the possible pathway of SMX degradation and the mechanism of Zn-Fe-CNTs/O 2 process were tentatively proposed. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  6. Flower-Like ZnO-Assisted One-Pot Encapsulation of Noble Metal Nanoparticles Supported Catalysts with ZIFs

    Science.gov (United States)

    Lin, Lu; Liu, Haiou; Zhang, Xiongfu

    2018-03-01

    Rational design of efficient approaches to fabricate MOFs-coated core-shell composites is promising but challenging. We report here the encapsulation of Pd nanoparticles (Pd NPs) supported flower-like ZnO (F-ZnO) microspheres with ZIF-8 shell through a facile strategy, in which the formation and immobilization of Pd NPs on F-ZnO supports and the subsequent growth of ZIF-8 shells over them are effectively integrated into one-pot synthetic route. Importantly, the utilization of ZnO both as support of Pd NPs and Zn2+ source of ZIF-8 is favorable for the implement of one-pot synthesis, due to its functions in anchoring Pd NPs and inducing ZIF-8 formation. Further insights into the morphological influence of zinc oxide particles on the resulting materials indicate that the flower-like microspheres with 2D nanosheets as subunits also benefit the coating of Pd NPs supported cores with ZIF-8, resulting in a well-defined core-shell catalyst. The achieved catalyst deliveries remarkable performance in terms of selectivity, anti-poisoning and recyclability in the liquid hydrogenations of alkenes.

  7. A TWO-RIBBON WHITE-LIGHT FLARE ASSOCIATED WITH A FAILED SOLAR ERUPTION OBSERVED BY ONSET, SDO, AND IRIS

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Cheng, X.; Hao, Q.; Ding, M. D.; Chen, P. F.; Fang, C.; Liu, K.; Liu, Y. D.

    2015-01-01

    Two-ribbon brightenings are one of the most remarkable characteristics of an eruptive solar flare and are often used to predict the occurrence of coronal mass ejections (CMEs). Nevertheless, it was recently called into question whether all two-ribbon flares are eruptive. In this paper, we investigate a two-ribbon-like white-light (WL) flare that is associated with a failed magnetic flux rope (MFR) eruption on 2015 January 13, which has no accompanying CME in the WL coronagraph. Observations by the Optical and Near-infrared Solar Eruption Tracer and the Solar Dynamics Observatory reveal that with the increase of the flare emission and the acceleration of the unsuccessfully erupting MFR, two isolated kernels appear at the WL 3600 Å passband and quickly develop into two elongated ribbon-like structures. The evolution of the WL continuum enhancement is completely coincident in time with the variation of Fermi hard X-ray 26–50 keV flux. An increase of continuum emission is also clearly visible at the whole FUV and NUV passbands observed by the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph. Moreover, in one WL kernel, the Si iv, C ii, and Mg ii h/k lines display significant enhancement and non-thermal broadening. However, their Doppler velocity pattern is location-dependent. At the strongly bright pixels, these lines exhibit a blueshift, while at moderately bright ones, the lines are generally redshifted. These results show that the failed MFR eruption is also able to produce a two-ribbon flare and high-energy electrons that heat the lower atmosphere, causing the enhancement of the WL and FUV/NUV continuum emissions and chromospheric evaporation

  8. Black Silicon Solar Cells with Black Ribbons

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Davidsen, Rasmus Schmidt; Tang, Peter Torben; Mizushima, Io

    2016-01-01

    We present the combination of mask-less reactive ion etch (RIE) texturing and blackened interconnecting ribbons as a method for obtaining all-black solar panels, while using conventional, front-contacted solar cells. Black silicon made by mask-less reactive ion etching has total, average...... in the range 15.7-16.3%. The KOH-textured reference cell had an efficiency of 17.9%. The combination of black Si and black interconnecting ribbons may result in aesthetic, all-black panels based on conventional, front-contacted silicon solar cells....... reflectance below 0.5% across a 156x156 mm2 silicon (Si) wafer. Black interconnecting ribbons were realized by oxidizing copper resulting in reflectance below 3% in the visible wavelength range. Screen-printed Si solar cells were realized on 156x156 mm2 black Si substrates with resulting efficiencies...

  9. Generation Mechanisms of Quasi-parallel and Quasi-circular Flare Ribbons in a Confined Flare

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Hernandez-Perez, Aaron; Thalmann, Julia K.; Veronig, Astrid M.; Dickson, Ewan C. [IGAM/Institute of Physics, University of Graz, A-8010 Graz (Austria); Su, Yang [Key Laboratory of Dark Matter and Space Astronomy, Purple Mountain Observatory Chinese Academy of Sciences, 2 West Beijing Road, 210008 Nanjing (China); Gömöry, Peter, E-mail: aaron.hernandez-perez@uni-graz.at [Astronomical Institute, Slovak Academy of Sciences, 05960 Tatranská Lomnica (Slovakia)

    2017-10-01

    We analyze a confined multiple-ribbon M2.1 flare (SOL2015-01-29T11:42) that originated from a fan-spine coronal magnetic field configuration, within active region NOAA 12268. The observed ribbons form in two steps. First, two primary ribbons form at the main flare site, followed by the formation of secondary ribbons at remote locations. We observe a number of plasma flows at extreme-ultraviolet temperatures during the early phase of the flare (as early as 15 minutes before the onset) propagating toward the formation site of the secondary ribbons. The secondary ribbon formation is co-temporal with the arrival of the pre-flare generated plasma flows. The primary ribbons are co-spatial with Ramaty High Energy Spectroscopic Imager ( RHESSI ) hard X-ray sources, whereas no enhanced X-ray emission is detected at the secondary ribbon sites. The (E)UV emission, associated with the secondary ribbons, peaks ∼1 minute after the last RHESSI hard X-ray enhancement. A nonlinear force-free model of the coronal magnetic field reveals that the secondary flare ribbons are not directly connected to the primary ribbons, but to regions nearby. Detailed analysis suggests that the secondary brightenings are produced due to dissipation of kinetic energy of the plasma flows (heating due to compression), and not due to non-thermal particles accelerated by magnetic reconnection, as is the case for the primary ribbons.

  10. Plastic deformation of silicon dendritic web ribbons during the growth

    Science.gov (United States)

    Cheng, L. J.; Dumas, K. A.; Su, B. M.; Leipold, M. H.

    1984-01-01

    The distribution of slip dislocations in silicon dendritic web ribbons due to plastic deformation during the cooling phase of the growth was studied. The results show the existence of two distinguishable stress regions across the ribbon formed during the plastic deformation stage, namely, shear stress at the ribbon edges and tensile stress at the middle. In addition, slip dislocations caused by shear stress near the edges appear to originate at the twin plane.

  11. Possible mechanism of disintegrin/like domain in mesenchymal ...

    African Journals Online (AJOL)

    Possible mechanism of disintegrin/like domain in mesenchymal stem cells homing in mice liver injury ... PROMOTING ACCESS TO AFRICAN RESEARCH ... Mesenchymal Stem cells have opened a new approach to deal with liver fibrosis.

  12. Numerical Study of the influence of a ribbon geometry of experiment on measuring particle angular distributions

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Artemov, A.S.

    1996-01-01

    The values and nature of systematic errors in small-angle particle scattering experiments using ribbon-like beams are investigated by numerical simulation. As shown, the extent of the influence of a ribbon geometry of experiment on the result of measurement is significantly dependent on the shape of the measured angular distribution in an elementary act of interaction. The algorithm of experimental material treatment, obtained in measuring the widths at half maximum of the angular differential cross sections of secondary particles, is presented using an example of specific distributions and certain experimental setup. (author). 12 refs., 7 figs

  13. After the Ribbon Cutting

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Hodge, Graeme A.; Boulot, Emille; Duffield, Colin

    2017-01-01

    Much attention has gone towards ‘up-front’ processes when delivering infrastructure public–private partnerships (PPPs), but less on how to best govern after the ribbon is cut and the infrastructure built. This paper identifies the primary contractual and institutional governance challenges arising...

  14. The impact of processing parameters on the properties of Zn-bonded Nd-Fe-B magnets

    Science.gov (United States)

    Kelhar, Luka; Zavašnik, Janez; McGuiness, Paul; Kobe, Spomenka

    2016-12-01

    We report on the effect of loading factor and pressure on the density and the magnetic properties of Zn-bonded Nd-Fe-B magnets produced by pulsed-electric-current sintering (PECS). The idea behind this study is to fabricate bonded magnets with a metallic binder in order for the bonded magnet to operate at temperatures higher than 180 °C: the current upper-limit for polymer-bonded magnets. These composites are made of hard-magnetic powder in the form of melt-spun ribbons bonded with the low-melting-point metal Zn. The binder additions were varied from 10 to 30 wt%, and pressures of 50 and 500 MPa were applied. The high-pressure mode with 20 wt% Zn resulted in a 24% increase of Jr, compared to the low-pressure mode. The magnetic measurements revealed a maximum remanence of 0.64 T for 10 wt% Zn, while the coercivity is largely unaffected by the processing conditions. The density of the composites was up to 7.0 g/cm3, corresponding to 94% of the theoretical density. Compared to commercial polymer-bonded magnets, the Zn-bonded counterparts exhibit a slightly lower Jr, but the coercivity is retained. We show that there is a minor diffusion of Zn into the Nd-Fe-B, forming a 1 μm thin transition layer, but it does not harm the magnetic properties. These metal-bonded Nd-Fe-B magnets are ideal for use in high-temperature automotive applications like under-the-hood sensors and other magnet-based devices that are close to the engine.

  15. Ultra-tiny ZnMn2O4 nanoparticles encapsulated in sandwich-like carbon nanosheets for high-performance supercapacitors

    Science.gov (United States)

    Guan, Yongxin; Feng, Yangyang; Mu, Yanping; Fang, Ling; Zhang, Huijuan; Wang, Yu

    2016-11-01

    Known as an excellent energy storage material, ZnMn2O4 has a wide range of applications in supercapacitors. In this report, a special sandwich-like structure of ZnMn2O4/C has been first designed and synthesized via a simple hydrothermal method and subsequent calcinations. The designed special sandwich-like structure can benefit ion exchange and remit the probable volume changes during a mass of electrochemical reactions. Furthermore, the porous carbon nanosheets, derived from low-cost glucose, can effectively increase ion flux. Therefore, the novel sandwich-like ZnMn2O4 nanoparticles encapsulated in carbon nanosheets can undoubtedly demonstrate an exceptional electrochemical performance for SCs. In this work, the composite material with porous sandwich-like structure exhibits excellent cyclic stability for 5000 cycles (˜5% loss) and high specific capacitance of 1786 F g-1.

  16. Synthesis and structural transformations of hydrotalcite-like materials Mg-Al and Zn-Al

    NARCIS (Netherlands)

    Prihod'ko, R.V.; Sychev, M.V.; Astrelin, I.M.; Erdmann, K.; Mangel, A.; Santen, van R.A.

    2001-01-01

    Mg-Al and Zn-Al hydrotalcite-like layered double hydroxides of various compositions were synthesized and characterized. A detailed comparative analysis of the structure and composition of starting and reconstructed layered double hydroxides was made

  17. Fractal structures in two-metal electrodeposition systems I: Pb and Zn

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Nakouzi, Elias; Sultan, Rabih

    2011-01-01

    Pattern formation in two-metal electrochemical deposition has been scarcely explored in the chemical literature. In this paper, we report new experiments on zinc-lead fractal co-deposition. Electrodeposits are grown in special cells at a fixed large value of the zinc ion concentration, while that of the lead ion is increased gradually. A very wide diversity of morphologies are obtained and classified. Most of the deposited domains are almost exclusively Pb or Zn. But certain regions originating at the base cathode, ranging from a short grass alley to dense, grown-up bushes or shrubs, manifest a combined Pb-Zn composition. Composition is determined using scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive x ray measurements as well atomic absorption spectroscopy. Pb domains are characterized by shiny leaf-like and dense deposits as well as flowers with round, balloon-like corollas. The Zn zones display a greater variety of morphologies such as thick trunks and thin and fine branching, in addition to minute ''cigar flower'' structures. The various morphologies are analyzed and classified from the viewpoint of fractal nature, characterized by the box-count fractal dimension. Finally, macroscopic spatial alternation between two different characteristic morphologies is observed under certain conditions.

  18. The status of silicon ribbon growth technology for high-efficiency silicon solar cells

    Science.gov (United States)

    Ciszek, T. F.

    1985-01-01

    More than a dozen methods have been applied to the growth of silicon ribbons, beginning as early as 1963. The ribbon geometry has been particularly intriguing for photovoltaic applications, because it might provide large area, damage free, nearly continuous substrates without the material loss or cost of ingot wafering. In general, the efficiency of silicon ribbon solar cells has been lower than that of ingot cells. The status of some ribbon growth techniques that have achieved laboratory efficiencies greater than 13.5% are reviewed, i.e., edge-defined, film-fed growth (EFG), edge-supported pulling (ESP), ribbon against a drop (RAD), and dendritic web growth (web).

  19. Enhanced magnetic domain relaxation frequency and low power losses in Zn{sup 2+} substituted manganese ferrites potential for high frequency applications

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Praveena, K., E-mail: praveenaou@gmail.com [Department of Physics, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, 11677, Taiwan (China); Chen, Hsiao-Wen [Department of Physics, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, 11677, Taiwan (China); Liu, Hsiang-Lin, E-mail: hliu@ntnu.edu.tw [Department of Physics, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, 11677, Taiwan (China); Sadhana, K., E-mail: sadhana@osmania.ac.in [Department of Physics, Osmania University, Saifabad, Hyderabad, 500004 (India); Murthy, S.R. [Department of Physics, Osmania University, Hyderabad, 500007 (India)

    2016-12-15

    Nowadays electronic industries prerequisites magnetic materials, i.e., iron rich materials and their magnetic alloys. However, with the advent of high frequency applications, the standard techniques of reducing eddy current losses, using iron cores, were no longer efficient or cost effective. Current market trends of the switched mode power supplies industries required even low energy losses in power conversion with maintenance of adequate initial permeability. From the above point of view, in the present study we aimed at the production of Manganese–Zinc ferrites prepared via solution combustion method using mixture of fuels and achieved low loss, high saturation magnetization, high permeability, and high magnetic domain relaxation frequency. The as-synthesized Zn{sup 2+} substituted MnFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} were characterized by X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The fractions of Mn{sup 2+}, Zn{sup 2+} and Fe{sup 2+} cations occupying tetrahedral sites along with Fe occupying octahedral sites within the unit cell of all ferrite samples were estimated by Raman scattering spectroscopy. The magnetic domain relaxation was investigated by inductance spectroscopy (IS) and the observed magnetic domain relaxation frequency (f{sub r}) was increased with the increase in grain size. The real and imaginary part of permeability (μ′ and μ″) increased with frequency and showed a maximum above 100 MHz. This can be explained on the basis of spin rotation and domain wall motion. The saturation magnetization (M{sub s}), remnant magnetization (M{sub r}) and magneton number (µ{sub B}) decreased gradually with increasing Zn{sup 2+} concentration. The decrease in the saturation magnetization was discussed with Yafet–Kittel (Y–K) model. The Zn{sup 2+} concentration increases the relative number of ferric ions on the A sites, reduces the A–B interactions. The frequency dependent total power losses decreased as the zinc concentration increased

  20. Synthesis and electrochemical performances of ZnO/MnO2 sea urchin-like sleeve array as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Fang, J.; Yuan, Y.F.; Wang, L.K.; Ni, H.L.; Zhu, H.L.; Yang, J.L.; Gui, J.S.; Chen, Y.B.; Guo, S.Y.

    2013-01-01

    MnO 2 is electrodeposited onto ZnO nanorod array grown on Ni foil, forming a binder-free ZnO/MnO 2 composited electrode. XRD, EDS, SEM and TEM are used to analyze the phase and microstructure of this composite. Burr-like MnO 2 nanoflakes grows on ZnO nanorod array, the top of the composite is hollow and at the bottom exists ZnO large block core as an internal support, forming ZnO/MnO 2 sea urchin-like sleeve array. As anode material for lithium ion batteries, ZnO/MnO 2 sleeve array exhibits higher discharge capacity and coulombic efficiency, better rate performance and cycling stability than single ZnO nanorod array or directly electrodepsited MnO 2 , and the composite effect is very remarkable. After 100 cycles, the discharge capacity of ZnO/MnO 2 still reaches 1259 mA h g −1 , and coulombic efficiency surpasses 98%, higher than those of ZnO nanorod array (111 mA h g −1 ) and directly electrodeposited MnO 2 (507 mA h g −1 ). The improvement of the electrochemical performances is due to the unique sea urchin-like sleeve array architecture. MnO 2 burr tube shell structure leads to high electrochemical activity while the internal ZnO core support ensures good structure stability. The gradually opening of sea urchin-like sleeve during the cycling further enhances the electrochemical activity of MnO 2 , stabilizing and increasing electrochemical performances of the ZnO/MnO 2 composite

  1. Scintillating ribbon x-ray detector

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Kinchen, B.E.; Rogers, A.

    1995-01-01

    A patent in the early 1970's by Aerojet Corporation in Sacramento, CA put forth the idea of using an array of scintillating fibers for x-ray detection and imaging. In about 1975, Pratt and Whitney Aircraft in East Hartford, CT designed and manufactured an imaging system based on the patent. The device was 1.75 in thick in the direction of the x-ray beam and about 4 in. by 4 in. square. The device was used with a 8 MeV x-ray source to image and measure internal clearances within operating aircraft, gas turbines engines. There are significant advantages of fiber optic detectors in x-ray detection. However, the advantages are often outweighed by the disadvantages. Two of the advantages of scintillating fiber optic x-ray detectors are: (1) high limiting spatial frequency -- between 20 and 25 lp/mm; and (2) excellent x-ray stopping power -- they can be made thick and retain spatial resolution. In traditional fiber optic detectors the x-rays are oriented parallel to the long axis of the fiber. For the scintillating ribbon x-ray sensor, the x-rays are oriented normal to the fiber long axis. This ribbon sensor technique has a number of advantages over the two current radiographic techniques digital x-radiography and x-ray film: The main advantage the ribbon has is size and shape. It can be as thin as 0.05 in., virtually any width or length, and flexible. Once positioned in a given location, 20 to 100 square inches of the object being inspected can be imaged with a single x-ray beam sweep. It is clear that conventional digital cameras do not lend themselves to placement between walls of aircraft structures or similar items requiring x-ray inspections. A prototype scintillating ribbon x-ray sensor has been fabricated and tested by Synergistic Detector Designs. Images were acquired on corrosion test panels of aluminum fabricated by Iowa State University

  2. Synthesis and characterization of rod-like ZnO decorated with γ-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} nanoparticles monolayer

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Balti, Imen, E-mail: imenbalti12@yahoo.fr [Unité de Recherche 99/UR12-30, Faculté des Sciences de Bizerte, Université de Carthage, 7021 Jarzouna (Tunisia); Laboratoire des Sciences des Procédés et Matériaux, LSPM, CNRS, UPR 3407, Université Paris XIII, 99 Avenue J.B. Clément, 93430 Villetaneuse (France); Smiri, Laila Samia [Unité de Recherche 99/UR12-30, Faculté des Sciences de Bizerte, Université de Carthage, 7021 Jarzouna (Tunisia); Rabu, Pierre [Département de Chimie des Matériaux Inorganiques, IPCMS, UMR 7504, CNRS–UDS, 23, rue du Loess, BP 43, Strasbourg Cedex 2 (France); Gautron, Eric [Institut des Matériaux Jean Rouxel (IMN)-UMR 6502, Université de Nantes, CNRS, 2 rue de la Houssinière, BP 32229, 44322 Nantes Cedex 3 (France); Viana, Bruno [LCMCP, Chimie-Paristech, UPMC, Collège de France, UMR CNRS 7574, 11 rue Pierre et Marie Curie, 75005 Paris (France); Jouini, Noureddine [Laboratoire des Sciences des Procédés et Matériaux, LSPM, CNRS, UPR 3407, Université Paris XIII, 99 Avenue J.B. Clément, 93430 Villetaneuse (France)

    2014-02-15

    Highlights: ► Rod-like ZnO decorated with γ-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} nanoparticles have been prepared using forced hydrolysis in polyol medium. ► The system presents excellent UV photoluminescence properties along with superparamagnetic behavior. -- Abstract: Decorated rod-like ZnO particles with γ-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} nanoparticles monolayer (ZnO@γ-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}) were prepared via a simple route using forced hydrolysis of metal acetates in a polyol medium. The phases and purity of the as-prepared particles were established by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and X-ray photo-electron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that the ZnO particles present a typical rod-like morphology with ∼80 nm diameter and ∼200–400 nm length. These nanorods are decorated with well-organized γ-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} spherical nanoparticles showing a narrow size distribution around 5 nm. The photoluminescence (PL) spectra of the bare ZnO particles show predominant UV-excitonic and weak visible emission. The latter vanishes after covering the surface with the γ-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} nanoparticles suggesting an effect on the oxygen stoichiometry at the surface of the ZnO nanorods. The decorated nanoparticles exhibit magnetic response to an external magnetic field at room temperature and a superparamagnetic character with very low blocking temperature likely related to the organisation of γ-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} nanoparticles as monolayer.

  3. Molecular Cloning And Sequencing Of Disintegrin Like Domain ...

    African Journals Online (AJOL)

    Disintegrin-like domain was cloned and sequenced from Cerastes cerastes venom gland tissue. Nested RT-PCR was performed using initial primers designed based on the homology of disintegrins from Trimeresurus flavoviridis, Glodius halys , Agkistrodon halys and Trimeresurus macrosquamatus. The homology was ...

  4. Preliminary result on quantitative analysis using Zn-like tungsten EUV spectrum in Large Helical Device

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Morita, Shigeru; Dong, Chunfeng; Wang, Erhui

    2013-01-01

    Tungsten study through visible, vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) and extreme ultraviolet (EUV) spectroscopy has been recently started in Large Helical Device (LHD) for developing the diagnostic method in International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) and understanding the tungsten transport in helical system. In order to study the tungsten spectra from core plasmas of LHD, several tungsten spectra are observed in EUV range by injecting a carbon pellet with tungsten. Zn-like tungsten spectrum with 4p-4s transition is clearly identified at 60.9Å in high-temperature phase (T_e ≥ 2.3 keV) of NBI discharges in addition to several unresolved transition arrays with 6g-4f, 5g-4f, 5f-4d, 5g-4f, 4f-4d and 4d-4p transitions in range of 10-70Å. Radial profile of the Zn-like tungsten is also successfully observed with enough intensity in order of 10"1"6 photons.cm"-"2.s"-"1. The radial emissivity profile reconstructed from the chord-integrated intensity profile is analyzed with combination of HULLAC code for emission coefficient calculation of the Zn-like transition and impurity transport code included ADPAK code for calculation of ionization and recombination rate coefficients. Thus, a total tungsten ion density of 3.5x10"1"0 cm"-"3 at the plasma center is reasonably obtained in discharge with central electron density of 4x10"1"3 cm"-"3 as the first experimental trial. The present result demonstrates that the Zn-like 4p-4s transition is applicable to the tungsten diagnostics in high-temperature plasmas. (author)

  5. The effect of Ce3+ on structure, morphology and optical properties of flower-like ZnO synthesized using the chemical bath method

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Koao, L.F.; Dejene, F.B.; Swart, H.C.; Botha, J.R.

    2013-01-01

    Ce 3+ doped ZnO flower-like structures were synthesized by the chemical bath deposition method (CBD). The influence of Ce 3+ as a dopant on the crystallization, surface morphology, optical and luminescent properties of ZnO flowers-like structures were investigated. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectra of the ZnO:Ce 3+ nanostructures correspond to the various planes of a single hexagonal ZnO phase for the lower Ce concentration samples. The estimated grain sizes calculated using the XRD spectra were found to be in order of 42±2 nm. The grain size was found to be not dependent on the concentration of the Ce 3+ ions used up to 3 mol% of Ce. Scanning Auger electron microscopy and scanning electron micrographs indicate that the addition of Ce 3+ influence the morphology of the samples. The flower-like structures obtained for the undoped and low concentration Ce doped ZnO changed into a mixed structure with the emergence of pyramid shapes for higher concentration Ce doped samples. The solid undoped and low concentration Ce doped powder showed good optical properties with a high reflectance in the visible regions. The properties, however, diminished at higher Ce concentration. The band gap energies decreased linearly with concentration from 3.0±0.1 to 2.4±0.3 eV for ZnO:0 mol% Ce 3+ up to ZnO:10 mol% Ce 3+ . Under 248 nm excitation, the undoped and low concentration Ce doped ZnO flower-like rods exhibited a green emission, peaking at about 559 nm. The higher Ce concentration (0.3 mol% and above) was emitted at 436 and 503 nm due to the Ce transitions. The intensity of these emission spectra of the ZnO:Ce 3+ decreased with the addition of more Ce 3+ ions. -- Highlights: • Ce 3+ doped ZnO flower-like structures were synthesized by CBD. • Flower-like hexagonal ZnO:Ce 3+ nanostructures were obtained for undoped and low mol% Ce. • ZnO changed into a mixed structure with emergence of pyramid shapes for higher mol% Ce. • Good optical properties with a high reflectance

  6. Synthesis of ZnO comb-like nanostructures for high sensitivity H2S ...

    Indian Academy of Sciences (India)

    2017-09-15

    Sep 15, 2017 ... H2S gas sensor; ZnO comb-like nanostructures; chemical vapour deposition; vapour–solid growth; ... tube at a flow rate of 15 sccm, when the central temperature .... behaviour, in this case, under low input power implies ohmic.

  7. Electronic, magnetic and transport properties of graphene ribbons terminated by nanotubes

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Akhukov, M A; Yuan Shengjun; Fasolino, A; Katsnelson, M I

    2012-01-01

    We study, by density functional and large-scale tight-binding transport calculations, the electronic structure, magnetism and transport properties of the recently proposed graphene ribbons with edges rolled to form nanotubes. Edges with armchair nanotubes present magnetic moments localized either in the tube or the ribbon and of metallic or half-metallic character, depending on the symmetry of the junction. These properties have potential for spin valve and spin filter devices with advantages over other proposed systems. Edges with zigzag nanotubes are either metallic or semiconducting without affecting the intrinsic mobility of the ribbon. Varying the type and size of the nanotubes and ribbons offers the possibility to tailor the magnetic and transport properties, making these systems very promising for applications. (paper)

  8. A MAGNETIC RIBBON MODEL FOR STAR-FORMING FILAMENTS

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Auddy, Sayantan; Basu, Shantanu [Department of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7 (Canada); Kudoh, Takahiro, E-mail: sauddy3@uwo.ca, E-mail: basu@uwo.ca, E-mail: kudoh@nagasaki-u.ac.jp [Faculty of Education, Nagasaki University, 1-14 Bunkyo-machi, Nagasaki 852-8521 (Japan)

    2016-11-01

    We develop a magnetic ribbon model for molecular cloud filaments. These result from turbulent compression in a molecular cloud in which the background magnetic field sets a preferred direction. We argue that this is a natural model for filaments and is based on the interplay between turbulence, strong magnetic fields, and gravitationally driven ambipolar diffusion, rather than pure gravity and thermal pressure. An analytic model for the formation of magnetic ribbons that is based on numerical simulations is used to derive a lateral width of a magnetic ribbon. This differs from the thickness along the magnetic field direction, which is essentially the Jeans scale. We use our model to calculate a synthetic observed relation between apparent width in projection versus observed column density. The relationship is relatively flat, similar to observations, and unlike the simple expectation based on a Jeans length argument.

  9. Development of a magnetic measurement device for thin ribbon samples

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Sato, Yuta; Todaka, Takashi; Enokizono, Masato

    2008-01-01

    This paper presents a magnetic measurement device for thin ribbon samples, which are produced by rapid cooling technique. This device enables us to measure magnetic properties easily by only inserting a ribbon sample into a sample holder. The sample holder was made by bakelite to fix any width sample. A long solenoid coil was used to generate a uniform magnetic field and the sample holder was placed at the mid part of the solenoid. The magnetic field strength was measured using a shunt resistor and the magnetic flux density and magnetization in sample ribbons were evaluated by using search coils. The accuracy of measurement was verified with an amorphous metal ribbon sample. Next, we have measured magnetic properties of some magnetic shape memory alloys, which have different compositions. The measured results are compared and we clarified the effect of Sm contents on the magnetic properties

  10. Microwave absorption behaviors of tetra-needle-like ZnO whiskers

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Zhou Zuowan; Chu Longsheng; Hu Shuchun

    2006-01-01

    A novel type of microwave absorption coating was prepared using tetra-needle-like zinc oxide whiskers as the main functional agent. The results of the experiments show that the composite coatings containing ZnO whisker appear to have good efficiency of microwave absorption, and the effect is influenced by the aspect ratio (length to diameter, L/D), the content of the T-ZnO whiskers and the resistivity of the whiskers. Microwave-heat transformation of this kind of whisker and its composite was investigated, and the results indicated that the apparent density affected the efficiency of the heat generating. The suitable value of the apparent density is 0.16-0.18 g/cm 3 . The mechanism of microwave absorption and microwave-heat transformation was explained by the semiconductive networks formed by the tetra-needle shape, diffuse reflections results from quasi-antenna, multipoles due to charge concentration and the multi-interfaces in the composites

  11. Effect of polyacrylamide on morphology and electromagnetic properties of chrysanthemum-like ZnO particles

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Jun-Feng, Yan; Zhi-Yong, Zhang; Tian-Gui, You; Wu, Zhao; Jiang-Ni, Yun; Fu-Chun, Zhang

    2009-01-01

    Through hydrothermal process, the chrysanthemum-like ZnO particles are prepared with zinc acetate dihydrate (Zn(CH 3 COO) 2 ·2H 2 O) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) used as main resources under the different concentrations of surfactant polyacrylamide (PAM). The microstructure, morphology and the electromagnetic properties of the as-prepared products are characterized by high-resolution transmissïon electron microscopy (HRTEM), field emission environment scanning electron microscope (FEESEM) and microwave vector network analyzer, respectively. The experimental results indicate that the as-prepared products are ZnO single crystalline with hexagona wurtzite structure, that the values of slenderness ratio L d are different in different PAM concentrations, and that the good magnetic loss property is found in the ZnO products, and the average magnetic loss tangent tan δ u increases with PAM concentration increasing, while the dielectric loss tangent tan δ e decreases. (cross-disciplinary physics and related areas of science and technology)

  12. Probing the ground state and zero-field cooled exchange bias by magnetoresistance measurement in Mn{sub 50}Ni{sub 41}Sn{sub 9} ribbon

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Chen, Jiyun [Jiangsu Laboratory of Advanced Functional Materials, Department of Physics, Changshu Institute of Technology, Changshu 215500 (China); School of Materials Science and Engineering, China University of Mining & Technology, Xuzhou 221116 (China); Tu, Ruikang [Jiangsu Laboratory of Advanced Functional Materials, Department of Physics, Changshu Institute of Technology, Changshu 215500 (China); School of Materials Science and Engineering, Soochow University, Suzhou 215000 (China); Fang, Xiaoting [Jiangsu Laboratory of Advanced Functional Materials, Department of Physics, Changshu Institute of Technology, Changshu 215500 (China); Gu, Quanchao [Jiangsu Laboratory of Advanced Functional Materials, Department of Physics, Changshu Institute of Technology, Changshu 215500 (China); School of Materials Science and Engineering, Soochow University, Suzhou 215000 (China); Zhou, Yanying [Jiangsu Laboratory of Advanced Functional Materials, Department of Physics, Changshu Institute of Technology, Changshu 215500 (China); Cui, Rongjing [Department of Chemistry, Changshu Institute of Technology, Changshu 215500 (China); Han, Zhida, E-mail: han@cslg.edu.cn [Jiangsu Laboratory of Advanced Functional Materials, Department of Physics, Changshu Institute of Technology, Changshu 215500 (China); Zhang, Lei; Fang, Yong [Jiangsu Laboratory of Advanced Functional Materials, Department of Physics, Changshu Institute of Technology, Changshu 215500 (China); Qian, Bin, E-mail: njqb@cslg.edu.cn [Jiangsu Laboratory of Advanced Functional Materials, Department of Physics, Changshu Institute of Technology, Changshu 215500 (China); Zhang, Chengliang [School of Science, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122 (China); Jiang, Xuefan [Jiangsu Laboratory of Advanced Functional Materials, Department of Physics, Changshu Institute of Technology, Changshu 215500 (China)

    2017-03-15

    Recently, a new type of exchange bias (EB) after zero-field cooling has attracted considerable interest mainly in bulk magnetic competing systems. Here, we use a detailed magnetotransport investigation to probe the ground state and zero-field cooled EB (ZEB) in Mn{sub 50}Ni{sub 41}Sn{sub 9} ribbon. Both ZEB and field cooled EB were detected in magnetoresistance results consistent with magnetic measurement. A pure spin-glass ground state is proposed based on parabolic shape of low-field magnetoresistance combined with AC magnetization, memory effect. The appearance of ZEB is attributed to the field-induced nucleation and growth of ferromagnetic domains in the spin glass matrix forming unidirectional anisotropy at the interface. - Highlights: • Magnetoresistance was first used to probe the ground state and ZEB in Ni-Mn-based alloys. • A pure spin-glass ground state is proposed in Mn{sub 50}Ni{sub 41}Sn{sub 9} ribbon. • Field-induced nucleation and growth of ferromagnetic domains in SG results in ZEB.

  13. FLARE RIBBON ENERGETICS IN THE EARLY PHASE OF AN SDO FLARE

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Fletcher, L.; Hannah, I. G.; Hudson, H. S. [School of Physics and Astronomy, SUPA, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ (United Kingdom); Innes, D. E. [Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research, Max-Planck-Strasse 2, D-37191 Katlenburg-Lindau (Germany)

    2013-07-10

    The sites of chromospheric excitation during solar flares are marked by extended extreme ultraviolet ribbons and hard X-ray (HXR) footpoints. The standard interpretation is that these are the result of heating and bremsstrahlung emission from non-thermal electrons precipitating from the corona. We examine this picture using multi-wavelength observations of the early phase of an M-class flare SOL2010-08-07T18:24. We aim to determine the properties of the heated plasma in the flare ribbons, and to understand the partition of the power input into radiative and conductive losses. Using GOES, SDO/EVE, SDO/AIA, and RHESSI, we measure the temperature, emission measure (EM), and differential emission measure of the flare ribbons, and deduce approximate density values. The non-thermal EM, and the collisional thick target energy input to the ribbons are obtained from RHESSI using standard methods. We deduce the existence of a substantial amount of plasma at 10 MK in the flare ribbons, during the pre-impulsive and early-impulsive phase of the flare. The average column EM of this hot component is a few times 10{sup 28} cm{sup -5}, and we can calculate that its predicted conductive losses dominate its measured radiative losses. If the power input to the hot ribbon plasma is due to collisional energy deposition by an electron beam from the corona then a low-energy cutoff of {approx}5 keV is necessary to balance the conductive losses, implying a very large electron energy content. Independent of the standard collisional thick-target electron beam interpretation, the observed non-thermal X-rays can be provided if one electron in 10{sup 3}-10{sup 4} in the 10 MK (1 keV) ribbon plasma has an energy above 10 keV. We speculate that this could arise if a non-thermal tail is generated in the ribbon plasma which is being heated by other means, for example, by waves or turbulence.

  14. GMI effect in CuO coated Co-based amorphous ribbons

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Taysioglu, Asli Ayten [Department of Physics, Sciences and Arts Faculty, Uludag University, 16059 Gorukle, Bursa (Turkey); Peksoz, Ahmet, E-mail: peksoz@uludag.edu.t [Department of Physics, Sciences and Arts Faculty, Uludag University, 16059 Gorukle, Bursa (Turkey); Kaya, Yunus [Department of Chemistry, Sciences and Arts Faculty, Uludag University, 16059 Gorukle, Bursa (Turkey); Derebasi, Naim [Department of Physics, Sciences and Arts Faculty, Uludag University, 16059 Gorukle, Bursa (Turkey); Irez, Gazi [Department of Chemistry, Sciences and Arts Faculty, Uludag University, 16059 Gorukle, Bursa (Turkey); Kaynak, Gokay [Department of Physics, Sciences and Arts Faculty, Uludag University, 16059 Gorukle, Bursa (Turkey)

    2009-11-13

    A Copper oxide (CuO) film has been grown on a surface of Co-based amorphous ribbon using chemical successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction technique, at room temperature and atmosphere pressure. The influence of coating and width of ribbon on giant magneto impedance have been investigated over a frequency range from 0.1 to 3 MHz and under a static magnetic field between -8 and +8 kA/m. The results showed that Co-based amorphous ribbons, which are coated CuO film, have a significant effect on the magnitude and operation frequency for the giant magneto impedance effect as compared to the samples without coating. The highest giant magneto impedance effect was found to be 14.90 on 5 mm width coated ribbon, which is 60% higher than the sample without coating. A surface observation of these samples has been carried out by an atomic force microscope. The AFM images reveal the difference between surfaces of coated and as-cast sample.

  15. GMI effect in CuO coated Co-based amorphous ribbons

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Taysioglu, Asli Ayten; Peksoz, Ahmet; Kaya, Yunus; Derebasi, Naim; Irez, Gazi; Kaynak, Gokay

    2009-01-01

    A Copper oxide (CuO) film has been grown on a surface of Co-based amorphous ribbon using chemical successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction technique, at room temperature and atmosphere pressure. The influence of coating and width of ribbon on giant magneto impedance have been investigated over a frequency range from 0.1 to 3 MHz and under a static magnetic field between -8 and +8 kA/m. The results showed that Co-based amorphous ribbons, which are coated CuO film, have a significant effect on the magnitude and operation frequency for the giant magneto impedance effect as compared to the samples without coating. The highest giant magneto impedance effect was found to be 14.90 on 5 mm width coated ribbon, which is 60% higher than the sample without coating. A surface observation of these samples has been carried out by an atomic force microscope. The AFM images reveal the difference between surfaces of coated and as-cast sample.

  16. Flower-like hierarchical structures consisting of porous single-crystalline ZnO nanosheets and their gas sensing properties to volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Meng, Fanli, E-mail: flmeng@iim.ac.cn [Research Center for Biomimetic Functional Materials and Sensing Devices, Institute of Intelligent Machines, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031 (China); Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095 (United States); Hou, Nannan [Research Center for Biomimetic Functional Materials and Sensing Devices, Institute of Intelligent Machines, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031 (China); Department of Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026 (China); Ge, Sheng [Department of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering, Anhui Polytechnic University, Wuhu 241000 (China); Sun, Bai [Research Center for Biomimetic Functional Materials and Sensing Devices, Institute of Intelligent Machines, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031 (China); Jin, Zhen, E-mail: zjin@iim.ac.cn [Research Center for Biomimetic Functional Materials and Sensing Devices, Institute of Intelligent Machines, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031 (China); Shen, Wei; Kong, Lingtao; Guo, Zheng [Research Center for Biomimetic Functional Materials and Sensing Devices, Institute of Intelligent Machines, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031 (China); Sun, Yufeng, E-mail: sunyufeng118@126.com [Department of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering, Anhui Polytechnic University, Wuhu 241000 (China); Wu, Hao; Wang, Chen [Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095 (United States); Li, Minqiang [Research Center for Biomimetic Functional Materials and Sensing Devices, Institute of Intelligent Machines, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031 (China)

    2015-03-25

    Highlights: • Flower-like hierarchical structures consisting of porous single-crystalline ZnO nanosheets were synthesized. • The flower-like hierarchical structured ZnO exhibited higher response and shorter response and recovery times. • The sensing mechanism of the flower-like hierarchical has been systematically analyzed. - Abstract: Flower-like hierarchical structures consisting of porous single-crystalline ZnO nanosheets (FHPSCZNs) were synthesized by a one-pot wet-chemical method followed by an annealing treatment, which combined the advantages between flower-like hierarchical structure and porous single-crystalline structure. XRD, SEM and HRTEM were used to characterize the synthesized FHPSCZN samples. The sensing properties of the FHPSCZN sensor were also investigated by comparing with ZnO powder sensor, which exhibited higher response and shorter response and recovery times. The sensing mechanism of the FHPSCZN sensor has been further analyzed from the aspects of electronic transport and gas diffusion.

  17. Flower-like hierarchical structures consisting of porous single-crystalline ZnO nanosheets and their gas sensing properties to volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Meng, Fanli; Hou, Nannan; Ge, Sheng; Sun, Bai; Jin, Zhen; Shen, Wei; Kong, Lingtao; Guo, Zheng; Sun, Yufeng; Wu, Hao; Wang, Chen; Li, Minqiang

    2015-01-01

    Highlights: • Flower-like hierarchical structures consisting of porous single-crystalline ZnO nanosheets were synthesized. • The flower-like hierarchical structured ZnO exhibited higher response and shorter response and recovery times. • The sensing mechanism of the flower-like hierarchical has been systematically analyzed. - Abstract: Flower-like hierarchical structures consisting of porous single-crystalline ZnO nanosheets (FHPSCZNs) were synthesized by a one-pot wet-chemical method followed by an annealing treatment, which combined the advantages between flower-like hierarchical structure and porous single-crystalline structure. XRD, SEM and HRTEM were used to characterize the synthesized FHPSCZN samples. The sensing properties of the FHPSCZN sensor were also investigated by comparing with ZnO powder sensor, which exhibited higher response and shorter response and recovery times. The sensing mechanism of the FHPSCZN sensor has been further analyzed from the aspects of electronic transport and gas diffusion

  18. Studies on the adsorption of RuN{sub 3} dye on sheet-like nanostructured porous ZnO films

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Zhang, Rong; Pan, Jie; Briggs, Evan P.; Thrash, Marvin; Kerr, Lei L. [Department of Paper and Chemical Engineering, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056 (United States)

    2008-04-15

    The interface between the ZnO and dye directly impacts the dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) performance. Nanostructured porous ZnO film was developed by a simple chemical solution process. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images demonstrated the uniform ZnO films with sheet-like nanostructure. Adsorption studies indicated that the maximum adsorption capacity of RuN{sub 3} dye on the surface of ZnO films was approximately 0.016 mmol RuN{sub 3}/g ZnO films. Adsorption studies were conducted at 25 and 40 C. The results showed that the dye adsorption was significantly influenced by temperatures. Moreover, the problem of the dye aggregation on the ZnO surface was reduced at higher adsorption temperatures. The adsorption chemistry was studied with Raman spectroscopy. (author)

  19. The role of the Zn(II binding domain in the mechanism of E. coli DNA topoisomerase I

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Tse-Dinh Yuk-Ching

    2002-05-01

    Full Text Available Abstract Background Escherichia coli DNA topoisomerase I binds three Zn(II with three tetracysteine motifs which, together with the 14 kDa C-terminal region, form a 30 kDa DNA binding domain (ZD domain. The 67 kDa N-terminal domain (Top67 has the active site tyrosine for DNA cleavage but cannot relax negatively supercoiled DNA. We analyzed the role of the ZD domain in the enzyme mechanism. Results Addition of purified ZD domain to Top67 partially restored the relaxation activity, demonstrating that covalent linkage between the two domains is not necessary for removal of negative supercoils from DNA. The two domains had similar affinities to ssDNA. However, only Top67 could bind dsDNA with high affinity. DNA cleavage assays showed that the Top67 had the same sequence and structure selectivity for DNA cleavage as the intact enzyme. DNA rejoining also did not require the presence of the ZD domain. Conclusions We propose that during relaxation of negatively supercoiled DNA, Top67 by itself can position the active site tyrosine near the junction of double-stranded and single-stranded DNA for cleavage. However, the interaction of the ZD domain with the passing single-strand of DNA, coupled with enzyme conformational change, is needed for removal of negative supercoils.

  20. Dosimetry of wires and single ribbons of Iridium 192

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Mazzucco, L.D.

    1998-01-01

    The objective of this work is in order to present in table formats the dosimetry of wires and single ribbons of Iridium with lengths 1-12 cm for each one linear source along the bisector which is perpendicular at tissue sources (water) computed for linear activity 1 mCi/cm in the case of wires, and 1 mCi/seed for ribbons. The above tables are of direct use, adaptable at particular cases so they facilitate logarithmic graphics of doses in function of the distance for interpolation and use in the treatments planning. It was shown that for two sources with identical linear activity and total length, one of the equidistant seeds at 1 cm (ribbon) and one wire on the other hand, the differences in dose rates in near positions can be about the 15% so corroborating that it is not possible to use wire tables for seeds neither vice versa. Moreover it was elaborated tables of practical direct use for dose rate in water at c Gy/hr for wires and Ribbons 1-12 cm length and from 0.5-10 cm of distance in the perpendicular bisector at the Iridium implant. (Author)

  1. Nanocrystallization in amorphous Fe40Ni40(Si+B)19Mo1-2 ribbons

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Saiseng, S.; Winotai, P.; Nilpairuch, S.; Limsuwan, P.; Tang, I.M.

    2004-01-01

    Cut Fe 40 Ni 40 (Si+B) 19 Mo 1-2 ribbons were annealed for 2 h at various temperatures between 350 deg. C and 600 deg. C. XRD and Mossbauer effect spectroscopy (ME) measurements were then performed on all of the ribbons. The magnetic properties of several ribbons were measured using a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). A differential thermal analysis scan (over the range 20-800 deg. C) of the as-cast ribbon showed two phase transitions; the first at 454 deg. C and the second at 525 deg. C. Both the XRD and ME spectra of the as cast, the 350 deg. C and 400 deg. C annealed ribbons showed that they were amorphous. The ME spectra of the 450 deg. C, 475 deg. C and 500 deg. C annealed ribbons showed that these ribbons contained α-Fe, α-Fe(Si) and t-Fe 2 B nanocrystallites. For the ribbons annealed above 550 deg. C, crystallites of t-Fe 2 B, t-Fe 3 B, t-Fe 5 SiB 2 and FCC-FeNi appeared, with the α-Fe and α-Fe(Si) crystallites disappearing. The sextets of all of the Fe compounds appeared in the ME spectra of the 525 deg. C annealed ribbon. The VSM measurements supported the picture of a two-stage phase transitions; amorphous phase→a nanocrystalline phase (Fe-containing nanocrystallites in an amorphous matrix) at 454 deg. C and then a second transition, the nanocrystalline phase→a disordered alloy containing Fe-B and Fe-Ni crystallites at 525 deg. C

  2. Metallurgical characterization of melt-spun ribbons of U-5.4 wt%Nb alloy

    Science.gov (United States)

    Ma, Rong; Ren, Zhiyong; Tang, Qingfu; Chen, Dong; Liu, Tingyi; Su, Bin; Wang, Zhenhong; Luo, Chao

    2018-06-01

    The microstructures and micro-mechanical properties of the melt-spun ribbons of U-5.4 wt%Nb alloy were characterized using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and nanoindentation. Observed variations in microstructures and properties are related to the changes in ribbon thicknesses and cooling rates. The microstructures of the melt-spun ribbon consist of fine-scale columnar grains (∼1 μm) adjacent to the chill surface and coarse cellular grains in the remainder of the ribbon. In addition, the formation of inclusions in the ribbon is suppressed kinetically due to the high cooling rate during melt spinning. Compared with the water-quenched specimen prepared by traditional gravity casting and solution heat treatment, the elastic modulus values of the U-5.4 wt%Nb alloy were examined to vary with grain size and exhibited diverse energy dissipation capacities.

  3. Nanostructure sword-like ZnO wires: Rapid synthesis and characterization through a microwave-assisted route

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Kajbafvala, Amir; Shayegh, Mohammad Reza; Mazloumi, Mahyar; Zanganeh, Saeid; Lak, Aidin; Mohajerani, Matin Sadat; Sadrnezhaad, S.K.

    2009-01-01

    Nanostructure sword-like ZnO wires with diameters of about 80-250 nm and the length of ∼1-4 μm have been synthesized by a fast, simple and template-free microwave-assisted method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and room temperature photoluminescence (PL) measurements was used for characterization of the as-prepared products. The nanostructure sword-like ZnO wires have high crystallinity with the average crystallite size of about 53 nm and show a UV emission and a visible green band in their PL spectrum. The possible growth mechanism of the nanostructures along the crystallographic direction and subsequent formation of wires were also investigated

  4. Ultrasonic and dielectric studies of polymer PDMS composites with ZnO and onion-like carbons nanoinclusions

    OpenAIRE

    Samulionis, Vytautas; Macutkevič, Jan; Banys, Jūras; Shenderova, Olga

    2015-01-01

    The ultrasonic and dielectric temperature investigations were performed in polydi-methylsiloxane (PDMS) with zinc oxide (ZnO) and onion-like carbon (OLC) nanocomposites. In the glass transition region, the ultrasonic velocity dispersion and large ultrasonic attenuation maxima were observed. The positions of ultrasonic attenuation peaks were slightly shifted to higher temperatures after doping PDMS with OLC and ZnO nanoparticles. The ultrasonic relaxation was compared to that of dielectric and...

  5. The ribbon microphone: A teaching aid for low frequency electromagnetic education

    CSIR Research Space (South Africa)

    Van Wyk, Marius S

    2017-09-01

    Full Text Available The ribbon microphone lends itself as a good example to use for education of multi-physics computer modeling and simulation. The value of the ribbon microphone as teaching aid can be extended by adding a transformer and electronic amplifier...

  6. Propeller-Shaped ZnO Nano structures Obtained by Chemical Vapor Deposition: Photoluminescence and Photo catalytic Properties

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Wang, S.L.; Zhu, H.W.; Li, P.G.; Tang, W.H.

    2012-01-01

    Propeller-shaped and flower-shaped ZnO nano structures on Si substrates were prepared by a one-step chemical vapor deposition technique. The propeller-shaped ZnO nano structure consists of a set of axial nano rod (50 nm in tip, 80 nm in root and 1μm in length), surrounded by radial-oriented nano ribbons (20-30 nm in thickness and 1.5μm in length). The morphology of flower-shaped ZnO nano structure is similar to that of propeller-shaped ZnO, except the shape of leaves. These nano rods leaves (30?nm in diameter and 1-1.5μm in length) are aligned in a radial way and pointed toward a common center. The flower-shaped ZnO nano structures show sharper and stronger UV emission at 378 nm than the propeller-shaped ZnO, indicating a better crystal quality and fewer structural defects in flower-shaped ZnO. In comparison with flower-shaped ZnO nano structures, the propeller-shaped ZnO nano structures exhibited a higher photo catalytic property for the photo catalytic degradation of Rhodamine B under UV-light illumination.

  7. Magnetoimpedance of cobalt-based amorphous ribbons/polymer composites

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Semirov, A.V., E-mail: semirov@mail.ru [Irkutsk State University, Irkutsk (Russian Federation); Derevyanko, M.S.; Bukreev, D.A.; Moiseev, A.A.; Kudryavtsev, V.O. [Irkutsk State University, Irkutsk (Russian Federation); Safronov, A.P. [Ural Federal University, Yekaterinburg (Russian Federation)

    2016-10-01

    The combined influence of the temperature, the elastic tensile stress and the external magnetic field on the total impedance and impedance components were studied for rapidly quenched amorphous Co{sub 75}Fe{sub 5}Si{sub 4}B{sub 16} ribbons. Both as-cast amorphous ribbons and Co{sub 75}Fe{sub 5}Si{sub 4}B{sub 16}/polymer amorphous ribbon based composites were considered. Following polymer coverings were studied: modified rubber solution in o-xylene, solution of butyl methacrylate and methacrylic acid copolymer in isopropanol and solution of polymethylphenylsiloxane resin in toluene. All selected composites showed very good adhesion of the coverings and allowed to provide temperature measurements from 163 K up to 383 K under the applied deforming tensile force up to 30 N. The dependence of the modulus of the impedance and its components on the external magnetic field was influenced by the elastic tensile stresses and was affected by the temperature of the samples. It was shown that maximal sensitivity of the impedance and its components to the external magnetic field was observed at minimal temperature and maximal deforming force depended on the frequency of an alternating current. - Highlights: • Impedance and its components of amorphous Co{sub 75}Fe{sub 5}Si{sub 4}B{sub 16} ribbons were studied. • MI sensitivity to the magnetic field depends on a temperature and a deforming force. • Polymer covering can affect the functional properties of the composite.

  8. Functionalized tetrapod-like ZnO nanostructures for plasmid DNA purification, polymerase chain reaction and delivery

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Nie Leng; Gao Lizeng; Yan Xiyun; Wang Taihong

    2007-01-01

    Functionalized tetrapodal ZnO nanostructures are tested in plasmid DNA experiments (1) as a solid-phase adsorbent for plasmid DNA purification (2) as improving reagents in a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and (3) as novel carriers for gene delivery. The amino-modification, the tetrapod-like shape of the nanostructure and its high biocompatibility all contribute to measurements showing promise for applications. A sol-gel method is used for silica coating and amino-modification. Plasmid DNA is purified through reversible conjugations of amino-modified ZnO tetrapods with DNA. Also, as additional reagents, functionalized tetrapods are shown to improve the amount of PCR product. For transfection, ZnO tetrapods provide some protection against deoxyribonuclease cleavage of plasmid DNA and deliver plasmid DNA into cells with little cytotoxicity

  9. OBSERVATIONS OF AN X-SHAPED RIBBON FLARE IN THE SUN AND ITS THREE-DIMENSIONAL MAGNETIC RECONNECTION

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Li, Y.; Ding, M. D.; Yang, K. [School of Astronomy and Space Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093 (China); Qiu, J.; Longcope, D. W., E-mail: yingli@nju.edu.cn [Department of Physics, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717 (United States)

    2016-05-20

    We report evolution of an atypical X-shaped flare ribbon that provides novel observational evidence of three-dimensional (3D) magnetic reconnection at a separator. The flare occurred on 2014 November 9. High-resolution slit-jaw 1330 Å images from the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph reveal four chromospheric flare ribbons that converge and form an X-shape. Flare brightening in the upper chromosphere spreads along the ribbons toward the center of the “X” (the X-point), and then spreads outward in a direction more perpendicular to the ribbons. These four ribbons are located in a quadrupolar magnetic field. Reconstruction of magnetic topology in the active region suggests the presence of a separator connecting to the X-point outlined by the ribbons. The inward motion of flare ribbons in the early stage therefore indicates 3D magnetic reconnection between two sets of non-coplanar loops that approach laterally, and reconnection proceeds downward along a section of vertical current sheet. Coronal loops are also observed by the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly on board the Solar Dynamics Observatory confirming the reconnection morphology illustrated by ribbon evolution.

  10. The effect of Ce{sup 3+} on structure, morphology and optical properties of flower-like ZnO synthesized using the chemical bath method

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Koao, L.F. [Department of Physics, University of the Free State, Qwaqwa Campus, Private Bag X13, Phuthaditjhaba 9866 (South Africa); Dejene, F.B., E-mail: dejenebf@qwa.ufs.ac.za [Department of Physics, University of the Free State, Qwaqwa Campus, Private Bag X13, Phuthaditjhaba 9866 (South Africa); Swart, H.C., E-mail: swarthc@ufs.ac.za [Department of Physics, University of the Free State, P.O. Box 339, Bloemfontein 9300 (South Africa); Botha, J.R. [Physics Department, P.O. Box 77000, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Port Elizabeth 6031 (South Africa)

    2013-11-15

    Ce{sup 3+} doped ZnO flower-like structures were synthesized by the chemical bath deposition method (CBD). The influence of Ce{sup 3+} as a dopant on the crystallization, surface morphology, optical and luminescent properties of ZnO flowers-like structures were investigated. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectra of the ZnO:Ce{sup 3+}nanostructures correspond to the various planes of a single hexagonal ZnO phase for the lower Ce concentration samples. The estimated grain sizes calculated using the XRD spectra were found to be in order of 42±2 nm. The grain size was found to be not dependent on the concentration of the Ce{sup 3+} ions used up to 3 mol% of Ce. Scanning Auger electron microscopy and scanning electron micrographs indicate that the addition of Ce{sup 3+} influence the morphology of the samples. The flower-like structures obtained for the undoped and low concentration Ce doped ZnO changed into a mixed structure with the emergence of pyramid shapes for higher concentration Ce doped samples. The solid undoped and low concentration Ce doped powder showed good optical properties with a high reflectance in the visible regions. The properties, however, diminished at higher Ce concentration. The band gap energies decreased linearly with concentration from 3.0±0.1 to 2.4±0.3 eV for ZnO:0 mol% Ce{sup 3+} up to ZnO:10 mol% Ce{sup 3+}. Under 248 nm excitation, the undoped and low concentration Ce doped ZnO flower-like rods exhibited a green emission, peaking at about 559 nm. The higher Ce concentration (0.3 mol% and above) was emitted at 436 and 503 nm due to the Ce transitions. The intensity of these emission spectra of the ZnO:Ce{sup 3+} decreased with the addition of more Ce{sup 3+} ions. -- Highlights: • Ce{sup 3+} doped ZnO flower-like structures were synthesized by CBD. • Flower-like hexagonal ZnO:Ce{sup 3+}nanostructures were obtained for undoped and low mol% Ce. • ZnO changed into a mixed structure with emergence of pyramid shapes for higher mol% Ce

  11. Temperature distribution study in flash-annealed amorphous ribbons

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Moron, C.; Garcia, A.; Carracedo, M.T.

    2003-01-01

    Negative magnetrostrictive amorphous ribbons have been locally current annealed with currents from 1 to 8 A and annealing times from 14 ms to 200 s. In order to obtain information about the sample temperature during flash or current annealing, a study of the temperature dispersion during annealing in amorphous ribbons was made. The local temperature variation was obtained by measuring the local intensity of the infrared emission of the sample with a CCD liquid nitrogen cooled camera. A distribution of local temperature has been found in spite of the small dimension of the sample

  12. Superhydrophobic surface based on a coral-like hierarchical structure of ZnO.

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Jun Wu

    2010-12-01

    Full Text Available Fabrication of superhydrophobic surfaces has attracted much interest in the past decade. The fabrication methods that have been studied are chemical vapour deposition, the sol-gel method, etching technique, electrochemical deposition, the layer-by-layer deposition, and so on. Simple and inexpensive methods for manufacturing environmentally stable superhydrophobic surfaces have also been proposed lately. However, work referring to the influence of special structures on the wettability, such as hierarchical ZnO nanostructures, is rare.This study presents a simple and reproducible method to fabricate a superhydrophobic surface with micro-scale roughness based on zinc oxide (ZnO hierarchical structure, which is grown by the hydrothermal method with an alkaline aqueous solution. Coral-like structures of ZnO were fabricated on a glass substrate with a micro-scale roughness, while the antennas of the coral formed the nano-scale roughness. The fresh ZnO films exhibited excellent superhydrophilicity (the apparent contact angle for water droplet was about 0°, while the ability to be wet could be changed to superhydrophobicity after spin-coating Teflon (the apparent contact angle greater than 168°. The procedure reported here can be applied to substrates consisting of other materials and having various shapes.The new process is convenient and environmentally friendly compared to conventional methods. Furthermore, the hierarchical structure generates the extraordinary solid/gas/liquid three-phase contact interface, which is the essential characteristic for a superhydrophobic surface.

  13. (211) oriented ZnTe growth on m-plane sapphire by MBE

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Nakasu, Taizo [Department of Electrical Engineering and Bioscience, Waseda University, Tokyo 169-8555 (Japan); Kobayashi, Masakazu [Department of Electrical Engineering and Bioscience, Waseda University, Tokyo 169-8555 (Japan); Kagami Memorial Research Institute for Materials Science and Technology, Waseda University, 2-8-26, Tokyo 169-0051 (Japan); Togo, Hiroyoshi [NTT Microsystem Integration Laboratories, Atugi-shi 243-0198 (Japan); Asahi, Toshiaki [Technology Development Center, JX Nippon Mining and Metals Corporation, Hitachi-shi 317-0056 (Japan)

    2013-11-15

    Single-crystalline and single domain ZnTe thin films are sought for high-performance terahertz wave detectors, and ZnTe/sapphire heterostructures were considered since the Electro-Optical (EO) effect could be obtained only from epilayers. ZnTe epilayers were grown on m-plane sapphire substrates by molecular beam epitaxy, and the potential of single domain epilayers was explored. Through the X-ray diffraction pole figure measurement it was confirmed that one (100) oriented ZnTe domain along with two kinds of (211) oriented domains were formed on the m-plane sapphire when the layer was grown at 340 C. When the layer was grown at 350 C, the (211) oriented domain dominated the film. (copyright 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH and Co. KGaA, Weinheim) (orig.)

  14. Magnetic force microscopy characterization of heat and current treated Fe40Ni38Mo4B18 amorphous ribbons

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Garcia, Ignacio; Iturriza, Nuria; Jose del Val, Juan; Grande, Hans; Pomposo, Jose A.; Gonzalez, Julian

    2010-01-01

    The domain structure of a magnetostrictive Fe 40 Ni 38 Mo 4 B 18 amorphous ribbon has been studied using magnetic force microscopy (MFM) at room temperature. First, the evolution of the magnetic domain patterns as a function of the annealing temperature has been investigated. In samples heat treated at 250 and 450 deg. C for 1 h, a transformation from 90 deg. to 180 deg. domain wall has been clearly observed, while the sample heat treated at 700 deg. C for 1 h showed a magnetic phase fixed by the crystalline anisotropy. Additionally, the evolution of the magnetic domain structure by applying a DC current was recorded by the MFM technique. For current annealed samples at 1 A for 1, 30 and 60 min, a transformation between different domain patterns has been observed. Finally, in samples treated by the current annealing method under simultaneous stress, an increase of the annealing time gives rise to a different magnetic structure arising from the development of transverse magnetic anisotropy.

  15. Molecular basis of the specific subcellular localization of the C2-like domain of 5-lipoxygenase.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Kulkarni, Shilpa; Das, Sudipto; Funk, Colin D; Murray, Diana; Cho, Wonhwa

    2002-04-12

    The activation of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) involves its calcium-dependent translocation to the nuclear envelope, where it catalyzes the two-step transformation of arachidonic acid into leukotriene A(4), leading to the synthesis of various leukotrienes. To understand the mechanism by which 5-LO is specifically targeted to the nuclear envelope, we studied the membrane binding properties of the amino-terminal domain of 5-LO, which has been proposed to have a C2 domain-like structure. The model building, electrostatic potential calculation, and in vitro membrane binding studies of the isolated C2-like domain of 5-LO and selected mutants show that this Ca(2+)-dependent domain selectively binds zwitterionic phosphatidylcholine, which is conferred by tryptophan residues (Trp(13), Trp(75), and Trp(102)) located in the putative Ca(2+)-binding loops. The spatiotemporal dynamics of the enhanced green fluorescence protein-tagged C2-like domain of 5-LO and mutants in living cells also show that the phosphatidylcholine selectivity of the C2-like domain accounts for the specific targeting of 5-LO to the nuclear envelope. Together, these results show that the C2-like domain of 5-LO is a genuine Ca(2+)-dependent membrane-targeting domain and that the subcellular localization of the domain is governed in large part by its membrane binding properties.

  16. Observational Evidence For The Comet-Like Heliosphere

    Science.gov (United States)

    Bzowski, M.; Czechowski, A.; Funsten, H. O.; Grygorczuk, J.; Heerikhuisen, J.; Kubiak, M. A.; Moebius, E.; McComas, D. J.; Schwadron, N.; Sokol, J. M.; Swaczyna, P.; Zirnstein, E.

    2017-12-01

    The shape of the heliosphere is a subject of ongoing debate. The traditional comet-like image has recently been challenged by ideas of croissant- or bubble-like forms. Here we seek to resolve this debate by confronting available observational evidence with global modeling. Several MHD models of a comet-like heliosphere were used to simulate the radius and center of the IBEX Ribbon to fit the direction and intensity of the interstellar magnetic field (ISMF). These models assumed the secondary ENA emission mechanism, which was recently strengthened due to direct measurement of the distance to the Ribbon source most likely just beyond the heliopause. The same mechanism explains the dependence of the Ribbon center position on energy due to the latitudinal structure of solar wind. The obtained ISMF vector agrees among these models and is consistent with the draped IMF measured by Voyager. Independently, we have shown by modeling that the Warm Breeze discovered by IBEX is naturally created in the outer heliosheath due to charge-exchange between interstellar He+ ions and He atoms. Now we simulate the Warm Breeze for various directions and intensities of the local IMF and we find that the simulation results are in best agreement with IBEX observations for the IMF vector obtained from the above-mentioned Ribbon analyses and Voyager measurements. These arguments, along with the co-planarity of the inflow directions of interstellar neutral H, He, O, and the Warm Breeze, directions of the Ribbon center and ISMF, as well as measurements of the plasma flow directions in the IHS by Voyager 2 indicate the existence of a common plane of approximate mirror symmetry of the heliosphere, defined by the directions of ISMF and the Sun's motion through the local interstellar medium. This suggests that the global structure of the outer heliosphere mostly results from the conditions in the local interstellar medium and the Sun's velocity. This evidence, obtained from very different

  17. Magnetic properties of nanocrystallized Fe-Pt-B melt-spun ribbons

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Yamamoto, Tokujiro; Omori, Akihiro; Kimura, Hisamichi; Inoue, Akihisa

    2007-01-01

    L1 0 FePt nanoparticles have been prepared by etching grain boundaries of heat-treated melt-spun Fe-19Pt-25B (at.%) alloy ribbons. It is revealed that an L1 0 FePt nanocrystalline phase is directly formed from the Fe-Pt-B amorphous ribbons by long-time heat treatment at low temperatures in the vicinity of 723 K. With increasing heat treatment time, dimensions of the nanocrystallized FePt grains increase, accompanied by a change from soft ferromagnetic to hard ferromagnetic. The ribbon crystallized at 723 K for 1.8 ks consists of only an FePt L1 0 phase and its coercivity is as low as 0.381 kA/m. However, it increases to 372 kA/m with increasing grain size of precipitated L1 0 phase to about 30 nm by heat treatment for 86.4 ks, while the saturation magnetic flux density remains constant at about 0.4 T. Etching boundaries in heat-treated ribbons has been performed to obtain ferromagnetic L1 0 FePt nanoparticles and several particles were observed by means of transmission electron microscopy

  18. Mechanical properties of metallic ribbons investigated by depth sensing indentation technique

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Pesek, Ladislav; Dobrzanski, Leszek A.; Zubko, Pavol; Konieczny, Jaroslaw

    2006-01-01

    The paper presents mechanical properties of two kinds of Co-based and one Fe-based metallic ribbons by the depth sensing indentation (DSI) technique. Investigations were carried out on two kinds ternary alloy Co 77 Si 11,5 B 11,5 and Fe 78 Si 13 B 9 and multicomponent Co 68 Fe 4 Mo 1 Si 13,5 B 13,5 , which are so-called 'zero-magnetostriction' materials. Metallic ribbons were investigated in amorphous state and partially crystallized state after annealing in 400deg. C in argon atmosphere. Heating of ribbons obtained by melt spinning technique was performed to check its effect on changes of mechanical properties

  19. The immunoglobulin-like domains 1 and 2 of the protein tyrosine phosphatase LAR adopt an unusual horseshoe-like conformation

    Science.gov (United States)

    Biersmith, Bridget H.; Hammel, Michal; Geisbrecht, Erika R.; Bouyain, Samuel

    2011-01-01

    Neurogenesis depends on exquisitely regulated interactions between macromolecules on the cell surface and in the extracellular matrix. In particular, interactions between proteoglycans and members of the type IIa subgroup of receptor protein tyrosine phosphatases underlie critical developmental processes such as the formation of synapses at the neuromuscular junction and the migration of axons to their appropriate targets. We report here the crystal structures of the first and second immunoglobulin-like domains of the Drosophila type IIa receptor Dlar and its mouse homologue LAR. These two domains adopt an unusual antiparallel arrangement that has not been previously observed in tandem repeats of immunoglobulin-like domains and that is presumably conserved in all type IIa receptor protein tyrosine phosphatases. PMID:21402080

  20. Tailoring the structural and electronic properties of a graphene-like ZnS monolayer using biaxial strain

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Behera, Harihar; Mukhopadhyay, Gautam

    2014-01-01

    Our first-principles full-potential density functional theory calculations show that a ZnS monolayer (ML-ZnS), which is predicted to adopt a graphene-like planar honeycomb structure with a direct band gap, undergoes strain-induced modifications in its structure and band gap when subjected to in-plane homogeneous biaxial strain (δ). ML-ZnS gets buckled for compressive strain greater than 0.92% ; the buckling parameter Δ(= 0.00 Å for planar ML-ZnS) linearly increases with increasing compressive strain (Δ = 0.435 Å at δ = −5.25%). A tensile strain of 2.91% turns the direct ML-ZnS band gap into indirect. Within our considered strain values of |δ| < 6%, the band gap shows linearly decreasing (non-linearly increasing as well as decreasing) variation with tensile (compressive) strain. These predictions (based on our calculations with two atoms per unit cell) may be exploited in future for potential applications in strain sensors and other nano-devices such as nano-electromechanical systems and nano-optomechanical systems. (paper)

  1. Oxygen measurements in thin ribbon silicon

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Hyland, S L; Ast, D G; Baghdadi, A

    1987-03-01

    The oxygen content of thin silicon ribbons grown by the dendritic web technique was measured using a modification of the ASTM method based on Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Web silicon was found to have a high oxygen content, ranging from 13 to 19 ppma, calculated from the absorption peak associated with interstitial oxygen and using the new ASTM conversion coefficient. The oxygen concentration changed by about 10% along the growth direction of the ribbon. In some samples, a shoulder was detected on the absorption peak. A similar shoulder in Czochralski grown material has been variously interpreted in the literature as due to a complex of silicon, oxygen, and vacancies, or to a phase of SiO/sub 2/ developed along dislocations in the material. In the case of web silicon, it is not clear which is the correct interpretation.

  2. Fabrication of Fe-6.5wt%Si Ribbons by Melt Spinning Method on Large Scale

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Y. F. Liang

    2015-01-01

    Full Text Available Melt spinning method has been widely applied for fabrication of Fe-based amorphous/nanocrystalline ribbons in industry. Compared with Fe-based amorphous/nanocrystalline alloys, Fe-6.5wt%Si high silicon steel is of low cost and has comparable excellent soft magnetic properties. Due to higher melting point and absence of supercooled liquid region, fabrication of Fe-6.5wt%Si ribbons is very hard and is only on lab scale. In this paper, we report that large scale fabrication of Fe-6.5wt%Si ribbons was successful and microstructures, ordered structures, and mechanical and soft magnetic properties of the ribbons were investigated. Due to rapid solidification rate, the ribbons were of ultrafine grains, and low degree of order and exhibited some extent of bending and tensile ductility. After heat treatment, excellent soft magnetic properties were obtained. Due to near-zero magnetostriction, the ribbons are promising to be used in electric devices with high frequencies where low noises are required.

  3. Structure of the thioredoxin-fold domain of human phosducin-like protein 2

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Lou, Xiaochu; Bao, Rui; Zhou, Cong-Zhao; Chen, Yuxing

    2009-01-01

    The X-ray crystal structure of the Trx-fold domain of hPDCL2 was solved at 2.70 Å resolution and resembled the Trx-fold domain of rat phosducin. Human phosducin-like protein 2 (hPDCL2) has been identified as belonging to subgroup II of the phosducin (Pdc) family. The members of this family share an N-terminal helix domain and a C-terminal thioredoxin-fold (Trx-fold) domain. The X-ray crystal structure of the Trx-fold domain of hPDCL2 was solved at 2.70 Å resolution and resembled the Trx-fold domain of rat phosducin. Comparative structural analysis revealed the structural basis of their putative functional divergence

  4. Big domains are novel Ca²+-binding modules: evidences from big domains of Leptospira immunoglobulin-like (Lig) proteins.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Raman, Rajeev; Rajanikanth, V; Palaniappan, Raghavan U M; Lin, Yi-Pin; He, Hongxuan; McDonough, Sean P; Sharma, Yogendra; Chang, Yung-Fu

    2010-12-29

    Many bacterial surface exposed proteins mediate the host-pathogen interaction more effectively in the presence of Ca²+. Leptospiral immunoglobulin-like (Lig) proteins, LigA and LigB, are surface exposed proteins containing Bacterial immunoglobulin like (Big) domains. The function of proteins which contain Big fold is not known. Based on the possible similarities of immunoglobulin and βγ-crystallin folds, we here explore the important question whether Ca²+ binds to a Big domains, which would provide a novel functional role of the proteins containing Big fold. We selected six individual Big domains for this study (three from the conserved part of LigA and LigB, denoted as Lig A3, Lig A4, and LigBCon5; two from the variable region of LigA, i.e., 9(th) (Lig A9) and 10(th) repeats (Lig A10); and one from the variable region of LigB, i.e., LigBCen2. We have also studied the conserved region covering the three and six repeats (LigBCon1-3 and LigCon). All these proteins bind the calcium-mimic dye Stains-all. All the selected four domains bind Ca²+ with dissociation constants of 2-4 µM. Lig A9 and Lig A10 domains fold well with moderate thermal stability, have β-sheet conformation and form homodimers. Fluorescence spectra of Big domains show a specific doublet (at 317 and 330 nm), probably due to Trp interaction with a Phe residue. Equilibrium unfolding of selected Big domains is similar and follows a two-state model, suggesting the similarity in their fold. We demonstrate that the Lig are Ca²+-binding proteins, with Big domains harbouring the binding motif. We conclude that despite differences in sequence, a Big motif binds Ca²+. This work thus sets up a strong possibility for classifying the proteins containing Big domains as a novel family of Ca²+-binding proteins. Since Big domain is a part of many proteins in bacterial kingdom, we suggest a possible function these proteins via Ca²+ binding.

  5. Piezoelectric ribbons printed onto rubber for flexible energy conversion.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Qi, Yi; Jafferis, Noah T; Lyons, Kenneth; Lee, Christine M; Ahmad, Habib; McAlpine, Michael C

    2010-02-10

    The development of a method for integrating highly efficient energy conversion materials onto stretchable, biocompatible rubbers could yield breakthroughs in implantable or wearable energy harvesting systems. Being electromechanically coupled, piezoelectric crystals represent a particularly interesting subset of smart materials that function as sensors/actuators, bioMEMS devices, and energy converters. Yet, the crystallization of these materials generally requires high temperatures for maximally efficient performance, rendering them incompatible with temperature-sensitive plastics and rubbers. Here, we overcome these limitations by presenting a scalable and parallel process for transferring crystalline piezoelectric nanothick ribbons of lead zirconate titanate from host substrates onto flexible rubbers over macroscopic areas. Fundamental characterization of the ribbons by piezo-force microscopy indicates that their electromechanical energy conversion metrics are among the highest reported on a flexible medium. The excellent performance of the piezo-ribbon assemblies coupled with stretchable, biocompatible rubber may enable a host of exciting avenues in fundamental research and novel applications.

  6. Broadband magnetic losses of nanocrystalline ribbons and powder cores

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Beatrice, Cinzia, E-mail: c.beatrice@inrim.it [Istituto Nazionale di Ricerca Metrologica, Nanoscience and Materials Division, Torino (Italy); Dobák, Samuel [Institute of Physics, Faculty of Science, P.J. Šafárik University, Košice (Slovakia); Ferrara, Enzo; Fiorillo, Fausto [Istituto Nazionale di Ricerca Metrologica, Nanoscience and Materials Division, Torino (Italy); Ragusa, Carlo [Politecnico di Torino, Energy Department, Torino (Italy); Füzer, Ján; Kollár, Peter [Institute of Physics, Faculty of Science, P.J. Šafárik University, Košice (Slovakia)

    2016-12-15

    Finemet type alloys have been investigated from DC to 1 GHz at different induction levels upon different treatments: as amorphous precursors, as ribbons nanocrystallized with and without an applied saturating field, as consolidated powders. The lowest energy losses at all frequencies and maximum Snoek's product are exhibited by the transversally field-annealed ribbons. This is understood in terms of rotation-dominated magnetization process in the low-anisotropy material. Intergrain eddy currents are responsible for the fast increase of the losses with frequency and for early permeability relaxation of the powder cores. Evidence for resonant phenomena at high frequencies and for the ensuing inadequate role of the static magnetic constitutive equation of the material in solving the magnetization dynamics via the Maxwell's diffusion equation of the electromagnetic field is provided. It is demonstrated that, by taking the Landau–Lifshitz–Gilbert equation as a constitutive relation, the excellent frequency response of the transverse anisotropy ribbons can be described by analytical method.

  7. Comparative structure-function characterization of the saposin-like domains from potato, barley, cardoon and Arabidopsis aspartic proteases.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Bryksa, Brian C; Grahame, Douglas A; Yada, Rickey Y

    2017-05-01

    The present study characterized the aspartic protease saposin-like domains of four plant species, Solanum tuberosum (potato), Hordeum vulgare L. (barley), Cynara cardunculus L. (cardoon; artichoke thistle) and Arabidopsis thaliana, in terms of bilayer disruption and fusion, and structure pH-dependence. Comparison of the recombinant saposin-like domains revealed that each induced leakage of bilayer vesicles composed of a simple phospholipid mixture with relative rates Arabidopsis>barley>cardoon>potato. When compared for leakage of bilayer composed of a vacuole-like phospholipid mixture, leakage was approximately five times higher for potato saposin-like domain compared to the others. In terms of fusogenic activity, distinctions between particle size profiles were noted among the four proteins, particularly for potato saposin-like domain. Bilayer fusion assays in reducing conditions resulted in altered fusion profiles except in the case of cardoon saposin-like domain which was virtually unchanged. Secondary structure profiles were similar across all four proteins under different pH conditions, although cardoon saposin-like domain appeared to have higher overall helix structure. Furthermore, increases in Trp emission upon protein-bilayer interactions suggested that protein structure rearrangements equilibrated with half-times ranging from 52 to 120s, with cardoon saposin-like domain significantly slower than the other three species. Overall, the present findings serve as a foundation for future studies seeking to delineate protein structural features and motifs in protein-bilayer interactions based upon variability in plant aspartic protease saposin-like domain structures. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  8. Quantum electrodynamics effects in the 4s-4p transitions in Cu-like and Zn-like ions

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Cheng, K.; Wagner, R.A.

    1987-01-01

    Multiconfiguration Dirac-Fock energies are compared with experiment for the 4s-4p transitions in Cu-like ions and the 4s 2 1 S 0 --4s4p 1 P 1 transition in Zn-like ions for Au, Pb, Bi, Th, and U. The Coulomb, Breit, and QED contributions to these transitions are tabulated for selected ions in the range Z = 50--92. Results show that the agreement between theory and experiment is good enough to show the importance of QED corrections in the spectra of these highly stripped ions. Contrary to earlier findings by Seely et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 57, 2924 (1986)] we find no significant differences between the observed and calculated transition energies after finite-nuclear-size corrections are included

  9. Ultrasonic and dielectric studies of polymer PDMS composites with ZnO and onion-like carbons nanoinclusions

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Samulionis, V; Macutkevic, J; Banys, J; Belovickis, J; Shenderova, O

    2015-01-01

    The ultrasonic and dielectric temperature investigations were performed in polydi- methylsiloxane (PDMS) with zinc oxide (ZnO) and onion-like carbon (OLC) nanocomposites. In the glass transition region, the ultrasonic velocity dispersion and large ultrasonic attenuation maxima were observed. The positions of ultrasonic attenuation peaks were slightly shifted to higher temperatures after doping PDMS with OLC and ZnO nanoparticles. The ultrasonic relaxation was compared to that of dielectric and such behaviour was described by Vogel- Fulcher law. The upshift of the glass transition temperature with addition of nanoparticles was confirmed by both methods. The additional increase of ultrasonic attenuation in composites doped with OLC and ZnO was observed at room temperature and such behaviour we attributed to ultrasound-nanofiller interaction in polymer matrix. (paper)

  10. Ultrasonic and dielectric studies of polymer PDMS composites with ZnO and onion-like carbons nanoinclusions

    Science.gov (United States)

    Samulionis, V.; Macutkevic, J.; Banys, J.; Belovickis, J.; Shenderova, O.

    2015-07-01

    The ultrasonic and dielectric temperature investigations were performed in polydi- methylsiloxane (PDMS) with zinc oxide (ZnO) and onion-like carbon (OLC) nanocomposites. In the glass transition region, the ultrasonic velocity dispersion and large ultrasonic attenuation maxima were observed. The positions of ultrasonic attenuation peaks were slightly shifted to higher temperatures after doping PDMS with OLC and ZnO nanoparticles. The ultrasonic relaxation was compared to that of dielectric and such behaviour was described by Vogel- Fulcher law. The upshift of the glass transition temperature with addition of nanoparticles was confirmed by both methods. The additional increase of ultrasonic attenuation in composites doped with OLC and ZnO was observed at room temperature and such behaviour we attributed to ultrasound-nanofiller interaction in polymer matrix.

  11. Pseudo ribbon metal ion beam source

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Stepanov, Igor B.; Ryabchikov, Alexander I.; Sivin, Denis O.; Verigin, Dan A.

    2014-01-01

    The paper describes high broad metal ion source based on dc macroparticle filtered vacuum arc plasma generation with the dc ion-beam extraction. The possibility of formation of pseudo ribbon beam of metal ions with the parameters: ion beam length 0.6 m, ion current up to 0.2 A, accelerating voltage 40 kV, and ion energy up to 160 kV has been demonstrated. The pseudo ribbon ion beam is formed from dc vacuum arc plasma. The results of investigation of the vacuum arc evaporator ion-emission properties are presented. The influence of magnetic field strength near the cathode surface on the arc spot movement and ion-emission properties of vacuum-arc discharge for different cathode materials are determined. It was shown that vacuum-arc discharge stability can be reached when the magnetic field strength ranges from 40 to 70 G on the cathode surface

  12. Pseudo ribbon metal ion beam source.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Stepanov, Igor B; Ryabchikov, Alexander I; Sivin, Denis O; Verigin, Dan A

    2014-02-01

    The paper describes high broad metal ion source based on dc macroparticle filtered vacuum arc plasma generation with the dc ion-beam extraction. The possibility of formation of pseudo ribbon beam of metal ions with the parameters: ion beam length 0.6 m, ion current up to 0.2 A, accelerating voltage 40 kV, and ion energy up to 160 kV has been demonstrated. The pseudo ribbon ion beam is formed from dc vacuum arc plasma. The results of investigation of the vacuum arc evaporator ion-emission properties are presented. The influence of magnetic field strength near the cathode surface on the arc spot movement and ion-emission properties of vacuum-arc discharge for different cathode materials are determined. It was shown that vacuum-arc discharge stability can be reached when the magnetic field strength ranges from 40 to 70 G on the cathode surface.

  13. Magnetic force microscopy: advanced technique for the observation of magnetic domains

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Asenjo, A.; Garcia, J. M.; Vazquez, M.

    2001-01-01

    An overview on the Magnetic Force Microscopy, MFM, as an advanced technique to observe magnetic domains and walls is displayed. Basic concepts are first introduced on the domain structure formation as well as on other techniques to observe magnetic domains. Afterwards, the MFM instrumentation is described making also an emphasis in micro magnetic consideration to interpret the images. Finally, a set of selected advanced magnetic materials with different domain structures is chosen to show the wide possibilities of this techniques to characterise the surface magnetic behaviour. The domain structure of materials as commercial magnetic recording media, thin films and multilayers, amorphous micro tubes, nanocrystalline ribbons, perovskites or magnetic nano wires is shown. (Author) 16 refs

  14. Amorphous metal matrix composite ribbons

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Barczy, P.; Szigeti, F.

    1998-01-01

    Composite ribbons with amorphous matrix and ceramic (SiC, WC, MoB) particles were produced by modified planar melt flow casting methods. Weldability, abrasive wear and wood sanding examinations were carried out in order to find optimal material and technology for elevated wear resistance and sanding durability. The correlation between structure and composite properties is discussed. (author)

  15. Effects of surface crystallization and oxidation in nanocrystalline FeNbCuSiB(P) ribbons

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Butvinová, B., E-mail: beata.butvinova@savba.sk [Institute of Physics SAS, Dúbravská cesta 9, 845 11 Bratislava (Slovakia); Butvin, P. [Institute of Physics SAS, Dúbravská cesta 9, 845 11 Bratislava (Slovakia); Brzózka, K. [Department of Physics, University of Technology and Humanities in Radom, Krasickiego 54, 26-600 Radom (Poland); Kuzminski, M. [Institute of Physics PAS, Al. Lotnikow 36/42, 02-668 Warsaw (Poland); Maťko, I.; Švec Sr, P. [Institute of Physics SAS, Dúbravská cesta 9, 845 11 Bratislava (Slovakia); Chromčíková, M. [Institute of Inorg. Chem. SAS, Centrum VILA, Študentská 2, 911 50 Trenčín (Slovakia)

    2017-02-15

    Si-poor Fe{sub 74}Nb{sub 3}Cu{sub 1}Si{sub 8}B{sub 14−x}P{sub x}, (x=0, 3) nanocrystalline ribbon-form alloys often form surfaces, which exert in-plane force on underlying ribbon interior when nanocrystallized in even modest presence of oxygen. Mostly unwanted hard-ribbon-axis magnetic anisotropy is standard result. Essential sources of the surface-caused stress have been sought and influence of P instead of B substitution on this effect was studied too. Preferred surface crystallization (PSC) was found to be the major reason. However P substitution suppresses PSC and promotes Fe-oxide formation, which eases the stress, softens the surfaces and provides different annealing evolution of surface properties. - Highlights: • Ar anneal of low-Si FeNbCuBSi ribbons produce surfaces that stress ribbon interior. • The stress comes mainly from preferred crystallization of surfaces. • Partial substitution of B by P changes annealing evolution of surface properties. • Without P, more crystalline surfaces significantly reduce ribbon's elasticity. • P suppresses surface crystallinity, promotes oxides and reduces mutual stress.

  16. Hydrostatic extrusion of Cu-Ag melt spun ribbon

    Science.gov (United States)

    Hill, Mary Ann; Bingert, John F.; Bingert, Sherri A.; Thoma, Dan J.

    1998-01-01

    The present invention provides a method of producing high-strength and high-conductance copper and silver materials comprising the steps of combining a predetermined ratio of the copper with the silver to produce a composite material, and melt spinning the composite material to produce a ribbon of copper and silver. The ribbon of copper and silver is heated in a hydrogen atmosphere, and thereafter die pressed into a slug. The slug then is placed into a high-purity copper vessel and the vessel is sealed with an electron beam. The vessel and slug then are extruded into wire form using a cold hydrostatic extrusion process.

  17. Asymmetric ZnO panel-like hierarchical architectures with highly interconnected pathways for free-electron transport and photovoltaic improvements.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Shi, Yantao; Zhu, Chao; Wang, Lin; Li, Wei; Fung, Kwok Kwong; Wang, Ning

    2013-01-02

    Through a rapid and template-free precipitation approach, we synthesized an asymmetric panel-like ZnO hierarchical architecture (PHA) for photoanodes of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). The two sides of the PHA are constructed differently using densely interconnected, mono-crystalline and ultrathin ZnO nanosheets. By mixing these PHAs with ZnO nanoparticles (NPs), we developed an effective and feasible strategy to improve the electrical transport and photovoltaic performance of the composite photoanodes of DSCs. The highly crystallized and interconnected ZnO nanosheets largely minimized the total grain boundaries within the composite photoanodes and thus served as direct pathways for the transport and effective collection of free electrons. Through low-temperature (200 °C) annealing, these novel composite photoanodes achieved high conversion efficiencies of up to 5.59% for ZnO-based quasi-solid DSCs. Copyright © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  18. Martensitic transformation behavior and shape memory properties of Ti-Ni-Pt melt-spun ribbons

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Inamura, Tomonari; Takahashi, Yohei; Hosoda, Hideki; Wakashima, Kenji; Nagase, Takeshi; Nakano, Takayoshi; Umakoshi, Yukichi; Miyazaki, Shuichi

    2006-01-01

    Martensitic transformation behavior and shape memory properties of a Ti 50 Ni 40 Pt 10 (TiNiPt) melt-spun ribbon fabricated by a single roll melt-spinning technique were characterized. The constituent phases of the as-spun ribbon were B2 (parent phase) and B19 (martensite phase) at room temperature. The B2-B19 martensitic transformation temperatures of the as-spun ribbon were 100K higher than those of the bulk-material with the same chemical composition. The martensitic transformation temperatures of the as-spun ribbon were decreased with increasing the temperature of the heat-treatment made after the melt-spinning. The as-spun ribbon and the heat-treated ribbons exhibited shape recovery by heating and/or pseudoelasticity. The martensitic transformation temperatures determined from the temperature dependence of the 0.2% flow stress of the pseudoelastic deformation were in good agreement with those of B2-B19 martensitic transformation determined by DSC. It was confirmed that the observed shape recovery and pseudoelasticity are shape memory effect and superelasticity due to the B2-B19 martensitic transformation. Shape memory effect and superelasticity of melt-spun TiNiPt alloy were found to appear at higher temperatures compared to those of Bulk-material with the same composition. (author)

  19. The single crystal structure determination of Ln{sub 6}MnSb{sub 15} (Ln=La, Ce), Ln{sub 6}Mn{sub 1-x}Zn{sub x}Sb{sub 15} (x∝0.5), and Ln{sub 6}ZnSb{sub 15} (Ln=La-Pr)

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Benavides, Katherine A.; McCandless, Gregory T.; Chan, Julia Y. [Texas Univ., Dallas, Richardson, TX (United States). Dept. of Chemistry and Biochemistry

    2017-09-01

    Single crystals of Ln{sub 6}MnSb{sub 15} (Ln=La, Ce), Ln{sub 6}Mn{sub 1-x}Zn{sub x}Sb{sub 15} (x∝0.5), and Ln{sub 6}ZnSb{sub 15} (Ln=La-Pr) have been successfully grown and the compounds adopt the orthorhombic Ln{sub 6}MnSb{sub 15} structure type (space group Immm), with a∝4.3 Aa, b∝15 Aa, and c∝19 Aa. This structure is comprised of antimony nets and antimony ribbons which exhibit positional disorder at connecting points between antimony substructures, in addition to two partially occupied transition metal sites. The unit cell volumes of the La analogs displayed a systematic decrease upon Zn substitution. However, for the Ce{sub 6}Mn{sub 1-x}Zn{sub x}Sb{sub 15} and Pr{sub 6}Mn{sub 1-x}Zn{sub x}Sb{sub 15} (x∝0.5), the volumes deviate from linearity as observed in the parent compounds.

  20. Morphology and the structure of quasicrystal phase in as-cast and melt-spun Mg-Zn-Y-Zr alloys

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Tang, Y.L.; Zhao, D.S.; Shen, N.F.

    1993-01-01

    During recent years, many researchers have investigated the experimental and theoretical aspects of quasicrystal materials. In some Mg alloys (Mg 32 Al 17 Zn 32 , Mg 32 (Al,Zn) 49 , Mg 32 (Al,Zn,Cu) 49 , Mg 4 CuAl 6 and Ga 16 Mg 32 Zn 52 ), icosahedral quasicrystals (IQC) have been found. However, most of the quasicrystals in these alloys were formed under a rapid solidification condition. In the recent study on Mg-Zn-(Zr,Y) as-cast alloys, the authors identified a new Mg-rich and a Zn-rich IQC by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and electron microscopy (EM). The discovery of Mg-Zn-Y IQC is of interest because it formed in an as-cast ingot and did not contain the element Al, which is the major constituent of nearly all IQC forming alloys reported. Also, analyses on IQC in as-cast and RS Mg alloys with the composition have not previously been carried out. In this paper, TEM and XRD investigations were completed on IQC formed in a Mg-Zn-Y-Zr cast ingot and melt-spun ribbons for microstructure comparison

  1. Big domains are novel Ca²+-binding modules: evidences from big domains of Leptospira immunoglobulin-like (Lig proteins.

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Rajeev Raman

    Full Text Available BACKGROUND: Many bacterial surface exposed proteins mediate the host-pathogen interaction more effectively in the presence of Ca²+. Leptospiral immunoglobulin-like (Lig proteins, LigA and LigB, are surface exposed proteins containing Bacterial immunoglobulin like (Big domains. The function of proteins which contain Big fold is not known. Based on the possible similarities of immunoglobulin and βγ-crystallin folds, we here explore the important question whether Ca²+ binds to a Big domains, which would provide a novel functional role of the proteins containing Big fold. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We selected six individual Big domains for this study (three from the conserved part of LigA and LigB, denoted as Lig A3, Lig A4, and LigBCon5; two from the variable region of LigA, i.e., 9(th (Lig A9 and 10(th repeats (Lig A10; and one from the variable region of LigB, i.e., LigBCen2. We have also studied the conserved region covering the three and six repeats (LigBCon1-3 and LigCon. All these proteins bind the calcium-mimic dye Stains-all. All the selected four domains bind Ca²+ with dissociation constants of 2-4 µM. Lig A9 and Lig A10 domains fold well with moderate thermal stability, have β-sheet conformation and form homodimers. Fluorescence spectra of Big domains show a specific doublet (at 317 and 330 nm, probably due to Trp interaction with a Phe residue. Equilibrium unfolding of selected Big domains is similar and follows a two-state model, suggesting the similarity in their fold. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate that the Lig are Ca²+-binding proteins, with Big domains harbouring the binding motif. We conclude that despite differences in sequence, a Big motif binds Ca²+. This work thus sets up a strong possibility for classifying the proteins containing Big domains as a novel family of Ca²+-binding proteins. Since Big domain is a part of many proteins in bacterial kingdom, we suggest a possible function these proteins via Ca²+ binding.

  2. Laser-zone Growth in a Ribbon-to-ribbon (RTR) Process Silicon Sheet Growth Development for the Large Area Silicon Sheet Task of the Low Cost Solar Array Project

    Science.gov (United States)

    Baghdadi, A.; Gurtler, R. W.; Legge, R.; Sopori, B.; Rice, M. J.; Ellis, R. J.

    1979-01-01

    A technique for growing limited-length ribbons continually was demonstrated. This Rigid Edge technique can be used to recrystallize about 95% of the polyribbon feedstock. A major advantage of this method is that only a single, constant length silicon ribbon is handled throughout the entire process sequence; this may be accomplished using cassettes similar to those presently in use for processing Czochralski waters. Thus a transition from Cz to ribbon technology can be smoothly affected. The maximum size being considered, 3 inches x 24 inches, is half a square foot, and will generate 6 watts for 12% efficiency at 1 sun. Silicon dioxide has been demonstrated as an effective, practical diffusion barrier for use during the polyribbon formation.

  3. Magnetic susceptibility of MnZn and NiZn soft ferrites using Laplace transform and the Routh-Hurwitz criterion

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Fano, Walter Gustavo; Boggi, Silvina; Razzitte, Adrian Cesar

    2011-01-01

    This paper is devoted to study the Routh-Hurwitz stability criterion from the MnZn and NiZn soft ferrites using a phenomenological model with the gyromagnetic spin contribution and domain wall contribution. The magnetodynamic equation and the harmonic oscillator equation have been used to obtain the domain walls and the spin contribution of the magnetic susceptibility. The ferrite materials have been considered as linear, time invariant, isotropic and homogeneous, and the magnetization vector is proportional to the magnetic field vector. The resulting expression of the magnetization in time domain of both ferrites under study has been obtained by mean of the inverse Laplace transformation applying the residue method. The poles of the magnetic susceptibility have negative real parts, which ensures that the response decays exponentially to zero as the time increase. The degree of the numerator's polynomial of the magnetic susceptibility is less than the degree of denominator's polynomial in the magnetic susceptibility function: and the poles are located in the half left s-plane. Then the system is bounded-input, bounded-output (BIBO), and the results agree with the Routh-Hurwitz stability criterion for the MnZn and NiZn soft ferrites. - Research Highlights: → Laplace transform of the magnetic susceptibility of the MnZn and NiZn soft ferrites. → Routh-Hurwitz stability criterion of magnetic materials. → Bode plot of magnetic susceptibility. → Inverse Laplace transform using residue theorem.

  4. The Production of Material with Ultrafine Grain Structure in Al-Zn Alloy in the Process of Rapid Solidification

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Szymaneka M.

    2014-06-01

    Full Text Available In the aluminium alloy family, Al-Zn materials with non-standard chemical composition containing Mg and Cu are a new group of alloys, mainly owing to their high strength properties. Proper choice of alloying elements, and of the method of molten metal treatment and casting enable further shaping of the properties. One of the modern methods to produce materials with submicron structure is a method of Rapid Solidification. The ribbon cast in a melt spinning device is an intermediate product for further plastic working. Using the technique of Rapid Solidification it is not possible to directly produce a solid structural material of the required shape and length. Therefore, the ribbon of an ultrafine grain or nanometric structure must be subjected to the operations of fragmentation, compaction, consolidation and hot extrusion.

  5. Variation of boron concentration in metallic glass ribbons

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Nagy, A.Z.; Vasvari, B.; Bakos, L.; Duwez, P.; Bogancs, J.; Nazarov, V.M.

    1980-01-01

    The boron concentration of Fe 40 Ni 40 P 14 B 6 , Fe 32 Ni 36 Cr 14 P 12 B 6 and Fe 40 Ni 40 B 20 metallic glasses is measured by neutron activation analysis on both surfaces of the ribbon samples. It is found that the boron concentration is always higher on the bright side of the ribbon than that on the dull side which is in contact with the cold surface of the wheel during the rapid quenching from the melt. A possible explanation is given in terms of the solid-liquid interface moving rapidly from the cooled surface to the free surface when preparing the samples. (author)

  6. Dissecting the interactions of SERRATE with RNA and DICER-LIKE 1 in Arabidopsis microRNA precursor processing

    KAUST Repository

    Iwata, Yuji

    2013-08-05

    Efficient and precise microRNA (miRNA) biogenesis in Arabidopsis is mediated by the RNaseIII-family enzyme DICER-LIKE 1 (DCL1), double-stranded RNA-binding protein HYPONASTIC LEAVES 1 and the zinc-finger (ZnF) domain-containing protein SERRATE (SE). In the present study, we examined primary miRNA precursor (pri-miRNA) processing by highly purified recombinant DCL1 and SE proteins and found that SE is integral to pri-miRNA processing by DCL1. SE stimulates DCL1 cleavage of the pri-miRNA in an ionic strength-dependent manner. SE uses its N-terminal domain to bind to RNA and requires both N-terminal and ZnF domains to bind to DCL1. However, when DCL1 is bound to RNA, the interaction with the ZnF domain of SE becomes indispensible and stimulates the activity of DCL1 without requiring SE binding to RNA. Our results suggest that the interactions among SE, DCL1 and RNA are a potential point for regulating pri-miRNA processing. 2013 The Author(s) 2013.

  7. Solid-solution-like ZnO/C composites as excellent anode materials for lithium ion batteries

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Zhang, Guanhua; Zhang, Hang; Zhang, Xiang; Zeng, Wei; Su, Qingmei; Du, Gaohui; Duan, Huigao

    2015-01-01

    Exploring advanced anode materials to maximize the capacity of lithium ion batteries has been an active research area for decades. Constructing composites materials has been proved to be one of the most effective methods to achieve higher capacity due to the synergistic effect. In this work, we proposed and demonstrated a concept of solid-solution-like ZnO/C composites to approach the largest possible synergistic effect by introducing the most interfaces and minimizing the pulverization. The solid-solution-like ZnO/C electrode could achieve a high reversible capacity of 813.3 mAh g −1 at a current density of 100 mA g −1 after 100 cycles with a decrease rate of only 0.4% per cycle. Moreover, the discharge capacity still maintained 53.5% of the original value even when the current density increased to 40 times as much as the original, showing a distinguished rate performance. In addition, such solid-solution-like nanofibers can be easily prepared because of their compatibility with the existing industrial PAN-based spinning process. This may pave the way to mass produce lithium ion batteries with significantly enhanced performance using existing low-cost commercial facilities and recipes.

  8. A new dental powder from nanocrystalline melt-spun Ag-Sn-Cu alloy ribbons

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Do-Minh, N.; Le-Thi, C.; Nguyen-Anh, S.

    2003-01-01

    A new non-gamma-two dental powder has been developed from nanocrystalline melt-spun Ag-Sn-Cu alloy ribbons. The amalgam made from this powder exhibits excellent properties for dental filling. The nanocrystalline microstructure was found for the first time in as-spun and heat treated Ag(27-28)Sn(9-32) Cu alloy ribbons, using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive spectroscopy. As-spun ribbons exhibited a multi-phase microstructure with preferred existence of β (Ag 4 Sn) phase formed during rapid solidification (RS) due to supersaturating of copper (Cu) atoms and homogenous nanostructure with subgrain size of about (40-50) nm, which seems to be developed during RS process and can be caused by eutectic reaction of the Ag 3 Sn/Ag 4 Sn-Cu 3 Sn system. In heat treated ribbons the clustering of Cu atoms was always favored and stable in an ageing temperature and time interval determined by Cu content. The heat treatment led to essential changes of subgrain morphology, resulted in the appearance of large-angle boundaries with fine Cu 3 Sn precipitates and forming typical recrystallization twins. Such a microstructure variation in melt-spun ribbons could eventually yield enhanced technological, clinical and physical properties of the dental products, controlled by the ADA Specification N deg 1 and reported before. Thus, using the rapid solidification technique a new non-gamma-two dental material of high quality, nanocrystalline ribbon powder, can be produced. Copyright (2003) AD-TECH - International Foundation for the Advancement of Technology Ltd

  9. The effects of glutamine/asparagine content on aggregation and heterologous prion induction by yeast prion-like domains.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Shattuck, Jenifer E; Waechter, Aubrey C; Ross, Eric D

    2017-07-04

    Prion-like domains are low complexity, intrinsically disordered domains that compositionally resemble yeast prion domains. Many prion-like domains are involved in the formation of either functional or pathogenic protein aggregates. These aggregates range from highly dynamic liquid droplets to highly ordered detergent-insoluble amyloid-like aggregates. To better understand the amino acid sequence features that promote conversion to stable, detergent-insoluble aggregates, we used the prediction algorithm PAPA to identify predicted aggregation-prone prion-like domains with a range of compositions. While almost all of the predicted aggregation-prone domains formed foci when expressed in cells, the ability to form the detergent-insoluble aggregates was highly correlated with glutamine/asparagine (Q/N) content, suggesting that high Q/N content may specifically promote conversion to the amyloid state in vivo. We then used this data set to examine cross-seeding between prion-like proteins. The prion protein Sup35 requires the presence of a second prion, [PIN + ], to efficiently form prions, but this requirement can be circumvented by the expression of various Q/N-rich protein fragments. Interestingly, almost all of the Q/N-rich domains that formed SDS-insoluble aggregates were able to promote prion formation by Sup35, highlighting the highly promiscuous nature of these interactions.

  10. Magnetic properties, phase evolution, and microstructure of the Co–Zr–V ribbons

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Hou, Zhipeng; Su, Feng; Xu, Shifeng; Zhang, Jinbao; Wu, Chunji; Liu, Dan; Wei, Beipei; Wang, Wenquan

    2013-01-01

    The substitution of V for Zr significantly impeded the growth of grain in the Co 82 Zr 18 ribbons during melt spinning and the amorphous Co 82 Zr 13 V 5 melt-spun ribbons were successfully produced at a wheel speed of 40 m/s. The values of coercivity H c and maximum energy product (BH) max first increased, reaching maximum at 560 °C and then they decreased sharply with increasing the annealing temperature. The optimal magnetic properties of H c =4.0 kOe and (BH) max =5.0 MGOe were obtained in the amorphous ribbons annealed at 560 °C. A suitable grain size of Co 11 Zr 2 phase was considered to be the main reason for the increase in coercivity. - Highlights: • High performance was obtained in Co 82 Zr 13 V 5 amorphous ribbons annealed. • We proved the hard magnetic phase was Co 11 Zr 2 phase. • Suitable grain size of Co 11 Zr 2 phase was the main reason for increase in coercivity

  11. The first non Clostridial botulinum-like toxin cleaves VAMP within the juxtamembrane domain.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Zornetta, Irene; Azarnia Tehran, Domenico; Arrigoni, Giorgio; Anniballi, Fabrizio; Bano, Luca; Leka, Oneda; Zanotti, Giuseppe; Binz, Thomas; Montecucco, Cesare

    2016-07-22

    The genome of Weissella oryzae SG25T was recently sequenced and a botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) like gene was identified by bioinformatics methods. The typical three-domains organization of BoNTs with a N-terminal metalloprotease domain, a translocation and a cell binding domains could be identified. The BoNT family of neurotoxins is rapidly growing, but this was the first indication of the possible expression of a BoNT toxin outside the Clostridium genus. We performed molecular modeling and dynamics simulations showing that the 50 kDa N-terminal domain folds very similarly to the metalloprotease domain of BoNT/B, whilst the binding part is different. However, neither the recombinant metalloprotease nor the binding domains showed cross-reactivity with the standard antisera that define the seven serotypes of BoNTs. We found that the purified Weissella metalloprotease cleaves VAMP at a single site untouched by the other VAMP-specific BoNTs. This site is a unique Trp-Trp peptide bond located within the juxtamembrane segment of VAMP which is essential for neurotransmitter release. Therefore, the present study identifies the first non-Clostridial BoNT-like metalloprotease that cleaves VAMP at a novel and relevant site and we propose to label it BoNT/Wo.

  12. Fiscal 1974 Sunshine Project result report. R and D on photovoltaic power generation system (R and D on Si ribbon crystal vertical pulling method); 1974 nendo taiyoko hatsuden system no kenkyu kaihatsu seika hokokusho. Silicon tatehiki ribbon kessho no kenkyu kaihatsu

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    NONE

    1975-05-30

    This research includes (1) basic study on Si ribbon crystal vertical pulling method, (2) basic design of continuous Si ribbon crystal vertical pulling mechanism, (3) basic study on vertically pulled Si ribbon crystal, (4) study on capillary materials for capillary crystal pulling method, and (5) basic study on AlAs-GaAs system compound semiconductors. In the 1st research, for Si ribbon crystal vertical pulling growth, the ribbon crystal pulling equipment was prepared and modified, and Si crystals were obtained by capillary and web methods. In the 2nd research, for development of Si ribbon crystal vertical pulling growth technology, study was made on the simple energy-saving resource-saving continuous automatic production process. In the 3rd research, measurement was made on various characteristics of ribbon crystals. In the 4th research, study was made on requirements of capillary materials from the viewpoint of capillary growth mechanism. In the 5th research, basic technology for solar cell production was established through growth experiments of AlAs-GaAs mixed crystals and multiple epitaxial crystal layers. (NEDO)

  13. MBE growth and characterization of ZnTe epilayers on m-plane sapphire substrates

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Nakasu, Taizo; Sun, Wei-Che; Yamashita, Sotaro; Aiba, Takayuki; Taguri, Kosuke [Department of Electrical Engineering and Bioscience, Waseda University, Tokyo 169-8555 (Japan); Kobayashi, Masakazu [Department of Electrical Engineering and Bioscience, Waseda University, Tokyo 169-8555 (Japan); Kagami Memorial Research Institute for Materials Science and Technology, Waseda University, 2-8-26, Tokyo 169-0051 (Japan); Asahi, Toshiaki [Technology Development Center, JX Nippon Mining and Metals Corporation, Hitachi 317-0056 (Japan); Togo, Hiroyoshi [NTT Microsystem Integration Laboratories, Atsugi 243-0198 (Japan)

    2014-07-15

    ZnTe epilayers were grown on transparent (10-10) oriented (m -plane) sapphire substrates by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). Pole figure imaging was used to study the domain distribution within the layer. (211)-oriented ZnTe domains were formed on m -plane sapphire. The presence of only one kind of (211) ZnTe domain formed on the 2 -tilted m -plane sapphire substrates was confirmed. Thus, single domain (211) ZnTe epilayers can be grown on the m -plane sapphire using MBE. Although differences in the crystal structure and lattice mismatch are large, precise control of the substrate surface lattice arrangement result in the formation of high-quality epitaxial layers. (copyright 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH and Co. KGaA, Weinheim) (orig.)

  14. Amorphous Fe72Cu1V4Si15B8 ribbon as magneto-impedance sensing element

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Surla Radoslav

    2016-01-01

    Full Text Available Мagneto-impedance (MI effect in the Fe72Cu1V4Si15B8 amorphous ribbon obtained by melt spinning method has been studied. The aim of study was the characterisation of this ribbon in as-cast state in terms of its application as a MI sensor. The experiments on MI elements were performed in the frequency range from 30 kHz to 300 MHz and maximum external magnetic field up to 28.6 kA/m. Maximum observed MI-ratio (ΔZ = Z(0 - Z(Hmax, Hmax = 28.6 kA/m has amounted to ΔZ/Z(Hmax = 173% at a frequency of 20.46 MHz. The MI curve measured up to 20 MHz shows some shoulder indicating the growth of rotational contribution of magnetization that appears above the domain wall relaxation frequency. The MI profile at frequencies higher than 30 MHz, exhibits a clear peak positioned at transverse anisotropy field Hk, suggesting domination of rotation magnetization in transverse permeability. The linearity in the range up to 5 kA/m with sensitivity of about 11 %/kA/m was observed. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. OI 172057

  15. Decoration of ZnO Nanorods with Coral Reefs like NiO Nanostructures by the Hydrothermal Growth Method and Their Luminescence Study

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Mazhar Ali Abbasi

    2014-01-01

    Full Text Available Composite nanostructures of coral reefs like p-type NiO/n-type ZnO were synthesized on fluorine-doped tin oxide glass substrates by hydrothermal growth. Structural characterization was performed by field emission scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction techniques. This investigation shows that the adopted synthesis leads to high crystalline quality nanostructures. The morphological study shows that the coral reefs like nanostructures are densely packed on the ZnO nanorods. Cathodoluminescence (CL spectra for the synthesized composite nanostructures are dominated mainly by a broad interstitial defect related luminescence centered at ~630 nm. Spatially resolved CL images reveal that the luminescence of the decorated ZnO nanostructures is enhanced by the presence of the NiO.

  16. 75 FR 41808 - Narrow Woven Ribbons With Woven Selvedge From the People's Republic of China: Final Determination...

    Science.gov (United States)

    2010-07-19

    ... Ribbon Company, Inc. (``Petitioner''); Yama; and Yangzhou Bestpak Gifts & Crafts Co., Ltd. (``Bestpak... liquid petroleum gas from the supplier to Yama's factory.\\10\\ \\10\\ See Final Analysis Memorandum for Yama... limited to gift bags, gift boxes and/ or other types of ribbon. Narrow woven ribbons subject to the...

  17. Flower-Like CuO/ZnO Hybrid Hierarchical Nanostructures Grown on Copper Substrate: Glycothermal Synthesis, Characterization, Hydrophobic and Anticorrosion Properties.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Beshkar, Farshad; Khojasteh, Hossein; Salavati-Niasari, Masoud

    2017-06-25

    In this work we have demonstrated a facile formation of CuO nanostructures on copper substrates by the oxidation of copper foil in ethylene glycol (EG) at 80 °C. On immersing a prepared CuO film into a solution containing 0.1 g Zn(acac)₂ in 20 mL EG for 8 h, ZnO flower-like microstructures composed of hierarchical three-dimensional (3D) aggregated nanoparticles and spherical architectures were spontaneously formed at 100 °C. The as-synthesized thin films and 3D microstructures were characterized using XRD, SEM, and EDS techniques. The effects of sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS), cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), and polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000 as surfactants and stabilizers on the morphology of the CuO and ZnO structures were discussed. Possible growth mechanisms for the controlled organization of primary building units into CuO nanostructures and 3D flower-like ZnO architectures were proposed. The hydrophobic property of the products was characterized by means of water contact angle measurement. After simple surface modification with stearic acid and PDMS, the resulting films showed hydrophobic and even superhydrophobic characteristics due to their special surface energy and nano-microstructure morphology. Importantly, stable superhydrophobicity with a contact angle of 153.5° was successfully observed for CuO-ZnO microflowers after modification with PDMS. The electrochemical impedance measurements proved that the anticorrosion efficiency for the CuO/ZnO/PDMS sample was about 99%.

  18. Flower-Like CuO/ZnO Hybrid Hierarchical Nanostructures Grown on Copper Substrate: Glycothermal Synthesis, Characterization, Hydrophobic and Anticorrosion Properties

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Farshad Beshkar

    2017-06-01

    Full Text Available In this work we have demonstrated a facile formation of CuO nanostructures on copper substrates by the oxidation of copper foil in ethylene glycol (EG at 80 °C. On immersing a prepared CuO film into a solution containing 0.1 g Zn(acac2 in 20 mL EG for 8 h, ZnO flower-like microstructures composed of hierarchical three-dimensional (3D aggregated nanoparticles and spherical architectures were spontaneously formed at 100 °C. The as-synthesized thin films and 3D microstructures were characterized using XRD, SEM, and EDS techniques. The effects of sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB, and polyethylene glycol (PEG 6000 as surfactants and stabilizers on the morphology of the CuO and ZnO structures were discussed. Possible growth mechanisms for the controlled organization of primary building units into CuO nanostructures and 3D flower-like ZnO architectures were proposed. The hydrophobic property of the products was characterized by means of water contact angle measurement. After simple surface modification with stearic acid and PDMS, the resulting films showed hydrophobic and even superhydrophobic characteristics due to their special surface energy and nano-microstructure morphology. Importantly, stable superhydrophobicity with a contact angle of 153.5° was successfully observed for CuO-ZnO microflowers after modification with PDMS. The electrochemical impedance measurements proved that the anticorrosion efficiency for the CuO/ZnO/PDMS sample was about 99%.

  19. Uniform Fe3O4 coating on flower-like ZnO nanostructures by atomic layer deposition for electromagnetic wave absorption.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Wan, Gengping; Wang, Guizhen; Huang, Xianqin; Zhao, Haonan; Li, Xinyue; Wang, Kan; Yu, Lei; Peng, Xiange; Qin, Yong

    2015-11-21

    An elegant atomic layer deposition (ALD) method has been employed for controllable preparation of a uniform Fe3O4-coated ZnO (ZnO@Fe3O4) core-shell flower-like nanostructure. The Fe3O4 coating thickness of the ZnO@Fe3O4 nanostructure can be tuned by varying the cycle number of ALD Fe2O3. When serving as additives for microwave absorption, the ZnO@Fe3O4-paraffin composites exhibit a higher absorption capacity than the ZnO-paraffin composites. For ZnO@500-Fe3O4, the effective absorption bandwidth below -10 dB can reach 5.2 GHz and the RL values below -20 dB also cover a wide frequency range of 11.6-14.2 GHz when the coating thickness is 2.3 mm, suggesting its potential application in the treatment of the electromagnetic pollution problem. On the basis of experimental observations, a mechanism has been proposed to understand the enhanced microwave absorption properties of the ZnO@Fe3O4 composites.

  20. Silicon ribbon growth by a capillary action shaping technique. Annual report (Quarterly technical progress report No. 9)

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Schwuttke, G.H.; Ciszek, T.F.; Kran, A.

    1977-10-01

    Progress on the technological and economical assessment of ribbon growth of silicon by a capillary action shaping technique is reported. Progress in scale-up of the process from 50 mm to 100 mm ribbon widths is presented, the use of vitreous carbon as a crucible material is analyzed, and preliminary tests of CVD Si/sub 3/N/sub 4/ as a potential die material are reported. Diffusion length measurements by SEM, equipment and procedure for defect display under MOS structure in silicon ribbon for lifetime interpretation, and an assessment of ribbon technology are discussed. (WHK)

  1. Tragacanth gum biopolymer as reducing and stabilizing agent in biosonosynthesis of urchin-like ZnO nanorod arrays: A low cytotoxic photocatalyst with antibacterial and antifungal properties.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Ghayempour, Soraya; Montazer, Majid; Mahmoudi Rad, Mahnaz

    2016-01-20

    Tragacanth, a natural gum, has been used for centuries as emulsifier, thickener, stabilizer and binder in various fields such as food, medical and cosmetic industries. In this study, Tragacanth gum was used as a clean and natural reducing and stabilizing agent for preparation of urchin-like ZnO nanorod arrays at low-temperature using ultrasonic irradiation. The morphology and structure of urchin-like ZnO nanorod arrays was investigated by XRD, FESEM images, EDX, UV-vis and FT-IR spectroscopy. The hexagonal zinc oxide nanorods were synthesized with the average diameter of 55-80 nm and length of 240 nm. The peak appeared in 447 cm(-1) in FTIR spectra and the peak around 362.3 nm in UV-vis spectra of ZnO nanorods confirmed the successful synthesis of ZnO nanorods. The urchin-like ZnO nanorod arrays indicated a good photocatalytic activity through degradation of methylene blue with 92.2% efficiency and rate constant of 0.0027 min(-1) at 120 min. Finally, the synthesized urchin-like ZnO nanorod arrays indicated 100% antibacterial activity against S. aureus and E. coli and 93% antifungal activity against C. albicans with a low cytotoxicity. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  2. Crystal structure of the Rasputin NTF2-like domain from Drosophila melanogaster

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Vognsen, Tina; Kristensen, Ole

    2012-01-01

    Highlights: ► The crystal structure of the NTF2-like domain of Rasputin protein is presented. ► Differences to known ligand binding sites of nuclear transport factor 2 are discussed. ► A new ligand binding site for the Rasputin and G3BP proteins is proposed. -- Abstract: The crystal structure of the NTF2-like domain of the Drosophila homolog of Ras GTPase SH3 Binding Protein (G3BP), Rasputin, was determined at 2.7 Å resolution. The overall structure is highly similar to nuclear transport factor 2: It is a homodimer comprised of a β-sheet and three α-helices forming a cone-like shape. However, known binding sites for RanGDP and FxFG containing peptides show electrostatic and steric differences compared to nuclear transport factor 2. A HEPES molecule bound in the structure suggests a new, and possibly physiologically relevant, ligand binding site.

  3. Novel receptor-like kinases in cacao contain PR-1 extracellular domains.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Teixeira, Paulo José Pereira Lima; Costa, Gustavo Gilson Lacerda; Fiorin, Gabriel Lorencini; Pereira, Gonçalo Amarante Guimarães; Mondego, Jorge Maurício Costa

    2013-08-01

    Members of the pathogenesis-related protein 1 (PR-1) family are well-known markers of plant defence responses, forming part of the arsenal of the secreted proteins produced on pathogen recognition. Here, we report the identification of two cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) PR-1s that are fused to transmembrane regions and serine/threonine kinase domains, in a manner characteristic of receptor-like kinases (RLKs). These proteins (TcPR-1f and TcPR-1g) were named PR-1 receptor kinases (PR-1RKs). Phylogenetic analysis of RLKs and PR-1 proteins from cacao indicated that PR-1RKs originated from a fusion between sequences encoding PR-1 and the kinase domain of a LecRLK (Lectin Receptor-Like Kinase). Retrotransposition marks surround TcPR-1f, suggesting that retrotransposition was involved in the origin of PR-1RKs. Genes with a similar domain architecture to cacao PR-1RKs were found in rice (Oryza sativa), barrel medic (Medicago truncatula) and a nonphototrophic bacterium (Herpetosiphon aurantiacus). However, their kinase domains differed from those found in LecRLKs, indicating the occurrence of convergent evolution. TcPR-1g expression was up-regulated in the biotrophic stage of witches' broom disease, suggesting a role for PR-1RKs during cacao defence responses. We hypothesize that PR-1RKs transduce a defence signal by interacting with a PR-1 ligand. © 2013 BSPP AND JOHN WILEY & SONS LTD.

  4. Synthesis of MoS{sub 2} ribbons and their branched structures by chemical vapor deposition in sulfur-enriched environment

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Mahyavanshi, Rakesh D., E-mail: rmahyavanshi@gmail.com [Department of Physical Science and Engineering, Nagoya Institute of Technology, Gokiso-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya 466-8555 (Japan); Kalita, Golap, E-mail: kalita.golap@nitech.ac.jp [Department of Physical Science and Engineering, Nagoya Institute of Technology, Gokiso-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya 466-8555 (Japan); Sharma, Kamal P. [Department of Physical Science and Engineering, Nagoya Institute of Technology, Gokiso-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya 466-8555 (Japan); Kondo, Masuharu; Dewa, Takeshita [Department of Life Science and Applied Chemistry, Nagoya Institute of Technology, Gokiso-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya 466-8555 (Japan); Kawahara, Toshio [Department of Electronics and Information Engineering, Chubu University, 1200 Matsumoto-cho, Kasugai 487-8501 (Japan); Tanemura, Masaki [Department of Physical Science and Engineering, Nagoya Institute of Technology, Gokiso-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya 466-8555 (Japan)

    2017-07-01

    Highlights: • We demonstrate synthesis of monolayer MoS{sub 2} ribbons and their branched structures. • Unidirectional, bi and tri-directional growth of ribbons from the nucleation point are obtained. • Unidirectional and other branched structures can be synthesized controlling the composition of MoO{sub 3} and sulfur vapor. • The ribbons possess uneven edge structures with angles of 60° and 120°, indicating molybdenum and sulfur terminations. - Abstract: Here, we demonstrate the synthesis of monolayer molybdenum disulfide (MoS{sub 2}) ribbons and their branched structures by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) in sulfur-enriched environment. The growth of the MoS{sub 2} ribbons, triangular and other crystals significantly depends on the exposure of sulfur and concentration of molybdenum oxide (MoO{sub 3}) vapor on the substrate surface. The width and length of the synthesized ribbons is around 5–10 and 50–100 μm, respectively, where the width reduces from the nucleation point toward the end of the ribbon. Unidirectional, bi and tri-directional growth of ribbons from the nucleation point with an angle of 60° and 120° were obtained attributing to crystallographic growth orientation of MoS{sub 2} crystals. The directional growth of dichalcogenides ribbons is a significant challenge, our process shows that such unidirectional and other branched structures can be achieved by controlling the stoichiometric composition of MoO{sub 3} and sulfur exposure on the substrate surface. Interestingly, all the individual and branched ribbons possess uneven abundant edge structures, where the edges are formed with angles of 60° and 120°, indicating variation in molybdenum and sulfur edge terminations. The directional growth of MoS{sub 2} ribbons with defined edge structures in particular CVD condition can open up new possibilities for electronic and electrochemical applications.

  5. 38 CFR 21.9700 - Yellow Ribbon Program.

    Science.gov (United States)

    2010-07-01

    ... Yellow Ribbon Program and the student maintains satisfactory progress, conduct, and attendance according...) Based on student status (i.e. , undergraduate, graduate, doctoral), or (ii) For each subelement of the institution (i.e., college or professional school). The maximum amount specified for each subelement of the...

  6. Controlling the microstructure and associated magnetic properties of Ni0.2Mn3.2Ga0.6 melt-spun ribbons by annealing

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Mahmud Khan

    2017-05-01

    Full Text Available Here we report on the structural and magnetic properties of Ni0.2Mn3.2Ga0.6 melt-spun ribbons. The as-spun ribbons were found to exhibit mixed cubic phases that transform to non-cubic structure upon annealing. Additionally, an amorphous phase was found to co-exist in all ribbons. The SEM images show that minor grain formation occurs on the as-spun ribbons. However, the formation of extensive nano-grains was observed on the surfaces of the annealed ribbons. While the as-spun ribbons exhibit predominantly paramagnetic behavior, the ribbons annealed under various thermal conditions were found to be ferromagnetic with a Curie temperature of about 380 K. The ribbons annealed at 450 °C for 30 minutes exhibit a large coercive field of about 2500 Oe. The experimental results show that the microstructure and associated magnetic properties of the ribbons can be controlled by annealing techniques. The coercive fields and the shape of the magnetic hysteresis loops vary significantly with annealing conditions. Exchange bias effects have also been observed in the annealed ribbons.

  7. Fenton-like oxidation of 4-chlorophenol using H2O2 in situ generated by Zn-Fe-CNTs composite.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Liu, Yong; Fan, Qing; Liu, Yanlan; Wang, Jianlong

    2018-05-15

    In this paper, a zinc-iron-carbon nanotubes (Zn-Fe-CNTs) composite was prepared, characterized and used to develop a Fenton-like system of Zn-Fe-CNTs/O 2 for the degradation of 4-chlorophenol (4-CP), in which H 2 O 2 was generated in situ from zinc-carbon galvanic cells and oxygen in aqueous solution was activated by iron attached on the surface of CNTs to produce ·OH radicals for the oxidation of 4-CP. The experimental results showed that the particles of Zn and Fe in Zn-Fe-CNTs composite were adhered to the surface of CNTs, which accelerated the electron transfer process. The BET area of Zn-Fe-CNTs composite was 32.9 m 2 /g. The contents of Zn and Fe (% w) in the composite were 44.7% and 4.2%, respectively. The removal efficiency of 4-CP and TOC in Zn-Fe-CNTs/O 2 system was 90.8% and 52.9%, respectively, with the initial pH of 2.0, O 2 flow rate of 800 mL/min, Zn-Fe-CNTs dosage of 1.0 g/L, 4-CP concentration of 50 mg/L and reaction time of 20 min. Based on the analysis of the degradation intermediate products with LC-MS and IC, a possible degradation pathway of 4-CP in Zn-Fe-CNTs/O 2 system was proposed. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  8. ANALYSIS OF RIBBONING ON CONICAL YARN PACKAGE WOUND BY OPENEND SPINNING MACHINES

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Resul FETTAHOV

    2001-03-01

    Full Text Available In this paper, Ribboning , one of the common faults in yarn packages, is mathematically analysed. If yarn is repeatly laid on top of or along the same path as the previously wound yarn, this duplication of yarn path on the package creates a defect known as ribboning. The number of turns of package (n per double traverse of yarn guide is calculated in two different way One is calculated the length of a coil on the package and total length of yarn in a double traverse; the other is considered transmission rate between drum and conical yarn package The result of two different approach is similar and the probable diameter of conical yarn package which ribboning is occurred is calculated and used on Schalafhorst-Autocore OE spinning machines.

  9. Bioconjugates of luminescent CdSe-ZnS quantum dots with an engineered two-domain protein G for use in fluoroimmunoassays

    Science.gov (United States)

    Tran, Phan T.; Goldman, Ellen R.; Mattoussi, Hedi M.; Anderson, George P.; Mauro, J. Matthew

    2001-06-01

    Colloidal semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) seem suitable for labeling certain biomolecules for use in fluorescent tagging applications, such as fluoro-immunoassays. Compared to organic dye labels, Qds are resistant to photo-degradation, and these luminescent nanoparticles have size-dependent emission spectra spanning a wide range of wavelengths in the visible and near IR. We previously described an electrostatic self-assembly approach for conjugating highly luminescent colloidal CdSe-ZnS core-shell Qds with engineered two-domain recombinant proteins. Here we describe the application of this approach to prepare QD conjugates with the (Beta) 2 immunoglobin G (IgG) binding domain of streptococcal protein G (PG) appended with a basic lucine zipper attachment domain (PG-zb). We also demonstrate that the QD/PG conjugates retain their ability to bind IgG antibodies, and that a specific antibody coupled to QD via the PG functional domain efficiently binds its antigen. These preliminary results indicate that electrostatically self-assembled QD/PG-zb/IgG bioconjugates can be used in fluoro-immunoassays.

  10. Genesis of flake-like morphology and dye-sensitized solar cell performance of Al-doped ZnO particles: a study

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Sengupta, D.; Mondal, B.; Mukherjee, K.

    2017-01-01

    In dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) application, the particulate morphologies of photo-anode facilitate efficient dye loading and thus lead to better photo-conversion efficiency than their thin film counterpart. However, till date, the electronic and optical properties as well as the DSSC application of Al-doped ZnO (AZO) particles as photo-anode material is studied less than thin films. Herein, phase formation behavior, morphology evolution, optical properties, and dye-sensitized solar cell performance of wet chemically prepared ZnO and AZO (dopant level: 1–4 mol%) particles are studied. It is found that Al doping modulates significantly the ZnO morphology which in turn results the maximum dye adsorption as well as best photo-conversion efficiency at optimum dopant concentration. Specifically, the nanoparticle of ZnO turns predominantly to flake-like morphology with a higher surface area when 2 mol% Al is doped. Such morphology modulation is expected, since the crystallinity, lattice parameters, and lattice strain of ZnO changes appreciably with Al doping. The variations of optical properties (absorbance, diffused reflectance, and band gap) of AZO materials as compared to primitive ZnO are also identified through UV-vis studies. An attempt is made here to correlate the structural features with the photovoltaic performances of ZnO and AZO.

  11. Genesis of flake-like morphology and dye-sensitized solar cell performance of Al-doped ZnO particles: a study

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Sengupta, D.; Mondal, B.; Mukherjee, K., E-mail: kalisadhanm@yahoo.com [CSIR-Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute, Centre for Advanced Materials Processing (India)

    2017-03-15

    In dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) application, the particulate morphologies of photo-anode facilitate efficient dye loading and thus lead to better photo-conversion efficiency than their thin film counterpart. However, till date, the electronic and optical properties as well as the DSSC application of Al-doped ZnO (AZO) particles as photo-anode material is studied less than thin films. Herein, phase formation behavior, morphology evolution, optical properties, and dye-sensitized solar cell performance of wet chemically prepared ZnO and AZO (dopant level: 1–4 mol%) particles are studied. It is found that Al doping modulates significantly the ZnO morphology which in turn results the maximum dye adsorption as well as best photo-conversion efficiency at optimum dopant concentration. Specifically, the nanoparticle of ZnO turns predominantly to flake-like morphology with a higher surface area when 2 mol% Al is doped. Such morphology modulation is expected, since the crystallinity, lattice parameters, and lattice strain of ZnO changes appreciably with Al doping. The variations of optical properties (absorbance, diffused reflectance, and band gap) of AZO materials as compared to primitive ZnO are also identified through UV-vis studies. An attempt is made here to correlate the structural features with the photovoltaic performances of ZnO and AZO.

  12. Refolding and characterization of the functional ligand-binding domain of human lectin-like oxidized LDL receptor.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Xie, Qiuhong; Matsunaga, Shigeru; Shi, Xiaohua; Ogawa, Setsuko; Niimi, Setsuko; Wen, Zhesheng; Tokuyasu, Ken; Machida, Sachiko

    2003-11-01

    Lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor (LOX-1), a type II membrane protein that can recognize a variety of structurally unrelated macromolecules, plays an important role in host defense and is implicated in atherogenesis. To understand the interaction between human LOX-1 and its ligands, in this study the functional C-type lectin-like domain (CTLD) of LOX-1 was reconstituted at high efficiency from inactive aggregates in Escherichia coli using a refolding technique based on an artificial chaperone. The CD spectra of the purified domain suggested that the domain has alpha-helical structure and the blue shift of Trp residues was observed on refolding of the domain. Like wild-type hLOX-1, the refolded CTLD domain was able to bind modified LDL. Thus, even though CTLD contains six Cys residues that form disulfide bonds, it recovered its specific binding ability on refolding. This suggests that the correct disulfide bonds in CTLD were formed by the artificial chaperone technique. Although the domain lacked N-glycosylation, it showed high affinity for its ligand in surface plasmon resonance experiments. Thus, unglycosylated CTLD is sufficient for binding modified LDL.

  13. Orthogonal ribbons for suspending test masses in interferometric gravitational wave detectors

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Lee, B.H.; Ju, L.; Blair, D.G.

    2005-01-01

    We show that a simple modification of proposed ribbon suspensions for laser interferometric gravitational wave detectors can substantially reduce the amplitude of violin modes at the expense of a small deterioration of suspension thermal noise. Using low loss fused silica, large amplitude peaks which cause dynamic range problems can be reduced by 21 dB. The total number of horizontal longitudinal direction violin modes below 5 kHz is reduced to less than half that expected with conventional ribbon suspensions

  14. Orthogonal ribbons for suspending test masses in interferometric gravitational wave detectors

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Lee, B.H. [School of Physics, University of Western Australia, Crawley 6009, WA (Australia)]. E-mail: bhl@physics.uwa.edu.au; Ju, L. [School of Physics, University of Western Australia, Crawley 6009, WA (Australia); Blair, D.G. [School of Physics, University of Western Australia, Crawley 6009, WA (Australia)

    2005-05-23

    We show that a simple modification of proposed ribbon suspensions for laser interferometric gravitational wave detectors can substantially reduce the amplitude of violin modes at the expense of a small deterioration of suspension thermal noise. Using low loss fused silica, large amplitude peaks which cause dynamic range problems can be reduced by 21 dB. The total number of horizontal longitudinal direction violin modes below 5 kHz is reduced to less than half that expected with conventional ribbon suspensions.

  15. Flower-like nanostructure MNb2O6 (M = Mn, Zn) with high surface area: Hydrothermal synthesis and enhanced photocatalytic performance

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Huang, Xue; Jing, Yan; Yang, Jia; Ju, Jing; Cong, Rihong; Gao, Wenliang; Yang, Tao

    2014-01-01

    Graphical abstract: - Highlights: • MNb 2 O 6 was prepared by a mild two-step hydrothermal method. • Their flower-like nanostructure morphology was studied by SEM and TEM. • High BET surface areas for MnNb 2 O 6 (∼50 m 2 /g) and ZnNb 2 O 6 (∼100 m 2 /g). • Band gap energies were estimated by UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectra. • Photocatalytic activities were evaluated under UV-light irradiation. - Abstract: Nano-scaled MNb 2 O 6 (M = Mn, Zn) was successfully synthesized via a two-step hydrothermal method. It is important to control the exact pH of the reaction solution in order to obtain pure products. The as-prepared samples both crystallize in the columbite structure. Interestingly, the products possess a flower-like morphology in a pseudo-six-fold symmetry, which is in fact arrayed by two-dimensional nanosheets. Their surface areas (51 m 2 /g for MnNb 2 O 6 and 103 m 2 /g for ZnNb 2 O 6 ) are about 25–50 times of those prepared by solid state reaction. UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectra show the nano-scaled sample has a stronger absorption and a narrower band gap than its bulk form. The estimated band gap energies are 2.70 eV (MnNb 2 O 6 ) and 3.77 eV (ZnNb 2 O 6 ), respectively. The nano-scaled ZnNb 2 O 6 exhibits a double enhancement of photocatalytic activity in the decolorization of methylene blue than bulk ZnNb 2 O 6

  16. Aperiodic topological order in the domain configurations of functional materials

    Science.gov (United States)

    Huang, Fei-Ting; Cheong, Sang-Wook

    2017-03-01

    In numerous functional materials, such as steels, ferroelectrics and magnets, new functionalities can be achieved through the engineering of the domain structures, which are associated with the ordering of certain parameters within the material. The recent progress in technologies that enable imaging at atomic-scale spatial resolution has transformed our understanding of domain topology, revealing that, along with simple stripe-like or irregularly shaped domains, intriguing vortex-type topological domain configurations also exist. In this Review, we present a new classification scheme of 'Zm Zn domains with Zl vortices' for 2D macroscopic domain structures with m directional variants and n translational antiphases. This classification, together with the concepts of topological protection and topological charge conservation, can be applied to a wide range of materials, such as multiferroics, improper ferroelectrics, layered transition metal dichalcogenides and magnetic superconductors, as we discuss using selected examples. The resulting topological considerations provide a new basis for the understanding of the formation, kinetics, manipulation and property optimization of domains and domain boundaries in functional materials.

  17. Crystal structure of the Rasputin NTF2-like domain from Drosophila melanogaster

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Vognsen, Tina, E-mail: tv@farma.ku.dk [Biostructural Research, Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen (Denmark); Kristensen, Ole, E-mail: ok@farma.ku.dk [Biostructural Research, Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen (Denmark)

    2012-03-30

    Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The crystal structure of the NTF2-like domain of Rasputin protein is presented. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Differences to known ligand binding sites of nuclear transport factor 2 are discussed. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer A new ligand binding site for the Rasputin and G3BP proteins is proposed. -- Abstract: The crystal structure of the NTF2-like domain of the Drosophila homolog of Ras GTPase SH3 Binding Protein (G3BP), Rasputin, was determined at 2.7 A resolution. The overall structure is highly similar to nuclear transport factor 2: It is a homodimer comprised of a {beta}-sheet and three {alpha}-helices forming a cone-like shape. However, known binding sites for RanGDP and FxFG containing peptides show electrostatic and steric differences compared to nuclear transport factor 2. A HEPES molecule bound in the structure suggests a new, and possibly physiologically relevant, ligand binding site.

  18. Critical Height of the Torus Instability in Two-ribbon Solar Flares

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Wang, Dong; Liu, Rui; Wang, Yuming; Liu, Kai; Chen, Jun; Liu, Jiajia; Zhou, Zhenjun [CAS Key Laboratory of Geospace Environment, Department of Geophysics and Planetary Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026 (China); Zhang, Min, E-mail: rliu@ustc.edu.cn [Department of Mathematics and Physics, Anhui Jianzhu University, Hefei 230601 (China)

    2017-07-01

    We studied the background field for 60 two-ribbon flares of M-and-above classes during 2011–2015. These flares are categorized into two groups, i.e., eruptive and confined flares, based on whether a flare is associated with a coronal mass ejection or not. The background field of source active regions is approximated by a potential field extrapolated from the B {sub z} component of vector magnetograms provided by the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager. We calculated the decay index n of the background field above the flaring polarity inversion line, and defined a critical height h {sub crit} corresponding to the theoretical threshold ( n {sub crit} = 1.5) of the torus instability. We found that h {sub crit} is approximately half of the distance between the centroids of opposite polarities in active regions and that the distribution of h {sub crit} is bimodal: it is significantly higher for confined flares than for eruptive ones. The decay index increases monotonously with increasing height for 86% (84%) of the eruptive (confined) flares but displays a saddle-like profile for the rest, 14% (16%), which are found exclusively in active regions of multipolar field configuration. Moreover, n at the saddle bottom is significantly smaller in confined flares than that in eruptive ones. These results highlight the critical role of background field in regulating the eruptive behavior of two-ribbon flares.

  19. Defect-induced room temperature ferromagnetic properties of the Al-doped and undoped ZnO rod-like nanostructure

    CSIR Research Space (South Africa)

    Jule, L

    2017-07-01

    Full Text Available : 151-155 Defect-induced room temperature ferromagnetic properties of the Al-doped and undoped ZnO rod-like nanostructure Jule L Dejene F Ali AG Roro KT Mwakikunga BW ABSTRACT: In this work, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR...

  20. Analysis of stress-strain relationships in silicon ribbon

    Science.gov (United States)

    Dillon, O. W., Jr.

    1984-01-01

    An analysis of stress-strain relationships in silicon ribbon is presented. A model to present entire process, dynamical Transit Analysis is developed. It is found that knowledge of past-strain history is significant in modeling activities.

  1. Gettering effects in RAD polysilicon ribbons: An XPS/AES study

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Amarray, E.; Deville, J.P.; Quesada, J.

    1987-03-01

    Evidence for gettering effects during the various heat treatments applied to RAD ribbons were investigated with surface analysis methods. These heat treatments occur either during the burning-off process of the carbon support or during the POCl/sub 3/ diffusion, and transport metallic impurities near the surface of the sample. Oxidation of clean silicon surfaces, cleaved either in air or ultra-high vacuum, has shown that the same metallic impurities are brought near the surface by this treatment alone. It is thus suggested that controlled oxidations and heat treatments can be used to improve the electrical properties of polysilicon, and especially of ribbons.

  2. Popcorn balls-like ZnFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}-ZrO{sub 2} microsphere for photocatalytic degradation of 2,4-dinitrophenol

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Chen, Xi [College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082 (China); Liu, Yutang [Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Hunan University), Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082 (China); Xia, Xinnian, E-mail: xnxia@hnu.edu.cn [College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082 (China); Wang, Longlu [College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082 (China); State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, Hunan University, Changsha 410082 (China)

    2017-06-15

    Highlights: • Popcorn balls-like microsphere photocatalyst. • High photocatalytic activity toward 2,4-DNP degradation. • Degradation kinetics, mechanism, active species were analyzed. • Excellent stable recycling performance. - Abstract: In this paper, novel popcorn balls-like ZnFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}-ZrO{sub 2} composite microspheres were successfully fabricated by a simple hydrothermal method. The morphology, structure and optical property of the microspheres were characterized. The microspheres were used as the photocatalysts to degrade 2,4-dinitrophenol, and exhibited superior photocatalytic performance. Under simulated solar visible light irradiation, the degradation rate of ZnFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}-ZrO{sub 2} photocatalyst (mass ratio of ZnFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}/ZrO{sub 2} = 2:1) was almost 7.4 and 2.4 times higher than those of pure ZnFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} and ZrO{sub 2}. The enhancement could attribute to stronger light absorption, lower carrier recombination and multi-porous structure of the microspheres. Moreover, the popcorn balls-like photocatalysts can be easily separated, because of the magnetism of the samples. After five times runs, the photocatalyst still showed 90% of its photocatalytic degradation efficiency. This work demonstrated a good prospect for removing organic pollutants in water.

  3. Long-term memory consolidation: The role of RNA-binding proteins with prion-like domains.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Sudhakaran, Indulekha P; Ramaswami, Mani

    2017-05-04

    Long-term and short-term memories differ primarily in the duration of their retention. At a molecular level, long-term memory (LTM) is distinguished from short-term memory (STM) by its requirement for new gene expression. In addition to transcription (nuclear gene expression) the translation of stored mRNAs is necessary for LTM formation. The mechanisms and functions for temporal and spatial regulation of mRNAs required for LTM is a major contemporary problem, of interest from molecular, cell biological, neurobiological and clinical perspectives. This review discusses primary evidence in support for translational regulatory events involved in LTM and a model in which different phases of translation underlie distinct phases of consolidation of memories. However, it focuses largely on mechanisms of memory persistence and the role of prion-like domains in this defining aspect of long-term memory. We consider primary evidence for the concept that Cytoplasmic Polyadenylation Element Binding (CPEB) protein enables the persistence of formed memories by transforming in prion-like manner from a soluble monomeric state to a self-perpetuating and persistent polymeric translationally active state required for maintaining persistent synaptic plasticity. We further discuss prion-like domains prevalent on several other RNA-binding proteins involved in neuronal translational control underlying LTM. Growing evidence indicates that such RNA regulatory proteins are components of mRNP (RiboNucleoProtein) granules. In these proteins, prion-like domains, being intrinsically disordered, could mediate weak transient interactions that allow the assembly of RNP granules, a source of silenced mRNAs whose translation is necessary for LTM. We consider the structural bases for RNA granules formation as well as functions of disordered domains and discuss how these complicate the interpretation of existing experimental data relevant to general mechanisms by which prion-domain containing RBPs

  4. InP/ZnSe/ZnS core-multishell quantum dots for improved luminescence efficiency

    Science.gov (United States)

    Greco, Tonino; Ippen, Christian; Wedel, Armin

    2012-04-01

    Semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) exhibit unique optical properties like size-tunable emission color, narrow emission peak, and high luminescence efficiency. QDs are therefore investigated towards their application in light-emitting devices (QLEDs), solar cells, and for bio-imaging purposes. In most cases QDs made from cadmium compounds like CdS, CdSe or CdTe are studied because of their facile and reliable synthesis. However, due to the toxicity of Cd compounds and the corresponding regulation (e.g. RoHS directive in Europe) these materials are not feasible for customer applications. Indium phosphide is considered to be the most promising alternative because of the similar band gap (InP 1.35 eV, CdSe 1.73 eV). InP QDs do not yet reach the quality of CdSe QDs, especially in terms of photoluminescence quantum yield and peak width. Typically, QDs are coated with another semiconductor material of wider band gap, often ZnS, to passivate surface defects and thus improve luminescence efficiency. Concerning CdSe QDs, multishell coatings like CdSe/CdS/ZnS or CdSe/ZnSe/ZnS have been shown to be advantageous due to the improved compatibility of lattice constants. Here we present a method to improve the luminescence efficiency of InP QDs by coating a ZnSe/ZnS multishell instead of a ZnS single shell. ZnSe exhibits an intermediate lattice constant of 5.67 Å between those of InP (5.87 Å) and ZnS (5.41 Å) and thus acts as a wetting layer. As a result, InP/ZnSe/ZnS is introduced as a new core-shell quantum dot material which shows improved photoluminescence quantum yield (up to 75 %) compared to the conventional InP/ZnS system.

  5. Variation of magnetic properties with mischmetal content in the resource saving magnets of MM-Fe-B ribbons

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Li, Zhu-bai, E-mail: lzbgj@163.com [Key Laboratory of Integrated Exploitation of Bayan Obo Multi-Metal Resources, Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Baotou 014010 (China); State Key Laboratory for Magnetism, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190 (China); Wang, Li-chen [Key Laboratory of Magnetic Materials and Devices, Ningbo Institute of Material Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315201 (China); Laboratory of Magnetic Materials and Application Technology, Ningbo Institute of Material Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315201 (China); Geng, Xiao-peng [Inner Mongolia Baotou Steel Rare Earth Magnetic Materials Co.Ltd, Baotou 014030 (China); Hu, Feng-xia; Sun, Ji-rong; Shen, Bao-gen [State Key Laboratory for Magnetism, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190 (China)

    2017-03-15

    Magnetic materials of MM-Fe-B (MM=mischmetal) ribbons were prepared using melt spinning method by varying the content of MM. The ribbons contain minor phases besides the main phase of Re{sub 2}Fe{sub 14}B. X-ray techniques show that the diffraction peak intensities of the minor phase Fe{sub 3}B vary with the content of constituent elements, indicating that the amount of minor phase could be tunable. The squareness of hysteresis loop is the best in MM{sub 13}Fe{sub 80.5}B{sub 6.5} ribbons, which should mainly ascribe to the less amount of minor phase. Henkel plots verify the more uniform magnetization reversals in MM{sub 13}Fe{sub 80.5}B{sub 6.5} ribbons, and the energy product achieves to the maximum of 12.74 MGOe with the coercivity of 6.50 kOe. With the increase of MM content the coercivity increases monotonically, and reaches to 9.13 kOe in MM{sub 15}Fe{sub 77.5}B{sub 7.5} ribbons, which should be related with the nature of the defects in the main phase. These investigations show that optimizing the content of constituent elements and phase constitution could improve magnetic properties in the resource-saving magnets of MM-Fe-B ribbons. - Highlights: • MM-Fe-B (MM=mischmetal) ribbons contains the minor phases besides the main phase of Re{sub 2}Fe{sub 14}B. • The amount of minor phases varies with the content of constituent elements. • The energy product of 12.74 MGOe is obtained in MM{sub 13}Fe{sub 80.5}B{sub 6.5} ribbons by optimizing the phase constitution.

  6. Device for investigation of magnetic flux jumps in ribbon superconductors

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Andrianov, A.V.; Bashkirov, Yu.A.; Kremlev, M.G.

    1986-01-01

    A device for simulation of magnetic flux jumps in superconductors of conducting magnet sandwich-type windings super-applyed of a ribbon conductor is described. A superconducting magnet with a measuring cassetter are the main elements of the device. An external magnetic field is generated by a two-sectional superconducting magnet permitting to simulate the shape of the magnetic field characteristic for sandwich-type windings. Maximum radial component of the magnetic field is 2 T. Jumps of the magnetic flux are recorded by induction transducers and the magnetic field-by Hall trasducer. The effect of coating of standard metal on magnetic flux jumps in Nb 3 Sn base superconducting ribbon is considered

  7. Use of intraventricular ribbon gauze to reduce particulate emboli during aortic valve replacement

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Loubani Mahmoud

    2006-11-01

    Full Text Available Abstract Background The incidence of cerebrovascular accidents following aortic valve surgery remains a devastating complication. The aim of this study was to determine the number of potential embolic material arising during aortic valve replacement and to examine the efficacy of using ribbon gauze in the left ventricle during removal of the native valve and decalcification of the aortic annulus. Methods Ribbon gauze was inserted into the left ventricular cavity prior to aortic valve excision in an unselected, prospectively studied series of 30 patients undergoing aortic valve replacement. A further 30 lengths of ribbon gauze were soaked in the pericardiotomy blood of the same patients and all were subjected to histological analysis. Results The median number of tissue fragments from the aortic valve replacement group was significantly higher than in the control group 5 (0–18 versus 0 (0–1 (p = 3.6 × 10-5. The size of tissue fragments varied between 0.1 and 9.0 mm with a mean of 0.61 ± 1.12 mm and a median of 0.2 mm. There was a significantly higher number of tissue fragments associated with patients having surgery for aortic stenosis when compared with patients who had aortic regurgitation with median of 5 (0–18 versus 0 (0–3 (p = 0.8 × 10-3. Conclusion Significant capture of particulate debris by the intraventricular ribbon gauze suggests that the technique of left ventricular ribbon gauze insertion during aortic valve excision has merit.

  8. Rectifying magnetic tunnel diode like behavior in Co2MnSi/ZnO/p-Si heterostructure

    Science.gov (United States)

    Maji, Nilay; Nath, T. K.

    2018-04-01

    The rectifying magnetic tunnel diode like behavior has been observed in Co2MnSi/ZnO/p-Si heterostructure. At first an ultra thin layer of ZnO has been deposited on p-Si (100) substrate with the help of pulsed laser deposition (PLD). After that a highly spin-polarized Heusler alloy Co2MnSi (CMS) film (250 nm) has been grown on ZnO/p-Si using electron beam physical vapor deposition technique. The phase purity of the sample has been confirmed through high resolution X-Ray diffraction technique. The electrical transport properties have been investigated at various isothermal conditions in the temperature range of 77-300 K. The current-voltage characteristics exhibit an excellent rectifying tunnel diode like behavior throughout the temperature regime. The current (I) across the junction has been found to decrease with the application of an external magnetic field parallel to the plane of the CMS film clearly indicating positive junction magnetoresistance (JMR) of the heterostructure. The magnetic field dependent JMR behavior of our heterostructure has been investigated in the same temperature range. Our heterostructure clearly demonstrates a giant positive JMR at 78 K (˜264%) and it starts decreasing with increasing temperature. If we compare our results with earlier reported results on other heterostructures, it can be seen that the JMR value for our heterojunction saturates at a much lower external magnetic field, thus creating it a better alternative for spin tunnel diodes in upcoming spintronics device applications.

  9. Properties of rapidly solidified Fe-Cr-Al ribbons for the use as automotive exhaust gas catalyst substrates

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Emmerich, K.

    1993-01-01

    Metallic honeycomb structures are used as catalyst substrates in automotive exhaust gas systems. This application requires an outstanding corrosion resistance at elevated temperatures of the substrate material. Technical improvements can be achieved by the use of rapid solidification technology for the production of the Fe-Cr-Al ribbons since the Al content can be substantially increased from about 5% Al in the conventionally rolled material to about 12% Al in the rapid solidified ribbon. As a result the lifetime of the ribbon in a higher-temperature corrosion environment is drastically increased. In addition the scale/metal adherance is improved. The impediment of recrystallization in the rapidly solidified ribbons prevents an embrittlement even in carbonizing atmospheres. (orig.)

  10. Small Scales Structure of MHD Turbulence, Tubes or Ribbons?

    Science.gov (United States)

    Verdini, A.; Grappin, R.; Alexandrova, O.; Lion, S.

    2017-12-01

    Observations in the solar wind indicate that turbulent eddies change their anisotropy with scales [1]. At large scales eddies are elongated in direction perpendicular to the mean-field axis. This is the result of solar wind expansion that affects both the anisotropy and single-spacecraft measurments [2,3]. At small scales one recovers the anisotropy expected in strong MHD turbulence and constrained by the so-called critical balance: eddies are elongated along the mean-field axis. However, the actual eddy shape is intermediate between tubes and ribbons, preventing us to discriminate between two concurrent theories that predict 2D axysimmetric anisotropy [4] or full 3D anisotropy [5]. We analyse 10 years of WIND data and apply a numerically-derived criterion to select intervals in which solar wind expansion is expected to be negligible. By computing the anisotropy of structure functions with respect to the local mean field we obtain for the first time scaling relations that are in agreement with full 3D anisotropy, i.e. ribbons-like structures. However, we cannot obtain the expected scaling relations for the alignment angle which, according to the theory, is physically responsible for the departure from axisymmetry. In addition, a further change of anisotropy occurs well above the proton scales. We discuss the implication of our findings and how numerical simulations can help interpreting the observed spectral anisotropy. [1] Chen et al., ApJ, 768:120, 2012 [2] Verdini & Grappin, ApJL, 808:L34, 2015 [3] Vech & Chen, ApJL, 832:L16, 2016 [4] Goldreich & Shridar, ApJ, 438:763, 1995 [5] Boldyrev, ApJL, 626:L37, 2005

  11. Structural relaxation of Ni-Si-B amorphous ribbon

    NARCIS (Netherlands)

    Jurikova, A.; Csach, K.; Miskuf, J.; Ocelik, V.

    The structural relaxation of the Ni-Si-B amorphous ribbon was studied by means of differential scanning calorimetry and thermomechanical analysis. It was shown that considerable length changes associated with reversible structural relaxation were revealed after a previous creep applied at higher

  12. Variation of boron concentration in metallic glass ribbons

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Nagy, A.Z.; Vasvari, B.; Duwez, P.; Bakos, L.; Seres, Z.; Bogancs, J.; Nazarov, V.M.

    1979-12-01

    The surface boron concentration of Fe 40 Ni 40 P 14 B 6 , Fe 32 Ni 36 Cr 14 P 12 B 6 and Fe 40 Ni 40 B 20 metallic glasses was measured by neutron activation analysis on both sides of the ribbon samples. It was found that the boron concentration is always higher at the bright side of the ribbon than that at the dull side which is in contact with the cold surface of the wheel during the rapid quenching from the melt. A possible explanation is given in terms of the solid-liquid interface moving rapidly from the cooled surface to the free surface when preparing the samples. Range values of alpha-particles for some characteristic compositions of metallic glasses are tabulated. A mathematical technique for the deconvolution of experimental data is described and the listing of the Fortran program is enclosed. (author)

  13. Magnetocaloric properties of rapidly solidified Dy{sub 3}Co alloy ribbons

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Sánchez Llamazares, J. L., E-mail: jose.sanchez@ipicyt.edu.mx; Flores-Zúñiga, H.; Sánchez-Valdés, C. F. [Instituto Potosino de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica A.C., Camino a la Presa San José 2055 Col. Lomas 4" a, San Luis Potosí, S.L.P. 78216 (Mexico); Álvarez-Alonso, Pablo [Departamento de Electricidad y Electrónica, UPV/EHU, 48940 Leioa (Spain); Lara Rodríguez, G. A. [Instituto de Investigaciones en Materiales, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Circuito Exterior s/n, Ciudad Universitaria, México, D. F. 04510 (Mexico); Fernández-Gubieda, M. L. [Departamento de Electricidad y Electrónica, UPV/EHU, 48940 Leioa (Spain); BC Materials, Camino de Ibaizabal, Edificio 500, Planta 1, Parque Científico y Tecnológico de Zamudio, 48160 Derio (Spain)

    2015-05-07

    The magnetic and magnetocaloric (MC) properties of melt-spun ribbons of the Dy{sub 3}Co intermetallic compound were investigated. Samples were fabricated in an Ar environment using a homemade melt spinner system at a linear speed of the rotating copper wheel of 40 ms{sup −1}. X-ray diffraction analysis shows that ribbons crystallize into a single-phase with the Fe{sub 3}C-type orthorhombic crystal structure. The M(T) curve measured at 5 mT reveals the occurrence of a transition at 32 K from a first to a second antiferromagnetic (AFM) state and an AFM-to-paramagnetic transition at T{sub N} = 43 K. Furthermore, a metamagnetic transition is observed below T{sub N}, but the magnetization change ΔM is well below the one reported for bulk alloys. Below 12 K, large inverse MC effect and hysteresis losses are observed. This behavior is related to the metamagnetic transition. For a magnetic field change of 5 T (2 T) applied along the ribbon length, the produced ribbons show a peak value of the magnetic entropy change ΔS{sub M}{sup peak} of −6.5 (− 2.1) Jkg{sup −1}K{sup −1} occurring close to T{sub N} with a full-width at half-maximum δT{sub FWHM} of 53 (37) K, and refrigerant capacity RC = 364 (83) Jkg{sup −1} (estimated from the product |ΔS{sub M}{sup peak}| × δT{sub FWHM})

  14. Supramolecular ribbons from amphiphilic trisamides self-assembly.

    Science.gov (United States)

    García, Fátima; Buendía, Julia; Sánchez, Luis

    2011-08-05

    Two amphiphilic C(3)-symmetric OPE-based trisamides have been synthesized and their self-assembling features investigated in solution and on surface. Variable-temperature UV-vis experiments demonstrate the cooperative supramolecular polymerization of these trisamides that self-assemble by the operation of triple C═O···H-N H-bonding arrays between the amide functional groups and π-π stacking between the aromatic units. The helical organization of the aggregates has been demonstrated by circular dichroism at a concentration as low as 1 × 10(-4) M in acetonitrile. In the reported trisamides, the large hydrophobic aromatic core acts as a solvophobic module impeding the interaction between the polar TEG chains and the amide H-bonds. This strategy makes unnecessary the separation of the amide functional groups to the polar tri(ethylene glycol) chains by paraffinic fragments. Achiral trisamide 1 self-assembles into flat ribbon-like structures that experience an amplification of chirality by the addition of a small amount of chiral 2 that generates twisted stripes.

  15. Temperature dependent evolution of wrinkled single-crystal silicon ribbons on shape memory polymers.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Wang, Yu; Yu, Kai; Qi, H Jerry; Xiao, Jianliang

    2017-10-25

    Shape memory polymers (SMPs) can remember two or more distinct shapes, and thus can have a lot of potential applications. This paper presents combined experimental and theoretical studies on the wrinkling of single-crystal Si ribbons on SMPs and the temperature dependent evolution. Using the shape memory effect of heat responsive SMPs, this study provides a method to build wavy forms of single-crystal silicon thin films on top of SMP substrates. Silicon ribbons obtained from a Si-on-insulator (SOI) wafer are released and transferred onto the surface of programmed SMPs. Then such bilayer systems are recovered at different temperatures, yielding well-defined, wavy profiles of Si ribbons. The wavy profiles are shown to evolve with time, and the evolution behavior strongly depends on the recovery temperature. At relatively low recovery temperatures, both wrinkle wavelength and amplitude increase with time as evolution progresses. Finite element analysis (FEA) accounting for the thermomechanical behavior of SMPs is conducted to study the wrinkling of Si ribbons on SMPs, which shows good agreement with experiment. Merging of wrinkles is observed in FEA, which could explain the increase of wrinkle wavelength observed in the experiment. This study can have important implications for smart stretchable electronics, wrinkling mechanics, stimuli-responsive surface engineering, and advanced manufacturing.

  16. Mn-silicide nanostructures aligned on massively parallel silicon nano-ribbons

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    De Padova, Paola; Ottaviani, Carlo; Ronci, Fabio; Colonna, Stefano; Quaresima, Claudio; Cricenti, Antonio; Olivieri, Bruno; Dávila, Maria E; Hennies, Franz; Pietzsch, Annette; Shariati, Nina; Le Lay, Guy

    2013-01-01

    The growth of Mn nanostructures on a 1D grating of silicon nano-ribbons is investigated at atomic scale by means of scanning tunneling microscopy, low energy electron diffraction and core level photoelectron spectroscopy. The grating of silicon nano-ribbons represents an atomic scale template that can be used in a surface-driven route to control the combination of Si with Mn in the development of novel materials for spintronics devices. The Mn atoms show a preferential adsorption site on silicon atoms, forming one-dimensional nanostructures. They are parallel oriented with respect to the surface Si array, which probably predetermines the diffusion pathways of the Mn atoms during the process of nanostructure formation.

  17. The effect of ZnS segregation on Zn-rich CZTS thin film solar cells

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Li, Wei; Chen, Jian; Yan, Chang; Hao, Xiaojing

    2015-01-01

    Highlights: • Secondary phase segregation in CZTS based solar cells has been studied by TEM. • A “Zn layer exchange” behaviour was found in sulphurisation of Zn/SnCu stacked layers. • XAS reveals a large spike-like CBO (>0.86 eV) between CZTS and ZnS. • Larger ZnS secondary phase proportion increases solar cell’s V oc but limits J sc . - Abstract: Analysis of ZnS segregation behaviour and its influence on the device performance has been made on the Zn-rich Cu 2 ZnSnS 4 thin film solar cells. Cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy images reveal that ZnS is the main secondary phase in the Cu 2 ZnSnS 4 layer obtained from a sulphurised Zn/CuSn metallic stack. The excess Zn diffuses from back contact region to top surface of Cu 2 ZnSnS 4 layer accumulating in the form of ZnS. The solar cell with a higher Zn concentration shows a large quantity of isolated ZnS grains at Cu 2 ZnSnS 4 top surface which is close to CdS/Cu 2 ZnSnS 4 heterojunction interface. Soft X-ray absorption spectroscopy indicates a large spike-like conduction band offset between Cu 2 ZnSnS 4 and ZnS. Consequently, such much ZnS precipitates would increase series resistance and generate lower short-circuit current and external quantum efficiency. However, appropriate amount of ZnS at the space charge region of the solar cell has beneficial effects by reducing the heterojunction interface recombination. Therefore, an improved open-circuit voltage and a higher shunt resistance are achieved. This paper provides a possible method to intentionally segregate ZnS at the space charge region by depositing the Zn layer at the bottom of co-sputtered CuSn layer. Although it is difficult to synthesis a pure phase Cu 2 ZnSnS 4 absorber, we can utilise the ZnS secondary phase to improve the Cu 2 ZnSnS 4 solar performance by controlling the Zn-excess amount

  18. Test results of Nb3Sn ribbons for the Princeton D coil test program

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Kaugerts, J.; File, J.; Willard, J.W.

    1974-10-01

    A previously described D coil test program was modified. Details of a smaller Nb 3 Sn D coil test program are described. Cusp coil tests were made with several Nb 3 Sn composite ribbons. Measurements of both the quench and recovery currents as a function of magnetic field component perpendicular to the wide edge of the ribbon are presented. (auth)

  19. The effect of the melting spinning cooling rate on transformation temperatures in ribbons Ti-Ni-Cu shape memory

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Ramos, A.P.; Castro, W.B.; Anselmo, G.C. dos S.

    2014-01-01

    Ti-Ni-Cu alloys have been attracting attention by their high performance of shape memory effect and decrease of thermal and stress hysteresis in comparison with Ti-Ni binary alloys. One important challenge of microsystems design is the implementation of miniaturized actuation principles efficient at the micro-scale. Shape memory alloys (SMAs) have early on been considered as a potential solution to this problem as these materials offer attractive properties like a high-power to weight ratio, large deformation and the capability to be processed at the micro-scale. Shape memory characteristics of Ti-37,8Cu-18,7Ni alloy ribbons prepared by melt spinning were investigated by means of differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction. In these experiments particular attention has been paid to change of the velocity of cooling wheel from 21 to 63 m/s. Then the cooling rates of ribbons were controlled. The effect of this cooling rate on austenitic and martensitic transformations behaviors is discussed. (author)

  20. Large Area Silicon Sheet by EFG. [quality control and productivity of edge-defined film-fed growth of ribbons

    Science.gov (United States)

    1979-01-01

    Influences on ribbon quality which might be caused by various materials of construction which are used in the growth furnace were assessed. At the present level of ribbon quality, which has produced 8.5% to 9.5% efficient solar cells, no particular influence of any furnace part was detected. The experiments led to the suspicion that the general environment and the somewhat unoptimized materials handling procedures might be responsible for the current variations in ribbon quality and that, therefore, continuous work with this furnace under rather more stringent environmental conditions and operating procedures could perhaps improve materials quality to some extent. The work on the multiple furnace was continued with two multiple growth runs being performed. In these runs, the melt replenishment system performed poorly and extensive modifications to it were designed to make reliable melt feeding for five ribbon growth possible. Additional characterization techniques for wide ribbons, stress measurements, and growth dynamics experiments are reported.

  1. Characterisation of melt spun Ni-Ti shape memory Ribbons' microstructure

    Science.gov (United States)

    Mehrabi, Kambiz; Brunčko, Mihael; Kneissl, Albert C.; Čolič, Miodrag; Stamenković, Dragoslav; Ferčec, Janko; Anžel, Ivan; Rudolf, Rebeka

    2012-06-01

    NiTi alloys are the most technologically important medical Shape Memory Alloys in a wide range of applications used in Orthopaedics, Neurology, Cardiology and interventional Radiology as guide-wires, self-expandable stents, stent grafts, inferior vena cava filters and clinical instruments. This paper discusses the use of rapid solidification by the melt spinning method for the preparation of thin NiTi ribbons for medical uses. Generally, the application of rapid solidification via melt-spinning can change the microstructure drastically, which improves ductility and shape memory characteristics and leads to samples with small dimensions. As the increase in the wheel speed led to a reduced ribbon thickness, the cooling rate increased and, therefore, the martensitic substructure became finer. Furthermore, no transition from the crystalline phase to the amorphous phase was obtained by increasing the cooling rate, even at a wheel speed of 30 m/s. Specimens for our metallographic investigation were cut from the longitudinal cross sections of melt-spun ribbons. Conventional TEM studies were carried out with an acceleration voltage of 120 kV. Additionally, the chemical composition of the samples was examined with a TEM equipped with an EDX analyser. The crystallographic structure was determined using Bragg-Brentano x-ray diffraction with Cu-Kα radiation at room temperature.

  2. Characterization of the kinetic arrest of martensitic transformation in Ni45Co5Mn36.8In13.2 melt-spun ribbons

    Science.gov (United States)

    Lino-Zapata, F. M.; Yan, H. L.; Ríos-Jara, D.; Sánchez Llamazares, J. L.; Zhang, Y. D.; Zhao, X.; Zuo, L.

    2018-01-01

    The kinetic arrest (KA) of martensitic transformation (MT) observed in Ni45Co5Mn36.8In13.2 melt-spun ribbons has been studied. These alloy ribbons show an ordered columnar-like grain microstructure with the longer grain axis growing perpendicular to ribbon plane and transform martensitically from a single austenitic (AST) parent phase with the L21-type crystal structure to a monoclinic incommensurate 6 M modulated martensite (MST). Results show that the volume fraction of austenite frozen into the martensitic matrix is proportional to the applied magnetic field. A fully arrest of the structural transition is found for a magnetic field of 7 T. The metastable character of the non-equilibrium field-cooled glassy state was characterized by introducing thermal and magnetic field fluctuations or measuring the relaxation of magnetization. The relaxation of magnetization from a field-cooled kinetically arrested state at 5 and 7 T follows the Kohlrausch-Williams-Watts (KWW) stretched exponential function with a β exponent around 0.95 indicating the weak metastable nature of the system under the strong magnetic fields. The relationship between the occurrence of exchange bias and the frozen fraction of AST into the MST matrix was studied.

  3. Transverse magnetization and giant magnetoimpedance in amorphous ribbons

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Orue, I.; Garcia-Arribas, A.; Saad, A.; Cos, D. de; Barandiaran, J.M.

    2005-01-01

    In the classical approach giant magnetoimpedance (GMI) is driven by the transverse permeability of the sample, as excited by the current flowing through it. Transverse permeability is usually taken as a constant, while detailed magnetization processes are important for the interpretation of GMI data. In most cases the transverse permeability (or magnetization) is only guessed by looking at the longitudinal magnetization curve and direct determinations of such parameter are scarce in the literature. In this work we report on the operation of a simple setup which provides the transverse magnetization of amorphous ribbons as a function of the current intensity flowing through it, by means of the magnetooptical kerr effect (MOKE). The system has been tested on low magnetostriction amorphous ribbons of very soft character with both longitudinal and transverse anisotropy. The transverse magnetization as a function of both the current and a DC longitudinal field applied, was compared with magneto impedance measurements

  4. Laser nanostructuring of ZnO thin films

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Nedyalkov, N., E-mail: nned@ie.bas.bg [Department of Electronics and Electrical Engineering, Keio University, 3-14-1 Hiyoshi Kohoku-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa-ken 223-8522 (Japan); Institute of Electronics, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Tzarigradsko shousse 72, Sofia 1784 (Bulgaria); Koleva, M.; Nikov, R.; Atanasov, P. [Institute of Electronics, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Tzarigradsko shousse 72, Sofia 1784 (Bulgaria); Nakajima, Y.; Takami, A.; Shibata, A.; Terakawa, M. [Department of Electronics and Electrical Engineering, Keio University, 3-14-1 Hiyoshi Kohoku-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa-ken 223-8522 (Japan)

    2016-06-30

    Highlights: • Nanosecond laser pulse nanostructuring of ZnO thin films on metal substrate is demonstrated. • Two regimes of the thin film modification are observed depending on the applied laser fluence. • At high fluence regime the ZnO film is homogeneously decomposed into nanosized particles. • The characteristic size of the formed nanostructures corresponds to the domain size of the thin film. - Abstract: In this work, results on laser processing of thin zinc oxide films deposited on metal substrate are presented. ZnO films are obtained by classical nanosecond pulsed laser deposition method in oxygen atmosphere on tantalum substrate. The produced films are then processed by nanosecond laser pulses at wavelength of 355 nm. The laser processing parameters and the film thickness are varied and their influence on the fabricated structures is estimated. The film morphology after the laser treatment is found to depend strongly on the laser fluence as two regimes are defined. It is shown that at certain conditions (high fluence regime) the laser treatment of the film leads to formation of a discrete nanostructure, composed of spherical like nanoparticles with narrow size distribution. The dynamics of the melt film on the substrate and fast cooling are found to be the main mechanisms for fabrication of the observed structures. The demonstrated method is an alternative way for direct fabrication of ZnO nanostructures on metal which can be easy implemented in applications as resistive sensor devices, electroluminescent elements, solar cell technology.

  5. Poly-benzyl domains grown on porous silicon and their I-V rectification

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Chao Jie; Han Huanmei; Xia Bing; Ba Long; Liu Hongbo; Xiao Shoujun

    2007-01-01

    Microwave-irradiated polymerization of benzyl chloride and triphenyl chloromethane on hydride-terminated porous silicon (PS) was achieved through the use of Zn powder as a catalyst. Transmission infrared Fourier-transform spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses confirmed the poly-benzyl membranes grafted on PS. Topographical images by AFM revealed crystal-like domains rather than homogenous monolayers on the surface. The current-voltage measurements in nano-scale by current sensing atomic force microscopy (CS-AFM) showed the rectification behavior of this polymer membrane. Finally, mechanism of a radical initiation on the surface and a following Friedel-Crafts alkylation was proposed for the covalent assembly of poly-benzyl domains

  6. ZnO/SnO{sub 2} nanoflower based ZnO template synthesized by thermal chemical vapor deposition

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Sin, N. D. Md., E-mail: diyana0366@johor.uitm.edu.my; Amalina, M. N., E-mail: amalina0942@johor.uitm.edu.my [NANO-ElecTronic Centre, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), 40450 Shah Alam, Selangor (Malaysia); Fakulti Kejuruteraan Elektrik, Universiti Teknologi MARA Cawangan Johor, Kampus Pasir Gudang, 81750 Masai, Johor (Malaysia); Ismail, Ahmad Syakirin, E-mail: kyrin-samaxi@yahoo.com; Shafura, A. K., E-mail: shafura@ymail.com; Ahmad, Samsiah, E-mail: samsiah.ahmad@johor.uitm.edu.my; Mamat, M. H., E-mail: mhmamat@salam.uitm.edu.my [NANO-ElecTronic Centre, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), 40450 Shah Alam, Selangor (Malaysia); Rusop, M., E-mail: rusop@salam.uitm.edu.my [NANO-ElecTronic Centre, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), 40450 Shah Alam, Selangor (Malaysia); NANO-SciTech Centre (NST), Institute of Science (IOS), Universiti Teknologi MARA - UiTM, 40450 Shah Alam, Selangor (Malaysia)

    2016-07-06

    The ZnO/SnO{sub 2} nanoflower like structures was grown on a glass substrate deposited with seed layer using thermal chemical vapor deposition (CVD) with combining two source materials. The ZnO/SnO{sub 2} nanoflower like structures had diameter in the range 70 to 100 nm. The atomic percentage of ZnO nanoparticle , SnO{sub 2} nanorods and ZnO/SnO{sub 2} nanoflower was taken using EDS. Based on the FESEM observations, the growth mechanism is applied to describe the growth for the synthesized nanostructures.

  7. Fin Ray Stiffness and Fin Morphology Control Ribbon-Fin-Based Propulsion.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Liu, Hanlin; Taylor, Bevan; Curet, Oscar M

    2017-06-01

    Ribbon-fin-based propulsion has rich locomotor capabilities that can enhance the mobility and performance of underwater vehicles navigating in complex environments. Bony fishes using this type of propulsion send one or multiple traveling waves along an elongated fin with the actuation of highly flexible rays that are interconnected by an elastic membrane. In this work, we study how the use of flexible rays and different morphology can affect the performance of ribbon-fin propulsion. We developed a physical model composed of 15 rays that are interconnected with an elastic membrane. We tested four different ray flexural stiffness and four aspect ratios. The robotic model was tested in a low-turbulence flume under two flow conditions ([Formula: see text] wavelength/s). In two experimental sets, we measured fin kinematics, net surge forces, and power consumption. Using these data, we perform a thrust and power analysis of the undulating fin. We present the thrust coefficient, power coefficient, and propulsive efficiency. We find that the thrust generation was linear with the enclosed area swept by the fin, and square of the relative velocity between the incoming flow and traveling wave. The thrust coefficient levels off around 0.5. In addition, for our parameter range, we find that the power consumption scales by the cube of the effective tangential velocity of the rays [Formula: see text] (A is the amplitude of the ray oscillating motion, and [Formula: see text] is the angular velocity). We show that a decay in stiffness decreases both thrust production and power consumption. However, for rays with high flexural stiffness, the difference in thrust compared with rigid rays is minimal. Moreover, our results show that flexible rays can improve the propulsive efficiency compared with a rigid counterpart. Finally, we find that the morphology of ribbon fin affects its propulsive efficiency. For the aspect ratio considered in our experiments, [Formula: see text] was the most

  8. Nanocrystallization in Co67Cr7Fe4Si8B14 Amorphous Alloy Ribbons

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Zahra Jamili-Shirvan

    2013-12-01

    Full Text Available The nanocrystallization of Co67Fe4Cr7Si8B14 amorphous ribbons which prepared by planar flow melt spinning process (PFMS was investigated. Crystallization of the ribbons was studied by differential thermal analysis (DTA, X-ray diffraction (XRD and transmission electron microscopy (TEM. The DTA result of amorphous ribbon at heating rate of 10˚C/min showedoccurrence of phase transitions in two stages. The ribbons were isothermally annealed for 30 minutes in argon atmosphere at different temperatures between 300 and 650ºC with 25ºC steps. The magnetic properties of annealed samples were measured using a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM. The VSM results revealed that optimum soft magnetic properties occurred at 400ºC. XRD patterns showed that the samples isothermally annealed up to 450ºC were amorphous, while TEM results at 400ºC indicated 7-8 nm mean size nanocrytallites in amorphous matrix and size of the nanocrystallites increased by increasing temperature. Also by X-ray diffraction pattern, precipitation of different phases at higher temperatures confirmed.

  9. Overexpression of guanylate cyclase activating protein 2 in rod photoreceptors in vivo leads to morphological changes at the synaptic ribbon.

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Natalia López-del Hoyo

    Full Text Available Guanylate cyclase activating proteins are EF-hand containing proteins that confer calcium sensitivity to retinal guanylate cyclase at the outer segment discs of photoreceptor cells. By making the rate of cGMP synthesis dependent on the free intracellular calcium levels set by illumination, GCAPs play a fundamental role in the recovery of the light response and light adaptation. The main isoforms GCAP1 and GCAP2 also localize to the synaptic terminal, where their function is not known. Based on the reported interaction of GCAP2 with Ribeye, the major component of synaptic ribbons, it was proposed that GCAP2 could mediate the synaptic ribbon dynamic changes that happen in response to light. We here present a thorough ultrastructural analysis of rod synaptic terminals in loss-of-function (GCAP1/GCAP2 double knockout and gain-of-function (transgenic overexpression mouse models of GCAP2. Rod synaptic ribbons in GCAPs-/- mice did not differ from wildtype ribbons when mice were raised in constant darkness, indicating that GCAPs are not required for ribbon early assembly or maturation. Transgenic overexpression of GCAP2 in rods led to a shortening of synaptic ribbons, and to a higher than normal percentage of club-shaped and spherical ribbon morphologies. Restoration of GCAP2 expression in the GCAPs-/- background (GCAP2 expression in the absence of endogenous GCAP1 had the striking result of shortening ribbon length to a much higher degree than overexpression of GCAP2 in the wildtype background, as well as reducing the thickness of the outer plexiform layer without affecting the number of rod photoreceptor cells. These results indicate that preservation of the GCAP1 to GCAP2 relative levels is relevant for maintaining the integrity of the synaptic terminal. Our demonstration of GCAP2 immunolocalization at synaptic ribbons at the ultrastructural level would support a role of GCAPs at mediating the effect of light on morphological remodeling changes of

  10. Third nearest neighbor parameterized tight binding model for graphene nano-ribbons

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Van-Truong Tran

    2017-07-01

    Full Text Available The existing tight binding models can very well reproduce the ab initio band structure of a 2D graphene sheet. For graphene nano-ribbons (GNRs, the current sets of tight binding parameters can successfully describe the semi-conducting behavior of all armchair GNRs. However, they are still failing in reproducing accurately the slope of the bands that is directly associated with the group velocity and the effective mass of electrons. In this work, both density functional theory and tight binding calculations were performed and a new set of tight binding parameters up to the third nearest neighbors including overlap terms is introduced. The results obtained with this model offer excellent agreement with the predictions of the density functional theory in most cases of ribbon structures, even in the high-energy region. Moreover, this set can induce electron-hole asymmetry as manifested in results from density functional theory. Relevant outcomes are also achieved for armchair ribbons of various widths as well as for zigzag structures, thus opening a route for multi-scale atomistic simulation of large systems that cannot be considered using density functional theory.

  11. Electronic ferroelectricity in carbon-based systems: from reality of organic conductors to promises of polymers and graphene nano-ribbons

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Kirova, Natasha; Brazovskii, Serguei

    2014-01-01

    Ferroelectricity is a rising demand in fundamental and applied solid state physics. Ferroelectrics are used in microelectronics as active gate materials, in capacitors, electro-optical-acoustic modulators, etc. There is a particular demand for plastic ferroelectrics, e.g. as a sensor for acoustic imaging in medicine and beyond, in shapeable capacitors, etc. Microscopic mechanisms of ferroelectric polarization in traditional materials are typically ionic. In this talk we discuss the electronic ferroelectrics – carbon-based materials: organic crystals, conducting polymers and graphene nano-ribbons. The motion of walls, separating domains with opposite electric polarisation, can be influenced and manipulated by terahertz and infra-red range optics

  12. Development of variable width ribbon heating elements for liquid metal and gas-cooled fast breeder reactor fuel rod simulators

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    McCulloch, R.W.; Lovell, R.T.; Post, D.W.; Snyder, S.D.

    1980-01-01

    Variable width ribbon heating elements have been fabricated which provide a chopped cosine, variable heat flux profile for fuel rod simulators used in test loops by the Breeder Reactor Program Thermal Hydraulic Out-of-Reactor Safety test facility and the Gas-Cooled Fast Breeder Reactor Core Flow Test Loop. Thermal, mechanical, and electrical design considerations result in the derivation of an analytical expression for the ribbon contours. From this, the ribbons are machined and wound on numerically controlled equipment. Postprocessing and inspection results in a wound, variable width ribbon with the precise dimensional, electrical, and mechanical properties needed for use in fuel pin simulators

  13. Clamping-induced changes of domain morphology in 88%Pb(Zn{sub 1/3}Nb{sub 2/3})O{sub 3}-12%PbTiO{sub 3}

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Chang, L.-W., E-mail: lchang01@qub.ac.uk; Gregg, J. M., E-mail: m.gregg@qub.ac.uk [Centre for Nanostructured Media, School of Maths and Physics, Queen' s University Belfast, Northern Ireland BT7 1NN (United Kingdom); Nagarajan, V.; Okatan, M. B. [School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of New South Wales, New South Wales 2052 (Australia)

    2014-08-14

    Domain microstructures in single crystal lamellae of 88%Pb(Zn{sub 1/3}Nb{sub 2/3})O{sub 3}-12%PbTiO{sub 3} (cut from bulk using focused ion beam milling) have been mapped using both piezoresponse force microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Dramatic changes from mottled microstructures typical of relaxors to larger scale domains typical of ferroelectrics have been noted. Stresses associated with substrate clamping are suspected as the cause for the transition from short- to long-range polar order, akin to effects induced by cation ordering achieved by thermal quenching.

  14. Microstructure evolution in the rapidly quenched Fe{sub 78}Si{sub 9}B{sub 13} ribbons

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Wang, W.-M., E-mail: weiminw@sdu.edu.c [Key Lab of Liquid Structure and Heredity of Materials, Shandong University, Jinan 250061 (China); Key Laboratory of Metastable Materials Science and Technology, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao 066004 (China); Jin, S.F. [Key Lab of Liquid Structure and Heredity of Materials, Shandong University, Jinan 250061 (China); Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100080 (China); Zhang, J.T.; Huang, T.; Wang, L.; Bian, X.F. [Key Lab of Liquid Structure and Heredity of Materials, Shandong University, Jinan 250061 (China)

    2009-11-01

    We report microstructure evolution in as-spun Fe{sub 78}Si{sub 9}B{sub 13} ribbons under various wheel speeds (s), which was investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). With decreasing s, the volume fraction of the residual amorphous phase (V{sub a}) in the as-spun ribbons decreases gradually, and the total exothermic heat of the crystallization in the DSC curves also decreases, but the ratio of the exothermic heat of the second crystallization to the first one is on the contrary. alpha-Fe is found in the ribbon with s of 32.9 m/s, while alpha-Fe, eutectic alpha-Fe+Fe{sub 2}B, and Fe{sub 3}Si phases are found in ribbons with s of 25.6 and 18.3 m/s. The phase precipitating behavior in cooling processes is well consistent with the annealing process in the literatures.

  15. Oriented Attachment Is a Major Control Mechanism To Form Nail-like Mn-Doped ZnO Nanocrystals.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Patterson, Samuel; Arora, Priyanka; Price, Paige; Dittmar, Jasper W; Das, Vijay Kumar; Pink, Maren; Stein, Barry; Morgan, David Gene; Losovyj, Yaroslav; Koczkur, Kallum M; Skrabalak, Sara E; Bronstein, Lyudmila M

    2017-12-26

    Here, we present a controlled synthesis of Mn-doped ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) with predominantly nail-like shapes, whose formation occurs via tip-to-base-oriented attachment of initially formed nanopyramids, followed by leveling of sharp edges that lead to smooth single-crystalline "nails". This shape is prevalent in noncoordinating solvents such as octadecene and octadecane. Yet, the double bond in the former promotes oriented attachment. By contrast, Mn-doped ZnO NP synthesis in a weakly coordinating solvent, benzyl ether, results in dendritic structures because of random attachment of initial NPs. Mn-doped ZnO NPs possess a hexagonal wurtzite structure, and in the majority of cases, the NP surface is enriched with Mn, indicating a migration of Mn 2+ ions to the NP surface during the NP formation. When the NP formation is carried out without the addition of octadecyl alcohol, which serves as a surfactant and a reaction initiator, large, concave pyramid dimers are formed whose attachment takes place via basal planes. UV-vis and photoluminescence spectra of these NPs confirm the utility of controlling the NP shape to tune electro-optical properties.

  16. ZIF-8 derived hexagonal-like α-Fe2O3/ZnO/Au nanoplates with tunable surface heterostructures for superior ethanol gas-sensing performance

    Science.gov (United States)

    Chen, Ying; Li, Hui; Ma, Qian; Che, Quande; Wang, Junpeng; Wang, Gang; Yang, Ping

    2018-05-01

    A series of hexagonal-like α-Fe2O3/ZnO/Au nanoplate heterostructures with tunable morphologies and superior ethanol gas-sensing performance were successfully synthesized via the facile multi-step reaction processes. Hexagonal-like α-Fe2O3 nanoplates with uniform size around 150 nm are employed as new sensor substrates for loading the well-distributed ZnO and Au nanoparticles with adjustable size distribution on the different surfaces. Brunauer-EmmeQ-Teller (BET) surface areas of α-Fe2O3 and α-Fe2O3/ZnO samples are evaluated to be 37.94 and 61.27 m2/g, respectively, while α-Fe2O3/ZnO/Au composites present the highest value of 79.08 m2/g. These α-Fe2O3-based functional materials can exhibit outstanding sensing properties to ethanol. When the ethanol concentration is 100 ppm, the response value of α-Fe2O3/ZnO/Au composites can reach up to 170, which is 14.6 and 80.3 times higher than that of α-Fe2O3/ZnO and pure α-Fe2O3, respectively. The recycling stability and long-time effectiveness can be availably maintained within 30 days, as well as the response and recovery times are shortened to 4 and 5 s, respectively. Significantly, the response value of α-Fe2O3/ZnO/Au composite is still up to 63 at an operating temperature of 280 °C even though the ethanol concentration decreases to 10 ppm. The enhanced gas sensing mechanism would be focused on the synergistic effects of phase compositions, surface heterogeneous structures, large specific surface area, and the selective depositions of Au nanoparticles in α-Fe2O3/ZnO/Au sensors. The synergistic effect of different surface heterostructures referring to α-Fe2O3/Au and α-Fe2O3/ZnO/Au and their novel electron transport processes on the surfaces are first investigated and discussed in details. It is expected that hexagonal-like α-Fe2O3/ZnO/Au nanoplate heterostructures with excellent sensing performance can be the promising highly-sensitive materials in the actual application for monitoring and detecting ethanol.

  17. Characterization of consolidated rapidly solidified Cu-Nb ribbons

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Ebrahimi, F.; Henne, M.L.C.

    1997-01-01

    Copper-niobium ribbons produced by melt-spinning were compacted by swaging and consolidated using HIPping. Final processing to obtain in-situ composites was done by swaging. The strength of the composite is discussed in terms of the composition and morphology of the niobium phase as evaluated using electron microscopy techniques

  18. Long-range ferromagnetism and magnetocaloric effects in rapidly quenched Ni50−xCoxMn50−yAly ribbons

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Nguyen Thi Mai

    2017-03-01

    Full Text Available Ni50−xCoxMn50−yAly (x = 7 and 9; y = 17, 18 and 19 alloy ribbons were prepared by melt-spinning with a tangential velocity of copper wheel of 40 m s−1. X-ray diffraction patterns reveal multi-crystalline phase behavior in the fabricated ribbons. The shape of thermomagnetization curves clearly depends on Co and Al concentrations. The Curie temperatures (TC of the alloy ribbons strongly increase with increasing the Co concentration and slightly decrease with increasing the Al concentration. The martensitic-austenitic phase transition in the alloy ribbons can be manipulated by tuning Co and Al concentrations. The maximum magnetic entropy change |ΔSm|max of about 0.75 J kg−1 K−1 for a field change of 12 kOe at TC ≈ 364 K was achieved for the Ni43Co7Mn32Al18 ribbon. Critical analysis using the Arrott-Noaks and Kouvel–Fisher methods demonstrates the existence of a long-range ferromagnetic order in this ribbon.

  19. A novel signal transduction protein: Combination of solute binding and tandem PAS-like sensor domains in one polypeptide chain.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Wu, R; Wilton, R; Cuff, M E; Endres, M; Babnigg, G; Edirisinghe, J N; Henry, C S; Joachimiak, A; Schiffer, M; Pokkuluri, P R

    2017-04-01

    We report the structural and biochemical characterization of a novel periplasmic ligand-binding protein, Dret_0059, from Desulfohalobium retbaense DSM 5692, an organism isolated from Lake Retba, in Senegal. The structure of the protein consists of a unique combination of a periplasmic solute binding protein (SBP) domain at the N-terminal and a tandem PAS-like sensor domain at the C-terminal region. SBP domains are found ubiquitously, and their best known function is in solute transport across membranes. PAS-like sensor domains are commonly found in signal transduction proteins. These domains are widely observed as parts of many protein architectures and complexes but have not been observed previously within the same polypeptide chain. In the structure of Dret_0059, a ketoleucine moiety is bound to the SBP, whereas a cytosine molecule is bound in the distal PAS-like domain of the tandem PAS-like domain. Differential scanning flourimetry support the binding of ligands observed in the crystal structure. There is significant interaction between the SBP and tandem PAS-like domains, and it is possible that the binding of one ligand could have an effect on the binding of the other. We uncovered three other proteins with this structural architecture in the non-redundant sequence data base, and predict that they too bind the same substrates. The genomic context of this protein did not offer any clues for its function. We did not find any biological process in which the two observed ligands are coupled. The protein Dret_0059 could be involved in either signal transduction or solute transport. © 2017 The Protein Society.

  20. Influence of divalent metal on the decomposition products of hydrotalcite-like ternary systems MII–Al–Cr (MII = Zn, Cd)

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Pérez, M.R.; Crespo, I.; Ulibarri, M.A.; Barriga, C.; Rives, V.; Fernández, J.M.

    2012-01-01

    Highlights: ► LDHs M II –Al–Cr (M = Zn, Cd) with Cr in the layer or interlayer have been prepared. ► LDHs Zn–Al or Zn–Cr decompose by heating forming ZnO and ZnAl 2 O 4 or ZnO and ZnCr 2 O 4 . ► LDHs Zn–Al–Cr give rise to the formation of ZnO and the mixed spinel ZnAl 2−x Cr x O 4 . ► LDH Cd–Al–Cr shows the formation of CdO, CdCr 2−x Al x O 4 , and (Al, Cr) 2 O 3 mixed oxide. ► Calcination of the CdAl–CrO 4 give rise to (Al, Cr) 2 O 3 as the majority phase. - Abstract: Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) containing M II , Al III , and Cr III in the brucite-like layers (M = Cd, Zn) with different starting Al/Cr molar ratios and nitrate/carbonate as the interlayer anion have been prepared following the coprecipitation method at a constant pH: Zn II –Al III –Cr III –CO 3 2− at pH = 10, and Cd II –Al III –Cr III –NO 3 − at pH = 8. Two additional M II ,Al III –LDH samples (M = Cd, Zn) with chromate ions (CrO 4 2− ) in the interlayer have been prepared by ionic exchange at pH = 9 and 8, respectively, starting from M II –Al III –NO 3 − . The samples have been characterised by absorption atomic spectrometry, powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), FT-IR spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Their thermal stability has been assessed by DTA-TG and mass spectrometric analysis of the evolved gases. The PXRD patterns of the solids calcined at 800 °C show diffraction lines corresponding to ZnO and ZnAl 2−x Cr x O 4 for the Zn-containing samples, and diffraction lines attributed to CdO and CdCr 2 O 4 and (Al,Cr) 2 O 3 for the Cd-containing ones. Additionally a minority oxide, Cd 2 CrO 5 , is observed to Cd II –Al III –LDH samples with chromate ions in the interlayer.

  1. Spectroscopic characterization and docking studies of ZnO nanoparticle modified with BSA

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Ledesma, Ana E.; Chemes, Doly María; Frías, María de los Angeles; Guauque Torres, Maria del Pilar

    2017-01-01

    Highlights: • The ZnO NPs have synthesized at moderate temperature and conjugated with BSA to elucidate the characteristics of best binding site in the protein cavity. • The Docking studies have successfully applied to identify the amino acids residues involved in the interaction. • The cytotoxicity of ZnO NPs and ZnO-BSA NPs and esterase-like activity of the protein have evaluated, with very promising results for medical applications. - Abstract: Nanoparticles (NP) into a biological environment are an interesting topic for diagnosis and therapy in applications for medicine or environment and the knowledge about this interaction is important from the perspective of safe use of nanomaterials. In the current study, we characterized the type of interaction and the orientation of bovine serum albumin (BSA) adsorbed on ZnO nanoparticle surfaces as a function of size, using molecular docking. To probe experimentally different theoretical hypothesis about the interaction, ZnO-NPs were prepared in aqueous solution, and then were bioconjugated with BSA. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Raman spectroscopy confirm the spherical shape of NP and the irreversible adsorption of BSA on NP surface. Raman and Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) reveal that BSA interaction with ZnO nanoparticle produced a conformational rearrangement into protein, observing changes in Tyr and Trp environment, a minor percentage of α-helix structure and a more extended chain. The fluorescence analysis demonstrated that when BSA concentration higher than 30 μM is used the signal due to the self-oligomerization of protein overlaps with the ZnO nanoparticle emission. The results predicted that the most probable interaction site is near to domain IB and IIA and ionic interactions are the major responsible for the binding. Thermal stability studies reveals that the denaturalization temperature of BSA increase from 57 °C to 65 °C in presence of ZnO NP and their esterase-like activity was

  2. Spectroscopic characterization and docking studies of ZnO nanoparticle modified with BSA

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Ledesma, Ana E., E-mail: anael@unse.edu.ar [CITSE-UNSE, CONICET, FCEyT, RN 9, km 1125, 4206 Santiago del Estero (Argentina); Chemes, Doly María [INQUINOA, UNT, CONICET, FBQyF, San Lorenzo 456, San Miguel de Tucumán CPA T4000ILI, Tucumán (Argentina); Frías, María de los Angeles [Laboratory of Biointerphases and Biomimetic Systems, (CITSE) National University of Santiago del Estero and CONICET, 4206, RN 9- Km 1125, Santiago del Estero (Argentina); Guauque Torres, Maria del Pilar [CITSE-UNSE, CONICET, FCEyT, RN 9, km 1125, 4206 Santiago del Estero (Argentina)

    2017-08-01

    Highlights: • The ZnO NPs have synthesized at moderate temperature and conjugated with BSA to elucidate the characteristics of best binding site in the protein cavity. • The Docking studies have successfully applied to identify the amino acids residues involved in the interaction. • The cytotoxicity of ZnO NPs and ZnO-BSA NPs and esterase-like activity of the protein have evaluated, with very promising results for medical applications. - Abstract: Nanoparticles (NP) into a biological environment are an interesting topic for diagnosis and therapy in applications for medicine or environment and the knowledge about this interaction is important from the perspective of safe use of nanomaterials. In the current study, we characterized the type of interaction and the orientation of bovine serum albumin (BSA) adsorbed on ZnO nanoparticle surfaces as a function of size, using molecular docking. To probe experimentally different theoretical hypothesis about the interaction, ZnO-NPs were prepared in aqueous solution, and then were bioconjugated with BSA. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Raman spectroscopy confirm the spherical shape of NP and the irreversible adsorption of BSA on NP surface. Raman and Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) reveal that BSA interaction with ZnO nanoparticle produced a conformational rearrangement into protein, observing changes in Tyr and Trp environment, a minor percentage of α-helix structure and a more extended chain. The fluorescence analysis demonstrated that when BSA concentration higher than 30 μM is used the signal due to the self-oligomerization of protein overlaps with the ZnO nanoparticle emission. The results predicted that the most probable interaction site is near to domain IB and IIA and ionic interactions are the major responsible for the binding. Thermal stability studies reveals that the denaturalization temperature of BSA increase from 57 °C to 65 °C in presence of ZnO NP and their esterase-like activity was

  3. Effects of pre-deformation on the martensitic transformation and magnetocaloric property in Ni-Mn-Co-Sn ribbons

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Ma Sheng-Can; Xuan Hai-Cheng; Zhang Cheng-Liang; Wang Liao-Yu; Cao Qing-Qi; Wang Dun-Hui; Du You-Wei

    2010-01-01

    This paper investigates the martensitic transformation and magnetocaloric effect in pre-deformed Ni-Mn-Co-Sn ribbons. The experimental results show that the reverse martensitic transformation temperature T M increases with the increasing pre-pressure, suggesting that pre-deformation is another effective way to adjust T M in ferromagnetic shape memory alloys. Large magnetic entropy changes and refrigerant capacities are obtained in these ribbons as well. It also discusses the origin of the enhanced martensitic transformation temperature and magnetocaloric property in pre-deformed Ni-Mn-Co-Sn ribbons

  4. Universal method for opnimal design main structural assemblies of steel structures stationary conveyor with hanging ribbon

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Boslovyak P.V.

    2015-10-01

    Full Text Available The technique and the detailed algorithm for optimal design of steel structures hospitaltion of the conveyor with hang-ing ribbon. Developed a universal objective function together with the system-limited-subject to limits of main components of steel structures of stationary conveyor with hanging ribbon.

  5. Continuous Magnetoelectric Control in Multiferroic DyMnO3 Films with Twin-like Domains

    Science.gov (United States)

    Lu, Chengliang; Deniz, Hakan; Li, Xiang; Liu, Jun-Ming; Cheong, Sang-Wook

    2016-02-01

    The magnetic control of ferroelectric polarization is currently a central topic in the multiferroic researches, owing to the related gigantic magnetoelectric coupling and fascinating physics. Although a bunch of novel magnetoelectric effect have been discovered in multiferroics of magnetic origin, the manipulation of polarization was found to be fundamentally determined by the microscopic origin in a certain multiferroic phase, hindering the development of unusual magnetoelectric control. Here, we report emergent magnetoelectric control in DyMnO3/Nb:SrTiO3 (001) films showing twin-like domain structure. Our results demonstrate interesting magnetically induced partial switch of polarization due to the coexistence of polarizations along both the a-axis and c-axis enabled by the twin-like domain structure in DyMnO3 films, despite the polarization-switch was conventionally believed to be a one-step event in the bulk counterpart. Moreover, a continuous and periodic control of macroscopic polarization by an in-plane rotating magnetic field is evidenced in the thin films. This distinctive magnetic manipulation of polarization is the consequence of the cooperative action of the twin-like domains and the dual magnetic origin of polarization, which promises additional applications using the magnetic control of ferroelectricity.

  6. SAP-like domain in nucleolar spindle associated protein mediates mitotic chromosome loading as well as interphase chromatin interaction

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Verbakel, Werner, E-mail: werner.verbakel@chem.kuleuven.be [Laboratory of Biomolecular Dynamics, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200G, Bus 2403, 3001 Heverlee (Belgium); Carmeliet, Geert, E-mail: geert.carmeliet@med.kuleuven.be [Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Endocrinology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Herestraat 49, Bus 902, 3000 Leuven (Belgium); Engelborghs, Yves, E-mail: yves.engelborghs@fys.kuleuven.be [Laboratory of Biomolecular Dynamics, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200G, Bus 2403, 3001 Heverlee (Belgium)

    2011-08-12

    Highlights: {yields} The SAP-like domain in NuSAP is a functional DNA-binding domain with preference for dsDNA. {yields} This SAP-like domain is essential for chromosome loading during early mitosis. {yields} NuSAP is highly dynamic on mitotic chromatin, as evident from photobleaching experiments. {yields} The SAP-like domain also mediates NuSAP-chromatin interaction in interphase nucleoplasm. -- Abstract: Nucleolar spindle associated protein (NuSAP) is a microtubule-stabilizing protein that localizes to chromosome arms and chromosome-proximal microtubules during mitosis and to the nucleus, with enrichment in the nucleoli, during interphase. The critical function of NuSAP is underscored by the finding that its depletion in HeLa cells results in various mitotic defects. Moreover, NuSAP is found overexpressed in multiple cancers and its expression levels often correlate with the aggressiveness of cancer. Due to its localization on chromosome arms and combination of microtubule-stabilizing and DNA-binding properties, NuSAP takes a special place within the extensive group of spindle assembly factors. In this study, we identify a SAP-like domain that shows DNA binding in vitro with a preference for dsDNA. Deletion of the SAP-like domain abolishes chromosome arm binding of NuSAP during mitosis, but is not sufficient to abrogate its chromosome-proximal localization after anaphase onset. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching experiments revealed the highly dynamic nature of this NuSAP-chromatin interaction during mitosis. In interphase cells, NuSAP also interacts with chromatin through its SAP-like domain, as evident from its enrichment on dense chromatin regions and intranuclear mobility, measured by fluorescence correlation spectroscopy. The obtained results are in agreement with a model where NuSAP dynamically stabilizes newly formed microtubules on mitotic chromosomes to enhance chromosome positioning without immobilizing these microtubules. Interphase Nu

  7. SAP-like domain in nucleolar spindle associated protein mediates mitotic chromosome loading as well as interphase chromatin interaction

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Verbakel, Werner; Carmeliet, Geert; Engelborghs, Yves

    2011-01-01

    Highlights: → The SAP-like domain in NuSAP is a functional DNA-binding domain with preference for dsDNA. → This SAP-like domain is essential for chromosome loading during early mitosis. → NuSAP is highly dynamic on mitotic chromatin, as evident from photobleaching experiments. → The SAP-like domain also mediates NuSAP-chromatin interaction in interphase nucleoplasm. -- Abstract: Nucleolar spindle associated protein (NuSAP) is a microtubule-stabilizing protein that localizes to chromosome arms and chromosome-proximal microtubules during mitosis and to the nucleus, with enrichment in the nucleoli, during interphase. The critical function of NuSAP is underscored by the finding that its depletion in HeLa cells results in various mitotic defects. Moreover, NuSAP is found overexpressed in multiple cancers and its expression levels often correlate with the aggressiveness of cancer. Due to its localization on chromosome arms and combination of microtubule-stabilizing and DNA-binding properties, NuSAP takes a special place within the extensive group of spindle assembly factors. In this study, we identify a SAP-like domain that shows DNA binding in vitro with a preference for dsDNA. Deletion of the SAP-like domain abolishes chromosome arm binding of NuSAP during mitosis, but is not sufficient to abrogate its chromosome-proximal localization after anaphase onset. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching experiments revealed the highly dynamic nature of this NuSAP-chromatin interaction during mitosis. In interphase cells, NuSAP also interacts with chromatin through its SAP-like domain, as evident from its enrichment on dense chromatin regions and intranuclear mobility, measured by fluorescence correlation spectroscopy. The obtained results are in agreement with a model where NuSAP dynamically stabilizes newly formed microtubules on mitotic chromosomes to enhance chromosome positioning without immobilizing these microtubules. Interphase NuSAP-chromatin interaction

  8. Nanostructured ‘Anastacia’ flowers for Zn coating by electrodepositing ZnO at room temperature

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Alves, Marta M., E-mail: martamalves@tecnico.ulisboa.pt [ICEMS Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais 1049-001, Lisboa (Portugal); Santos, Catarina F.; Carmezim, Maria J. [ICEMS Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais 1049-001, Lisboa (Portugal); EST Setúbal, DEM, Instituto Politécnico de Setúbal, Campus IPS, 2910 Setúbal (Portugal); Montemor, Maria F. [ICEMS Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais 1049-001, Lisboa (Portugal)

    2015-03-30

    Graphical abstract: - Highlights: • Functional coating of Zn with ZnO ‘Anastacia’ flowers. • Flowers are composed by nano-hexagonal units of single-crystal wurtzite ZnO. • The growth mechanism of these flowers is discussed. • Room temperature yield cost-effective electrodeposited ZnO ‘Anastacia’ flowers. - Abstract: Functional coatings composed of ZnO, a new flowered structured denominated as ‘Anastacia’ flowers, were successfully obtained through a facile and green one-step electrodeposition approach on Zn substrate. Electrodeposition was performed at constant cathodic potential, in Zn(NO{sub 3}){sub 2} aqueous solution, at pH 6 and at room temperature. The resulting ZnO thin uniform layer, with an average thickness of 300 nm, bearing top 3D hierarchical nanostructures that compose ‘Anastacia’ flowers, was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Raman. The results reveal a nano-architecture structure composed by nano-hexagonal units of single-crystal wurtzite ZnO structure with a [0 0 0 1] growth direction along the longitudinal particles axis. Other morphological features, sphere-like, rod-like and random distributed hexagons were also obtained by varying the electrodeposition time as observed by SEM. The Raman spectroscopy revealed the typical peak of ZnO wurtzite for all the obtained morphologies. Coatings wettability was studied and the different morphologies display distinct water contact angles with the ‘Anastacia’ flowers coating showing a wettability of 110°. These results pave the way for simple and low-cost routes for the production of novel functionalized coatings of ZnO over Zn, with potential for biomedical devices.

  9. Nanostructured ‘Anastacia’ flowers for Zn coating by electrodepositing ZnO at room temperature

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Alves, Marta M.; Santos, Catarina F.; Carmezim, Maria J.; Montemor, Maria F.

    2015-01-01

    Graphical abstract: - Highlights: • Functional coating of Zn with ZnO ‘Anastacia’ flowers. • Flowers are composed by nano-hexagonal units of single-crystal wurtzite ZnO. • The growth mechanism of these flowers is discussed. • Room temperature yield cost-effective electrodeposited ZnO ‘Anastacia’ flowers. - Abstract: Functional coatings composed of ZnO, a new flowered structured denominated as ‘Anastacia’ flowers, were successfully obtained through a facile and green one-step electrodeposition approach on Zn substrate. Electrodeposition was performed at constant cathodic potential, in Zn(NO 3 ) 2 aqueous solution, at pH 6 and at room temperature. The resulting ZnO thin uniform layer, with an average thickness of 300 nm, bearing top 3D hierarchical nanostructures that compose ‘Anastacia’ flowers, was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Raman. The results reveal a nano-architecture structure composed by nano-hexagonal units of single-crystal wurtzite ZnO structure with a [0 0 0 1] growth direction along the longitudinal particles axis. Other morphological features, sphere-like, rod-like and random distributed hexagons were also obtained by varying the electrodeposition time as observed by SEM. The Raman spectroscopy revealed the typical peak of ZnO wurtzite for all the obtained morphologies. Coatings wettability was studied and the different morphologies display distinct water contact angles with the ‘Anastacia’ flowers coating showing a wettability of 110°. These results pave the way for simple and low-cost routes for the production of novel functionalized coatings of ZnO over Zn, with potential for biomedical devices

  10. Prion-like domains in RNA binding proteins are essential for building subnuclear paraspeckles

    NARCIS (Netherlands)

    Hennig, Sven; Kong, Geraldine; Mannen, Taro; Sadowska, Agata; Kobelke, Simon; Blythe, Amanda; Knott, Gavin J; Iyer, K Swaminathan; Ho, Diwei; Newcombe, Estella A; Hosoki, Kana; Goshima, Naoki; Kawaguchi, Tetsuya; Hatters, Danny; Trinkle-Mulcahy, Laura; Hirose, Tetsuro; Bond, Charles S; Fox, Archa H

    2015-01-01

    Prion-like domains (PLDs) are low complexity sequences found in RNA binding proteins associated with the neurodegenerative disorder amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Recently, PLDs have been implicated in mediating gene regulation via liquid-phase transitions that drive ribonucleoprotein granule

  11. Trioctylphosphine-assisted morphology control of ZnO nanoparticles

    Science.gov (United States)

    Hong, Yun-Kun; Cho, GeonHee; Park, YoonSu; Oh, Soong Ju; Ha, Don-Hyung

    2018-06-01

    This study investigates the morphological change in colloidal ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) synthesized with trioctylphosphine (TOP). The addition of TOP to the synthesis causes an evolution in the shape of ZnO NPs to tadpole-like particles from quasi-spherical particles at 300 °C. The total length of the tadpole-like ZnO NPs can be modified by controlling the molar ratio of TOP to oleylamine (OLAM). The tadpole-like particles are elongated as the concentration of TOP increased but decreased when the addition of TOP is excessive. These tadpole-like ZnO NPs transform to quasi-spherical NPs regardless of the amount of TOP at a reaction time of 3 h at 300 °C. At 200 °C, the effect of TOP on the ZnO NP synthesis differs from that at 300 °C. The ZnO NPs synthesized by controlling the molar ratios of surfactant ligands (TOP:OLAM = 2:100 and 70:100) at 200 °C share similar amorphous structures, while a crystalline ZnO phase is formed when the reaction time is 3 h. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis shows that TOP influences the oxidation of ZnO and suggests that a combination of OLAM and TOP plays a role in controlling the shape of ZnO NPs. These results provide critical insights to the utilization of TOP for a shape controlling ligand in ZnO NPs and suggest a new route to design oxide NPs.

  12. The identification of a sensitizing component used in the manufacturing of an ink ribbon

    Science.gov (United States)

    Anderson, Stacey E.; Tapp, Loren; Durgam, Srinivas; Meade, B. Jean; Jackson, Laurel G.; Cohen, David E.

    2015-01-01

    Skin diseases including dermatitis constitute ≈ 30% of all occupational illnesses, with a high incidence in the printing industry. An outbreak of contact dermatitis among employees at an ink ribbon manufacturing plant was investigated by scientists from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Employees in the process areas of the plant were exposed to numerous chemicals and many had experienced skin rashes, especially after the introduction of a new ink ribbon product. To identify the causative agent(s) of the occupational dermatitis, the murine local lymph node assay (LLNA) was used to identify the potential of the chemicals used in the manufacture of the ink ribbon to induce allergic contact dermatitis. Follow-up patch testing with the suspected allergens was conducted on exposed employees. Polyvinyl butyral, a chemical component used in the manufacture of the ink ribbon in question and other products, tested positive in the LLNA, with an EC3 of 3.6%, which identifies it as a potential sensitizer; however, no employees tested positive to this chemical during skin patch testing. This finding has implications beyond those described in this report because of occupational exposure to polyvinyl butyral outside of the printing industry. PMID:22375946

  13. Hydrothermal growth of upright-standing ZnO sheet microcrystals

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Shi, Ruixia; Yang, Ping; Dong, Xiaobin; Jia, Changchao; Li, Jia

    2014-01-01

    Highlights: • Upright-standing ZnO sheet microcrystals were hydrothermally fabricated. • The ZnO sheets were prepared with sodium oxalate at 70 °C without any surfactant. • The preferable adsorption of oxalate anions causes the formation of ZnO sheet. • The continuous growth in six directions leads to the formation of hexagonal sheets. - Abstract: Large-scale upright-standing ZnO sheet microcrystals were fabricated on Zn substrate using sodium oxalate as structure-directing agent by a hydrothermal method at low temperature (70 °C) without any surfactant. The sheets are about 3–5 μm in dimension and 100–300 nm in thickness. The strong and narrow diffraction peaks of ZnO indicate that the sample has a good crystallinity and size. The morphology of sheet-like ZnO varied with the concentrations of sodium oxalate and reaction time. The sheet-like ZnO would transform into rod-like ones when sodium oxalate was substituted by equivalent sodium acetate. The formation of sheet-like ZnO is attributed to the preferable adsorption of oxalate anions on (0 0 0 1) face of ZnO, which inhibits the intrinsic growth of ZnO. Additionally, the continuous growth in six (0 1 −1 0) directions that have the lowest surface energy leads to the formation of hexagonal sheets

  14. Witten Effect and Fractional Charges on the Domain Wall and the D-Brane-Like Dot

    Science.gov (United States)

    Kanazawa, I.; Maeda, R.

    2018-04-01

    We have discussed the anomalous excitations such as dyons, Majorana fermions, and quark-like fermions on the domain wall in topological materials and the D-brane-like dot, and the relation to low-energy hadrons in QCD, from the viewpoint of a field-theoretical formula.

  15. Luminescence of one dimensional ZnO, GeO{sub 2}–Zn{sub 2}GeO{sub 4} nanostructure through thermal evaporation of Zn and Ge powder mixture

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Pham, Vuong-Hung, E-mail: vuong.phamhung@hust.edu.vn; Kien, Vu Trung; Tam, Phuong Dinh; Huy, Pham Thanh

    2016-07-15

    Graphical abstract: - Highlights: • ZnO and GeO{sub 2}–ZnGeO{sub 4} nanowires were fabricated by thermal evaporation of Zn and Ge powder mixture. • Morphology of specimens were observed to have a nanowire structure to rod-like morphology. • Strong NBE emission band with suppressed visible green emission band were observed on the dominant ZnO nanowires. • Strong emission of ∼530 nm were observed on the GeO{sub 2}–Zn{sub 2}GeO{sub 4} nanowires. - Abstract: This paper reports the first attempt for fabrication of thermal evaporated Zn–Ge powder mixture to achieve near-band-edge (NBE) emission of ZnO and visible emission of GeO{sub 2}–Zn{sub 2}GeO{sub 4} nanowires with controllable intensities. The nanowires were fabricated by thermal evaporation of Zn and Ge powder mixture, particularly, by using different Zn:Ge ratio, temperature and evaporated times. The morphology of nanowires was depended on the Zn and Ge ratio that was observed to have a nanowire structure to rod-like morphology. The thermal evaporation of Zn:Ge powder mixture resulted in formation of dominant ZnO or GeO{sub 2}–Zn{sub 2}GeO{sub 4} nanowires as a function of evaporated parameters. These results suggest that the application of thermal evaporation of Zn and Ge mixture for potential application in synthesis of ZnO or GeO{sub 2}–Zn{sub 2}GeO{sub 4} nanowires for optoelectronic field.

  16. 76 FR 38648 - Availability of the Geothermal Technologies Program Blue Ribbon Panel Report and Request for...

    Science.gov (United States)

    2011-07-01

    ....S. has lagged that of solar and wind energy. The purpose of the Blue Ribbon Panel meeting was to... Geothermal Technologies Program Blue Ribbon Panel Report and Request for Public Comment AGENCY: Office of... Panel (the Panel) on March 22/23, 2011 in Albuquerque, New Mexico for a guided discussion on the future...

  17. Fish Marketing of Ribbon Fish (Trichiurus sp. in Nusantara Fishing Port (NFPat Palabuhanratu, West Java

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Nur Bambang Azis

    2018-01-01

    Full Text Available The objective of this research is to study the marketing process of ribbon fish (Trichiurus sp., including the marketing margin, marketing agencies, traders and marketing channels The research was carried out for 3 mo in Nusantara Fishing Port (NFP, Palabuhanratu, Sukabumi, West Java. A case study was used in this research. A purposive sampling method was used to collect data from 55 respondents of fish marketing, consisting of fishermen, agents, traders, and retailers, who were involved in the marketing of ribbon fish in NFP Palabuhanratu. The result of the research showed that ribbon fish production in Palabuhanratu fluctuated from year to year. There are two types of ribbon fish marketing, i.e. type one is from fishermen to retailers, and type two is indirect marketing from fisherman to consumers through intermediate traders (exporters. The greatest marketing margin was obtained from the first type, while the smallest marketing margin was obtained from type two. The form of the market was considered to be oligopsony market. Fisherman’s share is greatest in the collectors and the smallest share is on retailers. Marketing process in traders is efficient due to its lowest margin and highest fisherman’s share.

  18. Effects of the ingot phase transition on microstructure and magnetic properties of CeNdFeB melt-spun ribbons

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Wang, Xuchao [Division of Functional Materials Research, Central Iron and Steel Research Institute, Beijing 100081, China (China); College of Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819 (China); Zhu, Minggang, E-mail: mgzhu@126.com [Division of Functional Materials Research, Central Iron and Steel Research Institute, Beijing 100081, China (China); Li, Wei; Zheng, Liyun; Guo, Zhaohui; Du, Xiao [Division of Functional Materials Research, Central Iron and Steel Research Institute, Beijing 100081, China (China); Du, An [College of Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819 (China)

    2015-11-01

    The paper studies the phase transition of ingot with the composition (Ce{sub 50}Nd{sub 50}){sub 30}Fe{sub bal}Co{sub 4}Ga{sub 0.2}B{sub 0.92} after the annealing treatment at 1050 °C. The melt-spun ribbons which is prepared by the two treatment status ingots. The phase structure and microstructure morphologies of the ingots and melt-spun ribbons were analysed and observed by XRD and SEM. It was found that the grain size of the ribbons is on the nanometer scale. The EDS results show that there are four different phases in the ingot: (CeNd){sub 2}Fe{sub 14}B, α-Fe, Ce-rich phase and Nd-rich phase. After the annealing treatment, α-Fe, Ce-rich phase, and Nd-rich phase were obviously reduced and the contents of the main phase was significantly increased in the annealed ingot compared with the unanneal treatment ingot. The VSM results show that there is a peak waist in the ribbon which is prepared by the untreated ingot. Because the ingot is uneven, the ribbons may have the secondary phase, the Hcj is 8394 Oe. But the demagnetization curves of the ribbons, which is prepared by the annealed ingot, is relatively smooth and without the soft magnetic phase and the Hcj is 12,528 Oe, which is higher than the unanneal treatment ingot. We can know that the ingot with fine organization is the key factors to preparing high-performance ribbons.

  19. Catalytic Decomposition of N2O over Cu–Zn/ZnAl2O4 Catalysts

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Xiaoying Zheng

    2017-05-01

    Full Text Available The catalytic decomposition of N2O was investigated over Cu-Zn/ZnAl2O4 catalysts in the temperature range of 400–650 °C Catalytic samples have been prepared by wet impregnation method. Prepared catalysts were characterized using several techniques like BET surface area, X-ray diffraction (XRD, and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM. The Cu-Zn/ZnAl2O4 showed higher catalytic performance along with long term stability during N2O decomposition. The Cu-Zn/ZnAl2O4 catalysts yielded 100% N2O conversion at 650 °C. The Cu-Zn/ZnAl2O4 catalysts are promising for decrease this strong greenhouse gas in the chemical industry.

  20. 77 FR 32938 - Narrow Woven Ribbons With Woven Selvedge From Taiwan: Preliminary Results of Antidumping Duty...

    Science.gov (United States)

    2012-06-04

    ... ribbons subject to the order include all narrow woven fabrics, tapes, and labels that fall within this... the manufacture of typewriter or printer ribbons; (5) Narrow woven labels and apparel tapes, cut-to... 1994 U.S.C.C.A.N. 4040, 4198-99. Furthermore, ``affirmative evidence of bad faith on the part of a...

  1. Magnetic and surface properties of Fe-Nb (Mo, V)-Cu-B-Si ribbons

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Butvinova, B.; Butvin, P.; Svec, P. Sr.; Matko, I.; Svec, P.; Janickovic, D.; Kadlecikova, M.

    2014-01-01

    The rapidly quenched Finemet (FeNbCuBSi) ribbons prepared by planar flow casting of the melt are very variable to obtain very good soft-magnetic properties. An appropriate thermal treatment leading to ultra-fine grain structure enables to attain such properties as desired for practical use. Increasing Fe percentage to the detriment of non-magnetic components lifts saturation induction above 1.3 T, preserves low coercivity and makes the alloy even cheaper to suit its mass production for use in power electronics. Apart from the plenty of benefits the ribbons show some risks. One of them is macroscopic heterogeneity, which often manifests via differences between surfaces and interior of a ribbon [3]. The surfaces squeeze (by in-plane force) the interior of many such ribbons and if engaged in magnetoelastic interaction, the force affects the resulting magnetic anisotropy [4]. Current research shows that changes of hysteresis loop shape come rather from surface crystallization and not from oxides namely in positively magnetostrictive alloys FeNbCuBSi known as low- Si Finemets. The object of this work is to verify whether the substitution of another element instead of Nb (usually incorporated as the grain-growth blocker) can change surface properties and affects the resulting magnetic properties. We chose V and Mo instead of Nb. Oxides, oxyhydroxides and a possible squeezing layer was looked for after higher temperature annealing which ensures partially nanocrystalline structure. (authors)

  2. A sea cucumber-like BiOBr nanosheet/Zn2GeO4 nanorod heterostructure for enhanced visible light driven photocatalytic activity

    Science.gov (United States)

    Zhang, Zhiping; Ge, Xin; Zhang, Xueyu; Duan, Lianfeng; Li, Xuesong; Yang, Yue; Lü, Wei

    2018-01-01

    In present work, a two-step hydrothermal/solvothermal method was developed to fabricate sea cucumber-like p-n heterojunctions of p-BiOBr/n-Zn2GeO4. The BiOBr nanosheets were grafted onto the surface of Zn2GeO4 nanorods. BiOBr/Zn2GeO4 nanocomposites exhibit remarkable photocatalytic activity under visible-light irradiation, and photocatalytic activity was studied in the catalytic test of rhodamine B decolorization. The mechanism for improved photocatalytic activity is interpreted in terms of the formation of type II band alignment between BiOBr and Zn2GeO4, which is confirmed by UV-vis diffuse absorption and VB-XPS spectra. BiOBr nanosheet as an admirable electron transport medium provide desirable specific surface area for the nanocomposite and a suitable band gap for heterojunction structure. Furthermore, scavenger experiments confirmed that h+ and {{{{O}}}2}\\cdot - were the main oxygen active species in the decolorization process.

  3. Structural and magnetic properties of Ni-Zn and Ni-Zn-Co ferrites

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Knyazev, A.V., E-mail: knyazevav@gmail.com [N.I. Lobachevsky State University of Nizhni Novgorod, Gagarin Prospekt 23/2, 603950 Nizhni Novgorod (Russian Federation); Zakharchuk, I.; Lähderanta, E. [Lappeenranta University of Technology, P.O. Box 20, FI-53851 Lappeenranta (Finland); Baidakov, K.V.; Knyazeva, S.S. [N.I. Lobachevsky State University of Nizhni Novgorod, Gagarin Prospekt 23/2, 603950 Nizhni Novgorod (Russian Federation); Ladenkov, I.V. [Joint-stock Company “Research and Production Company “Salut”, Nizhni Novgorod (Russian Federation)

    2017-08-01

    Highlights: • Ni-Zn and Ni-Zn-Co ferrite powders were prepared by the solid-state reaction at 1073 K. • The room temperature saturation magnetizations are 59.7 emu/g for Ni{sub 0.5}Zn{sub 0.5}Fe{sub 2}O{sub 4} and 57.1 emu/g for Ni{sub 0.5}Zn{sub 0.3}Co{sub 0.2}Fe{sub 2}O{sub 4}. • The coercivity of the samples is found to be much larger than that of bulk ferrites and increases with Co introduction. • The temperature dependences of magnetization exhibit large spin frustration and spin-glass-like behavior. - Abstract: Ni-Zn and Ni-Zn-Co ferrite powders with nominal compositions Ni{sub 0.5}Zn{sub 0.5}Fe{sub 2}O{sub 4} and Ni{sub 0.5}Zn{sub 0.3}Co{sub 0.2}Fe{sub 2}O{sub 4} were prepared by the solid-state reaction synthesis with periodic regrinding during the calcination at 1073 K. The structure of Ni{sub 0.5}Zn{sub 0.5}Fe{sub 2}O{sub 4} and Ni{sub 0.5}Zn{sub 0.3}Co{sub 0.2}Fe{sub 2}O{sub 4} was refined assuming space group F d-3m. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the average sizes of the crystalline ferrite particles are 130–630 nm for Ni{sub 0.5}Zn{sub 0.5}Fe{sub 2}O{sub 4} and 140–350 nm for Ni{sub 0.5}Zn{sub 0.3}Co{sub 0.2}Fe{sub 2}O{sub 4}. The room temperature saturation magnetizations are 59.7 emu/g for Ni{sub 0.5}Zn{sub 0.5}Fe{sub 2}O{sub 4} and 57.1 emu/g for Ni{sub 0.5}Zn{sub 0.3}Co{sub 0.2}Fe{sub 2}O{sub 4}. The coercivity of the samples is found to be much larger than that of bulk ferrites and increases with Co introduction. The Curie temperature tends to increase upon Zn substitution by Co, as well. The temperature dependences of magnetization measured using zero-field cooled and field cooled protocols exhibit large spin frustration and spin-glass-like behavior.

  4. Crystal structure of the Rasputin NTF2-like domain from Drosophila melanogaster

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Vognsen, Tina Reinholdt; Kristensen, Ole

    2012-01-01

    The crystal structure of the NTF2-like domain of the Drosophila homolog of Ras GTPase SH3 Binding Protein (G3BP), Rasputin, was determined at 2.7Å resolution. The overall structure is highly similar to nuclear transport factor 2: It is a homodimer comprised of a ß-sheet and three a-helices forming...

  5. Influence of Mn incorporation for Ni on the magnetocaloric properties of rapidly solidified off-stoichiometric NiMnGa ribbons

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Dey, Sushmita; Singh, Satnam; Roy, R.K.; Ghosh, M.; Mitra, A.; Panda, A.K., E-mail: akpanda@nmlindia.org

    2016-01-01

    The present investigation addresses the magnetocaloric behaviour in a series of Ni{sub 77−x}Mn{sub x}Ga{sub 23} (x=23, 24, 25, 27 and 29) rapidly solidified alloys prepared in the form of ribbons by melt spinning technique. The approach of the study is to identify the off-stoichiometric composition wherein room temperature magneto-structural transformation is achieved. The alloy chemistry was tailored through Mn incorporation for Ni such that the magnetic and structural transitions were at close proximity to achieve highest entropy value of ΔS equal to 8.51 J Kg{sup −1} K{sup −1} for #Mn{sub 24} ribbon measured at an applied field of 3 T. When such transitions are more staggered as in #Mn{sub 29} the entropy value of ribbon reduced to as low as 1.61 J Kg{sup −1} K{sup −1}. Near room temperature transformations in #Mn{sub 24} ribbon have been observed through calorimetric and thermomagnetic evaluation. Reverse martensitic transformation (martensite→autstenite) temperature indicates not only distinct change in the saturation flux density but also an inter-martensitic phase. Microstructural analysis of #Mn{sub 24} alloy ribbon revealed structural ordering with the existence of plate morphology evidenced for martensitic phase. - Highlights: • Magnetocaloric effect in a series of melt spun NiMnGa ribbon is addressed. • The alloy series revealed austenitic state as well as its presence with martensite. • The morphology of the ribbons has been shown and discussed through phase analysis. • Influence of magnetising field on entropy and relative cooling power is discussed. • Influence of intermartensitic state on magnetization plots have also been shown.

  6. A Novel Orange-Red Emitting ZnB4O7:Eu3+ Phosphor with Urchin-Like Nanostructure

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Hom Nath Luitel

    2015-01-01

    Full Text Available A novel phosphor, ZnB4O7:Eu3+, with urchin-like structure consisting of radially arranged high density nanorods was successfully synthesized by hydrothermal process at 150°C for 24 h. The nanorods were measured from 200 to 400 nm in diameter and several µm in length. The urchins were few µm to 40 µm in diameter. The ZnB4O7:Eu3+ phosphors were efficiently excited by ultraviolet (UV ~ 254 nm to visible light of ~ 220 to 450 nm and exhibited intense orange-red emission consisting of main peaks at 590, 615, and 695 nm due to the charge transfer in the host and f→f transitions (5D0 to 7F1,2,4 of the Eu3+ ions. Effect of the Eu3+ ions concentration on the photoluminescence (PL emission intensity was investigated and it was found that 5 at% Eu3+ is the optimum concentration. Meanwhile, the concentration quenching mechanism was discussed. The key parameters, such as temperature dependent PL and CIE values of ZnB4O7:Eu3+ phosphors, were studied. The ZnB4O7:Eu3+ phosphor exhibited good thermal stability and better absorption cross section compared to the commercial Y2O2S:Eu3+ phosphor. All these characteristics indicate that the phosphor will be a potential candidate for the UV based white LEDs.

  7. Molecular mechanism of Zn2+ agonism in the extracellular domain of GPR39

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Storjohann, Laura; Holst, Birgitte; Schwartz, Thue W

    2008-01-01

    -terminal segment. Surprisingly, substitution of Asp313 located in extracellular loop 3 greatly increased ligand-independent signaling and apparently eliminated Zn2+-induced activation. It is proposed that Zn2+ acts as an agonist for GPR39, not in the classical manner by directly stabilizing an active conformation...

  8. Enhanced piezoelectricity and stretchability in energy harvesting devices fabricated from buckled PZT ribbons.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Qi, Yi; Kim, Jihoon; Nguyen, Thanh D; Lisko, Bozhena; Purohit, Prashant K; McAlpine, Michael C

    2011-03-09

    The development of a method for integrating highly efficient energy conversion materials onto soft, biocompatible substrates could yield breakthroughs in implantable or wearable energy harvesting systems. Of particular interest are devices which can conform to irregular, curved surfaces, and operate in vital environments that may involve both flexing and stretching modes. Previous studies have shown significant advances in the integration of highly efficient piezoelectric nanocrystals on flexible and bendable substrates. Yet, such inorganic nanomaterials are mechanically incompatible with the extreme elasticity of elastomeric substrates. Here, we present a novel strategy for overcoming these limitations, by generating wavy piezoelectric ribbons on silicone rubber. Our results show that the amplitudes in the waves accommodate order-of-magnitude increases in maximum tensile strain without fracture. Further, local probing of the buckled ribbons reveals an enhancement in the piezoelectric effect of up to 70%, thus representing the highest reported piezoelectric response on a stretchable medium. These results allow for the integration of energy conversion devices which operate in stretching mode via reversible deformations in the wavy/buckled ribbons.

  9. Forming three-dimensional closed shapes from two-dimensional soft ribbons by controlled buckling

    Science.gov (United States)

    Aoki, Michio; Juang, Jia-Yang

    2018-02-01

    Conventional manufacturing techniques-moulding, machining and casting-exist to produce three-dimensional (3D) shapes. However, these industrial processes are typically geared for mass production and are not directly applicable to residential settings, where inexpensive and versatile tools are desirable. Moreover, those techniques are, in general, not adequate to process soft elastic materials. Here, we introduce a new concept of forming 3D closed hollow shapes from two-dimensional (2D) elastic ribbons by controlled buckling. We numerically and experimentally characterize how the profile and thickness of the ribbon determine its buckled shape. We find a 2D master profile with which various elliptical 3D shapes can be formed. More complex natural and artificial hollow shapes, such as strawberry, hourglass and wheel, can also be achieved via strategic design and pattern engraving on the ribbons. The nonlinear response of the post-buckling regime is rationalized through finite-element analysis, which shows good quantitative agreement with experiments. This robust fabrication should complement conventional techniques and provide a rich arena for future studies on the mechanics and new applications of elastic hollow structures.

  10. Programmable DNA-binding proteins from Burkholderia provide a fresh perspective on the TALE-like repeat domain.

    Science.gov (United States)

    de Lange, Orlando; Wolf, Christina; Dietze, Jörn; Elsaesser, Janett; Morbitzer, Robert; Lahaye, Thomas

    2014-06-01

    The tandem repeats of transcription activator like effectors (TALEs) mediate sequence-specific DNA binding using a simple code. Naturally, TALEs are injected by Xanthomonas bacteria into plant cells to manipulate the host transcriptome. In the laboratory TALE DNA binding domains are reprogrammed and used to target a fused functional domain to a genomic locus of choice. Research into the natural diversity of TALE-like proteins may provide resources for the further improvement of current TALE technology. Here we describe TALE-like proteins from the endosymbiotic bacterium Burkholderia rhizoxinica, termed Bat proteins. Bat repeat domains mediate sequence-specific DNA binding with the same code as TALEs, despite less than 40% sequence identity. We show that Bat proteins can be adapted for use as transcription factors and nucleases and that sequence preferences can be reprogrammed. Unlike TALEs, the core repeats of each Bat protein are highly polymorphic. This feature allowed us to explore alternative strategies for the design of custom Bat repeat arrays, providing novel insights into the functional relevance of non-RVD residues. The Bat proteins offer fertile grounds for research into the creation of improved programmable DNA-binding proteins and comparative insights into TALE-like evolution. © The Author(s) 2014. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Nucleic Acids Research.

  11. Bruchpilot in ribbon-like axonal agglomerates, behavioral defects, and early death in SRPK79D kinase mutants of Drosophila.

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Vanessa Nieratschker

    2009-10-01

    Full Text Available Defining the molecular structure and function of synapses is a central theme in brain research. In Drosophila the Bruchpilot (BRP protein is associated with T-shaped ribbons ("T-bars" at presynaptic active zones (AZs. BRP is required for intact AZ structure and normal evoked neurotransmitter release. By screening for mutations that affect the tissue distribution of Bruchpilot, we have identified a P-transposon insertion in gene CG11489 (location 79D which shows high homology to mammalian genes for SR protein kinases (SRPKs. SRPKs phosphorylate serine-arginine rich splicing factors (SR proteins. Since proteins expressed from CG11489 cDNAs phosphorylate a peptide from a human SR protein in vitro, we name CG11489 the Drosophila Srpk79D gene. We have characterized Srpk79D transcripts and generated a null mutant. Mutation of the Srpk79D gene causes conspicuous accumulations of BRP in larval and adult nerves. At the ultrastructural level, these correspond to extensive axonal agglomerates of electron-dense ribbons surrounded by clear vesicles. Basic synaptic structure and function at larval neuromuscular junctions appears normal, whereas life expectancy and locomotor behavior of adult mutants are significantly impaired. All phenotypes of the mutant can be largely or completely rescued by panneural expression of SRPK79D isoforms. Isoform-specific antibodies recognize panneurally overexpressed GFP-tagged SRPK79D-PC isoform co-localized with BRP at presynaptic active zones while the tagged -PB isoform is found in spots within neuronal perikarya. SRPK79D concentrations in wild type apparently are too low to be revealed by these antisera. We propose that the Drosophila Srpk79D gene characterized here may be expressed at low levels throughout the nervous system to prevent the assembly of BRP containing agglomerates in axons and maintain intact brain function. The discovery of an SR protein kinase required for normal BRP distribution calls for the

  12. Herp regulates Hrd1-mediated ubiquitylation in a ubiquitin-like domain-dependent manner

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Kny, Melanie; Standera, Sybille; Hartmann-Petersen, Rasmus

    2011-01-01

    in ER-associated protein degradation (ERAD) and interacts directly with the ubiquitin ligase Hrd1, which is found in high molecular mass complexes of the ER membrane. Here we present the first evidence that Herp regulates Hrd1-mediated ubiquitylation in a ubiquitin-like (UBL) domain-dependent manner. We...

  13. Fish Marketing of Ribbon Fish (Trichiurus sp.) in Nusantara Fishing Port (NFP)at Palabuhanratu, West Java

    Science.gov (United States)

    Bambang, Azis Nur

    2018-02-01

    The objective of this research is to study the marketing process of ribbon fish (Trichiurus sp.), including the marketing margin, marketing agencies, traders and marketing channels The research was carried out for 3 mo in Nusantara Fishing Port (NFP), Palabuhanratu, Sukabumi, West Java. A case study was used in this research. A purposive sampling method was used to collect data from 55 respondents of fish marketing, consisting of fishermen, agents, traders, and retailers, who were involved in the marketing of ribbon fish in NFP Palabuhanratu. The result of the research showed that ribbon fish production in Palabuhanratu fluctuated from year to year. There are two types of ribbon fish marketing, i.e. type one is from fishermen to retailers, and type two is indirect marketing from fisherman to consumers through intermediate traders (exporters). The greatest marketing margin was obtained from the first type, while the smallest marketing margin was obtained from type two. The form of the market was considered to be oligopsony market. Fisherman's share is greatest in the collectors and the smallest share is on retailers. Marketing process in traders is efficient due to its lowest margin and highest fisherman's share.

  14. Analysis of electrochemical noise data in both time and frequency domains to evaluate the effect of ZnO nanopowder addition on the corrosion protection performance of epoxy coatings

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    H. Ashassi-Sorkhabi

    2016-11-01

    Full Text Available Epoxy–ZnO nanocomposite coatings have been developed for corrosion protection of steel. Structural characterization of the prepared nanocomposites was performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM. The anti-corrosive properties of the coatings were evaluated by electrochemical noise (EN. On the basis of the EN results in both time and frequency domains, the nanocomposite material with low ZnO concentration (0.1% wt.% was found to be much superior in corrosion protection when tested in aqueous NaCl electrolyte. Finally, EIS measurements were carried out and the data fitted with suitable equivalent circuit. Resistance parameters obtained by both techniques were found to be in relatively good agreement.

  15. Deposition of fan-shaped ZnMoO{sub 4} on ZnCo{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanowire arrays for high electrochemical performance

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Fan, Zihao; Zhang, Xiaojun [Anhui Normal University, Key Laboratory for Functional Molecular Solids of the Education Ministry of China, Center for Nano Science and Technology, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Wuhu (China)

    2017-04-15

    In this research, fan-shaped ZnMoO{sub 4} is deposited on flower-like ZnCo{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanowire arrays by two-step hydrothermal method. ZnCo{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanowire is synthesized first and used as the backbone to support ZnMoO{sub 4}. The flower-like ZnCo{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanowire arrays are fully overspread by ZnMoO{sub 4}. And this unique structure shows a high capacitance of 1506 F g{sup -1} when used as electrode for supercapacitor at a current density of 1 A g{sup -1} and a good cycling ability (5000 cycles). (orig.)

  16. Biomimetic nanostructures in ZnS and ZnSe provide broadband anti-reflectivity

    Science.gov (United States)

    Chan, L.; DeCuir, E. A., Jr.; Fu, R.; Morse, D. E.; Gordon, M. J.

    2017-11-01

    Graded-index, moth eye-inspired anti-reflective features were fabricated in ZnS and ZnSe via nanosphere lithography using a Langmuir-Blodgett dip-coating method with plasma-based mask reduction and pattern transfer. Arrays of hexagonally close-packed conical frusta (top diameter = 300 nm, pitch = 690 nm, height = 2800 nm) were realized by isotropic etching (size-reduction) of the colloidal mask with CF4/Ar, followed by pattern transfer into the substrate using CH4/H2 plasma etching. Substantial increases in broadband transmission were achieved across the 2-20 μm range, yielding 23% and 26% single-side transmission improvement, and 92% and 88% absolute double-side transmission for ZnS and ZnSe, respectively, in excellent agreement with finite difference time domain (FDTD) optical simulations. Experimental differences in direct versus total transmission, and the general fall off of transmission at short wavelengths, were attributed to diffuse forward scattering and diffractive effects, as predicted by far-field scattering patterns using FDTD. The fabrication method presented can be used to enhance efficiency for multiple IR applications by minimizing reflective losses, while offering the further advantages of scalability and low cost.

  17. Crystal structure of glucagon-like peptide-1 in complex with the extracellular domain of the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Underwood, Christina Rye; Garibay, Patrick; Knudsen, Lotte Bjerre; Hastrup, Sven; Peters, Günther H; Rudolph, Rainer; Reedtz-Runge, Steffen

    2010-01-01

    GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) is an incretin released from intestinal L-cells in response to food intake. Activation of the GLP-1 receptor potentiates the synthesis and release of insulin from pancreatic beta-cells in a glucose-dependent manner. The GLP-1 receptor belongs to class B of the G-protein-coupled receptors, a subfamily characterized by a large N-terminal extracellular ligand binding domain. Exendin-4 and GLP-1 are 50% identical, and exendin-4 is a full agonist with similar affinity and potency for the GLP-1 receptor. We recently solved the crystal structure of the GLP-1 receptor extracellular domain in complex with the competitive antagonist exendin-4(9-39). Interestingly, the isolated extracellular domain binds exendin-4 with much higher affinity than the endogenous agonist GLP-1. Here, we have solved the crystal structure of the extracellular domain in complex with GLP-1 to 2.1 Aresolution. The structure shows that important hydrophobic ligand-receptor interactions are conserved in agonist- and antagonist-bound forms of the extracellular domain, but certain residues in the ligand-binding site adopt a GLP-1-specific conformation. GLP-1 is a kinked but continuous alpha-helix from Thr(13) to Val(33) when bound to the extracellular domain. We supplemented the crystal structure with site-directed mutagenesis to link the structural information of the isolated extracellular domain with the binding properties of the full-length receptor. The data support the existence of differences in the binding modes of GLP-1 and exendin-4 on the full-length GLP-1 receptor.

  18. Synthesis and characterization of ZnO/ZnSe NWs/PbS QDs solar cell

    Science.gov (United States)

    Kamruzzaman, M.; Zapien, J. A.

    2017-04-01

    The capture of solar energy has gained the attention for the next generation solar cell. ZnO/ZnSe NW arrays were synthesized on an FTO glass substrate using a simple and facile hydrothermal and ion-exchange approaches. The lead sulfide (PbS) QDs was infiltrated into ZnO/ZnSe NWs via SILAR method for making inorganic quantum dot sensitized ZnO/ZnSe/PbS QDs solar cell. The surface morphology, structural, optical, and J-V characteristics have been investigated. The ZnO/ZnSe NW is a core-shell like structure, and the absorption edge shifted from the UV region (ZnO NWs) to the near infrared region for ZnO/ZnSe NWs/PbS QDs. For PbS QDs-sensitized solar cell, the obtained value of η = 1.1%, J sc = 20.60 mA/cm2, V oc = 155 mV, and FF = 34.7%, respectively. The photovoltaic performance of the device in this study is still inferior. However, it is the first report regarding to ZnO/ZnZe NWs/PbS QDs solar cell. The achieving high absorption and large short circuit current density may interest in further improvement of the device performance by suppressing surface defects, optimizing the quality of ZnO/ZnSe NWs and PbS QDs.

  19. Synthesis and characterization of ZnO/ZnSe NWs/PbS QDs solar cell

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Kamruzzaman, M, E-mail: kzaman.phy11@gmail.com; Zapien, J A, E-mail: apjazs@cityu.edu.hk [City University of Hong Kong, Department of Physics and Materials Science and Center Of Super-Diamond and Advanced Films (COSDAF) (China)

    2017-04-15

    The capture of solar energy has gained the attention for the next generation solar cell. ZnO/ZnSe NW arrays were synthesized on an FTO glass substrate using a simple and facile hydrothermal and ion-exchange approaches. The lead sulfide (PbS) QDs was infiltrated into ZnO/ZnSe NWs via SILAR method for making inorganic quantum dot sensitized ZnO/ZnSe/PbS QDs solar cell. The surface morphology, structural, optical, and J-V characteristics have been investigated. The ZnO/ZnSe NW is a core–shell like structure, and the absorption edge shifted from the UV region (ZnO NWs) to the near infrared region for ZnO/ZnSe NWs/PbS QDs. For PbS QDs-sensitized solar cell, the obtained value of η = 1.1%, J{sub sc} = 20.60 mA/cm{sup 2}, V{sub oc} = 155 mV, and FF = 34.7%, respectively. The photovoltaic performance of the device in this study is still inferior. However, it is the first report regarding to ZnO/ZnZe NWs/PbS QDs solar cell. The achieving high absorption and large short circuit current density may interest in further improvement of the device performance by suppressing surface defects, optimizing the quality of ZnO/ZnSe NWs and PbS QDs.

  20. Magnetic properties of fcc (Co95Fe5)1-xAlx ribbons

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Makhlouf, Salah A.; Parker, F.T.; Benameur, T.

    1999-01-01

    Rapidly quenched (Co 95 Fe 5 ) 1-x Al x ribbons are investigated by X-ray diffraction, magnetization, and Moessbauer effect measurements. A single fcc phase is obtained for all ribbons x ≤ 10 at.%. The lattice constant increases linearly with x and is discussed in connection with magnetic moment. The influence of Al substitution on both magnetization and Fe-atom hyperfine field (H) is studied. At 296 K, the magnetization decreases linearly while H drops nonlinearly as x increases. Al substitution leads to substantial differences in iron hyperfine fields in bcc and fcc systems. Fe moment is perturbed differently by Al substitution in fcc (Co 95 Fe 5 ) 1-x Al x and bcc Fe-Al systems

  1. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor ligand interactions: structural cross talk between ligands and the extracellular domain.

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Graham M West

    Full Text Available Activation of the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R in pancreatic β-cells potentiates insulin production and is a current therapeutic target for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM. Like other class B G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs, the GLP-1R contains an N-terminal extracellular ligand binding domain. N-terminal truncations on the peptide agonist generate antagonists capable of binding to the extracellular domain, but not capable of activating full length receptor. The main objective of this study was to use Hydrogen/deuterium exchange (HDX to identify how the amide hydrogen bonding network of peptide ligands and the extracellular domain of GLP-1R (nGLP-1R were altered by binding interactions and to then use this platform to validate direct binding events for putative GLP-1R small molecule ligands. The HDX studies presented here for two glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R peptide ligands indicates that the antagonist exendin-4[9-39] is significantly destabilized in the presence of nonionic detergents as compared to the agonist exendin-4. Furthermore, HDX can detect stabilization of exendin-4 and exendin-4[9-39] hydrogen bonding networks at the N-terminal helix [Val19 to Lys27] upon binding to the N-terminal extracellular domain of GLP-1R (nGLP-1R. In addition we show hydrogen bonding network stabilization on nGLP-1R in response to ligand binding, and validate direct binding events with the extracellular domain of the receptor for putative GLP-1R small molecule ligands.

  2. Facile synthesis of flower like FePt@ZnO core–shell structure and its bifunctional properties

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Majeed, Jerina [Chemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai 400085 (India); Jayakumar, O.D., E-mail: ddjaya@barc.gov.in [Chemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai 400085 (India); Mandal, B.P. [Chemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai 400085 (India); Salunke, H.G. [Technical Physics Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai 400085 (India); Naik, R. [Department of Physics, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202 (United States); Tyagi, A.K., E-mail: aktyagi@barc.gov.in [Chemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai 400085 (India)

    2014-06-01

    Graphical abstract: Flower shaped FePt and ZnO coated FePt with core–shell nanostructures are synthesized by a facile solvothermal procedure. Shell thickness of ZnO over FePt core was tuned by varying FePt concentration with respect to ZnO. Hybrid structure with lower FePt concentration exhibited bifunctionality such as near room temperature ferromagnetism and photoluminescence. Pristine FePt crystallize in the fct (L1{sub 0}) phase whereas it converts into fcc phase in presence of ZnO. - Highlights: • FePt@ZnO hybrid core–shell particles, with unique flower shape morphology have been prepared by solvothermal method. • Phase transition of fct-FePt to fcc-FePt has been found in presence of ZnO nanoparticles. • Plausible mechanism for growth of flowershaped nanoparticle is in accordance with energy minimization principle. • The core shell structure (FePt@ZnO) exhibits bi-functional properties. - Abstract: Flower shaped FePt and ZnO coated FePt (FePt@ZnO) core–shell nanostructures are synthesized by a facile solvothermal procedure. Two different compositions (molar ratio) of FePt and ZnO (FePt:ZnO = 1:3 and FePt:ZnO = 1:6) core–shells with different thicknesses of ZnO shells were synthesized. Hybrid FePt@ZnO core–shell flower structure with lower FePt concentration (FePt:ZnO = 1:6) exhibited bifunctionality including near room temperature ferromagnetism and photoluminescence at ambient conditions. X-ray diffraction patterns of pristine FePt showed partially ordered face centred tetragonal (fct) L1{sub 0} phase whereas ZnO coated FePt (FePt@ZnO) nanostructures showed hexagonal ZnO and disordered phase of FePt with fcc structure. The phase transition of fct FePt to fcc phase occurring in presence of ZnO is further confirmed by transmission electron microscopy and magnetic measurement studies. The formation of the nanoflowers was possibly due to growth along the [0 1 1] or [0 0 1] direction, keeping the core nearly spherical in accordance with the

  3. Microstructure, biocorrosion and cytotoxicity evaluations of rapid solidified Mg-3Ca alloy ribbons as a biodegradable material.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Gu, X N; Li, X L; Zhou, W R; Cheng, Y; Zheng, Y F

    2010-06-01

    Rapidly solidified (RS) Mg–3Ca alloy ribbons were prepared by the melt-spinning technique at different wheel rotating speeds (15 m s(-1), 30 m s(-1) and 45 m s(-1) with the as-cast Mg–3Ca alloy ingot as a raw material. The RS45 Mg–3Ca alloy ribbon showed a much more fine grain size feature (approximately 200–500 nm) in comparison to the coarse grain size (50–100 μm)of the original as-cast Mg–3Ca alloy ingot. The corrosion electrochemical tests in simulated body fluid indicated that the corrosion rate of the as-cast Mg–3Ca alloy was strongly reduced by the RS procedure and tended to be further decreased with increasing wheel rotating speeds(1.43 mm yr(-1) for RS15, 0.94 mm yr(-1) for RS30 and 0.36 mm yr(-1) for RS45). The RS Mg–3Ca alloy ribbons showed more uniform corrosion morphology compared with the as-cast Mg–3Ca alloy after polarization. The cytotoxicity evaluation revealed that the three experimental as-spun Mg–3Ca alloy ribbon extracts did not induce toxicity to the L-929 cells,whereas the as-cast Mg–3Ca alloy ingot extract did. The L-929 cells showed more improved adhesion on the surfaces of the three as-spun Mg–3Ca alloy ribbons than that of the as-cast Mg–3Ca alloy ingot.

  4. Microstructure, biocorrosion and cytotoxicity evaluations of rapid solidified Mg-3Ca alloy ribbons as a biodegradable material

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Gu, X N; Zhou, W R; Zheng, Y F; Li, X L; Cheng, Y

    2010-01-01

    Rapidly solidified (RS) Mg-3Ca alloy ribbons were prepared by the melt-spinning technique at different wheel rotating speeds (15 m s -1 , 30 m s -1 and 45 m s -1 ) with the as-cast Mg-3Ca alloy ingot as a raw material. The RS45 Mg-3Ca alloy ribbon showed a much more fine grain size feature (approximately 200-500 nm) in comparison to the coarse grain size (50-100 μm) of the original as-cast Mg-3Ca alloy ingot. The corrosion electrochemical tests in simulated body fluid indicated that the corrosion rate of the as-cast Mg-3Ca alloy was strongly reduced by the RS procedure and tended to be further decreased with increasing wheel rotating speeds (1.43 mm yr -1 for RS15, 0.94 mm yr -1 for RS30 and 0.36 mm yr -1 for RS45). The RS Mg-3Ca alloy ribbons showed more uniform corrosion morphology compared with the as-cast Mg-3Ca alloy after polarization. The cytotoxicity evaluation revealed that the three experimental as-spun Mg-3Ca alloy ribbon extracts did not induce toxicity to the L-929 cells, whereas the as-cast Mg-3Ca alloy ingot extract did. The L-929 cells showed more improved adhesion on the surfaces of the three as-spun Mg-3Ca alloy ribbons than that of the as-cast Mg-3Ca alloy ingot.

  5. Liquid petroleum gas sensing application of ZnO/CdO:ZnO nanocomposites at low temperature

    Science.gov (United States)

    Rajput, Jeevitesh K.; Pathak, T. K.; Kumar, V.; Swart, H. C.; Purohit, L. P.

    2018-04-01

    ZnO and CdO:ZnO nanoparticles are synthesized by sol-gel precipitation method. The structural analysis shows composite structure for CdO:ZnO nanoparticles with (002) and (111) phase. The SEM images show wedge like morphology and 3-D hexagonal morphology with ˜110 nm in size. The uniform growth of CdO:ZnO nanoparticles were observed in EDS element mapping image. LPG sensing was observed for CdO:ZnO nanoparticle with rapid sensing response 8.69% at operating temperature 50°C. This sensing response can be accounted due by absorption ions reactions at low operating temperature.

  6. Photoluminescence decay kinetics of doped ZnS nanophosphors

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Sharma, Rajesh; Bhatti, H S

    2007-01-01

    Doped nanophosphor samples of ZnS:Mn, ZnS:Mn, Co and ZnS:Mn, Fe were prepared using a chemical precipitation method. Photoluminescence (PL) spectra were obtained and lifetime studies of the nanophosphors were carried out at room temperature. To the best of our knowledge, there are very few reports on the photoluminescence investigations of Co-doped or Fe-doped ZnS:Mn nanoparticles in the literature. Furthermore, there is no report on luminescence lifetime shortening of ZnS:Mn nanoparticles doped with Co or Fe impurity. Experimental results showed that there is considerable change in the photoluminescence spectra of ZnS:Mn nanoparticles doped with X (X = Co, Fe). The PL spectra of the ZnS:Mn, Co nanoparticle sample show three peaks at 410, 432 and 594 nm, while in the case of the ZnS:Mn, Fe nanoparticle sample the peaks are considerably different. The lifetimes are found to be in microsecond time domain for 594 nm emission, while nanosecond order lifetimes are obtained for 432 and 411 nm emission in ZnS:Mn, X nanophosphor samples. These lifetimes suggest a new additional decay channel of the carrier in the host material

  7. Damping of the domain walls motion in Co-based amorphous ribbons with helical magnetic anisotropy: Part III

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Zhmetko, D.N.; Zhmetko, S.D.

    2009-01-01

    The damping of the motion of domain walls of a sandwich domain structure by the eddy currents magnetic fields, the stray fields and the hysteresis friction fields is investigated. The blocking of the motion of domain walls by the eddy currents magnetic fields is discovered.

  8. Crystal structure of the Rasputin NTF2-like domain from Drosophila melanogaster.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Vognsen, Tina; Kristensen, Ole

    2012-03-30

    The crystal structure of the NTF2-like domain of the Drosophila homolog of Ras GTPase SH3 Binding Protein (G3BP), Rasputin, was determined at 2.7Å resolution. The overall structure is highly similar to nuclear transport factor 2: It is a homodimer comprised of a β-sheet and three α-helices forming a cone-like shape. However, known binding sites for RanGDP and FxFG containing peptides show electrostatic and steric differences compared to nuclear transport factor 2. A HEPES molecule bound in the structure suggests a new, and possibly physiologically relevant, ligand binding site. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  9. Analysis of Metal-Binding Features of the Wild Type and Two Domain-Truncated Mutant Variants of Littorina littorea Metallothionein Reveals Its Cd-Specific Character

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Òscar Palacios

    2017-07-01

    Full Text Available After the resolution of the 3D structure of the Cd9-aggregate of the Littorina littorea metallothionein (MT, we report here a detailed analysis of the metal binding capabilities of the wild type MT, LlwtMT, and of two truncated mutants lacking either the N-terminal domain, Lltr2MT, or both the N-terminal domain, plus four extra flanking residues (SSVF, Lltr1MT. The recombinant synthesis and in vitro studies of these three proteins revealed that LlwtMT forms unique M9-LlwtMT complexes with Zn(II and Cd(II, while yielding a complex mixture of heteronuclear Zn,Cu-LlwtMT species with Cu(I. As expected, the truncated mutants gave rise to unique M6-LltrMT complexes and Zn,Cu-LltrMT mixtures of lower stoichiometry with respect to LlwtMT, with the SSVF fragment having an influence on their metal binding performance. Our results also revealed a major specificity, and therefore a better metal-coordinating performance of the three proteins for Cd(II than for Zn(II, although the analysis of the Zn(II/Cd(II displacement reaction clearly demonstrates a lack of any type of cooperativity in Cd(II binding. Contrarily, the analysis of their Cu(I binding abilities revealed that every LlMT domain is prone to build Cu4-aggregates, the whole MT working by modules analogously to, as previously described, certain fungal MTs, like those of C. neoformans and T. mesenterica. It is concluded that the Littorina littorea MT is a Cd-specific protein that (beyond its extended binding capacity through an additional Cd-binding domain confers to Littorina littorea a particular adaptive advantage in its changeable marine habitat.

  10. Concurrent gradients of ribbon volume and AMPA-receptor patch volume in cochlear afferent synapses on gerbil inner hair cells.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Zhang, Lichun; Engler, Sina; Koepcke, Lena; Steenken, Friederike; Köppl, Christine

    2018-07-01

    The Mongolian gerbil is a classic animal model for age-related hearing loss. As a prerequisite for studying age-related changes, we characterized cochlear afferent synaptic morphology in young adult gerbils, using immunolabeling and quantitative analysis of confocal microscopic images. Cochlear wholemounts were triple-labeled with a hair-cell marker, a marker of presynaptic ribbons, and a marker of postsynaptic AMPA-type glutamate receptors. Seven cochlear positions covering an equivalent frequency range from 0.5 - 32 kHz were evaluated. The spatial positions of synapses were determined in a coordinate system with reference to their individual inner hair cell. Synapse numbers confirmed previous reports for gerbils (on average, 20-22 afferents per inner hair cell). The volumes of presynaptic ribbons and postsynaptic glutamate receptor patches were positively correlated: larger ribbons associated with larger receptor patches and smaller ribbons with smaller patches. Furthermore, the volumes of both presynaptic ribbons and postsynaptic receptor patches co-varied along the modiolar-pillar and the longitudinal axes of their hair cell. The gradients in ribbon volume are consistent with previous findings in cat, guinea pig, mouse and rat and further support a role in differentiating the physiological properties of type I afferents. However, the positive correlation between the volumes of pre- and postsynaptic elements in the gerbil is different to the opposing gradients found in the mouse, suggesting species-specific differences in the postsynaptic AMPA receptors that are unrelated to the fundamental classes of type I afferents. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  11. Induction of ebolavirus cross-species immunity using retrovirus-like particles bearing the Ebola virus glycoprotein lacking the mucin-like domain.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Ou, Wu; Delisle, Josie; Jacques, Jerome; Shih, Joanna; Price, Graeme; Kuhn, Jens H; Wang, Vivian; Verthelyi, Daniela; Kaplan, Gerardo; Wilson, Carolyn A

    2012-01-25

    The genus Ebolavirus includes five distinct viruses. Four of these viruses cause hemorrhagic fever in humans. Currently there are no licensed vaccines for any of them; however, several vaccines are under development. Ebola virus envelope glycoprotein (GP1,2) is highly immunogenic, but antibodies frequently arise against its least conserved mucin-like domain (MLD). We hypothesized that immunization with MLD-deleted GP1,2 (GPΔMLD) would induce cross-species immunity by making more conserved regions accessible to the immune system. To test this hypothesis, mice were immunized with retrovirus-like particles (retroVLPs) bearing Ebola virus GPΔMLD, DNA plasmids (plasmo-retroVLP) that can produce such retroVLPs in vivo, or plasmo-retroVLP followed by retroVLPs. Cross-species neutralizing antibody and GP1,2-specific cellular immune responses were successfully induced. Our findings suggest that GPΔMLD presented through retroVLPs may provide a strategy for development of a vaccine against multiple ebolaviruses. Similar vaccination strategies may be adopted for other viruses whose envelope proteins contain highly variable regions that may mask more conserved domains from the immune system.

  12. Fiscal 1976 Sunshine Project result report. R and D on photovoltaic power generation system (R and D on Si ribbon crystal vertical pulling method); 1976 nendo taiyoko hatsuden system no kenkyu kaihatsu seika hokokusho. Silicon tatehiki ribbon kessho no kenkyu kaihatsu

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    NONE

    1977-03-31

    This report describes the fiscal 1976 research result on Si ribbon crystal vertical pulling method for photovoltaic power generation systems. The equipment for simultaneous growth of 3 ribbon crystals was designed and prepared in consideration of capillary die arrangement, vertical pulling method and control method of temperature profiles on the die surface. The temperature profiles on the die surface were controlled by subheaters for 3 parts of each capillary die which were divided longitudinally. Ribbon crystals grew up to 5mm simultaneously through both end dies. By cooling a part of crystal, fast pulling is probably possible. Study was made on the correlation between various crystal defects of Si ribbon crystals and cell characteristics, and in particular, basic characteristics of SiC deposited particles by SEM observation to reduce their impacts. Possibility of simultaneous vertical pulling of crystals was verified by using a capillary carbon die for multi-pulling. Although crystals grew by eutectic reaction under saturated dissolution of carbon, crystals with no transition were obtained. An SiC-coated die was excellent rather than carbon one. (NEDO)

  13. Crystal Structure of Glucagon-like Peptide-1 in Complex with the Extracellular Domain of the Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor*

    Science.gov (United States)

    Underwood, Christina Rye; Garibay, Patrick; Knudsen, Lotte Bjerre; Hastrup, Sven; Peters, Günther H.; Rudolph, Rainer; Reedtz-Runge, Steffen

    2010-01-01

    GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) is an incretin released from intestinal L-cells in response to food intake. Activation of the GLP-1 receptor potentiates the synthesis and release of insulin from pancreatic β-cells in a glucose-dependent manner. The GLP-1 receptor belongs to class B of the G-protein-coupled receptors, a subfamily characterized by a large N-terminal extracellular ligand binding domain. Exendin-4 and GLP-1 are 50% identical, and exendin-4 is a full agonist with similar affinity and potency for the GLP-1 receptor. We recently solved the crystal structure of the GLP-1 receptor extracellular domain in complex with the competitive antagonist exendin-4(9–39). Interestingly, the isolated extracellular domain binds exendin-4 with much higher affinity than the endogenous agonist GLP-1. Here, we have solved the crystal structure of the extracellular domain in complex with GLP-1 to 2.1 Åresolution. The structure shows that important hydrophobic ligand-receptor interactions are conserved in agonist- and antagonist-bound forms of the extracellular domain, but certain residues in the ligand-binding site adopt a GLP-1-specific conformation. GLP-1 is a kinked but continuous α-helix from Thr13 to Val33 when bound to the extracellular domain. We supplemented the crystal structure with site-directed mutagenesis to link the structural information of the isolated extracellular domain with the binding properties of the full-length receptor. The data support the existence of differences in the binding modes of GLP-1 and exendin-4 on the full-length GLP-1 receptor. PMID:19861722

  14. Oxidation behaviour of ribbon shape carbon fibers and their composites

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Manocha, L.M.; Warrier, Ashish; Manocha, S.; Edie, D.D.; Ogale, A.A.

    2006-01-01

    Carbon fibers, though important constituent as reinforcements for high performance carbon/carbon composites, are shadowed by their oxidation in air at temperatures beginning 450 deg. C. Owing to tailorable properties of carbon fibers, efforts are underway to explore structural modification possibilities to improve the oxidation resistance of the fibers and their composites. The pitch based ribbon shape carbon fibers are found to have highly preferential oriented graphitic structure resulting in high mechanical properties and thermal conductivity. In the present work oxidation behaviour of ribbon shape carbon fibers and their composites heat treated to 1000-2700 deg. C has been studied. SEM examination of these composites exhibits development of graphitic texture and ordering within the fibers with increase in heat treatment temperature. Oxidation studies made by thermogravimetric analysis in air show that matrix has faster rate of oxidation and in the initial stages the matrix gets oxidized at faster rate with slower rate of oxidation of the fibers depending on processing conditions of fibers and composites

  15. Plasma immersion ion implantation of boron for ribbon silicon solar cells

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Derbouz K.

    2013-09-01

    Full Text Available In this work, we report for the first time on the solar cell fabrication on n-type silicon RST (for Ribbon on Sacrificial Template using plasma immersion ion implantation. The experiments were also carried out on FZ silicon as a reference. Boron was implanted at energies from 10 to 15 kV and doses from 1015 to 1016 cm-2, then activated by a thermal annealing in a conventional furnace at 900 and 950 °C for 30 min. The n+ region acting as a back surface field was achieved by phosphorus spin-coating. The frontside boron emitter was passivated either by applying a 10 nm deposited SiOX plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD or with a 10 nm grown thermal oxide. The anti-reflection coating layer formed a 60 nm thick SiNX layer. We show that energies less than 15 kV and doses around 5 × 1015 cm-2 are appropriate to achieve open circuit voltage higher than 590 mV and efficiency around 16.7% on FZ-Si. The photovoltaic performances on ribbon silicon are so far limited by the bulk quality of the material and by the quality of the junction through the presence of silicon carbide precipitates at the surface. Nevertheless, we demonstrate that plasma immersion ion implantation is very promising for solar cell fabrication on ultrathin silicon wafers such as ribbons.

  16. Magneto-Impedance behavior of Co-Fe-Nb-Si-B-based ribbons

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Sarkar, Partha; Mohanta, O.; Pal, S.K.; Panda, A.K. [National Metallurgical Laboratory, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Jamshedpur 831007 (India); Mitra, A., E-mail: amitra@nmlindia.or [National Metallurgical Laboratory, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Jamshedpur 831007 (India)

    2010-04-15

    The giant magneto-impedance of melt spun Co{sub x}Fe{sub 72-x}Nb{sub 4}Si{sub 4}B{sub 20}(x=10, 20, 36, 50) amorphous and nanostructured ribbons have been investigated. Alloys have been optimized at the driving current amplitude, frequency and found that amorphous ribbon of nominal composition of Co{sub 36}Fe{sub 36}Nb{sub 4}Si{sub 4}B{sub 20} shown maximum GMI ratio of 13%. The behaviour of the driving current amplitude on the GMI behaviour was studied and the sample was optimized for driving current amplitude, I{sub ac}=10 mA. The frequency dependence of the GMI behaviour was studied for the ribbon sample Co{sub 36}Fe{sub 36}Nb{sub 4}Si{sub 4}B{sub 20} at frequency in the range of 100 kHz-1.2 MHz of the optimized driving current amplitude and it was found that the sample showed the maximum GMI behaviour at f=700 kHz. The optimized samples were Joule heated at the current density J=0-35 A/m{sup 2} for a period of 1 min. The GMI ratio initially increased then progressively deteriorated with J, but after a certain range it shows up to 16% of improvement in the magneto-impedance value due the increase of nanocrystalline volume fraction. The asymmetry in the GMI profile was observed for the sample Joule heated at J=1-5 A/m{sup 2} for 1 min.

  17. Spectroscopic characterization and docking studies of ZnO nanoparticle modified with BSA

    Science.gov (United States)

    Ledesma, Ana E.; Chemes, Doly María; Frías, María de los Angeles; Guauque Torres, Maria del Pilar

    2017-08-01

    Nanoparticles (NP) into a biological environment are an interesting topic for diagnosis and therapy in applications for medicine or environment and the knowledge about this interaction is important from the perspective of safe use of nanomaterials. In the current study, we characterized the type of interaction and the orientation of bovine serum albumin (BSA) adsorbed on ZnO nanoparticle surfaces as a function of size, using molecular docking. To probe experimentally different theoretical hypothesis about the interaction, ZnO-NPs were prepared in aqueous solution, and then were bioconjugated with BSA. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Raman spectroscopy confirm the spherical shape of NP and the irreversible adsorption of BSA on NP surface. Raman and Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) reveal that BSA interaction with ZnO nanoparticle produced a conformational rearrangement into protein, observing changes in Tyr and Trp environment, a minor percentage of α-helix structure and a more extended chain. The fluorescence analysis demonstrated that when BSA concentration higher than 30 μM is used the signal due to the self-oligomerization of protein overlaps with the ZnO nanoparticle emission. The results predicted that the most probable interaction site is near to domain IB and IIA and ionic interactions are the major responsible for the binding. Thermal stability studies reveals that the denaturalization temperature of BSA increase from 57 °C to 65 °C in presence of ZnO NP and their esterase-like activity was improved.

  18. DMPD: Critical role of toll-like receptors and nucleotide oligomerisation domain inthe regulation of health and disease. [Dynamic Macrophage Pathway CSML Database

    Lifescience Database Archive (English)

    Full Text Available and nucleotide oligomerisation domain inthe regulation of health and disease. Pu...bmedID 17535871 Title Critical role of toll-like receptors and nucleotide oligomerisation domain inthe regulation of health...17535871 Critical role of toll-like receptors and nucleotide oligomerisation domain inthe regulation of heal...th and disease. Mitchell JA, Paul-Clark MJ, Clarke GW, McMaster SK, Cartwright N. J

  19. Manifold-splitting regularization, self-linking, twisting, writhing numbers of space-time ribbons

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Tze, C.H.

    1988-01-01

    The authors present an alternative formulation of Polyakov's regularization of Gauss' integral formula for a single closed Feynman path. A key element in his proof of the D = 3 fermi-bose transmutations induced by topological gauge fields, this regularization is linked here with the existence and properties of a nontrivial topological invariant for a closed space ribbon. This self-linking coefficient, an integer, is the sum of two differential characteristics of the ribbon, its twisting and writhing numbers. These invariants form the basis for a physical interpretation of our regularization. Their connection to Polyakov's spinorization is discussed. The authors further generalize their construction to the self-linking, twisting and writhing of higher dimensional d = eta(odd) submanifolds in D = (2eta + 1) space-time

  20. Protein sorting by lipid phase-like domains supports emergent signaling function in B lymphocyte plasma membranes.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Stone, Matthew B; Shelby, Sarah A; Núñez, Marcos F; Wisser, Kathleen; Veatch, Sarah L

    2017-02-01

    Diverse cellular signaling events, including B cell receptor (BCR) activation, are hypothesized to be facilitated by domains enriched in specific plasma membrane lipids and proteins that resemble liquid-ordered phase-separated domains in model membranes. This concept remains controversial and lacks direct experimental support in intact cells. Here, we visualize ordered and disordered domains in mouse B lymphoma cell membranes using super-resolution fluorescence localization microscopy, demonstrate that clustered BCR resides within ordered phase-like domains capable of sorting key regulators of BCR activation, and present a minimal, predictive model where clustering receptors leads to their collective activation by stabilizing an extended ordered domain. These results provide evidence for the role of membrane domains in BCR signaling and a plausible mechanism of BCR activation via receptor clustering that could be generalized to other signaling pathways. Overall, these studies demonstrate that lipid mediated forces can bias biochemical networks in ways that broadly impact signal transduction.

  1. Thermally stimulated properties in ZnSe:Tb and ZnSe:(Mn, Tb) phosphors

    Science.gov (United States)

    Mishra, A. K.; Mishra, S. K.; Pandey, S. P.; Lakshmi Mishra, Kshama

    2018-02-01

    Thermoluminescence studies were performed of ZnSe:Tb and ZnSe:(Mn, Tb) phosphors. A method of preparation for ZnSe phosphors doped with Tb and (Mn, Tb) has been discussed. The thermoluminescence (TL) properties of these phosphors have been studied from 100 to 370 K temperature after exciting by UV radiation (365 nm) at three uniform heating rates 0.4, 0.6 and 0.9 K/s. The trapping parameters like trap depth, lifetime of electrons and capture cross-section have also been determined using various methods.

  2. Effect of wheel speed and annealing temperature on microstructure and texture evolution of Ni{sub 45}Mn{sub 36.6}In{sub 13.4}Co{sub 5} ribbon

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Feng, Yan, E-mail: yanfeng@nwpu.edu.cn [State Key Laboratory of Solidification Processing Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi' an, Shaanxi 710072 (China); Chen, Hong [State Key Laboratory of Solidification Processing Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi' an, Shaanxi 710072 (China); Gao, Li [College of Engineering Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306 (China); Wang, Haibo [College of Physics and Electronic Engineering, Taizhou University, Taizhou, Zhejiang 318000 (China); Bian, Xiaohai; Gong, Mingjie [State Key Laboratory of Solidification Processing Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi' an, Shaanxi 710072 (China)

    2016-12-15

    Ni{sub 45}Mn{sub 36.6}In{sub 13.4}Co{sub 5} magnetic shape memory alloy was successfully produced as preferentially textured ribbon by melting spinning with different wheel speed. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and electron back scatter diffraction (EBSD) were used to study structure and texture evolution of these melt-spun ribbons. The thickness of melt-spun ribbon is 42 μm, 65 μm and 30 μm depending on wheel speed of 1 0 m/s, 15 m/s and 20 m/s, respectively. Density of α fiber texture (〈100〉//ND) vary with wheel speed changes, and is most intensive in the ribbon with wheel speed of 15 m/s. Grains of the ribbons grow after being annealed at 873 K, 973 K, 1073 K and 1173 K, recrystallization was not observed in ribbons after being annealed at 873 K but occurred in ribbons after being annealed at higher temperatures. The α fiber texture becomes weaker to some extent after annealing at different temperatures, due to new recrystallization texture formed at the process of annealing. - Highlights: •Sectional part of shape memory ribbon is firstly investigated by EBSD method. •Thickness and texture of ribbons vary with wheel speed. •Annealing temperature affect texture and microstructure evolution greatly. •Recrystallization textures were observed in ribbons after being annealed.

  3. High-Efficiency Photochemical Water Splitting of CdZnS/CdZnSe Nanostructures

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Chen-I Wang

    2013-01-01

    Full Text Available We have prepared and employed TiO2/CdZnS/CdZnSe electrodes for photochemical water splitting. The TiO2/CdZnS/CdZnSe electrodes consisting of sheet-like CdZnS/CdZnSe nanostructures (8–10 μm in length and 5–8 nm in width were prepared through chemical bath deposition on TiO2 substrates. The TiO2/CdZnS/CdZnSe electrodes have light absorption over the wavelength 400–700 nm and a band gap of 1.87 eV. Upon one sun illumination of 100 mW cm−2, the TiO2/CdZnS/CdZnSe electrodes provide a significant photocurrent density of 9.7 mA cm−2 at −0.9 V versus a saturated calomel electrode (SCE. Incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency (IPCE spectrum of the electrodes displays a maximum IPCE value of 80% at 500 nm. Moreover, the TiO2/CdZnS/CdZnSe electrodes prepared from three different batches provide a remarkable photon-to-hydrogen efficiency of 7.3 ± 0.1% (the rate of the photocatalytically produced H2 by water splitting is about 172.8 mmol·h−1·g−1, which is the most efficient quantum-dots-based photocatalysts used in solar water splitting.

  4. A novel form of the membrane protein CD147 that contains an extra Ig-like domain and interacts homophilically

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Brown Marion H

    2003-11-01

    Full Text Available Abstract Background CD147 is a broadly distributed integral membrane glycoprotein with two Ig-like domains implicated in a wide range of functions. It is associated at the cell surface with the monocarboxylate transporters MCT1 and 4 but interactions of the extracellular region have not been characterised. Results We report the characterisation of a form of CD147 with an additional membrane-distal Ig-like domain. In contrast to the two domain form, this three domain form of CD147 interacts homophilically. Surface plasmon resonance analysis using recombinant proteins showed that the interaction was of low affinity (KD ~ 40 μM and this is typical of many interactions between membrane proteins. cDNA for the 3 domain form are rare but have been identified in human and mouse retina. Conclusion The finding that the three domain form of CD147 has an extracellular ligand, that is it interacts homophilically, suggests this interaction may be important in aligning lactate transporters in the retina where lactate is an important metabolite.

  5. In situ Zn/ZnO mapping elucidating for "shape change" of zinc electrode

    Science.gov (United States)

    Nakata, Akiyoshi; Arai, Hajime; Murayama, Haruno; Fukuda, Katsutoshi; Yamane, Tomokazu; Hirai, Toshiro; Uchimoto, Yoshiharu; Yamaki, Jun-ichi; Ogumi, Zempachi

    2018-04-01

    For the use of the zinc anode in secondary batteries, it is necessary to solve the "shape change" deterioration issue in that zinc species agglomerate in the center of the electrode to fade the available capacity. The local chemical compositions of the zinc electrodes during "shape change" were precisely analyzed using the synchrotron X-ray diffraction mapping analysis of practical zinc-nickel cells in a non-destructive manner. The in situ Zn/ZnO mapping shows that metallic Zn deposition chiefly occurs in the periphery of ZnO while ZnO are left in the center of electrode like a hill on charging. On discharging, the ZnO hill grows to the perpendicular direction on the electrode while metallic zinc is oxidized and dissolved. These findings allow us to propose a mechanism for the shape change; thus dissolved zincate species are decomposed on the ZnO hill during discharging to be accumulated in the center of the electrode. It is suggested that suppressing zincate dissolution and non-uniform zinc deposition slow the growth rate of the ZnO hill to enhance the cyclability of zinc-based secondary batteries.

  6. The tip of the iceberg: RNA-binding proteins with prion-like domains in neurodegenerative disease

    Science.gov (United States)

    King, Oliver D.; Gitler, Aaron D.; Shorter, James

    2012-01-01

    Prions are self-templating protein conformers that are naturally transmitted between individuals and promote phenotypic change. In yeast, prion-encoded phenotypes can be beneficial, neutral or deleterious depending upon genetic background and environmental conditions. A distinctive and portable ‘prion domain’ enriched in asparagine, glutamine, tyrosine and glycine residues unifies the majority of yeast prion proteins. Deletion of this domain precludes prionogenesis and appending this domain to reporter proteins can confer prionogenicity. An algorithm designed to detect prion domains has successfully identified 19 domains that can confer prion behavior. Scouring the human genome with this algorithm enriches a select group of RNA-binding proteins harboring a canonical RNA recognition motif (RRM) and a putative prion domain. Indeed, of 210 human RRM-bearing proteins, 29 have a putative prion domain, and 12 of these are in the top 60 prion candidates in the entire genome. Startlingly, these RNA-binding prion candidates are inexorably emerging, one by one, in the pathology and genetics of devastating neurodegenerative disorders, including: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), frontotemporal lobar degeneration with ubiquitin-positive inclusions (FTLD-U), Alzheimer’s disease and Huntington’s disease. For example, FUS and TDP-43, which rank 1st and 10th among RRM-bearing prion candidates, form cytoplasmic inclusions in the degenerating motor neurons of ALS patients and mutations in TDP-43 and FUS cause familial ALS. Recently, perturbed RNA-binding proteostasis of TAF15, which is the 2nd ranked RRM-bearing prion candidate, has been connected with ALS and FTLD-U. We strongly suspect that we have now merely reached the tip of the iceberg. We predict that additional RNA-binding prion candidates identified by our algorithm will soon surface as genetic modifiers or causes of diverse neurodegenerative conditions. Indeed, simple prion-like transfer mechanisms involving the

  7. Effect of calcium ions on structure and stability of the C1q-like domain of otolin-1 from human and zebrafish.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Hołubowicz, Rafał; Wojtas, Magdalena; Taube, Michał; Kozak, Maciej; Ożyhar, Andrzej; Dobryszycki, Piotr

    2017-12-01

    Otolin-1 is a collagen-like protein expressed in the inner ear of vertebrates. It provides an organic scaffold for otoliths in fish and otoconia in land vertebrates. In this study, the expression and purification procedure of C1q-like domain of otolin-1 from human and zebrafish was developed. The structure and stability of the proteins were investigated. The results of sedimentation velocity analytical ultracentrifugation and small-angle X-ray scattering indicated that the C1q-like domain of otolin-1 forms stable trimers in solution in the presence of calcium ions. It was also observed that calcium ions influenced the secondary structure of the proteins. C1q-like domains were stabilized by the calcium ions. The human variant was especially affected by the calcium ions. The results indicate the importance of the C1q-like domain for the assembly of the organic matrix of otoliths and otoconia. © 2017 Federation of European Biochemical Societies.

  8. Microstructure, biocorrosion and cytotoxicity evaluations of rapid solidified Mg-3Ca alloy ribbons as a biodegradable material

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Gu, X N; Zhou, W R; Zheng, Y F [State Key Laboratory for Turbulence and Complex System and Department of Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871 (China); Li, X L [Center for Biomedical Materials and Engineering, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001 (China); Cheng, Y, E-mail: yfzheng@pku.edu.c [Center for Biomedical Materials and Tissue Engineering, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing 100871 (China)

    2010-06-01

    Rapidly solidified (RS) Mg-3Ca alloy ribbons were prepared by the melt-spinning technique at different wheel rotating speeds (15 m s{sup -1}, 30 m s{sup -1} and 45 m s{sup -1}) with the as-cast Mg-3Ca alloy ingot as a raw material. The RS45 Mg-3Ca alloy ribbon showed a much more fine grain size feature (approximately 200-500 nm) in comparison to the coarse grain size (50-100 {mu}m) of the original as-cast Mg-3Ca alloy ingot. The corrosion electrochemical tests in simulated body fluid indicated that the corrosion rate of the as-cast Mg-3Ca alloy was strongly reduced by the RS procedure and tended to be further decreased with increasing wheel rotating speeds (1.43 mm yr{sup -1} for RS15, 0.94 mm yr{sup -1} for RS30 and 0.36 mm yr{sup -1} for RS45). The RS Mg-3Ca alloy ribbons showed more uniform corrosion morphology compared with the as-cast Mg-3Ca alloy after polarization. The cytotoxicity evaluation revealed that the three experimental as-spun Mg-3Ca alloy ribbon extracts did not induce toxicity to the L-929 cells, whereas the as-cast Mg-3Ca alloy ingot extract did. The L-929 cells showed more improved adhesion on the surfaces of the three as-spun Mg-3Ca alloy ribbons than that of the as-cast Mg-3Ca alloy ingot.

  9. Expression analysis of the Toll-like receptor and TIR domain adaptor families of zebrafish.

    NARCIS (Netherlands)

    Meijer, A.H.; Krens, SF Gabby; Rodriguez, IA Medina; He, S; Bitter, W.; Snaar-Jagalska, B Ewa; Spaink, H.P.

    2004-01-01

    The zebrafish genomic sequence database was analysed for the presence of genes encoding members of the Toll-like receptors (TLR) and interleukin receptors (IL-R) and associated adaptor proteins containing a TIR domain. The resulting predictions show the presence of one or more counterparts for the

  10. SPECTROSCOPIC OBSERVATIONS OF AN EVOLVING FLARE RIBBON SUBSTRUCTURE SUGGESTING ORIGIN IN CURRENT SHEET WAVES

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Brannon, S. R.; Longcope, D. W.; Qiu, J. [Department of Physics, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717 (United States)

    2015-09-01

    We present imaging and spectroscopic observations from the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph of the evolution of the flare ribbon in the SOL2014-04-18T13:03 M-class flare event, at high spatial resolution and time cadence. These observations reveal small-scale substructure within the ribbon, which manifests as coherent quasi-periodic oscillations in both position and Doppler velocities. We consider various alternative explanations for these oscillations, including modulation of chromospheric evaporation flows. Among these, we find the best support for some form of wave localized to the coronal current sheet, such as a tearing mode or Kelvin–Helmholtz instability.

  11. Crystal structures of the human G3BP1 NTF2-like domain visualize FxFG Nup Repeat Specificity

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Vognsen, Tina Reinholdt; Möller, Ingvar Rúnar; Kristensen, Ole

    2013-01-01

    Ras GTPase Activating Protein SH3 Domain Binding Protein (G3BP) is a potential anti-cancer drug target implicated in several cellular functions. We have used protein crystallography to solve crystal structures of the human G3BP1 NTF2-like domain both alone and in complex with an FxFG Nup repeat...... peptide. Despite high structural similarity, the FxFG binding site is located between two alpha helices in the G3BP1 NTF2-like domain and not at the dimer interface as observed for nuclear transport factor 2. ITC studies showed specificity towards the FxFG motif but not FG and GLFG motifs. The unliganded...

  12. Roles for the coat protein telokin-like domain and the scaffolding protein amino-terminus

    Science.gov (United States)

    Suhanovsky, Margaret M.; Teschke, Carolyn M.

    2011-01-01

    Assembly of icosahedral capsids of proper size and symmetry is not understood. Residue F170 in bacteriophage P22 coat protein is critical for conformational switching during assembly. Substitutions at this site cause assembly of tubes of hexamerically arranged coat protein. Intragenic suppressors of the ts phenotype of F170A and F170K coat protein mutants were isolated. Suppressors were repeatedly found in the coat protein telokin-like domain at position 285, which caused coat protein to assemble into petite procapsids and capsids. Petite capsid assembly strongly correlated to the side chain volume of the substituted amino acid. We hypothesize that larger side chains at position 285 torque the telokin-like domain, changing flexibility of the subunit and intercapsomer contacts. Thus, a single amino acid substitution in coat protein is sufficient to change capsid size. In addition, the products of assembly of the variant coat proteins were affected by the size of the internal scaffolding protein. PMID:21784500

  13. Partially and fully de-alloyed glassy ribbons based on Au: Application in methanol electro-oxidation studies

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Paschalidou, Eirini Maria, E-mail: epaschal@unito.it [Dipartimento di Chimica e Centro Interdipartimentale NIS (Nanostructured Surfaces and Interfaces), Università di Torino, Via Pietro Giuria 7, 10125, Torino (Italy); Scaglione, Federico [Dipartimento di Chimica e Centro Interdipartimentale NIS (Nanostructured Surfaces and Interfaces), Università di Torino, Via Pietro Giuria 7, 10125, Torino (Italy); Gebert, Annett; Oswald, Steffen [Leibniz Institut für Festkörper- und Werkstoffforschung IFW, Helmholtzstraße 20, 01069, Dresden (Germany); Rizzi, Paola; Battezzati, Livio [Dipartimento di Chimica e Centro Interdipartimentale NIS (Nanostructured Surfaces and Interfaces), Università di Torino, Via Pietro Giuria 7, 10125, Torino (Italy)

    2016-05-15

    In this work, electrochemical de-alloying of an amorphous alloy, Au{sub 40}Cu{sub 28}Ag{sub 7}Pd{sub 5}Si{sub 20}, cast in ribbon form by melt spinning, has been performed, obtaining self standing nanoporous materials suitable for use as electrodes for electrocatalytic applications. The de-alloying encompasses removal of less noble elements and the crystallization of Au, resulting in interconnected ligaments whose size and morphology are described as a function of time. Depending on de-alloying time, the crystals may contain residual amounts of Cu, Ag and Pd, as shown by Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) and Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) in a basic solution. Current density peaks in the 0.16–0.28 V range (vs Ag/AgCl) indicate that the porous ribbons are active for the electro-oxidation of methanol. The partially de-alloyed samples, which still partially contain the amorphous phase because of the shorter etching times, have finer ligaments and display peaks at lower potential. However, the current density decreases rapidly during repeated potential scans. This is attributed to the obstruction of Au sites, mainly by the Cu oxides formed during the scans. The fully de-alloyed ribbons display current peaks at about 0.20 V and remain active for hundreds of scans at more than 60% of the initial current density. They can be fully re-activated to achieve the same performance levels after a brief immersion in nitric acid. The good activity is due to trapped Ag and Pd atoms in combination with ligament morphology. - Graphical abstract: Fine ligaments and pores made by de-alloying a glassy ribbon of a Au-based alloy, homogeneously produced across the thickness (25 μm) for studying methanol's electro-oxidation behavior. - Highlights: • Size and composition of nanoporous layers tailored in de-alloying Au-based glassy ribbons. • From amorphous precursor fine crystals occur in ligaments with residual Pd and Ag. • Fully de

  14. Flare Ribbon Expansion and Energy Release Ayumi Asai , Takaaki ...

    Indian Academy of Sciences (India)

    2001-04-10

    1Nobeyama Solar Radio Observatory, Minamisaku, Nagano, 384-1305, Japan. ... X2.3 solar flare which occurred on April 10, 2001. .... In the right panel of. Fig. 3, we show the temporal variation of the physical parameters, such as Bp, vf , ˙ , and S along a slit line. Here, we defined vf as the speed of the flare-ribbon ...

  15. Improved magnetoimpedance and mechanical properties on nanocrystallization of amorphous Fe68.5Si18.5Cu1Nb3B9 ribbons

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Sahoo, Trilochan; Majumdar, B.; Srinivas, V.; Srinivas, M.; Nath, T.K.; Agarwal, G.

    2013-01-01

    The effect of heat-treatment temperature on evolution of microstructures, mechanical and soft magnetic properties and magnetoimpedance (MI) effect in rapidly solidified Fe 68.5 Si 18.5 Cu 1 Nb 3 B 9 ribbons, has been investigated. The as-quenched ribbons were subjected to heat-treatment at different temperatures between 400 and 600 °C for 1 h under high vacuum. Detailed structural studies on the ribbons heat-treated at and above 525 °C revealed the presence of nanocrystalline Fe 3 Si phases embedded in a residual amorphous matrix. The ribbon heat-treated at 550 °C temperature exhibits maximum ductility, maximum relative permeability of 4.8×10 4 , minimum coercivity of 0.1 Oe, and maximum MI value of 62%. The enhanced MI effect is believed to be related to the magnetic softening of 550 °C heat-treated ribbons. However, the magnetic properties and MI effect deteriorated in the samples heat-treated above 550 °C due to the coarsening of grain sizes. The soft magnetic behavior of the nanocrystalline ribbons are discussed in the light of random anisotropy model, whereas the MI effect is discussed through standard skin effect in electrodynamics. - Highlights: • Microstructure was tuned by controlled crystallization to obtain superior magnetic properties. • Improved MI in the heat-treated ribbons is attributed to the superior electromagnetic properties. • Correlation between MI and magnetic properties of nc-Fe 68.5 Si 18.5 Cu 1 Nb 3 B 9 is established. • All the observed features are consistent with the proposed random anisotropy model

  16. THE SURFACE STRUCTURAL AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF THE AMORPHOUS CO22Y54AL24 RIBBON

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Anna Bukowska

    2013-09-01

    Full Text Available The aim of this study was to manufacture amorphous Co22Y54Al24 alloy in a form of thin ribbons and to investigate their properties. The investigated ribbons were prepared by rapid solidification of molten metal on a rotating copper cylinder (melt-spinning. In order to obtain the material with amorphous structure, the cooling rate of the liquid alloy should vary in a range from 104 to 106 K/s. The microstructure studies were performed using X-ray diffractometery. The mechanical properties were investigated by metallographic studies, micro-hardness and tribological resistance tests moreover the surface roughness profile were analyzed. All studies were performed for two sides of tapes, since the differences in ribbons surface, related with manufacturing process, are clearly visible. The surface from the bottom (drum side was glossy and from the top side it was shiny.

  17. Microstructure, mechanical and functional properties of NiTi-based shape memory ribbons

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Mehrabi, K.; Bruncko, M.; Kneissl, A.C.

    2012-01-01

    Highlights: ► Melt-spun samples exhibited martensite structure and shape memory effects immediately after processing at room temperature. ► Using a new etchant and interference contrast, it is possible to reveal the fine microstructures and grain boundaries. ► The martensite structure in NiTi is very fine, and nano-sized twin boundaries could be revealed using TEM only. ► Two-way effects have been successfully introduced by different thermomechanical training methods in NiTi, NiTiCu and NiTiW alloys, which can be used for several applications, e.g. microsensors and microactuators. - Abstract: The present work has been aimed to study the microstructures, functional properties and the influence of different thermomechanical training methods on the two-way shape memory effect in NiTi-based melt-spun ribbons. In order to get small-dimensioned shape memory alloys (SMAs) with good functional and mechanical properties, a rapid solidification technique was employed. Their fracture and elasticity characteristics have been determined, as well as shape memory properties by thermomechanical cycling. The ribbons were trained under tensile and bending deformation by thermal cycling through the phase transformation temperature range. The results displayed that all different training methods were effective in developing a two-way shape memory effect (TWSME). The influence of copper (5–25 at.% Cu) and tungsten (2 at.% W) on the microstructure, and the functional and mechanical behavior of NiTi thin ribbons was also investigated. All samples show a shape memory effect immediately after processing without further heat treatment. The melt-spun ribbons were trained under constant strain (bending and tensile deformation) by thermal cycling through the phase transformation temperature range. The addition of copper was effective to narrow the transformation hysteresis. The W addition has improved the TWSME stability of the NiTi alloys and mechanical properties. Results about

  18. Biological responses of brushite-forming Zn- and ZnSr- substituted beta-tricalcium phosphate bone cements

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    S Pina

    2010-09-01

    Full Text Available The core aim of this study was to investigate zinc (Zn- and zinc and strontium (ZnSr-containing brushite-forming beta-tricalcium phosphate (TCP cements for their effects on proliferation and differentiation of osteoblastic-like cells (MC3T3-E1 cell line as well as for their in vivo behaviour in trabecular bone cylindrical defects in a pilot study. In vitro proliferation and maturation responses of MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic-like cells to bone cements were studied at the cellular and molecular levels. The Zn- and Sr-containing brushite cements were found to stimulate pre-osteoblastic proliferation and osteoblastic maturation. Indeed, MC3T3-E1 cells exposed to the powdered cements had increased proliferative rates and higher adhesiveness capacity, in comparison to control cells. Furthermore, they exhibited higher alkaline phosphatase (ALP activity and increased Type-I collagen secretion and fibre deposition into the extracellular matrix. Proliferative and collagen deposition properties were more evident for cells grown in cements doped with Sr. The in vivo osteoconductive propertiesof the ZnCPC and ZnSrCPC cements were also pursued. Histological and histomorphometric analyses were performed at 1 and 2 months after implantation, using carbonated apatite cement (Norian SRS® as control. There was no evidence of cement-induced adverse foreign body reactions, and furthermore ZnCPC and ZnSrCPC cements revealed better in vivo performance in comparison to the control apatite cement. Additionally, the presence of both zinc and strontium resulted in the highest rate of new bone formation. These novel results indicate that the investigated ZnCPC and ZnSrCPC cements are both biocompatible and osteoconductive, being good candidate materials to use as bone substitutes.

  19. Domains and domain loss

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Haberland, Hartmut

    2005-01-01

    politicians and in the media, especially in the discussion whether some languages undergo ‘domain loss’ vis-à-vis powerful international languages like English. An objection that has been raised here is that domains, as originally conceived, are parameters of language choice and not properties of languages...

  20. Effect of Eu{sup 3+} on the structure, morphology and optical properties of flower-like ZnO synthesized using chemical bath deposition

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Koao, L.F. [Department of Physics, University of the Free State (Qwaqwa Campus), Private Bag X13, Phuthaditjhaba ZA9866 (South Africa); Dejene, F.B., E-mail: dejenebf@qwa.ufs.ac.za [Department of Physics, University of the Free State (Qwaqwa Campus), Private Bag X13, Phuthaditjhaba ZA9866 (South Africa); Kroon, R.E. [Department of Physics, University of the Free State, P.O. Box 339, Bloemfontein ZA 9300 (South Africa); Swart, H.C., E-mail: swarthc@ufs.ac.za [Department of Physics, University of the Free State, P.O. Box 339, Bloemfontein ZA 9300 (South Africa)

    2014-03-15

    The chemical bath deposition (CBD) method was used to synthesize ZnO undoped and Eu{sup 3+}-doped nanostructures. The Eu{sup 3+} concentration was varied from 0.2 to 5 mol%. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectra of the undoped and low concentration Eu{sup 3+} doped ZnO nanostructures correspond to the various planes of a single hexagonal ZnO phase. The estimated crystalline grain size was calculated using the XRD spectra and was found to be in the order of 47±5 nm and independent on the Eu{sup 3+} ion concentration up to 4 mol%. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs, however, indicate that the addition of Eu{sup 3+} influences the morphology of the samples. In the UV–vis study the highest band gap energy was obtained for the undoped ZnO. The effective band gap energy of the ZnO decayed exponentially with the addition of Eu{sup 3+} up to 4 mol% where impurity phases started to appear. Although weak luminescence was observed for excitation above the bandgap at 300 nm the best results were obtained by exciting the Eu{sup 3+} directly through the {sup 7}F{sub 0}→{sup 5}L{sub 6} absorption band at 395 nm. Excitation at a wavelength of 395 nm produced the highest Eu{sup 3+} luminescence intensity without any noticeable ZnO defect emissions. The maximum luminescence intensity for this excitation was obtained for ZnO:3 mol% Eu{sup 3+} ions and luminescent quenching was observed for higher Eu concentrations. -- Highlights: • CBD was used to synthesize ZnO undoped and Eu{sup 3+}-doped nanostructures. • The powders having particles with flower-like morphology with good optical properties. • Weak luminescence for excitation above the bandgap at 300 nm. • Excitation at 395 nm produced the highest pure Eu{sup 3+} luminescence.

  1. Comparison of mechanical behavior between bulk and ribbon Cu-based metallic glasses

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Jiang, W.H.; Liu, F.X.; Wang, Y.D.; Zhang, H.F.; Choo, H.; Liaw, P.K.

    2006-01-01

    As-cast bulk and as-spun ribbon Cu 60 Zr 30 Ti 10 metallic glasses were characterized using differential-scanning calorimetry and instrumented nanoindentation. Two alloys show a significant difference in the amount of free volume, which is attributed to the difference in a cooling rate, while exhibiting a similar serrated plastic flow. Atomic-force-microscopy observations demonstrate the pile-ups containing shear bands around the indents in both alloys. The as-cast bulk alloy has higher hardness and elastic modulus than the as-spun ribbon alloy. The difference in the strengths of two alloys may be related to the different amount of free volume. The strength seems to be more sensitive to a cooling rate during solidification than the plastic-flow behavior in the Cu 60 Zr 30 Ti 10

  2. The discovery of 9/8-ribbons, β/γ-peptides with curved shapes governed by a combined configuration-conformation code.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Grison, Claire M; Robin, Sylvie; Aitken, David J

    2015-11-21

    The de novo design of a β/γ-peptidic foldamer motif has led to the discovery of an unprecedented 9/8-ribbon featuring an uninterrupted alternating C9/C8 hydrogen-bonding network. The ribbons adopt partially curved topologies determined synchronistically by the β-residue configuration and the γ-residue conformation sets.

  3. Effects of Zr on microstructure and mechanical properties of Al-Cu base ribbons spun by planar flow casting

    Science.gov (United States)

    Lee, S. M.; Hong, C. P.

    1998-04-01

    The effects of the Zr addition on the solidification behavior and mechanical properties of the AI-Cu alloy ribbon have been investigated. Zr addition reduced the average grain size of the ribbon at the wheel-side surface, and promoted the microstructural transition into cellular/dendritic structure. Another noteworthy effect of Zr was the homogenization of the microstructure. The addition of Zr up to 0.5 wt.% in the /U-4.3 wt.% Cu ribbon resulted in a considerable increase in hardness at both the wheel-side and the air-side surfaces. The yield strength increased with the addition of Zr due to the grain refincment and more homogeneous distribution of ZrAI, particles. despite no noticeable improvement of the ductility.

  4. Induction of ebolavirus cross-species immunity using retrovirus-like particles bearing the Ebola virus glycoprotein lacking the mucin-like domain

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Ou Wu

    2012-01-01

    Full Text Available Abstract Background The genus Ebolavirus includes five distinct viruses. Four of these viruses cause hemorrhagic fever in humans. Currently there are no licensed vaccines for any of them; however, several vaccines are under development. Ebola virus envelope glycoprotein (GP1,2 is highly immunogenic, but antibodies frequently arise against its least conserved mucin-like domain (MLD. We hypothesized that immunization with MLD-deleted GP1,2 (GPΔMLD would induce cross-species immunity by making more conserved regions accessible to the immune system. Methods To test this hypothesis, mice were immunized with retrovirus-like particles (retroVLPs bearing Ebola virus GPΔMLD, DNA plasmids (plasmo-retroVLP that can produce such retroVLPs in vivo, or plasmo-retroVLP followed by retroVLPs. Results Cross-species neutralizing antibody and GP1,2-specific cellular immune responses were successfully induced. Conclusion Our findings suggest that GPΔMLD presented through retroVLPs may provide a strategy for development of a vaccine against multiple ebolaviruses. Similar vaccination strategies may be adopted for other viruses whose envelope proteins contain highly variable regions that may mask more conserved domains from the immune system.

  5. Interaction of Zn(II) with hematite nanoparticles and microparticles: Part 2. ATR-FTIR and EXAFS study of the aqueous Zn(II)/oxalate/hematite ternary system.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Ha, Juyoung; Trainor, Thomas P; Farges, François; Brown, Gordon E

    2009-05-19

    Sorption of Zn(II) to hematite nanoparticles (HN) (av diam=10.5 nm) and microparticles (HM) (av diam=550 nm) was studied in the presence of oxalate anions (Ox2-(aq)) in aqueous solutions as a function of total Zn(II)(aq) to total Ox2-(aq) concentration ratio (R=[Zn(II)(aq)]tot/[Ox2-(aq)]tot) at pH 5.5. Zn(II) uptake is similar in extent for both the Zn(II)/Ox/HN and Zn(II)/Ox/HM ternary systems and the Zn(II)/HN binary system at [Zn(II)(aq)](tot)system than for the Zn(II)/Ox/HM ternary and the Zn(II)/HN and Zn(II)/HM binary systems at [Zn(II)(aq)]tot>4 mM. In contrast, Zn(II) uptake for the Zn(II)/HM binary system is a factor of 2 greater than that for the Zn(II)/Ox/HM and Zn(II)/Ox/HN ternary systems and the Zn(II)/HN binary system at [Zn(II)(aq)]totternary system at both R values examined (0.16 and 0.68), attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) results are consistent with the presence of inner-sphere oxalate complexes and outer-sphere ZnOx(aq) complexes, and/or type A ternary complexes. In addition, extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopic results suggest that type A ternary surface complexes (i.e., >O2-Zn-Ox) are present. In the Zn(II)/Ox/HN ternary system at R=0.15, ATR-FTIR results indicate the presence of inner-sphere oxalate and outer-sphere ZnOx(aq) complexes; the EXAFS results provide no evidence for inner-sphere Zn(II) complexes or type A ternary complexes. In contrast, ATR-FTIR results for the Zn/Ox/HN sample with R = 0.68 are consistent with a ZnOx(s)-like surface precipitate and possibly type B ternary surface complexes (i.e., >O2-Ox-Zn). EXAFS results are also consistent with the presence of ZnOx(s)-like precipitates. We ascribe the observed increase of Zn(II)(aq) uptake in the Zn(II)/Ox/HN ternary system at [Zn(II)(aq)]tot>or=4 mM relative to the Zn(II)/Ox/HM ternary system to formation of a ZnOx(s)-like precipitate at the hematite nanoparticle/water interface.

  6. One-pot synthesis of stable water soluble Mn:ZnSe/ZnS core/shell quantum dots

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Zhang Hao; Gao Xue; Liu Siyu; Su Xingguang, E-mail: suxg@jlu.edu.cn [College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Department of Analytical Chemistry (China)

    2013-06-15

    In this paper, Mn:ZnSe/ZnS core/shell-doped quantum dots (d-dots) with 3-mercaptopropionic acid as the stabilizer are successfully synthesized through a simple one-pot synthesis procedure in aqueous solution. The average diameter of Mn:ZnSe/ZnS core/shell d-dots is about 2.9 nm, which is lager than that of Mn:ZnSe cores (about 1.9 nm). The optical features and structure of the obtained Mn:ZnSe/ZnS core/shell quantum dots have been characterized by UV-Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The photostability against UV irradiation and chemical stability against H{sub 2}O{sub 2} etching have been studied, and the results showed that the prepared Mn:ZnSe/ZnS core/shell d-dots are more stable than CdTe quantum dots prepared in aqueous solution. Finally, the resulting core/shell quantum dots are used as fluorescent label in human osteoblast-like HepG2 cell imaging.

  7. Laser based thermo-conductometry as an approach to determine ribbon solid fraction off-line and in-line.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Wiedey, Raphael; Šibanc, Rok; Kleinebudde, Peter

    2018-06-06

    Ribbon solid fraction is one of the most important quality attributes during roll compaction/dry granulation. Accurate and precise determination is challenging and no in-line measurement tool has been generally accepted, yet. In this study, a new analytical tool with potential off-line as well as in-line applicability is described. It is based on the thermo-conductivity of the compacted material, which is known to depend on the solid fraction. A laser diode was used to punctually heat the ribbon and the heat propagation monitored by infrared thermography. After performing a Gaussian fit of the transverse ribbon profile, the scale parameter σ showed correlation to ribbon solid fraction in off-line as well as in-line studies. Accurate predictions of the solid fraction were possible for a relevant range of process settings. Drug stability was not affected, as could be demonstrated for the model drug nifedipine. The application of this technique was limited when using certain fillers and working at higher roll speeds. This study showed the potentials of this new technique and is a starting point for additional work that has to be done to overcome these challenges. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  8. Expression, refolding and crystallizations of the Grb2-like (GADS) C-terminal SH3 domain complexed with a SLP-76 motif peptide

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Faravelli, Alessandro; Dimasi, Nazzareno

    2005-01-01

    Several crystals of the Grb2-like C-terminal SH3 domain in complex with a motif peptide from the SLP-76 protein were obtained and characterized. The Grb2-like adaptor protein GADS is composed of an N-terminal SH3 domain, an SH2 domain, a proline-rich region and a C-terminal SH3 domain. GADS interacts through its C-terminal SH3 domain with the adaptor protein SLP-76, thus recruiting this protein and other associated molecules to the linker for activation of T-cell (LAT) protein. The DNA encoding the C-terminal SH3 domain of GADS (GADS-cSH3) was assembled synthetically using a recursive PCR technique and the protein was overexpressed in Escherichia coli, refolded and purified. Several crystals of this domain in complex with the SLP-76 peptide were obtained and characterized

  9. Structure and properties of ZnSxSe1-x thin films deposited by thermal evaporation of ZnS and ZnSe powder mixtures

    Science.gov (United States)

    Valeev, R. G.; Romanov, E. A.; Vorobiev, V. L.; Mukhgalin, V. V.; Kriventsov, V. V.; Chukavin, A. I.; Robouch, B. V.

    2015-02-01

    Interest to ZnSxSe1-x alloys is due to their band-gap tunability varying S and Se content. Films of ZnSxSe1-x were grown evaporating ZnS and ZnSe powder mixtures onto SiO2, NaCl, Si and ITO substrates using an original low-cost method. X-ray diffraction patterns and Raman spectroscopy, show that the lattice structure of these films is cubic ZnSe-like, as S atoms replace Se and film compositions have their initial S/Se ratio. Optical absorption spectra show that band gap values increase from 2.25 to 3 eV as x increases, in agreement with the literature. Because S atomic radii are smaller than Se, EXAFS spectra confirm that bond distances and Se coordination numbers decrease as the Se content decreases. The strong deviation from linearity of ZnSe coordination numbers in the ZnSxSe1-x indicate that within this ordered crystal structure strong site occupation preferences occur in the distribution of Se and S ions. The behavior is quantitatively confirmed by the strong deviation from the random Bernoulli distribution of the three sight occupation preference coefficients of the strained tetrahedron model. Actually, the ternary ZnSxSe1-x system is a bi-binary (ZnS+ZnSe) alloy with evanescent formation of ternary configurations throughout the x-range.

  10. Glassy formation ability, magnetic properties and magnetocaloric effect in Al27Cu18Er55 amorphous ribbon

    Science.gov (United States)

    Li, Lingwei; Xu, Chi; Yuan, Ye; Zhou, Shengqiang

    2018-05-01

    In this work, we have fabricated the Al27Cu18Er55 amorphous ribbon with good glassy formation ability by melt-spinning technology. A broad paramagnetic (PM) to ferromagnetic (FM) transition (second ordered) together with a large reversible magnetocaloric effect (MCE) in Al27Cu18Er55 amorphous ribbon was observed around the Curie temperature TC ∼ 11 K. Under the magnetic field change (ΔH of 0-7 T, the values of MCE parameter of the maximum magnetic entropy change (-ΔSMmax) and refrigerant capacity (RC) for Al27Cu18Er55 amorphous ribbon reach 21.4 J/kg K and 599 J/kg, respectively. The outstanding glass forming ability as well as the excellent magneto-caloric properties indicate that Al27Cu18Er55 amorphous could be a good candidate for low temperature magnetic refrigeration.

  11. Purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction of the G3BP1 NTF2-like domain

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Vognsen, Tina; Möller, Ingvar Rúnar; Kristensen, Ole

    2011-01-01

    The nuclear transport factor 2-like (NTF2-like) domain of human G3BP1 was subcloned, overexpressed in Escherichia coli and purified. Crystals were obtained using the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion method. Diffraction data were collected to 3.6 Å resolution using synchrotron radiation. The crystals...

  12. Studies on nonvolatile resistance memory switching in ZnO thin films

    Indian Academy of Sciences (India)

    Six decades of research on ZnO has recently sprouted a new branch in the domain of resistive random access memories. Highly resistive and c-axis oriented ZnO thin films were grown by us using d.c. discharge assisted pulsed laser deposition on Pt/Ti/SiO2/Si substrates at room temperature. The resistive switching ...

  13. Random anisotropy studies in amorphous Co-Tb ribbons

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Hassanain, N.; Berrada, A.; Lassri, H.; Krishnan, R.

    1995-01-01

    Amorphous Co 1-x Tb x ribbons with x=0.45, 0.55 and 0.65 have been prepared by melt spinning technique. Magnetization measurements were carried out at 4.2 K, under magnetic fields up to 150 kOe. The Co moment is found to be very small and the Tb moment is 7.15μ B at 4.2 K, which indicates a speromagnetic spin structure. Using Chudnovsky's theory we have extracted some fundamental magnetic parameters. ((orig.))

  14. Random anisotropy studies in amorphous CoTb ribbons

    Science.gov (United States)

    Hassanain, N.; Berrada, A.; Lassri, H.; Krishnan, R.

    1995-02-01

    Amorphous Co 1- xTb x ribbons with x = 0.45, 0.55 and 0.65 have been prepared by melt spinning technique. Magnetization measurements were carried out at 4.2 K, under magnetic fields up to 150 kOe. The Co moment is found to be very small and the Tb moment is 7.15 μB at 4.2 K, which indicates a speromagnetic spin structure. Using Chudnovsky's theory we have extracted some fundamental magnetic parameters.

  15. Structure and catalytic regulatory function of ubiquitin specific protease 11 N-terminal and ubiquitin-like domains.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Harper, Stephen; Gratton, Hayley E; Cornaciu, Irina; Oberer, Monika; Scott, David J; Emsley, Jonas; Dreveny, Ingrid

    2014-05-13

    The ubiquitin specific protease 11 (USP11) is implicated in DNA repair, viral RNA replication, and TGFβ signaling. We report the first characterization of the USP11 domain architecture and its role in regulating the enzymatic activity. USP11 consists of an N-terminal "domain present in USPs" (DUSP) and "ubiquitin-like" (UBL) domain, together referred to as DU domains, and the catalytic domain harboring a second UBL domain. Crystal structures of the DU domains show a tandem arrangement with a shortened β-hairpin at the two-domain interface and altered surface characteristics compared to the homologues USP4 and USP15. A conserved VEVY motif is a signature feature at the two-domain interface that shapes a potential protein interaction site. Small angle X-ray scattering and gel filtration experiments are consistent with the USP11DU domains and full-length USP11 being monomeric. Unexpectedly, we reveal, through kinetic assays of a series of deletion mutants, that the catalytic activity of USP11 is not regulated through intramolecular autoinhibition or activation by the N-terminal DU or UBL domains. Moreover, ubiquitin chain cleavage assays with all eight linkages reveal a preference for Lys(63)-, Lys(6)-, Lys(33)-, and Lys(11)-linked chains over Lys(27)-, Lys(29)-, and Lys(48)-linked and linear chains consistent with USP11's function in DNA repair pathways that is mediated by the protease domain. Our data support a model whereby USP11 domains outside the catalytic core domain serve as protein interaction or trafficking modules rather than a direct regulatory function of the proteolytic activity. This highlights the diversity of USPs in substrate recognition and regulation of ubiquitin deconjugation.

  16. Effect of polar and non-polar surfaces of ZnO nanostructures on photocatalytic properties

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Yang Jinghai; Wang Jian; Li Xiuyan; Lang Jihui; Liu Fuzhu; Yang Lili; Zhai Hongju; Gao Ming; Zhao Xiaoting

    2012-01-01

    Highlights: ► Large-scale arrayed ZnO nanocrystals including ZnO hexagonal platforms and hamburger-like samples have been successfully fabricated by a simple hydrothermal method. ► ZnO with hexagonal platform-like morphology exhibited higher photocatalytic activity compared with that of the hamburger-like ZnO nanostructures. ► The theories of expose surfaces and oxygen vacancies were utilized to explain the photocatalytic mechanism. - Abstract: Large-scale arrayed ZnO nanocrystals with two different expose surfaces, including ZnO hexagonal nanoplatforms with the major expose plane of (0 0 0 1) and hamburger-like samples with the nonpolar planes of {101 ¯ 0} mainly exposed, were successfully fabricated by a simple hydrothermal method. Mechanisms for compare the photocatalytic activity of two typical ZnO nanostructures were systematic explained as the key point in the paper. Compared with the hamburger-like ZnO nanostructures, the ZnO with hexagonal platform-like morphology exhibited improved ability on the photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) in aqueous solution under UV radiation. The relative higher photocatalytic activity of the ZnO hexagonal nanoplatforms was attributed to the exposed polar surfaces and the content of oxygen vacancy on the nanostructures surface. The Zn-terminated (0 0 0 1) polar face and the surface defects are facile to adsorb O 2− and OH − ions, resulting in a greater production rate of O 2 · − and OH· − , hence promoting the photocatalysis reaction.

  17. Influence of divalent metal on the decomposition products of hydrotalcite-like ternary systems M{sup II}-Al-Cr (M{sup II} = Zn, Cd)

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Perez, M.R.; Crespo, I.; Ulibarri, M.A.; Barriga, C. [Departamento de Quimica Inorganica e Ingenieria Quimica, Campus de Rabanales, Universidad de Cordoba, Cordoba (Spain); Rives, V. [GIR-QUESCAT, Departamento de Quimica Inorganica, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca (Spain); Fernandez, J.M., E-mail: um1feroj@uco.es [Departamento de Quimica Inorganica e Ingenieria Quimica, Campus de Rabanales, Universidad de Cordoba, Cordoba (Spain)

    2012-02-15

    Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer LDHs M{sup II}-Al-Cr (M = Zn, Cd) with Cr in the layer or interlayer have been prepared. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer LDHs Zn-Al or Zn-Cr decompose by heating forming ZnO and ZnAl{sub 2}O{sub 4} or ZnO and ZnCr{sub 2}O{sub 4}. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer LDHs Zn-Al-Cr give rise to the formation of ZnO and the mixed spinel ZnAl{sub 2-x}Cr{sub x}O{sub 4}. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer LDH Cd-Al-Cr shows the formation of CdO, CdCr{sub 2-x}Al{sub x}O{sub 4}, and (Al, Cr){sub 2}O{sub 3} mixed oxide. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Calcination of the CdAl-CrO{sub 4} give rise to (Al, Cr){sub 2}O{sub 3} as the majority phase. - Abstract: Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) containing M{sup II}, Al{sup III}, and Cr{sup III} in the brucite-like layers (M = Cd, Zn) with different starting Al/Cr molar ratios and nitrate/carbonate as the interlayer anion have been prepared following the coprecipitation method at a constant pH: Zn{sup II}-Al{sup III}-Cr{sup III}-CO{sub 3}{sup 2-} at pH = 10, and Cd{sup II}-Al{sup III}-Cr{sup III}-NO{sub 3}{sup -} at pH = 8. Two additional M{sup II},Al{sup III}-LDH samples (M = Cd, Zn) with chromate ions (CrO{sub 4}{sup 2-}) in the interlayer have been prepared by ionic exchange at pH = 9 and 8, respectively, starting from M{sup II}-Al{sup III}-NO{sub 3}{sup -}. The samples have been characterised by absorption atomic spectrometry, powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), FT-IR spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Their thermal stability has been assessed by DTA-TG and mass spectrometric analysis of the evolved gases. The PXRD patterns of the solids calcined at 800 Degree-Sign C show diffraction lines corresponding to ZnO and ZnAl{sub 2-x}Cr{sub x}O{sub 4} for the Zn-containing samples, and diffraction lines attributed to CdO and CdCr{sub 2}O{sub 4} and (Al,Cr){sub 2}O{sub 3} for the Cd-containing ones. Additionally a minority oxide, Cd{sub 2}CrO{sub 5}, is observed to Cd{sup II}-Al{sup III

  18. Control of the structural parameters in the (ZnZn16Ti single crystal growth

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    W. Wołczyński

    2011-10-01

    Full Text Available The (Zn - single crystal was obtained by means of the Bridgman system. Several growth rates were applied during the experiment. The graphite crucible was used in order to perform the solidification process. The unidirectional solidification occurred with the presence of the moving temperature field. The thermal gradient was positive so that the constrained growth of the single crystal was ensured. The (Zn single crystal was doped with small addition of titanium and copper. The titanium formed an intermetallic compound Zn16-Ti. The copper was solved in the solid solution (Zn. The precipitates of (Zn and Zn16-Ti formed a stripes localized cyclically along the single crystal length. The intermetallic compound Zn16-Ti strengthened the (Zn single crystal. The structural transitions were observed in the stripes with the increasing solidification rate. Within the first range of the solidification rates ( the irregular L-shape rod-like intermetalliccompoundwas revealed. At the- threshold growth rate branches disappear continuously till the growth rate equal to. At the same range of growth rates the regular lamellar eutectic structure (ZnZn16-Ti appeared continuously and it existed exclusively till the second threshold growth rate equal to. Above the second threshold growth rate the regular rod-like eutectic structure was formed, only. Thegeneral theory for the stationary eutectic solidification was developed. According to this theory the eutectic structure localized within the stripes is formed under stationary state. Therefore, the criterion of the minimum entropy production defines well the stationary solidification. The entropy production was calculated for the regular rod-like eutectic structure formation and for the regular lamellar eutectic structure formation. It was postulated that the observed structure are subjected to the competition. That is why the structural transitionwere observed at therevealedthreshold growth rates.Moreover, it was

  19. High temperature (900-1300 C) mechanical behaviour of dendritic web grown silicon ribbons - Strain rate and temperature dependence of the yield stress

    Science.gov (United States)

    Mathews, V. K.; Gross, T. S.

    1987-01-01

    The mechanical behavior of dendritic web Si ribbons close the melting point was studied experimentally. The goal of the study was to generate data for modeling the generation of stresses and dislocation structures during growth of dendritic web Si ribbons, thereby permitting modifications to the production process, i.e., the temperature profile, to lower production costs for the photovoltaic ribbons. A laser was used to cut specimens in the direction of growth of sample ribbons, which were then subjected to tensile tests at temperatures up to 1300 C in an Ar atmosphere. The tensile strengths of the samples increased when the temperature rose above 1200 C, a phenomena which was attributed to the diffusion of oxygen atoms to the quasi-dislocation sites. The migration to the potential dislocations sites effectively locked the dislocations.

  20. Research Advances in CKLFSF-like MARVEL Transmembrane Domain Containing Member 3.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Hu, Feng-zhan; Sheng, Zheng-zuo; Qin, Cai-peng; Xu, Tao

    2016-06-10

    CKLF-like MARVEL transmembrane domain containing member/chemokine-like factor super family member (CKLFSF/CMTM) is a novel tumor suppressor gene. CMTM3 is broadly expressed in normal human tissues and evolutionary conserved,especially in testis,spleen,and some cells of peripheral blood mononuclear cells. However,its expression is undetectable or down-regulated in most carcinoma cell lines and tissues. Restoration of CMTM3 may inhibit the proliferation,migration,and invasion of carcinoma cells. Although the exact mechanism of its anti-tumor activity remains unclear,CKLFSF3/CMTM3 is closely connected with immune system and associated with sex during tumorigenesis. The study advances of CKLFSF3/CMTM3 are elaborated in this review as CMTM3 may be a new target in the gene therapies for tumors,especially genitourinary tumors,while further studies on CMTM3 and its anti-tumor mechanisms are warranted.

  1. Hierarchical ZnO with twinned structure: Morphology evolution, formation mechanism and properties

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Shi, Ruixia; Song, Xueling; Li, Jia; Yang, Ping

    2015-01-01

    Various hierarchical ZnO architectures constructed by twinned structures have been synthesized via a trisodium citrate assisted hydrothermal method on a large scale. The probable formation mechanisms of hierarchical ZnO structures with twinned structure were proposed and discussed. The hierarchical ZnO with twinned structures are composed of two hemispheres with a center concave junction to join them together at their waists. The ZnO microspheres with rough surfaces were obtained when the concentration of trisodium citrate is 0.1 M. However, the football-like microspheres consisted of hexagonal nanosheets were formed when adding glycerol into the water, which should be attributed to the slower nucleation and growth rate of nanocrystals. The hamburger-like ZnO with different aspect ratio and nonuniform ZnO microspheres were generated due to the different quantity of initial nuclei and growth units when simply modulating the concentration of trisodium citrate. The surface area of football-like ZnO is about 3.51 times of microspheres composed of irregular particles. However their photocatalytic performances are similar under UV light irradiation, which indicates that pore sizes of the sample have more important influences on the photocatalytic activity. - Highlights: • Hierarchical ZnO constructed by twinned structures have been synthesized. • The formation mechanisms of ZnO with twinned structure were discussed. • Football-like microspheres were obtained due to the slower nucleation and growth. • Hamburger-like ZnO was formed due to the amount of initial nuclei and growth units. • Pore sizes have important effects on the photocatalytic activity of sample

  2. Hierarchical ZnO with twinned structure: Morphology evolution, formation mechanism and properties

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Shi, Ruixia; Song, Xueling; Li, Jia; Yang, Ping, E-mail: mse_yangp@ujn.edu.cn

    2015-04-15

    Various hierarchical ZnO architectures constructed by twinned structures have been synthesized via a trisodium citrate assisted hydrothermal method on a large scale. The probable formation mechanisms of hierarchical ZnO structures with twinned structure were proposed and discussed. The hierarchical ZnO with twinned structures are composed of two hemispheres with a center concave junction to join them together at their waists. The ZnO microspheres with rough surfaces were obtained when the concentration of trisodium citrate is 0.1 M. However, the football-like microspheres consisted of hexagonal nanosheets were formed when adding glycerol into the water, which should be attributed to the slower nucleation and growth rate of nanocrystals. The hamburger-like ZnO with different aspect ratio and nonuniform ZnO microspheres were generated due to the different quantity of initial nuclei and growth units when simply modulating the concentration of trisodium citrate. The surface area of football-like ZnO is about 3.51 times of microspheres composed of irregular particles. However their photocatalytic performances are similar under UV light irradiation, which indicates that pore sizes of the sample have more important influences on the photocatalytic activity. - Highlights: • Hierarchical ZnO constructed by twinned structures have been synthesized. • The formation mechanisms of ZnO with twinned structure were discussed. • Football-like microspheres were obtained due to the slower nucleation and growth. • Hamburger-like ZnO was formed due to the amount of initial nuclei and growth units. • Pore sizes have important effects on the photocatalytic activity of sample.

  3. Zn influence on the plasticity of Cdo{0.96}Zn{0.04}Te

    Science.gov (United States)

    Imhoff, D.; Zozime, A.; Triboulet, R.

    1991-11-01

    Compression tests were performed on CdTe and Cd{0.96}Zn{0.04}Te to elucidate the mechanism through which Zn inhibits dislocation formation and motion during CdTe crystal growth, thus leading to a decreasing of the dislocation density. Uniaxial deformation experiments performed with CdTe and CdZnTe at constant strain rate within a wide temperature range (0. 14;T_m le T le 0.87;T_m,;T_m = 1 365; K), have revealed a strong hardening effect of Zn within the whole temperature range. They also showed in CdZnTe a Portevin Le Chatelier effect between 770 K and 920 K confirmed by static strain aging experiments. Critical resolved shear stress (C.R.S.S.) values at T = 195; K and static strain aging results with CdZnTe point to size effect as the dominant interaction between Zn and dislocations. Thermal activation parameters were estimated in both materials. La déformation plastique a été utilisée comme approche des mécanismes par lesquels le zinc entrave le mouvement des dislocations au cours du processus de croissance cristalline de CdTe massif, réduisant ainsi la densité de dislocations. Les expériences de compression uniaxiale à vitesse constante, réalisées dans CdTe et CdZnTe entre 0,14 T_f et 0,87 T_f ont montré que le zinc est responsable d'un fort durcissement sur tout le domaine de températures étudié. Les expériences de déformation dans CdZnTe ont mis en évidence un phénomène du type Portevin Le Chatelier entre 770 K et 920 K, confirmé par des expériences de vieillissement statique. Les valeurs de scission critique tau_c à 195 K et les résultats des expériences de vieillissement statique dans CdZnTe sont compatibles avec un effet de taille dominant pour les interactions Zndislocations. Les paramètres d'activation thermique ont été estimés dans les deux matériaux.

  4. Surface plasmon enhanced absorption and suppressed transmission in periodic arrays of graphene ribbons

    Science.gov (United States)

    Nikitin, A. Yu.; Guinea, F.; Garcia-Vidal, F. J.; Martin-Moreno, L.

    2012-02-01

    Resonance diffraction in the periodic array of graphene microribbons is theoretically studied following a recent experiment [L. Ju , Nature Nanotech.1748-338710.1038/nnano.2011.146 6, 630 (2011)]. Systematic studies over a wide range of parameters are presented. It is shown that a much richer resonant picture would be observable for higher relaxation times of charge carriers: More resonances appear and transmission can be totally suppressed. The comparison with the absorption cross-section of a single ribbon shows that the resonant features of the periodic array are associated with leaky plasmonic modes. The longest-wavelength resonance provides the highest visibility of the transmission dip and has the strongest spectral shift and broadening with respect to the single-ribbon resonance, due to collective effects.

  5. Student Evaluation of the Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program in Midwest Schools

    Science.gov (United States)

    Flynn, Alexandra; Zackula, Rosalee; Klaus, Nicole M.; McGinness, Liz; Carr, Susan; Macaluso, Matthew

    2016-01-01

    Objective Yellow Ribbon is a gatekeeper-type suicide prevention program that is widely used in public schools. However, data on its effectiveness are limited. The purpose of our study was to evaluate self-reported changes in knowledge and comfort level communicating about suicide following Yellow Ribbon training for a large, representative sample of students from a public school system in the midwestern United States. Methods The program was administered to students within the same school district during 2006 through 2009. A pre-post survey using a 4-point Likert scale was administered to rate students’ knowledge of risk factors and available resources, comfort level communicating about suicide, estimate of friends at risk for suicide, and behavioral intent toward help-seeking. Results Aggregate responses from 3,257 students, aged 11 to 18 years, were collected by the schools; 51% were female, 33% were Hispanic, and 30% were white. Suicide-related knowledge of risk factors, where to go for help, and resources, along with comfort level in asking for help, all significantly improved following program participation (Cramer’s V = 0.243 to 0.376, P suicide prevention program appears to be beneficial for students in the midwestern United States. We observed significant improvement in knowledge, comfort level, and behavioral intent for help-seeking if suicidal thoughts occur. Findings also suggested that Yellow Ribbon training administered during middle school may be especially helpful for males. PMID:27733952

  6. Growth of Comb-like ZnO Nanostructures for Dye-sensitized Solar Cells Applications

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Umar Ahmad

    2009-01-01

    Full Text Available Abstract Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs were fabricated by using well-crystallized ZnO nanocombs directly grown onto the fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO via noncatalytic thermal evaporation process. The thin films of as-grown ZnO nanocombs were used as photoanode materials to fabricate the DSSCs, which exhibited an overall light to electricity conversion efficiency of 0.68% with a fill factor of 34%, short-circuit current of 3.14 mA/cm2, and open-circuit voltage of 0.671 V. To the best of our knowledge, this is first report in which thin film of ZnO nanocombs was used as photoanode materials to fabricate the DSSCs.

  7. Effect of reactant concentration on the structural properties of hydrothermally-grown ZnO rods on seed-layer ZnO / polyethylene terephthalate substrates

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Jeong, Y. I.; Shin, C. M.; Heo, J. H.; Ryu, H. [Inje University, Gimhae (Korea, Republic of); Lee, W. J. [Dong-Eui University, Busan (Korea, Republic of); Son, C. S. [Silla University, Busan (Korea, Republic of); Choi, H. [Pukyong National University, Busan (Korea, Republic of)

    2011-09-15

    The morphology and the structural properties were studied for zinc-oxide (ZnO) rods hydrothermally grown on seed-layer ZnO/polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrates at various reactant concentrations. Dissolved solutions with de-ionized water, zinc nitrate hexahydrate (Zn(NO{sub 3}){sub 2}{center_dot}6H{sub 2}O, ZNH) and hexamethylenetetramine (C{sub 6}H{sub 12}N{sub 4}, HMT) were employed as reactants for hydrothermal growth of ZnO. The transparency of the mixtures (ZNH+HMT) with increasing reactant concentration from 0.025 to 0.25 M changed from transparent to translucent to opaque (white colors) due to Zn(OH){sub 2} precipitates. When the concentration was increased, the density of the ZnO rods increased, and the morphology of the ZnO rods changed from a hexagonal flat-end shape to a sharp-end or flake-like structure. The sharp-end rods with increasing concentration from 0.1 to 0.15 M resulted from the etching process at a lower pH condition (less than pH 6) after the ZnO rod growth, and the flake-like structure was due to a high growth rate. The ZnO seed layer might have improved the alignment of ZnO rods and made a high density of ZnO rods. In addition, the structural properties were improved at lower concentrations by inserting a seed layer.

  8. Effect of morphology on the non-ohmic conduction in ZnO nanostructures

    Science.gov (United States)

    Praveen, E.; Jayakumar, K.

    2016-05-01

    Nanostructures of ZnO is synthesized with nanoflower like morphology by simple wet chemical method. The structural, morphological and electrical characterization have been carried out. The temperature dependent electrical characterization of ZnO pellets of thickness 1150 µm is made by the application of 925MPa pressure. The morphological dependence of non-ohmic conduction beyond some arbitrary tunneling potential and grain boundary barrier thickness is compared with the commercially available bulk ZnO. Our results show the suitability of nano-flower like ZnO for the devices like sensors, rectifiers etc.

  9. Flat-plate solar array project. Volume 3: Silicon sheet: Wafers and ribbons

    Science.gov (United States)

    Briglio, A.; Dumas, K.; Leipold, M.; Morrison, A.

    1986-01-01

    The primary objective of the Silicon Sheet Task of the Flat-Plate Solar Array (FSA) Project was the development of one or more low cost technologies for producing silicon sheet suitable for processing into cost-competitive solar cells. Silicon sheet refers to high purity crystalline silicon of size and thickness for fabrication into solar cells. Areas covered in the project were ingot growth and casting, wafering, ribbon growth, and other sheet technologies. The task made and fostered significant improvements in silicon sheet including processing of both ingot and ribbon technologies. An additional important outcome was the vastly improved understanding of the characteristics associated with high quality sheet, and the control of the parameters required for higher efficiency solar cells. Although significant sheet cost reductions were made, the technology advancements required to meet the task cost goals were not achieved.

  10. The effect of Cu{sup 2+} on structure, morphology and optical properties of flower-like ZnO synthesized using the chemical bath deposition method

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Koao, L.F., E-mail: koaolf@qwa.ufs.ac.za [Department of Physics, University of the Free State, Qwaqwa Campus, Private Bag X13, Phuthaditjhaba 9866 (South Africa); Dejene, B.F. [Department of Physics, University of the Free State, Qwaqwa Campus, Private Bag X13, Phuthaditjhaba 9866 (South Africa); Swart, H.C. [Department of Physics, University of the Free State, PO Box 339, Bloemfontein 9300 (South Africa)

    2014-04-15

    In this work undoped and Cu{sup 2+}-doped ZnO nanostructures were prepared by the chemical bath deposition (CBD) method at 80 °C. The structural, optical and luminescence properties of the undoped and Cu{sup 2+}-doped ZnO nanostructures were determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), UV–Visible Spectroscopy (UV) and Photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL) analyses. XRD analysis showed the sample prepared were hexagonal ZnO with grain sizes in the order of 46±1 nm. The estimated grain size was found not to dependent on the concentration of the Cu{sup 2+} ions used. The SEM analysis revealed that the shapes of the particles were flower-like and the addition of Cu{sup 2+} ions influenced the morphology of the samples. In the UV–Visible study the reflectance intensity decreased with an increase in the molar concentration of Cu{sup 2+} and there was no shift in the absorption edges. The PL analyses revealed that the highest luminescence intensity was obtained for the undoped ZnO. Thus Cu incorporated into the ZnO resulted in the change in its morphological, structural, and optical and luminescence properties.

  11. Magneto-resistive coefficient enhancement observed around Verwey-like transition on spinel ferrites XFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} (X = Mn, Zn)

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    López Maldonado, K. L., E-mail: liliana.lopez.maldonado@gmail.com; Vazquez Zubiate, L.; Elizalde Galindo, J. T. [Instituto de Ingeniería y Tecnología, Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez, Av. Del Charro 450 norte, 32310 Ciudad Juárez (Mexico); Presa, P. de la [Instituto de Magnetismo Aplicado (UCM-ADIF-CSIC), P.O. Box 155, 28230 Las Rozas (Spain); Departamento de Física de Materiales, Univ. Complutense de Madrid, Madrid (Spain); Matutes Aquino, J. A. [Centro de Investigación en Materiales Avanzados, Miguel de Cervantes 120, 31109 Chihuahua (Mexico)

    2014-05-07

    Manganese and Zinc ferrites were prepared by solid state reaction. The resulting powders were pressed into pellets and heat treated at 1100 °C. The samples were characterized by using X-ray diffraction, pure phases of zinc ferrite (ZnFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}) and manganese ferrite (MnFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}) were obtained. Scanning electron microscopy images showed a good contact between particles. A drop of electrical resistance was found in both samples, MnFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} and ZnFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}, with values going from 2750 to 130 Ω and from 1100 to 55 Ω, respectively. Transition temperatures were determined to be T{sub V} = 225 K for MnFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} and T{sub V} = 130 K for ZnFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}. Magnetoresistance measurements were carried out in the temperature range where R showed the transition, defined as the Verwey-like transition temperature range, ΔT{sub V}. No magnetoresistive effect was observed out of it. The magnetoresistive coefficient (MRC) observed at ΔT{sub V} reached its maximum values of 1.1% for MnFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} and 6.68% for ZnFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}. The differences between MRC values are related to the divalent metal element used. Finally, the magnetoresistive response indicates that the electrical transition observed is strongly influencing the magnetoresistance; where the underlying responsible for this behavior could be a charge reordering occurring at the Verwey-like transition temperature.

  12. ADAM disintegrin-like domain recognition by the lymphocyte integrins α4β1 and α4β7

    Science.gov (United States)

    Bridges, Lance C.; Sheppard, Dean; Bowditch, Ron D.

    2004-01-01

    The ADAM (a disintegrin and metalloprotease) family of proteins possess both proteolytic and adhesive domains. We have established previously that the disintegrin domain of ADAM28, an ADAM expressed by human lymphocytes, is recognized by the integrin α4β1. The present study characterizes the integrin binding properties of the disintegrin-like domains of human ADAM7, ADAM28 and ADAM33 with the integrins α4β1, α4β7 and α9β1. Cell-adhesion assays demonstrated that, similar to ADAM28, the ADAM7 disintegrin domain supported α4β1-dependent Jurkat cell adhesion, whereas the ADAM33 disintegrin domain did not. The lymphocyte integrin α4β7 was also found to recognize both disintegrin domains of ADAM7 and ADAM28, but not of ADAM33. This is the first demonstration that mammalian disintegrins are capable of interacting with α4β7. All three disintegrin domains supported α9β1-dependent cell adhesion. Recognition by both α4β1 and α4β7 of ADAM7 and ADAM28 was activation-dependent, requiring either the presence of Mn2+ or an activating monoclonal antibody for cell attachment. Charge-to-alanine mutagenesis experiments revealed that the same residues within an individual ADAM disintegrin domain function in recognizing multiple integrins. However, the residues within a specific region of each ADAM disintegrin-like domain required for integrin binding were distinct. These results establish that ADAM7 and ADAM28 are recognized by the leucocyte integrins α4β1, α4β7 and α9β1. ADAM33 exclusively supported only α9β1-dependent adhesion. PMID:15504110

  13. Cholesterol trafficking and raft-like membrane domain composition mediate scavenger receptor class B type 1-dependent lipid sensing in intestinal epithelial cells.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Morel, Etienne; Ghezzal, Sara; Lucchi, Géraldine; Truntzer, Caroline; Pais de Barros, Jean-Paul; Simon-Plas, Françoise; Demignot, Sylvie; Mineo, Chieko; Shaul, Philip W; Leturque, Armelle; Rousset, Monique; Carrière, Véronique

    2018-02-01

    Scavenger receptor Class B type 1 (SR-B1) is a lipid transporter and sensor. In intestinal epithelial cells, SR-B1-dependent lipid sensing is associated with SR-B1 recruitment in raft-like/ detergent-resistant membrane domains and interaction of its C-terminal transmembrane domain with plasma membrane cholesterol. To clarify the initiating events occurring during lipid sensing by SR-B1, we analyzed cholesterol trafficking and raft-like domain composition in intestinal epithelial cells expressing wild-type SR-B1 or the mutated form SR-B1-Q445A, defective in membrane cholesterol binding and signal initiation. These features of SR-B1 were found to influence both apical cholesterol efflux and intracellular cholesterol trafficking from plasma membrane to lipid droplets, and the lipid composition of raft-like domains. Lipidomic analysis revealed likely participation of d18:0/16:0 sphingomyelin and 16:0/0:0 lysophosphatidylethanolamine in lipid sensing by SR-B1. Proteomic analysis identified proteins, whose abundance changed in raft-like domains during lipid sensing, and these included molecules linked to lipid raft dynamics and signal transduction. These findings provide new insights into the role of SR-B1 in cellular cholesterol homeostasis and suggest molecular links between SR-B1-dependent lipid sensing and cell cholesterol and lipid droplet dynamics. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  14. Structure and Dynamics of the tRNA-like Structure Domain of Brome Mosaic Virus

    Science.gov (United States)

    Vieweger, Mario; Nesbitt, David

    2014-03-01

    Conformational switching is widely accepted as regulatory mechanism in gene expression in bacterial systems. More recently, similar regulation mechanisms are emerging for viral systems. One of the most abundant and best studied systems is the tRNA-like structure domain that is found in a number of plant viruses across eight genera. In this work, the folding dynamics of the tRNA-like structure domain of Brome Mosaic Virus are investigated using single-molecule Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer techniques. In particular, Burst fluorescence is applied to observe metal-ion induced folding in freely diffusing RNA constructs resembling the 3'-terminal 169nt of BMV RNA3. Histograms of EFRET probabilities reveal a complex equilibrium of three distinct populations. A step-wise kinetic model for TLS folding is developed in accord with the evolution of conformational populations and structural information in the literature. In this mechanism, formation of functional TLS domains from unfolded RNAs requires two consecutive steps; 1) hybridization of a long-range stem interaction followed by 2) formation of a 3' pseudoknot. This three-state equilibrium is well described by step-wise dissociation constants K1(328(30) μM) and K2(1092(183) μM) for [Mg2+] and K1(74(6) mM) and K2(243(52) mM) for [Na+]-induced folding. The kinetic model is validated by oligo competition with the STEM interaction. Implications of this conformational folding mechanism are discussed in regards to regulation of virus replication.

  15. Domains I and IV of annexin A2 affect the formation and integrity of in vitro capillary-like networks.

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Aase M Raddum

    Full Text Available Annexin A2 (AnxA2 is a widely expressed multifunctional protein found in different cellular compartments. In spite of lacking a hydrophobic signal peptide, AnxA2 is found at the cell surface of endothelial cells, indicative of a role in angiogenesis. Increased extracellular levels of AnxA2 in tumours correlate with neoangiogenesis, metastasis and poor prognosis. We hypothesised that extracellular AnxA2 may contribute to angiogenesis by affecting endothelial cell-cell interactions and motility. To address this question, we studied the effect of heterotetrameric and monomeric forms of AnxA2, as well as its two soluble domains on the formation and maintenance of capillary-like structures by using an in vitro co-culture system consisting of endothelial and smooth muscle cells. In particular, addition of purified domains I and IV of AnxA2 potently inhibited the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-dependent formation of the capillary-like networks in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, these AnxA2 domains disrupted endothelial cell-cell contacts in preformed capillary-like networks, resulting in the internalisation of vascular endothelial (VE-cadherin and the formation of VE-cadherin-containing filopodia-like structures between the endothelial cells, suggesting increased cell motility. Addition of monoclonal AnxA2 antibodies, in particular against Tyr23 phosphorylated AnxA2, also strongly inhibited network formation in the co-culture system. These results suggest that extracellular AnxA2, most likely in its Tyr phosphorylated form, plays a pivotal role in angiogenesis. The exogenously added AnxA2 domains most likely mediate their effects by competing with endogenous AnxA2 for extracellular factors necessary for the initiation and maintenance of angiogenesis, such as those involved in the formation/integrity of cell-cell contacts.

  16. The ZnO p-n homojunctions modulated by ZnMgO barriers

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Yang, Jing-Jing; Fang, Qing-Qing; Wang, Dan-Dan; Du, Wen-Han

    2015-01-01

    In this paper, we fabricated the ultrathin ZnO p-n homojunctions, which modulated by ZnMgO asymmetrical double barriers (ADB). The ADB p-n homojunctions displays step-like curve in the absorption spectrums, this is the first time that quantum confinement effect has been observed in the absorption spectrums at room temperature (RT). The Hall-effect data confirm there is 2-dimensional electron gas in the interface of the ZnMgO ADB p-n junctions. The quantum confinement effect enhances the hall-mobility μ to 10 3 cm 2 V −1 s −1 based on the polarity of the films. There was no rectification property in the ZnO homojunctions with thickness of 250nm, however, when the ADB was added in the n-type layer of the homojunctions, it displays a typical Zener diode rectification property in the I-V curve

  17. Sequence-specific 1H NMR assignments, secondary structure, and location of the calcium binding site in the first epidermal growth factor like domain of blood coagulation factor IX

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Huang, L.H.; Cheng, H.; Sweeney, W.V.; Pardi, A.; Tam, J.P.

    1991-01-01

    Factor IX is a blood clotting protein that contains three regions, including a γ-carboxyglutamic acid (Gla) domain, two tandemly connected epidermal growth factor like (EGF-like) domains, and a serine protease region. The protein exhibits a high-affinity calcium binding site in the first EGF0like domain, in addition to calcium binding in the Gla domain. The first EGF-like domain, factor IX (45-87), has been synthesized. Sequence-specific resonance assignment of the peptide has been made by using 2D NMR techniques, and its secondary structure has been determined. The protein is found to have two antiparallel β-sheets, and preliminary distance geometry calculations indicate that the protein has two domains, separated by Trp 28 , with the overall structure being similar to that of EGF. An NMR investigation of the calcium-bound first EGF-like domain indicates the presence and location of a calcium binding site involving residues on both strands of one of the β-sheets as well as the N-terminal region of the peptide. These results suggest that calcium binding in the first EGF-like domain could induce long-range (possibly interdomain) conformational changes in factor IX, rather than causing structural alterations in the EGF-like domain itself

  18. Development of variable-width ribbon heating elements for liquid-metal and gas-cooled fast breeder reactor fuel-pin simulators

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    McCulloch, R.W.; Post, D.W.; Lovell, R.T.; Snyder, S.D.

    1981-04-01

    Variable-width ribbon heating elements that provide a chopped-cosine variable heat flux profile have been fabricated for fuel pin simulators used in test loops by the Breeder Reactor Program Thermal-Hydraulic Out-of-Reactor Safety test facility and the Gas-Cooled Fast Breeder Reactor-Core Flow Test Loop. Thermal, mechanical, and electrical design considerations are used to derive an analytical expression that precisely describes ribbon contour in terms of the major fabrication parameters. These parameters are used to generate numerical control tapes that control ribbon cutting and winding machines. Infrared scanning techniques are developed to determine the optimum transient thermal profile of the coils and relate this profile to that generated by the coils in completed fuel pin simulators

  19. The role of ion exchange in the passivation of In(Zn)P nanocrystals with ZnS

    Science.gov (United States)

    Cho, Deok-Yong; Xi, Lifei; Boothroyd, Chris; Kardynal, Beata; Lam, Yeng Ming

    2016-03-01

    We have investigated the chemical state of In(Zn)P/ZnS core/shell nanocrystals (NCs) for color conversion applications using hard X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and photoluminescence excitation (PLE). Analyses of the edge energies as well as the X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) reveal that the Zn2+ ions from ZnS remain in the shell while the S2- ions penetrate into the core at an early stage of the ZnS deposition. It is further demonstrated that for short growth times, the ZnS shell coverage on the core was incomplete, whereas the coverage improved gradually as the shell deposition time increased. Together with evidence from PLE spectra, where there is a strong indication of the presence of P vacancies, this suggests that the core-shell interface in the In(Zn)P/ZnS NCs are subject to substantial atomic exchanges and detailed models for the shell structure beyond simple layer coverage are needed. This substantial atomic exchange is very likely to be the reason for the improved photoluminescence behavior of the core-shell particles compare to In(Zn)P-only NCs as S can passivate the NCs surfaces.

  20. Jahn-Teller coupling of Cr2+ ion with degenerate modes in ZnS, ZnSe, and ZnTe crystals: microscopic treatment

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Natadze, A.L.; Ryskin, A.I.

    1980-01-01

    The Jahn-Teller (JT) interaction energy is calculated for 5 T 2 and 5 E states of the Cr 2+ ion in ZnS, ZnSe, and ZnTe crystals. The calculations are made within the framework of a particular microscopic model of the crystal field in the distorted crystal (model of point-like exchange charges), the multimode interaction is taken into account. For the 5 T 2 term the energies of interaction with tetragonal and trigonal modes are of the same order of magnitude. This circumstance results in a small height of the barriers that separate various minima of the adiabatic potential and is responsible for the dynamic aspect of the static JT effect in these systems. (author)

  1. Spatial Localization of the Ebola Virus Glycoprotein Mucin-Like Domain Determined by Cryo-Electron Tomography

    OpenAIRE

    Tran, Erin E. H.; Simmons, James A.; Bartesaghi, Alberto; Shoemaker, Charles J.; Nelson, Elizabeth; White, Judith M.; Subramaniam, Sriram

    2014-01-01

    The Ebola virus glycoprotein mucin-like domain (MLD) is implicated in Ebola virus cell entry and immune evasion. Using cryo-electron tomography of Ebola virus-like particles, we determined a three-dimensional structure for the full-length glycoprotein in a near-native state and compared it to that of a glycoprotein lacking the MLD. Our results, which show that the MLD is located at the apex and the sides of each glycoprotein monomer, provide a structural template for analysis of MLD function.

  2. Generation of second harmonic in off-diagonal magneto-impedance in Co-based amorphous ribbons

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Buznikov, N A; Yoon, S S; Jin, L; Kim, C O; Kim, C G

    2006-01-01

    The off-diagonal magneto-impedance in Co-based amorphous ribbons was measured using a pick-up coil wound around the sample. The ribbons were annealed in air or in vacuum in the presence of a weak magnetic field. The evolution of the first and second harmonics in the pick-up coil voltage as a function of the current amplitude was studied. At low current amplitudes, the first harmonic dominates in the frequency spectrum of the voltage, and at sufficiently high current amplitudes, the amplitude of the second harmonic becomes higher than that of the first harmonic. For air-annealed ribbons, the asymmetric two-peak behaviour of the field dependences of the harmonic amplitudes was observed, which is related to the coupling between the amorphous phase and surface crystalline layers appearing after annealing. For vacuum-annealed samples, the first harmonic has a maximum at zero external field, and the field dependence of the second harmonic exhibits symmetric two-peak behaviour. The experimental results are interpreted in terms of a quasi-static rotational model. It is shown that the appearance of the second harmonic in the pick-up coil voltage is related to the anti-symmetrical distribution of the transverse field induced by the current. The calculated dependences are in qualitative agreement with the experimental data

  3. Characterization of nanostructures of ZnO and ZnMnO films deposited by successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction method

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Jimenez-Garcia, F.N. [Departamento de Fisica y Matematicas, Universidad Autonoma de Manizales, Antigua Estacion del Ferrocarril, Manizales, Caldas (Colombia); Departamento de Fisica y Quimica, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Sede Manizales, Campus la Nubia, Manizales, Caldas (Colombia); Espinosa-Arbelaez, D.G. [Departamento de Nanotecnologia, Centro de Fisica Aplicada y Tecnologia Avanzada, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Blv. Juriquilla 3001, Juriquilla, Queretaro, C.P. 76230 (Mexico); Posgrado en Ciencia e Ingenieria Materiales, Instituto de Investigacion en Materiales, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Mexico DF (Mexico); Vargas-Hernandez, C. [Departamento de Fisica y Quimica, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Sede Manizales, Campus la Nubia, Manizales, Caldas (Colombia); Real, A. del [Departamento de Nanotecnologia, Centro de Fisica Aplicada y Tecnologia Avanzada, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Blv. Juriquilla 3001, Juriquilla, Queretaro, C.P. 76230 (Mexico); Rodriguez-Garcia, M.E., E-mail: marioga@fata.unam.mx [Departamento de Nanotecnologia, Centro de Fisica Aplicada y Tecnologia Avanzada, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Blv. Juriquilla 3001, Juriquilla, Queretaro, C.P. 76230 (Mexico)

    2011-09-01

    ZnO and ZnMnO thin films were obtained by the successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) method. All thin films were deposited on glass microscope slide. A precursor solution of 0.1 M of ZnCl{sub 2} complexed with ammonium hydroxide and water close to boiling point (92 deg. C) as a second solution was used for the ZnO films. An uncomplexed bath comprised of 0.1 M ZnCl{sub 2}, 0.1 M MnCl{sub 2,} and a second solution of 0.1 ml of NH{sub 4}OH with water close to boiling point was used for the ZnMnO films. The film samples were deposited by the SILAR method and annealed at 200 deg. C for 15 min. These samples were characterized using X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), and Atomic Force Microscope. Atomic absorption was used to determine quantitatively the amount of Mn incorporated into the films. According to the XRD patterns these films were polycrystalline with wurtzite hexagonal structure. The morphology of the ZnO films constituted by rice-like and flower-like structures changed significantly to nanosheet structures with the Mn incorporation. The Mn inclusion in a ZnO structure was less than 4% according to the results from EDS, XRD, and atomic absorption.

  4. Characterization of nanostructures of ZnO and ZnMnO films deposited by successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction method

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Jimenez-Garcia, F.N.; Espinosa-Arbelaez, D.G.; Vargas-Hernandez, C.; Real, A. del; Rodriguez-Garcia, M.E.

    2011-01-01

    ZnO and ZnMnO thin films were obtained by the successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) method. All thin films were deposited on glass microscope slide. A precursor solution of 0.1 M of ZnCl 2 complexed with ammonium hydroxide and water close to boiling point (92 deg. C) as a second solution was used for the ZnO films. An uncomplexed bath comprised of 0.1 M ZnCl 2 , 0.1 M MnCl 2, and a second solution of 0.1 ml of NH 4 OH with water close to boiling point was used for the ZnMnO films. The film samples were deposited by the SILAR method and annealed at 200 deg. C for 15 min. These samples were characterized using X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), and Atomic Force Microscope. Atomic absorption was used to determine quantitatively the amount of Mn incorporated into the films. According to the XRD patterns these films were polycrystalline with wurtzite hexagonal structure. The morphology of the ZnO films constituted by rice-like and flower-like structures changed significantly to nanosheet structures with the Mn incorporation. The Mn inclusion in a ZnO structure was less than 4% according to the results from EDS, XRD, and atomic absorption.

  5. Preparation of tetrapod-like ZnO/TiO{sub 2} core-shell nanostructures as photocatalytic powder

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Sartori, A.; Visentin, F.; De Zorzi, C.; Natali, M.; Gerbasi, R.; Rossetto, G. [ICIS-DPM-CNR, Padova (Italy); El Habra, N. [ICIS-DPM-CNR, Padova (Italy); Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Padova (Italy); Garoli, D. [Dipartimento di Fisica, Padova (Italy); LANN, Padova (Italy); Casarin, M. [Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Padova (Italy)

    2011-08-15

    The coupling of zinc oxide tetrapods (t-ZnO) with anatase TiO{sub 2} in the form of CVD coatings on ZnO nanotetrapods was investigated. t-ZnO/TiO{sub 2} core-shell structures, consisting of uniformly and completely TiO{sub 2} covered ZnO nanotetrapods, were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and UV-Vis spectra. Photocatalytic activity, determined by degradation of a sodium methyl red solution, was found to be comparable to pure t-ZnO, while improved separation easiness was verified that makes the presented powders promising for wastewater treatment. (copyright 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH and Co. KGaA, Weinheim) (orig.)

  6. ADAM disintegrin-like domain recognition by the lymphocyte integrins α4β1 and α4β7

    OpenAIRE

    Bridges, Lance C.; Sheppard, Dean; Bowditch, Ron D.

    2005-01-01

    The ADAM (a disintegrin and metalloprotease) family of proteins possess both proteolytic and adhesive domains. We have established previously that the disintegrin domain of ADAM28, an ADAM expressed by human lymphocytes, is recognized by the integrin α4β1. The present study characterizes the integrin binding properties of the disintegrin-like domains of human ADAM7, ADAM28 and ADAM33 with the integrins α4β1, α4β7 and α9β1. Cell-adhesion assays demonstrated that, similar to ADAM28, the ADAM7 d...

  7. Crystal Structure of the Extracellular Cholinesterase-Like Domain from Neuroligin-2

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Koehnke,J.; Jin, X.; Budreck, E.; Posy, S.; Scheiffele, P.; Hnoig, B.; Shapiro, L.

    2008-01-01

    Neuroligins (NLs) are catalytically inactive members of a family of cholinesterase-like transmembrane proteins that mediate cell adhesion at neuronal synapses. Postsynaptic neuroligins engage in Ca2+-dependent transsynaptic interactions via their extracellular cholinesterase domain with presynaptic neurexins (NRXs). These interactions may be regulated by two short splice insertions (termed A and B) in the NL cholinesterase domain. Here, we present the 3.3- Angstroms crystal structure of the ectodomain from NL2 containing splice insertion A (NL2A). The overall structure of NL2A resembles that of cholinesterases, but several structural features are unique to the NL proteins. First, structural elements surrounding the esterase active-site region differ significantly between active esterases and NL2A. On the opposite surface of the NL2A molecule, the positions of the A and B splice insertions identify a candidate NRX interaction site of the NL protein. Finally, sequence comparisons of NL isoforms allow for mapping the location of residues of previously identified mutations in NL3 and NL4 found in patients with autism spectrum disorders. Overall, the NL2 structure promises to provide a valuable model for dissecting NL isoform- and synapse-specific functions.

  8. Annealed Ce{sup 3+}-doped ZnO flower-like morphology synthesized by chemical bath deposition method

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Koao, Lehlohonolo F., E-mail: koaolf@ufs.ac.za [Department of Physics, University of the Free State (Qwa Qwa campus), Private Bag X13, Phuthaditjhaba 9866 (South Africa); Dejene, Francis B.; Tsega, Moges [Department of Physics, University of the Free State (Qwa Qwa campus), Private Bag X13, Phuthaditjhaba 9866 (South Africa); Swart, Hendrik C. [Department of Physics, University of the Free State, P.O. Box 339, Bloemfontein 9300 (South Africa)

    2016-01-01

    We have successfully synthesized ZnO:xmol% Ce{sup 3+} (0≤x≤10 mol%) doped nanopowders via the chemical bath deposition method (CBD) technique at low temperature (80 °C) and annealed in air at 700 °C. The X-ray diffraction patterns showed that all the undoped and Ce-doped ZnO nanopowders have a hexagonal wurtzite polycrystalline structure with an average crystallite size of about 46 nm. Weak diffraction peaks related mainly to cerium oxide were also detected at higher concentrations of Ce{sup 3+} (x=5–10 mol%). The scanning electron microscopy study revealed that the nanopowder samples were assembled in flower-shaped undoped ZnO and pyramid-shaped Ce{sup 3+}-doped ZnO nanostructures. The UV–vis spectra showed that the absorption edges shifted slightly to the longer wavelengths with the increase in the Ce{sup 3+} ions concentration. Moreover, the photoluminescence (PL) results showed a relative weak visible emission for the Ce{sup 3+}-doped ZnO nanoparticles compared to the undoped ZnO. The effects of Ce{sup 3+}-doping on the structure and PL of ZnO nanopowders are discussed in detail.

  9. Ribbon scanning confocal for high-speed high-resolution volume imaging of brain.

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Alan M Watson

    Full Text Available Whole-brain imaging is becoming a fundamental means of experimental insight; however, achieving subcellular resolution imagery in a reasonable time window has not been possible. We describe the first application of multicolor ribbon scanning confocal methods to collect high-resolution volume images of chemically cleared brains. We demonstrate that ribbon scanning collects images over ten times faster than conventional high speed confocal systems but with equivalent spectral and spatial resolution. Further, using this technology, we reconstruct large volumes of mouse brain infected with encephalitic alphaviruses and demonstrate that regions of the brain with abundant viral replication were inaccessible to vascular perfusion. This reveals that the destruction or collapse of large regions of brain micro vasculature may contribute to the severe disease caused by Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus. Visualization of this fundamental impact of infection would not be possible without sampling at subcellular resolution within large brain volumes.

  10. Brillouin scattering, piezobirefringence, and dispersion of photoelastic coefficients of CdS and ZnO

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Berkowicz, R.; Skettrup, Torben

    1975-01-01

    We have measured the dispersion of the Brillouin scattering from acoustoelectrical domains in CdS and ZnO. These spectra are compared with the birefringence spectra obtained by applying uniaxial stress. The resonant cancellation of the Brillouin scattering occurs at the spectral position of the i......We have measured the dispersion of the Brillouin scattering from acoustoelectrical domains in CdS and ZnO. These spectra are compared with the birefringence spectra obtained by applying uniaxial stress. The resonant cancellation of the Brillouin scattering occurs at the spectral position...... of the isotropic point of the stress-induced birefringence. From these spectra it is concluded that the Brillouin scattering in CdS and ZnO is determined by elasto-optic effects alone. The spectra of some of the photoelastic coefficients have been determined. A model dielectric constant is derived where both....... It is found that the exchange interaction between the excitons may change the values of the photoelastic coefficients in ZnO about 10%....

  11. Exchange bias behavior in Ni{sub 50.0}Mn{sub 35.5} In{sub 14.5} ribbons annealed at different temperatures

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Sanchez, T. [Dept. de Fisica, Universidad de Oviedo, Calvo Sotelo s/n, 33007 Oviedo (Spain); Sato Turtelli, R.; Groessinger, R. [Institut fur Festkoerperphysik, Technische Universitaet Wien, Wiedner Hauptstr. 8-10, 1040 Vienna (Austria); Sanchez, M.L.; Santos, J.D.; Rosa, W.O.; Prida, V.M. [Dept. de Fisica, Universidad de Oviedo, Calvo Sotelo s/n, 33007 Oviedo (Spain); Escoda, Ll.; Sunol, J.J. [Campus de Montilivi, Universidad de Girona, edifici PII, Lluis Santalo s/n. 17003 Girona (Spain); Koledov, V. [Kotelnikov Institute of Radio Engineering and Electronics, RAS, Moscow 125009 (Russian Federation); Hernando, B., E-mail: grande@uniovi.es [Dept. de Fisica, Universidad de Oviedo, Calvo Sotelo s/n, 33007 Oviedo (Spain)

    2012-10-15

    Heusler alloy Ni{sub 50.0}Mn{sub 35.5}In{sub 14.5} ribbons were prepared by melt-spinning technique. Several short time annealings were carried out in order to enhance the exchange bias effect in this alloy ribbon. The magnetic transition temperature increases with the annealing, compared to the as-spun sample, however no significant differences in respective Curie temperatures were observed for austenite and martensite phases in such annealed samples. Exchange bias effect is observed at low temperatures for all samples and practically vanishes at 60 K for the as-spun sample, whereas for the annealed ribbons it vanishes at 100 K.

  12. Identification and precise measurements of the wavelengths of high-n transitions in N-, O-, and F-like Zn ions

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Fournier, K B; Faenov, A Ya; Pikuz, T A; Magunov, A I; Skobelev, I Yu; Belyaev, V S; Vinogradov, V I; Kyrilov, A S; Matafonov, A P; Flora, F; Bollanti, S; Lazzaro, P Di; Murra, D; Reale, A; Reale, L; Tomassetti, G; Ritucci, A; Francucci, M; Martellucci, S; Petrocelli, G

    2003-01-01

    We have observed spectra of highly charged zinc ions from a variety of laser-produced plasmas. High-precision measurements of transition wavelengths have been made in the range 6.7-8.6 A, with accuracies of ∼1 mA. Line identifications for high-n transitions (n ≤ 7) in the N-, O-, and F-like spectra of Zn XXIV, XXIII, XXII, respectively, are made by comparison with steady-state collisional-radiative models

  13. Identification and precise measurements of the wavelengths of high-n transitions in N-, O-, and F-like Zn ions

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Fournier, K B [Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, PO Box 808, L-41, Livermore, CA 94550 (United States); Faenov, A Ya [Multicharged Ions Spectra Data Centre of VNIIFTRI, Moscow, 141570 (Russian Federation); Pikuz, T A [Multicharged Ions Spectra Data Centre of VNIIFTRI, Moscow, 141570 (Russian Federation); Magunov, A I [Multicharged Ions Spectra Data Centre of VNIIFTRI, Moscow, 141570 (Russian Federation); Skobelev, I Yu [Multicharged Ions Spectra Data Centre of VNIIFTRI, Moscow, 141570 (Russian Federation); Belyaev, V S [Central Research Institute of Machine Building, 4, Pionerskaya Street, Korolev, Moscow Region, 141070 (Russian Federation); Vinogradov, V I [Central Research Institute of Machine Building, 4, Pionerskaya Street, Korolev, Moscow Region, 141070 (Russian Federation); Kyrilov, A S [Central Research Institute of Machine Building, 4, Pionerskaya Street, Korolev, Moscow Region, 141070 (Russian Federation); Matafonov, A P [Central Research Institute of Machine Building, 4, Pionerskaya Street, Korolev, Moscow Region, 141070 (Russian Federation); Flora, F [ENEA, Dipartimento Innovazione, Settore Fisica Applicata, 00044 Frascati, Rome (Italy); Bollanti, S [ENEA, Dipartimento Innovazione, Settore Fisica Applicata, 00044 Frascati, Rome (Italy); Lazzaro, P Di [ENEA, Dipartimento Innovazione, Settore Fisica Applicata, 00044 Frascati, Rome (Italy); Murra, D [ENEA, Dipartimento Innovazione, Settore Fisica Applicata, 00044 Frascati, Rome (Italy); Reale, A [Dipartimento di Fisica e INFM, INFN g.c. LNGS, Universita dell' Aquila, 67010 L' Aquila (Italy); Reale, L [Dipartimento di Fisica e INFM, INFN g.c. LNGS, Universita dell' Aquila, 67010 L' Aquila (Italy); Tomassetti, G [Dipartimento di Fisica e INFM, INFN g.c. LNGS, Universita dell' Aquila, 67010 L' Aquila (Italy); Ritucci, A [Dipartimento di Fisica e INFM, INFN g.c. LNGS, Universita dell' Aquila, 67010 L' Aquila (Italy)] [and others

    2003-09-28

    We have observed spectra of highly charged zinc ions from a variety of laser-produced plasmas. High-precision measurements of transition wavelengths have been made in the range 6.7-8.6 A, with accuracies of {approx}1 mA. Line identifications for high-n transitions (n {<=} 7) in the N-, O-, and F-like spectra of Zn XXIV, XXIII, XXII, respectively, are made by comparison with steady-state collisional-radiative models.

  14. 3D Anisotropy of Solar Wind Turbulence, Tubes, or Ribbons?

    Science.gov (United States)

    Verdini, Andrea; Grappin, Roland; Alexandrova, Olga; Lion, Sonny

    2018-01-01

    We study the anisotropy with respect to the local magnetic field of turbulent magnetic fluctuations at magnetofluid scales in the solar wind. Previous measurements in the fast solar wind obtained axisymmetric anisotropy, despite that the analysis method allows nonaxisymmetric structures. These results are probably contaminated by the wind expansion that introduces another symmetry axis, namely, the radial direction, as indicated by recent numerical simulations. These simulations also show that while the expansion is strong, the principal fluctuations are in the plane perpendicular to the radial direction. Using this property, we separate 11 yr of Wind spacecraft data into two subsets characterized by strong and weak expansion and determine the corresponding turbulence anisotropy. Under strong expansion, the small-scale anisotropy is consistent with the Goldreich & Sridhar critical balance. As in previous works, when the radial symmetry axis is not eliminated, the turbulent structures are field-aligned tubes. Under weak expansion, we find 3D anisotropy predicted by the Boldyrev model, that is, turbulent structures are ribbons and not tubes. However, the very basis of the Boldyrev phenomenology, namely, a cross-helicity increasing at small scales, is not observed in the solar wind: the origin of the ribbon formation is unknown.

  15. First-order reversal curve analysis in the hysteretic behavior of boron-rich nanocomposite Nd-Fe-B ribbons

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Saccone, F.D.; Pampillo, L.G.; Oliva, M.I.; Bercoff, P.G.; Bertorello, H.R.; Sirkin, H.R.M.

    2007-01-01

    Structural and magnetic properties of melt-spun Nd 4.5 Fe 72 Co 3 Cr 2 Al 1 B 17.5 ribbons were studied by means of differential scanning calorimetry, Moessbauer effect spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and first-order reversal curve distributions. The presence of a solid solution (Fe, Co) in ribbons annealed at 685 C for 10 min was detected from Moessbauer spectra. Correlations between the observed structural changes at higher annealing temperatures and modifications in the interaction fields of precipitated phases are discussed

  16. Influence of Mg doping on ZnO nanoparticles decorated on graphene oxide (GO) crumpled paper like sheet and its high photo catalytic performance under sunlight

    Science.gov (United States)

    Labhane, P. K.; Sonawane, S. H.; Sonawane, G. H.; Patil, S. P.; Huse, V. R.

    2018-03-01

    Mg doped ZnO nanoparticles decorated on graphene oxide (GO) sheets were synthesized by a wet impregnation method. The effect of Mg doping on ZnO and ZnO-GO composite has been evaluated by using x-ray diffraction (XRD), Williamson-Hall Plot (Wsbnd H Plot), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The physical parameters of as-prepared samples were estimated by XRD data. FESEM and HR-TEM images showed the uniform distribution of nanoparticles on GO crumpled paper like sheet. Solar light photocatalytic activities of samples were evaluated spectrophotometrically by the degradation of p-nitrophenol (PNP) and indigo carmine (IC) solution. Mgsbnd ZnO decorated on GO sheets exhibit excellent catalytic efficiency compared to all other prepared samples under identical conditions, degrading PNP and IC nearly 99% within 60 min under sunlight. The effective degradation by Mgsbnd ZnO decorated on GO sheet would be due to extended solar light absorption, enhanced adsorptivity on the composite catalyst surface and efficient charge separation of photo-induced electrons. Finally, plausible mechanism was suggested with the help of scavengers study.

  17. Synthesis and characterization of heterobinuclear (La-Zn, Pr-Zn, Nd-Zn, Sm-Zn, Eu-Zn, Gd-Zn, Tb-Zn, Dy-Zn) azine-bridged complexes

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Singh, Bachcha; Srivastav, A.K.; Singh, P.K.

    1997-01-01

    Zinc(II) complex of 2-acetylpyridine salicyl aldazine (Haps) of the type Zn(aps) 2 (H 2 O) 2 has been synthesised. The reaction of Zn(aps) 2 (H 2 O) 2 with lanthanide chlorides, LnCl 3 (where Ln=La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb and Dy) yields azine-bridged heterobinuclear complexes of the formulae LnCl 3 Zn(aps) 2 (H 2 O) 2 . These complexes have been characterized by elemental analyses, molecular weight, conductance (solid and solution) and magnetic susceptibility measurements, mass, IR and electronic spectral data. X-ray powder diffraction data indicate the tetragonal unit lattice for Zn(aps) 2 (H 2 O) 2 and PrCl 3 Zn(aps) 2 (H 2 O) 2 . (author)

  18. The carcinoembryonic antigen IgV-like N domain plays a critical role in the implantation of metastatic tumor cells.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Abdul-Wahid, Aws; Huang, Eric H-B; Cydzik, Marzena; Bolewska-Pedyczak, Eleonora; Gariépy, Jean

    2014-03-01

    The human carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a cell adhesion molecule involved in both homotypic and heterotypic interactions. The aberrant overexpression of CEA on adenocarcinoma cells correlates with their increased metastatic potential. Yet, the mechanism(s) by which its adhesive properties can lead to the implantation of circulating tumor cells and expansion of metastatic foci remains to be established. In this study, we demonstrate that the IgV-like N terminal domain of CEA directly participates in the implantation of cancer cells through its homotypic and heterotypic binding properties. Specifically, we determined that the recombinant N terminal domain of CEA directly binds to fibronectin (Fn) with a dissociation constant in the nanomolar range (K(D) 16 ± 3 nM) and interacts with itself (K(D) 100 ± 17 nM) and more tightly to the IgC-like A(3) domain (K(D) 18 ± 3 nM). Disruption of these molecular associations through the addition of antibodies specific to the CEA N or A(3)B(3) domains, or by adding soluble recombinant forms of the CEA N, A(3) or A(3)B(3) domains or a peptide corresponding to residues 108-115 of CEA resulted in the inhibition of CEA-mediated intercellular aggregation and adherence events in vitro. Finally, pretreating CEA-expressing murine colonic carcinoma cells (MC38.CEA) with rCEA N, A3 or A(3)B(3) modules blocked their implantation and the establishment of tumor foci in vivo. Together, these results suggest a new mechanistic insight into how the CEA IgV-like N domain participates in cellular events that can have a macroscopic impact in terms of cancer progression and metastasis. Copyright © 2013 Federation of European Biochemical Societies. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  19. Interdependence of the rad50 hook and globular domain functions.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Hohl, Marcel; Kochańczyk, Tomasz; Tous, Cristina; Aguilera, Andrés; Krężel, Artur; Petrini, John H J

    2015-02-05

    Rad50 contains a conserved Zn(2+) coordination domain (the Rad50 hook) that functions as a homodimerization interface. Hook ablation phenocopies Rad50 deficiency in all respects. Here, we focused on rad50 mutations flanking the Zn(2+)-coordinating hook cysteines. These mutants impaired hook-mediated dimerization, but recombination between sister chromatids was largely unaffected. This may reflect that cohesin-mediated sister chromatid interactions are sufficient for double-strand break repair. However, Mre11 complex functions specified by the globular domain, including Tel1 (ATM) activation, nonhomologous end joining, and DNA double-strand break end resection were affected, suggesting that dimerization exerts a broad influence on Mre11 complex function. These phenotypes were suppressed by mutations within the coiled-coil and globular ATPase domains, suggesting a model in which conformational changes in the hook and globular domains are transmitted via the extended coils of Rad50. We propose that transmission of spatial information in this manner underlies the regulation of Mre11 complex functions. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  20. The mechanics of Ribbons and Möbius bands

    CERN Document Server

    Fried, Eliot

    2016-01-01

    Recent developments in biology and nanotechnology have stimulated a rapidly growing interest in the mechanics of thin, flexible ribbons and Mobius bands. This edited volume contains English translations of four seminal papers on this topic, all originally written in German; of these, Michael A. Sadowsky published the first in 1929, followed by two others in 1930, and Walter Wunderlich published the last in 1962. The volume also contains invited, peer-reviewed, original research articles on related topics. Previously published in the Journal of Elasticity, Volume 119, Issue 1-2, 2015.

  1. Magnetoband structures of AB-stacked zigzag nanographite ribbons

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Chang, C.P.; Chiu, C.W.; Shyu, F.L.; Chen, R.B.; Lin, M.F

    2002-12-30

    Magnetoband structures of AB-stacked zigzag nanographite ribbons are studied by the tight-binding model. The magnetic field changes band width, energy space, and energy dispersions (the produce of Landau subbands and Landau levels). It causes many zero energy points. Such points and corresponding localized states are studied in detail. There are certain important differences between localized states and edge states. Oscillation period of Landau subbands are determined by these points. The interribbon interactions also affect magnetoband structures, such as energy dispersions, band width, oscillation period of Landau subbands, and flux dependence of Hofstadter butterflies.

  2. The C-terminal extension of human RTEL1, mutated in Hoyeraal-Hreidarsson syndrome, contains harmonin-N-like domains.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Faure, Guilhem; Revy, Patrick; Schertzer, Michael; Londono-Vallejo, Arturo; Callebaut, Isabelle

    2014-06-01

    Several studies have recently shown that germline mutations in RTEL1, an essential DNA helicase involved in telomere regulation and DNA repair, cause Hoyeraal-Hreidarsson syndrome (HHS), a severe form of dyskeratosis congenita. Using original new softwares, facilitating the delineation of the different domains of the protein and the identification of remote relationships for orphan domains, we outline here that the C-terminal extension of RTEL1, downstream of its catalytic domain and including several HHS-associated mutations, contains a yet unidentified tandem of harmonin-N-like domains, which may serve as a hub for partner interaction. This finding highlights the potential critical role of this region for the function of RTEL1 and gives insights into the impact that the identified mutations would have on the structure and function of these domains. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  3. Corrosion-resistant amorphous alloy ribbons for electromagnetic filtration of iron rusts from water

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Kawashima, Asahi; Asami, Katsuhiko; Sato, Takeaki; Hashimoto, Koji

    1985-01-01

    An attempt was made to use corrosion-resistant amorphous Fe-9Cr-13P-7C alloy ribbons as an electromagnetic filter material for trapping various iron rusts suspended in water at 40 0 C. The ferrimagnetic Fe 3 O 4 rust was trapped with the 100 % efficiency and paramagnetic rusts such as α-Fe 2 O 3 , α-FeOOH and amorphous ferric oxyhydroxide were trapped with certain efficiencies at the magnetic field strength of 0.5-10 kOe. The regeneration of the filter by back-washing was easy. The trapping capacity of electromagnetic filter was proportional to the edge length of the filter material where the high magnetic field strength existed. Therefore, melt-spun thin and narrow amorphous alloy ribbons having the high corrosion resistance have the potential utility as electromagnetic filter material. (author)

  4. The influence of API concentration on the roller compaction process: modeling and prediction of the post compacted ribbon, granule and tablet properties using multivariate data analysis.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Boersen, Nathan; Carvajal, M Teresa; Morris, Kenneth R; Peck, Garnet E; Pinal, Rodolfo

    2015-01-01

    While previous research has demonstrated roller compaction operating parameters strongly influence the properties of the final product, a greater emphasis might be placed on the raw material attributes of the formulation. There were two main objectives to this study. First, to assess the effects of different process variables on the properties of the obtained ribbons and downstream granules produced from the rolled compacted ribbons. Second, was to establish if models obtained with formulations of one active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) could predict the properties of similar formulations in terms of the excipients used, but with a different API. Tolmetin and acetaminophen, chosen for their different compaction properties, were roller compacted on Fitzpatrick roller compactor using the same formulation. Models created using tolmetin and tested using acetaminophen. The physical properties of the blends, ribbon, granule and tablet were characterized. Multivariate analysis using partial least squares was used to analyze all data. Multivariate models showed that the operating parameters and raw material attributes were essential in the prediction of ribbon porosity and post-milled particle size. The post compacted ribbon and granule attributes also significantly contributed to the prediction of the tablet tensile strength. Models derived using tolmetin could reasonably predict the ribbon porosity of a second API. After further processing, the post-milled ribbon and granules properties, rather than the physical attributes of the formulation were needed to predict downstream tablet properties. An understanding of the percolation threshold of the formulation significantly improved the predictive ability of the models.

  5. Novel hydrated graphene ribbon unexpectedly promotes aged seed germination and root differentiation

    Science.gov (United States)

    Hu, Xiangang; Zhou, Qixing

    2014-01-01

    It is well known that graphene (G) induces nanotoxicity towards living organisms. Here, a novel and biocompatible hydrated graphene ribbon (HGR) unexpectedly promoted aged (two years) seed germination. HGR formed at the normal temperature and pressure (120 days hydration), presented 17.1% oxygen, 0.9% nitrogen groups, disorder-layer structure, with 0.38 nm thickness ribbon morphology. Interestingly, there were bulges around the edges of HGR. Compared to G and graphene oxide (GO), HGR increased seed germination by 15% root differentiation between 52 and 59% and enhanced resistance to oxidative stress. The metabonomics analysis discovered that HGR upregulated carbohydrate, amino acid, and fatty acids metabolism that determined secondary metabolism, nitrogen sequestration, cell membrane integrity, permeability, and oxidation resistance. Hexadecanoic acid as a biomarker promoted root differentiation and increased the germination rate. Our discovery is a novel HGR that promotes aged seed germination, illustrates metabolic specificity among graphene-based materials, and inspires innovative concepts in the regulation of seed development.

  6. Spatial localization of the Ebola virus glycoprotein mucin-like domain determined by cryo-electron tomography.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Tran, Erin E H; Simmons, James A; Bartesaghi, Alberto; Shoemaker, Charles J; Nelson, Elizabeth; White, Judith M; Subramaniam, Sriram

    2014-09-01

    The Ebola virus glycoprotein mucin-like domain (MLD) is implicated in Ebola virus cell entry and immune evasion. Using cryo-electron tomography of Ebola virus-like particles, we determined a three-dimensional structure for the full-length glycoprotein in a near-native state and compared it to that of a glycoprotein lacking the MLD. Our results, which show that the MLD is located at the apex and the sides of each glycoprotein monomer, provide a structural template for analysis of MLD function. Copyright © 2014, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

  7. First-order reversal curve analysis in the hysteretic behavior of boron-rich nanocomposite Nd-Fe-B ribbons

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Saccone, F.D. [Laboratorio de Solidos Amorfos, Departamento de Fisica, Facultad de Ingenieria, Universidad de Buenos Aires (Argentina) and CONICET (Argentina)]. E-mail: fsaccon@fi.uba.ar; Pampillo, L.G. [Laboratorio de Solidos Amorfos, Departamento de Fisica, Facultad de Ingenieria, Universidad de Buenos Aires (Argentina); Oliva, M.I. [Facultad de Matematica, Astronomia y Fisica, Universidad Nacional de Cordoba (Argentina); CONICET (Argentina); Bercoff, P.G. [Facultad de Matematica, Astronomia y Fisica, Universidad Nacional de Cordoba (Argentina); CONICET (Argentina); Bertorello, H.R. [Facultad de Matematica, Astronomia y Fisica, Universidad Nacional de Cordoba (Argentina); CONICET (Argentina); Sirkin, H.R.M. [Laboratorio de Solidos Amorfos, Departamento de Fisica, Facultad de Ingenieria, Universidad de Buenos Aires (Argentina); CONICET (Argentina)

    2007-09-01

    Structural and magnetic properties of melt-spun Nd{sub 4.5}Fe{sub 72}Co{sub 3}Cr{sub 2}Al{sub 1}B{sub 17.5} ribbons were studied by means of differential scanning calorimetry, Moessbauer effect spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and first-order reversal curve distributions. The presence of a solid solution (Fe, Co) in ribbons annealed at 685 C for 10 min was detected from Moessbauer spectra. Correlations between the observed structural changes at higher annealing temperatures and modifications in the interaction fields of precipitated phases are discussed.

  8. A novel signal transduction protein: Combination of solute binding and tandem PAS-like sensor domains in one polypeptide chain: Periplasmic Ligand Binding Protein Dret_0059

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Wu, R. [Midwest Center for Structural Genomics, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne Illinois 60439; Biosciences Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne Illinois 60439; Wilton, R. [Biosciences Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne Illinois 60439; Cuff, M. E. [Midwest Center for Structural Genomics, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne Illinois 60439; Biosciences Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne Illinois 60439; Structural Biology Center, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne Illinois 60439; Endres, M. [Midwest Center for Structural Genomics, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne Illinois 60439; Babnigg, G. [Midwest Center for Structural Genomics, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne Illinois 60439; Biosciences Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne Illinois 60439; Edirisinghe, J. N. [Mathematics and Computer Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne Illinois 60439; Computation Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago Illinois 60637; Henry, C. S. [Mathematics and Computer Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne Illinois 60439; Computation Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago Illinois 60637; Joachimiak, A. [Midwest Center for Structural Genomics, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne Illinois 60439; Biosciences Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne Illinois 60439; Structural Biology Center, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne Illinois 60439; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago Illinois 60637; Schiffer, M. [Biosciences Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne Illinois 60439; Pokkuluri, P. R. [Biosciences Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne Illinois 60439

    2017-03-06

    We report the structural and biochemical characterization of a novel periplasmic ligand-binding protein, Dret_0059, from Desulfohalobium retbaense DSM 5692, an organism isolated from the Salt Lake Retba in Senegal. The structure of the protein consists of a unique combination of a periplasmic solute binding protein (SBP) domain at the N-terminal and a tandem PAS-like sensor domain at the C-terminal region. SBP domains are found ubiquitously and their best known function is in solute transport across membranes. PAS-like sensor domains are commonly found in signal transduction proteins. These domains are widely observed as parts of many protein architectures and complexes but have not been observed previously within the same polypeptide chain. In the structure of Dret_0059, a ketoleucine moiety is bound to the SBP, whereas a cytosine molecule is bound in the distal PAS-like domain of the tandem PAS-like domain. Differential scanning flourimetry support the binding of ligands observed in the crystal structure. There is significant interaction between the SBP and tandem PAS-like domains, and it is possible that the binding of one ligand could have an effect on the binding of the other. We uncovered three other proteins with this structural architecture in the non-redundant sequence data base, and predict that they too bind the same substrates. The genomic context of this protein did not offer any clues for its function. We did not find any biological process in which the two observed ligands are coupled. The protein Dret_0059 could be involved in either signal transduction or solute transport.

  9. The relative influence of metal ion binding sites in the I-like domain and the interface with the hybrid domain on rolling and firm adhesion by integrin alpha4beta7.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Chen, JianFeng; Takagi, Junichi; Xie, Can; Xiao, Tsan; Luo, Bing-Hao; Springer, Timothy A

    2004-12-31

    We examined the effect of conformational change at the beta(7) I-like/hybrid domain interface on regulating the transition between rolling and firm adhesion by integrin alpha(4)beta(7). An N-glycosylation site was introduced into the I-like/hybrid domain interface to act as a wedge and to stabilize the open conformation of this interface and hence the open conformation of the alpha(4) beta(7) headpiece. Wild-type alpha(4)beta(7) mediates rolling adhesion in Ca(2+) and Ca(2+)/Mg(2+) but firm adhesion in Mg(2+) and Mn(2+). Stabilizing the open headpiece resulted in firm adhesion in all divalent cations. The interaction between metal binding sites in the I-like domain and the interface with the hybrid domain was examined in double mutants. Changes at these two sites can either counterbalance one another or be additive, emphasizing mutuality and the importance of multiple interfaces in integrin regulation. A double mutant with counterbalancing deactivating ligand-induced metal ion binding site (LIMBS) and activating wedge mutations could still be activated by Mn(2+), confirming the importance of the adjacent to metal ion-dependent adhesion site (ADMIDAS) in integrin activation by Mn(2+). Overall, the results demonstrate the importance of headpiece allostery in the conversion of rolling to firm adhesion.

  10. Improved photocatalytic activity of ZnO coupled CuO nanocomposites synthesized by reflux condensation method

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Mageshwari, K.; Nataraj, D.; Pal, Tarasankar; Sathyamoorthy, R.; Park, Jinsub

    2015-01-01

    Highlights: • CuO–ZnO nanocomposites were synthesized by reflux condensation method. • Photodegradation of methyl orange and methylene blue dyes was investigated. • Morphological studies show 3D flower-like CuO microspheres adorned with ZnO nanorods. • Optical analysis showed characteristic absorption bands of CuO and ZnO. • CuO–ZnO nanocomposites exhibited superior photocatalytic activity than CuO. - Abstract: Nanostructured CuO–ZnO nanocomposites were successfully synthesized for different Zn 2+ concentrations by reflux condensation method without using any surfactant, and their photocatalytic activity was evaluated using methyl orange and methylene blue dyes under UV light irradiation. XRD revealed the formation of CuO–ZnO nanocomposites, composing of monoclinic CuO and hexagonal ZnO. XPS analysis revealed that CuO–ZnO nanocomposites are made up of Cu(II), Zn(II) and O. FESEM and TEM images showed that pure CuO exhibit 3D flower-like microstructure, while the CuO–ZnO nanocomposites prepared for different Zn 2+ concentrations have 3D flower-like CuO, microstructure adorned with rod-like ZnO particles. UV–Vis DRS showed absorption bands corresponding to CuO and ZnO around 960 nm and 395 nm, respectively. PL spectra of CuO–ZnO nanocomposites exhibited reduced PL emissions compared to pure CuO, indicating the low recombination rate of photogenerated electrons and holes. Photodegradation assay revealed that catalytic activity of CuO–ZnO nanocomposites increased with Zn 2+ concentration, and also effectively degrade methyl orange and methylene blue dyes when compared to pure CuO. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of CuO–ZnO nanocomposites were mainly ascribed to the reduced recombination and efficient separation of photogenerated charge carriers. The possible mechanism for the improved photocatalytic activity of CuO–ZnO nanocomposites was proposed

  11. A flexible UV nanosensor based on reduced graphene oxide decorated ZnO nanostructures

    Science.gov (United States)

    Wang, Zhenxing; Zhan, Xueying; Wang, Yajun; Muhammad, Safdar; Huang, Ying; He, Jun

    2012-03-01

    A low-cost, compatible with flexible electronics, high performance UV sensor has been achieved from a reduced graphene oxide (RGO) decorated hydrangea-like ZnO film on a PDMS substrate. The hydrangea-like ZnO UV sensor has the best UV sensing performance among devices made of three kinds of ZnO nanostructures synthesized by a hydrothermal method, and demonstrated a dramatic enhancement in on/off ratio and photoresponse current by introducing an appropriate weight ratio of RGO. The on/off ratio of the 0.05% RGO/ZnO sensor increases almost one order of magnitude compared to that of a pristine hydrangea-like ZnO UV sensor. While for the 5% RGO decorated ZnO sensor, the photoresponse current reaches as high as ~1 μA and exceeds 700 times that of a ZnO UV sensor. These results indicate that RGO is an appropriate material to enhance the performance of ZnO nanostructure UV sensors based on its unique features, especially the high optical transparency and excellent electronic conductivity. Our findings will make RGO/ZnO nanohybrids extraordinarily promising in optoelectronics, flexible electronics and sensor applications.

  12. Mn{sup 2+} ions distribution in doped sol–gel deposited ZnO films

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Stefan, Mariana, E-mail: mstefan@infim.ro [National Institute of Materials Physics, P.O. Box MG-7, 077125 Magurele (Romania); Ghica, Daniela; Nistor, Sergiu V.; Maraloiu, Adrian V. [National Institute of Materials Physics, P.O. Box MG-7, 077125 Magurele (Romania); Plugaru, Rodica [National Institute for R & D in Microtechnologies (IMT), Erou Iancu Nicolae Str. 126A, 077190 Bucharest (Romania)

    2017-02-28

    Highlights: • Several Mn{sup 2+} centers observed by EPR in sol–gel ZnO films. • Mn{sup 2+} ions localized at Zn{sup 2+} sites in ZnO grains and disordered ZnO phase. • Sixfold coordinated Mn{sup 2+} ions localized in inter-grain region. • Aggregated Mn in insular-like regions between ZnO grains in the ZnO:5%Mn film. • Aggregated Mn phase presence and distribution observed by EPR and EDX-STEM. - Abstract: The localization and distribution of the Mn{sup 2+} ions in two sol–gel deposited ZnO films doped with different manganese concentrations were investigated by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy and analytical transmission electron microscopy. In the lightly doped sample the Mn{sup 2+} ions are mainly localized substitutionally at isolated tetrahedrally coordinated Zn{sup 2+} sites in both crystalline ZnO nanograins (34%) and surrounding disordered ZnO (52%). In the highly doped ZnO film, a much smaller proportion of manganese substitutes Zn{sup 2+} in the crystalline and disordered ZnO (10%). The main amount (85%) of manganese aggregates in a secondary phase as an insular-like distribution between the ZnO nanograins. The remaining Mn{sup 2+} ions (14% and 5% at low and high doping levels, respectively) are localized at isolated, six-fold coordinated sites, very likely in the disordered intergrain region. Annealing at 600 °C induced changes in the Mn{sup 2+} ions distribution, reflecting the increase of the ZnO crystallization degree, better observed in the lightly doped sample.

  13. Synthesis and photocatalytic activity of three-dimensional ZnS/CdS composites

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Liu, Shuling; Li, Honglin; Yan, Lu

    2013-01-01

    Graphical abstract: - Highlights: • 3D urchin-like ZnS/CdS composites were synthesized via a two-step method. • The CdS nanoparticles were assembled on the thorns of 3D ZnS urchins. • The ZnS/CdS composites show excellent photocatalytic degradation activities. • The modification of CdS on ZnS is responsible for the enhanced property. - Abstract: Urchin-like ZnS/CdS semiconductor composites were successfully synthesized by combining solvothermal route with homogeneous precipitation process. The as-obtained samples were characterized by means of XRD, EDX, TEM, HR-TEM, ED and FE-SEM techniques. The results show that the as-obtained composites were comprised of the hexagonal structure ZnS and CdS, and CdS nanoparticles were assembled on the surfaces of the thorns of urchin-like ZnS. In addition, the optical properties and photocatalytic activities of the as-prepared ZnS/CdS composites toward some organic dyes (such as Methyl Orange, Pyronine B, Rhodamine B and Methylene Blue) were separately investigated. It is found that the ZnS/CdS composites exhibit excellent photocatalytic degradation activity for these dyes under UV irradiation, as compared to corresponding pure ZnS urchins and commercial anatase TiO 2 (P-25). This enhanced activity may be related to the modification of CdS nanoparticles on the surfaces of thorns of ZnS urchins and a tentative mechanism for the enhanced photocatalytic degradation activities of the ZnS/CdS composite catalyst was proposed

  14. The Enzyme-Like Domain of Arabidopsis Nuclear β-Amylases Is Critical for DNA Sequence Recognition and Transcriptional Activation.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Soyk, Sebastian; Simková, Klára; Zürcher, Evelyne; Luginbühl, Leonie; Brand, Luise H; Vaughan, Cara K; Wanke, Dierk; Zeeman, Samuel C

    2014-04-01

    Plant BZR1-BAM transcription factors contain a β-amylase (BAM)-like domain, characteristic of proteins involved in starch breakdown. The enzyme-derived domains appear to be noncatalytic, but they determine the function of the two Arabidopsis thaliana BZR1-BAM isoforms (BAM7 and BAM8) during transcriptional initiation. Removal or swapping of the BAM domains demonstrates that the BAM7 BAM domain restricts DNA binding and transcriptional activation, while the BAM8 BAM domain allows both activities. Furthermore, we demonstrate that BAM7 and BAM8 interact on the protein level and cooperate during transcriptional regulation. Site-directed mutagenesis of residues in the BAM domain of BAM8 shows that its function as a transcriptional activator is independent of catalysis but requires an intact substrate binding site, suggesting it may bind a ligand. Microarray experiments with plants overexpressing truncated versions lacking the BAM domain indicate that the pseudo-enzymatic domain increases selectivity for the preferred cis-regulatory element BBRE (BZR1-BAM Responsive Element). Side specificity toward the G-box may allow crosstalk to other signaling networks. This work highlights the importance of the enzyme-derived domain of BZR1-BAMs, supporting their potential role as metabolic sensors. © 2014 American Society of Plant Biologists. All rights reserved.

  15. HRTEM and neutron diffraction study of LixMo5O17: From the ribbon (x=5) structure to the rock salt (x=12) structure

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Lebedev, O.I.; Caignaert, V.; Raveau, B.; Pop, N.; Gozzo, F.; Van Tendeloo, G.; Pralong, V.

    2011-01-01

    Structure determination of the fully intercalated phase Li 12 Mo 5 O 17 and of the deintercalated oxide Li 5 Mo 5 O 17 has been carried out by electron microscopy and neutron powder diffraction. The reversible topotactic transformation between the ordered rock salt structure of the former and the ribbon structure of the latter (closely related to that of Li 4 Mo 5 O 17 ) is explained on the following basis: both structures can be described as strips built up as an assembly of infinite ribbons of MoO 6 octahedra that are five octahedra thick, and that differ by slight displacements of the octahedral ribbons. We show that the electrochemical behavior of the Li x Mo 5 O 17 system is based on two sorts of Li + sites; those that are located within the strips between the ribbons, and those that are located at the border of the strips. The high rate of Li intercalation in this oxide and its reversibility are discussed in terms of its peculiar structure. -- Graphical abstract: Structure determination of the fully intercalated phase Li 12 Mo 5 O 17 and of the deintercalated oxide Li 5 Mo 5 O 17 has been carried out by electron microscopy and neutron powder diffraction. The reversible topotactic transformation between the ordered rock salt structure of the former and the ribbon structure of the latter is explained on the following basis: both structures can be described as strips built up as an assembly of infinite ribbons of MoO 6 octahedra that are five octahedra thick, and that differ by slight displacements of the octahedral ribbons. We show that the electrochemical behavior of the Li x Mo 5 O 17 system is based on two sorts of Li + sites; those that are located within the strips between the ribbons, and those that are located at the border of the strips. The high rate of Li intercalation in this oxide and its reversibility are discussed in terms of its peculiar structure. Research highlights: → Electron microscopy and neutron powder diffraction structure determination

  16. Effect of excitation-autoionization processes on the line emission of Zn I-- and GaI--like rare-earth ions in hot coronal plasmas

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Mandelbaum, P.; Finkenthal, M.; Meroz, E.; Schwob, J.L.; Oreg, J.; Goldstein, W.H.; Klapisch, M.; Osterheld, L.; Bar Shalom, A.; Lippman, S.; Huang, L.K.; Moos, H.W.

    1990-01-01

    A systematic variation in the line-intensity ratios of GaI-- and ZnI--like Pr (Z=59) to Dy (Z=66) ions has been observed in spectra emitted by atoms injected in a low-density high-temperature tokamak plasma. This variation is shown to be correlated with the progressive closing of the autoionizing channels through the excited 3d 9 4s 2 4p4f configuration in the GaI--like ionization state as Z increases

  17. Controlled morphologies and optical properties of ZnO films and their photocatalytic activities

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Duan Jingjing [Key Laboratory for Soft Chemistry and Functional Materials, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, Nanjing 210094 (China); Liu Xiaoheng, E-mail: xhliu@mail.njust.edu.cn [Key Laboratory for Soft Chemistry and Functional Materials, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, Nanjing 210094 (China); Han Qiaofeng [Key Laboratory for Soft Chemistry and Functional Materials, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, Nanjing 210094 (China); Wang Xin, E-mail: wangx@mail.njust.edu.cn [Key Laboratory for Soft Chemistry and Functional Materials, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, Nanjing 210094 (China)

    2011-09-15

    Highlights: > Gelatin acts as a capping reagent in the morphology synthesis of ZnO films. > The microstructures of ZnO films are hexagonal prisms, plates and rose-like crystals. > The hexagonal prisms and rose-like films exhibit excellent photocatalytic activities. - Abstract: ZnO films with three different microstructures including hexagonal prisms, plates and rose-like twinned crystals were fabricated using chemical bath deposition with different concentration of gelatin. The growth mechanisms of ZnO films were discussed, and the gelatin played a vital role as a polyelectrolyte capping the formation of microstructures. The photoluminescence and Raman properties were found sensitive to the crystal morphologies of ZnO films. Significantly, the photodegradation efficiencies of methylene blue under UV light irradiation in the presence of ZnO films consisted of hexagonal prisms and rose-like twinned crystals were 95% and 96%, respectively. The excellent photocatalytic activities can be ascribed to the high oxygen vacancies concentration and high percentage of polar planes, and this result was important in addressing the origin of high photocatalytic activity.

  18. {gamma}-Fe phase plasma-induced on the surface of thin S3A alloy ribbons

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Cabral-Prieto, A., E-mail: agustin.cabral@inin.gob.mx; Garcia-Sosa, I., E-mail: irma.garcia@inin.gob.mx [Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Nucleares, Departamento de Quimica (Mexico); Nava, N., E-mail: tnava@imp.mx [Instituto Mexicano del Petroleo, Eje Central Lazaro Cardenas (Mexico); Camps, E., E-mail: enrique.camps@inin.gob.mx; Escobar, Luis, E-mail: luis.escobar@inin.gov.mx [Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Nucleares, Departamento de Quimica (Mexico); Lopez-Castanarez, R., E-mail: rlc@anuies.mx; Olea-Cardoso, O., E-mail: olc@anuies.mx [Universidad Autonoma del Edo. de Mexico, Facultad de Quimica (Mexico)

    2011-11-15

    Amorphous alloy ribbons of Fe{sub 77}Cr{sub 2}B{sub 16}Si{sub 5} were exposed to cold plasmas of N{sub 2} and Ar-N{sub 2} at temperatures lower than T{sub x} = 808 K. The conversion X-ray Moessbauer spectra of the plasma-exposed ribbons consist of a singlet and a broadened magnetic sextet. The singlet with isomer shift {delta} = -0.11 mm/s can be assigned to {gamma}-Fe austenite phase. Minor bulk magnetic changes in the alloy were measured as a consequence of these treatments; e.g. the relative intensities A23 of the transmission Moessbauer spectra of the untreated and treated samples, were 3.22 and 3.56, respectively, the B{sub hf} values changed from 22.9 T (untreated sample) to 22.4 T (plasma treated samples). Unexpectedly, the {gamma}-Fe phase can also be produced by simply heating the alloy ribbons under N{sub 2} flux at temperatures as low as 423 K. Moessbauer data of the crystallized samples are also reported, and a qualitative assessment on the mechanical properties of the Fe{sub 77}Cr{sub 2}B{sub 16}Si{sub 5} alloy associated with the plasma and/or temperature surface induced {gamma}-Fe phase is given.

  19. THE IBEX RIBBON AND THE PICKUP ION RING STABILITY IN THE OUTER HELIOSHEATH. II. MONTE-CARLO AND PARTICLE-IN-CELL MODEL RESULTS

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Niemiec, J. [Institute of Nuclear Physics PAN, Radzikowskiego 152 31-342 Krakow (Poland); Florinski, V.; Heerikhuisen, J. [Department of Space Science and Center for Space Plasma and Aeronomic Research, University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL 35899 (United States); Nishikawa, K.-I., E-mail: jacek.niemiec@ifj.edu.pl, E-mail: vaf0001@uah.edu, E-mail: jh0004@uah.edu, E-mail: ken-ichi.nishikawa-1@nasa.gov [Department of Physics, University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL 35899 (United States)

    2016-08-01

    The nearly circular ribbon of energetic neutral atom (ENA) emission discovered by NASA’s Interplanetary Boundary EXplorer satellite ( IBEX ), is most commonly attributed to the effect of charge exchange of secondary pickup ions (PUIs) gyrating about the magnetic field in the outer heliosheath (OHS) and the interstellar space beyond. The first paper in the series (Paper I) presented a theoretical analysis of the pickup process in the OHS and hybrid-kinetic simulations, revealing that the kinetic properties of freshly injected proton rings depend sensitively on the details of their velocity distribution. It was demonstrated that only rings that are not too narrow (parallel thermal spread above a few km s{sup −1}) and not too wide (parallel temperature smaller than the core plasma temperature) could remain stable for a period of time long enough to generate ribbon ENAs. This paper investigates the role of electron dynamics and the extra spatial degree of freedom in the ring ion scattering process with the help of two-dimensional full particle-in-cell (PIC) kinetic simulations. A good agreement is observed between ring evolution under unstable conditions in hybrid and PIC models, and the dominant modes are found to propagate parallel to the magnetic field. We also present more realistic ribbon PUI distributions generated using Monte Carlo simulations of atomic hydrogen in the global heliosphere and examine the effect of both the cold ring-like and the hot “halo” PUIs produced from heliosheath ENAs on the ring stability. It is shown that the second PUI population enhances the fluctuation growth rate, leading to faster isotropization of the solar-wind-derived ring ions.

  20. Structural, optical, XPS and magnetic properties of Zn particles capped by ZnO nanoparticles

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Morozov, Iu.G., E-mail: yugmor@hotmail.com [Institute of Structural Macrokinetics and Materials Science, Russian Academy of Sciences, Academician Osipyan Street 8, Chernogolovka, Moscow Region 142432 (Russian Federation); Belousova, O.V. [Institute of Structural Macrokinetics and Materials Science, Russian Academy of Sciences, Academician Osipyan Street 8, Chernogolovka, Moscow Region 142432 (Russian Federation); Ortega, D., E-mail: daniel.ortega@imdea.org [Instituto Madrileño de Estudios Avanzados en Nanociencia (IMDEA-Nanociencia), Cantoblanco 28049, Madrid (Spain); Mafina, M.-K., E-mail: m.k.mafina@qmul.ac.uk [School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End, Eng, 231, London E1 4NS (United Kingdom); Kuznetcov, M.V., E-mail: maxim1968@mail.ru [Department of Chemistry, Materials Chemistry Research Centre, University College London, 20 Gordon Street, London WC1H 0AJ (United Kingdom)

    2015-06-05

    Highlights: • Levitation-jet aerosol synthesis of Zn particles capped by ZnO nanoparticles (NPs). • TEM, XRD, UV–vis, FT-IR, Raman, XPS and magnetic characterization of the NPs. • Correlation between unit-cell volume of crystal lattice and maximum magnetization. - Abstract: Spherical zinc particles ranging from 42 to 760 nm in average size and capped with plate-like zinc oxide particles of 10–30 nm in sizes have been prepared by levitation-jet aerosol synthesis through condensation of zinc vapor in an inert/oxidizer gas flow. The nanoparticles have been characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), BET measurements, ultra violet visible (UV–vis) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray electron spectroscopy (XPS), superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID), and vibrating-sample magnetometer (VSM). Magnetic and XRD data indicate that the observed ferromagnetic ordering related to the changes in unit-cell volume of Zn in the Zn/ZnO interface of the nanoparticles. These results are in good correlation with the optical measurements data.

  1. Vickers Microhardness and Hyperfine Magnetic Field Variations of Heat Treated Amorphous Fe{sub 78}Si{sub 9}B{sub 13} Alloy Ribbons

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Cabral-Prieto, A., E-mail: acpr@nuclear.inin.mx [Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Nucleares, Department of Chemistry (Mexico); Garcia-Santibanez, F.; Lopez, A.; Lopez-Castanares, R.; Olea Cardoso, O. [Universidad Autonoma del Estado de Mexico, El Cerrillo Piedras Blancas, Facultad de Ciencias (Mexico)

    2005-02-15

    Amorphous Fe{sub 78}Si{sub 9}B{sub 13} alloy ribbons were heat treated between 296 and 763 K, using heating rates between 1 and 4.5 K/min. Whereas one ribbon partially crystallized at T{sub x} = 722 K, the other one partially crystallized at T{sub x} = 763 K. The partially crystallized ribbon at 722 K, heat treated using a triangular form for the heating and cooling rates, was substantially less fragile than the partially crystallized at 763 K where a tooth saw form for the heating and cooling rates was used. Vickers microhardness and hyperfine magnetic field values behaved almost concomitantly between 296 and 673 K. The Moessbauer spectral line widths of the heat-treated ribbons decreased continuously from 296 to 500 K, suggesting stress relief in this temperature range where the Vickers microhardness did not increase. At 523 K the line width decreased further but the microhardness increased substantially. After 523 K the line width behave in an oscillating form as well as the microhardness, indicating other structural changes in addition to the stress relief. Finally, positron lifetime data showed that both inner part and surface of Fe{sub 78}Si{sub 9}B{sub 13} alloy ribbons were affected distinctly. Variations on the surface may be the cause of some of the high Vickers microhardness values measured in the amorphous state.

  2. Re-partitioning of Cu and Zn isotopes by modified protein expression

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Ragnarsdottir K Vala

    2008-10-01

    Full Text Available Abstract Cu and Zn have naturally occurring non radioactive isotopes, and their isotopic systematics in a biological context are poorly understood. In this study we used double focussing mass spectroscopy to determine the ratios for these isotopes for the first time in mouse brain. The Cu and Zn isotope ratios for four strains of wild-type mice showed no significant difference (δ65Cu -0.12 to -0.78 permil; δ66Zn -0.23 to -0.48 permil. We also looked at how altering the expression of a single copper binding protein, the prion protein (PrP, alters the isotope ratios. Both knockout and overexpression of PrP had no significant effect on the ratio of Cu isotopes. Mice brains expressing mutant PrP lacking the known metal binding domain have δ65Cu isotope values of on average 0.57 permil higher than wild-type mouse brains. This implies that loss of the copper binding domain of PrP increases the level of 65Cu in the brain. δ66Zn isotope values of the transgenic mouse brains are enriched for 66Zn to the wild-type mouse brains. Here we show for the first time that the expression of a single protein can alter the partitioning of metal isotopes in mouse brains. The results imply that the expression of the prion protein can alter cellular Cu isotope content.

  3. Synthesis and characterization of ZnO and Ni doped ZnO nanorods by thermal decomposition method for spintronics application

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Saravanan, R.; Santhi, Kalavathy; Sivakumar, N.; Narayanan, V.; Stephen, A.

    2012-01-01

    Zinc oxide nanorods and diluted magnetic semiconducting Ni doped ZnO nanorods were prepared by thermal decomposition method. This method is simple and cost effective. The decomposition temperature of acetate and formation of oxide were determined by TGA before the actual synthesis process. The X-ray diffraction result indicates the single phase hexagonal structure of zinc oxide. The transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy images show rod like structure of ZnO and Ni doped ZnO samples with the diameter ∼ 35 nm and the length in few micrometers. The surface analysis was performed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic studies. The Ni doped ZnO exhibits room temperature ferromagnetism. This diluted magnetic semiconducting Ni doped ZnO nanorods finds its application in spintronics. - Highlights: ► The method used is very simple and cost effective compared to all other methods for the preparation DMS materials. ► ZnO and Ni doped ZnO nanorods ► Ferromagnetism at room temperature

  4. A Test of the Interstellar Boundary EXplorer Ribbon Formation in the Outer Heliosheath

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Gamayunov, Konstantin V.; Rassoul, Hamid [Department of Physics and Space Sciences, Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, FL 32901 (United States); Heerikhuisen, Jacob, E-mail: kgamayunov@fit.edu [Department of Space Science, University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL 35899 (United States)

    2017-08-10

    NASA’s Interstellar Boundary EXplorer ( IBEX ) mission is imaging energetic neutral atoms (ENAs) propagating to Earth from the outer heliosphere and local interstellar medium (LISM). A dominant feature in all ENA maps is a ribbon of enhanced fluxes that was not predicted before IBEX . While more than a dozen models of the ribbon formation have been proposed, consensus has gathered around the so-called secondary ENA model. Two classes of secondary ENA models have been proposed; the first class assumes weak scattering of the energetic pickup protons in the LISM, and the second class assumes strong but spatially localized scattering. Here we present a numerical test of the “weak scattering” version of the secondary ENA model using our gyro-averaged kinetic model for the evolution of the phase-space distribution of protons in the outer heliosheath. As input for our test, we use distributions of the primary ENAs from our MHD-plasma/kinetic-neutral model of the heliosphere-LISM interaction. The magnetic field spectrum for the large-scale interstellar turbulence and an upper limit for the amplitude of small-scale local turbulence (SSLT) generated by protons are taken from observations by Voyager 1 in the LISM. The hybrid simulations of energetic protons are also used to set the bounding wavenumbers for the spectrum of SSLT. Our test supports the “weak scattering” version. This makes an additional solid step on the way to understanding the origin and formation of the IBEX ribbon and thus to improving our understanding of the interaction between the heliosphere and the LISM.

  5. The Relative Influence of Metal Ion Binding Sites in the I-like Domain and the Interface with the Hybrid Domain on Rolling and Firm Adhesion by Integrin α4β7*

    OpenAIRE

    Chen, JianFeng; Takagi, Junichi; Xie, Can; Xiao, Tsan; Luo, Bing-Hao; Springer, Timothy A.

    2004-01-01

    We examined the effect of conformational change at the β7 I-like/hybrid domain interface on regulating the transition between rolling and firm adhesion by integrin α4β7. An N-glycosylation site was introduced into the I-like/hybrid domain interface to act as a wedge and to stabilize the open conformation of this interface and hence the open conformation of the α4β7 headpiece. Wild-type α4β7 mediates rolling adhesion in Ca2+ and Ca2+/Mg2+ but firm adhesion in Mg2+ and Mn2+. Stabilizing the ope...

  6. The Relative Influence of Metal Ion Binding Sites in the I-like Domain and the Interface with the Hybrid Domain on Rolling and Firm Adhesion by Integrin α4β7*

    Science.gov (United States)

    Chen, JianFeng; Takagi, Junichi; Xie, Can; Xiao, Tsan; Luo, Bing-Hao; Springer, Timothy A.

    2015-01-01

    We examined the effect of conformational change at the β7 I-like/hybrid domain interface on regulating the transition between rolling and firm adhesion by integrin α4β7. An N-glycosylation site was introduced into the I-like/hybrid domain interface to act as a wedge and to stabilize the open conformation of this interface and hence the open conformation of the α4β7 headpiece. Wild-type α4β7 mediates rolling adhesion in Ca2+ and Ca2+/Mg2+ but firm adhesion in Mg2+ and Mn2+. Stabilizing the open headpiece resulted in firm adhesion in all divalent cations. The interaction between metal binding sites in the I-like domain and the interface with the hybrid domain was examined in double mutants. Changes at these two sites can either counterbalance one another or be additive, emphasizing mutuality and the importance of multiple interfaces in integrin regulation. A double mutant with counterbalancing deactivating ligand-induced metal ion binding site (LIMBS) and activating wedge mutations could still be activated by Mn2+, confirming the importance of the adjacent to metal ion-dependent adhesion site (ADMIDAS) in integrin activation by Mn2+. Overall, the results demonstrate the importance of headpiece allostery in the conversion of rolling to firm adhesion. PMID:15448154

  7. One-step synthesis of bird cage-like ZnO and other controlled morphologies: Structural, growth mechanism and photocatalytic properties

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Yang, Shuo; Wang, Jian; Li, Xiuyan; Zhai, Hongju; Han, Donglai; Wei, Bing; Wang, Dandan; Yang, Jinghai

    2014-01-01

    Highlights: • ZnO nanocage arrays were synthesized by a one-step etching route. • ZnO nanocage exhibit higher photocatalytic activity than other samples. • The different photocatalytic activities of different samples were analyzed. • The formation mechanism of ZnO nanocages was proposed. - Abstract: ZnO nanocages and other nanostructures have been synthesized via a simple one-pot hydrothermal method with different reaction times. It is worth mentioning that this is a completely green method which does not require any other chemicals except that Zn foil served as Zn source in the experiment. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), photoluminescence (PL) and UV–Vis diffuse reflection spectra were used to characterize the crystallinity, morphology and optical property of ZnO structures. Growth mechanisms of ZnO were proposed based on these results. Furthermore, ZnO films with different morphologies and crystal growth habits exhibited different activities to rhodamine B degradation. The influence of the reaction time on the morphology of ZnO films and the effect of the morphologies on the photocatalytic activity are discussed

  8. Structures of a Nonribosomal Peptide Synthetase Module Bound to MbtH-like Proteins Support a Highly Dynamic Domain Architecture

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Miller, Bradley R.; Drake, Eric J.; Shi, Ce; Aldrich, Courtney C.; Gulick, Andrew M. (UMM); (HWMRI)

    2016-09-05

    Nonribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs) produce a wide variety of peptide natural products. During synthesis, the multidomain NRPSs act as an assembly line, passing the growing product from one module to the next. Each module generally consists of an integrated peptidyl carrier protein, an amino acid-loading adenylation domain, and a condensation domain that catalyzes peptide bond formation. Some adenylation domains interact with small partner proteins called MbtH-like proteins (MLPs) that enhance solubility or activity. A structure of an MLP bound to an adenylation domain has been previously reported using a truncated adenylation domain, precluding any insight that might be derived from understanding the influence of the MLP on the intact adenylation domain or on the dynamics of the entire NRPS module. Here, we present the structures of the full-length NRPS EntF bound to the MLPs from Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. These new structures, along with biochemical and bioinformatics support, further elaborate the residues that define the MLP-adenylation domain interface. Additionally, the structures highlight the dynamic behavior of NRPS modules, including the module core formed by the adenylation and condensation domains as well as the orientation of the mobile thioesterase domain.

  9. Nano and micro reoriented domains and their relation with the crystal structure in the new ferroelectric boracite Zn3B7O13Br

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Campa-Molina, J; Ulloa-Godinez, S; Barrera, A; Bucio, L; Mata, J

    2006-01-01

    A new zinc brome boracite Zn 3 B 7 O 13 Br has been grown by a chemical transport reaction in closed quartz ampoules at 920 K. The crystal structure was characterized by Rietveld refinement. Ferroelectric nano and micro reorientable domains were found in this material using polarizing optical microscopy (PLM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Chemical analysis was performed with x-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDX). In the crystal, a new structure transition at 586 K from orthorhombic (Pca 2 1 ) to cubic cell (F4-bar3c) has been found. This transition was corroborated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)

  10. Nano and micro reoriented domains and their relation with the crystal structure in the new ferroelectric boracite Zn3B7O13Br

    Science.gov (United States)

    Campa-Molina, J.; Ulloa-Godínez, S.; Barrera, A.; Bucio, L.; Mata, J.

    2006-05-01

    A new zinc brome boracite Zn3B7O13Br has been grown by a chemical transport reaction in closed quartz ampoules at 920 K. The crystal structure was characterized by Rietveld refinement. Ferroelectric nano and micro reorientable domains were found in this material using polarizing optical microscopy (PLM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Chemical analysis was performed with x-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDX). In the crystal, a new structure transition at 586 K from orthorhombic (Pca 21) to cubic cell (F\\overline 4 3c ) has been found. This transition was corroborated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).

  11. Vertical resistivity in nanocrystalline ZnO and amorphous InGaZnO

    Science.gov (United States)

    McCandless, Jonathan P.; Leedy, Kevin D.; Schuette, Michael L.

    2018-02-01

    The goal is to gain additional insight into physical mechanisms and the role of microstructure on the formation of ohmic contacts and the reduction of contact resistance. We have measured a decreasing film resistivity in the vertical direction with increasing thickness of pulsed-laser deposited ZnO and IGZO. As the ZnO thickness increases from 122 nm to 441 nm, a reduction in resistivity from 3.29 Ω-cm to 0.364 Ω-cm occurred. The IGZO resistivity changes from 72.4 Ω-cm to 0.642 Ω-cm as the film is increased from 108nm to 219 nm. In the ZnO, the size of nanocolumnar grains increase with thickness resulting in fewer grain boundaries, and in the amorphous IGZO, the thicker region exhibits tunnel-like artifacts which may contribute to the reduced resistivity.

  12. Structural basis of Zn(II induced metal detoxification and antibiotic resistance by histidine kinase CzcS in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Dan Wang

    2017-07-01

    Full Text Available Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa is a major opportunistic human pathogen, causing serious nosocomial infections among immunocompromised patients by multi-determinant virulence and high antibiotic resistance. The CzcR-CzcS signal transduction system in P. aeruginosa is primarily involved in metal detoxification and antibiotic resistance through co-regulating cross-resistance between Zn(II and carbapenem antibiotics. Although the intracellular regulatory pathway is well-established, the mechanism by which extracellular sensor domain of histidine kinase (HK CzcS responds to Zn(II stimulus to trigger downstream signal transduction remains unclear. Here we determined the crystal structure of the CzcS sensor domain (CzcS SD in complex with Zn(II at 1.7 Å resolution. This is the first three-dimensional structural view of Zn(II-sensor domain of the two-component system (TCS. The CzcS SD is of α/β-fold in nature, and it senses the Zn(II stimulus at micromole level in a tetrahedral geometry through its symmetry-related residues (His55 and Asp60 on the dimer interface. Though the CzcS SD resembles the PhoQ-DcuS-CitA (PDC superfamily member, it interacts with the effector in a novel domain with the N-terminal α-helices rather than the conserved β-sheets pocket. The dimerization of the N-terminal H1 and H1' α-helices is of primary importance for the activity of HK CzcS. This study provides preliminary insight into the molecular mechanism of Zn(II sensing and signaling transduction by the HK CzcS, which will be beneficial to understand how the pathogen P. aeruginosa resists to high levels of heavy metals and antimicrobial agents.

  13. ATRF Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony Coincides with Chamber of Commerce Centennial Gala | Poster

    Science.gov (United States)

    By Frank Blanchard, Staff Writer U.S. Rep. Roscoe Bartlett, NCI Deputy Director for Management John Czajkowski, and SAIC Corporate Chief Executive Officer (CEO) John Jumper were joined by representatives of the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce in cutting the ribbon for the National Cancer Institute’s Advanced Technology Research Facility (ATRF).

  14. Preparation and characterization of electrodeposited ZnO and ZnO:Co nanorod films for heterojunction diode applications

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Caglar, Yasemin, E-mail: yasemincaglar@anadolu.edu.tr [Anadolu University, Science Faculty, Physics Department, Eskisehir (Turkey); Arslan, Andaç [Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Art and Science Faculty, Chemistry Department, Eskisehir (Turkey); Ilican, Saliha [Anadolu University, Science Faculty, Physics Department, Eskisehir (Turkey); Hür, Evrim [Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Art and Science Faculty, Chemistry Department, Eskisehir (Turkey); Aksoy, Seval; Caglar, Mujdat [Anadolu University, Science Faculty, Physics Department, Eskisehir (Turkey)

    2013-10-15

    Highlights: •Undoped and Co-doped ZnO films were deposited on p-Si by electrodeposition method. •The effects of Co doping on some properties of ZnO films were investigated. •ZnO morphology was converted uniform multi-oriented rods with incorporation of Co. •Co-doped ZnO nanorod films showed a multi-oriented spear-like structure. -- Abstract: Well-aligned undoped and Co-doped nanorod ZnO films were grown by electrochemical deposition onto p-Si substrates from an aqueous route. Aqueous solution of Zn(NO{sub 3}){sub 2}⋅6H{sub 2}O and hexamethylenetetramine (HMT) were prepared using triple distilled water. Two different atomic ratios of Co(NO{sub 3}){sub 2}⋅6H{sub 2}O were used as a dopant element. Electrodepositions were carried out in a conventional three electrode cell for the working electrode (p-Si), reference electrode (Ag/AgCl, sat.) and counter electrode (platin wire). The effects of Co doping on the structural, morphological and electrical properties of ZnO films were investigated. X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurement showed that the undoped ZnO nanorod film was crystallized in the hexagonal wurtzite phase and presented a preferential orientation along the c-axis. Only one peak, corresponding to the (0 0 2) phase, appeared on the diffractograms. The lattice parameters and texture coefficient values were calculated. The nanorods were confirmed by the field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) measurements. The FE-SEM image showed that the ZnO nanorods grow uniformly on the substrates, providing a surface with fairly homogeneous roughness. The surface morphology was transformed into uniform multi-oriented rods with incorporation of Co. Co-doped ZnO nanorod films showed a multi-oriented spear-like structure. The diffuse reflectance spectra of the films were measured and the optical band gap values were determined using Kubelka–Munk theory. The van der Pauw method was used to measure the sheet resistance of the films. The sheet resistance

  15. 75 FR 66766 - NIAID Blue Ribbon Panel Meeting on Adjuvant Discovery and Development

    Science.gov (United States)

    2010-10-29

    ..., identifies gaps in knowledge and capabilities, and defines NIAID's goals for the continued discovery...), will convene a Blue Ribbon Panel to provide expertise in developing a strategic plan and research... vaccines. NIAID has developed a draft Strategic Plan and Research Agenda for Adjuvant Discovery and...

  16. Modeling the excitation of graphene plasmons in periodic grids of graphene ribbons: An analytical approach

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Gonçalves, P:A.D.; Dias, E. J. C.; Bludov, Yu V.

    2016-01-01

    We study electromagnetic scattering and subsequent plasmonic excitations in periodic grids of graphene ribbons. To address this problem, we develop an analytical method to describe the plasmon-assisted absorption of electromagnetic radiation by a periodic structure of graphene ribbons forming...... a diffraction grating for THz and mid-IR light. The major advantage of this method lies in its ability to accurately describe the excitation of graphene surface plasmons (GSPs) in one-dimensional (1D) graphene gratings without the use of both time-consuming, and computationally demanding full-wave numerical...... compare the theoretical data with spectra taken from experiments, for which we observe a very good agreement. These theoretical tools may therefore be applied to design new experiments and cutting-edge nanophotonic devices based on graphene plasmonics....

  17. Effects of material non-linearity on the residual stresses in a dendritic silicon crystal ribbon

    Science.gov (United States)

    Ray, Sujit K.; Utku, Senol

    1990-01-01

    Thermal stresses developed in a dendritic silicon crystal ribbon have been shown to cause plastic deformation and residual stresses in the ribbon. This paper presents an implementation of a numerical model proposed for thermoelastoplastic behavior of a material. The model has been used to study the effects of plasticity of silicon on the residual stresses. The material properties required to implement this model are all assumed, and the response of the material to the variations in these assumed parameters of the constitutive law and in the finite element mesh is investigated. The steady state growth process is observed to be periodic with nonzero residual stresses. Numerical difficulties are also encountered in the computer solution process, resulting in sharp jumps and large oscillations in the stress responses.

  18. Structure and evolution of N-domains in AAA metalloproteases.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Scharfenberg, Franka; Serek-Heuberger, Justyna; Coles, Murray; Hartmann, Marcus D; Habeck, Michael; Martin, Jörg; Lupas, Andrei N; Alva, Vikram

    2015-02-27

    Metalloproteases of the AAA (ATPases associated with various cellular activities) family play a crucial role in protein quality control within the cytoplasmic membrane of bacteria and the inner membrane of eukaryotic organelles. These membrane-anchored hexameric enzymes are composed of an N-terminal domain with one or two transmembrane helices, a central AAA ATPase module, and a C-terminal Zn(2+)-dependent protease. While the latter two domains have been well studied, so far, little is known about the N-terminal regions. Here, in an extensive bioinformatic and structural analysis, we identified three major, non-homologous groups of N-domains in AAA metalloproteases. By far, the largest one is the FtsH-like group of bacteria and eukaryotic organelles. The other two groups are specific to Yme1: one found in plants, fungi, and basal metazoans and the other one found exclusively in animals. Using NMR and crystallography, we determined the subunit structure and hexameric assembly of Escherichia coli FtsH-N, exhibiting an unusual α+β fold, and the conserved part of fungal Yme1-N from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, revealing a tetratricopeptide repeat fold. Our bioinformatic analysis showed that, uniquely among these proteins, the N-domain of Yme1 from the cnidarian Hydra vulgaris contains both the tetratricopeptide repeat region seen in basal metazoans and a region of homology to the N-domains of animals. Thus, it is a modern-day representative of an intermediate in the evolution of animal Yme1 from basal eukaryotic precursors. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

  19. Structural analysis of a 3-deoxy-D-arabino-heptulosonate 7-phosphate synthase with an N-terminal chorismate mutase-like regulatory domain

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Light, Samuel H.; Halavaty, Andrei S.; Minasov, George; Shuvalova, Ludmilla; Anderson, Wayne F. (NWU)

    2012-06-27

    3-Deoxy-D-arabino-heptulosonate 7-phosphate synthase (DAHPS) catalyzes the first step in the biosynthesis of a number of aromatic metabolites. Likely because this reaction is situated at a pivotal biosynthetic gateway, several DAHPS classes distinguished by distinct mechanisms of allosteric regulation have independently evolved. One class of DAHPSs contains a regulatory domain with sequence homology to chorismate mutase - an enzyme further downstream of DAHPS that catalyzes the first committed step in tyrosine/phenylalanine biosynthesis - and is inhibited by chorismate mutase substrate (chorismate) and product (prephenate). Described in this work, structures of the Listeria monocytogenes chorismate/prephenate regulated DAHPS in complex with Mn{sup 2+} and Mn{sup 2+} + phosphoenolpyruvate reveal an unusual quaternary architecture: DAHPS domains assemble as a tetramer, from either side of which chorismate mutase-like (CML) regulatory domains asymmetrically emerge to form a pair of dimers. This domain organization suggests that chorismate/prephenate binding promotes a stable interaction between the discrete regulatory and catalytic domains and supports a mechanism of allosteric inhibition similar to tyrosine/phenylalanine control of a related DAHPS class. We argue that the structural similarity of chorismate mutase enzyme and CML regulatory domain provides a unique opportunity for the design of a multitarget antibacterial.

  20. The structure of the cysteine protease and lectin-like domains of Cwp84, a surface layer-associated protein from Clostridium difficile

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Bradshaw, William J. [University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY (United Kingdom); Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG (United Kingdom); Kirby, Jonathan M. [Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG (United Kingdom); Thiyagarajan, Nethaji [University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY (United Kingdom); Chambers, Christopher J.; Davies, Abigail H. [University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY (United Kingdom); Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG (United Kingdom); Roberts, April K.; Shone, Clifford C. [Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG (United Kingdom); Acharya, K. Ravi, E-mail: bsskra@bath.ac.uk [University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY (United Kingdom)

    2014-07-01

    The crystal structure of Cwp84, an S-layer protein from Clostridium difficile is presented for the first time. The cathepsin L-like fold of cysteine protease domain, a newly observed ‘lectin-like’ domain and several other features are described. Clostridium difficile is a major problem as an aetiological agent for antibiotic-associated diarrhoea. The mechanism by which the bacterium colonizes the gut during infection is poorly understood, but undoubtedly involves a myriad of components present on the bacterial surface. The mechanism of C. difficile surface-layer (S-layer) biogenesis is also largely unknown but involves the post-translational cleavage of a single polypeptide (surface-layer protein A; SlpA) into low- and high-molecular-weight subunits by Cwp84, a surface-located cysteine protease. Here, the first crystal structure of the surface protein Cwp84 is described at 1.4 Å resolution and the key structural components are identified. The truncated Cwp84 active-site mutant (amino-acid residues 33–497; C116A) exhibits three regions: a cleavable propeptide and a cysteine protease domain which exhibits a cathepsin L-like fold followed by a newly identified putative carbohydrate-binding domain with a bound calcium ion, which is referred to here as a lectin-like domain. This study thus provides the first structural insights into Cwp84 and a strong base to elucidate its role in the C. difficile S-layer maturation mechanism.

  1. The structure of the cysteine protease and lectin-like domains of Cwp84, a surface layer-associated protein from Clostridium difficile

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Bradshaw, William J.; Kirby, Jonathan M.; Thiyagarajan, Nethaji; Chambers, Christopher J.; Davies, Abigail H.; Roberts, April K.; Shone, Clifford C.; Acharya, K. Ravi

    2014-01-01

    The crystal structure of Cwp84, an S-layer protein from Clostridium difficile is presented for the first time. The cathepsin L-like fold of cysteine protease domain, a newly observed ‘lectin-like’ domain and several other features are described. Clostridium difficile is a major problem as an aetiological agent for antibiotic-associated diarrhoea. The mechanism by which the bacterium colonizes the gut during infection is poorly understood, but undoubtedly involves a myriad of components present on the bacterial surface. The mechanism of C. difficile surface-layer (S-layer) biogenesis is also largely unknown but involves the post-translational cleavage of a single polypeptide (surface-layer protein A; SlpA) into low- and high-molecular-weight subunits by Cwp84, a surface-located cysteine protease. Here, the first crystal structure of the surface protein Cwp84 is described at 1.4 Å resolution and the key structural components are identified. The truncated Cwp84 active-site mutant (amino-acid residues 33–497; C116A) exhibits three regions: a cleavable propeptide and a cysteine protease domain which exhibits a cathepsin L-like fold followed by a newly identified putative carbohydrate-binding domain with a bound calcium ion, which is referred to here as a lectin-like domain. This study thus provides the first structural insights into Cwp84 and a strong base to elucidate its role in the C. difficile S-layer maturation mechanism

  2. Growth behaviour of twisted ribbons of barium carbonate/silica self-assembled ceramics

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Garcia-Ruiz, J.M.; Moreno, A.

    1997-01-01

    Twisted ribbons of self-assembled crystal aggregates of barium carbonate, in the presence of silicate ions at pH 9.5 grow at constant rate between 20 and 50 mu m/min. The morphological behaviour depends on temperature, while it was demonstrated to be independent of the viscosity of the growth environment. (Author) 7 refs

  3. ZnO nanocoral reef grown on porous silicon substrates without catalyst

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Abdulgafour, H.I.; Yam, F.K.; Hassan, Z.; AL-Heuseen, K.; Jawad, M.J.

    2011-01-01

    Research highlights: → Porous silicon (PS) technology is utilized to grow coral reef-like ZnO nanostructures on the surface of Si substrates. → Flower-like aligned ZnO nanorods are fabricated directly onto the silicon substrates through zinc powder evaporation using a simple thermal evaporation method without a catalyst for comparison. → The PL spectra show that for ZnO nanocoral reefs the UV emission shifts slightly towards lower frequency. → This non-catalyst growth technique on the rough surface of substrates may have potential applications in the fabrication of nanoelectronic and nanooptical devices. - Abstract: Porous silicon (PS) technology is utilized to grow coral reef-like ZnO nanostructures on the surface of Si substrates with rough morphology. Flower-like aligned ZnO nanorods are also fabricated directly onto the silicon substrates through zinc powder evaporation using a simple thermal evaporation method without a catalyst for comparison. The characteristics of these nanostructures are investigated using field-emission scanning electron microscopy, grazing-angle X-ray diffraction (XRD), and photoluminescence (PL) measurements of structures grown on both Si and porous Si substrates. The texture coefficient obtained from the XRD spectra indicates that the coral reef-like nanostructures are highly oriented on the porous silicon substrate with decreasing nanorods length and diameter from 800-900 nm to 3.5-5.5 μm and from 217-229 nm to 0.6-0.7 μm, respectively. The PL spectra show that for ZnO nanocoral reefs the UV emission shifts slightly towards lower frequency and the intensity increase with the improvement of ZnO crystallization. This non-catalyst growth technique on the rough surface of substrates may have potential applications in the fabrication of nanoelectronic and nanooptical devices.

  4. ZnO nanocoral reef grown on porous silicon substrates without catalyst

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Abdulgafour, H.I., E-mail: hind_alshaikh@yahoo.com [School of Physics, University Sains Malaysia 11800 Penang (Malaysia); Yam, F.K.; Hassan, Z.; AL-Heuseen, K.; Jawad, M.J. [School of Physics, University Sains Malaysia 11800 Penang (Malaysia)

    2011-05-05

    Research highlights: > Porous silicon (PS) technology is utilized to grow coral reef-like ZnO nanostructures on the surface of Si substrates. > Flower-like aligned ZnO nanorods are fabricated directly onto the silicon substrates through zinc powder evaporation using a simple thermal evaporation method without a catalyst for comparison. > The PL spectra show that for ZnO nanocoral reefs the UV emission shifts slightly towards lower frequency. > This non-catalyst growth technique on the rough surface of substrates may have potential applications in the fabrication of nanoelectronic and nanooptical devices. - Abstract: Porous silicon (PS) technology is utilized to grow coral reef-like ZnO nanostructures on the surface of Si substrates with rough morphology. Flower-like aligned ZnO nanorods are also fabricated directly onto the silicon substrates through zinc powder evaporation using a simple thermal evaporation method without a catalyst for comparison. The characteristics of these nanostructures are investigated using field-emission scanning electron microscopy, grazing-angle X-ray diffraction (XRD), and photoluminescence (PL) measurements of structures grown on both Si and porous Si substrates. The texture coefficient obtained from the XRD spectra indicates that the coral reef-like nanostructures are highly oriented on the porous silicon substrate with decreasing nanorods length and diameter from 800-900 nm to 3.5-5.5 {mu}m and from 217-229 nm to 0.6-0.7 {mu}m, respectively. The PL spectra show that for ZnO nanocoral reefs the UV emission shifts slightly towards lower frequency and the intensity increase with the improvement of ZnO crystallization. This non-catalyst growth technique on the rough surface of substrates may have potential applications in the fabrication of nanoelectronic and nanooptical devices.

  5. Chiral domain formation from the mixture of achiral rod-like liquid crystal and tri boomerang-shaped molecule

    Science.gov (United States)

    Lee, Ji-Hoon; Yoon, Tae-Hoon

    2013-08-01

    Spontaneous formation of chiral domains such as a helical filament and a bent-broom texture was observed from the mixture of a rod-like liquid crystal octylcyano-biphenyl (8CB) and a tri boomerang-shaped 2,4,6-triphenoxy-1,3,5-triazine (triphenoxy) molecule. Although the constituent molecules were achiral, their mixture showed the chiral domains with the equal fraction of the opposite handedness. No tilt of 8CB molecules in the smectic layer was observed, implying the chirality is not due to the polar packing and tilt of the molecules. In addition, the splay and bend elastic constant of 8CB was decreased after doping triphenoxy. A structural conformation of triphenoxy and an orientational coupling between 8CB and triphenoxy are considered to be related to the chiral domain formation.

  6. Effects of Post- Heat Treatment of Nanocrystalline ZnO Thin Films deposited on Zn-Deposited FTO Substrates

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Kim, Ikhyun; Kim, Younggyu; Nam, Giwoong; Leem, Jae-Young [Inje University, Gimhae (Korea, Republic of)

    2015-10-15

    The effects of heat-treatment temperature on the structural and optical properties of ZnO thin films were investigated with field-effect scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction analysis, and photoluminescence (PL) measurements. The ZnO thin films were grown on Zn-deposited fluorine-doped tin oxide substrates by sol-gel spin coating. The SEM images of the samples showed that their surfaces had a mountain-chain-like structure. The film annealed at 400 ℃ had the highest degree of alignment along the c-axis, and its residual stress was close to zero. The PL spectra of the ZnO thin films consisted of sharp near-band-edge emissions (NBE) and broad deep-level emissions (DLE) in the visible range. The DLE peaks exhibited a green-to-red shift with an increase in the temperature. The highest INBE/IDLE ratio was observed in the film annealed at 400 ℃. Thus, the optimal temperature for growing high-quality ZnO thin films on Zn-deposited FTO substrates is 400 ℃.

  7. Epitaxial properties of ZnO thin films on SrTiO3 substrates grown by laser molecular beam epitaxy

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Wei, X. H.; Li, Y. R.; Zhu, J.; Huang, W.; Zhang, Y.; Luo, W. B.; Ji, H.

    2007-01-01

    Epitaxial ZnO thin films with different orientations have been grown by laser molecular beam epitaxy on (001)- (011)-, and (111)-orientated SrTiO 3 single-crystal substrates. The growth behavior was in situ monitored by reflection high-energy electron diffraction, and the epitaxial orientation relations were reconfirmed by ex situ x-ray diffraction measurements. In the case of ZnO on SrTiO 3 (001), four orthogonal domains coexisted in the ZnO epilayer, i.e., ZnO(110) parallel SrTiO 3 (001) and ZnO[-111] parallel SrTiO 3 . For (011)- and (111)-orientated substrates, single-domain epitaxy with c axial orientation was observed, in which the in-plane relationship was ZnO[110] parallel SrTiO 3 [110] irrespective of the substrate orientations. Additionally, the crystalline quality of ZnO on SrTiO 3 (111) was better than that of ZnO on SrTiO 3 (011) because of the same symmetry between the (111) substrates and (001) films. The obtained results can be attributed to the difference of the in-plane crystallographic symmetry. Furthermore, those alignments can be explained by the interface stress between the substrates and the films

  8. Morphological transition of ZnO nanostructures influenced by magnesium doping

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Premkumar, T.; Zhou, Y.S.; Gao, Y.; Baskar, K.; Jiang, L.; Lu, Y.F.

    2012-01-01

    Wurtzite zinc oxide (ZnO) nanochains have been synthesized through high-pressure pulsed laser deposition. The chain-like ZnO nanostructures were obtained from magnesium (Mg) doped ZnO targets, whereas vertically aligned nanorods were obtained from primitive ZnO targets. The Mg doping has influenced the morphological transition of ZnO nanostructures from nanorods to nanochains. The field emission scanning electron microscope images revealed the growth of beaded ZnO nanochains. The ZnO nanochains of different diameters 40 and 120 nm were obtained. The corresponding micro-Raman spectra showed strong E 2H mode of ZnO, which confirmed the good crystallinity of the nanochains. In addition to near band edge emission at 3.28 eV, ZnO nanochains show broad deep level emission at 2.42 eV than that of ZnO nanorods.

  9. Surface potential driven dissolution phenomena of [0 0 0 1]-oriented ZnO nanorods grown from ZnO and Pt seed layers

    Science.gov (United States)

    Seo, Youngmi; Kim, Jung Hyeun

    2011-06-01

    Highly oriented ZnO nanorods are synthesized hydrothermally on ZnO and Pt seed layers, and they are dissolved in KOH solution. The rods grown on ZnO seed layer show uniform dissolution, but those grown on Pt seed layer are rod-selectively dissolved. The ZnO nanorods from both seed layers show the same crystalline structure through XRD and Raman spectrometer data. However, the surface potential analysis reveals big difference for ZnO and Pt seed cases. The surface potential distribution is very uniform for the ZnO seed case, but it is much fluctuated on the Pt seed case. It suggests that the rod-selective dissolution phenomena on Pt seed case are likely due to the surface energy difference.

  10. Zn-dopant dependent defect evolution in GaN nanowires

    Science.gov (United States)

    Yang, Bing; Liu, Baodan; Wang, Yujia; Zhuang, Hao; Liu, Qingyun; Yuan, Fang; Jiang, Xin

    2015-10-01

    Zn doped GaN nanowires with different doping levels (0, doping on the defect evolution, including stacking fault, dislocation, twin boundary and phase boundary, has been systematically investigated by transmission electron microscopy and first-principles calculations. Undoped GaN nanowires show a hexagonal wurtzite (WZ) structure with good crystallinity. Several kinds of twin boundaries, including (101&cmb.macr;3), (101&cmb.macr;1) and (202&cmb.macr;1), as well as Type I stacking faults (...ABABC&cmb.b.line;BCB...), are observed in the nanowires. The increasing Zn doping level (GaN nanowires. At high Zn doping level (3-5 at%), meta-stable cubic zinc blende (ZB) domains are generated in the WZ GaN nanowires. The WZ/ZB phase boundary (...ABABAC&cmb.b.line;BA...) can be identified as Type II stacking faults. The density of stacking faults (both Type I and Type II) increases with increasing the Zn doping levels, which in turn leads to a rough-surface morphology in the GaN nanowires. First-principles calculations reveal that Zn doping will reduce the formation energy of both Type I and Type II stacking faults, favoring their nucleation in GaN nanowires. An understanding of the effect of Zn doping on the defect evolution provides an important method to control the microstructure and the electrical properties of p-type GaN nanowires.Zn doped GaN nanowires with different doping levels (0, doping on the defect evolution, including stacking fault, dislocation, twin boundary and phase boundary, has been systematically investigated by transmission electron microscopy and first-principles calculations. Undoped GaN nanowires show a hexagonal wurtzite (WZ) structure with good crystallinity. Several kinds of twin boundaries, including (101&cmb.macr;3), (101&cmb.macr;1) and (202&cmb.macr;1), as well as Type I stacking faults (...ABABC&cmb.b.line;BCB...), are observed in the nanowires. The increasing Zn doping level (GaN nanowires. At high Zn doping level (3-5 at%), meta

  11. The emergence of mirror-like response properties from domain-general principles in vision and audition.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Saygin, Ayse P; Dick, Frederic

    2014-04-01

    Like Cook et al., we suggest that mirror neurons are a fascinating product of cross-modal learning. As predicted by an associative account, responses in motor regions are observed for novel and/or abstract visual stimuli such as point-light and android movements. Domain-specific mirror responses also emerge as a function of audiomotor expertise that is slowly acquired over years of intensive training.

  12. Two-dimensional electron gases in MgZnO/ZnO and ZnO/MgZnO/ZnO heterostructures grown by dual ion beam sputtering

    Science.gov (United States)

    Singh, Rohit; Arif Khan, Md; Sharma, Pankaj; Than Htay, Myo; Kranti, Abhinav; Mukherjee, Shaibal

    2018-04-01

    This work reports on the formation of high-density (~1013-1014 cm-2) two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) in ZnO-based heterostructures, grown by a dual ion beam sputtering system. We probe 2DEG in bilayer MgZnO/ZnO and capped ZnO/MgZnO/ZnO heterostructures utilizing MgZnO barrier layers with varying thickness and Mg content. The effect of the ZnO cap layer thickness on the ZnO/MgZnO/ZnO heterostructure is also studied. Hall measurements demonstrate that the addition of a 5 nm ZnO cap layer results in an enhancement of the 2DEG density by about 1.5 times compared to 1.11 × 1014 cm-2 for the uncapped bilayer heterostructure with the same 30 nm barrier thickness and 30 at.% Mg composition in the barrier layer. From the low-temperature Hall measurement, the sheet carrier concentration and mobility are both found to be independent of the temperature. The capacitance-voltage measurement suggests a carrier density of ~1020 cm-3, confined in 2DEG at the MgZnO/ZnO heterointerface. The results presented are significant for the optimization of 2DEG for the eventual realization of cost-effective and large-area MgZnO/ZnO-based high-electron-mobility transistors.

  13. Bidirectional electroluminescence from p-SnO2/i-MgZnO/n-ZnO heterojunction light-emitting diodes

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Yang, Yanqin; Li, Songzhan; Liu, Feng; Zhang, Nangang; Liu, Kan; Wang, Shengxiang; Fang, Guojia

    2017-01-01

    Light-emitting diodes based on p-SnO 2 /i-MgZnO/n-ZnO heterojunction have been fabricated. The material properties and the performance of heterojunction device are characterized. Current-voltage characteristics of the device show a diode-like rectifying behavior. Under forward bias, two prominent emission peaks located at 589 nm and 722 nm in the visible region and a weak ultraviolet emission are observed from p-SnO 2 /i-MgZnO/n-ZnO heterojunction device. As the device is under reverse bias, a broad visible emission band dominates the electroluminescence spectrum at a high current. Furthermore, the emission mechanism has been discussed in terms of energy band structures of the device under forward and reverse biases.

  14. Synthesis of ZnO coated multi-walled carbon nanotubes and their antibacterial activities

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Sui, Minghao, E-mail: suiminghao.sui@gmail.com; Zhang, Lingdian, E-mail: 970864427@qq.com; Sheng, Li, E-mail: shengli1971@gmail.com; Huang, Shuhang, E-mail: hsh880813@qq.com; She, Lei, E-mail: selery1989@163.com

    2013-05-01

    ZnO coated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (ZnO/MWCNTs) were prepared and evaluated for their application potentials as an antimicrobial material for simultaneous concentrating and inactivating pathogenic bacteria. X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS) were used to characterize the ZnO/MWCNTs. Escherichia coli (E. coli) was employed as the target bacterium. Comparing with the raw and the purified MWCNTs (r-MWCNTs and p-MWCNTs), which have been reported to possess antibacterial activity towards E. coli, ZnO/MWCNTs exhibited stronger antibacterial ability. The deposited ZnO was suggested to play an important role in the bactericidal action of ZnO/MWCNTs, while, the r-MWCNTs and p-MWCNTs served as more like adsorbing materials for E. coli. - Highlights: ► ZnO/MWCNTs were prepared and characterized. ► ZnO/MWCNTs were evaluated for the application potential as disinfection material. ► ZnO/MWCNTs exhibited strong antibacterial ability towards E. coli. ► ZnO seems to play an important role in the bactericidal action of ZnO/MWCNTs. ► MWCNTs served as more like adsorbing materials for E. coli.

  15. Acceptor Type Vacancy Complexes In As-Grown ZnO

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Zubiaga, A.; Tuomisto, F.; Zuniga-Perez, J.

    2010-01-01

    One of the many technological areas that ZnO is interesting for is the construction of opto-electronic devices working in the blue-UV range as its large band gap (∼3.4 eV at 10 K) makes them suitable for that purpose. As-grown ZnO shows generally n-type conductivity partially due to the large concentration of unintentional shallow donors, like H, but impurities can also form complexes with acceptor type defects (Zn vacancy) leading to the creation of compensating defects. Recently, Li Zn and Na Zn acceptors have been measured and H could form similar type of defects. Doppler Broadening Positron Annihilation spectroscopy experimental results on the observation of Zn related vacancy complexes in ZnO thin films, as-grown, O implanted and Al doped will be presented. Results show that as-grown ZnO film show small Zn vacancy related complexed that could be related to presence of H as a unintentional doping element.

  16. Acceptor Type Vacancy Complexes In As-Grown ZnO

    Science.gov (United States)

    Zubiaga, A.; Tuomisto, F.; Zuñiga-Pérez, J.

    2010-11-01

    One of the many technological areas that ZnO is interesting for is the construction of opto-electronic devices working in the blue-UV range as its large band gap (˜3.4 eV at 10 K) makes them suitable for that purpose. As-grown ZnO shows generally n-type conductivity partially due to the large concentration of unintentional shallow donors, like H, but impurities can also form complexes with acceptor type defects (Zn vacancy) leading to the creation of compensating defects. Recently, LiZn and NaZn acceptors have been measured and H could form similar type of defects. Doppler Broadening Positron Annihilation spectroscopy experimental results on the observation of Zn related vacancy complexes in ZnO thin films, as-grown, O implanted and Al doped will be presented. Results show that as-grown ZnO film show small Zn vacancy related complexed that could be related to presence of H as a unintentional doping element.

  17. An ankyrin-like protein with transmembrane domains is specifically lost after oncogenic transformation of human fibroblasts.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Jaquemar, D; Schenker, T; Trueb, B

    1999-03-12

    We have identified a novel transformation-sensitive mRNA, which is present in cultured fibroblasts but is lacking in SV40 transformed cells as well as in many mesenchymal tumor cell lines. The corresponding gene is located on human chromosome 8 in band 8q13. The open reading frame of the mRNA encodes a protein of 1119 amino acids forming two distinct domains. The N-terminal domain consists of 18 repeats that are related to the cytoskeletal protein ankyrin. The C-terminal domain contains six putative transmembrane segments that resemble many ion channels. This overall structure is reminiscent of TRP-like proteins that function as store-operated calcium channels. The novel protein with an Mr of 130 kDa is expressed at a very low level in human fibroblasts and at a moderate level in liposarcoma cells. Overexpression in eukaryotic cells appears to interfere with normal growth, suggesting that it might play a direct or indirect role in signal transduction and growth control.

  18. Observation of room temperature ferromagnetism in ZnTe:Cr films grown onto glass substrate by thermal evaporation method

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Soundararajan, D; Mangalaraj, D; Nataraj, D [Thin Film Laboratory, Department of Physics, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore -641 046 (India); Dorosinskii, L [National Institute of Metrology (TUBITAK -UME), P.K. 54, 41470, Gebze -Kocaeli (Turkey); Santoyo-Salazar, J, E-mail: dorosins@ume.tubitak.gov.t [Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Instituto de Investigaciones en Materiales, Mexico D.F. 04510 (Mexico)

    2009-03-01

    ZnTe and ZnTe:Cr films were prepared onto glass substrates using thermal evaporation method. Structural properties of the prepared samples were analyzed using X-ray diffractometer, and the presence of ZnCrTe phase was identified along with poor crystallinity. Composition analysis was done using XPS and the Cr content in the film was found to be 0.05 atomic percent. Transmittance spectra were recorded using UV-Vis spectrophotometer. The valence state of Cr in ZnTe:Cr film is determined to be +2 using electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy. Magnetic moment data as a function of magnetic field were recorded using Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID) magnetometer at temperatures 5, 77 and 300 K. The results showed minority ferromagnetic behavior even at room temperature. Magnetic domains were observed using Magnetic Force Microscopy and the average value of domain size is 3.7 nm.

  19. Processing of ZnO nanocrystals by solochemical technique

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Gusatti, M.; Speckhahn, R.; Silva, L.A.; Rosario, J.A.; Lima, R.B.; Kuhnen, N.C.; Riella, H.G.; Campos, C.E.M.

    2009-01-01

    In the present work, we report the synthesis of high quality ZnO nanocrystals by solochemical technique. This synthetic strategy has been shown to have advantages over other methods of producing nanostructures in terms of low cost, efficiency, simplicity and uniformity of crystal structure. Zinc chloride solution at room temperature was mixed with sodium hydroxide solution at 50°C to produce ZnO nanocrystals. Transmission electronic microscopy (TEM) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) were used to characterize the ZnO nanocrystals obtained. The structure of ZnO was refined by the Rietveld Method from X-ray diffraction data. These methods showed that the product consisted of pure ZnO nanocrystals and has, predominantly, a rod-like morphology. (author)

  20. The Rho Termination Factor of Clostridium botulinum contains a Prion-Like Domain with a highly Amyloidogenic Core

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Irantzu ePallares

    2016-01-01

    Full Text Available Prion-like proteins can switch between a soluble intrinsically disordered conformation and a highly ordered amyloid assembly. This conformational promiscuity is encoded in specific sequence regions, known as prion domains (PrDs. Prions are best known as the causative factors of neurological diseases in mammals. However, bioinformatics analyses reveal that proteins bearing PrDs are present in all kingdoms of life, including bacteria, thus supporting the idea that they serve conserved beneficial cellular functions. Despite the proportion of predicted prion-like proteins in bacterial proteomes is generally low, pathogenic species seem to have a higher prionic load, suggesting that these malleable proteins may favor pathogenic traits. In the present work, we performed a stringent computational analysis of the Clostridium botulinum pathogen proteome in the search for prion-like proteins. A total of 54 candidates were predicted for this anaerobic bacterium, including the transcription termination Rho factor. This RNA-binding protein has been shown to play a crucial role in bacterial adaptation to changing environments. We show here that the predicted disordered PrD domain of this RNA-binding protein contains an inner, highly polar, asparagine-rich short sequence able to spontaneously self-assemble into amyloid-like structures, bearing thus the potential to induce a Rho factor conformational switch that might rewire gene expression in response to environmental conditions.