Pulsed KrF laser deposited GaN/TiN/Si(111) heterostructures by sequential TiN and liquid Ga laser ablation

GaN/TiN heterostructures were deposited on 4° miscut Si(111) substrates by pulsed KrF laser ablation of TiN through vacuum, followed by reactive pulsed KrF laser ablation of liquid Ga through 70-75 mTorr of microwave-activated NH₃. Deposition temperatures of 950 °C and 1050 °C were employed for the TiN layer while 900 °C was employed for the GaN layer. The targets were positioned 5 cm from the substrate and ablated by using a reimaging beamline at a nominal energy density of 3-4 J/cm². X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed a highly textured heterostructure with GaN(0001)//TiN(111)//Si(111) and with a rocking curve width for both GaN(0001) and TiN(111) equal to ~1.1°. The mosaic spread through the TiN(001) reflection was ~1.3°, whereas that of the GaN(101_1) was undetectable because of low S/N. Scanning electron microscopy revealed large oriented 10 7m-sized hexagonal crystallites decorating large depressions in the TiN film with many smaller pits also present. The effect of substrate processing and TiN film processing on pit formation was explored.     

Use of dyes in solid medium for screening ligninolytic activity of selective actinomycetes

Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology -     

Coupled simulated distillation-mass spectrometry for the evaluation of hydroconverted petroleum residues

The coupling of simulated distillation by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry has been applied to the characterization of the products obtained by hydroconversion of a deasphalted vacuum residue, performed either in thermal, non-catalytic conditions, or in the presence of various dispersed catalysts. Applying spectra deconvolution techniques, the relative contribution of four saturated and four aromatic classes of hydrocarbons to the spectra is obtained and simulated distillation-mass spectrometry coupling provides the distribution of these classes of compounds along the distillation profile of the products. The impact of catalysts upon the distribution of the considered calsses of hydrocarbons has been evidenced. It consists in a reduction of aromatics and an increase of saturates. This analytical data can be rationalized and correlated with hydrogen distribution during hydroconversion, indicating that the role of catalysts does not consist in a simple hydrogenation of aromatics but in a complete redistribution of hydrogen. Coupled simulated distillation-mass spectrometry appears to be a valuable tool for a fast analytical characterization of complex hydroconversion products, without the need for previous separation steps.     

The effect of non-steady wall shear on pressure surges in conduits carrying viscous liquids

Summary A study is made of the attenuation of pressure surges in a two-dimension a channel carrying a viscous liquid when a valve at the downstream end is suddenly closed. The analysis differs from previous work in this area by taking into account the transient nature of the wall shear, which in the past has been assumed as equivalent to that existing in steady flow. For large values of the frictional resistance parameter the transient wall shear analysis results in less attenuation than given by the steady wall shear assumption.Nomenclature c /, ft/sec - e base of natural logarithms - F(x, y) integration function, equation (38) - (x) mean value of F(x, y) - g local acceleration of gravity, ft/sec² - h width of conduit, ft - k (2m–1)^{2 2} L/h ² c, equation (35) - k* 12L/h ² c, frictional resistance parameter, equation (46) - L length of conduit, ft - m positive integer - n positive integer - p pressure, lb/ft² - p ₀ constant pressure at inlet of conduit, lb/ft² - P pressure plus elevation head, p+gz, equation (4) - mean value of P over the conduit width h - P ₀ p ₀+gz ₀, lbs/ft² - R frictional resistance coefficient for steady state wall shear, lb sec/ft⁴ - s positive integer; also, condensation, equation (6) - t time, sec - t ct/L, dimensionless time - u x component of fluid velocity, ft/sec - u _m mean velocity in conduit, equation (12), ft/sec - u ₀(y) velocity profile in Poiseuille flow, equation (19), ft/sec - transformed velocity - U initial mean velocity in conduit - x distance along conduit, measured from valve (fig. 1), ft - x x/L, dimensionless distance - y distance normal to conduit wall (fig. 1), ft - y y/h, equation (25) - z elevation, measured from arbitrary datum, ft - z ₀ elevation of constant pressure source, ft - isothermal bulk compression modulus, lbs/ft² - _n , equation (37) - _n (2n–1)/2, equation (36) - viscosity, slugs/ft sec - / = kinematic viscosity, ft²/sec - density of fluid, slugs/ft³ - ₀ density of undisturbed fluid, slugs/ft³ - ø angle between conduit and vertical (fig. 1) The research upon which this paper is based was supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation.     

Carbon-bonded silver nanoparticles: alkyne-functionalized ligands for SERS imaging of mammalian cells

Silver nanoparticles bonded to terminal alkynes form stable particles in aqueous solution, produce strong SERS signals for molecular imaging that arise from the carbon-metal bond, and expand the scope of molecules that can be used to stably functionalize plasmonic particles for mammalian cell imaging applications. β-Lactams represent a class of biologically important molecules that can be adapted to SERS studies in this manner.     

Fast and high-yield synthesis of radioactive CH3203Hg(II)

A simple and fast synthesis of radioactive methylmercury is presented. It is based on the methylation of inorganic ²⁰³Hg(II) by methylcobalamin and isolation of resulting CH₃²⁰³Hg(II) in a single extraction step. Time required is less than 4 hours and the final yield is ⩾90%. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A Long‐Living Bioengineered Neural Tissue Platform to Study Neurodegeneration

The prevalence of dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases continues to rise as age demographics in the population shift, inspiring the development of long‐term tissue culture systems with which to study chronic brain disease. Here, it is investigated whether a 3D bioengineered neural tissue model derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) can remain stable and functional for multiple years in culture. Silk‐based scaffolds are seeded with neurons and glial cells derived from hiPSCs supplied by human donors who are either healthy or have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Cell retention and markers of stress remain stable for over 2 years. Diseased samples display decreased spontaneous electrical activity and a subset displays sporadic‐like indicators of increased pathological β‐amyloid and tau markers characteristic of Alzheimer's disease with concomitant increases in oxidative stress. It can be concluded that the long‐term stability of the platform is suited to study chronic brain disease including neurodegeneration.     

Dielectric constants of acetonitrile, γ-butyrolactone,propylene carbonate,and 1,2-dimethoxyethane as a function of pressure and temperature

The dielectric constants of 1,2-dimethoxyethane, acetonitrile, -butyrolactone, and propylene carbonate were determined from capacitance measurements extrapolated to infinite frequency; ln are reported as a function of pressure up to 80 MPa at 15, 25, 35, 45°C and as a function of temperature in the range 10 to 50°C at 0.10133 MPa. The variation of ln with temperature or pressure can be expressed by a second order polynomial expression. The isothermal compressibilities of the solvents were determined at 25°C from sound velocities, densities, and heat capacities. A simple correlation can be established between ln /P and for most aprotic solvent.