Generation of size-selected gold nanoparticles by spark discharge — for growth of epitaxial nanowires

One-dimensional semiconductor nanowires are a promising candidate for future electronic devices. The epitaxial growth of nanowires is often mediated by metal seed particles, usually gold particles. In this paper the setup of a simple and robust technique to generate nanometer-sized aerosol gold particles by spark discharge is described. Furthermore we demonstrate for the first time that particles generated by spark discharge can be used to design advanced nanoelectronic structures, namely nanowires. In order to obtain compact, spherical particles suitable for nanowire growth, the sparkgenerated agglomerate particles were reshaped in a special compaction furnace. The reshaped particles were used to seed the growth of epitaxial GaP and InP nanowires, by metal organic vapor phase epitaxy, which was shown to be a reliable and reproducible method. This work indicates the possibility of using spark-discharge generated gold particles for the creation of new electronic devices even at large scale processing.     

The Minimal Structure and Motion Problems with Missing Data for 1D Retina Vision

In this paper we investigate the structure and motion problem for calibrated one-dimensional projections of a two-dimensional environment. The theory of one-dimensional cameras are useful in several areas, e.g. within robotics, autonomous guided vehicles, projection of lines in ordinary vision and vision of vehicles undergoing so called planar motion. In a previous paper the structure and motion problem for all cases with non-missing data was classified and solved. Our aim is here to classify all structure and motion problems, even those with missing data, and to solve them. In the classification we introduce the notion of a prime problem. A prime problem is a minimal problem that does not contain a minimal problem as a sub-problem. We further show that there are infinitely many such prime problems. We give solutions to four prime problems, and using the duality of Carlsson these can be extended to solutions of seven prime problems. Finally we give some experimental results based on synthetic data.     

Effects of shade nettings,sowing time and storage on baby spinach flavonoids

Flavonoids are important in plant interactions with the environment and may have positive effects on human health. Effects of light quality and quantity on flavonoid concentration were studied in baby spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) cultivated under three types of shade netting differing in transmittance of UV‐B and PAR, at two times during the season. Leaves harvested at two growth stages for each sowing were subjected to different post‐harvest storage conditions. Shade nettings had a relatively small effect on flavonoid concentration in baby spinach. The largest effect was found when radiation was most intense. The nettings then decreased total flavonoid concentration by 15–24% at the normal commercial growth stage at harvest. Radiation and plant growth both affected flavonoid concentration, in opposite or similar directions depending on time of season. This variation was reflected in the statistical analysis, showing significant interactions among the factors. There were large differences (up to 100%) in flavonoid concentration between the different times of the season, in shaded as well as unshaded spinach. Flavonoid concentration and composition changed during storage, but no consistent difference was found between the shaded and unshaded leaves. In most cases, total flavonoid concentration increased significantly during the first 6 days of storage. In conclusion, the use of shade netting is acceptable for production of baby spinach as regards flavonoid concentration and composition. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Modell eines Roboters aus Formgedächtnismetall

Zusammenfassung Im Fahmen diese Beitrags wird des Modell eines Roboters vorgestellt, der seine Bewegung ohne jegliche elektromotorische oder pneumatische Antriebe aufsührt. Entsprechende Bauelemente sind übedflüszig, da der Werkstoff, aus dem der Raboter gefertigt ist, die Greiffunktion selbst durchführt. Dies geschieht über das Signal einer Temperatur?nderung, so da? die Bauteile lediglich erw?rmt oder abgekühll werden müssen, um die Greifbewegung zu realisieren. Diese Eigenschaft von Werkstoffen nennt man ?Formged?chtnis?: Der Werkstoff erinnert sich bei Temperatur?nderungen an seine vorherige Form und nimmt diese selbst?ndig an. Es handelt sich dabei, um eine v?llig neue Werkstoffeigenschaft, nicht um eine lediglich verbesserte. Der Formged?chtniseffekt ist hinsichtlich seiner Ursachen sehr komplex und neu, so da? zum besseren Verst?ndnis die Grundlagen des Effektes vertieft in diesem Bericht beschrieben werden.     

挪威:一个竞争性的市场

挪威,一个人口只有450万的国家,位于欧洲的北部边缘.因此,它的涂料市场相对较小,但竞争依然是激烈的.由于挪威人对油饰有着执着的兴趣,许许多多的本土和外国的公司部争相代理涂料商店.挪威人普遍都喜爱涂料,挪威也成为世界上每人涂料消耗量最多的国家之一.同时,挪威也拥有国际上发达稳固的船舶运输业和沿海工业--这对船舶专用涂料和防腐蚀保护涂料来说,是一个重要的市场.     

Effect of Different Packaging Methods on Quality and Shelf Life of Fresh Reindeer Meat

The impact of different packaging methods [vacuum, modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) (60% CO₂ and 40% N₂) and MAP + CO₂ emitter] on the quality of fresh reindeer meat (M. semimembranosus) stored at 4°C for 21 days was investigated. Colour and odour of the meat, drip loss, pH, microbial content, antioxidant capacity and cooking loss were measured. The MAP + CO₂ emitter resulted in prolonged microbial shelf life compared with vacuum and MAP without CO₂ emitter as lower level of total viable counts was detected after 13 and 17 days. Samples stored with CO₂ emitter also had lower drip loss. Samples stored in vacuum had significant lower L*‐value, higher a*‐value and lower intensity of freshness (odour and colour) compared with those stored in MAP and MAP with CO₂ emitter. However, MAP with a gas‐to‐product volume ratio of 1 : 1 seems to be too low in quality preserving. Increased partial pressure by adding a CO₂ emitter improved bacterial inhibition compared with vacuum and traditional MAP. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

In vivo toxicity and biodistribution of intraperitoneal and intravenous poly-l-lysine and poly-l-lysine/poly-l-glutamate in rats

The combination of two differently charged polypeptides, poly-l-lysine (PL) and poly-L-glutamate (PG), has shown excellent postsurgical antiadhesive properties. However, the high molecular, positively charged PL is toxic in high doses, proposed as lysis of red blood cells. This study aims to elucidate the in vivo toxicity and biodistribution of PL and complex bound PLPG comparing intravenous and intraperitoneal administration. Fifty-six Sprague–Dawley rats were used in a model with repeated blood samples within 30 min examining blood gases and blood smears. Similarly, FITC labelled PL were used to track bio distribution and clearance of PL, given as single dose and complex bound to PG after intravenous and intraperitoneal administration. Tissue for histology and immunohistochemistry was collected. Blood gases and blood smears as well as histology points to a toxic effect of high dose PL given intravenously but not after intraperitoneal administration. The toxic effect is exerted through endothelial disruption and subsequent bleeding in the lungs, provoking sanguineous lung edema. FITC-labelled PL experiments reveal a rapid clearance with differences between routes and complex binding. This study advocates a new theory of the toxic effects in vivo of high molecular PL. PLPG complex is safe to use as antiadhesive prevention based on this toxicity study given that PL is always intraperitoneally administered in combination with PG and that the dose is adequate.     

Effect of high-pressure cooling on life of SiAlON tools in machining of Inconel 718

High-pressure cooling has proven to be very effective when machining with carbide inserts. Longer tool life and improved chip breaking are among the most commonly mentioned advantages. Nevertheless, this cooling method has been reported to reduce the life of ceramic tools in machining of heat-resistant alloys. The main reason for that is said to be the accelerated notch wear. Therefore, in this study, SiAlON ceramic inserts with improved resistance to notching were tested in machining of Inconel?718 under high-pressure cooling. The results were compared to conventional cooling. It turned out that, while notch wear was still slightly increased when high-pressure cooling was applied, it was no longer critical for the tool life. Flank wear, on the other hand, was reduced, which led to significantly longer tool life. The variation of the tool life appeared to be slightly less and chip breaking was considerably improved. This shows that, when used properly, high-pressure cooling can help to increase the productivity in machining of heat-resistant alloys with ceramic tools.     

Fluorescence quantum yields of a series of red and near-infrared dyes emitting at 600-1000 nm

The determination of the fluorescence quantum yields (QY, Φ(f)) of a series of fluorescent dyes that span the absorption/excitation and emission ranges of 520-900 and 600-1000 nm is reported. The dyes encompass commercially available rhodamine 101 (Rh-101, Φ(f) = 0.913), cresyl violet (0.578), oxazine 170 (0.579), oxazine 1 (0.141), cryptocyanine (0.012), HITCI (0.283), IR-125 (0.132), IR-140 (0.167), and four noncommercial cyanine dyes with specific spectroscopic features, all of them in dilute ethanol solution. The QYs have been measured relative to the National Institute of Standards and Technology's standard reference material (SRM) 936a (quinine sulfate, QS) on a traceably characterized fluorometer, employing a chain of transfer standard dyes that include coumarin 102 (Φ(f) = 0.764), coumarin 153 (0.544), and DCM (0.435) as links between QS and Rh-101. The QY of Rh-101 has also been verified in direct measurements against QS using two approaches that rely only on instrument correction. In addition, the effects of temperature and the presence of oxygen on the fluorescence quantum yield of Rh-101 have been assessed.