Effects of in situ plasma treatment on optical and electrical properties of index-matched transparent conducting oxide layer

We investigated the effects of in situ plasma-treatment on optical and electrical properties of index-matched indium tin oxide (IMITO) thin film. To render the IMITO-coated surface hydrophilic and study the optical and electrical characteristics, we performed in situ oxygen plasma post-treatment without breaking vacuum. The 94.6% transmittance in the visible wavelength range (400-700 nm) increased on average to 96.4% and the maximum transmittance reached 98% over a broad wavelength range. The surface roughness and sheet resistance improved from 0.9 nm and 200 Ω/sq to 0.0905 nm and 100 Ω/sq, respectively, by in situ plasma post-treatment. We confirmed by contact angle measurement that the hydrophobic IMITO surface was altered to hydrophilic. The improved optical and electrical characteristics of in situ plasma-treated IMITO makes it adequate for high-resolution liquid crystal on silicon displays.     

Measurement of branching fractions for B-->eta(c)K(*) decays

We report measurements of branching fractions for charged and neutral B-->eta(c)K decays where the eta(c) meson is reconstructed in the K(0)(S)K+/-pi(-/+), K+K-pi(0), K(*0)K-pi(+), and pp; decay channels. The neutral B0 channel is a CP eigenstate and can be used to measure the CP violation parameter sin(2phi(1). We also report the first observation of the B0-->eta(c)K(*0) mode. The results are based on an analysis of 29.1 fb(-1) of data collected by the Belle detector at KEKB.     

Elliptic flow of identified hadrons in Au+Au collisions at sqrt sNN =200 GeV

The anisotropy parameter (v(2)), the second harmonic of the azimuthal particle distribution, has been measured with the PHENIX detector in Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s(NN)]=200 GeV for identified and inclusive charged particle production at central rapidities (|eta|<0.35) with respect to the reaction plane defined at high rapidities (|eta|=3-4 ). We observe that the v(2) of mesons falls below that of (anti)baryons for p(T)>2 GeV/c, in marked contrast to the predictions of a hydrodynamical model. A quark-coalescence model is also investigated.     

Observation of time-dependent CP violation in B0 --> eta'K0 decays and improved measurements of CP asymmetries in B0 --> phiK0, KS0KS0KS0 and B0 --> J/psiK0 decays

We present improved measurements of CP-violation parameters in B(0) --> phiK(0), eta(')K(0), KS(0)KS(0)KS(0) decays based on a sample of 535 x 10(6) BB pairs collected at the Upsilon(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB energy-asymmetric e(+)e(-) collider. We obtain sin2phi1(eff)=+0.64+/-0.10(stat)+/-0.04(syst) for B(0) --> eta(')K(0), +0.50+/-0.21(stat)+/-0.06(syst) for B(0) --> phiK(0), and +0.30+/-0.32(stat)+/-0.08(syst) for B(0) --> KS(0)KS(0)KS(0) decays. We have observed CP violation in the B(0) --> eta(')K(0) decay with a significance of 5.6 standard deviations. We also perform an improved measurement of CP asymmetries in B(0) --> J/psiK(0) decays and obtain sin2phi1=+0.642+/-0.031(stat)+/-0.017(syst).     

Manipulation of light at the nanoscale for high-performance spectroscopic and optical applications

In this paper, we explore the use of nanostructures for a number of fascinating applications. These applications based on nanostructures include (1) optical sensors, (2) nanopixel printing, (3) improving the resolution of imaging techniques, and (4) lithography. In the sensing field, nanostructures are exploited for advanced sensor performance, namely, the label-free and enhanced sensitivity of (1) the surface plasmon resonance sensor and (2) the extraordinary optical transmission sensor and (3) the high sensitivity and selectivity of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy. In addition, research using nanostructures for visual applications was introduced for (1) harnessing nanostructures for full-color pixel printing and (2) exploiting metallic nanostructures to enhance the imaging resolution under diffraction limits based on the plasmonic effect. Finally, we introduce low cost, high accuracy, and fast lithographic methods based on the plasmonic effect by exploiting metallic nanostructures.     

Application of HPLC-Thermospray Flame AAS: Interaction Between Heavy Metals and Duckweed Chlorophyll

Thermospray nebulizer interfaced HPLC-Flame AAS was used to study the effect of heavy metals (Al, Cd, Cu, Hg and Zn) on the chlorophylls of duckweed. Flame AAS was used as a metal specific detector of HPLC. Study indicated that heavy metals promote the degradation of chlorophylls. No evidence of direct replacement of central magnesium with heavy metals was found.     

Synthesis of Graphene and Its Applications: A Review

Graphene, one-atom-thick planar sheet of carbon atoms densely packed in a honeycomb crystal lattice, has grabbed appreciable attention due to its exceptional electronic and optoelectronic properties. The reported properties and applications of this two-dimensional form of carbon structure have opened up new opportunities for the future devices and systems. Although graphene is known as one of the best electronic materials, synthesizing single sheet of graphene has been less explored. This review article aims to present an overview of the advancement of research in graphene, in the area of synthesis, properties and applications, such as field emission, sensors, electronics, and energy. Wherever applicable, the limitations of present knowledgebase and future research directions have also been highlighted.     

Observation of B(s)(0) → D(s)(*)+ D(s)(*)- using e+ e- collisions and a determination of the B(s)-B(s) width difference ΔΓ(s)

We have made the first observation of B(s)(0)→D(s)(*)+ D(s)(*)- decays using 23.6 fb(-1) of data recorded by the Belle experiment running on the Υ(5S) resonance. The branching fractions are measured to be B(B(s)(0)→D(s)+ D(s)-)=(1.03(-0.32-0.25)(+0.39+0.26))%, B(B(s)(0)→D(s)(*±) D(s)(?))=(2.75(-0.71)(+0.83)±0.69)%, and B(B(s)(0)→D(s)*+ D(s)*-)=(3.08(-1.04-0.86)(+1.22+0.85))%; the sum is B[B(s)(0)→D(s)(*)+ D(s)(*)-]=(6.85(-1.30-1.80)(+1.53+1.79))%. Assuming B(s)(0)→D(s)(*)+ D(s)(*)- saturates decays to CP-even final states, the branching fraction determines the ratio ΔΓ(s)/cosφ, where ΔΓ(s) is the difference in widths between the two B(s)-B(s) mass eigenstates, and φ is a CP-violating weak phase. Taking CP violation to be negligibly small, we obtain ΔΓ(s)/Γ(s)=0.147(-0.030)(+0.036)(stat)(-0.041)(+0.042)(syst), where Γ(s) is the mean decay width.     

甘油三酯催化转化为柴油、喷气燃料和润滑油基础油

将生物质转化为可持续燃料和化学品对于解决环境问题、减少碳排放、增强能源安全以及促进经济和社会发展至关重要.在众多生物质原料中,来自不同来源的甘油三酯,如植物油、动物脂肪和微藻油,因其低氧含量和脂肪酸单元中的高度石蜡骨架,与石油衍生烃的结构相似,而特别适合生产可持续的烃燃料和化学品.这意味着通过相对简单的催化转化过程,就能有效地将甘油三酯转化为烃类产物.本文概述了甘油三酯通过加氢过程转化为无氧燃料(如柴油和喷气燃料)以及润滑油基础油等高附加值产品的过程.此外,还根据反应机理讨论了所需催化剂的重要结构性质,以及甘油三酯的不同脂肪酸组成对催化转化过程的影响.     

噻吩基钌配合物与酵母RNA的相互作用研究

通过紫外-可见吸收光谱和荧光光谱滴定、稳态荧光猝灭以及盐效应实验研究了噻吩基钌配合物[Ru(bpy)2(Htip)]Cl2(1)、[Ru(Htip)2(dppz)]Cl2(2)、[Ru(Htip)3]Cl2(3)和[Ru2(bpy)4(H2bipt)]Cl4(4){bpy=2,2'-联吡啶;Htip=2-噻吩咪唑[4,5-f][1,10]邻菲咯啉;H2bipt=2,5-二(2-咪唑[4,5-f][1,10]邻菲咯啉)噻吩;dppz=二吡啶并[3,2-a:2',3'-c]吩嗪}与酵母RNA(yeast-RNA)的相互作用,并比较了该类配合物与yeast-RNA和小牛胸腺DNA(ct-DNA)的键合性质。结果表明,该类噻吩基钌配合物是较强的RNA嵌入试剂,其中配合物2和3的RNA键合强度大于其DNA键合强度;此系列配合物在低盐和高盐浓度时均能与RNA较强地结合,即使在100 mmol/L Na Cl条件下仍具有较大的RNA键合常数;配合物1与RNA键合时荧光强度下降,配合物2在水溶液中以及与RNA键合时几乎无荧光,而它们与DNA作用时荧光强度明显增大,显示出良好的区分RNA和DNA的荧光特性。