Preparation of high performance YGdBCO films by low fluorine TFA-MOD process

YBCO films doped with different contents of gadolinium(Gd) were prepared by the low-fluorine(low-F)trifluoroacetate metal-organic deposition(MOD) method.The effects of flow rate and holding time of the firing(crystallization) stage on the superconducting properties of Y_xGd_(1-x)Ba_2 Cu_3 O_(7-δ)(YGdBCO) films were investigated.The phase formation and texture were characterized by the X-ray diffraction(XRD),which indicate that severe degradation of the microstructure will be induced with the inappropriate flow rate.The surface morphology and element distribution were investigated by the scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy(EDS).The results show that increasing the holding time of the firing stage is effective for the further decomposition of residual impurity phase on the surface.The mechanisms of the phase and surface evolution are also discussed.Finally,a high critical current density(J_c) value of 5.4 MA/cm~2 was achieved in the Y_(0.9)Gd_(0.1)BCO film fabricated by the cooperative control of the flow rate and holding time of the firing stage,which are contributed to the formation of excellent texture,homogeneous microstructure and dense surface of the YGdBCO films.     

Fabrication and Luminescence of Rare Earth Complex／SiO2 Hybrid Nanospheres

The organic rare earth complex was embedded in silica spheres to form inorganic-organic hybrid. Photoactiver are earth complexes with various organic ligands exhibit intense narrow emission band, and the silica is an excellent matrix for inorganic-organic structure. The transmission electron microscope image presents the hybrid nanospheres. The diameter of the hybrid is about 100 nm. The europium complex that incorporated into silica sphere is also proved by the IR spectra, the excitation and emission spectra. The lifetimes of the Eu3 ions in the hybrid nanospheres and in the pure europium complex were also detected. This hybrid with inhomogeneous compositions exhibits specifically tailored chemical and optical properties, such as perfect thermal and mechanical stability, colorimetric purity and so on. It can be used as luminescent and optical material in EL and PL fields.     

Thermal Stability and Tribological Properties of Fluorinated Amorphous Carbon Thin Films Doped With Nitrogen

Nitrogen doped fluorinated amorphous carbon thin films（a-C:N:F）were prepared by radio frequency plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition（rf-PECVD）under different deposited condition using CH4,CF₄,and N₂ as source gases.The thin films were annealed at different temperature.The influence of doped nitrogen on the chemical structure,tribological and thermal properties of thin films were investigated by Atomic force microscopy（AFM）,Fourier transform infrared absorption spectrometry（FTIR）,X-ray photoelectron spectrum spectra（XPS）,and thermogravimetry（TG）.The results indicated that the thin films presence a compact and smooth morphology surface after the nitrogen doped.After incorporation of nitrogen,the H atoms are replaced partially by the N atoms in the thin films.The degree of cross-linking of the carbon network in the thin films is enhanced.The chemical bonds of C=N,C≡N,and C-Nx（x=1,2,3）have formed in the films.The relative content of sp² graphite phase increases.The thermal stability temperature of the films deposited atγ=0.5（γ=N₂/[CF₄+CH₄+N₂]）is 420℃.The tribological properties improve greatly,and the friction coefficient of the a-C:N:F thin films ranges approximately from 0.20 to 0.36.     

Novel self-assembled films of La-based phosphonate 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane

Silane coupling reagent (3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES)) was prepared on single-crystal silicon substrates to form two-dimensional self-assembled monolayer (SAM). The terminal-NH2 groups in the film were in situ phosphorylated to-PO(OH)2 group to endow the film with good chemisorption ability. Then La-based thin films were deposited on phosphorylated APTES-SAM in order to make good use of the chemisorption ability of-PO(OH)2 groups. The thickness of the film was determined with ellipsometer, while phase trans-formation and surface morphology, surface energy, phase composition were analyzed by means of atomic force microscope (AFM), contact angle measurements and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results indicated that the terminal -NH2 groups could be completely transformed into desirable-PO(OH)2 groups after phosphorylation of APTES-SAM. Detailed XPS analysis of the La3+ peaks revealed that lanthanum element existed in the films in different states. As a result, conclusion could be made that lanthanum reacted with-PO(OH)2 groups on the surface of the substrate by chemical bond which would improve the bonding strength between the film and silicon substrate.Since the La-based thin films were well adhered to the silicon substrate, it might find promising application in the surface-modification of single-crystal Si and SiC in microelectromechanical systems (MEMS).     

Preparation and Luminescence Properties of LB Films Based on 4-Hexadecyloxybenzoic Terbium

LB films of 4-hexadecyloxybenzoic-terbium by using the subphase containing Tb^3 were prepared. The mono-layer behavior of 4-bexadecyloxybenzoic acid (HOBA) on the subphase containing rare earth ions was studied. IR and UV spectra show that the rare earth ions were bound to carboxylic acid head groups and the coordination took place between the polar head group and the rare earth ions. The luminescence spectra show that the LB films have the fine luminescence properties, and the LB films emit strong luminescence under UV light irradiation.     

Evolution of Surface Transversal Crack in Intermediate Slabs during Hot Rolling Deformation

In the continuous casting of steels,surface transversal cracks are often found.These defects may severely influence the final quality of the products.The evolution of transversal V-shaped cracks with different depth on the surface of a continuously cast steel slab during hot rolling was studied.The artificial V-shaped cracks were made on the surface.The rolling process parameters from an industrial rolling mill have been used as a reference.The specimens of rolled workpiece in intermediate slabs were obtained after different rolling passes.The morphology of surface crack and microstructure evolution in the rolling process were investigated by optical microscopy.The results show that the depth of surface transversal crack gradually decreased with the increase of rolling passes.The grain size of ferrite and pearlite on the sample surface also gradually reduced.The microstructures around cracks with the different depth are almost identical,without direct correlation with the initial crack depth.     

Multiple Energy Transfers in Rare Earth Complex-Doped SiO2 Spheres

Silica spheres doped with Eu （TTFA）3 and/or Sm（TTFA）3 were synthesized by using the modified Stober method. The transmission electron microscope image reveals that the hybrid spheres have smooth surfaces and an average diameter of about 210 nm. Fluorescence spectrometer was used to analyze the fluorescence properties of hybrid spheres. The results show that multiple energy transfer processes are simultaneously achieved in the same samples co-doped with Eu （TTFA）3 and Sm（TTFA）3, namely between the ligand and Eu^3＋ ion, the ligand and Sm^3＋ ion, and Sm^3＋ ion and Eu^3＋ ion. Energy transfer of Sm^3＋→Eu^3＋ in the hybrid spheres leads to fluorescence enhancement of Eu^3＋ emission by approximately an order of magnitude. The lifetimes of the hybrid spheres were also measured.     

Investigation of Tribological Behavior of Lanthanum-Based Thin Films Deposited on Sulfonated Self-Assembled Monolayer

3-mercaptopropyl trimethoxysilane （MPTS） was prepared on glass substrate so as to form a two-dimensional self-assembled monolayer （SAM）, and the terminal - SH group in the film was in situ oxidized to - SO3H group to confer good chemisorption ability to the film. Thus, lanthanum-based thin films were deposited on oxidized MPTS-SAM, making use of the chemisorption ability of -SOaH group. Atomic force microscopy （AFM） and X-ray photoelectron spectrometry （XPS） and contact angle measurements were used to characterize the thin films. The tribological properties of the as-prepared thin films sliding against a steel ball were evaluated on a friction and wear tester. Tribological experiment shows that the friction coefficient of glass substrate decreases from 0.8 to 0.08 after the rare earth （RE） self-assembled films （SAMs） are formed on its surface. And the RE self-assembled films have longer wear life （500 sliding passes）. It is demonstrated that RE self-assembled film exhibits good wear-resistant property. The marked decrease in friction and the longer wear life of RE films are attributed to the excellent adhesion of the film to the substrate and to the special characteristics of the RE elements. The frictional behaviors of RE thin-films-coated silicon surface were sensitive to the applied load and the sliding velocity of the steel ball.     

Influence of Rinse on Self-Activated Luminescence in ZnS Nanocrystallite

The self-activated (SA) luminescence in ZnS nanoparticles was studied by comparing the UV-light irradiation induced spectral change, Raman spectra, and EPR spectra of the un-rinsed and rinsed samples. The results show that the SA centers prefer to occupy the sites near the surface and that the donor of SA emission may be related to organic functional groups such as - OH, - CH3, and - CO0. The EPR signals are enhanced remarkably in the rinsed nanoparticles comparing with that in the un-rinsed ones. It is believed that organic functional groups physically combine with the surface dangling bonds of ZnS nanoparticles, leading the nonradiauve transition channels to decrease, and thus the SA emission to increase     

Study on Preparation and Property of Poly－Aminosilicone－Rare Earth Composite

The poly-aminosilicone-rare earth composite was prepared by poly-aminosilicone cross-linked with rare earth and active silanol. The thermal stability of the composites was studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TG). Force condition of the composites in electric field was analyzed and relative polarizability was derived. It is found that the composites containing different rare earth ions have different relative polarizability. The experiment results reveal that organosilicon materials with different electrical performance can be obtained by this way. Meanwhile, the absorption and flourescene spectrum of composites were also investigated. Compared to rare earth chloride, the spectrum properties of the composite are changed obviously. The possible reasons for these phenomena were discussed.     

Determination of the amount of native structural bacteriorhodopsin in purple membrane Langmuir-Blodgett films by a spectroscopic surface denaturation quantifying technique

Purple membrane (PM) shows denaturation when spread over an air/water interface. We established a technique, which we call the spectroscopic surface denaturation quantifying (SSDQ) technique, that uses infrared linear dichroism to determine the amount of native structural bacteriorhodopsin (BR) in PM Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films. Using the SSDQ technique we found that the conformational change after surface denaturation of BR was the same as that caused by ethanol treatment. By extrapolating the data of the amount of non-denatured BR molecules in PM LB films vs. the area of a single BR molecule on an air/water interface, we also found that the surface area of a single non-denatured BR molecule was 11.5 nm2, which is consistent with that determined by high-resolution electron cryo-microscopy and electron diffraction (EMD). These results demonstrate that the SSDQ technique is effective in quantifying the amount of native structural BR in PM LB films. The SSDQ technique is also applicable to other types of protein consisting of alpha-helical conformation.     

Microstructural Mechanisms of Early Age Cracking Behavior of Concrete: Fracture Energy Approach

This paper presents findings from a study directed at identifying key properties of ingredient materials that are influential on the early age cracking behavior of concrete, with an emphasis on the effects of aggregate size, aggregate morphologies, and water-cement ratio (w/c). Fracture energy (GF) was determined using a wedge-split test configuration for concrete samples at the age of 12?h. Based on image analysis, three signature morphologies of aggregate particles, i.e., the angularity, surface texture, and surface area, were quantitatively determined in terms of developed angularity index (AI), surface texture (ST) index, and surface area (SA) measurement, respectively. The high consistency between GF and aggregate SA of the concrete samples suggests that the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) at the cement paste-aggregate interface is the critical location that primarily accommodates the 12?h cracking of concrete. The critical role of ITZ in the early age cracking of concrete was further confirmed by its microstructural and chemical features under scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy.     

(Nd,Pr,Ce)-Fe-B磁体的组织与磁学性能

为开发低成本烧结钕铁硼磁体,用30% Ce替代(Nd_0.75Pr_0.25)_32.69Fe_66.25B_1.06磁体中的Nd和Pr,研究了磁体在烧结及回火过程中的组织结构和磁学性能变化.结果表明,取向压坯在1030~1080℃烧结2 h后,随烧结温度升高,磁学性能下降,烧结温度为1030℃时综合磁学性能均最好.烧结态Ce替代磁体的综合磁学性能优于未替代磁体.一级回火后,相组成和晶粒尺寸基本不变,边界结构也未发生明显变化,磁体性能基本不变,或有少量下降.二级回火后,晶界明显改善,获得较清晰且平直的晶界,磁体矫顽力均得到大幅提高.Ce替代磁体的剩磁、矫顽力和磁能积均稍低于未替代磁体.      

Edge detection in medical images using a genetic algorithm

An algorithm is developed that detects well-localized, unfragmented, thin edges in medical images based on optimization of edge configurations using a genetic algorithm (GA). Several enhancements were added to improve the performance of the algorithm over a traditional GA. The edge map is split into connected subregions to reduce the solution space and simplify the problem. The edge-map is then optimized in parallel using incorporated genetic operators that perform transforms on edge structures. Adaptation is used to control operator probabilities based on their participation. The GA was compared to the simulated annealing (SA) approach using ideal and actual medical images from different modalities including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), and ultrasound. Quantitative comparisons were provided based on the Pratt figure of merit and on the cost-function minimization. The detected edges were thin, continuous, and well localized. Most of the basic edge features were detected. Results for different medical image modalities are promising and encourage further investigation to improve the accuracy and experiment with different cost functions and genetic operators.     

Structural analysis of a hmg-coA-reductase pseudogene: insights into evolutionary processes affecting the hmgr gene family in allotetraploid cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy has been used to investigate the conformational changes of glycinin. a major storage protein of soybean seeds, upon film-forming. The results show that the secondary structure of glycinin is mainly composed of a beta-sheet (48%) and unordered (49%) structures. The amide I band of glycinin in film-forming conditions, i.e. in alkaline media and in the presence of plasticizing agent, reveals the conversion of 18% of the secondary structure of the protein from the beta-sheet (6%) and random coil (12%) to the alpha-helical conformation due to the helicogenic effect of the ethylene glycol used as the plasticizing agent. Conformational changes also occur upon the film-forming process leading to the formation of intermolecular hydrogen-bonded beta-sheet structures. Results obtained from other plant families indicate that, whatever the origin and conformation of protein, formation of films leads to the appearance of intermolecular hydrogen-bonded beta-sheet structures, suggesting that this type of structure might be essential for the network formation in films. Thus, it is hypothesized that, in the film state, intermolecular hydrogen bonding between segments of beta-sheet may act as junction zones in the film network. This study reveals for the first time that there is a close relationship between the conformation of proteins and the mechanical properties of films.     

High coercivity Nd-Ce-Fe-B nanostructured ribbons prepared from melt spinning technique

The Ce-substituted(Nd_(1-x)Ce_x)_(12.2) Fe_(81.6) B_(6.2)(x=0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6) nanocrystalline ribbons were prepared by annealing amorphous ribbons from melt spinning. It is found that all ribbons are in a multiphase state consisting of a-Fe phase, Nd(Ce)-rich phases and RE_2 Fe_(14) B(RE = Nd, Ce) phases. However, the coercivity of all annealed ribbons can reach a considerably high value without doping any heavy rare earth or other coercivity enhanced elements. A strong intergranular exchange coupling appears in these nanocrystalline ribbons. The Nd_(12.2) Fe_(81.6) B_(6.2) ribbons with multiphase have a coercivity of about 11.3 k Oe, and the coercivity decreases slightly with increasing Ce content. A coercivity of 7.5 kOe can be obtained when60 at% of Nd is replaced by Ce(x = 0.6) due to the grain refinement and the strong intergranular exchange coupling. This provides a practical approach of fabricating high coercivity Ce-substituted Nd-Fe-B materials.     

The Effect of Surface Finish on Low-Temperature Acetylene-Based Carburization of 316L Austenitic Stainless Steel

We observed a strong influence of surface finish on the efficacy of low-temperature acetylene-based carburization of AISI 316L austenitic stainless steel. Steel coupons were prepared with different surface finishes prior to carburization, from P400 SiC grit paper to 1-µm-diameter-diamond-paste. The samples with the finer surface finish developed a thicker “case” (a carbon-rich hardened surface layer) and a larger surface carbon concentration. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that the differences arose mainly from the nature of the deformation-induced disturbed layer on the steel surface. A thick (>400 nm) disturbed layer consisting of nano-crystalline grains (≈10 nm diameter) inhibits acetylene-based carburization. The experimental observations can be explained by assuming that during machining or coarse polishing, the surface oxide layer is broken up and becomes incorporated into the deformation-induced disturbed layer. The incorporated oxide-rich films retard or completely prevent the ingress of carbon into the stainless steel.     

P53 genes and malignant hematologic diseases

The primary objective of the present study was to compare the rates of plasma clearance and hepatic utilization of stearic (18:0), myristic (14:0) and linoleic (18:2) acids, as introduced via chylomicrons. Lymph chylomicrons were specifically labeled in vivo with [14C]stearic and (SA), [14C]myristic acid (MA), or [14C]linoleic acid (LA) by infusing donor rats intraduodenally with the labeled fatty acids in a lipid emulsion. Following intravenous injection of recipient rats with the labeled chylomicrons, the rates of plasma clearance and incorporation of the label in triglycerides (TG), phospholipids (PL) and other lipids in the liver were compared at 5, 15 and 30 min. [14C]SA was cleared at a slightly faster rate (t1/2 = 7.0 min) than [14C]MA (t1/2 = 8.1 min) and [14C]LA (t1/2 = 8.0 min) (P < 0.05). [14C]SA was accumulated in the liver at a significantly faster rate than [14C]MA and [14C]LA. At the peak (15 min) of hepatic uptake, 30.3% of [14C]SA, 26.2% of [14C]LA and 21.9% of [14C]MA were recovered in the liver. At 30 min, 33.5% of [14C]SA was taken up by the liver, whereas 27.8% of [14]LA and only 15.2% of [14C]MA were removed. In the liver, the percentage of [14C]SA incorporated into PL steadily increased with time, whereas the percent-age incorporated into TG decreased. [14C]SA was preferentially incorporated into PL at all time intervals, as compared with [14C]MA and [14C]LA. At 30 min, 38.6% of [14C]SA was found in PL, and only 5.2% of [14C]MA and 12.0% of [14C]LA were present in PL.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The Chlamydomonas reinhardtii ODA3 gene encodes a protein of the outer dynein arm docking complex

We have used an insertional mutagenesis/ gene tagging technique to generate new Chlamydomonas reinhardtii mutants that are defective in assembly of the uter ynein rm. Among 39 insertional oda mutants characterized, two are alleles of the previously uncloned ODA3 gene, one is an allele of the uncloned ODA10 gene, and one represents a novel ODA gene (termed ODA12). ODA3 is of particular interest because it is essential for assembly of both the outer dynein arm and the outer dynein arm docking complex (ODA-DC) onto flagellar doublet microtubules (Takada, S., and R. Kamiya. 1994. J. Cell Biol. 126:737- 745). Beginning with the inserted DNA as a tag, the ODA3 gene and a full-length cDNA were cloned. The cloned gene rescues the phenotype of oda3 mutants. The cDNA sequence predicts a novel 83. 4-kD protein with extensive coiled-coil domains. The ODA-DC contains three polypeptides; direct amino acid sequencing indicates that the largest of these polypeptides corresponds to ODA3. This protein is likely to have an important role in the precise positioning of the outer dynein arms on the flagellar axoneme.