Scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy on Au nanoparticles assembled using lauryl amine (LAM) and octadecane thiol (ODT)

In this report, we demonstrate scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy on thin films of lauryl amine (LAM) and octadecane thiol (ODT) protected gold nanoparticles. We show that the zero current in the I-V curves (measure of Coulomb blockade (CB) of the nanoparticles) depends on the properties of the spacer molecule. In both the cases the gap voltage and the tunneling current at which the images are obtained are quite different which is further confirmed from the fitting performed based on the orthodox theory. The values for the capacitance and charging energy obtained from the fitting for ODT capped particles are comparable to the values obtained using spherical capacitor model. In contrast, values of these parameters were found to differ for LAM capped nanoparticles. While imaging, ODT capped nanoparticles were observed to drag along the scan direction leading to ordering of particles. Images of LAM capped gold nanoparticles show local ordering in self-assembly of particles although no evidence of large scale ordering in spatial Fourier transform was seen. These observations suggest that nanoparticles with larger CB would be imaged nonevasively in contrast to small CB systems for which tip induced effects will be dominant. In both the systems the current was found to rise faster than theoretical curves based on the orthodox theory suggesting that mechanism of charge transfer in this case may involve field emission rather than tunneling through a rectangular barrier. An attempt has been made to explain charge transfer based on Fowler-Nordheim (F-N) plots of the I-V curves.     

Multifractal detrended fluctuation analysis of derivative and spot markets

We investigate the multifractal properties of price increments in the cases of derivative and spot markets. Through the multifractal detrended fluctuation analysis, we estimate the generalized Hurst and the Renyi exponents for price fluctuations. By deriving the singularity spectrum from the above exponents, we quantify the multifractality of a financial time series and compare the multifractal properties of two different markets. The different behavior of each agent-group in transactions is also discussed. In order to identify the nature of the underlying multifractality, we apply the method of surrogate data to both sets of financial data. It is shown that multifractality due to a fat-tailed distribution is significant.     

Decay rate with coordinate-dependent diffusion coefficients

Using a master equation for the reduced density matrix of open quantum system, the influence of coordinate-dependent microscopical diffusion coefficients on the decay rate from a potential well is studied. For different temperatures, frictions, heights of barrier and ratios of stiffnesses of the potential in the minimum and on the top of the barrier, the quasistationary decay rates are obtained with the sets of coordinate-dependent and -independent microscopical diffusion coefficients, and coordinate-dependent phenomenological diffusion coefficients.     

Transport of waves in disordered waveguides: A potential model

We study the statistical properties of wave transport in a disordered waveguide. We first derive the properties of a “building block” (BB) of length δL starting from a potential model consisting of thin potential slices. We then find a diffusion equation—in the space of transfer matrices that describe our system—which governs the evolution with the length L of the disordered waveguide of the transport properties of interest. The latter depend only on the mean free paths and on no other property of the slice distribution. The universality that arises demonstrates the existence of a generalized central-limit theorem. We have developed a numerical simulation in which the universal statistical properties of the BB found analytically are first implemented numerically, and then the various BBs are combined to construct the full waveguide. The reported results thus obtained are in good agreement with microscopic calculations, for both bulk and surface disorder.     

Complex turing patterns in non-linearly coupled systems

Recently pattern formation in layered structures, showing complicated superimposed patterns, has been modeled by coupling two Turing systems linearly, i.e., passively, such that the characteristic length scales of the independent systems are well separated. Here we propose a model of two non-linearly coupled Turing systems to study pattern formation in layered membrane-like structures, where the coupling plays an active role and changes the kinetics of the uncoupled systems. Extensive numerical simulations show that non-linear coupling generates a number of new regular patterns different from the ones observed earlier with linearly coupled systems. Some of them turn out to be superimposed patterns with different length scales, but many are not. Also, contrary to the linear coupling case, the strength of the non-linear coupling is found to play an important role in the formation and selection of patterns.     

First-principles study of fundamental properties and electronic structure of alloys

We have performed first-principles calculations using full-potential augmented-plane-wave method to investigate the fundamental properties of the Cd_1–xZn_xTe alloys. The composition dependence of the lattice constant and the bulk modulus have been estimated from total energy calculations. By means of the analytical fitting the band structures in the vicinity of the Brillouin center a complete set of effective electron- and hole-masses have also been derived. In order to further understand the effects of the chemical bonding on the above macroscopic properties we then studied the relaxation behaviors and the changes of the electronic states upon alloying for x=0.25 system. The results presented here yield a general understanding of the fundamental properties for the Cd_1–xZn_xTe crystals studies.     

An 18 Multi-InDels panel for analysis of highly degraded forensic biological samples

DNA genotyping from trace and highly degraded biological samples is one of the most significant challenges of forensic DNA identification. There is a lack of simple and effective methods for genotyping highly degraded samples. In this study, a multiple loci insertion/deletion polymorphisms (Multi-InDels) panel was designed for detecting 18 autosomal Multi-InDels through capillary electrophoresis (CE) with amplicon sizes no longer than 125 bp. Studies of sensitivity, degradation, and species specificity were performed and a population study was carried out using 192 samples from Han populations in Hunan province in the south of China. The combined random match probability (CMP) of these 18 Multi-InDels was 3.23 × 10^–12 and the cumulative probability of exclusion (CPE) was 0.9989, suggesting this panel could be used independently for human identification and could provide efficient supporting information for parentage testing. Complete profiles were obtained from as low as 62.5 pg of total input DNA after increasing the number of PCR cycles. Moreover, all alleles were detected from artificially highly degraded DNA after 80 min of boiling water bath treatment. This 18 Multi-InDels panel is simple, fast, and effective for the forensic analysis of highly degraded DNA.     

Electrochemically Generated Gradients

This review surveys recent developments in the field of electrochemically generated gradients. The gradual variation of properties, which is a key characteristic of gradients, is of eminent importance in technology, for example, directional wetting, as well as biology, for example, chemotaxis. Electrochemical techniques offer many benefits, such as the generation of dynamic solution and surface gradients, integration with electronics, and compatibility with automation. An overview is given of newly developed methods, from purely electrochemical techniques to the combination of electrochemistry with other methods. Electrochemically fabricated gradients are employed extensively for biological and technological applications, such as high‐throughput screening, high‐throughput deposition, and device development, all of which are covered herein. Especially promising are developments towards the study and control of dynamic phenomena, such as the directional motion of molecules, droplets, and cells.