Predictive tracking of an object by a pan–tilt camera of a robot

Nonlinear Dynamics - Moving-object tracking using a pan–tilt camera setup is quite a well-known task in robotics. However, the presented research addresses specific properties of the tracked...     

Formation of InAs quantum dots and wetting layers in GaAs and AlAs analyzed by cross-sectional scanning tunneling microscopy

We have used cross-sectional scanning-tunneling microscopy (X-STM) to compare the formation of self-assembled InAs quantum dots (QDs) and wetting layers on AlAs (1 0 0) and GaAs (1 0 0) surfaces. On AlAs we find a larger QD density and smaller QD size than for QDs grown on GaAs under the same growth conditions (500 °C substrate temperature and 1.9 ML indium deposition). The QDs grown on GaAs show both a normal and a lateral gradient in the indium distribution whereas the QDs grown on AlAs show only a normal gradient. The wetting layers on GaAs and AlAs do not show significant differences in their composition profiles. We suggest that the segregation of the wetting layer is mainly strain-driven, whereas the formation of the QDs is also determined by growth kinetics. We have determined the indium composition of the QDs by fitting it to the measured outward relaxation and lattice constant profile of the cleaved surface using a three-dimensional finite element calculation based on elasticity theory.     

Recording long-term potentiation of synaptic transmission by three-dimensional multi-electrode arrays

Background  

Multi-electrode arrays (MEAs) have become popular tools for recording spontaneous and evoked electrical activity of excitable tissues. The majority of previous studies of synaptic transmission in brain slices employed MEAs with planar electrodes that had limited ability to detect signals coming from deeper, healthier layers of the slice. To overcome this limitation, we used three-dimensional (3D) MEAs with tip-shaped electrodes to probe plasticity of field excitatory synaptic potentials (fEPSPs) in the CA1 area of hippocampal slices of 129S5/SvEvBrd and C57BL/6J-Tyr^C-Brd mice.     

Equilibrium bi-domain configuration in cylindrical magnetic microparticles

This report is on the equilibrium bi-domain structure in magnetic microparticles of cylindrical shape with circular or elliptic cross-section and finite thickness. The model is for two coaxial 180 degree domains. The dependence of the inner domain dimensions on bias magnetic field was estimated for a series of particle aspect ratios. It is shown that a change in bias field leads to significant variation in the inner domain radius and that such variations occur at decreasing field strength as the particle height increases. Results of our model are of importance for magnetic particles ground state calculations and analysis of spin-wave oscillations in ferrite micro- and nano-resonators with non-uniform internal magnetization.     

Metalla-Assembled Electron-Rich Tweezers: Redox-Controlled Guest Release Through Supramolecular Dimerization

Developing methodologies for on-demand control of the release of a molecular guest requires the rational design of stimuli-responsive hosts with functional cavities. While a substantial number of responsive metallacages have already been described, the case of coordination-tweezers has been less explored. Herein, we report the first example of a redox-triggered guest release from a metalla-assembled tweezer. This tweezer incorporates two redox-active panels constructed from the electron-rich 9-(1,3-dithiol-2-ylidene)fluorene unit that are facing each other. It dimerizes spontaneously in solution and the resulting interpenetrated supramolecular structure can dissociate in the presence of an electron-poor planar unit, forming a 1:1 host–guest complex. This complex dissociates upon tweezer oxidation/dimerization, offering an original redox-triggered molecular delivery pathway.     

Design,synthesis and structure determination of new inherently chiral para-bromoalkoxycalix[4]arenes

The preparative method for the synthesis of inherently chiral para-bromoalkoxycalix[4]arenes based on para-bromination, stepwise regioselective debenzoylation and the following alkylation of the readily available 25-propoxy-26,27-dibenzoyloxycalix[4]arene with propyl bromide or (R)-N-(1-phenylethyl)bromoacetamide has been developed. Three types of the inherently chiral calix[4]arenes in cone or partial cone conformations with asymmetrical (_AHHH^HBHH, _AAHH^HBHH, _AHBH^HCHH) substitution of both upper and lower rims have been obtained in racemic, diastereomerically pure or enantiomerically pure forms. Their structure and the absolute configuration have been determined by NMR and X-ray.     

Multiple scattering calculations of step contrast in REM images of the Si(001) surface

Simulations of reflection electron microscopy (REM) images of both monolayer and bilayer steps on the bulk-terminated Si(001) surface, for the case when the primary electron beam azimuth is directed parallel to the line of the step, are presented. The simulations employ our previously reported theory of REM image formation which uses a 2D Bloch wave formulation of dynamical (multiple scattering) elastic RHEED theory to calculate diffracted amplitudes propagating from the surface. The only step contrast mechanism considered here is phase contrast and this is sufficient to produce the characteristic “black-white” appearance observed experimentally. Defocusing of the simulated images is also discussed.     

AFM investigation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa lectin LecA (PA-IL) filaments induced by multivalent glycoclusters

Atomic force microscopy reveals that Pseudomonas aeruginosa LecA (PA-IL) and a tetra-galactosylated 1,3-alternate calix[4]arene-based glycocluster self-assemble according to an aggregative chelate binding mode to create monodimensional filaments. Lectin oligomers are identified along the filaments and defects in chelate binding generate branches and bifurcations. A molecular model with alternate 90° orientation of LecA tetramers is proposed to describe the organisation of lectins and glycoclusters in the filaments.