Different ocular dominance map formation influenced by orientation preference columns in visual cortices

In animal experiments, the observed orientation preference and ocular dominance columns in the visual cortex of the brain show various pattern types. Here, we show that the different visual map formations in various species are due to the crossover behavior in anisotropic systems composed of orientational and scalar components such as easy-plane Heisenberg models. We predict the transition boundary between different pattern types with the anisotropy as a main bifurcation parameter, which is consistent with experimental observations.     

Fringe contrast-based 3D profilometry using fringe projection

Quality-guided algorithm is a widely used method in phase unwrapping. This paper shows an accurate quality map based on fringe contrast for 3D shape measurement. Phase-shifted fringe patterns are projected onto an object surface by a programmable liquid crystal projector and recorded by a CCD camera. A wrapped phase map and a fringe contrast map are extracted from the deformed fringe patterns by the phase-shifting technique. Guided by the contrast map, the quality-guided unwrapping algorithm minimizes unwanted shadow and non-uniform surface reflectance effects and is able to retrieve a correct surface profile. Validity of the proposed method is tested on a fish model and a cutting tool specimen.     

Γ andX bandgap hydrostatic deformation potentials for epitaxial In0.52Al0.48As on InP(001)

The pressure dependence of the direct and indirect bandgap of epitaxial In_0.52Al_0.48As on InP(001) substrate has been measured using photoluminescence up to 92 kbar hydrostatic pressure. The bandgap changes from Γ toX at an applied pressure of ∼ 43 kbar. Hydrostatic deformation potentials for both the Γ andX bandgaps are deduced, after correcting for the elastic constant (bulk modulus) mismatch between the epilayer and the substrate. For the epilayer we obtain and+(2.81±0.15)eV for the Γ andX bandgaps respectively. From the pressure dependence of the normalized Γ-bandgap photoluminescence intensity a Γ-X lifetime ratio, (τ_Γ/τ _X ), of 4.1×10⁻³ is deduced.     

Isosceles Orthogonal Triples in Linear 2-Normed Spaces

A triple (x, y, z) in a linear 2-normed space (X, ‖.,.‖) is called an isosceles orthogonal triple, denoted |(x, y, z), if |(.,.,.) is said to be homogeneous if |(x, y, z) implies |(ax, y, z) for all real a and it is additive if |(x₁, y, z) and |(x₂, y, z) imply that |(x₁ + x₂, y, z). In addition to developing some basic properties of |(.,.,.), this paper shows that under the assumption of strict convexity, every subspace of X of dimension ≤ 3 contains an isosceles orthogonal triple. Further, if (X, ‖.,.‖) is strictly convex and |(…,.) is either homogeneous or additive, then (X, ‖.,.‖) is a 2-inner product space.     

A novel spectrum sensing scheme with sensing time optimization for energy-efficient CRSNs

Wireless Networks - The cognitive radio technology enables secondary users (SUs) to occupy licensed bands when primary users (PUs) are not occupy them. Spectrum sensing is a key technology for SUs...     

Molecular Encapsulation of Trimeric Chromium Carboxylate Clusters in Metal–Organic Frameworks and Propylene Sorption

Oxo-bridged trimeric chromium acetate clusters [Cr₃O(OOCCH₃)₆(H₂O)₃]NO₃ have been encapsulated for the first time in the mesoporous cages of the chromium terephthalate MIL-101(Cr). The isolated clusters in MIL-101(Cr) have increased affinity towards propylene compared to propane, due to generation of a new kind of pocket-based propylene-binding site, as supported by DFT calculations.     

Continuous sliding mode controllers for multi-input multi-output systems

Nonlinear Dynamics - This paper develops new continuous sliding mode controllers for multi-input multi-output mechanical systems in the presence of unknown, but bounded uncertainties in the given...     

Novel fabrication route for carbon-free and dense CuInSe2 (CIS) thin films via a non-vacuum process for solar cell application

Carbon-free CuInSe₂ (CIS) thin film with a dense microstructure has been prepared using a novel non-vacuum based fabrication route. Cu_xS_y and In₂Se₃ binary nanoparticles, approximately 10 nm in size, were synthesized by a low temperature colloidal process. The precursor film was deposited using the coating ink formulated with the binary nanoparticles and pyridine, and then annealed in the rapid thermal annealing (RTA) chamber at 540 °C for 15 min under selenium (Se) atmosphere. Scanning electron micrographs, X-ray diffraction patterns and Raman spectra showed a phase pure carbon-free and dense CIS thin film was prepared in this method. A solar cell device fabricated using this CIS thin film showed the following photovoltaic characteristics: V_OC = 350 mV, J_SC = 24.72 mA cm⁻², FF = 38.73% and η = 3.36% under standard AM 1.5 condition.     

Constraining WIMP magnetic moment from CDMS II experiment

We consider a degenerate or a nearly degenerate dark matter sector where a sizable magnetic moment of a (almost) Dirac type neutral dark matter candidate N is anticipated. Then, due to soft photon exchange, the cross-section in direct detection of N   can be enhanced at low Q²$Q^2$ region. We discuss the implication of this type of models in view of the recent CDMS II report.     

Automatic Transformation of Membrane‐Type Electronic Devices into Complex 3D Structures via Extrusion Shear Printing and Thermal Relaxation of Acrylonitrile–Butadiene–Styrene Frameworks

This work demonstrates a means of automatic transformation from planar electronic devices to desirable 3D forms. The method uses a spatially designed thermoplastic framework created via extrusion shear printing of acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS) on a stress‐free ABS film, which can be laminated to a membrane‐type electronic device layer. Thermal annealing above the glass transition temperature allows stress relaxation in the printed polymer chains, resulting in an overall shape transformation of the framework. In addition, the significant reduction in the Young's modulus and the ability of the polymer chains to reflow in the rubbery state release the stress concentration in the electronic device layer, which can be positioned outside the neutral mechanical plane. Electrical analyses and mechanical simulations of a membrane‐type Au electrode and indium gallium zinc oxide transistor arrays before and after transformation confirm the versatility of this method for developing 3D electronic devices based on planar forms.