455 research outputs found

    Three-dimensional Quantum-size Effect In Chemically Deposited Cadmium Selenide Films

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    Optical band gaps, Eg, up to 0.5 eV higher than in single-crystal samples, are observed for chemically deposited films of CdSe and explained in terms of a quantum-size effect, whereby the electrons are localized in individual crystallites. The increase in Eg depends strongly on deposition temperature, with the greatest increase obtained at the lowest temperature. Annealing at temperatures above the deposition temperature causes a decrease in Eg; this decrease is stronger at higher annealing temperature. Structural studies of the as-deposited layers showed them to be composed of microcrystalline, cubic CdSe, and electron microscopy resolved them into individual crystallites of typically 4080-A diameter, depending on deposition temperature. This is the first example reported of a three-dimensional quantum-size effect in a film. © 1987 The American Physical Society.3684215422

    Optimal Torque and Stiffness Control in Compliantly Actuated Robots

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    Abstract — Anthropomorphic robots that aim to approach human performance agility and efficiency are typically highly redundant not only in their kinematics but also in actuation. Variable-impedance actuators, used to drive many of these devices, are capable of modulating torque and passive impedance (stiffness and/or damping) simultaneously and independently. Here, we propose a framework for simultaneous optimisation of torque and impedance (stiffness) profiles in order to optimise task performance, tuned to the complex hardware and incorporating real-world constraints. Simulation and hardware experiments validate the viability of this approach to complex, state dependent constraints and demonstrate task performance benefits of optimal temporal impedance modulation. Index Terms — Variable-stiffness actuation, physical constraints, optimal control

    Effect of maleic anhydride–aniline derivative buffer layer on the properties of flexible substrate heterostructures: Indium tin oxide/nucleic acid base/metal

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    This paper presents some investigations on the properties of guanine (G) and cytosine (C) based heterostructures deposited on flexible substrates. The effects of two types of maleic anhydride–aniline derivatives (maleic anhydride-cyano aniline or maleic anhydride-2,4 dinitroaniline) buffer layer, deposited between indium tin oxide and (G) or (C) layer, on the optical and electrical properties of the heterostructures have been identified.The heterostructures containing a film of maleic anhydride-2,4 dinitroaniline have shown a good transparency and low photoluminescence in visible range. This buffer layer has determined an increase in the conductance only in the heterostructures based on (G) and (C) deposited on biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate substrate

    Quantitative Imaging of Regional Aerosol Deposition, Lung Ventilation and Morphology by Synchrotron Radiation CT

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    To understand the determinants of inhaled aerosol particle distribution and targeting in the lung, knowledge of regional deposition, lung morphology and regional ventilation, is crucial. No single imaging modality allows the acquisition of all such data together. Here we assessed the feasibility of dual-energy synchrotron radiation imaging to this end in anesthetized rabbits; both in normal lung (n = 6) and following methacholine (MCH)-induced bronchoconstriction (n = 6), a model of asthma. We used K-edge subtraction CT (KES) imaging to quantitatively map the regional deposition of iodine-containing aerosol particles. Morphological and regional ventilation images were obtained, followed by quantitative regional iodine deposition maps, after 5 and 10 minutes of aerosol administration. Iodine deposition was markedly inhomogeneous both in normal lung and after induced bronchoconstrition. Deposition was significantly reduced in the MCH group at both time points, with a strong dependency on inspiratory flow in both conditions (R-2 = 0.71; p <0.0001). We demonstrate for the first time, the feasibility of KES CT for quantitative imaging of lung deposition of aerosol particles, regional ventilation and morphology. Since these are among the main factors determining lung aerosol deposition, we expect this imaging approach to bring new contributions to the understanding of lung aerosol delivery, targeting, and ultimately biological efficacy.Peer reviewe

    The Caulobacter crescentus DNA-(adenine-N6)-methyltransferase CcrM methylates DNA in a distributive manner

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    The specificity and processivity of DNA methyltransferases have important implications regarding their biological functions. We have investigated the sequence specificity of CcrM and show here that the enzyme has a high specificity for GANTC sites, with only minor preferences at the central position. It slightly prefers hemimethylated DNA, which represents the physiological substrate. In a previous work, CcrM was reported to be highly processive [Berdis et al. (1998) Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 95: 2874–2879]. However upon review of this work, we identified a technical error in the setup of a crucial experiment in this publication, which prohibits making any statement about the processivity of CcrM. In this study, we performed a series of in vitro experiments to study CcrM processivity. We show that it distributively methylates six target sites on the pUC19 plasmid as well as two target sites located on a 129-mer DNA fragment both in unmethylated and hemimethylated state. Reaction quenching experiments confirmed the lack of processivity. We conclude that the original statement that CcrM is processive is no longer valid
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