Structural and optical properties of axial and radial heterostructure III-V nanowires grown by metalorganic chemical vapour deposition

We have investigated the structural properties and photoluminescence of novel axial and radial heterostructure III-V nanowires, fabricated by metalorganic chemical vapour deposition. Segments of InGaAs have been incorporated within GaAs nanowires, to create axial heterostructure nanowires which exhibit strong photoluminescence. Photoluminescence is observed from radial heterostructure nanowires (core-shell nanowires), consisting of GaAs cores with AlGaAs shells. Core-multishell nanowires, of GaAs cores clad in several alternating layers of thick AlGaAs barrier shells and thin GaAs quantum well shells, exhibit a blue-shifted photoluminescence peak arising from quantum confinement effects. © 2006 Crown Copyright.

Influence of tire geometry on the horn effect

A reciprocal-configuration Boundary Element Method calculation of acoustic radiation characteristics has been implemented for a generic tire geometry. The influence of the geometric parameters on the radiation characteristics has been studied. The degree of amplification of noise sources on the tire belt is strongly affected by the overall tire width. In contrast, the tire radius predominantly influences the pattern of the varying amplification around the belt, rather than its absolute level. Radiusing the tire's 'shoulder' region is potentially beneficial in terms of lowering amplification levels, for a tire of fixed overall width. However, it is less effective than maintaining sharp shoulders and reducing the overall width. Thus, for an acoustically optimal belted tire, the overall width should be as small as possible, even if this leads to a larger diameter. The width should not be increased in order to accommodate a radiused crown region. Copyright © (2012) by the Institute of Noise Control Engineering (INCE).

Strength and drying shrinkage of reactive MgO modified alkali-activated slag paste

Conventional alkali-activated slag (AAS) cements suffer from significant drying shrinkage which hinders their widespread application. This paper investigates the potential of using commercial reactive MgO to reduce the drying shrinkage of AAS. Two different reactive MgOs were added at a content of 2.5-7.5 wt% of the slag, which was activated by sodium hydroxide and water-glass. The strength and the drying shrinkage of those reactive MgO modified AAS (MAAS) pastes were measured up to 90 days. It is found that MgO with high reactivity accelerated the early hydration of AAS, while MgO with medium reactivity had little effect. The drying shrinkage was significantly reduced by highly reactive MgO but it also generated severe cracking under the dry condition. On the other hand, medium-reactive MgO only showed observable shrinkage-reducing effect after one month, but the cement soundness was improved. The hydration products, analysed by X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy techniques, showed that Mg was mainly incorporated in the hydrotalcite-like phases. It is concluded that the curing conditions and the time of hydrotalcite-like phases formation and their quantity are crucial to the developed strength and shrinkage reduction properties of MAAS, which are highly dependent on the reactivity and content of reactive MgO. Crown Copyright © 2013 Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Comparative studies on photosynthesis and phosphate metabolism of Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii with Microcystis aeruginosa and Aphanizomenon flos-aquae

The physiological differences for three bloom-forming cyanobacteria (Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii, Microcystis aeruginosa, and Aphanizomenon flos-aquae) were investigated. In comparison with M. aeruginosa and A. flos-aquae, C. raciborskii exhibited a significantly higher concentration of carotenoids, higher values in maximum photosynthesis rate (P-m), apparent photosynthetic efficieny (a), and maximum electron transport rate (ETRmax) during the growth period. In addition, higher extracellular alkaline phosphatase activities and lower light compensation point (I-c) were also detected in C raciborskii (p < 0.05, ANOVA). Therefore, it is suggested that the higher photosynthetic activities, more effective uptake and utilization to phosphate, and low light requirements might play important roles in the occurrence and invasive behavior of C. raciborskii. Crown Copyright (C) 2009 Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

DE-71-induced apoptosis involving intracellular calcium and the Bax-mitochondria-caspase protease pathway in human neuroblastoma cells In vitro

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are used extensively as flame-retardants and are ubiquitous in the environment and in wildlife and human tissue. Recent studies have shown that PBDEs induce neurotoxic effects in vivo and apoptosis in vitro. However, the signaling mechanisms responsible for these events are still unclear. In this study, we investigated the action of a commercial mixture of PBDEs (pentabrominated diphenyl ether, DE-71) on a human neuroblastoma cell line, SK-N-SH. A cell viability test showed a dose-dependent increase in lactate dehydrogenase leakage and 3-(4,5-dimethylthia-zol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide reduction. Cell apoptosis was observed through morphological examination, and DNA degradation in the cell cycle and cell apoptosis were demonstrated using flow cytometry and DNA laddering. The formation of reactive oxygen species was not observed, but DE-71 was found to significantly induce caspase-3, -8, and -9 activity, which suggests that apoptosis is not induced by oxidative stress but via a caspase-dependent pathway. We further investigated the intracellular calcium ([Ca2+](i)) levels using flow cytometry and observed an increase in the intracellular Ca2+ concentration with a time-dependent trend. We also found that the N-methyl d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist MK801 (3 mu M) significantly reduced DE-71-induced cell apoptosis. The results of a Western blotting test demonstrated that DE-71 treatment increases the level of Bax translocation to the mitochondria in a dose-dependent fashion and stimulates the release of cytochrome c (Cyt c) from the mitochondria into the cytoplasm. Overall, our results indicate that DE-71 induces the apoptosis of ([Ca2+](i)) in SK-N-SH cells via Bax insertion, Cyt c release in the mitochondria, and the caspase activation pathway.

Body loadings and health risk assessment of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans at an intensive electronic waste recycling site in China

This study is one of the very few investigating the dioxin body burden of a group of child-bearing-aged women at an electronic waste (e-waste) recycling site (Taizhou, Zhejiang Province) (24 +/- 2.83 years of age, 40% were primiparae) and a reference site (Lin'an city, Zhejiang Province, about 245 km away from Taizhou) (24 +/- 2.35 years of age, 100% were primiparae) in China. Five sets of samples (each set consisted of human milk, placenta, and hair) were collected from each site. Body burdens of people from the e-waste processing site (human milk, 21.02 +/- 13.81 pg WHO-TEQ(1998/g) fat (World Health Organization toxic equivalency 1998); placenta, 31.15 +/- 15.67 pg WHO-TEQ(1998/g) fat; hair, 33.82 +/- 17.74 pg WHO-TEQ(1998/g) dry wt) showed significantly higher levels of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurnas (PCDD/Fs) than those from the reference site (human milk, 9.35 +/- 7.39 pg WHO-TEQ(1998/g) fat, placenta, 11.91 +/- 7.05 pg WHO-TEQ(1998/g) fat; hair, 5.59 +/- 4.36 pg WHO-TEQ(1998/g) dry wt) and were comparatively higher than other studies. The difference between the two sites was due to e-waste recycling operations, for example, open burning, which led to high background levels. Moreover, mothers from the e-waste recycling site consumed more foods of animal origin. The estimated daily intake of PCDD/Fs within 6 months by breast-fed infants from the e-waste processing site was 2 times higher than that from the reference site. Both values exceeded the WHO tolerable daily intake for adults by at least 25 and 11 times, respectively. Our results implicated that e-waste recycling operations cause prominent PCDD/F levels in the environment and in humans. The elevated body burden may have health implications for the next generation.

Apoptosis induction on human hepatoma cells Hep G2 of decabrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE-209)

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are an important class of halogenated organic brominated flame retardants. Because of their presence in abiotic and biotic environments widely and their structural similarity to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), concern has been raised on their possible adverse health effects to humans. This study was designed to determine the anti-proliferative, apoptotic properties of decabrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE-209), using a human hepatoma Hep G2 line as a model system. Hep G2 cells were cultured in the presence of PBDE-209 at various concentrations (1.0-100.0 mu mol/L) for 72 h and the percentage of cell viability was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The results showed that PBDE-209 inhibited the cells viability in time and concentration-dependent characteristics at concentrations (10.0-100.0 mu mol/L). We found that anti-proliferative effect of PBDE-209 was associated with apoptosis on Hep G2 cells by determinations of morphological changes, cell cycle and apoptosis. Mechanism study showed that PBDE-209 could increase the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) concentration-dependently. Antioxidant N-acetylcyteine partially inhibited the increase of ROS. The mechanism for its hepatoma-inhibitory effects was the induction of cellular apoptosis through ROS generation. In addition, activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release increased when the cells incubated with PBDE-209 at various concentrations and times. These results suggested that PBDE-209 had the toxicity activity of anti-proliferation and induction of apoptosis in tumor cells in vitro. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Observation of the surface circular photogalvanic effect in InN films

A sizable spin-dependent photocurrent related to the interband transition in InN films is observed. The surface charge accumulation layer is suggested to be the origin of the circular photogalvanic current, which is consistent with the result of uniaxial strain experiments and the comparison of front and back incidence. The homogeneous photocurrent demonstrates the existence of spin splitting in the InN surface layer, and the structure inversion asymmetry (SIA)-dominant mechanism indicates a great possibility for the manipulation of spin splitting, which would undoubtedly benefit further research and applications of spintronics. Crown Copyright (C) 2009 Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

An internally-matched GaN HEMTs device with 45.2 W at 8 GHz for X-band application

Optimized AlGaN/AlN/GaN high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) with high mobility GaN channel layer structures were grown on 2-in. diameter semi-insulating 6H-SiC substrates by MOCVD. The 2-in. diameter GaN HEMT wafer exhibited a low average sheet resistance of 261.9 Omega/square, with the resistance un-uniformity as low as 2.23%. Atomic force microscopy measurements revealed a smooth AlGaN surface whose root-mean-square roughness is 0.281 nm for a scan area of 5 x 5 mu m. For the single-cell HEMTs device of 2.5-mm gate width fabricated using the materials, a maximum drain current density of 1.31 A/mm, an extrinsic transconductance of 450 mS/mm, a current gain cutoff frequency of 24 GHz and a maximum frequency of oscillation 54 GHz were achieved. The four-cell internally-matched GaN HEMTs device with 10-mm total gate width demonstrated a very high output power of 45.2 W at 8 GHz under the condition of continuous-wave (CW), with a power added efficiency of 32.0% and power gain of 6.2 dB. To our best knowledge, the achieved output power of internally-matched devices are the state-of-the-art result ever reported for X-band GaN-based HEMTs. Crown Copyright (C) 2009 Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Bulge testing and fracture properties of plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposited silicon nitride thin films

The mechanical properties and fracture behavior of silicon nitride (SiNx) thin film fabricated by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition is reported. Plane-strain moduli, prestresses, and fracture strengths of silicon nitride thin film; deposited both oil a bare Si substrate and oil a thermally oxidized Si substrate were extracted using bulge testing combined with a refined load-deflection model of long rectangular membranes. The plane-strain modu i and prestresses of SiNx thin films have little dependence on the substrates, that is, for the bare Si substrate, they are 133 +/- 19 GPa and 178 +/- 22 MPa, respectively, while for the thermally oxidized substrate, they are 140 +/- 26 Gila and 194 +/- 34 MPa, respectively. However, the fracture strength values of SiNx films grown on the two substrates are quite different, i.e., 1.53 +/- 0.33 Gila and 3.08 +/- 0.79 GPa for the bare Si substrate a A the oxidized Si substrate, respectively. The reference stresses were computed by integrating the local stress of the membrane at the fracture over the edge, Surface, and volume of the specimens and fitted with the Weibull distribution function. For SiNx thin film produced oil the bare Si Substrate, the Volume integration gave a significantly better agreement between data and model, implying that the volume flaws re the dominant fracture origin. For SiNx thin film grown on the oxidized Si substrate, the fit quality of surface and edge integration was significantly better than the Volume integration, and the dominant surface and edge flaws could be caused by buffered HF attacking the SiNx layer during SiO2 removal. Crown Copyright (C) 2008 Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

All-optical clock recovery using a ridge width varied two-section partly gain-coupled DFB self-pulsation laser

A 1.55 mu m InGaAsP-InP partly gain-coupled two-section DFB self-pulsation laser (SPL) with a varied ridge width has been fabricated. The laser produces self-pulsations with a frequency tuning range of more than 135 GHz. All-optical clock recovery from 40 Gb/s degraded data streams has been demonstrated. Successful lockings of the device at frequencies of 30 GHz, 40 GHz, 50 GHz, and 60 GHz to a 10 GHz sidemode injection are also conducted, which demonstrates the capability of the device for all-optical clock recovery at different frequencies. This flexibility of the device is highly desired for practical uses. Crown Copyright

Design of apochromatic telescope without anomalous dispersion glasses

A novel lens system with correction of secondary spectrum without using anomalous glasses is presented. The lens system comprises four separated lens components, with three of them being subapertures. Two examples of apochromatic telescope are presented, both with the use of typical normal glasses, namely crown K9 and flint F5 glasses, and low-cost slightly anomalous dispersion glasses. Secondary spectrum and other chromatic aberrations of the two design examples are corrected.

Sol-gel matrix modified microstructured optical fibre towards a fluoride sensitive optical probe

In this article, we report an optical fluoride probe based on microstructured polymer optical fibers (MPOFs) which is modified with morin-Al complex doped silica gel film. This probe is fabricated by sol-gel fluxion coating process. Sol solution doped with morin-Al is directly inhaled into array holes of MPOF and then forms morin-Al-gel matrix film in them. The sensing probe shows different fluorescence intensity to different fluoride ion concentrations in the aqueous solution. The range of response is 550 mmol/L, under the condition of pH 4.6. Crown Copyright (C) 2009 Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

黄土丘陵区小叶杨生长空间差异性及其土壤环境效应

采用每木测定的方法,对不同坡位小叶杨林及其林下植被生长情况进行了调查和计算。研究表明,坡下部小叶杨生长状态良好,其平均地径、胸径、枝下高和冠幅等参数都明显优于坡中部和上部,以沟谷地带的小叶杨的生长为基点,则坡下部、中部和上部的小叶杨的树高和胸径生长潜力分别为沟谷地带小叶杨的77.53%,34.88%,31.88%和75.59%,39.51%,33.36%,坡下部种植小叶杨更有利于其稳定生长;小叶杨(+沙棘)混交林,其林分的平均树高、地径、胸径及冠幅等生长参数都明显高于纯小叶杨林,混交小叶杨林比纯小叶杨林有更好的稳定性保水保土功能。通过对不同坡位小叶杨林地生长环境因子的分析表明,各因子对造成不同坡位小叶杨林空间差异的贡献程度和行为不尽相同,土壤含水量、有机质、全N和有效N含量的影响最为显著;土壤速效P和速效K在各土壤剖面的表现基本一致,且坡下>坡中>坡上;而pH与其它因子相比则表现出相反的作用和趋势。通过对营造方式小叶杨林地生长环境因子的分析表明,土壤含水量在0-120 cm土层的影响较为显著,但在120 cm土层以下表现完全相反;混交林地的沙棘对大大调节土壤全P、有效N和速效P含量,对小叶杨林生长环境贡献突出...

一价铜催化Ullmann 反应合成联苯醚和芳基烷基醚的研究

联苯醚和芳基烷基醚类化合物是天然产物和聚合物材料中的重要的片段结构，研究其合成具有重要意义。近年来，过渡金属催化形成碳-氧键已成为制备联苯醚和芳基烷基醚类化合物的重要方法。钯体系虽然成功，但由于其属于贵金属，价格昂贵，而且反应所必须的有机膦配体，毒性较大，对环境危害较大，所以其应用受到了限制。 本论文通过利用空气稳定的Cu(bpy)2BF4 配合物，使得苯酚和烷基醇有效地进行偶合得到联苯醚产物。该方法可以在不使用昂贵弱碱Cs2CO3 的情况下，取得很好的产率，并且在较低的催化剂载入量的情况下，可以很好地适应各种官能团取代的底物。 本论文通过配体的扫描筛选，使得溴代苯和烷基醇的偶合反应得到了发展。更重要的是，使用该体系时分子间和分子内的碳-氧键都可以形成。通过该方法合成了一系列苯并环醚类化合物，这也是一价铜体系催化制备该类化合物的首次报道。