Dynamic scanning force microscopy study of self-assembled DNA-protein nanostructures

Self-assembled oligomeric nanostructures consisting of bisbiotinylated DNA fragments connected by the protein streptavidin (STV) are studied by dynamic scanning force microscopy (SFM) operating in air. A comparison of the images taken in repulsive and attractive regimes is systematically made on DNA and STV structures. Stable and reproducible SFM images are obtained in the attractive regime by using a special feedback circuit, called Q-control. On the other hand, when SFM is operating in the repulsive regime, deformation of the structures that reduce the resolution and the image quality are clearly observable. The heights of both DNA and STV have been measured as a function of the tip/molecule interaction forces. This study offers the possibility to suggest a different mechanical behavior of DNA with respect to STV. Received: 24 July 2001 / Accepted: 3 December 2001 / Published online: 4 March 2002     

Ba2RV3O11(R=Y,Gd,La):Eu3+(或Dy3+,Bi3+)的合成及发光性能的研究

本文报导了Eu3+,Dy3+在Ba2RV3O11(R=Y,Gd,La)基质中的光谱性质、Bi3+对Dy3+发射强度的影响及温度对Dy3+发射强度的猝灭情况.研究了被取代离子R3+(R=Y,Gd,La)对基质电行迁移带、Eu3+的红橙比、Dy3+黄蓝比的影响,还给出了Dy3+的浓度猝灭值.     

Numerical analysis of the resonance mechanism of the lumped parameter system model for acoustic mine detection

The method of numerical analysis is employed to study the resonance mechanism of the lumped parameter system model for acoustic mine detection. Based on the basic principle of the acoustic resonance technique for mine detection and the characteristics of low-frequency acoustics, the “soil-mine” system could be equivalent to a damping “mass-spring” resonance model with a lumped parameter analysis method. The dynamic simulation software, Adams, is adopted to analyze the lumped parameter system model numerically. The simulated resonance frequency and anti-resonance frequency are 151 Hz and 512 Hz respectively, basically in agreement with the published resonance frequency of 155 Hz and anti-resonance frequency of 513 Hz, which were measured in the experiment. Therefore, the technique of numerical simulation is validated to have the potential for analyzing the acoustic mine detection model quantitatively. The influences of the soil and mine parameters on the resonance characteristics of the soil–mine system could be investigated by changing the parameter setup in a flexible manner.     

Raman scattering of L‐tryptophan enhanced by surface plasmon of silver nanoparticles: vibrational assignment and structural determination

Vibrational bands of L ‐tryptophan which was adsorbed on Ag nanoparticles (∼10 nm in diameter) have been investigated in the spectral range of 200–1700 cm⁻¹ using surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy. Compared with the normal Raman scattering (NRS) of L ‐tryptophan in either 0.5 M aqueous solution (NRS‐AS) or solid powder (NRS‐SP), the intensified signals by SERS have made the SERS investigation at a lower molecular concentration (5 × 10⁻⁴ M ) possible. Ab initio calculations at the B3LYP/6‐311G level have been carried out to predict the optimal structure and vibrational wavenumbers for the zwitterionic form of L ‐tryptophan. Facilitated with the theoretical prediction, the observed vibrational modes of L ‐tryptophan in the NRS‐AS, NRS‐SP, and SERS spectra have been analyzed. In the spectroscopic observations, there are no significant changes for the vibrational bands of the indole ring in either NRS‐AS, NRS‐SP, or SERS. In contrast, spectral intensities involving the vibrations of carboxylate and amino groups are weak in NRS‐AS and NRS‐SP, but strong in SERS. The intensity enhancement in the SERS spectrum can reach 10³–10⁴‐fold magnification. On the basis of spectroscopic analysis, the carboxylate and amino groups of L ‐tryptophan are determined to be the preferential terminal groups to attach onto the surfaces of Ag nanoparticles in the SERS measurement. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Utilization of four WDM channels with signal remodulation of OFDM-QAM for 10 Gb/s uplink passive optical networks

In this investigation, we experimentally investigate an extended reach (ER) time-division-multiplexed passive optical network (TDM-PON) using four wavelength-multiplexed channels to achieve 16 Gb/s downlink and 10 Gb/s uplink traffic. Each downlink signal uses the highly spectral efficient 4 Gb/s OFDM-QAM, and each uplink signal is generated by signal remodulating the downlink signal via a reflective semiconductor amplifier (RSOA) at 2.5 Gb/s non-return-to-zero (NRZ). In addition, the performance of the proposed ER TDM-PON has also been analyzed and discussed.     

The effect of functionalization on structure and electrical conductivity of multi-walled carbon nanotubes

Nanosized powders of Ti-Nb oxide core-shell nanocrystals with atomic ratios of Nb/Ti = 0.11, 0.25, and 0.38 have been prepared by two preparation routes. The first route was co-precipitation, followed by␣annealing, using NbCl₅ as a source of Nb. The second route was coating of pure TiO₂ nanocrystals by Nb-isopropoxide in liquid medium, followed by impregnation of the Nb into the nanoparticles by annealing. Both methods yielded anatase nanocrystals with a Nb-rich shell and a core, which had much lower Nb loadings. The anatase structure solid solution (with Nb incorporated) was stable under annealing up to 760°C. The particle size remained within the nanometric scale (<50 nm) under heat-treatment up to 760°C. It has been shown that the fabricated powders can be redispersed in aqueous media by simple ultrasound treatment, resulting in nanosized dispersions. Using a variety of analytical techniques, including depth profiling of single nanocrystallites by AES combined with sputtering by Ar ions, the mechanism of the core-shell structure creation was studied. It is proposed that the formation of the core-shell structure is governed by solubility limitations in the co-precipitation route and by solubility and diffusion limitations in the coating-incorporation route.     

二维弥散介质温度场的快速重建

提出了一种利用电荷耦合器件摄像机获取的辐射信息进行二维弥散介质温度场快速重建的新模型. 与现有的温度场重建模型相比,该模型是以逆向Monte Carlo方法为基础,重建速度更快、效率更高,能更好地描述散射介质. 采用了一个精确的二维温度场作为重建对象,结果表明,即使在存在测量误差的情况下,利用此模型重建出的温度场仍能重现原有精确温度场的特征. 关键词： 温度场重建 逆向Monte Carlo 电荷耦合器件摄像机 反问题     

Varactor-tuned gunn diode voltage controlled oscillator antenna array

A simple varactor tuned X-band Gunn diode VCO antenna array which is strongly coupled has been demonstrated. These arrays have the advantages of simple biasing circuit, no resistors required to eliminate multimode problem and suitable for monolithic integration circuit. Preliminary results show a maximum tuning range of 47MHz for 1×1 array and 170MHz for 2×2 array. In order to solve power combining heating problem, we move the backside metal forward and it becomes a microstrip form. The measured frequency and radiation patterns of these grid arrays agree very well with theoretical calculations.