Variation of saturation effect in the ionospheric F2 critical frequency at low latitude

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ikubanni, S. O.; Adeniyi, J. O.

2013-08-01

Saturation in the dependence of foF2 on solar flux is a phenomenon more pronounced in the equatorial ionization anomaly region. The phenomenon was observed in the relationship between the F2 critical frequency (foF2) and any solar indices. Using a two-segmented regression fit on data from an African low latitude station (Geographical Latitude 12.4°N; Geomagnetic latitude 3.5°N), saturation features from the dependence of foF2 on solar radio flux (F10.7) was studied. Diurnal and seasonal variation were studied for the first time in this low latitude region of the African sector. Significant variations were observed, especially in the solstices. It was observed that saturation effect is closely related to the hourly F2 critical frequency and these results were compared with those from Asian, Australian and the American sectors. The diurnal and seasonal variations find their explanations in the photo-ionization process, the fountain effect, and the pre-reversal enhancement while the seasonal variation was attributed to both the ion drift and thermospheric circulation. Future work with larger volume of data is expected to validate the observations from this study.

Estimated critical conditions for UO{sub 2}F{sub 2}--H{sub 2}O systems in fully water-reflected spherical geometry

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Jordan, W.C.; Turner, J.C.

1992-12-01

The purpose of this report is to document reference calculations performed using the SCALE-4.0 code system to determine the critical parameters of UO{sub 2}F{sub 2}-H{sub 2}O spheres. The calculations are an extension of those documented in ORNL/CSD/TM-284. Specifically, the data for low-enriched UO{sub 2}F{sub 2}-H{sub 2}O spheres have been extended to highly enriched uranium. These calculations, together with those reported in ORNL/CSD/TM-284, provide a consistent set of critical parameters (k{sub {infinity}}, volume, mass, mass of water) for UO{sub 2}F{sub 2} and water over the full range of enrichment and moderation ratio.

Suppression in the electrical hysteresis by using CaF2 dielectric layer for p-GaN MIS capacitors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sang, Liwen; Ren, Bing; Liao, Meiyong; Koide, Yasuo; Sumiya, Masatomo

2018-04-01

The capacitance-voltage (C-V) hysteresis in the bidirectional measurements of the p-GaN metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) capacitor is suppressed by using a CaF2 dielectric layer and a post annealing treatment. The density of trapped charge states at the CaF2/p-GaN interface is dramatically reduced from 1.3 × 1013 cm2 to 1.1 × 1011/cm2 compared to that of the Al2O3/p-GaN interface with a large C-V hysteresis. It is observed that the disordered oxidized interfacial layer can be avoided by using the CaF2 dielectric. The downward band bending of p-GaN is decreased from 1.51 to 0.85 eV as a result of the low-density oxides-related trap states. Our work indicates that the CaF2 can be used as a promising dielectric layer for the p-GaN MIS structures.

Estimated critical conditions for UO[sub 2]F[sub 2]--H[sub 2]O systems in fully water-reflected spherical geometry

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Jordan, W.C.; Turner, J.C.

1992-12-01

The purpose of this report is to document reference calculations performed using the SCALE-4.0 code system to determine the critical parameters of UO[sub 2]F[sub 2]-H[sub 2]O spheres. The calculations are an extension of those documented in ORNL/CSD/TM-284. Specifically, the data for low-enriched UO[sub 2]F[sub 2]-H[sub 2]O spheres have been extended to highly enriched uranium. These calculations, together with those reported in ORNL/CSD/TM-284, provide a consistent set of critical parameters (k[sub [infinity

Critical Layers and Protoplanetary Disk Turbulence

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Umurhan, Orkan M.; Shariff, Karim; Cuzzi, Jeffrey N.

2016-10-01

A linear analysis of the zombie vortex instability (ZVI) is performed in a stratified shearing sheet setting for three model barotropic shear flows. The linear analysis is done by utilizing a Green’s function formulation to resolve the critical layers of the associated normal-mode problem. The instability is the result of a resonant interaction between a Rossby wave and a gravity wave that we refer to as Z-modes. The associated critical layer is the location where the Doppler-shifted frequency of a distant Rossby wave equals the local Brunt-Väisälä frequency. The minimum required Rossby number for instability, {\\mathtt{Ro}}=0.2, is confirmed for parameter values reported in the literature. It is also found that the shear layer supports the instability in the limit where stratification vanishes. The ZVI is examined in a jet model, finding that the instability can occur for {\\mathtt{Ro}}=0.05. Nonlinear vorticity forcing due to unstable Z-modes is shown to result in the creation of a jet flow at the critical layer emerging as the result of the competition between the vertical lifting of perturbation radial vorticity and the radial transport of perturbation vertical vorticity. We find that the picture of this instability leading to a form of nonlinearly driven self-replicating pattern of creation and destruction is warranted: a parent jet spawns a growing child jet at associated critical layers. A mature child jet creates a next generation of child jets at associated critical layers of the former while simultaneously contributing to its own destruction via the Rossby wave instability.

A short-term ionospheric forecasting empirical regional model (IFERM) to predict the critical frequency of the F2 layer during moderate, disturbed, and very disturbed geomagnetic conditions over the European area

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pietrella, M.

2012-02-01

A short-term ionospheric forecasting empirical regional model (IFERM) has been developed to predict the state of the critical frequency of the F2 layer (foF2) under different geomagnetic conditions. IFERM is based on 13 short term ionospheric forecasting empirical local models (IFELM) developed to predict foF2 at 13 ionospheric observatories scattered around the European area. The forecasting procedures were developed by taking into account, hourly measurements of foF2, hourly quiet-time reference values of foF2 (foF2QT), and the hourly time-weighted accumulation series derived from the geomagnetic planetary index ap, (ap(τ)), for each observatory. Under the assumption that the ionospheric disturbance index ln(foF2/foF2QT) is correlated to the integrated geomagnetic disturbance index ap(τ), a set of statistically significant regression coefficients were established for each observatory, over 12 months, over 24 h, and under 3 different ranges of geomagnetic activity. This data was then used as input to compute short-term ionospheric forecasting of foF2 at the 13 local stations under consideration. The empirical storm-time ionospheric correction model (STORM) was used to predict foF2 in two different ways: scaling both the hourly median prediction provided by IRI (STORM_foF2MED,IRI model), and the foF2QT values (STORM_foF2QT model) from each local station. The comparison between the performance of STORM_foF2MED,IRI, STORM_foF2QT, IFELM, and the foF2QT values, was made on the basis of root mean square deviation (r.m.s.) for a large number of periods characterized by moderate, disturbed, and very disturbed geomagnetic activity. The results showed that the 13 IFELM perform much better than STORM_foF2,sub>MED,IRI and STORM_foF2QT especially in the eastern part of the European area during the summer months (May, June, July, and August) and equinoctial months (March, April, September, and October) under disturbed and very disturbed geomagnetic conditions, respectively

Formation and investigation of ultrathin layers of Co2FeSi ferromagnetic alloy synthesized on silicon covered with a CaF2 barrier layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grebenyuk, G. S.; Gomoyunova, M. V.; Pronin, I. I.; Vyalikh, D. V.; Molodtsov, S. L.

2016-03-01

Ultrathin (∼2 nm) films of Co2FeSi ferromagnetic alloy were formed on silicon by solid-phase epitaxy and studied in situ. Experiments were carried out in an ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) using substrates of Si(1 1 1) single crystals covered with a 5 nm thick CaF2 barrier layer. The elemental and phase composition as well as the magnetic properties of the synthesized films were analyzed by photoelectron spectroscopy using synchrotron radiation and by magnetic linear dichroism in photoemission of Fe 3p and Co 3p electrons. The study shows that the synthesis of the Co2FeSi ferromagnetic alloy occurs in the temperature range of 200-400 °C. At higher temperatures, the films become island-like and lose their ferromagnetic properties, as the CaF2 barrier layer is unable to prevent a mass transfer between the film and the Si substrate, which violates the stoichiometry of the alloy.

Superconductivity in REO0.5F0.5BiS2 with high-entropy-alloy-type blocking layers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sogabe, Ryota; Goto, Yosuke; Mizuguchi, Yoshikazu

2018-05-01

We synthesized new REO0.5F0.5BiS2 (RE: rare earth) superconductors with high-entropy-alloy-type (HEA-type) REO blocking layers. The lattice constant a systematically changed in the HEA-type samples with the RE concentration and the RE ionic radius. A sharp superconducting transition was observed in the resistivity measurements for all the HEA-type samples, and the transition temperature of the HEA-type samples was higher than that of typical REO0.5F0.5BiS2. The sharp superconducting transition and the enhanced superconducting properties of the HEA-type samples may indicate the effectiveness of the HEA states of the REO blocking layers in the REO0.5F0.5BiS2 system.

Defect-induced wetting on BaF 2(111) and CaF 2(111) at ambient conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cardellach, M.; Verdaguer, A.; Fraxedas, J.

2011-12-01

The interaction of water with freshly cleaved (111) surfaces of isostructural BaF2 and CaF2 single crystals at ambient conditions (room temperature and under controlled humidity) has been studied using scanning force microscopy in different operation modes and optical microscopy. Such surfaces exhibit contrasting behaviors for both materials: while on BaF2(111) two-dimensional water layers are formed after accumulation at step edges, CaF2(111) does not promote the formation of such layers. We attribute such opposed behavior to lattice match (mismatch) between hexagonal water ice and the hexagonal (111) surfaces of BaF2(CaF2). Optical microscope images reveal that this behavior also determines the way the surfaces become wetted at a macroscopic level.

Signature of a possible relationship between the maximum CME speed index and the critical frequencies of the F1 and F2 ionospheric layers: Data analysis for a mid-latitude ionospheric station during the solar cycles 23 and 24

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kilcik, Ali; Ozguc, Atila; Yiǧit, Erdal; Yurchyshyn, Vasyl; Donmez, Burcin

2018-06-01

We analyze temporal variations of two solar indices, the monthly mean Maximum CME Speed Index (MCMESI) and the International Sunspot Number (ISSN) as well as the monthly median ionospheric critical frequencies (foF1, and foF2) for the time period of 1996-2013, which covers the entire solar cycle 23 and the ascending branch of the cycle 24. We found that the maximum of foF1 and foF2 occurred respectively during the first and second maximum of the ISSN solar activity index in the solar cycle 23. We compared these data sets by using the cross-correlation and hysteresis analysis and found that both foF1 and foF2 show higher correlation with ISSN than the MCMESI during the investigated time period, but when significance levels are considered correlation coefficients between the same indices become comparable. Cross-correlation analysis showed that the agreement between these data sets (solar indices and ionospheric critical frequencies) is better pronounced during the ascending phases of solar cycles, while they display significant deviations during the descending phase. We conclude that there exists a signature of a possible relationship between MCMESI and foF1 and foF2, which means that MCMESI could be used as a possible indicator of solar and geomagnetic activity, even though other investigations are needed.

Critical Transitions in Thin Layer Turbulence

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Benavides, Santiago; Alexakis, Alexandros

2017-11-01

We investigate a model of thin layer turbulence that follows the evolution of the two-dimensional motions u2 D (x , y) along the horizontal directions (x , y) coupled to a single Fourier mode along the vertical direction (z) of the form uq (x , y , z) = [vx (x , y) sin (qz) ,vy (x , y) sin (qz) ,vz (x , y) cos (qz) ] , reducing thus the system to two coupled, two-dimensional equations. Its reduced dimensionality allows a thorough investigation of the transition from a forward to an inverse cascade of energy as the thickness of the layer H = π / q is varied.Starting from a thick layer and reducing its thickness it is shown that two critical heights are met (i) one for which the forward unidirectional cascade (similar to three-dimensional turbulence) transitions to a bidirectional cascade transferring energy to both small and large scales and (ii) one for which the bidirectional cascade transitions to a unidirectional inverse cascade when the layer becomes very thin (similar to two-dimensional turbulence). The two critical heights are shown to have different properties close to criticality that we are able to analyze with numerical simulations for a wide range of Reynolds numbers and aspect ratios. This work was Granted access to the HPC resources of MesoPSL financed by the Region Ile de France and the project Equip@Meso (reference ANR-10-EQPX-29-01).

Atomic layer deposition of boron-containing films using B{sub 2}F{sub 4}

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mane, Anil U., E-mail: amane@anl.gov; Elam, Jeffrey W.; Goldberg, Alexander

2016-01-15

Ultrathin and conformal boron-containing atomic layer deposition (ALD) films could be used as a shallow dopant source for advanced transistor structures in microelectronics manufacturing. With this application in mind, diboron tetrafluoride (B{sub 2}F{sub 4}) was explored as an ALD precursor for the deposition of boron containing films. Density functional theory simulations for nucleation on silicon (100) surfaces indicated better reactivity of B{sub 2}F{sub 4} in comparison to BF{sub 3}. Quartz crystal microbalance experiments exhibited growth using either B{sub 2}F{sub 4}-H{sub 2}O for B{sub 2}O{sub 3} ALD, or B{sub 2}F{sub 4}-disilane (Si{sub 2}H{sub 6}) for B ALD, but in both cases,more » the initial growth per cycle was quite low (≤0.2 Å/cycle) and decreased to near zero growth after 8–30 ALD cycles. However, alternating between B{sub 2}F{sub 4}-H{sub 2}O and trimethyl aluminum (TMA)-H{sub 2}O ALD cycles resulted in sustained growth at ∼0.65 Å/cycle, suggesting that the dense –OH surface termination produced by the TMA-H{sub 2}O combination enhances the uptake of B{sub 2}F{sub 4} precursor. The resultant boron containing films were analyzed for composition by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and capacitance measurements indicated an insulating characteristic. Finally, diffused boron profiles less than 100 Å were obtained after rapid thermal anneal of the boron containing ALD film.« less

Global model of the F2 layer peak height for low solar activity based on GPS radio-occultation data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shubin, V. N.; Karpachev, A. T.; Tsybulya, K. G.

2013-11-01

We propose a global median model SMF2 (Satellite Model of the F2 layer) of the ionospheric F2-layer height maximum (hmF2), based on GPS radio-occultation data for low solar activity periods (F10.7A<80). The model utilizes data provided by GPS receivers onboard satellites CHAMP (~100,000 hmF2 values), GRACE (~70,000) and COSMIC (~2,000,000). The data were preprocessed to remove cases where the absolute maximum of the electron density lies outside the F2 region. Ground-based ionospheric sounding data were used for comparison and validation. Spatial dependence of hmF2 is modeled by a Legendre-function expansion. Temporal dependence, as a function of Universal Time (UT), is described by a Fourier expansion. Inputs of the model are: geographical coordinates, month and F10.7A solar activity index. The model is designed for quiet geomagnetic conditions (Kр=1-2), typical for low solar activity. SMF2 agrees well with the International Reference Ionosphere model (IRI) in those regions, where the ground-based ionosonde network is dense. Maximal difference between the models is found in the equatorial belt, over the oceans and the polar caps. Standard deviations of the radio-occultation and Digisonde data from the predicted SMF2 median are 10-16 km for all seasons, against 13-29 km for IRI-2012. Average relative deviations are 3-4 times less than for IRI, 3-4% against 9-12%. Therefore, the proposed hmF2 model is more accurate than IRI-2012.

Effects of sporadic E-layer characteristics on spread-F generation in the nighttime midlatitude ionosphere: A climatological study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, C. C.; Chen, W. S.

2018-04-01

The aim of this study is to examine the effects of Es-layer characteristics on spread-F generation in the nighttime midlatitude ionosphere. The Es-layer parameters and spread-F appearance of the 23rd solar cycle (1996-2008) are recorded by the Kokubunji ionosonde. The Es-layer parameters are foEs (critical frequency of Es-layer), fbEs (blanketing frequency of Es-layer), and Δf (≡foEs-fbEs). In order to completely explore the effects, the pre-midnight and post-midnight data are classified by seasons, solar activities, and geomagnetic conditions. Results show that the spread-F occurs more frequently in post-midnight and in summer. And, the occurrence probabilities of spread-F are greater, when the solar activity is lower. For the occurrence probabilities of spread-F versus foEs and Δf under geomagnetic quiet-conditions, the trend is increasing, when the associated probabilities are significant. These indicate that the spread-F occurrence increases with increasing foEs and/or Δf. Further, the increasing trends demonstrate that polarization electric fields generated in Es-layer would be helpful to generate spread-F, through the electrodynamical coupling of Es-layer and F-region. Moreover, this electrodynamical coupling is efficient not only under quiet-conditions but under disturbed-conditions, since the significant increasing trend can also be found under disturbed-conditions. Regarding the occurrence probabilities of spread-F versus fbEs, the evident trends are not in the majority. This implies that fbEs might not be a major factor for the spread-F formation.

Nonlinear absorption in single LaF3 and MgF2 layers at 193 nm measured by surface sensitive laser induced deflection technique

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Muehlig, Christian; Bublitz, Simon; Kufert, Siegfried

2009-12-10

We report nonlinear absorption data of LaF3 and MgF2 single layers at 193 nm. A highly surface sensitive measurement strategy of the laser induced deflection technique is introduced and applied to measure the absorption of highly transparent thin films independently of the substrate absorption. Linear absorptions k=({alpha}x{lambda})/4{pi} of 2x10{sup -4} and 8.5x10{sup -4} (LaF3) and 1.8x10{sup -4} and 6.9x10{sup -4} (MgF2) are found. Measured two photon absorption (TPA) coefficients are {beta}=1x10{sup -4} cm/W (LaF3), 1.8x10{sup -5}, and 5.8x10{sup -5} cm/W (MgF2). The TPA coefficients are several orders of magnitude higher than typical values for fluoride single crystals, which is likelymore » to result from sequential two step absorption processes.« less

Effect of vertically oriented few-layer graphene on the wettability and interfacial reactions of the AgCuTi-SiO2f/SiO2 system.

PubMed

Sun, Z; Zhang, L X; Qi, J L; Zhang, Z H; Hao, T D; Feng, J C

2017-03-22

With the aim of expanding their applications, particularly when joining metals, a simple but effective method is reported whereby the surface chemical reactivity of SiO 2f /SiO 2 (SiO 2f /SiO 2 stands for silica fibre reinforced silica based composite materials and f is short for fibre) composites with vertically oriented few-layer graphene (VFG, 3-10 atomic layers of graphene vertically oriented to the substrate) can be tailored. VFG was uniformly grown on the surface of a SiO 2f /SiO 2 composite by using plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition (PECVD). The wetting experiments were conducted by placing small pieces of AgCuTi alloy foil on SiO 2f /SiO 2 composites with and without VFG decoration. It was demonstrated that the contact angle dropped from 120° (without VFG decoration) to 50° (with VFG decoration) when the holding time was 10 min. The interfacial reaction layer in SiO 2f /SiO 2 composites with VFG decoration became continuous without any unfilled gaps compared with the composites without VFG decoration. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) was employed to investigate the interaction between VFG and Ti from the AgCuTi alloy. The results showed that VFG possessed high chemical reactivity and could easily react with Ti even at room temperature. Finally, a mechanism of how VFG promoted the wetting of the SiO 2f /SiO 2 composite by the AgCuTi alloy is proposed and thoroughly discussed.

A magnetospheric signature of some F layer positive storms

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Miller, N. J.; Mayr, H. G.; Grebowsky, J. M.; Harris, I.; Tulunay, Y. K.

1981-01-01

Calculations of electron density distributions in the global thermosphere-ionosphere system perturbed by high-latitude thermospheric heating are presented which indicate a link between the heating and magnetospheric plasma disturbances near the equator. The calculations were made using a self-consistent model of the global sunlit thermosphere-ionosphere system describing the evolution of equatorial plasma disturbances. The heat input is found to cause electron density enhancements that propagate along magnetic field lines from the F2 maximum over mid-latitudes to the equator in the magnetosphere and which correspond to the positive phase of an F layer storm. The positive phase is shown to be generated by the induction of equatorward winds that raise the mid-latitude F layer through momentum transfer from neutral atoms to ionospheric ions, which ions pull electrons with them. Model results are used to identify plasma signatures of equatorward winds and an intensified magnetospheric electric field in Explorer 45 and Arial 4 measurements taken during the positive phase of an F layer storm.

Spread-F occurrences and relationships with foF2 and h'F at low- and mid-latitudes in China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Ning; Guo, Lixin; Zhao, Zhenwei; Ding, Zonghua; Lin, Leke

2018-04-01

Ionospheric irregularities are an important phenomenon in scientific studies and applications of radio-wave propagation. Spread-F echoes in ionograms are a type of high-frequency band irregularities that include frequency spread-F (FSF), range spread-F (RSF), and mixed spread-F (MSF) events. In this study, we obtained spread-F data from four ionosondes at low- and mid-latitudes near the 120°E chain in China during the 23rd solar cycle. We used these data to investigate spread-F occurrence percentages and variations with local time, season, latitude, and solar activity. The four ionosondes were located at Haikou (HK) (20°N, 110.34°E), Guangzhou (GZ) (23.14°N, 113.36°E), Beijing (BJ) (40.11°N, 116.28°E), and Changchun (CC) (43.84°N, 125.28°E). We also present possible correlations between spread-Fs and other ionospheric parameters, such as the critical frequency of the F2-layer (foF2) and the virtual height of the bottom-side F-layer (h'F). In particular, we investigated the possible threshold of the foF2 affecting the FSF and the relationship between the h'F and the RSF. The main conclusions are as follows: (a) the FSF occurrence percentages were anti-correlated with solar activity at all four sites; meanwhile, RSF occurrence rates increased with the increase in solar activity at HK, but not at the other three sites; (b) FSF occurrence rates were larger at the mid-latitudes than expected, while FSFs occurred more often after midnight; (c) the highest FSF occurrence rates mostly appeared during the summer months, while RSFs occurred mostly in the equinoctial months of 2000-2002 at HK and GZ; (d) a lower foF2 was suitable for FSF events; nevertheless, h'F and RSF occurrences satisfied the parabolic relationship; (e) the foF2 thresholds for FSFs were 15, 14, 7.6, and 7.8 MHz at HK, GZ, BJ, and CC, respectively. The h'Fs occurring between 240 and 290 km were more favorable for RSF occurrences. These results are important for understanding ionospheric

F3-layer and MSTIDs under the equatorial ionospheric anomaly crest

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fagundes, Paulo Roberto; Klausner, Virginia; Sahai, Yogeshwar; Bittencourt, Jose A.; Abalde Guede, Jose Ricardo

We present F3-layer and medium-scale traveling ionospheric disturbances (MSTIDs) observa-tions from a digital ionosonde installed at São José dos Campos (23.2° S, 45.0° W; dip latitude a 17.6° S), under the southern crest of the equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) region. In this study we have used ionospheric data from September 2000 to August 2001 representing high solar activity (HSA) and ionospheric data from January 2006 to December 2006 representing low solar activity (LSA) to study the F3-layer characteristics at low latitude. The present investigation shows that the F3-layer occurrence is very larger during HSA as compared with during LSA. Also, during HSA there is a clear seasonal variation with maximum occurrence during January, February, November and December (summer months in South America) and minimum during May, June, July and August (winter months in South America). However, there is no clear seasonal variation in occurrence characteristics of F3-layer during LSA. Since, our previous work and present observations show that MSTIDs occurrences have similar re-sponse to the solar cycle; therefore, we suggest that both F3-layer and MSTIDs have strong connection.

The role of nonlinear critical layers in boundary layer transition

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Goldstein, M.E.

1995-01-01

Asymptotic methods are used to describe the nonlinear self-interaction between pairs of oblique instability modes that eventually develops when initially linear spatially growing instability waves evolve downstream in nominally two-dimensional laminar boundary layers. The first nonlinear reaction takes place locally within a so-called 'critical layer', with the flow outside this layer consisting of a locally parallel mean flow plus a pair of oblique instability waves - which may or may not be accompanied by an associated plane wave. The amplitudes of these waves, which are completely determined by nonlinear effects within the critical layer, satisfy either a single integro-differential equation or a pair of integro-differential equations with quadratic to quartic-type nonlinearities. The physical implications of these equations are discussed.

Temperature-driven evolution of critical points, interlayer coupling, and layer polarization in bilayer Mo S2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Du, Luojun; Zhang, Tingting; Liao, Mengzhou; Liu, Guibin; Wang, Shuopei; He, Rui; Ye, Zhipeng; Yu, Hua; Yang, Rong; Shi, Dongxia; Yao, Yugui; Zhang, Guangyu

2018-04-01

The recently emerging two-dimensional (2D) transition-metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) have been a fertile ground for exploring abundant exotic physical properties. Critical points, the extrema or saddle points of electronic bands, are the cornerstone of condensed-matter physics and fundamentally determine the optical and transport phenomena of the TMDCs. However, for bilayer Mo S2 , a typical TMDC and the unprecedented electrically tunable venue for valleytronics, there has been a considerable controversy on its intrinsic electronic structure, especially for the conduction band-edge locations. Moreover, interlayer hopping and layer polarization in bilayer Mo S2 which play vital roles in valley-spintronic applications have remained experimentally elusive. Here, we report the experimental observation of intrinsic critical points locations, interlayer hopping, layer-spin polarization, and their evolution with temperature in bilayer Mo S2 by performing temperature-dependent photoluminescence. Our measurements confirm that the conduction-band minimum locates at the Kc instead of Qc, and the energy splitting between Qc and Kc redshifts with a descent of temperature. Furthermore, the interlayer hopping energy for holes and temperature-dependent layer polarization are quantitatively determined. Our observations are in good harmony with density-functional theory calculations.

Atomic Layer Deposition of Stable LiAlF4 Lithium Ion Conductive Interfacial Layer for Stable Cathode Cycling.

PubMed

Xie, Jin; Sendek, Austin D; Cubuk, Ekin D; Zhang, Xiaokun; Lu, Zhiyi; Gong, Yongji; Wu, Tong; Shi, Feifei; Liu, Wei; Reed, Evan J; Cui, Yi

2017-07-25

Modern lithium ion batteries are often desired to operate at a wide electrochemical window to maximize energy densities. While pushing the limit of cutoff potentials allows batteries to provide greater energy densities with enhanced specific capacities and higher voltage outputs, it raises key challenges with thermodynamic and kinetic stability in the battery. This is especially true for layered lithium transition-metal oxides, where capacities can improve but stabilities are compromised as wider electrochemical windows are applied. To overcome the above-mentioned challenges, we used atomic layer deposition to develop a LiAlF 4 solid thin film with robust stability and satisfactory ion conductivity, which is superior to commonly used LiF and AlF 3 . With a predicted stable electrochemical window of approximately 2.0 ± 0.9 to 5.7 ± 0.7 V vs Li + /Li for LiAlF 4 , excellent stability was achieved for high Ni content LiNi 0.8 Mn 0.1 Co 0.1 O 2 electrodes with LiAlF 4 interfacial layer at a wide electrochemical window of 2.75-4.50 V vs Li + /Li.

Comparison of foE and M(3000)F2 variability at Ibadan, Singapore and Slough

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Somoye, E. O.; Onori, E. O.; Akala, A. O.

2013-01-01

The variability, VR, of critical frequency of E-layer, foE, and ionospheric propagation factor, M(3000)F2 at Ibadan (7.4°N, 3.9°E, 6°S dip) is investigated for local time, seasonal and solar cycle variations. Latitudinal influence of these characteristics is sought by comparison with foE VR and M(3000)F2 VR of Slough ( 51.5°N, 359.4°E, 66.5°N dip) in the European sector, and Singapore (1.3°N,103.8°E, 17.6°S dip) in the Asian sector. While the pattern of foE VR is similar to those of other F2 characteristics with characteristic peaks around dawn and dusk, M(3000)F2 VR shows no clear diurnal trend.A lower bound of foE VR is usually 3% while the maximum VR ranges between 8% and13% at post-sunrise and pre-sunset hours at all the epochs, M(3000)F2 VR is however lower during MSA (about 9%) than during LSA and HSA when it is 4% to about 12-14%. Generally, daytime M(3000)F2 VR is greater than that of foE VR by between 5% and 10%. Furthermore, no latitudinal difference is observed in both characteristics during both HSA and MSA. While nighttime M(3000)F2 VR is about half that of nighttime foF2 VR (the critical frequency of F2-layer ) VR, daytime VR of both characteristics are about equal during the three epochs at Ibadan. For Slough, nighttime M(3000)F2 VR and nighttime foF2 VR as well as the daytime VR of both characteristics are about equal. This difference is most likely due to latitudinal effect.

The effect of FeF2 on the magneto-optic response in FeF2/Fe/FeF2 sandwiches

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pištora, J.; Lesňák, M.; Lišková, E.; Višňovský, Š.; Harward, I.; Maslankiewicz, P.; Balin, K.; Celinski, Z.; Mistrík, J.; Yamaguchi, T.; Lopusnik, R.; Vlček, J.

2010-04-01

The room temperature optical constants n and k of MBE grown FeF2 films are reported. Because of poor chemical stability, FeF2 had to be coated with a protective Au layer. Reflection spectral ellipsometry in the photon energy range between 1.3 and 5.2 eV was performed on structures with a typical profile Au(0.5 nm)/FeF2(120 nm)/Au(30 nm)/Ag(20 nm)/Fe(0.6 nm) grown on GaAs(0 0 1) substrate. The spectra of n and k in FeF2 were subsequently employed in the design of FeF2/Fe/FeF2 sandwiches considered as magneto-optic (MO) sensors for weak microwave currents. Their MO response was evaluated using reflection MO (Kerr) spectroscopy at polar magnetization. The present results may be of interest in MO studies of magnetic nanostructures with Fe/FeF2/Fe, including MO magnetometry and MO magnetic domain imaging.

A prediction model of short-term ionospheric foF2 Based on AdaBoost

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Xiukuan; Liu, Libo; Ning, Baiqi

Accurate specifications of spatial and temporal variations of the ionosphere during geomagnetic quiet and disturbed conditions are critical for applications, such as HF communications, satellite positioning and navigation, power grids, pipelines, etc. Therefore, developing empirical models to forecast the ionospheric perturbations is of high priority in real applications. The critical frequency of the F2 layer, foF2, is an important ionospheric parameter, especially for radio wave propagation applications. In this paper, the AdaBoost-BP algorithm is used to construct a new model to predict the critical frequency of the ionospheric F2-layer one hour ahead. Different indices were used to characterize ionospheric diurnal and seasonal variations and their dependence on solar and geomagnetic activity. These indices, together with the current observed foF2 value, were input into the prediction model and the foF2 value at one hour ahead was output. We analyzed twenty-two years’ foF2 data from nine ionosonde stations in the East-Asian sector in this work. The first eleven years’ data were used as a training dataset and the second eleven years’ data were used as a testing dataset. The results show that the performance of AdaBoost-BP is better than those of BP Neural Network (BPNN), Support Vector Regression (SVR) and the IRI model. For example, the AdaBoost-BP prediction absolute error of foF2 at Irkutsk station (a middle latitude station) is 0.32 MHz, which is better than 0.34 MHz from BPNN, 0.35 MHz from SVR and also significantly outperforms the IRI model whose absolute error is 0.64 MHz. Meanwhile, AdaBoost-BP prediction absolute error at Taipei station from the low latitude is 0.78 MHz, which is better than 0.81 MHz from BPNN, 0.81 MHz from SVR and 1.37 MHz from the IRI model. Finally, the variety characteristics of the AdaBoost-BP prediction error along with seasonal variation, solar activity and latitude variation were also discussed in the paper.

Post-midnight enhancements in low latitude F layer electron density: observations and simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Libo; Le, Huijun; Chen, Yiding; Zhang, Yanyan; Wan, Weixing; Ning, Baiqi

2014-05-01

Observations from a Lowell DPS-4D ionosonde operated at Sanya (18.3º N, 109.6º E), a low latitude station in China, have been analysed to study the nighttime behavior of ionospheric F layer. Post-midnight enhancement events are frequently occurred in the year of 2012. Common features in these cases illustrate that, accompanying nighttime rises in peak electron density of F2-layer (NmF2), the height of F2-layer goes downward significantly and the ionogram-derived electron density height profiles become sharpener. Enhancement in electron density develops earlier and reaches peaks earlier at higher altitudes than at lower altitudes. Downward plasma drift detected under such events reveals the essential role of the westward electric field in forming the post-midnight enhancements in electron density of ionospheric F-layer at such low latitudes. The important role of westward electric field in formation of nighttime enhancement is supported by the simulated results from a model. Work has been published in Liu et al., A case study of post-midnight enhancement in F-layer electron density over Sanya of China, J. Geophys. Res. Space Physics, 2013, 118, 4640-4648, DOI:10.1002/jgra.50422. Acknowledgements: Ionosonde data are provided from BNOSE of IGGCAS. This research was supported by the projects of Chinese Academy of Sciences (KZZD-EW-01-3), National Key Basic Research Program of China (2012CB825604), and National Natural Science Foundation of China (41231065).

Magnetic conjugate observation of the F3 layer using the SEALION ionosonde network

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Uemoto, Jyunpei; Ono, Takayuki; Maruyama, Takashi; Saito, Susumu; Iizima, Masahide; Kumamoto, Atsushi

2007-01-01

Results from the meridional ionosonde network located in Southeast Asia (SEALION) demonstrate the interesting nature of the F 3 layer, showing its generation mechanism. Ionograms obtained on 16 November 2004 and 31 March 2005 at Chiang Mai (CMU; geographic latitude 18.8°N, geographic longitude 98.9°E, and magnetic latitude 13.2°N), Chumphon (CPN; 10.7°N, 99.4°E, and 3.2°N) and Kototabang (KTB; 0.2°S, 100.3°E, and 10.1°S) showed significant differences between CPN near the magnetic equator, and CMU and KTB in the magnetic low-latitude region. The simultaneous magnetic conjugate observations of the F 3 layer achieved using the SEALION ionosonde network data showed clear dependences of the F 3 layer on the magnetic latitude. It is suggested that these magnetic latitude dependences of the F 3 layer can be explained by considering the plasma diffusion effects along the magnetic field lines in the magnetic low-latitude region.

Fluorocarbon assisted atomic layer etching of SiO 2 and Si using cyclic Ar/C 4F 8 and Ar/CHF 3 plasma

DOE PAGES

Metzler, Dominik; Li, Chen; Engelmann, Sebastian; ...

2015-11-11

The need for atomic layer etching (ALE) is steadily increasing as smaller critical dimensions and pitches are required in device patterning. A flux-control based cyclic Ar/C 4F 8 ALE based on steady-state Ar plasma in conjunction with periodic, precise C 4F 8 injection and synchronized plasma-based low energy Ar + ion bombardment has been established for SiO 2. 1 In this work, the cyclic process is further characterized and extended to ALE of silicon under similar process conditions. The use of CHF 3 as a precursor is examined and compared to C 4F 8. CHF 3 is shown to enablemore » selective SiO 2/Si etching using a fluorocarbon (FC) film build up. Other critical process parameters investigated are the FC film thickness deposited per cycle, the ion energy, and the etch step length. Etching behavior and mechanisms are studied using in situ real time ellipsometry and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Silicon ALE shows less self-limitation than silicon oxide due to higher physical sputtering rates for the maximum ion energies used in this work, ranged from 20 to 30 eV. The surface chemistry is found to contain fluorinated silicon oxide during the etching of silicon. As a result, plasma parameters during ALE are studied using a Langmuir probe and establish the impact of precursor addition on plasma properties.« less

Manganese Vanadate Chemistry in Hydrothermal BaF 2 Brines: Ba 3 Mn 2 (V 2 O 7 ) 2 F 2 and Ba 7 Mn 8 O 2 (VO 4 ) 2 F 23

DOE PAGES

Sanjeewa, Liurukara D.; McMillen, Colin D.; McGuire, Michael A.; ...

2016-12-05

We synthesized manganese vanadate fluorides using high-temperature hydrothermal techniques with BaF 2 as a mineralizer. Ba 3Mn 2(V 2O 7) 2F 2 crystallizes in space group C2/c and consists of dimers built from edge-sharing MnO 4F 2 trigonal prisms with linking V 2O 7 groups. Ba 7Mn 8O 2(VO 4) 2F 23 crystallizes in space group Cmmm, with a manganese oxyfluoride network built from edge- and corner-sharing Mn 2+/3+(O,F) 6 octahedra. The resulting octahedra form alternating Mn 2+ and Mn 2+/3+ layers separated by VO 4 tetrahedra. This latter compound exhibits a canted antiferromagnetic order below TN = 25 K.

Reconsideration of F-layer seismic model in the south polar region

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ohtaki, T.; Kaneshima, S.

2017-12-01

Previously, we analyzed the seismic structure near the inner core boundary beneath Antarctica (Ohtaki et al., 2012). In the study, we determined the velocity of the lowermost outer core (F-layer) using amplitude ratio observations between the inner-core phase (PKIKP) and the inner-core grazing/diffracted phase (PKPbc/c-diff). Because the observations are not so sensitive to the F-layer structure, a constant velocity is assumed in the layer to simplify the model. The obtained model (SPR) has a flat velocity zone with a 75 km thick on the inner core boundary. With this F-layer structure and using travel times of these phases as well as the phase that reflects at the boundary, we determined the seismic structure of the inner core in the south polar region. However, a constant velocity layer is unrealistic, although it is reasonable assumption.Recently, we determined F-layer velocity structures more accurately using the combined observations of PKiKP-PKPbc differential travel times and of PKPbc/c-diff dispersion (Ohtaki et al., 2015, 2016). The former observation is sensitive to average velocity in the F-layer; the latter to velocity gradient in the layer. By analyzing these two observations together, we can determine the detailed velocity structure in the F-layer. The surveyed areas are beneath the Northeast Pacific and Australia. The seismic velocity models obtained are quite different between the two regions. Thus our results require laterally heterogeneous F-layer, and show that F-layer is more complicated than we ever imagined.Then there is one question; which structure is that of the south polar region close to? Unfortunately, the seismic waveforms that we analyzed in the previous study may not have quality high enough to analyze the PKiKP-PKPbc or PKPbc dispersion. However, it would be meaningful to reanalyze the amplitude data and reconsider the F-layer velocity there. And we also estimate how large slope of velocity can be acceptable for the F-layer velocity

Opposite Latitudinal Dependence of the Premidnight and Postmidnight Oscillations in the Electron Density of Midlatitude F Layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Gang; Wang, Jin; Zhang, Shaodong; Deng, Zhongxin; Zhong, Dingkun; Wu, Chen; Jin, Han; Li, Yaxian

2018-01-01

The dense observation points of the oblique-incidence ionosonde network in North China make it possible to discover the ionospheric regional variations with relatively high spatial resolution. The ionosonde network and the Beijing digisonde are used to investigate the ionospheric nighttime oscillations in January and February 2011. The electron density enhancements occurring before and after midnight present the obvious opposite latitudinal dependence in the time-latitude maps, which are composed by the differential critical frequency of F2 layer. The premidnight enhancements (PRMEs) appeared earlier in the north and then moved to south. The postmidnight enhancements (POMEs) did the opposite. The data analysis shows that the PRME was a part of the large-scale traveling ionospheric disturbance (LSTID), which may be produced by gravity waves. The southward propagation of the LSTIDs is considered to form the positive latitudinal dependence of the wave peaks and troughs. The postmidnight F layer oscillation was composed by a single enhancement and a single decline following it. The westward electric field-induced E × B drift, which pushed the F layer to lower altitudes with higher recombination loss, was most likely to compress the plasma and produce the POMEs. Along with the continuously dropping of the layer, the recombination loss exceeded the density increase due to the compression effect and then the electron density decline appeared.

Formation of metal nanoparticles in MgF2, CaF2 and BaF2 crystals under the electron beam irradiation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bochkareva, Elizaveta S.; Sidorov, Alexander I.; Yurina, Uliana V.; Podsvirov, Oleg A.

2017-07-01

It is shown experimentally that electron beam action with electrons energies of 50 and 70 keV on MgF2, CaF2 and BaF2 crystals results in local formation in the crystal near-surface layer of Mg, Ca or Ba nanoparticles which possess plasmon resonance. In the case of MgF2 spheroidal nanoparticles are formed, in the cases of CaF2 and BaF2 - spherical. The formation of metal nanoparticles is confirmed by computer simulation in dipole quasistatic approximation. The dependence of absorption via electron irradiation dose is non-linear. It is caused by the increase of nanoparticles concentration and by the increase of nanoparticles sizes during irradiation. In the irradiated zones of MgF2 crystals, for irradiation doses less than 80 mC/cm2, the intense luminescence in a visible range appears. The practical application of fabricated composite materials for multilevel optical information recording is discussed.

Effects of sporadic E-layer characteristics on spread-F generation in the nighttime ionosphere near a northern equatorial anomaly crest during solar minimum

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, C. C.; Chen, W. S.

2015-06-01

This study is to know how the characteristics of sporadic E-layer (Es-layer) affect the generation of spread-F in the nighttime ionosphere near the crest of equatorial ionization anomaly during solar minimum. The data of Es-layer parameters and spread-F are obtained from the Chungli ionograms of 1996. The Es-layer parameters include foEs (critical frequency of Es-layer), fbEs (blanketing frequency of Es-layer), and Δf (≡foEs-fbEs). Results show that the nighttime variations of foEs and fbEs medians (Δf medians) are different from (similar to) that of the occurrence probabilities of spread-F. Because the total number of Es-layer events is greater than that of spread-F events, the comparison between the medians of Es-layer parameters and the occurrence probabilities of spread-F might have a shortfall. Further, we categorize the Es-layer and spread-F events into each frequency interval of Es-layer parameters. For the occurrence probabilities of spread-F versus foEs, an increasing trend is found in post-midnight of all three seasons. The increasing trend also exists in pre-midnight of the J-months and in post-midnight of all seasons, for the occurrence probabilities of spread-F versus Δf. These demonstrate that the spread-F occurrence increases with increasing foEs and/or Δf. Moreover, the increasing trends indicate that polarization electric fields generated in Es-layer assist to produce spread-F, through the electrodynamical coupling of Es-layer and F-region. Regarding the occurrence probabilities of spread-F versus fbEs, the significant trend only appears in post-midnight of the E-months. This implies that fbEs might not be a major factor for the spread-F formation.

A statistical study on the F2 layer vertical variation during nighttime medium-scale traveling ionospheric disturbances

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ssessanga, Nicholas; Kim, Yong Ha; Jeong, Se-Heon

2017-03-01

A statistical study on the relationship between the perturbation component (ΔTEC (total electron content)) and the F2 layer peak height (hmF2) during nighttime medium-scale traveling ionospheric disturbances is presented. The results are obtained by using a time-dependent computerized ionospheric tomography (CIT) technique. This was realized by using slant total electron content observations from a dense Global Positioning System receiver network over Japan (with more than 1000 receivers), together with a multiplicative algebraic reconstruction technique. Reconstructions from CIT were validated by using ionosonde and occultation measurements. A total of 36 different time snapshots of the ionosphere when medium-scale traveling ionospheric disturbances (MSTIDs) were eminent were analyzed. These were obtained from a data set covering years from 2011 to 2014. The reconstructed surface wavefronts of ΔTEC and hmF2 structure were found to be aligned along the northwest-southeast direction. These results confirm that nighttime MSTIDs are driven by electrodynamic forces related to Perkins instability which explains the northwest-southeast wavefront alignment based on the F region electrodynamics. Furthermore, from the statistical analysis hmF2 varied quasiperiodically in altitude with dominant peak-to-peak amplitudes between 10 and 40 km. In addition, ΔTEC and hmF2 were 60% anticorrelated.

3D critical layers in fully-developed turbulent flows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saxton-Fox, Theresa; McKeon, Beverley

2016-11-01

Recent work has shown that 3D critical layers drive self-sustaining behavior of exact coherent solutions of the Navier-Stokes equations (Wang et al. 2007; Hall and Sherwin 2010; Park and Graham 2015). This study investigates the role of 3D critical layers in fully-developed turbulent flows. 3D critical layer effects are identified in instantaneous snapshots of turbulent boundary layers in both experimental and DNS data (Wu et al. 2014). Additionally, a 3D critical layer effect is demonstrated to appear using only a few resolvent response modes from the resolvent analysis of McKeon and Sharma 2010, with phase relationships appropriately chosen. Connections are sought to the thin shear layers observed in turbulent boundary layers (Klewicki and Hirschi 2004; Eisma et al. 2015) and to amplitude modulation observations (Mathis et al. 2009; Duvvuri and McKeon 2014). This research is made possible by the Department of Defense through the National Defense & Engineering Graduate Fellowship (NDSEG) Program and by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research Grant # FA9550-12-1-0060. The support of the Center for Turbulence Research (CTR) summer program at Stanford is gratefully acknowledged.

Atomic layer deposition of molybdenum disulfide films using MoF 6 and H 2 S

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mane, Anil U.; Letourneau, Steven; Mandia, David J.

2018-01-01

Molybdenum sulfide films were grown by atomic layer deposition on silicon and fused silica substrates using molybdenum hexafluoride (MoF6) and hydrogen sulfide at 200 degrees C. In situ quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) measurements confirmed linear growth at 0.46 angstrom/cycle and self-limiting chemistry for both precursors. Analysis of the QCM step shapes indicated that MoS2 is the reaction product, and this finding is supported by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements showing that Mo is predominantly in the Mo(IV) state. However, Raman spectroscopy and x-ray diffraction measurements failed to identify crystalline MoS2 in the as-deposited films, and this might result from unreacted MoFxmore » residues in the films. Annealing the films at 350 degrees C in a hydrogen rich environment yielded crystalline MoS2 and reduced the F concentration in the films. Optical transmission measurements yielded a bandgap of 1.3 eV. Finally, the authors observed that the MoS2 growth per cycle was accelerated when a fraction of the MoF6 pulses were substituted with diethyl zinc. Published by the AVS« less

Light interaction in sapphire/MgF2/Al triple-layer omnidirectional reflectors in AlGaN-based near ultraviolet light-emitting diodes

PubMed Central

Lee, Keon Hwa; Moon, Yong-Tae; Song, June-O; Kwak, Joon Seop

2015-01-01

This study examined systematically the mechanism of light interaction in the sapphire/MgF2/Al triple-layer omnidirectional reflectors (ODR) and its effects on the light output power in near ultraviolet light emitting diodes (NUV-LEDs) with the ODR. The light output power of NUV-LEDs with the triple-layer ODR structure increased with decreasing surface roughness of the sapphire backside in the ODR. Theoretical modeling of the roughened surface suggests that the dependence of the reflectance of the triple-layer ODR structure on the surface roughness can be attributed mainly to light absorption by the Al nano-structures and the trapping of scattered light in the MgF2 layer. Furthermore, the ray tracing simulation based upon the theoretical modeling showed good agreement with the measured reflectance of the ODR structure in diffuse mode. PMID:26010378

Light interaction in sapphire/MgF2/Al triple-layer omnidirectional reflectors in AlGaN-based near ultraviolet light-emitting diodes.

PubMed

Lee, Keon Hwa; Moon, Yong-Tae; Song, June-O; Kwak, Joon Seop

2015-05-26

This study examined systematically the mechanism of light interaction in the sapphire/MgF2/Al triple-layer omnidirectional reflectors (ODR) and its effects on the light output power in near ultraviolet light emitting diodes (NUV-LEDs) with the ODR. The light output power of NUV-LEDs with the triple-layer ODR structure increased with decreasing surface roughness of the sapphire backside in the ODR. Theoretical modeling of the roughened surface suggests that the dependence of the reflectance of the triple-layer ODR structure on the surface roughness can be attributed mainly to light absorption by the Al nano-structures and the trapping of scattered light in the MgF2 layer. Furthermore, the ray tracing simulation based upon the theoretical modeling showed good agreement with the measured reflectance of the ODR structure in diffuse mode.

The evolution of an unsteady translating nonlinear rossby-wave critical layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Haynes, Peter H.; Cowley, Stephen J.

When a monochromatic Rossby wave is forced on a flow which is slowly varying in time, the location of the critical line, where the phase speed of the wave is equal to that of the flow, also slowly changes. It is shown that this translation can play an important role in the vorticity balance near the critical line. The behavior of the translating critical layer is analyzed for various values of y, a parameter which measures the relative importance of nonlinear advection and translation. First, the vorticity equation in the critical layer is solved numerically in an important special case, where the velocity field in the critical layer is independent of the vorticity distribution and constant in time. The solutions reveal a number of new aspects of the behavior which are introduced by the translation, including the formation of a wake behind the critical layer, and the possibility of "trapping" of fluid particles in the critical layer if y exceeds a threshold value. Viewed in a frame of reference moving with the critical line the vorticity distribution may tend to a steady state, except in a "vorticity front" far downstream in the wake. If streamlines in the critical layer are open this steady state may be a predominantly inviscid one; if they are closed a steady state is possible only with non-zero dissipation. For both the unsteady and steady flows the translation allows the "logarithmic phase jump" across the critical layer, 4, to be non-zero and negative. Hence, even when the viscosity is vanishingly small, the critical layer can act as a strong "absorber" of Eliassen-Palm wave activity. Second, steady-state solutions are obtained numerically for a case when the velocity field in the critical layer is not independent of the vorticity distribution there. The interaction restricts the formation of closed streamlines, and an asymptotic open-streamline solution for large y can be found. The critical layer again acts an absorber of wave activity, but with decreasing e

Fostering Deeper Critical Inquiry with Causal Layered Analysis

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Haigh, Martin

2016-01-01

Causal layered analysis (CLA) is a technique that enables deeper critical inquiry through a structured exploration of four layers of causation. CLA's layers reach down from the surface litany of media understanding, through the layer of systemic causes identified by conventional research, to underpinning worldviews, ideologies and philosophies,…

Synthesis and structure of a new layered oxyfluoride Sr{sub 2}ScO{sub 3}F with photocatalytic property

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wang, Yongkun; Tang, Kaibin, E-mail: kbtang@ustc.edu.cn; Zhu, Baichuan

2015-05-15

Highlights: • A new oxyfluoride compound Sr{sub 2}ScO{sub 3}F was prepared by a solid state route. • The structure of this compound was determined by GSAS program based on XRD data. • The photocatalytic property was investigated under UV irradiation. - Abstract: A new Ruddlesden–Popper type scandium oxyfluoride, Sr{sub 2}ScO{sub 3}F, was synthesized by a conventional solid state reaction route. The detailed structure of Sr{sub 2}ScO{sub 3}F was investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and selected area electron diffraction (SAED). The disorder distribution pattern of fluorine anions was determined by the {sup 19}F nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrum. The compound crystallizesmore » in a K{sub 2}NiF{sub 4}-type tetragonal structure (space group I4/mmm) with O/F anions disordered over the apical sites of the perovskite-type Sc(O,F){sub 6} octahedron layers interleaved with strontium cations. Ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) diffuse reflection spectrum of the prepared Sr{sub 2}ScO{sub 3}F indicates that it has an absorption in the UV–vis region. The photocatalytic activity of Sr{sub 2}ScO{sub 3}F was further investigated, showing an effective photodegradation of Rhodamine-B (RB) within 2 h under UV light irradiation.« less

Equatorial dynamics in a 2 {1}/{2}- layer model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McCreary, Julian P.; Yu, Zuojun

A nonlinear, 2 {1}/{2}- layer model is used to study the dynamics of wind-driven equatorial ocean circulation, including the generation of mean flows and instabilities. The model allows water to entrain into, and detrain from, the upper layer, and as a consequence the temperatures of the two active layers can vary. The model ocean basin is rectangular, extends 100° zonally, and for most solutions has open boundaries at 15°S and 15°N. All solutions are forced by a switched-on wind field that is an idealized version of the Pacific trades: the wind is westward, uniform in the meridional direction (so it has no curl), located primarily in the central and eastern oceans, and in most cases it has an amplitude of 0.5 dyn cm -2. For reasonable choices of parameters, solutions adjust to have a realistic equatorial circulation with a westward surface jet, an eastward undercurrent, and with upwelling and cool sea surface temperature in the eastern ocean. Most of the meridional circulation (81% of the transport) is part of a closed tropical circulation cell, in which water upwells in the eastern, equatorial ocean and downwells elsewhere in the basin; the rest participates in a mid-latitude circulation cell with lower-layer water entering the basin and upper-layer water leaving it through the open boundaries. Three basic types of unstable disturbances are generated in the eastern ocean: two of them are antisymmetric about the equator, one being surface-trapped with a period of about 21 days (f 1), and the other predominantly a lower-layer oscillation with periods ranging from 35 to 53 days (f 2) that causes the undercurrent to meander; the third is symmetric with a period of about 28 days (f 0) and a structure like that of a first-meridional-mode Rossby wave. The amplitudes of the disturbances are sensitive to model parameters, and as parameter values are varied systematically solutions appear to follow variations of the quasi-periodic route to turbulence, one of the common

Method for making high-critical-current-density YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7 superconducting layers on metallic substrates

DOEpatents

Feenstra, Roeland; Christen, David; Paranthaman, Mariappan

1999-01-01

A method is disclosed for fabricating YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7 superconductor layers with the capability of carrying large superconducting currents on a metallic tape (substrate) supplied with a biaxially textured oxide buffer layer. The method represents a simplification of previously established techniques and provides processing requirements compatible with scale-up to long wire (tape) lengths and high processing speeds. This simplification has been realized by employing the BaF.sub.2 method to grow a YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7 film on a metallic substrate having a biaxially textured oxide buffer layer.

Critical layer thickness in In/sub 0. 2/Ga/sub 0. 8/As/GaAs single strained quantum well structures

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Fritz, I.J.; Gourley, P.L.; Dawson, L.R.

1987-09-28

We report accurate determination of the critical layer thickness (CLT) for single strained-layer epitaxy in the InGaAs/GaAs system. Our samples were molecular beam epitaxially grown, selectively doped, single quantum well structures comprising a strained In/sub 0.2/Ga/sub 0.8/As layer imbedded in GaAs. We determined the CLT by two sensitive techniques: Hall-effect measurements at 77 K and photoluminescence microscopy. Both techniques indicate a CLT of about 20 nm. This value is close to that determined previously (--15 nm) for comparable strained-layer superlattices, but considerably less than the value of --45 nm suggested by recent x-ray rocking-curve measurements. We show by a simplemore » calculation that photoluminescence microscopy is more than two orders of magnitude more sensitive to dislocations than x-ray diffraction. Our results re-emphasize the necessity of using high-sensitivity techniques for accurate determination of critical layer thicknesses.« less

Spectroscopic and theoretical investigation of the electronic states of layered perovskite oxyfluoride S r2Ru O3F2 thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chikamatsu, Akira; Kurauchi, Yuji; Kawahara, Keisuke; Onozuka, Tomoya; Minohara, Makoto; Kumigashira, Hiroshi; Ikenaga, Eiji; Hasegawa, Tetsuya

2018-06-01

We investigated the electronic structure of a layered perovskite oxyfluoride S r2Ru O3F2 thin film by hard x-ray photoemission spectroscopy (HAXPES) and soft x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) as well as density functional theory (DFT)-based calculations. The core-level HAXPES spectra suggested that S r2Ru O3F2 is a Mott insulator. The DFT calculations described the total and site-projected density of states and the band dispersion for the optimized crystal structure of S r2Ru O3F2 , predicting that R u4 + takes a high-spin configuration of (xy ) ↑(yz ,z x ) ↑↑(3z2-r2 ) ↑ and that S r2Ru O3F2 has an indirect band gap of 0.7 eV with minima at the M ,A and X ,R points. HAXPES spectra near the Fermi level and the angular-dependent O 1 s XAS spectra of the S r2Ru O3F2 thin film, corresponding to the valence band and conduction band density of states, respectively, were drastically different compared to those of the S r2Ru O4 film, suggesting that the changes in the electronic states were mainly driven by the substitution of an oxygen atom coordinated to Ru by fluorine and subsequent modification of the crystal field.

[Effects of Different Planting Direction and Layer Combination on Gastrodia elata f. elata in Bionic Wild Cultivation].

PubMed

Liu, Wei; Zhao, Zhi; Wang, Hua-lei; Luo, Fu-lai; Li, Jin-ling; Liu, Hong-chang; Luo, Chun-li

2015-05-01

Combination of different planting direction and layer were set to choose the best technology of cultivation of Gastrodia elata f. elata. To improve the yield and quality of Gastrodia elata f. elata, randomized block design experiments were carried out to investigate the yield and quality, and to analyze their economic effectiveness in bionic wild cultivation. Length, width, thickness and weight of southern direction's Gastrodia elata f. elata developed better than the northeast direction. The three planting layer levels on growth effect of Gastrodia elata f. elata was the 3rd layer > the 2nd layer > the 1st layer. In six treatments, combination of southern direction-the 3rd layer was the best technology of cultivation of Gastrodia elata f. elata, which had the best growth condition, the highest yield significantly higher than other treatments, and the best economic benefits. Southern direction associated with the 3rd layer is the best combination to planting Gastrodia elata f. elata in bionic wild cultivation. The planting ways not only improve the yield and quality, but also save land.

Charge-transport anisotropy in black phosphorus: critical dependence on the number of layers.

PubMed

Banerjee, Swastika; Pati, Swapan K

2016-06-28

Phosphorene is a promising candidate for modern electronics because of the anisotropy associated with high electron-hole mobility. Additionally, superior mechanical flexibility allows the strain-engineering of various properties including the transport of charge carriers in phosphorene. In this work, we have shown the criticality of the number of layers to dictate the transport properties of black phosphorus. Trilayer black phosphorus (TBP) has been proposed as an excellent anisotropic material, based on the transport parameters using Boltzmann transport formalisms coupled with density functional theory. The mobilities of both the electron and the hole are found to be higher along the zigzag direction (∼10(4) cm(2) V(-1) s(-1) at 300 K) compared to the armchair direction (∼10(2) cm(2) V(-1) s(-1)), resulting in the intrinsic directional anisotropy. Application of strain leads to additional electron-hole anisotropy with 10(3) fold higher mobility for the electron compared to the hole. Critical strain for maximum anisotropic response has also been determined. Whether the transport anisotropy is due to the spatial or charge-carrier has been determined through analyses of the scattering process of electrons and holes, and their recombination as well as relaxation dynamics. In this context, we have derived two descriptors (S and F(k)), which are general enough for any 2D or quasi-2D systems. Information on the scattering involving purely the carrier states also helps to understand the layer-dependent photoluminescence and electron (hole) relaxation in black phosphorus. Finally, we justify trilayer black phosphorus (TBP) as the material of interest with excellent transport properties.

Improved process for generating ClF/sub 3/ from ClF and F/sub 2/

DOEpatents

Reiner, R.H.; Pashley, J.H.; Barber, E.J.

The invention is an improvement in the process for producing gaseous ClF/sub 3/ by reacting ClF and F/sub 2/ at elevated temperature. The improved process comprises conducting the reaction in the presence of NiF/sub 2/, which preferably is in the form of particles or in the form of a film or layer on a particulate substrate. The nickel fluoride acts as a reaction catalyst, significantly increasing the reaction rate and thus permitting valuable reductions in process temperature, pressure, and/or reactor volume.

Magnetospheric convection and the high-latitude F2 ionosphere

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Knudsen, W. C.

1974-01-01

Behavior of the polar ionospheric F layer as it is convected through the cleft, over the polar cap, and through the nightside F layer trough zone is investigated. Passage through the cleft adds approximately 200,000 ions per cu cm in the vicinity of the F2 peak and redistributes the ionization above approximately 400-km altitude to conform with an increased electron temperature. The redistribution of ionization above 400-km altitude forms the 'averaged' plasma ring seen at 1000-km altitude. The F layer is also raised by approximately 20 km in altitude by the convection electric field. The time required for passage across the polar cap (25 deg) is about the same as that required for the F layer peak concentration to decay by e. The F layer response to passage through the nightside soft electron precipitation zone should be similar to but less than its response to passage through the cleft.

Surface effect on compensation and critical behaviors of a ferrimagnetic mixed-spin (1, 3/2) Ising system with two alternating layers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Wei; Lv, Dan; Liu, Ying; Yang, Yi; Gao, Zhong-yue; Zhao, Xue-ru

2017-12-01

A Monte Carlo simulation has been used to study the magnetic properties and the critical behaviors of a ferrimagnetic mixed spin-1 and spin-3/2 Ising system with two alternating layers on a honeycomb lattice. Particular emphasis is given to the effects of the surface exchange coupling R1 = J1S/J1, R2 = J2S/J1, R3 = J3S/J1, the surface single-ion anisotropy DS/J1 and the layer thickness L on the magnetizations, phase diagrams and hysteresis loops of the system. Some characteristic phenomena have been found, depending on the competition among the surface parameters R1, R2, R3 and DS. In particular, we have also found that, for appropriate values of surface parameters, there exist three critical surface parameters R1C, R3C and DSC/J1, where the phase transition temperature Tc is independent of the layer thickness L.

Hurricane genesis: on the breaking African easterly waves and critical layers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Asaadi, Ali; Brunet, Gilbert; Yau, Peter

2015-04-01

characterized by weak PV gradients, and the thermodynamical mechanisms such as convectively generated PV anomalies in the cat's eye formation in tropical cyclogenesis. These findings are consistent with the analytical theory of free and forced disturbances to an easterly parabolic jet (Brunet and Warn, 1990; Brunet and Haynes, 1995; Choboter et al., 2000). 1) Dunkerton, T. J., M. T. Montgomery, and Z. Wang, 2009: Tropical cyclogenesis in a tropical wave critical layer: Easterly waves. Atmos. Chem. Phys., 9, 5587-5646. 2) Brunet, G., and T. Warn, 1990: Rossby Wave Critical Layers on a Jet. J. Atmos. Sci., 47, 1173-1178. 3) Brunet, and P. H. Haynes, 1995: The Nonlinear Evolution of Disturbances to a Parabolic Jet. J. Atmos. Sci., 52, 464-477. 4) Choboter, P. F., G. Brunet, and S. A. Maslowe, 2000: Forced Disturbances in a Zero Absolute Vorticity Gradient Environment. J. Atmos. Sci., 57, 1406-1419.

Biaxially oriented CdTe films on glass substrate through nanostructured Ge/CaF2 buffer layers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lord, R. J.; Su, P.-Y.; Bhat, I.; Zhang, S. B.; Lu, T.-M.; Wang, G.-C.

2015-09-01

Heteroepitaxial CdTe films were grown by metal organic chemical vapor deposition on glass substrates through nanostructured Ge/CaF2 buffer layers which were biaxially oriented. It allows us to explore the structural properties of multilayer biaxial semiconductor films which possess small angle grain boundaries and to test the principle of a solar cell made of such low-cost, low-growth-temperature semiconductor films. Through the x-ray diffraction and x-ray pole figure analysis, the heteroepitaxial relationships of the mutilayered films are determined as [111] in the out-of-plane direction and <1\\bar{1}0>CdTe//<1\\bar{1}0>Ge//{< \\bar{1}10> }{{{CaF}}2} in the in-plane direction. The I-V curves measured from an ITO/CdS/CdTe/Ge/CaF2/glass solar cell test structure shows a power conversion efficiency of ˜η = 1.26%, illustrating the initial success of such an approach. The observed non-ideal efficiency is believed to be due to a low shunt resistance and high series resistance as well as some residual large-angle grain boundary effects, leaving room for significant further improvement.

[The research of UV-responsive sensitivity enhancement of fluorescent coating films by MgF2 layer].

PubMed

Lu, Zhong-Rong; Ni, Zheng-Ji; Tao, Chun-Xian; Hong, Rui-Jin; Zhang, Da-Wei; Huang, Yuan-Shen

2014-03-01

A low cost and less complicated expansion approach of wavelength responses with a Lumogen phosphor coating was adopted, as they increased the quantum efficiency of CCD and CMOS detectors in ultra-violet by absorbing UV light and then re emitting visible light. In this paper, the sensitivity enhancement of fluorescence coatings was studied by adding an anti-reflection film or barrier film to reduce the loss of the scattering and reflection on the incident interface. The Lumogen and MgF2/Lumogen film were deposited on quartz glasses by physical vacuum deposition. The surface morphology, transmittance spectrum, reflectance spectrum and fluorescence emission spectrum were obtained by atomic force microscope (AFM), spectrophotometer and fluorescence spectrometer, respectively. The results indicated that MgF2 film had obvious positive effect on reducing scattering and reflection loss in 500-700 nm, and enhancing the absorption of Lumogen coating in ultraviolet spectrum. Meanwhile, the fluorescent emission intensity had a substantial increase by smoothing the film surface and thus reducing the light scattering. At the same time, the MgF2 layer could protect Lumogen coating from damaging and contamination, which give a prolong lifetime of the UV-responsive CCD sensors with fluorescent coatings.

Structure and magnetic properties of oxychalcogenides A2F2Fe2OQ2 (A = Sr, Ba; Q = S, Se) with Fe2O square planar layers representing an antiferromagnetic checkerboard spin lattice.

PubMed

Kabbour, Houria; Janod, Etienne; Corraze, Benoît; Danot, Michel; Lee, Changhoon; Whangbo, Myung-Hwan; Cario, Laurent

2008-07-02

The oxychalcogenides A2F2Fe2OQ2 (A = Sr, Ba; Q = S, Se), which contain Fe2O square planar layers of the anti-CuO2 type, were predicted using a modular assembly of layered secondary building units and subsequently synthesized. The physical properties of these compounds were characterized using magnetic susceptibility, electrical resistivity, specific heat, (57)Fe Mossbauer, and powder neutron diffraction measurements and also by estimating their exchange interactions on the basis of first-principles density functional theory electronic structure calculations. These compounds are magnetic semiconductors that undergo a long-range antiferromagnetic ordering below 83.6-106.2 K, and their magnetic properties are well-described by a two-dimensional Ising model. The dominant antiferromagnetic spin exchange interaction between S = 2 Fe(2+) ions occurs through corner-sharing Fe-O-Fe bridges. Moreover, the calculated spin exchange interactions show that the A2F2Fe2OQ2 (A = Sr, Ba; Q = S, Se) compounds represent a rare example of a frustrated antiferromagnetic checkerboard lattice.

How the effects of winds and electric fields in F2-layer storms vary with latitude and longitude - A theoretical study

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mendillo, M.; He, X.-Q.; Rishbeth, H.

1992-01-01

The effects of thermospheric winds and electric fields on the ionospheric F2-layer are controlled by the geometry of the magnetic field, and so vary with latitude and longitude. A simple model of the daytime F2-layer is adopted and the effects at midlatitudes (25-65 deg geographic) of three processes that accompany geomagnetic storms: (1) thermospheric changes due to auroral heating; (2) equatorward winds that tend to cancel the quiet-day poleward winds; and (3) the penetration of magnetospheric electric fields are studied. At +/- 65 deg, the effects of heating and electric fields are strongest in the longitudes toward which the geomagnetic dipole is tilted, i.e., the North American and the South Indian Ocean sectors. Because of the proximity of the geomagnetic equator to the East Asian and South American sectors, the reverse is true at +/- 25 deg.

Latitudinal Variations Of The F3 Layer Observed From The SEALION Ionosonde Network

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Uemoto, J.; Ono, T.; Maruyama, T.; Saito, S.; Iizima, M.; Kumamoto, A.

2006-12-01

[INTRODUCTION] The occurrence probability, local time, solar and magnetic activity dependences of the F3 layer have been clarified experimentally from ionosonde observations as well as model calculation, whereas some unexplained problems have remained; It has been reported that the F3 layer was frequently obrved in June solstice season at Fortaleza in Brazil (geographic latitude -4 deg, geographic longitude 322 deg, and dip latitude -5.4 deg) though in this season (local winter season), frequently occurrences of the F3 layer were not predicted from the model calculation with normal values of the E x B drift and meridional neutral wind and seasonal dependence of occurrences at Waltair (17.7 deg, 83.3 deg, 11.5 deg) shows a different tendency from that at Fortaleza. The latter problem seems to result from geographic control or differences of dip latitude between two observation locations, however, its physical mechanism has not been clarified. Then conjugate observations in a magnetic meridional plane are needed. For the purpose of clarifying the mechanism of the F3 layer in more detail, we are analyzing the ionosonde data of the South East Asian Low-latitude IOnosonde Network [SEALION] mainly provided by NiCT which consists of 4 ionosonde stations. In this study, we analyzed ionosonde data observed at Chiang Mai (CMU [18.8 deg, 98.9 deg, 13.0 deg]), Chumphon(CPN [10.7 deg, 99.4 deg, 3.3 deg]) and Kototabang (KTB [-0.2 deg, 100.3 deg, -10.0 deg]). [ANALYSIS] As a result from analyzing ionosonde data on 31st March, 2005, following dip latitudinal differences have been found; At CPN, in the vicinity of the dip equator, the F3 layer moved upward rapidly and disappeared in earlier local time, while at CMU and KTB, in the low dip latitude region, the F3 layer stayed at almost the same altitude and remained to be detectable with longer time duration. [CONCLUSION] From comparing between observation results and the model calculation, it is suggested that such a dip

Development of very high J c in Ba(Fe 1-xCo x) 2As 2 thin films grown on CaF 2

DOE PAGES

Tarantini, C.; Kametani, F.; Lee, S.; ...

2014-12-03

Ba(Fe 1-xCo x) 2As 2 is the most tunable of the Fe-based superconductors (FBS) in terms of acceptance of high densities of self-assembled and artificially introduced pinning centres which are effective in significantly increasing the critical current density, J c. Moreover, FBS are very sensitive to strain, which induces an important enhancement in critical temperature,T c, of the material. In this study we demonstrate that strain induced by the substrate can further improve J c of both single and multilayer films by more than that expected simply due to the increase in T c. The multilayer deposition of Ba(Fe 1-xComore » x) 2As 2 on CaF 2 increases the pinning force density (F p=J c x μ₀H) by more than 60% compared to a single layer film, reaching a maximum of 84 GN/m 3 at 22.5 T and 4.2 K, the highest value ever reported in any 122 phase.« less

Negative post sunset height rise of F layer: Causes and implications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Joshi, Lalit Mohan; Patra, Amit

Post sunset height rise (PSHR) of the F layer is a manifestation of the pre reversal enhancement (PRE) of zonal electric field in the equatorial and low latitude ionosphere. Ionosonde observations, made during the equinox period from Sriharikota (13.7 degree North, 80.1 degree East, 6.7 degree North magnetic latitude), a low latitude station in India, have been utilized to study the PSHR of the F layer. Normally, the height of the F layer increases during the early post sunset period (positive PSHR) whose magnitude has a direct bearing on the equatorial spread F (ESF). However, observations revealed that on a few nights (about 3% nights) the height of the F layer descended in the early post sunset period itself, indicating the absence of PRE of zonal field. Such events have been termed as negative PSHR events. Such events never preceded ESF. Detailed investigations revealed that the negative PSHR events were accompanied by an enhancement of low latitude sporadic E (Es) activity with increase in the Es blanketing (fbEs) and top (ftEs) frequencies, during the post sunset period. Numerical simulations have been carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of the westward Pedersen and Hall conductivity gradients that exists in the low latitude E region during the evening hours, in causing the PRE of zonal field and the PSHR of the F layer. Model simulation reveals that the dominant cause of PRE of zonal field is the divergence of Hall current in the low latitude E region. When the zonal conductivity gradient of the low latitude E region was assumed to be either zero or slightly eastward, owing to the intensification of Es, model computation resulted in the negative PSHR of the F layer. Thus, the observational and computational results highlight the important role of the low latitude Es in the PRE of the zonal electric field.

Short-Term fo F2 Forecast: Present Day State of Art

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mikhailov, A. V.; Depuev, V. H.; Depueva, A. H.

An analysis of the F2-layer short-term forecast problem has been done. Both objective and methodological problems prevent us from a deliberate F2-layer forecast issuing at present. An empirical approach based on statistical methods may be recommended for practical use. A forecast method based on a new aeronomic index (a proxy) AI has been proposed and tested over selected 64 severe storm events. The method provides an acceptable prediction accuracy both for strongly disturbed and quiet conditions. The problems with the prediction of the F2-layer quiet-time disturbances as well as some other unsolved problems are discussed

Facile preparation, optical and electrochemical properties of layer-by-layer V2O5 quadrate structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Yifu; Zheng, Jiqi; Wang, Qiushi; Hu, Tao; Tian, Fuping; Meng, Changgong

2017-03-01

Layer-by-layer V2O5 structures self-assembly by quadrate sheets like "multilayer cake" were successfully synthesized using NH4VO3 as the vanadium sources by a facile hydrothermal route and combination of the calcination. The structure and composition were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer, X-ray powder diffraction, Raman and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The optical properties of the as-obtained V2O5 layer-by-layer structures were investigated by the Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy and photoluminescence spectrum. The electrochemical properties of the as-obtained V2O5 layer-by-layer structures as electrodes in supercapacitor device were measured by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and galvanostatic charge-discharge (GCD) both in the aqueous and organic electrolyte. The specific capacitance is 347 F g-1 at 1 A g-1 in organic electrolyte, which is improved by 46% compared with 238 F g-1 in aqueous electrolyte. During the cycle performance, the specific capacitances of V2O5 layer-by-layer structures after 100 cycles are 30% and 82% of the initial discharge capacity in the aqueous and organic electrolyte, respectively, indicating the cycle performance is significantly improved in organic electrolyte. Our results turn out that layer-by-layer V2O5 structures are an ideal material for supercapacitor electrode in the present work.

Characterization of ZrO2 buffer layers for sequentially evaporated Y-Ba-CuO on Si and Al2O3 substrates

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Valco, George J.; Rohrer, Norman J.; Pouch, John J.; Warner, Joseph D.; Bhasin, Kul B.

1988-01-01

Thin film high temperature superconductors have the potential to change the microwave technology for space communications systems. For such applications it is desirable that the films be formed on substrates such as Al2O3 which have good microwave properties. The use of ZrO2 buffer layers between Y-Ba-Cu-O and the substrate has been investigated. These superconducting films have been formed by multilayer sequential electron beam evaporation of Cu, BaF2 and Y with subsequent annealing. The three layer sequence of Y/BaF2/Cu is repeated four times for a total of twelve layers. Such a multilayer film, approximately 1 micron thick, deposited directly on SrTiO3 and annealed at 900 C for 45 min produces a film with a superconducting onset of 93 K and critical temperature of 85 K. Auger electron spectroscopy in conjunction with argon ion sputtering was used to obtain the distribution of each element as a function of depth for an unannealed film, the annealed film on SrTiO3 and annealed films on ZrO2 buffer layers. The individual layers were apparent. After annealing, the bulk of the film on SrTiO3 is observed to be fairly uniform while films on the substrates with buffer layers are less uniform. The Y-Ba-Cu-O/ZrO2 interface is broad with a long Ba tail into the ZrO2, suggesting interaction between the film and the buffer layer. The underlying ZrO2/Si interface is sharper. The detailed Auger results are presented and compared with samples annealed at different temperatures and durations.

F2 region response to geomagnetic disturbances across Indian latitudes: O(1S) dayglow emission

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Upadhayaya, A. K.; Gupta, Sumedha; Brahmanandam, P. S.

2016-03-01

The morphology of ionospheric storms has been investigated across equatorial and low latitudes of Indian region. The deviation in F2 region characteristic parameters (foF2 and h'F) along with modeled green line dayglow emission intensities is examined at equatorial station Thiruvananthapuram (8.5°N, 76.8°E, 0.63°S geomagnetic latitude) and low-latitude station Delhi (28.6°N, 77.2°E,19.2°N geomagnetic latitude) during five geomagnetic storm events. Both positive and negative phases have been noticed in this study. The positive storm phase over equatorial station is found to be more frequent, while the drop in ionization in most of the cases was observed at low-latitude station. It is concluded that the reaction as seen at different ionospheric stations may be quite different during the same storm depending on both the geographic and geomagnetic coordinates of the station, storm intensity, and the storm onset time. Modulation in the F2 layer critical frequency at low and equatorial stations during geomagnetic disturbance of 20-23 November 2003 was caused by the storm-induced changes in O/N2. It is also found that International Reference Ionosphere 2012 model predicts the F2 layer characteristic (foF2 and h'F) parameters at both the low and equatorial stations during disturbed days quite reasonably. A simulative approach in GLOW model developed by Solomon is further used to estimate the changes in the volume emission rate of green line dayglow emission under quiet and strong geomagnetic conditions. It is found that the O(1S) dayglow thermospheric emission peak responds to varying geomagnetic conditions.

Seasonal and solar cycle dependence of F3-layer near the southern crest of the equatorial ionospheric anomaly

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fagundes, P. R.; Klausner, V.; Bittencourt, J. A.; Sahai, Y.; Abalde, J. R.

2011-08-01

The occurrence of an additional F3-layer has been reported at Brazilian, Indian and Asian sectors by several investigators. In this paper, we report for the first time the seasonal variations of F3-layer carried out near the southern crest of the equatorial ionospheric anomaly (EIA) at São José dos Campos (23.2°S, 45.0°W; dip latitude 17.6°S - Brazil) as a function of solar cycle. The period from September 2000 to August 2001 is used as representative of high solar activity (HSA) and the period from January 2006 to December 2006 as representative of low solar activity (LSA). This investigation shows that during HSA there is a maximum occurrence of F3-layer during summer time and a minimum during winter time. However, during LSA, there is no seasonal variation in the F3-layer occurrence. Also, the frequency of occurrence of the F3-layer during HSA is 11 times more than during LSA.

What Does f[subscript xx]f[subscript yy] - f[superscript 2][subscript xy] Greater than 0 "Really" Mean?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McCartin, Brian J.

2008-01-01

This note presents geometric and physical interpretations of the sufficient condition for a critical point to be a strict relative extremum: f[subscript xx]f[subscript yy] - f[superscript 2][subscript xy] greater than 0. The role of the double derivative f[subscript xy] in this inequality will be highlighted in these interpretations. (Contains 14…

Critical and compensation behavior of a mixed spin-3/2 and spin-5/2 Ising ferrimagnetic system in a graphene layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alzate-Cardona, J. D.; Sabogal-Suárez, D.; Restrepo-Parra, E.

2017-05-01

We have studied the magnetic properties of the mixed spin σ = ± 3/2, ± 1/2 and spin S = ± 5/2, ± 3/2, ± 1/2 Ising ferrimagnetic system in a graphene layer by means of Monte Carlo simulations. The effects of next-nearest neighbors exchange interactions and crystal field anisotropy on the critical and compensation behavior of the system have been investigated. The results show that, for a system with given values of the crystal field anisotropy and exchange interaction constants, a compensation point only exists if the values of the spins in the ground state are such that | S | > | σ | and Jσ is higher than a certain value Jσmin . It was shown that the relationship between Jσmin and JS is linear for a given value of the crystal field constant. The compensation and the critical temperature are very sensitive to the change of JS and Jσ, respectively, while the crystal field anisotropy affects both temperatures to a large extent.

F layer positive response to a geomagnetic storm - June 1972

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Miller, N. J.; Grebowsky, J. M.; Mayr, H. G.; Harris, I.; Tulunay, Y. K.

1979-01-01

A circulation model of neutral thermosphere-ionosphere coupling is used to interpret in situ spacecraft measurements taken during a topside midlatitude ionospheric storm. The data are measurements of electron density taken along the circular polar orbit of Ariel 4 at 550 km during the geomagnetically disturbed period June 17-18, 1972. It is inferred that collisional momentum transfer from the disturbed neutral thermosphere to the ionosphere was the dominant midday process generating the positive F-layer storm phase in the summer hemisphere. In the winter hemisphere the positive storm phase drifted poleward in the apparent response to magnetospheric E x B drifts. A summer F-layer positive phase developed at the sudden commencement and again during the geomagnetic main phase; a winter F-layer positive phase developed only during the geomagnetic main phase. The observed seasonal differences in both the onsets and the magnitudes of the positive phases are attributed to the interhemispheric asymmetry in thermospheric dynamics.

Asymmetric temporal integration of layer 4 and layer 2/3 inputs in visual cortex.

PubMed

Hang, Giao B; Dan, Yang

2011-01-01

Neocortical neurons in vivo receive concurrent synaptic inputs from multiple sources, including feedforward, horizontal, and feedback pathways. Layer 2/3 of the visual cortex receives feedforward input from layer 4 and horizontal input from layer 2/3. Firing of the pyramidal neurons, which carries the output to higher cortical areas, depends critically on the interaction of these pathways. Here we examined synaptic integration of inputs from layer 4 and layer 2/3 in rat visual cortical slices. We found that the integration is sublinear and temporally asymmetric, with larger responses if layer 2/3 input preceded layer 4 input. The sublinearity depended on inhibition, and the asymmetry was largely attributable to the difference between the two inhibitory inputs. Interestingly, the asymmetric integration was specific to pyramidal neurons, and it strongly affected their spiking output. Thus via cortical inhibition, the temporal order of activation of layer 2/3 and layer 4 pathways can exert powerful control of cortical output during visual processing.

Hollow Rodlike MgF2 with an Ultralow Refractive Index for the Preparation of Multifunctional Antireflective Coatings.

PubMed

Bao, Lei; Ji, Zihan; Wang, Hongning; Chen, Ruoyu

2017-06-27

Antireflective coatings with superhydrophobic, self-cleaning, and wide-spectrum high-transmittance properties and good mechanical strength have important practical value. In this research, hollow nanorod-like MgF 2 sols with different void volumes were prepared by a template-free solvothermal method to further obtain hollow nanorod-like MgF 2 crystals with an ultralow refractive index of 1.14. Besides, a MgF 2 coating with an adjustable refractive index of 1.10-1.35 was also prepared by the template-free solvothermal method. Then through the combination of base/acid two-step-catalyzed TEOS and hydroxyl modification on the surface of nanosilica spheres, the SiO 2 coating with good mechanical strength, a flat surface, and a refractive index of 1.30-1.45 was obtained. Double-layer broadband antireflective coatings with an average transmittance of 99.6% at 400-1400 nm were designed using the relevant optical theory. After the coating thickness was optimized by the dip-coating method, the double-layer antireflective coatings, whose parameters were consistent with those designed by the theory, were obtained. The bottom layer was a SiO 2 coating with a refractive index of 1.34 and a thickness of 155 nm, and the top layer was a hollow rodlike MgF 2 coating with a refractive index of 1.10 and a thickness of 165 nm. The average transmittance of the obtained MgF 2 -SiO 2 antireflective coatings was 99.1% at 400-1400 nm, which was close to the theoretical value. The hydrophobic angle of the coating surface reached 119° at first, and the angle further reached 152° after conducting surface modification by PFOTES. In addition, because the porosity of the coating surface was only 10.7%, the pencil hardness of the coating surface was 5 H and the critical load Lc was 27.05 N. In summary, the obtained antireflective coatings possessed superhydrophobic, self-cleaning, and wide-spectrum high-transmittance properties and good mechanical strength.

Complex relationship between BOLD-fMRI and electrophysiological signals in different olfactory bulb layers.

PubMed

Li, Bo; Gong, Ling; Wu, Ruiqi; Li, Anan; Xu, Fuqiang

2014-07-15

Blood oxygenation level dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging (BOLD-fMRI), one of the most powerful technologies in neuroscience, measures neural activity indirectly. Therefore, systematic correlation of BOLD signals with other neural activity measurements is critical to understanding and then using the technology. Numerous studies have revealed that the BOLD signal is determined by many factors and is better correlated with local field potentials (LFP) than single/multiple unit firing. The relationship between BOLD and LFP signals under higher spatial resolution is complex and remains unclear. Here, changes of BOLD and LFP signals in the glomerular (GL), mitral cell (MCL), and granular cell layers (GCL) of the olfactory bulb were evoked by odor stimulation and sequentially acquired using high-resolution fMRI and electrode array. The experimental results revealed a rather complex relationship between BOLD and LFP signals. Both signal modalities were increased layer-dependently by odor stimulation, but the orders of signal intensity were significantly different: GL>MCL>GCL and GCL>GL>MCL for BOLD and LFP, respectively. During odor stimulation, the temporal features of LFPs were similar for a given band in different layers, but different for different frequency bands in a given layer. The BOLD and LFP signals in the low gamma frequency band correlated the best. This study provides new evidence for the consistency between structure and function in understanding the neurophysiological basis of BOLD signals, but also reminds that caution must be taken in interpreting of BOLD signals in regard to neural activity. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Nonlinear critical-layer evolution of a forced gravity wave packet

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Campbell, L. J.; Maslowe, S. A.

2003-10-01

In this paper, numerical simulations are presented of the nonlinear critical-layer evolution of a forced gravity wave packet in a stratified shear flow. The wave packet, localized in the horizontal direction, is forced at the lower boundary of a two-dimensional domain and propagates vertically towards the critical layer. The wave mean-flow interactions in the critical layer are investigated numerically and contrasted with the results obtained using a spatially periodic monochromatic forcing. With the horizontally localized forcing, the net absorption of the disturbance at the critical layer continues for large time and the onset of the nonlinear breakdown is delayed compared with the case of monochromatic forcing. There is an outward flux of momentum in the horizontal direction so that the horizontal extent of the packet increases with time. The extent to which this happens depends on a number of factors including the amplitude and horizontal length of the forcing. It is also seen that the prolonged absorption of the disturbance stabilizes the solution to the extent that it is always convectively stable; the local Richardson number remains positive well into the nonlinear regime. In this respect, our results for the localized forcing differ from those in the case of monochromatic forcing where significant regions with negative Richardson number appear.

Inertia critical layers and their impacts on nongeostrophic baroclinic instability

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shen, Bo-Wen

We investigate the effects of critical levels (CLs) on a baroclinic flow over mountains, nongeostrophic (NG) inertia critical layer instability, and NG baroclinic instability (BI) in a three-layer atmosphere with a small Richardson number (Ri) in the middle layer. We develop a numerical wave decomposition method in Chapter 2, which is found to be useful in determining the reflection coefficient (Ref) numerically when the flow system is too complicated to obtain Ref analytically. Effects of CLs on flow over mountains are studied both analytically and numerically in Chapter 3. We define the effective inertia critical level (ICL) as the height above which inertia-gravity waves attenuate significantly. Based on numerical simulations with a broad range of Rossby number (Ro) and Ri, four wave regimes are found: (a) Regime I: inertia- gravity waves. The flow behaves like unsheared inertia- gravity waves and the effective lower ICL plays a similar role as the classical critical level (CCL) does in a nonrotating flow. (b) Regime II: combined inertia-gravity waves and baroclinic lee waves. These waves behave like those in Regime I below the lower effective ICL, and like baroclinic lee waves near the CCL. (c) Regime III: combined evanescent and baroclinic lee waves. These waves still behave like baroclinic lee waves near the CCL, but are trapped near the surface. (d) Regime IV: transient waves. NG baroclinic instability exists, as evidenced by the positive domain-averaged north-south heat flux. Wave regime IV is further investigated in Chapter 5. We identify the NG baroclinic instability in Chapter 3 as an inertia critical layer (ICLY) instability. The role of the upper inertia critical level in this instability has been studied by choosing a periodic mountain. When only the CCL and upper ICL are present in the domain, the mesoscale ICLY instability tends to occur. For a periodic mountain ridge, the ICLY instability selects the mountain's tvavelength as its wavelength of

Critical Temperature of Randomly Diluted Two-Dimensional Heisenberg Ferromagnet, K2CuxZn(1-x)F4

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Okuda, Yuichi; Tohi, Yasuto; Yamada, Isao; Haseda, Taiichiro

1980-09-01

The susceptibility of randomly diluted two-dimensional Heisenberg-like ferromagnet K2CuxZn(1-x)F4 was measured down to 50 mK, using the 3He-4He dilution refrigerator and a SQUID magnetometer. The ferromagnetic critical temperature Tc(x) was obtained for x{=}0.98, 0.94, 0.85, 0.82, 0.68, 0.60, 0.54, 0.50 and 0.42. The value of [1/Tc(1)][(d/dx)Tc(x)]x=1 was approximately 3.0. The critical temperature versus x curve exhibits a noticeable tail near the critical concentration, which may stem from the second nearest-neighbor interaction. The critical concentration xc, below which concentration there is no long range order down to T{=}0 K, was estimated to be 0.45˜0.50. The susceptibility of sample with x{=}0.42 behaves as if it obeys the Curie law down to 50 mK.

CsFe3(SeO3)2F6 with S = 5/2 Cube Tile Lattice.

PubMed

Lu, Hongcheng; Kageyama, Hiroshi

2018-05-21

A layered iron selenite fluoride CsFe 3 (SeO 3 ) 2 F 6 1 was hydrothermally synthesized. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies show that 1 has a trigonal ( P3̅ m1) lattice, where [Fe 3 (SeO 3 ) 2 F 6 ] - blocks of three iron sublayers are separated by Cs cations. Within the block, only Fe(2)F 6 and Fe(1)O 3 F 3 octahedra are magnetically connected via superexchange Fe(1) -F -Fe(2) pathways, giving an S = 5/2 cube tile (dice) lattice. At low magnetic field, 1 exhibits an antiferromagnetic transition at ∼130 K, where ferrimagnetic cube tile layers are arranged in a staggered manner. At low temperatures, we observed a field-induced transition to a ferrimagnetic state with a one-third magnetization plateau.

Crystal Structure and Antiferromagnetic Ordering of Quasi-2D [Cu(HF2)(pyz)2]TaF6 (pyz=pyrazine)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Manson, J. L.; Schlueter, J. A.; McDonald, R. D.; Singleton, J.

2010-04-01

The crystal structure of the title compound was determined by X-ray diffraction at 90 and 295 K. Copper(II) ions are coordinated to four bridging pyz ligands to form square layers in the ab-plane. Bridging HF2- ligands join the layers together along the c-axis to afford a tetragonal, three-dimensional (3D) framework that contains TaF6- anions in every cavity. At 295 K, the pyz rings lie exactly perpendicular to the layers and cooling to 90 K induces a canting of those rings. Magnetically, the compound exhibits 2D antiferromagnetic correlations within the 2D layers with an exchange interaction of -13.1(1) K. Weak interlayer interactions, as mediated by Cu-F-H-F-Cu, leads to long-range magnetic order below 4.2 K. Pulsed-field magnetization data at 0.5 K show a concave curvature with increasing B and reveal a saturation magnetization at 35.4 T.

Matching characteristics of different buffer layers with VO2 thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Kai; Zhang, Dongping; Liu, Yi; Guan, Tianrui; Qin, Xiaonan; Zhong, Aihua; Cai, Xingmin; Fan, Ping; Lv, Weizhong

2016-10-01

VO2 thin films were fabricated by reactive DC magnetron sputtering on different buffer layers of MgF2, Al2O3 and TiO2, respectively. The crystallinity and orientation relationship, thickness of VO2 thin films, atoms vibrational modes, optical and electrical property, surface morphology of films were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Raman scattering microscopy, step profiler, spectrophotometer, four-probe technique, and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. XRD results investigated that the films have preferential crystalline planes VO2 (011). The crystallinity of VO2 films grown on TiO2 buffer layers are superior to VO2 directly deposited on soda-lime glass. The Raman bands of the VO2 films correspond to an Ag symmetry mode of VO2 (M). The sample prepared on 100nm TiO2 buffer layer appears nanorods structure, and exhibits remarkable solar energy modulation ability as high as 5.82% in full spectrum and 23% in near infrared spectrum. Cross-sectional SEM image of the thin films samples indicate that MgF2 buffer layer has clear interface with VO2 layer. But there are serious interdiffusion phenomenons between Al2O3, TiO2 buffer layer with VO2 layer.

TMSOTf assisted synthesis of 2'-deoxy-2'-[18F]fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine ([18F]FAC).

PubMed

Gangangari, Kishore K; Humm, John L; Larson, Steven M; Pillarsetty, Naga Vara Kishore

2018-01-01

[18F]FAC (2'-deoxy-2'-[18F]fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine, 1) is a versatile probe for imaging deoxycytidine kinase (dCK) expression levels in vivo. dCK is responsible for phosphorylation of deoxycytidine (dC, 2) and other nucleoside analogs, plays a key role in immune activation and has demonstrated to be one of the key enzymes in activating nucleoside based drugs including gemcitabine. Reported synthesis of [18F]FAC is high yielding but is quite challenging requiring bromination using HBr and careful drying of excess HBr which is critical for successful synthesis. Here in we report a simplified trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate (TMSOTf) assisted synthesis of [18F]FAC eliminating the need of bromination and drying. [18F]FAC (β-anomer) was synthesized with average isolated decay corrected yield of 10.59 + 4.2% (n = 6) with radiochemical purity of >98% and total synthesis time of 158 + 19 min.

Study of structure and antireflective properties of LaF3/HfO2/SiO2 and LaF3/HfO2/MgF2 trilayers for UV applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marszalek, K.; Jaglarz, J.; Sahraoui, B.; Winkowski, P.; Kanak, J.

2015-01-01

The aim of this paper is to study antireflective properties of the tree-layer systems LaF3/HfO2/SiO2 and LaF3/HfO2/MgF2 deposited on heated optical glass substrates. The films were evaporated by the use two deposition techniques. In first method oxide films were prepared by means of e-gun evaporation in vacuum of 5 × 10-5 mbar in the presence of oxygen. The second was used for the deposition of fluoride films. They were obtained by means of thermal source evaporation. Simulation of reflectance was performed for 1M2H1L (Quarter Wavelength Optical Thickness) film stack on an optical quartz glass with the refractive index n = 1.46. The layer thickness was optimized to achieve the lowest light scattering from glass surface covered with dioxide and fluoride films. The values of the interface roughness were determined through atomic force microscopy measurements. The essence of performed calculation was to find minimum reflectance of light in wide ultraviolet region. The spectral dispersion of the refractive index needed for calculations was determined from ellipsometric measurements using the spectroscopic ellipsometer M2000. Additionally, the total reflectance measurements in integrating sphere coupled with Perkin Elmer 900 spectrophotometer were performed. These investigations allowed to determine the influence of such film features like surface and interface roughness on light scattering.

Surface roughening transition and critical layer thickness in strained-layer heteroepitaxy of EuTe on PbTe (111)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Springholz, G.; Frank, N.; Bauer, G.

1994-05-01

Heteroepitaxial growth of 2% lattice-mismatched EuTe on PbTe (111) by molecular beam epitaxy is investigated in the two-dimensional layer-by-layer growth regime combining in situ reflection high-energy electron diffraction and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). At the critical layer thickness a distinct surface roughening is observed. The quantitative analysis of STM images yields an increase of the root mean square roughness by a factor of 4 at this roughening transition. Strong evidence is presented that for the used growth conditions this roughening is not caused by strain induced coherent islanding but by misfit dislocations at the onset of strain relaxation.

E2F1 and E2F2 prevent replicative stress and subsequent p53-dependent organ involution.

PubMed

Iglesias-Ara, A; Zenarruzabeitia, O; Buelta, L; Merino, J; Zubiaga, A M

2015-10-01

Tissue homeostasis requires tight regulation of cellular proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. E2F1 and E2F2 transcription factors share a critical role in tissue homeostasis, since their combined inactivation results in overall organ involution, specially affecting the pancreatic gland, which subsequently triggers diabetes. We have examined the mechanism by which these E2Fs regulate tissue homeostasis. We show that pancreas atrophy in E2F1/E2F2 double-knockout (DKO) mice is associated with mitochondrial apoptosis and activation of the p53 pathway in young animals, before the development of diabetes. A deregulated expression of E2F target genes was detected in pancreatic cells of young DKO animals, along with unscheduled DNA replication and activation of a DNA damage response. Importantly, suppression of DNA replication in vivo with aphidicolin led to a significant inhibition of the p53 pathway in DKO pancreas, implying a causal link between DNA replication stress and p53 activation in this model. We further show that activation of the p53 pathway has a key role in the aberrant phenotype of DKO mice, since targeted inactivation of p53 gene abrogated cellular apoptosis and prevented organ involution and insulin-dependent diabetes in mice lacking E2F1/E2F2. Unexpectedly, p53 inactivation unmasked oncogenic features of E2F1/E2F2-depleted cells, as evidenced by an accelerated tumor development in triple-knockout mice compared with p53(-/-) mice. Collectively, our data reveal a role for E2F1 and E2F2 as suppressors of replicative stress in differentiating cells, and uncover the existence of a robust E2F-p53 regulatory axis to enable tissue homeostasis and prevent tumorigenesis. These findings have implications in the design of approaches targeting E2F for cancer therapy.

F2 layer characteristics and electrojet strength over an equatorial station

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Adebesin, B. O.; Adeniyi, J. O.; Adimula, I. A.; Reinisch, B. W.; Yumoto, K.

2013-09-01

The data presented in this work describes the diurnal and seasonal variation in hmF2, NmF2, and the electrojet current strength over an African equatorial station during a period of low solar activity. The F2 region horizontal magnetic element H revealed that the Solar quiet Sq(H) daily variation rises from early morning period to maximum around local noon and falls to lower values towards evening. The F2 ionospheric current responsible for the magnetic field variations is inferred to build up at the early morning hours, attaining maximum strength around 1200 LT. The Sq variation across the entire months was higher during the daytime than nighttime. This is ascribed to the variability of the ionospheric parameters like conductivity and winds structure in this region. Seasonal daytime electrojet (EEJ) current strength for June solstice, March and September equinoxes, respectively had peak values ranging within 27-35 nT (at 1400 LT) , 30-40 nT (at 1200 LT) and 35-45 nT (at 1500 LT). The different peak periods of the EEJ strength were attributed to the combined effects of the peak electron density and electric field. Lastly, the EEJ strength was observed to be higher during the equinoxes than the solstice period.

Microstructure-related properties at 193 nm of MgF2 and GdF3 films deposited by a resistive-heating boat.

PubMed

Liu, Ming-Chung; Lee, Cheng-Chung; Kaneko, Masaaki; Nakahira, Kazuhide; Takano, Yuuichi

2006-03-01

MgF2 and GdF3 materials, used for a single-layer coating at 193 nm, are deposited by a resistive-heating boat at specific substrate temperatures. Optical characteristics (transmittance, refractive index, extinction coefficient, and optical loss) and microstructures (morphology and crystalline structure) are investigated and discussed. Furthermore, MgF2 is used as a low-index material, and GdF3 is used as a high-index material for multilayer coatings. Reflectance, stress, and the laser-induced damage threshold (LIDT) are studied. It is shown that MgF2 and GdF3 thin films, deposited on the substrate at a temperature of 300 degrees C, obtain good quality thin films with high transmittance and little optical loss at 193 nm. For multilayer coatings, the stress mainly comes from MgF2, and the absorption comes from GdF3. Among those coatings, the sixteen-layer design, sub/(1.4L 0.6H)8/air, shows the largest LIDT.

Critical CuI buffer layer surface density for organic molecular crystal orientation change

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ahn, Kwangseok; Kim, Jong Beom; Lee, Dong Ryeol, E-mail: drlee@ssu.ac.kr

We have determined the critical surface density of the CuI buffer layer inserted to change the preferred orientation of copper phthalocyanine (CuPc) crystals grown on the buffer layer. X-ray reflectivity measurements were performed to obtain the density profiles of the buffer layers and out-of-plane and 2D grazing-incidence X-ray diffraction measurements were performed to determine the preferred orientations of the molecular crystals. Remarkably, it was found that the preferred orientation of the CuPc film is completely changed from edge-on (1 0 0) to face-on (1 1 −2) by a CuI buffer layer with a very low surface density, so low thatmore » a large proportion of the substrate surface is bare.« less

Emerging Patterns in Transferring Assessment Practices from F2f to Online Environments

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Beebe, Ronald; Vonderwell, Selma; Boboc, Marius

2010-01-01

This study explores the transfer of assessment practices from f2f to online environments by college instructors, with a particular interest in the factors influencing assessment in online learning settings. Assessment is a critical aspect of the learning environment, and considerable research has suggested various methods of formative and…

E2F1 and E2F2 prevent replicative stress and subsequent p53-dependent organ involution

PubMed Central

Iglesias-Ara, A; Zenarruzabeitia, O; Buelta, L; Merino, J; Zubiaga, A M

2015-01-01

Tissue homeostasis requires tight regulation of cellular proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. E2F1 and E2F2 transcription factors share a critical role in tissue homeostasis, since their combined inactivation results in overall organ involution, specially affecting the pancreatic gland, which subsequently triggers diabetes. We have examined the mechanism by which these E2Fs regulate tissue homeostasis. We show that pancreas atrophy in E2F1/E2F2 double-knockout (DKO) mice is associated with mitochondrial apoptosis and activation of the p53 pathway in young animals, before the development of diabetes. A deregulated expression of E2F target genes was detected in pancreatic cells of young DKO animals, along with unscheduled DNA replication and activation of a DNA damage response. Importantly, suppression of DNA replication in vivo with aphidicolin led to a significant inhibition of the p53 pathway in DKO pancreas, implying a causal link between DNA replication stress and p53 activation in this model. We further show that activation of the p53 pathway has a key role in the aberrant phenotype of DKO mice, since targeted inactivation of p53 gene abrogated cellular apoptosis and prevented organ involution and insulin-dependent diabetes in mice lacking E2F1/E2F2. Unexpectedly, p53 inactivation unmasked oncogenic features of E2F1/E2F2-depleted cells, as evidenced by an accelerated tumor development in triple-knockout mice compared with p53−/− mice. Collectively, our data reveal a role for E2F1 and E2F2 as suppressors of replicative stress in differentiating cells, and uncover the existence of a robust E2F-p53 regulatory axis to enable tissue homeostasis and prevent tumorigenesis. These findings have implications in the design of approaches targeting E2F for cancer therapy. PMID:25656653

Nanocrystalline SnO2:F thin films for liquid petroleum gas sensors.

PubMed

Chaisitsak, Sutichai

2011-01-01

This paper reports the improvement in the sensing performance of nanocrystalline SnO(2)-based liquid petroleum gas (LPG) sensors by doping with fluorine (F). Un-doped and F-doped tin oxide films were prepared on glass substrates by the dip-coating technique using a layer-by-layer deposition cycle (alternating between dip-coating a thin layer followed by a drying in air after each new layer). The results showed that this technique is superior to the conventional technique for both improving the film thickness uniformity and film transparency. The effect of F concentration on the structural, surface morphological and LPG sensing properties of the SnO(2) films was investigated. Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and X-ray diffraction pattern measurements showed that the obtained thin films are nanocrystalline SnO(2) with nanoscale-textured surfaces. Gas sensing characteristics (sensor response and response/recovery time) of the SnO(2):F sensors based on a planar interdigital structure were investigated at different operating temperatures and at different LPG concentrations. The addition of fluorine to SnO(2) was found to be advantageous for efficient detection of LPG gases, e.g., F-doped sensors are more stable at a low operating temperature (300 °C) with higher sensor response and faster response/recovery time, compared to un-doped sensor materials. The sensors based on SnO(2):F films could detect LPG even at a low level of 25% LEL, showing the possibility of using this transparent material for LPG leak detection.

Nanocrystalline SnO2:F Thin Films for Liquid Petroleum Gas Sensors

PubMed Central

Chaisitsak, Sutichai

2011-01-01

This paper reports the improvement in the sensing performance of nanocrystalline SnO2-based liquid petroleum gas (LPG) sensors by doping with fluorine (F). Un-doped and F-doped tin oxide films were prepared on glass substrates by the dip-coating technique using a layer-by-layer deposition cycle (alternating between dip-coating a thin layer followed by a drying in air after each new layer). The results showed that this technique is superior to the conventional technique for both improving the film thickness uniformity and film transparency. The effect of F concentration on the structural, surface morphological and LPG sensing properties of the SnO2 films was investigated. Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and X-ray diffraction pattern measurements showed that the obtained thin films are nanocrystalline SnO2 with nanoscale-textured surfaces. Gas sensing characteristics (sensor response and response/recovery time) of the SnO2:F sensors based on a planar interdigital structure were investigated at different operating temperatures and at different LPG concentrations. The addition of fluorine to SnO2 was found to be advantageous for efficient detection of LPG gases, e.g., F-doped sensors are more stable at a low operating temperature (300 °C) with higher sensor response and faster response/recovery time, compared to un-doped sensor materials. The sensors based on SnO2:F films could detect LPG even at a low level of 25% LEL, showing the possibility of using this transparent material for LPG leak detection. PMID:22164007

Experimental observation of charge-shift bond in fluorite CaF2.

PubMed

Stachowicz, Marcin; Malinska, Maura; Parafiniuk, Jan; Woźniak, Krzysztof

2017-08-01

On the basis of a multipole refinement of single-crystal X-ray diffraction data collected using an Ag source at 90 K to a resolution of 1.63 Å -1 , a quantitative experimental charge density distribution has been obtained for fluorite (CaF 2 ). The atoms-in-molecules integrated experimental charges for Ca 2+ and F - ions are +1.40 e and -0.70 e, respectively. The derived electron-density distribution, maximum electron-density paths, interaction lines and bond critical points along Ca 2+ ...F - and F - ...F - contacts revealed the character of these interactions. The Ca 2+ ...F - interaction is clearly a closed shell and ionic in character. However, the F - ...F - interaction has properties associated with the recently recognized type of interaction referred to as `charge-shift' bonding. This conclusion is supported by the topology of the electron localization function and analysis of the quantum theory of atoms in molecules and crystals topological parameters. The Ca 2+ ...F - bonded radii - measured as distances from the centre of the ion to the critical point - are 1.21 Å for the Ca 2+ cation and 1.15 Å for the F - anion. These values are in a good agreement with the corresponding Shannon ionic radii. The F - ...F - bond path and bond critical point is also found in the CaF 2 crystal structure. According to the quantum theory of atoms in molecules and crystals, this interaction is attractive in character. This is additionally supported by the topology of non-covalent interactions based on the reduced density gradient.

Ni foam supported quasi-core-shell structure of ultrathin Ti3C2 nanosheets through electrostatic layer-by-layer self-assembly as high rate-performance electrodes of supercapacitors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tian, Yapeng; Yang, Chenhui; Que, Wenxiu; He, Yucheng; Liu, Xiaobin; Luo, Yangyang; Yin, Xingtian; Kong, Ling Bing

2017-11-01

Supercapacitor, as an important energy storage device, is a critical component for next generation electric power system, due to its high power density and long cycle life. In this study, a novel electrode material with quasi-core-shell structure, consisting of negatively charged few layer Ti3C2 nanosheets (FL-Ti3C2) and positively charged polyethyleneimine as building blocks, has been prepared by using an electrostatic layer-by-layer self-assembly method, with highly conductive Ni foam to be used as the skeleton. The unique quasi-core-shell structured ultrathin Ti3C2 nanosheets provide an excellent electron channel, ion transport channel and large effective contact area, thus leading to a great improvement in electrochemical performance of the material. The specific capacitance of the binder-free FL-Ti3C2@Ni foam electrodes reaches 370 F g-1 at the scan rate of 2 mV s-1 and a specific capacitance of 117 F g-1 is obtained even at the scan rate of 1000 mV s-1 in the electrolyte of Li2SO4, indicating a high rate performance. In addition, this electrode shows a long-term cyclic stability with a loss of only 13.7% after 10,000 circles. Furthermore, quantitative analysis has been conducted to ensure the relationship between the capacitive contribution and the rate performance of the as-fabricated electrode.

On Spatial Structuring of the F2 Layer Studied by the Satellite Radio Sounding of the Ionosphere Disturbed by High-Power HF Radio Waves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tereshchenko, E. D.; Turyansky, V. A.; Khudukon, B. Z.; Yurik, R. Yu.; Frolov, V. L.

2018-01-01

We present the results of studying the characteristics of the artificial plasma structures excited in the ionospheric F2 region modified by high-power HF radio waves. The experiments were carried out at the Sura heating facility using satellite radio sounding of the ionosphere. The plasma density profile was reconstructed with the highest possible spatial resolution for today, about 4 km. In a direction close to the magnetic zenith of the pump wave, the following phenomena were observed: the formation of a cavity with a 15% lower plasma density at the altitudes of the F2 layer and below; the formation of an area with plasma density increased by 12% at altitudes greater than 400 km. With a long-term quasiperiodic impact of the pump wave on the ionosphere, wavy large-scale electron-density perturbations (the meridional scale λx ≈ 130 km and the vertical scale λz ≈ 440 km) are also formed above the Sura facility. These perturbations can be due to the plasma density modulation by an artificial acoustic-gravity wave with a period of 10.6 m, which was formed by the heat source inside a large-scale cavity with low plasma density; there is generation of the electron density irregularities for the electrons with ΔNe/Ne ≈ 3% in the form of layers having the sizes 10-12 km along and about 24 km across the geomagnetic field, which are found both below and above the F2-layer maximum. The mechanisms of the formation of these plasma structures are discussed.

Simulation and analysis of Au-MgF2 structure in plasmonic sensor in near infrared spectral region

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sharma, Anuj K.

2018-05-01

Plasmonic sensor based on metal-dielectric combination of gold and MgF2 layers is studied in near infrared (NIR) spectral region. An emphasis is given on the effect of variable thickness of MgF2 layer in combination with operating wavelength and gold layer thickness on the sensor's performance in NIR. It is established that the variation in MgF2 thickness in connection with plasmon penetration depth leads to significant variation in sensor's performance. The analysis leads to a conclusion that taking smaller values of MgF2 layer thickness and operating at longer NIR wavelength leads to enhanced sensing performance. Also, fluoride glass can provide better sensing performance than chalcogenide glass and silicon substrate.

Boundary-Layer Transition Results from the F-16XL-2 Supersonic Laminar Flow Control Experiment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Marshall, Laurie A.

1999-01-01

A variable-porosity suction glove has been flown on the F-16XL-2 aircraft to demonstrate the feasibility of this technology for the proposed High-Speed Civil Transport (HSCT). Boundary-layer transition data have been obtained on the titanium glove primarily at Mach 2.0 and altitudes of 53,000-55,000 ft. The objectives of this supersonic laminar flow control flight experiment have been to achieve 50- to 60-percent-chord laminar flow on a highly swept wing at supersonic speeds and to provide data to validate codes and suction design. The most successful laminar flow results have not been obtained at the glove design point (Mach 1.9 at an altitude of 50,000 ft). At Mach 2.0 and an altitude of 53,000 ft, which corresponds to a Reynolds number of 22.7 X 10(exp 6), optimum suction levels have allowed long runs of a minimum of 46-percent-chord laminar flow to be achieved. This paper discusses research variables that directly impact the ability to obtain laminar flow and techniques to correct for these variables.

The generation of post noon F3 layers over the dip equatorial location of Thiruvananthapuram- A new perspective

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mridula, N.; Pant, Tarun Kumar

2018-05-01

In the present paper, occurrence of post noon F3 layers over Thiruvananthapuram (8.5°N; 77°E; dip latitude ∼ 1.5 °N), a dip equatorial station in India have been investigated. F3 layers that occur beyond 13 IST and as observed using ground based ionosonde, for the years 2004-2008 have been studied. Our analysis shows that post noon F3 layers occur mostly on CEJ days around 16 IST to 18 IST. It is found that the time of the ionospheric E-region electric field reversal as inferred from collocated ground based magnetometer observations plays a crucial role in the generation of post noon F3 layers. In fact an early reversal of electric field emerged to be the necessary condition for the formation of post noon F3 layers. A time delay of three to 4 h is observed between the electric field reversal and the formation of F3 layer. It is proposed that this early reversal causes enhanced ionization over dip equatorial region, providing an additional ion drag to the flow of thermospheric zonal wind. This leads to accumulation of more ionization and neutrals culminating in the generation of post noon F3 layers as in the case of pre noon F3 layers. These results reveal that the generation of post noon F3 layers over the dip equatorial region is a natural consequence of the variability associated with the spatio-temporal evolution of EIA and prevailing thermospheric and ionospheric dynamics, and adds a new perspective to the present understanding.

Self-organized criticality: An interplay between stable and turbulent regimes of multiple anodic double layers in glow discharge plasma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alex, Prince; Carreras, Benjamin Andres; Arumugam, Saravanan; Sinha, Suraj Kumar

2018-05-01

The role of self-organized criticality (SOC) in the transformation of multiple anodic double layers (MADLs) from the stable to turbulent regime has been investigated experimentally as the system approaches towards critical behavior. The experiment was performed in a modified glow discharge plasma setup, and the initial stable state of MADL comprising three concentric perceptible layers was produced when the drift velocity of electrons towards the anode exceeds the electron thermal velocity (νd ≥ 1.3νte). The macroscopic arrangement of both positive and negative charges in opposite layers of MADL is attributed to the self-organization scenario. Beyond νd ≥ 3νte, MADL begins to collapse and approaches critical and supercritical states through layer reduction which continue till the last remaining layer of the double layer is transformed into a highly unstable radiant anode glow. The avalanche resulting from the collapse of MADL leads to the rise of turbulence in the system. Long-range correlations, a key signature of SOC, have been explored in the turbulent floating potential fluctuations using the rescaled-range analysis technique. The result shows that the existence of the self-similarity regime with self-similarity parameter H varies between 0.55 and 0.91 for time lags longer than the decorrelation time. The power law tail in the rank function, slowly decaying tail of the autocorrelation function, and 1/f behavior of the power spectra of the fluctuations are consistent with the fact that SOC plays a conclusive role in the transformation of MADL from the stable to turbulent regime. Since the existence of SOC gives a measure of complexity in the system, the result provides the condition under which complexity arises in cold plasma.

TMSOTf assisted synthesis of 2’-deoxy-2’-[18F]fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine ([18F]FAC)

PubMed Central

Humm, John L.; Larson, Steven M.; Pillarsetty, Naga Vara Kishore

2018-01-01

[18F]FAC (2’-deoxy-2’-[18F]fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine, 1) is a versatile probe for imaging deoxycytidine kinase (dCK) expression levels in vivo. dCK is responsible for phosphorylation of deoxycytidine (dC, 2) and other nucleoside analogs, plays a key role in immune activation and has demonstrated to be one of the key enzymes in activating nucleoside based drugs including gemcitabine. Reported synthesis of [18F]FAC is high yielding but is quite challenging requiring bromination using HBr and careful drying of excess HBr which is critical for successful synthesis. Here in we report a simplified trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate (TMSOTf) assisted synthesis of [18F]FAC eliminating the need of bromination and drying. [18F]FAC (β-anomer) was synthesized with average isolated decay corrected yield of 10.59 + 4.2% (n = 6) with radiochemical purity of >98% and total synthesis time of 158 + 19 min. PMID:29715301

Reference layer adaptive filtering (RLAF) for EEG artifact reduction in simultaneous EEG-fMRI.

PubMed

Steyrl, David; Krausz, Gunther; Koschutnig, Karl; Edlinger, Günter; Müller-Putz, Gernot R

2017-04-01

Simultaneous electroencephalography (EEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) combines advantages of both methods, namely high temporal resolution of EEG and high spatial resolution of fMRI. However, EEG quality is limited due to severe artifacts caused by fMRI scanners. To improve EEG data quality substantially, we introduce methods that use a reusable reference layer EEG cap prototype in combination with adaptive filtering. The first method, reference layer adaptive filtering (RLAF), uses adaptive filtering with reference layer artifact data to optimize artifact subtraction from EEG. In the second method, multi band reference layer adaptive filtering (MBRLAF), adaptive filtering is performed on bandwidth limited sub-bands of the EEG and the reference channels. The results suggests that RLAF outperforms the baseline method, average artifact subtraction, in all settings and also its direct predecessor, reference layer artifact subtraction (RLAS), in lower (<35 Hz) frequency ranges. MBRLAF is computationally more demanding than RLAF, but highly effective in all EEG frequency ranges. Effectivity is determined by visual inspection, as well as root-mean-square voltage reduction and power reduction of EEG provided that physiological EEG components such as occipital EEG alpha power and visual evoked potentials (VEP) are preserved. We demonstrate that both, RLAF and MBRLAF, improve VEP quality. For that, we calculate the mean-squared-distance of single trial VEP to the mean VEP and estimate single trial VEP classification accuracies. We found that the average mean-squared-distance is lowest and the average classification accuracy is highest after MBLAF. RLAF was second best. In conclusion, the results suggests that RLAF and MBRLAF are potentially very effective in improving EEG quality of simultaneous EEG-fMRI. Highlights We present a new and reusable reference layer cap prototype for simultaneous EEG-fMRI We introduce new algorithms for reducing EEG

Reference layer adaptive filtering (RLAF) for EEG artifact reduction in simultaneous EEG-fMRI

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Steyrl, David; Krausz, Gunther; Koschutnig, Karl; Edlinger, Günter; Müller-Putz, Gernot R.

2017-04-01

Objective. Simultaneous electroencephalography (EEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) combines advantages of both methods, namely high temporal resolution of EEG and high spatial resolution of fMRI. However, EEG quality is limited due to severe artifacts caused by fMRI scanners. Approach. To improve EEG data quality substantially, we introduce methods that use a reusable reference layer EEG cap prototype in combination with adaptive filtering. The first method, reference layer adaptive filtering (RLAF), uses adaptive filtering with reference layer artifact data to optimize artifact subtraction from EEG. In the second method, multi band reference layer adaptive filtering (MBRLAF), adaptive filtering is performed on bandwidth limited sub-bands of the EEG and the reference channels. Main results. The results suggests that RLAF outperforms the baseline method, average artifact subtraction, in all settings and also its direct predecessor, reference layer artifact subtraction (RLAS), in lower (<35 Hz) frequency ranges. MBRLAF is computationally more demanding than RLAF, but highly effective in all EEG frequency ranges. Effectivity is determined by visual inspection, as well as root-mean-square voltage reduction and power reduction of EEG provided that physiological EEG components such as occipital EEG alpha power and visual evoked potentials (VEP) are preserved. We demonstrate that both, RLAF and MBRLAF, improve VEP quality. For that, we calculate the mean-squared-distance of single trial VEP to the mean VEP and estimate single trial VEP classification accuracies. We found that the average mean-squared-distance is lowest and the average classification accuracy is highest after MBLAF. RLAF was second best. Significance. In conclusion, the results suggests that RLAF and MBRLAF are potentially very effective in improving EEG quality of simultaneous EEG-fMRI. Highlights We present a new and reusable reference layer cap prototype for simultaneous EEG-fMRI We

The Osmium(VIII) Oxofluoro Cations OsO(2)F(3)(+) and F(cis-OsO(2)F(3))(2)(+): Syntheses, Characterization by (19)F NMR Spectroscopy and Raman Spectroscopy, X-ray Crystal Structure of F(cis-OsO(2)F(3))(2)(+)Sb(2)F(11)(-), and Density Functional Theory Calculations of OsO(2)F(3)(+), ReO(2)F(3), and F(cis-OsO(2)F(3))(2)(+).

PubMed

Casteel, William J.; Dixon, David A.; Mercier, Hélène P. A.; Schrobilgen, Gary J.

1996-07-17

Osmium dioxide tetrafluoride, cis-OsO(2)F(4), reacts with the strong fluoride ion acceptors AsF(5) and SbF(5) in anhydrous HF and SbF(5) solutions to form orange salts. Raman spectra are consistent with the formation of the fluorine-bridged diosmium cation F(cis-OsO(2)F(3))(2)(+), as the AsF(6)(-) and Sb(2)F(11)(-) salts, respectively. The (19)F NMR spectra of the salts in HF solution are exchange-averaged singlets occurring at higher frequency than those of the fluorine environments of cis-OsO(2)F(4). The F(cis-OsO(2)F(3))(2)(+)Sb(2)F(11)(-) salt crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Imma. At -107 degrees C, a = 12.838(3) Å, b = 10.667(2) Å, c = 11.323(2) Å, V = 1550.7(8) Å(3), and Z = 4. Refinement converged with R = 0.0469 [R(w) = 0.0500]. The crystal structure consists of discrete fluorine-bridged F(cis-OsO(2)F(3))(2)(+) and Sb(2)F(11)(-) ions in which the fluorine bridge of the F(cis-OsO(2)F(3))(2)(+) cation is trans to an oxygen atom (Os-O 1.676 Å) of each OsO(2)F(3) group. The angle at the bridge is 155.2(8) degrees with a bridging Os---F(b) distance of 2.086(3) Å. Two terminal fluorine atoms (Os-F 1.821 Å) are cis to the two oxygen atoms (Os-O 1.750 Å), and two terminal fluorine atoms of the OsO(2)F(3) group are trans to one another (1.813 Å). The OsO(2)F(3)(+) cation was characterized by (19)F NMR and by Raman spectroscopy in neat SbF(5) solution but was not isolable in the solid state. The NMR and Raman spectroscopic findings are consistent with a trigonal bipyramidal cation in which the oxygen atoms and a fluorine atom occupy the equatorial plane and two fluorine atoms are in axial positions. Density functional theory calculations show that the crystallographic structure of F(cis-OsO(2)F(3))(2)(+) is the energy-minimized structure and the energy-minimized structures of the OsO(2)F(3)(+) cation and ReO(2)F(3) are trigonal bipyramidal having C(2)(v)() point symmetry. Attempts to prepare the OsOF(5)(+) cation by oxidative fluorination of cis

Inkjet printing of 2D layered materials.

PubMed

Li, Jiantong; Lemme, Max C; Östling, Mikael

2014-11-10

Inkjet printing of 2D layered materials, such as graphene and MoS2, has attracted great interests for emerging electronics. However, incompatible rheology, low concentration, severe aggregation and toxicity of solvents constitute critical challenges which hamper the manufacturing efficiency and product quality. Here, we introduce a simple and general technology concept (distillation-assisted solvent exchange) to efficiently overcome these challenges. By implementing the concept, we have demonstrated excellent jetting performance, ideal printing patterns and a variety of promising applications for inkjet printing of 2D layered materials. © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Hydrothermal Syntheses and Structures of Three-Dimensional Oxo-fluorovanadium Phosphates: [H 2N(C 2H 4) 2NH 2] 0.5[(VO) 4V(HPO 4) 2(PO 4) 2F 2(H 2O) 4] · 2H 2O and K 2[(VO) 3(PO 4) 2F 2(H 2O)] · H 2O

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bonavia, Grant; Haushalter, R. C.; Zubieta, Jon

1996-11-01

The hydrothermal reactions of FPO3H2with vanadium oxides result in the incorporation of fluoride into V-P-O frameworks as a consequence of metal-mediated hydrolysis of the fluorophosphoric acid to produce F-and PO3-4. By exploiting this convenient source of F-, two 3-dimensional oxo-fluorovanadium phosphate phases were isolated, [H2N(C2H4)2NH2]0.5[(VO)4V(HOP4)2(PO4)2F2(H2O)4) · 2H2O (1 · 2H2O) and K2[(VO)3(PO4)2F2(H2O)] · H2O (2 · H2O). Both anionic frameworks contain (VIVO)-F--phosphate layers, with confacial bioctahedral {(VIVO)2FO6} units as the fundamental motif. In the case of 1, the layers are linked through {VIIIO6} octahedra, while for 2 the interlayer connectivity is provided by edge-sharing {(VIVO)2F2O6} units. Crystal data are 1 · 2H2O, CH10FN0.5O13P2V2.5, monoclinicC2/m,a= 18.425(4) Å,c= 8.954(2) Å, β = 93.69(2)0,V= 1221.1(4) Å3,Z= 4,Dcalc= 2.423 g cm-3; 2 · H2O, H4F2K2O13P2V3, triclinicPoverline1,a= 7.298(1) Å,b= 8.929(2) Å,c = 10.090(2) Å, α = 104.50(2)0, β = 100.39(2)0, δ = 92.13(2)0,V= 623.8(3) Å3,Z= 2,Dcalc= 2.891 g cm-3.

MgF2 monolayer as an anti-reflecting material

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mahida, H. R.; Singh, Deobrat; Sonvane, Yogesh; Gupta, Sanjeev K.; Thakor, P. B.

2017-02-01

The single-layer atomic sheet of magnesium fluoride (MgF2) having 1H and 1T phase structure (hexagonal and tetragonal phase) has been calculated by density functional theory (DFT). Further, we have investigated the structural, electronic and optical properties such as frequency dependent dielectric function, absorption spectra, energy loss spectra, reflectivity, refractive index and optical conductivity of monolayer MgF2 for the direction of parallel and perpendicular electric field polarizations. Our results suggest that monolayer MgF2 provides promising applications in anti-reflection coatings, high-reflective systems and in opto-electronic materials.

Detection of Hearing Loss Using 2f2-f1 and 2f1-f2 Distortion-Product Otoacoustic Emissions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fitzgerald, Tracy S.; Prieve, Beth A.

2005-01-01

Although many distortion-product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) may be measured in the ear canal in response to 2 pure tone stimuli, the majority of clinical studies have focused exclusively on the DPOAE at the frequency 2f1-f2. This study investigated another DPOAE, 2f2-f1, in an attempt to determine the following: (a) the optimal stimulus…

CPP magnetoresistance of magnetic multilayers: A critical review

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bass, Jack

2016-06-01

We present a comprehensive, critical review of data and analysis of Giant (G) Magnetoresistance (MR) with Current-flow Perpendicular-to-the-layer-Planes (CPP-MR) of magnetic multilayers [F/N]n (n=number of repeats) composed of alternating nanoscale layers of ferromagnetic (F) and non-magnetic (N) metals, or of spin-valves that allow control of anti-parallel (AP) and parallel (P) orientations of the magnetic moments of adjacent F-layers. GMR, a large change in resistance when an applied magnetic field changes the moment ordering of adjacent F-layers from AP to P, was discovered in 1988 in the geometry with Current flow in the layer-Planes (CIP). The CPP-MR has two advantages over the CIP-MR: (1) relatively simple two-current series-resistor (2CSR) and more general Valet-Fert (VF) models allow more direct access to the underlying physics; and (2) it is usually larger, which should be advantageous for devices. When the first CPP-MR data were published in 1991, it was not clear whether electronic transport in GMR multilayers is completely diffusive or at least partly ballistic. It was not known whether the properties of layers and interfaces would vary with layer thickness or number. It was not known whether the CPP-MR would be dominated by scattering within the F-metals or at the F/N interfaces. Nothing was known about: (1) spin-flipping within F-metals, characterized by a spin-diffusion length, lsfF; (2) interface specific resistances (AR=area A times resistance R) for N1/N2 interfaces; (3) interface specific resistances and interface spin-dependent scattering asymmetry at F/N and F1/F2 interfaces; and (4) spin-flipping at F/N, F1/F2 and N1/N2 interfaces. Knowledge of spin-dependent scattering asymmetries in F-metals and F-alloys, and of spin-flipping in N-metals and N-alloys, was limited. Since 1991, CPP-MR measurements have quantified the scattering and spin-flipping parameters that determine GMR for a wide range of F- and N-metals and alloys and of F/N pairs. This

F3-LAYER Seasonal Variations Near the Southern Crest of the Equatorial Ionospheric Anomaly as a Function of Solar Cycle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fagundes, P. R.; Klausner, V.; Bittencourt, J. A.; Sahai, Y.; Abalde, J. R.

2011-12-01

The occurrence of an additional F3-layer has been reported at Brazilian, Indian and Asian sectors by several investigators. In this paper, we report F3-layer seasonal variations carried out at São José dos Campos (23.2 S, 45.0 W; dip latitude 17.6 S), near the southern crest of the equatorial ionospheric anomaly (EIA), Brazil, as a function of solar cycle. The period from September 2000 to August 2001 is used as representative of high solar activity (HSA) and the period from January 2006 to December 2006 as representative of low solar activity (LSA). This investigation shows that the frequency of occurrence of the F3-layer during HSA is 11 times more than during LSA.

Morphology of ionospheric F2 region variability associated with sudden stratospheric warmings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gupta, Sumedha; Upadhayaya, A. K.

2017-07-01

The effect of sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) on the F2 region ionosphere has been extensively analyzed for the major event of year 2009, apart from a few reports on other major and minor events. Morphology of ionospheric responses during SSW can be better comprehended by analyzing such warming events under different solar, geomagnetic, and meteorological conditions. We investigate the features of F2 region variability following the SSW events of 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016, using ionosonde data from the Asian region covering a broad latitudinal range from 26.6°N to 45.1°N. We find perceptible ionospheric variations in electron densities during these warming events which is accompanied by a large variation of 117% within enhancements, as compared to a meagre variation of 11% within depressions, during these events. We also examine 6 months data at these latitudes and longitudes and find that the maximum and minimum variations in F2 layer critical frequency are observed during each SSW period. The influence of quasi-stationary 16 day planetary waves is seen during these SSW events. Further, a recently proposed parameter "SSW integrated strength" by Vieira et al. (2017) to characterize SSW event with respect to ionosphere is also examined. It is seen that it does not fit well for these seven SSW events at these latitudes and longitudes.

Fluorine Kα X-Ray Emission Spectra of MgF2, CaF2, SrF2 and BaF2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sugiura, Chikara; Konishi, Wataru; Shoji, Shizuko; Kojima, Shinjiro

1990-11-01

The fluorine Kα emission spectra in fluorescence from a series of alkaline-earth fluorides MF2 (M=Mg, Ca, Sr and Ba) are measured with a high-resolution two-crystal vacuum spectrometer. An anomalously low intensity of the K1L1 satellite peak arising from 1s-1(2s2p)-1 initial states is observed for SrF2. The measured emission spectra are presented along with the UPS spectra of the F- 2p valence bands obtained by Poole et al. and the fluorine K absorption-edge spectra by Oizumi et al. By using these spectra, the first peak or shoulder in the fluorine K absorption-edge spectra is identified as being due to a core exciton which is formed below the bottom of the conduction band. The binding energy of the exciton is estimated to be 1.3(± 0.3), 1.1(± 0.2), 1.0(± 0.2) and 1.7(± 0.2) eV for MgF2, CaF2, SrF2 and BaF2, respectively.

[Pb2F2](SeO4): a heavier analogue of grandreefite, the first layered fluoride selenate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Charkin, Dmitri O.; Plokhikh, Igor V.; Zadoya, Anastasiya I.; Kazakov, Sergey M.; Zaloga, Alexander N.; Kozin, Michael S.; Depmeier, Wulf; Siidra, Oleg I.

2018-01-01

Co-precipitation of PbF2 and PbSeO4 in weakly acidic media results in the formation of [Pb2F2](SeO4), the selenate analogue of the naturally occurring mineral grandreefite, [Pb2F2](SO4). The new compound is monoclinic, C2/ c, a = 14.0784(2) Å, b = 4.6267(1) Å, c = 8.8628(1) Å, β = 108.98(1)°, V = 545.93(1) Å3. Its structure has been refined from powder data to R B = 1.55%. From thermal studies, it is established that the compound is stable in air up to about 300 °C, after which it gradually converts into a single phase with composition [Pb2O](SeO4), space group C2/ m, and lattice parameters a = 14.0332(1) Å, b = 5.7532(1) Å, c = 7.2113(1) Å, β = 115.07(1)°, V = 527.37(1) Å3. It is the selenate analogue of lanarkite, [Pb2O](SO4), and phoenicochroite, [Pb2O](CrO4), and its crystal structure was refined to R B = 1.21%. The formation of a single decomposition product upon heating in air suggests that this happens by a thermal hydrolysis mechanism, i.e., Pb2F2SeO4 + H2O (vapor) → Pb2OSeO4 + 2HF↑. This relatively low-temperature process involves complete rearrangement of the crystal structure—from a 2D architecture featuring slabs [Pb2F2]2+ formed by fluorine-centered tetrahedra into a structure characterized by 1D motifs based on [OPb2]2+ chains of oxocentered tetrahedra. The comparative crystal chemistry of the obtained anion-centered structural architectures is discussed.

MBE growth of few-layer 2H-MoTe2 on 3D substrates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vishwanath, Suresh; Sundar, Aditya; Liu, Xinyu; Azcatl, Angelica; Lochocki, Edward; Woll, Arthur R.; Rouvimov, Sergei; Hwang, Wan Sik; Lu, Ning; Peng, Xin; Lien, Huai-Hsun; Weisenberger, John; McDonnell, Stephen; Kim, Moon J.; Dobrowolska, Margaret; Furdyna, Jacek K.; Shen, Kyle; Wallace, Robert M.; Jena, Debdeep; Xing, Huili Grace

2018-01-01

MoTe2 is the least explored material in the Molybdenum-chalcogen family. Molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) provides a unique opportunity to tackle the small electronegativity difference between Mo and Te while growing layer by layer away from thermodynamic equilibrium. We find that for a few-layer MoTe2 grown at a moderate rate of ∼6 min per monolayer, a narrow window in temperature (above Te cell temperature) and Te:Mo ratio exists, where we can obtain pure phase 2H-MoTe2. This is confirmed using reflection high-energy electron diffraction (RHEED), Raman spectroscopy and X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS). For growth on CaF2, Grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GI-XRD) reveals a grain size of ∼90 Å and presence of twinned grains. In this work, we hypothesis the presence of excess Te incorporation in MBE grown few layer 2H-MoTe2. For film on CaF2, it is based on >2 Te:Mo stoichiometry using XPS as well as 'a' and 'c' lattice spacing greater than bulk 2H-MoTe2. On GaAs, its based on observations of Te crystallite formation on film surface, 2 × 2 superstructure observed in RHEED and low energy electron diffraction, larger than bulk c-lattice spacing as well as the lack of electrical conductivity modulation by field effect. Finally, thermal stability and air sensitivity of MBE 2H-MoTe2 is investigated by temperature dependent XRD and XPS, respectively.

Layering of inertial confinement fusion targets in microgravity environments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Parks, P. B.; Fagaly, R. L.

1995-02-01

A critical concern in the fabrication of targets for inertial confinement fusion is ensuring that the hydrogenic (D2 or DT) fuel layer maintains spherical symmetry. Because of gravitationally induced sagging of the liquid prior to freezing, only relatively thin (less than 10 micrometers) layers of solid fuel can be produced by fast refreeze methods. One method to reduce the effective gravitational field environment is free-fall insertion into the target chamber. Another method to counterbalance the gravitational force is to use an applied magnetic field combined with a gradient field to induce a magnetic dipole force (F(sub m)) on the liquid fuel layer. For liquid deuterium, the required B dot product del(vector differential operator) B product to counterbalance the gravitational force (F(sub g)) is approximately 10 T(exp 2)/cm. In this paper, we examine the time-dependent dynamics of the liquid fuel layer in a reduced gravitational field environment. We employ an energy method which takes into account the sum of the free energy associated with the surface tension forces, net vertical force (F = F(sub m) - F(sub g) (in the case of magnetic field-assisted microgravity) or F(sub D) (the drag force in the case of free fall)), London-van der Waals forces, the kinetic energy of motion and viscous dissipation. By assuming that the motions are incompressible and irrotational, the volume integrals of the free energies over the deformed liquid fuel layer may be converted to surface integrals. With the surface expressed as the sum of Legendre polynomials, r(sub surface) = a + Sigma a(sub l)(t)P(sub l)(mu), the perturbed amplitude of the individual modes, a(sub l)(t) can be obtained. We show that the l = 1 vertical shift mode takes the longest to damp out, and may be problematic for free-fall insertion even for thin approximately 1 micrometer overfilled foam targets. For a given liquid fuel layer thickness delta, the equilibrium value of a(sub 1)/a (the concentricity of the

A prediction model of short-term ionospheric foF2 based on AdaBoost

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Xiukuan; Ning, Baiqi; Liu, Libo; Song, Gangbing

2014-02-01

In this paper, the AdaBoost-BP algorithm is used to construct a new model to predict the critical frequency of the ionospheric F2-layer (foF2) one hour ahead. Different indices were used to characterize ionospheric diurnal and seasonal variations and their dependence on solar and geomagnetic activity. These indices, together with the current observed foF2 value, were input into the prediction model and the foF2 value at one hour ahead was output. We analyzed twenty-two years' foF2 data from nine ionosonde stations in the East-Asian sector in this work. The first eleven years' data were used as a training dataset and the second eleven years' data were used as a testing dataset. The results show that the performance of AdaBoost-BP is better than those of BP Neural Network (BPNN), Support Vector Regression (SVR) and the IRI model. For example, the AdaBoost-BP prediction absolute error of foF2 at Irkutsk station (a middle latitude station) is 0.32 MHz, which is better than 0.34 MHz from BPNN, 0.35 MHz from SVR and also significantly outperforms the IRI model whose absolute error is 0.64 MHz. Meanwhile, AdaBoost-BP prediction absolute error at Taipei station from the low latitude is 0.78 MHz, which is better than 0.81 MHz from BPNN, 0.81 MHz from SVR and 1.37 MHz from the IRI model. Finally, the variety characteristics of the AdaBoost-BP prediction error along with seasonal variation, solar activity and latitude variation were also discussed in the paper.

POU2F2-oriented network promotes human gastric cancer metastasis

PubMed Central

Wang, Si-Meng; Tie, Jun; Wang, Wen-Lan; Hu, Si-Jun; Yin, Ji-Peng; Yi, Xiao-Fang; Tian, Zu-Hong; Zhang, Xiang-Yuan; Li, Meng-Bin; Li, Zeng-Shan; Nie, Yong-Zhan; Wu, Kai-Chun; Fan, Dai-Ming

2016-01-01

Background and aims Aberrant upregulation of POU2F2 expression has been discovered in metastatic gastric cancer (GC). However, the mechanisms underlying the aberrant upregulation and the potential functions of POU2F2 remain uncertain. Design The role and mechanism of POU2F2 in GC metastasis were investigated in gastric epithelial cells, GC cell lines and an experimental metastasis animal model by gain of function and loss of function. Upstream and downstream targets of POU2F2 were selected by bioinformatics and identified by luciferase reporter assay, electrophoretic mobility shift assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation PCR. The influence of miR-218 on its putative target genes (POU2F2, ROBO1 and IKK-β) and GC metastasis was further explored via in vitro and in vivo approaches. Results Increased POU2F2 expression was detected in metastatic GC cell lines and patient samples. POU2F2 was induced by the activation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB and, in turn, regulated ROBO1 transcription, thus functionally contributing to GC metastasis. Finally, miR-218 was found to suppress GC metastasis by simultaneously mediating multiple molecules in the POU2F2-oriented network. Conclusions This study demonstrated that NF-κB and the SLIT2/ROBO1 interaction network with POU2F2 as the central part may exert critical effects on tumour metastasis. Blocking the activation of the POU2F2-oriented metastasis network using miR-218 precursors exemplified a promising approach that sheds light on new strategies for GC treatment. PMID:26019213

Surface Phenomena During Plasma-Assisted Atomic Layer Etching of SiO2.

PubMed

Gasvoda, Ryan J; van de Steeg, Alex W; Bhowmick, Ranadeep; Hudson, Eric A; Agarwal, Sumit

2017-09-13

Surface phenomena during atomic layer etching (ALE) of SiO 2 were studied during sequential half-cycles of plasma-assisted fluorocarbon (CF x ) film deposition and Ar plasma activation of the CF x film using in situ surface infrared spectroscopy and ellipsometry. Infrared spectra of the surface after the CF x deposition half-cycle from a C 4 F 8 /Ar plasma show that an atomically thin mixing layer is formed between the deposited CF x layer and the underlying SiO 2 film. Etching during the Ar plasma cycle is activated by Ar + bombardment of the CF x layer, which results in the simultaneous removal of surface CF x and the underlying SiO 2 film. The interfacial mixing layer in ALE is atomically thin due to the low ion energy during CF x deposition, which combined with an ultrathin CF x layer ensures an etch rate of a few monolayers per cycle. In situ ellipsometry shows that for a ∼4 Å thick CF x film, ∼3-4 Å of SiO 2 was etched per cycle. However, during the Ar plasma half-cycle, etching proceeds beyond complete removal of the surface CF x layer as F-containing radicals are slowly released into the plasma from the reactor walls. Buildup of CF x on reactor walls leads to a gradual increase in the etch per cycle.

Development and properties of duplex MgF2/PCL coatings on biodegradable magnesium alloy for biomedical applications.

PubMed

Makkar, Preeti; Kang, Hoe Jin; Padalhin, Andrew R; Park, Ihho; Moon, Byoung-Gi; Lee, Byong Taek

2018-01-01

The present work addresses the performance of polycaprolactone (PCL) coating on fluoride treated (MgF2) biodegradable ZK60 magnesium alloy (Mg) for biomedical application. MgF2 conversion layer was first produced by immersing Mg alloy substrate in hydrofluoric acid solution. The outer PCL coating was then prepared using dip coating technique. Morphology, elements profile, phase structure, roughness, mechanical properties, invitro corrosion, and biocompatibility of duplex MgF2/PCL coating were then characterized and compared to those of fluoride coated and uncoated Mg samples. The invivo degradation behavior and biocompatibility of duplex MgF2/PCL coating with respect to ZK60 Mg alloy were also studied using rabbit model for 2 weeks. SEM and TEM analysis showed that the duplex coating was uniform and comprised of porous PCL film (~3.3 μm) as upper layer with compact MgF2 (~2.2 μm) as inner layer. No significant change in microhardness was found on duplex coating compared with uncoated ZK60 Mg alloy. The duplex coating showed improved invitro corrosion resistance than single layered MgF2 or uncoated alloy samples. The duplex coating also resulted in better cell viability, cell adhesion, and cell proliferation compared to fluoride coated or uncoated alloy. Preliminary invivo studies indicated that duplex MgF2/PCL coating reduced the degradation rate of ZK60 Mg alloy and exhibited good biocompatibility. These results suggested that duplex MgF2/PCL coating on magnesium alloy might have great potential for orthopedic applications.

Development and properties of duplex MgF2/PCL coatings on biodegradable magnesium alloy for biomedical applications

PubMed Central

Makkar, Preeti; Kang, Hoe Jin; Padalhin, Andrew R.; Park, Ihho; Moon, Byoung-Gi

2018-01-01

The present work addresses the performance of polycaprolactone (PCL) coating on fluoride treated (MgF2) biodegradable ZK60 magnesium alloy (Mg) for biomedical application. MgF2 conversion layer was first produced by immersing Mg alloy substrate in hydrofluoric acid solution. The outer PCL coating was then prepared using dip coating technique. Morphology, elements profile, phase structure, roughness, mechanical properties, invitro corrosion, and biocompatibility of duplex MgF2/PCL coating were then characterized and compared to those of fluoride coated and uncoated Mg samples. The invivo degradation behavior and biocompatibility of duplex MgF2/PCL coating with respect to ZK60 Mg alloy were also studied using rabbit model for 2 weeks. SEM and TEM analysis showed that the duplex coating was uniform and comprised of porous PCL film (~3.3 μm) as upper layer with compact MgF2 (~2.2 μm) as inner layer. No significant change in microhardness was found on duplex coating compared with uncoated ZK60 Mg alloy. The duplex coating showed improved invitro corrosion resistance than single layered MgF2 or uncoated alloy samples. The duplex coating also resulted in better cell viability, cell adhesion, and cell proliferation compared to fluoride coated or uncoated alloy. Preliminary invivo studies indicated that duplex MgF2/PCL coating reduced the degradation rate of ZK60 Mg alloy and exhibited good biocompatibility. These results suggested that duplex MgF2/PCL coating on magnesium alloy might have great potential for orthopedic applications. PMID:29608572

Negative terahertz photoconductivity in 2D layered materials.

PubMed

Lu, Junpeng; Liu, Hongwei; Sun, Jing

2017-11-17

The remarkable qualities of 2D layered materials such as wide spectral coverage, high strength and great flexibility mean that ultrathin 2D layered materials have the potential to meet the criteria of next-generation optoelectronic devices. Photoconductivity is one of the critical parameters of materials applied to optoelectronics. In contrast to traditional semiconductors, specific ultrathin 2D layers present anomalous negative photoconductivity. This opens a new avenue for designing novel optoelectronic devices. It is important to have a deep understanding of the fundamentals of this anomalous response, in order to design and optimize such devices. In this review, we provide an overview of the observation of negative photoconductivity in 2D layered materials including graphene, topological insulators and transitional metal dichalcogenides. We also summarize recent reports on investigations into the fundamental mechanism using ultrafast terahertz (THz) spectroscopies. Finally, we conclude the review by discussing the existing challenges and proposing the possible prospects of this direction of research.

Ho3+-doped AlF3-TeO2-based glass fibers for 2.1 µm laser applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, S. B.; Jia, Z. X.; Yao, C. F.; Ohishi, Y.; Qin, G. S.; Qin, W. P.

2017-05-01

Ho3+-doped AlF3-TeO2-based glass fibers based on AlF3-BaF2-CaF2-YF3-SrF2-MgF2-TeO2 glasses are fabricated by using a rod-in-tube method. The glass rod including a core and a thick cladding layer is prepared by using a suction method, where the thick cladding layer is used to protect the core from the effect of surface crystallization during the fiber drawing. By inserting the glass rod into a glass tube, the glass fibers with relatively low loss (~2.3 dB m-1 @ 1560 nm) are prepared. By using a 38 cm long Ho3+-doped AlF3-TeO2-based glass fiber as the gain medium and a 1965 nm fiber laser as the pump source, 2065 nm lasing is obtained for a threshold pump power of ~220 mW. With further increasing the pump power to ~325 mW, the unsaturated output power of the 2065 nm laser is about 82 mW and the corresponding slope efficiency is up to 68.8%. The effects of the gain fiber length on the lasing threshold, the slope efficiency, and the operating wavelength are also investigated. Our experimental results show that Ho3+-doped AlF3-TeO2-based glass fibers are promising gain media for 2.1 µm laser applications.

Investigation of the relationship between ionospheric foF2 and earthquakes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Karaboga, Tuba; Canyilmaz, Murat; Ozcan, Osman

2018-04-01

Variations of the ionospheric F2 region critical frequency (foF2) have been investigated statistically before earthquakes during 1980-2008 periods in Japan area. Ionosonde data was taken from Kokubunji station which is in the earthquake preparation zone for all earthquakes. Standard Deviations and Inter-Quartile Range methods are applied to the foF2 data. It is observed that there are anomalous variations in foF2 before earthquakes. These variations can be regarded as ionospheric precursors and may be used for earthquake prediction.

A new ionospheric storm scale based on TEC and foF2 statistics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nishioka, Michi; Tsugawa, Takuya; Jin, Hidekatsu; Ishii, Mamoru

2017-01-01

In this paper, we propose the I-scale, a new ionospheric storm scale for general users in various regions in the world. With the I-scale, ionospheric storms can be classified at any season, local time, and location. Since the ionospheric condition largely depends on many factors such as solar irradiance, energy input from the magnetosphere, and lower atmospheric activity, it had been difficult to scale ionospheric storms, which are mainly caused by solar and geomagnetic activities. In this study, statistical analysis was carried out for total electron content (TEC) and F2 layer critical frequency (foF2) in Japan for 18 years from 1997 to 2014. Seasonal, local time, and latitudinal dependences of TEC and foF2 variabilities are excluded by normalizing each percentage variation using their statistical standard deviations. The I-scale is defined by setting thresholds to the normalized numbers to seven categories: I0, IP1, IP2, IP3, IN1, IN2, and IN3. I0 represents a quiet state, and IP1 (IN1), IP2 (IN2), and IP3 (IN3) represent moderate, strong, and severe positive (negative) storms, respectively. The proposed I-scale can be used for other locations, such as polar and equatorial regions. It is considered that the proposed I-scale can be a standardized scale to help the users to assess the impact of space weather on their systems.

Strong Dependence of Hydration State of F-Actin on the Bound Mg(2+)/Ca(2+) Ions.

PubMed

Suzuki, Makoto; Imao, Asato; Mogami, George; Chishima, Ryotaro; Watanabe, Takahiro; Yamaguchi, Takaya; Morimoto, Nobuyuki; Wazawa, Tetsuichi

2016-07-21

Understanding of the hydration state is an important issue in the chemomechanical energetics of versatile biological functions of polymerized actin (F-actin). In this study, hydration-state differences of F-actin by the bound divalent cations are revealed through precision microwave dielectric relaxation (DR) spectroscopy. G- and F-actin in Ca- and Mg-containing buffer solutions exhibit dual hydration components comprising restrained water with DR frequency f2 (f1 (>fw). The hydration state of F-actin is strongly dependent on the ionic composition. In every buffer tested, the HMW signal Dhyme (≡ (f1 - fw)δ1/(fwδw)) of F-actin is stronger than that of G-actin, where δw is DR-amplitude of bulk solvent and δ1 is that of HMW in a fixed-volume ellipsoid containing an F-actin and surrounding water in solution. Dhyme value of F-actin in Ca2.0-buffer (containing 2 mM Ca(2+)) is markedly higher than in Mg2.0-buffer (containing 2 mM Mg(2+)). Moreover, in the presence of 2 mM Mg(2+), the hydration state of F-actin is changed by adding a small fraction of Ca(2+) (∼0.1 mM) and becomes closer to that of the Ca-bound form in Ca2.0-buffer. This is consistent with the results of the partial specific volume and the Cotton effect around 290 nm in the CD spectra, indicating a change in the tertiary structure and less apparent change in the secondary structure of actin. The number of restrained water molecules per actin (N2) is estimated to be 1600-2100 for Ca2.0- and F-buffer and ∼2500 for Mg2.0-buffer at 10-15 °C. These numbers are comparable to those estimated from the available F-actin atomic structures as in the first water layer. The number of HMW molecules is roughly explained by the volume between the equipotential surface of -kT/2e and the first water layer of the actin surface by solving the Poisson-Boltzmann equation using UCSF Chimera.

Deposition of single and layered amorphous fluorocarbon films by C8F18 PECVD

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yamauchi, Tatsuya; Mizuno, Kouichiro; Sugawara, Hirotake

2008-10-01

Amorphous fluorocarbon films were deposited by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) using C8F18 in closed system at C8F18 pressures 0.1--0.3 Torr, deposition times 1--30 min and plasma powers 20--200 W@. The layered films were composed by repeated PECVD processes. We compared `two-layered' and `intermittently deposited' films, which were made by the PECVD, respectively, with and without renewal of the gas after the deposition of the first layer. The interlayer boundary was observed in the layered films, and that of the intermittently deposited films showed a tendency to be clearer when the deposition time until the interruption of the PECVD was shorter. The film thickness increased linearly in the beginning of the PECVD and it turned down after 10--15 min, that was similar between the single and intermittently deposited films. It was considered that large precursors made at a low decomposition degree of C8F18 contributed to the film deposition in the early phase and that the downturn was due to the development of the C8F18 decomposition. This explanation on the deposition mechanism agrees qualitatively with our experimental data of pressure change and optical emission spectra during the deposition. This work is supported by Grant-in-Aid from Japan Society for the Promotion of Science.

First somatic mutation of E2F1 in a critical DNA binding residue discovered in well-differentiated papillary mesothelioma of the peritoneum

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Background Well differentiated papillary mesothelioma of the peritoneum (WDPMP) is a rare variant of epithelial mesothelioma of low malignancy potential, usually found in women with no history of asbestos exposure. In this study, we perform the first exome sequencing of WDPMP. Results WDPMP exome sequencing reveals the first somatic mutation of E2F1, R166H, to be identified in human cancer. The location is in the evolutionarily conserved DNA binding domain and computationally predicted to be mutated in the critical contact point between E2F1 and its DNA target. We show that the R166H mutation abrogates E2F1's DNA binding ability and is associated with reduced activation of E2F1 downstream target genes. Mutant E2F1 proteins are also observed in higher quantities when compared with wild-type E2F1 protein levels and the mutant protein's resistance to degradation was found to be the cause of its accumulation within mutant over-expressing cells. Cells over-expressing wild-type E2F1 show decreased proliferation compared to mutant over-expressing cells, but cell proliferation rates of mutant over-expressing cells were comparable to cells over-expressing the empty vector. Conclusions The R166H mutation in E2F1 is shown to have a deleterious effect on its DNA binding ability as well as increasing its stability and subsequent accumulation in R166H mutant cells. Based on the results, two compatible theories can be formed: R166H mutation appears to allow for protein over-expression while minimizing the apoptotic consequence and the R166H mutation may behave similarly to SV40 large T antigen, inhibiting tumor suppressive functions of retinoblastoma protein 1. PMID:21955916

Nanoscale imaging of alteration layers of corroded international simple glass particles using ToF-SIMS

DOE PAGES

Zhang, Jiandong; Neeway, James J.; Zhang, Yanyan; ...

2017-02-24

Glass particles with dimensions typically ranging from tens to hundreds of microns are often used in glass corrosion research in order to accelerate testing. Two-dimensional and three-dimensional nanoscale imaging techniques are badly needed to characterize the alteration layers at the surfaces of these corroded glass particles. Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) can provide a lateral resolution as low as ~100 nm, and, compared to other imaging techniques, is sensitive to elements lighter than carbon. Here, we used ToF-SIMS to characterize the alteration layers of corroded international simple glass (ISG) particles. At most particle surfaces, we observed inhomogeneous or nomore » alteration layers, indicating that the thickness of the alterations layers may be too thin to be observable by ToF-SIMS imaging. Relatively thick (e.g., 1–10 µm) alteration layers were inhomogeneously distributed at a small portion of surfaces.Interestingly, some large-size (tens of microns) glass particles were fully altered. Above observations suggest that weak attachment and the defects on ISG particle surfaces play an important role in ISG glass corrosion.« less

Nanoscale imaging of alteration layers of corroded international simple glass particles using ToF-SIMS

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhang, Jiandong; Neeway, James J.; Zhang, Yanyan

Glass particles with dimensions typically ranging from tens to hundreds of microns are often used in glass corrosion research in order to accelerate testing. Two-dimensional and three-dimensional nanoscale imaging techniques are badly needed to characterize the alteration layers at the surfaces of these corroded glass particles. Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) can provide a lateral resolution as low as ~100 nm, and, compared to other imaging techniques, is sensitive to elements lighter than carbon. In this work, we used ToF-SIMS to characterize the alteration layers of corroded international simple glass (ISG) particles. At most particle surfaces, inhomogeneous or nomore » alteration layers were observed, indicating that the thickness of the alterations layers may be too thin to be observable by ToF-SIMS imaging. Relatively thick (e.g., 1-10 microns) alteration layers were inhomogeneously distributed at a small portion of surfaces. More interestingly, some large-size (tens of microns) glass particles were fully altered. Above observations suggest that weak attachment and the defects on ISG particle surfaces play an important role in ISG glass corrosion.« less

Ultraviolet optical and microstructural properties of MgF2 and LaF3 coatings deposited by ion-beam sputtering and boat and electron-beam evaporation.

PubMed

Ristau, Detlev; Günster, Stefan; Bosch, Salvador; Duparré, Angela; Masetti, Enrico; Ferré-Borrull, Josep; Kiriakidis, George; Peiró, Francesca; Quesnel, Etienne; Tikhonravov, Alexander

2002-06-01

Single layers of MgF2 and LaF3 were deposited upon superpolished fused-silica and CaF2 substrates by ion-beam sputtering (IBS) as well as by boat and electron beam (e-beam) evaporation and were characterized by a variety of complementary analytical techniques. Besides undergoing photometric and ellipsometric inspection, the samples were investigated at 193 and 633 nm by an optical scatter measurement facility. The structural properties were assessed with atomic-force microscopy, x-ray diffraction, TEM techniques that involved conventional thinning methods for the layers. For measurement of mechanical stress in the coatings, special silicon substrates were coated and analyzed. The dispersion behavior of both deposition materials, which was determined on the basis of various independent photometric measurements and data reduction techniques, is in good agreement with that published in the literature and with the bulk properties of the materials. The refractive indices of the MgF2 coatings ranged from 1.415 to 1.440 for the wavelength of the ArF excimer laser (193 nm) and from 1.435 to 1.465 for the wavelength of the F2 excimer laser (157 nm). For single layers of LaF3 the refractive indices extended from 1.67 to 1.70 at 193 nm to approximately 1.80 at 157 nm. The IBS process achieves the best homogeneity and the lowest surface roughness values (close to 1 nm(rms)) of the processes compared in the joint experiment. In contrast to MgF2 boat and e-beam evaporated coatings, which exhibit tensile mechanical stress ranging from 300 to 400 MPa, IBS coatings exhibit high compressive stress of as much as 910 MPa. A similar tendency was found for coating stress in LaF3 single layers. Experimental results are discussed with respect to the microstructural and compositional properties as well as to the surface topography of the coatings.

Ultraviolet optical and microstructural properties of MgF2 and LaF3 coatings deposited by ion-beam sputtering and boat and electron-beam evaporation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ristau, Detlev; Gunster, Stefan; Bosch, Salvador; Duparre, Angela; Masetti, Enrico; Ferre-Borrull, Josep; Kiriakidis, George; Peiro, Francesca; Quesnel, Etienne; Tikhonravov, Alexander

2002-06-01

Single layers of MgF2 and LaF3 were deposited upon superpolished fused-silica and CaF2 substrates by ion-beam sputtering (IBS) as well as by boat and electron beam (e-beam) evaporation and were characterized by a variety of complementary analytical techniques. Besides undergoing photometric and ellipsometric inspection, the samples were investigated at 193 and 633 nm by an optical scatter measurement facility. The structural properties were assessed with atomic-force microscopy, x-ray diffraction, TEM techniques that involved conventional thinning methods for the layers. For measurement of mechanical stress in the coatings, special silicon substrates were coated and analyzed. The dispersion behavior of both deposition materials, which was determined on the basis of various independent photometric measurements and data reduction techniques, is in good agreement with that published in the literature and with the bulk properties of the materials. The refractive indices of the MgF2 coatings ranged from 1.415 to 1.440 for the wavelength of the ArF excimer laser (193 nm) and from 1.435 to 1.465 for the wavelength of the F2 excimer laser (157 nm). For single layers of LaF3 the refractive indices extended from 1.67 to 1.70 at 193 nm to approx1.80 at 157 nm. The IBS process achieves the best homogeneity and the lowest surface roughness values (close to 1 nmrms) of the processes compared in the joint experiment. In contrast to MgF2 boat and e-beam evaporated coatings, which exhibit tensile mechanical stress ranging from 300 to 400 MPa, IBS coatings exhibit high compressive stress of as much as 910 MPa. A similar tendency was found for coating stress in LaF3 single layers. Experimental results are discussed with respect to the microstructural and compositional properties as well as to the surface topography of the coatings.

A non-magnetic spacer layer effect on spin layers (7/2,3) in a bi-layer ferromagnetic dendrimer structure: Monte Carlo study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jabar, A.; Tahiri, N.; Bahmad, L.; Benyoussef, A.

2016-11-01

A bi-layer system consisting of layers of spins (7/2, 3) in a ferromagnetic dendrimer structure, separated by a non-magnetic spacer, is studied by Monte Carlo simulations. The effect of the RKKY interactions is investigated and discussed for such system. It is shown that the magnetic properties in the two magnetic layers depend strongly on the thickness of the magnetic and non-magnetic layers. The total magnetizations and susceptibilities are studied as a function of the reduced temperature. The effect of the reduced exchange interactions as well as the reduced crystal field is outlined. On other hand, the critical temperature is discussed as a function of the magnetic layer values. To complete this study we presented and discussed the magnetic hysteresis cycles.

Synthesis, characterization of CaF2 doped silicate glass-ceramics.

PubMed

Riaz, Madeeha; Zia, Rehana; Mirza, Ambreen; Hussain, Tousif; Bashir, Farooq; Anjum, Safia

2017-06-01

This paper reports the fabrication and characterization of silicate glass-ceramics doped with (0-12mol%) CaF 2 . TGA-DSC analysis was carried out to determine the crystallization temperature and stability of glass measured by two glass parameters; Hruby parameter K H =(T x -T g )/(T L -T x ) and Weinberg parameter K W =(T c -T g )/T L . It was found that with CaF 2 doping improved sinterability at low temperature and provided stability to the glass. The XRD pattern exhibits a single phase of combeite and doping of CaF 2 cause increase in crystallite size. Microstructure of samples was also improved with CaF 2 addition, pores were significantly reduced. After 15days immersion in simulated body fluid all samples developed apatite layer onto its surface. Hence, the addition of CaF 2 provided bioactive glass-ceramic material having a low processing temperature. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Critical current of SF-NFS Josephson junctions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Soloviev, I. I.; Klenov, N. V.; Bakursky, S. V.; Kupriyanov, M. Yu.; Golubov, A. A.

2015-02-01

The properties of SF-NFS sandwiches composed of two superconducting (S) electrodes separated by a weak-link region formed by a normal-metal (N) step with the thickness d N situated on the top of a lower S electrode and a ferromagnetic (F) layer with the thickness d F deposited onto the step and the remaining free surface of the lower electrode have been studied theoretically. It has been shown in the approximation of linearized semiclassical Usadel equations that the two-dimensional problem in the weak-link region can be reduced to two one-dimensional problems in its SFS and SNFS segments. The spatial distributions of the critical current density J c in the segments as a function of the layer thickness d F have been calculated. The dependences of the critical current I c of the structure on the magnitude of the magnetization vector M of the ferromagnetic layer have been found for various directions of the magnetization within the junction plane. It has been shown that these dependences are affected considerably by both the orientation of M and the spatial distribution of J c.

Investigation of the 2f1-f2 and 2f2-f1 distortion product otoacoustic emissions using a computational model of the gerbil ear.

PubMed

Wen, Haiqi; Bowling, Thomas; Meaud, Julien

2018-05-19

In this work, a three-dimensional computational model of the gerbil ear is used to investigate the generation of the 2f 1 -f 2 and 2f 2 -f 1 distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs). In order to predict both the distortion and reflection sources, cochlear roughness is modeled by introducing random inhomogeneities in the outer hair cell properties. The model was used to simulate the generation of DPOAEs in response to a two-tone stimulus for various primary stimulus levels and frequency ratios. As in published experiments, the 2f 1 -f 2 DPOAEs are mostly dominated by the distortion component while the 2f 2 -f 1 DPOAEs are dominated by the reflection component; furthermore, the influence of the levels and frequency ratio of the primaries are consistent with measurements. Analysis of the intracochlear response shows that the distortion component has the highest magnitude at all longitudinal locations for the 2f 1 -f 2 distortion product (DP) while the distortion component only dominates close to the DP best place in the case of the 2f 2 -f 1 DP. Decomposition of the intracochlear DPs into forward and reverse waves demonstrates that the 2f 1 -f 2 DP generates reverse waves for both the distortion and reflection components; however, a reverse wave is only generated for the reflection component in the case of the 2f 2 -f 1 DP. As in experiments in the gerbil, the group delay of the reflection component of the DPOAE is between 1× and 2× the forward group delay, which is consistent with the propagation of DP towards the stapes as slow reverse waves. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Critical current oscillations of elliptical Josephson junctions with single-domain ferromagnetic layers

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Glick, Joseph A.; Khasawneh, Mazin A.; Niedzielski, Bethany M.

We report that josephson junctions containing ferromagnetic layers are of considerable interest for the development of practical cryogenic memory and superconducting qubits. Such junctions exhibit a ground-state phase shift of π for certain ranges of ferromagnetic layer thicknesses. We present studies of Nb based micron-scale elliptically shaped Josephson junctions containing ferromagnetic barriers of Ni 81Fe 19 or Ni 65Fe 15Co 20. By applying an external magnetic field, the critical current of the junctions is found to follow characteristic Fraunhofer patterns and display sharp switching behavior suggestive of single-domain magnets. The high quality of the Fraunhofer patterns enables us to extractmore » the maximum value of the critical current even when the peak is shifted significantly outside the range of the data due to the magnetic moment of the ferromagnetic layer. The maximum value of the critical current oscillates as a function of the ferromagnetic barrier thickness, indicating transitions in the phase difference across the junction between values of zero and π. Lastly, we compare the data to previous work and to models of the 0-π transitions based on existing theories.« less

Critical current oscillations of elliptical Josephson junctions with single-domain ferromagnetic layers

DOE PAGES

Glick, Joseph A.; Khasawneh, Mazin A.; Niedzielski, Bethany M.; ...

2017-10-06

We report that josephson junctions containing ferromagnetic layers are of considerable interest for the development of practical cryogenic memory and superconducting qubits. Such junctions exhibit a ground-state phase shift of π for certain ranges of ferromagnetic layer thicknesses. We present studies of Nb based micron-scale elliptically shaped Josephson junctions containing ferromagnetic barriers of Ni 81Fe 19 or Ni 65Fe 15Co 20. By applying an external magnetic field, the critical current of the junctions is found to follow characteristic Fraunhofer patterns and display sharp switching behavior suggestive of single-domain magnets. The high quality of the Fraunhofer patterns enables us to extractmore » the maximum value of the critical current even when the peak is shifted significantly outside the range of the data due to the magnetic moment of the ferromagnetic layer. The maximum value of the critical current oscillates as a function of the ferromagnetic barrier thickness, indicating transitions in the phase difference across the junction between values of zero and π. Lastly, we compare the data to previous work and to models of the 0-π transitions based on existing theories.« less

Proton irradiation of [18O]O2: production of [18F]F2 and [18F]F2 + [18F] OF2.

PubMed

Bishop, A; Satyamurthy, N; Bida, G; Hendry, G; Phelps, M; Barrio, J R

1996-04-01

The production of 18F electrophilic reagents via the 18O(p,n)18F reaction has been investigated in small-volume target bodies made of aluminum, copper, gold-plated copper and nickel, having straight or conical bore shapes. Three irradiation protocols-single-step, two-step and modified two-step-were used for the recovery of the 18F activity. The single-step irradiation protocol was tested in all the target bodies. Based on the single-step performance, aluminum targets were utilized extensively in the investigation of the two-step and modified two-step irradiation protocols. With an 11-MeV cyclotron and using the two-step irradiation protocol, > 1Ci [18F]F2 was recovered reproducibly from an aluminum target body. Probable radical mechanisms for the formation of OF2 and FONO2 (fluorine nitrate) in the single-step and modified two-step targets are proposed based on the amount of ozone generated and the nitrogen impurity present in the target gases, respectively.

Superconducting critical fields of alkali and alkaline-earth intercalates of MoS2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Woollam, J. A.; Somoano, R. B.

1976-01-01

Results are reported for measurements of the critical-field anisotropy and temperature dependence of group-VIB semiconductor MoS2 intercalated with the alkali and alkaline-earth metals Na, K, Rb, Cs, and Sr. The temperature dependences are compared with present theories on the relation between critical field and transition temperature in the clean and dirty limits over the reduced-temperature range from 1 to 0.1. The critical-field anisotropy data are compared with predictions based on coupled-layers and thin-film ('independent-layers') models. It is found that the critical-field boundaries are steep in all cases, that the fields are greater than theoretical predictions at low temperatures, and that an unusual positive curvature in the temperature dependence appears which may be related to the high anisotropy of the layer structure. The results show that materials with the largest ionic intercalate atom diameters and hexagonal structures (K, Rb, and Cs compounds) have the highest critical temperatures, critical fields, and critical-boundary slopes; the critical fields of these materials are observed to exceed the paramagnetic limiting fields.

The nematode homologue of Mediator complex subunit 28, F28F8.5, is a critical regulator of C. elegans development.

PubMed

Kostrouchová, Markéta; Kostrouch, David; Chughtai, Ahmed A; Kaššák, Filip; Novotný, Jan P; Kostrouchová, Veronika; Benda, Aleš; Krause, Michael W; Saudek, Vladimír; Kostrouchová, Marta; Kostrouch, Zdeněk

2017-01-01

The evolutionarily conserved Mediator complex is a critical player in regulating transcription. Comprised of approximately two dozen proteins, the Mediator integrates diverse regulatory signals through direct protein-protein interactions that, in turn, modulate the influence of Mediator on RNA Polymerase II activity. One Mediator subunit, MED28, is known to interact with cytoplasmic structural proteins, providing a potential direct link between cytoplasmic dynamics and the control of gene transcription. Although identified in many animals and plants, MED28 is not present in yeast; no bona fide MED28 has been described previously in Caenorhabditis elegans. Here, we identify bioinformatically F28F8.5, an uncharacterized predicted protein, as the nematode homologue of MED28. As in other Metazoa, F28F8.5 has dual nuclear and cytoplasmic localization and plays critical roles in the regulation of development. F28F8.5 is a vital gene and its null mutants have severely malformed gonads and do not reproduce. F28F8.5 interacts on the protein level with the Mediator subunits MDT-6 and MDT-30. Our results indicate that F28F8.5 is an orthologue of MED28 and suggest that the potential to link cytoplasmic and nuclear events is conserved between MED28 vertebrate and nematode orthologues.

Ca(5)Zr(3)F(22).

PubMed

Oudahmane, Abdelghani; El-Ghozzi, Malika; Avignant, Daniel

2012-04-01

Single crystals of Ca(5)Zr(3)F(22), penta-calcium trizirconium docosafluoride, were obtained unexpectedly by solid-state reaction between CaF(2) and ZrF(4) in the presence of AgF. The structure of the title compound is isotypic with that of Sr(5)Zr(3)F(22) and can be described as being composed of layers with composition [Zr(3)F(20)](8-) made up from two different [ZrF(8)](4-) square anti-prisms (one with site symmetry 2) by corner-sharing. The layers extending parallel to the (001) plane are further linked by Ca(2+) cations, forming a three-dimensional network. Amongst the four crystallographically different Ca(2+) ions, three are located on twofold rotation axes. The Ca(2+) ions exhibit coordination numbers ranging from 8 to 12, depending on the cut off, with very distorted fluorine environments. Two of the Ca(2+) ions occupy inter-stices between the layers whereas the other two are located in void spaces of the [Zr(3)F(20)](8-) layer and alternate with the two Zr atoms along [010]. The crystal under investigation was an inversion twin.

Investigation of the Influence of Heat Balance Shifts on the Freeze Microstructure and Composition in Aluminum Smelting Bath System: Cryolite-CaF2-AlF3-Al2O3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Jingjing; Fallah-Mehrjardi, Ata; Shishin, Denis; Jak, Evgueni; Dorreen, Mark; Taylor, Mark

2017-12-01

In an aluminum electrolysis cell, the side ledge forms on side walls to protect it from the corrosive cryolitic bath. In this study, a series of laboratory analogue experiments have been carried out to investigate the microstructure and composition of side ledge (freeze linings) at different heat balance steady states. Three distinct layers are found in the freeze linings formed in the designed Cryolite-CaF2-AlF3-Al2O3 electrolyte system: a closed (columnar) crystalline layer, an open crystalline layer, and a sealing layer. This layered structure changes when the heat balance is shifted between different steady states, by melting or freezing the open crystalline layer. Phase chemistry of the freeze lining is studied in this paper to understand the side ledge formation process upon heat balance shifts. Electron probe X-ray microanalysis (EPMA) is used to characterize the microstructure and compositions of distinct phases existing in the freeze linings, which are identified as cryolite, chiolite, Ca-cryolite, and alumina. A freeze formation mechanism is further developed based on these microstructural/compositional investigations and also thermodynamic calculations through the software—FactSage. It is found that entrapped liquid channels exist in the open crystalline layer, assisting with the mass transfer between solidified crystals and bulk molten bath.

Syntheses, Raman spectra, and X-ray crystal structures of [XeF(5)][mu-F(OsO(3)F(2))(2)] and [M][OsO(3)F(3)] (M = XeF(5)(+), Xe(2)F(11)(+)).

PubMed

Hughes, Michael J; Mercier, Hélène P A; Schrobilgen, Gary J

2010-04-05

Stoichiometric amounts of XeF(6) and (OsO(3)F(2))(infinity) react at 25-50 degrees C to form salts of the known XeF(5)(+) and Xe(2)F(11)(+) cations, namely, [XeF(5)][mu-F(OsO(3)F(2))(2)], [XeF(5)][OsO(3)F(3)], and [Xe(2)F(11)][OsO(3)F(3)]. Although XeF(6) is oxophilic toward a number of transition metal and main-group oxides and oxide fluorides, fluoride/oxide metathesis was not observed. The series provides the first examples of noble-gas cations that are stabilized by metal oxide fluoride anions and the first example of a mu-F(OsO(3)F(2))(2)(-) salt. Both [XeF(5)][mu-F(OsO(3)F(2))(2)] and [Xe(2)F(11)][OsO(3)F(3)] are orange solids at room temperature. The [XeF(5)][OsO(3)F(3)] salt is an orange liquid at room temperature that solidifies at 5-0 degrees C. When the salts are heated at 50 degrees C under 1 atm of N(2) for more than 2 h, significant XeF(6) loss occurs. The X-ray crystal structures (-173 degrees C) show that the salts exist as discrete ion pairs and that the osmium coordination spheres in OsO(3)F(3)(-) and mu-F(OsO(3)F(2))(2)(-) are pseudo-octahedral OsO(3)F(3)-units having facial arrangements of oxygen and fluorine atoms. The mu-F(OsO(3)F(2))(2)(-) anion is comprised of two symmetry-related OsO(3)F(2)-groups that are fluorine-bridged to one another. Ion pairing results from secondary bonding interactions between the fluorine/oxygen atoms of the anions and the xenon atom of the cation, with the Xe...F/O contacts occurring opposite the axial fluorine and from beneath the equatorial XeF(4)-planes of the XeF(5)(+) and Xe(2)F(11)(+) cations so as to avoid the free valence electron lone pairs of the xenon atoms. The xenon atoms of [XeF(5)][mu-F(OsO(3)F(2))(2)] and [Xe(2)F(11)][OsO(3)F(3)] are nine-coordinate and the xenon atom of [XeF(5)][OsO(3)F(3)] is eight-coordinate. Quantum-chemical calculations at SVWN and B3LYP levels of theory were used to obtain the gas-phase geometries, vibrational frequencies, and NBO bond orders, valencies, and NPA charges of

Remote sensing of the ionospheric F layer by use of O I 6300-A and O I 1356-A observations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chandra, S.; Reed, E. I.; Meier, R. R.; Opal, C. B.; Hicks, G. T.

1975-01-01

The possibility of using airglow techniques for estimating the electron density and height of the F layer is studied on the basis of a simple relationship between the height of the F2 peak and the column emission rates of the O I 6300 A and O I 1356 A lines. The feasibility of this approach is confirmed by a numerical calculation of F2 peak heights and electron densities from simultaneous measurements of O I 6300 A and O I 1356 A obtained with earth-facing photometers carried by the Ogo 4 satellite. Good agreement is established with the F2 peak heights estimates from top-side and bottom-side ionospheric sounding.

Word Criticality Analysis. MOS: 91B. Skill Levels 1 & 2.

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-09-01

I 7 AD-A116 535 ARMY TRAINING DEVELOPMENTS INST FORT MONROE VA F/G 5/9 I WORD CRITICALITY ANALYSIS. MOSS 9111. SKILL LEVELS I a 2.(U) I SEP 81 A A...FORT MONROE, VIRGINIA 23651 ELC -~. JUL a Word Criticality Analysis NOS: 913 Skill Levels 1 & 2 PREPARED BY: OPERATIONS DIV, DPFO Cory if CSPIUS ATO...flI. upO"? NUMbER- 0VACCESSION INO a. RCISPIENT’S CATALOG NUMBER 14. TITLE tand 8.begel) S. TYPE OP REPORT & PERIOD COVERED Word Criticality Analysis Vl

Signalling in the epidermis: the E2F cell cycle regulatory pathway in epidermal morphogenesis, regeneration and transformation.

PubMed

Ivanova, Iordanka A; D'Souza, Sudhir J A; Dagnino, Lina

2005-01-01

The epidermis is the outermost layer in the skin, and it is the first line of defence against the environment. The epidermis also provides a barrier against loss of fluids and electrolytes, which is crucial for life. Essential in the maintenance of this tissue is its ability to continually self-renew and regenerate after injury. These two characteristics are critically dependent on the ability of the principal epidermal cell type, the keratinocyte, to proliferate and to respond to differentiation cues. Indeed, the epidermis is a multilayered tissue composed of keratinocyte stem cells and their differentiated progeny. Central for the control of cell proliferation is the E2F transcription factor regulatory network. This signaling network also includes cyclins, cdk, cdk inhibitors and the retinoblastoma (pRb) family of proteins. The biological importance of the E2F/pRb pathway is emphasized by the fact that a majority of human tumours exhibit alterations that disrupt the ability of pRb proteins to inhibit E2F, leading to permanent activation of the latter. Further, E2F is essential for normal epidermal regeneration after injury. Other member of the E2F signaling pathway are also involved in epidermal development and pathophysiology. Thus, whereas the pRb family of proteins is essential for epidermal morphogenesis, abnormal regulation of cyclins and E2F proteins results in tumorgenesis in this tissue. In this review, we discuss the role of each member of this important growth regulatory network in epidermal formation, homeostasis and carcinogenesis.

Signalling In The Epidermis: The E2f Cell Cycle Regulatory Pathway In Epidermal Morphogenesis, Regeneration And Transformation

PubMed Central

2005-01-01

The epidermis is the outermost layer in the skin, and it is the first line of defence against the environment. The epidermis also provides a barrier against loss of fluids and electrolytes, which is crucial for life. Essential in the maintenance of this tissue is its ability to continually self-renew and regenerate after injury. These two characteristics are critically dependent on the ability of the principal epidermal cell type, the keratinocyte, to proliferate and to respond to differentiation cues. Indeed, the epidermis is a multilayered tissue composed of keratinocyte stem cells and their differentiated progeny. Central for the control of cell proliferation is the E2F transcription factor regulatory network. This signaling network also includes cyclins, cdk, cdk inhibitors and the retinoblastoma (pRb) family of proteins. The biological importance of the E2F/pRb pathway is emphasized by the fact that a majority of human tumours exhibit alterations that disrupt the ability of pRb proteins to inhibit E2F, leading to permanent activation of the latter. Further, E2F is essential for normal epidermal regeneration after injury. Other member of the E2F signaling pathway are also involved in epidermal development and pathophysiology. Thus, whereas the pRb family of proteins is essential for epidermal morphogenesis, abnormal regulation of cyclins and E2F proteins results in tumorgenesis in this tissue. In this review, we discuss the role of each member of this important growth regulatory network in epidermal formation, homeostasis and carcinogenesis. PMID:15951853

Ferromagnetic quantum critical point in CePd2P2 with Pd → Ni substitution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lai, Y.; Bone, S. E.; Minasian, S.; Ferrier, M. G.; Lezama-Pacheco, J.; Mocko, V.; Ditter, A. S.; Kozimor, S. A.; Seidler, G. T.; Nelson, W. L.; Chiu, Y.-C.; Huang, K.; Potter, W.; Graf, D.; Albrecht-Schmitt, T. E.; Baumbach, R. E.

2018-06-01

An investigation of the structural, thermodynamic, and electronic transport properties of the isoelectronic chemical substitution series Ce (Pd1-xNix) 2P2 is reported, where a possible ferromagnetic quantum critical point is uncovered in the temperature-concentration (T -x ) phase diagram. This behavior results from the simultaneous contraction of the unit cell volume, which tunes the relative strengths of the Kondo and Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida (RKKY) interactions, and the introduction of disorder through alloying. Near the critical region at xcr≈ 0.7, the rate of contraction of the unit cell volume strengthens, indicating that the cerium f valence crosses over from trivalent to a noninteger value. Consistent with this picture, x-ray absorption spectroscopy measurements reveal that while CePd2P2 has a purely trivalent cerium f state, CeNi2P2 has a small (<10 %) tetravalent contribution. In a broad region around xcr, there is a breakdown of Fermi-liquid temperature dependences, signaling the influence of quantum critical fluctuations and disorder effects. Measurements of clean CePd2P2 furthermore show that applied pressure has an initial effect similar to alloying on the ferromagnetic order. From these results, CePd2P2 emerges as a keystone system to test theories such as the Belitz-Kirkpatrick-Vojta model for ferromagnetic quantum criticality, where distinct behaviors are expected in the dirty and clean limits.

Effect of the chamber wall on fluorocarbon-assisted atomic layer etching of SiO2 using cyclic Ar/C4F8 plasma

PubMed Central

Kawakami, Masatoshi; Metzler, Dominik; Li, Chen; Oehrlein, Gottlieb S.

2016-01-01

The authors studied the effect of the temperature and chemical state of the chamber wall on process performance for atomic layer etching of SiO2 using a steady-state Ar plasma, periodic injection of a defined number of C4F8 molecules, and synchronized plasma-based Ar+ ion bombardment. To evaluate these effects, the authors measured the quartz coupling window temperature. The plasma gas phase chemistry was characterized using optical emission spectroscopy. It was found that although the thickness of the polymer film deposited in each cycle is constant, the etching behavior changed, which is likely related to a change in the plasma gas phase chemistry. The authors found that the main gas phase changes occur after C4F8 injection. The C4F8 and the quartz window react and generate SiF and CO. The emission intensity changes with wall surface state and temperature. Therefore, changes in the plasma gas species generation can lead to a shift in etching performance during processing. During initial cycles, minimal etching is observed, while etching gradually increases with cycle number. PMID:27375342

Auger spectroscopic examination of MgF2-coated Al mirrors before and after UV irradiation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Heaney, J. B.; Herzig, H.; Osantowski, J. F.

1977-01-01

Magnesium fluoride protected Al films were studied since these mirrors are commonly used in astronomical instruments whenever a highly reflecting optical surface is required in the wavelength region from 1100 A to 2000 A. Freshly prepared samples of evaporated Al + 250-A thick MgF2 on glass were analyzed by Auger electron spectroscopy in conjunction with surface erosion by Ar(+) ion bombardment before and after UV irradiation. The analysis showed that a very thin layer of surface contamination and not bulk photolysis in the MgF2 film was reponsible for the irradiation-induced reflectance loss. Postirradiation polishing with a mild calcium carbonate abrasive can restore a mirror's reflectance by removing the photolyzed surface film without disturbing the MgF2 layer.

The nematode homologue of Mediator complex subunit 28, F28F8.5, is a critical regulator of C. elegans development

PubMed Central

Kostrouchová, Markéta; Kostrouch, David; Kaššák, Filip; Kostrouchová, Veronika; Benda, Aleš; Krause, Michael W.; Saudek, Vladimír; Kostrouchová, Marta

2017-01-01

The evolutionarily conserved Mediator complex is a critical player in regulating transcription. Comprised of approximately two dozen proteins, the Mediator integrates diverse regulatory signals through direct protein-protein interactions that, in turn, modulate the influence of Mediator on RNA Polymerase II activity. One Mediator subunit, MED28, is known to interact with cytoplasmic structural proteins, providing a potential direct link between cytoplasmic dynamics and the control of gene transcription. Although identified in many animals and plants, MED28 is not present in yeast; no bona fide MED28 has been described previously in Caenorhabditis elegans. Here, we identify bioinformatically F28F8.5, an uncharacterized predicted protein, as the nematode homologue of MED28. As in other Metazoa, F28F8.5 has dual nuclear and cytoplasmic localization and plays critical roles in the regulation of development. F28F8.5 is a vital gene and its null mutants have severely malformed gonads and do not reproduce. F28F8.5 interacts on the protein level with the Mediator subunits MDT-6 and MDT-30. Our results indicate that F28F8.5 is an orthologue of MED28 and suggest that the potential to link cytoplasmic and nuclear events is conserved between MED28 vertebrate and nematode orthologues. PMID:28603670

Comparison of ionospheric F2 peak parameters foF2 and hmF2 with IRI2001 at Hainan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, X.; Shi, J. K.; Wang, G. J.; Gong, Y.

2009-06-01

Monthly median values of foF2, hmF2 and M(3000)F2 parameters, with quarter-hourly time interval resolution for the diurnal variation, obtained with DPS4 digisonde at Hainan (19.5°N, 109.1°E; Geomagnetic coordinates: 178.95°E, 8.1°N) are used to investigate the low-latitude ionospheric variations and comparisons with the International Reference Ionosphere (IRI) model predictions. The data used for the present study covers the period from February 2002 to April 2007, which is characterized by a wide range of solar activity, ranging from high solar activity (2002) to low solar activity (2007). The results show that (1) Generally, IRI predictions follow well the diurnal and seasonal variation patterns of the experimental values of foF2, especially in the summer of 2002. However, there are systematic deviation between experimental values and IRI predictions with either CCIR or URSI coefficients. Generally IRI model greatly underestimate the values of foF2 from about noon to sunrise of next day, especially in the afternoon, and slightly overestimate them from sunrise to about noon. It seems that there are bigger deviations between IRI Model predictions and the experimental observations for the moderate solar activity. (2) Generally the IRI-predicted hmF2 values using CCIR M(3000)F2 option shows a poor agreement with the experimental results, but there is a relatively good agreement in summer at low solar activity. The deviation between the IRI-predicted hmF2 using CCIR M(3000)F2 and observed hmF2 is bigger from noon to sunset and around sunrise especially at high solar activity. The occurrence time of hmF2 peak (about 1200 LT) of the IRI model predictions is earlier than that of observations (around 1500 LT). The agreement between the IRI hmF2 obtained with the measured M(3000)F2 and the observed hmF2 is very good except that IRI overestimates slightly hmF2 in the daytime in summer at high solar activity and underestimates it in the nighttime with lower values near

Fabrication of artificially stacked ultrathin ZnS/MgF2 multilayer dielectric optical filters.

PubMed

Kedawat, Garima; Srivastava, Subodh; Jain, Vipin Kumar; Kumar, Pawan; Kataria, Vanjula; Agrawal, Yogyata; Gupta, Bipin Kumar; Vijay, Yogesh K

2013-06-12

We report a design and fabrication strategy for creating an artificially stacked multilayered optical filters using a thermal evaporation technique. We have selectively chosen a zinc sulphide (ZnS) lattice for the high refractive index (n = 2.35) layer and a magnesium fluoride (MgF2) lattice as the low refractive index (n = 1.38) layer. Furthermore, the microstructures of the ZnS/MgF2 multilayer films are also investigated through TEM and HRTEM imaging. The fabricated filters consist of high and low refractive 7 and 13 alternating layers, which exhibit a reflectance of 89.60% and 99%, respectively. The optical microcavity achieved an average transmittance of 85.13% within the visible range. The obtained results suggest that these filters could be an exceptional choice for next-generation antireflection coatings, high-reflection mirrors, and polarized interference filters.

Few-layered Ni(OH)2 nanosheets for high-performance supercapacitors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Wenping; Rui, Xianhong; Ulaganathan, Mani; Madhavi, Srinivasan; Yan, Qingyu

2015-11-01

Few-layered Ni(OH)2 nanosheets (4-5 nm in thickness) are synthesized towards high-performance supercapacitors. The ultrathin Ni(OH)2 nanosheets show high specific capacitance and good rate capability in both three-electrode and asymmetric devices. In the three-electrode device, the Ni(OH)2 nanosheets deliver a high capacitance of 2064 F g-1 at 2 A g-1, and the capacitance still has a retention of 1837 F g-1 at a high current density of 20 A g-1. Such excellent performance is by far one of the best for Ni(OH)2 electrodes. In the two-electrode asymmetric device, the specific capacitance is 248 F g-1 at 1 A g-1, and reaches 113 F g-1 at 20 A g-1. The capacitance of the asymmetric device maintains to be 166 F g-1 during the 4000th cycle at 2 A g-1, suggesting good cycling stability of the device. Besides, the asymmetric device exhibits gravimetric energy density of 22 Wh kg-1 at a power density of 0.8 kW kg-1. The present results demonstrate that the ultrathin Ni(OH)2 nanosheets are highly attractive electrode materials for achieving fast charging/discharging and high-capacity supercapacitors.

Bursting and critical layer frequencies in minimal turbulent dynamics and connections to exact coherent states

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Park, Jae Sung; Shekar, Ashwin; Graham, Michael D.

2018-01-01

The dynamics of the turbulent near-wall region is known to be dominated by coherent structures. These near-wall coherent structures are observed to burst in a very intermittent fashion, exporting turbulent kinetic energy to the rest of the flow. In addition, they are closely related to invariant solutions known as exact coherent states (ECS), some of which display nonlinear critical layer dynamics (motions that are highly localized around the surface on which the streamwise velocity matches the wave speed of ECS). The present work aims to investigate temporal coherence in minimal channel flow relevant to turbulent bursting and critical layer dynamics and its connection to the instability of ECS. It is seen that the minimal channel turbulence displays frequencies very close to those displayed by an ECS family recently identified in the channel flow geometry. The frequencies of these ECS are determined by critical layer structures and thus might be described as "critical layer frequencies." While the bursting frequency is predominant near the wall, the ECS frequencies (critical layer frequencies) become predominant over the bursting frequency at larger distances from the wall, and increasingly so as Reynolds number increases. Turbulent bursts are classified into strong and relatively weak classes with respect to an intermittent approach to a lower branch ECS. This temporally intermittent approach is closely related to an intermittent low drag event, called hibernating turbulence, found in minimal and large domains. The relationship between the strong burst and the instability of the lower branch ECS is further discussed in state space. The state-space dynamics of strong bursts is very similar to that of the unstable manifolds of the lower branch ECS. In particular, strong bursting processes are always preceded by hibernation events. This precursor dynamics to strong turbulence may aid in development of more effective control schemes by a way of anticipating dynamics

On the influence of solar activity on the mid-latitude sporadic E layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pezzopane, Michael; Pignalberi, Alessio; Pietrella, Marco

2015-09-01

To investigate the influence of solar cycle variability on the sporadic E layer (Es), hourly measurements of the critical frequency of the Es ordinary mode of propagation, foEs, and of the blanketing frequency of the Es layer, fbEs, recorded from January 1976 to December 2009 at the Rome (Italy) ionospheric station (41.8° N, 12.5° E), were examined. The results are: (1) a high positive correlation between the F10.7 solar index and foEs as well as between F10.7 and fbEs, both for the whole data set and for each solar cycle separately, the correlation between F10.7 and fbEs being much higher than the one between F10.7 and foEs; (2) a decreasing long-term trend of the F10.7, foEs and fbEs time series, with foEs decreasing more rapidly than F10.7 and fbEs; (3) clear and statistically significant peaks at 11 years in the foEs and fbEs time series, inferred from Lomb-Scargle periodograms.

Critical current survival in the YBCO superconducting layer of a delaminated coated conductor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feng, Feng; Fu, Qishu; Qu, Timing; Mu, Hui; Gu, Chen; Yue, Yubin; Wang, Linli; Yang, Zhirong; Han, Zhenghe; Feng, Pingfa

2018-04-01

A high-temperature superconducting coated conductor can be practically applied in electric equipment due to its favorable mechanical properties and critical current (I c) performance. However, the coated conductor can easily delaminate because of its poor stress tolerance along the thickness direction. It would be interesting to investigate whether the I c of the delaminated YBa2Cu3O7-δ (YBCO) layer can be preserved. In this study, coated conductor samples manufactured through the metal organic deposition route were delaminated by liquid nitrogen immersion. Delaminated samples, including the YBCO layer and silver stabilizer, were obtained. Delamination occurred inside the YBCO layer and near the YBCO-CeO2 interface, as suggested by the results of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and x-ray diffraction. A scanning Hall probe system was employed to measure the I c distribution of the original sample and the delaminated sample. It was found that approximately 50% of the I c can be preserved after delamination, which was verified by I c measurements using the four-probe method. Dense and crack-free morphologies of the delaminated surfaces were observed by SEM, which accounts for the I c survival of the delaminated YBCO layer. The potential application of the delaminated sample in superconducting joints was discussed based on the oxygen diffusion estimation.

Synthesis and X-ray crystal structure of (OsO(3)F(2))(2)2XeOF(4) and the Raman spectra of (OsO(3)F(2))(infinity), (OsO(3)F(2))(2), and (OsO(3)F(2))(2)2XeOF(4).

PubMed

Hughes, Michael J; Mercier, Hélène P A; Schrobilgen, Gary J

2009-05-18

The adduct, (OsO(3)F(2))(2)2XeOF(4), was synthesized by dissolution of the infinite chain polymer, (OsO(3)F(2))(infinity), in XeOF(4) solvent at room temperature followed by removal of excess XeOF(4) under dynamic vacuum at 0 degrees C. Continued pumping at 0 degrees C resulted in removal of associated XeOF(4), yielding (OsO(3)F(2))(2), a new low-temperature phase of OsO(3)F(2). Upon standing at 25 degrees C for 1(1)/(2) h, (OsO(3)F(2))(2) underwent a phase transition to the known monoclinic phase, (OsO(3)F(2))(infinity). The title compounds, (OsO(3)F(2))(infinity), (OsO(3)F(2))(2), and (OsO(3)F(2))(2)2XeOF(4) have been characterized by low-temperature (-150 degrees C) Raman spectroscopy. Crystallization of (OsO(3)F(2))(2)2XeOF(4) from XeOF(4) solution at 0 degrees C yielded crystals suitable for X-ray structure determination. The structural unit contains the (OsO(3)F(2))(2) dimer in which the OsO(3)F(3) units are joined by two Os---F---Os bridges having fluorine bridge atoms that are equidistant from the osmium centers (2.117(5) and 2.107(4) A). The dimer coordinates to two XeOF(4) molecules through Os-F...Xe bridges in which the Xe...F distances (2.757(5) A) are significantly less than the sum of the Xe and F van der Waals radii (3.63 A). The (OsO(3)F(2))(2) dimer has C(i) symmetry in which each pseudo-octahedral OsO(3)F(3) unit has a facial arrangement of oxygen ligands with XeOF(4) molecules that are only slightly distorted from their gas-phase C(4v) symmetry. Quantum-chemical calculations using SVWN and B3LYP methods were employed to calculate the gas-phase geometries, natural bond orbital analyses, and vibrational frequencies of (OsO(3)F(2))(2), (OsO(3)F(2))(2)2XeOF(4), XeOF(4), OsO(2)F(4), and (mu-FOsO(3)F(2))(2)OsO(3)F(-) to aid in the assignment of the experimental vibrational frequencies of (OsO(3)F(2))(2), (OsO(3)F(2))(2)2XeOF(4), and (OsO(3)F(2))(infinity). The vibrational modes of the low-temperature polymeric phase, (OsO(3)F(2))(infinity), have been

The thrombopoietin receptor, MPL, is critical for development of a JAK2V617F-induced myeloproliferative neoplasm

PubMed Central

Sangkhae, Veena; Etheridge, S. Leah; Kaushansky, Kenneth

2014-01-01

The most frequent contributing factor in Philadelphia chromosome-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) is the acquisition of a V617F mutation in Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) in hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Recent evidence has demonstrated that to drive MPN transformation, JAK2V617F needs to directly associate with a functional homodimeric type I cytokine receptor, suggesting that, although acquiring JAK2V617F may promote disease, there are additional cellular components necessary for MPN development. Here we show that loss of the thrombopoietin (TPO) receptor (MPL) significantly ameliorates MPN development in JAK2V617F+ transgenic mice, whereas loss of TPO only mildly affects the disease phenotype. Specifically, compared with JAK2V617F+ mice, JAK2V617F+Mpl−/− mice exhibited reduced thrombocythemia, neutrophilia, splenomegaly, and neoplastic stem cell pool. The importance of MPL is highlighted as JAK2V617FMpl+/− mice displayed a significantly reduced MPN phenotype, indicating that Mpl level may have a substantial effect on MPN development and severity. Splenomegaly and the increased neoplastic stem cell pool were retained in JAK2V617F+Tpo−/− mice, although thrombocytosis was reduced compared with JAK2V617F+ mice. These results demonstrate that Mpl expression, but not Tpo, is fundamental in the development of JAK2V617F+ MPNs, highlighting an entirely novel target for therapeutic intervention. PMID:25339357

The thrombopoietin receptor, MPL, is critical for development of a JAK2V617F-induced myeloproliferative neoplasm.

PubMed

Sangkhae, Veena; Etheridge, S Leah; Kaushansky, Kenneth; Hitchcock, Ian S

2014-12-18

The most frequent contributing factor in Philadelphia chromosome-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) is the acquisition of a V617F mutation in Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) in hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Recent evidence has demonstrated that to drive MPN transformation, JAK2V617F needs to directly associate with a functional homodimeric type I cytokine receptor, suggesting that, although acquiring JAK2V617F may promote disease, there are additional cellular components necessary for MPN development. Here we show that loss of the thrombopoietin (TPO) receptor (MPL) significantly ameliorates MPN development in JAK2V617F(+) transgenic mice, whereas loss of TPO only mildly affects the disease phenotype. Specifically, compared with JAK2V617F(+) mice, JAK2V617F(+)Mpl(-/-) mice exhibited reduced thrombocythemia, neutrophilia, splenomegaly, and neoplastic stem cell pool. The importance of MPL is highlighted as JAK2V617FMpl(+/-) mice displayed a significantly reduced MPN phenotype, indicating that Mpl level may have a substantial effect on MPN development and severity. Splenomegaly and the increased neoplastic stem cell pool were retained in JAK2V617F(+)Tpo(-/-) mice, although thrombocytosis was reduced compared with JAK2V617F(+) mice. These results demonstrate that Mpl expression, but not Tpo, is fundamental in the development of JAK2V617F(+) MPNs, highlighting an entirely novel target for therapeutic intervention. © 2014 by The American Society of Hematology.

Pressure-induced photoluminescence in Mn2+-doped BaF2 and SrF2 fluorites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hernández, Ignacio; Rodríguez, Fernando

2003-01-01

This work reports an effective way for inducing room temperature photoluminescence (PL) in Mn2+-doped BaF2 and SrF2 using high-pressure techniques. The aim is to understand the surprising PL behavior exhibited by Mn2+ at the cubal site of the fluorite structure. While Mn2+-doped CaF2 shows a green PL with quantum yield close to 1 at room temperature, Mn2+-doped MF2 (M=Ba,Sr) is not PL either at room temperature (SrF2) or at any temperature (BaF2) at ambient pressure. We associate the loss of Mn2+ PL on passing from CaF2 to SrF2 or BaF2 with nonradiative multiphonon relaxation whose thermal activation energy decreases along the series CaF2→SrF2→BaF2. A salient feature of this work deals with the increase of activation energy induced by pressure. It leads to a quantum yield enhancement, which favors PL recovery. Furthermore, the activation energy mainly depends on the crystal volume per molecule irrespective of the crystal structure or the local symmetry around the impurity. In this way, the relevance of the fluorite-to-cotunnite phase transition is analyzed in connection with the PL properties of the investigated compounds. The PL spectrum and the corresponding lifetime are reported for both structural phases as a function of pressure.

Layer-Specific fMRI Reflects Different Neuronal Computations at Different Depths in Human V1

PubMed Central

Olman, Cheryl A.; Harel, Noam; Feinberg, David A.; He, Sheng; Zhang, Peng; Ugurbil, Kamil; Yacoub, Essa

2012-01-01

Recent work has established that cerebral blood flow is regulated at a spatial scale that can be resolved by high field fMRI to show cortical columns in humans. While cortical columns represent a cluster of neurons with similar response properties (spanning from the pial surface to the white matter), important information regarding neuronal interactions and computational processes is also contained within a single column, distributed across the six cortical lamina. A basic understanding of underlying neuronal circuitry or computations may be revealed through investigations of the distribution of neural responses at different cortical depths. In this study, we used T2-weighted imaging with 0.7 mm (isotropic) resolution to measure fMRI responses at different depths in the gray matter while human subjects observed images with either recognizable or scrambled (physically impossible) objects. Intact and scrambled images were partially occluded, resulting in clusters of activity distributed across primary visual cortex. A subset of the identified clusters of voxels showed a preference for scrambled objects over intact; in these clusters, the fMRI response in middle layers was stronger during the presentation of scrambled objects than during the presentation of intact objects. A second experiment, using stimuli targeted at either the magnocellular or the parvocellular visual pathway, shows that laminar profiles in response to parvocellular-targeted stimuli peak in more superficial layers. These findings provide new evidence for the differential sensitivity of high-field fMRI to modulations of the neural responses at different cortical depths. PMID:22448223

Surface roughness in XeF{sub 2} etching of a-Si/c-Si(100)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Stevens, A.A.E.; Beijerinck, H.C.W.

2005-01-01

Single wavelength ellipsometry and atomic force microscopy (AFM) have been applied in a well-calibrated beam-etching experiment to characterize the dynamics of surface roughening induced by chemical etching of a {approx}12 nm amorphous silicon (a-Si) top layer and the underlying crystalline silicon (c-Si) bulk. In both the initial and final phase of etching, where either only a-Si or only c-Si is exposed to the XeF{sub 2} flux, we observe a similar evolution of the surface roughness as a function of the XeF{sub 2} dose proportional to D(XeF{sub 2}){sup {beta}} with {beta}{approx_equal}0.2. In the transition region from the pure amorphous to themore » pure crystalline silicon layer, we observe a strong anomalous increase of the surface roughness proportional to D(XeF{sub 2}){sup {beta}} with {beta}{approx_equal}1.5. Not only the growth rate of the roughness increases sharply in this phase, also the surface morphology temporarily changes to a structure that suggests a cusplike shape. Both features suggest that the remaining a-Si patches on the surface act effectively as a capping layer which causes the growth of deep trenches in the c-Si. The ellipsometry data on the roughness are corroborated by the AFM results, by equating the thickness of the rough layer to 6 {sigma}, with {sigma} the root-mean-square variation of the AFM's distribution function of height differences. In the AFM data, the anomalous behavior is reflected in a too small value of {sigma} which again suggests narrow and deep surface features that cannot be tracked by the AFM tip. The final phase morphology is characterized by an effective increase in surface area by a factor of two, as derived from a simple bilayer model of the reaction layer, using the experimental etch rate as input. We obtain a local reaction layer thickness of 1.5 monolayer consistent with the 1.7 ML value of Lo et al. [Lo et al., Phys. Rev. B 47, 648 (1993)] that is also independent of surface roughness.« less

Parameters to Maximize 2f2-f1 Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emission Levels

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Horn, Jennifer H.; Pratt, Shiela R.; Durrant, John D.

2008-01-01

Purpose: Past research has established parameters for the 2f1-f2 distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) that enhance response levels (e.g., L1 - L2 = 10 dB; f2/f1 = 1.22; L1, L2 = 65, 55 dB SPL). These same parameters do not optimize 2f2-f1 DPOAEs. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate more completely those parameters that…

Heparin free dialysis in critically sick children using sustained low efficiency dialysis (SLEDD-f): A new hybrid therapy for dialysis in developing world

PubMed Central

Khare, Anshika; Dhaliwal, Maninder; Raghunathan, Veena; Wadhwani, Nikita; Nandwani, Ashish; Yadav, Dinesh Kumar; Mahapatra, Amit Kumar; Raina, Rupesh

2018-01-01

Background In critically sick adults, sustained low efficiency dialysis [SLED] appears to be better tolerated hemodynamically and outcomes seem to be comparable to CRRT. However, there is paucity of data in critically sick children. In children, two recent studies from Taiwan (n = 11) and India (n = 68) showed benefits of SLED in critically sick children. Aims and objectives The objective of the study was to look at the feasibility and tolerability of sustained low efficiency daily dialysis-filtration [SLEDD-f] in critically sick pediatric patients. Material and methods Design: Retrospective study Inclusion criteria: All pediatric patients who had undergone heparin free SLEDD-f from January 2012 to October 2017. Measurements: Data collected included demographic details, vital signs, PRISM III at admission, ventilator parameters (where applicable), number of inotropes, blood gas and electrolytes before, during, and on conclusion of SLED therapy. Technical information was gathered regarding SLEDD-f prescription and complications. Results Between 2012–2017, a total of 242 sessions of SLEDD-f were performed on 70 patients, out of which 40 children survived. The median age of patients in years was 12 (range 0.8–17 years), and the median weight was 39 kg (range 8.5–66 kg). The mean PRISM score at admission was 8.77±7.22. SLEDD-f sessions were well tolerated, with marked improvement in fluid status and acidosis. Premature terminations had to be done in 23 (9.5%) of the sessions. There were 21 sessions (8.6%) terminated due to hypotension and 2 sessions (0.8%) terminated due to circuit clotting. Post- SLEDD-f hypocalcemia occurred in 15 sessions (6.2%), post- SLEDD-f hypophosphatemia occurred in 1 session (0.4%), and post- SLEDD-f hypokalemia occurred in 17 sessions (7.0%). Conclusions This study is the largest compiled data on pediatric SLEDD-f use in critically ill patients. Our study confirms the feasibility of heparin free SLEDD-f in a larger pediatric

Atomic layer deposition of ZrO2 on W for metal-insulator-metal capacitor application

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Sang-Yun; Kim, Hyoungsub; McIntyre, Paul C.; Saraswat, Krishna C.; Byun, Jeong-Soo

2003-04-01

A metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor using ZrO2 on tungsten (W) metal bottom electrode was demonstrated and characterized in this letter. Both ZrO2 and W metal were synthesized by an atomic layer deposition (ALD) method. High-quality 110˜115 Å ZrO2 films were grown uniformly on ALD W using ZrCl4 and H2O precursors at 300 °C, and polycrystalline ZrO2 in the ALD regime could be obtained. A 13˜14-Å-thick interfacial layer between ZrO2 and W was observed after fabrication, and it was identified as WOx through angle-resolved x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis with wet chemical etching. The apparent equivalent oxide thickness was 20˜21 Å. An effective dielectric constant of 22˜25 including an interfacial WOx layer was obtained by measuring capacitance and thickness of MIM capacitors with Pt top electrodes. High capacitance per area (16˜17 fF/μm2) and low leakage current (10-7 A/cm2 at ±1 V) were achieved.

Reappraisal of criticality for two-layer flows and its role in the generation of internal solitary waves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bridges, Thomas J.; Donaldson, Neil M.

2007-07-01

A geometric view of criticality for two-layer flows is presented. Uniform flows are classified by diagrams in the momentum-massflux space for fixed Bernoulli energy, and cuspoidal curves on these diagrams correspond to critical uniform flows. Restriction of these surfaces to critical flow leads to new subsurfaces in energy-massflux space. While the connection between criticality and the generation of solitary waves is well known, we find that the nonlinear properties of these bifurcating solitary waves are also determined by the properties of the criticality surfaces. To be specific, the case of two layers with a rigid lid is considered, and application of the theory to other multilayer flows is sketched.

Vortex pinning in artificially layered Ba(Fe,Co)2As2 film

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oh, M. J.; Lee, Jongmin; Seo, Sehun; Yoon, Sejun; Seo, M. S.; Park, S. Y.; Kim, Ho-Sup; Ha, Dong-Woo; Lee, Sanghan; Jo, Youn Jung

2018-06-01

Static high critical current densities (Jc) > 1 MA/cm2 with magnetic field parallel or perpendicular to c-axis were realized in Co-doped/undoped multilayerd BaFe2As2 films. We made a current bridge by FIB to allow precise measurements, and confirmed that the boundary quality using FIB was considerably better than the quality achieved using a laser. The presence of a high in-plane Jc suggested the existence of c-axis correlated vortex pinning centers. To clarify the relationship between the Jc performance and superstructures, we investigated the magnetic flux pinning mechanism using scaling theory of the volume pinning force Fp(H). The Jc(H) curves, Fp/Fp,max vs. h = H/Hirr curves, and parameters p and q depended on the characteristics of the flux pinning mechanism. It was found that the dominant pinning mechanism of Co-doped/undoped multilayerd BaFe2As2 films was Δl-pinning and the inserted undoped BaFe2As2 layers remained non-superconducting. The dominant pin geometry varied when the magnetic field direction changed. It was concluded that the artificially layered BaFe2As2 film is a 3-D superconductor due to its long correlation length compared to the thickness of the non-superconducting layer.

Epitaxial Stabilization of a-PbO2 Structure in MnF2 Layers on Si and GaP

DTIC Science & Technology

2001-06-01

Before the epitaxy, the substrates were dipped in a HF solution and fixed on Si platelets with InGa eutectic . The crystalline quality of the substrates...15 keV. We used a recrystallization annealing (RA) in the 550-700’C range to improve the MnF2 film quality of some epitaxial structures grown at... recrystallization annealing. The inset in Fig. 1(a) shows the RHEED pattern of a 30 nm MnF2 film grown at 100°C and annealed at 550’C. Well-pronounced

F-16XL ship #1 - CAWAP boundary layer hot film, left wing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1996-01-01

This photo shows the boundary layer hot film on the left wing of NASA's single-seat F-16XL (ship #1) used for the Cranked-Arrow Wing Aerodynamic Project (CAWAP) at Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, California. Hot film is used to measure temperature changes on a surface. The modified airplane features a delta 'cranked-arrow' wing with strips of tubing along the leading edge to the trailing edge to sense static on the wing and obtain pressure distribution data. The right wing receives data on pressure distribution and the left wing has three types of instrumentation - preston tubes to measure local skin friction, boundary layer rakes to measure boundary layer profiles (the layer where the air interacts with the surfaces of a moving aircraft), and hot films to determine boundary layer transition locations. The program also gathered aero data on two wing planforms for NASA's High Speed Research Program. The first flight of CAWAP occurred on November 21, 1995, and the test program ended in April 1996.

Improved electrochemical performance of spinel LiMn(1.5)Ni(0.5)O4 through MgF2 nano-coating.

PubMed

Wu, Qing; Zhang, Xiaoping; Sun, Shuwei; Wan, Ning; Pan, Du; Bai, Ying; Zhu, Huiyuan; Hu, Yong-Sheng; Dai, Sheng

2015-10-14

A spinel LiMn1.5Ni0.5O4 (LMNO) cathode material synthesized by a sol-gel method is modified by MgF2 nano-coating via a wet coating strategy. The results of X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) showed that the MgF2 nano-coating layers do not physically change the bulk structure of the pristine material. Compared with the pristine compound, the MgF2-coated LMNO electrodes display enhanced cycling stabilities. Particularly, the 5 wt% MgF2-coated LMNO demonstrates the best reversibility, with a capacity retention of 89.9% after 100 cycles, much higher than that of the pristine material, 69.3%. The dQ/dV analysis and apparent Li(+) diffusion coefficient calculation prove that the kinetic properties are enhanced after MgF2 surface modification, which partly explains the improved electrochemical performances. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) data confirm that the MgF2 coating layer helps in suppressing the fast growth of the solid electrolyte interface (SEI) film in repeated cycling, which effectively stabilizes the spinel structure. Additionally, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) tests show that the MgF2 nano-coating layer also helps in enhancing the thermal stability of the LMNO cathode.

EFFECTS OF BROILER REARING ENVIRONMENT ON TRANSMISSION OF F-STRAIN MYCOPLASMA GALLISEPTICUM FROM COMMERCIAL LAYER HENS TO BROILER CHICKENS: ROLE OF ACID-BASE BALANCE

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Two trials were conducted concurrently to determine and compare, blood pH, blood gases, hematocrit, and hemoglobin in mycoplasma-free, F-strain Mycoplasma gallisepticum (FMG) inoculation layers, and FMG contact-infected broilers. FMG-inoculated layers had the highest partial pressure of O2 and the l...

Biotunable Nanoplasmonic Filter on Few-Layer MoS2 for Rapid and Highly Sensitive Cytokine Optoelectronic Immunosensing.

PubMed

Park, Younggeun; Ryu, Byunghoon; Oh, Bo-Ram; Song, Yujing; Liang, Xiaogan; Kurabayashi, Katsuo

2017-06-27

Monitoring of the time-varying immune status of a diseased host often requires rapid and sensitive detection of cytokines. Metallic nanoparticle-based localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) biosensors hold promise to meet this clinical need by permitting label-free detection of target biomolecules. These biosensors, however, continue to suffer from relatively low sensitivity as compared to conventional immunoassay methods that involve labeling processes. Their response speeds also need to be further improved to enable rapid cytokine quantification for critical care in a timely manner. In this paper, we report an immunobiosensing device integrating a biotunable nanoplasmonic optical filter and a highly sensitive few-layer molybdenum disulfide (MoS 2 ) photoconductive component, which can serve as a generic device platform to meet the need of rapid cytokine detection with high sensitivity. The nanoplasmonic filter consists of anticytokine antibody-conjugated gold nanoparticles on a SiO 2 thin layer that is placed 170 μm above a few-layer MoS 2 photoconductive flake device. The principle of the biosensor operation is based on tuning the delivery of incident light to the few-layer MoS 2 photoconductive flake thorough the nanoplasmonic filter by means of biomolecular surface binding-induced LSPR shifts. The tuning is dependent on cytokine concentration on the nanoplasmonic filter and optoelectronically detected by the few-layer MoS 2 device. Using the developed optoelectronic biosensor, we have demonstrated label-free detection of IL-1β, a pro-inflammatory cytokine, with a detection limit as low as 250 fg/mL (14 fM), a large dynamic range of 10 6 , and a short assay time of 10 min. The presented biosensing approach could be further developed and generalized for point-of-care diagnosis, wearable bio/chemical sensing, and environmental monitoring.

Sporadic E-Layers and Meteor Activity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alimov, Obid

2016-07-01

In average width it is difficult to explain variety of particularities of the behavior sporadic layer Es ionospheres without attraction long-lived metallic ion of the meteoric origin. Mass spectrometric measurements of ion composition using rockets indicate the presence of metal ions Fe+, Mg+, Si+, Na+, Ca+, K+, Al+ and others in the E-region of the ionosphere. The most common are the ions Fe+, Mg+, Si+, which are primarily concentrated in the narrow sporadic layers of the ionosphere at altitudes of 90-130 km. The entry of meteoric matter into the Earth's atmosphere is a source of meteor atoms (M) and ions (M +) that later, together with wind shear, produce midlatitude sporadic Es layer of the ionosphere. To establish the link between sporadic Es layer and meteoroid streams, we proceeded from the dependence of the ionization coefficient of meteors b on the velocity of meteor particles in different meteoroid streams. We investigated the dependence of the critical frequency f0Es of sporadic E on the particle velocity V of meteor streams and associations. It was established that the average values of f0Es are directly proportional to the velocity V of meteor streams and associations, with the correlation coefficient of 0.53 < R < 0.74. Thus, the critical frequency of the sporadic layer Es increases with the increase of particle velocity V in meteor streams, which indicates the direct influence of meteor particles on ionization of the lower ionosphere and formation of long-lived metal atoms M and ions M+ of meteoric origin.

Probing in-plane anisotropy in few-layer ReS2 using low frequency noise measurement.

PubMed

Mitra, Richa; Jariwala, Bhakti; Bhattacharya, Arnab; Das, Anindya

2018-02-19

ReS 2 , a layered two-dimensional material popular for its in-plane anisotropic properties, is emerging as one of the potential candidates for flexible electronics and ultrafast optical applications. It is an n-type semiconducting material having a layer independent bandgap of 1.55 eV. In this paper we have characterized the intrinsic electronic noise level of few-layer ReS 2 for the first time. Few-layer ReS 2 field effect transistor devices show a 1/f nature of noise for frequency ranging over three orders of magnitude. We have also observed that not only the electrical response of the material is anisotropic; the noise level is also dependent on direction. In fact the noise is found to be more sensitive towards the anisotropy. This fact has been explained by evoking the theory where the Hooge parameter is not a constant quantity, but has a distinct power law dependence on mobility along the two-axes direction. The anisotropy in 1/f noise measurement will pave the way to quantify the anisotropic nature of two-dimensional (2D) materials, which will be helpful for the design of low-noise transistors in future.

Probing in-plane anisotropy in few-layer ReS2 using low frequency noise measurement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mitra, Richa; Jariwala, Bhakti; Bhattacharya, Arnab; Das, Anindya

2018-04-01

ReS2, a layered two-dimensional material popular for its in-plane anisotropic properties, is emerging as one of the potential candidates for flexible electronics and ultrafast optical applications. It is an n-type semiconducting material having a layer independent bandgap of 1.55 eV. In this paper we have characterized the intrinsic electronic noise level of few-layer ReS2 for the first time. Few-layer ReS2 field effect transistor devices show a 1/f nature of noise for frequency ranging over three orders of magnitude. We have also observed that not only the electrical response of the material is anisotropic; the noise level is also dependent on direction. In fact the noise is found to be more sensitive towards the anisotropy. This fact has been explained by evoking the theory where the Hooge parameter is not a constant quantity, but has a distinct power law dependence on mobility along the two-axes direction. The anisotropy in 1/f noise measurement will pave the way to quantify the anisotropic nature of two-dimensional (2D) materials, which will be helpful for the design of low-noise transistors in future.

Pre-storm NmF2 enhancements at middle latitudes: delusion or reality?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mikhailov, A. V.; Perrone, L.

2009-03-01

A critical analysis of recent publications devoted to the NmF2 pre-storm enhancements is performed. There are no convincing arguments that the observed cases of NmF2 enhancements at middle and sub-auroral latitudes bear a relation to the following magnetic storms. In all cases considered the NmF2 pre-storm enhancements were due to previous geomagnetic storms, moderate auroral activity or they presented the class of positive quiet time events (Q-disturbances). Therefore, it is possible to conclude that there is no such an effect as the pre-storm NmF2 enhancement as a phenomenon inalienably related to the following magnetic storm. The observed nighttime NmF2 enhancements at sub-auroral latitudes may result from plasma transfer from the plasma ring area by meridional thermospheric wind. Enhanced plasmaspheric fluxes into the nighttime F2-region resulted from westward substorm-associated electric fields is another possible source of nighttime NmF2 enhancements. Daytime positive Q-disturbances occurring under very low geomagnetic activity level may be related to the dayside cusp activity.

M2-F2 on ramp

NASA Image and Video Library

1966-02-24

The M2-F2 Lifting Body is seen here on the ramp at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center. The success of Dryden's M2-F1 program led to NASA's development and construction of two heavyweight lifting bodies based on studies at NASA's Ames and Langley research centers -- the M2-F2 and the HL-10, both built by the Northrop Corporation. The "M" refers to "manned" and "F" refers to "flight" version. "HL" comes from "horizontal landing" and 10 is for the tenth lifting body model to be investigated by Langley. The first flight of the M2-F2 -- which looked much like the "F1" -- was on July 12, 1966. Milt Thompson was the pilot. By then, the same B-52 used to air launch the famed X-15 rocket research aircraft was modified to also carry the lifting bodies. Thompson was dropped from the B-52's wing pylon mount at an altitude of 45,000 feet on that maiden glide flight. The M2-F2 weighed 4,620 pounds, was 22 feet long, and had a width of about 10 feet. On May 10, 1967, during the sixteenth glide flight leading up to powered flight, a landing accident severely damaged the vehicle and seriously injured the NASA pilot, Bruce Peterson. NASA pilots and researchers realized the M2-F2 had lateral control problems, even though it had a stability augmentation control system. When the M2-F2 was rebuilt at Dryden and redesignated the M2-F3, it was modified with an additional third vertical fin -- centered between the tip fins -- to improve control characteristics. The M2-F2/F3 was the first of the heavy-weight, entry-configuration lifting bodies. Its successful development as a research test vehicle answered many of the generic questions about these vehicles. NASA donated the M2-F3 vehicle to the Smithsonian Institute in December 1973. It is currently hanging in the Air and Space Museum along with the X-15 aircraft number 1, which was its hangar partner at Dryden from 1965 to 1969.

Transcriptional analysis of liver from chickens with fast (meat bird), moderate (F1 layer x meat bird cross) and low (layer bird) growth potential.

PubMed

Willson, Nicky-Lee; Forder, Rebecca E A; Tearle, Rick; Williams, John L; Hughes, Robert J; Nattrass, Greg S; Hynd, Philip I

2018-05-02

Divergent selection for meat and egg production in poultry has resulted in strains of birds differing widely in traits related to these products. Modern strains of meat birds can reach live weights of 2 kg in 35 d, while layer strains are now capable of producing more than 300 eggs per annum but grow slowly. In this study, RNA-Seq was used to investigate hepatic gene expression between three groups of birds with large differences in growth potential; meat bird, layer strain as well as an F1 layer x meat bird. The objective was to identify differentially expressed (DE) genes between all three strains to elucidate biological factors underpinning variations in growth performance. RNA-Seq analysis was carried out on total RNA extracted from the liver of meat bird (n = 6), F1 layer x meat bird cross (n = 6) and layer strain (n = 6), males. Differential expression of genes were considered significant at P < 0.05, and a false discovery rate of < 0.05, with any fold change considered. In total, 6278 genes were found to be DE with 5832 DE between meat birds and layers (19%), 2935 DE between meat birds and the cross (9.6%) and 493 DE between the cross and layers (1.6%). Comparisons between the three groups identified 155 significant DE genes. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis of the 155 DE genes showed the FoxO signalling pathway was most enriched (P = 0.001), including genes related to cell cycle regulation and insulin signalling. Significant GO terms included 'positive regulation of glucose import' and 'cellular response to oxidative stress', which is also consistent with FoxOs regulation of glucose metabolism. There were high correlations between FoxO pathway genes and bodyweight, as well as genes related to glycolysis and bodyweight. This study revealed large transcriptome differences between meat and layer birds. There was significant evidence implicating the FoxO signalling pathway (via

Quantum influence in the criticality of the spin- {1}/{2} anisotropic Heisenberg model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ricardo de Sousa, J.; Araújo, Ijanílio G.

1999-07-01

We study the spin- {1}/{2} anisotropic Heisenberg antiferromagnetic model using the effective field renormalization group (EFRG) approach. The EFRG method is illustrated by employing approximations in which clusters with one ( N'=1) and two ( N=2) spins are used. The dependence of the critical temperature Tc (ferromagnetic-F case) and TN (antiferromagnetic-AF case) and thermal critical exponent, Yt, are obtained as a function of anisotropy parameter ( Δ) on a simple cubic lattice. We find that, in our results, TN is higher than Tc for the quantum anisotropic Heisenberg limit and TN= Tc for the Ising and quantum XY limits. We have also shown that the thermal critical exponent Yt for the isotropic Heisenberg model shows a small dependence on the type of interaction (F or AF) due to finite size effects.

Tropical cyclogenesis in a tropical wave critical layer: easterly waves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dunkerton, T. J.; Montgomery, M. T.; Wang, Z.

2009-08-01

The development of tropical depressions within tropical waves over the Atlantic and eastern Pacific is usually preceded by a "surface low along the wave" as if to suggest a hybrid wave-vortex structure in which flow streamlines not only undulate with the waves, but form a closed circulation in the lower troposphere surrounding the low. This structure, equatorward of the easterly jet axis, is identified herein as the familiar critical layer of waves in shear flow, a flow configuration which arguably provides the simplest conceptual framework for tropical cyclogenesis resulting from tropical waves, their interaction with the mean flow, and with diabatic processes associated with deep moist convection. The recirculating Kelvin cat's eye within the critical layer represents a sweet spot for tropical cyclogenesis in which a proto-vortex may form and grow within its parent wave. A common location for storm development is given by the intersection of the wave's critical latitude and trough axis at the center of the cat's eye, with analyzed vorticity centroid nearby. The wave and vortex live together for a time, and initially propagate at approximately the same speed. In most cases this coupled propagation continues for a few days after a tropical depression is identified. For easterly waves, as the name suggests, the propagation is westward. It is shown that in order to visualize optimally the associated Lagrangian motions, one should view the flow streamlines, or stream function, in a frame of reference translating horizontally with the phase propagation of the parent wave. In this co-moving frame, streamlines are approximately equivalent to particle trajectories. The closed circulation is quasi-stationary, and a dividing streamline separates air within the cat's eye from air outside. The critical layer equatorward of the easterly jet axis is important to tropical cyclogenesis because its cat's eye provides (i) a region of cyclonic vorticity and weak deformation by the

Interesting Layering of Excreted 18F-FDG in the Urinary Bladder in Patients with Urinary Tract Infection and Distended Bladder.

PubMed

Shen, Guohua; Zhang, Wenjie; Jia, Zhiyun; Deng, Houfu

2015-09-01

Settling of (18)F-FDG in the bladder is often noted on whole-body PET/CT images, but this phenomenon has never received any careful attention and the mechanism has been unclear. The 2 patients described in this report, one with a T1 pathologic fracture and another with widespread bone and lymph node metastases from an unknown primary tumor, underwent PET/CT. Both had urinary tract infection and a distended bladder during scanning. The interesting layering of (18)F-FDG in the urinary bladder was observed in both patients. The presence of this phenomenon demands careful evaluation of the urine by the clinician, and the mechanism is hypothesized to be slow (18)F-FDG excretion in patients with a distended urinary bladder, resulting in delayed mixing with urine. In addition, urinary tract infection may be a potential cause. Images showing this interesting layering should be interpreted with care. © 2015 by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Inc.

Effects of annealing on the optical, structural, and chemical properties of TiO2 and MgF2 thin films prepared by plasma ion-assisted deposition.

PubMed

Woo, Seouk-Hoon; Hwangbo, Chang Kwon

2006-03-01

Effects of thermal annealing at 400 degrees C on the optical, structural, and chemical properties of TiO2 single-layer, MgF2 single-layer, and TiO2/MgF2 narrow-bandpass filters deposited by conventional electron-beam evaporation (CE) and plasma ion-assisted deposition (PIAD) were investigated. In the case of TiO2 films, the results show that the annealing of both CE and PIAD TiO2 films increases the refractive index slightly and the extinction coefficient and surface roughness greatly. Annealing decreases the thickness of CE TiO2 films drastically, whereas it does not vary that of PIAD TiO2 films. For PIAD MgF2 films, annealing increases the refractive index and decreases the extinction coefficient drastically. An x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis suggests that an increase in the refractive index and a decrease in the extinction coefficient for PIAD MgF2 films after annealing may be related to the enhanced concentration of MgO in the annealed PIAD MgF2 films and the changes in the chemical bonding states of Mg 2p, F 1s, and O is. It is found that (TiO2/MgF2) multilayer filters, consisting of PIAD TiO2 and CE MgF2 films, are as deposited without microcracks and are also thermally stable after annealing.

Oncogenic JAK2V617F requires an intact SH2-like domain for constitutive activation and induction of a myeloproliferative disease in mice.

PubMed

Gorantla, Sivahari P; Dechow, Tobias N; Grundler, Rebekka; Illert, Anna Lena; Zum Büschenfelde, Christian Meyer; Kremer, Marcus; Peschel, Christian; Duyster, Justus

2010-11-25

The oncogenic JAK2V617F mutation is found in myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) and is believed to be critical for leukemogenesis. Here we show that JAK2V617F requires an intact SH2 domain for constitutive activation of downstream signaling pathways. In addition, there is a strict requirement of cytokine receptor expression for the activation of this oncogene. Further analysis showed that the SH2 domain mutation did not interfere with JAK2 membrane distribution. However, coimmunoprecipitated experiments revealed a role for the SH2 domain in the aggregation and cross-phosphorylation of JAK2V617F at the cell membrane. Forced overexpression of cytokine receptors could rescue the JAK2V617F SH2 mutant supporting a critical role of JAK2V617F abundance for constitutive activation. However, under physiologic cytokine receptor expression the SH2 domain is absolutely necessary for oncogenic JAK2V617F activation. This is demonstrated in a bone marrow transplantation model, in which an intact SH2 domain in JAK2V617F is required for the induction of an MPN-like disease. Thus, our results points to an indispensable role of the SH2 domain in JAK2V617F-induced MPNs.

Silencing of E2F3 suppresses tumor growth of Her2+ breast cancer cells by restricting mitosis.

PubMed

Lee, Miyoung; Oprea-Ilies, Gabriela; Saavedra, Harold I

2015-11-10

The E2F transcriptional activators E2F1, E2F2 and E2F3a regulate many important cellular processes, including DNA replication, apoptosis and centrosome duplication. Previously, we demonstrated that silencing E2F1 or E2F3 suppresses centrosome amplification (CA) and chromosome instability (CIN) in Her2+ breast cancer cells without markedly altering proliferation. However, it is unknown whether and how silencing a single E2F activator, E2F3, affects malignancy of human breast cancer cells. Thus, we injected HCC1954 Her2+ breast cancer cells silenced for E2F3 into mammary fat pads of immunodeficient mice and demonstrated that loss of E2F3 retards tumor growth. Surprisingly, silencing of E2F3 led to significant reductions in mitotic indices relative to vector controls, while the percentage of cells undergoing S phase were not affected. Nek2 is a mitotic kinase commonly upregulated in breast cancers and a critical regulator of Cdk4- or E2F-mediated CA. In this report, we found that Nek2 overexpression rescued back the CA caused by silencing of shE2F3. However, the effects of Nek2 overexpression in affecting tumor growth rates of shE2F3 and shE2F3; GFP cells were inconclusive. Taken together, our results indicate that E2F3 silencing decreases mammary tumor growth by reducing percentage of cells undergoing mitosis.

AlF 3 Surface-Coated Li[Li 0.2 Ni 0.17 Co 0.07 Mn 0.56 ]O 2 Nanoparticles with Superior Electrochemical Performance for Lithium-Ion Batteries

DOE PAGES

Sun, Shuwei; Yin, Yanfeng; Wan, Ning; ...

2015-06-24

For Li-rich layered cathode materials considerable attention has been paid owing to their high capacity performance for Li-ion batteries (LIBs). In our work, layered Li-rich Li[Li 0.2Ni 0.17Co 0.07Mn 0.56]O 2 nanoparticles are surface-modified with AlF 3 through a facile chemical deposition method. The AlF 3 surface layers have little impact on the structure of the material and act as buffers to prevent the direct contact of the electrode with the electrolyte; thus, they enhance the electrochemical performance significantly. The 3 wt% AlF 3-coated Li-rich electrode exhibits the best cycling capability and has a considerably enhanced capacity retention of 83.1%more » after 50 cycles. Moreover, the rate performance and thermal stability of the 3 wt% AlF3-coated electrode are also clearly improved. Finally, surface analysis indicates that the AlF 3 coating layer can largely suppress the undesirable growth of solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) film and, therefore, stabilizes the structure upon cycling.« less

A consistent and unified picture for critical phenomena of f(R) AdS black holes

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mo, Jie-Xiong; Li, Gu-Qiang; Wu, Yu-Cheng, E-mail: mojiexiong@gmail.com, E-mail: zsgqli@hotmail.com, E-mail: wuyucheng0827@163.com

A consistent and unified picture for critical phenomena of charged AdS black holes in f ( R ) gravity is drawn in this paper. Firstly, we investigate the phase transition in canonical ensemble. We derive the explicit solutions corresponding to the divergence of C {sub Q} . The two solutions merge into one when the condition Q {sub c} =√(−1/3 R {sub 0}) is satisfied. The curve of specific heat for Q < Q {sub c} has two divergent points and can be divided into three regions. Both the large radius region and the small radius region are thermodynamically stablemore » with positive specific heat while the medium radius region is unstable with negative specific heat. However, when Q > Q {sub c} , the specific heat is always positive, implying the black holes are locally stable and no phase transition will take place. Secondly, both the T − r {sub +} curve and T − S curve f ( R ) AdS black holes are investigated and they exhibit Van der Vaals like behavior as the P − v curve in the former research. Critical physical quantities are obtained and they are consistent with those derived from the specific heat analysis. We carry out numerical check of Maxwell equal area law for the cases Q =0.2 Q {sub c} , 0.4 Q {sub c} , 0.6 Q {sub c} , 0.8 Q {sub c} . The relative errors are amazingly small and can be negligible. So the Maxwell equal area law holds for T − S curve of f ( R ) black holes. Thirdly, we establish geometrothermodynamics for f ( R ) AdS black hole to examine the phase structure. It is shown that the Legendre invariant scalar curvature R would diverge exactly where the specific heat diverges. To summarize, the above three perspectives are consistent with each other, thus providing a unified picture which deepens the understanding of critical phenomena of f ( R ) AdS black holes.« less

Motion of the plasma critical layer during relativistic-electron laser interaction with immobile and comoving ion plasma for ion accelerationa)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sahai, Aakash A.

2014-05-01

We analyze the motion of the plasma critical layer by two different processes in the relativistic-electron laser-plasma interaction regime (a0>1). The differences are highlighted when the critical layer ions are stationary in contrast to when they move with it. Controlling the speed of the plasma critical layer in this regime is essential for creating low-β traveling acceleration structures of sufficient laser-excited potential for laser ion accelerators. In Relativistically Induced Transparency Acceleration (RITA) scheme, the heavy plasma-ions are fixed and only trace-density light-ions are accelerated. The relativistic critical layer and the acceleration structure move longitudinally forward by laser inducing transparency through apparent relativistic increase in electron mass. In the Radiation Pressure Acceleration (RPA) scheme, the whole plasma is longitudinally pushed forward under the action of the laser radiation pressure, possible only when plasma ions co-propagate with the laser front. In RPA, the acceleration structure velocity critically depends upon plasma-ion mass in addition to the laser intensity and plasma density. In RITA, mass of the heavy immobile plasma-ions does not affect the speed of the critical layer. Inertia of the bared immobile ions in RITA excites the charge separation potential, whereas RPA is not possible when ions are stationary.

Motion of the plasma critical layer during relativistic-electron laser interaction with immobile and comoving ion plasma for ion acceleration

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sahai, Aakash A., E-mail: aakash.sahai@gmail.com

2014-05-15

We analyze the motion of the plasma critical layer by two different processes in the relativistic-electron laser-plasma interaction regime (a{sub 0}>1). The differences are highlighted when the critical layer ions are stationary in contrast to when they move with it. Controlling the speed of the plasma critical layer in this regime is essential for creating low-β traveling acceleration structures of sufficient laser-excited potential for laser ion accelerators. In Relativistically Induced Transparency Acceleration (RITA) scheme, the heavy plasma-ions are fixed and only trace-density light-ions are accelerated. The relativistic critical layer and the acceleration structure move longitudinally forward by laser inducing transparencymore » through apparent relativistic increase in electron mass. In the Radiation Pressure Acceleration (RPA) scheme, the whole plasma is longitudinally pushed forward under the action of the laser radiation pressure, possible only when plasma ions co-propagate with the laser front. In RPA, the acceleration structure velocity critically depends upon plasma-ion mass in addition to the laser intensity and plasma density. In RITA, mass of the heavy immobile plasma-ions does not affect the speed of the critical layer. Inertia of the bared immobile ions in RITA excites the charge separation potential, whereas RPA is not possible when ions are stationary.« less

Comparative study on neutron data in integral experiments of MYRRHA mockup critical cores in the VENUS-F reactor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krása, Antonín; Kochetkov, Anatoly; Baeten, Peter; Vittiglio, Guido; Wagemans, Jan; Bécares, Vicente

2017-09-01

VENUS-F is a fast, zero-power reactor with 30% wt. metallic uranium fuel and solid lead as coolant simulator. It serves as a mockup of the MYRRHA reactor core. This paper describes integral experiments performed in two critical VENUS-F core configurations (with and without graphite reflector). Discrepancies between experiments and Monte Carlo calculations (MCNP5) of keff, fission rate spatial distribution and reactivity effects (lead void and fuel Doppler) depending on a nuclear data library used (JENDL-4.0, ENDF-B-VII.1, JEFF-3.1.2, 3.2, 3.3T2) are presented.

Intrinsic and extrinsic pinning in NdFeAs(O,F): vortex trapping and lock-in by the layered structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tarantini, C.; Iida, K.; Hänisch, J.; Kurth, F.; Jaroszynski, J.; Sumiya, N.; Chihara, M.; Hatano, T.; Ikuta, H.; Schmidt, S.; Seidel, P.; Holzapfel, B.; Larbalestier, D. C.

2016-10-01

Fe-based superconductors (FBS) present a large variety of compounds whose properties are affected to different extents by their crystal structures. Amongst them, the REFeAs(O,F) (RE1111, RE being a rare-earth element) is the family with the highest critical temperature Tc but also with a large anisotropy and Josephson vortices as demonstrated in the flux-flow regime in Sm1111 (Tc ∼ 55 K). Here we focus on the pinning properties of the lower-Tc Nd1111 in the flux-creep regime. We demonstrate that for H//c critical current density Jc at high temperatures is dominated by point-defect pinning centres, whereas at low temperatures surface pinning by planar defects parallel to the c-axis and vortex shearing prevail. When the field approaches the ab-planes, two different regimes are observed at low temperatures as a consequence of the transition between 3D Abrikosov and 2D Josephson vortices: one is determined by the formation of a vortex-staircase structure and one by lock-in of vortices parallel to the layers. This is the first study on FBS showing this behaviour in the full temperature, field, and angular range and demonstrating that, despite the lower Tc and anisotropy of Nd1111 with respect to Sm1111, this compound is substantially affected by intrinsic pinning generating a strong ab-peak in Jc.

The Influence of Layer Thickness-Ratio on Magnetoresistance in La2/3Ca1/3MnO3/La1/3Ca2/3MnO3 Exchange Biased System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gomez, Maria Elena; Milena Diez, Sandra; Cuartas, Lina Maria; Marin, Lorena; Prieto, Pedro

2012-02-01

Isothermal magnetic field dependence of the resistance in La2/3Ca1/3MnO3 (F-LCMO)/ La1/3Ca2/3MnO3(AF-LCMO) bilayer and AF-LCMO/F-LCMO/AF-LCMO trilayer at temperatures below N'eel temperature of the antiferromagnetic layer were carried out to study the thickness layers influence on magneto transport properties. We grew multilayers using a high oxygen pressure sputtering technique. We systematically varied the thickness of the F-LCMO layer, tF, maintaining constant the thickness of the AF-LCMO layer, tAF. We studied the influence of the thickness ratio tF/tAF on the ZFC and FC magnetoresistance (MR) loops. HFC was varied from 100 Oe to 400 Oe. We found that MR has hysteretic behavior as observed in [La2/3Ca1/3MnO3/La1/3Ca2/3MnO3]N superlattices, where MR increases with the increasing field from H=0 to a maximum and then it decreases continuously. The position and magnitude of the maximum is not symmetric with respect to the axis H=0 for both FC and ZFC loops. We found that magnetoresistance behavior of the bilayer and trilayer is thickness-ratio dependent for both ZFC and FC loops.

Three-phase heterostructures f-NiFe2O4/PANI/PI EMI shielding fabric with high Microwave Absorption Performance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Yu; Wang, Wei; Yu, Dan

2017-12-01

In this work, a three-phase heterostructures f-NiFe2O4/PANI/PI EMI shielding fabric with a layer by layer structure was designed and prepared to obtain excellent microwave attenuation performance. Firstly, PANI/PI fabric was prepared via in-situ deposition method. Then, the NiFe2O4 nanoparticles functionalized by oleic acid were uniformly dispersed in epoxy resin and coated on the top and bottom of PANI/PI fabric with 0.041 mm total thickness. The investigation of chemical structure and surface morphologies indicated the composite structure of f-NiFe2O4/PANI/PI fabric. Various parameters like magnetic property, reflection loss and attenuation constant were used to evaluate its microwave attenuation performance. The results demonstrated that the 30f-NiFe2O4/PANI/PI fabric had a highest attenuation effectiveness with the minimum reflection loss value of -42.5 dB (>90% attenuation) at 12.5 GHz and the effective absorption bandwidth was 3.4 GHz. The study of attenuation mechanism indicated that the dielectric loss from PANI, the magnetic loss caused by f-NiFe2O4 and the layer by layer structure effectively improved microwave attenuation performance of composite fabric. Furthermore, the favorable flexibility and dimensional stability of this resultant fabric would allow the composite fabric for a long time service under pressure or foldable conditions. In sum, the study clearly indicated that three-phase heterostructures f-NiFe2O4/PANI/PI fabric was a good candidate as electromagnetic shielding materials in many fields.

Improved electrochemical performance of spinel LiMn 1.5Ni 0.5O 4 through MgF 2 nano-coating

DOE PAGES

Wu, Qing; Zhang, Xiaoping; Sun, Shuwei; ...

2015-07-08

In this paper, a spinel LiMn 1.5Ni 0.5O 4 (LMNO) cathode material synthesized by a sol–gel method is modified by MgF 2 nano-coating via a wet coating strategy. The results of X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) showed that the MgF 2 nano-coating layers do not physically change the bulk structure of the pristine material. Compared with the pristine compound, the MgF 2-coated LMNO electrodes display enhanced cycling stabilities. Particularly, the 5 wt% MgF 2-coated LMNO demonstrates the best reversibility, with a capacity retention of 89.9% after 100more » cycles, much higher than that of the pristine material, 69.3%. The dQ/dV analysis and apparent Li + diffusion coefficient calculation prove that the kinetic properties are enhanced after MgF 2 surface modification, which partly explains the improved electrochemical performances. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) data confirm that the MgF 2 coating layer helps in suppressing the fast growth of the solid electrolyte interface (SEI) film in repeated cycling, which effectively stabilizes the spinel structure. Finally and additionally, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) tests show that the MgF 2 nano-coating layer also helps in enhancing the thermal stability of the LMNO cathode.« less

F-16XL ship #1 wing close-up showing boundary layer detection Preston tubes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1995-01-01

This photo shows the boundary layer Preston tubes mounted on the left wing of NASA's single-seat F-16XL (ship #1) used for the Cranked-Arrow Wing Aerodynamic Project (CAWAP) at Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, California. The modified airplane features a delta 'cranked-arrow' wing with strips of tubing along the leading edge to the trailing edge to sense static on the wing and obtain pressure distribution data. The right wing receives data on pressure distribution and the left wing has three types of instrumentation - preston tubes to measure local skin friction, boundary layer rakes to measure boundary layer profiles (the layer where the air interacts with the surfaces of a moving aircraft), and hot films to determine boundary layer transition locations. The first flight of CAWAP occurred on November 21, 1995, and the test program ended in April 1996.

Few-layered MoSe2 nanosheets as an advanced electrode material for supercapacitors.

PubMed

Balasingam, Suresh Kannan; Lee, Jae Sung; Jun, Yongseok

2015-09-21

We report the synthesis of few-layered MoSe2 nanosheets using a facile hydrothermal method and their electrochemical charge storage behavior. A systematic study of the structure and morphology of the as-synthesized MoSe2 nanosheets was performed. The downward peak shift in the Raman spectrum and the high-resolution transmission electron microscopy images confirmed the formation of few-layered nanosheets. The electrochemical energy-storage behavior of MoSe2 nanosheets was also investigated for supercapacitor applications in a symmetric cell configuration. The MoSe2 nanosheet electrode exhibited a maximum specific capacitance of 198.9 F g(-1) and the symmetric device showed 49.7 F g(-1) at a scan rate of 2 mV s(-1). A capacitance retention of approximately 75% was observed even after 10 000 cycles at a high charge-discharge current density of 5 A g(-1). The two-dimensional MoSe2 nanosheets exhibited a high specific capacitance and good cyclic stability, which makes it a promising electrode material for supercapacitor applications.

Variability of foF2 in the African equatorial ionosphere

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Akala, A. O.; Oyeyemi, E. O.; Somoye, E. O.; Adeloye, A. B.; Adewale, A. O.

2010-06-01

This paper presents the impact of diurnal, seasonal and solar activity effects on the variability of ionospheric foF2 in the African equatorial latitude. Three African ionospheric stations; Dakar (14.8°N, 17.4°W, dip: 11.4°N), Ouagadougou (12.4°N, 1.5°W, dip: 2.8°N) and Djibouti (11.5°N, 42.8°E, dip: 7.2°N) were considered for the investigation. The overall aim is to provide African inputs that will be of assistance at improving existing forecasting models. The diurnal analysis revealed that the ionospheric critical frequency (foF2) is more susceptible to variability during the night-time than the day-time, with two peaks in the range; 18-38% during post-sunset hours and 35-55% during post-midnight hours. The seasonal and solar activity analyses showed a post-sunset September Equinox maximum and June Solstice maximum of foF2 variability in all the stations for all seasons. At all the stations, foF2 variability was high for low solar activity year. Overall, we concluded that equatorial foF2 variability increases with decreasing solar activity during night-time.

Solution-deposited F:SnO₂/TiO₂ as a base-stable protective layer and antireflective coating for microtextured buried-junction H₂-evolving Si photocathodes.

PubMed

Kast, Matthew G; Enman, Lisa J; Gurnon, Nicholas J; Nadarajah, Athavan; Boettcher, Shannon W

2014-12-24

Protecting Si photocathodes from corrosion is important for developing tandem water-splitting devices operating in basic media. We show that textured commercial Si-pn(+) photovoltaics protected by solution-processed semiconducting/conducting oxides (plausibly suitable for scalable manufacturing) and coupled to thin layers of Ir yield high-performance H2-evolving photocathodes in base. They also serve as excellent test structures to understand corrosion mechanisms and optimize interfacial electrical contacts between various functional layers. Solution-deposited TiO2 protects Si-pn(+) junctions from corrosion for ∼24 h in base, whereas junctions protected by F:SnO2 fail after only 1 h of electrochemical cycling. Interface layers consisting of Ti metal and/or the highly doped F:SnO2 between the Si and TiO2 reduce Si-emitter/oxide/catalyst contact resistance and thus increase fill factor and efficiency. Controlling the oxide thickness led to record photocurrents near 35 mA cm(-2) at 0 V vs RHE and photocathode efficiencies up to 10.9% in the best cells. Degradation, however, was not completely suppressed. We demonstrate that performance degrades by two mechanisms, (1) deposition of impurities onto the thin catalyst layers, even from high-purity base, and (2) catastrophic failure via pinholes in the oxide layers after several days of operation. These results provide insight into the design of hydrogen-evolving photoelectrodes in basic conditions, and highlight challenges.

Diabetes and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in E2F1/E2F2 double-mutant mice.

PubMed

Iglesias, Ainhoa; Murga, Matilde; Laresgoiti, Usua; Skoudy, Anouchka; Bernales, Irantzu; Fullaondo, Asier; Moreno, Bernardino; Lloreta, José; Field, Seth J; Real, Francisco X; Zubiaga, Ana M

2004-05-01

E2F transcription factors are thought to be key regulators of cell growth control. Here we use mutant mouse strains to investigate the function of E2F1 and E2F2 in vivo. E2F1/E2F2 compound-mutant mice develop nonautoimmune insulin-deficient diabetes and exocrine pancreatic dysfunction characterized by endocrine and exocrine cell dysplasia, a reduction in the number and size of acini and islets, and their replacement by ductal structures and adipose tissue. Mutant pancreatic cells exhibit increased rates of DNA replication but also of apoptosis, resulting in severe pancreatic atrophy. The expression of genes involved in DNA replication and cell cycle control was upregulated in the E2F1/E2F2 compound-mutant pancreas, suggesting that their expression is repressed by E2F1/E2F2 activities and that the inappropriate cell cycle found in the mutant pancreas is likely the result of the deregulated expression of these genes. Interestingly, the expression of ductal cell and adipocyte differentiation marker genes was also upregulated, whereas expression of pancreatic cell marker genes were downregulated. These results suggest that E2F1/E2F2 activity negatively controls growth of mature pancreatic cells and is necessary for the maintenance of differentiated pancreatic phenotypes in the adult.

Flat-lying semiconductor-insulator interfacial layer in DNTT thin films.

PubMed

Jung, Min-Cherl; Leyden, Matthew R; Nikiforov, Gueorgui O; Lee, Michael V; Lee, Han-Koo; Shin, Tae Joo; Takimiya, Kazuo; Qi, Yabing

2015-01-28

The molecular order of organic semiconductors at the gate dielectric is the most critical factor determining carrier mobility in thin film transistors since the conducting channel forms at the dielectric interface. Despite its fundamental importance, this semiconductor-insulator interface is not well understood, primarily because it is buried within the device. We fabricated dinaphtho[2,3-b:2',3'-f]thieno[3,2-b]thiophene (DNTT) thin film transistors by thermal evaporation in vacuum onto substrates held at different temperatures and systematically correlated the extracted charge mobility to the crystal grain size and crystal orientation. As a result, we identify a molecular layer of flat-lying DNTT molecules at the semiconductor-insulator interface. It is likely that such a layer might form in other material systems as well, and could be one of the factors reducing charge transport. Controlling this interfacial flat-lying layer may raise the ultimate possible device performance for thin film devices.

Comparative Study of foF2 Measurements with IRI-2007 Model Predictions During Extended Solar Minimum

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zakharenkova, I. E.; Krankowski, A.; Bilitza, D.; Cherniak, Iu.V.; Shagimuratov, I.I.; Sieradzki, R.

2013-01-01

The unusually deep and extended solar minimum of cycle 2324 made it very difficult to predict the solar indices 1 or 2 years into the future. Most of the predictions were proven wrong by the actual observed indices. IRI gets its solar, magnetic, and ionospheric indices from an indices file that is updated twice a year. In recent years, due to the unusual solar minimum, predictions had to be corrected downward with every new indices update. In this paper we analyse how much the uncertainties in the predictability of solar activity indices affect the IRI outcome and how the IRI values calculated with predicted and observed indices compared to the actual measurements.Monthly median values of F2 layer critical frequency (foF2) derived from the ionosonde measurements at the mid-latitude ionospheric station Juliusruh were compared with the International Reference Ionosphere (IRI-2007) model predictions. The analysis found that IRIprovides reliable results that compare well with actual measurements, when the definite (observed and adjusted) indices of solar activityare used, while IRI values based on earlier predictions of these indices noticeably overestimated the measurements during the solar minimum.One of the principal objectives of this paper is to direct attention of IRI users to update their solar activity indices files regularly.Use of an older index file can lead to serious IRI overestimations of F-region electron density during the recent extended solar minimum.

Turbulent entrainment in a strongly stratified barrier layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pham, H. T.; Sarkar, S.

2017-06-01

Large-eddy simulation (LES) is used to investigate how turbulence in the wind-driven ocean mixed layer erodes the stratification of barrier layers. The model consists of a stratified Ekman layer that is driven by a surface wind. Simulations at a wide range of N0/f are performed to quantify the effect of turbulence and stratification on the entrainment rate. Here, N0 is the buoyancy frequency in the barrier layer and f is the Coriolis parameter. The evolution of the mixed layer follows two stages: a rapid initial deepening and a late-time growth at a considerably slower rate. During the first stage, the mixed layer thickens to the depth that is proportional to u∗/fN0 where u∗ is the frictional velocity. During the second stage, the turbulence in the mixed layer continues to deepen further into the barrier layer, and the turbulent length scale is shown to scale with u∗/N0, independent of f. The late-time entrainment rate E follows the law of E=0.035Ri∗-1/2 where Ri∗ is the Richardson number. The exponent of -1/2 is identical but the coefficient of 0.035 is much smaller relative to the value of 2-3/2 for the nonrotating boundary layer. Simulations using the KPP model (version applicable to this simple case without additional effects of Langmuir turbulence or surface buoyancy flux) also yield the entrainment scaling of E∝Ri∗-1/2; however, the proportionality coefficient varies with the stratification. The structure of the Ekman current is examined to illustrate the strong effect of stratification in the limit of large N0/f.

Variations of Scale Height at F-Region Peak Based on Ionosonde Measurements during Solar Maximum over the Crest of Equatorial Ionization Anomaly Region

PubMed Central

Chuo, Yu-Jung

2014-01-01

Scale height is an important parameter in characterizing the shape of the ionosphere and its physical processes. In this study, we attempt to examine and discuss the variation of scale height, H m, around the F-layer peak height during high solar activity at the northern crest of the equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) region. H m exhibits day-to-day variation and seasonal variation, with a greater average daily variation during daytime in summer. Furthermore, the diurnal variation of H m exhibits an abnormal peak at presunrise during all the seasons, particularly in winter. This increase is also observed in the F2-layer peak height for the same duration with an upward movement associated with thermospheric wind toward the equator; this upward movement increases the N2/O ratio and H m, but it causes a decrease in the F2-layer maximum critical frequency during the presunrise period. PMID:25162048

NmF2 and hmF2 measurements at 95° E and 127° E around the EIA northern crest during 2010-2014

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kalita, Bitap Raj; Bhuyan, Pradip Kumar; Yoshikawa, Akimasa

2015-11-01

The characteristics of the F2 layer parameters NmF2 and hmF2 over Dibrugarh (27.5° N, 95° E, 17° N geomagnetic, 43° dip) measured by a Canadian Advanced Digital Ionosonde (CADI) for the period of August 2010 to July 2014 are reported for the first time from this low mid-latitude station lying within the daytime peak of the longitudinal wave number 4 structure of equatorial anomaly (EIA) around the northern edge of anomaly crest. Equinoctial asymmetry is clearly observed at all solar activity levels whereas the midday winter anomaly is observed only during high solar activity years and disappears during the temporary dip in solar activity in 2013 but forenoon winter anomaly can be observed even at moderate solar activity. The NmF2/hmF2 variations over Dibrugarh are compared with that of Okinawa (26.5° N, 127° E, 17° N geomagnetic), and the eastward propagation speed of the wave number 4 longitudinal structure from 95° E to 127° E is estimated. The speed is found to be close to the theoretical speed of the wave number 4 (WN4) structure. The correlation of daily NmF2 over Dibrugarh and Okinawa with solar activity exhibits diurnal and seasonal variations. The highest correlation in daytime is observed during the forenoon hours in equinox. The correlation of daily NmF2 (linear or non-linear) with solar activity exhibits diurnal variation. A tendency for amplification with solar activity is observed in the forenoon and late evening period of March equinox and the postsunset period of December solstice. NmF2 saturation effect is observed only in the midday period of equinox. Non-linear variation of neutral composition at higher altitudes and variation of recombination rates with solar activity via temperature dependence may be related to the non-linear trend. The noon time maximum NmF2 over Dibrugarh exhibits better correlation with equatorial electrojet (EEJ) than with solar activity and, therefore, new low-latitude NmF2 index is proposed taking both solar

The influence of winding direction of two-layer HTS DC cable on the critical current

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vyatkin, V. S.; Kashiwagi, K.; Ivanov, Y. V.; Otabe, E. S.; Yamaguchi, S.

2017-09-01

The design of twist pitch and direction of winding in multilayer HTS coaxial cable is important. For HTS AC transmitting cables, the main condition of twist pitch is the balance of inductances of each layer for providing the current balance between layers. In this work, the finite element method analysis for the coaxial cables with both same and opposite directions winding is used to calculate magnetic field distribution, and critical current of the cable is estimated. It was found that the critical current of the cable with same direction winding is about 10 percent higher than that in the case of the cable with the opposite direction winding.

Effect of the chamber wall on fluorocarbon-assisted atomic layer etching of SiO{sub 2} using cyclic Ar/C{sub 4}F{sub 8} plasma

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kawakami, Masatoshi; Metzler, Dominik; Oehrlein, Gottlieb S., E-mail: oehrlein@umd.edu

2016-07-15

The authors studied the effect of the temperature and chemical state of the chamber wall on process performance for atomic layer etching of SiO{sub 2} using a steady-state Ar plasma, periodic injection of a defined number of C{sub 4}F{sub 8} molecules, and synchronized plasma-based Ar{sup +} ion bombardment. To evaluate these effects, the authors measured the quartz coupling window temperature. The plasma gas phase chemistry was characterized using optical emission spectroscopy. It was found that although the thickness of the polymer film deposited in each cycle is constant, the etching behavior changed, which is likely related to a change inmore » the plasma gas phase chemistry. The authors found that the main gas phase changes occur after C{sub 4}F{sub 8} injection. The C{sub 4}F{sub 8} and the quartz window react and generate SiF and CO. The emission intensity changes with wall surface state and temperature. Therefore, changes in the plasma gas species generation can lead to a shift in etching performance during processing. During initial cycles, minimal etching is observed, while etching gradually increases with cycle number.« less

Vacuum ultraviolet thin films. I - Optical constants of BaF2, CaF2, LaF3, MgF2, Al2O3, HfO2, and SiO2 thin films. II - Vacuum ultraviolet all-dielectric narrowband filters

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zukic, Muamer; Torr, Douglas G.; Spann, James F.; Torr, Marsha R.

1990-01-01

An iteration process matching calculated and measured reflectance and transmittance values in the 120-230 nm VUV region is presently used to ascertain the optical constants of bulk MgF2, as well as films of BaF2, CaF2, LaF3, MgF2, Al2O3, HfO2, and SiO2 deposited on MgF2 substrates. In the second part of this work, a design concept is demonstrated for two filters, employing rapidly changing extinction coefficients, centered at 135 nm for BaF2 and 141 nm for SiO2. These filters are shown to yield excellent narrowband spectral performance in combination with narrowband reflection filters.

Presurgical language fMRI: Mapping of six critical regions

PubMed Central

Walshaw, Patricia D.; Hale, Kayleigh; Gaillard, William D.; Baxter, Leslie C.; Berl, Madison M.; Polczynska, Monika; Noble, Stephanie; Alkawadri, Rafeed; Hirsch, Lawrence J.; Constable, R. Todd; Bookheimer, Susan Y.

2017-01-01

Abstract Language mapping is a key goal in neurosurgical planning. fMRI mapping typically proceeds with a focus on Broca's and Wernicke's areas, although multiple other language‐critical areas are now well‐known. We evaluated whether clinicians could use a novel approach, including clinician‐driven individualized thresholding, to reliably identify six language regions, including Broca's Area, Wernicke's Area (inferior, superior), Exner's Area, Supplementary Speech Area, Angular Gyrus, and Basal Temporal Language Area. We studied 22 epilepsy and tumor patients who received Wada and fMRI (age 36.4[12.5]; Wada language left/right/mixed in 18/3/1). fMRI tasks (two × three tasks) were analyzed by two clinical neuropsychologists who flexibly thresholded and combined these to identify the six regions. The resulting maps were compared to fixed threshold maps. Clinicians generated maps that overlapped significantly, and were highly consistent, when at least one task came from the same set. Cases diverged when clinicians prioritized different language regions or addressed noise differently. Language laterality closely mirrored Wada data (85% accuracy). Activation consistent with all six language regions was consistently identified. In blind review, three external, independent clinicians rated the individualized fMRI language maps as superior to fixed threshold maps; identified the majority of regions significantly more frequently; and judged language laterality to mirror Wada lateralization more often. These data provide initial validation of a novel, clinician‐based approach to localizing language cortex. They also demonstrate clinical fMRI is superior when analyzed by an experienced clinician and that when fMRI data is of low quality judgments of laterality are unreliable and should be withheld. Hum Brain Mapp 38:4239–4255, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. PMID:28544168

Thermodynamic assessment of the LiF-NaF-BeF2-ThF4-UF4 system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Capelli, E.; Beneš, O.; Konings, R. J. M.

2014-06-01

The present study describes the full thermodynamic assessment of the LiF-NaF-BeF2-ThF4-UF4 system which is one of the key systems considered for a molten salt reactor fuel. The work is an extension of the previously assessed LiF-NaF-ThF4-UF4 system with addition of BeF2 which is characterized by very low neutron capture cross section and a relatively low melting point. To extend the database the binary BeF2-ThF4 and BeF2-UF4 systems were optimized and the novel data were used for the thermodynamic assessment of BeF2 containing ternary systems for which experimental data exist in the literature. The obtained database is used to optimize the molten salt reactor fuel composition and to assess its properties with the emphasis on the melting behaviour.

Critical behavior of quasi-two-dimensional semiconducting ferromagnet Cr 2 Ge 2 Te 6

DOE PAGES

Liu, Yu; Petrovic, C.

2017-08-03

Some critical properties of the single-crystalline semiconducting ferromagnet Cr 2 Ge 2 Te 6 were investigated by bulk dc magnetization around the paramagnetic to ferromagnetic phase transition. Critical exponents β = 0.200 ± 0.003 with a critical temperature T c = 62.65 ± 0.07 K and γ = 1.28 ± 0.03 with T c = 62.75 ± 0.06 K are obtained by the Kouvel-Fisher method whereas δ = 7.96 ± 0.01 is obtained by a critical isotherm analysis at T c = 62.7 K. These critical exponents obey the Widom scaling relation δ = 1 + γ / β ,more » indicating self-consistency of the obtained values. Furthermore, with these critical exponents the isotherm M ( H ) curves below and above the critical temperatures collapse into two independent universal branches, obeying the single scaling equation m = f ± ( h ) , where m and h are renormalized magnetization and field, respectively. The determined exponents match well with those calculated from the results of the renormalization group approach for a two-dimensional Ising system coupled with a long-range interaction between spins decaying as J ( r ) ≈ r - ( d + σ ) with σ = 1.52 .« less

The Relationship between Ionospheric Slab Thickness and the Peak Density Height, hmF2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meehan, J.; Sojka, J. J.

2017-12-01

The electron density profile is one of the most critical elements in the ionospheric modeling-related applications today. Ionosphere parameters, hmF2, the height of the peak density layer, and slab thickness, the ratio of the total electron content, TEC, to the peak density value, NmF2, are generally obtained from any global sounding observation network and are easily incorporated into models, theoretical or empirical, as numerical representations. Slab thickness is a convenient one-parameter summary of the electron density profile and can relate a variety of elements of interest that effect the overall electron profile shape, such as the neutral and ionospheric temperatures and gradients, the ionospheric composition, and dynamics. Using ISR data from the 2002 Millstone Hill ISR data campaign, we found, for the first time, slab thickness to be correlated to hmF2. For this, we introduce a new ionospheric index, k, which ultimately relates electron density parameters and can be a very useful tool for describing the topside ionosphere shape. Our study is an initial one location, one season, 30-day study, and future work is needed to verify the robustness of our claim. Generally, the ionospheric profile shape, requires knowledge of several ionospheric parameters: electron, ion and neutral temperatures, ion composition, electric fields, and neutral winds, and is dependent upon seasons, local time, location, and the level of solar and geomagnetic activity; however, with this new index, only readily-available, ionospheric density information is needed. Such information, as used in this study, is obtained from a bottomside electron density profile provided by an ionosonde, and TEC data provided by a local, collocated GPS receiver.

M2-F2 cockpit instrument panels

NASA Image and Video Library

1966-03-27

This photo shows the right side cockpit instrumentation panel of the M2-F2 Lifting Body. The success of Dryden's M2-F1 program led to NASA's development and construction of two heavyweight lifting bodies based on studies at NASA's Ames and Langley research centers -- the M2-F2 and the HL-10, both built by the Northrop Corporation. The "M" refers to "manned" and "F" refers to "flight" version. "HL" comes from "horizontal landing" and 10 is for the tenth lifting body model to be investigated by Langley. The first flight of the M2-F2 -- which looked much like the "F1" -- was on July 12, 1966. Milt Thompson was the pilot. By then, the same B-52 used to air launch the famed X-15 rocket research aircraft was modified to also carry the lifting bodies. Thompson was dropped from the B-52's wing pylon mount at an altitude of 45,000 feet on that maiden glide flight. The M2-F2 weighed 4,620 pounds, was 22 feet long, and had a width of about 10 feet. On May 10, 1967, during the sixteenth glide flight leading up to powered flight, a landing accident severely damaged the vehicle and seriously injured the NASA pilot, Bruce Peterson. NASA pilots and researchers realized the M2-F2 had lateral control problems, even though it had a stability augmentation control system. When the M2-F2 was rebuilt at Dryden and redesignated the M2-F3, it was modified with an additional third vertical fin -- centered between the tip fins -- to improve control characteristics. The M2-F2/F3 was the first of the heavy-weight, entry-configuration lifting bodies. Its successful development as a research test vehicle answered many of the generic questions about these vehicles. NASA donated the M2-F3 vehicle to the Smithsonian Institute in December 1973. It is currently hanging in the Air and Space Museum along with the X-15 aircraft number 1, which was its hangar partner at Dryden from 1965 to 1969.

M2-F2 cockpit instrument panels

NASA Image and Video Library

1966-03-27

This photo shows the left side cockpit instrumentation panel of the M2-F2 Lifting Body. The success of Dryden's M2-F1 program led to NASA's development and construction of two heavyweight lifting bodies based on studies at NASA's Ames and Langley research centers -- the M2-F2 and the HL-10, both built by the Northrop Corporation. The "M" refers to "manned" and "F" refers to "flight" version. "HL" comes from "horizontal landing" and 10 is for the tenth lifting body model to be investigated by Langley. The first flight of the M2-F2 -- which looked much like the "F1" -- was on July 12, 1966. Milt Thompson was the pilot. By then, the same B-52 used to air launch the famed X-15 rocket research aircraft was modified to also carry the lifting bodies. Thompson was dropped from the B-52's wing pylon mount at an altitude of 45,000 feet on that maiden glide flight. The M2-F2 weighed 4,620 pounds, was 22 feet long, and had a width of about 10 feet. On May 10, 1967, during the sixteenth glide flight leading up to powered flight, a landing accident severely damaged the vehicle and seriously injured the NASA pilot, Bruce Peterson. NASA pilots and researchers realized the M2-F2 had lateral control problems, even though it had a stability augmentation control system. When the M2-F2 was rebuilt at Dryden and redesignated the M2-F3, it was modified with an additional third vertical fin -- centered between the tip fins -- to improve control characteristics. The M2-F2/F3 was the first of the heavy-weight, entry-configuration lifting bodies. Its successful development as a research test vehicle answered many of the generic questions about these vehicles. NASA donated the M2-F3 vehicle to the Smithsonian Institute in December 1973. It is currently hanging in the Air and Space Museum along with the X-15 aircraft number 1, which was its hangar partner at Dryden from 1965 to 1969.

Tunable phase transition in single-layer TiSe2 via electric field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Lei; Zhuang, Houlong L.

2018-06-01

Phase transition represents an intriguing physical phenomenon that exists in a number of single-layer transition-metal dichalcogenides. This phenomenon often occurs below a critical temperature and breaks the long-range crystalline order leading to a reconstructed superstructure called the charge-density wave (CDW) structure, which can therefore be recovered by external stimuli such as temperature. Alternatively, we show here that another external stimulation, electric field can also result in the phase transition between the regular and CDW structures of a single-layer transition-metal dichalcogenide. We used single-layer TiSe2 as an example to elucidate the mechanism of the CDW followed by calculations of the electronic structure using a hybrid density functional. We found that applying electric field can tune the phase transition between the 1T and CDW phases of single-layer TiSe2. Our work opens up a route of tuning the phase transition of single-layer materials via electric field.

Tropical Cyclogenesis in a Tropical Wave Critical Layer: Easterly Waves

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dunkerton, T. J.; Montgomery, M. T.; Wang, Z.

2009-01-01

The development of tropical depressions within tropical waves over the Atlantic and eastern Pacific is usually preceded by a "surface low along the wave" as if to suggest a hybrid wave-vortex structure in which flow streamlines not only undulate with the waves, but form a closed circulation in the lower troposphere surrounding the low. This structure, equatorward of the easterly jet axis, is identified herein as the familiar critical layer of waves in shear flow, a flow configuration which arguably provides the simplest conceptual framework for tropical cyclogenesis resulting from tropical waves, their interaction with the mean flow, and with diabatic processes associated with deep moist convection. The recirculating Kelvin cat's eye within the critical layer represents a sweet spot for tropical cyclogenesis in which a proto-vortex may form and grow within its parent wave. A common location for storm development is given by the intersection of the wave's critical latitude and trough axis at the center of the cat's eye, with analyzed vorticity centroid nearby. The wave and vortex live together for a time, and initially propagate at approximately the same speed. In most cases this coupled propagation continues for a few days after a tropical depression is identified. For easterly waves, as the name suggests, the propagation is westward. It is shown that in order to visualize optimally the associated Lagrangian motions, one should view the flow streamlines, or stream function, in a frame of reference translating horizontally with the phase propagation of the parent wave. In this co-moving frame, streamlines are approximately equivalent to particle trajectories. The closed circulation is quasi-stationary, and a dividing streamline separates air within the cat's eye from air outside.

Word Criticality Analysis. MOS: 05C. Skill Levels 1 & 2.

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-09-01

selected by subject matter/job experts knowledgeable in their NOS. The vocabulary set used as the basis for critical word analysis was the Vord...reports completed last (i.e., dated Jan-Mar 82). 3. Word Criticality Index: The following 5 point rating scale was used by a team of up to 3 subject...r- V, w-. U =* IV - .0~~~~~9 IN’ N .1 0 0f 4rlfC f U’.*.ffi" 9.~ ~ ’ r. L . VN 0, m 4’ f’l M 0 (.f, rnV 0.i3 C.. ~,’ efl CG if r 0.9-p C an SIN W’i I

Ellipsometric porosimetry on pore-controlled TiO2 layers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rosu, Dana-Maria; Ortel, Erik; Hodoroaba, Vasile-Dan; Kraehnert, Ralph; Hertwig, Andreas

2017-11-01

The practical performance of surface coatings in applications like catalysis, water splitting or batteries depends critically on the coating materials' porosity. Determining the porosity in a fast and non-destructive way is still an unsolved problem for industrial thin-films technology. As a contribution to calibrated, non-destructive, optical layer characterisation, we present a multi-method comparison study on porous TiO2 films deposited by sol-gel synthesis on Si wafers. The ellipsometric data were collected on a range of samples with different TiO2 layer thickness and different porosity values. These samples were produced by templated sol-gel synthesis resulting in layers with a well-defined pore size and pore density. The ellipsometry measurement data were analysed by means of a Bruggeman effective medium approximation (BEMA), with the aim to determine the mixture ratio of void and matrix material by a multi-sample analysis strategy. This analysis yielded porosities and layer thicknesses for all samples as well as the dielectric function for the matrix material. Following the idea of multi-method techniques in metrology, the data was referenced to imaging by electron microscopy (SEM) and to a new EPMA (electron probe microanalysis) porosity approach for thin film analysis. This work might lead to a better metrological understanding of optical porosimetry and also to better-qualified characterisation methods for nano-porous layer systems.

Layer Control of WSe2 via Selective Surface Layer Oxidation.

PubMed

Li, Zhen; Yang, Sisi; Dhall, Rohan; Kosmowska, Ewa; Shi, Haotian; Chatzakis, Ioannis; Cronin, Stephen B

2016-07-26

We report Raman and photoluminescence spectra of mono- and few-layer WSe2 and MoSe2 taken before and after exposure to a remote oxygen plasma. For bilayer and trilayer WSe2, we observe an increase in the photoluminescence intensity and a blue shift of the photoluminescence peak positions after oxygen plasma treatment. The photoluminescence spectra of trilayer WSe2 exhibit features of a bilayer after oxygen plasma treatment. Bilayer WSe2 exhibits features of a monolayer, and the photoluminescence of monolayer WSe2 is completely absent after the oxygen plasma treatment. These changes are observed consistently in more than 20 flakes. The mechanism of the changes observed in the photoluminescence spectra of WSe2 is due to the selective oxidation of the topmost layer. As a result, N-layer WSe2 is reduced to N-1 layers. Raman spectra and AFM images taken from the WSe2 flakes before and after the oxygen treatment corroborate these findings. Because of the low kinetic energy of the oxygen radicals in the remote oxygen plasma, the oxidation is self-limiting. By varying the process duration from 1 to 10 min, we confirmed that the oxidation will only affect the topmost layer of the WSe2 flakes. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy shows that the surface layer WOx of the sample can be removed by a quick dip in KOH solution. Therefore, this technique provides a promising way of controlling the thickness of WSe2 layer by layer.

F-16XL ship #1 - CAWAP boundary layer rakes and hot film on left wing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1996-01-01

This photo shows the boundary layer hot film and the boundary layer rakes on the left wing of NASA's single-seat F-16XL (ship #1) used for the Cranked-Arrow Wing Aerodynamic Project (CAWAP) at Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, California. The modified airplane features a delta 'cranked-arrow' wing with strips of tubing along the leading edge to the trailing edge to sense static on the wing and obtain pressure distribution data. The right wing receives data on pressure distribution and the left wing has three types of instrumentation - preston tubes to measure local skin friction, boundary layer rakes to measure boundary layer profiles (the layer where the air interacts with the surfaces of a moving aircraft), and hot films to determine boundary layer transition locations. The first flight of CAWAP occurred on November 21, 1995, and the test program ended in April 1996.

Thermodynamics in the vicinity of a relativistic quantum critical point in 2+1 dimensions.

PubMed

Rançon, A; Kodio, O; Dupuis, N; Lecheminant, P

2013-07-01

We study the thermodynamics of the relativistic quantum O(N) model in two space dimensions. In the vicinity of the zero-temperature quantum critical point (QCP), the pressure can be written in the scaling form P(T)=P(0)+N(T(3)/c(2))F(N)(Δ/T), where c is the velocity of the excitations at the QCP and |Δ| a characteristic zero-temperature energy scale. Using both a large-N approach to leading order and the nonperturbative renormalization group, we compute the universal scaling function F(N). For small values of N (NF(N)(x) is nonmonotonic in the quantum critical regime (|x|/~1) regimes, but fails to describe the nonmonotonic behavior of F(N) in the quantum critical regime. We discuss the renormalization-group flows in the various regimes near the QCP and make the connection with the quantum nonlinear sigma model in the renormalized classical regime. We compute the Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless transition temperature in the quantum O(2) model and find that in the vicinity of the QCP the universal ratio T(BKT)/ρ(s)(0) is very close to π/2, implying that the stiffness ρ(s)(T(BKT)(-)) at the transition is only slightly reduced with respect to the zero-temperature stiffness ρ(s)(0). Finally, we briefly discuss the experimental determination of the universal function F(2) from the pressure of a Bose gas in an optical lattice near the superfluid-Mott-insulator transition.

Q ‑ Φ criticality and microstructure of charged AdS black holes in f(R) gravity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deng, Gao-Ming; Huang, Yong-Chang

2017-12-01

The phase transition and critical behaviors of charged AdS black holes in f(R) gravity with a conformally invariant Maxwell (CIM) source and constant curvature are further investigated. As a highlight, this research is carried out by employing new state parameters (T,Q, Φ) and contributes to deeper understanding of the thermodynamics and phase structure of black holes. Our analyses manifest that the charged f(R)-CIM AdS black hole undergoes a first-order small-large black hole phase transition, and the critical behaviors qualitatively behave like a Van der Waals liquid-vapor system. However, differing from the case in Einstein’s gravity, phase structures of the black holes in f(R) theory exhibit an interesting dependence on gravity modification parameters. Moreover, we adopt the thermodynamic geometry to probe the black hole microscopic properties. The results show that, on the one hand, both the Ruppeiner curvature and heat capacity diverge exactly at the critical point, on the other hand, the f(R)-CIM AdS black hole possesses the property as ideal Fermi gases. Of special interest, we discover a microscopic similarity between the black holes and a Van der Waals liquid-vapor system.

Stitching h-BN by atomic layer deposition of LiF as a stable interface for lithium metal anode

PubMed Central

Xie, Jin; Liao, Lei; Gong, Yongji; Li, Yanbin; Shi, Feifei; Pei, Allen; Sun, Jie; Zhang, Rufan; Kong, Biao; Subbaraman, Ram; Christensen, Jake; Cui, Yi

2017-01-01

Defects are important features in two-dimensional (2D) materials that have a strong influence on their chemical and physical properties. Through the enhanced chemical reactivity at defect sites (point defects, line defects, etc.), one can selectively functionalize 2D materials via chemical reactions and thereby tune their physical properties. We demonstrate the selective atomic layer deposition of LiF on defect sites of h-BN prepared by chemical vapor deposition. The LiF deposits primarily on the line and point defects of h-BN, thereby creating seams that hold the h-BN crystallites together. The chemically and mechanically stable hybrid LiF/h-BN film successfully suppresses lithium dendrite formation during both the initial electrochemical deposition onto a copper foil and the subsequent cycling. The protected lithium electrodes exhibit good cycling behavior with more than 300 cycles at relatively high coulombic efficiency (>95%) in an additive-free carbonate electrolyte. PMID:29202031

Stitching h-BN by atomic layer deposition of LiF as a stable interface for lithium metal anode

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Xie, Jin; Liao, Lei; Gong, Yongji

Defects are important features in two-dimensional (2D) materials that have a strong influence on their chemical and physical properties. Through the enhanced chemical reactivity at defect sites (point defects, line defects, etc.), one can selectively functionalize 2D materials via chemical reactions and thereby tune their physical properties. We demonstrate the selective atomic layer deposition of LiF on defect sites of h-BN prepared by chemical vapor deposition. The LiF deposits primarily on the line and point defects of h-BN, thereby creating seams that hold the h-BN crystallites together. The chemically and mechanically stable hybrid LiF/h-BN film successfully suppresses lithium dendrite formationmore » during both the initial electrochemical deposition onto a copper foil and the subsequent cycling. In conclusion, the protected lithium electrodes exhibit good cycling behavior with more than 300 cycles at relatively high coulombic efficiency (>95%) in an additive-free carbonate electrolyte.« less

Stitching h-BN by atomic layer deposition of LiF as a stable interface for lithium metal anode

DOE PAGES

Xie, Jin; Liao, Lei; Gong, Yongji; ...

2017-11-29

Defects are important features in two-dimensional (2D) materials that have a strong influence on their chemical and physical properties. Through the enhanced chemical reactivity at defect sites (point defects, line defects, etc.), one can selectively functionalize 2D materials via chemical reactions and thereby tune their physical properties. We demonstrate the selective atomic layer deposition of LiF on defect sites of h-BN prepared by chemical vapor deposition. The LiF deposits primarily on the line and point defects of h-BN, thereby creating seams that hold the h-BN crystallites together. The chemically and mechanically stable hybrid LiF/h-BN film successfully suppresses lithium dendrite formationmore » during both the initial electrochemical deposition onto a copper foil and the subsequent cycling. In conclusion, the protected lithium electrodes exhibit good cycling behavior with more than 300 cycles at relatively high coulombic efficiency (>95%) in an additive-free carbonate electrolyte.« less

Mechanical Properties of Layered La2Zr2O7 Thermal Barrier Coatings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guo, Xingye; Li, Li; Park, Hyeon-Myeong; Knapp, James; Jung, Yeon-Gil; Zhang, Jing

2018-04-01

Lanthanum zirconate (La2Zr2O7) has been proposed as a promising thermal barrier coating (TBC) material due to its low thermal conductivity and high stability at high temperatures. In this work, both single and double-ceramic-layer (DCL) TBC systems of La2Zr2O7 and 8 wt.% yttria-stabilized zirconia (8YSZ) were prepared using air plasma spray (APS) technique. The thermomechanical properties and microstructure were investigated. Thermal gradient mechanical fatigue (TGMF) tests were applied to investigate the thermal cycling performance. The results showed that DCL La2Zr2O7 + 8YSZ TBC samples lasted fewer cycles compared with single-layered 8YSZ TBC samples in TGMF tests. This is because DCL La2Zr2O7 TBC samples had higher residual stress during the thermal cycling process, and their fracture toughness was lower than that of 8YSZ. Bond strength test results showed that 8YSZ TBC samples had higher bond strength compared with La2Zr2O7. The erosion rate of La2Zr2O7 TBC samples was higher than that of 8YSZ samples, due to the lower critical erodent velocity and fracture toughness of La2Zr2O7. DCL porous 8YSZ + La2Zr2O7 had a lower erosion rate than other SCL and DCL La2Zr2O7 coatings, suggesting that porous 8YSZ serves as a stress-relief buffer layer.

Optimization of MgF2-deposition temperature for far UV Al mirrors.

PubMed

De Marcos, Luis V Rodríguez; Larruquert, Juan I; Méndez, José A; Gutiérrez-Luna, Nuria; Espinosa-Yáñez, Lucía; Honrado-Benítez, Carlos; Chavero-Royán, José; Perea-Abarca, Belén

2018-04-02

Progress towards far UV (FUV) coatings with enhanced reflectance is invaluable for future space missions, such as LUVOIR. This research starts with the procedure developed to enhance MgF 2 -protected Al reflectance through depositing MgF 2 on a heated aluminized substrate [Quijada et al., Proc. SPIE 8450, 84502H (2012)] and it establishes the optimum deposition temperature of the MgF 2 protective film for Al mirrors with a reflectance as high as ~90% at 121.6 nm. Al films were deposited at room temperature and protected with a MgF 2 film deposited at various temperatures ranging from room temperature to 350°C. It has been found that mirror reflectance in the short FUV range continuously increases with MgF 2 deposition temperature up to 250°C, whereas reflectance decreases at temperatures of 300°C and up. The short-FUV reflectance of mirrors deposited at 250°C only slightly decreased over time by less than 1%, compared to a larger decay for standard coatings prepared at room temperature. Al mirrors protected with MgF 2 deposited at room temperature that were later annealed displayed a similar reflectance enhancement that mirrors protected at high temperatures. MgF 2 and Al roughness as well as MgF 2 density were analyzed by x-ray grazing incidence reflectometry. A noticeable reduction in both Al and MgF 2 roughness, as well as an increase of MgF 2 density, were measured for films deposited at high temperatures. On the other hand, it was found a strong correlation between the protective-layer deposition temperature (or post-deposition annealing temperature) and the pinhole open area in Al films, which could be prevented with a somewhat thicker Al film.

Targeting the eIF4F translation initiation complex: a critical nexus for cancer development.

PubMed

Pelletier, Jerry; Graff, Jeremy; Ruggero, Davide; Sonenberg, Nahum

2015-01-15

Elevated protein synthesis is an important feature of many cancer cells and often arises as a consequence of increased signaling flux channeled to eukaryotic initiation factor 4F (eIF4F), the key regulator of the mRNA-ribosome recruitment phase of translation initiation. In many cellular and preclinical models of cancer, eIF4F deregulation results in changes in translational efficiency of specific mRNA classes. Importantly, many of these mRNAs code for proteins that potently regulate critical cellular processes, such as cell growth and proliferation, enhanced cell survival and cell migration that ultimately impinge on several hallmarks of cancer, including increased angiogenesis, deregulated growth control, enhanced cellular survival, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, invasion, and metastasis. By being positioned as the molecular nexus downstream of key oncogenic signaling pathways (e.g., Ras, PI3K/AKT/TOR, and MYC), eIF4F serves as a direct link between important steps in cancer development and translation initiation. Identification of mRNAs particularly responsive to elevated eIF4F activity that typifies tumorigenesis underscores the critical role of eIF4F in cancer and raises the exciting possibility of developing new-in-class small molecules targeting translation initiation as antineoplastic agents. ©2014 American Association for Cancer Research.

NiF2/NaF:CaF2/Ca Solid-State High-Temperature Battery Cells

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

West, William; Whitacre, Jay; DelCastillo, Linda

2009-01-01

Experiments and theoretical study have demonstrated the promise of all-solid-state, high-temperature electrochemical battery cells based on NiF2 as the active cathode material, CaF2 doped with NaF as the electrolyte material, and Ca as the active anode material. These and other all-solid-state cells have been investigated in a continuing effort to develop batteries for instruments that must operate in environments much hotter than can be withstood by ordinary commercially available batteries. Batteries of this type are needed for exploration of Venus (where the mean surface temperature is about 450 C), and could be used on Earth for such applications as measuring physical and chemical conditions in geothermal wells and oil wells. All-solid-state high-temperature power cells are sought as alternatives to other high-temperature power cells based, variously, on molten anodes and cathodes or molten eutectic salt electrolytes. Among the all-solid-state predecessors of the present NiF2/NaF:CaF2/Ca cells are those described in "Solid-State High-Temperature Power Cells" (NPO-44396), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 32, No. 5 (May 2008), page 40. In those cells, the active cathode material is FeS2, the electrolyte material is a crystalline solid solution of equimolar amounts of Li3PO4 and LiSiO4, and the active anode material is Li contained within an alloy that remains solid in the intended high operational temperature range.

Bmal1 is a direct transcriptional target of the orphan nuclear receptor, NR2F1

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Orphan nuclear receptor NR2F1 (also known as COUP-TFI, Chicken Ovalbumin Upstream Promoter Transcription Factor I) is a highly conserved member of the nuclear receptor superfamily. NR2F1 plays a critical role during embryonic development, particularly in the central and peripheral nervous systems a...

Low-frequency electronic noise in single-layer MoS2 transistors.

PubMed

Sangwan, Vinod K; Arnold, Heather N; Jariwala, Deep; Marks, Tobin J; Lauhon, Lincoln J; Hersam, Mark C

2013-09-11

Ubiquitous low-frequency 1/f noise can be a limiting factor in the performance and application of nanoscale devices. Here, we quantitatively investigate low-frequency electronic noise in single-layer transition metal dichalcogenide MoS2 field-effect transistors. The measured 1/f noise can be explained by an empirical formulation of mobility fluctuations with the Hooge parameter ranging between 0.005 and 2.0 in vacuum (<10(-5) Torr). The field-effect mobility decreased, and the noise amplitude increased by an order of magnitude in ambient conditions, revealing the significant influence of atmospheric adsorbates on charge transport. In addition, single Lorentzian generation-recombination noise was observed to increase by an order of magnitude as the devices were cooled from 300 to 6.5 K.

Epitaxial growth of YBa2Cu3O7 - delta films on oxidized silicon with yttria- and zirconia-based buffer layers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pechen, E. V.; Schoenberger, R.; Brunner, B.; Ritzinger, S.; Renk, K. F.; Sidorov, M. V.; Oktyabrsky, S. R.

1993-09-01

A study of epitaxial growth of YBa2Cu3O7-δ films on oxidized Si with yttria- and zirconia-based buffer layers is reported. Using substrates with either SiO2 free or naturally oxidized (100) surfaces of Si it was found that a thin SiO2 layer on top of the Si favors high-quality superconducting film formation. Compared to yttria-stabilized ZrO2 (YSZ) single layers, YSZY2O3 double and YSZ/Y2O3YSZ triple layers allows the deposition of thin YBa2Cu3O7-δ films with improved properties including reduced aging effects. In epitaxial YBa2Cu3O7-δ films grown on the double buffer layers a critical temperature Tc(R=0)=89.5 K and critical current densities of 3.5×106 A/cm2 at 77 K and 1×107 A/cm2 at 66 K were reached.

Y{sub 2}O{sub 3}:Yb/Er nanotubes: Layer-by-layer assembly on carbon-nanotube templates and their upconversion luminescence properties

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Huang, Weishi; Shen, Jianfeng; Wan, Lei

2012-11-15

Graphical abstract: Well-shaped Y{sub 2}O{sub 3}:Yb/Er nanotubes have been successfully synthesized on a large scale via layer-by-layer assembly on carbon nanotubes templates followed by a subsequent heat treatment process. The as-prepared Y{sub 2}O{sub 3}:Yb/Er nanotubes show a strong red emission corresponding to the {sup 4}F{sub 9/2}–{sup 4}I{sub 15/2} transition of the Er{sup 3+} ions under excitation at 980 nm. Display Omitted Highlights: ► Well-shaped Y{sub 2}O{sub 3}:Yb/Er nanotubes have been successfully synthesized. ► CNTs were used as templates for Y{sub 2}O{sub 3}:Yb/Er nanotubes. ► LBL assembly and calcination were used for preparation of Y{sub 2}O{sub 3}:Yb/Er nanotubes. ► The as-preparedmore » Y{sub 2}O{sub 3}:Yb/Er nanotubes show a strong red emission. -- Abstract: Well-shaped Y{sub 2}O{sub 3}:Yb/Er nanotubes have been successfully synthesized on a large scale via layer-by-layer (LBL) assembly on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) templates followed by a subsequent heat treatment process. The crystal structure, element analysis, morphology and upconversion luminescence properties were characterized. XRD results demonstrate that the diffraction peaks of the samples calcinated at 800 °C or above can be indexed to the pure cubic phase of Y{sub 2}O{sub 3}. SEM images indicate that a large quantity of uniform and rough nanotubes with diameters of about 30–60 nm can be observed. The as-prepared Y{sub 2}O{sub 3}:Yb/Er nanotubes show a strong red emission corresponding to the {sup 4}F{sub 9/2}–{sup 4}I{sub 15/2} transition of the Er{sup 3+} ions under excitation at 980 nm, which have potential applications in such fields as nanoscale devices, molecular catalysts, nanobiotechnology, photonics and optoelectronics.« less

FlaF is a β-sandwich protein that anchors the archaellum in the archaeal cell envelope by binding the S-layer protein

DOE PAGES

Banerjee, Ankan; Tsai, Chi -Lin; Chaudhury, Paushali; ...

2015-05-01

Archaea employ the archaellum, a type IV pilus-like nanomachine, for swimming motility. In the crenarchaeon Sulfolobus acidocaldarius, the archaellum consists of seven proteins: FlaB/X/G/F/H/I/J. FlaF is conserved and essential for archaellum assembly but no FlaF structures exist. Here, we truncated the FlaF N terminus and solved 1.5-Å and 1.65-Å resolution crystal structures of this monotopic membrane protein. Structures revealed an N-terminal α-helix and an eight-strand β-sandwich, immunoglobulin-like fold with striking similarity to S-layer proteins. Crystal structures, X-ray scattering, and mutational analyses suggest dimer assembly is needed for in vivo function. The sole cell envelope component of S. acidocaldarius is amore » paracrystalline S-layer, and FlaF specifically bound to S-layer protein, suggesting that its interaction domain is located in the pseudoperiplasm with its N-terminal helix in the membrane. From these data, FlaF may act as the previously unknown archaellum stator protein that anchors the rotating archaellum to the archaeal cell envelope.« less

F-16XL ship #1 - CAWAP boundary layer rakes and hot film on left wing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1996-01-01

This photo shows the boundary layer hot film and the boundary layer rakes on the left wing of NASA's single-seat F-16XL (ship #1) used for the Cranked-Arrow Wing Aerodynamic Project (CAWAP) at Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, California. The modified airplane features a delta 'cranked-arrow' wing with strips of tubing along the leading edge to the trailing edge to sense static on the wing and obtain pressure distribution data. The right wing receives data on pressure distribution and the left wing has three types of instrumentation - preston tubes to measure local skin friction, boundary layer rakes to measure boundary layer profiles (the layer where the air interacts with the surfaces of a moving aircraft), and hot films to determine boundary layer transition locations. The program also gathered aero data on two wing planforms for NASA's High Speed Research Program. The first flight of CAWAP occurred on November 21, 1995, and the test program ended in April 1996.

Critical analysis of active methods of ozone layer recovery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bekker, S. Z.; Doronin, A. P.; Kozlov, S. I.

2017-09-01

A critical analysis is given for various methods for recovery of the ozone layer of the Earth: the emission of alkane gases, the destruction of freons by laser IR radiation and with microwave discharge, exposure to laser UV radiation and electric discharge in the atmosphere, the use of solar radiation, laser infrared radiation, and gamma rays, and the creation of an artificial formation at high altitudes that shields the solar radiation dissociating ozone. The optimal methods are discussed in terms of their effectiveness, economic costs, and environmental consequences. These include the use of gamma rays sources, electric discharge in the atmosphere, and microwave breakdown.

Neutron detection devices with 6LiF converter layers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Finocchiaro, Paolo; Cosentino, Luigi; Meo, Sergio Lo; Nolte, Ralf; Radeck, Desiree

2018-01-01

The demand for new thermal neutron detectors as an alternative to 3He tubes in research, industrial, safety and homeland security applications, is growing. These needs have triggered research and development activities about new generations of thermal neutron detectors, characterized by reasonable efficiency and gamma rejection comparable to 3He tubes. In this paper we show the state of art of a promising lowcost technique, based on commercial solid state silicon detectors coupled with thin neutron converter layers of 6LiF deposited onto carbon fiber substrates. Several configurations were studied with the GEANT4 simulation code, and then calibrated at the PTB Thermal Neutron Calibration Facility. The results show that the measured detection efficiency is well reproduced by the simulations, therefore validating the simulation tool in view of new designs. These neutron detectors have also been tested at neutron beam facilities like ISIS (Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, UK) and n_TOF (CERN) where a few samples are already in operation for beam flux and 2D profile measurements. Forthcoming applications are foreseen for the online monitoring of spent nuclear fuel casks in interim storage sites.

Role of ultrathin metal fluoride layer in organic photovoltaic cells: mechanism of efficiency and lifetime enhancement.

PubMed

Lim, Kyung-Geun; Choi, Mi-Ri; Kim, Ji-Hoon; Kim, Dong Hun; Jung, Gwan Ho; Park, Yongsup; Lee, Jong-Lam; Lee, Tae-Woo

2014-04-01

Although rapid progress has been made recently in bulk heterojunction organic solar cells, systematic studies on an ultrathin interfacial layer at the electron extraction contact have not been conducted in detail, which is important to improve both the device efficiency and the lifetime. We find that an ultrathin BaF2 layer at the electron extraction contact strongly influences the open-circuit voltage (Voc ) as the nanomorphology evolves with increasing BaF2 thickness. A vacuum-deposited ultrathin BaF2 layer grows by island growth, so BaF2 layers with a nominal thickness less than that of single-coverage layer (≈3 nm) partially cover the polymeric photoactive layer. As the nominal thickness of the BaF2 layer increased to that of a single-coverage layer, the Voc and power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the organic photovoltaic cells (OPVs) increased but the short-circuit current remained almost constant. The fill factor and the PCE decreased abruptly as the thickness of the BaF2 layer exceeded that of a single-coverage layer, which was ascribed to the insulating nature of BaF2 . We find the major cause of the increased Voc observed in these devices is the lowered work function of the cathode caused by the reaction and release of Ba from thin BaF2 films upon deposition of Al. The OPV device with the BaF2 layer showed a slightly improved maximum PCE (4.0 %) and a greatly (approximately nine times) increased device half-life under continuous simulated solar irradiation at 100 mW cm(-2) as compared with the OPV without an interfacial layer (PCE=2.1 %). We found that the photodegradation of the photoactive layer was not a major cause of the OPV degradation. The hugely improved lifetime with cathode interface modification suggests a significant role of the cathode interfacial layer that can help to prolong device lifetimes. © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

E2F1 transcription is induced by genotoxic stress through ATM/ATR activation.

PubMed

Carcagno, Abel L; Ogara, María F; Sonzogni, Silvina V; Marazita, Mariela C; Sirkin, Pablo F; Ceruti, Julieta M; Cánepa, Eduardo T

2009-05-01

E2F1, a member of the E2F family of transcription factors, plays a critical role in controlling both cell cycle progression and apoptotic cell death in response to DNA damage and oncogene activation. Following genotoxic stresses, E2F1 protein is stabilized by phosphorylation and acetylation driven to its accumulation. The aim of the present work was to examine whether the increase in E2F1 protein levels observed after DNA damage is only a reflection of an increase in E2F1 protein stability or is also the consequence of enhanced transcription of the E2F1 gene. The data presented here demonstrates that UV light and other genotoxics induce the transcription of E2F1 gene in an ATM/ATR dependent manner, which results in increasing E2F1 mRNA and protein levels. After genotoxic stress, transcription of cyclin E, an E2F1 target gene, was significantly induced. This induction was the result of two well-differentiated effects, one of them dependent on de novo protein synthesis and the other on the protein stabilization. Our results strongly support a transcriptional effect of DNA damaging agents on E2F1 expression. The results presented herein uncover a new mechanism involving E2F1 in response to genotoxic stress.

Fluoride ion donor properties of cis-OsO(2)F(4): synthesis, raman spectroscopic study, and X-ray crystal structure of [OsO(2)F(3)][Sb(2)F(11)].

PubMed

Hughes, Michael J; Mercier, Hélène P A; Schrobilgen, Gary J

2010-01-04

The salt, [OsO(2)F(3)][Sb(2)F(11)], has been synthesized by dissolution of cis-OsO(2)F(4) in liquid SbF(5), followed by removal of excess SbF(5) at 0 degrees C to yield orange, crystalline [OsO(2)F(3)][Sb(2)F(11)]. The X-ray crystal structure (-173 degrees C) consists of an OsO(2)F(3)(+) cation fluorine bridged to an Sb(2)F(11)(-) anion. The light atoms of OsO(2)F(3)(+) and the bridging fluorine atom form a distorted octahedron around osmium in which the osmium atom is displaced from its center toward an oxygen atom and away from the trans-fluorine bridge atom. As in other transition metal dioxofluorides, the oxygen ligands are cis to one another and the fluorine bridge atom is trans to an oxygen ligand and cis to the remaining oxygen ligand. The Raman spectrum (-150 degrees C) of solid [OsO(2)F(3)][Sb(2)F(11)] was assigned on the basis of the ion pair observed in the low-temperature crystal structure. Under dynamic vacuum, [OsO(2)F(3)][Sb(2)F(11)] loses SbF(5), yielding the known [mu-F(OsO(2)F(3))(2)][Sb(2)F(11)] salt with no evidence for [OsO(2)F(3)][SbF(6)] formation. Attempts to synthesize [OsO(2)F(3)][SbF(6)] by the reaction of [OsO(2)F(3)][Sb(2)F(11)] with an equimolar amount of cis-OsO(2)F(4) or by a 1:1 stoichiometric reaction of cis-OsO(2)F(4) with SbF(5) in anhydrous HF yielded only [mu-F(OsO(2)F(3))(2)][Sb(2)F(11)]. Quantum-chemical calculations at the SVWN and B3LYP levels of theory and natural bond orbital analyses were used to calculate the gas-phase geometries, vibrational frequencies, natural population analysis charges, bond orders, and valencies of OsO(2)F(3)(+), [OsO(2)F(3)][Sb(2)F(11)], [OsO(2)F(3)][SbF(6)], and Sb(2)F(11)(-). The relative thermochemical stabilities of [OsO(2)F(3)][SbF(6)], [OsO(2)F(3)][Sb(2)F(11)], [OsO(2)F(3)][AsF(6)], [mu-F(OsO(2)F(3))(2)][SbF(6)], [mu-F(OsO(2)F(3))(2)][Sb(2)F(11)], and [mu-F(OsO(2)F(3))(2)][AsF(6)] were assessed using the appropriate Born-Haber cycles to account for the preference for [mu-F(OsO(2)F(3))(2

Divalent europium doped CaF 2 and BaF 2 nanocrystals from ionic liquids

DOE PAGES

Anghel, Sergiu; Golbert, Sebastian; Meijerink, Andries; ...

2016-10-11

A new, facile and quick synthesis method for Eu 2+ doped the alkaline earth fluorides was developed using ionic liquids as solvent, precursor and capping agent. Reductive atmosphere and very high temperatures were avoided, while still attaining the desired structure, small particle sizes and divalent oxidation state of the lanthanide. Here, this opens the door for the development of new Ln 2+ doped nanomaterials. Here, the successful Eu 2+ incorporation was proven by optical spectroscopic measurements which showed the spin and parity allowed f-d transitions of Eu 2+ in CaF 2:Eu 2+/BaF 2:Eu 2+. 4f 7-4f 7 transitions could bemore » observed at low temperatures (7 K).« less

Optical properties of Ni2+ and radiation defects in MgF sub 2 and MnF sub 2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feuerhelm, L. N.

1980-03-01

The radiation defects in pure MgF2 were made by observating the polarized absorption, luminescence, and excitation spectra in electron-irradiated MgF2. Additionally, studies of the absorption, emission, excitation, and temperature dependence of the lifetimes of transitions in nickel-doped MgF2 and MnF2 were accomplished, as well as the observation of radiation effects on these crystals. The absorption band at about 320 nm in irradiated MgF2 is identified to be due to the F2(D2b) center, and to have an emission at about 450 nm. Analysis of the temperature dependence of this band indicates a dominant phonon mode of 255 cm(-1) for the excited state. The F2(C1) center is identified with an absorption of about 360 nm and an emission of 410 nm. An absorption peak at 300 nm, for which no corresponding emission was found, is tentatively identified to be the F3-center, and to have a dominant phonon mode of 255 cm(-1). The temperature dependence of the lifetimes of transitions in nickel-doped MgF2 is analyzed by the quantum mechanical single configuration coordinate model of Struck and Fonger, and a complete configuration coordinate model is made for this crystal. Similar studies are made in MnF2:Ni.

Depth-resolved photo- and ionoluminescence of LiF and Al2O3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Skuratov, V. A.; Kirilkin, N. S.; Kovalev, Yu. S.; Strukova, T. S.; Havanscak, K.

2012-09-01

Microluminescence and laser confocal scanning microscopy techniques have been used to study spatial distribution of F-type color centers in LiF and mechanical stress profiles in Al2O3:Cr single crystals irradiated with 1.2 MeV/amu Ar, Kr, Xe and 3 MeV/amu Kr and Bi ions. It was found that F2 and F3+-center profiles at low ion fluences correlate with ionizing energy loss profiles. With increasing ion fluence, after ion track halo overlapping, the luminescence yield is defined by radiation defects formed in elastic collisions in the end-of-range area. Stress profiles and stress tensor components in ruby crystals across swift heavy ion irradiated layers have been deduced from depth-resolved photo-stimulated spectra using piezospectroscopic effect. Experimental data show that that stresses are compressive in basal plane and tensile in perpendicular direction in all samples irradiated with high energy ions.

Experimental results from the VENUS-F critical reference state for the GUINEVERE accelerator driven system project

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Uyttenhove, W.; Baeten, P.; Ban, G.

The GUINEVERE (Generation of Uninterrupted Intense Neutron pulses at the lead Venus Reactor) project was launched in 2006 within the framework of FP6 EUROTRANS in order to validate on-line reactivity monitoring and subcriticality level determination in Accelerator Driven Systems. Therefore the VENUS reactor at SCK.CEN in Mol (Belgium) was modified towards a fast core (VENUS-F) and coupled to the GENEPI-3C accelerator built by CNRS The accelerator can operate in both continuous and pulsed mode. The VENUS-F core is loaded with enriched Uranium and reflected with solid lead. A well-chosen critical reference state is indispensable for the validation of the on-linemore » subcriticality monitoring methodology. Moreover a benchmarking tool is required for nuclear data research and code validation. In this paper the design and the importance of the critical reference state for the GUINEVERE project are motivated. The results of the first experimental phase on the critical core are presented. The control rods worth is determined by the rod drop technique and the application of the Modified Source Multiplication (MSM) method allows the determination of the worth of the safety rods. The results are implemented in the VENUS-F core certificate for full exploitation of the critical core. (authors)« less

Experimental results from the VENUS-F critical reference state for the GUINEVERE accelerator driven system project

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Uyttenhove, W.; Baeten, P.; Kochetkov, A.

The GUINEVERE (Generation of Uninterrupted Intense Neutron pulses at the lead Venus Reactor) project was launched in 2006 within the framework of FP6 EUROTRANS in order to validate online reactivity monitoring and subcriticality level determination in accelerator driven systems (ADS). Therefore, the VENUS reactor at SCK.CEN in Mol, Belgium, was modified towards a fast core (VENUS-F) and coupled to the GENEPI-3C accelerator built by CNRS. The accelerator can operate in both continuous and pulsed mode. The VENUS-F core is loaded with enriched Uranium and reflected with solid lead. A well-chosen critical reference state is indispensable for the validation of themore » online subcriticality monitoring methodology. Moreover, a benchmarking tool is required for nuclear data research and code validation. In this paper, the design and the importance of the critical reference state for the GUINEVERE project are motivated. The results of the first experimental phase on the critical core are presented. The control rods worth is determined by the positive period method and the application of the Modified Source Multiplication (MSM) method allows the determination of the worth of the safety rods. The results are implemented in the VENUS-F core certificate for full exploitation of the critical core. (authors)« less

A Theoretical Study of the Outer Layers of Eight Kepler F-stars: The Relevance of Ionization Processes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brito, Ana; Lopes, Ilídio

2017-07-01

We have analyzed the theoretical model envelopes of eight Kepler F-stars by computing the phase shift of the acoustic waves, α (ω ), and its related function, β (ω ). The latter is shown to be a powerful probe of the external stellar layers since it is particularly sensitive to the partial ionization zones located in these upper layers. We found that these theoretical envelopes can be organized into two groups, each of which is characterized by a distinct β (ω ) shape that we show to reflect the differences related to the magnitudes of ionization processes. Since β (ω ) can also be determined from the experimental frequencies, we compared our theoretical results with the observable β (ω ). Using the function β (ω ), and with the purpose of quantifying the magnitude of the ionization processes occurring in the outer layers of these stars, we define two indexes, {{Δ }}{β }1 and {{Δ }}{β }2. These indexes allow us to connect the microphysics of the interior of the star with macroscopic observable characteristics. Motivated by the distinct magnetic activity behaviors of F-stars, we studied the relation between the star’s rotation period and these indexes. We found a trend, in the form of a power-law dependence, that favors the idea that ionization is acting as an underlying mechanism, which is crucial for understanding the relation between rotation and magnetism and even observational features such as the Kraft break.

Highly Efficient Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells with CdSe QDs/LiF Electron Transporting Layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tan, Furui; Xu, Weizhe; Hu, Xiaodong; Yu, Ping; Zhang, Weifeng

2017-12-01

Organic/inorganic hybrid perovskite solar cell has emerged as a very promising candidate for the next generation of near-commercial photovoltaic devices. Here in this work, we focus on the inverted perovskite solar cells and have found that remarkable photovoltaic performance could be obtained when using cadmium selenide (CdSe) quantum dots (QDs) as electron transporting layer (ETL) and lithium fluoride (LiF) as the buffer, with respect to the traditionally applied and high-cost [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM). The easily processed and low-cost CdSe QDs/LiF double layer could facilitate convenient electron-transfer and collection at the perovskite/cathode interface, promoting an optoelectric conversion efficiency of as high as 15.1%, very close to that with the traditional PCBM ETL. Our work provides another promising choice on the ETL materials for the highly efficient and low-cost perovskite solar cells.

Limits on the critical length of damage in weak snowpack layers from en-echelon slab fracture spacing observed during avalanche release

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gauthier, D.; Hutchinson, D. J.

2012-04-01

We present simple estimates of the maximum possible critical length of damage or fracture in a weak snowpack layer required to maintain the propagation that leads to avalanche release, based on observations of 'en-echelon' slab fractures during avalanche release. These slab fractures may be preserved in situ if the slab does not slide down slope. The en-echelon fractures are spaced evenly, normally with one every one to ten metres or more. We consider a simple two-dimensional model of a slab and weak layer, with upslope fracture propagating the weak layer, and examine the relationship between the weak layer and en-echelon slab fractures. We assume that the slab fracture occurs in tension, and initiates at either the base or surface of the slab in the area of peak tensile stress at the tip of the weak layer fracture. We also assume that if at the time the slab is completely bisected by fracture the propagation in the weak layer will arrest spontaneously if it has not advanced beyond the critical length. In this scenario, en-echelon slab fractures may only form when the weak layer fracture repeatedly exceeds the critical length; otherwise, there could be only a single slab fracture. We estimate the position of the weak layer fracture at the time of slab bisection using the slab thickness and ratio between the fracture speeds in the weak layer and slab. We show that in the simple model en-echelon fractures only form if the slab thickness multiplied by the velocity ratio is greater than the critical length. Of course, the critical length must also be less than the en-echelon spacing. It follows that the first relationship must be valid independent of the occurrence of en-echelon fractures, although the speed ratio may be process-dependent and difficult to estimate. We use this method to calculate maximum critical lengths for propagation in actual avalanches with and without en echelon fractures, and discuss the implications for comparing competing propagation models

Description and crystal structure of albrechtschraufite, MgCa4F2[UO2(CO3)3]2ṡ17-18H2O

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mereiter, Kurt

2013-04-01

Albrechtschraufite, MgCa4F2[UO2(CO3)3]2ṡ17-18H2O, triclinic, space group Pī, a = 13.569(2), b = 13.419(2), c = 11.622(2) Å, α = 115.82(1), β = 107.61(1), γ = 92.84(1)° (structural unit cell, not reduced), V = 1774.6(5) Å3, Z = 2, D c = 2.69 g/cm3 (for 17.5 H2O), is a mineral that was found in small amounts with schröckingerite, NaCa3F[UO2(CO3)3](SO4)ṡ10H2O, on a museum specimen of uranium ore from Joachimsthal (Jáchymov), Czech Republic. The mineral forms small grain-like subhedral crystals (≤ 0.2 mm) that resemble in appearance liebigite, Ca2[UO2(CO3)3]ṡ ~ 11H2O. Colour pale yellow-green, luster vitreous, transparent, pale bluish green fluorescence under ultraviolet light. Optical data: Biaxial negative, nX = 1.511(2), nY = 1.550(2), nZ = 1.566(2), 2 V = 65(1)° ( λ = 589 nm), r < v weak. After qualitative tests had shown the presence of Ca, U, Mg, CO2 and H2O, the chemical formula was determined by a crystal structure analysis based on X-ray four-circle diffractometer data. The structure was later on refined with data from a CCD diffractometer to R1 = 0.0206 and wR2 = 0.0429 for 9,236 independent observed reflections. The crystal structure contains two independent [UO2(CO3)3]4- anions of which one is bonded to two Mg and six Ca while the second is bonded to only one Mg and three Ca. Magnesium forms a MgF2(Ocarbonate)3(H2O) octahedron that is linked via the F atoms with three Ca atoms so as to provide each F atom with a flat pyramidal coordination by one Mg and two Ca. Calcium is 7- and 8-coordinate forming CaFO6, CaF2O2(H2O)4, CaFO3(H2O)4 and CaO2(H2O)6 coordination polyhedra. The crystal structure is built up from MgCa3F2[UO2(CO3)3]ṡ8H2O layers parallel to (001) which are linked by Ca[UO2(CO3)3]ṡ5H2O moieties into a framework of the composition MgCa4F2[UO2(CO3)3]ṡ13H2O. Five additional water molecules are located in voids of the framework and show large displacement parameters. One of the water positions is partly vacant, leading to a

Strain and Structure Heterogeneity in MoS2 Atomic Layers Grown by Chemical Vapour Deposition

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-11-18

substrate and material. To better explain the experimental results and estimate the strain transferred to MoS2 layer under such tensile tests, a 3D... ACS Nano 7, 7126 7131 (2013). 29. He, K., Poole, C., Mak, K. F. & Shan, J. Experimental demonstration of continuous electronic structure tuning via...transition as it is thinned down from multi layer to monolayer, producing a significant enhancement of photoluminescence (PL) quantum yield as a result of the

Anti-adhesive characteristics of CHF{sub 3}/O{sub 2} and C{sub 4}F{sub 8}/O{sub 2} plasma-modified silicon molds for nanoimprint lithography

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lee, Jaemin; Lee, Junmyung; Lee, Hyun Woo

The anti-adhesive characteristics of a plasma-modified silicon mold surface for nanoimprint lithography are presented. Both CHF{sub 3}/O{sub 2} and C{sub 4}F{sub 8}/O{sub 2} plasma were used to form an anti-adhesive layer on silicon mold surfaces. The gas mixing ratios of CHF{sub 3}/O{sub 2} and C{sub 4}F{sub 8}/O{sub 2} were experimentally changed between 0% and 80% to optimize the plasma conditions to obtain a low surface energy of the silicon mold. The plasma characteristics were examined by optical emission spectroscopy (OES). In order to investigate the changes in surface energy and surface chemistry of the anti-adhesive layer during repeated demolding cycles,more » contact angle measurements and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were performed on the plasma-modified silicon mold surface. Simultaneously, the surface morphology of the demolded resists was evaluated by field-emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) in order to examine the effect of the anti-adhesive layers on the duplicated patterns of the resists. It was observed that the anti-adhesive layer formed by CHF{sub 3}/O{sub 2} plasma treatment was worn out more easily during repeated demolding cycles than the film formed by C{sub 4}F{sub 8}/O{sub 2} plasma treatment, because CHF{sub 3}/O{sub 2} gas plasma formed a thinner plasma-polymerized film over the same plasma treatment time.« less

Difluorophosphoryl nitrene F2P(O)N: matrix isolation and unexpected rearrangement to F2PNO.

PubMed

Zeng, Xiaoqing; Beckers, Helmut; Willner, Helge; Neuhaus, Patrik; Grote, Dirk; Sander, Wolfram

2009-12-14

Triplet difluorophosphoryl nitrene F(2)P(O)N (X(3)A'') was generated on ArF excimer laser irradiation (lambda=193 nm) of F(2)P(O)N(3) in solid argon matrix at 16 K, and characterized by its matrix IR, UV/Vis, and EPR spectra, in combination with DFT and CBS-QB3 calculations. On visible light irradiation (lambda>420 nm) at 16 K F(2)P(O)N reacts with molecular nitrogen and some of the azide is regenerated. UV irradiation (lambda=255 nm) of F(2)P(O)N (X(3)A'') induced a Curtius-type rearrangement, but instead of a 1,3-fluorine shift, nitrogen migration to give F(2)PON is proposed to be the first step of the photoisomerization of F(2)P(O)N into F(2)PNO (difluoronitrosophosphine). Formation of novel F(2)PNO was confirmed with (15)N- and (18)O-enriched isotopomers by IR spectroscopy and DFT calculations. Theoretical calculations predict a rather long P-N bond of 1.922 A [B3LYP/6-311+G(3df)] and low bond-dissociation energy of 76.3 kJ mol(-1) (CBS-QB3) for F(2)PNO.

E2F1 and E2F2 induction in response to DNA damage preserves genomic stability in neuronal cells.

PubMed

Castillo, Daniela S; Campalans, Anna; Belluscio, Laura M; Carcagno, Abel L; Radicella, J Pablo; Cánepa, Eduardo T; Pregi, Nicolás

2015-01-01

E2F transcription factors regulate a wide range of biological processes, including the cellular response to DNA damage. In the present study, we examined whether E2F family members are transcriptionally induced following treatment with several genotoxic agents, and have a role on the cell DNA damage response. We show a novel mechanism, conserved among diverse species, in which E2F1 and E2F2, the latter specifically in neuronal cells, are transcriptionally induced after DNA damage. This upregulation leads to increased E2F1 and E2F2 protein levels as a consequence of de novo protein synthesis. Ectopic expression of these E2Fs in neuronal cells reduces the level of DNA damage following genotoxic treatment, while ablation of E2F1 and E2F2 leads to the accumulation of DNA lesions and increased apoptotic response. Cell viability and DNA repair capability in response to DNA damage induction are also reduced by the E2F1 and E2F2 deficiencies. Finally, E2F1 and E2F2 accumulate at sites of oxidative and UV-induced DNA damage, and interact with γH2AX DNA repair factor. As previously reported for E2F1, E2F2 promotes Rad51 foci formation, interacts with GCN5 acetyltransferase and induces histone acetylation following genotoxic insult. The results presented here unveil a new mechanism involving E2F1 and E2F2 in the maintenance of genomic stability in response to DNA damage in neuronal cells.

E2F1 and E2F2 induction in response to DNA damage preserves genomic stability in neuronal cells

PubMed Central

Castillo, Daniela S; Campalans, Anna; Belluscio, Laura M; Carcagno, Abel L; Radicella, J Pablo; Cánepa, Eduardo T; Pregi, Nicolás

2015-01-01

E2F transcription factors regulate a wide range of biological processes, including the cellular response to DNA damage. In the present study, we examined whether E2F family members are transcriptionally induced following treatment with several genotoxic agents, and have a role on the cell DNA damage response. We show a novel mechanism, conserved among diverse species, in which E2F1 and E2F2, the latter specifically in neuronal cells, are transcriptionally induced after DNA damage. This upregulation leads to increased E2F1 and E2F2 protein levels as a consequence of de novo protein synthesis. Ectopic expression of these E2Fs in neuronal cells reduces the level of DNA damage following genotoxic treatment, while ablation of E2F1 and E2F2 leads to the accumulation of DNA lesions and increased apoptotic response. Cell viability and DNA repair capability in response to DNA damage induction are also reduced by the E2F1 and E2F2 deficiencies. Finally, E2F1 and E2F2 accumulate at sites of oxidative and UV-induced DNA damage, and interact with γH2AX DNA repair factor. As previously reported for E2F1, E2F2 promotes Rad51 foci formation, interacts with GCN5 acetyltransferase and induces histone acetylation following genotoxic insult. The results presented here unveil a new mechanism involving E2F1 and E2F2 in the maintenance of genomic stability in response to DNA damage in neuronal cells. PMID:25892555

Room-temperature sensitivity to NO2 exposure of electrochemically-deposited nanostructured ZnO layers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lovchinov, K.; Petrov, M.; Ganchev, M.; Georgieva, V.; Nichev, H.; Georgieva, B.; Dimova-Malinovska, D.

2014-05-01

This paper reports studies on the sensitivity of ZnO layers to NO2 exposure. ZnO layers were fabricated by electrochemical deposition on the surface of a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) with Au electrodes. The sensitivity was estimated using the frequency-time characteristics of the QCM. For this purpose, the resonance frequency shift was measured. The sorption process was investigated in a NO2 gas flow. The change in the resonance frequency, f of the QCM as a function of the loaded mass of NO2 was followed for a NO2 concentration of 500 ppm. Under gas exposure, the frequency decreased and reached saturation in five min. A frequency shift of 38 Hz was measured and a mass loading of 8.39 ng was calculated. The resonance frequency showed a very good recovery within two minutes after the NO2 flow was switched off. The results demonstrate that the electrodeposited nanostructured ZnO layers have a potential for application as NO2 gas sensors.

Interrogating the superconductor Ca10(Pt4As8)(Fe2-xPtxAs2)5 Layer-by-layer.

PubMed

Kim, Jisun; Nam, Hyoungdo; Li, Guorong; Karki, A B; Wang, Zhen; Zhu, Yimei; Shih, Chih-Kang; Zhang, Jiandi; Jin, Rongying; Plummer, E W

2016-10-14

Ever since the discovery of high-T c superconductivity in layered cuprates, the roles that individual layers play have been debated, due to difficulty in layer-by-layer characterization. While there is similar challenge in many Fe-based layered superconductors, the newly-discovered Ca 10 (Pt 4 As 8 )(Fe 2 As 2 ) 5 provides opportunities to explore superconductivity layer by layer, because it contains both superconducting building blocks (Fe 2 As 2 layers) and intermediate Pt 4 As 8 layers. Cleaving a single crystal under ultra-high vacuum results in multiple terminations: an ordered Pt 4 As 8 layer, two reconstructed Ca layers on the top of a Pt 4 As 8 layer, and disordered Ca layer on the top of Fe 2 As 2 layer. The electronic properties of individual layers are studied using scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy (STM/S), which reveals different spectra for each surface. Remarkably superconducting coherence peaks are seen only on the ordered Ca/Pt 4 As 8 layer. Our results indicate that an ordered structure with proper charge balance is required in order to preserve superconductivity.

FirefOx Design Reference fO2 Sensor for Hot, Deep Atmospheres

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Izenberg, N.; Papadakis, S.; Deglau, D.; Francomacaro, A. S.

2016-12-01

Understanding the composition of the lowest portion of Venus' atmosphere is critical to knowing the stable mineralogy of the rocks there. Oxygen gas is a critical trace component, with fugacity, or partial pressure, estimated in the range of 10-19 to 10-22 from early probe measurements down to 22km altitude (Pioneer Venus, Venera), chemical equilibrium measurements, and other modeling. "FirefOx" is a simple oxygen fugacity sensor with the express purpose of determining the partial pressure of oxygen in the lowest scale heights of the Venus atmosphere, and especially the lowest hundreds of meters; the surface atmosphere interface, where the atmosphere and surface move to thermodynamic equilibrium. Knowledge of the fO2 at the surface atmosphere interface is crucial to determining the stable mineralogy of surface materials (e.g. magnetite vs. hematite) and gas chemistry in the near-surface atmosphere FirefOx is a Metal/Metal Oxide oxygen fugacity sensor intended to be mounted on the outside of a Venus descent probe, with electronics housed inside a thermally controlled environment. The sole sensor capability is the precise, accurate detection of the partial pressure of oxygen gas (fO2) in the near-surface environment of Venus, at up to 95-bar pressure (predominantly CO2. Surface temperatures at mean planetary elevation are near 735 K, thus a required operational temperature range of 710-740 K covers a range of near-surface elevations. FirefOx system requirements are low ( 100-200 grams, mass, milliwatt power, several kilobytes total science data). A design reference sensor, composed of custom, Yittria-ZrO ceramic electrolyte, with an encapsulated Pd/PdO standard and patterned Pt electrodes has demonstrated scientifically useful signal-to-noise millivolt level potential at temperatures as low as 620 K, relatable to fO2 by a Nernst equation E = RT/4F ln(PO2/PrefO2) where E = open circuit potential across the sensor electrolyte, R = universal gas constant, T

REANALYSIS OF F-STATISTIC GRAVITATIONAL-WAVE SEARCHES WITH THE HIGHER CRITICISM STATISTIC

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bennett, M. F.; Melatos, A.; Delaigle, A.

2013-04-01

We propose a new method of gravitational-wave detection using a modified form of higher criticism, a statistical technique introduced by Donoho and Jin. Higher criticism is designed to detect a group of sparse, weak sources, none of which are strong enough to be reliably estimated or detected individually. We apply higher criticism as a second-pass method to synthetic F-statistic and C-statistic data for a monochromatic periodic source in a binary system and quantify the improvement relative to the first-pass methods. We find that higher criticism on C-statistic data is more sensitive by {approx}6% than the C-statistic alone under optimal conditionsmore » (i.e., binary orbit known exactly) and the relative advantage increases as the error in the orbital parameters increases. Higher criticism is robust even when the source is not monochromatic (e.g., phase-wandering in an accreting system). Applying higher criticism to a phase-wandering source over multiple time intervals gives a {approx}> 30% increase in detectability with few assumptions about the frequency evolution. By contrast, in all-sky searches for unknown periodic sources, which are dominated by the brightest source, second-pass higher criticism does not provide any benefits over a first-pass search.« less

Transparent 1T-MoS2 nanofilm robustly anchored on substrate by layer-by-layer self-assembly and its ultra-high cycling stability as supercapacitors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Danqin; Zhou, Weiqiang; Zhou, Qianjie; Ye, Guo; Wang, Tongzhou; Wu, Jing; Chang, Yanan; Xu, Jingkun

2017-09-01

Two-dimensional MoS2 materials have attracted more and more interest and been applied to the field of energy storage because of its unique physical, optical, electronic and electrochemical properties. However, there are no reports on high-stable transparent MoS2 nanofilms as supercapacitors electrode. Here, we describe a transparent 1T-MoS2 nanofilm electrode with super-long stability anchored on the indium tin oxide (ITO) glass by a simple alternate layer-by-layer (LBL) self-assembly of a highly charged cationic poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) and negative single-/few-layer 1T MoS2 nanosheets. The ITO/(PDDA/MoS2)20 electrode shows a transmittance of 51.6% at 550 nm and obviously exhibits excellent transparency by naked eye observation. Ultrasonic damage test validates that the (PDDA/MoS2)20 film with the average thickness about 50 nm is robustly anchored on ITO substrate. Additionally, the electrochemical results indicate that the ITO/(PDDA/MoS2)20 film shows areal capacitance of 1.1 mF cm-2 and volumetric capacitance of 220 F cm-3 at 0.04 mA cm-2, 130.6% retention of the original capacitance value after 5000 cycles. Further experiments indicate that the formation of transparent (PDDA/MoS2) x nanofilm by LBL self-assembly can be extended to other substrates, e.g., slide glass and flexible polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Thus, the easily available (PDDA/MoS2) x nanofilm electrode has great potential for application in transparent and/or flexible optoelectronic and electronics devices.

Variation of hmF2 and NmF2 deduced from DPS-4 over Multan (Pakistan) and their comparisons with IRI-2012 & IRI-2016 during the deep solar minimum between cycles 23 & 24

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ameen, Muhammad Ayyaz; Khursheed, Haqqa; Jabbar, Mehak Abdul; Ali, Muneeza Salman; Chishtie, Farrukh

2018-04-01

We report the results of ionospheric measurements from DPS-4 installed at Multan (Geog coord. 30.18°N, 71.48°E, dip 47.4°). The variations in F2-layer maximum electron density NmF2 and its peak height hmF2 are studied during the deep solar minimum between cycles 23 & 24 i.e 2008-2009 with comparisons conducted with the International Reference Ionosphere (IRI) versions 2012 & 2016. We find that the hmF2 observations peak around the pre-sunrise and sunrise hours depending on the month. Seasonally, the daytime variation of NmF2 is higher in the Equinox and Summer, while daytime hmF2 are slightly higher in the Equinox and Winter. High values of hmF2 around midnight are caused by an increase of upward drifts produced by meridional winds. The ionosphere over Multan, which lies at the verge of low and mid latitude, is affected by both E × B drifts and thermospheric winds as evident from mid-night peaks and near-sunrise dips in hmF2. The results of the comparison of the observed NmF2 and hmF2 for the year 2008-2009 with the IRI-2012 (both NmF2 and hmF2) and IRI-2016 (only hmF2) estimates indicate that for NmF2, IRI-2012 with Consultative Committee International Radio (CCIR) option produces values in better agreement with observed data. Whereas, for hmF2, IRI-2016 with both International Union of Radio Science (URSI) and CCIR SHU-2015 options, predicts well for nighttime hours throughout the year. However, the IRI-2012 with CCIR option produces better agreement with data during daytime hours. Furthermore, IRI-2012 with CCIR option gives better results during Equinox months, whereas, IRI-2016 with both URSI and CCIR SHU-2015 options predict well for Winter and Summer.

Thermal atomic layer etching of crystalline aluminum nitride using sequential, self-limiting hydrogen fluoride and Sn(acac){sub 2} reactions and enhancement by H{sub 2} and Ar plasmas

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Johnson, Nicholas R.; Sun, Huaxing; Sharma, Kashish

2016-09-15

Thermal atomic layer etching (ALE) of crystalline aluminum nitride (AlN) films was demonstrated using sequential, self-limiting reactions with hydrogen fluoride (HF) and tin(II) acetylacetonate [Sn(acac){sub 2}] as the reactants. Film thicknesses were monitored versus number of ALE reaction cycles at 275 °C using in situ spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE). A low etch rate of ∼0.07 Å/cycle was measured during etching of the first 40 Å of the film. This small etch rate corresponded with the AlO{sub x}N{sub y} layer on the AlN film. The etch rate then increased to ∼0.36 Å/cycle for the pure AlN films. In situ SE experiments established the HF and Sn(acac){submore » 2} exposures that were necessary for self-limiting surface reactions. In the proposed reaction mechanism for thermal AlN ALE, HF fluorinates the AlN film and produces an AlF{sub 3} layer on the surface. The metal precursor, Sn(acac){sub 2}, then accepts fluorine from the AlF{sub 3} layer and transfers an acac ligand to the AlF{sub 3} layer in a ligand-exchange reaction. The possible volatile etch products are SnF(acac) and either Al(acac){sub 3} or AlF(acac){sub 2}. Adding a H{sub 2} plasma exposure after each Sn(acac){sub 2} exposure dramatically increased the AlN etch rate from 0.36 to 1.96 Å/cycle. This enhanced etch rate is believed to result from the ability of the H{sub 2} plasma to remove acac surface species that may limit the AlN etch rate. The active agent from the H{sub 2} plasma is either hydrogen radicals or radiation. Adding an Ar plasma exposure after each Sn(acac){sub 2} exposure increased the AlN etch rate from 0.36 to 0.66 Å/cycle. This enhanced etch rate is attributed to either ions or radiation from the Ar plasma that may also lead to the desorption of acac surface species.« less

F-111 natural laminar flow glove flight test data analysis and boundary layer stability analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Runyan, L. J.; Navran, B. H.; Rozendaal, R. A.

1984-01-01

An analysis of 34 selected flight test data cases from a NASA flight program incorporating a natural laminar flow airfoil into partial wing gloves on the F-111 TACT airplane is given. This analysis determined the measured location of transition from laminar to turbulent flow. The report also contains the results of a boundary layer stability analysis of 25 of the selected cases in which the crossflow (C-F) and Tollmien-Schlichting (T-S) disturbance amplification factors are correlated with the measured transition location. The chord Reynolds numbers for these cases ranges from about 23 million to 29 million, the Mach numbers ranged from 0.80 to 0.85, and the glove leading-edge sweep angles ranged from 9 deg to 25 deg. Results indicate that the maximum extent of laminar flow varies from 56% chord to 9-deg sweep on the upper surface, and from 51% chord at 16-deg sweep to 6% chord at 25-deg sweep on the lower. The results of the boundary layer stability analysis indicate that when both C-F and T-S disturbances are amplified, an interaction takes place which reduces the maximum amplification factor of either type of disturbance that can be tolerated without causing transition.

Aspects of Supercritical Turbulence: Direct Numerical Simulation of O2/H2 and C7H16/N2 Temporal Mixing Layers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bellan, J.; Okongo, N. A.; Harstad, K. G.; Hutt, John (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

Results from Direct Numerical Simulations of temporal, supercritical mixing layers for two species systems are analyzed to elucidate species-specific turbulence aspects. The two species systems, O2/H2 and C7HG16/N2, have different thermodynamic characteristics; thus, although the simulations are performed at similar reduced pressure (ratio of the pressure to the critical pressure), the former system is dose to mixture ideality and has a relatively high solubility with respect to the latter, which exhibits strong departures from mixture ideality Due to the specified, smaller initial density stratification, the C7H16/N2 layers display higher growth and increased global molecular mixing as well as larger turbulence levels. However, smaller density gradients at the transitional state for the O2/H2 system indicate that on a local basis, the layer exhibits an enhanced mixing, this being attributed to the increased solubility and to mixture ideality. These thermodynamic features are shown to affect the irreversible entropy production (i.e. the dissipation), which is larger for the O2/H2 layer and is primarily concentrated in high density-gradient magnitude regions that are distortions of the initial density stratification boundary. In contrast, the regions of largest dissipation in the C7H16/N2 layer are located in high density-gradient magnitude regions resulting from the mixing of the two fluids.

Ultralow-Carbon Nanotube-Toughened Epoxy: The Critical Role of a Double-Layer Interface.

PubMed

Liu, Jingwei; Chen, Chao; Feng, Yuezhan; Liao, Yonggui; Ye, Yunsheng; Xie, Xiaolin; Mai, Yiu-Wing

2018-01-10

Understanding the chemistry and structure of interfaces within epoxy resins is important for studying the mechanical properties of nanofiller-filled nanocomposites as well as for developing high-performance polymer nanocomposites. Despite the intensive efforts to construct nanofiller/matrix interfaces, few studies have demonstrated an enhanced stress-transferring efficiency while avoiding unfavorable deformation due to undesirable interface fractures. Here, we report an optimized method to prepare epoxy-based nanocomposites whose interfaces are chemically modulated by poly(glycidyl methacrylate)-block-poly(hexyl methacrylate) (PGMA-b-PHMA)-functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (bc@fMWNTs) and also offer a fundamental explanation of crack growth behavior and the toughening mechanism of the resulting nanocomposites. The presence of block copolymers on the surface of the MWNT results in a promising double-layered interface, in which (1) the outer-layered PGMA segment provides good dispersion in and strong interface bonding with the epoxy matrix, which enhances load transfer efficiency and debonding stress, and (2) the interlayered rubbery PHMA segment around the MWNT provides the maximum removable space for nanotubes as well as triggering cavitation while promoting local plastic matrix deformation, for example, shear banding to dissipate fracture energy. An outstanding toughening effect is achieved with only a 0.05 wt % carbon nanotube loading with the bc@fMWNT, that is, needing only a 20-times lower loading to obtain improvements in fracture toughness comparable to epoxy-based nanocomposites. The enhancements of their corresponding ultimate mode-I fracture toughnesses and fracture energies are 4 times higher than those of pristine MWNT-filled epoxy. These results demonstrate that a MWNT/epoxy interface could be optimized by changing the component structure of grafted modifiers, thereby facilitating the transfer of both mechanical load and energy dissipation

Superconductivity in layered BiS 2-based compounds

DOE PAGES

Yazici, D.; Jeon, I.; White, B. D.; ...

2015-02-25

Here, a novel family of superconductors based on BiS 2-based superconducting layers were discovered in 2012. In short order, other BiS 2-based superconductors with the same or related crystal structures were discovered with superconducting critical temperatures T c of up to 10 K. Many experimental and theoretical studies have been carried out with the goal of establishing the basic properties of these new materials and understanding the underlying mechanism for superconductivity. In this selective review of the literature, we distill the central discoveries from this extensive body of work, and discuss the results from different types of experiments on thesemore » materials within the context of theoretical concepts and models.« less

ERBB2 Deficiency Alters an E2F-1-Dependent Adaptive Stress Response and Leads to Cardiac Dysfunction

PubMed Central

Perry, Marie-Claude; Dufour, Catherine R.; Eichner, Lillian J.; Tsang, David W. K.; Deblois, Geneviève; Muller, William J.

2014-01-01

The tyrosine kinase receptor ERBB2 is required for normal development of the heart and is a potent oncogene in breast epithelium. Trastuzumab, a monoclonal antibody targeting ERBB2, improves the survival of breast cancer patients, but cardiac dysfunction is a major side effect of the drug. The molecular mechanisms underlying how ERBB2 regulates cardiac function and why trastuzumab is cardiotoxic remain poorly understood. We show here that ERBB2 hypomorphic mice develop cardiac dysfunction that mimics the side effects observed in patients treated with trastuzumab. We demonstrate that this phenotype is related to the critical role played by ERBB2 in cardiac homeostasis and physiological hypertrophy. Importantly, genetic and therapeutic reduction of ERBB2 activity in mice, as well as ablation of ERBB2 signaling by trastuzumab or siRNAs in human cardiomyocytes, led to the identification of an impaired E2F-1-dependent genetic program critical for the cardiac adaptive stress response. These findings demonstrate the existence of a previously unknown mechanistic link between ERBB2 and E2F-1 transcriptional activity in heart physiology and trastuzumab-induced cardiac dysfunction. PMID:25246633

Air motions accompanying the development of a planetary wave critical layer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Salby, Murry L.; O'Sullivan, Donal; Callaghan, Patrick; Garcia, Rolando R.

1990-01-01

The horizontal air motions accompanying the development of a planetary wave critical layer are presently investigated on the sphere, in terms of wave amplitude, the characteristics of the zonal flow, and dissipation. While attention is given to adiabatic motions, which should furnish an upper bound on the redistribution of conserved quantities by eddy stirring, nonconservative processes may be important in determining how large a role eddy stirring actually plays in the redistribution of atmospheric constituents. Nonconservative processes may also influence tracer distributions by directly affecting dynamics.

Hard X-ray photoemission study of the Fabre salts (TMTTF)2X (X = SbF6 and PF6)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Medjanik, Katerina; de Souza, Mariano; Kutnyakhov, Dmytro; Gloskovskii, Andrei; Müller, Jens; Lang, Michael; Pouget, Jean-Paul; Foury-Leylekian, Pascale; Moradpour, Alec; Elmers, Hans-Joachim; Schönhense, Gerd

2014-11-01

Core-level photoemission spectra of the Fabre salts with X = SbF6 and PF6 were taken using hard X-rays from PETRA III, Hamburg. In these salts TMTTF layers show a significant stack dimerization with a charge transfer of 1 e per dimer to the anion SbF6 or PF6. At room temperature and slightly below the core-level spectra exhibit single lines, characteristic for a well-screened metallic state. At reduced temperatures progressive charge localization sets in, followed by a 2nd order phase transition into a charge-ordered ground state. In both salts groups of new core-level signals occur, shifted towards lower kinetic energies. This is indicative of a reduced transverse-conductivity across the anion layers, visible as layer-dependent charge depletion for both samples. The surface potential was traced via shifts of core-level signals of an adsorbate. A well-defined potential could be established by a conducting cap layer of 5 nm aluminum which appears "transparent" due to the large probing depth of HAXPES (8-10 nm). At the transition into the charge-ordered phase the fluorine 1 s line of (TMTTF)2SbF6 shifts by 2.8 eV to higher binding energy. This is a spectroscopic fingerprint of the loss of inversion symmetry accompanied by a cooperative shift of the SbF6 anions towards the more positively charged TMTTF donors. This shift does not occur for the X = PF6 compound, most likely due to smaller charge disproportion or due to the presence of charge disorder.

High performance planar p-i-n perovskite solar cells with crown-ether functionalized fullerene and LiF as double cathode buffer layers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Xiaodong; Lei, Ming; Zhou, Yi; Song, Bo; Li, Yongfang

2015-08-01

Double cathode buffer layers (CBLs) composed of fullerene derivative functionalized with a crown-ether end group in its side chain (denoted as PCBC) and a LiF layer were introduced between the PCBM acceptor layer and the top cathode in planar p-i-n perovskite solar cells (pero-SCs) based on CH3NH3PbI3-XClX. The devices with the PCBC/LiF double CBLs showed significant improvements in power conversion efficiency (PCE) and long-term stability when compared to the device with LiF single CBL. Through optimizing the spin-coating speed of PCBC, a maximum PCE of 15.53% has been achieved, which is approximately 15% higher than that of the device with single LiF CBL. The remarkable improvement in PCE can be attributed to the formation of a better ohmic contact in the CBL between PCBC and LiF/Al electrode arising from the dipole moment of PCBC, leading to the enhanced fill factor and short-circuit current density (Jsc). Besides the PCE, the long-term stability of the devices with PCBC interlayer is also superior to that of the device with LiF single CBL, which is due to the more effective protection for the perovskite/PCBM interface.